“Do I smell mint?” Siena sked.
“Aye, ’tis a special blend along with Horehound and mullein, passionflower and a few other things that help me breathe.” After she took several puffs, she asked, “Now, what can I help ye with, lass?” She waved her hand toward a chair. “Please sit down.”
Siena chose one of the green cushioned chairs. As a matter of fact, now that she glanced around the room, there was a lot of green. “I didn’t notice when I was in here before, but everything is green.”
Elen chuckled. She sat on a chair across from Siena. “Remember, I’m called The Green Woman and for that reason ye see green everywhere ye look, but I dinna have antlers growing out of my head as is rumored.”
“Thank goodness.” Siena laughed.
“The green makes one feel better. Do you see how ye have relaxed since ye entered my room?”
Siena nodded.
“How can I help ye?”
“Everyone tells me that I have special powers. However, I don’t know how to use them….”
“I sense there is more?”
“Aye, Roderick told me about his wife and son last night,” Siena paused, glancing down at her hands. “I had no idea of his wife’s death, and he said he never found his son.”
“’Tis sad. Laird Scott worshiped both his wife and son, Michael; however, the laird canna put the past behind him wi’ his son still missin’. And I sense he’s finally ready to move forward.”
“That is why I’ve come to you.” Siena peered into Elen’s green eyes. “I thought perhaps you could show me how to find out what happened to his son.”
“Umm,” Elen murmured. She took a drag from her pipe, then she blew a smoke circle, which slowly rose until it surrounded her head. “As ye know lass, I’m not a seer, I’m a healer, but ye, lass have been blessed wit’ both powers. ’Tis rare.” She paused to blow another smoke ring. “’Twould help if ye had seen the wee one.”
“But I have.” Siena told Elen all about what had happened when she visited Black Dawn before.
Elen sat a little straighter. “Did ye enter by the kitchen or the front door?”
“By the kitchen. I remember the cook went and got her mistress. Why do you ask?”
“’Tis considered unlucky to enter the house by the back door when ye come the first time, which is why ye see so many come through our front doors.”
“I didn’t know that,” Siena said, but wondering why in the world that would matter to anyone. Perhaps it was Elen rambling. “But my warning did no good. However, you survived. What did you do that day?”
“Gillian did warn me, but I chose to remain below, knowing they would not bother to look down here, and I was correct. They did not. She said she was going to warn a few others and then head to the caves for Michael.” Elen sighed. “I guess she tarried too long and before she knew it the invaders were upon her.”
“It is very sad.”
“I think ye need a fairy stone.”
Siena looked at her puzzled. “I don’t understand.”
“We’re lucky to have a fairy mound, although, most cannot see the fairies, I can.” Elen smiled. “And I bet ye can, too. Let me fetch my tartan and we will go and see them.”
“I’ve never believed in fairies.”
“Ye will, lass. Wait and see.”
They left out of the kitchen door and strolled across a courtyard that was used for a garden. In the middle of the stone wall stood an iron gate that was ajar. They pushed it open with a screechy protest and slipped through the gate. A big wall surrounded the entire castle, so they headed toward the wall. Once they got closer, Siena spotted a mound that should have been brown since it was winter, but it was as green as a summer day.
“’Tis said that the fairies were once proud angels who wanted their own kingdom. The fairies that live here are called ‘Gude Wichts,’ Elen explained before she called out, “Barra.”
Suddenly, six fairies flew up out of the earth, all dressed in green. They were maybe six inches high with big wings that fluttered constantly.
Siena was stunned but recovered quickly as she watched the creatures bob up and down until a girl with long, golden hair moved to the front.
