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the one and only chapter

“If you don’t get out of there right now… I’m going to turn it on �" And I won’t feel bad about it one bit!” said a man bent over and glaring. She however knew that he was far too timid, and though never exactly nice would do no such thing. She also knew that the thing had never been used in years and the probability of it working now was pretty low. Finally she knew that for her life presently, it simply wasn’t worth coming out. With all this knowledge she sat in the condemned machine spitefully sticking out her tongue.

“Nasty litt’le whelp, when you mother was young she was n’er half so bad.” The man grumbled. This was his new strategy, to taunt her out. Dana knew that she was being stupid already, and so it didn’t work. It was a childish strategy, but there was really no other place to go where she could be alone.

“Ooooh, when you get out, you is going to get it.” The man growled.

And now it appears that I can’t even find solitude here. Dana sat defiantly for a few more minutes. The old man waited glaring at her silently. Oh what’s the use? He’s not going to leave me alone anyway. Dana begrudgingly crawled out of the machine.

“If you were my daughter I would tan yer hide for be’in here in the first place. When yer tutor sees ya and how dirty yev gotten she’ll have fits. I don’t envy her task in making you a lady. Now scoot!” He pointed to the barn door. Dana slowly minced her way out of the barn acting the lady everyone said she was supposed to be.

She walked into the kitchen without anyone noticing as if nothing had happened and grabbed an apple.  Taking a big bite she opened the fridge and perused its contents.  “I hate everyone being in my business.  Do this Dana, act this way Dana, don’t chew with your mouth full, blah, blah, blah!  Why couldn’t I just be a normal kid and do normal kid things.  There’s nothing good to eat in here.”  Her cell phone buzzed in her pocket.  Quickly she pulled it out and looked to see who it was.  “Agh!  Leave me alone!” she shouted at the phone and tossed it on the table.  Closing her eyes she calmed her temper and took another bite of her apple.  I don’t know why they never look for me in the servant’s kitchen.  I guess Gramps doesn’t want to believe I’d rather associate with them, then that stuffy old tutor he hired to teach me.  Why can’t I go to a regular school?  She looked at her watch.  “Twelve o’clock Cali should be awake by now,” she said and flipped open her phone.  “Cali,” she said to it and held it to her ear. 

“Hello,” a groggy voice said on the other end. The light from the alarm clock next to her bed outline her face in red as she turned to look at it.

“Hey, it’s me.”

“Dana, why are you calling me?  It’s five in the morning.” Cali grumbled. 

“It’s lunch time here Cali.  I just needed to hear my best friend’s voice.”  She sighed and took another bite of her apple.

“I miss you too, but couldn’t you call me later say around dinner time when my brain is awake and functioning?”

“You know what? Fine. I don’t care.” She angrily shut the phone and again threw it carelessly on the table. She was so angry by then that she honestly didn’t care that she had just been pulled out of a fit. Determinately, she set off to find another place to hide, but this time, they wouldn’t be able to find her.

She whirled around and headed for the garage. I believe Herald has a small collection of sports cars there, Dana thought, surely  he won’t mind if I borrow one for a while.

Just then Harold busted in shouting, “You are supposed to be in your room with yer tutor! Why don’t you ever… where do ya think yer going now?” he trailed off as she pelted out of the room, continuing her wicked course.

Before the old man could catch up, Dana had jumped in a fine looking red convertible and had fired up the engine. The last thing that Harold was able to say before she drove off was, “Ye demon get yer hiney back ‘ere at once or so ‘elp me I’ll…” Dana didn’t hear the end of his threat she as sped away down the dusty country lane.

In the back of Dana’s mind she knew that her Grandpa would probably take away her license for this but she didn’t care. She turned off the country lane on to the highway and swerved realizing almost too late which side of the road she needed to be on.   Gripping the steering wheel she sped along her way and peaked at herself in the rear view mirror.  Her short black hair was so thick that it was impossible for her to do anything with it, so it stuck up everywhere out of control.   Gramps had called a hair dresser to try to tame my tousled locks.  The only thing the hair dresser could do with it was slick it down.  It was so not my style, Dana thought to herself as she ran her fingers through it.  The thought of it reminded her of the day that she had arrived in this neglected corner of Great Brittan.  “Wow, the country side is beautiful here.  It doesn’t look like there’s much to do.  Good, a convenience store” Dana exited the highway and back tracked until she found it again.  “That’s nice a park with a stream running through it to explore while I take a breather.”

