Ok, here's chapter 2... hope you guys like it... please review...


Chapter 2

A blue green gray sea crashes dangerously at the base of the high palisades that seem to touch the sky. Sea foam and flotsam cling to the high crags and crevices of the stony face while the waves take out their vengeance on the ever constant cliffs. The air is cooling in afternoon as the sun sets over the watery horizon. Summer has ended and fall is beginning to show her face with the occasional blasts of icy wind off the sea. In the dusking light, the old grey stones covered in moss and lichen stand tall and proud forming the Dromberg circle.

Beneath these stones, through the layers of grass, earth and rock, it is whispered by the local folk that a fairy hill can be found only by those who do not wish to seek it. The mysterious caverns that hide in shadow beneath the earth's surface hold many unseen treasures. If one is lucky (or unlucky) enough to find their way into a fairy hill, a dark world he would find. The main cavern, great hall to the Fairy king is endless in its height and darkness. The only light comes from the two small braziers, one on either side of the king's stony throne.

There he sits dark and brooding, his piercing emerald eyes glow ever so slightly as he scowls into the dark. None would usually dare approach or even enter the great hall, cavernous and dark, for fear of his horrifying wrath, but today, some take the chance, hoping to be the new fairy queen.

It has not been pleasant in the fairy hill for many millennia for the king have not found one who could make him happy. Oh, that's not to say that many fine fairy ladies haven't tried. King Feidhelm ("fail + im") is not so easily pleased. His firm and strong chin sits in the cup of his palm as he gazes with displeasure at the lady attempting to win the crown. Beauty was not what he sought, for if it was, the first lady in his sight would have the crown. He searches for something that he can't seem to find among the Fey.

Piercing emerald eyes glower at the slight crowd that has gathered in his throne room, hoping that perhaps today, he might choose a wife. His forest green tunic was almost invisible in the dark lighting. His lighter green hose and tall fawn skin boot contrasted with the dark tunic, but did nothing for his dark and brooding mood. Just as Feidhelm was about to send the laughing and colorful court away, Quilan the king's lifelong friend, flew into the room with great flourish.

"Ho, and greetings to the great Feidhelm, King of the Fairies!" he cried as he swept to his place on the right side of the throne. The younger fairy, by only a few years, was dress gaily with bright reds and gold. Laughing and making jokes, Quilan attempted to lighten the fairy king's mood. With an icy glare from the brooding king, he quickly rid the throne room of all the inhabitants. Having known Feidhelm from birth, Quilan knew when enough was enough.

"Come now, cousin, it can't be all that bad. Surely you would have much more fun tripping some mortal or switching their screaming young for one of our own? You can't spend all you time brooding in this dark room. Which reminds me…" With a snap of his fingers the entire room quickly lit to a cheerful glow, revealing tapestries depicting historic scenes and long lost creatures and weapons of old, now gathering dust in their cases. "Much better."

Feidhelm glared at his cousin, then with a wave of his hand, extinguished all the light that had just been put fourth. He paid no attention to the slight pout on his Quilan's face and without a backwards glance Feidhelm headed down a dark hallway, the sound of his footsteps echoing off the walls and mingled with the gentle sound of dripping water coming from the room ahead. None but Quilan and Feidhelm were permitted in the room, for it was the king's only sanctuary, a place away from the nagging and constant chatter of the court.

"Not this again! Really Feidhelm you must find something to do with your time other than stare at this pool. Why don't you just approach the girl? How could she possibly resist the offer to be Queen of the Fairies?"

Once again ignoring his younger cousin, Feidhelm approached the small pool of water that sat in a raised basin in the middle of the dark room. Small torches lit the tiny room just enough so that the pictures in the basin could be seen. "Because Quilan, my annoying cousin, one simply does not just approach grown mortals and ask them to become Queen of the Fairies. How could I know if she would truly be happy here with me, and that she wouldn't leave and run off with the first mortal to enter our hill?" The king touched the tip of his long index finger to the water causing it to ripple. Quietly he muttered in Gaelic, asking the pictures to emerge. Once the water cleared, the image of a girl, a young woman really, appeared. She was talking quietly with the large farm horses that were rather adamant about not going any further along the road that passed close to the hill. The way to the village may have been shorter along that road, but no horse or oxen would pass by the stone circle quietly or without fuss.

Quilan came over and stood beside the king, watching the girl coax and plead with the horses to continue down the path. "Then, my dear cousin, you must first win her trust and her heart."

"And just how do you purpose I do that?" Feidhelm asked. What Quilan had not know was that he had met this girl before, appearing to her in times of great trouble when she was young and able to believe and trust in the Fair Folk. He had followed her when the family moved from Leap to the small farm outside Rosscarbery. But as she grew older, her parent's became more protective. They began to warn their children of the wicked and tricky way of the Fair Folk. She would know him, of that he was sure, but weather or not she would trust him was another story.

"I've got it!" Feildhelm announced as he continued to watch the girl in the pool. "You will woe her for me!" As he said this he turned and pointed his finger into Quilan's chest.

"Me, cousin?" Quilan was completely taken aback. "You would have me woe your love? What would you have me do, pretend to be you? Do great deeds in your name?" Quilan was completely lost as to why he, of all people was chosen to do this.

"No, my simpleminded cousin, you are to be yourself. Just simply use my name." Feildhelm smiled. This would work out perfectly! "When the time is right, you and I will switch places and I will declare my love to her. By that time you will have won her trust and her heart, and she will be my queen!"

Quilan stood, shocked at the idea that his king had presented. Use his name to woe the girl? It would never work. She would think badly of both if she ever found out. And even with all the power the Fieldhelm held, he could not force her to stay. Just as he was about to protest, Fieldhelm turned to him.

"And don't even think about protesting. You will do as I say." The king had that threatening gleam in his eye Quilan knew better than to challenge.

"As you wish, my lord." Quilan bowed his head in submission. There was nothing that he could do. Quick as a flash he was off to go confront the girl. Fieldhelm turned back to the pool to watch. Though the picture images were perfectly clear, not a single sound came fourth from the silent waters. That was the only flaw. Conjuring up a chair, he settled down to watch the show.


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