Linda Brown, Librarian to most of the fae, peered down the entry lane, the cinnamon coffee exploding on her tongue. Spring was evident by the riot of color lining the road. Mist settled gently on the new foliage stretching to greet the sun.She sighed, a contented sound followed by a slow-forming smile. Her keen hearing picked up the subtle flutter of tiny wings.
Chrissy, the resident wood nymph, languidly made her way to the edge of the chair and, back-winging furiously, settled on the arm.
“Librarian?”
“Yes?”
“Would you like a refill?”
“Thank you, no. I’m doing fine. Your new coffee drink is heavenly. I think we need to create a name for it. What about Cinnamon Chrissy?”
There was a quick flapping commotion as the little nymph moved to face the librarian. Her deep violet eyes were wide with excitement.
“Really?”
“You did suggest and create it.”
The nymph flew a loop-de-loop.
“Whohoo!” She buzzed around settling once again on the arm of the chair humming a tune the librarian recognized as an ancient Celtic song of celebration.
“Librarian?”
“Hhmm?”
“What are we going to do about May Day?”
“I’m not sure. What do you normally do?”
“We have a celebration of several days with dancing and feasting.”
“I’ll let you handle the planning. Just tell me what you need and I’ll do my best to provide it.”
Silence stretched between the unusual friends.
“Chrissy?”
“Uh-huh?”
“You okay?”
“Uh-hum. Just trying to figure where to start.”
Librarian smiled. The nymph had come such a long way from their first meeting when she’d tumbled into the library, disoriented and trembling in fear. The coffee shop and restaurant portion of the library ran smoothly under her guidance. A faint rustle of wings interrupted the librarian’s thoughts.
“I think I’ll start setting things in motion. If you need me, I’ll be in the kitchen.” The tiny figure zipped through the door disappearing into the building.
Linda opted to stay on the porch and enjoy the sweet smell of the valley as the spring showers commenced to lightly sprinkle the earth. Through the mist, she spied a figure hiking up her driveway. Something familiar about the gait tickled her memory; the stride so confident, head held high.
Night elf?
Heat rushed to her cheeks, coloring the fair complexion. Stirring from her chair, she stood and stretched her legs. Her view of the traveler was better from a standing angle. There was no doubt as to the identity of the lanky man who assuredly strode to her front porch.
“Beautiful day, Librarian. Don’t you think?”
“Yes, it is.” Her cheeks glowed a healthy pink. “How’ve you been, Uther?”
“Well. I have a great hunger and thirst. Have you bread and drink available?”
“Let me speak with Chrissy. Please…” she indicated one of the chairs near a table, “…rest your feet. I’ll be back soon.”
Uther allowed a smile to cross his lips. This lovely woman whom the fae community had taken to their ranks so loyally made his heart pound. Removing his cape, he lowered his tired frame into the offered seat and leaned back to admire the scenery. His eyes threatened to close and would have had Linda not brought him a glass of water and several slices of fresh made bread. He could smell the delight before she placed the plate in front of him.
“Oh, my. It has been some time since I sank my teeth into the likes of fresh bread.”
“You can thank Chrissy. I don’t know why that little wood nymph is so determined to learn all the human tasks there are to living, but it’s been a blessing in disguise. She really does make the best bread in the valley.”
Uther slathered butter on the still warm slice and bit into the concoction. His moan of appreciation tickled Linda’s heart. Sensations long forgotten started to make her uncomfortable.
“Would you like to try one of her coffee drinks? They’re really quite good.”
He held up a finger and slumped against the chair. “How anything can be as heavenly as this bread I don’t know, but I’ll try one of her coffees.”
Linda noted the relaxing of his shoulders and settling of his body.
Good. Maybe, he’ll stay longer than a day or two. Wait! Where did that come from? She hurried to the kitchen, slowing as she neared the door. A gentle knock to alert the nymph to her presence was given.
“Yes, Librarian?”
“Could you make one of your Cinnamon Chrissy’s for Uther?”
The little fae buzzed to face Linda. “Uther’s here?” Her violet eyes danced with delight.
“Yes. He just arrived and is tired and hungry. I thought he could do with a tasty pick-me-up.”
