Chapter 7- The REAL first meeting

A/N: Ok so, here's the next chapter, and I would like to dedicate this chapter to… Tangled4ever because it is the first chapter with Milori, or, err, the second chapter with Milori, and because she has been so incredibly patient with me. Thank you soooo much for your support guys, it really means a lot!

Also, as soon as a fairy is born and determined the next ruler, that fairy, she/he, automatically becomes the King/Queen's adopted son or daughter. Oh, and Clarion's thoughts are italicized.

Clarion gasped, shock and dread mixing in with her emotions. To harm another fairy was against the fairy rules, and could result in serious punishment at the hands of her Majesty Amaryllis. But if the queen's HEIR, and adopted daughter did it… Why, Clarion shuddered to think of the punishment.

Her train of thought was interrupted at the stirring of the fairy she had hit. Only now did Clarion get a good look at who she had hit. A fairy, wait, sparrow man, lay at her feet. He had platinum hair, looked very masculine, and was wearing a pale blue leaf tunic, with white fairy pants. He was incredibly handsome, and Clarion found herself blushing for no good reason. His wings were of a normal fairy, so Clarion presumed she had hit a normal fairy, that is, not a fairy of rank. But still, that was no excuse. The sparrow man stirred again, and opened his warm, amber, eyes. They locked with Clarion's sapphire eyes, and the moment they did, the entire forest grew deathly silent. You could have heard a pin drop, save for the fact that the snow formed a cushion against the ground. Clarion, with a sharp intake of breath, asked, fear in her eyes,

"You- you're awake! Are you okay?"

Ugh, of course he's not okay moron! You knocked him out for at least five minutes!

Clarion chided herself. It took a few moments for the sparrow man to answer, but when he did, he said,

"Uh, umm, well no actually, my head is killing me."

The fairy spoke with a warm, British accent. He gazed at Clarion for he had never seen a fairy lovelier than her. With her long, wavy, auburn tresses, and her peach-pink skin, and those eyes! Her eyes were as blue as the ocean on a winter's day, and they sparkled in the winter wind. But she was shivering, and her wings weren't like wings he had ever seen on any of the fairies he had ever known. And above all, a soft, golden glow surrounded her. He was broken out of his train of thought by her clear, yet worried voice.

"Of course, I was stupid to not have realized that. Oh I'm sorry, so, so, so, SO incredibly sorry to have hit you! It's just, you see, I…"

Clarion broke off, aware of the silence between them. She noticed a warm blush creep up her skin, and looked away hastily. When she turned around a second later, the sparrow man was looking at her, laughter and mirth in his amber eyes. Clarion, finally remembering her manners, assisted the sparrow man to his feet. She helped him to a log, and after making sure he wouldn't fall off, sat down across from him. She wanted to speak, to ask him his name, but found herself tongue-tied around the stranger. She worked up the courage to speak to the fairy, but instead he beat her to it.

"So, umm, may I ask what your name is? And your talent if you don't mind."

"Well brought up"

Clarion thought to herself. Then, replied,

"Um, Clarion. I, uh, well, I uh, I happen to be the queen's heir, and adopted daughter."

The sparrow man drew in his breath rather sharply.

Clarion thought to herself sadly,

"Oh no, here it comes again. The respect and the act that fairies always put on when they're around me."

Amaryllis would've scolded her for these thoughts, but they were true. The sparrow man asked her another question.

"So, you're a warm fairy? What are you doing here?"

"Well, you see, I couldn't relax at all, I was so tired, but I couldn't sleep. So I thought a small flight to the border and back might help. But, it, erm, turned into a little more than just a small flight."

"Oh come on Clarion! He doesn't want to know about your whole history!"

"I see."

Again the awkward silence filled the space between them. And Clarion shivered again, her peachish skin seemed to lose some of its shine, and the aura around her dimmed and flickered slightly.

The sparrow man noticed this, and jumped up.

"You know Clarion, I think it best we, err, you get back to Pixie Hollow. You don't look too well."

"Yes I think you're right." Clarion replied, shivering harder.

The sparrow man took off his feather cloak and draped it around her shoulders. Clarion blushed. Again.

They walked the first few moments in silence, and then, soon, a conversation sprung up between them. By the time they reached the border, it was close to 6:00, and Clarion realized with dread that Amaryllis would be frantic.

Silence hung in the air around them, for neither fairy wanted to leave the presence of the air. Neither felt so safe, and so warm, and so happy around another fairy than the one they were around this time. Clarion especially didn't want to leave, this was the only time she felt so deliriously happy. And she didn't want it to end.

She slowly stepped out. Out of the winter woods, and the happiness it had brought her. But she had to leave. Before she could fly off however, the fairy called back,

"Wait, when can I see you again?"

"How about tomorrow, at the border. At sunset?"

"Very well Clarion." Milori replied, disappointment seeping through.

Clarion took off, but turned around and asked,

"Wait! I never did get your name!"

"Milori"

The sparrow man replied. And watched with a sinking heart, as Clarion fluttered off.

A/N Cliff-hangers rule! For authors that is, not readers.