Young Writers Society

"Don't be frightened, Cathleen," A familiar voice that sounded clear, high, and pure like tinkling bells responds, "We're here to help you."

"But who are you? Where are you?"

Just then Cathleen feels a light tugging on the rope binding her hands.

"Look around."

Obediently, Cathleen looks around her. She is in a meadow next to what looks like the forest that she was being chased through earlier. As she looks about her, Cathleen notices small spots of color floating here and there throughout the meadow. Then, one moves very close in front of Cathleen and she sees that it is a faery with long black hair and green eyes wearing a long white dress.

"How--How is this possible? I thought faeries were forbidden to interact with humans."

Cathleen's bonds fall away from her hands. She stands and stretches her stiff muscles.

"Far from that, my dear. As a matter of fact, you have more in common with us than you think."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, that you are more than just a human princess. You are half-faery and half-human. Your mother, Cathleen, was one of us."

" You knew Mum?"

"Yes."

"Do you know what happened to her?"

The faery's face becomes sad for a moment before quickly recovering to her serious expression.

"That is a story for another time. For now, we should get you to safety before Brian wakes up."

"Right, but we need to find a way to save my father. Brian will kill him to get the throne."

"Don't worry, we'll save him. Come with us. We will teach you everything you need to know about your heritage. My name's Rebecca by the way."

" Wait, what about Father? He will be worried if he doesn't find me in the morning. How do I know that Father is safe?"

"We'll send a message to your father letting him know that you are alright. Now, come with us, Cathleen. You'll be safe with us."

"But where are you taking me?"

"We will lead you to our home deep in the forest. We'll get you something to eat, then you can rest and tomorrow we'll start your training."

"Alright, I'll go with you. I don't think I want to be around when Brian wakes up."

The Faeries start toward the woods with Cathleen following closely. They lead Cathleen deep into the woods, where they stop at the base of a giant oak tree.

"Why have we stopped here?" Cathleen asks curiously.

"This is our home, now we are going to transform you into one of our kind so you will be able to enter. When we get in here, we'll get you a new dress and something to eat."

Cathleen looks down at her dress, just now realizing how tattered and dirty it is.

"Alright, but will I be able to control my movements when you transform me?"

"Don't worry, that's part of the magic. It will feel like you were one of us to start with. You will be able to do everything you would normally do. Just like you were in your human form."

"Alright, let's do it."

Rebecca nods and says, "Close your eyes."

Cathleen closes her eyes just as Rebecca starts to chant in Gaelic as if saying some sort of strange prayer. Cathleen feels her body become lighter and soon she feels wings growing out of her back.

"Cathleen, it's over, come inside." Rebecca says gently after a few moments.

Cathleen opens her eyes to find that she really is the same size as Rebecca and the other faeries. She feels her ears and finds that they are pointed just like the faeries' ears. Her wings start to flutter lifting her an inch or two off the ground.

"Wow." Cathleen says in amazement.

Rebecca laughs gently and looks at Cathleen with kind, understanding eyes.

"You'll get used to your new body soon enough, now follow me."

Rebecca flies up and lands on a high branch in the tree. Cathleen, unsure how to fly, tries to tell her wings to move, but they remain stationary.

One of the faeries on the forest floor with her approaches and says "Try thinking about flying up onto the branch. That's how we do it."

Cathleen stands there a moment considering what to think.

Up

She lifts off the ground. She tries again.

Land next to Rebecca.

She flies up onto the branch and lands next to Rebecca followed by the other faeries.

"Good Job, Cathleen." Rebecca says approvingly. " Now, let's go inside and get you cleaned up."

Rebecca takes Cathleen's hand and leads gently leads into a small door at the base of the branch. To humans, this door would look like any other knot in the tree. Upon entering inside, Cathleen is amazed to find that the inside of the tree is filled with tables and chairs, as well as many smaller rooms around the tree. Rebecca leads Cathleen into one of the rooms and shuts the door.

"Alright, Cathleen let's find you something to wear. Then we'll get some food."

Rebecca over to another door, stands there looking in it for a moment, then pulls out a long purple gown with a blue sash around the waist and a brush.

"This dress will look great on you. And once you're dressed we'll comb out your beautiful hair."

Rebecca helps Cathleen into the gown, then brushes Cathleen's hair and pulls it back into a waist length braid.

"Are you ready to go get something to eat?" Rebecca asks with an admiring smile.

"Sure."

Rebecca leads Cathleen back out into the main section of the tree where the tables and chairs are set up where the two sit down in front of a plate of fruits and vegetables.

"Eat up, Cathleen. You need your strength. Meanwhile, I'm going to talk with some others about what to do to help your father."

Cathleen nods and says "Thank-you, Rebecca."

Rebecca flies over to another table while Cathleen, too tired and anxious to eat, just picks at the food on her plate.

A few moments later, Rebecca returns to the table where Cathleen is sitting.

"Cathleen, I think we've found a solution. We have three days before Brian is going to attack your father. In the meantime, we will teach you how to use your powers. Then, we will go and save your father."