I'm very proud to say this short story of Mergin's adventures won first prize in the Literally Shepton literary competition in the adult short story category. I got a medal and a trophy and they sit proudly on my desk. A trophy for writing? I would never have dreamed it possible. I hope you enjoy Mergin's tale. If you do, there might be more where that came from... he’s a fun character to write and I can foresee many adventures ahead.
Memories of Willowcliff
“Now, let’s see then,” said Old Mergin, slipping off his worn leather boots and sliding into his soft hide moccasins. He sighed with relief. Gathering the teapot and some chipped mugs, he carried the tray to the fire. Scooping up a mug of herb tea, he dissolved into his tapestried chair, leaving Lilee to serve herself.
“Where was I?” he asked, blowing softly across his cup. Rivulets of fragrant steam wafted the scent of the sweet herbs only Mergin knew how to brew. One had only to walk into Mergin’s cosy house before you were struck with the aromas of his travels, from the sweet-scented wood burning in the broad hearth, to the heady dish filled with dried petals.
“You were telling me of Willowcliff,” said Lilee. She had heard the tale countless times before, but it was one of her favourites. She never got tired of hearing of Mergin’s adventures.
“Ah yes, well, let me think a moment, for it was long ago when I was but a young explorer.” His eyes glazed, lost in memories of his past. Lilee sat patiently, cradling a cup of hot tea in her hands. She sipped it slowly, delighting as the honeyed spices slipped down her throat, warming her from within. Mergin’s green eyes cleared, and he smiled as the memory he had been searching for appeared at the forefront of his mind.
“There is a far-off land known for its good fortune, called Willowcliff. When I arrived, many long years ago now, I was immediately struck by its beauty. The meadows were green and fresh, and the air was bright and clear and smelled of rain. All around the birds sang like silver bells, floating in clouds of pure white against an azure sky. But the trees? Ah, now, that’s what made Willowcliff special, for all the trees as far as the eye could see were golden willows. At first glance I thought they were merely kissed by autumn, the leaves changing with the seasons, but as I came upon one, I heard the leaves blowing in the breeze and do you know what they sounded like?”
“Coins,” said Lilee, smiling. She knew this tale almost as well as Mergin, though he delighted her with every new telling.
“That’s right my young chick, they sounded like golden chimes, like a thousand coins jingling in a pocket. But that wasn’t all, for crawling down the shimmering chestnut trunk of the tree was a tiny golden lizard, no bigger than my little finger. Its scales were blinding in the sunlight, as though it was forged in an unquenchable fire, or poured from molten metal. Iridescent it was, shifting from deep red to shining bronze as the sun filtered through the golden leaves of the willow. I couldn’t help but wander closer, enraptured by the tree and the tiny beast. But as I peered at it, close enough to touch it, it flicked its forked tongue and looked at me with its deep black eyes. For a moment it felt as though it truly understood me. Strange, for a lizard to have such comprehension in its eyes, and not many people would believe me if I were to tell them. It blinked, a dark green shining lid slipping over its gaze, and then it hissed. The sound made me shudder. That such a small beast could make such a ruckus, metal grating against metal, reverberating across the valley. And do you know what happened then? Every leaf on the gleaming willow turned a dull brown. Every golden leaf was gone, replaced with mottled decay. I reached up to pick one and it crumbled in my hands. I cursed myself for not plucking one sooner. But hope was not lost, for there were many more willows throughout the valley. Onwards I walked until I came to the next tree, lustrous and shining in the setting sunshine. I hurried this time, arms outstretched but before I could reach a single leaf, the sound of the lizard’s rough cry pierced the air and the willow shed its leaves like tears. Onwards again, and again, and again. Another willow, another lizard, another shrill call. No matter how fast I ran, or if I snuck up to the tree, the lizards always saw me and protected their golden leaves. Guardians of the gold, they must be. I don’t think they were lizards at all, Lilee.”
He leaned forward, eyes narrowed conspiratorially as he looked around his small cottage, ensuring no one would overhear. Though of course, no one but he lived there. Not anymore.
“I think they were dragons.” Lilee smiled, the light of the fire dancing in her eyes. That was always her favourite bit. She knew it wasn’t real, for of course trees with leaves of real gold, and metallic dragon tree-keepers did not exist. But when Mergin told the story, for a moment, she could pretend it was genuine, and that magic was real. It made her simple life in the village more exciting. Perhaps one day she would go on adventures like Mergin. She wouldn’t find any golden trees, but she could allow herself to dream. She settled back into her chair, content.
Mergin set down his tea and rose slowly, groaning as he did. He always made noises when he moved these days. Sometimes it was hard to imagine him running through valleys in search of treasure. But when she saw the glint in his eyes, undimmable mischief and light, she knew he would always be an explorer at heart.
She sipped at her tea, almost finished now, and moved to refill her cup when she noticed Mergin was looking at something on the mantle over the fire. Trinkets adorned the wooden plinth, some elaborate and beautiful and others simple. There was the mud painting she had done of him and Aunt Mae when she was little, though ‘painting’ was perhaps too grand a word for such a splodge of brown. Then there was a silver clock with a moon and a sun engraved on the face that moved as the day passed, chiming softly at noon. Various carved wooden boxes of herbs and spices acted as bookends for old dusty tomes, some in languages Lilee didn’t recognise. But Mergin was looking at a small porcelain pot. She had never noticed it before, too distracted by the clock to see something quite so simple. She looked now, intrigued by Mergin’s attention on it. It was cream-coloured and now she noticed that the splash of red on the side wasn’t an abstract depiction of a flower, as she had always assumed, but a small dragon. She gasped.
“Those leaves always turned brown,” he said, his voice tinged with melancholy. “I always thought I was just too slow.” Lilee looked at him, her brow furrowed. He always ended the story by whispering about dragons. He’d never continued to discuss it beyond that.
“But that was not the way the game was played.” He reached into the pot and turned to face Lilee. She gawped at him for he was now grinning at her, the light in his eyes brighter than ever. He walked over to her and gestured for her to hold out her hand. She did so, confused and excited, though she knew not why. This was still part of the story, a new part Mergin had concocted to keep the tale fun. But why were the hairs on her arms standing on end?
Something cold and small dropped into Lillee’s hand. Mergin stepped back and leaned against the mantle, smiling at her. She looked down and gasped. Breathless, she stared at her open palm. Inside was the most exquisite golden willow leaf. Every vein, every curve was perfect. Had it not been for the gleam and the weight of it, she would have been convinced it were merely a leaf. But it wasn’t. it was solid and made of the purest gold Lilee could have imagined. She looked up, eyes wide, staring at Mergin in shock. He nodded, confirming that the story Lilee had loved since she was a child was no longer a fairy story. It was real. Lilee remained frozen, staring at the leaf to check if it was really there and not a figment of her imagination.
Mergin’s joyous laughter rippled through the cottage, elated to finally be able to share his secret.
Giddiness bubbled in Lilee’s throat, and she laughed with him.
Nothing was impossible.
**
May you find magic today
Olive xx
I LOVE this! I'm intrigued by both these characters and hope for more of Mergin and Lilee in future stories :)
What a delightful, cozy story! I love the little world you created, looking forward to reading more 😄