A Pinch of Moonlight

  ***

  ‘Oh, Blackbird,’ she finally managed. ‘Cutting off your wings, that’s horrible. And you were only defending yourself.’

  ‘It’s not just my wings. They used iron on me. It destroyed my magic. And Tefyn’s hand was burnt when I blazed, and now it’s useless. A damaged man cannot rule Annwn; that’s the old elfish law, and now Hafren’s trying to unseat Tefyn.’

  ‘How do you know all this?’ Vicky asked.

  ‘I could smell the burning of Tefyn’s flesh. To inflict such damage on one so high-placed – it was a terrible crime. And I know Hafren is always seeking ways to take more power. All of Annwn is in danger if he succeeds – all except the small group he cares for.’

  ‘Do you know how to make things right?’ Vicky asked.

  She felt him sit upright. ‘I forgot. This is why I came over – Aelwen told me something which can help. But, can I tell it tomorrow? Too much talking for one night.’

  ‘Poor thing, you must be exhausted. I’ll make you a bed. Are you okay with me telling Heledd and Demi about this?’ she asked.

  He paused a moment. ‘Heledd, okay, she will understand. But not Demali, not yet. I need her to still believe in me.’

  ‘We can’t lie to her forever,’ Vicky warned.

  ‘I know. Just not yet. How you gonna tell her, anyway?’ he asked.

  ‘She’ll ring me later on her mobile.’ Vicky waved her phone at Blackbird to show what she meant. ‘You can speak to her if you want – I’m sure it’s not dangerous for fairies.’ She had been filling the basket with fresh cotton wool as she spoke. ‘Is this okay for you? I’ll find you some sort of blanket – those wings are rancid.’

  ‘Is okay. But I could sleep in a nettle patch tonight.’

  Say ‘thanks’ occasionally or I might let you, Vicky thought. But she found some cotton hankies he could use as bedsheets, and left him in a discreet corner of her room while she went to fix herself some food.