Rhee the Duoine Sidhe of the Little People in the Kingdom of Hamelot

Note: This is a work-in-progress! I'd love to hear what you think! What did you like? What suggestions do you have? Sharon

“Hand in hand, with faerie grace,

 We will sing, and bless this place!”

 A Midsummer Night’s Dream

 5.1.399-400

 William Shakespeare

"RHEE

The Duoine Sidhe"

(Pron. Theena Shee)

Under a green knoll, down in the Dell, lived a Duoine Sidhe, known to one and all by the lovely name of Rhee.

She was cheerful, friendly, a gifted musical lass, but one who desired leaving the Dell to live her life quite free.

Some Duoine Sidhe  were oft called the Little People, thinking the olde name unlucky, altering it by partial consent;

while some still used the tried and true name of the days of yore, leaving the change open to many an argument.

Some of the Little People were very small, with feathery wings, enabling them to flit about, while others were as tall as the mortals, and no wings at all, not even the sign of a sprout.

They often got into disputes about the advantages and disadvantages of wings,

or size and height, and all the possibilities, pro and con, as well as other things.

But they all agreed on an edict claimed from those days gone by, stating  if a Duoine Sidhe married a mortal, the mortal could never leave the Dell.

Therefore, marriage between a mortal and a faerie lad or lass was risky, and many of those were unhappy, not turning out so well.

In times gone by, there’d been much to entertain young folk, too, but now a day, Rhee found her days filled with discontent.

She longed for the world of the mortal folk and their music, so wanting to be a part of that world, her life she came to resent.

She secretly desired to belong to the famous Hamelot Music Consort, though women were not allowed due to the choice of its men.

However, she was determined to try it for certain, even if she had to try hard time and time again.

Rhee had talents rare in music, excelling above all other folk down in the Dell,

Playing the lute, the recorder, and her rich soprano voice, much joy she shared lovingly, all  were quick to tell.

But Rhee was growing restless, desirous of joining the mortals, especially to seek out Sir Nicholas Tabor-Weelkes, Master of the Consort.

She was so keen to belong, she would willingly audition before him, an effort for which she was ready to resort.

Knowing, as a woman, she wouldn’t be allowed in the consort she thoughtfully devised a plan to disguise herself as a man;

she started by cutting her long red hair, finding the right clothes, lowering her voice, and her scheme quickly began.

She left the Dell one night when the moon was hidden behind a cloud, the better to cover her going.

She knew she’d be free, if she once got away, without any of the Little Folk knowing.

Her recorders she carried in a bag, along with her precious lute. She slept that night on hay in a barn.

Next morn, she began to plan what she’d say, for she’d have to spin a convincing yarn.