Standing alone, gazing out to sea, the ocean breaking on the rocks at his feet. A bracing wind blowing his dark curls around his face, his eyes dark, holding pain behind them. He wore a black turtleneck, black pants, black shoes, a study in severity. The sun trying to break through the soft fog that billowed in to land, he turned. She stood there, a sweet face, blond hair, blue eyes, dressed in a long white dress.
"Are you the one?" He asked.
"Do you want me to be?" She asked in return.
"I don't know what I want anymore. I thought I knew, I thought I held it in my hands." He held out his hands, palms up, looking at them in despair. "I was wrong."
She walked over the rocks, slipping on one, she stopped and giggled, looking over her shoulder at the director,"Should we keep going?" She asked, still giggling.
The director shook his head, "Cut!" He shouted. Walking over to Kiley Williams, one of the hottest new stars to walk out of Hollywood, he grabbed her arms in frustration.
"Kiley, we are three days behind! Three days! All because you can't walk on these bloody rocks! We've changed your shoes, we've sanded the rocks, we've salted the rocks, we've shot at high tide, low tide, what do I have to do to get this scene out of you?!"
"Sorry, Richard." She giggled, "I just can't get it. I'm open to suggestion." She said in a sultry voice, one finger slowly trailing up his shirt.
"You know I don't play those games Kiley." He said, walking over to Josh Groban, the dark man.
"You were great, Josh. If we can just get her to keep her feet for one shot we can move on."
"Thanks, Richard, listen, what if I walk to her? We wouldn't have to depend on her agility on the rocks." He suggested.
Richard Binchy, one of Josh's favorite directors, shook his head. He'd cancelled some appearances to be able to be in this movie, just for the privilege of working with Richard.
"It changes the nuances of the scene, Jonathan's distance, his inability to reach out to another. She has to come to you, if she can stay on her bloody feet. We'll get it out of her one way or another, she can act, she's just used to being able to get what she wants by twitching her cute little bum."
"You're the director, Richard." He sighed.
"I wish she'd remember that." He laughed, clapping Josh on the shoulder.
Richard turned to the company, "All right, people, we've lost the light for ANOTHER day! That's a wrap! Back here at 6AM, tomorrow, you can all thank Miss Williams for our lovely time in the cold salt spray!"
People muttering, calling mild curses out in her general direction, Kiley smiled, blowing kisses and waving a one fingered salute to the more vociferous of the movie company.
"Charming as always, Kiley." Josh said shaking his head, making his way across the rocks with no problem whatsoever.
"All you have to do is cross three rocks. It's not that hard."
She sidled up to him, batting her baby blues at him, "Oh, Joshi-poo. Come on. If you'd just give me a little kiss I'll get it first take tomorrow." She grinned evilly at him.
"Is that what this is about? I HAVE someone at home. Someone I love. I'm not interested, Kiley." He started to walk past her.
She grabbed his arm,"She doesn't have to know."
"I'd know. I don't work like that, I don't live like that, I have a girlfriend. That's all you need to know."
"FINE!" Kiley said, angrily stalking away over the rocks, having no trouble with the navigation at all.
Richard had witnessed the exchange, he pulled her aside as Josh walked up to the road, heading for the bus that would take them back into the small village on Roan Terra they were all staying at for the next month. He looked out to sea again, it was really beautiful here. He could see the mainland of Ireland across the water, the Emerald Isle, green and lush. Looking inland, the deep green moors almost called to him. Clumps of purple heather mingling with the green, lightly scenting the air. He thought of Andi, missing her horribly. She hadn't been able to get away from the center, at least not for the whole month. She would be joining him the last four days they would be here. He was counting the days.
The bus ride into town was always happy, even with Kiley ruining the filming. She rode in her own private car. Josh liked riding with all the crew, it was colorful. Back in the village, he said good-night to all his new friends, and walked down to the pub. He was in the mood to eat alone. The villagers had gotten to know him a bit, and he found them great to talk to. Walking into the Fox and Hound, he waved at Maggie, the owner, a sweet, middle aged roundish woman with a great smile, and quick wit. She came out from behind the counter, carrying a pint of the local ale.
"Josh! Boy-o! And how are ya this fine night? Here, this is for you." She handed him the pint, he took a sip. It was the best homemade brew he'd ever tasted, Maggie was famous for her brew. At least on Roan Terra. She grabbed him in a hug, patting him on the back. Josh grinned, hugging her back.
"Go sit down, I have your supper all ready for you. Such a skinny lad, I'll do what I can to fatten you up before you leave us." She shooed him off to the table, carrying his pint, he sat, nodding politely to the few villagers he had met.
"Och, I tell you he is famous, come on, I'll introduce you!" A slightly inebriated little man said to another slightly inebriated little man at the bar.
They walked over to Josh, he recognized Seamus Finn, one of the first people Maggie had introduced him to.
"Josh, me friend, tell this fool you're famous!" Seamus said, leaning against the table to hold himself up.
Josh held out his hand,"I'm Josh Groban, I don't know about famous, I'm a singer."
The other man held out an unsteady hand, taking Josh's, "Tom O'Gill. I(pronouncing it more like "aye")make watches."
"Nice to meet you, Tom." Josh said, smiling and shaking his hand firmly.
"Now didn't I tell you he was a nice boy." Seamus said to his friend.
"Aye, you did, Seamus."
"Get out of here you old fools and let the boy eat!" Maggie said, shooing them away. She set a plate in front of Josh, a steaming bowl of stew on it, and a basket of fresh sliced soda bread.
"You tuck in now, Josh! I'll be sure they don't bother you anymore." She patted him on the arm, mothering her best skill, her cooking her second best. Josh picked up the spoon, blowing the hot stew and taking a bite.
"God, Maggie, will you marry me?" He asked, appreciative of the delicious stew.
Maggie giggled, her entire face grinning,"Go on with you, boy-o. That stew is what made me late husband marry me. Enjoy your dinner." She walked away, a spring in her step.
As she walked up to the bar to talk to her son, two more men walked into the bar, obviously agitated.
"Whiskey, Maggie, NOW!" One of them croaked.
"Nathan, Paul, what's wrong with the two of you? You're white as sheets!" Maggie exclaimed.
Her son pouring them both shots, Nathan motioned for him to leave the bottle, they both downed two shots each before they could talk.
"We were chasing one of my hounds, it went down the stream." Nathan started.
"THE stream?" Maggie asked, putting her hand to her heart.
"Aye!" Paul answered, downing another shot.
"We saw the lights, Maggie, we saw the lights, they're awake again." Nathan said. "They took the dog."
"Aye, we heard her call, the siren herself. We barely got out with our wits!" Paul added.
"You didn't, you're making this up. No one's heard her for twenty years or more." Maggie said.
"Well something's stirred her, Miranda is calling. Better lock up all the young men." Nathan said.
Josh couldn't help but overhear, he waited til everyone had settled down, and Maggie came back to see if he needed anything else. He asked her to sit down.
"Maggie, who's Miranda?" He asked.
Her eyes fearfully wide, Maggie leaned over putting her hand on Josh's, "I'll tell you lad, but you must promise me something first, you must promise me ye'll not be going to find this place for yourself. Young men have gone looking for Miranda and never been heard from again."

