-----top-----
Another night with troubled dreams and that strange ire to be someplace else. A glance at the clock informed that it was still just 4 am. As strolling through the park seemed to help he got up and started to dress.
"And where do you think you're going Arthur?"
He silently wished his stepmother would leave him alone the way his father did. Putting on his best smile he answered.
"Either I’m going for an innocent stroll around the block, or I’m going to pick up a whore to pound, or I’ll axe-murder a family. Pick your choice Tina."
With a grunt she turned and left for the master bedroom. Well outside Arthur had no problems picking his way to the park thanks to the streetlights everywhere. Reaching the gates to the park he dismissed the feeling that things moved slower than usual. It had to be imagination. After a few steps on the gravelled path he stopped and looked at the sky. The first few drops of what promised to become a heavy rain had just fallen moments ago, and it was a week to the full moon. Yet there the moon was in its full majesty shining down from a star-studded sky. Arthur shuddered. It was almost as eerie as the dreams of a feast held in an underground cave. Quickening his pace he swiftly reached the pond with its fountain. The circle of lamps with their golden light were strangely comforting. Sitting on a bench he let his eyes rest on the water spilling out of the amphora the female statue held. The water was silver, unlike the golden marble. Even the drops of water forming in the corner of the left eye of the statue was silver. As the drop ran down the stone cheek he thought it looked like the statue cried. Slowly with silent tears. The way the shadows fell gave it a sad look too. Deciding not to care what others might think he got up and walked over to the stone woman. Unable to decide if the sighs came from the water or the statue he gave it a deliberate hug, and on impulse he gave the marble forehead a kiss. Thinking he almost had heard a "thank you" whispered he whipped away the moist from the statues eyes.
"You are kind."
The words startled him and he spun where he stood to meet the eyes of another woman. She was not made of stone but of flesh and blood.
"I said ‘You are kind’ so there is no reason for you to look so alarmed."
The green dressed woman’s voice was soft, yet carried with it a sense of might.
"Who are you?" he asked, stepping down from the fountain.
"Someone who has been looking for you", she said smiling as she stepped closer.
"But why?" Images flashed through his mind faster than recognition. "I, I can’t be important. Not enough important for someone like you go", he swallowed hard before he could continue "half-dressed like that looking for me."
She laughed softly like a silver bell.
"What now?" he demanded.
"Arthur, you are such a delighting mix of your father and mother."
"You know them lady?" he asked in bewilderment.
Nodding seriously she answered. "Yes I would say I do. Though it is getting high time your sire heralds my summonings."
"He is? Why? Who?"
"Like your father you ask questions to which your already know the answer." She looked steadily at him. "I mean you no harm. And I have but two requests. The first is the simplest."
He thought he noticed a change in the lady. There was no doubt she was of noble, if not directly royal, birth, yet it seemed it was very important to her that he accepted her requests.
"I want to hear both before I decide which, if any, I will comply to."
"Very well, as you will. Firstly I wish to touch your templates as I ask a question. Secondly I wish you will wear a necklace of mine."
"I sense there is more to your requests than what is obvious by the words. I grant you both, provided you hide no trick I could not do myself."
Tilting her head backwards she started to laugh again. It was the same mirthfully shimmering laugh as before.
"True is that my requests might have be a bit deceptive. But like you and your mother I give others a fair chance."
Her steps were graceful and yet strangely determined, almost forced. As she placed her slender fingers on his temples he felt like he was burning. Only the cool touch of her hands kept him from screaming in agony. He felt hot tears rolling down his cheeks when her whisper roared to him.
"What have you seen in your years?"
Again images flashed through his mind, even faster this time, but he could not speak as his mouth felt too parched. Her cool touch as well as the burning sensation was gone as quickly as it had started. It took him a moment to realise it was his tears that kept him from seeing. He held her in his arms. She who was so strong needed his comfort. A thought hit him almost like a blow. She needed to draw on his strength. Slowly, oh so slowly, he began to open his heart to this stranger.
"You truly are kind. A small wonder with your past." Drawing an unsteady breath she tried to take a step back, but he held her tight.
"If you think that is a wonder, then brace yourself." He smiled uncertainly for a second before giving her a passionate kiss on the mouth. A kiss that lasted a far too short eternity.
"No. Please, don’t."
"What’s wrong Lady?"
"You were born to the mortal realms and you are to meet your mate there. It have been an enlightening time and I do like your company, but we are not to mate. I would like to have you as a friend, perhaps even as lover, but that is not supposed to happen."
Somehow Arthur felt something happen, something like a slight jolt sideways.
"Alas, time moves so swiftly if not closely watched. Our paths must part, for now", the lady said as she put her hands on Arthur’s and stepped out of his embrace. Nodding understandingly he started to turn to leave but stopped halfway.
"I have but one request for you. Say hello to my mother for me."
"I will. Fare well until next time we meet."
With a perfunctory bow he left the circle of light and walked into a fine drizzle. He hardly reached the shelter of his stairwell when the rain came pouring down. After having undressed he went back to bed and fell fast asleep.
-----top-----
The school-day was as boring as could be expected. At least until the last subject which was the English lesson, where they started talking about Shakespeare and his works. Not only was the old language intriguing, but also the play "A Midsummer Nights Dream" stirred something deep. Quite similar to the memory of an echo. As he was making his way out of the school-building at the end of the day he got stopped by the three bullies who demanded their usual fee of two pounds (or a beating). With a smile Arthur looked the leader over.
