He pulled the black leather glove tightly over his fingers and then wiggled them in front of his eyes. How long had it been since he had fingers? How long had it been since he had had skin for that matter? He grinned; this body suited him, he thought as he rubbed his hands down his long lanky and muscular legs then pulled back into a luxurious stretch. “I should do this more often,” he said aloud. A greasy strand of hair fell into his eyes and he blew it back, “Ahh I remember now,” he scoffed, “being corporeal is such a messy affair.” He tore a leather strap from his coat and tied his hair back, adjusted the sword that hung at his belt and smiled again, “Still, being human has its advantages; very few but it still holds some.” He grabbed the branch that hung over the path and swung himself up onto it to perch like a bird. The pressure of the curve of the limb under his arches made him smile again. He took a deep breath, clasped both hands under his chin and closed his eyes; behind his human lids he could see his son’s progression. His eyes snapped open, “Time, time, time, time, time, time!” He hissed.

Gywn swung around in his saddle as the echo of his father’s voice filled the forest around him. “I know, I know!”

Merrick scrunched his eyebrows low over his eyes, “Did you say something Master?”

Gywn didn’t answer but pulled back on the reins of his mount drawing the animal to a dead stop. He sat still for a moment, listening or trying to capture something intangible that had changed in his surroundings. Slowly, he lifted his eyes to the branch just above his head. “Father.” He said dispassionately and not in the least bit surprised.

Merrick looked up, his hand already drawing his bow in place and an arrow notched in the string. Ludd pointed a finger at him and a bolt of electricity streamed from the tip and hit Merrick in the chest knocking him twenty feet from his horse. He rolled over on to his hands then dropped to the ground passed out cold. “I would think you would have taught your minions to show the proper respect.” Ludd laughed as he stepped off the branch and dropped to the ground.

Gywn swung his leg over the saddle and hopped down off his horse. He walked slowly toward his father dropping to one knee before him, taking his gloved hand and then kissed the knuckles with reverence. “I have missed you father. It has been some time since I have felt your presence.”

Ludd withdrew his hand, “Get up Gywn, we have much to discuss and not very much time in which to do it.” He watched his son rise to his full height. He examined his sons choice in form, “Impressive,” He said as he circled him. “This is indeed a fine specimen.” Ludd held his chin and then squinted into his son’s eyes, “Now tell me Gywn, just what have you been doing lately?”

Gywn pulled his chin away and stepped back, “Why father I have been doing your bidding, what else?”

Ludd bit the inside of his cheek, the pain fascinating him. He arched an eyebrow down, his skin turned a dusty gray, and his eyes glowed like two red rubies, “Then tell me Gywn,” his voice building momentum, “if you are doing my bidding why are the halls of the lower Dark Lands so EMPTY?” The force of his voice knocked Gywn off his feet. But he stood up without hesitation; he knew what his father expected of him, pure strength. Ludd smiled, “I do not want or require an answer Gywn, you already know that.” Ludd pulled his sword from its sheath and began to swing it and twirl it as if some sort of a drill, but his actions did not interrupt his thought. “I have been to the future Gywn and do you want to know what I saw?” He asked.

“Yes father, tell me what you saw.” He answered unemotionally.

“I saw Arthur,” SWISH, the sword slide past the side of Gywn’s head. Gywn did not move. “I saw Arthur passing into the lower Dark Lands!” Ludd crossed the sword over Gywn’s head and then it SWISHED past his other ear. Ludd then tossed the sword high into the air and looked up. The sword flew higher and higher, end over end, until it straightened and came down piercing the ground between Gywn’s feet. “If the lower Dark Lands are empty what is to stop him from climbing higher?” Ludd grabbed Gywn’s jacket, “What is to stop him from climbing through each level of my precious Dark Lands until he finally reaches ME!” He pushed Gywn back but Gywn held his footing. Gywn began to speak but Ludd held up a hand, “There is nothing you say in answer to this question my son for it simply cannot come to pass.” He stepped backwards one step after another “Time,” He whispered. “Time,” another step back, “Time,” another step back, “Time,” another step back, “Time,” another step back. “You are running OUT of time.”

And then with a flash of light Ludd disappeared.