The Sidhe Draoi

[Isabelle not signed in]

This is an interesting beginning. I am curious to see how you will develop this.

Update soon!

Liz

[angeldust]

That was a cruel place to stop. A brilliant start I’m fascinated and can't wait to see where this goes.

[gingerkitten]

Yes please don't stop there!!!

[Jessabelle]

I am very intrigued, please to continue soon.

[tayryn]

okay... you've got my attention.

am quite intrigued... and curious...

more soon, please!

[Catwoman99]

Well, the title caught my eye so I had to read it. I'm a big fan of Laurell K Hamiltion's sidhe books (or fairy books as I call them)- The Meredith Gentry series. Good start. I look forward to more.

- April :-)

[zoeteproet]

Oh my! Please update soon!

[deirdre]

Title: The Sidhe Draoi
Author: Deirdre
Summary: Albus is confused and worried. Why does Minerva sneak out of the castle at night? Why is she avoiding him?
Rating: 13+
A/N: Please bear with me here! This story has a mind of its own! It may be completely different from what you may have expected.

"Why does Min have to leave?"

"You will understand when you are older."

"But she's my friend!" protested Lavena. "We do everything together!"

"Let her go. I have a task for you..." said the Old One gently as she placed her gnarled hands on Lavena's shoulders. "You must look after her Tree."

Minerva sat on her favourite bench by the lake and looked at the sunset. Although it was beautiful it did nothing to stop the dark thoughts in her head. What was the point now? She threw the empty potion bottle into the lake. For the last few nights she had tried in vain to return and if that was how it was going to end so be it. It was hard to believe that after all this time it would fail in the end. Everything they had worked for. Tears streamed down her face as she thought of Albus. If only things had turned out differently. When they had first met she had tried to ignore him and bury the feelings that he arose deep inside her. But he had been persistent over the years and they soon became friends. She had worked beside him for many years, hardly realising that what she felt for him was beyond friendship. Minerva closed her eyes as she waited for the end to come, hardly realising that with her end came the end of her kind.

Lavena walked quietly through the forest. As she neared Minerva's Tree she remembered the promise she had made to the Old One. Her thoughts turned to her Minerva. Her friend who was sent away when she was only six years old. She hadn't seen her since then, nearly fifty years ago but she still took care of her Tree.

When she finally reached the Tree she stopped in shock. She had failed. The Tree's bark was peeling and her leaves were wilted. Tears streamed down Lavena's dirt smudged face as she noticed large, deep gashes on the Tree's trunk. The Ancient Tree was dying. Lavena suddenly moved. She picked up her bow and ran. She sprinted towards Amara's Tree. Amara was surprised when Lavena grabbed her hand and pulled her after her.

"Lavena wait! What are you doing? The Chosen will return any minute now and we all must be there!"

"Her Tree is dying; we must find her!" yelled Lavena, not needing to explain just who she was speaking of as the pair ran to the edge of the forest as fast as they could.

Albus tapped his fingers against the table. Minerva was the only person absent from dinner. He looked at Minerva's place sadly, his blue eyes losing their twinkle. He wished that she could trust him enough to talk to him. He had the power to invade her mind if he wished but he would never do anything of the sort, he loved her too much. He wished that he could tell her. There had been opportunities of course but something had stopped him. His wise eyes wandered around the room and stopped at a window that looked out onto the grounds. A small figure was sitting quietly under a tree covered in a cloak. Suddenly the large doors of the Great Hall opened.

Most people looked automatically at the door and were stunned into silence. A woman stood in the doorway. She was small but power radiated from her. Her dark blue hair flowed freely down her back and had little flowers and leaves woven through it. Her eyes burnt with an angry fire and a large bow was clutched in her hand. Her skin was a strange shade and she wore a dress made out of leaves and twigs that barely covered her. She looked extremely out of place as she looked around anxiously.

"She's...she's a Dryad..." said a girl quietly but her voice echoed through the room. Everyone was now staring in awe at the figure whose fierce blue eyes were now fixed directly upon Albus.

[LadyJolly]

A...what? Now I'm totally hooked. I Think that was a bad place to stop but that's mainly because I want to read more! heheheh anyways wonderful chapter I hope to read more soon.

Lady Jolly

[tayryn]

wow!

a small but still interesting update!

something tells me Albus will be the only one to truly be able to help Minerva in all this!

more soon please!

[zoeteproet]

Please please please update!!
I love this story, why did you stop on such a excitent sentence?!
What the hell is a Dryad?
Oh please update, otherwise I'm going to dy from curiosity!

[Isabelle]

UHH! Why did you stop? It's was getting good! Now you have to post again soon, or else! Well, I don't know what else, but post soon again anyway.

Liz

[Alesia]

When you said tree I thought Min might be a dryad I don't get why she can't get to her tree, who else is following her but Albus?

[Jessabelle]

What is a Dryad?
Excellent update, even though I clearly didn't understand all of it. Please post again soon!
- Jess

[deirdre]

Title: The Sidhe Draoi
Author: Deirdre
Summary: Albus is confused and worried. Why does Minerva sneak out of the castle at night? Why is she avoiding him?
Rating: 13+
A/N: Thank you for all the comments! In case you are confused, the short dialog at the start of every chapter takes place many years before when Minerva, Lavena, Amara and the others are all children.

Things we know so far...
- Minerva has been leaving the castle at night because she is the Chosen One - and must return within four days. If she doesn't they her kind will vanish. She was told this by her Grandmother (who is not the Old One) when she was only six years old.
- If she is followed she returns to the castle.
- She has been given a concealing potion, which she may only use for four days.

- Minerva has a Tree and is bound to it - eg. The tree is injured therefore Minerva must be injured - I don't want to give away too much here! It will become clearer later!
- She left the forest when she was very young - Lavena couldn't go with her.
- Lavena is devoted to Minerva and took care of her tree for over fifty years.
- We don't know much about Amara but Minerva cares a lot about her.
- The Dryads go to the Old One for advice.

Dryads

Dryads (Tree Spirits, Tree Ladies, Druidesses, Hamadryads. In Gaelic they are sometimes called Sidhe Draoi, which means "Faery Druids.")
A Dryad is a beautiful tree-dwelling female spirit. These mysterious nature spirits are guardians and protectresses of the woods, especially fond of the older trees which they often lived within. Unfortunately, like the old trees they protected, the Dryads are not immortal. Their survival relied on the survival of the tree they inhabited. Each is born to watch over a certain tree. They are highly defensive of their trees, as if their tree dies so will they. They tend to be uncomfortable with humans, who bring fire and axe to endanger their woodlands. Dryads are very capacious and their mood changes quickly.



"We have a bond between us that can never be broken. We are the Sidhe Draoi, Guardians of the Forest. We are bound to one another in a way stronger than the ties of blood. We, the Dryads, are all family and should protect the Chosen One with our lives, if such a time arose..."

"When Old One? When would such a time come?" asked a small dryad. The others nodded eagerly.

"The Chosen One must be protected at all costs."

Lavena looked away from the blue eyes of the human. Minerva wasn't there. They had come all this way and she wasn't there. Gripping her bow tighter she looked at Amara. No words were needed as they instantly understood each other. They turned and ran.

Minerva sighed. She was peaceful, in spite of it all. She always felt at peace when she was outside with nature. Her hand trailed through her dark hair and she smiled as she found little flowers. After some time she suddenly heard the voice of her friend Lavena. And the voice of Albus. Demanding for Lavena to leave Minerva alone. The voice of Amara urging Lavena on and mocking Albus. Then Minerva realised that the voices were real. She opened her eyes. Three people were sprinting towards her. Amara and Lavena were quite close to her, but Albus was not far behind.

Minerva smiled when she saw the three people she cared about the most. However her smile faded when she saw the expression on their faces. Amara's face was grim, determined and her usually calm purple eyes were vicious. Lavena looked desperate. When Minerva saw Albus she felt her heart wrench. His expression was one of sheer despair as he ran towards her.

Amara reached her first and she grabbed her hand.

"Chosen One, quickly we must leave!" she pleaded. "He is trying to stop you from returning! Quickly you will come!"

"But Albus! I have to explain while there is still some time!"

"Stupid girl there is no time! We must leave NOW!" hissed Amara.

