O.R. Melling > Quotes

“To run with the wolf was to run in the shadows, the dark ray of life, survival and instinct. A fierceness that was both proud and lonely, a tearing, a howling, a hunger and thirst. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst. A strength that would die fighting, kicking, screaming, that wouldn't stop until the last breath had been wrung from its body. The will to take one's place in the world. To say 'I am here.' To say 'I am.”
― O. R. Melling

“If you're betwixt and between, trust the one with red hair.”
― O.R. Melling, The Hunter's Moon

“When you come to the edge of all that you know, you must believe one of two things: either there will be ground to stand on, or you will be given wings to fly.”
― O.R. Melling, The Summer King

“We considered behaving, but it's against our nature.”
― O.R. Melling, The Book of Dreams

“Life isn't as magical here, and you're not the only one who feels like you don't belong, or that it's better somewhere else. But there ARE things worth living for. And the best part is you never know what's going to happen next.”
― O.R. Melling, The Summer King

“Whatever will happen will happen. You either face it as a coward or you face it as a hero.”
― O.R. Melling, The Book of Dreams

“Hope burns eternal in the human heart.”
― O.R. Melling

“Where do we record the passing of wildlife? Who mourns the silent deaths of the small?”
― O. R. Melling

“Tread softly for you tread on my dreams.
-Honor,from the Summer King.”
― O.R. Melling, The Summer King

“You shouldn't read so much, you'll get a brain tumor.”
― O. R. Melling, The Chronicles of Faerie

“Where there is no respect for life, there you will find evil.”
― O.R. Melling, The Book of Dreams

“Those who rise first are morally superior. It's a universal law.”
― O.R. Melling, The Book of Dreams

“You can't really know what you are made of until you are tested.”
― O. R. Melling

“By that which you kill are you bound.”
― O.R. Melling, The Summer King

“Things get really dangerous when we start saying I’m the good one and you’re the bad one. What happens in our world is that everyone is the good fighting the good because one side thinks they’re the good and the other side’s sure they’re the good and they’re both calling the other the evil. As far as I’m concerned, the only evil is what happens when that happens.”
― O.R. Melling

“When you come to the edge of all that you know, you must believe one of two things: there will be ground to stand on... or you will grow wings to fly.”
― O.R. Melling, The Summer King

“It's a booley village," Ian told her. "The islanders used to take their animals into the hills for the summ. They'd camp out in these stone huts: men, women, and children. Everyone stayed up all night, sang, told stories, watched the stars. It must have been great craic."
"How do you know this stuff?" she asked, admiringly.
"I' a bloody genius." When she threw him a look, he grinned. " I also read it in the guidebook.”
― O.R. Melling, The Summer King

“Life is a journey through a foreign land.”
― O. R. Melling

“Elm do grieve
Oak do hate
Willow do walk
If you travel late.

Dana shivered. It was an ominous whisper, cold and unfriendly. At the corner of her eye, she saw a tree move. A weeping willow. Its roots seemed to wade through the soil as if it were water.”
― O.R. Melling, The Light-Bearer's Daughter

“If I have not love, I am Nothing.”
― O.R. Melling, The Summer King

“He let out a lough laugh. "I hope you also respect my mind."
They laughed together, the it happened naturally. Both drew near to kiss.
"Better make that two," said Dara.
"Two kisses?"
"Two people who fancy you. And, yes, the other as well.”
― O.R. Melling, The Hunter's Moon

“Love is patient. Love is kind. It bears all things. Love never fails. Love is as strong as death.”
― O.R. Melling, The Summer King

“As if she read Dana's thoughts, the wolf spoke softly.
"Stand beside the earliest crossroads and ask of the old paths, where is the way to good?"
"I'm afraid," Dana's voice shook. "Not for me but for you. I don't want you to die.”
― O.R. Melling, The Light-Bearer's Daughter

“Adults must be torn apart because life defeats them. They lose hope, they grow weak. They squander their inheritance. Children need not be torn, for they hold to their birthright. Their hearts are as wild as the hearts of birds. They have the courage of the wolf.”
― O.R. Melling, The Light-Bearer's Daughter

“Little lost girl."
He hoisted himself onto a low wall and lit a cigarette. Laurel hesitated before leaving. A spark of her old self flared up.
"Do you enjoy being a creep?"
He returned her gaze without flickering.
"If I wasn't bad, how else would the rest of you know you were good?"
He blew smoke in her face.”
― O.R. Melling, The Summer King

“your so north american, with your either/or's.”
― O.R. Melling, The Hunter's Moon

“Who are you?" Rosemary said in amazement. She had never seen men like these before. Cloaks of green and brown fell from their broad shoulders and every hand gripped a round shield an evil-looking spear. Beneath the thick yellow hair, eyes glinted hard and wild.
One of the men rode near and peered down at Rosemary. Unlike the rest, he was clean-shaven and pleasant-looking, and she was surprised to see that he was no older than herself. Nonetheless his blond-red hair was bound with golden circlet and he was obviously the leader. He suddenly smiled at her and his eyes were bright with humour and curiosity.
"It is hardly your place to question us, girl."
He reached out and touched her hair.
"Hair like the night...and such strange clothing. But you are fair-faced. Whose slave might you be?”
― O.R. Melling, The Druid's Tune

“Have you forgotten how to sing?" murmured the dark-eyed young man who leaned over the rails of the Ha'penny Bridge. His sloe-black eyes went darker still as he brooded on the ancient river.
"When we called you Rurthach you purled like a young stream. What have they done to you?”
― O.R. Melling, The Hunter's Moon

“This is fantastic! I feel just like Cinderella."

"I remember her. A charming girl."

"How could you? That's just a -"

"Fairy tale?”
― O.R. Melling, The Hunter's Moon

“Are you never afraid?" Jimmy asked, not bothering to hide his admiration.
"What is there to fear? Pain? I have suffered a thousand wounds. There is no part of my body that has not been gashed, gored, or broken. Death? I laugh at death. It can only come to me and then it is over. Shame or dishonour? I cannot know these as long as I don't fear pain or death.”
― O.R. Melling, The Druid's Tune