How does my job work you ask? Well, if you are interested, I will tell you.
When a dragon's egg is found, or brought by the dragons themselves, it is given to me. Most of the time, these eggs, ranging in size from the egg of a large goose to the size of a great boulder, are brought to me by the parents themselves or by the fairies or elves, but from time to time, someone will bring me an egg that is to be raised for a very special purpose, such as for a rider, or for protection of a land or even of things. Such as treasure, you ask? Sometimes, but usually it is something that would cause great destruction if it were to fall into the wrong or unknowing hands.
Baby dragons are ready to hatch 3 days after they are laid, but it can sometimes take up to 500 or even 1,000 years for a baby dragon to choose to hatch. But that is only in rare cases and harsh or dire conditions. However, I do my best to try to influence the eggs to hatch only in the spring, so that by the time they are ready to learn to fly, the air currents towards the end of summer will be helpful in their training. How does one coax a dragon to hatch at the right time? I sing to it. It is something the Elves have taught me, though I still haven't completely master it, as, at times, I have several eggs hatch a month too early or a fortnight too late. But it does help greatly.
Hatching in the spring, means that fledgling season is in the summer. This is when they will learn to hunt and catch food with out killing more than they need to sustain themselves. Dragons can eat plants, vegetables and fruit, but in order to function and grow strong, they must eat meat. Therefore, they are taught to respect the lives that they must take to eat.
At Summer's end, my little ones are usually quite eager to learn to fly. By that time most of them have even been climbing up trees and small cliffs and jumping off to see how well they can glide. This is necessary for their growth, if a dragon learns to fly too late in life, their wings will not be strong enough to lift their body because they have grown too fast. Many of them even learn to fly without hardly out any tutoring, but there are those few who will need guidance and encouragement. Ones who need "hands on" visuals. For these, I will usually sing my spell, sprout wings and fly with them, or allow one of my older dragon wards to do so.
Once they have learned to fly, the winter and new spring is spent with academics, such as history, courtesies when addressing ones above or lesser than oneself, the ways of nature and many other things. This training is done on an individual basis, as each dragon has a different intellect, just as every human, elf, fairy, knelph, and so on.
Depending on the bread of dragon, this would be the last of his or her training, as only a few types of dragons breathe fire. Those who do not need training in fire breathing, are honored for their accomplishments in a small ceremony, and then are free to go and use their knowledge and to gain wisdom from experience.
As I am unable to breathe or create fire, I must rely upon the fire sprites to train my wards in this miraculous art. But it is only when I know that they are fully aware of the dangers of using fire and what fire can do to homes and crops and to the inhabitants of the land, that I take them on a journey to the deep volcanic cavern where their new teachers abide. Training in the use for fire can take a very long time, and some of the dragons aren't even fully developed enough to breathe fire when we get there, but the sprites, are very patient and take them in for as long as it takes. While I must journey back to tend to my newest wards.
Once the dragons have learned to control their flames, they will return to me for a celebration of their accomplishments and then are free to go where they are called.
~ And, thus, the cycle of life continues.~
~Creatures of the Wood~
Ttocs~ Half human, half Hoodwync, after his human mother was brutally killed by his own father when he was a baby, he was taken to the lonely stone glades to be raised by the evil Hoodwync king, Thade.
However, when he was just a young boy, he somehow wandered off and was found by the knelphs, who, like little children, don't really pay attention to who or what you are, if they like you, you're good to them. But the knelphs didn't know what to do with him, since he was too solemn to frolic with them, so they brought him to the fairies and elves for advice. Exactly how long they raised him, it isn't really known, but it was long enough for him to be instilled wi
I do not claim any of the pictures, but ALL of the characters are of my own imagination. I am a writer, and love to let creativity take charge. I DO NOT tolerate plagiarism. It is a crime no matter who or where you are.... even in this enchanted wood. If you want to use any of my characters (including those described in my gallery) or storylines, please ask me first, and I just might be inclined to say yes. How hard is it to just ask?
If you enjoy reading my work, please let me know. It is always a great reassurance to hear that someone is actually reading and taking pleasure in my stories.
