On the outskirts of Marco's house, there was a path his father had warned him away from. He used to think it was funny, because his home resided on the outskirts of the village.
He remembered his father in his wood workshop, holding him in his lap. Marco's father would explain the dangers of an unknown path. A small smile graced his worn-out face, as he remembered what his father spoke. "While it may be exciting, you never know what you will meet," Marco spoke out loud. His eyes watched his feet as he trudged up a hill.
A small man in tattered green clothes tapped his clean black dress shoes, impatiently waiting.
Marco glanced up in surprise at the small man. Taken aback, he studied the unusual man. The man had a pointed green hat, red hair, and red facial hair.
"Quit staring at me, Laddie," the disgruntled man spoke.
"Sorry, Sir." Marco quickly turned his gaze to the ground.
As Marco tried to walk passed, the strange man again spoke, "I'm McFiddlely, and I know how you can make it up to me." He grinned wickedly.
Marco continued to walk.
"Hey, I'm talking here!" McFiddlely ran after Marco, trying to keep stride. "I said I know how you can make it up to me."
Marco ignored McFiddlely.
"What is your deal, anyway?" McFiddlely glowered. "Hey, there!" McFiddlely ran in front of Marco, holding two fingers above his head.
Marco stopped and shook his head, raising an eyebrow. "Is there something you need?"
McFiddlely's jaw dropped, and he glared. "Well, I have never been so offended in my life. But yes, I do." He dropped the hand he was getting ready to snap with.
Marco smiled wearily. "What would you like?"
"Two pieces of gold and two hours to return it." McFiddlely laughed nervously. "I ran into a bit of trouble with some other Leps."
Marco plucked his gold purse from his belt and handed McFiddlely two pieces of gold. "Keep it. I do not have the time to wait around for you."
McFiddlely grabbed the gold and greedily pressed it to his cheek. "Oh, my precious." He kissed the gold pieces, disappearing.
Marco shook his head lightly in laughter. He then pushed forward.
Two minutes and McFiddlely reappeared before him. McFiddlely's lip twitched up in an apologetic motion. His eyes were looking at the ground.
Marco studied him cautiously, noticing that McFiddlely looked more torn up than the last time he saw him.
"First off," McFiddlely screamed in a thick, unusual accent that seemed to manifest as he continued, "I have a problem. You see the other Leps weren't too happy about the little amount of gold I brought back and gambled, so I offered yours up instead. If you want to keep your gold, run!"
Marco 's confusion rang clearly on his face.
McFiddlely noticed three Leprechauns appearing behind Marco, running toward him. Marco remained motionless, so McFiddlely snapped his fingers, producing a small amount of heat. He directed it at Marco's butt. The heat caused Marco to jump, bouncing forward.
"Onward, Laddie." McFiddlely spun around, pointing forward. His little legs propelled him, as he laughed madly.
The other Leprechauns were closing in on Marco, so McFiddlely shot another stream of heat toward Marco's butt. Marco jumped and began running.
McFiddlely jumped back and knocked Marco off of the path, causing them to tumble down a steep hill into the woods.
Marco rolled and tumbled. Rocks and sticks tagged along, until his body finally stopped, slamming into the ground. Marco groaned.
McFiddlely stood before his head, tapping his foot impatiently. "What took you so long, Laddie?"
Wincing, Marco pushed himself up into a sitting position. The items that were packed in his bag had fallen out. Marco's gold laid scattered. The Leprechauns shook their fist in rage, screaming, "We will get you, McFiddlely!"
McFiddlely giggled until he saw Marco's face. "All right, all right, I will collect your things."
"Stupid humans, never grateful for when you save them. Sure, it may be my fault that this entire mess started," he grumbled, picking up Marco's belongings. He then quickly packed the gold purse and Marco's pack.
Marco's eyes wearily watched, as McFiddlely shoved two gold pieces into his torn-out pocket. At least that is all he took, Marco thought solemnly.
Marco stood, as the Leprechaun returned his pack and purse. "This is where we part ways, Sir McFiddlely. I have a journey to complete. You have wasted enough of my time." Marco brushed his clothes off and started to climb up the hill.
"Wait!" McFiddlely screamed.
"What!" Marco replied, while grabbing a rock to hoist himself up toward the main path.
"If you go that way, the other Leps will get you. Just go straight. It is the same way the path goes." McFiddlely looked down and kicked at the ground.
"And why should I trust you?" Marco raised an eyebrow.
"Because there is a beast in these woods that eats Leprechauns," McFiddlely mumbled.
Marco blinked, and he spoke, "Why would I believe that?"
"It is called the Snoklebuck." McFiddlely looked at Marco wide-eyed.
"The name sounds too stupid. It couldn't possibly exist." Marco shook his head.
"It does, it does," McFiddlely cried.
Marco rolled his eyes. "Okay, I believe you." He stopped climbing and began walking forward.
"Great, I'm coming too." McFiddlely bounced ahead.
"No!" Marco snorted and shook his head.
"Yes!" McFiddlely danced ahead eagerly.
Marco grunted, "Why?"
"Because I want to." McFiddlely slammed his foot down. He turned around and glared at his human counterpart.
Marco huffed, "Fine."