 

Maggie sat at the table, a pint in hand, her eyes sparkling as she told the legend of Miranda of Roan Terra.
"The story began, oh, near 300 years ago. A girl was born to a family, a poor family on the other side of the island. She was a beauty, and of a fair temper, everyone who saw her loved her. As she grew, she grew more and more beautiful, til she caught the eye of the king of the fairies."
"Fairies?" Josh asked, grinning.
"Aye, lad. This was a time when magic still held power in the world, especially here. Anyway, the queen of the fairies was terrible jealous, she couldn't stand that her husband wanted this young woman, so she lured her into the woods with fairy lights, and at the stream she placed a curse on Miranda. Her village would be invisible to the eyes of man. Living a half life, more as spirits than flesh and blood, they could only take human form again if Miranda finds a true love. Over the years, many have seen the fairy lights, warning them away from that side of the island. Many a lad has heard her call, and wandered off into the woods, never to come out again."
"They die?" Josh asked.
Maggie taking a gulp of ale, shook her head.
"No, lad, they vanish, never to be seen on this earth again. No one has ever come back once they've heard Miranda's call."
"How do you know they've gone to her?"
"The ones who've vanished go strange a few days before they go looking, they hear her voice, calling them. Finally they go off to the stream, and no one ever sees them again."
"Why don't they come back if they're not Miranda's true love?"
"Once you cross over to that realm, there's supposed to be no way back, any way, that's the legend."
"What's Miranda like?"
"Well, the fairy king is supposed to have given her a beautiful voice, and the gift of healing, that's what the young men hear, her voice."
Maggie left to go help her son, Josh finished his stew, and strolled back to the small inn that housed the movie company. Going up to the modest room, he pulled out his cell phone, and called Andi.
"Josh! Hey, how's my big movie star?"
"Loads better now that I'm talking to you."
"Aww, did something happen today, you sound frustrated."
"You know me pretty good, don't you?" He laughed, settling back on the bed, one hand under his head.
"So, tell me, my love. What has my handsome man bothered?"
"Kiley is screwing up the filming, we've been working on this ONE scene for THREE days now, she keeps deliberately slipping to foul up the shot."
"Should I come kick her butt?"
"Nah, Richard can handle her. But she hit on me again."
"She did not! Now I REALLY have to kick her butt!"
"Gonna fight for my honor?"
"You know it, can't have these Hollywood floozy types messing with your affections." She laughed.
"I heard an interesting local legend today."
"Really?"
"Yeah, all about a cursed village, and a beautiful siren who lures young men to their doom."
"Oooh, scary, better watch out for her."
"She's too late, you already captured me.
"Damn straight."
"I miss you, lady."
"Me too, Josh-man, desperate like."
"You're still coming."
"You ask me this every night."
"You say that every night."
"I'm still coming."
"I can't wait."
"Me too."
"I love you,Andi."
"I love you, Josh."
"Gotta go."
"Sweet dreams, baby."
"Bye."
He hung up, laying back on the bed, sighing. Undressing he got into bed, 6AM came early. Killing the lights, he thought of Andi. In his dreams, he walked with Andi over the moors, a musical note, filling the air, drifted down to him, turning he saw a woman on a hilltop, above a stream, a beautiful woman, with long, curly red hair, and green eyes, her arms stretched out to him.

 

Waking the next morning, Josh headed to the bathroom, there were only 2, and they all had to follow a schedule to get ready on time. Josh was happy that a little fame allowed him to shower in the mornings, even if he did have to get up at 4AM to do it. As he headed down to the dining room for breakfast, and to meet up with the cast and crew, he found his mind troubled, he'd dreamed something, it was important, but he couldn't remember what it was. When they had all gathered in the front hall, Josh joking with the lighting guys, everyone loaded up, and headed for the site.
Still troubled by the dream he couldn't remember, Josh took his mark on the rocks, waiting for Kiley to find a new way to screw up another days filming. He didn't have to wait long, an hour into the days shooting, Kiley slipped on the rocks, only this time it was real, she cried out in pain as her leg was twisted in a crack between two large, black stones.
"Cut!" Richard called out, rushing out on the rocks to see what the problem was this time.
Everyone gathered around the girl who wasn't faking this time.
"Bloody hell!" Richard exclaimed, scrubbing his face with one hand as he squatted beside Kiley, whose left ankle was blowing up to twice its normal size.
"Is it broken? It's broken, isn't it? Oh, God! Why me?" She whined.
"It's not broken, you've just sprained it. You bloody twit." Richard muttered at her. "Done it now, haven't you? Dwight, come here, bring the litter!"
Their first aid man ran up with a collapsible stretcher. They got her situated on it, carrying her whining and moaning, back to the private car.
Josh walked with Richard off the rocks.
"There's no way we can set up for another scene til this afternoon. We might as well take the day off. I hope you brought a book." He said, clapping a hand on Josh's shoulder.
"Actually, I thought I might go exploring. I'd like to see more of the island, I want to have somewhere cool to take Andi when she gets here."
"Oh, Lord, you be careful, I can't lose both my stars."
"I will, Richard." He said smiling.
They had reached the bus, Josh walked over to the moors while the crew packed up for the day. A cool breeze blew over the beautiful green earth, he closed his eyes, smelling the heather, a single note sounded on the breeze, high and sweet. Opening his eyes, he started when Richard came up behind.
"Ready to go,Josh?" He asked.
"Did you hear that?" He asked Richard as they walked back to their transportation.
"Hear what?"
"A woman, singing."
Richard looked at him, his expression serious, "You heard a woman singing?"
"Just one note."
"You're serious?"
"Yes, didn't you hear it?" Josh was totally confused now.
"No."
"It was just really one note, on the wind." He turned, to look out over the moors, and thought for a moment he saw someone there.
Richard watched his face, looking the same direction Josh was searching with his eyes.
"What is it?"
Josh shook his head, unable to take his eyes off the hills.
"Nothing...I...I thought I saw someone. It's nothing."
Richard grabbed Josh's arms, forcing him to look him in the eyes.
"Josh, listen to me, I'm serious here. I grew up on the mainland, not far from here. I've heard the legends, I don't know if there's any truth to them, but I knew the last boy who went in search of Miranda, and you're talking just like him."
"That's crazy, Richard."
He shook Josh, his voice low, and urgent, "No. It isn't. He was my brother. He vanished without a trace. You stay away from that stream, Josh. Please."
Seeing Richard's concern, he nodded, "Okay, I'll stay away."
They got on the bus and rode back to the village, Richard never taking his eyes off Josh. Josh unable to take his eyes off the moors.

