by K. L. Morton
"Don't write someone off because they are not what you first expected, we need to always give people a second chance."
"When did you get so wise?"
"About 2 seconds ago!"
"Thanks my friend." Trinny gave Emma a hug and then took another look at her arm. "How cool was that dirt thing?"
Emma looked excitedly back at Trinny.
"Trin, if you can do that without even trying, imagine what you can do if you put your mind to it."
Trinny nodded, but was also feeling a little apprehensive about these new gifts, what else can I do? She asked herself.
CHAPTER SEVEN
'Such songs have power to quiet the restless pulse of care,
and come like the benediction that follows after prayer.'
- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
They followed closely to the small stream they had walked along for the past two hours; it was very peaceful listening to the water flowing in the same direction as their destination. Garus was happily in conversation with Nina and Emma, Morthos walked ahead of everyone keeping a diligent lookout for anything that looked unusual, and Trinny walked just in front of Aarion who was following at the rear. She didn't want to look back, she still felt upset with herself for reacting to Aarion the way she did, but she also wanted to give him as much of a cold shoulder as possible, she didn't like to be doubted. It took all her will to keep herself from turning around to look at him; he was so easy to look at. Her mind was in a constant battle, she was quite pleased he couldn't see her face, as she was sure it was looking contorted.
It was getting dark and there wasn't much light left, even though the forest wasn't as dense here, the sun had gone down and there were only soft pink and red hues in the sky leading their path. Aarion called out.
"We'll rest here for the night, then leave at first light." He directed everyone under a large Oak tree, its branches were huge and hung over the water, the leaves were the most beautiful deep green. The stream was wider here, and split into two, it was more like a very large pond area. There were gorgeous bell shaped flowers in white that grew on the banks, leaning over the pond as if this was how they drunk up the water.
The evening was warm so Emma and Trinny laid out their sleeping bags on the ground so that Nina could also share with them. Emma rummaged in her bag and brought out a torch, Trinny had one two, as Emma was so fussy when packing their bags she made sure they had everything they may need. The torches were the convertible kind that could be used as lanterns as well, so they gave off plenty of light in their makeshift campsite.
"What have you got in there? Did you catch a Will-o-wisp?" Garus was fascinated with the torches, picking them up and shaking them, looking into the light to see what magical creature was giving them illumination.
"No." Nina laughed. "They are run by batteries, the mortal world is filled with contraptions like this to make life easier."
"I would like to see more of the mortal realm, that visit was really to short, you have so much I want to explore." Garus said longingly.
"I'll tell you what Garus, if we all get through this alive, I'll give you a personal tour." Emma was growing fond of Garus, he wasn't the geeky guy she thought he was when she first met him, he made her laugh, and not many guys could do that.
"I'll hold you to that Emma my friend." Garus took out the flask and poured some coffee, it wasn't as hot anymore, but it was still great to get something familiar into them. Morthos opened up the pack he had been carrying and pulled out some sandwiches and muffins that Lucille had packed, everyone was starving. Once dinner was finished, the girls laid their heads down, Trinny's eyelids were so heavy, the moment she closed them she was out like a light.
Trinny could see the inside pink of her eyelids, and slowly opened them to find that morning had come around far to quickly for her liking. She would have been happy to sleep all day. Her sleeping bag and the earth beneath felt so comfortable to her; it was like the ground had molded itself to fit her body perfectly. No one else was awake yet, but she couldn't see Aarion, he must have been on watch somewhere. Trinny got up and made her way quietly to the waters edge and knelt down to splash her face, it was cool and refreshing, she felt a longing for the beautiful Indian Ocean and her mother. As she lifted her head she thought she saw movement in the water, is that some kind of fish? She thought, must be a large fish. It was now causing a real ripple effect in the center of the pond. There were three ripples altogether. Trinny stood up and backed away from the waters edge a little, there were three small mounds in the middle of the ripples, something was rising from the waters. As they came up, she could see they were the heads of three women. Once they had risen to just above their shoulders they looked at Trinny for a few moments with much interest. Their skin was shimmering like someone had painted their faces with metallic silver, they had hair that spiraled out onto the water, it must have been longer than their bodies, one had green hair, the color of a four leaf clover, another was golden like a wheat field, and the one in the middle had the most beautiful red hair, like autumn leaves. It reminded her of her mothers, her mum had to color her hair to get it like that though. They started to move towards her, she felt like she should cry out to the others but she was so enchanted by their beauty she couldn't. As they came to a more shallow depth they rose slowly out of the water. She could see they were wearing no clothing, but their hair started to envelop around their bodies, it formed a figure hugging dress, embracing each one slightly different from the next, each strand of hair blended to the next making the hair look like smooth satin fabric. The one with green hair spoke in the most gentle of voices, it relaxed Trinny.
"Greetings child, we have heard whispers that there were strangers in our wood, please tell our Queen why you are traveling in our domain and why you have summoned her here?" Trinny could see she was talking about the woman with the red hair, she noticed a circlet of tiny white flowers that she worn on her head.
"I, I...I am so sorry, I..." Trinny was lost for words, she had no idea who or what she was talking to, and she was relieved when she heard Aarion’s voice from behind her.
"My lady, forgive us for not sending word of our need to pass through your domain. It has been a dangerous journey and we need to get to Taeith as soon as possible, this was the quickest route." He had bowed when he spoke and the Queen had nodded in response to this. The golden haired one spoke.
"Aarion, son of Toron, we understand that the Ora is in peril and your father has sent you on a mission, but you will respect our traditions, you of all people should understand traditions, when the Queen is summoned there is expected a gift given, and in return she will allow you to pass through safely."
"Certainly my lady, I have very little with me, but what I have is yours."
"I do not want what you have Aarion, only the one who summoned me is required to give a gift." The Queens eyes were directed at Trinny as she spoke for the first time.
"But I only touched the water, I didn't call anyone, I don't understand." Trinny was looking very confused.
"My child, I heard your cry, water is strong in you, your very being was calling out for assistance, I will never deny a child of water help, but tradition calls for something in return." The Queen moved closer. Trinny had not noticed that the others had all woken and were standing behind her a few feet back, Garus was holding Emma back from going to her friend.
"What do I have that I could give you?" Trinny asked.
"From your heart my child, the melody from your heart." Trinny noticed the Queens eyes, they were as blue as the skies reflection in the ocean, and she felt like she was at home when she looked into them. Aarion spoke in Trinny's ear.
"Music, they have a love of music."
"Trin, the song, the one you did for your mums birthday!" Emma had heard Aarion and looked encouragingly at her friend.
"Sing Trinny, they are Nixies, and if they do not receive a gift that is worthy of them, they can keep us here...forever." Aarion whispered, concern in his voice.<
br />
"No pressure." She whispered back in a sarcastic tone. Singing was one of her greatest loves, she had sung from the moment she could make a sound, she was a soloist in her school choir and performed in the local musicals, it was a talent she was grateful she had inherited from her mother. Trinny closed her eyes and took a deep breath; she looked up, opened her mouth and her heart, and started to sing. Her voice was so pure, and across the pond it gave off a natural reverb. Aarion found he was intoxicated by it, it sounded like an old Celtic love song, and at that moment he felt an overwhelming need for her to be singing it to him:
"Through the trees, I see the night sky,
Stars are bright, and shine upon the waters
I'll be here with you, through all time
Forever, with all my soul I love thee
Seasons come and go,
Our love grows stronger
Weathering the storms that come
Though the darkness tries to part us
No power can tear this heart from yours
Nothing will break this bond of ours
I will follow you, where the path may lead us
You are mine, I am yours”
Beyond all time, our love endures."
Trinny had finished and there was silence, she looked back at her friends, everyone looked like they were shocked, only Emma had a smile on her face, was it that bad? She thought. She looked at the Queen Nixie and saw a tear roll down her cheek.