She walked into the store and a friendly clerk greeted her.  “Good day miss.”  

She just smiled and nodded.  Standing in front of a cooler she quickly decided on a mineral water.  “Oh, crap I didn’t bring any money with me.  I’ll have to use my debit card.  That’s sure to tip them off as to who I am and ruin my quiet afternoon,” she whispered to herself. 

“That will be a pound, please.”  She frowned as she slipped her wallet out and took her debit card from it.  Acquiescently she handed him her card. The clerk examined it carefully.  “I need to see some identification with this.  She pulled out her driver’s license.  He looked at her strangely.  “You’re from the states?  Usually tourists don’t come to our little town.”  Then he noticed the last name.  “Are you old man Kensly’s granddaughter?”

“Unfortunately,” she whispered. “My mom died when I was very young and I never really knew Grandpa Kensly so I don’t really feel like his granddaughter.”

“Your Grand dad is so proud of you he’s personally told everyone in town you’re living with him.” He said as another loud hooligan screeched his wheels on the street outside.

Dana took her receipt. Or was that leaving the convenience store… she checked her pockets quickly and realized with a feeling of utter stupidity and shock that she had left the keys in the car. She threw down her mineral water and pelted screaming at the door.

Her grandfathers car was just leaving down the street. Dana could almost still hear the sound of mad laughter and screeching tires. Before her loomed an awful reality which in her mind was the sound of a shovel slowly scraping in a dark graveyard.

Flipping around she knew she must talk to the attendant again. Then halting in mid step she turned around again. The attendant knew her grandfather, he may as well help dig the grave. The solice that Dana sought seemed to be farther from her than ever.

Again, she decided to run. Now there was no doubt that he would kill her when he found her, unless she could get the car back. Here in the vast countryside at least there was a chance she could recover the thing if a local had lifted it. This seemed to be the only option for her. Dana lunged forward and ran down the street that she had last seen the car go down.

After what seemed like 10 miles, Dana wished that she had not discarded the water. Even though the temperatures were cool, the sun was bearing down on her. Now she was very thirsty, and there wasn’t a store in sight.

She trudged on for miles more berating herself for leaving the keys in the car. “How… could… I… have been… SOOOOO stupid?” she asked out loud. “I’ve never gotten a ‘B’ in anything, and still I’m almost completely useless.” To this she added the realization that with the green countryside and trees dotting the hills, the car could be hidden quite easily. Finally she fell to her knees in frustration. She had just come to a country lane leading to a small house.

Sighing, she collapsed on the ground ready to lie by the streets edge and simply die. As impossible as it seemed at that time, she saw down the lane and in the small cottage’s car port part of a red car that seemed very much like the one she stole herself earlier that day.

Tentatively she sneaked down the lane. She crouched low to hide herself in the high grasses of the field. Slowly she came closer and saw in more detail the car, but she still couldn’t be sure if it was the right one. There was a large door to the garage which had a corner broken off, if she could get close enough to see the license plate, then she would be able to identify the car...

Finally she came close enough to the house to touch it. She edged along the garage door listening for any movement inside.

“No, the girl doesn’t know that yet. I doubt he would tell her either, and that is…” Dana heard a voice speak from inside the garage and froze instantly.

Fear crept inside her as she thought about how likely the criminal who stole her car would find her. Her mind filled with the possibility that the man was more than a thief… She reached into her pocket to find her cell phone. Again she had to berate herself to have carelessly tossed away something in a moment of weakness. Her phone was still in the kitchen at home. She gritted her teeth together and decided it was time to go home and confess what she had done. She started edging back along the side of the house.

She didn’t notice him at first, it was as if he had appeared out of nowhere. The man instantly struck her with more fear than her grandfather ever had. His mouth opened in a wide toothy grin.

“And so we gets to entertain the little bird ourselves. How would you like to come in for a cup of tea?”

Dana was so terrified she didn’t know what to do. She knew she shouldn’t go anywhere with this man but she wasn’t sure she had a choice. What can I do? How do I get out of this? Should I run? Her hesitation was a moment too long and the man took her by the arm and led her into the nearby house.

Roughly he sat her at a very old wooden table.  Dana looked around in the room.  Hanging on a peg by the door hung a green hat with a four-lobed leaf stuck in the band.  Beside it hung a green jacket that had a great deal of embroidery work done on the lapel and the coat flaps in the back.  Dana stood to walk over to the coat to study it closer. 

