Short stories

[FallingLeaves]

Please post your short stories for the Imbolc/Lughnasadh  Eisteddfod Competition here.

[MorningStar]

The Princess, The Owl and The Prince (Entry short stories)

In the year of our Lords King William “The Great Bear” McNeil and Queen NightHawk the I of 1200 and 69 gave birth to the Princess Kaya Na’Hita. The ivory white horns did blow on that blessed morn and the trumpeter’s did ring in the courts of the blessed event. An heiress has been born to the throne.

The Queen a strong loving wife as well as witty and wise, proudly walked into the courtroom with the newborn babe wrapped in the finest of satins. To bring her husband his daughter to see and behold. As he held his child for the very first time he gazed into her tiny little eyes and was enchanted forever more.

“This child will grow up with the best that my Kingdom has to offer or can find. She will wear only the best of clothes, eat the finest of foods, and learn from the highest of learned scholars. She will dance only to the finest of music from the most talented of musicians.” Then the king kissed her tiny little forehead smiled a warm gentle smile and held her in his mighty arms while continuing with court proceedings.

King William spent many a day in court with his babe in his arms and as she grew she would play as quiet as could be in and around his throne. He saw to her studies and that she had the best that life could offer. She grew to be a happy child, and when she reached the age of choosing a suitor she would say “He is nothing like my father… and I will not have anything to with him.” Then turn them away without a moment’s hesitation. The Princess had made her mind up, that if she were to marry at all, her suitor would have some mighty shoes to fill if he wanted her love and hand. For she used her father to see if a man could measure up and no such man seemed to exist.

The King brought in Princes from lands far and wide and none could stand up to the Princess’s image of her father. Her father spent many long hours watching his daughter play her pipes in her rose garden he had built for her with a fountain that contained a statue of Cupid with his bow and arrow. How many times did he pray that the Gods and Goddess’s would come and bless her with a loving union? But time was growing short soon he would be forced to choose a suitor for her.

Every day he would stand at the window and with his advisors at his side and watch as she played her pipes. But yet he never noticed she was not truly alone. Every day a large white owl with small black spots would come to her. He would bath in the fountain and drink from its cool waters. He would dance to her music and when she played sad music he would use his wings and splash her with water from the fountain and she would change to a merrier tune for him to dance to.

Every day her father came to the window and every day he would pray “Please…oh Gods and Goddesses of Love…I pray bring my daughter a suitor she will be happy with…one who is kind and loving…wise and genteel. One who will measure to her expectations of life.” His advisor and magi Alferian and his apprentice Azrienoch would try their best to console the King’s weary heart.

Alferian would place his hand ever so gentle on the Kings shoulder and say every day. “My Lord one day her love will come to her…. You will see.”
“On the day of her wedding the ivory horns will blow and golden trumpets will call out that Princess has been joined in love and matrimony.” Azrienoch would add.

As the wheel of the year turned her father grew more and more impatient with his daughter for refusing all suitors whom came asking for her hand. And day by day she would play her pipes in the garden and the owl would come and dance, bath, drink the cool waters to be close to the Princess. In the wheel of that year their bond grew stronger and stronger. But the owl now comes to her after many months and appears to be ill. His feathers now fall to the ground as he would dance, and clog the fountain when he would bath and drink. But every day he came with no cares of his own health.

For he was in love with his Princess all else was paled in comparison. The Princess never knowing that her owl friend and lover was truly a man. A Prince of the Slayer realm the enemy of her father and his Kingdom. He saw her one-day on his travels he was wearing a disguise. Since he was in enemy territory, he did not wish to be caught and imprisoned as a spy or worse yet put to death. He had seen her at the shop of the master wand and flute makers’ having her pipes repaired. Once he had gazed into her eyes he was enchanted and could not return home with an empty heart. He had to win her hand no matter the price. So he had a mutual friend who knew and was friends with Alferian. And sought him out seeking a potion that would let him drink, and change each day for a year turning him into an owl.

But this potion carried a price for when the wheel of the year had turned one full complete turn. If he had not won her heart he would die as the owl and the Prince would never be seen again in his own homeland without his love at his side. He must win the hand of his true love the fair maiden the Princess Kaya Na’Hita. But as the wheel of the year was coming to its end he would come to her weak and with less and less feathers. His once beautiful plumage was now shaggy and ragged. Yet every day he dared not miss being with his love.

