Ghastley's Book of Fairy Tales
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About this ebook
Fantasy author Shana O'Quinn returns with this collection of fairy tales for young adults and anyone else who wants updated versions of some classic fairy tales.
These stories offer twists, turns, strong heroines and clever heroes in a land where not everyone lives happily ever after, but there's never a dull moment. See Cinderella, Rumplestiltskin, Jack and the Beanstalk and more in a whole different way.
An original short story from the author's Secret Ones series is also included, for those who like ancient prehistory and werewolves.
Go ahead, indulge your need for fairy tales, even if you fancy yourself a grownup. You're never too old for a good story
Shana O'Quinn
Sandoz was born Shana O'Quinn and grew up in the Appalachias in the middle of absolute nowhere. Consequently, she likes to think of herself as everyone's favorite internet redneck. She loves fantasy, horror, movies with explosions, hobbits, and/or pirates in it. If you know of a hobbit pirate zombie ninja movie with lots of shit blowing up, do let us know. Sandoz loves to write stuff that entertains her. Hopefully it entertains others as well. She's currently finishing up a BA in Graphic Multimedia and Design. Cause she likes to draw shtuff.
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Ghastley's Book of Fairy Tales - Shana O'Quinn
Ghastley’s Book of Fairy Tales
Stories for Bigger Kids
By Shana O’Quinn
Copyright 2016
Cover design and artwork by Shana O’Quinn
Smashwords Edition
Special thanks to:
My husband Ronni, my family, Chrystal, who’s my very own elf chick, the Christopher Courtley for the feedback, the cats, the classic rock station on the radio, Beth, Wulff, Kristy and the Pickles, my friends, and the three other fans I have.
Ghastly’s Book of Fairy Tales
Other books by the author:
Lady of the Sidhe
Secret Ones, Volume 1
Secret Ones, Volume 2
Beowulf’s Struggle
The Chronicles of Lilith 1
Night Ride of the Sidhe
Be sure to check out her websites:
www.shanaoquinn.com
www.facebook.com/sandoz.driftwood
www.zandoz.deviantart.com
www.facebook.com/secretones1
This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to any actual person, place, event or thing is purely coincidental. This book is copyrighted to the author for personal use only after purchase. It may not be redistributed to other individuals or institutions. Any reproduction of this in whole or in part in any form is forbidden without express permission of the author. No offense intended to any invisible genies, werewolves, or giants. This stuff isn’t real. Or is it?
Table of Contents
Little Red Hood
Ashes to Ashes
Jack and the Magic Beans
Say My Name
An Irish Story
Fallen Prey
About the Author
Other Books She Has Scribbled
Preface
This is a collection of traditional fairy tales that I have adapted with my own style. I wanted explanations of certain things in some of the stories, and to flesh out the characters in a way that would be interesting and relevant to a modern audience—especially young adults generally, and young ladies in particular. Not that guys can’t enjoy these tales as well, but these girls and young ladies in the tales included here are tough, resilient, and intelligent. They conquer adversity, not by brute force, but by their wits, their confidence, and their friendships with other useful allies.
Included as well are some stories of my own, one adapted from a broken Irish legend of a couple paragraphs long (An Irish Story) and one telling of the downfall of the black werewolf Kevin, and his meeting Lilith (Fallen Prey). The latter tale has characters that appear in my other books, Lady of the Sidhe, and Secret Ones Volumes 1 and 2.
A glossary of words:
Sidhe: Elves. Also known as Fae. Pronounced ‘shee.’
Gaedhel: A region from which the ancient Celts sprang. It was divided into two regions, Greater Gaedhel and Lesser Gaedhel.
Dubu-Sidhe: Dark elves. Early Gaelic for Black-elves, referring to their underground existence, and generally unsavory nature. Also known as the Drow.
Lilit: Known as Lilith, Lilitu, Valillia. A 65,000 werewolf that can’t age and die. She is the First Werewolf, who can create other werewolves by biting others but can’t give birth herself. She is the original Bad Girl.
Joehnar Western: A wood-elf, known in modern times as Joe West, lead singer for the rock band White Death. A trickster and skirt-chaser, he’s managed to influence the course of history and do the right thing occasionally.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy reading these tales.
Little Red Hood
Many years ago, long before the folk of Europe wrote their stories and legends down as a matter of habit, there was a tiny village nestled between two massive forests. This village provided a rest stop for those traveling to and from larger towns nearby, or to one of the hill forts inhabited by one of the regional lords.
