Today is my day off, and I was hoping there would be sunshine, but you can't really count for that in Ireland. The weather in spring is very unpredictable, and May is a second April. So, long story short, it's raining out of buckets, yet I still want to get out of my house for a change. I packed with me my book and headed by tram to the edge of Dublin city. While commuting, I put on my headphones to listen to music while looking out on the wet streets and people pacing by busily.
Most buildings stood tall in their old bricks and mortar of their time, a stark reminder of the past and part of the city. There's the infamous Trinity college with the Book of Kells and its illuminated text. An ancient book that was written around 750 AD in Kells, north of Dublin. Its art and style never cease to amaze me, especially the details the monks drew and the colours that survived this long. I'm not officially local, but I love the city with its various stories, art, architecture, history, and, not to mention, where many best writers come from—Bram Stoker, Oscar Wilde, James Joyce and more that I will discover someday.
At the last station, I got off and walked in an unknown direction, let myself surprise by finding a new coffee or tea shop to sit down and read. The soft dripping on the umbrella was a soothing sound, and a slight chill nipped at the tip of my nose. Yep, it's April weather all over, although it's mid of May. Luckily there's no strong wind for a change even though Dublin is a port city-
Suddenly the soft chime of little bells cut my train of thoughts and made me look for the sound source. Those were no ordinary little bells chiming. They sounded sweet and light. Soon as the bells stopped then followed a distant echo of magical giggles and laughter. Suddenly a strong gust of wind blew and pulled my umbrella out of my hands. Rapidly I ran after it and was thankful I wore a good raincoat but regretted using the umbrella. I should have known better. As my lungs began to burn, the umbrella got caught at a sign of a coffee shop. I tried to pull it down, but it's stuck. Nearly out of breath, I walked in and asked the shop owner if they could help me with the umbrella or let me borrow their ladder. The young man behind the counter took it easy with a warming smile and helped to get the umbrella down with a ladder. He was curious how it got there, and I explained while drying my face with a towel he offered.
The coffee shop looked nice in its old decor out of wood, metal and glass. It looked victorian but still had a modern twist, and the air smelled nice of spices, coffee, milk and hot water. Oddly this all felt familiar, but I knew clearly this is my first time being here. I asked shyly if I could order a drink. The man pointed up to the blackboard above with the written beverages and prices in white chalk. I quickly decided on a pot of Irish breakfast with a can of milk. Welcomely he gestured me to take a seat where ever I like, and he'll serve it as soon it's ready.
Shyly I took my seat at the table by the window. The sky was still grey, large drops of rain fell, but there was no gust of wind like before. Why does it always happen to me? As I took off my coat, I realised how cold my hands were and am glad to have ordered the pot of tea. While waiting, I began to look around the shop. Its name was painted on the glass in black and gold letterings of the Victorian era, called 'Common Grounds'. I soon noticed when the man came with the tea. He told me I can pay on the spot or before leaving only in cash as he placed the receipt on the table. The receipt was written by a cursive and impressive hand on a thick piece of cream coloured paper with black ink. I'll pay later. Maybe I'll feel later a bit peckish and would like to try out the day's soup or pie.
After a few sips of the warm tea and milk, I felt its warmth spreading throughout my body and sat cosily as I drew out my book to read. A good thing I spotted this place. I haven't come far in my reading when I heard the chair across me move and felt a pair of eyes looking at me.
Slowly I lowered my book to see and met a pair of apple-green eyes. A young man with dark hair wavy hair to his shoulders, in his mid-20s, I would guess, smiled at me as if he knew me. As I wanted to speak, he spoke, "hello Caer, long time no see."
I blinked, surprised. His voice was soft as velvet, and I know for sure my name is not Caer. "Erm, sorry, you must have me mistaken for someone else. My name's not Caer."
