Story for the Day: Fionnora and Ennan

Celebrating one year of Haanta stories with cake and Twisk

 Morning came to Diras, and with it brought the excitement of Fionnora and Ennan awakened to find their brother already arrived home. Upon seeing their brother at the kitchen table, the two children rushed toward him with open arms, crawled into his lap and an assaulted his lean cheeks with kisses. Teague awed with immense fondness for their cordial and most impatient greetings and held them both to his chest while nibbling on their pointed ears to make them laugh. They giggled and shirked their shoulders to escape his tickling embrace but conceded to be tickled to recommend their happiness of having their brother and guardian home again. It was a gladness that both sides equally shared, and it was one that Qwynlin triumphed in regarding.

                A small celebratory breakfast was made and Teague relayed everything that he had seen during his short journey: he told his brother and sister what was expected, recanting of all the ducks in the lake around the Haven, of the chestnut mare he rode to the capital, and of the few deer he had observed while riding along the northern edge of the Tuar Forest.

                The children reckoned that Teague must have had a fantastic journey if he had seen so much, but more to their delectation was the magic he had seen while at the Haven. To two young children who had never seen the wonders of Frewyn magic, every spell was a joyous mystery, and every magical nuance their elder brother had seen was a tremendous achievement. A few trifling protections spells to him was a world-saving phenomenon to them, and they listened to every word Teague spoke with their mouths open and their eyes agape. When the history had done, each professed their desire to see the Haven and each asked to be taken on their brother’s next visit.

                Teague made no promises where visitations during his missions were concerned, but he did promise to show them the mare he had borrowed before their lessons at the Church. Any objection the children would have had to being excluded from Teague’s clandestine assignments was placated by the idea of be able to see the heroic steed that carried home to them with unnatural haste was presented them. Teague grinned at Qwynlin and they watched his brother and sister hurry to dress so that they may have more time with the magnificent animal before they should be compelled to walk to the Church.

                The four soon left the house, the two children attached to their brother’s sides and holding to the hands of both their guardians. They were given hearty greetings by Sheamas, who was waving and hallooing in their direction from inside his shoppe as he was preparing the smoke rack. They returned the unbidden graciousness of the jovial butcher and hurried to the stables in hopes of seeing the mare before a messenger should be sent to convey her home. She was yet in the stall where Teague had left her, and with a few copper to the stable master, the children were permitted to ride her in one of the larger box stalls.

                It was a slow trot, but it was more than enough to delight Fionnora and Ennan. They had enjoyed themselves immensely for the few minutes they were permitted to remain in the stable, and when their ride had done, they thanked the stable master and declared that they should one day love to have a horse as swift and as brilliant as the one they were honoured to have ridden.

                “Teague,” said Fionnora in her tiny voice as they walked to the Church.

                “Yes?” he replied, knowing well the question impending.

                “Can we go back tomorrow?”

                Teague was inclined to remind her that those horses were draught animals, bred as working and domestic stock, and where therefore not to be regarded as pets, but the gleaming and hopeful look in her large eyes obstructed any negative assertions he could offer. “We can see the horses anytime you want, Fionnora,” was his hesitating response, “but it’s important to remember that they are working animals and cannot be ridden every day.”

                Fionnora had not heard the supplication of Teague’s remark: she was too engrossed with the notion of being allowed to see such majestic creatures whenever she should wish. This partnered with the idea of the stables being the equidistant point between her home and the Church filled her with exhilaration. She might see the horses twice in a day, once going to her lessons and once coming home from them, and she begged Qwynlin with a shake of their joined hands to take the path near the stables rather than through the marketplace on their return journey that day.

                Qwynlin glanced at Teague with a restrained expression, pleading with him for assistance. She was powerless to say no to such an innocent and ingenuous entreaty, but as Teague observed her with the same stifled look, she must surrender to the child’s simple desires. “Today,” Qwynlin said presently, “but not every day, dear. The horses won’t miss you if they see you every day.”

                Fionnora was inclined to agree and she was satisfied with her bargain at present.

                Teague and Qwynlin were salvaged from the wreck of misery and tears that might have followed their negative responses. They exhaled their relief at one another as they led the children into the churchyard and they waved their goodbyes to them as they hopped into the lesson hall, both of them ready to boast of how delightful a morning they had passed.