A/N: I started writing this story over a year or more ago. I first got the desire to write after reading Labyrinth fan fiction ( my all time favorite movie). This story is my first attempt to write for a somewhat public audience. I was so inspired that I started out using flash drives down at the Public Library. Then the following Christmas my household was gifted a refurbished computer, that crashed and had all of my drafts saved on it. Since then we bought another computer and the Fan Fiction app became a great interface to use for writing. I now use my android phone as my writing tablet. I feared that I was not going to be able to finish this story, but after monkeying around with the site and app I was able to access it again. So then after practice and constructive criticism by a sweet beta and inspiration by some encouraging reviews, I decided to revamp the story and give it a good tweaking. So please bear with me. I am still a novice writer, my grammatical skills are somewhat lacking, but I try, and it gives me joy.

This story is still in 2 parts, that are a work in progress.

(I could still use a beta for this story and some of my other works)

Part 1

Chapter 1

She could hear the music and the mirth through the dense mists as she approached the edge of the wood. The sounds of a lyre and a flute like voice were heard above the low din of chatter and laughing. How she wanted to be among them, laughing,smiling and making merry for the holiday of Samhain. She was invited to the celebration by her good friend, Teymon. Teymon was a Fae lord in the Seelie Court, whom she had known since she was a wee child.

As a child, she and Teymon discovered together that she had the ability to manipulate elements in nature. Also she could gather mists and winds by channeling the energies of the Earth. Teymon had deduced that the child was a rarity among mortals known as a Natural Witch.The Fae man took the girl and fostered her talents. Eventually she learned how to cast spells and to concoct charms by binding the unique elements and qualities of objects together to rearrange its original pourpose.

Foresight was also among her giftes.It was something she did not like to channel. She learned that knowing the future came with consequences that were not often well received. She did not like to share her visions, not even to Teymon. It was not ideal to tempt the Fates.

Despite the fact that she was a Witch, she was mortal, and Teymon never seemed to age. Once when she was young woman she would have given anything to gain immortality. She had grown to love the Fae and their carefree spirit and she wanted to be around them always, especially Teymon. She searched for the ability to gain immortality, or to even slow mortality down. By the time she found the means, she had since observed that immortality was not always as glamorous as she perceived it to be. The Fae could be selfish and petty lot and often were bored with their everlasting time. They often caused mischief and even instigated out right wars just to break the bordom. She was eventually disillusioned with the idea and embraced the natural course of life. She now allowed herself to age. Her once vibrant copper hair was now streaked with silver and white. Set lines creased her brow and the corners of her hazel eyes. Although she was aging, she still had a firey spirit, and she still enjoyed a good celebration.

As she traversed through the wood the sound of merry music and laughter grew louder with each step. Finally she stepped into a clearing and felt the moisture of the mists ebb from the air. The scene that greeted her was vibrant and buzzing with excitement. A beautiful Fae woman with silvery long blond hair was plucking a lyre as she sang with her ethereal voice in the center of the clearing. Long tables flanked the sides of the clearing, boxing it in leaving space in the center for entertainment and dancing. The many magical creatures of the different races were all gathered together in their finery. The human like Faery and Elves were in gowns and robes of velvet and silks. The dwarves, their stunted cousins, were adorned in their embellished leather and precious metals. Trolls, goblins, gnomes, and other woodland Fae were garbed in fur or flora and fauna. Sprites, pixies, and fairies flitted and danced in the air as brownies and leprechuns, scurried here and there. The tables were littered with patters of food and casks of spirits, wine and ale. There were some creatures that even she could not identify completely. Hmm it seems everyone was invited, she observed. The Witch made her way among the den of merrymakers towards the center of the head table. The head table was reserved for head lords and ladies of the Seelie and the Unseelic courts. She spied who she was looking for. Teymon was conversing with another Fae, near the center of the head table. He caught a glimpse of the familiar mortal out of the corner of his eye. Teymon stopped in mid conversation and exclaimed with a loud cheerful voice, so as to draw attention, "Ah Sofia! My friend, I am pleased you have arrived!" The Faery man stood from his stationed seat. He wore burgundy colored velvet robes and upon his dark hair was placed a golden laurel. Like most Faery he was beautiful with everlasting youth and had a countenance that seemed to radiate from the inside out. The strong aroma of wine permeated the air as he spoke. Teymon turned to his previous conversation partner to introduce Sofia to an Elvin man. He had straight golden hair and the points of his ears were noticibly visible among the golden strands. "Galan, may I introduce to you Sofia, she is a Witch and has sworn fealty to my family, and has been most of her life. Sofia this is Galan he is high lord of the Unseelie court in the region." Sofia gave a thin smile and bowed her head in greeting, "Pleasure to meet you My Lord." Galan gave the woman a scrutinized look. He didn't care for humans. He didn't like the idea of dependency on a race, and a race that was very flawed at that. He knew that the Fae needed humans and their belief in Magic. Humans came from the very Earth and were linked to it's energies and could purify and release the esscence that the Fae gleaned and used to fuel their own Magic. The Fae were an ancient breed of being that was said to be made from the heavens. The Fae and human relationship is one that is symbiotic in nature, much like the one between ants and athids. Galan and many Fae disliked this necessity, they knew human minds were easily manipulated and could easily be swayed. Such Fae were known as the Unseelie Court. The Seelie court embraced the symbiotic nature of the Fae and humans and embraced and accepted the natural order of things.

