Straw Into Gold
Disclaimer: Most of the characters are not mine, some of the plot isn't either. Many things borrowed gratuitously from folklore.
A/N: The first part of this chapter is in more storytelling narrative format because I wanted to give a sort of history and give a general idea of the world.
One of the kingdoms neighboring and allied to the Fairy Kingdom ruled by the Hizuri, was the Elven Kingdom. The Elven Kingdom was ruled by a wise but eccentric king that enjoyed dressing up in elaborate costumes. Lori Takarada was a charismatic man that had been ruling his kingdom for centuries, but in his youth he liked to wander the human lands. When he finally settled down to rule his kingdom after his father's death he wanted to continue having the feel of visiting the exotic lands and thus constantly had his court dress up in the garb of those lands. After he became king he married a beautiful, kind, but spirited young Elven healer and the two were very happy together until she died to one of the rare magical diseases that was actually fatal to their kind. Kimi Takarada lived up to her name and was serious about her calling. Even after she became queen she continued in her work as a healer. She only stopped briefly after her son Kouki was born sometime about fifty years into her marriage to King Lori only in order to care for her new son. Once Kouki reached adulthood Kimi was back to her duties as a healer traveling to areas that were affected by widespread disease.
Kimi Takarada loved her people and saw her duty as a healer as more important than her duty as a queen even. She was also a very gifted healer and could heal many wounds that other healers would have given up on. The people of her kingdom adored their kind queen as much as her husband and son did. It was about a hundred years into Lori and Kimi's marriage that a epidemic of Pixie Pox had spread through the rural eastern edge of the Elven Kingdom. The strain that was sweeping the area seemed to be especially virulent and many children had succumbed to the deadly disease.
Although her husband and son urged her against going to treat such a dangerous disease and instead allow the royal physicians (who also urged the queen against going) to handle the problem, Kimi was adamant. Pixie Pox was one of the few diseases that was deadly for magical beings, although it tended to only kill those with a weak or not fully developed immune system so the most common victims of the disease were children. Not being able to stand the thought of so many children suffering, Kimi went to the stricken province and worked tirelessly alongside the royal physicians also dispatched. Unfortunately for the Takaradas, the queen neglected her own health and ignored signs she herself was getting sick and continued working through her fatigue wearing down her own immune system until it was too late. The epidemic had been stymied and many Elven children's lives were saved but at the cost of the life of the Elven queen.
The kingdom mourned for its Queen but life moved on. The Elven King though was heartbroken. He diligently threw all his energy into running and caring for his kingdom and his son. After the year of mourning was over, his advisers tried to encourage him to remarry but King Lori emphatically refused stating, "I have an heir. I have no need to remarry. My heart will not allow me to marry another. Kimi was my one true love."
True love is one of the most important things to the Seelie Court, thus Lori's advisers left off and instead began focusing their energies on getting Prince Kouki married instead. Poor Prince Kouki had numerous beautiful women thrown at him, hoping to entice him into marriage. However the Prince only looked at them with apathy, preferring to learn about his kingdom instead. Eventually tired of the pressure to marry, Prince Kouki begged his father to send him away. King Lori thus sent the Prince to the Merrow Kingdom as a diplomat.
In The Merrow Kingdom, Prince Kouki met and fell in love with the youngest daughter of the Merrow Queen. She was a beautiful woman with long curly golden hair with a hint of greenish highlights, big beautiful sea-green eyes, and coral lips. She was her mother's and her sisters' pride and joy. Through diligent and heartfelt effort, Kouki managed to prevail over Princess Lina's other suitors and win her hand and the approval of her family. The two were very happy together and lived in the Merrow Kingdom only occasionally making trips to the the Elven Kingdom to visit King Lori who was always happy to welcome home his son and daughter-in-law.