Wounded Beauty
The lady Sommer was sitting on the porch (or, as a mortal would see it, the tree root) of her Knelph neighbors home (a grandfather oak), enjoying the sights of her precious hatchlings frolicking and romping about with the Knelph children. It was one of those moments when she realized just how much she gets out of her work, and wonder if others know what they are missing in life.
Swiftly and silently, like a shadow, Ttocs appeared from a tangled mess of brush, in his strong arms, pale and white against his dark robes, lay a beautiful lass, limp and unconscious. She was badly injured, and her almost transparent gown of pale colors was stained dark with blood that was still flowing from her chest. Her face was very inhuman in it's beauty, yet her eyes were not slanted and her ears were not pointed like that of an elf, and no siren would bleed such a deep red.
What was she? Is she alive? Sommer wondered, as she helped Ttocs take her into the Nursery cave that was usually used to nurse sick and injured dragons to health. Sommer brought clean water, bandages and whatever herbs and potions she had on hand, in hope that it would help. She lay a gentle hand on the ivory throat. A sigh of relief. There was a pulse. Immediately she sprang to action, to clean and bandage the wound.
"Who is she? Do you know? Where did you find her? What is she? Why is she injured? Where did she come from?!"
Ttocs only knew that he had found her, as she was, in a small clearing near the stream, a little ways off from the spring.
As the good Hoodwync went out to gather the hatchlings together to put them to nest by sundown, Sommer attentively tended to their new guest.
The wound was deep. Sommer was afraid that it went all the way to the heart. But her pulse was too strong for that... It seemed more like the injury had been caused by something inside driving it's way out, rather than something from the outside being driven in... and there were no other marks on her body, not a bruise or a scratch of any kind.
There she lay, perfectly clean and pale in stark contrast to her surroundings.... seemingly mortally wounded... and yet, in her unconsciousness, she seemed to be perfectly at peace and happy. She almost seemed to have a constant smile playing at her rose colored lips.... WHO IS SHE?
Taking some bread for the journey, Ttocs set out to ask the Elves to come and give Sommer advice on what to do with their silent but curious guest. It would be dark long before he would return, but they had agreed that since they didn't know who or what she was, it would be unwise to have her around the young dragons for any longer than necessary, and she was not yet strong enough to travel as far as the Elves. Sommer would keep watch over her until his return.
As he faded into the shadows of the forest, Sommer sighed. She was so blessed to have such a friend in Ttocs. Many had tried to reprimand her for holding with such company... "There are plenty of others who are much more deserving of your trust than a Hoodwync!" They would protest. But the truth was, Ttocs had one thing that no other had to offer -- the will to do right and smother any speck of darkness and evil still in him. It was something that she had seen him struggle greatly with when they had first met through the Elves, and she knew that it was still his first priority in making any decisions... That is why she trusted him. She smiled and turned her attention to her surrounding scene and the tasks at hand.
Her guest was looking into the water, half looking as if she were afraid of it, half looking as if she were mesmerized by something in it... Sommer knew that she had probably caught a glimpse of Myraja, the spring's water nymph.
Hoping the nymph would hold her attention for a while, Sommer rolled up her sleeves and began to try and gather all the young fledglings from their games and put them to nest, as the sun was getting very low in the sky. This was finally accomplished despite Ratnaraj's constant chattering questions about the mysterious guest, and Carriggla's attempts at escaping to continue playing which then turned into a bit of a game in itself to her. But as the sun said it's last farewell, she finally felt sleepiness come upon her and she settled down and fell fast into dreamland. Sommer herself was feeling sleepy. It had not bee easy putting her children to nest, and keep an eye on the girl at the same time, and she was glad she would have Nicis to keep her company and help her stay awake 'till Ttocs's return. She was surprised to see that the girl was still gazing into the pool. Despite the fact that it was dark, She still acted as if she could see something.