“Sit down, lass,” the man said gruffly.  “I need to have a talk with you.”  His large hand rested on her shoulder and held her in place.  “I’ve waited a long time for an opportunity like this.  I’m happy to see that it would be his own kin that would hand me my revenge on a silver platter,” he spoke with a strong Irish accent. 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about sir.”

“I’m talking about something that happened fifty years ago, long before you were born.”

Dana eyed him, “Fifty years ago, what your family has a vendetta against my grandpa?”

“No, lass just me.  You see fifty years ago your grandfather stole all me gold and I have been looking for a way to get it back all these years.  I wager he will trade me straight across for his only granddaughter.” He smiled big and wide as his blue eyes filled with hope as he explained.  “My good friend Martin back there helped to verify that it was really you.  I’d hate to be thrown in jail for grabbing the wrong girl.”

Dana looked at him in disbelief at his young face with freckles and all.  “You don’t look a day over twenty-six.  How old are you?”

He stood and walked over to an old gas stove.  It made a clicking sound before the gas ignited and he placed a pot of water on the flame for tea.”

“Do you have any bottled water or pop?”  Dana asked as she studied his green corduroy pants and silver buckled black shoes. 

“Sorry lass, all I have is tea.”  He studied her face.  “You are a pretty little thing even with your face all wrinkled up with confusion.  You have your mother’s steal blues eyes.”  He looked away and took two old cups out of the cupboard.  

“You knew my mom?”

“I tried to grab her several times but your granddad was on to me and sent his only offspring to America.  I’m surprised he let you come back here knowing I would try to get my hands on you.”  Carefully he poured hot tea into both cups and carried them to the table.  Sliding one in front of Dana he asked, “Do you like sugar and milk with your tea?”

“I really don’t like tea.  You didn’t say how old you are.”

“Lots of sugar then,” he said sliding a bowl of sugar next to her tea cup and handing her a spoon.  Carefully she spooned in some sugar.

“Let’s see if I have this right.  My gramps stole all of your gold.  Was it in bars or coins?”

“Coins lass and I don’t see why that’s important.”

“How much exactly did he take?” Dana asked as she sipped her hot tea.

“About 10 million quid, I’m not really sure because I didn’t count it that day.”  His eyebrows furrowed together as he concentrated. “Look I need my money and your staying with me until I get it.  Did you bring your cell phone?”

She grimaced looking at the table.  “I left it at home.  Why don’t you use yours?” 

“I would, except I’ve been poor for fifty years.  A cell phone is a luxury darling.  Do you know his phone number?”

Again she grimaced, “No, it’s programmed into my cell phone, so I’ve never had to dial it. Besides if you’ve been waiting for fifty years to get your gold back, I would think you’d know his number.”

He groaned and got up from the table.  “I guess will have to do this the old fashioned way.” He leaned over a small desk under a window and quickly scribbled a note on a small piece of paper.  

I have your daughter, will trade her for gold

He wrote in green ink and signed it Samuel McKlaine.  Rolling the note into a small scroll he wrapped a rubber band around it several times.  Then he opened the window and whistled.  A lovely gray dove flew into the room and landed in his out stretched hand.  He carefully attached the note to its leg with the rubber band.  Then he held the bird gently in both hands and whispered something to it before he released it out the window.  “Your old grandpa will know soon enough where you are.”

He laid the pen on the table and sat on his chair to wait for a reply.  Daintily he sipped his tea as his pen rolled off the table and fell to the floor with a plunk.  Dana reached under the table to retrieve it for the odd man.  Just as she reached out to grab the pen she looked at the man’s legs under the table.  His socks were showing.  That’s strange he’s wearing black and white striped socks.  If I were in a big town like New York I’d think he was in a play or a street performer by trade but around here I don’t think the cows would be too impressed.  “How old are you?” Dana asked again trying to sound assertive.

“Age means nothing to me so I couldn’t tell you even if I knew.  All that matters is gold and magic. The only years I’d count would be the years I did without them, lass.”

“My name is Dana.”

“That it is lass and there isn’t a soul around these parts that doesn’t know it.  You’re going to be here for a while so I’ll go get us something for dinner.”  He grabbed a gun from the closet by the front door.  Using both hands he cracked the gun open and checked to see if it was loaded.  “I won’t be gone long,” he smiled and put his hat and coat on.  The sight of this tall man all dressed in green made bubbles of laughter tickle the roof of Dana’s mouth.

