Category : Books-Fiction

Sub Category : Fantasy

                 Chapter 2 ● Ronan

                    Ireland, 1915

"A new druid?" Muirgen asked as she followed behind Ronan. She had to jog just to keep up with Ronan's large steps. 

They walked through a doorway, on the left side of the Great Halla an Deiscirt, and entered a long hallway. Like the Hall, the ceiling and floor were ninety feet apart. The afternoon light shone brightly through the large windows on the left side of the hallway, leaving blocks of light on the dark stone walls and grayish-blue carpet. Giant chandeliers hung down in an almost ominous way, their flames couldn't be pinpointed, they just glowed. There were less paintings here than in the Hall, but those that were decorating the walls were mostly of the Irish country side. Ronan loved the country side, he preferred it more than the cities.
His love for the calm countryside was thanks to his upbringing. His mother insisted that her children were to learn how to use their powers in a safe setting, away from full-blooded humans. That wouldn't stop their father from sneaking them out into the human world to see all its wonders. Their little shops and pubs filled with life and various smells. Ronan remembered how Muirgen's eyes lit up, they were as bright as the full moon and almost as wide as it too. Ronan chuckled to himself which caused Muirgen to eye him curiously. 

"What are you laughing about you big bastard? You still haven't answered my question!" She scolded. 

"Well, you just asked a question so, that makes two questions. I'm a little confused." He teased. Muirgen let out an exasperated groan.

"The question about the druid!"

"Yes, a Druid. He comes from the East." Ronan said as he continued to walk.

"THE EAST!?" Muirgen shrieked. "The East hates us! Are you sure this druid isn't-"

"No, Rinny." He said with amusement. Rinny was the nickname he gave her. "I've checked him. He's definitely not a spy...at least not for The East."

"Stop talking in riddles and get to the point, Ro." Her nickname for him.

"He's Aralt's son." Ronan said casually. Muirgen made a muffled screech accompanied by stuttering and a lot of wild hand movements.

"A-A-Aralt's.....SON!? Which one? He has three!" She pushed.

"Had." 

"What?" She stopped walking.

"The youngest has passed so Aralt only has two sons now."  Ronan turned a corner and tied his hair up in a bun then looked back at Muirgen who had gone quiet. "What's wrong?"

"Why would Aralt send one of his sons after he just lost one? I know he's cold and brooding but wouldn't he at least want his remaining sons close by? It makes no sense." She mumbled the last part. Ronan just shrugged and started walking again. "Ronan!"

"Muuuuirrrrgeeeeeen!" He mocked with a laugh.

"This isn't funny!" She stomped her foot, causing frost to form at her mark.

"All I know is this; Aralt hates this son and the son hates him as well. That's it. Now hush, he's two doors down." Ronan said. Muirgen huffed and followed him into the room.

The room was covered wall-to-wall with bookshelves that held dusty books Ronan never bothered to read. If he needed to know something he would just ask the council men or the fairies for answers. The walls that weren't covered with shelves were plain stone. A mahogany desk sat in front of a black leather chair and behind it was a large window with the curtains half drawn so the sun wouldn't hit Ronan's eyes, unfortunately for his sister, Muirgen still had to squint to protect her frosty blue eyes. The ceiling, had a small lantern in the middle of it to illuminate the room if needed be. Unlike the hallway and the Great hall, the distance between the ceiling and floor weren't as dramatic, only twenty feet apart. 
On the left side of the room was a figure of a man wearing a black fur coat, or was it made of feathers? He wore snug fitting pinstripe pants with shiny black slats. Gloves covered his hands, which were holding a large book and flipping through the pages; the pages were a yellowish beige tone, indicating that the book itself was old. The man's hair was the most notable aspect though, his hair were long black dreadlocks with specks of brown, red and Sandy blonde hair but overall his hair was dark. He turned to face the twins, his skin was sickly pale, his chiseled cheekbones and plump lips made it seem as if he was unimpressed with the company but Ronan was sure the male always looked that way. The male had a face you just wanted to punch, cocky facial expressions mixed with aloof undertones; must run in the family. His eyes were like emeralds, sparkling and intense, they seemed to glow brightly, like a snake in the dead of night. The only thing that seemed a bit off were his...eyebrows. They were dark and thick, practically bushy. Yet they also seemed to fit his face perfectly. To put it shortly, Ronan didn't like the look of him.

