I was in me cozy tree, fashioned by me mind to provide a place of sharin between me tree and meself. I loved this old tree, it be speakin to me soul. I knew it when it was but a wee saplin, havin planted it with tender care meself over 600 years ago. Most humans can’t be hearin trees a talkin. Me, I be hearin em. It was just that ye had to be very patient. When they be speakin, it be takin hours just to be passin one word into our world. It wasn’t like they be speakin words like ye be usin. It be more like the tones of the creakin as they be lettin the wind move em or gravity be a pullin on one of their branches.

 

I been livin for thousands of years. I quit the countin long ago. To be a countin is to be a dyin, I be learnin. As Faery, to never be dyin, could drive ye crazy ifin ye let it. I be learnin long ago to be stoppin the countin. Many say Faery be tricksters and pranksters. Well, I be digressin. How can eternity be interestin if ye be sittin there all pompas, havin no fun or interestin events a poppin up now and again. I been King of the Faery for a wee bit over 800 years. The old king, well, he was a countin. Drove him mad until he be movin on. He began to be blockin magic from holdin him back from agein. Decidin to see what it be like to be old and frail. His mind began to be a goin in the end as he be passin on to the next place. One thing we always be teachin, if ye don’t be a learnin it here, ye be a learnin it in the next place.

 

The old king was me pa. I be honorin his desire to be experiencin death. Eternity be a long time. Lessons be findin ye sooner or later, if ye be livin long enough. That’s why we don’t be gettin in a hurry much, to be reactin too quickly. So when me pa passed, I be named king in his place. I be King Pierren, older than the dirt be, but who be countin? When that shaman first be comin to me forest, I knew he be here. I done foreseein him comin. When ye get as old as the dirt, bein magical and all, ye be noticin when the universe be a talkin to ye also. Not just trees. So when the universe be presentin them omens of future things, I be goin to me old tree. Down into the deep basement among the roots. Me old friend, me tree, be presentin me with a protrudin root. I be pluckin it too, smokin it in me pipe. That be how it’s done.

 

I be seein the shaman, the world, and me great great great great grandson, thousands of years in the future. Now this be comin as a bit of surprise, even to an old man the age of dirt. And that be a rare thing. To be surprisin one like me was no small undertakin. I decided to be havin a heart to heart with me grandson about this. No sense to be usin the great great great. I be here all day tellin me story. These vile Devians, be comin here an killin me family. There be a darkness comin that be needin me attention. Our words be for no man to hear, so off I be goin into the future, I be makin arrangements for me family. The future be dependin on em. Everything be dependin on em. I be havin a discussion with the shaman when I be a gettin back from the future. I be knowin how me daughter has takin a likin to him. She just don’t be knowin that I know.