“Shouldn’t you be wearing a green bowtie with that outfit?” she said trying keep a straight face.

“Oh, I hate those things.  I can never get them on straight and besides there is no need to be formal around here.” Then there was a small puff of smoke and a pop.  Dana starred stunned at the space where the man had stood not more than two seconds ago. 

She ran to the front door and tried to turn the knob.  “Its locked!”  Frantically she ran through the house looking for another door.  In the every last room she found one.  She turned the knob and started to pull it open.  It jerked with a clank as the chain and lock on the other side halted her efforts.  The opening wasn’t more than an inch.  She stuck her hand through the opening.  “I can’t fit through that small of space,” she breathed.  Then she remembered the window he let the bird out of.  She ran to it but it was closed tight and without a crowbar it wasn’t going to budge.  “Well if I can’t open it I’ll just have to break it then.”  She ran to the stove and dumped the remaining water from the pot and ran to the window.  Holding the handle of the pot like it was bat she swung with all her might at the window.  A long crack appeared and then it disappeared.  “What!” she said in disbelief.  She wound up again and hit the window again with all her might.  The window vibrated with the blow.  Glass flew everywhere and then it few back into place as if it was being sucked back in time to before Dana had struck it.

“Let me out of here!” she screamed. As she pounded on the front window but all it did was vibrate.  A couple of cars drove by.  Dana waved and shouted at them but they couldn’t hear or see her.  After several minutes Dana gave up and slid down the wall.  She pulled her knees up to her chest and sobbed into them until she was asleep.

When she woke up the odd man was back and making dinner.  It smelled delicious. 

“What are you making?”she asked.

“Our supper, I hear you had a bit of a tantrum while I was gone.”

“I want to go home,” she pleaded softly.

“You know I can’t let you go until I get my gold.”

“Did your bird come back?”

“No and she won’t fly when it’s dark.  I won’t have my answer until morning.”

“How did you know that I had a tantrum?”

“Oh, my friend outside in the garage said you were making a ruckus in here.” And as if that were an introduction a man opened the garage door and stepped inside.

“Well, I didn’t know she was such a beaut’. Why didn’t you tell me?” Said the new man. He looked fairly similar to her captor but several inches taller and also several inches smaller around the waist. His hair was red and curly and he had a prominent chin with red stubble across it.

“Cause I know you’d be after ‘er that’s why. I’d warn you now to stay away from the family, but you’d risk all the gold you ‘ad for a pretty face.” The first um…. Man… grumbled. “Marty, Marty… Are you paying attention to me?”

The man shook his head off his stare, “’course I am Samuel. ‘Course I am.” Then to Dana, he added, “Well so aren’t ye in a sore spot? I s’pose that you’re none too happy ‘bout yer forefather’s decisions now aren’t ya?” He came next to her and sat in a chair.

“I could tell ya she’s a professional gold hunter, and what it mean to ye?” Samuel continued to grump.

“It’s… pretty… important to us ya know. It’s our lifeblood.”

“The gentleman that ‘e is o ‘course he’d want to tell her all our secrets.” Pouted Samuel.

“Quiet ye! I’m talking to the girl I am.” Marty rebuked, “Now where were we, ah yes… If Samuel here wasn’t in his ancestral home, ‘e’d be just like any normal mortal. So ‘e’s stuck ‘ere ye see. Lest he die.”

Dana continued to wear her confused expression.

“So I’m hoping that ye aren’t too displeased that I helped this poor oaf.” Said the tall man as he stood up. Samuel set to muttering under his breath.

Mustering her courage against these relatively polite people still took a little effort, “I’m really not happy with this at all. One would think that as I have done no wrong to you, that you’d leave me out of it.” Dana willed herself to keep eye contact with the man though she was afraid. “Aside from that, if you didn’t know, my grandfather hates me.”

“’Fraid yer wrong on both counts lass.” Samuel said, “Ye had better take responsibility fer yer old’ns. They’ve been taken responsibility fer ye.”

Marty stepped off and grabbed the keys off the kitchen counter. “Well then, I guess I’m off. Thanks fer the car Samuel. I hope I’ll be seeing ye around Dana.”

Samuel shut the door after Marty shouting more to him about what a fool he was, then sighing about the young ones, he came back in and sat with Dana.

“Let’s us be eatin’ now. It’ll be gettin’ cold soon.” Samuel said grumpily.

