Wenn & Wolf Tales

wwe0110 (Fri May 23 1997)
~~~ Wenn Meets Simon ~~~

Simon immediately caught Wenn's eye as he walked quietly into the crowded firehall one evening. Firstly was his red hair, much like her own but on a small boy, perhaps no more than six or seven summers, Wenn guessed. He was met with many greetings and waved his little hand back with a shy smile. Wenn had always been drawn to wee folk, children and small creatures. Simon's bright face was a beacon to her. She only noticed the black sore marring his cheek after he stopped to speak with Demon Wraith, sitting near her.

During the conversation between Demon Wraith and Simon, Wenn gleaned that the child had been bitten by a small blue spider. Its color was not the only thing unusual about the spider for it had some measure of magic in its bite as well. The vile thing had poisoned the child, causing him the loss of his memory and leaving the rather nasty blackened splotch on the boy's otherwise delightful little face. Demon Wraith had made a point of ridding the castle gardens of all such spiders and making an antidote for anyone who might happen upon one in future. Alas, this was all too late to be of use to Simon. The damage was too long done. Twas the same reason the healers in the area were unable to help him and another way must be found to set him to rights again.

Simon thanked Demon Wraith for clearing the gardens but was still a bit sad as he went to find a comfortable chair, out of the way. He had a small teddy bear made of worn velvet, buttons and ribbon. He held it up to his face trying to hide the black spider bite from view. Wenn watched him curl up in the chair and wondered why it is that such terrible things happen, especially to children. As she pondered this, Simon caught her looking. Wenn slipped a candy from her pocket and waved it in the air, offering it to Simon. He nodded a silly nod to her with a smile and patted the empty chair nearest him. Wenn wound her way through the firehall crowd to sit with the boy. She immediately gave him the sweet she had offered. He soon winced as he realized it must be chewed in the cheek not injured. He made quick work of the candy though, then struck up a conversation with her.

With a smile he asked, "Wanna see my bite?"

Wenn had already seen it of course, but he seemed excited to share this himself, as if it were a guarded secret. "Oh! You have a bite?"

Simon nodded and pointed to his cheek, making sure not to touch the painful black crusted sore that was obvious there. "Spiper bite, or so they said." Simon snuggled close to his teddy bear again, seemingly afraid that Wenn might want to touch the painful place on his cheek.

"Oh I hate spipers", Wenn said, using his pronunciation. Another lady near them made a comment on the 'spipers' and then another and then several were giggling over it. "Not to worry, little one, Demon Wraith has cleared the gardens of spipers and spiders. They should not---" but Wenn did not finish her sentence for the lad jumped up with his bear and ran out of the firehall. "Where did he go?" She asked but none answered. The chatter in the room continued on to other topics and it seemed only Wenndolyne was aware the boy had dashed out so unexpectedly.

A few moments later, still half-watching for him, Wenn saw Simon come back into the firehall. He seemed to be looking for someone and Wenn caught his smile as he noticed she was still sitting where he had left her. "What happened, lad? You disappeared so quickly."

Simon turned from Wenn "Well, you and the others made fun of my spi-derr bite.", obviously correcting his previous pronunciation, "It's hard enough not havin' my mem'ries and all."

Wenn protested "No, no, I certainly did not mean to make fun. Truly. I just thought it was cute the way you said 'spider'."

Simon took a peek at her then looked away again. "That's okay. Don't worry about it." Simon waved his hands in the air as he walked away, "I get it. That's fine."

Wenndolyne called after him enticingly, "I have more candy, if you wish another piece?" But her mischievous grin faded as Simon continued to the other side of the room where he asked the barkeep for a mug of milk. Wenn mused to herself, "Seems I can charm the birds from the sky but a little boy is out of my reach."

Pausing a moment while holding the mug of milk, Simon asked for another and then for some cookies. The barkeep furrowed his brow at the lad but knew who would pay for it, so, another milk and many cookies were delivered to him. Wenn's somewhat saddened expression was brightened again as she saw Simon weave back across the room trying to balance two mugs of milk hugged to his chest and two handfuls of cookies.

As he neared, Wenn he asked "Want some?"

Wenn teased him by seeming reluctant, "Well..." Simon stood with his peace offerings, his face now a little contorted with the effort of not dropping anything. Wenn smiled and reached in to take the mugs as they seemed in imminent danger. She bowed to him from her seat, conscious of holding the mugs upright, "Thank you, Sir Simon."

He grinned back as they exchanged a mug and one handful of cookies to share equally in the bounty. Simon whispered, "I wasn't really mad at you. It was those other ladies."

