In the Stables, a faerie path fanfic

In the Stables

By Laura Schiller

Series: The Faerie Path

Bryn Lightfoot ran his hand along Tanzen's neck, inhaling the sharp, wild scent of unicorn mingled with the heavy, musky smell of ordinary horses in the palace stable. Tanzen leaned into his comforting touch and blew into his face.

I miss Zephyr, he confided.

"As do I," said Bryn. "It is heartbreaking to lose a member of the herd...I feel as if he were merely lost, and any moment now he should come prancing in, tossing his mane and asking us why we are so gloomy."

When we return, we must tell his mate. I fear she will be deeply grieved.

"Indeed."

There was a silence as they stood together, remembering the past. How Zephyr had won a sparring match against an older and stronger stallion; how he and Viola had proudly told Bryn that they were mated. How Zephyr had carried a Princess of the house of Aurealis into the Battle of Salisoc Heath. His last and most glorious moments.

"Pardon me, good sirs."

The voice was female, a rich smoky alto he would recognize anywhere. He whirled around; Princess Cordelia stood by the stable door, wearing a simple green gown. The other horses set up a chorus of welcome; she smiled and waved to them briefly, then came over to Tanzen's stall and looked up at Bryn with an apologetic quirk of the mouth.

"I did not mean to eavesdrop, truly, but...Zephyr was... a true friend and comrade to me as well. I am sorry. Had I not been his rider, perhaps..."

Her voice trembled; in the dim light of the stables, he could not see whether she was crying or not. Her short cap of red-golden hair was rumpled, as if she had slept uneasily that night.

"Nay, Princess," he said gently. "Do not blame yourself for this misfortune. If you must needs blame someone," he added fiercely, "let it be the scoundrel who slew him."

"Yes." Cornelia smiled grimly, remembering. "I reduced the monster to dust for his pains. At the least, our friend is well avenged."

In spite of her bravado, there was such a sorrowful air about her, as of a lost child, that Bryn felt compelled to do something he had never done before. He stepped forward and folded her gently into his arms.

As their bodies touched, he realized that he needed the warmth of an embrace as much, or even more, than she did. It was not only about Zephyr, nor about the other unicorns, some of whom were gravely wounded; it was the memory of the battle as a whole that haunted him. The senseless slaughter of living beings, the pain of so many lives cut brutally short.

Cordelia's head fit under his chin as if they were puzzle pieces meant to fit together. The sweet, warm scent of her was all around him; slowly the darkness of his thoughts faded as they stood with their arms around each other. It was a small hint of that glorious golden light with which Oberon and Titania had restored the Palace, and the name of the light was Love. As long as there was love, there was hope for a better world.

"Zephyr was proud," he whispered, "to bear you into battle – the most valiant and noble warrior in all the realm."

Slowly they let go; as their eyes met, a stray beam of sunlight showed him there were tears on Cordelia's cheeks.

"I do not weep," she said defiantly, wiping them off with the back of her hand. "'Tis but the dust of the stables in my eyes."

"You need not be ashamed, my lady," said Bryn. "I myself have wept for this ghastly war many a time."

"Have you indeed?" She smiled shakily. "You are very kind, Master Lightfoot."

"Call me Bryn," he said impulsively.

"Only if you call me Cordelia."

"Cordelia. 'Tis a fair name." He did not admit that he had been thinking of her by that name ever since their first meeting.

"Pray cease, Bryn," she muttered awkwardly, "Or you shall turn my head with flattery."

"That is precisely my intent." He grinned; she rolled her eyes and swatted him lightly on the arm.

Tanzen, who had not wanted to intrude on the faeries' private moment, perceived that the mood was lightening and interrupted them.

When you two are done exchanging sweet words, would you kindly let me out? Else I shall go mad for want of movement.

"Certainly, friend," said Bryn and opened the door to the stall. "Can you carry two?"

If I must.

"Will you, please?"

Tanzen's eyes glinted. He knew what his old friend was up to. With a good will, my two-legged brother.

"Two?!" Cordelia looked nervously up at Tanzen, then at Bryn. "But - "

"Come now, Cordelia, be not afeared."

That did it. Cordelia tossed her head and vaulted lightly onto Tanzen's back.

"Afeared? Not I!"

Bryn climbed up behind Cordelia and wrapped his arms tightly around her waist.

Hold fast, cried Tanzen with a wild neigh as he charged out the door. We shall outrace the wind!

It was the most wonderful sensation of bryn's life so far: galloping through the wilds of Esgarth Forest on a swift, strong unicorn, with Cordelia in his arms, both laughing and shouting like the wild young creatures they were.

To see him and Cordelia happy like this was just what Zephyr would have wanted.