Dana came obediently to the table. She was famished and the smell of the food was enticing. They quickly finished off a delicious rabbit stew and bread. Dana declined the alcohol Samuel offered later knowing that she would need all of her skills of reason if she were to find a way to escape later.

“I ‘spect that yer grand will be answering us tomorrow, and that you’ll be ‘ome soon. Don’t worry too much about it.” He patted her gently on the knee and stood up again. “I’m going out for the evening, have some food in the fridge if ye like.” Again he popped out of the house.

Dana waited for the rest of the evening for Samuel to come back in. When the night came she was sure that every sound was a knock on the door, but every time she looked no one was there. By midnight Dana fell into a couch with a groan. Dana sat with her arms folded refusing to sleep. She glared at everything around her hating it all.

Something then distinctly tapped on the windows. She turned around and looked to see who it was and saw to her great shock that it was Marty.

“The enchantments on this house are fearfully strong, but if I can, I’ve come to get ye out,” he yelled at the closed window, but to Dana, it still sounded faint.

“How?” Dana asked in a harsh whisper like his own.

“I cannot come through the door without Samuel’s invitation but I was thinkin’. Do ya see the old hearth?”

Dana looked and saw behind the ragged old couch she had been sitting on was an old disused fireplace.

“Yes.” She replied eagerly.

“Do what ye can to get to it an we’ll see if the magic there is thin enough for you to escape.”

“Ok.” Dana replied and hurried to move the couch. It was a heavy thing and it took several minutes for her to move it enough for her to get behind it. She crouched down and looked up the large chimney. At first she couldn’t see anything then slowly a sliver of light crept down as Martin took the cap off of the chimney.

Thank goodness the moon is full tonight, Dana thought in relief as Martin’s silhouette appeared blocking the moonlight.

“Can ya hear me better now lass?” Martin’s voice echoed down to her so loudly she had to cover her ears. Dana looked around wildly fearing that Samuel, wherever he was might have heard it too.

“Yes now hush that was almost loud enough to wake the dead.” She whispered back.

“Good now tie this under yer arms.” One end of a rope landed with a soft plop on the floor of the fireplace.

Dana didn’t wait to question this idea she scrambled to tie the rope around her, using the sturdiest knots in her memory. For the first time in her life she was grateful for the awful summer camp she had been forced to attend every year as a girl. Suddenly Dana had a nagging suspicion of why her mother would want her to know wilderness survival. Could it be because mother’s knowledge of wilderness survival had helped her escape from this mad Leprechaun too? Dana wasn’t sure but she didn’t have time to figure it out. Slowly she stood up in the chimney.

“Now climb while I pull ye up.” Martin whispered softly.

Dana began to climb the sooty brick as the rope pulled painfully under her arms. It wasn’t easy and Dana was sweating horribly before she made it half way. Suddenly an angry yell sounded from below.

“So that’s how they been gettin’ out is it?” Samuel yelled ferociously

Martin swore then yelled, “Sorry about this lass but there’s no time.”

Before Dana could even so much as scream the rope around her wrenched her up. It bit into her skin so painfully she gasped filling her mouth with soot. She gasped and struggled for air, then suddenly she was free of the chimney and Martin was pulling her quickly from the roof.  Disorientated Dana tripped on a roof shingle and fell before Martin could get his hands on her. The rope too was moving too fast to grab it securely with bare hands.  She rolled off the roof and landed with a woof into a prickly bush.

“Just when I thought things couldn’t get any worse,” she moaned.  It then became apparent that Samuel was standing right next to her prickly couch. He took the rope in one hand and lifted Dana magically out of the thorns. He dropped her on the front walk rather abruptly. It hurt.

“You bumbling idiot, Martin,” Samuel yelled.  “She’ll be no good to me dead.  Did you think the lass would run off with you if you freed her?”  He stood over Dana and helped her to her feet.  “Lass you are a sight.  Never trust someone with half a brain,” he whispered nodding toward Marty.  “Let’s get ya cleaned up.”  Dana frowned. Her entire face was covered in soot and her back was prickled with thorns from the rose bush she had fallen into - not to mention the scrapes on her hands and arms.

“Please, would you just let me go home?” she pleaded as he studied her soiled face and hair.  Martin jumped from the house top next to Samuel.

“I don’t suppose that ye’ll be letting me have the girl now will ya?” Martin said in a voice all too merry for the occasion.