Lately, the peacefulness of the village had been broken by some brigands and highwaymen that preyed upon travelers and merchants on the King's Highway, which was the shortest and best maintained route through the town. The cowardly robbers didn't dare to go deep into the woods, for they were thick, dark, and dangerous.
This didn't stop the few hardy people that lived in the midst of the primeval northern forests. Little Red Hood's Grandmother was one of those, having lived in the woods all of her 50 plus years. She had been fearless, hale, and healthy until a few days ago, when she became ill. She took it to be a bit of a spring chill, but she became weak and coughed until she was hoarse. When a nice woodcutter relayed her condition to her daughter and her family, Little Red Hood's mother became worried.
Red Hood was a nickname of course, her being so called for the beautiful red cloak her mother Greta had sewn for her. So, she bade Elisabeth to don her scarlet cloak and take some food and medicine to the ailing old woman, wrapped up nicely in a basket. The twelve-year-old girl was overjoyed go be trusted to go alone on such an important mission. Greta was going to market to sell her fresh baked breads and cakes, which were much sought after, so she sent Elisabeth alone. She reminded her daughter to avoid the main road for fear of the brigands, and to take the old woodsmen's path through the woods to her grandmother's house. She also instructed Little Red Hood to not talk to strangers, and to never leave the path.
One never knew what one could find in the dark woods.
Elisabeth wrapped her red cloak about her, strapped her dagger to her side, and took a walking stick in her right hand. In her left hand, she clutched the basket of goodies for her grandmother. She tied her wavy, auburn hair back, hugged her mother good-bye and started off on her adventure.
It was a clear, pleasant day, and the girl hummed happily to herself as she entered the forest. Sun peeked down in patches through the leafy canopy, with the occasional breeze that brought the scent of decaying leaves and loam to Little Red Hood's nostrils. She easily found the ancient path and followed it, her youth and peasant hardiness making the journey no trouble at all.
Deeper she went, occasionally catching glimpses of squirrels and deer, which she tried not to disturb. Halfway through her journey, she began to notice movement behind her, as of something following her. Having been raised so close to the Wild, her senses were honed to detect animals and possible danger while out walking. Elisabeth found that whenever she halted, the sounds ceased, but when she began walking, they started up again. This was not typical woodland animal behavior, and it alarmed her.
She fought the instinctive urge to run, since that was a sure-fire way to incite a predator to follow you. The thing was growing closer, she found, and quickly she decided to just stop and face whatever it was. She turned, and waited.
At last, a huge grey, shaggy wolf trotted into view, and watched her with strange soft brown eyes. The girl gasped and gripped her walking stick in terror.
You don't have to be afraid of me,
the wolf spoke in a growly voice.
You--you talk!
Little Red Hood exclaimed.
Indeed I do,
he responded. I am Lazam. What is your name, child?
Little Red Hood,
she blurted out, unwilling to give this creature her name.
How appropriate,
the wolf chuckled. You are in danger, Little Red Hood. Some highwaymen have blundered their way into these woods, and they are heading this way.
Highwaymen!
the girl gasped. I'd better warn...wait, why should I believe you? Talking wolves, I've never seen such a thing.
Mayhap this will help,
Lazam said, then stood up on two legs. His body shimmered, and in the blink of an eye stood a man with silvery long hair. He was average height but muscular build, with wide shoulders and arms like a blacksmith. His eyes were the same warm brown color they were as a wolf. He appeared to be in his middle 30’s, but it was hard to be sure. See? I am a man who sometimes walks as a wolf. You need to find someplace safe, and quick.
Little Red Hood was stunned. She'd never dreamed creatures like the ones in the stories her grandmother told her were true, or that she'd ever meet one. She brandished her stick and shouted, Stay back!
There's no time! Be silent!
he hissed, and something in his voice made her comply.
After a few moments, she could hear the clumsy sounds of many men crashing through the brush nearby. They were cursing and yelling about trying to find their way back to the King's Highway. They sounded angry and unsavory.
Elisabeth's eyes widened. She stared at this unclothed man who was moments before a wolf, and was faced with a dilemma. She knew she wouldn't want to fall into the hands of the ruffians--she had heard many horrifying stories of what they did to females. Being sold as slaves was just the beginning, and a violent death was not the worst fate to be suffered. It appeared that her only friend at this point was Lazam the shapeshifter.
Hide!
he whispered.
Elisabeth crawled into a thicket and crouched there, trembling. Lazam stood casually while the robbers made their way to where Little Red Hood had just been standing. A group of seven ragtag, raggedy,