AUTHORS NOTE:
Okay so this is my first upload, it will hopefully be a chaptered story. I own nothing apart from my own characters and the plot.
Enjoy!
I was numb. I could feel nothing. It wasn't just because of the cold either. Yes I had just fallen into Havendish Stream, and yes, I was now absolutely drenched to my bones and inner organs. But, as soaked as I was, it had nothing to do with the numbness I was was due to what I had just gone through. What I had just experienced had numbed me to my core. My body was in automatic shock, and I couldn't shake it off. I was now curled up in a tight ball by Havendish Stream, my legs curled up to my chest, my arms wrapped around my knees. Honestly, I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me whole. I mean like seriously? What did I have to lose? My parents had just been killed in a hawk attack! And I had watched it. There was nothing I could have done. I didn't know how to use my talent, not that it would have made any difference. I didn't even know what it was! What was a silly little no talent like me supposed to do to stop a hawk? Nothing. That's what. I was powerless against such a huge and terrifying creature. It was then that reality hit me quite hard and the tears began to fall. My parents were gone. Dead. Never coming back. Ever. Life as I knew it was over. There would be no one there to comfort me anymore. There would be no one to hold me when I was scared. There would be no one to help nurture my talent. No one to -
"Are you alright, dear?" The soothing voice of Queen Clarion broke through my misery. I jumped back from the stream in shock. I was at a loss for words as the beautiful fairy queen fluttered down in front of me. She offered so much comfort by just being there. I don't think she knows how much security she provided me. I refused to lift my head to look at her, but I did shuffle towards her. An overwhelming warmth and love filled me, smothering my broken senses, filling the cracks. My breathing quickened as fresh tears rolled down my cheeks. "It is very late my dear. Don't you think you should start to head home before it gets too dark?" She asked. I could hear the concern in her voice.
"What home?" I croaked. "I don't have a home anymore." My words caught in my throat and I choked on them.
"What do you mean?" Queen Clarion asked.
"My parents. They're…" I couldn't get the word out. "They're d…" I bit my bottom lip to stop it from wobbling. "The hawk." I tried a different tactic, hoping she would understand. "The hawk it… I'm sorry I just can't…" I trailed off again.
"No, no it's alright. I understand. Is there nowhere that you can stay the night? Is there anywhere you would like to stay the night?" Queen Clarion soothed. I shook my head and began to curl up into a small ball again. A hand on my knee stopped me. I froze. Queen Clarion had placed her hand on my knee. She had actually touched me. My body began to warm under her gentle touch. "Would you like to stay the night with me?" She asked softly.
"Do you?" I croaked, looking up into her gentle blue eyes. I didn't want to stay with her if she didn't want me to. She was our queen. I didn't want her to feel like she had to do something she didn't want to do. She frowned.
"Do I what?" She asked.
"Do you want me to stay? I don't want you to feel like you have to do something you don't want to do. I can go and find somewhere if you -"
"No," she held her hand up to silence me. "I want you with me. Then I know that you are safe and sound." She stood and offered me her hand. I took it and she led me into the Pixie Dust Tree.
Later in the evening, I was snuggled up in Queen Clarion's vast bed whilst she was in a meeting with the Ministers. I was so close to sleep. I was hanging precariously on to the edge of a cliff, the bottom filled with sweet promises of gentle dreams. So close to letting go, I suddenly became more aware of my surroundings; the soft, feather pillows and thick luscious duvet which was drowning me in warmth, the oh-so-comfortable memory foam mattress beneath me, moulding to me. But that wasn't what I was concentrating on. There was another presence in the room. Adrenaline spiked through me, making me feel rather queasy. I was terrified to turn around, my entire body tense and rigid, hidden under the duvet. My eyes darted around the black space in front of me as I frantically searched for any sign that Queen Clarion had returned. I couldn't see or hear anything but I knew there was someone there. The floor creaked and my mouth dried up. Please let that be Queen Clarion. Please. I repeated this mantra over and over in my head, willing it to be true.
I don't know how long I laid there for. It could have been seconds, minutes, hours even. A golden glow from behind me caused shadows on the opposite wall. A very gentle hand went to my shoulder and pulled me back a little. My eyes were still open as I let myself be pulled gently back. I found myself looking up into Queen Clarion's beautiful face. "Oh," she exclaimed softly after seeing that I was awake. Her brow furrowed. "Why do you look so frightened dear?" She asked, sitting on the bed, leaving her hand on my shoulder.
