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Tam O'Sham Part 6 - A Red Cloverstone. |
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Drewey and Tam walked slowly ahead of Elder MacDonald and Droka. Drewey was still doubting the events that had unfolded in front of his eyes, trying to make sense of what he had been told. How could that troll once have been anything other than a troll? How could a creature as wrinkled and old as him, move so fast and save Tam? Things just didn't make sense.
It was all too much for Drewey to deal with, and so he was quiet, lost in his own thoughts. "Drewey, did you see that creature?", asked Tam interrupting Drewey's silence.
"Yes Tam. I sure did, but even now, I am having a hard time remembering what it looked like."
This was true. Drewey was having difficulty remembering what had just happened a few minutes ago. He could remember sneaking up on them, and he could remember running hard and thinking he was too late to save his bestest friend. He could even remember the old Troll saving Tam at the last moment, but the more he thought about the creature, the less he could remember what it looked like.
"I don't know how to explain it Tam," continued Drewey "but I can't remember much of anything about the creature. I do know, I thought you were in danger and I felt I had to do something to save you. I knew that I was too late, and it felt terrible inside."
Tam was silent, remembering for himself what had happened, remembering what he had been told by Elder MacDonald and Droka before the creature struck. Tam also remembered what he had been told about the wizard and her magic.
Tam was still a wee lad, and like all Leprechauns had been told of their history. Told of the battles that had come many, many years before. He had heard stories of dark magic and strange creatures. He now realized they were more than just stories. All of a sudden Tam felt the world around him was quite a bit bigger than it had a few hours eariler.
"Tam, Elder McDonald said you would tell me what had been said to you in the clearing before..., well..., before that troll saved you." Drewey continued, "Tell me Tam, tell me everything they told you, and don't leave anything out." Tam could sense concern in his friend's voice, and fear. Tam had never sensed this from Drewey before, and this made Tam feel even more afraid that he already was.
"I don't know where to start Drewey", replied Tam, "there was so much, and I'm still trying to make sense of it myself. If I am to belive what has been told me, then we will have a very hard time in front of us. I say we Drewey, because I'll not go anywhere or help anyone in anyway unless you are at my side."
"That is mighty kind of ye Tam, but it was not I that saved you today. It was that troll." Drewey was saddened by this thought, and realized that perhaps he was not worthy of the promise he had vowed to always protect his bestest friend.
"It doesn't matter Drewey. We are bestest friends, and I won't do any of this without you. No matter what Elder MacDonald says." Tam voice was getting louder now. Drewey had never heard of Tam speaking a harsh word, or raising his voice, and he realized Tam could not do this without him.
"Ye are indeed a great friend Tam, and even though I don't yet know what ye were told, or the dangers ye may face, but I'll face them with you, if that's what ye decide." Drewey was still very much afraid, but felt that together he and Tam would be just fine.
"Well, Drewey, after you were caught by Elder McDonald and sent back to the village" Tam began...
As Tam explained to Drewey what had been told to him, Droka and Elder McDonald were busy making plans of their own. By the time their group had arrived back at the village square, Tam's celebration had ended and the clean up had begun. Elder McDonald told Tam and Drewey to wait in the square as he and Droka set out to talk to Tam's parents and Drewey's guardians about the journey the must make.
As the lads waited to find out what was to happened next, there was a rustling sound from behind and above them. "Oh no! Not again!" they both thought together. As they turned around, a very strange looking creature floated down from the tree above them. Frozen again with fear and unable to run or scream, the two friends could only stand there and stare.
"Please do not be afraid of me. I have no wish to harm either of you in any way," the creature began. His voice was soft and somehow comforting. The lads slowly began to relaxbut, after all that had happened so far this Gleedom, were not going to let their guard down in any way. They had no reason to believe or trust this new creatuire.
"My name is Orbleigh and I am the keeper of the Cloverstones. I have come here this day to present Drewey with a very special Cloverstone for friendship. Through his actions this Gleedom, he has shown that he is indeed a true friend and earned the right to wear this", he continued as he hovered just above the ground.
Orbleigh reached into a pouch that hung around his waist and pulled out a heart-shaped necklace containg a brightly coloured red Cloverstone and place it over Drewey's head so that it hung loosly around his neck.
"You Drewey McLeary, have shown beyond a doubt to be a true and honourable friend to a special leprechaun. It is with great pride that I present you with this small symbol of that friendship that you hold so close to your heart. Wear it always and believe in it's power," Orbleigh finished as he slowly floated back up into the tree he had come from.
Tam and Drewey could do no more than stand staring up and watching until Orbleigh disappeared from site."See Drewey," Tam began. "I told ye, yer my bestest friend and now ye've proof of it."
"I've no idea what to say Tam," Drewey said softly as he stared at the Cloverstone he had just been awarded. "I've never even seen one before except for the ones that are worn by the specials. I didn't know that commoners could ever have one." Drewey was overwhelmed with many feelings that he could not understand at that moment.
"Ye deserve it," Tam stated simply. "Now lets go see what's happening with Elder McDonald and Droka."
As the two friends turned towards Tam's home, they decided once again, that this was indeed a very strange Gleedom but it was starting to look as though it may be getting better. At least for right now!
 greenshamrock · Sat Oct 15, 2005 @ 11:54pm · 0 Comments |
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