CHAPTER 26
Not wanting to discuss anything until I had digested all the information; I set about replacing the furniture and clearing away the pots of herbs. Eventually I called a meeting and we sat once more in the kitchen, and talked about what had happened with Gwion Bach.
‘Well it seems I must go to see the Kings and Queens of the Fairies, has this happened before, and how do I get there; more to the point where is there?’ I asked my friends. Everyone spoke at once and I had to calm them down to understand anything I was being told.
What I learned then had me more frightened than anything I had faced so far. It seemed only one Intercessor before me had dared go to the other plane, which the Royalty resided in. No one knew, for certain, what had happened, but tales were spread that she never even got to see the Royalty. She had not been protected well enough, and the evil souls and spirits that haunt the outskirts of the plane itself, had taken her and killed her.
I shivered, then noticing all eyes were on me, I lifted my self up and said; ‘well I had better be well protected then.’ With that one sentence as the end of the meeting, I left to look in my spell book and see what I could come up with. I sat for hours over my book and still found nothing suitable. I was beginning to think there was no such spell, when a thought flashed to me.
I sat with a pen and paper and thought for a while, I wrote down words and then looked at them, changing the odd one here ant there. When I was eventually happy with it, I went downstairs and made a potion of Bay leaves, Cedar and Red Clover. I added this to some chamomile tea and went back to my room. I then said a spell of my own, my first of many, which I later added to my book.
Intercessors of times past, and those of times to come, I make myself ready, as I sleep here in this home. Come to me in my dreams, and put my mind at rest, Hear my plea to join forces and help me in my quest. Bring forth to me the knowledge, to find the perfect spell. I have faith in your wisdom, I will listen well.
I then drank the concoction, put some bay leaves under my pillow and settled down for the night. It wasn’t perfect but I hoped my spell would work. I certainly needed all the help I could get.
CHAPTER 27
As before, I fell asleep immediately, and the haze came over me. I kept my calm this time and landed in a beautiful, cottage style, sitting room. I looked around and saw seven old women sitting on large armchairs; they looked at me and smiled. This time I was not invisible, which was made clear when a familiar voice said; ‘Hello, my dear, it’s lovely to see you again; although I didn’t think it would be so soon.’
‘Hattie!’ I gasped and I ran straight over and gave her a huge hug. Another voice brought me back to my senses. ‘Well you were certainly right Hattie, she is a natural. She has managed to call as far back as Agnes and she was from 1410. I never even thought to call upon any of us, did any of you?’ She looked to the other ladies, who all shook their heads.
Hattie smiled and said let me introduce you to our line, Abigail. I will go back in order of time, newest first, and the first is the one who gave you the compliment; Effie, my predecessor. Then we have Sara, Elizabeth, Margaret, Charlotte, Theda and lastly Agnes.’ The ladies sat and greeted me. The difference in the style of clothing gave away the era in which each lived. I then noticed two shapes seemingly floating around the room. ‘You have done something we didn’t think possible Abigail, these are future Intercessors, they can not be seen properly because they have not yet been born. You really do have great power dear, just as I thought.’ Hattie said and then as she finished, a smug, I told you so, look came on her face. I had to stifle a giggle and get back to the reason for this gathering.
I explained to the ladies all that had happened, and the journey Taliesin had said I must take. They huddled together mumbling, and even seeming to talk to the opaque apparitions. Hattie scribbled things down on paper, crossing various parts out. After what seemed like hours they handed me the paper. Charlotte turned and spoke to me; ‘My dear stick to these words, do not stray and make the strongest protection potion you can, also carry several different protection pouches, you never know which evil may try to harm you. Good wishes to you, my dear. Please though, be warned, you must always keep your eyes forward on the journey; never look to the right or left and never ever look back.’
I thanked the ladies for their help, I wanted to stay for a while and chat but reluctantly, and with a heavy heart, I bade them goodbye. Once again I awoke in my bed, but this time I was holding a piece of paper. I looked at it and there was the spell to see me safely, I hoped, into the plane of the Fairy Royalty.
CHAPTER 28
I set about making my protection potions. I could feel the mood of my friends, they were all worried about me, and I knew some of them thought I would be lost forever. I tried to lighten the atmosphere, and portray a confident attitude. I joked and laughed, and even made myself feel better. I had to put aside all my fears and doubts and believe in myself, and my success in this quest.
I decided to do as Charlotte had said, and I made several protection bags. I mixed some with Heather, Pine and Motherwort; others with Angelica Root, Blessed Thistle and Bramble Leaf and more with Carraway, Coltsfoot and Comfrey Leaf. Then I threw caution to the wind and mixed them all together in a couple more pouches; I hoped I was covering all threats.
