As the last rays of sunlight filtered through the falling dusk, Oi-larc clutched the paper bag that he had been given as he approached the meeting place, and stared at the large and growing crowd of strangely clad creatures, milling about on Gilmaren Green.
      All of the trolls, ghouls, and goblins, of course, were wearing costumes that could hide their unhuman aspects. The nymphs, for the most part, were dressed as dancing girls or princesses. The elves, restricted only by their diminutive size, could be seen in a full range of costumes, often aping the shapes of their fellow fairy folk The ghosts and banshees, because of their immaterial nature, never wore costumes, and the pixies, because they were so very tiny, remained in their natural state as well, ‘though some, in truth, wore tiny masks across their eyes. Oi-larc, dressed as a swamp-beast, took momentary pride in the fact that his costume appeared to be rare, if not unique.
      As Oi wandered around, amid this flood of fairy folk, he searched, anxiously, hoping to see someone that he might know, and found himself wishing, fervently, that he had made arrangements, beforehand, to meet his friends in some particular place, or, at least, to have determined some signs by which they might recognize each other.
      At last, on the verge of giving up, he spotted two elves that he thought he recognized, mingling with a small group of costumed characters. As he got closer, he saw that it was, indeed, his friends, Meterone and Aionna. Both were dressed quite stylishly; Meta, as a swashbuckling swordsman, and Meta’s cousin Aio, as a lovely princess, looking every bit as fair as any nymth.
      On joining them, Oi-larc found that the other members of their group were the friends that he had been looking for. Grrmth, the troll, dressed as a gorilla, grunted a greeting, as did his twin brother, Krrll, who was dressed as a ghost. Ul-dan, the last member of the little group, and a goblin, like Oi-larc, was dressed, quite appropriately, or so it seemed to Oi, as a clown.
      Barely controlling a giggle, Oi-larc greeted him, “I must admit,” he said, “that I think that that be the perfect costume for thee. I didn’t realize,” he added, “That thou had such insight into thine own character.”
      Ul-dan, as was his nature, was totally unperturbed by Oi’s remarks. He clapped his hands, laughed and capered about, giving Oi’s swamp-beast out fit a thorough once over. “And thou,” Uldan returned, his voice crackling with mirth, “Have finally managed to look like thou smell.”
      That brought a chuckle from the whole group, including Oi-larc, who was, not in the least offended. Such exchange of complements, as they all knew, was something of a ritual amongst goblins.
      The amenities taken care of, Aio, who was obviously enthused about the upcoming activities, turned to Oi-larc. “Oh, Oi,” she said, positively gushing, “Be it not wonderful? I can hardly wait to see Earth. Canst thou?”
      Oi opened his mouth to answer, but never got the chance.
      “And just think,” she went on, merrily, “By this time tomorrow, We’ll all be adults, Have thou picked thy chosen name yet?”
      Oi-larc, who had been hoping, in vain, that no one would ask him that question, shuffled his feet and fumbled for an answer, only to be saved by Ul-dan’s timely interruption.
      “I’ve chosen mine,” Ul proclaimed, eager, as always, to gain the center of attention. “As of tomorrow, I’ll be known as Ul-dan, Seeker.” Nothing he said could have suprised them more.
      “Seeker?” queried Aionna, genuinely puzzled, “ You mean, as is seeker of wisdom or seeker after knowledge?” Aio had known Ul-dan for a long time, and had never known him to show an intellectual bent.
      “Be not silly!” Ul-dan replied, smiling at io and winking, conspiratorially, to Oi. “Of course not! Why would I want to spend my days in boredom? ‘Tis pleasure I’ll seek, and all kinds of good times.” With that, he flashed a lecherous smile at Aio. “Care to join me?” he added.
      “Oh, thou be incorrigible,” she answered, giggling with delight.
      Oi chuckled too, because even he found it funny, but at the same time he was troubled. Somehow it didn’t seem right to joke about the choosing of names.
      “Thou don’t look too happy,” said Ul, sensing Oi’s discomfort. “Did I steal the name that thou be going to choose?”
      “No, of course not, said Oi defensively. “I guess that I just take the choosing of names a little more seriously than thou do.”
      “Seriously!” blurted Ul, guffawing. “Seriously, thou say!” He took Oi by the shoulders and shook him vigorously. “Thou must be kidding me, my friend. Chosen names be not serious. They be changed all the time. Thou knowest my uncle, Mar-tel, do thou not? He changes his name almost once each full moon. Even my father has changed his name, at least, a handful of times.”
      “So has mine,” admitted Oi, uncomfortable, “but I still think that they be important. My grandfather, Ai-Car, Longbow, changed his name only three times in his lifetime, and he told me that one’s chosen name should always be appropriate at the time of selection.”
      “I agree.” put in Aio, and would have said more, but she was interrupted by the blare of the trumpets that announced the beginning of the festivities.
      In the center of the Green, a small stage had been constructed, and, from it, the elfin princess, Kammarra-ur-Cammionna, who was second cousin to the High King, greeted the throng, her voice amplified by the magics of Telason, Star-searcher, the enigmatic and seldom seen, mage of the North, who stood beside her. She told the story of the fairy folk’s exodus from Earth, and explained why the fairy folk returned there on every All Hollow’s Eve.
      Oi-larc wasn’t listening. He was trying to sort out his feelings about Uldan’s cavalier attitude concerning chosen names, and the deeper problem that he had been trying to avoid; the fact that he had not yet chosen his own name.
      As he stood there, lost in thought, he felt a tug on his costume’s sleeve. It was Aionna.
      ”Oi,” she whispered, “May I talk to thee?”
      “Of course thou may,” he answered, also in a whisper. “What wouldst thou wish to talk about?”
      “It be about what thou said to Ul-dan, she said shyly, “about thy grandfather and all. I just wanted to tell you that I think thou art right. I’ve heard my father say the same thing many times before , and my uncle, too.”
      Oi was pleased by her comments, but perplexed as well. “I thank thee, Aio, he said. “It be good to know that they think that way, but it be not a thing that they be involved in, as I be. Of all the fairy folk, only we goblins choose out own names.”
      “That be not so,” she snapped back, indignantly, then pointed to the stage. “You see Telason-Star searcher, up there? He be an elf, but he wears a chosen name.”
      Oi thought that over, carefully, then, replied softly. “That be true, but he also be a wizard, and they be special. Their names be chosen to set them apart from common folk. It not be a statement of identity as a goblin’s name be.”
      Oi was flustered. He hadn’t thought of it that way, but she seemed to be right. “I guess that be true,” he conceded, but how does that affect me?”
      “Silly boy,” she said, poking his chest playfully. “Can’t thou see that it shows that thy grandfather be right. Chosen names be important. To reflect a person’s nature, they must be carefully thought out.”
      Oi looked at her, strangely, a sudden light dawning at the back of his mind. “Thou art right,” he said, smiling at her and clapping his hands together, softly. “Half my problem be solved.”
      It was Aio’s turn to be perplexed. “Half thy problem?” she said, questioningly. “Why only half thy problem?”
      Before he could answer, the sounds of clapping signaled that the speeches were over and the crowd began breaking up into small groups in preparation for beginning the actual journey to Earth.
      “I’ll tell thee, later,” Oi said, with a smile and a wink, “For now, I thank thee!” Aio blushed with pleasure and smiled happily.
      Shortly thereafter, they were joined by the two elders who would be their chaperons and guides. The first was a pretty little elf named Joanna, who was dressed as Little-Bo-Peep, and the other was a tall angular ghoul, dressed as a devil, who said his name was Edgar.
      Joanna quickly took charge, marshaling them all together and explaining the rules. Then, at her signal, Telason’s magics opened the gateway to Earth.
      As they set out on their trek, the trio of friends fell in together, slightly apart from the rest of the group. Aio chattered on about the houses, and the jack-o-lanterns, and the thrill of being on Earth. Ul-dan capered about and bragged about the tricks he was planning to pull. Oi-larc, walked on, mostly silent, thinking about his chosen name.
      Ul-dan, however, had not forgotten about his earlier conversation with Oi. After a short while, he sidled up to him and clapped him on the back in a friendly fashion.
      “I really be sorry that I stole thy name,” he said, looking almost contrite. “I’ll let thee have it if thou want.”
      “I might take it,” said Oi, brightening a little, “though it be not the name I would prefer.”
      “And what might that be?” asked Ul, with exaggerated innocence.
      Oi looked at him for a minute, as if considering his motives, then answered quietly. ‘I know,” he said softly. “I haven’t been able to make a choice.”
      Ul-dan drew back, in mock astonishment. “Thou mean that thou haven’t chosen a name yet.” He wrung his hands in mock horror. “Oh, shame! Shame!”“
      ”Don’t pick on him like that,” chided Aio, butting in, protectively. “It means more to he than it does to thee.”
      Oi-larc chuckled and patted her on the head, a gesture which was not appreciated. “It might be all right, Aio,” he said, And thou be correct about it meaning more to me than to Ul, but still, it be a problem that I must face.”
      What be so hard about it?” queried Ul, honestly puzzled, “any name would probable do.”
      It might for most,” Oi agreed, “But not for me. I want my name to be right and nothing I have thought of seem to fit. I considered Oi-larc, the Mighty, and Oi-larc, the Brave, but they be so trite.”
      Aio giggled, and Oi-larc flashed a hurt look at her.
      “Why not Oi-larc, Dragon-slayer?” put in Ul, always willing to be helpful.
      Oi smiled. “I thought of that,” he answered, “but it won’t work. That name must be earned, not chosen, and I don’t know if I’m read to kill a dragon, yet, even if I had time to do it before tomorrow.”
      That brought another giggle from Aio. This time, Oi smiled back at her.
      “How about Oi-larc, the Indecisive,” quipped Ul, grinning.
      Oi flashed him a dirty look, then, laughed himself. “I guess that be accurate enough at that,” he replied, “But I don’t like the sound of it very much. I’m beginning to think that Seeker actually would be the best name for me, at least, until I can find a better one.”
      Thee be welcome to it,” said Ul, gesturing magnanimously, “as I told thee before. In fact,” he added, “It be a good idea. It gives me the right to claim yet another fine name.” He paused to make sure he had their attention, then concluded. “Ul-dan the Generous.”
      Oi and Aio both groaned impressively, which, of course, made Ul-dan beam with pride. While he was beaming, Aio turned and whispered to Oi, “Why don’t you just think on it,” she said. “Maybe something will happen tonight to give thee an idea.”
      “That be what my father told me, too,” admitted Oi, agreeing, “And I guess that be all I can do.”
      “Not quite all,” added Ul-dan, conspiratorially, having listened closely to their whispering. “If thou help me plan a trick or two, maybe we can improve thy chances that something interesting will happen.”
      At that, they all laughed, and, walking arm and arm, moved on. As the evening progressed. Oi-larc engaged in the ritual of “Trick or Treat”, as enthusiastically as any of the others, but, in those periods between, as they walked from house to house, he remained slightly withdrawn, more involved in his own thoughts than in the activities around him.
      Aio waved a hand in front of his face, to get his attention. “Any Luck?” she asked.
      “Not much,” he conceded, reluctantly. “I considered Oi-larc, Strong-arm, because my arm be strong.” This he demonstrated by flexing his muscles as Aio oohed and aahed approvingly. “But I be young for such a name,” he added, “And my arm, though strong, be not yet proven.”
      “Don’t worry,” she said. “Thou’ll find the right name for thee.”
      Before he could answer, Joanna interrupted, telling Aio that it was her turn to be first at the door. Oi-larc watched as she went up and knocked, and was beginning to turn away, when he heard Aio squeal in fright.
      As he turned back, he saw Aio fall back against Edgar, the ghoul, and he also saw, limned in the darkened doorway, the figure of a luminescent skeleton facing him. Before he could figure how to react, the skeleton had turned on a light and stripped off his mask, revealing himself to be a middle-aged human in costume. Joanna went quickly among the youngsters, assuring them that everything was all right, and Edgar conversed rapidly with the human as both of them fussed over Aio. After a few moments, the man offered Aio a double handful of goodies and all seemed well again.
