Living in a World of Visions

Gandalf’s milky eyes glazed over now to pure white - he appeared as a being who lived in the world of visions - seeing but a different time - displaced in the realm where his feet hit the ground.

“I want to help you” said Puck gently, placing his hand on the old Wizard’s shoulder.

His offer was heart driven, for this stern soul before him had given more to the World than the World had known.

“I am sure this is only temporary” he whispered in his ear.

Flinty led him out slowly. Although he suffered no pain or weakness, Gandalfo’s fix was uncertain, and his bearings incomplete.

“I will call upon you soon” called Puck after them.

Goober shook his head - dismayed to see the mighty one bereft of his ordinary senses.

-Gabriel Brunsdon, AZLANDER: NEVER ENDINGS: Second Chances

Flinty

The study door opened and Flinty stomped in.

“I’ve come to collect ‘im”, he said deeply.

‘That’s a rather low voice for a little chap’ thought Goober to himself.

Flinty grunted.

Flinty was a dwarf from the highlands - the clan of the Keepers of the Trees. On Earth they now owned a chain of large home and garden depots.


-Gabriel Brunsdon, AZLANDER: NEVER ENDINGS: Second Chances

Charley Pregnant

Marley [the spirit] was content to remain close by.

She constantly watched over her daughter Charley, who although she did not know it yet, was now pregnant and due to have her baby half a year away.

And then there was Puck.

She loved to watch him - it filled in her day. He could not see her, and from what she had seen of him, he had been faithful to her all this time. He had not been dating any women, or sprites - had no infatuations, no liaisons, no flirtations.

Their attraction was complex - and went way back - back to the times when they kept a rural charity, with his forest bred brethren encamped in the Nottingham scrub.

A part of her, longed to be with a part of him. Yet she could not show herself. And, until she was absolutely ready, he would not be able to see her in return. Perhaps she was closer this way? Yes, she would wait - at least a little longer …

-Gabriel Brunsdon, AZLANDER: NEVER ENDINGS: Second Chances

Metaphysical Hole

Marley had fallen down a deep hole and did not know how to find her way out. It was, more precisely, a metaphysical hole, yet those can be the hardest to find one’s way out from.

Brogan had slipped away from her - yet again - into another incarnation, she imagined … and she, all the meanwhile, chose to keep to her spirit-self, as there was still much of her time on earth remaining.

Most spirits become earthbound after a suicide or homicide - for they are tied to its atmosphere for the length of years and minutes, that the course of their ordinary life would have taken, were they not discharged so early.

-Gabriel Brunsdon, AZLANDER: NEVER ENDINGS: Second Chances

All I see is the Past

Gandalf’s coffee was swirling rapidly in his cup, and his plate dropped loudly onto the alabaster table.

It was a beautiful table - pristine white with veins of real gold patterning through it.

“Should have put down a covering cloth” Puck thought to himself annoyed at the mess all over it.

Gand’s pale blue eyes were almost as white as his hair, and were watering constantly. Goober was concerned the old fellow was crying, but could not tell.“All I can see now is the past” the sage confided.

“When I meditate, or reflect, when I ponder yon … when I try to cast thought into what may become … all I can see is the past, and I am deadlocked. It is as though some unsavoury spell has fixed my mind upon itself.”

“What is the very last thing you remember?” Puck asked.

“Cherry Juice.” the Wizard said flatly.

“Cherry Juice?”

“Yes, Cherry Juice as it spilt nigh.”

Seconds later the urn central to the meal started friskily rocking, only to then topple, spilling out and onto the table top in purple pools.

“I see” said Puck. “How's about we take our nightcap in the study?”

- Gabriel Brunsdon, AZLANDER: NEVER ENDINGS: Second Chances

He inwardly Cringed

John Howe 

“No, no more smoke rings my boys” he said, as though they were expecting the usual entertainment. Puck and Goober were more concerned that smoke was coming out of him without a pipe or a cigar having been lit.

“No rings,” he repeated, “just fragrant winds at both ends” he chuckled.

“That’s my man” thought Puck, as he glimpsed the former soul he had known and loved.

“I have something to ask of you” Gand solemnly said in his deepest voice. More smoke came out.

“Well,” said Puck hesitantly, “we all know how that went last time you led a cause". Although Puck said this jovially, he inwardly cringed.


- Gabriel Brunsdon, AZLANDER: NEVER ENDINGS: Second Chances

Puff of Smoke from an Ancient Pipe

Alan Lee 

Goober quite nearly fell off his chair. The Wizard was known for his short temper with heated consequences.

But Puck knew otherwise - for he could see plainly that his preoccupation had a much deeper repose - nothing he could say or do would shift him out from it.

“The Mortals exhumed our history, to then exile it, and me, into the plains of allegory.” He sighed and a puff of smoke from an ancient pipe evacuated with it.

- Gabriel Brunsdon, AZLANDER: NEVER ENDINGS: Second Chances