Chapter 10. Demi-Lee Gets Charming
The next day, while Vicky gathered up the art group, Heledd sat with Mary and Tom, who were chatting in their usual spot in the garden. They watched the bees and the butterflies flitting from flower to flower, and the fledgling birds pecking at the birdfeeders.
Presently Vicky came along, with a request for Mary. The art group were keen to do some life drawing; would she sit for them - fully clothed, of course. ‘You’re wearing such gorgeous clothes – the colour and the drape would be lovely to draw. And your posture and bone structure are so good. It would only be short poses, so you should be comfortable,’ Vicky said.
It all sounded so innocent – who would have thought that Vicky and Heledd had plotted it that morning! Mary was as flattered as they had hoped, and left with Vicky, giving Heledd and Tom the privacy they needed. Although they were in full view of the building, there was no-one else in the garden, and Heledd decided that moving to a discreet corner would look too suspicious. So, keeping her voice and body language light and natural, she said, ’Remember I told you I knew some magical types who might help you get to see your fairy?’
‘I remember. But, my dear, if they told you they can’t or won’t do it, don’t feel guilty. I know it’s a lot to ask.’ The desperate hope in his eyes would have been heartbreaking if she hadn’t been able to reassure him.
‘It’s okay. There’s a way we can do it – if Demi-Lee’s magic is strong enough,’ Heledd said.
‘The girl’s a witch? Well, there’s a turn-up!’ said Tom. ‘Life is still full of surprises!’
‘Tell me about it. Still, they say everyone’s got a talent for something,’ Heledd said. ‘If she’s capable, she’ll charm your life into an egg, and there’s someone else we know who can take the egg to Annwn. Your body will be left behind, and it will look as though you died in your sleep. It won’t be easy; there’s all sorts of things that could go wrong, but if you’re happy we’ll try it. It will have to be at full moon – not the next one, August. We’ll need time to prepare.’
‘Oh dear, that’s still only a few weeks away, isn’t it. Not long to put my affairs in order,’ the old man said.
‘You don’t have to do it. I just thought...’
‘No, I don’t want to spend what’s left of my life regretting things I didn’t do,’ Tom said. ‘Rusty is calling me, and I’ve enough energy for one last adventure. I just hope your friends can find him.’
‘Will there be a lot of fairies called Rusty in Annwn?’ Heledd asked.
‘Well, this is the thing. Mam and I called him Rusty, but I don’t know if anyone else does. You see, fairies have a secret name which is given them by their mothers at birth, but they believe that name can be used to cast magic against them. Say my Rusty wanted to curse another fairy – Cobweb, let’s say – not that he would, he was a gentle soul. But he’d say something like, “I, Rusty, curse the fairy Cobweb…” only using their secret names. So to protect themselves fairies use nicknames, and only tell the secret name to someone they really trust. Funny the things you remember, isn’t it! Rusty offered to tell me his secret name before he left for good, then he changed his mind, said he didn’t want anyone forcing it out of me. I wonder if I’d still remember it if he had. ’ Tom said.
‘Can you think of anything else we can use to identify him?’ Heledd asked.
‘Well, he was small, slim and pale, with bright green eyes, but I think that’s true of most fairies. I remember his whole face creased up when he smiled, and he had good teeth too, very white and even, mother was so impressed by them, as hers were in a terrible state. But maybe they all do - he’s the only one I’ve ever met, so it’s hard to know what counts as distinguishing features. Oh, wait, there’s this. He gave me this just before he left.’ Tom was removing a copper wristband – the sort people used to help ease arthritis. ‘Not the bracelet, but the symbols inside. Take a look.’
He handed over the wristband, and Heledd saw, engraved inside, the strange symbol Blackbird had drawn earlier – the one he claimed was the key to putting things right with Tefyn.
‘Rusty said it was a gift, a charm and a promise,’ Tom explained. ‘He said it bound us together. Because I had saved his life, he could give me anything I was willing to receive. But at the same time, if one of us betrayed the other, the traitor would suffer more. Melodramatic, I know, but that’s fairies for you. Keep this, now, and ask your friend to take it to Annwn. He can use it to identify Rusty. I’m sure it won’t take long to find him – there can’t be many who were here during that winter. I’ll complain in a few days I’ve lost it, then it won’t look suspicious that it’s not with me when they find my body. Oh, poor Mary! If there was only a way we could tell her I wasn’t really dead. She’ll be so upset!’
‘Please don’t say anything to her,’ Heledd said. ‘I know it’s harsh, but the fewer people know about it the better. And once you go to Annwn, I’m afraid you can’t return. You’ll have a few years with Rusty, but that will be it – I’ve been told you won’t live any longer there than you would have here. I’m sorry, Tom. You don’t have to make a decision today.’
‘No, I’ve made up my mind,’ he said. ‘Rusty’s been calling me all this time; it’s time his patience was rewarded. But I’ll miss everyone here, including you and the other two. You don’t know what a difference it’s made having you here – you breathe life into this place.’