~*Tale of the Sidhe*~

~Prologue~
A young girl ran through the forest, her long hair flying behind her.
Moonlight filtered through the forest canopy, reflecting on a small
pool. The girl paused dipping her hands in the pool. She stared at the
pool, gazing at the reflection of the night sky. A tear wended its way
down her face as the smoky pearl moon turned pink " A price. " She
whispered to herself her voice echoing hollowly back. "There's always
a price." She stood up, cold water dripping from her now clean hands.
Her mouth moved searching for words she new not how to say. Tears
flowed freely down her face, warm against her skin, but she did not
feel it, nor did she taste the salty tears and they dripped across her
shivering lips. She stood still, staring without seeing, lips moving
without speaking hurling it into the pool. Then, she turned and ran
before it could even shatter the pool's mirrored surface. A whisper
lingered after her. "Price."

~Prologue end~

~Chapter One~

I woke up this morning to the clattering sounds of breakfast
being made. I sat up rubbing my eyes, I wasn't really much of a
morning person but my parents would be ridiculously melodramatic if I
slept any longer. It was such a shame; too, I was having such a lovely
dream too. I tried to recapture it as I sat there, not quite ready to
leave the comfortable warmth of my bed, but it was in vain as the last
vestiges of my nightly muse fled taking my dream with her.

I sighed, stretching as I reconciled myself with facing the
distasteful idea of breakfast. I walked over to my wardrobe, searching
for an outfit. I pull out a dark green tunic and doeskin pants. After
attiring myself I walk to the mirror, to brush my hair.

For a moment I stare at my reflection. Mother was not able to be
around much and it always comforted me to see her startling emerald
eyes staring back at me, even if it was only in my reflection. I
smiled picking up a pearl handled brush and began pulling it through
my long blonde hair. It always struck me as odd that both my parents
had such dark hair and mine was golden blonde. It cascaded in thick
waves down my back a little ways past my waist. Well, Father's was a
bit curlier than mine, but at least I know where I got that. I put
down the brush and began to braid my hair, until it wreathed about my
head while two (other) slim braids barely brushing the nape of my
neck. I'd better hurry up or Mother will be shouting after me soon. I
opened my bedroom door and skipped quickly down the stairs.

I strode quickly toward the dining room, nearly running into
our cook Deirdre as I hurried to my seat. Father was already there,
sipping a steaming cup of tea and scribbling notes upon a wrinkled bit
of paper. "Composing a new poem?" I ask. Father was the greatest poet
and storyteller around. That may be a bit of family pride talking, but
he was the king's favorite and was always in his company.

He kept writing, absorbed in his work, so absorbed, he did not
seem to have heard me. Oh, well, one cannot interrupt a man inspired.
I picked up my fork, poking at the egg on my plate. It was just too
early for food; I didn't think my stomach was ready yet. I put down
the fork, looking and looked around the dining room. Mother still
hadn't appeared. Mother was always up before me, I wondered where she
was, surely she'd not been called away?

Just when I was starting to grow upset a tall golden skinned,
dark haired woman shimmered into view. "Sorry I'm late, a little boy
was deathly ill. Poisoned by his uncle. Honestly, I loathe politics."

Mother sits down to join us and Father looks up from his paper.
"Good morning, darling. I missed you last night." He grins and I roll
my eyes, honestly they flirt like teenagers. Mother smirks back. "It's
the price you have to pay when you're married to the 'goddess' of
healing, of course, it has its perks." I gag and get up to leave,
before they can say anymore.

Mother looks at me as if noticing me for the first time. "Honey,
where are you hurrying off to? Aren't you going to share breakfast
with us?" I raise an eyebrow, for an immortal being, she can be pretty
dense sometimes, but she is my mother, and I'm sure there's some law
somewhere that obligates me to answer her.

"Uh, I'm full." Mother glances at my full glass and half- eaten
egg, wanting to get out of there quickly, I answer hurriedly: "I have
to go exercise Saoirse, I'll take this with me, I say snatching an
apple, "Don't want her to get frustrated waiting, bye." And I rush
out. "Don't forget about this afternoon." My Mother calls after me,
but I'm already gone.

I ran out to the stable, heading toward my mare's stall. There
were several horses in the stable; most were my aunt's. Flidais, my
mother's sister used to be worshipped as the goddess of the forest and
wild creatures. In truth, neither she nor my mother is a goddess. What
they are is the spirit of which they are patrons. My mother is the
spirit of healing and martial arts, she helps all those who call for
her, not necessarily by name, but for that which she epitomizes. She
is the guardian of her art, eternal and ageless.

However, she is not a goddess, she still answers to the rules of
universe and cannot bring anyone back from the dead. Only He can bring
people back from the dead and those given the power through Him. Also,
if commanded not to heal a person, for reasons known not to her, she
cannot heal them. She inspires people to learn the healing and martial
arts and sometimes she picks a favorite who becomes incredibly
talented. She doesn't pick many, usually only when she feels there's a
strong need for one.

Likewise, Flidais is the spirit of the forest. She protects its
inhabitants as well as she can. She also inspires humans to be more in
tune and concerned for their environment. The recent destruction of
the wilds has made her depressed and furious. She has been commanded
not to fight them, they must learn from their actions. She prays that
they learn before it is too late.