“No, I don’t think I will be letting ye ‘ave ‘er. We’ll ‘ave ‘er Grandfather’s answer in the mornin and you won’t be getting the girl then if her grandfather gets her back. He surely keeps watch of his house with a shotgun by his side.”

“Don’t ye be giving me more reasons not to help ye. I love to be of service, ya know. What are friends for else?”

Samuel tugged on the rope and escorted the girl into the house. Before he shut her and himself in he called back to Martin who was waiting crossly where he landed before. “I suppose ye’ll be trying some other dirty trick in the morn?”

“I certainly will.”

“Fine then, Night Martin.”

“Night.”

Dana groaned. It was humiliating to hear them talk about her kidnapping as if it were some game. It made her angry. She hated this whole situation. Tears lined her soot caked face leaving clean trails behind them.

Samuel bolted the door and turned hardly glancing at her. He went to the drawer by sink and pulled out a wash cloth after wetting it he handed it to her. “There now wipe yer face  while I make ye a cup of tea. I probably should ‘ave warned ya but Marty always tries his best to ‘save’ the lasses when I finally gets them. It’s partly why ‘e ‘elped me in the first place I’d guess.”

“And you just let him? How many girls have you abducted anyway?” Dana replied heatedly.

“Just you and yer mother. I had no reason to go after anyone before yer Grandpa took me gold. Besides Marty and I ‘ave an understandin’. He doesn’t give me plot away to anyone else and I allows ‘im to try to rescue ye. If’n yer mother ‘adn’t been so crafty there wouldn’t ‘ave been no way Marty could ‘ave gotten ‘er back to yer Grandpa last time.” Samuel defended himself.

“If he can’t help me then why would he even try?” Dana said bitterly feeling every thorn scratch in her back.

“Who knows why the young do what they do? Probably thinks ye’ll marry ‘im fer his trouble. There’s not even that many part lepricon lasses left and a part is better than none. It’s probably another reason why yer Grandfather sent yer mother from ‘ere. She and Marty were gettin’ fair close to each other by that time. Why don’t ye go into that there washroom and wash up. I’m sure ye can’t be comfortable covered in soot as ye are.”

Dana obediently went too shocked by what he had said to think of anything else. At the door of the washroom she came to a halt.  “Did I here you right?  Did you say that I’m part lepricon?” She stuck her finger into her ear and wiggled it back and forth trying to dislodge his words. 

“Lass didn’t your mother tell you about your heritage?”

“You’re a delusional fictitious character and I’m having a bad dream.  I’m taking a bath and when I get out I hope to be awake.”  She stalked off and slammed the door.

“It’s bad parenting when ye hide ancestry from your children.”  Samuel shook his head and started making some tea. 

Dana ran the water in the tub and hung her head over the side to scrub all of the soot from her skin and hair.  The water was a murky black color when she was done.   The drain was slow.  Sitting on the floor she watched the gray swirls of soot as it flowed down the drain.  A plug hung from the faucet.  When all the dirty water was gone she put the plug in and ran the water into the tub until it was half full.  Slowly she climbed in and closed her eyes as the hot water soaked into her skin.  Relaxing her head on the rim of the old fashioned tub, she let every muscle in her tired body relax and for the moment her crazy state of affairs was forgotten.  There were no lepricons, her mother was still living and she was at home in her bath tub in America.  She was awakened by a bird tapping on the window pane outside her window. 

That bird is very annoying.  She opened her eyes.  Well, it was nice while it lasted.  If it’s the bird we’ve been waiting for I better get up and let it in.  She wrapped a towel around her and went to the window.

“Martin!” She screamed, when she saw his muted silhouette through the opaque glass.

“Lass, I think I fooled him. Oh, don’t ye look nice? Better slip those clothes back on and check yer pockets. I slipped a coin into yer trousers, just place it next to the window latch and I’ll be able open it fer ya,” said Marty pressing his face against the window.

Just then there was a knock at the door.

“Dana, when yer ready for sleepin’, I’ve made a bed out for ye by the fire. Ye’ll sleep soundly there, so out with ye as soon as yer done.”

“Samuel, I need to brush my teeth. Do you think you can use some magic to make some paste appear?” she called back to the man behind the door, to buy some time. Then, inspired to move swiftly but conscience of the man leering in from the window, Dana jumped back in the shower and pulled the curtain. She slipped her shirt and pants back on trying not to get them wet.

“I sure will for ya, would you like mint or cinnamon flavored paste?” Samuel called back through the door.

