"Once upon a time, in a kingdom far away, there lived in a small town a wealthy merchant and his daughter. The merchant was kind but shrewd in his business dealings and as such had become the wealthiest person in the small community. He was, however, not so lucky in matters of the heart, and had lost his wife long ago to a plague. In its wake of death and sorrow, the sickness had left untouched their infant daughter. Though heartbroken the merchant set to raise his only child in the best manner he could. As time passed and the child grew, her beauty became apparent. Suitors began to appear, drawn in by stories of a blue-eyed beauty and her wealthy father. The merchant himself would be pleased with many of those who came to court, for they were of proper standing and would offer his daughter a life of comfort should she so choose.
The girl was not so easily won, for she wished to marry for love. Nearly every day a suitor left the merchants home more dejected than the last. Her father began to grow worried that she would never choose a husband and began to encourage the more headstrong of them to stay and try to win her over. With her home invaded by those she could not chase away the maiden turned to the surrounding forest for sanctuary.
She had found a small lake far from the prying eyes of her father or the town's people when she was but a child and it was here she began to spend much of her time. The crystal clear waters had always been a comfort to her, but not as much as the large willow tree which stood not far away. The branches hung low over the water, and on a windy day, they would delicately dip into the waters to send ripples across the surface. It was beneath this tree that the girl fell asleep one day, lulled by the warmth of the sun and the gentle songs of the birds.
It was by chance that same day a poor farmer's son set out early into the forest to collect firewood for his parents. With his ax over his shoulder and a whistle on his lips, he strode confidently into the dark wood. His life had not been easy, and from a young age, he had worked side by side with his father to ensure their meager life would continue. He stood tall and strong from years of labor, with hair and eyes the color of the very earth he worked with day in and day out. As he broke through the tree line the man was startled by what he saw. He swore that day he lay eyes on a faerie princess, laying beneath a tree that was so moved by her beauty, its branches hung low and wept. So entranced was he by her beauty that he moved forward without a second thought, his axe dragging along in the earth at his side. It was then that the maiden awoke, startled by the presence of another. There before her, the farmer's son stood, axe at his side and mouth agape. She needed to wait for him to speak as she had heard the stories of dangerous thieves in these woods and had no intention of becoming his victim. Before he could recover himself the maiden had grabbed hold of a nearby fallen branch and swung at him. The boy fell to the earth with a single blow, nearly losing consciousness. Scrambling backward the farmer's son managed to spit out his explanation, as well as several apologizes for frightening her.
So genuine was he in his story that she maiden couldn't help but laugh. She tended to him then, dipping her silken sleeve into the cool lake water before dabbing it lightly on his wound. They enjoyed each other's company that day, and before they knew it, it was time to part.
And so things passed like this for some time. On the days they could the two would meet beneath branches of the three. It was here the girl taught him to read and he taught her to fish, and the two found themselves lost in their own world. Not all good things can last, however, and it wasn't long before the merchant's father lost his patience and decided she was to be wed.
As it so happened a young prince of the neighboring kingdom was passing through the town when a fierce storm picked up and he was forced to seek shelter with the merchant. All too eager to please the prince the merchant greeted him warmly and invited him to dine with him upon the finest meats and wines he had to offer. The prince was haughty however and saw himself as far above the merchant. He wrinkled his nose at every offering and commented loudly on his discomforts. It wasn't until the merchant's daughter entered the room that the prince took interest in anything.
All through the night, he watched her with devils eyes, and although she showed little interest in him the prince had already decided to make her his. As the night wore on and he became drunk with wine, he made his intentions known to her father. The prince would leave in two days' time and take the maiden with him to the capital. The maiden overheard the prince and her father, for the wine had made them believe they were far quieter than they truly were.
That night she stole out to the lake to find her secret love, begging him to take her far away. He warned her a life with him was never going to be what she deserved, for though he was true and honest he would never be more than the son of a poor farmer. The maiden cried to him that she cared naught for what he could give her if only he would remain true to her for all his days that would be enough. A plan was hatched them for them to meet the following night and steal off together. He would return to his parents' home to gather his tools and wish them farewell, and she gathers a few pieces of jewelry for them to start a life together far from the village.
The following morning the maiden pretended to be ill and took to her bed, shutting out her father and servants. Under the guise of rest, she moved about her room, storing away what small trinkets and jewels she thought would fetch the best prices on the markets. A dragon shaped necklace of gold with two rubies for eyes, emerald studded slippers from a foreign market, sapphire earrings said to be gifted from a mermaid. More and more until the small bag she had was filled. Only then did she truly rest.