      None-the-less, Oi remained concerned until afterwards when he and Ul and Aio were together, again, at the back of the group.
      “Be thou all right?” asked Oi, with concern in his voice.
      “Be thou badly frightened?” asked Ul.
      “I be fine,” she answered, reveling in the attention, “And no,” she added, suddenly looking smug and triumphant, “I be not badly frightened.”
      Ul caught on first. “By the full moon,” he yelped, clapping his hands with glee, “She be not frightened att all. She put one over on them.”
      Aio giggled and grinned from ear to ear as Ul and Oi both doubled up with laughter. Ul was the first to recover, and clutching his side, and still chuckling, gave her a hug and a wink.
      “Such a sneaky little rascal,” he said. “It be too bad that she not be a goblin. We could name her Aio, the Clever.”
      Oi, still laughing, nodded his agreement. “It be no help in finding my name,” he told her, “But it sure be an inspiration.” He gave her chin a friendly tap and she grinned in return.
      A little bit later , as they approached an empty hous, Oi noticed that Ul had disappeared. Before he could decide what to do, he heard a tinkling sound, and when he looked around, he saw that Edgar had disappeared, as well.
      As he approached Aio to discuss the matter with her, he saw Edgar returning with a disgruntled looking clown in tow.
      “What happened?” asked Aio, anxiously, as soon as the three of them were alone.
      “Ul grimaced. Those darn fairies,” he mumbled, scowling. “They ratted on me.”
      “That be the tinkling that I heard,” put in Oi, suddenly making the connection.
      “Yeah, that be them, all right,” Ul agreed, sullenly. “I not be doing much.” he added, plaintively. “I only be trying to draw some scary pictures on the back windows, but those silly little tattletales, snitched.” He paused, frowning, then, pointed at Edgar. “Then, he came,” Ul added, flashing Edgar a nasty look. Edgar simply laughed and smiled devilishly in return as Oi and Aio chuckled.
      15 minutes later, Ul was back in good spirits and everyone was feeling quite contented with the haul of treats that they’d made.
      Soon, the night was winding down to an end, and the small group of fairy folk found themselves at the entrance of a park, where a large group of humans were dancing to some very loud and compelling music. Oi-larc, watching the humans shift back and forth to rhythms, was fascinated.
      “What kind of dance be they doing?” He inquired of Joanna.
      “Mostly,” she replied, “They just dance to the rhythm, though some do specific steps that they give silly names to, like the “Fug’ or the ‘Bump” or the “Funky Chicken.”
      “Can we join in?” asked Aio, obviously eager to do so.
      I be afraid not.” replied Joanna, sounding regretful. “Dances be for older humans, and we fairy folk be too small to pass as such. However,” she added, if you and the boys would like to dance, over here, away from the crowd, I don’t think any one would mind.”
      Aio clapped her hands in pleasure. “Oh, that be fine,” she said and ran over to Oi. “Wilt thou dance with me?” She asked, beaming expectantly.
      Oi, of course, could not refuse such a pleasant invitation, but after one dance, he excused himself, saying that he had some thinking to do, and went back to watching the human dancers, gyrating in the park.
      The more Oi watched, the more he was sure that he wanted to join in. Ul-dan and Aionna had both had their adventures for the evening, but he, as yet, had done nothing. Dancing with the humans would be a caper that would impress everybody and give him the right to claim a host of good names, as well.
      Joanna had said that the fairy folk were too small to pass among humans, and, that be true, for most, but Oi be a very tall goblin, almost as big as Edgar the ghoul. He was sure that he could pass if anyone could.
      Having made up his mind about what he wanted to do, he went in search of Aio, and while they danced, he explained his plan and asked for her aid.
      “I be glad to help,” she said, cheerfully, and wished him luck.