I had to try this quickly as it was now the end of March. I gathered everyone around and told them I was doing the spell that evening. I knew they were worried; and with all my preparations finished, I made a meal we could all share; I just hoped it wasn’t my ‘last supper’.
It actually turned out to be a lovely meal and excellent conversation. We talked of Intercessors past and I told them how I had met some of them the night before. Now I had faces to put to the stories and felt I knew my predecessors better. They were amazed at this news, and I think their respect rose for me and they began to think this plan would work.
As all good things do; the meal came to an end. We made the room ready for my spell, and, as an extra precaution, I rubbed Geranium and Vetivert oil over my body. Now the time had come, and I could hear little chants from my friends, all of them sending me their luck in their own way. I moved to the table, filled with candles and herbs, took a deep breath, and began.
I ask thee now with honour, to answer this my plea. The noblest of Royals, I beg of you, please give your council to me. I need your words of wisdom, to help me in this fight. For all your loyal subjects, I need your strength and mite. Grant me safe passage, so I may speak with you and learn. So I can win those against your ways, upon my safe return. I know I am not worthy, to stand before the likes of thee. But above all else you are just, please help us the powers that be.
Now all we could do was sit and wait, hoping they would allow me to see them. I had done al
l I could for now.
CHAPTER 29
It was over three hours later when I began to feel something. This wasn’t like the haze, I felt a sickly dizzy feeling and had to swallow hard and breathe deeply so I wouldn’t faint. Wave upon wave of these feelings came over me and at first I fought it. I realised this made me feel worse so I tried to calm myself down and let the feelings wash over me.
This worked and rather than feeling ill; the waves were pleasurable and I became relaxed. The people at the table disappeared and I could feel myself lifting up and suddenly shot forward at great speed. I never liked roller coasters or fast rides, so all I could do was close my eyes and pray I didn’t bang into anything. At last I felt myself slowing down and felt brave enough to take a peak.
It was daylight, and I could hear jolly music blasting all around me. I was about to look around, when I remembered the words from Charlotte telling me to look straight ahead. I wasn’t taking any chances. I soon realised I had chosen well, I could see ahead several of the fairies I knew to be from the Unseelie Court, the evil ones. I also saw Ettin, a three headed giant, and Eachy, a human-like lake monster. I soon realised this was the outer kingdom. This area was full of evil and if I had turned my head, they would have seen me, and I would surely have died. If I looked straight ahead, I was invisible to them.
I said a silent ‘thank you’ to Charlotte, and before I knew it I had entered a slightly darker place. Here it was twilight, and I found myself slowly descending to the ground. I could feel the peace straight away, and knew I was in the Royal Kingdom. I looked around and gasped, it was the land from my books; right down to the lanterns entwined through the trees.
I saw the fireflies, and the fields of flowers; how could this be? I was still in shock when a large humanoid creature came to meet me. He had a deep, growling voice, but his face betrayed kindness and serenity. He bid me to follow him, and off we went towards an archway made of tree branches, stretching across to meet each other, and entwine their arms. We passed under the archway, and once again, my breath was taken away.
Before me stood the most beautiful castle I had ever seen. It was even better than those seen in fairy-tale books. It was coloured with a rainbow of pastels, and circular towers rose in to the air and glistened as though they were encrusted in diamonds. We entered golden doors into a hall of crystal floors and cream fur rugs dotted around.
We walked through the hall and into another room, smaller, but just as impressive. At last I had come face to face with some of the Fairy Royalty, and all I could think of to do, was courtesy.
CHAPTER 30
One by one the noble men and women were introduced to me by my guide. For want of anything better; I bowed my head at each name. I knew of most, but not all, and my nerves were beginning to show.
The queens were first:
Cliodna, she had long flowing fair hair, and I knew once she had fell in love with a mortal and had left the fairy world. A wave of magic had brought her back and eventually she had become a Queen.
Grainr, had the brightest cheeks I had seen, but that was all I knew of her.
Orla, I knew she was known as the golden queen.
Aine, she was the goddess of fertility, healing, vitality and prosperity.
Grian, the one I hoped would be my ally. She was known to help people achieve their goals, and was very persuasive.
It was now the turn of the kings:
Donn, he was the most impressive of them all. He was benevolent but also fierce.
Midhir, he was the father of Donn, although not as large.
Knop, was the king who loved music and dancing. The last was another I could use as an ally;
Ilbhreac, he took over the position of King when Dagdar gave it up. I knew he had a great respect for Dagdar and would hate to think of him under a witch’s spell.
Well I was here, in front of some of the most noble of the Fairies; now all I had to do was persuade them to help. I knew it wouldn’t be as easy as that.
