by A V Awenna
***
Madryn emerged from the portal just in time to witness the opening of Annwn’s gates. She had been gone all night – how heroic! She wondered if Hafren would be awake yet. People like him didn’t need much sleep, did they? Should she wash and change before delivering the meal? No, she decided she would look much more heroic appearing muddy and bedraggled. She wanted Hafren to realise what she’d endured to please him, to know how brave and resourceful she’d been. She’d heard he gave images of himself to his most favoured followers, and hoped this would be enough to earn one of those.
She strode to the home Hafren shared with his extended family, his wife and his young children. There were lights in the windows – a good sign. She let the door knocker fall, and hugged herself as she waited for a response.
It was a fairy that opened the door. It stared at Madryn as though it had never seen an elf before.
‘I am here for Lord Hafren. I have brought a request from the human world,’ Madryn said.
The fairy stared a moment longer, before scuttling off, leaving Madryn alone on the doorstep. It hadn’t even asked her inside! How ignorant!
A swish of satin announced the arrival of Lady Esmet, Hafren’s wife and business partner. She looked at Madryn as if she was a rotten vegetable.
‘What do you want?’ Esmet said. ‘By the sun’s light, what are you doing begging on my doorstep in such a filthy state at this hour?’
Madryn was stunned. This wasn’t what she expected. She managed to stammer that she needed to see Hafren, that she had the meal the human girl had requested. She had been clutching the bag to her, but offered it timidly to Lady Esmet, who took it as though fearing it was infectious.
‘Did you let it get cold?’ Esmet said.
‘Yes,’ Madryn said, meekly, although anger was starting to burn within her.
‘Good. At least you got something right. Don’t just stand there. Go and clean yourself up. Your appearance is a disgrace.’ She slammed the door in Madryn’s face.