Hammer of the Gods

Chapter 34

The fairies and pixies, and forest sprites,

Love mortal men, and seduce them at night

If once you enter, the fairy folk’s ring,

Trapped you may be, by the fallen King

Through Camelot’s ruler, and Morgana Le Fey,

Wicked son killed, his father one day

Knights of Round Table, friend like a brother,

King’s broken heart, over wife’s secret lover

Lancelot Excalibur did take,

To be kept safe, by the Lady of the Lake

On enchanted isle, where fairy folk sing,

The body of Arthur, Morgana did bring

Morgana bore daughter, Morgan Le Fey,

On her death bed, her Mother did say

Never marry mortal, their lives but a day,

For long lived are fairies, like Morgan Le Fey

The next day, a dim glow shown through veins of quartz, which ran in jagged seams along the dark walls. Mosses, ferns and flowers grew along the floor. Much of the fauna was foreign and seemed abnormally large as they continued onward. There were delicious fruits and nuts growing on some of the trees and bushes. There were mushrooms as large as a person. Mist rose from the floor and the temperature warmed to the point where they had to strip off their outer layers of clothing.

They noticed some insects lighting upon the flowers. Many of the flying creatures they did not recognize, but they did see one type that was familiar, honey bees. The busy buzz of the striped workers carrying pollen off to their queen was a welcome sight. The hummingbirds took turns with the bees, dipping their long tongues into the centers of the soft petals, as they hovered in the air.

The songs of birds and their enchanting melodies echoed down the lonesome halls. Butterflies of endless colors lighted through the air. Frogs hopped upon the ground peering out from within and behind plants. The cavern opened up into a huge chamber. The stalagmites here were carved into beautiful columns wrapped with vines of jasmine and honeysuckle. The wonderful fragrances wafted around them.

There was an archway to one side covered in wisteria with clumps of purple flowers hanging down. Beyond the arbor was a lovely garden and in the midst of the vale was a series of three lakes each higher than the next like mirrors staggered one next to and above the other. There was green grass around the shores and rolling hills beyond. A great opening high up in the cavern was haloed by light that beamed down to the grasses, the trees and the waters. Although they could not tell from what source the illumination came, it was a most welcome sight.

Surely this cannot be the exit to the realm of the dark elves with creatures and plants so beautiful? Angelica wondered.

The feathered aviators started flying around Gabriel. He looked annoyed and swatted at the nearest. Retreating, they hovered just out of reach.

I wonder what that is all about? Angelica thought.

Raphael approached the swarm of tiny birds and began to speak to them in their own tongue.

Gabriel, had resumed their march, but on hearing his brother speak, paused and turned back. He appeared somewhat annoyed. “Nam-mu? Taka Raphael?” (How do they concern me? Leave them Raphael.)

Raphael held up one hand and said, “Zal. Gestu tuku Gabriel.” (Wait. Hear them Gabriel.) As he spoke again to the colorful warblers, they started flying around the dark haired archangel in a fluid motion as if they were a school of fish in the sea. He turned to his companions and smiled.

“I don’t understand, they’re just hummingbirds,” Angelica said.

“Gabriel refuses to speak with them. Use the ring. Focus your thoughts upon them.”

Angelica held Solomon’s enchanted band in front of her as the tiny creatures began to swarm around her. Glowing lavender, it revealed their true nature. Rather than tiny, swift-winged fowl, they were actually beautiful little fairies. With gossamer wings, they flitted and darted around her, trailing sparkles of golden light.

Looking at Jonah she asked, “Can you see them?”

“Yes.” The staff glowed white in his hands.

“Well, out with it. What are they, if not birds?” Hammerhand said growing irritated with the mystery.

“They’re fairies,” Angelica said.

“My people have not seen a fey in…over three hundred years. Not since my uncle returned from Asgard,” Hammerhand said.

Raphael continued, “These are some of the neutral angels. They were not valiant in the War in Heaven and chose not to take sides. After the battle, Father summoned them before his throne. A decree was issued that because they would not take up arms against Satan, they would be banished, but they would not be sent to Hell. They would be cast to the earth and would maintain their free agency. However, their natures would be changed.

“The neutral angels…” Jonah said, as if thinking to himself out loud.

Raphael said, “But there is more. They no longer recall our heavenly home nor the War. They say their King and Queen alone tell stories of the time before they awoke as they are now, but they and their kin have forgotten their angelic heritage.”

“Were they cast into the earth? If so, how do we have so many legends of fairy folk, elves and the like in the outer world?” Jonah asked.

“During the flood, the neutral angels, who did not live in water, fled to the inner earth. Sometimes they find their way back to the surface world. Though they usually hide their true appearance, sometimes they forget to put on other guise. Though immortal they be, they too can be thrust into the angelic sleep if stabbed by an enchanted blade,” Raphael said.

“Can they tell us if we are on the right path?” Jonah inquired.

Raphael turned and spoke to the flittering fairies.

“They say we are on the road to Alfheim, the realm of the Light Elves. We have been invited to rest in their garden and join in a celebration tonight. Their king and queen will be there, and this will be an opportunity to speak with our brother again. We can use all who might be allies in the coming war,” Raphael said.

“So their king is an archangel?” Angelica asked.

