The Elder stood. "Have you found something worth fighting for Gilheim, son of Gilliad?"
Izzy watched in fascination as a tiny winged being
fluttered around Telk trying to help. It wasn't a sprite, because, like Gilheim, he was also green, but instead of flat teeth, he had a mouth full of sharp teeth like a shark. When Telk backhanded the tiny creature, she rushed forward to pick him up. Telk ignored them both as he walked back to Gilheim.
"I have Elder. I will not allow Telk to harm Eamon's daughter," Gilheim declared.
"I challenge you Gilheim, for the insult you have paid me," Telk spit as he yelled.
"Accepted. I will wait for you in the challenge circle," Gilheim said, turning his back to Telk to walk out of the longhouse.
Grinning, Telk reached under his vest to pull out a sharp blade.
"Meryn! Tase!" she yelled when she saw the knife.
Without hesitating, Meryn pulled out her stick and a blue spark lit up the interior of the longhouse right before Telk collapsed, sending the blade spinning on the ground.
"He would cheat?" Gilheim asked, sounding shocked.
Meryn laughed. "Look at you, now look at him. You're like twice his size, of course he was trying to cheat."
Gilheim turned to the Elder. "I can wait until he wakes to continue."
The Elder shook his head. "As you were willing to fight and die to defend Meryn, daughter of Eamon, she was also willing to fight to save your life. I rule this challenge to be forfeited by Telk. What would you take that is his? Maybe his leadership position?"
Gilheim ducked his head. "I enjoy a simple life Elder. He can keep his position."
Izzy looked down where the tiny creature hid behind her fingers. "Can we have him? I don't know what ties he has to Telk, but he was trying to help him when Telk hit him," Izzy explained cuddling him close when he began to shake.
Gilheim turned to Meryn. "Is that acceptable to you?"
Meryn met Izzy's eyes, and she nodded. "Yes. I hate bullies."
The Elder walked forward and took Meryn's hand. "I knew another fae who hated bullies. He would run in the shadows and sleep in the shade. He saw creatures for who they were, not what they were."
Meryn's eyes filled. "My dad?"
The Elder nodded. "He saved Gilheim when he was just a young gobling from a pack of wild wolves."
Izzy walked forward. "Is that why he was willing to fight for her?"
The Elder nodded. "Eamon was raised amongst humans and ran a bit wild. He had no preconceived notions when he came to Éire Danu fully grown. Eamon Vi'Eirlea has many friends in the Dark Forest."
"I just found out about him today," Meryn admitted.
"You are welcome back anytime to sit in our circle and hear stories about him," Elder Tanir offered.
He looked at Gilheim slyly. "Let us go announce your victory over Telk. I know of a certain goblette who would be very interested to hear about your win."
Gilheim turned an impossible dark green color. "Elder," he hissed in embarrassment.
Meryn giggled, then stopped. She sniffed the air. "Food. Real food! Not vegetables!" She practically ran out of the longhouse, Ryuu and Pierce right behind her. The men laughed at her enthusiasm.
She tapped the Elder on the shoulder and leaned down. "I don't want to be rude, but what is he?" she whispered, holding up the tiny creature.
"That is a house brownie, a very, very young one. Telk managed to trick this one's guardian into pressing Creelee into service when Creelee's parents were killed by an owl. I am very delighted you saved him."
"Can he go into the sun?" Izzy asked.