The Wild Hunt
by
Sean-Perrin "Dreamspinner" Parker
Captive princes, forty all told
gallop through mists of ages old
failure of quests, no solace brings
"to err is human", not of faerie things
Some failed at rescue, some at games
to find princesses of faerie kings
now they serve forevermore
until one comes to even the score
Release is a dream, a choice, a wish
easily lost in the whispering mist
a wish gravely stated, but never given
gallop the steeds so swiftly ridden
called by the music of an ivory horn
when it sounds, time stops to mourn.
Dreamspinner looked up as the hunt passed, grateful there was no dancing this eve. How long would the poor souls be forced to do the Unseelie court's bidding? She sighed and returned to her loom, deftly pulling a few spider-silk strands from the air as she wove this evening's tapestry. Someone really should do something for those men. She frowned as she watched her kitten play with a ball of dream-thread, then smiled impishly as an idea began to form. After taking the tattered thread from the sulky kitten, she wove deceit into the tapestry tonight... wove trickery and false dreaming...for this was to go to a very special one indeed...Bane. Dreams are merely the reflection of the dreamer, so she had ample negative material to work with. The kitten found a nice place to watch the proceedings- on Dreamspinner's lap. He half-heartedly swiped at a few stray threads, then meowed his displeasure. Dreamspinner cooed at Gabriel, and he smiled a Cheshire's smile. His mistress was orchestrating a nifty little something tonight...something that would prove most amusing.
****************************
Bane twisted and turned in the throes of the dream, lashing out at anything that dared disturb him. After what seemed to be a millenium of stalking his desired prey...finally she was his! His triumphant smile faded as he realized he was holding nothing in his arms but faintly shimmering mist. Abruptly startled from the dreamscape, he snarled and called for the horn...yes; the horn was the key. He dressed hurriedly and met his shadow-pages by the door. His smile turned malicious as he put the old ivory horn to his lips and blew out a discordant note.
The dark lord's head raised as he heard the summons, and he cursed the day the horn had fallen into that creature's tainted grasp. Conwyn should have been more careful at the gambling table. His brother never could hold his liquor, king of the fae or not. His bond with his family had told him the moment of each member's passing...and he was unable to mourn. He summoned the shadowed steeds and his men with a single mental command. His weary eyes scanned the horizon wishing for death, but nothing like that would ever touch him. His lips twisted into an ironic grin- even cursed he was the most powerful creature to ever walk this realm. The men awaited him in silence, and he donned his antlered helm. Tonight something would change, for good or ill, he cared not. He felt the change on the winds, and they had never lied to him before. Even his finely attuned senses could barely make out the subtle scent of lavender that mystically rode the winds tonight. Resolutely, he decided if he could, he would take himself and his men out of the game forever. He smiled at the thought, and the men sensed their lord's strange mood...the youngest of them allowed the sparkle of desperate hope to glimmer in his eyes but for a moment, and his lord placed a comforting hand on the youngling's shoulder, "Hold fast, m'lad, hold fast. You carry the hopes and dreams of us all." The young elf flushed, his eyes darted to the floor as he swore, "For as long as I am able." His dark lord nodded with grim determination, then mounted and signaled the advance.
Bane sneered down at the Lord of the Hunt; "You will do as I say. You will bring her to me. I demand it!"
The dark lord's features twisted in open defiance, "No. I shall not."
Bane smiled craftily, "Then you shall watch this youngling die." and before he could move, young Finn was on the dais with the Unseelie king, a shadow-dagger at his throat. "Just give me a reason..." Bane taunted as he traced the young elf's jaw with the blade. Finn looked into his lord's eyes with unflinching loyalty. Unspoken communication passed between the two.
The dark lord's shoulder's sagged and he said quietly, "Only if Finn accompanies us will we ride, for the hunt only rides as a whole." Bane nodded in mock-graciousness and allowed the youngling to stand with his lord. With a threatening glare, the Lord swept out of the hall with Finn close at his heels.
*********************
Dreamspinner leaned out of her cottage window, moonlight curling delicately around her graceful form. Gabriel looked up from his freshly poured dish of cream. Something was not quite right in the wood... Suddenly, her cottage door flung open, and three dark fae stepped inside. Dreamspinner spun around and faced the intruders in total startlement. Her kitten hissed in warning, preparing to spring. Shadows curled around the three figures... their forms were almost hidden by the opaque substance.
Their leader took off his great antlered helmet to regard the flame-haired faerie woman, imploring her with his deep brown eyes, "Lady, please come... You have been summoned by the Unseelie court," his handsome face contorted, as he shook with rage against the curse that bound him. Dreamspinner took her hands from the window ledge that had been supporting her.
"I will come," she said softly. She motioned to the kitten to be still, then followed the men out of her cottage. Gabriel leapt up onto the windowsill, sulkily muttering under his breath how he would have their eyes for breakfast if his beloved mistress were harmed in any way. Taking unique comfort in that particular thought, Gabriel smiled and waited for his lady to return. The rest of The Hunt waited outside... They watched in silence as their leader mounted his great shadowed beast and assisted the bright lady up behind him. All knew that no good could come of this act.