 

Embarking at the village, Josh waved to the crew, making his way to the pub.
Maggie was straightening chairs, wiping the bar down as he walked in the door.
"Josh! What would you be doing here so early? Are you playing hooky?" She asked, hugging him.
Hugging her back, Josh shook his head as he answered,"Kiley sprained her ankle, we can't set up to film around her until tomorrow, so I have a day off! Could you pack me a lunch? I'm going to go walking around."
Studying his face, Maggie frowned, "You're not going to the stream are you?"
"No, Maggie, I promise."
"Be careful, Josh, me boy. There are things that go beyond explainin' on this island."
"Okay, Maggie."
She packed him a big lunch, putting it in a backpack that belonged to her son. Donning a cap, and a light jacket, he shouldered the pack, waved good-bye to Maggie and went exploring.
It was a beautiful island. He couldn't believe how it made him feel to be free walking the moors. The sun was shining, it was a great day. He'd walked for a couple of hours, when he stopped to check the compass Maggie had given him, to get his bearings.
"That can't be right." He muttered, frowning and looking at the compass again, he'd been walking south, the village behind him to the north, the forbidden stream should be on his left. But the needle was pointing to true north, and it was pointing to his left! But it should be pointing BEHIND him! That would mean the stream was...
Walking forward, he looked down the hill he was on top of, the stream was below him. About a hundred yards down stream a mist settled over the water, what appeared to be fireflies flittering off and on all through.
"That's...that's really..." At a loss for words, and feeling a little odd, Josh turned around, headed back for the village. He'd walked for about 10 minutes, looking up, he was back at the top of the hill overlooking the stream again!
"Okay, okay, this is weird!" He ran a hand over his face.
"Get a grip, Groban," He muttered to himself.
Turning around a second time, he headed for the village again, only to find himself at the top of the hill overlooking the stream again, only this time closer to the mist.
Feeling a little panicked, he turned to head for the village again, when the note sounded on the wind again, only this time louder, clearer, as if heaven itself was calling him.
"Miranda!" He whispered.
Turning to run, not sure what from, he slipped on the grass, tumbling head over heels, he went down the hill, feeling something crack in his side, finally landing unconscious in the stream. The back pack keeping his head above water, he drifted down stream, through the mist, through the note in the air, through the fairy lights, to his fate.
The light in the sky a little different than in the village, the air a little brisker, he floated, finally coming to rest a short distance from an old thatch cottage. Two beautiful little girls, blond hair, and blue eyes, ran giggling to his side.
"Do you think he's the one?" The older one said, leaning over the still form resting on the stream's edge.
"I don't want to think about it."
"We could just push him out into the water again, let the stream take him to the ocean."
"Aye, we could, Miranda would be terrible angry with us."
"He's fair pretty."
"That he is, tis a shame we have to get rid of him."
The older sister listened to the wind,"Too late. Listen."
"Miranda."
"He's answering her." They listened, a note had added itself to the one on the wind, deeper, clear and true, a note of the heart growing louder, blending with the first. Out of the trees, glowing with the light of love, a woman walked. She was tall and fair, long curly red hair, floating on the wind about her. Her face was perfection, as if God had chosen the most perfect angel from heaven and sent her to take form on the earth, her expression pure, she strode to the stream, kneeling beside him, with eyes as green as the heart of the Emerald Isle, she looked on the face of the young man the song had brought to her.
"What a lovely man." She whispered.

 

The sun had set when he came back to himself, confused he opened his eyes to the light of a fire in a fireplace in a small one room cottage. A kettle on a swinging metal arm over the fire, whistling quietly that it was ready.
"Where am I?" He muttered.
Wincing in pain as he tried to get up, he lay back holding his side, the soft bed cradling his wounded, weary body. He looked around at the modest room, as he tried to stave off the dizziness and pain the attempt to rise had caused.The bed was in the far corner of the room, the fireplace on the back wall, directly opposite the door. A table and chairs, with a large wooden cupboard was to his right beside the fireplace. In the corner opposite him was a loom, yarns in many colors, stacked neatly in shelves with diamond shaped compartments, beside the loom, a spinning wheel and stool.
Above the mantle, hung a handmade tapestry, the scene of a stream, running past a cottage. He tried to sit up again, only to fall back on the soft pillows, the pain too much to allow him to rise.
As he fell back this time, the door opened, and a woman walked in, he gasped at her beauty. She looked up, carrying an armful of firewood, her eyes met his, and she smiled to see him awake. He couldn't believe how beautiful she was, it was as if kindness and gentleness radiated from her. She walked to the fireplace, putting the wood down, then coming to sit on a stool beside the bed.
"I'm glad you're awake, you've slept the day away. But then, you are hurt. How are you feeling?" Her voice was like music, lilting and sweet, just hearing her talk made him feel better.
"Who are you?" He asked, losing himself in her shining green eyes.
"Miranda, and who are you?"
He opened his mouth, stopping when he realized, he didn't know. Searching a wounded memory, he found he couldn't answer this simple question.
"I don't know." He said, his eyes troubled.
"That's how it is then. Don't worry, it will come back to you." She leaned forward, putting a hand to his forehead. Frowning, she stood, going to the cupboard, she took a bag down, and added some leaves to the water boiling in the kettle. While the herbs steeped in the water, she came back to sit beside the young man.
He shivered even though the room was comfortably warm, and the quilts on top of him kept any chill off him, he felt cold.
"You have a fever. We fished you out of the stream that runs through the village, bruised and broken. I can help a little at a time, if it's alright with you." She said, her expression timid, almost afraid of his response.
"How can you help?" He asked, feeling tired and sore.
"I was granted a gift, if I have your permission, I can take some of the hurt away."
"Okay."
She pulled the covers back, an ugly bruise covered the right side of his rib cage. He remembered falling, feeling something crack.
"Don't be afraid, this will help." She said soothingly, her eyes never leaving his face.
She placed her hands over the bruise, her touch unusually warm, the longer her hands stayed there, the warmer they got. The throbbing in his side grew worse, her hands warmer still, til it grew painful.
"It hurts!" He gasped.
"I know, just another moment, it will be all right, I promise! I won't hurt you." She whispered.
Releasing him when he felt he was going to scream, the throbbing had subsided, what must have been broken ribs feeling better. The room was spinning. Miranda went to the kettle pouring a small cup of the brew, she sweetened it with honey, and brought the cup to him, blowing it to cool it so he could take some. Holding it to his lips, she helped him over on an elbow, and he drank the tea. It had a nutty sweet flavor, making him drowsy as the warmth flowed through him.
"You need to sleep now." Miranda said, pulling the covers over him again, as he lay back, barely able to keep his eyes open.
"Thank you, Miranda." He muttered, drifting off to sleep.
"Everything will be all right, go to sleep now." She said, moving from the stool to the large chair at the side of the bed. She sat beside him, watching over him as he slept.

