Endings And Beginnings

(being part of Adventures Among The Fairie Folk)

Andy Bushnell 12/15/2011 1

Let me tell you a tale for the age. A tale of punishment and promises... some broken, some not! A tale of sacrifices made, evil faced and courage tested. A tale of the best of the sons of Adam... along with the worst. Fer sure, A tale of the end of worlds mythic, but also one of love enduring steadfast against an army of odds. A tale then with equal measures laughter, tears, pain and despair but with a sprinkling, thank God!, of hope eternal. Lift your hearts listeners for it starts in a mood much less sombre and a place familiar, nae doubt, to many of you. Look down then upon your mind's blank canvas. Clear away the layers of fog and har1 and reveal a solitary cottage, granite built among the pines and crags of Ben Macdui. A silver speck on a sea of green.

Mist

Endings And Beginnings

(being part of Adventures Among The Fairie Folk)

Andy Bushnell 12/15/2011 2 This is the home of our Hero, of sorts... His mother, Ailsa, blessed him Finlaggan, For she kept true to the mither2 tongue and would accept no Angle name for hers. Her husband, Aonghas3, loved him despite all a guide true on his path to manhood. Here then is Finlaggan Mac Aonghas a changer of worlds maybe but just a man for a' that. Jump now beyond the events of record. A roaring fire crackles, hisses and spits in the hearth. Nearby, in an old leathered chair Fin, as he was want to be called, sits stiffly, broad shoulders and stomach holding firm betraying a past militant and active. A Heavy mane, dark and wild cascades off those shoulders far removed, indeed, from Academy days. A full beard in these later years too but proudly bearing winters inevitable progress. Keen eyes spot twin mischief makers hatching plans of menace fer sure. Stirring Fin to whisper soft Tell me son, why do you laugh and giggle so? A pause. Then more sternly What fun do you and yours have at your old man's expense today?

2 3

Mother Angus

Endings And Beginnings

(being part of Adventures Among The Fairie Folk)

Andy Bushnell 12/15/2011 3 Twins look back startled with eyes round in surprise. Here then are the fruits of Fin's loins... Heather, flame haired from her Mother's side, and Craig, dark maned like his Father. The twins fear not the stern rebuke and beam back expectantly. Fin is betrayed A smile spreads across his face revealing the depth of love for his wee scoundrels. He freezes this image before him.. Dirt stains on raggedy claes 4and brow tousled hair framing heads like some wild angelic halo. Their wild look and free nature, so beautiful and natural to his eyes, wins him no approval at their school. Mothers and Teachers both. Yes, he catches their disapproving looks, tuts and shaking heads. No doubt pondering horns over halos for the origin of his. A laugh escapes unchecked, Oh how satisfying to reveal the truth an clam the petty and self-righteous, even if only for a welcome instant But cruel fantasy aside, he holds a promise honor bound Given over shared blood and tears. That truth be passed only to Fairie-kin And to the twins when their lives as children pass.

Clothes

Endings And Beginnings

(being part of Adventures Among The Fairie Folk)

Andy Bushnell 12/15/2011 4 The twins cocooned around his slippered feet now, look up. Once more he sees the mark of the Fairie on them. Ears! Pointed and magical, no doubt. Slightly larger than normal. Proudly sharp. The rub of many a cruel tease, he knew. Lucky they, together bound with backs protected. Still harsh their childhood, Shunned by most as odd and left to solitary games. Hands large and hard, rustle those wild locks with true paternal love. A breath, snatched before its job complete, escapes slowly. So many pictures come to mind. With negatives burned in blood And washed with tears. Moments of pure emotion Sword sunk deep with black ooze pumping, lovers combined with eyes of awe and magic discovered for the first time, And later, begging for life and, yes, forgiveness too. Slow down these frantic memories. With a deep breath Fin relaxed Opening his mind at last to memories old The beginning.