It was nearly night when she awoke, and for a single terrifying moment, she thought her moment had gone. Quickly she dressed and stole out of her house to meet her lover. He was waiting already beneath their tree, nervously pacing back and forth. He took her in his arms and kissed her, ready to begin their life together. The two were not alone, however, as the prince had seen her slip out through the kitchen doors. He had followed then with the darkest intents. Upon seeing his intended give the love and affection he so desired to a commoner a rage unlike any other took hold of him. Drawing his sword the prince charged the two, intending to kill them both. Protecting his dearest the farmer's son threw her to the ground just as the sword pierced his chest, pinning him to the tree. Blood trickled from the wound and onto the cold earth even as the prince struggled to remove the steel from the trunk. The prince's cruel laugh was heard as he withdrew his weapon from the wood, the farmer's son slumping to the ground. The maiden cried for her love and rushed forward, begging him to stay with her. A sudden crack was heard and silently fell upon the forest. Before the prince there stood a small child-like figure. She was dark as the earth itself, with a massive tangle of bright green hair. The creature fixed the prince with such an absolute look of hatred that he was unable to move. The forest spirit crouched low and grabbed fistfuls of the blood soaked earth. Her bright green eyes never once leaving the prince's terrified figure. Ancient words spilled forth from the creature's lips as a sudden storm of dirt kicked up. In a single moment, the first swallowed the prince and the next it was gone. Where the prince had once stood there was now a large brown toad, spotted in bright red from where the bloody earth had hit him. The spirit crouched once more to look at the toad, making sure he could hear her. It was his punishment, she said, for he cared naught for anyone but himself and in harming her tree she would damn him to this body for all eternity until he could find one who could care for him.
Turning then towards the two lovers the forest spirit smiled, all traces of the hatred she had gone as quickly as the dust. Reaching a hand above her head the spirit trained her eyes on the maiden. The branches bowed low to their mistress and soon her hand found what she was looking for. Snapping off a branch the spirit dragged it along the wound of the poor boy. Instantly it sealed, leaving his clothes tattered and the boy with a jagged, but healed the scar. He struggled to his feet and with the maidens, help was able to stand. The spirit girl then offered the branch to the two, telling them she had watched their love bloom beneath her tree, and wished them to take a part of her with them on their travels. She asked that they plant the branch outside of their new home as they begin their lives anew.
And so the maiden and farmers son set off together through the woods, not knowing where they go or when they would get there, but that with each other they would be able to find a way."
"What then mama?" Amber peered out from behind the thick trunk of the willow tree, her small fingers digging into the rugged grooves along its bark. At eight years old Amber lived for the stories her mother told. Fay let out a laugh, the sound hanging in the air just a moment before being whisked away by the gentle spring breeze. "You know how it ends Amber, they live happily ever after!" Fay had long since stopped counting the number of times she told her youngest this story, and yet after each retelling, she was always asked the same thing. "Now come, we must start supper for your brothers and father." Fay reached out a pale, well-worn hand towards the child. Life on their little farm had been hard and unforgiving, and after each thaw, Fay swore her hands grew more cracked and calloused. She had no time to dwell on these thoughts, however, as her hands were quickly covered by Amber's own. Side by side mother and daughter walked down the small hill, their feet carving a pathway through the thick green grass that stretched as far as the eyes could see.
The home was small, plain, and made of wood. It was far too hot in the summer and freezing in the winter. The floor was well worn and would creak, the chimney would fill the house with smoke if it wasn't cleaned out each week, and the roof would leak when the spring rains came. Despite all its faults, this was their home. There was the loft where Fay and Cyn had lay that first night together when their love for each other was still new and the future was a mystery, and there was the doorframe covered in small scratch marks showing the children's growth. Fay passed through the home with her daughter in tow, barely noticing all the little things that marked the passage of time in this place. Fay made her way through the small living room and into the kitchen. Only then did she released her daughter's hand, instructing her to go bring in water from the outdoor well. The kitchen was small, barely big enough for Fay and Amber to move around in. In a sense Fay was glad. She loved her children dearly but longed for the rare moments she had alone, and the small kitchen was excuse enough to send her daughter on various errands while she cooked.
Amber leaned over the edge of the well, staring down into the dark depths. She had heard the stories her mother told her and knew with all her heart that some magical creature must live down below. Maybe this time it would ride up in the bucket to say hello. Slowly the young girl pulled away from the edge and took up the rope in both small hands. Though she was young, Amber had done this chore since she could remember, and even as she struggled and puffed to pull the full bucket up she knew it was just that much easier from yesterday. Wiping the sweat off her rough hands on her dark blue dress Amber reached forward and took the bucket down from the well. She was careful not to spill it as she set it on the ground, the grass flattening beneath the weight. Amber pushed her long blonde braid back over her shoulder before peering into the wooden container with all the seriousness of a judge. She stared down into the dark water, light blue eyes searching for any sign of movement, any disruption in the clarity. Only once she was fully satisfied that there were no secret water fairies hidden in the water did she stand up and prepare for the journey home. Mama would be upset if she dawdled, and as it was she had spent far too much time collecting the water.