*********************************************

Back in the village, it was getting dark, and Josh had still not returned, worried, Maggie threw on a shawl against the night air, leaving the pub in the care of her son, she walked down to the inn.
"Do you know if Josh is in his room?" She asked her good friend Siobhan, wife of the owner of the inn.
"No, Maggie, we thought he was down the pub. Mr. Binchy was asking after him a little while ago."
"He came down this morning and had me pack him a lunch. He wanted to look around. He hasn't come back yet!" Maggie rung her hands, her heart filled with fear for this young man she'd come to like as another son.
"Who hasn't come back yet?" Richard asked walking up behind the two women.
"Oh, Mr. Binchy!" Maggie said,"Josh left to walk around the island HOURS ago, and he hasn't come back yet."
"ALONE?! He went ALONE?! Oh, my God!"
"You don't think he..." Maggie started, not able to finish.
Richard scrubbed his face, "That's exactly what I think. We have to go look for him, he may have just gotten lost."
"I'll get everyone in the pub to help!" Maggie said.
"We'll organize a search here, have everyone who can look, here in 20 minutes!" Richard said, walking to alert all the crew.
"Aye, lad, we'll find him!" Maggie said, whispering to herself in despair,"I hope." She ran to the pub to round up all able bodied men to look.

 

Sunlight peeked it's way around the simple shades in the modest cottage, creeping it's way slowly across the floor, finally coming to pounce upon the eyelids of the young man asleep in the bed, causing him to stir. He stretched, stopping when he realized the pain in his side was gone! Pushing the covers down, he examined his side, the bruise that had covered his entire side only the night before had become a small discoloration. He was healed! Sitting, he regarded the woman, now asleep in the chair at the bedside. Her face sweet and peaceful in repose. Her beauty was breath-taking. He wanted to talk to her, ask her about herself, find out how she was able to do this remarkable thing. Starting to get out of the bed, he realized he had been undressed. Looking around, he saw what must be his clothes folded neatly on one of the chairs around the table. Pushing the covers back, he tried to get up without waking Miranda. No such luck, her eyes opened the moment he tried to put feet on the floor. A strange moment of shyness coming over him, as if he shouldn't allow a woman to see him undressed like this, or at least not THIS woman, he covered up again.
Miranda's eyes rested on his face. She smiled.
"You're awake, and better! I'm glad."
"Yes, thanks to you."
"I can't take credit for that, the gift was given to me. I only share it with those who need it. As any gift should be shared." Dropping her eyes, she smiled, a sad little smile.
He could feel her sadness, her loneliness.
"Where am I?" He asked.
"This island is called Roan Terra, we're a part of Ireland."
"Ireland, but I don't sound like you."
"No, you're not from this place."
He leaned back on the pillows, propping himself on one arm, his head resting in his hand.
"I wish I knew where I was from."
Miranda held out a leather object.
"We found this in your clothing."
Taking the wallet, he opened it, seeing a California drivers license.
"Joshua Winslow Groban." He looked at the unfamiliar picture, saw the face of a curly headed stranger looking back at him.
"Is this me?" He asked Miranda.
"It's your face."
"It is?"
"Aye, it's you. Does it bring back any memories?"
"No, at least you have a name for me."
"Aye. Joshua." She said it softly, testing the feel of it on her lips. "Joshua." She repeated it. Looking up she met his eyes, he was smiling in amusement.
"You see something funny, Joshua?" She said, a little abashed to be caught liking the sound, the feel of his name.
Shaking his head, he continued to look through the wallet. The pictures not sparking even the smallest flicker of recognition, until...
He pulled the picture of a young woman out, a tan skinned girl, with dark eyes, and dark hair. A feeling seizing his heart the moment he looked at the face of this hauntingly familiar face. A ghost of a memory, possessing only a glimmer of substance, it drifted across his mind, her saying his name, "Josh." With that one memory, this girl, this face laid claim to a part of his life that was still a total mystery to him.
Seeing recognition in his eyes, then seeing it flicker and die, Miranda rose, getting his clothes for him. Handing them to him, she smiled, the sadness only in her eyes.
"Are you hungry?" She asked.
Surprisingly, he was, "Yes." He answered.
"I"ll get some more wood, and leave you to dress." She said, walking out the front door, pausing to look on the sweetly handsome face of this darling man. Dropping her eyes shyly, she left.

 

The same morning, at the inn on the other side of Roan Terra, worn, and weary searchers straggled in. Empty handed and discouraged, they dropped in chairs, on the floor, over each other to rest as Maggie and Siobhan brought coffee, muffins, and other sustenance to the disheartened village and movie people. Richard was the last to come in, his throat soar, his voice hoarse from calling Josh's name, his clothes muddied and torn from searching every bush, bramble, and hillock for miles. Scrubbing his grief-stricken face, he knew he had to call Josh's parents and Andi. If only he'd watched Josh a little closer, once he knew he was being pulled by Miranda's magic, he should'nt have let him out of his sight. He'd known, he should have watched, he should have watched. The blame playing in his head, over and over, he sat on the steps to the second floor of the inn, leaning forward, his arms on his knees, his empty hands clasped in numb despair. Maggie, seeing his face, came up to him.
"Anything, Richard?" She asked, holding out a cup of her delicious coffee.
Gratefully taking it in his cold hands, grateful for the warmth, he sipped it, letting it warm his chilled heart.
"Nothing, Maggie. We found his hat on a hill beside the stream. It looked like someone had gone down the hill. But nothing more."
"Did anyone hear the music, you were so close..."
"No. No one heard the music, she has who she wanted, we won't hear her again for awhile." He said, his heart filled with sadness.
"Is there ANY chance, Richard, if he's hurt he could have wandered off..."
"We'll keep searching, Maggie, but you and I both know what's happened. I have to make some calls. Excuse me, darling." He patted her shoulder as he walked past her to make two of the most difficult calls of his life.
Maggie watched him go, walking to the door of the inn, she looked out into the morning mist.
"Let him go, Miranda, please, let him go." She whispered to herself, not really believing it could happen, she crossed herself and said a little prayer for Josh.

**********************************************

Miranda leaned over the pot of porridge, it was ready. Pulling the pot away from the fire, she brought it to the table, spooning a good portion into the bowl in front of Josh. Adding honey and nuts, she handed him a spoon, spooning some for herself as well. She turned back to the fire, pulling the kettle away, she poured tea for herself and Josh as well. Sitting, she crossed herself, saying a little prayer over the food, smiling as she saw Josh stop as he prepared to wolf down the porridge, and place his spoon beside the bowl to join her in bowed head. Finishing her prayer, she smiled at Josh. Finding himself ravenous, he finished the porridge in just a few minutes. Miranda got up and filled his bowl again, taking his time with this bowl, he could actually taste it this time.
"This is really good." He said between mouthfuls.
"Thank you, our meals are simple but filling."
"Could you show me around your village?"
"I would love to, you should be careful though, your bones are healed, but they'll be tender for a few days."
"Okay, you let me know how far we can roam, I'll trust you."
"It's not always wise to trust a lonely woman, Josh."
"Why is that?"
"Some women would do anything to keep from living alone."
"Are you one of those women, Miranda?" He asked, looking at her as she studied the bowl in front of her, not looking in his eyes.
"I could be, Josh, I could be." Her voice low, troubled.
"Somehow I doubt that," He leaned across the table, his fingers on her chin, pulling her face up to look at him, a single tear tracing a lonely path down her cheek. The sadness in her eyes touching his heart.
"Why are you crying, Miranda?"
"I've waited so long for you, Josh. You can't imagine how long. I thought you'd never find me." She whispered.
"I'm here now," he whispered back.
"That you are...that you are." She reached across the table.
"Flesh and blood, finally here. With me." Her hand stopping, the fingers almost touching his face, her fingers desperate to touch him, she stopped, pulling her hand back to rest in her lap.
"What is it, Miranda?" He asked, a tone to her voice, something odd, he wasn't sure what it was.
"Nothing, Josh, nothing."
She took the bowls to the cupboard, to be cleaned later. picking up her shawl, wiping her eyes on her handkerchief, she turned smiling to Josh.
"Shall we go then?"
"Yes." He offered her his arm, they went out the door to explore, Josh still unable to shake the feeling she wasn't telling him something important.