“Where’s he staying?” Her wings shook with excitement.
“I… I hadn’t asked him.” Linda’s brows knit together. “Why?”
“He used to stay with the Saun’s when he came to visit. But he can’t stay there now.”
“Hhmm, you’re right. I suspect the welcome mat wouldn’t be set out for him.”
“I’d offer my tree but I don’t think he’d fit.” Chrissy tapped her finger on her chin, forehead crinkled in thought.
Linda burst into laughter.
“What?” Chrissy frowned.
Shaking her head, the Librarian settled into a warm chuckle. “The picture of Uther trying to squeeze into your home just hit me as funny.”
The little wood nymph tried hard to hold her serious look but was soon giggling.
“It would be funny, wouldn’t it?”
Linda nodded. “What say we brew up some of your magical coffee for our night elf?”
Chrissy set to putting her talents to use whipping up her cinnamon specialty.Linda carried the steaming mug to the front porch. Toeing open the screen, she headed toward the table Uther occupied.
Legs stretched in front of him, the night elf sat with his head against the building. His arms were folded and his platinum eyelashes rested on his tanned cheek. Linda stopped in her tracks and sucked in a deep breath.
He’s magnificent; so long and muscular. She set the steaming coffee cup on the nearest table and retrieved his cape from the back of a nearby chair. Gently, she covered her sleeping visitor.
He stirred and blew out a deep sigh.
Linda froze. When Uther shifted and his breathing deepened, she backed away.
“What am I going to do? You can’t sleep on the porch for the next couple days. There’s a real possibility of the temperatures dipping.” She muttered gazing at the form of the man whose looks made her heart pound. Wait a minute!
The cup of coffee trailed cinnamon scented steam into the library.
“Didn’t he like my coffee?”
Linda recognized the hurt tone of the wood nymph. “He didn’t even take a sip.”
“What!”
“Hold on, Chrissy. I went out to give him the coffee and found him sleeping in his chair. Who knows how many days he’s been traveling? I didn’t see a vehicle or horse so I can only assume he was walking. I’ll bet he’s just exhausted.”
Chrissy winged to the window and peeked out at the slumbering night elf.
“Too true. Where’s he going to stay?”
“When Donald, my husband, was alive we used to go camping in the Three Sisters Wilderness area. Somewhere in the shed out back I think I still have some down filled sleeping bags he brought home with him from his time in the service. I can air them out and provide some comfort from the elements for Uther. He’ll be able to use the floor of the library after we close up at night.”
Chrissy winged to face the Librarian. “What if he says no?”
Linda shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know.”
~ * ~
She wrapped her grey woolen sweater to her body and shivered. “Feels cool.” The Librarian hadn’t been down the trail to the shed in several years. When her husband died, she couldn’t face the memories stored in the eight by ten building. Placing her hand on the lock of the hasp, she pulled in a deep breath and turned the handle. Squealing unhappily, the warped door opened with difficulty.
Linda covered her nose to ward off the pungent smell of mildew. “Whew! I should’ve done this ages ago.” She leaned in and grasped the thin string hanging from the socket of the bare bulb Donald had installed. The glare from the fifty-watt light momentarily blinded her. Recovering from the brightness of the light, Linda took a second look and groaned. Cobwebs blanketed everything in sight. She’d need to give the place a good cleaning before she’d be able to find anything.
Sighing in resignation, she turned out the light and closed the door. At the moment all she wanted to do was wash her hands in the stream and pull clean, crisp fresh air into her lungs. A hint of mildew clung inside her nostrils. Her throat tickled from the dust and everywhere she looked at her clothes she saw dirt. The path to the stream ran past the property line to the east of the shed. The proximity was too much for her to deny the pull and heeding her heart and not her head, she strolled through the woods admiring the spots of wild flowers exploding in spring color. Clear water tumbled wildly through the rocky riverbed. Linda stopped. By summer’s end this mad, rushing torrent would dwindle to a gentle, meandering brook.
She knelt down and dipped her hands in the closest pool. Chills exploded on her arms and she fell against the mossy bank from the shock.
