“Fifteen years old and still doing nothing! What’s the point?” My father yelled, glaring at me from the doorway of our tiny cottage. “What’s the point?” He exclaimed again, throwing up his hands in emphasis.

I scowled, and put my puzzle down. “Maybe I should just leave then.”

“Good idea Clancy. Go make use of yourself.”

Muttering, I slammed my door shut, and sunk down against the boards. Ever since my mother’s death, my father had been so bitter. I grit my teeth. He had no right to take it out on me though. I would show that old man. Oh, I would.

I grabbed my sack, tossing in my pocket knife, matches, clothes, and of course, my gold and silver coins that I’ve had since childhood. Silver will never leave my side and gold that was the lifeblood of any leprechaun.

Not wanting to run into my old man again, I leaped out the window, landing softly on the lush forest floor. I gave one sad look at the worn cottage, reminiscing every happy moment, tinted with the bad. With a final farewell, I strode away towards the nearest town.

---

I had only been to town a few times with my parents, during that time it was brief. Humans treated us non-humans, also known as faeries, differently since we were considered a “lower race” or that we weren’t “purebred”. I tugged my hat lower, hoping, but to no avail, that it would cover my russet-colored hair, or hide the pointy tips of my ears.

I skittered my way around, avoiding the main roads. I wanted to show my father I could do something, not kill myself trying.

Even though the kingdom frightened me, Dublin, Ireland was indeed beautiful. The cobbled streets were swept, radiating cleanliness. The houses made my little abode seem like a pile of twigs in comparison. Everything silently shouted of elegance or power.

I eventually made my way to the main square, where the news bulletin board was. The board was the one place where anyone could post missions, or send a request for assistance. I was going to pick the easiest one I saw since technically I would be doing “something”.

I took a deep breath and marched my way over to the middle of the square, where the board was located. My eyes scanned the various ads, trying to spot one that stood out to me.

“Excuse me, young man.” A slow, low voice said from behind me.

I jumped in surprise and whirled around to find King O’Brien’s crinkly face smiling down at me.

Now I hated most humans, but the king was an exception. He was the reason the humans tolerated faeries instead of killing them on site, unlike ten years ago. “I-I’m sorry.” I stammered, scooting out of the way.

He chuckled. “You look like a very respectable person. Care to help me with my predicament?”

My eyes widened. The King was asking me, a lowly, unknown leprechaun no less, for help? I nodded. What a score! My old man would blow a fuse if he heard I assisted the King!

“Excuse me, your Majesty!” A figure elbowed their way in front of me, stealing the spotlight. “I think I’m more suited for any task of yours! Especially if this runt here can do it.”

I felt my anger rise. “Runt? I’m not so much different from you!” the figure spun around to face me, face smug when he took in my complexion. I took the moment to scan my potential adversary. Windblown blond hair, sky blue eyes, a strong jawline. I internally shrunk, intimidated. He was so...perfect, unlike me, with my blotchy skin, freckled face, dimples, and not to mention that I was a leprechaun. He was probably a foreigner, some noble warrior from a faraway land. Even though I was terrified of him, I stood up straighter, daring my eyes to lock with his.

“Now, now.” King O’Brien interjected, trying to quell the incoming fight. “Why don’t we have both of you assist me? Two is better than one!”

Both of us glared at each other, but held our tongues, nodding for the King to continue. “Well, it appears my golden harp has been stolen. You two must get it back and teach the crook a lesson.”

“What’s so special about a harp?” I asked. Couldn’t he just get another? He was the King after all.

The warrior looked at me with mock horror. “You don’t know about The Golden Harp? It’s the sacred object that keeps this kingdom in harmony! Without it, the kingdom would fall to ruin!”

“Which is precisely why I need it back soon! If you do accept, there will, of course, be a grand reward and recognition for your endeavors as well.”

My ears perked up. A grand reward? My mind started to fantasize all a king could offer. I quickly said a “yes” as the warrior did the same. We both glared at each other again.

“Very good! And I expect you two to be traveling together now!” The King added, before striding off, whistling some unknown tune.

I scowled at the figure beside me and marched off, heading for the outskirts of town.

“Where are you going?” The warrior called, as he lightly jogged to keep up with my fast pace.