Through the marriage of Kouki and Lina, the Merrow joined in an alliance with the Elves and the Fairies who had long stood as allies to one another. This alliance allowed for all three kingdoms to feel a great sense of security and prosperity as that only left two hostile kingdoms of the Seven Kingdoms of the Magical Realm. The Trolls and the Orcs were an unpleasant lot that were distrustful of everyone else but unless angered the Trolls tended to keep to themselves. The Orcs tended to be more aggressive and expansive but the other kingdoms tended to band together against whoever they attacked to keep them in check. The Dwarves were a friendly race that liked to interact and trade with all the kingdoms and all the various magical races and species that dwelled in the magical realm. The mysterious Kitsune did not like nor dislike anyone and chose ignore the other kingdoms existed and isolated themselves and could do so easily since their kingdom was on a large island. Their only neighbors were the Merrow with their kingdom in the sea.
Stability was maintained in the Magical Realm for many years and Kouki and Lina were happy living together in the Merrow Kingdom. They did not have any children but it was normal and they were both young. Eventually Lina did give birth to a baby girl. The girl child was sweet and adorable. She had silky midnight black hair (like her father), large pretty golden eyes framed by long dark lashes (like her fraternal grandmother), and coral lips (like her mother). Both Lina and Kouki adored their new daughter and both the Merrow and Elven Kingdoms celebrated her birth.
After Princess Kyoko's birth, King Lori begged his son and daughter-in-law to move to the Elven Kingdom and live with him. As much as the Elven King loved his kingdom he missed his family and he desperately wanted his new granddaughter near him so he could spoil his little princess silly. Her bright golden eyes reminded him so much of his deceased wife and he could already tell she would be as sweet and spirited. Lori made all sorts of plans to dote on her imagining how adorable she would look in the various costumes he would have the tailors create for her.
Kouki and Lina eventually gave into Lori's ridiculous begging when he threatened to have Kyoko kidnapped and brought to him to raise. Afraid of what type of damage his father could do to his sweet impressionable little princess, Kouki decided it was better to at least be on hand to reign in Lori's more outrageous ideas. So a bit before Princess Kyoko's second birthday, Prince Kouki and Princess Lina traveled to the Elven capital to make their home there.
Lori was so ecstatic at the news that he decided to throw a huge celebration in honor of his granddaughter's birthday. He invited all the monarchs of the Seven Kingdoms of the Magical Realm and their guests to attend the Yuletide celebrations in his kingdom and to stay for Princess Kyoko's birthday celebrations. He did not want to insult any of them by not inviting them even if they were not on the friendliest terms with all the kingdoms. The invitations extended requested the guest to stay until Imbolc. News of the celebrations spread across the Seven Kingdoms and all the noblemen and courtiers hoped to be included in their regents retinue. The celebrations for Princess Kyoko's birthday and homecoming were to be the grandest, most spectacular display likely seen in centuries. King Lori adored his granddaughter and possible future heir. Even the celebrations for Prince Kouki's birth could not compare, because to King Lori girls were so much prettier and more loveable than boys and his little princess was the cutest, sweetest, most adorable little girl ever.
Lori expected many of the monarchs to refuse the invitation but was pleasantly surprised when all but the Kitsune and Orc monarchs replied positively and agreed to stay at least for Kyoko's birthday celebration though the Merrow Queen stated she had to return to her kingdom after her granddaughter's birthday.
In The Fairy Kingdom
"Kuu! I just got a letter from Lori! He's inviting us to come visit for Yuletide and stay over the winter until Imbolc. " Juliena Hizuri shouted excitedly as she threw open the door to her husband's study.
"Well that's nice of him but I can't leave our kingdom unattended that long honey. We'll have to send him our regrets." Kuu told his wife gently.
Juli glared balefully at her husband before informing him, "Too late. I already sent our acceptance to attend the celebrations."
"But honey..."
Affecting pitiful tear-filled eyes, Juli pouted at Kuu, "Sweetie...Lina and Kouki have moved back to the Elven Kingdom and they brought their daughter with them. I haven't seen Lina in forever and I'll die if I don't get to see little Kyoko! I'm sure she's absolutely adorable and though Kuon is all I could ask for in a son, I've always wanted a little girl!"
"Juli, honey...maybe we can go for Yuletide but we can't stay until Imbolc. It's just not practical. I can't leave for that long."
"Pish posh! The council can rule just fine while we're gone and if there is an emergency they can get you a message instantly and you can transport yourself back here instantly with your magic. I'm going with or without you and I'm bringing Kuon with me! You can stay here if you are determined to be such a hermit."
Sighing in defeat because Kuu knew he could never deny his beloved anything she truly desired he acquiesced with a , "Yes, you're absolutely right dear."
Grinning triumphantly Juli exited her husband's study to allow him to plan for their absence. She had more important things to do such as creating gifts for the little princess. Calling for a servant she ordered for her and her family's trunks to be packed for an extended stay in the Elven Kingdom. Once the chore was taken care of Juli set out in search of her son to tell him the news. She found him with his tutor and attendant, Yukihito Yashiro.
"Kuon!" Juli cried giving her son a crushing hug. "No need to study right now! We have more important things to do!"
Five-year-old (soon to be six) Kuon Hizuri looked at his mother with confusion and managed a startled, "Wha?" before he was unceremoniously dragged by his mother into her workroom.
"I need your help creating a gift for Princess Kyoko of the Elven Kingdom." Juli explained to him.
"Umm...mom...I have no clue what to give a little princess." Kuon informed his mother hesitantly.
"That's alright dear. I already know what I'm going to give her. I'm going to make her a necklace, you just need to pick out a stone to go into the pendant." Juli told Kuon as examined various precious metals trying to decide on what to use. She peeked at her son out of the corner of her eyes as he carefully examined the colorful magical stones she scattered onto her work table. Although her son did not know it, Juli knew Kuon had an instinctual grasp of what stone held the most magical power. He could sense magic more accurately than even she could so she knew whatever he chose would be the most appropriate for her purposes.
"This one." Kuon declared holding up a pink teardrop shaped gem. "I think the little princess would like this. All little girls like pink and this gem is very pretty. It shines more than the others."
"It's perfect! Thank you Kuon." Juli grinned at her son before giving him a kiss on his forehead. "You can go play now if you want. I need to get this done before the end of the week. We'll be leaving for the Elven Kingdom then."
"The Elven Kingdom?"
"Hmm? Oh yes. We'll be going to the Elven Kingdom for Yuletide and Princess Kyoko's birthday celebrations. We're staying there until Imbolc. Maybe while we're there you and the princess could become friends."
Kuon grimaced at the thought of becoming friends with a little princess. If she was anything like the daughters of nobles then she would be spoiled and annoying. Juli caught her son's expression and chuckled to herself. While her son may be against the idea right now, she was sure that when he and Princess Kyoko were older he would change his mind if the Princess grew up to be even half as beautiful as her mother or grandmothers.
Kuon was officially bored out of his mind. They had just arrived at the Elven court after a day and a half of travel and Kuon wanted to run around outside and exercise his legs. His mother refused to let him ride with his father and the other men traveling with them and instead made him sit in the carriage with her. Kuon comforted himself with the fact that at least the court ladies that were part of their retinue were riding in other carriages. He did not know if he could stand to be around their annoying chatter trapped in a carriage that long.
After they changed, courtesy demanded that they greet their hosts so Kuon and his parents made their way to the throne room. Upon entering the room, the young fairy prince stopped and starred. Before him on a throne sat a handsome middle-aged man dressed in colorful robes unlike anything Kuon had ever seen before. Milling around the room were courtiers dressed similarly though less extravagantly as the man. Kuon could only assume the man on the throne was King Lori.
Seeing the newcomers, Lori rose out of seat and greeted them exuberantly. "Kuu! Juli! It's so wonderful to see you my friends! This good-looking young man must be your son Kuon. I haven't seen him since he was no bigger than my precious Kyoko."
"Lori! You haven't changed a bit! Still playing dress-up!" Juli exclaimed.
"Sadly, father still has not outgrown that habit." A serious male voice informed her. Looking for the source of the voice, Kuon was relieved to see a man a bit younger than his father dressed in normal clothes. Standing next to him was a woman that was as almost as beautiful as his mother. She smiled kindly at him before turning her sea-green eyes to his mother.
"Juli!" The beautiful woman squealed rushing to give Kuon's mother a hug.
"Lina! It's so wonderful to see you and Kouki again! Where is your daughter, Kyoko? I came all the way here especially to meet her you know." Juli asked.