"You kept me waiting." The man spoke in a baritone voice. Ronan's lip curled slightly on one side and his eye twitched.

"My apologies, the council men needed my ear for a moment." Ronan said. Why was he apologizing? He was the King, this brat answered to him now.

"You're the King of this clan." The man said, as if reading Ronan's thoughts. "You should have told them to fuck off." He scoffed. Ronan lifted his chin.

"I wouldn't be a good king if I didn't listen to my people." Ronan said.

"You wouldn't be a good king if you always listened to your people, either, Rí na Farraige." The man said the last part mockingly. Sarcasm was obviously this man's native language; Ronan took note of it.

"Well, why don't you introduce yourself to the Southern Clans Caomhnóir, my sister." He said as he gestured to Muirgen who was standing there gawking at the dreadlocked man. She blinked at him with her mouth hanging slightly open and a...blush on her face.

'Oh no.' Ronan thought to himself. The man arched an eyebrow and eyed Muirgen a little too long for Ronan's liking. 'You stop that, you demon.' Ronan thought. 
The man put down the book and sauntered over to Muirgen who was still looking at him.

"Mo Caomhnóir~." The man seemed to purr. "My Guardian. The Protector of this clan. I've never seen you until now but I've heard of your victories." He said as he reached out and brushed her bangs to the side. "You protected this clan against a hoard of banshees, what a brave woman. My name is Emmet, and you are...~?" He pushed on as he trailed his hand down to her cheek. 

'I'm going to kill him.' Ronan thought as he balled his hands into fists. Muirgen blinked a few times until she finally snapped out of the trance he was putting her under. She stepped away from his gloved hand and cleared her throat. Emmet pouted at her.

"My name is Muirgen. Grandchild of Lir and Mira the Sea Witch Queen. Child of the Sea Witch Siobhan and Poseidon." She said proudly. "Ronan is my older twin brother and the best King in all of Ireland and since you are working for him, now, you shall treat him as such. You should be grateful we even took you in, you would be roaming around the land, homeless and alone if it weren't for his kindness." She spoke in one breath. Emmet's eyes fluttered in amazement and Ronan couldn't help but smile smugly. 

"I....I didn't mean to offend you, I'm sor-" Emmet started.

"Don't apologize to me, apologize to my brother, your King." She emphasized the last word. Emmet's face seemed to turn dark but he turned to Ronan and bowed.

"I'm terribly sorry if I offended you, my...King." Emmet growled.

"Water under the bridge." Ronan said. Muirgen giggled and brushed off her dress. Emmet stood straight and nodded, he eyed Muirgen again.

"Poseidon is a Greek God, is he not?" Emmet asked.

"No, he's the Egyptian God of bees." Muirgen replied. Ronan had to cover his laugh with a cough while he watched Emmet's face twist in annoyance. "Hmmmm~?" Muirgen hummed.

"Why is a Greek God fornicating with an Irish Sea Witch?" Emmet asked.

"I don't know, why don't you ask him if you ever see him?" Ronan said. Emmet glared and sighed.

"Moving on." He turned to Muirgen with a smile and tilted his head. "No matter your lineage, you're absolutely gorgeous, Mo Gra." He smiled. To which all Muirgen could reply was a red face and stuttering. 

'I will skin you alive.' Ronan thought. 

"Protectors and Druids usually end up working closely together. So it seems that we will be working together, Pretty Lass." He said. 

"O-Okay." Muirgen squeaked. Emmet walked past them with a smile.

"I hear the dinner bells ringing, we should get going. Don't want to be late for your own party." He laughed as he left, leaving Ronan and Muirgen standing in the room completely baffled. The Twins looked at each other.

"Bastard." They said in unison then made their way to the dining hall.


                       ☆☆☆☆