chapter Four Arrival

Chapter four ARRIVAL.

It was late when they reached their new home it was after midnight.
Ian's parents and a few of his cousins had tidied up the house and lit the fire for them coming... Ian carried Michael into his new bedroom; he was still sleeping as they unpacked.
Most of the big furniture had arrived before them and his cousins moved it in for them.."It's grand to have you all here, but what took you so long? We expected you here hours ago." Said Ian's dad as he hugged Sandra.
John was a rugged looking man white hair and was stocky built years of climbing had strengthened his body, he had piercing blue eyes Ian had the same eyes as his dad.
“Well John blame your son he took us the scenic route." His grandad raised his eyebrow at him he winked back and mouthed tell you later.
Margaret Ian's mum welcomed Sandra with open arms and a nice hot cup of tea. She too had a head of white hair Ian had been a late baby they only had the one child. Margaret had true warmth about her she lit a room up with her presence. "Och Ian you should have come the new motorway what with Sandra ready to drop the little yin any day."
She fussed over Sandra making sure she was comfy in the big armchair by the fire. The fire was roaring and Sandra felt warmth spread over her it was the warmth of love and a family. She felt a weight lift from her "It's all right Margaret we loved the detour." She smiled at her husband.

After many hugs and kisses it was time for bed everyone was gone. Ian and Sandra looked out of their windows onto the Glen and towering mountains. "Tomorrow my son and I will be hungry so I suggest we get some shut eye, you'll have to be up early to feed us for the journey up the mountain." She gave him a cuddle and kissed his cheek.
"Now you off to bed I have something to do." Sandra was puzzled "What have you to do at this time its 3am in the morning." He smiled "I have an errand to do I won't be long."
Sandra fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.
She awoke with Michael shaking her and the smell of breakfast cooking, Ian was already up, she couldn't remember him coming to bed. His face was shining and happy she hugged her son and kissed his cheeks." "Dad said be fast or be last breakfast waits," He skipped off into the big kitchen to help his dad with breakfast.
As she got ready she took time to survey her new home in the light. The sound of the birds echoed around the trees and the water tumbling down the mountain Ian had joked that no taps for them Sandra was to haul the water daily like a real woman fat chance maybe a 100yrs ago. The house was still warm it had wood burning stove that heated the whole house.
"Well good morning sleepy head." Michael giggled as his mums hair was tousled and covered her eyes... "Here you are madam breakfast is served." As they sat and ate breakfast and chatted about what had to be done they could see how anxious Michael was to be off.
Ian had prepared food for their journey; Sandra had double checked the food and was satisfied there was plenty for them.
She smiled as she watched her two men walk away her son happy clasping his note in his pocket and her husband happy to be home once again.
It was a glorious winter’s day the sun was high and the crisp clean smell of pine filled their lungs. The heather covered the hillside.Sheep were dotted all over the hills.

. Ian stopped to take in the view. A range of mountains with the mist hovering over the top. The glen was covered in heather. "Along time ago the folk that lived here used the heather to make a thatch for their roofs." Michael looked amazed. "Heather? this stuff." Michael picks a bit of the purple heather. "Yes son heather." "Look feel it's strength." They both had a a tug at it. "How long would it last dad?. " "About ten years." "And when you think it could cost upwards of £15.000 to thatch a roof." Michael giggled ."Mum would love a purple roof being it's her favourite colour." Ian looked thoughtful. "Son you have just revived my memory.... mmmm I wonder." Michael knew what his dad was thinking.
A roof made of thatched heather...
The sun broke through the clouds, then the mist rolled away showing them the mountain tops. The sun sparkled on the water of the Loch and little streams that ran down the mountains.
It looked as if the water surface was dancing with rays of light.
The pine forrests were dark places, with lots of birds and small wildlife.
They saw the deer walk in and out of the forrests grazing on the grass.
Michael thought the forrest was great. He was looking forward to going on a trip with his dad. He'd promised to show Michael the small wildlife the forrests supported.
Snails,ants,moths,hedgehogs,squirrels and it was home to many birds.


Ian started whistling an old folk tune he'd heard his granddad whistle.
Michael tried to whistle like his dad but he hadn't quite mastered it, dad said practice makes perfect... "One day son you'll whistle better than me." They smiled at each other happy to be out doors and feeling free.

