Circe is upset, “Where are they going with our stuff?”

Tamyson looks at her, “Tonight is Mabon and we call to Fearie. The coven will move in. Worry not, your belongings are awaiting your arrival.”

Circe looks to Jadis and I, “This is too much. Elves and faeries in a magical mound, hags washing clothes snacking on a man and, well, everything. How can we move in with these things?” Circe stomps her foot and paces back and forth.

Tamyson doesn’t stick around for the hysterics.

We lead Circe to the line of fae heading into the woods. She isn’t happy. I get behind a short hunchbacked fae at the end of the line.

Jadis tries to settle her down, “Circe, what choice so we have? Stay with Damiana or make our own place. A place of magic.”

“But, aren’t you a little worried about them eating people?” Circe asks.

I step in, “I think Tamyson wants us to see what Faerie is. It isn’t our norm, culture or anything we relate to. I don’t agree with eating people. I will speak to my father and grandfather about the Fae murdering humans.”

Ok, that isn’t something I ever imagined I would say. Geeze, eating people???

Jadis agrees, “Circe we needed to see that. It worries me, but now we have a slight understanding what the Fae are. They aren’t human, but they are offering us power and I know you always wanted that.”

I understand Circe’s confusion and anxiety over living with the fae, but I agree with Jadis. We need our own place. A protected space.

Pixies fly around glowing along our route and lighting the way. Ferns and small bushes curl away from the path, easing our journey. We follow the line of fae for ten minutes and I wonder when this march will end. I see the trees thinning out and hope it is our destination.

The clearing we step into is dominated by a large outcropping of rock and what looks like a small rock fort attached to the end. Pixies fly everywhere above the clearing. Tall grasses softly wave back and forth in a light swirling wind. The clearing is about the size of a football field. Many other fae dance around the area, chattering to each other excitedly. Many types of fae dance among the tall grass. Some are small enough that I can’t see them. I only know they are there by the hectic movement of the grass. Hags hold themselves to the edges of the trees. Elves gather near the outcropping of rock and the old fort.

We walk towards the elves, seeing Tamyson in the group, hoping to find out what they require of us, on this night of Mabon.

Tamyson is in his usual phooka form, I don't know what I would do if he walks around looking like an elf, I wouldn’t know who he is. I recognize one other elf. It is my father, at least that is what Mother and Damiana said.

He introduces himself, “We meet at last, I am Alizon.” He gives me a slight bow.

Nodding my head in recognition of him and the group I ask, “What do you need? What are we supposed to do?”

I didn’t want small talk with Alizon. I don’t know him.

Alizon explains, “We will call our magic and dance with Fae. The Fir Darri, brownies, goblins, kobolds, wichlein, dwarves, pixies and so many more are here to call Faerie. Tonight is important to witch craft. Giving thanks to the darkness. As your coven mates practice thier magic it will intertwine with Faerie. That is our hope. A night of magic.”

Alizon holds my hand, “Make this your place. Your own court of Faerie, your protection and your life.”

I don’t know what to say, but Circe has questions, “My magic involves more than myself.”

Tamyson waves a hand and two Elven men step forward and say in unison, “We are here for your magic.”

Jadis speaks up, “And mine?”

Tamyson points to a bundle, “There lies your magical items. Do as you wish as we call.”

I ask, “And myself? What do I do?”

Alizon smiles, “Be you. Partake, do as you feel. Call to Faerie.”

Alizon adds, “We will drink deep of our Elven wine and await the moon. Then we start.”

Casks appear around the clearing. All the fae head to grab cups and drink to the night. Glancing at Circe, I see she is now looking forward to the night's activities. As the music, dancing and singing begin the two Elven men lead Circe away. She looks at them like they are food as they disappear into the darkness of the forest. Light glows everywhere and Jadis goes through her items deciding what she needs.

When the moon is high in the sky Alizon raises his hands above his head announcing, “We of the Fae ask Faerie to us this evening. A sithen of witch and Faerie.”