Another of their sisters has already lost hope in humanity. She
is, Macha, the spirit of pure physical force. She used to be called
upon during battle; she gave strength to the weak. It is she who leant
inhuman strength to the mother defending her child, to the underdog
fighting for survival. Yet, now, she has left the human world. Humans
seem to rely on hatred to fuel their fights. My mother tried to
convince her otherwise, but Macha has grown dispirited at seeing her
gift abused so. She left decades ago and has never returned.

As I was standing there, thinking about the woman I'd never
met, I felt something warm and wet on my hand. I looked over to find
out what it was and laughed. Brandubh, a huge dark stallion was
licking my hand searching for carrots. "Silly black raven, you know
better than that. Aunt Flidais would never allow me to spoil her best
hunting horse." I tell him as I pet his muzzle. Brandubh knickers
happily under my touch.

I hear a snort from the next stall. It seems Saoirse did not
like her mistress giving attention to another horse. I pet the
stallion once more then walk over to my jealous mare. A tall milky
white mare glares at me through a silvery fringe "Oh, Saoirse, stop
being so silly, you know, I only have eyes for you." I tell her as I
scratch behind her ears. She angles her head and sniffs anxiously at
my hands and gives me a reproachful look when she finds my hands
empty. I give her an innocent look.

"Why whatever are you looking for?" She nips at me gently. "Very
well," I reply, chuckling, I reach into my pocket and take out a
couple of sweet carrots, "Did you honestly think I would forget?" I
hold them out to her and grin as she eats them out of my hand,
tickling my palm.

"Alright, Saoirse, time for some fun." I start to put on her
saddle, then change my mind; I'm feeling a little wild. I put on her
bridle (can I do that without a saddle?) and mount. "Let's go!"
Saoirse neighs happily and starts running. I grin, and nudge her with
my knee, urging her to go even faster. She runs through to forest with
reckless abandon. We come to a small gully and Saoirse leaps over
gracefully. She runs for a couple of miles. It's the best feeling in
the world, riding fast on the bareback of a horse. All too soon she
slows down. I pat her head and tell her what a good girl she is.

Suddenly five bright colored forms fell from the branches
above. My horse reared, startled while I clung tightly with my knees
and tried to calm her down. I had just gotten her to settle down when
a pair of arms encircled my waist and dragged me off on to the ground.
As, Saoirse took the opportunity to run back to the stable I turn to
face a pale skinned brawny boy with shining ruby hair and golden eyes.

"Cailte!" I yelled glaring at my friend, "Now she's going to sulk all
day, you know she hates it when you guys do that."

Cailte was too busy laughing to protest his innocence. A tall girl
wearing a bright blue tunic, with long thick auburn hair and silver
eyes stepped forward.

"Don't blame him, it was my idea." I pout and turn my glare to Aine,
my scheming best friend.

"I imagine it was." I say stiffly, glancing around to see, the other three grinning.

"Oh, come on, Aisling, we've come to kidnap you." A girl with short
caramel hair and summer sky eyes, said in a playful tone.

"Yep, we would never be able to live with ourselves if we forgot. "
Her twin with midnight blue eyes, said in an altogether suspicious
manner.

"Druantia? Donnflaidh? What are you talking about?" I ask, getting a
bit worried, when they all plan something, it's time to be worried.

"There's no need to call us by our full names. " Dru said, pouting.

"Well, then, tell me what this is about?" I ask, growing a bit
exasperated. Dru and Donnie merely grinned.

"Oh, enough of that." The fifth member, a tall raven-haired young man
with otherworldly violet eyes finally stepped forward to put an end to
the mystery. "We came to make sure we didn't miss our opportunity to
give you..."

He paused, stepping next to me and just as I was about to yell
at him, I felt myself being lifted up. Cailte and Rian lifted me up
and carried me toward the creek. I struggled, but they were both
holding tightly.

"Your birthday dunking!" Rian shouted gleefully as he and
Cailte dumped me less than gracefully into the cold creek.

I surfaced spluttering from the cold. "You guys are so dead!" I
climbed back onto the bank and proceeded to chase them down.

"It was Aine's idea!" Rian shouted desperately as I began to gain on him.

"Was it now?" I replied, starting to ease off. "Well, in that case.
I'll get her next!" I pounced on a startled Rian and proceeded to
squeeze the sodden tale of my tunic onto his face.

"See, cold! The water was very cold! And now, I shall punish you. " I
started tickling him without mercy and grinned as he helplessly
chocked with laughter beneath me.

"Hahahah, st-hahah-stop, Aisling. Hahahah, please?" Rian pleaded in
between fits of laughter. With the freezing temperature of the water
still fresh in my mind (and in my clothes) I was very disinclined to
give in.

"You better stop Ash, you don't to be late for the party. " Aine put
in, trying to save her fellow conspirator from further atrocious
torments. I sat up, confused, "Party?"

A/N: yeah, this'll be a long one, but don't worry I'm not going to
post it all, just want some feedback on how I'm doing so far. ^('less
of course anyone REALLY wants me to} Oh well, thanks for reading.
Don't forget to review now! : )