“To get my weapons.” I snapped. Why had the King insisted we work together? I had an unrelenting hate towards most humans, ever since my mother was killed by one. “What’s your name anyways?” I wanted to at least call him by something.

“Faolan.” He replied tersely. “And you?”

Of course. The foreign warrior had a name meaning Wolf. “Clancy.”

He nodded. “The red warrior.” I snorted but kept walking. Me? A warrior?

We made it to a small grove, just outside of town. I uplifted a few branches to reveal my most prized possession. My father’s old ash bow.

“Now where to?” Faolan asked impatiently.

“You’re not from around here, are you? Every hero goes and kisses the Blarney Stone before a quest.” In truth, I had never
been near the Stone, I had only read about it from books my father had scrounged up.

Before we made our way back to town, I took a little detour to find a friend of mine, one I couldn’t bear to go on this adventure without the grogoch Timothy. I knocked on the front door of his cottage while Faolan stood a few feet away, wary.

A figure creaked open the door a sliver, so all that showed was a pointy nose and beady eyes. Upon seeing my face, the door got thrown open, and a squealing, very hairy figure launched himself in my direction. “Clancy!” he squealed.

Not wanting to be flattened, I sidestepped out of the way and the hairy mass fell right on top of poor Faolan, who looked extremely annoyed as he tumbled backward.

“Get off me you vile creature!” he roared and shoved the grogoch off himself.

“And that’s our third member of this little party,” I said smugly. “Say hello to Timothy.”

---

After convincing that Faolan was not going to kill him, even though it was clear he wanted to, Timothy decided to join us. He was a useful addition since grogoches were impervious to the searing heat or cold.

I let the other two kiss the stone first, then approached it cautiously. I didn’t know why, but there appeared to be a power radiating from it that I couldn’t describe. I pressed my forehead against it, feeling the coolness of the stone seep into my skin.

“You must be the one to find the harp.” A ghostly voice echoed. My eyes flew open from shock, but no one was there. Frowning, I closed my eyes and placed my head back on the stone. “You must be the one to heal the fit between the humans and the Faeries. Only then true peace may be restored. Capture a pooka and have it tell you all it knows. Time is of the essence. Now hurry!” My eyes flew open and I blinked a few times to clear the spots from my vision. I had a lead.

---

“Why are we going to this farm again?” Faolan grumbled as we trekked across the countryside. It had been about 3 days since we left town, and while he was useful for fending off wild monsters, he sure was a pain.

“It doesn’t matter. If Clancy wants to go, then we shall.” Timothy remarked, sticking his tongue out at Faolan.

I laughed at the warrior’s expression but decided to elaborate anyway. “I got a message from some ghostly voice saying that we should catch a pooka. This farm we’re heading to has had a problem with a pooka recently, so I thought I would be a good start.”

He huffed but didn’t disagree, which was a start. “I was thinking, that based on the rumors I’ve heard this pooka enjoyed terrorizing children, so we could maybe set up bait and I could shoot it with a sleeping arrow. Then we could tie it up and question it.”

“I’ll be the bait!” Timothy said eagerly. It was clear he wanted to be of any help possible.

“It’s not a bad idea actually,” Faolan remarked. “Brains over brawn is the way to go with this.”

I exhaled with relief. At least my plan didn’t seem like complete garbage.

---

After talking to the owners of the farm, who gladly let us try to catch the pooka, we set our trap, dressing Timothy with borrowed clothes to look as childlike as possible. I gave him my pocketknife, just in case.

It was just after nightfall when the thundering sounds of hooves could be heard. I felt a gust of wind as something blew by.

Timothy suddenly screamed, and in the next moment he was gone, carried off by the pooka. All rationale left me as I imagined what the pooka might do to my friend. I screamed a war cry and launched myself from my hiding place, bent to shoot the beast down.

“Wait!” Faolan roared, pulling on the hem of my shirt. “He’s a lost cause. We should regroup and come up with a new plan!”

My eyes blazed with fury at the mere idea. “You would give up on someone that quickly? Well not me. After my mother died, I swore no one would ever die unjustly if I could do something about it! He may be an idiot, but he’s my friend. As long as I live no harm will come to my comrades if I can prevent it. You’re a coward.” I spat at him and took off running.