"Two quids? Ok, you can pay me two quids or try to beat me up."
All three of them looked astounded at him. Never before had he been so forward or so seemed so confident.
"Ok boy, you asked for it", said the leader. "I’ll get you myself!"
He took a step forward bunching his muscles. With a confident smile Arthur took off his jacket, and put his bag on the floor. Images started to flash through his mind, weird memories of fights and battles he never had taken part in. Somehow he knew that this would not be a too hard exercise.
"How do you want to go down?" Arthur asked taking a step back to improve his balance. With a very slight surprise he noticed time seemed to slow down. "I guess it doesn’t matter", he mumbled to himself.
Drawing on his inner strength he punched first the guy in the chest which made the poor sod loose his breath. Noticing that the blow still approached from his right he dropped low and snapped out his foot at the knee. Just hard enough to dislocate it without breaking anything permanently.
"Give it up now, I’ve won", Arthur told the guy coldly.
"How?" Samuel managed to squeak through his pain.
"How what Sam? How come I could down you in practically no time?" Arthur felt a small pang of sympathy for the guy. "I don’t think you’re capable of handling the truth. Not yet anyway. Let’s just say I have had some practice." It was hard but Arthur managed to suppress a nasty smile that wanted to creep unto his lips. Taking up his jacket he realised there had gathered a crowd to watch, and as far as he could see everyone was stunned.
"Ok guys and gals, the show is over."
Noticing that no-one reacted he left, only to be followed by the quiet red-haired girl in his class. He stopped at the corner of the coffee shop and café to face the girl.
"Hi Kathy, want an autograph or something?"
"Hi Arthur." She swallowed once before she continued. "No, I just wanted to ask you where you got that pendant." She seemed, to him anyway, somewhat intimidated. Arthur looked stupefied at her for a few seconds before she tentatively reached out and pointed at a gold-encircled silver-star. With a start he realised he couldn’t remember having put it on.
"Oh", he said and blushed recalling his meeting the night before. "It’s a gift from a friend, a fairly special friend at that."
"Is she good looking?" she asked looking a bit taken down. Arthur, on the other hand, was a little bit taken aback by the honesty and frankness of the question.
"Honestly? Unearthly, but she’s not really my type though. A bit too", he trailed off looking for words.
"Too lofty?" Kathryn supplied.
"I wouldn’t really call her that, but remote. Yep, remote is what she is."
She looked a bit shyly at him as she pushed a stray hair back into place. There was something special about her that he hadn’t noticed before. In fact, he had hardly noticed her at all before.
"Arthur", she said with a meek voice, "I know it’s not worth at all as much as that gift, but would you mind a cup of tea with me?"
"A cup of tea? I would be delighted, because coffee isn’t my cup of tea."
Both laughed a little at the dry pun. Well inside they both had a cup of tea and a biscuit and she, despite his protests and objections, paid for both of them. While enjoying the brew they talked a little about how the day had been and what they had learned. To their mutual dismay another of their school’s gangs entered, seeming to look for trouble in a loud way.
"Arthur, pay them no heed." Kathryn said. "I know how to avoid them."
"How?" he asked. "They’re at the only way out of here."
"But we’re not leaving", she answered. "Think of yourself as a businessman having a important discussion with a fellow member of the board of directors."
"Ok, not that I understand why."
Arthur did as told and noticed that Kathryn formed small gestures with her hands, which seemed to somehow glow. A woman at the next table who had taken up a pack of cigarettes turned to Arthur and Kathryn and after a polite cough asked:
"Excuse me Sir, Madam, but does either of you have light?"
"Sorry, but no we don’t" answered Arthur.
The woman thanked for the answer and went back to hers. After a few seconds Kathryn seemed to relax and so Arthur dropped the image of being that someone else. Casting a glance over his shoulder Arthur saw that the gang had taken seats two tables away.
"Why don’t they come here and bother us?"
"Hush, that’s just the things you shouldn’t think of right now. They will most likely give us peace as they think we’re a pair of high-class citizens and not school-kids."
"Another thing Kathryn, how did you make your hands glow like that?"
"Look who’s talking", she replied with a sly smile. "When you messed up that bully in school you where practically shining like a small sun."
Arthur noticed some awe in her voice. Why did he have the feeling that it was uncommon for her to feel awe?
"I did?" He began to wonder what more had happened that others saw but he couldn’t.
"Yes, of cause you did. Why did you think people were staring at you?"
"Well, I didn’t notice anything special."
"It almost looked to me like you where moving in slow motion."
"Sorry miss, but it was they, or more like time, that moved as in syrup."
"Ha. I knew it", she said victoriously stabbing a finger lightly at his chest. "You did speed up your time-flow." Her smile covered her entire face. Arthur returned the smile a bit sheepishly as he scratched his cheek.
"I should have guessed it was quite obvious."
"Oh yes, it was very obvious, if you knew what to look for. You’re the first since I moved here that I have noticed doing that sort of things. And on top of that you use it on a high level. Oh, don’t look at me like that, or don’t you have a clue to what the symbol you’re wearing stands for?"