"I thought there was someone in here with me." I whispered. Queen Clarion slowly looked away from me before scanning the room carefully. She stood and flew over to the bathroom door. Opening it, she disappeared inside. I pulled my legs up to my chest and sat up, hugging myself tightly. A few moments later she re emerged, glanced in my direction, smiled softly and went over to the balcony doors. She opened them and I could see her looking around before leaning over the edge, then turning and looking above at the surrounding branches. Her eyes scanned them carefully before she seemed satisfied and returned to her bedroom, shutting the doors firmly. "No, dear. There is no one here with you. If there was I would have known." Queen Clarion gave me a reassuring smile before sitting down next to me once more. "Now, I have to go back to my meeting. I just wanted to come and make sure that you were all right." She gently stroked my cheek. I nuzzled into her hand without meaning to. She was just amazing, so comforting and it warmed me to know she had come out of her meeting to check on me. Slowly I nodded, not wanting her to leave me. "You will be okay sweetie. If it makes you feel better, there are guards outside this door. Nobody can get in without my permission. Lay down," She stood and pulled the duvet off me as I laid down against the pillows, "and try to get some sleep." She finished, tucking the duvet around me. I watched her as she flew to the door. Turning, she gave me another reassuring smile before slipping out, throwing me into darkness.
I woke up very briefly that night, when Queen Clarion had arrived back into the room. The Minister of Spring had followed her in. "Queen Clarion, we cannot just end the meeting without a resolution." He hissed loudly. The sound resonated through the room. My eyes were closed and I felt Queen Clarion check me to see if I was awake. Her soothing touch sent me back into dreamland.
Moments later I was again awoken by The Minister of Spring. "Your Highness she could potentially be a danger to you and Pixie Hollow!"
"Minister!" Queen Clarion snapped. I couldn't hear the rest of what she said, her voice softening to a gentle lull in the back of my mind. I cooed softly before nuzzling into the pillow, wanting some comfort from the queen. Once more I drifted off into a pleasant sleep.
Yellow eyes glinted dangerously, searching, looking. A tough, sharp, pointed beak sat closed. Sharp talons poised and ready for attack. Suddenly, the hawk spotted my parents, swooped down and began to attack, biting, clawing, ripping to shreds. I began to scream. The hawk turned to me and I began to fly away. I felt my wings being ripped from my body before its talons grabbed my shoulders and lifted me up.
I woke up screaming. Queen Clarion was sitting up beside me, shaking me awake, her honey brown hair fell around her, contrasting against her silver night gown. The next thing I knew, I was in her arms. I had buried my head against her, gripping her as I sobbed. Her arms didn't wrap around me like I wanted them to. I knew I shouldn't be doing what I was doing, but I just couldn't help it. I needed comfort. Queen Clarion was the only fairy there. I whimpered before going to pull away from her. I stopped. Her arms enfolded me. Closing around me, holding me tight. I was surprised by her strength, but I desperately needed this. She began to rock back and forth gently, stroking my hair. I nuzzled into her, clinging her night gown whilst she rested her head against mine.
We sat like this for a very long time, until the first rays of dawn shone through her window. Throughout the entire episode, we said nothing. we didn't need to. We were comfortable in each others company, not needing to talk. Queen Clarion was the first to move. She raised her head. "It's morning." Her voice soft in the large room. "I need to get ready dear." She whispered softly. I held onto her.
"Just a little while longer? Please?" I begged, pulling my head back. She smiled down at me and sighed.
"Alright, but only for a little while longer," she agreed. I nestled back into her arms and she held me close. A knock on the door caused me to jump. Sighing, Queen Clarion squeezed me before letting me go and standing up. "Yes?" She called out in a very regal voice.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, Your Highness, but the ministers request your presence." Came a call.
"Of course. I will be there shortly. Thank you, Carrie." Queen Clarion replied. She disappeared into the bathroom. I got up and made an attempt at making the bed. "Vixen," Queen Clarion called my name. I jumped around in shock. How did she know my name? She's the Queen you fool! My mind scolded. Obviously she knows your name! I simply smiled in response. "I want you to come with me to this meeting." She told me, holding out a dress for me. I stood paralysed.
"Me?" I asked, pointing at myself and then looking behind me to be certain she wasn't addressing somebody else also named 'Vixen'. She chuckled, the sound bringing my attention back to her.
"Yes, dear. Go through the bathroom to change. I will be waiting here for you." She gestured to the bathroom behind her. I nodded, took the dress and went to change.
Who was the Minister of Spring talking about? Was anyone really in the room with Vixen or was she sensing something else in a different part of Pixie Hollow? I promise it will get better as it goes on. Comment and let me know what you think, I always like to have opinions on my writing :)