 

As they walked the path into the village, Miranda's cottage was the farthest out, Josh was taken with how quaint and tiny all the cottages were. All the families he saw had animals, there were cows, sheep, chickens, they all had gardens, just beyond the village, between sea and population the village maintained a small farm of wheat, and linen. For flour and cloth, a small mill at the mouth of the stream, before it fed into the ocean ground the wheat, Miranda explained that they all worked there at different times.
"This place is beautiful." He said, sitting on a rock overlooking the ocean, thinking there was something important he had to do, something about the ocean.
"It is beautiful. Do you remember anything about the world you live in?" She said, sitting on the ground beside his feet.
Thinking hard, trying to touch the part of his mind that held his life, he could only see images.
"It was a lot more fast-paced. I remember flying a lot, traveling a lot, I remember singing."
"Life here is slower, and no traveling."
He looked at her, reaching over he touched her hair, pushing it away from her face, she smiled at him.
"You've never traveled?" He asked.
"I can never leave my village."
"Why not?"
"It's a long story."
"I'm part Russian, we like long stories." He said, smiling.
"My village is enchanted. We were placed under a curse by the queen of the fairies almost 300 years ago. Her husband, the king of the fairies fell in love with me. So she cursed my entire village. We never age, but we can never leave this place. That's the short version."
Trying to decide if she was serious, or just demented, Josh felt himself getting a little nervous.
"Do you know how crazy that sounds?" He asked.
"Aye, I do." She said sadly, looking at him, waiting for his reaction.
"Wait a minute, does that mean you think I'm trapped here with you?"
"I'm afraid so."
"This is nuts."
He stood, heading back to the village, walking very rapidly.
"Josh, wait." Miranda called, following.
He walked faster, entering the village, this time noticing there were no modern conveniences, a well in the center of the town provided their water, no clocks, no phones, nothing. He started to run, reaching Miranda's cottage, he headed back up the stream, into the perpetual mist, only to find himself coming back to her cottage. Putting a hand to his face, backing away from the cottage, he ran back into the mist again, this time going further, but with effort, the pain in his side returning, still to come out at Miranda's cottage. She stood in her door way, watching him, waiting with pained eyes.
A third time he entered the mist, the pain in his side unbearable as he tried to reach the other side. Only to find himself exitting at the cottage again, dropping to his knees, trying to catch his breath against the pain in his side, he looked into her face.
"What is this place?" He gasped.
"My own personal hell." She whispered back.
Pitching forward, her face was the last thing he saw as he lost consciousness.

**********************************************
Richard was on the ferry headed back to the mainland. Jack and Lindy Groban, with Andi would be in this evening, he was meeting them at the airport, bringing them back to Roan Terra to join the search.

 

Trying to explain the unexplainable on the ferry back to Roan Terra, Richard had his hands full with Jack and Lindy Groban, and Josh's girlfriend Andi.
"What do you mean he just vanished?" Lindy and Andi said at the same moment, looking at each other, on a similar wavelength, acknowledging the same concern over someone they both loved dearly.
"I don't know how to explain it exactly." Richard said, feeling ill equipped to handle two forceful women on a mission.
"Try." Andi said, her voice filled with a no excuses, no nonsense tone.
"Try hard." Lindy echoing the sentiment.
"Yesterday, Josh told me he heard music calling him from the moors. And he thought he saw someone where no one could have been we'd all have seen her."
"Are you trying to say Josh was delusional and you let him wander off by himself? Was he sick?" Andi asked, Lindy pleased with her line of questioning, staying silent, for now.
"No, he wasn't sick, but he was...well, he was..." Richard paused, how did he explain it without sounding insane himself? These things usually didn't happen in the real world. If it hadn't been for his own personal experience, he wouldn't have believed it himself. But how to explain?
"Richard, you lost my son, you need to start talking. Now!" Lindy said, quietly, with meaning.
"All right." He told them the tale of Miranda and the fairy king, told them the tale of his own brother Tom who'd gone off his nut, and vanished over 20 years before. How young men would vanish from the small island, never to be heard from again. That they had found Josh's hat near the stream, close to the fairy lights, so it looked like he had gone to search for her. Falling silent, he looked at them, waiting. Jack and Lindy looked at each other. Lindy and Andi looked at each other.
"Richard, no offense, but we're calling in the police, maybe Interpol if necessary. Scotland Yard, anyone who'll do a real search." Andi said, as if talking to a superstitious neanderthal.
Lindy and Jack nodding agreement with her assessment.
"Andi, it won't do any good. It didn't do any good with my brother. There are things that happen on that island that can't be explained rationally!" He said, upset, but understanding, he hadn't believed at first either.
"Lindy, Jack what do you think?" Andi asked.
"We'll try it their way for one day, then we call in the local authorities." Lindy said, Jack nodding.
"All right, we'll search with you for one day, then you do it our way." Andi said to Richard.
"I understand." He said, hoping they would find him, but knowing in his heart where Josh really was.
It was 9AM, they reached the island, travelling to the village by car. New searchers were coming from all over the island. Taking turns they combed the countryside, the woods, the moors, the hills, the coast. Lindy and Jack teamed up with a map, and went off in one direction, Andi and Richard teamed up, Andi insisting they go to the stream.
They searched for hours, coming back only when it began to get dark, other teams straggling in, exhausted, the island folk not holding much hope, the movie crew trying to keep their hopes up. As teams came in, rested teams went back out.
Andi and Richard drug themselves in after eight hours. Andi collapsing on the floor, Richard went to get her something to eat. Jack and Lindy coming in with a couple of island people, Lindy dropping beside Andi, Jack going to get them sustenance.
Maggie came up to the 2 women, handing them cups of hot, sweet tea. Sitting beside them she started talking.
"You're his mother?" She asked Lindy.
"Yes," Lindy answered, almost too tired to talk.
Andi stuck out her hand, Maggie taking it she shook it once, letting it go.
"His girlfriend, Andi." She said.
Maggie nodded,"Och, he talked about yew all the time, girl. That in love he is. Such a sweet boy, we'll do all we can to help find him. We won't give up."
"Thanks,"Andi said, Richard came up with some sandwiches.
"Hullo, Maggie." He said, dropping to the floor beside the women, sitting and wolfing down the sandwich.
"Anything hopeful, Richard?" She asked.
He just shook his head, staring at the floor while he chewed.
"Can you or Siobhan scare up some space for these folks, so they can get some rest?" He asked Maggie.
Maggie nodded only to be interrupted by both women.
"We're going to keep searching!" Andi said.
"I couldn't sleep with Josh still lost out there!" Lindy said.
Jack came back, hearing his wife's determination, he knew there was little point in arguing with her, but he tried.
"Lindy, honey, we just got in off a 17 hour flight, we've walked this island for 8 hours, we need to get some rest. We can go out again in the morning." He said quietly, reassuringly.
"Jack, I'd never sleep, I'd toss and turn, worrying, I HAVE to keep moving right now!" She said, her voice shaky, but no tears, not while there was still hope.
"Ditto, what she said!" Andi said, with determination.
Turning to her mate,"Why don't you let me and Andi go out, get some rest, then you can go with Richard in the morning, and we'll rest then, we'll be so dead on our feet we won't be able to do anything else. I promise we'll be careful."
Sighing heavily, Jack nodded his head.
Andi and Lindy rested for about 30 minutes, then hit the moors again, headed for the stream, compass and flashlights in hand. If anyone was going to find Josh, they were determined it would be them. Mother and girlfriend, united in love, with one purpose. They headed into the dark. Unafraid.
**********************************************
Josh lay, unconscious, his sleep troubled. The dark haired girl in his dreams, calling him.