"Child, where did you come to know that song?"
"My mother would sing this to me to get me to sleep at night." Trinny answered.
"Does your mother sing to you other songs like this?" The Queen looked longingly at Trinny.
"She did, but she has not sung since my father died, she hasn't even hummed, it was like her voice died with him." Trinny could feel a sadness creeping up on her and looked down at her feet so no one could see the tears welling up in her eyes. The Queen came very close to Trinny and placed her hand on her cheek, it was cold, but Trinny didn't mind.
"Your mothers heart is broken, her song has been lost, and this saddens me. But you have her song in your heart; this will bring healing to you and her, just as it has filled an emptiness that has been in my heart for so long. This was a perfect gift child, now I will give you one." The Queen held out her empty hand to Trinny and blew softly into it. It was like she had breathed out fine silver glitter and now it was forming a shape on her palm. When the glitter had stopped its swirling, Trinny could see on the Queens hand was left the most stunning ring, it had a wide silver band and on top it had one diamond set into the silver, the diamond was a stunning blue and the inside was whirling like a vortex.
"This is beautiful, I can't accept this," Trinny said.
"You will take it child, it will bring you protection." The Queen gave her such a motherly look that Trinny knew she should not refuse, and placed the ring on her right middle finger.
"I have one question. You said that I was a child of water, I thought I was a child of earth?" Trinny asked.
"You are your fathers daughter.... earth. But you are also your mother’s daughter. Now go child, you have much to do, and time is running short, you will have safe passage while near the waters." With those words the Nixies descended into the pond.
"But.... I don't understand.... please..." Trinny called out. The Queen gave Trinny one last look and with a warm smile on her face, disappeared in silence.
CHAPTER EIGHT
'No man knows when his hour will come; as fish we are caught in a cruel net, or birds are taken in a snare, so men are trapped by evil times that fall unexpectedly upon them.'
- Ecclesiastes 9:11-13 (The Bible)
"If we keep making good time like this, we should be in Taeith by midday tomorrow." Morthos called out from his scouting position at the front.
"Hallelujah." Emma cried out. "I am so over this hiking thing." Trinny had hardly spoken a word since her Morning encounter with the Queen of the Nixies, she had listened in on the conversation that Nina and Emma had with Garus, questioning him on what the Nixies were and what they could do. She had learnt that they were water nymphs, they lived in the lakes and streams of the Fae realm, they could be summoned to any one of their lakes in a moment, and they could take many forms as they were shape shifters, but they preferred the human form. Trinny also learned that they had a real love for music, and when they sang they could make you feel what they sung, if it was sad, you would feel sad, if it was happy, you would feel joy, but they could also put you to sleep with their song and make you their prisoner, but in most cases they were kind and helpful, only a small handful had ever been unkind.
They were moving away from the stream now, the trees were becoming scarcer and rocky landscape was the new scenery. A large hill loomed up in front of them and they started the tiring climb up a steep path that spiralled through large rocks.
"Hey Trin, how're you going?" Emma had fallen back a bit so she could walk with her friend.
"Fine, just got all these questions rattling around in my head. You?"
"Oh, I'm great. I love walking all day then hiking up hills, it does wonders for my complexion, and this hillside breeze gives my hair a gorgeous wind swept look." Although her tone was in full sarcastic mode, both girls laughed. "I know what we need, music." Emma took off her backpack and grabbed her IPod touch from the side pocket. "Forgot I'd packed this, can't go anywhere without Linkin Park." Emma put one of the earphones in her ear and gave the other to Trinny, it felt like they were back at home, doing what they loved best, listening to music and spending time with each other. It perked Trinny up a little to have some kind of normal in this mysterious new world she had been discovering.
"Em, what do you think the Nixie Queen meant by the 'child of water thing' and I am my mothers daughter?" Emma took a deep breath and grabbed Trinny's hand.