Every day she came and played for him, talking and laughing. She told him of her dreams, she told him of her expectations in a lover and husband. In that one year it seemed as if they shared a lifetime. Yet never did he reveal his true self to her. For fear she would reject him and never come and play for him any more. So he was content on just being near her and dancing to her music and listening to her dreams.

But each day of the final month he would come to her weaker than then the last. Till his final week had come. He had no more feathers left to loose he waddled slow and cumbersome. But yet he still came to his Princess. She would lift him to the fountain and into the water lovingly and with great care. She wept each day pleading with him “Allow me to fetch the magi…let me help heal your illness.” And each day he refused her offer. He would reply to her in a gentle weak voice “All I need is the love of my Princess, nothing else in life matters not even my health.”

On the final day of the wheel of his year he came to her one last time. He struggled to make it to the edge of the garden where the Princess could see him. She gasped and cried at the sight of his lameness. Not one feather to even keep him warm and the days grew cold and short. She cradled his weak failing body in her arms and took him once again to the fountain lay him on the ledge and with her handkerchief she soaked up some water to squeeze into his beak, bathed his head and to sooth his tired feet.

He spoke now so weak and faint “This will be our last day my Princess…tomorrow I will not come…in hours I will die. Just as well die here then to live and not know the love of my Princess.” His words touched her so deep awakening her heart, and the tears flowed like a river of sorrow. She lay her head ever so gently on his bare chest and wept for her love. She drew breath and said, “Please my Prince come to me…I know now who you are…you are the Prince Peter “The Wolfwalker” of the Slayer realm. The enemy of my father. The love of my life. I will plead with my father he will see you do measure up. Just live and be with me for I have seen how true your love is and no man could love me as you have.”

As she begged for him to live and stay she prayed to the Goddesses and Gods. Feathers began to grow back and his strength began to return. Her father and her mother had heard her wailing and had come running with the guards, fearing she had been harmed. They found her weeping on the chest of a man. Her Prince Peter the son of the Kings enemy. But her profound pain kept her father from reacting in any violent way. Her Mother in tears from seeing her daughter’s pain that was so great. She had not noticed her lover’s change, until she lifted her head and reached for her father’s strong arms. She saw her lover’s face and realized she remembered seeing him the wand maker’s shop.

She bent over her lover kissing his lips and then begged for the life of her love to both her parents. Pleading that they spare his life. “He is the only man Father who has ever measured up to who you are…. Please Father spare his life. I love him and wish to be at his side.”

“It is a brave man who has infiltrated and trespassed my court yard, for sacking his own safety for the love of my daughter. How can I put him to death or imprison him when your love for him is so strong. No child he may live and be free to return to his home.”
Her Father spoke in a fragile voice.

Prince Peter rose from the ground and bent down on one knee reached for the hand of his lover and said “There is no other love in all the lands…there is no other life for me but that, that exist in your eyes. Pray give me your hand in marriage, let our kingdoms unite as one in peace for the first time in two hundred years.” The Princess squeezed his hand and bent down and with a kiss answered his plea and spoke with a confirming “Yes.”

The next day the ivory horns blasted over the kingdom and the golden trumpets called out in the courtyards that Prince and Princess had been married and now the two Kingdoms are one. They ruled from the center of the combined Kingdoms and they ruled fair and justly. The Prince grew older becoming the King and wiser, the Princess became his Queen and bore him many children giving him several son’s who would rule when their time has come to pass on. They ruled their Kingdom with love and justice, and were wise and caring parents. Never did one-day pass that the Queen did not play her Pipes and her King did not dance to her tunes. And every day they celebrated their love and lived happily ever after.

[Branbeith]

Bianca Lily White. Even though I hated that name, I loathed the person connected to it even more. She was the reason I was in this cell. She was the catalyst behind my pending execution. Over ten years my lawyers had been fighting the system to keep me alive. What had seemed like an endless sea of appeals a decade ago had finally dried up. Tomorrow, Thomas and Lillian White would “Witness Justice First-hand” or so the rag that passed for a paper in this backwater town had proclaimed.

