“One of the pleasantest things about book writing is that sometimes it brings one in touch with old friends.” -Rachel Field
I started writing a book once. And, It was never finished, which so often is the coin termed
“Book bound”. But, head not, I will get around to finishing one day, but until that day, I had attempted to write the first few chapters, all of which I know I will go back and cut, edit, change, or even plot so very differently. Either way, I wrote an prologue to the book, of which I named Tir Na Nog, which in Irish means ‘Land of Youth’. The books setting starts out in Ireland, although I do not go into great detail about its location, but as you read the prologue, the location is hinted based on the setting and circumstances. Anyway, here it is, and it cannot be stolen from my site, simply because I claimed ownership of the prologue via copyrighting laws. Never fear huh!
Prologue
The night sky was heavy. Overhead, the clouds were low enough touching life beneath its expanse. Bleeding battered and torn, Aled Jones stopped running. Amongst the empty bullet cartridges and powdery gun powder, all he could think about was the ultimate price his family had paid in all of the years he had fought for the army’s cause. His cause, his son’s cause, his wife’s cause, his grandchild’s cause, something misunderstood by the British foot soldiers who fired aimlessly at his wife and himself. Pushed by determination and adrenaline, Aled moved on. His mind weary from thinking, and his body overcome by a sense of final relief was all that reminded him of the successes that were achieved even in the darkest of hours. His lips laden with salt and blood dried by endless hatred.
Looking towards the piercing headlights that made a way through the dust and fog, he stumbled onwards to his loved ones. A black leather bag sitting beside his stash of guns outside of the cottage was packed and ready. Gracie, had lost her two sons, and feared losing her best friend and lover waiting patiently amongst the jagged remnants of the kitchen.
“Grace, take the money, and the documents and go now; it is time.” Aled struggled for breath commanding her. Gazing at the overcome woman, her hair was matted with dust, and blood. She too was tired, but wanted relief. Relief however, would come at a cost and would come all too soon.
“Take the child onwards to Swansea, and watch for the boat that docks on c11, at 11in the morning. Hurry now.” He whispered into her ear. She loved how Aled would kiss her ear lobes and whisper into her ear, but this time would be her last. The baby, wrapped in a white pillow case, was warm and unharmed. The baby was Aled’s hope for the future, the baby sleeping and unaware of her surroundings did not stir. Hurrying Gracie and the child out of the rear of the home, the smell of freedom was imminent for her, yet for her husband of 32 years his fate was sealed.
Aled grabbed Gracie’s hand pulling her gently into his arms. As she looked into her husband’s eyes, she remembered the first time she met him. His eyes, blue with a love of life, and reminiscent of shadows in the early dawn of a spring morning, these eyes would remind her that no one else on earth existed but her.
Brushing a piece of her matted hair behind her ear he stopped for a moment to console her.
“If all goes well my love, we will see each other someday in the Tir Na Nog` won’t we?” eluding her with his words she feared nothing. She said nothing as she smiled at him. For one quaint moment in their world nothing else mattered.
“I love you Aled. Please save a path for me in heaven.” As tears rolled down her soft, hollow cheeks they kissed.
A car screeched to a sudden halt. Looking once more at her husband she took the child and disappeared into the darkness.
Walking back into the house, Aled was unforgiving and ready to make his final stand. He would not give in, ever. Yesterday he witnessed the death of his sons, and tonight he prepared himself for eternity. He would not go down without a fight. Holding onto the rifle he poised as the front door was forced open by several men wearing masks and firing at will towards him. Shots were fired at him, as he fired back. The feeling of calm came upon him. As he slipped into a coma like state, he had not imagined death to be like this. Gasping for his last breath, he looked for the last time at the hanging portrait of his family on the wall. A silence fell upon him. Aled did not resist, his body slowly gave into life.
The sun began to peek above the edge of the earth. Gracie had done exactly as Aled had told her. She always followed his lead, she admired the way he took control, and although she did not always agree with her husband, she did today. The ocean was calm, and the morning mist surrounded her. The baby, somewhat restless was waking as the sun greeted her.
On the horizon, the boat made its way towards the dock. Gracie held the baby close to her, and continued to push on. Push on woman, continue, she told herself as she saw the end of her journey in sight. The decks of the wharf were splintered and hard. Stepping onto c11, she looked at her watch. Only four minutes until the boat arrives. Aled was not with her, but her mind’s eye had a hold on him like never in her life before.
The crisp air waivered as the sea spray kissed salt onto her lips. Placing the bag at her feet, she waited patiently, while the boat began to pull up. A familiar face behind the boats wheel, he smiled at Gracie.
“Tis a beautiful morning Miss Grace and you look like a bed of sweet roses.”
The young man, only in his late teens had come to her aid in the past, and would see that this woman would be protected, for the cause. He too had blue eyes, and for a moment, Gracie would see her Aled in his innocent glance, and her soul would rest easy.
He jumped with enthusiasm onto the pier.
“Hold still Gracie, let me get your bag first, then we are all systems go. “ Appreciating her keenness to continue her journey, he tried to hurry.
“Thank you darling,” she agreed. Taking her hand she steadily made her way onto the boat, looking for her resting place, she sat. In the eerie mist of the bay, the boat pulled away. As she looked back, she could see the shadows of her husband standing at the dock. Dressed in a black suit and embellished with a velvet beret, he waved towards her, and then tilted his beret honoring her onwards. Slowly, as the boat drew further out to sea, his ghostly shadows disappeared. Sobbing gently, she touched the forehead of the baby. Rocking back and forward, the baby smiled and giggled giving a ray of hope to the woman who had lost everything she had in her life. Her life, changed forever would begin again.
“It’s just you and me now Molly.” She whispered while she rocked.
“Just you and me.”
Tir Na Nog
Anyway, there it is !
Im off to bind some more journals, as I have some new fabrics on the way from Material Gal, and some Japanese Import fabric on the way as well. Have a wonderful afternoon, enjoy the spring, the allergies, the headaches, the pain! oh the pain..... I know I am enduring it all today : )
Best,
Sam