Then, in a sudden movement, that made Sommer concerned that she may have reopened the freshly healed wound, she sprang back from the water, as if it held a poison to her... She picked herself up and looked around her in wonder.... It was twilight, and the sky above the clearing was turning a deep blue as the first stars began to show their light to the world. It was then that Sommer heard a sound like she had never heard before. It rose from the girl as she looked to the Evening star.
She thought it was a laugh... It was so clear and musical, like the tinkling of silver chimes, so natural, like the babbling of a brook, and so innocent, like the laughter of a young child. Hearing it did strange things to Sommer.... She felt like she could stay up all night, frolicking and causing mischief, dancing and running through fields of flowers.... Quickly she pulled herself back in.
*Nicis* she reached out her mind to find her night companion, *I need you to help me keep watch on her. I fear she is a spellbinder, and need you to keep me from falling prey to it. We also MUST keep her away from the young ones.*
*I agree* Nicis now showed her head through a bramble of bushes nearby.
*Does she have any effect on you?*
*No, but I can sense how you are effected, and for anyone to effect you so, they must be a spell binder.* There was a bit of humor in her tone.
Sommer was about to ask her what she meant by that, when the girl took off, skipping and bounding through the woods as if she hadn't a care in the world.
Nicis was about to cut her off and hold her back with a threatening growl, but Sommer sensed it, and held her back.
"She is not our prisoner"
*yet* Nicis added
Sommer gave her a warning glance. *I want to see where she will take us... Can you keep watch over the nest? If you must, wake Ketu to help you.*
*But if she should lead to a trap?*
*I will call to you to send Ketu or Jagger.*
*And her spells?*
Sommer looked into the wood where the girl had gone. Her pale robes were quickly fading into the darkness. Only when she ran through a patch of moonlight could she be seen.
"I will fly above and at a distance so that her laughter will not reach my ears."
Nicis didn't seem very satisfied at this, but Sommer did not wait for a reply.
If she stayed any longer, she would lose the girl. She ran swiftly dodging between trees, all the time keeping her eyes on the pale flowing gown in the distance. She began to sing as she ran. Slowly, on her back, a pair of wings began to appear. White and feathered like a dove's, they spread as wide and as beautifully as Pegasus' own glory as she took flight.
Keeping low over the trees, she quickly caught up with the girl who ran so gracefully, she seemed to be running on air.
Sommer now heard strains of music and song woven in among the laughter. She quickly rose higher to keep the sound from reaching her ears.
From such a vantage point, Sommer observed that the creature seemed to know exactly where she was going, and that she was going well out of her way to avoid coming across any water. *But why would that be?* Sommer wondered, *She can drink water... Perhaps she can't swim...?*
Finally the lass came to a large moonlit glade where she stopped and fell to her knees. Concerned that she had been injured, Sommer quickly circled and landed. As she ran up to her, she felt a pang of compassion for her. The girl looked up to the sky, as if looking for a friend in a large crowd. But her friend was not there, and a tear began to mark a thin stream down her pale face. She took no notice of Sommer, but seemed to let loneliness consume her as she wept silently.
Sommer knew that the romp was over, and she called to Nicis to tell her where they were. The lass had exhausted herself too much to make the trek back, she would need to be carried, and Sommer herself was rather weary from all the excitement and exercise of the day.
Soon Ketu arrived, seeming to glow silver in the moonlight.
As she lifted the tired form of the girl onto Ketu's strong back, Sommer couldn't help but see her as but a child who has lost her way. The girl had cried herself to sleep and was curled into a ball as the dragon spread his wings and in one bound leaped into the sky.
Declining Ketu's offer to carry her home as well, Sommer took off and flew slightly south to see if she could find Ttocs and explain to him what had happened. She hoped that he would have an Elf with him who would be able to tell her what it all meant.
Astounding Discovery
Ttocs and Vaithyu`natsan, the Elf (called Vaith by all those close to him), listened intently as Sommer relayed all that had occurred between breaths. She had taken a bit of a clumsy landing when she had found them, and... well, the experience had knocked the wind out of her.
They were nearing the spring and clearing as she finished. By now, the moon had sunk low in the navy sky, and the very first birds were rustling through the leaves in search of worms, to feed their young breakfast. The sky through the trees to the east was growing lighter and Sommer knew that beyond the trees, a thin band of orange could be seen on the horizon, promising to break the night and usher in a new day. But she was too exhausted to care.