Dreamspinner held fast to the huntsman, tightening her grip about his waist as the hunt surged forward. No music or laughter accompanied this hunt- only silence born of fear and desperation. Dreamspinner shook with cold at the thought of what these men had been forced to become.
The Lord noticed, and thinking it fear, said "Please, bright-one, forgive me this act. I would wish myself dead before I would willingly harm you."
"I know," Dreamspinner's warm honey-rich voice seemed to sweep a bit of serenity into the tortured man. He grasped her hands in one of his large ones.
"They will pay," he said through clenched teeth. The shadows were getting thicker and thicker the closer they got to the Unseelie hall. Dreamspinner's skin and hair glowed through the darkness with the brightness of a hundred moons, causing many of the Unseelie creatures to flee in fear. They arrived at the hall, and the huntsmen dismounted. The same two who had entered her cottage helped her down from the great height of the dark lord's saddle. He jumped down, and with a sarcastic jeer pronounced "The Unseelie court, my lady."
Dreamspinner stood on tiptoe and whispered into the dark lord's ear, "Fear not for my safety, dark-one..." The dark lord stepped back in confusion, seeing the frightening blue-green blaze in her large eyes. With that she entered the hall, two of his hunters guarding her.
Bane stood on the dais looking triumphant. "Ah, my great lady, my Dreamspinner," he cooed at her. She curtsied demurely, then cast her blazing consciousness upon him, gazing deeply into his eyes. He realized then too late his folly, his eyes widened- pupils dilating in total fear from her crippling psychic attack.
"Take my hands if you dare..." she replied, climbing the dais like a cat stalking its prey. Terrified whimpers could be heard circulating the room, all there knew their lord's doom had come. She took his face into her delicate hands, sweeping his stray locks away from his horrified face.
"Do you really want me, my lord?" her sibilant whisper echoed through the stony silence in the hall. "I think I am more than one such as you can handle, pup. Why don't you just let me go... and give me the hunting horn for my, ah, inconvenience, hmm?" The King's pages quickly handed over the desired article.
"Well, now, that is all done... have a pleasant evening..." she tapped the amazed huntsmen into action, "Come now, or would you rather stay here?" They both followed her out of the keep. Their lord sprang from the ground where he had sunk in despair.
"What?!" was all he could think of to say.
"Oh- you won't believe what the lady did!" her two guards chimed. Finn's smile was huge and very contagious. Dreamspinner looked about in apprehension.
"We must be away before he can recover," she glanced up into the dark-lord's eyes.
"As my lady wishes..." he replied smiling down at her, "Though I wish I could have seen that... Huntsmen- mount up and away to Dreamspinner's cottage!" he gave the command in a great voice. They rode out of the shadows and into the moonlit night.
When they arrived at the cottage, after they dismounted and sent away the shadow beasts...Dreamspinner called them all to stand in a circle around her. Holding the horn aloft, her wild hair billowing about her in the night breeze, she gently but thoroughly destroyed the vessel of the curse that had bound the huntsmen for an eternity. The horn shattered in her upraised hands, turning to dust which was swept away by the laughing winds. She focused her healing power within the rough circle of men around her, gently spreading the warmth of her generous spirit to strengthen the light that flickered dimly within each of them. She smiled in delight when her mind touched Finn's. A dreamer's soul! And the youngling was attempting to aid her in the healing! Given the chance to thrive, he would make a fine bard. He smiled shyly under her regard and she winked at him, causing him to blush. The huntsmen's spirits soared within her circle, blazing forth in victory.
"You are all free..." she whispered softly as she slumped to the ground, the immense energy drain the healing had taken now very apparent. She was so pale. The dark-lord rushed to her side.
"Bright-one!" he cried as he scooped her up into his arms.
"Tell your men I shall send them wherever they desire..." she whispered to him, her voice barely audible.
"We'll not leave you great lady." he said firmly, and glanced about. He knew his men all felt the same- they were still tied to one another as closely as brothers, their glad-bright thoughts echoing in his mind.
"Go and play- the night is not over..." she said softly, making slight "shooing" gestures with her hands. Finn hovered around them, reminding Dreamspinner of a hummingbird, causing her laugh. The dark-lord nodded to his men, and they all went out into the night to revel in their freedom. Finn threw them one last concerned look before heading out into the night with his brethren. With quick long strides, Gwydion entered into Dreamspinner's cottage, and settled her into the wing-backed chair by the hearth. He then knelt at her feet.
"Lady, is there naught I can do for you?" he asked. She leaned closer to him, tousling his dark hair.
