Free The Pirate Princess: Return to the Emerald Isle by Matthew Morris Page B

anything happen to us, especially since we’re traveling back home to Ireland.” The look in her mother’s eyes reassured her and the thought of magical protection was comforting, but Meg found herself looking out the window for the banshee just in case. Meg did not see it anywhere and the plane took off without a hitch.
    Soon they were flying over the water that Meg had spent her whole life on. For as long as she could, she watched from her window as they flew up the east coast of America. Below, the yellow lights of the towns and cities shining in the night were pretty, and Meg’s nerves were calmed by the monotonous droning of the jet engines. She had no interest in watching the in-flight movie, and fell asleep when the dark ocean was all she could see out of the small airplane window.

11  
The Auld Sod
     
    Meg’s first flight lasted a total of six hours and fifteen minutes. The sudden movement of the plane approaching Shannon Airport woke her. It was morning, and a vast, motionless white ocean stretched out as far as she could see. It was a beautiful and peaceful sight. The plane made another turn and she was looking straight down on the fluffy white clouds that looked as though they would be the most comfortable bed in the world. Meg felt the downward motion of the plane in her stomach but the fear and anxiety of the previous day were gone.
    The airplane descended and all Meg could see out the window was bright , white light. Her mother was paying close attention to a Welcome-to-Ireland video playing on the screen above them. Meg was more fascinated with flying through the clouds. The sinking feeling in her stomach let her know that they were getting closer to landing. The misty white beyond the wings opened up for just a moment to reveal green fields below  Again and again the blank white was replaced with living green, but only for a short period of time before fading into the mist again. When the airplane was finally flying below the cloud cover Meg saw field after field of grass, each separated by grey stone walls. Everything was so green. Meg had heard that Ireland was forty shades of green, but until she saw it for herself she had no idea what that meant.
    After the airplane touched down, everyone onboard applauded. Meg was not sure if they were clapping for a good landing or just the fact that they were finally in Ireland. It didn’t matter. Her first airplane ride was uneventful and it didn’t even feel that long because she had slept through most of it.
    The door of the aircraft was opened to a cloudy day. A light rain was landing softly on the tarmac. Stepping out into the Irish air Meg sensed that she was home—not home in Connecticut, but really, truly home, that place where you know you belong. It was a strange feeling, but one she felt down deep in her being. Meg walked with her mother up the ramp to the terminal and soon enough they passed through customs, received a stamp in their passports, and walked out and set foot on the land their family had come from.
    Because it was early morning, other than the passengers from their flight, there were not many people milling about. Shay had obtained all the transportation information they needed on the internet before they left Connecticut, including maps and schedules, and she led Meg right to a bus stop outside of the terminal. The plan for the day was to take a bus to Galway City. There, they would pick up their charter boat and sail up the coast to Inishbofin Island which, according to her mom, was not far from Galway.
    While they were w aiting for the bus to arrive, Shay looked down to Meg and said, “Isn’t this amazing, Meg? Isn’t it just so beautiful?”
    Meg looked around and took a deep breath. The air was damp but not heavy . To her, it had the smell of living. That was the only way Meg could describe it: living, green. “As soon as the door opened it felt like home.”
    “I felt the same way the first time I came here,” replied