Gone Astray....
Yes, Dear Readers, the Wizard was concerned! And he knew that there was Much that he didn't know.... and wished he knew. But one thing he did know was that the Castle itself had it's own kind of Magic... the sort of magic that dwelt in the Spirits of the land it was built upon, and was older than Time itself! The foundations were laid on the site of the ancient Sacred Springs and timbers of the Trees of the Sacred Groves were arched across the Great Hall and the rocks themselves were carved from the ragged cliffs. It was meant to Endure the tempests and follies of the Ages to come. And he was sure it would! But he was never sure How that Magic would behave when put to the challenges of Mischief such as the Fairies wrought.... or Misbehavior... such as the Children brought.....!
Yes, the Wizard was worried!
He knew he could neither predict nor control
the comings and goings of the Children...
But he was fairly certain there would be mischief...!
And I imagine you will not be surprised that not far away,
but in another era altogether,
Beatrice had arrived at the Castle Ruins.
She was following her brother Tommy,
but didn't see him anywhere when she arrived.
The stables door was shut fast so she climbed to the Main door,
but she was too little to reach the door-pull.
Perhaps she should look for the caves, she thought.
Tommy was always talking about those caves.
He was sure there was treasure somewhere!
It was windier on this side of the Castle,
and she wasn't prepared for the waves!
She wondered where the caves were....
She suddenly felt quite afraid....
and she didn't know what to do!
Meanwhile, not very far away at all,
Hamish Harry 'Hotcakes' McCloud had come
to his favorite fishing spot to see if he could catch some dinner.
But he could see at a glance that the water was much too wild!
There would be no fish biting today!
As he is about to leave,
he notices a little figure down by the waves...
Much too close to the waves....
he decides to investigate....
Why, it's just a Wee Little Lass, thinks Hamish Harry....
"Halloo"... he calls, over the wind...
"Might you be needin' a bit o' help...?" he adds helpfully.
Beatrice was too overwhelmed to answer...
but she quickly stood and held up her arms for help!
It only took a minute for her to climb onto his back...
"Are ye ready, Lass...?" he called back to her...
"Hold tight...!" he said as she nodded...
And off he flew.... swooping over the waves....
And up into the sky....!
Perhaps you can guess that he was headed for The Cloud Palace!
It didn't take long to get there!
"I found her doun by th' rrocks....." declared Hamish Harry...
"I could na just leave 'er there.... !" he explained.
And in case you wondered what happened to Caroline, Dear Readers,
She arrived at the Castle not long after Beatrice.
As she neared the steps she heard a hauntingly beautiful song ...
it sounded a little like a harp, she thought...
but stronger, and it was coming from inside the Castle.
She could just reach the door-pull...
She pulled hard and the door opened....
She didn't come to play at The Castle Ruins
as often as Tommy did, but she could remember coming here
and knew where the Great Hall was.
She went in. Everything was dark and deserted.
But she could hear the music a little better from in here...
perhaps it was upstairs...
She had forgotten all about finding Beatrice and Tommy!
She found the stairs in the Guard Room...
she could hear that enchanting melody better now...
But the room at the top of the stairs was also empty...
But now she could clearly hear the song...
she headed for the next stairs...
She pushed open the door...
And could not believe what she was seeing...!
A Little doll was playing a piano.....!
It was the most Beautiful doll she had ever seen...!
Suddenly she felt a need to pick her up.... and bring her home!
But I know you are wondering, Dear Readers,
If the local folks are getting ready for
the Annual Halloween Party
which is held every year at the Castle?
Well, I can assure you they are....
Pollyanna and Arthur are ready....
she is once again a witch and he is clearly a Wizard!
Victor and Joanna are Robin Hood and Maid Marion!
Helen and Charles are going as a "Lady and Gentleman"...
but Helen is not sure her gown is right.....
she may need to change it .... again....!
And over at the Castle,
Kendall has been decorating the Hall!
He has invited a few of his "oldest" friends!
Lady Athena is guarding the Portals....
And up in the Gallery the Band is warming up...
Yes, it is The Return of "The Deadly Nightshades"!
And deep in the cellar of the Castle, Dear Readers,
The ancient Folk were sitting by the hearth as the dark drew in.....
"Did you hear that, Belle...?" asks Henry. "That music....?"
"I don't know how it could be....." he muses....
"but sometimes I think I am hearing music!"
"Don't be daft....!" declared Belle.
"There is no-one here to play for us anymore!" she added.
"Aye...." sighed Henry....
"not since the Lord and his Lady left...."
"I remember how beautifully she played the lyre...."
"Aye.... those were good times...." said Belle.
"No telling when they'll be back...." she added.
"I can still hear the music, Belle..."
"it sounds a bit like the Lyre.... but not...."
"I sure wish you could hear it too..." he added wistfully.
Well, Dear Readers.... I hope you will all
come back for the Party!
For we all know that on All Hallows Eve...
Enchantments can easily go Astray...
(to be continued....)