Arthur took the symbol into his hand to have a look at it, and again images flashed through his mind. To his disappointment only few where clear, but he recognised them.
"Now I know better what it means Kathryn. Thanks for reminding me."
She looked at Arthur for a few seconds, as if trying to look into the back of his head.
"Art, how did you do that?"
"Did what?"
"Change your eye-colour and make your pupils become like those of a cat?"
"Hmm, there seems to be side-effects to everything I do."
"I don’t notice any side-effects while you do normal mundane things, like drinking tea. Except that the your mug is getting emptier, but that’s natural isn’t it." She smiled.
"Perhaps we should change that."
"What? How do you keep the cups filled while drinking from them?"
"Simple, you refill them." he said smiling and turned to a waitress strutting by. He reached out and put his hand on her arm. She stopped dead in her tracks with vacant eyes.
"Miss, could you." He trailed off when he noticed her eyes. Taking back his hand she shuddered a little and shook her head and then turned smiling to Kathryn’s and Arthur’s table. Something else had changed, though Arthur couldn’t exactly say what.
"Hi. You wanted something, like another cup of tea?"
"Ehh", Arthur said first, then both answered in unison "Yes please."
"I’ll be back in a moment, got a few tables to wipe."
With a short curtsey the waitress left humming to herself.
"Arthur", Kathryn said accusingly, "don’t you ever do that again to anyone who can’t defend themselves against it. Don’t even think about it. It’s not right." Anger flashed in her jade-green eyes.
"What did I do?" Arthur felt genuinely at a loss.
"Then the two of us got a long time ahead of us. There’s a lot you got to learn about yourself it seems, and the sooner you learn it, the better."
"Whatever you say dearie", he said with a smile, seeing a kind of beauty shining through with the anger. Thinking of her as weak would be a mistake, now that he knew her meekness to be a mask to keep her out of harms way.
"Now you", she began even more infuriated. Arthur raised his hands in defence.
"Hold your temper. I sure don’t mean any insult by calling you dearie. Would you prefer that I call you sister?"
She stamped her foot.
"Don’t do that, you’re taking the fun out of it", she complained. "I wanted to be angry at you, and you just keep spoiling it big time."
"Oh, sorry. How about tomorrow, after school? Then we can find some out of the way place where you can rant and ravage at me, especially about what I did to that waitress."
"Deal. I’ll find you." She checked the clock. "Now I got to go. Sorry to rush."
"It’s ok. Anyway, I’m going to stay and enjoy that second cup of tea."
And so Kathryn left to hers, while Arthur pondered over the day that had been.
-----top-----
"You’re late."
Arthur immediately threw away the thought of lying about it. Knowing the teacher he realised that the teacher would never believe the truth. Perhaps it would make him seem silly or foolish, and perhaps not. Life, Arthur reasoned, is full of risks.
"I’m sorry for being late, but I was rather focused on a ritual this morning that took longer than expected. Don’t worry, won’t have to do it again in at least five months."
"And what kind of ritual was that if I may ask? One of your irregular baths?"
"In a certain perspective. I was cleansing my soul. You tend to loose track of time when you’re in the middle of something like that, especially when you’re far from home."
"Ah yes, of cause you do. And why did I not think of that myself?" the teacher said ironically.
"Perhaps because you do not wander the same realms as I do?"
"Well, enough of these children’s games. Get seated."
Not having any objections Arthur took a seat near the emergency exit at the front. The teacher continued his lecture where it had been broken off. It didn’t take Arthur a long time to figure out what had been said before he entered.
"So", asked the teacher, "can anyone tell me some of the names in the Arthurian legends?" He looked over the classroom and noticed only a handful raised hands. "Go ahead miss Kathryn, give me three names, and then I would like you Arthur, to tell me three more."
"King Arthur, Merlin and Sir Lancelot."
"Good, classical names. Go ahead Arthur."
"Mordred, Guinevere and Morgan le’Fey."
"Perhaps you mean the witch Morgana le’Fay?"
"No, Morgan le’Fey, the daughter and pupil of Merlin. Morgana le’Fay is the name she took when she started to oppose Merlin. She had been corrupted by Mordred, and to complete the break from her father she changed her name to Morgana le’Fay. Oh, and please don’t mix up a magi with a witch. Two different things."
"You seem very sure of yourself Arthur. May I ask how many hours have you spent studying these legends?"
"I haven’t counted them Sir, but I know the legends by heart. All of them."
"May I presume knowing them comes from the same source as your tardiness?"
"No, reaching through the mists of time for knowledge is quite different."
"And whose leg are you trying to pull? If you can’t give a true and honest answer then what are you doing here?" the teacher asked scowling. Arthur sighed with resignation.
"Answering stupid questions, from a person who obviously can’t let himself believe in alternate ways of viewing the world than his own, apparently limited, and perhaps foolish, way."
"That’s enough, you’re dismissed Arthur."
"Ok, if that makes you feel any better."
"I said ‘You’re dismissed Arthur’!" shouted the teacher, going red-faced.
"Ok, ok, calm down. I’m leaving. Mainly because I’m worried about your health and because it’s quite obvious that there is nothing more for me to learn in this subject, at least not from the person who’s holding this lecture."
With that Arthur left the classroom.
