The Return
(Part two of the story about a Selkie)
Sellie had to return or she would be a victim forever.
It is the night of the Wolf Moon.
As a thunderstorm brews out in the North Sea, the ocean is making its usual unforgiving attack on the cold icy west coast of Scotland near Dunskey Castle.
A lone figure emerges from the swells of the frigid ocean, coming closer now in the swirling frosty froth of the breaks until the figure slowly walks up on the ice covered rocks of Castle Bay.
There, at the base of the cliff wall, the figure removes its outer layer and neatly folds it and looks about the seascape. As the clouds break there is a clear path for the moon’s light to reveal a woman. Her nude skin is as pale against the sea, as her wild hair is dark.
She is familar with this beach and a few of the inhabitants of the town nearby. Two and half years ago she was abducted from Dublin and held captive near here by three brothers. She was starved and constantly raped for nearly six months. With help from clans people she was able to escape and returned to Dublin.
Now she is back. Back with mixed emotions of apprehension, fear and hate. Already yearning to be back home, she must be here. She must find a young female taken from her people a few months ago. She doesn’t know if the men were the same ones that took her or other men. Doesn’t matter. She must find her and seek out those who took them both.
In the next few days, there will be no innocence.
Without worry for her comfort nor safety and with her belongs strapped to her back, she meticulously climbs the crumbling wall of earth and rock as a slushy mix of rain and ice begins to fall. Finally standing on the cliff’s edge she looks down upon the waters knowing her kin are out there waiting to take her and the young girl back to Ireland. She thought briefly about turning back, but then the sea’s turmoil cast a series of thunder and lightning, shocking her back to the reality chosen for her.
As the lighting bolts strike the sky and sounds of cannon echoe off the sea and cliffs, she walks away, each movement of her massive body, each flex of her muscles, reflects her beauty and power.
She slowly moves about the castle ruins looking to avoid unsuspecting villagers. Finding the way clear, still nude, she walks towards the edge of the village of Portpatrick. Tonight she must find her rescuers, Ian-Aegir, along with his grandmother, Morena, the Sea Sorceress of the Star Clan. Trying to not be seen, she stays in the alleys and shadows while searching for their cottage.
Out of nowhere two men, stumbling from a pub, almost fall into her. In the instant of a lightning strike they see a nude, wild hair, tattooed woman. She immediately darts into an alleyway while the two men scream in terror, “Banshee! Banshee!”
She runs down the alleyway back to the sea.
Relieving themselves of a few pints of beer in their breeches, the men run back down the street into the pub. Four young men inside see the commotion and hearing the discription of this “Banshee”, “Witch” with wild hair and mystical drawings on her body know the naked lady. These four men are members of the four clans that form the Gaia Coven that is well known in this area of Scotland. They helped the lady in her escape from her captures and her return to Ireland. Ian was the last to see her before she left for Ireland two years ago. Along with Lady Primrose, the Earth Protector, and her son, Bryn, they had her captors distracted in an altercation at the Pub. The other two, Egan, son of the Fire Crone, Bridgit and Aillos, son of the Air Temptess, Aella, being detained the captors to allow for her to escape. Nothing could be proven of the captivity, so the men were set free.
The four need to notified their clans that the Irish woman has returned, but, to avoid suspension, they lingered about for another round before leaving.
Running the length of the alley way, Sellie turns a corner to the sound of shell chimes and saw, lit by the moonlight, a cluster of sea shells along a walk way. There it is! What she is looking for. The Sea Witche’s cottage adorn with thousands of bleached sea shells. As she approaches the cottage, the door opens to reveal her friend, Morena wrapped only in a bed quilt.
“It’s about time you showed up, Miss Sellie,” Morena admonished with a grin.
“A couple of drunks ran into me.”
Laughing, Morina let her in, “Come child it’s freezing out.”
Sellie rolled her eyes. Cold and ice does not bother her.
“Ok, Lass, I am cold! Come. I have a wrap for ya.”
Morena reaches for a hooded cape hanging next to the door, “Its been there waiting for ya for too long.”
Not really needing it, Sellie took it anyway and wrapped it about herself. As Morena added peat to the fireplace and a water filled kettle to the stove, Sellie looked about the cottage, seeing all has stayed the same. It felt warm, inviting with the vibration of magic in the walls.
Looking back at Sellie, Morena shook her head, “My, child! You are not the same person we rescued! You are so big, strong, beautiful! If I was much younger, I would be smitten by you.”
Both women laughed, knowing it would be true.
“I hope Ian recognizes me.”
“That lad is struck with your sorcery! He will recognize you.”
Blushing a bit, Sellie changed the subject, “We are glad you reached us. We have had too many of our own vanish.”
“Tis my pleasure. I may be an old Crone, but my witch powers are still strong. Lady Primrose told me there maybe two captives. Where the other might be, we are not sure. Definitely one is in the cottage you were in.”
“I will visit her tomorrow. So. Where is Ian?”
“In that pub where you frightened those two idiots. He will be here shortly. Have some tea. I am going to bed.”
With that Morena walked up the stairs to her room
Sellie, sipping Morena’s tea, begins to relax. Tonight she will be with Ian.
As Ian entered his grandmother’s cottage he saw a light on in the kitchen. Sitting, wrapped in the long cloak, and sipping tea is a woman who looka familiar. She immediately jumps up allowing the cloak to fall to the floor, revealing her body. She is not the same person he met two years ago. She has the same tattoo on her breast and nipple, but no longer skin and bones.
“Sellie?” Is all Ian could say as she throws her arms and legs around the young man. Looking into Ian’s eyes, Sellie whispered, “I have been waiting two years for this.” She then kissed him. Not wanting to wake his grandmother, Ian took Sellie to his bed room on the lower level. There they spent the night intertwined.
(To be continued)
To read part one, click below:
