Character Ages
Elsie-16 years old
Ciel-18 years old
Tommy-17 years old
Frances-9 years old
...
Sebastian- probably a few millennia, give or take LOL
Chapter 5: Ancient Circles and Solitaire Rings
"I'm here to catch a fairy." Ciel said as Sebastian handed him a hand net. Ciel traced his finger along its edges and down it's shaft. Almost flicking off a miniscule piece of golden pollen from Cottingley meadows that desperately clung unto it. He looked up at Elsie and smiled a devilish grin. "I hope you don't mind Miss Elsie, but Her Majesty grows impatient with each passing day that I fail to bring her what she desires. If you would be so kind as to aid me in this difficult quest, as you know from our last endeavors of trying to take pictures of fairies in my own manor did not yield results. They don't see to like me very much."
They most certainly don't, Elsie thought to herself. And neither did she.
"You are lady luck after all. The fairies love you. In all of England, they only show themselves to you. You and only you it seems."
Elsie wanted to wipe that grin off Ciel's face, but instead she turned towards Victorian etiquette in this dire and dreadful situation. If only Victorian etiquette would allow her to swing that net over Ciel's own head and cast him into the river, she most definitely would. But this was England and she was a lady, and casting England's most repugnant and bratty gentlemen into Thames is not what Victorian ladies do, regrettably. That would be something Tommy would do, happily. And she would not falter contrary to Ciel's wishes.
Instead, Elsie curtsied gracefully. She smiled, politely. It was not a sincere smile, but it did not show. Her eyes shined like the rays of the sun. "If it pleases Her Majesty to do so, then I am more than obliged to aid you in your quest." Elsie held the woven basket to her side. The basket containing all her secrets, her fairy cutouts and wind patterns and bobby pins. A basket of secrets that could cost her head. Thank goodness Tommy took the camera and photographs with him.
"Excellent," Ciel removed his coat and handed it to Sebastian, whom folded it neatly and bowed in return, his back as straight as an arrow. Elsie looked at the man, into his gleaming red eyes, and momentarily thought him to be as fickle as the crows that loiter arrange Cottingley's crops.
Sebastian smiled at Elsie, a pleasant and handsome smile that could send all the Queen's court swooning in their breeches.
Elsie also thought he was as deceptive as a cunning fox.
Sebastian, following his master dutifully, was stopped. Ciel raised his hand briefly and told his butler that he would be just fine without his aid.
Ciel walked towards Elsie, bowed slightly, and extended his hand. His sapphire ring shined brilliantly under the Cottingley's light. "Where shall we begin first, my dear?"
Elsie took Ciel's hand and walked with him as they ventured through the wild flowers and tall grass. They ventured under evergreen trees as the light peeked though the cracks between the leaves and touched their skin. The wind blew softly as their shoulders lightly brushed against the other. Elsie felt her cheeks heating up. She had to act fast and think quick. Her eyes gazed to the world around. Where was she going to find a fairy and trick Ciel into believing there is one? Her eyes drifted towards the trees and bushes and vines. Then, they drifted towards Ciel's hand holding her own, and on his thumb laid a ring. A ring that embodied the sorrow of the ocean. A deep sapphire blue.
Ciel caught her gaze and spoke. "Maybe I should have taken off my ring? Although I don't know how tiresome a fairy hunt can be."
"It's quite alright," Elsie muttered. "But I wouldn't want you to lose something valuable if that's the case."
"This ring has never left my side, nor father's and grandfather's. It will most likely never leave mine as well. It has also seen all of its master's demises. Most surely, I will be the next one it sees."
"And you do not mind? Giving into a predestined sort of fate? Forgive me Ciel but that seems unlike you. When opportunity arises, you strike fast."
"You think too highly of me Elsie. But you believe I can change mine?"
"Yes," Elsie smiled, tenderly. "I do. I believe we can all change our fates when given the opportunity, or make well thought out decisions."
"Thank you for your consideration," Ciel shifted, "but the odds are against me."
"How so?"
"Two to one seems rather unfair."
"And that is all?" Elsie mused. "Forgive my lord, but those odds aren't so terrible. They are doable, in fact. It seems you can make a comeback."
Ciel smirked. "Are the odds against you, in any way?"
Elsie lightened her grip from Ciel's hand, "Who doesn't?"
Finally, an idea popped into her mind, and she knew exactly how to execute it. She held out her hand in front of Ciel and gasped, looking down at the ground. Ciel quirked up his eyebrow, curiously. "What is the matter Elsie? Are you alright?"
"We have to turn back," she said. "We mustn't go any further than here."
"And why is that?" Ciel inquired.
Elsie pointed towards the moss ridden ground, towards the red topped mushroom caps. "You see these mushrooms arranged in a circle. This is a fairy ring. This is strictly fairy territory. The fairies have claimed this part of the land as their own and if a mortal were to step inside the circle they themselves would risk the chance of being spirited away by fairies. I wouldn't want to endanger my dearest friend in these dangerous circumstances. Let's turn back, shall we?" Elsie turned around and walked a few steps but was shocked to see that Ciel did not follow. In fact, he stood outside the circle. He folded his hands behind his back and smiled.
"Really? If I step inside this misshapen circle I will never see the cloudy fumes emitted from London's factories, every officer of the yard that desires to tie their hands around my throat, or the greedy and manipulative businessmen counting their coins within their workhouses? Now, that seems like a favor rather than a curse."
"I promise you than that fairies don't have cakes or any kinds of sweets in their realm."
Ciel looked down at the mushroom circle and back at Elsie. A feigned look of shock caressed his face. "Might as well send me to hell."
Elsie stifled a quick laugh. The ends of her lips curling in a decadent smile. "Is that all you ever care about? Cakes and cookies and candy? Isn't there anything deemed more important than those?"
"Elsie," Ciel said, baffled. "Those are the three most important indulgences in life. Heaven knows I'd forsake all riches just to keep those three."
Elsie looked towards the river and laughed to herself.
"And what is so funny that you cannot share it with me?"
"Well," Elise fumbled with her basket, "I'd wager if someone were to pay you in sweets like cookies, you wouldn't refuse the offer."
Ciel adjusted his cufflinks of his suit, "that depends." He said, seriously. "Whether they were offering to pay with chocolate chip or oatmeal." With his response Elsie giggled brightly, which only made Ciel mimic her gesture. He felt a soft and delicate warmth from her radiance and realized momentarily he desired more of it. He quickly shooed the thought away and coughed, once. Ciel stepped away from the mushroom circle and thanked Elsie for saving him from being whisked away to a land of no sweets, and of course his immortal soul. Oh, if only Elsie truly knew.
Elsie guided him towards the ends of Cottingley's small river. Water whisked over the rocks and sand and it's sound enchanted Elsie ever since she was old enough to step within it's cool embrace, holding on to her dear father's hand. Ever since she was a little girl, she adored every aspect of Cottingley. As for Ciel, nature was such a peculiar thing. A dangerous thing. Mainly he survived through it by not being there. Although, with Elsie by his side, he didn't seem to mind. Only a little.
A mosquito flew back and again towards his brow. He waved it away, awkwardly. This was Finnian's sort of work, not Ciel's.
"I happen to meet many of my fairy friends beyond this river, over on the east side. But…" Elsie lamented. "I have seemed to forget my boots, and mother would have a fit if I were to soak my dress if I were to cross the river."
"That is a pity," Ciel said.
"Indeed, it is, Earl. I am afraid our endeavors to find a fairy today have been in vain." Elsie feigned sorrow, magnificently. "Maybe you should come back another day when I have acquired the right footwear—
Just then, the world seemed to turn, and Elsie seemed to lose her own footing. She was whisked off the ground and cradled in another's arms.
Ciel huffed a bit, which was swiftly overcome, and walked straight in the river. He was wearing boots after all.
"Put me down this instant!" Elsie shrieked. Miniscule waves rocked against Ciel's ankles and slightly above each and every step he took.
"And have your mother chastise you because of a soaked dress? I dare not put you through such trouble."
"I think not!" Elsie wacked her basket against his chest.
"M-My dear, I would get to the other side much faster if you ceased thrashing my heart."
"I do not wish to get to the other side, I wish to be let down now!"
