Or Where I Finally Make a Lasting Impression…
It’s not every day that somebody makes a decision to tattoo a piece of artwork they like on themselves, or at least I don’t imagine so. My work seems rather too narrative to work as tattoos; I don’t draw enough roses, swords or brawny barbarians leaning on them (on the swords, not the roses… though these days, I suppose barbarians are allowed to express more of their inner selves…). So imagine my surprise and delight when I received these pictures of Fingolfin’s Challenge.
I am flattered and not a little awe-struck. I just hope that he doesn’t get tired of it too soon! The original is in the portfolio.
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All photos © bquery
THE SEA-QUEEN’S SECRET: PART TWO
Everyone knows that in the black depths of the sea live the most fabulous of creatures. Only a few come to seek air – whales and dolphins for the most part – and many fear the light of day, and rise only when the moon is waning and the boats safely at the quays. The rest are the stuff of legends, and the fishermen are content to catch only tasty fish in their nets, and never let their lines stray too deep. The prayers and amulets fashioned by the women keep the mermaids at bay, though when the tides are highest in spring and fall, it is rumoured that they come to gaze in the lighted windows, or peer through the cracks in the shutters. Other rumours say they can walk like men on the shore, but must leave their shimmering skins hidden in a safe cranny or they cannot return to the sea. Some say they are beautiful, with emerald eyes and white skins, but the women maintain they are pop-eyed like fish, with pointed teeth and clammy scales.
Naturally, it was common to bring up curious fishes and other bottom dwelling creatures, but no one had ever hauled up a knight..
It happened this way; Ondal was returning to the village, skipping along the base of the towering cliffs, pushed far out of his way by the wind and tide. Night had fallen, but there was a crescent moon, and no one keeping watch to worry about him. Suddenly, with a resounding splash, something plummeted from the cillfs into the sea. Hardly pausing to think. Ondal cast his net, and soon, after much struggling and straining, he hauled a bedraggled figure over his gunwale.
After coughing up several lungsful of water, the figure sat up and slowly unfastened a heavy iron helm and shook the water from his eyes.
“My thanks, young page!” the knight declared, for it was indeed a knight, as he had not let go of his lance or shield even while drowning, “I am most grateful, and forever in your debt.”
Ondal couldn’t think what to reply, so he concentrated on his rowing, and soon he and the knight, who smelled somewhat of fish, were seated at the table in his cottage.
The knight’s tale went like this: To win his lady’s heart, he had gone from tournament to pageant, each time carrying the day in his lady’s name. Finally, though, his beloved had grown weary of renown, and perhaps would have preferred a husband less famous but more often at home, and gave her heart to another. In penance, as knights did this sort of thing, he had vowed never to rest until he had righted an unknown wrong, and took his leave. Of course, this was nigh impossible, and for many years he had wandered through as many lands, righting wrongs aplenty, but none which were unknown. Finally, he had lost his steed in a one-sided struggle with an irksome giant, and had continued on on foot. His mind all on his unlikely quest, he had not noticed the cliff, and only his good fortune had saved him from sinking like a stone.
Ondal was hardly surpried, knights were reputed for doing just that sort of thing, and was even less surprised when the knight would not give his name, preferring to be known as Belincompris. Foreign names like that were very much in vogue with knights errant, so that wasn’t a surprise either.
Of course the sudden appearance of a knight, with his helm and lance and sword and shield caused quite a stir in the village, and the children crowded around and all had to have a turn putting the helmet on their heads, and touching his coat of mail. After a while, though, the novelty wore thin, and the men took to their boats to seek their meagre harvest on the sea.
The knight seemed content to watch the gulls wheel about the quays, and watched the fishermen return, faces grim and boats nearly empty. The talk on the quays was of one thing: the fish, which had log been growing scarce, had deserted the waters, and famine seemed likely. A few shot suspicious glances at Belincompris, but none dared blame him of course, not with his tall shield and sharp glaive. After a few days, even the knight was well aware something was wrong, and climbing on an overturned bucket on the quay, he addressed the crowd.
“My good folk!” he cried, “your misfortune is great, and perhaps my quest is nearing its end. My good page Ondal and I will set forth forthwith, and seek its cause!”
With that, he climbed into Ondal’s bright-scaled boat, and they rowed slowly out to the sea. The townspeople tapped their foreheads. Everyone knew knights were a little crazy, but what did he think he was going to do, pay a visit to the Queen of Mermaids in her undersea realm? It turns out that is exactly what they did.
To be continued
FATANEH
At last, after a pesky server crash, Fataneh’s section will be open tomorrow Saturday.
(Valentine’s Day, of course…)
RETAIL THERAPY
We are also soon to be inaugurating a new section in the main menu, appropriately entitled STUFF. As there is nothing for sale on the site, my earnest intent is to re-direct to those places that do carry things of mine for sale.
CRUACHAN
Rather more conventional than being on someone’s arm, I’ve finally, at long last after years of yearning to be on a record sleeve, had my wish granted. (One of my dreams is to do these over-the-top paintings of rabid hordes of barbarians with horns on their helmets – honest! – for heavy metal bands… maybe one day.) More information can be found here or you can go directly to the band’s website.
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OUT OF SITE BUT STILL IN SIGHT…
The Fan art section is probably the most flourishing part of the site, and thankfully, wise gardener that I am, I have a large pair of shears to cut back the growth every month, otherwise it would outgrow its puny parent in no time. Not only is clipping all that greenery a difficult exercise, it’s a shame to just rake it into a pile to burn…
So, thanks to the efforts of two very active members of the forum, ALL of the submissions, especially those that are trimmed at the end of each month, have found a home here.
It’s turning into quite a collection.
SERVERS
On a strictly practical level we have been having some problems with the mailing list, but Dominique is working on solving it. Probably something in the hyperdrive of the new cyberspace booster or something else that is so far beyond me that there’s no point in my trying to understand. (We farm boys like things we can fix with a sledgehammer and an arc welder… in that order.)
GIVE AND TAKE
Most people line up at a signature session to request something, paying ample enough penance by standing in line for sometimes hours at a time. Occasionally, people will stand in line for several hours to give me something. Last fall, in Paris, I received this amazing horn sculpture. I never know what to say except thank you very much, which hardly seems enough in the face of such skill and generosity.
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