---

I managed to trace the pooka to the outskirts of the farm, where it stood waiting, Timothy an unmoving shape behind it.

“I heard your every word, the ones you spoke to the warrior. Is this boy worth that much to you?” It whispered in a ghostly voice.

I had an arrow strung on my bow, but my arms were trembling with such force that I had the feeling I wouldn’t be able to shoot, much less hit the pooka.

I stared the pooka in the eye, attempting to be as intimidating as I could. “Yes,” I said calmly.

The pooka stood still for a few moments, then relaxed, tilting his head to the side and nodding towards Timothy. “Your thoughts are true. Take the grogoch. Your next destination will be where you felt the most sorrow.”

And with that, the pooka disappeared. I rushed to Timothy’s side and checked for a pulse. To my relief it was there, clear and strong.

“Here, let me help,” Faolan said from behind me, hoisting Timothy over his shoulder. My mind whirled back to my final words to him, right before I had run off. I wondered if he hated me now. Even though he was a human, he still was a form of protection I had come to rely on.

---

By morning, we were trekking again, minus one member. Timothy had complained that he was in no shape to travel, and the grateful farmers were willing to aid him in his recovery. He told me to continue without him, and honestly, I didn’t give much resistance. I wanted to get this over with soon. Faolan hadn’t said anything all morning.

Finally, I couldn’t bear the silence. “Hey, Faolan? I-uh wanted to apologize for yesterday. I didn’t mean to call you a coward.”

He shook his head. “No, you’re right. I shouldn’t have given up without a fight.” He paused as if unsure about his next words. “What did you mean, after your mother? I mean, you don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.”

I hesitated. This was personal for me. “About 10 years ago, when I was 5, my mother was killed. Murdered would be the right word. She used to take me to this grove, where I would spend hours playing. Well, one day we were there and a human hunter appeared. This was before King O’Brien banned the killing of Faeries, and then any one of us was fair game in exchange for coin. My mother, “ My voice broke, suddenly remembering the pure terror on her face. “She-she told me to run. I did, but not before looking back and watching her die.” I ground my teeth in anger. “If I ever find that hunter, I’ll kill him.”

Faolan scratched his chin, thinking. “I won’t say I’m innocent in all of this. I’ve killed a few of the Faeries myself. Did you...get a look at their face?”

“No, all I remember was his aura, thick with his killing intent.”

He nodded. “I might know of this person. You reminded me of him when you said that you felt his aura. After we retrieve the harp, I’ll point to you the way.”

I smiled gratefully at him. “Thank you.”

When the pooka mentioned a place of most sorrow, my first thought would be my mother’s grave, a place of death. It was dusk by the time we reached the site, a few stones with a corroding wooden board to mark her final resting place. We made a campfire and settled down to wait.

“Here,” Faolan said, as I sneezed for the 100th time. He shrugged off his jacket, passing it to me.

“Thanks.” I murmured. It warmed me up immediately but made me wonder. Were humans kinder than I realized?

At some point, we must have fallen asleep, because my eyes fluttered open to the sound of a ghostly whisper that kept repeating my name, “Clancy.”

My eyes opened and I stared in shock at the person that hovered before me. “Mother…” I whispered. She was deathly pale, wearing a tattered white dress and sallow skin. The only thing that hadn’t changed was her crimson hair, a burning fire that never went out, but had been passed on to me.

“Oh, my boy.” She wept, taking me into her ghostly arms. “You’ve grown so much. My little boy is now a man.” She sighed. “But I cannot stay here long. I was sent to warn you that the harp you seek has never really left the area. It resides where you least expect it, in our secret happy place. Clancy, please remember who your true enemies are.”

Her eyes widened at a sight behind me and she hissed, pulling me closer. “Leave, you cursed Dullahan! You’re not needed here!”

I spun around to find the headless horseman a few paces away. He was on a black horse, and like many of the horror stories, he had no head, just a pit of swirling darkness where it should have been. “Summer, this is not your fight. Stay out of this.”With a wave of his hand, my mother vanished, taking all her sense of security with her.

I stared at the space where my mother had been a moment ago. “What’s going on?” Faolan yawned, rising from his sleep. His eyes widened at the sight of the Dullahan, and he skittered backwards, away from the horseman.