-----top-----
Arthur was sitting at the café sipping on a cup of tea when his father John entered. It seemed to Arthur as if John was a little bit unsettled. Something that was very unusual for him.
"Oh, hello my son", John said when he spotted Arthur.
"Hi dad, what are you doing here, shouldn’t you be at work?"
"I guess I should, but, do you know the Green Lady?"
Arthur nodded slowly, and pulled out the silver chain with its pendant from beneath his T-shirt. "I’m not going to forget her soon."
"A gift from her I presume. Anyway", John looked around for a second, "is the tea ok here? And the prices?"
"They’re both fair."
"Oh, ok. Good to know. Good to know." John sat nodding to himself, apparently not paying much attention to what was said.
"John, there’s something on your mind, and if you won’t tell me perhaps I should drag it out of you. Not that I want to take it from you that way."
Johns eyes became wide awake and he looked straight at his son.
"That far?"
"You’ve always said I’m a quick-learner, and our green-robed friend skipped the words when she learned my history."
"She wouldn’t!" John exclaimed loud enough to make others at the café look at them.
"But she did, and opened other doors in doing so."
Arthur’s father sat silently, you could say astound, looking at his son when Kathryn entered the café. Seeing someone with strong resemblance of Arthur sitting at her favourite table with his back towards her talking with Arthur she made the assumption that it was a relative to him. She stopped at the table and took another look at them both. Anyone would have seen they were father and son, even without her second sight.
"Hello Arthur. Sir."
Arthur looked up at Kathryn and rose to hold the chair for her.
"Hi dear. Kathy, John. Dad, Kathryn."
"Don’t call me that. You know I don’t like it", Kathryn said with a smile taking the seat. She looked at John. "Pleased to meet you."
"I’m honoured miss Kathryn."
"Excuse me for interrupting your discussion, but Arthur, why did you act up like that at the history lesson?"
"I don’t want that to reach further than this table", Arthur said looking from his father to Kathryn and back. "If either of you two could." He left it hanging.
"Privacy?" John asked. "No problem son." John made a small gesture and all three felt rather than saw the little flash, and then they noticed a faint shimmering sphere surrounding them where they sat at the coffee table. "There you go."
"Thanks." Arthur sighed. "Thing is that I and the history teacher don’t mix very well. I think he would agree to that. I’m a rather believing kind of person and he’s, to the marrow, a disbeliever. Why he felt nastier than usual today I don’t know, but I for one wouldn’t cry on his funeral."
John looked seriously at his son.
"Firstly, I disapprove of that, but never mind, why the need to keep that private?"
"You see the guy sitting at the table behind me across the isle?" Kathryn answered. "He’s a snitch. Not only does he carry tales to his friends, but also to anyone else who doesn’t need to know. I think you know the type."
John only nodded slowly in response as a slightly wild expression sneaked into his eyes.
"Oh, I see", Arthur said thinking he had the answer.
Kathryn looked at Arthur.
"Care to explain, or do you still want to keep me in the dark as much as possible?"
"Dad, is it ok if I tell her?"
"Go ahead son, if you trust her."
Kathryn sat and looked intrigued back and forth between father and son.
"Someone at dad’s job who was entrusted a secret has happened to slip a few words too many to the wrong person. I would guess his partner told their superior officer."
John shook his head.
"No lad, worse. He told Tina."
"And Tina is?" Kathryn asked.
"She’s my step-mother", Arthur answered. "I know why we don’t get along too well. If she knows why she doesn’t let it show." Both Kathryn and John seemed interested in this piece of information. "If she knows what she’s doing then she’s a skilled actress, I’ll give her that. The Scaled one got eyes and ears everywhere. One is to nurse me into hir plans."
"Hmm, that might explain a few things", John mused to himself.
"The Scaled one? Hir?" Kathryn asked, looking a little bewildered. "Only scaled things I’ve heard about are lizards and snakes."
John looked up quickly at Kathryn with an odd gleam to his eyes and then at his son.
"Arthur, she’s not."
"Of our kind? No, she’s a human magi who has been teaching a little bit about their craft and ethics. She’s as close as they get."
"And that reminds me", Kathryn said with a somewhat shy smile. "What are you? You both appear perfectly human. Except to that side effect I’ve told you about Arthur."
"You could say that we’re Faye. It’s not the whole or exact truth miss Kathryn, but it is a comprehensible beginning. Good thing that you thought of privacy lad, but I can’t hold it much longer."
"Thank you sir."
"I don’t think you need to maintain it longer dad. If need be I’ll quiet things down."
"Arthur", Kathryn said rubbing her nose a little. "What do you mean with ‘hir’?"
"Oh. The Scaled one is neither he or she. Like some African frog that changes gender depending on what is needed in the community."
"Son, when’s the next lesson?"
"In about 30 minutes. Why don’t you come along and check the school out."
"I’ve been there a number of times, talking about drugs, if you remember."
"Sure I do, but you’ve never been there socially."
"True", John said and rose to hold the chair for Kathryn.
"The two of you are such gentlemen", she said with a smile.
"Of cause we are dear. We’re Faye", Arthur smiled back holding her jacket. "All Faye are gentlemen."
"Just wait ‘till you meet a real pixie my son", John said picking up the last of their things. "I’m sure you won’t find them very gentleman-like."