She had spent the entire night past, chasing a strange, beautiful creature with spellbinding powers for miles through the forest. And the night before, she has sat up with the creature who at the time was mortally wounded. All she cared about was finding out who and what her guest was, take care of things and get some sleep! Providing Ttocs was up for teaching the days lessons, of course...
As they approached the cave, Vaith finally spoke. "From what you tell me, I believe I already know what she is... but I want to be certain. I must see her and speak with her."
"She doesn't speak to anyone." She was feeling rather irritated at the secrecy, and wished the Elf would just tell her, but she knew that it was her lack of sleep that was making her temper rise. She must remain patient and calm, especially in front of the many little (and not so little) wards that were now waking with the first light of the sunrise.
"Does she say anything? Besides the singing you heard last-night?"
"Not that I've heard. We can ask Nicis if she said anything after the romp last-night, but I believe she had worn herself out so much, all she could do is sleep."
As Ttocs went to gather the younger hatchlings for their academics, Sommer and Vaith entered the cave, and found the girl awake, but quietly sitting at the hearth. The light of the last glowing ember cast its red glow on her pale face and made her eyes look even more red then they already were from all the crying she had apparently done the past night.
If she had sensed them enter the room, she didn't show it. Instead she just stared into the red glow, as if she weren't even looking at anything. She had the look of one who had given up all hope and didn't care what happened next. Sommer, despite her agitation at the events of the previous night and lack of sleep thereof, couldn't help but feel sorry for the creature who had deprived her of her precious sleep.
Vaith seated himself beside the girl, while Sommer reached out mentally for Nicis to see if all went well, and to learn if anything else had happened while she was gone. Satisfied at learning no other occurrences had taken place, she again turned her attention to the Elf and the girl.
Vaith seemed to be trying to speak to the girl in as many different languages as he knew, which were quite a few! Sommer began to be afraid that this would take all day, and she would never get any sleep.
*What am I thinking!* She mentally shook herself...*If Ttocs can stay up night after night for at least a month, I shouldn't be so self absorbed after just 2 nights of sleep lost?!*
Again she turned her attention to the guest and Vaith, who's perfect elvin face was beginning to show signs of excitement. That was one thing Sommer liked most about Vaith. He was a young Elf of 108, and he still allowed his emotion to show through at times... though one would need to know how to read it.
It had taken Sommer several years to learn how to read an Elf's face, as Elves tend to work on being calm and unrevealing their feelings. But, with some Elves she had learned, their beautiful faces, can, at times, betray them despite their efforts, if one were to pay very close attention. Their eyes will sparkle more than usual, and their ivory skin will turn the very slightest tint of pink, when they are excited about something. This is what Sommer saw in Vaith now as he let an unknown, musical language float off his tongue.
The girl slowly turned to him, slight curiosity replacing the lack of interest in her eyes. Her pupils (the only thing visible in her eyes from where Sommer stood) grew wide as, and much more musical than even the Elf had spoken, she answered him.
A wide boyish smile spread across Vaith's flawless face as he turned excitedly to Sommer!
"Her name is Isolde`Timawa! But we can call her Isolde."
"What is she?! Where did she come from?! Why was she hurt?! What is her fear of water?! What language....?" Sommer was so excited at finding a way of communicating. She wanted to know so much.
Vaith waved off the flow of questions and turned his attention back to the girl. He seemed to be prompting her as he gestured towards Sommer. The girl turned and looked at Sommer and tilted her head to one side, as if she were deciding if she could trust Sommer. Finally she turned to Vaith.
"I suppose, if I must." She said.
"What?!" Sommer was shocked. She thought perhaps she her mind was playing tricks on her.
The girl looked at her with mischief in her face. "I said, I suppose I'll talk so you can understand, if I must. I don't exactly prefer to speak such a dull language, but I suppose I don't have a choice anymore."
Sommer was speechless, she looked from the girl to Vaith and back again, and blinked, dumbfounded.