CHAPTER 31
Fairies were known for their hospitality; and these ones were no different. I was ready to get down working and putting my case forward, but the nobles would have none of it. Firstly, I was taken to another room where a feast had been laid in my honour. It was not often they had guests, and they were making the most of it. They chatted as we ate and then the entertainment began.
The Fairy music began and I could feel myself falling into a state of euphoria. I fought it, and if it had not been for the many protection potions I carried, I think I would have been mesmerised, and I would have forgotten my task. I knew this is how mortal folk had ended up being kept in the Fairy world forever. This was probably their intention, I was being tested, and If I failed; then so would my mission and the war that was being fought on the mortal plane.
There would be no discussions tonight, and so I pretended exhaustion. This was taken as a good sign by the Royalty, and I was shown to a room where I could rest for the night. Once I was on my own, I checked my herb pouches. I knew the magic would not last long in this place, so I had to keep my guard up. I needed my rest to keep up my strength, so I went to bed. It was a shaped as a sleigh, with silk and fur as the covers; to be honest I had the most perfect sleep that night, and woke up feeling more relaxed and confident. Everything about this place was carefully created to lure you into complacency, and to make you forget your past and want to stay there.
My confident feeling didn’t last long though, as a group of Fairies came in giggling, and said they were to show me around the realm. Reluctantly, I went with them. If I was honest, I did long to see the realm but I knew my journey had been one of importance and this was just another delay. It would not work; I would not forget why I was there.
The serenity of the place was overwhelming. As before it was twilight; I found out this was always the case, and I looked again at the warm glow cast by the thousands of lanterns entwined in the trees and across the small homes. The air was filled with bird song and the humming of the fireflies. I was taken across a glorious field of clover, to a group of ‘picture box’ cottages.
I found out these belonged to mortals who had been lured by the Fairy song and had been trapped in the Fairy Realm. Of course they didn’t feel trapped, they lived in peace and tranquillity, and there were no worries here. I was introduced to some of them and I knew this was yet another tactic to make me want to stay.
One lady I was introduced to, was called Guene, she told me she had been here for many years now, and loved it. As she rambled on about the life and the goodness of the Fairies, a feeling crept over me that I could not shake. I knew I had never met her, but she felt familiar somehow. The more she talked, the stronger the feeling became, but it was not until she hugged me, I realised who she was.
Her memories had flooded into me; this was the missing Intercessor, who was thought to have died. She had been taken over by the Fairy magic and had forgotten all that had gone before. I was pleased she was safe, and longed to talk to her, but I knew this would do no good. If she returned to the mortal world now, she would turn to dust. She had been here for centuries, even though she thought she had lived a normal lifetime.
I was not Guene, and never would be. Rather than lure me into their world, this meeting had strengthened my resolve to obtain the help I needed, and get back to my world. I asked for an audience with the Royalty, but was told they were unavailable and I would see them at dinner. I had to assert myself at the dinner, I knew this, as the magic here was powerful and I would not be able to fight it off for long. All I could do was wait for the evening meal and make my plea then, even if I was risking the anger of the Kings and Queens there, it was then or never.
CHAPTER 32
After a long day of trying to keep my mind free, I was, once again, led to the vast dining hall. They had already begun eating; Royalty waits for no one. I took my seat and ate. As the meal was drawing to a close, I took my chance and stood up. Remembering the words of Gwion Bach, I picked my w
ords carefully.
‘Your majesties, I must speak with you now, this matter can not wait any longer. I will not be put off by frivolities. I am so grateful you granted me this chance, and I know you will help me for you are the great and just, and care about your subjects.’
A silence swept around the room and then King Donn shouted; ‘how dare you mortal, you are mocking our hospitality.’ I once again thought of my words and spoke loudly, with a confidence I didn’t really feel.
‘I dare because I am the Intercessor. I may not be Royalty, but my duties are great and important. Please remember, your majesties, it was through your wisdom and power that my line began. You gave a gift to only a few mortals, to keep the balance on Earth, it was through your great foresight that the Realms have co- existed for so long.’ They all looked at each other; it was obvious they had not been spoken to like this.
‘So you are the Intercessor, and that gives you the right to interrupt our entertainment? What can you do anyway mortal?’ This was said by King Knop, and I knew my next answer had to be perfect, or I had lost.
‘What can I do? I will not talk of what I CAN do; I’ll tell you what I WILL do. I will fight those who dare to go against your laws and proclamations. I will defeat these people, and I will restore the balance. I will do the work I was born to do and never give up.
I am, however, only mortal and I have come here to beseech you to help me in this quest. I would have been nothing without you, and now I need you so much. Help me to be all I can be, in your name.’
The Intercessor Page 6
