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Tam O'Sham Part 5 - The First Creature. |
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"'Tis not fair", thought Drewey, as he walked slowly back towards the village. "Not fair at all. Tam is my bestest friend. He doesn't know the dangers he'll face. NO!! I'll not go back to the village", he decided and quickly turned back towards Tam and the others. Quickly, but quietly. Elder McDonald is clever, and a hard Leprechaun to sneak up on. Drewey was almost at the spot where he had earlier been discoverd. He could hear their voices. The voice of that dreadful Troll.
"How could the Elder put Tam at such risk?", Drewey thought to himself. He was closer, closer than before. He could see them all clearly now. Tam and the Troll locked in each other's gaze. Elder McDonald close, yet somehow not involved. Drewey watched intently from where he was. He could see the entire scene but everything seemed so still. Almost as if, even the very forest, was straining to hear what was being said. Drewey had never heard the forest so quiet, so lifeless.
It was then he thought, he noticed movement from an area covered thick in bramble bush. The movement was so faint, so slight, that Drewey was not sure he had seen movement at all. Yet there it is again. None of the others seemed to notice this movement, and Drewey, all of a sudden felt threatened. As if danger were close by. He crouched there, transfixed by what was unfolding before him. He saw it clearly now, whatever it was. It didn't know it had been seen and grew bolder. Slowly making it's way towards Tam and the others by keeping just inside the brambles.
Drewey had never seen anything like it. It seemed bent over as it walked. A bit taller than a Leprechaun, with a large misshapen head and long stringy arms. It seemed to blend in to the very background, yet when it moved, it was so easy to see. Surely this was some kind of dark magic at work. "Why hadn't the others yet noticed it? I can't just stay here and do nothing", thought Drewey, "I have to warn them". He began to move now, quickly but silently.
Closer to the others, but still hidden by the forset about him, it was then he saw the creature stand straight up. It's head clear above the brambles. Drewey was almost panicked now as he realized he was running out of time. "How could they not see this creature?" The creature was reaching for something now, something attached to it's waist. Drewey was sure it was a weapon of some kind. He had to warn them now, he couldn't be quiet any longer. The creature was drawing the weapon up to his shoulder, extending his arm far back behind, as if in a throwing motion. Time seemed to pass very slowly for Drewey.
Witnessing this creature about to strike down his bestest friend, felt like he was watching it unfold in slow motion. Drewey started to run. The creature was in the forward motion of it's throw as Drewey burst through the trees. "Tam" he yelled, "Tam, look behind ye!" But it was too late. The creature had released it's weapon and it was hurling through the air towards Tam. Drewey had a sickening thought. His bestest friend, whom he had solemnly vowed to protect, was about to be struck down and there was nothing Drewey could do to save him. "I'm too late", Drewey thought as he ran towards his friend.
Just when it seemed the weapon would find it's target, the old Troll shoved Tam out of the way and caught the weapon in mid-air. Drewey was astounded that something as big as that Troll, could move so fast. Tam lay motionless on the ground and Elder McDonald was now kneeling beside him. Running as fast as he could, Drewey looked for the creature but could not find it anywhere. "Tam, Tam, are ye hurt lad?", cried Drewey, as he knelt down beside his friend. Tam was just opening his eyes, apparently dazed by the force Droka had used to shove him aside. Elder McDonald, seeing that Tam was indeed unhurt, was now talking in hushed tones with Droka.
"Drewey", yelled Elder McDonald, "why is it yer here after being told to return to the village?" Drewey could see Elder McDonald was quite upset now. He had never seen him this upset. "But Elder McDonald, I just knew I had to protect Tam. I just knew he was in danger. He is my bestest friend and I have sworn to always watch out for him. Even at the risk of angering you." Drewey was gaining more courage, thinking he had just saved Tam from harm. "How could Elder McDonald be angry with me?", Drewey wondered to himself.
"Tam was naught in any danger Drewey," replied Elder McDonald to this apparent rebellion to an Elder's authority. "We were quite aware of the dark creature stalking us. We dinna want it to know we were aware of it though, and now, because of you, it has escaped. We were hoping to capture it but, it's aware of our knowledge, and will warn the others of it's kind. These are dangerous times Drewey and there are many things happening, all around our village, yer naught aware of." Drewey was dumb struck. "They both knew the danger Tam was in and yet, they let that creature get so close. How could they be so foolish?", Drewey wondered.
Elder McDonald calmed down a bit before he began to speak. "Drewey, our honored guest, Droka, is no ordinary Troll. He's lived a very long time, longer than any Leprechaun and has seen many things. He's had to live by his wits and bravery. He has ruled over kingdoms, and been enslaved by his own kind. Ye must believe me when I tell ye, Tam was never in any real danger."
"Humph", snorted Drewey, as he crossed his arms over his chest. He clearly did not believe what he was being told. "Drewey, help Tam to his feet and you can both sit over on that rock", ordered Droka. Even though he did not want to do anything this Troll asked of him, he did help his friend to the rock. They sat patiently waiting to see what would happen next, as Droka and Elder McDonald spoke quietly among themselves.
"What was that thing Drewey, do ye know?", asked Tam. "Nay", he replied slowly shaking his head. "I don't remember ever hearing about anything that looked that way either", he conituned after some thought. "Well Drewey, I hope we never see it again", remarked Tam as Elder McDonald and Droka approached the lads. "Drewey, it is honourable to want to protect Tam with your life, but that doesn't mean you can disrespect you Elders", explained Droka. "I will allow you to stay and listen but you must swear that you will never reveal what you hear today."
Drewey promised never to tell because he was afraid of this Troll, and because he was not sure that his best friend was safe. Droka was still holding that awful creature's weapon in his hand and looked even more menancing then before, as he spoke again. "You've no need to fear me, either of you. It is my nature to help others, not harm them, but now it is I, who needs help. That creature, that just fled, works for the evil wizard who cursed me. There are many of them and they will return. It appears that I'm not the only one who believes Tam may have this special gift. The wizard doesn't want me to find the chosen one to reverse this terrible curse I'm under", explained Droka.
"We must hurry back to the village to gather what we need. Tam can explain to Drewey what had been discussed before we were interupted", Droka said to Elder McDonald. "We won't have much time before that one returns, with many more, and Tam will no longer be safe. I will explain more as we walk". "But I am just a wee lad yet and ye can stop them Droka", cried Tam, almost pleading. "Why would they harm me, I've done them no harm." Elder McDonald took Tam by the hand and turned towards the village. "Not yet ye've naught and they intend to see ye never do."
 greenshamrock · Sat Oct 15, 2005 @ 11:52pm · 0 Comments |
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