"She's a fairy, Sommer" Vaith explained.
"A fairy?!" All the fairies she knew spoke her own language. And she had never seen a fairy that looked like this... "I don't understand."
"The reason you've never seen anything like her is because she is not from this realm." Vaith tried to clarify, seeming to be able to read every thought from her expressions.
"What do you mean? What realm is she from then? It must be pretty far away... Ttocs didn't even know what she was."
Isolde grinned impishly. "Oh, but I'm from around here!"
Again, Sommer looked confused.
"It's a parallel realm." Vaith explained. "Have you ever heard of the 'Fairy Realm'? It's a place that is said where fairytales and dreams come true."
"You mean it's real?" Sommer had that feeling that she had had when she was a young woman and had learned that dragons were real, and that there was life beyond the village she lived in...
"Of course we're real!" The girls seemed offended that Sommer had thought anything otherwise. "Who do you suppose paints the morning and evening skies?! Or drops apples on the heads of lazy boys who should be in school instead of sleeping in the orchard? And when you were living with your kind... what about the stories you heard form the local cobbler about shoes being repaired during the night? Or a poor widow's cracked roof being patched up just before a rainstorm? Where do you suppose those fairytales you grew up listening to came from?! You are so oblivious to truth!!!!" With that, Isolde ran out of the cave, tears flowing down her face.
Sommer was stunned. She was going to go after her, but Vaith laid a gentle hand on her arm and told her to stay.
"She needs some time alone. Don't be concerned. It is the way of the realm fairies to have unpredictable temperaments. One moment they will be laughing and frolicking, and the next they will be so angry they cause thunderstorms."
"They can control the weather?"
"Only for as far as the strength of their magic. Based on what I have seen in Isolde, the only rain she can make is her own tears... which puzzles me... but there is a lot puzzling me about her."
"How do you know so much about the realm fairies?" Sommer wanted to know more.
"Every Elf is schooled to know of every creature in existence throughout their lives. In order to know life, we must know what lives."
"But why have neither Ttocs or I ever known of this?"
"By request of the fairy king... He would rather keep the world oblivious to the existence of his people."
"But why?"
"Well, for one reason, humans tend to prefer not to know of anything they can't understand. They have enough trouble understanding the existence of dragons, Elves and Hoodwyncs... why would they believe that a special kind of fairy paints the sky every sunset? Also, the realm fairies not only perform kind and wise deeds, but also take great pleasure in making mischief. If the fairy realm were a known fact, could you imagine the war that would be waged against it's king? Every little bit of misfortune would instantly be blamed on the realm fairies. And if Thade were to ever learn of a world made completely of magic, it would be a disaster to every living creature, both mystical and mortal."
"But if they are invisible to the rest of the world... Why is Isolde here?"
"That is a mystery to all but Isolde. What I am wondering is how she got here..."
"Do realm fairies usually heal so quickly? In only one night a deep wound is gone and now, there isn't even a scar!"
"Well, as far as I know, all they are immortal, unlike the fairies we know... which might explain the swift recovery." He paused and looked deep into Sommer's eyes. He knew that she had so many questions and that she shared the same love for knowledge and discovery that he had. "Since you now know of the realm fairies, perhaps I should tell you where our fairies came from..."
"I thought they were native to this wood..."
Vaith laughed, "They are. Many centuries ago, the fairy realm was all that existed in this land, and the only fairies that existed were realm fairies. But then the humans came and..."
Sommer listened intently as the wise Elf told her the history of how the fairies became divided due to a fairy prince who fell in love with a human girl and kidnapped and brought her to the realm in hopes that she would be accepted by his people. But as the years passed, she grew old and ugly, and he was still young and beautiful. So he returned her to her home in the village, and went out to look for another young, beautiful human girl to call his bride without a second thought to his first love. The poor old woman had spend over 200 years in the fairy realm. The magic had kept her alive, and when she returned to her own relm, she died, without a friend or family member there to comfort her in her last moments. The prince's father, the fairy king grew very angry with his son for his heartless selfishness, and banished him and the children his human wife had born him (half human, half relm fairy) from the realm forever. But the prince had followers who believed that he had done nothing wrong, and so in protest, they too took human mates. It was many years before the fairy king managed to stop the rebellion, and banish everyone who had taken part in the insurrection. By the time it had all ended, the king had had to take all those realm fairies' immortality, including his own son. The fairies that Sommer knew today were the children that had been born from the integrated marriages.
