The Wee Ones -Chapter 11

​The Wee Ones

A novel

By Paul McCann

Chapter 11

 

Mercy Of The Marsh

 

 The silence of the dawn was cut short by the sound of wolfhounds running over the hills . Steam from their jaws was a breath a fresh air in the blanket of mist that fell around the marsh at 

Killamacudden where a group of Irish Wolfhounds uncovered their prey , a harmless frightened chicken , shaking with fear at the thought of being eaten alive .

Then at that very moment the deafening sound of a horn was heard all around the marsh as the 

long stretching legs of the hounds , suddenly came to a standstill . 

There the then they stopped and stood motionless as a wee one appeared in the mist holding an emerald green gemstone in his hand that reflected a barrier of energy that surrounded the entire perimeter of the marsh .

In a zone where  nothing could get in and nothing could get out some of the residents of the marsh started to emerged out from their holes and hollowed out logs and hidden homes of the bog . 

The wolfhounds were helpless . Unable to move they were froze in  a moment of time .

Around the hounds wild geese and other small animals of the marsh were able to go their own way untroubled to do what they had to do . Thousands of eyes watched the Wolfhound pack , stranded there like statues of the marsh .

The wee one spoke .
“Here you wait wait until the time is right before you can leave .“

One of the Wolfhounds said ,

“When will that be “ 

“When the energy around that keeps you prisoners of the marsh disappears  . ”

The wee one said as he was going around collecting wood to build a fire on the marsh. He stacked the wood and tossed a magic spark that ignited a flame to the fire .
Then around the fire, he danced as some other wee ones came running around in circles , chasing one another . Linking arms they formed a circle and they all stood in a magic ring with the fire burning in the centre of their gathering .

 A herd of wild pigs came running from the mist , as the wee ones  commanded them to lie down. 

The pigs all came over and lay down at the feet of the wee ones .

Other creatures joined their company as the dark cloak of night threw itself over the marsh .

The fire continued to burn

in the darkness overspilt other corners of the marsh .

The sound of sparks cracking filled the night as a wind whispered a message of wonder 

The wee  one who stood there alone by the fire  and he walked around the wolfhounds as he spoke .

“There has  never been and there will never be any blood spilling or  killing on this marsh . “

He lifted up the little chicken and the wee ones all cheered . All the other creatures made happy noises
as some birds flew over and landed singing and chirping .

The wee one by the fire continued to speak .

“I am Mackerbee , wee one and master  of the marsh . keeper of  peace and guardian of all who live here . Every living creature on this marsh has  a right to live without threat of harm of being in danger.

(pointing to the wolfhounds )

You came here as strangers , hungry for  blood , looking to

kill . Now you’re here as prisoners until the powers of the marsh let you go “

Suddenly he chicken was transformed into a wolfhound the pack of wolfhounds were transformed into chickens . 

“Feel the same fear  that you have given to the chicken “

The shape of Wolfhounds as chickens made them cower and shake and in the mist there came a howling and growling from other wolfhounds that surrounded

them  .

“ Now the  hunter has become the prey . Never forget how it feels and before you leave this place , remember to  show respect for all the living of the marsh .“

The sound of a all the creatures returned to where they had come from . The mist lifted and the wall of energy that had encircled the marsh disappeared .

The wee ones were gone and the dawn of a new day had begun .

The chicken  took a few steps towards the wolfhound’s lifted their paws into the air as a sign of respect .

The chicken walked away from

the marsh to a path between the trees and lowlands where transformed into a tall warrior who lifted his arms to the sky . The pack of Wolfhounds ran over the marsh and stood beside the warrior who said
“I am free from the wicked spell that transformed me into a chicken . I know the feeling of fear that I never had before . I could have been  destroyed by  you all in an instant but the mercy of the marsh had kept me alive. You have also felt the same fear . I would be glad of your company if you wound honour me with your friendship .“

The warrior and the wolfhounds became good friends and they roamed  around ,  exploring places ,

lived in harmony with life .
From that day it’s been said , that  they have been wandering around as guardians of all creatures and keepers of peace in the countryside 

 

End of Chapter 11

 

​The Wee Ones

Link to chapter 12

https://www.abctales.com/story/mcscraic/wee-ones-chapter-12

By Paul McCann