“Yes. His name is Sachiel. What say you brother?” Raphael asked Gabriel.

“Very well. I see that this must be. The mortals could use the rest, but time is pressing. I have not forgotten Sachiel standing by, whilst our people fell to Lucifer and his lot.” The disdain that shown upon the blond man’s face marred his otherwise handsome appearance.

“But neither did he and his legion join Satanel in open rebellion,” Raphael said.

“To choose not to take a side is still a choice, and great evil may yet befall those who will not fight against the machinations of the Devil,” Gabriel replied.

“Then let us press on and see for ourselves if Sachiel, a Son of the Morning is of different mind after ages in exile,” Raphael said.

As they stepped beneath the archway, the other members of the party were also able to see the fairies in their true forms. There were not only the small winged humanoids disguised as birds, but the frogs were also of like kin, though too young to fly. Though they differed in hue, and shape of wing, they were near the same size and demeanor. Quick to smile, laugh and sing they were. Many clustered together now on branch and stem, rock and flower as the outworlders passed.

Angelica asked Raphael as they walked, “What about the bees, what type of fairies are they?”

For as yet they still appeared as striped insects.

Raphael began laughing out loud. He was so tickled he was not able to answer.

An irritated look crossed Angelica’s face.

Wiping a tear from his cheek Raphael said with a grin, “The bees are just bees, Angelica.”

Making their way towards the lakes, they found a pavilion with its floor and short walls built from stone, but the walls were formed of trees which leaned over towards one another, their branches creating a domed roof. The most wondrous array of flowers surrounded the sitting area. Grape vines hung from limbs in the ceiling and they were delicious to the taste. There was water falling from the edges of the great opening in the cavern roof and the flowing liquid landed on large rocks at the back of the highest lake. A river ran to one side of the cavern from the lowest pool before it exited into an archway of stone. A gentle breeze of mist drifted across the mirrored surfaces of the ponds. This caused a cooling of the air as the light shining through the opening in the cavern roof, created a myriad of rainbows across the water’s surfaces.

One fairy in particular, seemed interested in Jonah. She was the only fey of purple hue with long auburn hair. Wearing little more than flowing silken scarves and glittering sandals, she was a small gem of legends. Tunes from her crystal flute cascaded a melody which seemed to capture the professor’s undivided attention as she flitted before his face. Angelica’s brother seemed oblivious to all else while the muse danced in the air. He raised his hand, and she landed fearlessly upon his palm. When her flowing song had ended, she spoke. At first, Jonah seemed confused by her foreign speech, but in his left hand he held the staff of Moses. It began to glow faintly. When next she spoke he nodded to her in understanding.

Her voice was like a cardinal’s call as she said, “I am Morgan, daughter of Morgana Le Fey, what is your name?”

The professor seemed surprised by the declaration, “I am Jonah. You are the daughter of Morganna, King Arthur’s half-sister?”

“Yes. The outworlders know of her?”

“Many legends speak of Camelot’s king and your mother.” He tilted the staff in Angelica’s direction though his eyes never left the tiny woman’s cat-like pupils. “This, is my sister, Angelica.” He spoke as if he were in a wakeful dream, slow and mesmerized.

Morgan glanced at the blonde with an annoyed expression, before returning her gaze to the professor. A sensual smile was accompanied by her caress of Jonah’s thumb.

He shuddered.

Off in the distance, there was the sound of horns. Morgan looked disappointed by the sound, as she watched her fellows begin flying in the direction of the waterfall from whence the sound came. She flapped her translucent wings, before joining her kin.

“Wait, come back!” Jonah called out.

Morgan paused midair, winked and smiled before flying off to join her folk.

Jonah sat upon a grey bench that faced a stone table as he looked off longingly in the direction where Morgan had gone.

Hammerhand sat down across from him and said, “Careful lad, the fairies are not always what they appear to be, and not all are good. Some are nice enough, but others are mischievous by nature. Tricksters, like pretty little gnomes.”

“I heard that dwarf!” Atungitok said annoyed.

Lorne commented, “My people have also had occasional meetings with the fairy folk. Avoid mushroom rings, circles of burned earth or green grass. It is said that those areas can enchant mortals and take you to their realms, if we are not already in their lands as it would seem to be.”

Jonah snaped out of his trance as they spoke. “Morgan, she said her name was Morgan, daughter of Morgana Le Fey.” He smiled at the memory.

“Yes, that is what she said, Big Brother,” Angelica said, annoyed. She pursed her lips and scrunched her eyes at him with her arms crossed.

The professor looked at the three of them and said, “Morgana Le Fey was the half-sister of King Arthur of Camelot. Legends say that she was half-fairy.”

“It is true what you say,” Gabriel interjected. “Morgana Le Fey means Morgana the fairy. Long ago she took her brother’s body to the isle of Avalon. All of you be alert and wary until we meet with their king. For though we have been welcomed into their garden, we do not yet know if he means us ill or no.”

“Why would your brother wish to do us harm?” Angelica asked.

“It was I who cast Sachiel from heaven. Though I was commanded to do so, I did this willingly, for though he did not take up arms, all might have been lost due to his decision to remain neutral. But he was not alone. For there were four of the archangels and their legions who stood by in those days.”