I was only privy to their feelings second hand. They did not speak to me. They never did. The only thing Lillian White ever did was clutch her pearl rosary beads whenever I was in the room. Her lips moved silently in mechanical prayers to a disinterested god.

Right now, however, they were not in my cell with me. I was alone with my thoughts about their daughter. How that Vix had trapped me! Played me the fool! Pretended that she wanted to be with just me then I caught her with Carlton. As my rage rushed over me like an icy tidal wave, I noticed my hands were mimicking the very gestures that had taken the life of the faithless Bianca Lily White. Jerry Jim noticed it too.


“Tomorrow you walk the green mile. Are you up to the trip?” Although I knew better to take it personally, he had said the lines to countless deathers before now, it seemed much more menacing when I was the one receiving the lines. My face must have told him more than I wanted to, for his scarred face softened a bit and he whispered
“They can only inject you once,” through the bars that separated us. To my profound shame, I started blubbering like a baby. Like her. The cold fury that surged through me dried up the shameful tears quickly.

“I heard down DC way that a deather survived the needle, and they had to release him. He spent a few days in a coma but when he came out he was a free man.” Jerry Jim whispered as if it was a big secret. The words were like a rope pulling me out of despair’s pit. I latched on to them like a safety line. I had to survive! That Vix would not be the death of me!

I embraced the next day with a strange sort of vigor. I would triumph over the system. I would win over the wishes of that fat cow and her rosary beads and the scarecrow with his scowl. I even smiled slightly at the thought. The gesture brought forth a river of tears from the cow and the murmur of “devil has no remorse” from the tightly packed room. The Vix sure had friends!

They swabbed my arms with alcohol. Ludicrous. I am being put to death and they worry about germs? Wait!! I had to stop thinking like that! I would prevail over the system and the parents that sat like royalty among a pathetic court.
The needle went it………oblivion.

I came to in a warm, dark place. I felt safe. I felt like I was floating in a place where time had no meaning. So this is what a coma was like? It was oddly comforting, and that soothing feeling escalated into ecstasy when I realized I had triumphed. I would come out of the coma a free man!

The floating sensation stopped after a bit. I must be close to coming out of the coma. I imagined their shocked faces and smiled. My joy was short lived.
Fear…harsh light… Screaming!! My eyes would not focus!

“What do you want to call the baby, Lillian?”

"Bianca Lily White." came the soft reply.

I knew what was waiting for me when I turned 24. I never thought I would be afraid to meet myself. And then the doctor’s slap pushed any such thoughts from my head. Bianca Lily White screamed and was placed into her mother’s waiting arms.

[MorningStar]

Branbeith Hun,
What an excellent story. i like how the irony of the situtation was turned on it's heels. Very well done...i like this very very much.

[Branbeith]

Loved it..It read like a fairy - tale!! And cute.. dragging the people into the story!!

[Arden]

Once, not long ago, in the western United States, there was a succesful woman by modern standards. Linda MacKellahan was sitting in her car, finishing a business call on her cel phone. Looking out into the beautiful forest beside her, her legs shaked with excitement. The call finished, she made a few notes on her palm pilot, and exited the car, heading for the woods as calmly as she could.

After an hour, deep in the middle of the forest ... she did what she set out to do. She started a fire.

Oh, how it grew and grew, and she watched with such delight as the flames began to consume tree after tree. Who doesn't like to watch a fire, after all? Who is not hypnotized by the sensual dance of flame? It encroached deeper into the wilderness, this fire. And it consumed more trees, and more creatures of the wood.

And the woman was happy. But she wondered why the fire did not consume her? Why was she not burning down, too?

"That's a good question," came an old woman's voice.

Surprised, whe whipped around to see a woman bent with age standing before her ... in her gaunt arms she held a great big cooking pot (called a cauldron in some places). "Who are you?"

"It doesn't matter, for you woudln't know me, anyway. But there are those who would ask questions of you." And with that, the old woman snatched the fire-starter .. and with great strength put her in the cooking pot, and the crone put the cooking pot on her back .. and she ran with great speed through those woods. Until at last she put down the pot with the fire-starter. There, they beheld a man made of green.

