Chapter Four -- Meeting the Other Kelpies

They walked along the path. As they walked hand-in-hand past the waterfall, the misty spray landed on Anna and for a few moments her skin glowed the color of the golden sun just like Alana’s. Yes, there was so much that needed to be said.
In the forest there was a clearing with tables set for a Queen’s meal. Anna and Alana sat at a table and began to eat the wonderful fruits, berries, nuts and cheeses. As they ate, other Golden Kelpies came to sit at the tables and eat as well. They nodded a greeting, but did not interrupt their feast. After everyone had eaten, they came over to say hello and introduce themselves.
“Hello Anna, we are so glad to have you back with us. We have all missed you very much.” They all said together.
“I am George,” said the first.
“I am Peter,” said the second.
“I am Julia,” said the third.
And it went on for a while, but Anna lost track of all the names and hoped there wouldn’t be a test.
“Don’t worry,” Alana said, “You will meet everyone again and again. The more you get to know about each of us, the easier it will be to remember everyone’s names.”
As Alana finished speaking, a tall male Golden Kelpie with the most golden iridescent skin and beautiful shimmering hair walked out of the woods and right up to Anna. He scooped her up in his strong arms and swung her around.
“Oh Anna,” his voice boomed, “We are so glad to finally have you back with us.” He turned and looked kindly at Alana. “And Alana, you are back safely my dear. You too have been missed.” And he winked at her.
“Rembrandt set the poor girl down.” She doesn’t know who you are. You’ll scare her to death with your zealousness.” And he gently set Anna on her feet.
“I’m sorry my dears.” He said. “But I have been waiting so long for this day. Anna come and sit with us and we will tell you who we are.”
The three walked to a little wooden house and went inside to talk privately.
Rembrandt always got directly to the point. “Anna, you too are a Golden Kelpie. You have begun life as all Golden Kelpies begin their lives. It is the way of the Golden Kelpies to learn early about the other world; to experience it at its most difficult. This way when we are ready to come back to our land, we will appreciate it fully and treat it with love and respect. We are connected to all living things and therefore they are connected to us."
Alana continued, "During our lives, we each go out in human form to bring light and love to the other world. Because we understand it from an early age, we are able to survive there. Our final test is the one that you helped my pass. To go out one last time, helpless to be found by one of our own and bring him or her back here to rest rejuvenate, learn, play and prepare for their adult journey.”
“We are your parents. We are the ones who had you and lived for a time with you in the other world. We told you stories of this place and of us so that when the time was right, you would know to come and find me in the beach,” Alana continued.
Anna looked at Alana and Rembrandt for a long time as she absorbed all that she had just been told. She knew in her heart that everything they had told her was true. Tears streamed down her cheeks; tears of joy; tears to wash away the sadness of the other world.
Alana came over to her and wrapped her golden arms around her and Anna’s own skin began to change and glow the golden hue. Rembrandt took them both into his arms and held them close. There they sat well into the night.
For the first time since her parents left her in the other world, Anna slept deeply, fully, and if she dreamed, it was wondrous and lovely.
When morning came, Alana and Rembrandt were still there. Anna looked at them and knew that this was not a dream; that she was finally home. Alana came over and gave her a gentle kiss and Rembrandt picked her up and held her tight.
“Let’s go eat,” he said. “I’m starving and there is much to do and more to tell you.”
In the clearing they sat at a table and ate a wonderful feast of foods. Anna met George, Peter and Julia again. And she met many other Golden Kelpies. While they each looked different, they all had glowing golden skin and hair like the setting sun. Ann looked down at herself and she wondered why her skin didn’t glow if she really was a Golden Kelpie too.