 

Josh had been in Miranda's village for three days now. He'd come back to himself after trying to escape her undeserved punishment, and was trying to adapt, or find a way out.
He had wanted some time alone, so he had gone to the ocean. Miranda had understood, saying she would bring him food later.
Stripping down once he'd gotten there, he dove into the water, the bracing chill of the water making him gasp. He swam for a long time in the waves, riding them in to shore, and going back out again.
While he was swimming off his frustrations, Miranda came over the moors, seeing him at a distance. She watched him in the waves, her heart filled with longing. He was the one she'd been waiting for, all these years, here he was. Reluctant to make her presence known, she stood beside a stone outcropping near where he'd left his clothes. Only wanting to look at him for awhile. She watched as he rode the waves, saw the pure joy in his face, the loveliness of his form, her heart breaking with longing for him. For him to be the one, to love her, to end her centuries of exile. To break the spell she would give her heart to this man, to return to true life, she would surrender her will, her soul, if only he could love her in return. If only...the longest distance for the heart to travel. If only. Josh ran away from the surf, finally cold enough, or tired enough to sit for awhile and think, he spread the cloth Miranda had provided him with, and sat, enjoying the suns warmth, waiting for it to dry him enough to dress. Propped on his elbows, he watched the ocean, taking in its power and majesty. Thinking of the dark haired girls face. She had been in his dreams every night he'd been here, and last night, he'd heard himself say her name.
"Andi." He whispered.
He could see her face, see her laughing, crying, angry, in love. His damaged memory pulling the bits and pieces of his heart and mind where she dwelt to restore him to himself. He saw her in a house, asleep in a bed that they shared, he knew she was part of his life, he wanted to remember her. He wanted to know again, all that she'd meant to him. Something to hold him, if he should be trapped in this place forever.
Looking at the sun, he realized Miranda would be here soon, he rose, not knowing that she watched as he dressed, as he sat back down, legs crossed, arms resting on his knees, still barefoot, shirt open.
Turning away from him, she leaned on the stone monolith. Closing her eyes, taking a deep breath, she put a smile on her face, not wanting him to see how desperately she wanted to be with him.
She walked slowly to him, he caught sight of her, she waved, Josh waving back.
"Have you been swimming?" She asked as she knelt on the cloth beside him, putting down the basket that carried lunch.
"The water must be near freezing." She said, smiling for him.
"It felt good, cleared my head."
"When my mother was alive, she would give me a cuff about the head when I went swimming in the cold water."
Josh looked at Miranda, her words triggering a memory. A young girl with dark curly hair, and eyes like another woman.
"Katie." He whispered.
"What?" Miranda asked as she spread bread and cheese on the blanket between them.
Josh shook his head,"Nothing. Miranda, you said many men have come here over the years, if you don't want them here, if you feel bad for them, why do you call them?" Another memory, standing on a moor, hearing her, a man asking him what he'd heard.
"I don't call." She looked down at the blanket, putting together a sandwich for Josh.
"Miranda, look at me, I heard you."
She met his eyes.
"It wasn't me. As part of my punishment for being born, the fairy queen set my voice upon the winds. When a man comes near, one who has a like soul, heart. He hears it. If the call is strong enough in him, he answers." She sat back on her heels, looking him in the eyes, her heart pain in every word she spoke.
Understanding, he held his hand out to her. She took it.
"So, there have been many, why hasn't the spell been broken?"
"None of them was my true love."
"None of them?"
"No."
"What happened to them?"
"They die."
"I thought..."
"They are outside the spell, they may live here, but the curse is only on the villagers."
"Another torment?"
"I see them come in, they may love me, but I cannot love them back, so they die, heart-broken."
"I'm sorry." He said, touching her cheek.
"I could love you, Josh, you could break the spell." She looked at him, holding her breath, if only.
His eyes sad, he shook his head, "I'm sorry, Miranda, I think I have someone waiting for me."
She nodded, looking down at the cloth, looking at her empty hands folded in her lap.
"It's alright, I understand."
They sat back, watching the sea.

 

It had now been a week since Josh had vanished, in the little village on Roan Terra, Andi sat in the pub, she too had needed some alone time. She was exhausted, she'd been searching for up to 16 hours a day, and nothing, she wasn't losing hope, she knew in her heart that Josh was alive. It was the legends that were beginning to make her crack. What if they were true? He would be alive, but lost to her forever. The thought was more than she could bear. Maggie, also taking a break from the inn, and the search headquarters had come down to the pub. Seeing Andi, she brought a cup of hot tea. Setting it in front of her, she sat across from her.
"How are ya holding up, lass?" She asked, her voice gentle and tired.
Andi looked at this motherly woman, planning a brave front, she found herself falling apart. Putting her face in her hands, Andi burst into tears. Maggie moved beside her gathering her into her arms, putting Andi's head on her shoulder, she patted her as she cried.
"Maggie, I'm so scared!" Andi said between sobs, "It's been a week! A week! Why haven't we found him? I don't understand!"
"I know, m'darlin'. I know." Maggie said, still holding and patting.
Finally gaining control of her emotions, Andi looked into the local woman's kind face.
"Maggie, are the legends true?"
"Aye, lass, many a young man has disappeared on those moors. Never to be seen again." She shook her head sadly.
"You think Josh is there, don't you?" Andi asked, her heart dreading the answer.
"Aye, I do." Maggie said so quietly head hanging, Andi almost couldn't hear her.
Maggie's words pronouncing a death sentence on her hope, fresh tears spilled from her eyes.
"And no one has ever come back?"
"Not a one, lass, I'm sorry."
"You know they're calling off the search tomorrow." Andi said, barely able to keep control of her voice, barely able to keep from wailing.
"I know." Maggie said, her heart breaking for these wonderful young people she'd come to know and love.
They sat together, arms around each other, both of them crying.
Later, Andi went back to the inn. Her heart tired and sad, she came in and found Jack and Lindy in the front hall. Lindy crying, Jack holding her.
"What?!" She asked,"What is it?"
"They're calling off the search early. They're sending out final teams tonight, and pulling out in the morning, they think he fell in the stream and was carried out to sea." Jack told Andi, his voice breaking with emotion. "If they don't find him tonight, that will be the official report."
Tears filling her eyes, Andi walked over to the team assignment desk, she grabbed a fresh pack of emergency supplies, and a fresh flashlight and extra batteries. Refusing to believe the worst anymore, she headed for the door, her determination renewed.
"Andi?" Lindy grabbed her arm, stopping her.
"I'm going to find him, Lindy, and I'm not giving up until I do."
Seeing the determination in her face, Lindy nodded her head.
"I'm going with you." She grabbed her supplies, going to Jack, she kissed him on the cheek.
"You stay here in case they find him." Lindy told him.
Jack grabbed her, hugging her hard, he kissed her, "Be careful."
"I will, we're going to find him, Jack, I just know it."
Again, they went out to face the dark, knowing that this time they wouldn't come back alone.