With that they trooped out from the café, heading for school.
-----top-----
It wasn’t a long walk from the café to the school, so there was plenty of time until the next lesson. Kathryn said her good bye for now and headed towards the chemistry labs as Arthur and John settled down outside the computer lab. While the two of them sat waiting for the teacher to unlock the door Sam came by, and to Arthur’s slight surprise said hello, before turning right to the workshops. Not a few of the other students chose to keep a respectful distance from Arthur and his father. The lesson consisted mostly of a rambling about the differences between the different operative systems for computers. At a point Sean, who was by the class acknowledged as a computer wiz, asked a few innocent probing questions to the teacher.
"Is it always like this?" John whispered to his son.
"No, but mostly", Arthur whispered back.
The grumpy old teacher seemed to have extraordinarily keen ears today, as he slashed his pointer into his desk and turned towards the two McFinnley.
"Arthur, why are you speaking on my lesson without having asked permission? And who is sitting at your side? Well, answer me."
Arthur rose to his feet and made a perfunctory bow before addressing the teacher and the class.
"My reverend teacher, I was but whispering a short answer to a question put to me by my sire, who has decided to accompany me today. If thou thinkest I was in error I wilt accept thy verbal reprimand."
"Why art thou." He stomped his foot. "Why are you so damned formal?"
Arthur shrugged.
"Why not? Does all questions have to be answered? Like for instance why Microsoft set the memory base to 640-k."
The teacher mumbled something to himself, glared at Arthur for a second before continuing his speech. Ten minutes before the end of the lesson John nudged Arthur and nodded slightly in the direction of a window. After a quick glance in that direction revealed to Arthur what his father wanted him to see. Thinking back to the café he focused and the same kind of shimmering sphere, albeit smaller, surrounded father and son again.
"I see it. But what would bring one here?"
"They do their own bidding. I think it’s best if we both speak with it after the lesson. How long break do you have?"
"It’s the last lesson for today dad."
"Good, then we would have an hour or more if need be. And drop the privacy, or we’ll not hear what the teacher say."
"All we do cuts both ways doesn’t it?"
"Not all, but much of it do."
After another couple of minutes the lesson was over and the student started to leave. Among the last to leave was the two McFinnley. After Arthur had made sure he had with him all material need for the homeworks they left the building.
"Lets go to the park", John said just outside the doors, seeming to address his son.
As they walked the short distance Arthur almost thought he heard a faint rustling of scales on the pavement behind him, but he didn’t turn around to check. He was quite sure that the sound came from the very same one they had seen through the computer lab window not 20 minutes ago. Just inside the gates to the park John stopped.
"I don’t think we need to go much further."
"I agree", answered the dragon, which wasn’t as large as Arthur first had thought them to be. In fact, it wasn’t that much larger than John. "Although this place belongs to noone I know that your Green Lady often comes here. Thus I would prefer to stay close to the gate."
"Worry not. You came whole to body and soul here, and in such manner shall you leave. Upon that you have my word."
"Proud words young sir, and meant from the heart. For that you have my thanks. But alas, though my body is without blemish, I am not very sound soul-wise."
Arthur felt an tickling at the back of his head, as if there was something that he was forgetting. Something important. Not wanting to waste more time Arthur made a short bow.
"Lord. Father. I hope you two do not mind, but there is something I have to do. Please don’t interrupt me."
"It’s ok son, go ahead."
"Nothing lesser than a pointed threat to my life shall make me distract you."
Smiling in thanks Arthur crossed the gravelled path. As he had expected the grass was soft, thick and lush. Quite comfortable to sit on in fact. Seating himself in the so called "lotus position" was easier here than at home. Maybe due too...
"That’s it!" he cried.
Arthur began to laugh, which made the other two look at him with a bit of concern for his mental health. He rose to his feet and looked as his sire.
"We have been hiding from those not like us. We have been hiding for so long that we’re not sure what we are. I am Faye. Born in the mortal realms, yes. But by blood and spirit I am Faye." He turned to the dragon. "Lord, you have been kind to us in showing us your true face. We, or at least I, have not shown you the same honour. That shall no longer be the case. Behold."
Arthur reached in within himself to that bubbling merry point and let it radiate through his whole being. When it was done he needed no mirror to tell that his appearance had changed.
"From this day the Elves live again. Lord Dragon, please let word go that from this day this is reclaimed land. But though it is claimed, all without hostility is welcome."
"And where shall I say the throne stands? Who is Master of all this?"
"There is a throne within your heart, and you shall be it’s master."
"Son, what are you saying? Are you giving the throne of this realm to a Dragon?"
Arthur couldn’t help laughing again.
"Oh my Goddess. Tina have made you loose your mind son. I’ll make you right."
"No father, you will not do anything."
"Why Son? Are You telling me to leave things be?"
"No, but you’re too confused, too bewildered, to do anything. Look at yourself for a second. I have neither given anyone anything they did not already own, nor have I taken anything which was not already mine."
"That is true", rumbled the dragon thoughtfully.
"Who asked you?" snapped John.
"Lord Dragon, I pray, leave us and bear with you the tidings of who, and what, I am so that others of the same heart may find a way here."
The smile on the dragons face seemed odd, but not malplaced.
