* * *
“Alina, watch out!” shouted a tall handsome man in a black cloak.
Alina had her bow and arrow notched, stalking a white stag through the forest. She quietly crept onto a log bridging over a creek as she inched closer to her prey. Just as she was in the middle of the log, two arrows knocked her into the creek below. Red streaks flowed through the water as blood soaked the back of her green tunic.
The man who tried to warn Alina raced towards her, followed by a large white dog with red ears. He scooped her up into his arms with ease and carried her to the nearest Alder tree. The man fiercely shouted, “Ó na fréamhacha thíos go dtí na duilleoga ar barr, a ligean am mall a nochtadh ar barr Fearnóg.”
High above in the canopy were small white and red fairies that lounged on branches and weaved through the leaves.
A silver male flew down from a high branch and examined Alina’s wound. “Arawn, you have no right to call upon us,” the fairy grunted.
“Do not pretend you have any say over what I do. I am still one of your gods. Alina is hurt and she is the daughter of Rhiannon, your goddess and princess. You will heal her. Now,” Arawn growled.
“I do not take orders from you, Arawn.” The fairy folded his arms across his chest. “I have no allegiance to Rhiannon anymore. She has been closed off to the fairy world and stripped of her fairy titles.” The fairy curled his lip as if disgusted with the memory.
“That may be so, but you are bound to her bloodline regardless. Alina’s grandfather is ruler of the fairy world, after all.” Arawn raised an eyebrow, knowing he won the argument.
The fairy was reluctant to help but could not contest the statement. The fairies were bound to Alina’s blood and forced to assist her. He whistled and two crimson females and another silver male flew down from the trees. The females gathered berries and moss while the men pulled on the arrows in her back.
Arawn whipped around to deal with the men who shot Alina. “Cnaimh, fetch.” Arawn’s eyes blazed with rage as the white dog raced towards two men.
Arawn followed the low growls of Cnaimh and found the dog had cornered the men between two boulders. Their clothing differed from Celtic apparel. They were Greeks.
“You are a long way from home, boys.” Arawn’s sword rang as he withdrew it from its sheath.
“Call off your mutt!” yelled one of the men as he swung his sword at Cnaimh.
The other man elbowed him in the ribs. “Quiet, Romulus. He is obviously a god. We just shot his wife. Don’t make things worse.”
“Ha! Some god he is. He can’t even face us without his pet dog,” scoffed Romulus.
Cnaimh lunged and tore Romulus’ sword from his hand. The confident smile washed off Romulus’ face.
“I apologize for my brother, your Lordship. He often speaks without thinking. I am King Remus and this is my brother King Romulus,” introduced Remus. “We are The Twin Kings of Alba Longa, invited by King Pwyll.”
Arawn stared Remus in the eyes, “I am Arawn, Lord of the Underworld. A place you will soon meet.” Arawn raised his sword above his head to slash Remus.
“Arawn!” a voice echoed through the forest.
Arawn lowered his sword as the ground shook beneath their feet. The brothers rolled their eyes as they recognized their father’s voice.
Mars appeared in a puff of red smoke, dressed in a black toga. “These are my sons, Arawn. You will not harm them. Otherwise, you will have a discussion with Pluto after he storms the gates of Annwyn.”
Arawn laughed at Mars’ remark. “I do not fear your uncle. Nor do I fear you.”
Mars’ sword materialized in his hand as he slowly walked towards Arawn, flames flickering in his eyes.
Remus stepped in between the two gods.
Romulus’ heart sank into his stomach as Remus willingly put himself in harm’s way. “No!” Romulus scrambled to grab his brother and pull him back to safety, as if he were the only person who could protect him.
Remus ripped his arm from Romulus’ grasp. “Shush, Rom, you’ve caused enough trouble. Mars, this was our mistake, made worse by Romulus’ mouth, but our mistake nonetheless.” Remus turned to Arawn. “We are sorry for shooting at what was obviously your kill and deeply sorry our foolish actions injured your wife.”
Arawn was taken aback by Remus’ apology and sheathed his sword. “You are the son of Mars?” Arawn asked with a raised eyebrow. “You obviously take after your mother.”
“Do not speak of Rhea!” Mars shouted.
Romulus chuckled at his father’s tantrum. Remus shot Mars a look of warning, “He meant no disrespect, Father. I take that as a compliment. She is a great and kind woman.” He then bowed to Arawn.
The fire in Mars’s eyes blazed brighter as Remus tried to diffuse the situation.
“We will humbly accept whatever punishment you see fit for us,” continued Remus.
“Like Tartarus you will!” shouted Mars as his biceps tensed, ready to attack.
“You tell him, Mars!” Romulus cheered on his angry father.
Frustrated, Arawn clenched his fists. “I do not have time for this. I need to return Alina to her father.”
Nauseated and breathless, Remus clutched his stomach at the sound of the woman’s name.
“Ha! She is with her father,” Mars baited to invoke a fight.