Minerva reluctantly allowed herself to be pulled behind Amara in a mad dash to the forest.

"Minerva!" Albus yelled as he saw her being taken away. "MINERVA!"

She looked back at him, her black hair flowing behind her in the wind and was about to speak but Amara yanked her hand harder and they ran into the forest and were gone.

Lavena slowed down to a walk. She could trust Amara to take Minerva to the clearing. It was finally done. Minerva had returned to her people, and would now take the highest place in their society. Her work was finished.

She glanced behind her but the old man was gone. Lavena looked around warily but she couldn't see him at all. When she turned to the forest again she jumped in fright. He was right in front of her.

"Let me pass human!" she said as she stared defiantly at him.

"What is your name? Why did you take her?" he asked, his voice filled with anguish. He was breathing quite heavily. Lavena was quite impressed he had kept up with them.

"I have many names." said Lavena proudly. "She is the Chosen One. It was time she returned to her people."

"The Dryads?"

She nodded impatiently and pushed past him, eager to rejoin the others.

"Please, I have to speak with her!" he pleaded.

Lavena paused and looked down at the devastated man.

"I will now be meeting with the Naiads, or as you humans call them, water spirits. Minerva will be with the Great Mother." she said.

"I will come back to collect her precisely at midnight to take her to the clearing. She must be and will be alone when I see her."

The Dryad turned and ran into the forest leaving Albus looking completely shocked behind her.

[gingerkitten]

Please, please update!! Don't leave me hanging!

[LadyJolly]

Woa.. that was awesome and I really hope you write more soon! I've learned a lot about Dryads! Very interesting!

Lady Jolly

[Isabelle]

thanks for the clarification, I've been meaning to ask about that too, but I kept forgetting. I look forward to the next part. this is relly interesting!

Liz

[tayryn]

i also want to say thanks for the clarification!

and... now... more!! please!! soon!!

i am very much enjoying this story.

[zoeteproet]

Yes, another update so soon! I'm so happy! ;D
Another great chapter, I can't wait to read more!
Love,
Sarah xx

[deirdre]

Title: The Sidhe Draoi
Author: Deirdre
Summary: Albus is confused and worried. Why does Minerva sneak out of the castle at night? Why is she avoiding him?
Rating: 13+

A/N: I'm a little worried about posting this. Even though of rewritten/edited it there's still something about it that I don't like. Anyways...


"The Chosen One will return." said the Old One sternly, leaving no room for debate.

"But what if things changed? What if the Chosen One refused to complete the ceremony? Or couldn't?" asked Lavena.

"The honour goes to her next of kin."


Albus walked through the forest contemplating the Dryads words. In her cryptic way she had allowed him to see Minerva when she was with the Great Mother. Albus knew very little about Dryads so the notion of a Great Mother was new to him. And how was he supposed to find Minerva in the forest? Why did Minerva run away from him?

Suddenly as he was walking along he heard a beautiful sound, like a woman singing. Mesmerized, he followed the voice deeper into the forest. As he got closer he recognized the distinctive voice. It was Minerva. When he first saw her his heart skipped a beat. She was singing and dancing merrily around one of the largest and oldest willow trees Albus had ever seen. She looked beautiful. Her hair had changed and now was similar to the other Dryads. Except hers had tiny jewels through it and she wore a circlet of flowers. Butterflies circled around her.

He stayed very still; convinced that if he made the slightest sound she would run away and be lost forever. Albus lost track of time as he simply stared at her. Minerva paused and looked at him.

"Albus." she said. He noticed that she'd stopped dancing abruptly.

"Why didn't you tell me Minerva," he said as he took one of her hands in his own. "Why keep something like this a secret?"

She looked away. The atmosphere of the forest turned darker.

"I've been so worried about you and you say nothing?" said Albus angrily.

"It was you wasn't it? You were the one who followed me! How could you Albus, did you not know how close you came to destroying us?" snapped Minerva, her mood had changed entirely.

"Were you even going to tell me Minerva? How can you trust them? This is the first time you have seen them in over fifty years!"

"They are the closest thing to a family I've ever known! We are the Sidhe Draoi and are bound to one another. I would trust them with my life. Especially Amara!" screamed Minerva.