 

Trudging the distance to the stream, Andi and Lindy walked in stern silence, neither one ready to give up on Josh. Reaching the hill that he'd gone down, they looked into the mist. The villagers had told everyone to stay out of the mist. So far, the search teams had done that, Andi and Lindy looked at each other, a full moon lending a hand, they made their way down the hill, and entered the mist.

**********************************************
It was getting late, the full moon over Miranda's cottage drawing his attention, Josh sat on the side of the stream staring at the mist that had brought him to this strange place, not in this world, or the next. Miranda walked up to him.
"It's getting late, are you not tired?"
"Miranda," He said, standing to look at her, "No one has ever left this place?"
"No one has ever tried to leave, and survived the attempt." She said quietly.
"What does that mean?"
"There was a boy about 20 years ago, I couldn't love him the way he wanted, he missed his parents, a brother, he decided to try. He went into the mist." She looked down at the ground.
"What happened to him?" She didn't answer, he grabbed her arms, "Miranda, what happened to him?"
She looked into his eyes, her own filling with tears. "He almost made it."
"Almost?"
"He came to us like you, wounded, lost, but he remembered who he was. When you enter the mist, it erases all my powers. You'll be as you were when you came to me, wounded. Lost. I don't know if it was too much for him, or his love wasn't strong enough, he didn't make it."
"He died?"
"Aye."
Letting her go, he looked at the fairy lights, he didn't care if he died, if he could just see Andi's face one more time, it would be worth it. Seeing the look on his face, Miranda nodded her head. She went into the cottage, she got his jacket, bringing it to him. Helping him into it, she looked at his face one last time, memorizing its sweetness.
"Hold onto her face, her memory, your love. Hold it against everything, Josh. Don't let it go. I want you to live. I love you."
Taking her hand, he kissed it.
"I'm sorry, Miranda."
"It's alright, go now, she's coming for you."
He turned his back, and headed into the mists.

**********************************************

Andi and Lindy had made little progress into the mist, it reflected their lights back at them, forcing them to keep them pointed at the ground. Which meant they couldn't see low branches, which tore at their clothing, catching them in the face. They were both the worse for wear, bloodied and bruised, clothing torn. But they continued, helping each other up when they fell, pulling each other out if they fell in the stream. The cold water making them gasp.
"Are you alright?" Lindy asked Andi, as she helped her up after she tripped over a huge tree root.
"Yeah, if I didn't know better, I'd think the forest was trying to keep us out of here. But that's nuts right?"
"Right," Lindy echoing the sentiment.
"Do you believe that anymore than I do?"
"Nope."
"Okay."
The two determined women continued, daring the forest to throw it's best punch, they weren't turning back, they were going to find Josh!

**********************************************

His breathing becoming difficult, the pain in his side was returning, Josh continued on, guided by the moon. Holding Andi's face, her memory in his mind, in his heart. He walked, as he went further into the mists, his memories were coming back. He could remember his mother's face, his father, his brother Chris. The memory of Justine threatened to overhwhelm him, as he staggered under the grief, reliving it. So many people in a life's time. Their faces coming to him, even the Grobanites, all carrying him forward, back to his life. Andi the strongest anchor, he walked toward her face, her love, he had to see her again.

**********************************************

"Crap!" Andi said, pulling herself out of a muddy spot, almost losing her shoe, as Lindy pulled on one arm to help her out. Stopping on the bank they sat to catch their breath.
"It's going to be alright, Andi, I know it will, we just have to keep going."
"I know, Lindy, we're going to find him."
"Yes." She got up, reaching down to help Andi to her feet. They looked each other in the eye, damn the fairies, they were bringing Josh home!
"Wait!" Andi said, her arm in front of Lindy, "Do your hear that?"
"I don't hear anything other than all those creepy animal noises." Lindy said.
"It's Josh," She listened really hard, closing her eyes, but it wasn't in her ears, it was in her heart!
"You hear him?"
"This way." Andi said, moving to the other side of the stream. Lindy following.

**********************************************

Josh struggled through the briars, every breath an agonizing torment, he could barely keep his feet through the pain. Softly, he called to Andi.
"Help me, babe. I'm trying to come home."
Resting for a moment, holding himself up on a branch he held his side. Almost sobbing from the pain, Andi's love pulled him forward. He let go of the branch, and kept walking.

 

Bloodied and bruised Andi and Lindy trudged forward, love and determination fueling their minds and bodies, they had to find Josh. Strange noises following them as they made their way through the thickening mist.
"Do you think there are really fairies out here?" Lindy asked.
"I don't know, I just know we've got to find, Josh, and we've gotta find him tonight."
Grabbing Lindy's hand, she helped her across a large rock that was in the way.

**********************************************

Pulling himself up from the ground one more time, stumbling and falling more than walking, Josh held a limb that had fallen and was now growing out of the side of the tree. His side a burning pain, making breathing more and more difficult, he continued on, focusing on Andi's face, knowing he had to make it, he had to see her. He had to. As he made his way though the cold mist, more memories of his life began to come back to him. Then Andi, her sweet face, her smile. Holding to his love, holding to what he knew they had, he continued.