"Quit fidgeting—
Suddenly, his foot slipped. With a grand finale, both occupants crashed down into the water. Elsie's basket bobbed on the water's surface. Horseflies skidded and flew from one lily and weed to the next, flying over the two young teenagers without a care in the world. Elsie's dress was soaked through.
And Ciel's face was red like a budding rose.
Elsie hurriedly clasped her basket towards her chest, treading out of the water, hiding behind overgrown weeds and stalks of bamboo that naturally didn't grow there.
"I-I'm sorry my dear. Let me help you."
Elsie's back stiffened and so did her shoulders. She gritted her teeth and turned towards the impetuous boy. "I," Elsie said, voice fuming to the brim with anger. "I am not your dear."
Elsie said good riddance to Victorian manners, as she pushed Ciel back into the river. Without the slightest trace of guilt or remorse. He went down with a grand splash! When he resurfaced, there was a beautiful water lily stuck on the top of his head. And on the water lily, there laid a frog who looked quite happy, contrary to what Ciel was feeling. Elsie huffed and turned her head swiftly to the side. The yard can come apprehend her whenever they please. At least she will be content with the thought that she will go to prison with her dignity. Just in case, with her basket behind her lower back as she walked away from Ciel.
"And you're just going to leave me here?" Ciel shouted from behind.
Oh, that's right! Where were Elsie's manners? She looked to her left and saw a fellow fairy enthusiast inspecting the grounds. He seemed to be a gruff sort of man, considering his incredibly tall stature and hairless head, but also sincere as he was wearing a light pink ensemble with a tutu and fairy wings attached with ribbons extending from its center. Very pretty accessories, Elsie thought. Frances would surely agree.
"Hello good sir! Come quick! That poor, stupid boy is being pulled into the river by a malicious water spirit!"
The man immediately broke into a synchronized run towards Ciel and pulled him out of the water, cradling him in his arms. The man's voice was deep and gurgled when he spoke. "You're safe now, Earl."
"Oh my!" Elsie feigned, dramatically. Extending her hand over her forehead, like an actress she's seen on stage at the cinema. "Look how pale he is! That water spirit has already sucked out most of his life energy. I fear if he doesn't leave the water soon, it would surely end him!"
"You're right!" The man agreed, frightened. "And look what it has already done to his right eye!"
Silence ensued as Ciel internally cursed the man for just now taking notice of his unfortunate ocular problem hidden behind his eye patch, which Ciel has had well over a good few years now. The silence was then broken by laughter. Elsie's laughter to be precise.
The man spoke, hoarsely. "Your condition is worsening. I must take you to your caretaker at once." Quickly, he darted through the river, as if the waves parted just for him while his tutu fluttered gracefully in the wind. All the while Elsie could hear Ciel's miserable whining such as 'put me down this instant you insufferable oaf!' and much more phrases with much more colorful language that Elsie never knew the watch dog of the Queen possessed.
Hm. Now he knows what it's like to be picked up by strange men out of the blue. Serves him right. Elsie picked up her belongings and made her way home.
Of course, her mother did chastise her about her soaked dress. Gave her a scornful lecture too. While Francis hypothesized that Elsie was swimming with mermaids and nymphs. Elsie had to disagree sadly, she said she regrettably walking around Cottingley with a one-eyed troll. A bratty, one-eyed troll. All the while, Elsie hid her basket full of her secrets in the pantry cupboard on the top shelf in the kitchen.
Her mother warmed her with a blanket and a cup of tea. Elsie stared down in the golden, honey concoction as the white steam gently drifted over her nose. She sighed, softly.
"Don't worry Elsie," her mother said, lovingly. "Everything will be alright. I'll leave your dress to dry out with the rest of the laundry. Everything will be alright."
"I hope it will," Elsie said, softly. Thinking about her basket hidden in the cupboard, her sister Francis suffering from consumption, Tommy leaving for the big city, and Ciel… that boy who made Elsie constantly question whether he was the lighthouse or the storm barging into her life. He made her feel a variety of things, good and bad things to say the least. But she knew where his intentions lied, and she couldn't afford to be one step behind. "I'll make it alright."
