The old ones

Katie and Luna were walking home from university through the woods, it was a few days before Halloween and the girls were excited for the party, it was being held at the “haunted” field and both girls were excited. Katie brushed her blond hair behind her ears and smiled at her small elfin like friend “I can’t believe Halloween falls on a full moon, we are so going to see the ghosts”. Luna looked around the woods slightly for a moment “I’m not sure I’ll be able to come- you know my mums rules on full moons” the girls giggled ‘don’t leave the house on a full moon girls; it leaves you open to spirits’ parting at the crossroads Katie paused “tell her you’re staying at mine; my parents are away, we can go to the party and your mum never needs to know” Luna nodded in agreement her excitement building again. Katie’s costume was a ‘sexy witch’ but Luna had been inspired by a few books she’d been reading and had made a replica of a medieval dress; Katie had joked all she needed was some wings and she’d be a fairy. The party was happening the day before Halloween as the owners refused to let the field out on Halloween itself.

Luna’s mother was happy for her to stay with Katie and so far their plan had been going well, as the walked towards the party, Luna felt someone looking at her and giggled nervously “lets hurry Katie, the woods are freaking me out tonight” the party was already in full swing, the bonfire was already lit and everyone was dancing, the girls rushed over to their friends and started to enjoy themselves. As the moon rose higher in the sky Luna’s fear became more palatable, she could almost taste it, the moon was bright and red; she knew the rules never leave the safety of home on a blood moon, unless she carried iron and silver. The panic began to rise and the need to run for home started to claim her, Katie saw the look of fear and grabbed her hands “Luna, it’s an old wife’s tale; you’re not going to be eaten or taken by wild things in the woods, come and dance” despite her instincts telling her to leave Luna stayed. It was nearing midnight when she saw the horse, it was pale white, almost silver it looked at her and lowered its head; intrigued Luna moved towards it, not seeing the fairy ring the horse was standing in; not realising the music had grown silent the closer she got to the horse.

The man in a costume that was mixture of the green man and the horned God stepped forward from the treeline and bowed to her, Luna curtsied in return and smiled at his costume “kind sir, tell me are Jack in the green or Cernunnos?” he looked at her his eyes twinkling like stars “you may call me whatever you like fair maiden; I await the return of my friend Donn; this is his horse” Luna smiled and looked at him “are you returning to Tech Duinn after the party?” thinking the man would have no idea of what she was talking about it startled her when he stepped towards her “I will not go there; that is Donn’s home- mine are the fields and woods before you” before she could answer a voice called to them “Luna! Have you seen the sick costumes these guys made?!” broken from the trance her smile grew at seeing Katie in the arms of a man clearly dressed at the Irish God of the dead, curtsying to the lord of the dead Luna greeting him “Lord Donn, what a wonderful horse you have” the two men shared a glance and both smiled at the girls in front of them “we are sorry to depart so soon, but the wild hunt calls to us” Katie laughed and returned to the party but Luna paused and met their eyes once more “I love your costumes, they are how my mother told me the old ones would look” turning to go Jack pulled her into his arms and swept her into a deep kiss; “farewell sweet maiden”.

Luna awoke at Katies with no memory of how they got back, and Katie couldn’t remember meeting the boys at all, Luna thought nothing of it but remembered the feeling of his lips against hers and the though left a slight blush to her pale completion. She was meant to stay at Katies for a second night, but something called her, an instinctive need to go home. Luna knew her knew her mother would be cross she wasn’t in a home on Halloween, but Luna needed to be in her own bed. It was still early but the moon was still bright and full, the feeling of being watched never left her and although Luna had walked that path so often she could do it blindfolded, her fear was beginning to grow; feeling the necklace her mother had given her made her feel safer; an iron tree of life on a sliver chain, odd but beautiful, she normally never left home without it on but last night she’d changed in for a copper torc to match her costume. At the clearing before her home there was a stag, stopping Luna waited for the creature to move, but when it saw her, he moved towards her; knowing better than to run she sat under the oak tree beside her. The white stag was a beautiful creature and Luna had never seen one before, the feeling of the uncanny crept into her mind and looking around she realised she was sitting in a fairy ring, holding out her hand she gently started speaking to it; “I am sorry to intrude on your land my lord; I have nothing to offer you but kind words” the stag looked at her and lay beside her; resting his head on her lap slowly touching the stag Luna whispered “I shall name you Hern; go safe and be aware the wild hunt passes soon” the stag wondered off and Luna giggled to herself. When she got home, Luna was greeted by a very angry and worried mother “What have I told you about full moons and on Halloween no less! Let me look at you!” checking Luna was safe and unharmed she let her into the house, a fine layer of salt covering the doormat.