A.N. - Alright, so I know I haven't updated any of my other stories in a while, and I'm working on that, I promise! The holidays were super busy for me, and I've just now started to get a bit more free time, yay! I'm actually in the process of writing the next chapter to The Fair Lady, which I hope will be well worth the wait for those of you following. In the midst of that, however, this idea popped into my head and wouldn't let go, and well, you know how that goes lol. Will be interesting to see what you all think of this, and thanks to everyone who's been following my other stories too! (For those of you who are clamoring to know, an update to The Fair Lady should be posted by Sunday, and I'll try to have an update for The Unexpected Can be a Good Thing posted by the end of next week.)

The Underrealm

The sun on her face and the sensation of dirt on her skin woke her from a horrible nightmare, though she couldn't remember what it was about. Flashes of flying metal came into her mind, but then her head hurt when she tried to focus on what that might mean. Giving up, she opened her eyes. She was in a glorious meadow, where all the flora seemed to be saturated with color. Everything was so tall, such as the grass, bushes, and mushrooms. The trees towered overhead. Something within her told her that this wasn't normal, but there was no reference for her to draw from in order to tell her where she should be.

Just then a sweet voice called out to her. "Ah, you're awake, I'm so relieved. How are you feeling?"

She turned to see who was speaking and beheld a tall, willowy woman, with shoulder length auburn hair and hazel eyes. The woman's dress was the purest white, which gave the woman an even more ethereal appearance. "I-I think I'm ok? I can't quite remember what happened."

"I'm afraid I can't help you there, as you just transported here from the mortal world. I didn't know mortals could do that, by the way. You were injured, though, so I healed you."

"Thank you. I'm not sure what you're talking about though, when you say mortal world. Who are you?"
"I believe you call yourselves human? Yes, that's the term. My mortal knowledge is a bit rusty. It's been some time since I've visited the Above. My name is Queen Blanche. That's not my true name, but a Fae like myself can't be too careful. Names have power in this realm."

Something struck a cord within her then. "A-Fae... That's a creature of magic, correct?"

Queen Blanche grinned sharply, "Indeed. It appears your memory is returning. Do you remember your own name?"

She shook her head, replying, "No, I'm afraid not."

"That's no matter, I'm sure it will return in time. It's probably for the best, in any case. Most mortals can't grasp the fact that the Underrealm truly exists. So what name would you like to go by, until you remember your true one?"

She thought, trying to grasp at anything but was coming up blank, except... "Precious."

"Very well, come with me Precious, and I'll escort you to my palace."

"You want me to go with you? Why?"

"For one, the Underrealm is a dangerous place, even more so for one who has no idea what they're doing or who they truly are. Secondly, you transported yourself here and it'd be very interesting to find out how you did that. And finally, you intrigue me. There's something about you that I just can't place, and if there's one thing any decent Fae can't resist, it's a good puzzle. So, shall we?"

"While I appreciate your help, I don't want to just accept it without me doing something for you in return. Is there some way I can repay you?"

Queen Blanche nodded. "How about this; I provide you with a room and food, and you can be a servant in my palace? I have many servants, but perhaps I can find something useful for you to do as well."

"That seems fair to me."

"Now hold on to my hand and don't let go." Precious did as she was told. There was a strange sensation, like being sucked through a giant vaccuum, then the two women were standing in front of the Queen's palace. The building was the color of freshly fallen snow. It was sleek, with two levels and two towers. It really didn't fit within any description of a fairy tale castle, but Precious was still in awe.

"It's beautiful, but enormous!" Indeed, it looked as if the palace was made for giants for how tall it was.

Queen Blanche laughed. "My palace isn't that large, merely, we are very small. It happens sometimes when in my pocket of the Underrealm. Here, eat this." She held out a piece of yellow cake, and when Precious took a bite, she could taste lemon. Precious immediately felt dizzy as the world around her appeared to shrink a bit. Finally, it stopped and the palace looked to be of a normal size. The Queen had made herself taller as well.

Precious followed the Queen into the palace, noting the marble floors, the elegant furniture, and the tasteful artwork. Queen Blanche led the way through rooms and past servants, who all gawked. "Why are they looking at me like that?" Precious asked.

"This is the first time many of them have seen a mortal."

"Have no other mortals visited before?"

Queen Blanche's expression went sad as she answered, "It's only happened once before in my kingdom, over a century ago. Let's not discuss such matters now, though. Here we are, your room."