"So you say. For all your words you are blind Minerva! Completely blind! You cannot see what is right in front of you! I find it hard to believe that you of all people could be so foolish!" exclaimed Albus.

"I knew something like this would happen!" said Minerva bitterly. "I tried to distance myself from you Albus but no, you insist on interfering in things that do not concern you in any way!"

"Of course they concern me!!" he yelled as he stood up, his fists clenched tightly. "I love you!"

There was silence.

"Right."

"Minerva?"

She sighed loudly.

"After all you have said you expect me to believe you? Those lies will not affect my decision."

"Minerva please listen to me! You are not safe with them, something terrible is about to happen!"

Albus made no attempt to block Minerva as she struck him hard across the face. She spun on her heel and strode away. As Albus watched her leave he finally knew what it felt like to have his heart smashed into a million pieces. He waited for her to look back or do anything except walk away. When she had gone Albus walked out of the forest like a broken man, tears blurring his vision as he left the only woman he had ever loved behind. A pair of purple eyes watched him as he went.

[deirdre]

Title: The Sidhe Draoi
Author: Deirdre
Summary: Albus is confused and worried. Why does Minerva sneak out of the castle at night? Why is she avoiding him?
Rating: 13+

"Why is Minerva the Chosen One mother? Why not me? I am much prettier and better than her!" cried Amara, her voice filled with jealously.

"Indeed you are. But your purpose in this is perhaps the most important of all. I must return and the circlet is the key!"


"I am the Chosen One; I will not stray from my path." Minerva said quietly as she walked away.

"Hail the Chosen One!" said a voice mockingly.

Minerva looked around and saw Amara, sitting under a nearby tree.

"The human is finally gone!" Amara said. "All men are the same. He wants to destroy you. To crush your will and break your spirit. You wouldn't believe some of the horrid things he said about you..."

"Yes, all men are liars!" replied Minerva forcefully.

Amara smiled slyly.

"You were wearing the crown of flowers when you were with him! Oh Minerva! I never imagined that it would be this easy!"

"What has that got to do with anything?" Minerva was confused.

Amara held up her hand to stop her words.

"I thought so..." she murmured to herself, "Now the man is gone no one will stand in my way!"

"What did you say?" asked Minerva slowly struggling to speak.

"Nothing of importance."

"Are you sure? What if Albus was telling the truth?"

Amara frowned.

"I am the last of your kin and I am your elder! You will not question my decisions!" she yelled.

She paused and took a deep breath.

"It is time." said Amara drew Minerva away from the Great Mother, and into the more sinister parts of the forest.


Lavena hummed a merry tune as she walked towards the Great Mother. Visiting the Naiads always left her in a pleasant mood.

"Minerva?" she called out happily as she neared the Tree. "The ceremony will begin soon Chosen One!"

She looked up at the Tree but Minerva wasn't there. Hearing a noise coming from behind her, Lavena drew her bow quickly.

"Who goes there?" she shouted. "Show yourself!

"It is I! Amara!"

Lavena visibly relaxed.

"Have you seen the Chosen One? I was supposed to meet her here." she asked.

"I have seen her." said Amara bitterly. "The Human was speaking cruelly to her and tried to force her to leave the forest. When she refused he attacked her! I tried to stop him but it was too late!"

"And Minerva?"

"She is no longer with us."

Lavena could not speak. She stood there in silence as she struggled to keep her emotions under control.

"The Chosen One is gone. Accept it girl." snarled Amara harshly.

Then Lavena finally responded.

"NOOOO, SHE IS DEAD!! I HAVE FAILED!!" Lavena shrieked as she collapsed on the ground and wailed loudly.

Amara crouched down beside her.

"You must seek revenge Lavena! You must kill him!" declared Amara.

Lavena looked up, her tear stained face contorted with sorrow and rage. In her despair she did not notice Amara's malicious smile.

[zoeteproet]

Oh no! Amara is lying! Albus didn't do anything and where is Minerva?
Please update soon, I can't wait to read more!
Love,
Sarah xx

[Junora]

I know this is more than two years old but I love this so far.
Please Update this.
This too good to leave it here unfinished.

grüße Lottchen