"What about the fairy prince and his followers?" Sommer was in awe at the history she had never known.
"Without their immortality, they died after 100 years or so. The fairies we know have a touch of immortality, which is why they live so long and stay so young."
"Why didn't the king take theirs as well?"
"They couldn't help their being born what they were. He felt that it would be wrong to punish them for the crimes of their parents."
"He is a wise king."
"Yes, he was... but from what I am told, taking his own son's immortality and therefore his life, has made him rather mad. Which makes me wonder if that is why Isolde is here... But that is something that we will have to let her tell us in her own good time."
Deadly Prophecy
After a several more questions about the realm fairies, Sommer graciously thanked Vaith and invited him to stay as long as he wanted.
"I thank you," He said, gently taking her hand and lightly brushing his lips to it.
It had been so long since Sommer had felt a touch so tender, so sweet... She felt herself blush, but she tried to control it and hide her face by turning towards the window, as if she were looking to check and see if Ttocs needed any help.
"I think it might be best if I were to stay and watch Isolde and perhaps see if she will talk to me about what happened... I think it might be easier and a little more comforting for her to tell it in her own tongue." Vaith, said gazing tenderly at the back of her head.
"Of course," Sommer turned back to her guest, but not before he had time to control his expressions. She smiled. "And perhaps you can teach me this beautiful language."
"I would love to."
After showing Vaith to the guest quarters, Sommer went outside and found Ttocs sitting on a large stone, reading an old scroll to the young dragons who were all lined up in a circle around him. She couldn't help but smile at how captivating his stories always were for the little ones. It always made their history lessons so much more enjoyable. In fact, that was the one lesson all the hatchlings looked forward to the most.
Seeing that Ttocs had everything under control, she decided to go visit their knelph neighbors, Idoofy and Andorta Obanerny and their youngsters, and get some food. Tonight she would make a feast to honor their guests...
She took a couple jugs of water from the spring and went on her way. The water from the spring held magical abilities, and the knelphs were always glad to have some to use on their garden and other plants. It always brought forth the most delicious fruit, and exquisite blossoms.
As she approached a particularly majestic grandfather oak, she thought she heard a rustling of leaves nearby... She looked around but saw nothing. But as she walked beneath a particularly low branch, the comb that had been pinning her hair back seemed to vanish, sending her dark locks cascading over her shoulders.
"Hey!" she laughed, looking around for the culprit. It had to be Elroy, the third youngest child of the Obanerny's family. He seemed to have a some childish romantic feelings towards Sommer, and he always took something of hers in hope she would stay longer.
From the bushels of leaves in the branches, she could hear children's voices.
"Noidyr, give that to me!"
"I think not! It is now my turn to claim the fair lady for my own! Once I return this cherished comb, she will have no choice but to fall for me."
"Stop that! You are teasing me. Give it back!"
"Never!" came the dramatic tone in retort. "She is mine I tell you! Mine!"
With that and an "On Guard!" they seemed to fall silent, save for some rustling of leaves and rapid clicking sounds that Sommer heard. Suddenly, they burst out of the leaves right above her head. First the culprit, Noidyr, holding the comb in one hand, and a rather long porcupine quill in the other, and balancing carefully so as not to fall from the branch. They came Elroy, defending his honor and love valiantly with a fair sized quill of his own.
Sommer was so amused by the theatrics, that she decided to take a seat and watch the entertainment.
For their size and age, and for having nothing but porcupine quills to practice with, both of the lads were excellent swordsmen, which made their sparring all the more entertaining. However, Elroy seemed to have the upper hand, as he was not carrying a comb the size of his head. (Knelphs are a rather small people with large heads, you know.) He could see that his opponent's balance was slightly off, and he tried his best to use it to his advantage. He was about to deal a blow that would send his brother tumbling to the soft forest floor below when they were stopped by another voice.