"It can be dangerous to see a hatchling bring down it’s elder among our kind. I shall forget what have transpired here of which is not my concern. May we meet again Sir."
With that the dragon left, and Arthur and his father continued their argument.
-----top-----
Arthur sighed as his father left for home. There would be a lot to do. Gates. Principles. Structure. Constructions. Arthur began to walk aimlessly in the park, lost in thought. Suddenly he realised that he was at the fateful statue again. As he sat down at the marble feet he thought he saw someone flickering at the edge of being in the realm. Watching the being for a few moments he started crafting and placed the tracer before heading towards one of the gates. Well back in the mortal realm he easily picked up the trail. His quarry started to move, scurrying around as if trying to hide. Arthur realised that that only made it easier for him to pinpoint the location of whoever it was. He turned a corner and saw a large party tent with the words "Jesus Saves" on the sides. As he sat down by a tree at a respectful distance from the Christian gathering a gang which openly wore swastikas approached him yelling at the top of their lungs.
"Sieg Heil Jewish piece of shit."
Arthur sighed and got back onto his feet.
"Firstly you dim-witted twerps, I’m not Jewish. Secondly, the pendant I’m wearing is not the Sigil of Salomon. Thirdly", Arthur turned on his heel and started to trot. "If you want to hurt me you have to catch me."
The group was hot on his tail. In an area of heavy shrubbery he made a quick and hard turn and dove into a bush, certain his followers didn’t see where he disappeared. Keeping his calm he saw the group run by oblivious of his trick. After a few more minutes Arthur returned to the tent just in time to see a young woman leave with the tracer spell nicely hanging around her neck. Quickening his pace it didn’t take long to catch up. As he stepped up next to her she was the first to speak.
"Nice mask, but isn’t it a bit too early for Halloween outfits?"
"No", answered Arthur. "I’m not early, I’m very late." Silently Arthur cursed himself for not realising that his features would be obvious even here.
"If I had not known better I would say that is your true face." she said with a smile.
Arthur reached out and put a gentle hand on her arm to make her stop. Somehow that touch told him he was closer to her than to Kathryn, beside the physical proximity. Could she also be a Faye? He decided to take the chance.
"Then you don’t know better. This is my true face."
"You’re... No, you’re not lying to me."
"I would not lie to you, or any other of our kind."
"Our kind? What do you mean with that?"
"Don’t you feel like something is missing in your life? Something grand, something lasting, something not of this world?"
"No, I’ve found the Lord through his son Jesus."
"Then I will leave you be, and not impose my will upon you. All I ask is that you remember me and where we met on those lonely nights. I will be around."
With that Arthur turned to the right and started off.
"Wait!" she called after him as she started to follow. "Wait and at least tell me your name. Please?"
"I’m known by the name of Arthur."
"How come that you know the depth of my soul so well Arthur?"
"Before I answer that you have to forget what you think you know and look beyond. By living in one and limited to one world, you will only seek the answers in that one world. I’ve found my answers beyond the borders of this realm."
"Oh", she said with a smile. "Well, if those drugs keep you happy. Though you should know that true happiness can only be found in the Good Lord Jesus Christ."
Arthur smiled as he unwound the tracing spell.
"I’ll be here the next full moon. We’ll talk more then."
"You’ll wait in vain." she answered and went her way.
He just stood there looking after her. Something small but hard hit him on the head. He looked up the tree he stood under only to see branches at first. Then he saw and felt the second acorn that came his way. It looked like a grey squirrel had thrown it at him, and then he realised that it wasn’t a squirrel.
"Ok, you’ve got my attention", he whispered.
"Good." the gnome seemed to whisper back. "I was afraid I would have to fell this tree over you. She looks like a nice queen doesn’t she?" The little being in the tree motioned after the girl who just left.
"A queen? I didn’t know she was a queen."
"Of cause she is, a Faye queen at that, who else would believe you to be a Faye? I know what the dragon said, but they lie as well as a cloud can rain."
"I’ll take your word for it. Will you excuse me now little friend? I have work for tomorrow to do."
"I know I know... Always so hasty you humans..."
"I am no human."
"You were raised as one, to be one. Thus you are a human, at least in my eyes."
"Well, a good day to you."
"A good season to you as well."
When Arthur reached his home he found that his father wasn’t there. Tina on the other hand was in the kitchen, making one of her infamous spicy brews she called meat-sauce. Arthur had never learned how to enjoy spicy food.
-----top-----
Arthur had been sitting in the tree for a few hours when he saw the person he was waiting for move about on the grass below him. He judged the distance to the ground and after a simple spell slipped off the branch. He was a little surprised that the landing was so smooth. Sure the spell was supposed to make it smoother, but that much?
"What a delight to see you again. Pardon me, but might you reveal to me your name?"
The young woman jumped at being spoken to for a second and then looked around nervously.
"Are we alone?" she asked.
"I’ve been here for just a few hours, and you’re the first", Arthur fell silent looking for a good word. "You’re the first looking like a human here."
"What do you mean?"
"So far I’ve seen one faerie, four gnomes, and two dragons, all while waiting for you. But none of them appeared as human as you do."
"Come on. I’m a grown woman boy. I don’t believe in fairy tales."
"As you say. But to the point. I can assure you that we are currently alone. Now, what did you say your name was?"
"Dawn."