"Dad how do we know what mountain to climb?" "Ha ha there it is." And straight ahead was the tallest mountain Michael had ever seen... Ian saw his sons face drop "Dad I'll never be able to climb that." "Ah remember what I said the wizard does not expect you to climb it. You only climb as far as you can." "But first something to eat." As they sat eating Ian felt a rush of love as he looked at his son so small and vulnerable at that moment Ian would've fought every demon and monster that haunted his son’s dreams.


Michael climbed as far as he could... He was exhausted.
"Right son lets put your wish here under this stone, we'll come back in an hour and see if the wizard has got it."
Michael felt scared what if the note blew away what if they had gone up the wrong mountain he felt that fear creep in... Ian saw the look on his face” I promise you he'll come."
They went a walk around the steams and caves Ian telling Michael all the stories he remembered from his grandfather and his father. Soon it was time to go back and find out if his wish had been answered.
Michael was excited and afraid he'd never felt like this before.
As they got near the place Michael saw a light glistening he ran up and there was a crystal which held all the colours he could think off and beside it a note.
It was a message from the wizard
“Here is a magic crystal that will protect you from monsters because it is pure and from the earth core where no human being except myself has been. It has the power to shield you from harm." "But you must not run away you must stand and face the monsters believe in the crystal and it will protect you. You have to face these demons and tell them to be off where they belong. Remember I will be with you even though you cannot see me I will be there if you believe in me"
"Once you do this the monsters will never come back and if they do, use the crystal. At all times keep it under your pillow.
"Here is the word you must say every night." "Remember magic does exist and good will wins over evil."

Powers of the light protect me in the night.
As I sleep keep me safe from harm
Let the crystal work its charm.
Surround me in light and let the monsters be banished into the night."

Michael was so excited he was looking everywhere. "No son you canny see him he's up in the mists." His dad pointed up the mountain Michael looked skyward and the sky was covering the top of the mountain. If there where someone there they would never see them. Just then a giant eagle flew down from the mists and circled around them Michael had never been so close to a wild eagle he was huge. "Daddy it's the wizard’s eagle." Michael was waving his crystal at the eagle "Tell him I got the crystal." The eagle screeched and disappeared back into the mists of the mountaintop. Ian was taken aback "Daddy did you see the eagle when you came?"
"No son I never got to see him you must be a special boy."
Michael hugged his dad and as he held the crystal he felt warmth come from it as if it was pulsing...
He held it up over his head and shouted “Thank you thank you I promise to believe in you." Ian smiled at his son "Right we better be off Mum will be having kittens. Michael laughed at the idea of mum having kittens.

Michael skipped all the way home trying his hardest to whistle, then he did it he whistled he was so excited "Dad I can whistle." Ian looked lovingly at his son "Lets whistle a tune home." Michael wanted to learn Peter and the Wolf his dad was always whistling it around the house or when they where out walking.....
Father and son whistled their way home.
Sandra was amazed how healthy her son looked his cheeks were rosy again and the dark eyes were vanishing she heard the whistling over the hill and there they were father and son laughing and whistling.
She knew how hard Michael had tried to whistle and now well she thought a little bit of the magic was working.

Michael was so excited he told his mum how they climbed not to the top but as near as they could go. It was hard but they did it
He pulled out the crystal and showed his mum. It was beautiful and when held up to the light it gave off a beautiful kaleidoscope of colours pink, blue, red, green, lilac. And about the eagle.
A loud knock at the door brought all the family.
"Hello it's all of us can we come in?" Michael rushed to the door he was bursting to tell great Granddad but he knew he had to keep it secret.
Grandma had brought round a roast and it looked like everything from her kitchen. "Now you sit and put up your feet Sandra we've come prepared." Sandra thanked her and gave her a big hug.
As they all sat round eating supper the talk went to the new e co house. Ian was telling them all how he would draw the heat for the house from deep in the ground. "New fangled ideas do they work? That's what I want to see." Said Grandma.
"All in good time woman." Said granddad "New ideas that will save our forests for future generations."
"That's right dad it will” Said Ian.
"And don't worry mum we'll all be as snug as bugs in a rug." Grandma Tutted "But to make a house out of straw Ian I dinny understand that."
Granddad gave his daughter in law a wee wink as if to say you tell her Then he turned to grandma "Away into the kitchen woman and let us get on with things."
In the kitchen Sandra explained to Margaret the basic function of the new house. Margaret was amazed, and secretly very proud of her son and his wife.
Michael helped clear the table and his dad brought out the plans to show his father and his grandfather.
It was getting late when they all left and Michael could feel his eyes getting heavy,