"Noidyr and Elroy Obanerny! Stop that right now! You know how much I worry when you fight so high off the ground! You too will be the death of me yet! Give the lady her trinket back before I have her send her dragons to come and eat you naughty boys!"
Andorta came out from the base of the tree wiping her hands on her apron. She smiled and bowed slightly to Sommer, then returned her attention to her rambunctious sons.
"Go and find your sister and help her with the twins. Your father will deal with you later."
Noidyr, hoping that his punishment would not be so bad if he weren't the one seen with the comb, quickly handed it to Elroy, and scurried up the tree to do his mother's bidding.
The younger knelph placed the comb on the largest leaf he could find and sent it floating gently down into Sommer's lap. Then, blushing as Sommer thanked him, he quickly scurried after his older brother.
Sommer couldn't help but laugh. Even though she was so tired from the past few nights, she always found it such a joy to visit the Obanernys. No matter what mood she was in, she always ended up smiling and laughing. They are such a cheering folk, the knelphs. No matter what they are doing, they always, in one way or another, make it a joyful occasion for those around them.
Sommer turned and greeted Andorta, her cheeks still rosy from laughter.
"They're a strange lot, they are, but that's why we love them." Laughed the little woman, putting her hands on her hips. "I heard that you have a guest or two stayin' with you. I figured you'd be by to get some food."
"I brought water from the spring for you, in trade." Sommer offered, but Andorta waved her off.
"You know that you are more than welcome to whatever we have. You're our good friend, and that's trade enough for us... but, since you carried it all the way out here, I couldn't have you carryin' it back with all the food you'd be carryin' as well. So, I s'pose we'll accept. Come 'round to the garden and I'll fetch some baskets for you, and we'll get some nice fruits and veggies for your table."
Taking the water jugs one at a time, as one was almost the same size as herself, Andorta carefully carried them into the house. Each time she went in, she came out with a large basket trailing behind her. Sommer almost wondered how she managed to fit them in their house, but then she reminded herself that these were knelphs she was thinking of. Knelphs are the "pack-rats" of the forest. She smiled and took the baskets and followed her hostess to her treasured garden.
To the untrained eye, a knelph's garden looked like nothing more than various weeds and other plants found on the forest floor. But if one were to know where to look, and to look very carefully, on would see that these were not weeds, as they were not planted at random, but in very neat rows. But then too, it is very hard to see this, as knelphs have somewhat of a trade designed with the fairies (as they do with every creature they live near and love.). The knelphs provide food for the fairies annual feasts, if the fairies keep a magical spell on the knelphs' gardens so as to keep any unwanted scavengers and thieves from finding it. Sommer, however, being more than welcome to help herself at anytime, was one of the few who could see the garden for herself. Seeing it made her think back many, many years ago to when she was a child, and her mother used to keep a garden of her own... It almost made her feel a twinge of homesickness... almost.
After picking her choice of produce, Sommer was invited to stay for a mid-afternoon picnic. But she felt it best to gracefully decline.
"It's getting late, and I really must get back to the nest." She felt a bit remorseful when she saw the disappointment in the faces of her little friends, so she quickly added, "but tomorrow, I will bring some of the hatchlings and our guests to come and we shall all have a grand feast of a picnic, how's that?"
Instantly their little round faces lit up with glee... especially the youngsters. They always enjoyed tumbling around with the young dragons.
So upon that promise, Sommer made her way back to the nest...
When she finally returned to the water spring, she was surprised to see that Ttocs had already started a fire for her and was cleaning a deer which Jagger had caught for them.
She thanked the Hoodwync and then set about preparing supper.
Just as the meat and vegetables were just about done, and she was setting out the earthenware around the large, flat stone just outside the cave, Vaith came running up looking slightly shocked, and very excited about something.
"You must come to the spring quickly!" He gasped, trying to catch his breath, he had ran so quickly to share his discovery with her... "The Nymph is... she... I've never heard anything like it! Come!"