"I know you will, my sweet daughter." Her mother smiled kissed Elsie's damp head tenderly.
After Elsie replenished her soul with her cup of tea, she ventured to the drawing room. More specially, to the family phone. She turned the dial and numbers clicked.
She had to speak to Tommy Hopkins. This was urgent business.
"…My Lord," Sebastian said, surprised. He was currently tending to a lovely creature, stroking her soft belly. It was a beautiful calico cat. Ah, her black and orange and white coat was glimmering under the late afternoon sun. He dubbed her Felicity. A beautiful name fitting for a beautiful creature. Sebastian was having a glorious and divine afternoon spoon feeding her poached salmon from his overcoat pocket.
And then his master showed up. Carried by an unsightly fellow wearing a frivolous tutu and fairy wings.
"My lord, it seems as though you've finally found a fairy." Sebastian said, as the cat jumped off his lap (with the salmon) and scurried back into the meadow. Alas, it was not meant to be. Sebastian eyed the man from head to toe, conspicuously. "I have to admit I was expecting fairies to be much smaller, and daintier looking. Won't this surprise her majesty."
The man took that as a compliment, and Ciel recoiled miserably.
Ciel, feeling like a rag doll, was handed over from the tall man to Sebastian. Sebastian thanked the man for saving his master, and off he went. His ribbons fluttering behind his steps.
"I take it you and Miss Elsie did not find a fairy on this excursion." A mocking laugh ensued. "She certainly gave you a piece of her mind."
"Quiet." Ciel said, bitterly. Strands of his soaked cerulean hair clung to his skin. Sebastian removed his boots and poured water out of each as if they were a pitcher of a water carrier. "I'm tired of all this fairy nonsense for today. Pack my belongings. We're leaving." Ciel ringed out his neck tie, as water droplets plopped unto the ground. What in his right mind made him think he could carry Elsie through the river, and then he proceeded to make a fool of himself by tripping over his own two feet. His suit was entirely soaked through, what an annoyance it turned into. The same even happened to Elsie…
Ciel rubbed hand over his eyes. She hates him, he was most sure of it.
"What ails you?" Sebastian asked, confused. Cleaning hurriedly. He was hoping to find Felicity, his feline sweetheart, if time permits. But usually for a butler, time never does.
"Nothing of importance," Ciel mumbled. Wondering when his cheeks would fade from it's burning coal hue.
"Oh!" Suddenly, Sebastian removed an article of interest from his coat which immediately caught Ciel's attention. His sour feelings vanished immediately. The article was a stamped envelope with the Queen's insignia. "This letter arrived while you were on your excursion."
Ciel lurched forward, "you should have informed me as soon as it arrived." He ran a hand threw his hair, worriedly wondering what the Queen wants now. Perhaps she wants a centaur or the loch ness monster to accompany her fairy which Ciel has not yet acquired. Heaven forbid she desires a unicorn, if so he was tempted to just find a goat and glue a horn on its brow. He read the letter, voraciously.
Then he handed the letter to Sebastian. After reading its contents, he looked at Ciel in silence.
Ciel breathed. Looking towards Cottingley meadow. At the dandelions and lilies and tulips cascading the ground. He thought to himself for a while, solemnly.
"What do you make of this?" Sebastian inquired. "These could just be rumors, gorged and romanticized on myth alone."
"Rumors that are strong enough that require the mind of Sieglinde Sullivan? I think not." Ciel eyed his butler briefly, then diverted his gaze. Sullivan, who was once known as the Green Witch, is renowned for her workings in biochemistry and beyond working under the guidance and financial backing of Queen Victoria. Her work has even acquired the attention of the Americans from overseas. It was no longer a battle over land with arms and weapons. This was an era of knowledge, of patent wars and invention rights. "But I am Her Majesty's watch dog. Whatever she needs, whatever she desires… I obey and bend to her will and all her dirty work that goes beyond the power of the yard. I will do as told. Loyally and faithfully. That is my purpose. Her majesty summons that I and Lady Sullivan have an audience with her immediately. Make it happen."
"Yes, my Lord."
Ciel remained quiet and thought to himself in the carriage on the way to his manor. He looked out the window at the pink and orange tinted sky slowly turning dark. The warm air began to shift to an icy cold. His eyes narrowed, grimly.
