Queen of the Druids

Chapter 1

Brigid tied her very dull strawberry colored hair in a braid and twisted it into a ball, pinning it onto the back of her head. Her fair rosy skin glowed under the sun's harsh light and made her freckles stand out like stars in the night sky. The pond that laid in front of her cottage was still and silent, not a ripple to be seen. She used the water as her mirror, picking at her loose, imperfect split ends and hoping she could make her freckles disappear by covering them with the tips of her fingers.

The soft crunch of fallen leaves and twigs could be heard, but she was too dazed to even notice. Birds chirped and glided from tree to tree, crickets sang their song, and squirls chittered while running up tree trunks and chasing their friends, but nothing was getting her attention.

A sudden splash was heard and seen followed by a horrendous yowl. Gasping for air, Brigid fell back with her hand on her chest. "What was that for?" she asked the feline with stern eyes.

Maw! was all she could reply with.

"Caragh, one of these days, you're going to kill me."

Maw.

She looked into Caragh's eyes and saw the same shade of blue she had. Caragh's nose was the only black spot on her while the rest of her small body was white with beige and brown patches and a long dark brown tail. The skin on her paws were almost black except for one pink toe on her right bottom foot. Every single person that looked at Caragh would be so infatuated with how beautiful of a cat she was. But once they saw her personality, they ran for their lives.

Maw! Caragh exclaimed while shaking her still wet paw.

"Well you didn't have to do that. You choose to."

Caragh huffed in frustration knowing she was right.

With a smile and a soft chuckle, Brigid said, "Come here," with an extended hand.

Caragh mawed excitedly and got on her hind legs to kiss her friend's face with a rough tongue.

"Okay, okay. You made your point. You think I'm pretty right?"

Maw! she said while still licking her face.

"Well then stop giving me kisses and let's go find Conan."

Another maw was heard with joy as Caragh was picked up to be slumped over Brigid's shoulder like a sack of grains.

Before fully standing, the self conscious girl grabbed her empty basket and started to stroll down to Conan's cave as some leaves stuck onto her green dress.

The birds followed her and Caragh as they all sang the same tune to each other (Caragh trying her best of course). The stream's soft flow made sparkling diamonds off the sun and a soft breeze swayed the trees thick branches ever so slightly. Only one soft wispy cloud could be seen past the trees along with some hummingbirds feeding on the bushes of luscious flowers.

If one stood in an open area of the forest, the other hills of Tuatha Dé Danann could be seen. Some filled with tiny homes, others with roses, herbs, and pine.

"Conan?!" she called.

MAAAWWW!!!! Caragh exclaimed to her best friend.

Conan's shallow cave was made of gray rock that was decorated with heavy moss and hanging vines that went to the side as he jumped to the both of them in joy.

Conan's fur was a thick coat of gray and white. His paws were the size of a horse's hoof and his snout was as sharp as his gentle teeth. His demeanor looked intimidating compared to most other wolves, but deep down he was still the sweetest cub that Brigid took care of.

Caragh immediately jumped to the ground and zoomed to Conan. They played for a moment as Brigid laughed at the two chasing each other. "Come on now," she said with a giggle. "We have herbs and fruit to pick."

Conan responded by putting his head and front legs down in a stretch for Caragh to climb on his back. Of course she humbly obliged. Even though he was considered a deadly wolf, Caragh was the queen.

All three strolled down to the nearest batch of herbs and fruit bushes that Brigid and her father planted. Lavender, roses, strawberries, basil, mint, rosemary, thyme, raspberries, grapes, and blackberries were delicately plucked and put into the now full basket.

Everything was so peaceful, so calm, so quiet. Just the way it was meant to be.

Gallops and cries were then heard beyond the nearby trees. "Conan?" Brigid asked with confusion. "Do you hear that?"

Conan's answer was a simple stare in the direction of which the sound is coming from. The cries got louder and soon enough, all three realized what it was coming from.

Brigid ran as fast as she could, dropping her basket of fresh goods to the ground.