A/N: Sorry it has taken me so long to update. I'm still writing on the story, but I've been working on chapters that are later on in the plot; so I don't forget things ;/ Also, I've been going through quite a bit lately with work and other things, so expect updates to be a lot less frequent.

Also: As I've reread this, its clear to me that this story is a little more 'in-depth' than Gail Carson Levine's works. (I.E. a lot more dialogue and a much deeper plot with more emotion.) In a way, I regret making it so serious, but I really can't mimic her style, as much as I wish I could. I hope everyone can enjoy the story, not only for its ties to GCL's tales, but for what it is on its own.

So, here is chapter 12. A little short, but much anticipated~


CHAPTER TWELVE

Even when one meets a fairy, it is very hard to set aside the common stereotypes you are so accustomed to hearing. In stories, fairies are lovely and graceful. They are whimsical when speaking and always ready to lend a helping hand when you need them the most.

In reality, such things are nonsense; mere fantasies. Real fairies look no different than humans and they reveal themselves less frequently than when the rare blue moon hangs in the night sky.

Upon seeing the neighboring fairy that was staying in elves' barracks, I had to remind myself of these facts. I had expected her to be tall, proud, and beautiful, radiating waves of unmistakable magic.

Instead, when I opened the door, I was greeted by a withering elderly woman. She was small, even more so than myself, and hunched with age. Her wrinkles seemed endless, and her hair was no whiter than snow.

"Shazal told me quite a bit about you." She whispered with force, her head held high. "I must say, I never thought I would see the day that I managed to run into the likes of you." She let herself into my chambers and then proceeded to examine my features in the pale light of the torches along the walls. Her mouth, which seemed to be permanently etched into a thin line, curled into a slight smile. "I see a lot of your father in you." She whispered finally.

My breath caught in my throat. "You know my father?"

The fairy's smile faded as she made her way to one of the vacant wooden chairs. "It would be more accurate to say I knew your father." She corrected me as she settled into the seat.

I situated myself across from her, feeling rather disheartened.

Seeing my disappointment, she explained further. "He hasn't been seen about Fairyland for many a year. But everyone knows of him, and of you."

I was well-known? I found the very idea laughable. Up until recently I had been completely oblivious to lives of those at Fairyland, and now, two days after the discovery of my heritage, I was learning that my existence was of no secret to them.

"How could you possibly know of me, Miss –" I trailed off. What was I to call her?

"Mary-Alice. Just Mary-Alice." She told me. "We fairies tend to know our lot quite well. For the most part, we are sired in Fairyland, and stay there until we are given permission to leave. Your father, and your aunts, are all younger than myself, but I remember them as clear as glass. As for you, you are known because it isn't often offspring spawns between a fairy and a human, you see. You're a bit of an oddity."

I blushed. An oddity! Such a harsh choice of words.

"Don't take me wrong," Mary-Alice went on, her voice barely a whisper. "Its happened in the past, but as of late, the fairies and humans have been somewhat segregated, especially in Pü!"

"I'm afraid I don't follow." I murmured. Why was Pü any different from Kyrria and Ayortha? If anything, given the fact that our borders met with Fairyland, we should have been better associated with them!

Mary-Alice chuckled to herself lightly. "Shazal had mentioned of your unawareness, but I hadn't expected it to be so great!" She exclaimed.

I slumped in my seat, not wanting to hear yet another lecture. I scolded myself for being so ill-prepared. I should have at least purchased research material from the town's book keep before I came on this excursion. It would have saved me much embarrassment.

"It makes me wonder what those aunts of yours have been teaching you." Mary-Alice muttered.

"By my father's wishes, I was raised human." I explained, hoping the fact might redeem myself.

"Is that so?" Mary-Alice asked, her tone clipped. "And how did you not realize what you were when your unconscious ability to do magic kicked in?"

Again, I felt my cheeks grow hot. I had always blindly trusted Althea's explanation about the strange happenings I was surrounded by. I was a fool to have believed such irrational reasoning.

"Oh, child," She said to me, her hand covering my own in attempts to comfort me. I relaxed slightly. "The fault is not your own. What matters now is that you have bravely taken initiative and have gone to seek out the truth. For that, you must be respected, but I'm afraid the information I can offer you is little."

I smiled at her. "A little is more than I can ask for."

"Well," She said, taking a deep breath. "Where to begin? I won't be able to help you locate your father, but I can tell you this; the rains that we are suffering through are no act of nature."

I gaped at her. What could she possibly mean?

Mary-Alice continued. "That king we have now – he's a tricky one; him and the entire royal family. Several years ago, he held a meeting with Queen Shiva of Fairyland. Pü's lands were suffering from drought, you see. I suspect you were nothing but an infant at the time. While IIülani, as close to the sea as it is, managed to thrive in the times of trouble, the rest of country was in great distress. King Ügene, and that council of his, demanded that Queen Shiva and the rest of the fairy folk send rains down so that Pü could begin to flourish once more. The fairies declined. This is why, of course, we wish to keep secret. Humans want us to solve each and every dilemma that comes their way! Queen Shiva was kind in her refusal, yet the king was vindictive, swearing to wage a war if his request was not met. Had there been a war, Pü most certainly would have been the victor. Fairies aren't fighters by any means, and big magic is still out of the question. But, to teach King Ügene and the rest of Pü a lesson, they decided it was for the best that they send rains down."

That most certainly explained the floods we had been facing! So they were fairy induced! "How is sending a torrential downpour not big magic?" I asked. For an entire country to succumb to foul weather, their spells had to be at least precise and thorough.

"Ah," Mary-Alice said, nodding. "For one or two to be apart of such a scheme, it would indeed be considered big magic. But you can guarantee every single fairy who resides in Fairyland has taken part in this mess. It's a combined effort."

"So," I muttered, thinking aloud. "When Shazal mentioned the irony of a fairy befriending the prince of Pü, this is what she was speaking of?"

Mary-Alice became quite serious. Her eyes were steel pools of intelligence with depths I couldn't even begin to fathom. "You are their enemy dear. Even if not by heart, by name and blood."

Their enemy? But I would never wish harm to befall anyone! "That's absurd!" I declared. I had done nothing wrong!

"I know," Mary-Alice agreed, shaking her head. "It isn't exactly fair, but these things never are. Those aunts of yours almost got themselves in a heap of trouble – holding off the storms for the Püzü Festival. Queen Shiva has summoned them for a trial."

I was beginning to feel ill. "A trial!"

At this, Mary-Alice laughed lightly. "Don't you worry about a thing. Their punishment, if they even receive one, that is, won't be severe. This isn't the first time those aunts of yours have opposed fairy rule."

Rebels much like myself. I couldn't help but beam with pride, feeling the familiar pang of longing. I missed them terribly.

"This is the only information I can offer you." Mary-Alice said to me. "I hope it's been at least somewhat beneficial."

It had been; and yet, at the same time, not at all. More questions stirred around in my head, and I was still unable to grasp the concept of her words. I thanked her repeatedly, hoping she knew how deeply I meant it. She had been the only one so far who was able to offer me something useful.

After she left, I swung myself back in forth and the hammock-bed and mulled over the night's events. I felt no closer to my destiny than I was the day I left home, and yet, I knew I had come several leagues since then. I just needed to piece the puzzle together.

I drifted off to sleep before I could delve any further into the spider web of ideas that were forming in my head.


A/N: So, we're learning a bit more. The next chapter won't be so heavy.

Hope you liked it!