What does the future hold?

Personal log. Stardate 51477.8

I don’t know why I’m recording this.

I never used to worry too much about the future. Now with all the current mess, I look at the holo that Sarah sent me of Danny and Alyssa and I wonder what the galaxy will be like when they grow up. Is a Dominion victory inevitable as that Doctor seemed to think, or do we have a chance of maintaining our way of life? At least they don’t face a future without their father, that’s one thing.

Computer, add to todo list for tomorrow, record and schedule message for Sarah and ask Commander Ruork for some advice on arranging long-distance transport for…

And that’s another whole issue right there. Last time I saw my father he called me a dirty rotten traitor, among other things. He didn’t exactly approve of the Marquis, understatement of the century. Well, technically he didn’t approve of my conduct at the Academy either, but that’s old details at this point.

I’ve been down to sickbay four times in the last two days to see him. Got as far as the door each time. I fear that he may well feel the same way as last time we spoke, if screaming insults can be considered speaking. If I want to trade insults with someone I’ll go harass the Cardassian. However, if he doesn’t feel the same way, is that just because of the uniform, or…..

Leaves

I swept the last of the leaves into a pile and leaned on the rake, sighing softly. The large garden, such a verdant sanctuary in the summer months turned into a torture device in late autumn. Fallen leaves covered the entire garden several layers deep, except for the small area that I had already cleared. I leaned the rake against the nearby tree and turned to go back to the house. There was a bottle of apple cider in the fridge with my name on it. I was no more than half way to the porch when I heard it. A giggle. It was unmistakable and came from the direction of the pile of leaves. As I turned back, I saw the pile erupt like a volcano. Leaves scattered everywhere and I heard the giggle again. Then, from the base of the pile came a creature from legend. She was tiny, no larger than a month-old kitten with hair like grass and a dress that appeared to be made of the leaves I had been sweeping up. I was too shocked to react and just stood there. She looked up at me and, clear as anything, whispered one word, “Oops.”

She edged slowly around what was left of the pile of leaves, then broke into a run heading for the thick hedge at the bottom of the garden. I ran after her, why I now do not know, I had no intention of capturing or hurting her. Neither option crossed my mind. For such a small creature, she was incredibly fast, easily keeping ahead of me. Just before we reached the hedge she glanced back at me.
“Bye bye,” she called. She dived into the hedge and disappeared.

I’ve looked every autumn since then, but I’ve never seen her again, but I know one thing for sure. Fairies do live at the bottom of my garden. I’ve seen them there.

Conchobar and the ice sprite

Long ago and far away
amidst the mountains steep
a farming town prospered
in a fertile valley deep

Twas darkest day of winter
when the villagers found
three children playing in the snow
had vanished with narry a sound

Most were afraid to leave
In the hills the monsters roam.
Conchobar did them cowards call
And swore to go alone.

Tahai, his friend proclaimed
‘I will not allow you to.
Whatever dangers you will face
I swear to stand by you.’

They left at once and travelled fast
Through winds and snow so deep
Yet ever onward they were lead
by silvery trail of feet

They had not a second’s warning
before icy gale’s might
brought a boulder from far above
that swept Tahai out of sight

Conchobar looked over the edge
fearing what he was to see
Tahai lay some way below
clinging to a tree

‘Hold on!’ Conchobar cried
‘I will get you back somehow’
It was too far, he could not reach
The branch was cracked, soon to break

‘Go on my friend,’ Tahai called
‘let not this your purpose drain
for if you do not your quest complete
my death will be but in vain.’

The branch broke and Tahai fell
into the depths of the abyss
Conchobar fell to his knees and wept
wishing he were not so powerless

All alone and far from home
Conchobar laboured on.
Through snow and icy and gusting wind
And he desperatly wished this burden gone

Then through the snow he saw
the path ended up ahead
A cave opened in the cliff
into which the footprints led

Deep within the cave he found
the children playing in the snow
and sitting to one side
an ice spirit, all aglow

Conchobar strode in brave and bold
‘Let the children go.’ he cried
The spirit turned, frozen tears on her face
Sadness and pride in her eyes

‘Peace, warrior’ the spirit sighed
‘I meant no harm to them
For long have I your people watched
and seen what from friendship can stem.’

‘Even spirits have finite time
I will die when the winter wanes
Is it too much to ask for company
before the darkness reigns?’

‘Let the children go’ Conchobar did say
‘and with you I will remain
Guide then safely back to their homes
I will see you through your bane.’

The spirit stood and waved her hand
and the children vanished all
‘I thank thee for thy kindness
and compassion,’ the spirit said

And so through all the winter
Conchobar in the cave remained
Much he saw and much he learned
and too soon the winter waned.

On the first morn of spring
Soft light heralded the day
‘Remember me’ she whispered
and into mist she faded away

A hero’s welcome Conchobar received
when to the village he returned
Thou scarsely older, much wiser was he
By experience scar’d and burned

Many more years Conchobar lived
many things saw and treasures won
but his memory of the ice spirit
forever lingered on.