Something snagged his leg and he was yanked to a stop, and lifted in the air, upside down. I gasped in shock. It was a tendril of shadow from the horseman’s very own head. I fumbled with my bow, an arrow trained at the enemy.

“Release him!” I commanded, but there was no force in my voice. It shook with fear.

“Little leprechaun, it is not your time. Leave, and you will be spared.” His voice seemed to seep into my bones, rattling me to the core.

“He is my companion. I will not abandon a comrade.”

“Oh? What if I told you this comrade of yours managed to cheat death by drinking the blood of a certain powerful Faerie?”

I struggled to focus. A powerful Faerie? My mother had once mentioned she was more powerful than your average leprechaun but could it be true? My thoughts drifted back to his very words: “I’ve killed a few Faeries myself.” Did Faolan mean my mother?

My hands trembled. No. This couldn’t be right. I had been traveling with my mother’s murderer this whole time. I could have, I should have stabbed him in his sleep. I should have…. My bow dipped, arrow now trained at the warrior I had once considered a friend, ready to fire.

“That’s it, little leprechaun! Fire that shot! Keep the hate strong! That means more soul for me!”

Something clicked in my mind as the pieces fell together. I was told to remember who the real enemy was. Did my mother mean someone other than the humans? The arrow suddenly felt like lead in my hands. I dropped the weapons, and they hit the ground with a solid thunk.

“Would you like something better than taking that miserable human’s life?” I said as casually as I could.

“And what’s more valuable than a human life, hm?”

Cautiously, I bent down, rummaging through my sack, and pulled out my gold coin. “Nothing is as valuable as a human soul, but what about this? You should understand the what the importance of this gold coin is to us leprechauns. It’s the very coin that has been passed down through generations, the symbol of pride and belonging. Is my pride, my dignity, my status enough?”

The Dullahan laughed, throwing back his shoulders as if the imaginary head was cackling with glee. “My, my you little leprechaun! Willing to sacrifice your name and very life for a human! Oh this just got interesting! You have yourself a deal!” He dropped Faolan on his head, and in the same moment my coin disappeared. “Farewell!” The horseman cried, stepping back into the shadows and disappearing from view.

I sunk to my knees, emotions spilling to the surface, and wept.

---

I sat there, dull-eyed and completely spent, staring at my mother’s grave. Did I do the right thing? In my heart, I knew I did. She would be proud that I had saved a life.

“I just wanted to say, thank you.” Faolan murmured, sitting down beside me. “That was a very selfless thing to do. I won’t forget it. Ever.”

“I had a feeling that this was what she would’ve wanted.” I murmured sullenly. I rose to my feet, wiping the tears away. “Anyways, we should get going. I want to get done with this quest as soon as I can.” I took a step, wobbling.

“Steady there. You’re completely spent. Sometimes you have to remember that you’re still a child Clancy.”

I collapsed into Faolan’s arms, letting my exhaustion wash over me.

I awoke lying on a soft bed of grass, the strands blowing against my face. “Took you long enough.” Faolan’s gruff voice grumbled from beside me. “You’ve been out for over a day.”

I propped myself up on my elbows, trying to get a better view of where we were. “Why are we in the grove?” I hissed. I felt sick again. This really did confirm that he was the one who killed my mother.

“Be quiet.” He snapped, peering out from behind a bush. “Watch.”

I followed his gaze, peering through the shrubbery, completely shocked at the sight before me. Why was my father there, standing among around another half dozen other figures? And a few of which I had recognized from our small leprechaun village?

Then the most shocking thing happened. One of the figures entered the clearing, holding none other than the Golden Harp. I didn't make any sense. Was my father the one who stole the harp? Why?

My foot snapped a twig, and the group suddenly went deathly quiet. I didn’t see the dagger until Faolan had pushed me out of the way, letting the blade sink into his flesh.

He hissed, scrambling to his feet and pulling me with him. “Act terrified.” He whispered into my ear, as he pressed a blade to my throat.

“Hand over the harp and I won’t kill this child.” He snarled, emerging from the clearing. I felt sick, wanting to scream at him to run. There was no need to portray himself as a villain. We could take these guys.

My father’s eyes widened for a moment before his mask snapped back into place. “That is a bold statement, considering you’re hopelessly outnumbered."

