Merlin you say?

“What can I say? some folk have talents for things …”

‘Folk?’ Goober never thought of Gandalfo as being folk. But for Puck the relationship came from the Golden Era of the globe - way before the Middle Earth crisis they had known.

“So, let me get this straight … you say he was into gunpowder back in the day, and went by the name of Joseph … was entrusted with the fate of yet another relic, conveyed it to Britain and gave it to Merlin?”

“No … he was - er, is, - Merlin.”

“Thats a lot to take in, but you know … it makes perfect sense.”

“Truth usually does” Puck nodded knowingly.

“Merlin you say? Joseph, of Arimathae was one of us?”

“Yep.”

- Gabriel Brunsdon, AZLANDER: NEVER ENDINGS: Second Chances

A Perpetude of Grace

Elves have a gift often of foresight, and Puck could see a Golden Age some distance away in the horizon. A time for Humanity to become immortal as they, and for the Immortals to develop their souls in self-consciousness like them.

Yes, he could see it, and it was grand. The boughs of Karma were untwined, and true happiness reflected back from Man and Elf alike. The Kingdoms finally could breathe together, with a cosmic pulse that aligned with the highest of the Heavens. A perpetude of Grace sustained all races, all creatures, all beings - with a constancy that would remain forever.

- Gabriel Brunsdon, AZLANDER: NEVER ENDINGS: Second Chances

Mending the World

“We must help him [Gandalf]" he said. “But how?”

“By mending this World.” said Puck with sober meaning. “For all of our fates are intertwined. The noble and the novice, tied with the one silver cord, that pulls up, and it pulls down.”

Goober was disappointed to contemplate this - it appeared to be a perilously, miserably long struggle then, ahead of everyone.

“I’ll go get a bleach for the table then.”

“Thanks Peanut” replied Puck absentmindedly.


- Gabriel Brunsdon, AZLANDER: NEVER ENDINGS: Second Chances

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