"I’ve never liked that word. So short for something so beautiful."
"But that’s my name none the less. And you’re Arthur, right?"
"Yes, Arthur McFinnley, at your service."
"You know that I figured you would wait for me here, and I had a change of heart about letting you wait in vain."
"No waiting is in vain if it’s for someone or something as lovely as you. Now, do you trust me? I want to show you something, but you would have to go blindfolded a bit."
Joy thought about it a little before nodding. Arthur turned her around and put his hands over her eyes.
"Ok Dawn, start walking forward, slowly." After a short walk with a few turns he told her to open her eyes. So she did and was amazed.
"I never though... May I touch it?" she asked when she saw the beast in front of them.
"Don’t as me, ask him." Arthur answered.
"Yes elve, you may touch me." answered the Unicorn.
"It speaks?" marvelled Dawn.
Both Arthur and the unicorn sighed.
"Dawn, he’s a unicorn. All unicorns speaks."
"Not entirely true elve, one of my half brothers does not speak. He was born mute."
"Yes, you mentioned that, but the point is, normally you unicorns speak."
"That is true."
With a trembling hand Dawn reached out and placed her fingers tentatively at the unicorn’s muzzle. Quickly she started to feel other parts of the beast, including the horn.
"I’m sorry", she whispered. "I shouldn’t have stopped believing."
The unicorn pawed a little with one of his hoofs.
"I’m thankful you believe again. Your elve friend said that he reclaimed the faerie realm. You can come visit me sometime, if you find the way back here."
Dawn looked at Arthur.
"Do you know what he means? Could you show me?"
"Yes on both questions, but you have to believe in the stories of old. And in magik."
"Does that mean I have to give up my faith in God?"
Arthur thought for a moment while scratching his cheek.
"I didn’t believe in any deity until I met the Green Lady, but honestly I don’t know. The thing is, this is not the world you call home, so if you can be here without discomfort I guess it’s ok for you to keep your faith in your god."
Dawn looked very surprised and alarmed at once.
"If this isn’t home, where are we?"
"Home." echoed the unicorn and Arthur.
"What?"
"We consider this home", answered the unicorn.
Dawn looked around with a multitude of questions, some alarm and a big amount of wonder in her eyes. She turned and looked Arthur squarely in the face.
"Arthur. This place looks just like home. I mean my home. How did I get here?"
"I had you walk through a gate I had formed, it’s gone now though."
"What?!" Dawn seemed to Arthur like a little girl frozen solid out of fear. "How? How will we get back? Mom, dad." She began to sob as she fell into a heap on the ground. Arthur knelt beside her and took her into his arms. Arthur looked up at the unicorn. Though none of them spoke a word, they both understood what the other thought.
"It’s all right Dawn. Both me and the unicorn can bring you home safely. Want to get home now?
All Dawn did was nod a little while still crying slowly.
"Then you have to stand up for a second Dawn and we’ll take you home, but the unicorn can’t follow you. Ok?"
"Ok." she whispered and managed to stand on her own.
"Good." said Arthur. "Now think of your home and we’ll get you to your door."
After a few seconds the unicorn nodded and Arthur started to craft a gate guided by their four-legged companion. Arthur could feel the gate led to a hallway, but nothing else.
"What’s the shimmering thing in-front of us?"
"That Dawn is your door home. Want me to follow you through?"
Courageously Dawn stepped forward through the gate and seemed to vanish.
"She’s home." said the unicorn.
"Good." said Arthur. "It’s time for me to get to my father’s home as well. Do not worry. I’ll use one of the stable gates."
"Then fare you well elve. May the Goddess bless you."
"And you as well unicorn."
It was with light steps Arthur walked to the gate of the park and stepped into the mortal realm.
-----top-----
Kathryn considered the task at hand for a moment. She looked up at Arthur and saw him nod. Apparently they where thinking in the same patterns, at least when it came to "unsolvable" problems. Such as the "perpetuum mobile".
"Well?" asked the teacher. "Anyone want to give it a shot?"
Arthur took the cue from Kathryn and both answered at the same time.
"Magik."
"But isn’t magik a form of energy? In that case you don’t solve the problem. You just go around it by using some outside energy, in a form most people can not perceive beside its effects. Half a point to you two. Good, but not good enough. Anyone else?"
The entire class was silent.
"Ok then. Team Arthur and Kathryn wins by half a point. Congratulations."
"Thanks" both of them mumbled back. They had been both been singled out a long time ago as special. Some harassment, and a few threats, but nothing more.
"I can see that it’s time for us to end this lesson, but I would prefer if Arthur and Kathryn would remain a few more moments please."
As if we didn’t need more attention Arthur thought, as the other students trooped out. When the three of them were left alone the teacher looked at Arthur.
"What is this rumour I’ve heard about you being defiant? And from where did the two of you get the idea of using magik?"
"I don’t think you would believe us if we told you sir." answered Kathryn.
That was the moment Arthur took to listen to his gut and heart. Surprise for the teacher.
"Sir. I would first like to tell you that the dreams are true."
The teacher looked sternly at him for a second and glanced at Kathryn with a question in his eyes. She shook her head.
"What do you mean Arthur?"
"The lands of Faye are ours again. Magik is as real there as the door to this room."
"Hmm. The existence of t the door is disputable, but point well taken."