Now the music and signing rise in volume. Circe’s and her Elves perform her craft in the dark of the woods, while Jadis sits in a meditative position.

I drink more wine and pixies grab my hands, pulling me to the center of the clearing. Holding hands with the various fae, we dance in a circle. Round and round we move. The circle becomes larger as the Elves join. Others throw dust, seeds, and various items about the area, while the air glitters and grows warmer.

The large circle breaks into smaller dancing groups. Some stay in circles dancing while others look like they are square dancing, switching from partner to partner. I end up in this group, laughing and enjoying myself. My father joins the partner dance and swings me around.

I forget concerns, worries, and fear. I drink the wine and feel the surrounding power. I concentrate on calling outwards. An invitation... “come to us, be part of our magic, grow with us.” I think of our wish for protection and a place to work our magics.

Corrigan leads several hooved fae to me. Handing me a horn to drink out of, I drink deeply. Then taking my hands we skip around the trees. It is dark and yet the warm power growing adds a faint glow all around us. We stop at a hag to share a drink. That makes me a tad nervous... they eat people.

Coming out of the trees I see Jadis dancing now. Her gown flows around her legs, flashing skin to the tops of her thighs. Seeing me, she runs over and drags me to her magical items. Lighting a rolled up smoke, she hands it to me.

“Smoke this, it opens your mind to everything around you... but take a small hit. You don’t need much.”

I do as she says, and the party continues. Later Circe is dancing with her new Elven friends. I can tell she is having a great time. I know I am. My head is woozy and I continue to call to Faerie hoping that it will hear us. That is will answer.

Finally, Alizon and Tamyson lie us down on the now trampled grass. We lay circle upon circle, holding hands. We fill the clearing.

Alizon calls out, “Join your powers and feel the surrounding fae. Sink into the power and call.”

As we lay looking up to the ink-black sky, the glow in the clearing grows. The trampled meadow grass softens. It becomes moss and small grass the color of emeralds. Flowers and herbs sprout up around our bodies. Surrounding our circles grow tall toad stools with red caps. The redwoods push back and new trees sprout and rise to full height in minutes. At a far end, a bog grows out and into the dark. The rock outcropping and the small fort morphs like it's a living being. The fort becomes a beautiful, magnificent manor house and stays attached to the outcropping. The manor is huge and has four towers, one at each corner. These changes last hours as we lay and call to Faerie. The magic wraps around my body and fills me with energy.

When then barest hint of light shows through the sky we stand and wander the area. The various pixies, winged or not frolic around the flora in the early morning light. The air continues to glitter and I feel a presence all around us.

Looking at Alizon I see a satisfied smile and ask, “Is this Faerie? Do we have our own piece of it now?”

Nodding his head in answer, “Yes, this is your piece of Fearie Gwen. This is a new court.”

“Why mine? Who are you Alizon, besides my father? Why do I need a court?” I ask.

“I am in line for the throne and part of the court you saw yesterday with Tamyson. The king is my uncle and holds Europe. You are here in America and Faerie has granted you a part of itself. You are now recognized as a power in your own right.” Alizon explains.

Jadis and Circe stand behind me as we look around the area. Jadis murmurs, “Nobility, cool.”

Circe interjects, “If we are stuck with someone it might as well be a noble.” She is smiling happily at her own comment.

“Gee, thanks Circe, you know how to make me feel better about our coven.” I tell her.

Jadis interrupts Circe’s reply, “I want to see our home. Let's go.”

Alizon, Tamyson, Corrigan and a line of fae follow my coven to the castle. The closer I get the more I feel a calling. Like the manor is waiting for me. At the large double doors I raise my hand and the doors open without ever touching them.

Amazing...

As the doors swing outwards, I see that this area is a walled courtyard. A strange courtyard. It is water with stone walkways leading over it. The walkway is rounded making the center a pond and from the center of the pond is a small island with a large willow tree growing from the center. Pixies immediately speed past my head and into the swinging branches laughing.