He didn't falter to my response and kept smirking at me. "Sure you are; sadly, the spell you performed took its toll in the making by taking a part of your memories. And dreams are part of memories, are they not, Dream Weaver?" He tilted his head.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YWF0clf3p
His voice may be smooth but I'm not buying his charms, it rather made me angry and had to pull myself not to slam the book on the table as I placed it. I glared at him. "As I said before, you must have me mistaken for someone else. Now leave before I call the shop owner."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkEHqvWJ79
He chuckled, "feisty as ever Caer with your strong will. Have you ever wondered why this particular shop appears familiar to you?" And leaned an elbow upon the table.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckssYEJzN8
I stared wide-eyed at him.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMCIPX1WQl
"Your silence confirms. Before the spell, you used to come here during Samhain for a cup of tea, strong black tea with a bit of milk was your treat. Just like now."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKjFHztq2b
As he explained it oddly felt as if it made sense but what made it strange is I can't recall. "Who-who are you?" I asked.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1TyBBqaQ1
"I have many names but you know me as the King of the Faeries or as I call myself here among the humans, Tristan."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrshC56plU
I stared at him, not knowing if this is a joke or not.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrSjDTiWcs
He gave an amused scoff and rapidly his skin began to change into a green colour like the leaves in spring, accompanied with dark green tattoos on his face and arms. His shoulder-length dark hair grew longer and turned red as wine. He even grew a bit taller with pointy ears and wearing a long cream coloured robe. "Would this help?"335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrLG3U5bVV
I don't know how long I stared at him but once I got ahold of myself I became nervous and started to look within the shop to see if other people noticed. At the nearest table which was more than three meters away sat a pair of hogs in furry human bodies and played cards while at another table further back sat a lonely creature with violet skin and white long hair while reading the newspaper and sipping on a mug of hot chocolate. Immediately I looked over to the counter and spotted the young man who looked human but has long pointy ears and his eyes were violet as amethyst.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIxhAgjjIT
"No need to worry Caer, this isn't an ordinary coffee shop. As a matter of fact, I led you here. And please there is no need to get up due to my title. Behave normal as if I weren't a king at all." He winked.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsOKJP4hIv
I looked at him confused while I recalled how I got here.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNvw8NQitq
"The gust of wind was my doing." He smiled. "I brought you here sadly not for a chat but for an urgent matter." He paused and his smirk vanished in an intant as he turned grave. "Your powers have been stolen. While you performed your spell you entrusted your powers to Aengus to look after it until the time is right."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpk5ttDau1
I stared at him speechless. I couldn't follow yet strangely his words made sense.
Rapidly a smirk curved its way upon the King's thin green lips. "Obviously the time hasn't come due to your memories yet here we are in this coffee shop."
It took me a long moment to wrap my head around this, I even started to feel light-headed. "How are you sure I am that Caer? And what spell are you speaking of? Who's Aengus? If I am this person you presume-"
"I don't presume. I know you are Caer without second thoughts. We are friends." He cut in with a sharp voice and fierce glance. Suddenly a I felt something warm at my right hand that rested on the table. I looked down and saw his green hands holding gently mine. He's serious?
"Apologies." He retreated his hands and began to smirk as before. "Alas, I don't know what sort of spell you performed at the time but it was a part of a prophecy and it will be undone when the time is right." He paused. "Even as the goddess of dreams and prophecy there were a few things you hadn't seen it coming but your instincts always kept you on the right track. A bit ironic I must say that you have now a memory loss hence a prophecy is lost, literally."
"If I am who you say so, why like this and if the time is not now, when?" Came out of me without thinking.
"That is what we're going to find out along retrieving your powers," and he stood up from his chair with a smirk and his apple-green eyes flickered with excitement.
Before I could ask where he is heading, a strong icy wind whistled at my ear and tossled my hair. The rain water tasted salty upon my lips and found myself staring out to ocean. Thick grey clouds covered the sky and strong wind pushed the waves forcefully against the cliffs and rocks. I blinked as I recognized the sight before me and looked over my shoulder. There was nothing left of the coffee shop but the King of the Faeries.
"Aengus resides near here, the cliffs of Moher. Perhaps he can help you with your memory, the two of you were once very close like peas and carrots."
I blinked in disbelief. "You-you mean as in lovers?"
The King blinked at me surprised as if he realized what state my memory is but quickly composed himself with a smile and offered his open hand to me. "Yes, shall we?"
Hesitantly I took his hand and the moment I held on a stronger gust of wind surrounded the King and me.
Suddenly I found myself standing in front of a large opening of a cave and the King stood close beside me looking at me with a smirk but his eyes were slightly squinted as if trying read something on my face. The moment I turned to him he looked away. "Here resides Aengus." He announced softly and walked ahead.
What was that? I blinked and started to follow him. As he and I entered the dark cave the King made a wave of his right hand and a large floating ball of light lit up the cave. Drops of water dripping echoed long the walls and our steps ...
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