"So, the reason we named magik as the solution is that it’s a real option to us."
"That’s the first time I’ve heard anyone say that. I have discussed the hypothetical possibility of something like magik. And we have not talked about stage-artistery."
Arthur thought back to the times he used a spell to quiet things down. The walls were such that too much noise wouldn’t pass through, the problem was the windows. After a moment or two he formed small globes of magik which he threw at the windows. Both his teacher and Kathryn looked intrigued at what he did. After a quick check Arthur was content.
"Now I’ll show you something that few have seen. My father and one of the dragons were the first."
The change felt like it went on for hours although he new it was over in seconds.
"Art. Your eyes. Your face." Kathryn seemed amazed.
"Odd. Very odd. I never thought that a human could be metamorphic."
Arthur smiled softly.
"This is my true face. This is who I really am. I am an Elve. I have Faye blood. Kathryn knows the way, but you do not my kin so ask and I’ll show you, to the long lost lands of the Faye. Already the faeries, the unicorns and the dragons have begun to flock there. Gnomes and pixies have been informed, but some of them choose to stay here a little longer."
They where more or less struck speechless. Both looked strangely at him in silence while he formed the spell that would make him look like his old self. After a short glance in one of the sinks he shattered the mirror spell he had cast on the windows.
"If there’s nothing more to add then perhaps we should leave." Arthur inquired. The teacher gave a short thoughtful nod. "Good, now then, come along Kathryn. Kate?"
"How?" was all she could ask.
"How what?" Arthur countered, wishing to know what puzzled Kathryn.
"How come all this? The mirroring spells, the shifting, your difference", she said and then added whispering "especially your difference."
"Kate, just like you when I use magik I have to draw upon the true me. The true me is not human, although I do hide behind such a mask. I’m neither greater nor less than you, merely different."
"I never thought", she began but trailed off. Arthur barely had time to see the anger and sadness that came to her eyes before she exploded. "YOU BASTARD!!! You god damned fucking bastard!"
Arthur had no real problem fending of the hail of punches Kathryn threw at him. Uncertain of what to do he stepped in between her blows and gave her a rough hug. She kept trying to hit him, but it was much harder. He still thought it a very slow process to open his heart to someone to let them draw on his strength. After a few moments Kathryn began to sob.
"Excuse me, but can we leave?" asked the teacher, obviously embarrassed.
"In a moment", answered Arthur looking over Kathryn’s shoulder. "Kate, are you strong enough to stand on your own?" She nodded weakly in reply. "Good, then we can leave. After you sir."
To some the sight was a bit different with an embarrassed teacher leading two students, of which one seemed more or less broken and the other untouched. To most of those that saw them there was nothing unusual or strange, partially because that was what all three wanted others to see. The rest of the school-day passed quite uneventful for all three. As usual Arthur and Kathryn shared a cup of tea at the café after the last lesson to compare notes and discuss events. Neither of them mentioned what had transpired after the physics class. After a while they heard some chirping of a bird. To their mutual amazement the birdsong came in to them over the noise of the traffic outside, yet no-one else seemed to hear it.
"Shall we?" asked Kathryn.
Knowing what she meant all Arthur did was nod a smile.
-----top-----
It was Arthur who found what they were looking for. He know of only one Faye bird, and it was a bit too fantastic to be seen sitting and chirping in a random tree. When Arthur pointed out the source of the birdsong Kathryn brushed him off.
"That’s a squirrel. Squirrels chatter and not chirp."
"Then you should take a another look at that ‘squirrel’."
So she did and made big eyes when she used her second sight.
"Oh, how cute it looks."
Arthur was not as surprised as Kathryn over the force the acorn was thrown with. On the other hand, he had expected the throw and it had not hit his forehead.
"Don’t you call me it." chattered the Gnome. "I’m a gnome. Don’t you forget it. Gnome. We gnomes were around and watched your kind climbed out of the trees."
"Oh, gnome." said Arthur. "We elves were also around then, and we’re as forgotten by the humans as your breed. Most of them doesn’t believe we exist at all. Be glad she see you for who you really are and not as you wish to be seen."
"You speak proud words human. How come you claim kinship with elves?"
"Arthur McFinnley at your service." Arthur answered with a hint of making a bow.
The gnome made big eyes.
"The Arthur McFinnley?"
"He’s the only Arthur I’m aware of in the family of McFinnley." replied Kathryn.
"Then I’m honoured McFinnley." said the gnome returning the bow.
"May I ask what brings you here? Seeking a companion to ease your loneliness? Or perhaps to convey a message from you kin to those that it concerns?"
"Many a nosy questions McFinnley. Beware what you say. To answer you I can tell that I am awaiting a faerie. Perhaps you know how strict they are at keeping times?"
"Oh, they are in time." smiled Arthur. "At least when you look at it in the long perspective of the seasons, or longer. Then if it is this tree or the next, does it matter as long as are all tended before the end of moon?"
"A true word there." agreed the unnamed gnome.
"Oh you make me vexed." chirped a thin voice from higher up in the tree. "I’ve been listening to the three of you. Not very kind words you have for my family I must say."
They all looked up. Though Arthur couldn’t tell of the gnome smiled he could see that Kathryn did, and she was in good company in his opinion.
-----top-----