Walking around the tree on the stone pathway we come to another set of large double doors. Lifting my hand they open outwards, again on their own. Leaving the open courtyard we enter a three-story tall room with a vaulted ceiling of stone and wood beams. Skylights admit soft light into this large room.

It is as long as the outer courtyard of 120-feet, but it isn’t as deep. The courtyard is 80-feet deep while this entry room is 50-feet deep. Either way, it is a massive space. Vines with exotic flowers twist and hang from the beams and walls. Around the room, grouped sitting areas give the room an inviting feeling. More Pixies fly in and up to the flowers. The smell in the room is invigorating.

Twirling around with raised arms and smiling I ask my coven, “Well, will this do?”

Circe sniffs, “We shall see. We haven’t inspected our rooms or work spaces yet.”

Jadis elbows her, “Never you mind this idiot. This is wonderful.”

Behind us walk the elves and other various fae. Most split away from our group, heading to the right and disappear into a different room. I soon learn this is the great hall.

When we enter the hall Tamyson and Alizon explain the purpose of a great hall and point out the minstrel’s loft. This room contains a large stained glass window behind the head table. A head table located on a raised dais.

Looking around the room I ask, “Where did the fae go?”

Alizon answers, “They entered the sithen, the Faerie mound.” He points to a mural on the far right behind the dais.

Jadis asks, “Will we go in there?”

Tamyson answers, “Not today, but yes you will go deeper into Faerie.”

Shrugging my shoulders I head to the door on the left that leads to the area behind the front receiving room. Upon entering I stop with my mouth wide open. Circe pushes me forward to stop and do the same thing. Finally, Jadis tires of waiting and pushes her way in.

The 180-feet long and 60-feet wide room has to be Jadis’s dream area. The wall to the right is two stories of windows, as is the far wall. That is 240-feet of windows! The wall on the left is stone with large, floating steps extending out from the wall. It is very medieval-modern.

I chuckle to myself at the thought of medieval-modern. I think I have coined a new phrase. “Shall we call this the workroom?”

Jadis is practically jumping up and down, “Oh yes!” Is her answer.

Plants and herbs grow everywhere. Tables are arranged in various locations with an area for potion making. Wrapping around and to the left the room continues. This area is dark, well ventilated and drying herbs hang from low racks. Within the darker area grow more plants.

Finally, we head upstairs and find three rooms. Each with its own bathroom. These rooms sit above the glass area below and is beyond my wildest dreams. With squeals we run from room to room. It doesn’t take long to figure out which room is each other's.

Circe’s is located in the center of the three rooms and decorated like her clothes; green, red and gold. Jadis is to the right of Circe’s. Her room is pastel blues, lavender, pinks and silver. Mine is beautiful. It sits in the corner above the garden area and has two walls of windows. It is smaller than the other but the view is killer. My colors are jewel tones; sapphire, emerald, ruby, amethyst and topaz.

Across from my room is a lounge area for the three of us. It is a Moroccan affair. Dark woods, pillows and gold lanterns decorate the space. Incense burns and a smokeless fire flickers from the center of a bubbling fountain. This dominates the center of the room. Across from the entrance to our lounge area is a spiral staircase. Circe takes the lead, heading up the stairs to a trap door.

Circe murmurs, “Damn, this is perfect.”

I agree with Circe; the room is perfect. The trapdoor we climb through opens up to a covered roof deck. Like our lounge area pillows lay grouped everywhere. A large fire pit lies in the center, dominating the space.

Jadis looks at Circe, “This is perfect for you. Just like the lower growing and potion room is perfect for me.” And then asks me, “Gwen, do you require a specific work area?”

Shrugging my shoulders, “I don’t know yet. Everything is moving fast. I think I can find a space in the garden area. It is large enough for us to share.”

Jadis grins like a fool, “Yeah... I think I can make room for you.” And we all laugh.

We spend the day enjoying our new space. Occasionally we find food in our lounge, but see none of the fae that first day in the manor. With the activities the previous two days we go to sleep early, hoping to get a good night’s sleep.