"I was wondering when you would bring that up. I really don't know Trin, maybe she meant you were your mothers daughter because of your singing, and maybe she picked up on your love of water, it is hard to get you out of the ocean sometimes."
Trinny smiled at Emma.
"Maybe you're right, I just need to concentrate on what I'm here for and not worry about all the confusing stuff about my parents. I never thanked you for coming.... it means so much to me to have you here, I think I would have run back home by now."
"Hey, this is fun. I could be stuck with my brother in the garage passing him a wrench while he does up his old Ford, I’m the one who should be grateful!" Both girls laughed and kept on their continual hike upwards.
"What's that?" Nina asked, looking up to the end of the path where it curved to the right, it was darker there, like they were going to have to go through a tunnel.
"Morthos, I don't remember any passage ways in this area." Aarion looked concerned. "Check it out!"
Morthos nodded and ran ahead to make sure it was safe.
"It's all clear, looks like a few large rocks have fallen here recently." As he spoke a few small stones fell down the side of the hill onto the path. "We should move quickly though, it may be unstable." They all moved swiftly to the entrance of the newly made passage, it was wide enough that two could go through at once; Morthos went through first in front of Nina, with Garus and Emma close on their heels. Trinny was about to go through in front of Aarion when a shadow swooped down in front of her covering the way through. It looked like a giant spider had made a web across the entrance, but it was much thicker and it's surface churned like molten black tar. Trinny could still make out her friends at the end of the tunnel, she reached out to touch the web like substance but was pulled back by Aarion; he had grabbed her hand and yanked her so she was now behind him. Faster than she could imagine a person could move he had formed a shield in front of them.
"Aarion!" Garus was calling out from through the tunnel. "What's happening?"
"Stealth, get the others to safety, we will meet you at the Sanctuary." Aarion had now formed the shield around b
oth Trinny and himself like they were in a human sized eggshell; the surface was a swirling mass of light and fluid.
"But Aarion, we can't just leave you here." Morthos cried out.
"Go now! Get the others to safety." Aarion’s voice was so commanding at that point that Trinny was taken aback. Morthos directed the others to run.
"But Trinny?" Emma questioned while looking back through at her friend.
"Aarion will protect her, she'll be safe with him, but we don't have his protective power so we need to go." Garus reassured Emma, and they all ran. As Emma looked back she could see a shadow moving on the hillside, she looked up into the sky to see what large creature could be creating a shadow that big, but there was nothing there, she cried out.
"Morthos, the ground!" Morthos turned to see the shadow nearly on them; he drew his sword from under his shirt. Nina stopped and her hands were immediately engulfed in flames, she threw a fiery ball at the shadow, it missed, she threw several more, but the shadow would move away just in time to avoid Nina’s attack.
"It's a Stealth. What ever you do, don't let it get hold of you." Morthos called out.
"Garus, get Emma and Nina out of here." Nina gave Morthos a look as blazing as her hands.
"I don't back away from a fight, I'm staying with you!"
"Fine. But do you think you could actually hit the thing." Morthos grunted.
"Sure, and once I've finished with it, I'll be happy to sear the surly look off your face too!" Nina was now throwing balls at lightening speed and hitting the edges of the shadow, with each blow it was getting smaller. Morthos swung his silver short sword down at the menacing shape, cutting through over and over again. After a few minutes of this the dark shape was now in hundreds of tiny pieces on the ground, but each piece was moving toward the next and joining up to reform. "I've had enough of this, cover me." Nina said to Morthos, he nodded and kept re-slicing the pieces. Nina closed her eyes for a moment and then turned her ignited palms toward each other, the ball in the center started to grow, and as it did her hands grew wider and wider apart until it looked like Nina was hugging an enormous sphere of fire. She lifted the massive flame above her head. "Move Morthos!" Morthos jumped out of the way as the huge ball of red-hot fire came down on the tiny pieces of Stealth shadow. Most of the bits were incinerated and the few remaining slithered away between the rocks on the hillside.