"Who are you," asked Linda MacKellahan of the green man.

"It doesn't matter, for you wouldn't know me, anyway. But there are those who would ask questions of you." And with that, the green man revealed spirits of the woods who asked, "Why did you do this to us?"

Now, Linda MacKellahan was very smart, very successful ... and very much a woman of the times. She instantly realized she Must be going a little crazy. And thus, she realized that animals ghosts were not asking her such, but rather she was asking herself, "Why do you do this to yourself?"

And she answered, "Is the fire not beautiful?"

The old woman shook her head and said, "Behold." Making a great gesture to the bottom of the cooking pot that the fire-starter was still standing in, the younger woman looked down. She saw ... ashes, embers ... a fire nearly dead.

"What of it," asked the younger.

"It is your soul," spoke the older.

Linda MacKellahan screamed! How could this be! "I .. I must fix it."

With naught a word, the green man gave her tinder. And the old woman gave her stones for spark. And the young woman bent over the side of the cooking pot and arranged the tinder, and sparked the stones, and blew gently ... until the embers and ashes were fire. The green man gave her more sticks, and the fire grew greater. And greater ... .. until ...

She realized she was boiling in the cooking pot. With a yelp she jumped out ...

... into her car. The cel-phone was ringing. She didn't answer. Instead, she looked to the forest where a fire was dying. And inside of her, a different fire was growing at last!

[Kat Lady]

Wow! 3 great stories so far:
Morningstar: i loved this story when you first posted it
Branbeith: Wonderful tale as always, my friend
Arden: It took me in and kept me reading

All very well done.

[MorningStar]

Arden i love it. now this is a true Bard's tale. Teaching us along the way of a wonderful yarn.

[Kat Lady]

How Lynx Became the Keeper of the Secrets and Wolf became her Guardian

Little Bear and his Grandfather were walking by the great waterfall on a spring day when Little Bear turned to his Grandfather and said, “Grandfather, will you tell me a story of days long ago? ”

Grandfather looked at Little Bear and smiled. “And what story would Little Bear like to hear today, I wonder?”

“Tell me about the magic, Grandfather.”

“Hmmm…magic, you say. Well then sit and I will tell you then how the Lynx became the Keeper of the Secrets and who was her guardian.” And Little Bear sat and listened to his Grandfather’s words.

It was during the time after the great freeze when Earth Mother was being reborn by the sun that The People were given the gift of fire. But that is a story for another day. All that you need to know, Little Bear, is that with this gift, The People were able to survive the long dark and their numbers again became many. They grew in strength and soon Brother Bear, Hawk, Salmon and Stag saw the change in The People and trembled in fear lest they also gain the other secrets of Earth Mother and Father Sky. They were afraid that if The People learned the secrets before learning The Way they would have too much power and would cause harm instead of good. So they called a great council to decide what should be done.

All of the Great Ones were there to add their voice. Some like Fox and Coyote thought it best to hide the secrets from The People. Others like Eagle and Buffalo thought it best to share them. And the Old Ones, Bear, Hawk, Stag and Salmon, thought it best to share some and keep some so that The People would learn to understand The Way. There was much discussion and many harsh words among the Great Ones. Then Wolf stepped forward and entered the circle carrying a bundle of fur very carefully in his mouth and all discussion stopped.

Brother Bear held up his paw for silence and said, “Aho, Brother! What is that you carry?” Wolf silently placed the bundle in the center of the circle and the Great Ones could see that he carried a young cat. The young one had eyes the color of the sky in the summer sun and great ears with tufts that looked like grass growing from them. The Great Ones laughed at the sight of such a silly animal and the young one became afraid and ran behind Wolf for protection.