“Wow! I knew this was snow runoff, but I figured by the time it got here the water would’ve warmed a bit.” Linda furiously rubbed her hands together then stuck them under each arm for warmth. Rays of sunlight streamed through the forest canopy and speckled the riverbank enticing her to lean back and close her eyes. A gentle breeze ruffled her hair. Muscles unaccustomed to relaxation betrayed her. For the first time in many years, Linda felt calm and at ease. Quieting her mind would prove more of a challenge; however, the roar of water exploding over rocks and rushing to the ocean soon gentled her overactive brain. As the rumble of water faded to background, Linda began to pick out the songs of robins and scoldings of bluejays nearby. Swishing grass tickled her arms and the new leaves on the overhead branches rustled. The scene was bucolic but deep in the pit of her stomach; Linda felt a nagging. Something was off. She realized the birds had stopped singing. Opening her eyes, she looked around as she lay on her back. When she couldn’t find the source of her uneasiness in the treetops, she propped on her elbow and reconnoitered the landscape around her.
The bank on the opposite side of the stream appeared barren of life. No swaying branches from the few bushes near the water. Linda’s eyes moved south in the direction of town passing over a downed tree. She’d started to turn to her right when her brain registered what she’d just witnessed.
In front of the log, crouching low to the ground, sat an animal the size of a bobcat. This creature, however, was completely black with glowing yellow eyes. And worse yet, the animal had her in its sights. The eyes didn’t blink. Linda looked away and turned back to find the creature crouching lower. She could swear the pupils had enlarged. The cat appeared ready to pounce.
Linda clamored up, turning to bolt back home as quickly as her legs would carry her. She ran square into a muscular chest. A piercing scream left her mouth as she fainted.
Uther swept the Librarian into his arms before she could hit the ground. His heightened senses detected a presence across the stream. He narrowed his eyes and spied the black cat crouched on the bank. The malevolent eyes took him in and Uther heard a low growl from the same general direction.
You are the traitor of your own kind.
The animal’s thoughts jolted Uther. He kept a steady watch on the animal as it rose and slipped into the brush at the edge of the river.
“Ooohhhh.” Linda was gaining consciousness. “Where am I?” She tried to focus on the nearest object. When she registered the fact she was in Uther’s arms, her fair completion disappeared beneath a rosy wave of color.
“Ple-please put me down. I can manage.”
She wiggled in his grasp causing him to let down one arm. Linda’s feet dropped to the ground with a thump.
“What happened?” The worry in his eyes sent her to blushing anew.
“I went to the shed to find a cot and sleeping bag for you. I didn’t realize just how long it had been since I’d been inside. When I emerged, I felt a desperate need to wash the dirt from my hands and, I guess, I sort of…”
Uther spared her the embarrassment she seemed to be experiencing.
“With the cat?”
“Oh, I was enjoying the beautiful day and realized I could no longer hear any birds. When I looked around that… that huge animal was glaring at me. I thought it was going to attack me. I’d gotten up to head back to the house when I bumped into you and, well, you know the rest.”
He chuckled, a warm soothing sound bubbling from deep in his chest.
“I can’t say I blame you. That creature is the biggest house cat I’ve ever seen.”
Linda furrowed her brow. “Are you sure that’s a house cat?”
Uther nodded. “I can be fairly certain it’s not a wild cat. I’ve never seen a black bobcat in my life; not that there couldn’t be any, but I’ve not seen them. What say we go back to the house? I’m fine sleeping on the floor. I’ve spent the last six months or so sleeping in places not as warm or as comforting as the floor of your home.”
Linda felt the warmth of a blush touching her cheeks. I’m too old to be blushing like a schoolgirl. She tromped up the path toward the Lending Library.
Uther stifled the urge to chuckle. She looks so determined. This Other had captured his interest when the clans of the valley had gathered and stripped the night elves, Gitty and her brother Morgan, of their magic. She’d not backed down against the formidable pair. Knowledge circulating in the Fae community spoke that she willingly opened her doors to any who needed assistance, asking for naught in return.
He opened his mind and issued a warning. I’m not sure what you’re up to, Lancelot, but if you or your master, Gitty, bring harm to this Other, I will string you up and use you for target practice.
The air before him wavered slightly and he knew his message had been received.
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