He looked down at his ring, a Phantomhive family heirloom. A dangerous article that constantly reminded him of his demise. The gem was somber and dark and grave. Its surface was cold to touch. Then he thought of what Elsie said. The notion truly humored him. Wouldn't it be a wondrous thing if he really could change his fate?
He laughed to himself. A laugh that slowly died out.
It was best not to dwell on the impossible. Ciel knows that well enough. He held the letter of Her Majesty the Queen in his hands. Reading its contents over again.
Something was brewing beneath the dark underbelly of London. Beneath the grime and muck and filth, hidden in London's underground. Where thieves and criminals and drug cartels dwell. Enough stalling, Ciel thought. It was about time he became part of it.
There were many nights in Cottingley where the fog becomes so thick, stretching on into the night, that is becomes impossible to see the stars.
Tonight, was one of those nights.
A fire loomed in the deep within Cottingley meadows. Embers burned scarlet and the flames danced wildly on a bonfire.
Tommy threw in more wood into the ever-growing fire. Sweat trickled down from his brow as the heat pressed against his skin. When he was finished, the fire was at its peak. Elsie threw in all her valuables. All her secrets that enticed and enraptured the city of London. They curled up in the fire. Paper wings and paper fairies and paper dreams charred and blackened and turned to ash. Finally, Elsie tossed in the last reel of photos taken by Tommy. Her and her pretend fairies.
Elsie and Tommy stood side by side as they watched their creations, their work, and their lies burn. His hand held hers, and she did not mind.
'I'm sorry Francis,' Elsie thought. 'But I can't keep playing this game anyone. I'm so sorry.'
It was all over now.
London has seen the last of the Cottingley fairies.
The train's horn roared in the station, as passengers hurried to get on board.
It was the day of Tommy's departure to the city, to begin his apprenticeship under Madam Dauphine, a shrewd but reputable businesswoman, and it was time to say goodbye.
He held his luggage in one arm while his mother refused to let go of the other, in what seemed to have turned into an endless hug. His father had to (delicately) pry her away from her son. Which then Tommy's cheeks and brow received endless kisses.
"Ma," Tommy said. "I'm going to miss the train if you keep at it."
Just to make sure, she adjusted his collar and smoothed his hair and sneaked in one more goodbye kiss to her eldest son. She told him to be good, to listen to Madam Dauphine, to be a good apprentice, to not get into any trouble in the city for there are many hoodlums there, and to always write frequently. And if time permits, to find a loving girl whom he can one day call his wife.
Tommy looked over to Elsie, bashfully. And did she in return.
"Elsie," Tommy said. He looked back between her and the train. It was almost time for departure. "Thank you for everything."
Elsie shook her head. "I should be the one thanking you. Now there is nothing tying you back to Cottingley from succeeding on your own." She said, sadly.
Tommy leaned into her ear and whispered. "Cottingley will always be my home, because you are here."
Elsie's face blushed.
"Remember the promise I made to you. I mean every word of it. I will wait for you Elsie Wright." He tenderly caressed her hand and kissed it. "Always."
Suddenly, a little girl tugged on Elsie's skirt. She was holding a small basket filled with roses. Fully bloomed and fragrant. Tommy bought one and placed a single rose into Elsie's hand.
Tommy smiled, "Someday I will give you a beautiful ring. A ring worthy enough to be placed on your finger, but all I can give you now is a rose."
"A rose is all I need," The aroma of the rose filled the air, and Elsie's heart. This was better than any ring she could ever receive. "Thank you."
Soon, she was waving goodbye to her dear friend. Seeing his figure fade while the train traveled further and further down the tracks towards London.
He wasn't even gone a day, and Elsie already missed him terribly.
The market buzzed with the chatter of happy shoppers, sellers spouting sales of far fetch deals, and beggars of young and old covered in dirt rags, holding out empty hands to strangers. Hoping at best for a scrap of change or two.
