A Pinch of Moonlight

  ***

  There was no-one left at the grove when Madryn returned, for which she was truly glad. The rain had ruined her hair; her arms and legs were scratched by brambles; and her clothes were muddy and torn. And just as she’d approached the bridge over the chasm, she’d had to face some huge, terrible beasts. Their heads were higher than hers - long narrow heads, with cunning eyes, small pointed ears, and flared nostrils. She had crossed the field as quickly as she could without running, but they had started to follow her, picking up speed until she could no longer bear it. She’d bolted for the stile, clearing it the way only someone in fear of their life could, and hoping they wouldn’t follow. They could easily have jumped over the stile and chased her, but some magic restrained them.

  She was thoroughly fed up with this world. It had seemed exotic and enticing when she’d visited it by moonlight; in daylight it was shabby and stressful. And the lack of respect was shocking. Those who served in Annwn did so with grace and discretion – here they made no effort to hide their boredom. Were the servants in Annwn bored, she wondered? She’d assumed you needed intelligence and culture to experience boredom.

  She’d been so deep in thought she’d walked into a nettle, and in jumping back from its sting she’d trodden in something that looked like a large burger on the ground. It was definitely time to return to Annwn, and the hero’s welcome she deserved.