I'm really pleased you enjoyed it so I have written a 2nd part just for you two! Hmmm still a struggle, but maybe will get easier the more I do?
The passageway was long and twisted left to right, then right to left. Cotton was always just that little too far in front to be seen but her laughter echoing through the tunnels let you know that she was still running ahead. It was reassuring, for to be alone in them would have unnerved even the bravest of men. The flickering light of the lanterns made shadows leap alive on the walls and flitting moths appeared as demons with giant dark wings ready to envelop. Your own footsteps echoed all around sounding like the tread of a thousand others feet.
You finally slowed to a walk, clutching your side and gasping for each breath. Cotton’s laughter was gone and you feared a trick but then the light began to alter and you pressed on. On you went as the brightness grew, outshining the lantern light and diminishing the shadows. Sunlight poured in through the opening ahead and you picked up pace to reach the exit of the giant wormhole.
You shielded your eyes to protect them from the brilliant sunshine and felt cool grass beneath your feet. Bird song filled the air, music to your ears. Cotton stood a little way ahead as if transfixed by something. Slowly you approached her and she turned to face you, reaching for your hand “Isn’t it magnificent”, she gasped.
The passage had exited onto the side of a high grassy hill covered in a myriad of wildflowers, from this vantage point you followed Cotton’s gaze expecting to see a city of splendour. Lying at the bottom of the incline at some distance was a village, ramshackle and empty. Beyond that the land looked barren and scorched and seemed to stretch forever, on and on to the horizon. Your silence caused Cotton to turn to you once again and she laughed merrily as she witnessed the puzzlement etched into your brow. “I forget so easily!” and whispering magic she kissed each of your eyelids. Your heart could not help but miss a beat with each soft touch and you left them closed for a moment to remember that little bit longer.
“Now, see, friend” came a sweet whisper in your ear and you looked again. Gone were the village and the waste and in its stead was a land of such magnitude and majesty that you could not imagine there was another place reflecting its glory in all the earth. What once had been barren now appeared lush and fertile. Patchworks of fields and meadows decorated with dingles and dells, and richly embroidered with the blue of rivers and streams. But the city, Swan song, stood white and proud in the midst. Spires and domes starched against the indigo sky commanded awe whilst the colourful bustle of a market in the square bade a welcome.
“I...don’t understand!” escaped from you as you shook your head and rubbed your weary eyes.
“It is merely magic, a cloak or a shield if you like. It protects us from those who would seek to harm us. There are dark ones in this world who when they cast their eyes upon beauty wish to possess it for they do not have nor can create their own. They take and devour that beauty till it is lost, then move on to seek loveliness afresh or live forever in their own darkness. But come that is not our worry for today, we can eat and rest and you can find yourself!”
Together you make your way down the hill and your heart feels lighter the closer you get to the city walls. You can hear the sounds of city life escaping from within, and it is the sound of happiness. Vibrant music accompanied by the voices of bards melodic and sweet sails over the stonework, the call of traders selling wares, children hooting and running from mothers scolding and the heavy chime of cowbells.
Though so weary you hasten to be inside.There are no gates to bar the way as you step through the wide arch into Swansong and are immediately met by an army of elf children swamping Cotton in delight. They call to her, tugging at her gown and gushing with excitement. Some tug at your shirt hem and look up at you with solemn and shy curiosity. Unaccustomed by children of any race you smile awkwardly down and try to disentangle yourself from the mass of writhing elfins. Cotton stops and waves them all away happily promising stories and tales of her travels that evening if they leave you be for now. They cheer and scatter in different directions across the square and back to their own mischief. You give a wry smile and for the first time in a long time feel the beginnings of a laugh in your stomach.
At the far end of the square are grand steps, they span a moat and upon the waters of the moat gliding with heads bowed in regal ceremony are huge swans that in standing must be bigger than a man! As you begin to climb the steps they slowly lift their heads and watch your ascent silently. You try to hold the gaze of one yet quickly turn your eyes away as it feels like he knows all the answers, to which you do not even know the questions. Instead you marvel at the parade of statues adorning the way, every kind of magical creature in joyous dance. Before you know it you have reached a grand door, wrought with gold and encrusted with emeralds. Cotton merely touches it lightly with a hand and it opens.
Within stands a man, taller than Cotton, yet with the same dark hair and the same emerald eyes. He also is attired in green but a tabard of white falls from his shoulders and you note mysterious words stitched into it. He smiles kindly and holds out his arms in welcome and Cotton runs immediately into them whilst calling out “Father!”
You remain awkward at the threshold while father and daughter embrace warmly until you are remembered again. Cotton lifts her head from her father’s shoulder and opens her mouth to speak, but her father hushes her and steps forward. “I am Adhamh, and you Christopher are a most welcome guest here at Swansong, I and the elders have been waiting for you, we were not sure when you would come or how but it seems that my little Cotton Swan has found you.” Adhamh smiles affectionately at his daughter.
Before you can even think to answer, Adhamh once again speaks, “ I see that you are weary, don’t trouble yourself with anything now, we have prepared a room for you, so bathe, rest, eat and sleep for there is much to come.
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