"We will see," was her enigmatic reply. Gabriel decided to make his presence known, and butted his head against Dreamspinner's legs, all the while eyeing Gwydion in suspicion. Once assured she was indeed all right, he skulked off to perch on the mantle above the hearth, watching them silently. The dark man-thing had smells of great magic surrounding him and Gabriel also scented Dreamspinner's bright magics too. He yawned, exposing formidable-looking fangs. He'd find out everything eventually, as he always did.
Dreamspinner looked down at the handsome dark-lord still kneeling patiently at her feet, her eyes dancing with delight. His eyes were caught and held by hers- no, he wished to be caught by such a one. Dreamspinner arched a delicate brow.
"You can hear my thoughts, bright-one?" Gwydion asked hesitantly. He reverently took her gentle-healing hands into his own, watching for any sign of resistance, so he would not overstep his bounds.
"Only because you wished it to be so, and I find you deserving," she softly replied.
"I want to share with you, bright-one, I want to show you more of myself that what you've seen in the hunt," his last words were so bitter, so self-demeaning. Dreamspinner felt his pain- and could not bear to see him suffer.
"I know your true worth, Gwydion," she said simply. To hear his name from her lips- he thought he would die from the pleasure of it! None had spoken his name in so long- none dared to. "All that is over, place it behind you... I see my healing of you was a little lacking," her gentle reprimand brought his wandering thoughts home.
"No Dreamspinner, not at all," he said her name! This was very new... 'What am I feeling?' he asked himself.
"Do tell me," she said softly, her marvelously blue-green eyes captured and held him, mesmerizing him, making him wish to be able to gaze into them forever. Her eyes had such a haunting beauty.
"I...," before he could finish, she pulled him to her, holding his head to her chest, sending him sweet comforting thoughts. He could feel her gentle presence in his mind- gently chasing the shadows from his confused psyche. He reached his arms about her waist and clung to her like a small child clings to what is familiar, the sweet scent of lavender filled his nostrils as he buried his face further into her chest, the feelings repressed for several lifetimes flowing freely now.
"I am ruining your dress," he said lightly, though not willing to break their embrace.
"I can always make another," he can tell by the sound of her honey-rich voice that she was smiling. He looked up into her beautiful calm eyes and found himself finally home.
*****************
The next day, Dreamspinner caused a warrior's hall to spring forth from the green earth. The huntsmen wandered around the fine hall in great spirits. Each man had rooms of his own in the west and eastern wings off of the main hall. Fine swords, bows & arrows, and anything else a hunter could want was neatly displayed in the armory. Gwydion raised his eyebrows at the amount of mead stored in the cellar, causing Dreamspinner to giggle.
"Valhalla?" he teased.
"Wrong myth," she good-naturedly countered. A startled gasp caused them to turn around. Finn had found the small harp Dreamspinner had set upon the dais for him. He stood there, lovingly caressing the fine grain of the wood, gently testing each string, much to the amusement of the others.
"Do you like it?" Dreamspinner asked as she casually strolled up to Finn. His eyes shone brightly as he tried to form an answer. She patted his hand and whispered, "You're very welcome. Enjoy, dear one." He hugged her fiercely, then nodded and began to play, his tentative song growing stronger and stronger as he slipped into the rhythm of the music.
Gwydion smiled as he watched his men. This was all very well done. Dreamspinner padded up to him silently and observed the man. Was he ready for the last gift? Were any of them? This would be the test...she sighed and tugged on Gwydion's sleeve. He turned around and blanched at the sight of what she held in her hands. She gave him a look of sad reproach as she handed the intricately engraved silver hunting horn to him.
"For the Wild Hunt. For calling your men to you when you have need. For sounding in joy, not in bondage," she calmly moved a pace away and watched Gwydion's pale face as the truth of what she said sank in. He looked at her in wonder as he cradled the magnificent horn in his trembling hands. "None shall ever be able to bind you again. I swear it," she said softly, "I'll leave you to your adjustments." she turned to leave, but he caught her arm before she could get very far.
"No. Please stay, don't leave us just yet, bright-one," he said softly. During this exchange, the men in the hall had all come to stand around them. Gwydion wordlessly held the silver horn aloft, and his men cheered wildly. He attempted to place it in her hands, but she would not take it.
"You belong to yourselves, leave it be. Oh- I hope that you will join me in the Circle later with a few friends...it will be a fun evening full of dancing. I wish to present you all to the creatures of the forest. The Seelie court is almost always at one of my festivities...heh...news travels fast when a celebration's afoot!" her mischievous smile caused many the men to break out in raucous laughter...excitedly talking amongst themselves about the upcoming evening's events.
"Have fun settling in!" she laughed as she sprinted to the door and out into the forest before Gwydion could move.
Finn casually moved beside his lord and elbowed him in the ribs, "Well...my, my, you've been caught!" Gwydion's indignant glare sent the men into fits of uncontrollable hysteria. He smiled.
This is the end- or the beginning...
*please send any comments, requests, etc. to Dreamspinner@twilightrealm.com copyright 1997