Taking her hand, he lead her swiftly down to the water, where Isolde sat staring as she had been the day before.
"Realm fairies' powers are always interfered with when they, or the one they have cast a spell upon are close to a body of water. Either the spells will be reversed or go askew, or the fairy herself will fall ill until she (or he, I suppose) is taken to a dry place a good distance away, and even then it takes time for them to recover." Vaith explained, seeing the look of intrigue and confusion on Sommer's face. "But look at what she is staring at!"
He gently lead her to the water's edge and had her lean so far over that her long hair (that she had yet to pin back up from Noidyr stealing her comb) lightly brushed the surface of the clear water.
There she saw Myraja, the water nymph that guarded the magical spring, swimming in circles and blowing bubbles as if something had either upset her or excited her so much that she had lost her senses.
Sommer looked up at Vaith, her eyes filled with concern and confusion.
"Just listen," was his reply.
Rolling her sleeve up above her elbow, she gently reached in and scooped up the nymph, making sure to keep some water as well, so Myraja wouldn't dry up. Isolde followed the nymph's every move, her face seemed pale.
“Perhaps we should move her away from the water?" Sommer asked Vaith, gesturing to the fairy.
“I don't think she will move. Just hear what the nymph has to say."
Sommer turned to the tiny creature in her dripping hand. The water was running out, so she quickly told Vaith to run and get one of the bowls she had been putting on the table.
While Vaith rushed off to fetch the bowl, Sommer bowed her head in respect to the nymph.
“Greetings, beautiful water creature. What message do you speak for your servant? Tell us, please."
This was the first time Sommer had ever preformed such a ritual, but she had seen the elves do it a few times when she had first begun her work as a dragon nurse, and she knew that the only way the nymph would speak was if she felt respected and flattered.
Myraja was obviously very pleased by Sommer's reverence. She pulled herself up and crossed her arms so that she was leaning on the base of Sommer's thumb, much as you or I would lean against a fence, and gently splashed the water that was left in Sommer's hand with her feet.
“Merry meet to you as well." She had a mischievous grin on her tiny face.
“And you will need it too, as there will be gloom where you dwell."
“What do you mean?" Sommer was confused that the nymph seemed pleased to bring this news.
“The death has already begun,
but there'll be joy when all is done."
“Again, I don't understand! Who? No one is ill here."
Vaith finally arrived with the bowl which he promptly filled with water from the spring, and handed to Sommer, who gently placed the nymph inside.
Myraja swam a three circles, as if she were exploring the layout of a new spring or pond. Once she was content with her surroundings, she replied,
“Time will tell, and you will see,
but one shall fill the prophecy.
Long ago, when oceans spread,
One was promised from the dead,
To guard the life that's in the land,
and now that life doth sift like sand."
As she was speaking, she was lowering herself deeper and deeper into the water until her face went under and she started once again to blow bubbles and swim wildly in circles.
Sommer was appalled at the glee this known to be gentle creature was showing at bringing the news of a death. She shuddered to think of some undead roaming the land and protecting it... Protecting it from what?
“Why is the life of the land in danger?" She implored. "Who is going to die?!"
But the water nymph paid no head to her questions, and continued to blow bubbles and swim frantically.
In aggravation, Sommer shook the bowl, allowing some of the water to slosh out onto the ground, in hopes to get the prophetess's attention... but to no avail. Afraid of losing anyone near to her, and feeling helpless, she let the tears trickle down her flushed cheeks.
Then she felt a gentle hand on her shoulder. Vaith's gentle voice comforted her. “There is nothing to fear. I know the prophecy. I can't answer all of your questions, but I can answer some. I am sorry. I shouldn't have shown you this. I was carried away with excitement, and had forgotten that you do not have the education that I have in the history of the mystical creatures. Please forgive me, and allow me to explain"
Sommer carefully poured Myraja back into the spring, and allowed Vaith to guide her by her shoulders back to the cave where he finished preparing for the evening meal as he told her what he could about the news she had just heard.
(To be continued)
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