You descend down a small passageway, which seems to lead into the heart of the hill. It suddenly slants downward, and begins to wind to the left, with smooth natural earthen steps.
Through the darkness ahead, you see a warm, inviting glow. You come into a large room which looks very much like the inside of a cottage. There is a hearth, with a large cast-iron pot suspended over it, and a low wooden table. In the far corner of the room, you see three robed and hooded women, standing shoulder to shoulder with each other, all staring at you evenly. Before them are spindles and spinning wheels, and large baskets of raw flax.
You start to say something, but you hear a another voice say “Welcome, traveler!”
You turn and look, and from a low door, a strangely dressed man walks into the room. He has an old-fashioned grey coat, with Lombard sleeves, a pair of grey breeks, and white shanks gartered above the knees. He has a small white staff in his hand. He seems very jovial.
“You must have come here from the world above! Splendid! I can tell just by looking at you that you have come seeking knowledge of the old ways.”
You start to ask him how he could know this, when he says-
“No, don’t ask…” he winks at you. After all you’ve been through, I’d say you should have at least some idea how I might know…!”
He sits at the table.
“Please, call me Thom. I am of the Sidhe…that is, the children of the Queen of Faerie, who dwell forever here, in Elfhame, in the land of dream. This isn’t the first time you’ve been to Elfhame, is it? I thought you looked a might familiar.”
He continues…
“You have traveled out onto the Heathlands, and seen the ancient Hill-forts and mounds. You have again found your way here, into the under-world of Faery. Here, you shall learn where the Old Faith truly stems from. I am very knowledgeable on many subjects…you may see me as a man before you, but I am
in reality a great power, a spirit, you would say, coursing through creation and affecting it and interacting with it in many ways. You are as well, and we meet together at many points. Right now, we meet as Faery-man to Traveler. One day, we may meet as fish to river, or as husband to wife. But,” he lowers his voice, “be careful about that…I can be messy and hard to live with.”
He roars in laughter.
The three Hooded women have never taken their eyes off of you. Thom tells you:
“You have stood in her presence before. I was there. She appears before you now as the Three Spinning Mothers, who know all fate. They will never talk, for fate is mysterious. They will only know, and do.
So ask me, traveler. Ask me what you will…”
You ask him about: