English Literature - The Wee Free Men

 

Tiffany goes to the stone circle searching for the doorway to the Queen's world. She attempts to ask William the Gonnagal, but he refuses to tell his new Kelda the way, because Tiffany doesn't say please. She then gets a lesson in basic manners - something every child needs, usually repeatedly.

Tiffany finally figures out where the doorway is, by looking and seeing tiny gummy bears hidden in the grass, that her brother most likely dropped. Thinking of the Kelda's words 'look for where the time doesn't seem right' and she watches a bird swoop behind one of the stone arches. The bird reappears, but a second too late. She knows this is the right place but can't quite figure out how to get through.

She closes her eyes, trusting herself, and she walks until the stones disappear from her feet. When she opens her eyes, she finds herself in a black and white world, with snow under her feet. 

As her and the pictsies debate whether or not Tiffany will help to rescue her brother (she only has her frying pan as a weapon) grim hounds come bounding towards them silently.

William the Gonnagal plays his mouse pipes and the Gonnagal has magic of his own while playing. The music causes immense pain to the dogs - this is described as them trying to escape their own skin, and Tiffany's teeth buzz and her pan vibrates.

The dogs leave as quickly as they can and the little explorers carry on their journey.