Galan did not return the curtousy of the greeting. Sofia waited for the return greeting and caught his disdainful eye. Imediately she recognized his predujice nature. "I see you have invited a pet, and a pet that can do tricks!" Galan monotously toned towards Teymon . A pet? How dare he? Sofia fumed to herself. She glanced to Teymon to see if he was going to rebuttle the comment to the Elvin man. "Now now, Galan. Lets not our differences sully our celebration. It is Samhain after all!" Sofia was not pleased at the lack of defense to the insult by her oathman! Although she pledge lifelong fealty to his family he could be careless to her feelings and ideals. "What's a Samhain celebration without a little divination? Let's see what the seer sees!", Teymon grinned towards Sofia. She all so well knew the true nature behind that grin. She realized she was not invited to join in the festivities but to offer entertainment to the Fae. Her temper began to smoulder.

"Ah, a pet that can forecast the future, how stimulating." Galan drawled. Sofia flashed her angry eyes towards the Elf. Again Teymon did not correct Galan on his tone towards Sofia. She began to feel her emotions run high. The hurt began to fuel her anger at Teymon's carelessness. The Fae man raised his hands and spoke aloud in a voice for all to hear, "My brothers and sisters...". All mirthful rucous ceased as the music did. All eyes turned towards the center towards the mortal woman in the dark cloak and Teymon . " I have procured a soothsayer to forsee the tidings of the year yet to come!"

Murmmering and whispering was heard all around the space. Sofia could feel all eyes upon her. She disliked being made the center of attention without her concent.

"Time to perform pet!" She heard Galan hiss under his breath. She shot him a look of loathing that mirrored what she felt inside for the Elf. Galan cracked a thin smile at the visible irritation to the woman. She was not only irritated but was also leary about sharing the information she knew. If she revealed it, it would not be well received. "My Lord Teymon , I implore that you have me not speak of things yet to be." she directed towards Teymon . "Sofia, are you not my oathwoman? Come now Samhain is only for a day, let's have it!" Teymon hastily coherced the woman. Murmmers of agreeance were heard among the crowd that could hear the exchange between the mortal and the Fae. This only fueled Sofia's temper further. By the Gods, if they want to know the future, then so be it, she told herself. "Very well My Lord."

The sounds of the Fae were hushed as the mortal woman reached for something around her neck. It was an elongated crystal, about the length of a finger.

Wrapping her hand the around talisman, she closed her eyes and oncentrated on the energies around her. She brought crystal to her forehead and began to murmmer to herself a repetative chant. She needed to clear her mind and focus so she could open her third eye. The third eye was a portion of her mind that connected most with the elements. This connection allowed her to cast divination.

She began to see flashes of images. Teymon whispered to Sofia, "What do you see?"

"I see mortals traveling along a road. At the head of the road there is a person of great countenance. He shines brightly and they follow. There are Fae standing on the road side, beconing to the humans. The humans do not heed them. The Fae look weak and frail. Only the children see them and stop, but their parents usher them along. A mist begins to rise between the road and the children then no longer can see the Fae and continue down the road. The Fae begin to wan in number..."

"Enough!" A voice boomed. Sofia broke her connections. She thought that the interruption was from Galan, but was indeed from Teymon . The look upon his face was flushed with anger and embarassment.

"How dare you make such false predictions!" Teymon spat.

"My predictions are not false, My Lord" Sofia flared back at the man.

Teymon glared at her, " And here I thought you as my oathwoman whom I have invited to festivities and you insult the courts with spiteful lies!"

"Aye, I am spiteful, because you invited me here and expect me to perform as if I were your chattle. I am your oathwoman, I made an oath to you and your family of my own volution, which now I am beginning to regret!" she fumed.

Teymon could not believe the open disrespect he had just heard from the Witch and out in front of both of the Courts. His temper was increasing with his embarrassment. How could she say such a thing to him? "Then I release you of your fealty. Besides what could a useless human do to aid in my campaigns? Your life is so short and your bodies so fragile, like an annoying gnat! You envy the Fae and are jealous of their strength and their long lives Thank the Gods that my bloodlines are pure Fae and are not marred and deluted with your kind!" Gasps and chuckles could be heard among the crowd watching the scene. Sofia felt the sting of betrayal. She never knew Teymon really felt that way about her. He was always cordial and nice, although at times he seemed bored with her, she thought that was the way Fae were. Now she understood that she was just merely a pet to him, a plaything that is not shiny anymore. The pain fueled her anger further. She raised her hand pointing to the Faery man.

"A gnat, am I? Well let's see how annoying I can really be! I curse you and your bloodline. Your pure Fae blood will be 'marred and deluted' with human blood, and become weak and contaminated!"

Teymon balled his fists in anger and yelled, "Get out! You are no longer welcome here nor anywhere near any Fae! I will make sure of it! Guards! Bind her!" The crowd began to part as Fae guardsmen began to enter the center of the clearing. Thinking quickly and for her own safety, Sofia grabbed for a bag of salt that she kept tied on her belt. Trying not to touch it herself she poured a ring around herself. The guardsmen halted before the ring. They dared not touch the white substance. It gave Sofia time to grab onto her crystal talisman and recite an incantation. She began to feel the wind stir and twirl about her. The wind upsurged with great speed around her figure and began to lift her up, away from the ground. She lifted higher and higher into the evening sky leaving the clearing and the gawking Fae behind.