“Ummm… anything, I don’t care” she called back. She frantically searched her pockets for a coin, but couldn’t seem to find it.

“And will you thank Marty for the gold piece for me? It was mighty kind of him, even if it comes from another’s pot.”

Dana pulled the curtain open and frowned sadly at Marty.

He punched the window lightly, “Drats the man, I won’t give up.” And he was gone.

Dana dejectedly entered the bed set out for her and tried to sleep. The fire had warmed the patchwork quilts and she found almost at once a perfect state of comfort and moments later, sleep.

***

“What? I can’t believe it.” Dana heard and realized with a start that it was Marty’s voice.

“I don’t know what to do, that’s ne’er happened quite like that,” the voice of Samuel responded.

Dana rose from bed, shocked to see the two men sitting in soft arm chairs next to each other. On the table the sunlight was illuminating a couple of cups of tea, a bird eating a slice of bread, and a piece of paper.

“Ahh, the girl awakes.” Marty said with a smile. “I wonder Sam, will ya let her read her grandfather’s response? I think ya should all things considered.”

Samuel was still shaking his head, “I don’t see why not. He reached over and taking the paper in hand brought it to Dana.

Eagerly she read:

To the filthy magicking demons :

Take the girl. See if I care, your kind tricked me ages ago and I’m not about to give up my final coup on you. My own wife lied about what she was, I try as I might to subdue the evil in your blood, it was apparently still afflicting the girl when she came to live with me. She’s your own magicking problem now.

Don’t write to me again.

Slowly, Dana with tears in her eyes put the paper down. Dana was suddenly furious. “Give me that pen!” She demanded of Samuel.

Slowly and cautiously Samuel handed her his green pen. “Lass are you alright? I don’t like the look in your eyes.”

Dana gave him a fierce glare and snatched it from his hand. She quickly scribbled a note on the back of the paper. After signing her name with a flourish she reached for the poor bird. Samuel blocked her.

“Yer not sendin’ messages that way unless ya tell me what’s in it.” Samuel demanded.

“Fine read for yourself.” Dana said tossing it at him.

Samuel picked it up and read it aloud to Marty.

Gramps,

Fine have it your way. I would rather Marry Martin than come home to you anyway.

Please send my cell phone back!

Dana Katherine Gerald

“Lass are ya sure ya want ta send this?” Samuel asked cautiously.

“Yes! Send it now please.” Dana replied determinedly.

Samuel obeyed reluctantly tying the note to the dove’s leg and tossing it out the window.

“Now that’s done let’s get on to the weddin’.” Marty said cheerfully “Samuel you’re head of the clan. Why don’t ya marry us right now? Come on quick now before she changes ‘er mind.”

Dana looked at him surprised and then slowly a smile crept across her face. No more tutors! No more grumpy servants who are always in my business. I could be free to go where I please. Wait can I go where I please?

“Martin, if I were to marry you would I be confined to the house like Samuel?” Dana asked hesitantly.

“No lass I have me pot of gold. We can go anywhere it pleases us to go.” Marty said with a grin.

“Very well then I accept.” Dana replied.

Within seconds the room began to fill with Lepricons of all shapes and sizes. Some of them came with instruments, others came with flowers. There was even a large pot bellied Lepricon who showed up with a large wedding cake. Samuel just stood there stunned. It was as if he could see his revenge melting before his eyes.

“Well Samuel get on with it.” Martin said nudging him.

“Lass are ya sure about this?” Samuel repeated. “Anger aginst yer kin is no reason ta marry this ‘ere bloke.”

“Trust me this will be the best decision I ever made.” Dana replied with a serious sad smile.

“Ya heard her now hop to Lad.” Martin added, followed by cheers from the crowd.

“Go on Samuel.” Dana urged again.

With a shrug Samuel commenced the ceremony. The wedding was quickly over and the party celebrated late into the evening. Dana was amazed at how warmly the other Lepricons welcomed her into the clan. It was as if she had always been a part of them. They treated her as a long lost child that had finally made it way home.

To everyone’s surprise when old man Kensly received Dana’s note the surprise sent him to the hospital where he died later that evening. He never had the chance to disinherit her and Dana found to her surprise that she was now the lady of all he owned.  After a long debate with Martin she gave the gold over to Samuel and they lived the years together traveling the world.

 

 

Reviews

[ur_ginger_girl]

I like it its cool probably better than mine =)