Wolf spoke calmly to those gathered and said, “I have spoken to Earth Mother and Father Sky and they have asked us to wait for 12 moons and then again have council. They ask that we not be hasty in our decision and they ask us to watch over this young one and teach her The Way. She is called Lynx.” And Lynx looked out from beneath Wolf’s legs staring in curiosity. There were many murmurings among the Great Ones. But who were they to doubt the word of Wolf, who was messenger and teacher of The Way? So they agreed to wait for the 12 moons. It was Sister Hawk that asked, “What shall we do with the little one? Who shall teach her the Way?” Coyote stepped forward and said, “She looks small and sprite. I will teach her to hunt the rabbits of the field.” Fox stepped forward and said, “I will teach her to hide in the grass so she will find much prey and be hidden from view.” Puma said, “I will teach her stealth and cunning.” And Wolf said, “I will teach her to follow her heart.” And The Council agreed that it was good and the Great Ones left for their homes to meet again in 12 moons when the land was fresh and the grasses grew.

So Puma taught Lynx the stealth of the hunt and Fox taught her to hide in the grass and Coyote taught her to hunt for small game and rabbits. Lynx learned from her elders and soon she knew how to hide and run fast and hunt. As she grew, her eyes that were the color of the summer sky turned to the yellow of the sun. Her fur turned the color of the clouds and twilight so that she could hide among them. She learned her lessons and the elders puffed with pride. They also found that she had a place in their hearts and they shared much of their souls with her. And she smiled at them and was happy.

Finally, Wolf came to teach her the lessons of the heart. He took her to the family and she saw how the young were tended and how they cared for each other, each having a place. She saw them mourn the loss of the old one and she joined their cries of sadness. Wolf taught her how to handle change and the lessons of love and loss. And Wolf taught her The Way and to trust her heart. And she grew to adulthood in strength and understanding.

Twelve moons had passed and the Great Ones called Council. Again there was much discussion and argument. And Lynx remained silent, smiling and listening. Finally Brother Bear asked for silence and called for a decision: should the secrets be hidden or shared with The People? The vote was split with some saying to share and some saying to hide. And then Lynx stepped into the center of the Circle and looked at them and smiled. Now it was Wolf that stepped forward and said to The Council, “Behold the Keeper of the Secrets. She has been taught The Way and is ready to take her place. It is she who will teach the secrets to The People when they are ready to hear and it is she who will keep silent when they are not.” And The Council looked into her golden eyes that showed that she could draw knowledge from the heavens. They looked at her gray coat that was the color of the clouds and saw that she could hide the ancient wisdoms. And they remembered how she warmed their hearts and already kept their confidences. And they saw that it was good and agreed.

Then Bear asked, “Who will walk with our sister, guarding her from harm?” And Wolf stepped forward, “She has warmed my heart so I will walk with her on this path and guard her from harm, lest she lose her way. I will help her teach the Secrets and we will seek wisdom and help The People learn The Way.”

And Wolf and Lynx walked among The People and taught them The Way and shared the secrets that would help them. And Lynx kept some of the secrets until The People would be ready for them. And Wolf was her guardian.

“And so, Little Bear, that is how magic was brought to the people and how Lynx became its keeper and how Wolf became her guardian.”

And Grandfather Grizzly Bear and the Little Bear cub walked under the Waterfall to find lunch and enjoy their day in the sun. And Lynx and Wolf watched them as they left the Valley of Dreams.

[Branbeith]

Excellent story!! It reads like a shamam's tale........

[Crow]

I have a book of Native American myths and legends, and Kat Lady's story is on a par with any of them. Very well done, KL!

[FallingLeaves]

A marvelous story KatLady. Bravo!

[MorningStar]

EXCELLENTLY DONE!!!! Now that is worthy of the Acients!!! i love this one very much Katlady!!!!!!!! (A Awen for all six directions)

[Wolfwalker]

Kat, like Crow, I have stories of the old legends in some of my books. This could sit among any of them and be as worthy... It is indeed a shaman's tale... a very good one.
blessings, Peter /|\

[EarthWard]

Kat I don't like to comment on just one person because I think everybody has great skills.
But that my dear lady was completely Awensome.

[Branbeith]

The Prince and the Salamander
- Branbeith

Once upon a time in a land and time long since forgotten, there was a young prince. Now this was not a time where princes were treated like the royalty they are, but rather a barbaric time where royalty’s crown was only secure by the tip of a sword. It was an age of survival for both princes and paupers alike. Since our young prince knew of hard times, he was not the pampered lap dog that many of today’s royalty can be. He was a hardy young fellow that spent many days beckoning the mysterious call of the thick woods that surrounded his island.