He sipped his milk then looked up to Wenn suddenly, "Have you seen the Admiral?" then he looked around the hall and spoke louder "Have any of you seen the Admiral?" His tone seemed a bit worried.

Wenn asked, "Who?" as she dunked a cookie into her mug before taking a bite. "I don't know who we're looking for."

Simon smiled back to her "I don't 'member, but they said he's Admiral Cartwright. I've been staying on his boat." He took a cookie and dipped it in his milk then put it immediately to his mouth. Milk and soggy cookie crumbs dripped over his chin. Barely taking time to swallow, he added, "I wanted to see him tonight."

Wenn smiled as she recalled the name he mentioned. "Oh, Admiral Cartwright, yes, a fine gentleman. I have met him briefly." Then her smile went weak. "However, I have not seen him this eve."

Simon pouted a bit then finished his cookies and drained the last of his milk, partly into his mouth and partly out the sides of it such that it dripped onto his shirt. He set down his mug and looked to the door of the firehall. Wenn watched him. He seemed anxious now to go, perhaps to search for the Admiral. "Are you leaving, Sir Simon?"

The boy stood up straight before bowing dramatically to her. "Yes, M'lady-- " He paused and thought a minute then whispered to her, "um... I don't know your name."

Wenn smiled brightly "My name is Wenndolyne, but you may call me Wenn."

Simon completed his bow and donned a wide grin. "I'm Simon... er... call me Simon!"

Wenndolyne stood after setting down her now empty mug. She gave him a crisp curtsey. "Yes, Sir Simon. Very pleased to meet you."

Simon batted his eyelashes at her then fidgeted a bit before turning toward the door, pausing only to look over his shoulder and flash a bright smile at his new friend, "Goodnight, Wenn!"

She grinned and called after him, "Goodnight Simon. You shall get home safely?"

Simon turned back, still smiling, "Yes, I live right here on Admiral Cartwright's big ship." He hesitated only a moment then added, "Wanna see it?"

Wenn began to weave through to him "Certainly!"

Simon smiled excitedly and held out his hand for Wenn so he might show her the big ship. He led out the door and hurriedly toward the docks, already they could see the masts and rig, slack sails gently waving in the night breeze. "See? Right there. I live on a board."

Wenn had never seen a ship so large "Oh, my. Tis huge! Ever get lost in there?"

Simon pointed way high up, "That's the crow's nest."

Wenn's gazed followed up the mast then she grinned "Mercy, that is very high! Do crows really live up there?"

Simon giggled with her as they continued toward the ship, hand-in-hand. "Nooo. It's for somebody to see really far away!" He nodded a silly exaggerated nod as if to verify for himself that his explanation was perfectly correct.

Wenn started swinging their clasped hands between them. "Oh, far, far away, as out in the ocean." She was still grinning over her teasing as Simon tried to cover a yawn, "Yeah..." he concurred.

Wenn took a side glance at his yawning. "Must be about your bedtime, hm, Simon?"

He rubbed his eyes, "I guess." finishing into another yawn.

"Is there someone on the ship to see that you are tucked in?" Wenn looked again to the rather dauntingly large ship, as he replied "No." She wondered why he was left on his own but mentioned it not as she looked back to him and ventured further, "Do you want me to tuck you in and perhaps read you a story or maybe hum a wee tune?" She watched for his reaction. "Or are you too big for that sort of thing?"

Simon blushed, "I'm big. I'm seven. But you can tuck me in, if you want to." He looked down, grinning.

Wenn smiled "Very well, lead on. I have hummed many a child to sleep in my travels. I'm an expert."

Simon looked up, his brow arched. "Thank you," he said quietly as he led her onboard the great ship and down to his cabin.

Simon opened the door and climbed directly into his bed, yawning again. Wenndolyne tucked the covers up under his chin than tucked all around him to make a tight and secure little bundle. She sat on the edge of his bed and began humming an old celtic lullaby as Simon snuggled into the covers til the bed itself was warm. He smiled a sleepy smile at her, "It was nice t'meet ya, Wenn."

She watched as his eyelids grew heavier and heavier. She whispered "You as well, Sir Simon. Sweet dreams." then continued her humming. Simon closed his eyes and listened to the tune, fading. Wenn stayed and continued her tune softly til she was certain he was sound asleep then walked back to the firehall.

Simon slept soundly, dreaming of adventures to be had... dreaming of lovely maidens humming... dreaming of blue spiders with yellow dots.

(dp/ew - log conversion)