"Her nurse took her to get her nap about thirty minutes ago." Lina replied.
Kuon sighed. Great! He was now stuck here with the adults and the little girl they were here to meet wasn't even there to see them. He stood patiently by his parents as the adults chatted and caught up. His one consolation was at least none of the adults treated him like he normally saw children being treated as if they could not understand anything. His father finally noticed Kuon's restlessness and suggested, "Kuon why don't you go explore the castle. You look like you need to be outdoors son. Just don't leave the castle grounds and stray into the city."
With a bright grin and a courteous bow, Kuon left the throne room and started wandering the hallways of the castle. Finding a castle guard, he asked to be pointed to the nearest exit to the castle. The guard gave him a few instructions before Kuon walked off again after thanking the man. He eventually found himself in the formal flower gardens but a bit beyond it he could spot some open space. Looking around to make sure there was no one around he took off running, enjoying the feel of the air rushing past his body. He felt a tugging at his hair as he ran and decided to follow the tugging knowing that it was likely invisible sylphs urging him in a specific direction.
He stopped suddenly when he heard sweet joyful laughter ring out. Trying to trace the sound he walked in the direction he thought it came from. After a few moments he found himself in the open area he was searching for earlier. It was a pretty clearing that Kuon was sure would be full of wildflowers during spring or summer but at the moment had tall golden grass with some woods bordering one side of it. Further away he could see a pretty stream winding its way from the woods.
The musical laughter sounded again and he saw a little girl no more than a few years old playing with a couple of puppies. The girl was bundled up in a thick winter cloak that reached to her ankles causing her to occasionally trip whenever she tried to run. Kuon walked quietly forward so as to not startle the little girl. As he got closer he saw her cheeks had a rosy flush to them either from the cold or her exertions or possibly both. Midnight black hair in pigtails peeked out from beneath the hood of her cloak and bright golden eyes glowing with joy and laughter watched the puppies tumbling around her. Her small pixie face lit up with an entrancing smile that caused Kuon to stop in his tracks as he felt his heart skip a beat. She was the prettiest little girl Kuon had ever seen and Kuon couldn't take his eyes off her as she played with the puppies.
Suddenly one of the puppies, all of which were more than half her size, lost it's balance and took a tumble into the little girl. Caught off guard the girl stumbled and fell to the ground hard. It was cold in the Elven Kingdom at this time of the year but it was not cold enough yet for there to be snow on the ground to cushion the little girl's fall. Kuon ran forward to try to help the child although he knew he couldn't get there fast enough to stop her fall. He saw her looking at her hands and heard a soft sniffle and watched helplessly as tears filled the pretty golden eyes. Gently so as not to frighten the already distressed child he asked, "What's wrong little one?"
A/N: I think I'll stop there for now, I had planned to get us to the point of where chapter one left off but focused on Kyoko. My imagination ran away with me as to her back-story and this chapter would be likely twice as long if I got us up to that point. Kyoko's history is set up the way it is because I wanted to make sure all those lovely side characters made there way into this story. Chapter one was more of an introduction. This chapter is where the story actually starts but we'll find ourselves back to that point probably at the end of next chapter.
Thank you to everyone that read, reviewed, favorited, and alerted this story. It makes me feel good to start writing again to know that people like my story. Also I am VERY happy to see several people interested in taking up my challenge. There are just not enough fairytale retellings in this section considering how much Kyoko loves them.
Comments and criticisms are welcomed while flames will likely just amuse me. I probably should find a beta though because self-editing never works that well. I ask rather a lot from a beta though.
Some of the fantasy elements in this story will be made up by me, some will be straight from folklore, and a few things will be from books (though those from books could have come from folklore as well). For example the idea of the fairy border closing at night and for the winter comes from Patricia Wrede's Snow White and Rose Red, although the specific dates are my own invention based on convenience and research.
Some terms that might be unfamiliar:
Imbolc: Celtic festival celebrating the beginning of Spring, February 2.
Yuletide: Winter celebrations that often gets lumped in with Christmas, around December 21-23.
Merrow: A race similar to mermaids but can interbreed with humans by shedding their tails.
Sylph: Air spirits