*********************************************

Stopping to catch their breath, Lindy and Andi looked into the mist. The lights were becoming brighter the farther they went into them.
"He's alive, Lindy, we just have to keep going."
"I know, we're almost there."
Standing, Andi listened hard for a moment.
"Do you hear that?" She whispered, her eyes focused on a place inside herself.
"What do you hear?"
"Josh!" She turned looking around, "We have to cross the stream, he's this way!" She said, plunging into the water.
Lindy followed.
"Are you sure this is the right way?" She asked.
"I can hear him, Lindy, I'm not sure how, but I can hear him. We're going the right way. Trust me." She said, continuing on through the briars on the opposite side of the stream.
A little further they came to a blockage that there was no way around, they would have to go back into the water to get around it. Wading out, holding onto the huge tree trunk that grew out of the earth and the stream, bridging both mediums they waded. As they waded they noticed a strange light glowing beneath the surface of the water. The pull of the current becoming stronger, threatening to pull them into the middle, reaching out her hand, Andi pulled on Lindy, dragging her to the bank with her, they collapsed, breathing heavily.
"That was weird." Lindy said.
Looking at Lindy her comment striking them both as funny, they started laughing, til tears came out of their eyes. The laughing fit over, Andi stood, holding her hand out to help Lindy up.
"You're alright, Lindy." She said, throwing her arm around Lindy's shoulders.
"You're not bad yourself, Andi," Lindy said, throwing her arm around Andi's shoulders, together they continued, arm in arm.

**********************************************

On sheer adrenaline, falling and getting up only to fall again, Josh continued, the fairy lights growing brighter. Stopping, he heard laughter. Familiar laughter. Heading for it, he continued, he had to get to Andi, he had to.

**********************************************

The mist getting thicker, the fairy lights becoming more and more agitated, the two determined women continued, holding hands to keep from losing each other in the mist, they moved forward, inching their way toward Josh. Finally coming to a halt. The lights were becoming brighter, so bright they had to shield their eyes to see. Something was moving beyond the lights, Andi could see it, but she couldn't tell what it was. Becoming too bright to be watched, they halted.
"Should we go around it?" Andi asked.
"I don't think so. Let's just stop here for a minute." Lindy said.
The lights moving closer and closer they stood their ground.
"Are you sure we shouldn't run?" Andi asked.
"Everything here seems to be designed to frighten, not injure."
"To make us hurt ourselves trying to get away."
"Exactly."
Squaring herself, putting her fear out of her mind, Andi stood her ground.
"Then we stay put."
Almost painful to look at, the lights became more and more agitated, the figure moving through them moving closer. Finally breaking free, the figure walked toward them, collapsing as he saw their faces, the face of his mother, and the one love that had gotten him this far.
"JOSH!" They exclaimed, in one voice! Rushing to his side, as he leaned back on his heels, they heard him whisper, "Thank,God!"
Andi rushed to his side, hugging him as hard as she could, causing a cry of pain to escape him. She let him go, looking into his face.
"You're hurt!"
"We KNEW we'd find you!" Lindy said, on her knees beside her son.
They tried to get Josh to lay down, stopping them with a shaky hand he whispered, "I'm...I'm not safe til we're out of the mist." Looking at each other, they were not sure he would make it that far.
"Do you think you can make it?" Lindy said to her son, as tears of relief ran down her face.
"Have to." He gasped.
"We'll get you out of here." Andi said.
Together, they helped him to his feet, one on either side, his arms around their necks, they supported him, heading for home.

 

Josh barely able to keep his feet, the three of them walked, the wind blowing harder, whipping the trees around in the moonlit night. The closer they came to the end of the mist the harder the wind blew, til it was at near galeforce. Their heads down, struggling to stay upright, they continued.
Beyond the last of his strength, Josh fought the wind.
"Maybe you should leave me!" He yelled over the wind. "It's me they want!"
"Not a chance!!!" Andi yelled back.
"We're going HOME!" Lindy yelled.
Saving his breath to stay upright, Josh pushed on, a wailing had joined the wind, a frustrated cry. Behind it a weeping sound. Softer, but there.
In frustration Andi screamed into the wind, yelling defiance at the powers of the forest.
"WE ARE COMING OUT OF HERE, AND YOU CAN'T STOP US!"
A single note sounded in the wind, Josh recognized it, it was Miranda, but different. The note different, she was singing to the wind. Calming it.
Just as they thought they wouldn't make it, they reached the spot where Josh had entered the mist. The wind stopping so suddenly they fell in a tumble, Andi stopping herself with her hands before she fell on Josh's injured side. Not trusting the mist, they picked up and moved further away. His eyes closed against the pain in his side, he opened them when Andi brushed his lips with her own.
Looking up at her, he smiled.
"It was your face that got me out of there."
"I knew you were alive."
Lindy putting her hands on their shoulders, smiled, tears in her eyes. She held out a hand to Andi, Andi taking it, the women looked at each other, the bond of mother and daughter complete as only overcoming adversity can tie two together.
Lindy volunteered to go for help, Andi cradled Josh's head in her lap, brushing his hair out of his bruised and battered face.
"Are we far enough away?" She asked, looking at the mist that still danced with unearthly lights.
"Yes, it doesn't move. We're okay here." He shifted, causing a fresh wave of pain. Groaning, he stopped moving.
"Stop doing that. I'm scared enough as it is."
"Are you gonna smack me?" He asked, his voice thin and weak.
"I don't think you could survive a smack right now, and I don't have the energy to." Her arms around him as tightly as she felt he could handle.
"Don't you ever do this to me again, Josh Groban!"
"I promise."
"I love you." She said her throat tight.
Unexpected tears of relief welled up in her heart, and she sobbed unashamed, a hand over her face. Josh holding her hand, desperate to be holding her in his arms to comfort her as she cried. A wave of dizziness swept over him, and he heard a single note on the wind. Looking up in alarm, he looked into the mist. Miranda stood there, watching them, two little blond girls at her side. Forever on the other side of the mist, the other side of real. Trapped in her own grief. She raised a hand, a parting gesture. Josh raised a hand, an ending. Her hand falling, closing, to her side, Miranda turned and walked back into the mist, the little girls, unsmiling followed.
"Who was that?" Andi asked.
"You saw her?!" Josh asked, astonished.
"Yes, I saw her, who was that?"
"No one important, babe, she doesn't have anything to do with us."
Suddenly knowing, Andi watched the woman walk away, her form finally blending with the mists.
"Thanks, Miranda." She whispered. Josh squeezed her hand. In the distance they could hear vehicles approaching, the nightmare was over, he was safe. Search teams descended, medics with a stretcher pouring over the hillside, blankets dropping over them, Lindy waiting at the top of the hill, also blanket covered. They transported them to waiting aid. Safe, he was safe. He was found.

**********************************************

"He was the one, Miranda." The older sister said, as she followed Miranda back to the cottage.
"Aye." She said.
"You could have kept him." The younger sister said.
"No, he was never mine to keep." She whispered, her heart breaking. "I had to let him go."
"We could have been free." The older sister said.
"He didn't love me."
"But you loved him." The younger sister insisted.
"That's not enough."
"What do we do now, Miranda?" The older sister asked as they reached Miranda's cottage.
Miranda looked back the way they'd come, seeing Josh safe with those he loved, she closed her eyes tears spilling down her cheeks. She walked to the door, opening it, she paused in the doorway, looking at her nieces.
"We wait."
Going inside, she closed the door.

 

The End