Part 39 (1/2)

”I did not bring my pipes,” said Dhrun. ”The fairy waft is draining away, and my temperament has become somewhat dull. Perhaps I am not moonstruck after all.”

”Do you often think of the shee?”

”Occasionally. But the memories are blurred, as if I were recalling a dream.”

”Do you remember my mother Twisk?”

”Not well; in fact, not at all. I remember King Throbius and Queen Bossum, and also an imp named Falael who was jealous of me. I remember festivals in the moonlight and sitting in the gra.s.s making flower chains.”

”Would you like to visit the shee again?”

Dhrun gave his head an emphatic shake. ”They would think I had come for favors and play me a dozen wicked tricks.”

”The shee is not far away?”

”It is north of Little Saffield on Old Street. A lane leads to Tawn Timble and Glymwode and on into the forest, and so to Thripsey Shee on Madling Meadow.”

”It should not be too hard to find.”

Dhrun spoke in surprise: ”Surely you are not planning to visit the shee yourself?”

Madouc gave an evasive response. ”I have no immediate plans.”

”I would advise against any plans whatever, indefinite or otherwise. The roads are dangerous. The forest is strange. Fairies are not to be trusted.”

Madouc seemed unconcerned. ”My mother would protect me from harm.”

”Do not be too sure! If she were cross and the day had gone badly, she might give you a badger's face or a long blue nose, for no reason whatever.”

Madouc said positively: ”My mother would never harm her own dear daughter!”

”Why would you want to go in the first place? They would not receive you nicely.”

”I care nothing for that. I want only to learn news of my father, and what might be his name and his estate, and where he now lives: perhaps at some fine castle overlooking the sea!”

”What does your mother say to this?”

”She pretends to remember nothing. I believe that she has not told me everything she knows.”

Dhrun was dubious. ”Why should she hide the information? Unless your father was a scapegrace and a vagabond, of whom she is ashamed.”

”Hm,” said Madouc. ”I had not thought of that. But it is hardly likely-or so I hope.”

From the castle came King Casmir and Aillas, both showing faces of conventional impa.s.sivity.

Aillas spoke to Dhrun: ”The wind seems to be s.h.i.+fting toward the south, and we had best gain sea room before conditions worsen.”

”It is a pity we must go so soon,” said Dhrun.