“My name is Faolan Heath. Maybe you’ve heard of it? I’ve taken down dozens of you scum, and I’m not afraid to do it again. This is your son, correct? He has your eyes.” Faoloan snarled indicating towards my old man. “Do you want his blood to spill?”

I did my best to look completely terrified as the other figures murmured among themselves. I caught few words, including “Descendent” and “Power magic in his veins.”

After a few moments, my father growled, “Fine. But I want the child first”

I felt the blade lift from my throat as I was pushed forwards and stumbled into the group of other Faeries.

“Now the harp,” Faolan commanded arm outstretched.

My father clicked his tongue. “Foolish human- I don’t think so.” My eyes locked with a lone assailant, lurking beyond the trees and realized that there were two absences from the little group. I stared at Faolan, and mouthed a quick “ Now,” before running at the nearest figure and tackling them to the ground.

I knew Faolan was dealing with the other assailants, as I rolled to my feet and snatched the harp, sprinting towards my comrade.

Too late, I realized my back was wide open, just as a blade sunk its way into my flesh.

I stumbled as spots danced before my eyes. Blood leaked from the wound on my shoulder and I feel to my knees, hands frantic to staunch the bleeding. I could distantly head Faolan cutting down the others, roaring at me to get up.

My attention shifted back to focus as my math teacher, Mrs. Rios lunged at me but was cleaved in two the blade cutting through bone.

“Can you stand?” I heard Faolan murmur beside me, his face splattered with blood that wasn’t his.

“Y-yes.” I stammered, rising to my feet.

“Good. Now take the harp and run. Run to town and show the king that you’ve brought it back.

“But you-”

“Just go! Don’t worry about me!” He snapped, simultaneously stabbing another leprechaun.

My eyes wide with dear, I needed and dashed into the trees, the harp weighing down my every movement.

In the distance, Faolan roared again in pain, and I froze in my tracks. No. Not again. I was running, while someone stood back to defend me. I dropped the harp, tucking it under a bush. I was done being the coward I labeled him as.

I sprinted back to the clearing, adrenaline coursing through my veins. Faolan was limping, numerous cuts lacerated across his torso. Blood splattered his clothes, but otherwise, he could live.

My eyes scanned the rest of the field until I found my father at the other end of the clearing, bloody and injured, but alive. His eyes narrowed when he saw me. “You’re a traitor to your own kind.” He spat. “Just a few more days, then it would be the humans who would be groveling at our feet, begging for mercy.”

I shook my head. “No father. I’ve learned that us Faeries and the humans shouldn’t be fighting, much less hate each other. We can live in peace. My journey with this human proves that. Just please forget about your hate. Learn to love again, like mother did.”

“You would never understand my dear Summer! Don’t talk as if you know all of her deepest dreams and desires!” He screeched, letting a dagger fly.

I reached into my quiver, nocked an arrow, and intercepted the dagger, causing it to fall harmlessly to the ground. I pulled out of another, aiming for my father. “Please don’t make me do this.” I murmured.

He laughed, completely consumed by his hate, and before I could register it, a dagger embedded itself into Faolan’s abdomen, and he doubled over in pain.

With a roar of anguish, I let the arrow fly, and it flew true, piercing my father through the heart, ending his madness forever.

---

I didn’t know how long I stood there, blood dripping from my shoulder as I stared at the corpse that had tried to kill me not too long ago. Faolan staggered towards me, wrapped in bandages and munching on something from his satchel. “Here. Elderberries. Rarest of the rare. They’ll heal any mortal wound.” I nodded, downing them with a thought.

“What am I going to do now?” I whispered, sinking to my knees. I just killed my father. There was no one left for me.

“Whatever you’re thinking, cut it out. You saved my life again. That should count for something, right?"

“Where’s my home now? Who’s going to be there for me?” My eyes filled with tears. Even though living with my father was harsh and bitter, he was still my father, the only one I would ever have.

Faolan thought for a moment, then bent down in front of me, so we were eye to eye. “Why don’t you come with me?? Other people need to know that the humans and Faeries can find peace with each other. I’ll be there for you. Sound good?”

The corners of my mouth twitched, forming a tiny smile. “Yeah. Sounds great.”