On one such trip, he was caught in a soaking summer shower. He, and a miserable tabby both sought refuge in a tiny cave. The tabby immediately became interested in the far wall. It crouched, indicating that it had found prey.

“Help us, kind prince…please help us!” Now in this day in age, if animals talk to a human, the human would at best be shocked and at worse be locked up. In the age of Merlin, however, it was a much more common occurrence.

Without looking to see what he was helping, he quickly shooed the cat to a far corner then he looked down and saw five salamanders quivering in a dusty crevice in the wall.

“It is alright, we will not hurt you.” Somewhere in the shadows, a disgruntled cat hissed its displeasure. “At least, I will not harm you, and I will protect you from the cat.” The prince quickly amended.

Only the smallest and youngest of the five salamanders was brave enough to talk to the young boy.

“My brothers and I thank you, young prince. If there ever anything we can do for you, just call.”

The prince had enough royal bearing not to laugh at the reptile’s sincere offer. He quelled the urge to chuckle and instead said, “Thank you for your kind offer.” He then picked up the unhappy tabby and moved to one side. With that, the five salamanders quickly left the cave all the while the cat meowing its protests at the escape of its tasty lunch.

Time passed and the prince forgot the promise made by the little salamander. As the prince approached manhood, an evil warlord from the north attacked the island kingdom. It was a cowardly attack, done at night, when the people of the castle lay sleeping. Many never awoke from their dreams. The King fought valiantly but a man in his night robe was no match for a fully armored battle-lord. He called out to nature to protect the kingdom, but all the animals were afraid of the evil lord. Seeing his enemy momentarily distracted, the coward plunged his sword into the beating heart of the King. The prince heard his father’s death cries and rushed out – sword in hand – eager to avenge his father’s death and keep the kingdom out of his enemy’s hands.

The battle raged. While training and age was on the side of the warlord, justice sided with the prince making the battle quite equal. Two fateful thrusts of steel and both fell, each giving a deathblow to the other. As his world darkened around him, the prince remembered the promise of the little salamander. “Protect my kingdom.” Were the last words he uttered. None of the animals responded for fear had replaced the courage usually in their hearts. None of them dared to pass the waiting army that circled the kingdom.

The salamander heard his friend call out, gathered his brothers, and without thinking of their own safety, went to the side of the fallen prince.

“Earth-Mother” he called, this valiant prince once saved my life, allow me to return the favor. I am way too small and insignificant to save a kingdom, but I offer…”

“No, we offer” His brothers cried. “Our lives for his.” All five finished the pledge together and they lay down on the body of the still prince. The prince stirred and watched in amazement as his wounds healed. The five salamanders were amazed that they still lived. A wondrously beautiful woman appeared before the six friends and offered a dazzling smile.

“You honored the Covent between nature and man by protecting that which was weaker, a sign of a true king.” The prince bowed deeply to her, unable to speak.

“And you five honored a pledge even if it meant your deaths – a mark of true friendship.” The salamanders dared not to look at the Earth-Mother, for they were small and insignificant.

“You are a king that deserves his kingdom to be saved, and I can reward the faithful friends in doing so. Become as powerful as your friendship.” - And the salamanders suddenly found themselves large and powerful.

“What are we?” They inquired as they looked at each other in amazement.

“Dragons.” The Earth-Mother replied, the noblest of all creatures, for you tried to help when the other animals wouldn’t give aid.”
“From now on, prince, your friends will help protect this kingdom, for it shows great promise. May you or your yet unborn child unite these troubled people in a time of peace. And from now on, your name will bear witness to the friendship and protection of these five dragons.”

Uthur Pentdragon bowed his head in compliance. Together he and his five dragons pushed the evil army out of his fair Britain.

[Kat Lady]

Branbeith: I love this fable! T is proud of you!

[MorningStar]

Very well done Branbeith, i don't want to say the lame thing over and over but very excellently done.

[Wolfwalker]

Ohhh, dragon tales! And well-written into the bargain! Shall Merlyn take up his pen to reprove this I wonder?
Peter

[Branbeith]

Arden I had to reread your tale. It reads like a modern folk tale..It entertains and teaches,,,very sneaky!!!