On the outskirts of a dilapidated bookshop, there stood a man in a finely tailored suit. His fingers trailed along the woven spine of a book and flipped through its yellow pages. One of them was adorned with a handsome emerald ring. Even his shoes were made of a sublime black leather and finely tailored with gold thread. Wretchedly, he picked up a book that turned into a very regrettable read. He was expecting something that lived up to London's reputation of exquisite literature. He, unfortunately, raised the bar too high.
The line read distastefully in his mind as his eyes glossed over the words, 'Fairies wash the flowers every day, even now grown folks don't know it. Fairies sleep at night and that's why we don't see them during the day. In the morning when water droplets cling to flower petals, that is the morning dew placed by a dedicated little fairy wanting to make the world beautiful as each and every one of you, smiling little darlings.'
The man rolled his eyes, then gazed around the other books on display. He was only met with one disappointing title after another; Fairy myth and lore, Flower fairies unveiled, A Fairy's garden of gumdrops and peppermint, and The spritely spirit of the wind and the chicken of the west. These couldn't be the great and infamous books that come out of England? Where was Sherlock Holmes or A Study in Scarlet that he's heard so many good talks about! But instead, every store he's visited in this strange county of London only sells rubbish, and false promises.
This entire land of England was talking endlessly about fairies, and none of them could get their head around the right notion of it. How sad. How unfortunate.
How irritating! Just when he was about to complain to the manager of the shop, he saw a picture of what resembled a fairy creature, dancing foolishly next to a young girl, on the front cover of the London Gazette newspaper no less! He squinted his eyes towards the small black font which read, Elsie Wright, the girl who brought magic back to London!
Brought back magic to London!? From this girl? Impossible! Who'd believe such nonsense? But then he looked around. He was surrounded by newspapers spouting fairy gossip, toy stores selling fairy themed dolls overflowing the shelves, and book stores failing to provide a variety of books that didn't have to do with this twisted misconception of dainty flying creatures.
The man looked around his surroundings and nodding to himself, sorely. It was only these sorts of people that believed this sort of nonsense.
Just then a young boy came into his vision. The creature was dirty and filthy and reeked of rotten grime and slug. Yet it reached out its hands towards the man, begging. The boy took a step forward and the man wanted to take a step back.
The boy opened up his hands, begging. "Please sir, I am so hungry. One shilling is all I ask."
The man, absentmindedly, handed the miserable thing the miserable book he was reading and proceeded to walk away from the book shop and into the crowd of shoppers and sellers. He mingled into the crowd unnoticed. No matter, the adjusted his ring. Reading frivolous books wasn't the listen he traveled so far from home all the way to this land full of bumpkins.
The boy looked down at the book then up at the man who was nowhere to be found. He was going to shout that he couldn't eat a book nor buy food with it. Just when he was about to spout profane language he's heard in the allies and streets all over London. He looked down at his hands, and his jaw gaped wide open.
He clutched it tightly in his hands and towards his chest, looked front, over and behind his shoulders anxiously, and ran as fast as he could.
It wasn't every day that a boring book turned into a purse, over flowing to the brim with gold coins.
Eager and restless, the boy scurried into the dark alley with his horde. His footsteps echoed off the building walls. Keeping his treasure close to his heart.
The boy was blind to think no one else saw his horde as more steps followed behind him. Inching closer and closer towards his heart. Rotten and foul and beastly. As their claws tore and gnawed and beaten the child.
Whose fault was it? The boy or the man? The man who carelessly gave away such treasure or the boy who accepted it blindly?
Whose fault was it? For the fool who invited death.
Hi! Thank you so much for reading chapter 5! *hugs*
Ciel is down on his luck isn't he? Will he ever be able to make it up to Elsie? XDD Now that Elsie and Tommy destroyed the evidence will the future be brighter for the both of them? AND the mysterious man with the emerald ring! what do you think of him? ( and he knew what was going to happen with the kid and the huge bag of coins, yikes!)
Thank you so much for your encouraging reviews guys ;A; Thank you for supporting the story *hearts* It means the world to me! And I really appreciate you guys asking questions as well! I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and please let me know what you thought of it in the reviews pretty please :D What were your favorite moments? I also have a blog for the story ('aroseforelsie' dot tumblr dot com) You can ask questions there too if you want XD
Thanks for reading and see you next time!