      When the dance was over, she went over to Ul-dan and Oi watched as she talked to him, pretending to ask him to dance, while she explained the plan. Ul shook his head, as if saying no, then, winked at Oi, and, after delaying a couple f minutes to allay suspicions, slipped off into the woods, drawing Edgar, in close pursuit.
      At the same time, Aio diverted Joanna’s attention by asking her help in learning a new dance step.
      While they were thus occupied, Oi edged away and slipped into the crowd. He heard Joanna call his name, but he wasn’t afraid that anyone would chase him because he knew that they didn’t dare call attention to themselves. Now he was committed.
      Reaching the front of the crowd, Oi boldly walked up to a young girl, who was dressed as a pussycat, and asked her to dance. She accepted and soon they were out among the other dancers, shuffling to the rhythm of the music. As they danced, Oi could see Edgar and Joanna watching anxiously from the sidelines as Ul and Aio and all the others stood beside them and applauded.
      Abruptly the rhythm changed, and his partner said, cheerily, “Oh good, let’s bump. Suddenly, Oi felt insecure. “I...I’m sorry,” he stammered, “I don’t know how.”
      “Oh, it’s easy,” she told him, taking his hand and leading him. “Just dance the way we have been, but, move closer and bump your hip against mine. There. See. Isn’t that easy? Now, turn around. Bump the other hip. That’s it. That’s fine. Just keep it up. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump.” Step by step she led him through it and he found that she was right. It was easy, and it was fun.
      A little later, when the music finally paused, Oi sensed that it was time to go; so, making up an excuse about being from out of town and having to leave with relatives, he escorted his young partner to the sidelines, thanked her, and returned to his friends, where he was greeted with resounding enthusiasm.
      Aio threw her arms around him and hugged him. “That be wonderful,” she gushed, bubbling with delight. “Thou art truly, Oi-larc, the Bold.”
      Oi-larc’s eyes widened with pleasure. Oi-larc-the Bold, indeed. That sounded nice. It was a name that he hadn’t thought himself worthy of.
      “I think Oi-larc, the Dancer, would be better.” put in Ul-dan, grinning broadly, or, maybe, Oi-larc, the Klutz would be more appropriate. I couldn’t believe how light thou be on thy partner’s feet.”
      Oi started to laugh but was cut short by Joanna. “Oi-larc, the Foolish would be more like it.” She said, butting in, “What thou did, Oi, be very dangerous and could have revealed us all.”
      Oi tried to look chagrined, but couldn’t quite make it, being too obviously unrepentant to take criticism seriously.
      Joanna, realizing that fact, laughed and relented. “‘Though I must admit,” she added, with a twinkle in her eye, “It will give us quite a tale to tell our friends when we get home.”
      That was something they all agreed on, and they all cheered their response. Jo let them go on for a minute, then, raised her hands to get their attention. “And speaking of home,” she added regretfully, “It be time for us to go.” The cheers they had been raising changed to groans, but they conceded the necessity. They grabbed their sacks, checked their loot, and prepared to start the long walk home.
      As they started out, Aio grabbed Oi’s arm and looked up at him with a question in her eyes. “And what be that dance that thou be doing with that human female, at the end?” She asked, sounding a little jealous, “The one where you be rubbing up against her, side by side.”
      Sensing what she was really asking, he answered literally instead. “They call that dance the ‘Bump’”, he answered, laughing lightly.
      Ul, who had been listening, chuckled, as well. “The ‘Bump’ though say? I never thought I’d see the day that thou went ‘Bump’ in the night.”
      “I never did, either,” admitted Oi, agreeing, and then a light dawned as he realized what Ul had said and how it applied to him.
      “That be it!” he exploded, clapping Ul on the shoulder, so hard, that he almost knocked him down.. “Thou hast given me my chosen name.”
      “I...I did?” Ul stammered, at a loss. “I be glad I helped, but I don’t know how.”
      Grinning, happily, Oi-larc, soon to be known as Oi-larc, Bump-In-The-Night, put an arm around the shoulder of each of his friends and quietly explained.

The End

Copyright © 2004 James R. Hoye