The door opened with a large bang, revealing a struggling Amber. She was tired from the short walk from the well to their home. The bucket was heavy, and it took all her might to drag it the rest of the way to the kitchen. "Amber what did I tell you about slamming that door?" Mild frustration tinted the voice of Fay as she leaned her head out of the kitchen. Her scolding was cut short however as she spied the little girl. Dirty, sweating, and panting as if she had just run a marathon Amber finally rested the bucket down at her mother's feet. She beamed with pride up at her mother, small white teeth glinting in the fading daylight. "I brought extra water this time mama, look the bucket is almost completely full!" Fay let a small sigh escape her cracked lips, a smile soon replacing the light frown she had previously worn. "Ah, you are getting bigger each day my little gem. Go then, clean up and set the table." With a dismissive wave, Fay turned back to her cooking. The scent of cooked meats and warm bread filled the air and Amber was suddenly very aware of how hungry she was. She took up the bucket handle then and began to drag the water away to the corner. It wouldn't do to leave the washing water lying about in the kitchen. Last time she had left it her mother had tripped over it and their entire dinner was ruined. Amber winced as she dipped her raw hands into the cool water. The memory stung at the back of her mind and brought a faint pink to her cheeks. The sound of the big cooking pot dropping to the floor, hot stew flying out in all directions. Mama had looked so disappointed and they had all gone hungry that night. Shaking herself free of the intruding thoughts Amber splashed a generous amount of water on her sunburnt cheeks as if trying to wash away the blush. Drying her hands on her blue dress Amber turned her attention to the last task of the day. Bringing out mismatched cups and plates she carefully set the table. Next the silverware, bowls, and finally napkins. As the last piece was put in place Amber took a step back to admire her work. Mama always told her to dress the table for company, as who knows what visitors one might have in these parts. Her inspection was cut short however by the sounds of the heavy wooden door being swung open.
A bear of a man stepped forth into the candlelight. If the doorway had been two inches shorter or thinner the man would be unable to get into the home. Tired, dark brown eyes roamed over the set dining table and Amber. He smiled then, and though his lips were hidden by a thick beard of black, his eyes lit up as they came to rest on his little daughter. Kneeling down he spread his arms open just in time for Amber to leap into them. Wrapping his arms around the girl he stood up and spun her around the small room. Gleeful laughter filled the house and Amber clung to her father. "Daddy, daddy! What did you bring me, daddy?" Cyn balanced Amber carefully on his hip, one arm wrapped tightly around her waist as to keep her steady. He cocked his head to the side and stared down at her with a mixture of confusion and bemusement. "Bring you? Why now that you mention it I am sure I brought you something. Hm, now what could it be?" Bringing his other hand up the giant began to stroke his beard as if deep in thought. After a second the coarse strands of hair were pulled away to reveal a small white flower hidden beneath. Amber clapped her hands together before covering her mouth to stifle her giggles. "Papa there!" Amber reached out with both hands to pluck the flower from her father, pulling it close to her. Cyn leaned forward and gently placed the child on the ground, pushing her lightly towards the kitchen table. "Time for supper little gem, go sit down." Amber followed his instructions, cradling her new flower protectively against her chest.
Placing the flower gently on the table Amber scrambled up onto her stool, swinging her legs back and forth beneath the table. As Cyn raised and straightened himself he found himself suddenly off-balance. Two boys of about ten ran under their father's arms, laughing and shouting as they leaped into their own places at the table. Fay set the large pot of stew down in the middle of the table, smacking on of the boy's hands with the spoon before letting it rest beside the pot. "Wash. Now" Fay had barely let the words escape her mouth before the boys were up and racing towards the pot of water, grumbling all the way. Cyn let out a hearty laugh at the boy's actions before leaning in to kiss his wife. Fay threw her husband a devilish grin, leaning in to return the kiss before taking hold of his beard and giving it a light tug away from her. "Ah-ah, you need to wash too," Cyn grumbled much like his sons before slinking off towards the bucket.
Fay leaned back to survey the table. Her sons argued over who had the larger share of bread, and her daughter absent-mindedly ate her stew while looking at her new flower. Her eyes fell on her husband, who had been staring at her for who knows how long. She wondered what he saw in her now. She wondered if he regretted running off with her all those years ago. Back when her face was smooth and her eyes bright, when youth was part of her very being. Cyn's eyes wrinkled in the way they did when he smiled. Barely a whisper he leaned forward and Fay caught just the edge of a scar under his shirt. "You are so beautiful my little fairy." Fay turned a bright pink before swatting his arm. After all these years he could still make her blush like a new maiden. "Oh shush you, eat before it gets cold."