Precious took in the space, which, while small compared to many of the other rooms with soft blankets, a wardrobe, a vanity near the window, and even a shower and old-fashioned toilet in a separate part of the room, which could have a curtain drawn over it for privacy. "It's wonderful, thank you so much!"

"You're welcome. Now I need to go over the rules with you. First, you must do as I say for as long as you live under my roof. I'm not a harsh Queen, by any means, but any disregard for me or mine will result in punishment. You must never go outside the palace walls without some form of protection. Also, should you remember your true name, do not, under any circumstances, tell anyone what it is unless you completely trust them. There, that should do for now. I'm sure the rest of the servants can fill you in on anything else you might need to know or have questions about. I'll bring you to Grace, my head servant. She'll assign you your duties."

"Of course, Your Highness."

Queen Blanche's laughter rang out again. "You don't have to be so formal, my dear. Simply address me as Queen Blanche." She led Precious down the hall and into a kitchen where a stout, diminutive woman with grey hair was barking orders. The Queen cleared her throat and the dwarf snapped to attention, like a soldier. "Grace, I have a new assistant for you. Her name is Precious."

Grace frowned, creating more wrinkles on her forhead. "She's a mortal. What are you up to now, Queen Blanche? What fool idea has got into yer brain?"

The Queen sighed. "She doesn't remember who she truly is. I couldn't very well leave her outside to be killed, or worse."

"Fine, but she'd better be of use, or you'll have to figure out some other place to put your charity case."

Precious puffed up, feeling the need to defend herself. "I'll do exactly as you ask. I won't be any trouble, I promise."

"Very well, then you can start by getting me some water from the well in the cellar. Here's a bucket."

"Of course. Um...may I ask where the cellar is, please?"

Grace let out a string of unintelligable curses, then replied roughly, "Go back out to the hall, it's the fifth door to your right."

Queen Blanche left the room grinning. At least the mortal's arrival was providing some form of entertainment. She went to the throne room and sat down before acknowledging the one who'd followed her out of the kitchen. "What can I do for you, Felis?"

A tabby cat sat in front of her throne, but this was no normal looking cat. His coat shone like silver and his eyes glowed electric blue. "I was wondering if you have any clue what you're doing," he answered. "I enjoy having an amusing mortal around just as much as the next creature, but it could be dangerous. After all, the last one-."

"I know very well what happened to the last one! I was there the same as you, if you recall. This one transported herself here, Felis. There's something unique about her."

"She was unique too. It's why she was able to defeat your sister and that monster, after all."

"I can't help but wonder what would have happened if she hadn't come back."

"A sad chain of events, indeed. Yet you still wish to take your chances with another?"

Queen Blanche's face turned resolute with determination. "I must try what I can, Felis, and my instincts are telling me that this mortal woman can help."

"If that's what you feel, my Queen, then I shall assist you in whatever ways are accessible to me."

Blanche smiled. "Thank you, Felis, I know I can trust you."

One kingdom over, in a castle of red clay, a small, grungy looking creature ran into a darkened throne room much different than that of Queen Blanche's. Upon the spiked throne sat another stunning woman with golden blonde curls of hair and eyes the color of a clear blue sky. Her crimson dress hugged her curved frame perfectly as she lounged with a bored look upon her face. When she spotted the creature, she became attentive once again. "What news, Kips?"

"The word is spreading as quickly as the birds can sing it, Your Highness. There's a mortal in Queen Blanche's kingdom."

The woman snorted, "And what do I care about a mortal woman, Kips?"

"The brownies are saying that she smells like one of us."

The queen, for that's what the woman obviously was, snapped her head up at that. "What exactly do you mean by that?"

"They say she smells of goblin, is what I mean, Highness."

The queen's expression went neutral for a second before lighting up in excitement. "Quick, Kips, bring me the dwarf!" She got out of her throne to pace while she waited. Finally, Kips came back with an old dwarf who sported no beard.

"You asked for me, Highness?" the dwarf asked.

"Indeed, I did. I've received word that a mortal woman has arrived in Queen Blanche's kingdom, and I need you to bring her here to me."

The dwarf scratched his head, replying, "Of course I'll do what you ask of me, Highness, but why would a mortal concern you?"

"She may be of use to me. The brownies say she smells of goblin, so perhaps she has knowledge of where King Hob has hidden his prisoner."

"Very well, Queen Scarlet, I shall go right now."

"I know I can count on you, Hoggle," Queen Scarlet smiled, the blatent threat laced in her voice.