Can't Turn Back
Chapter Three: Fnashphi's revelation
Tatania ran into the woods, not sure where to turn. She had never been in here before. She picked a path and ran down it, blocking out any thoughts of the events from that day. She kept on running, stopping when she was tired and hungry. Tatania had read all about the edible foods you could find in the woods, and she didn't hesitate to forage for some.
It was soon dark and Tatania found a spot to sleep. During her childhood she used to lay by her window and find console in the moon and stars, tonight though, neither were in sight.
Tatania tried to abate any memories of her mother and father. She closed her eyes and let the quiet lull her into a dream.
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'Wake up Nia...it's almost Midday.' Tatania's mother stood beside her bed, gently shaking her child awake. Tatania groaned and turned over, throwing her hands over her ears.
"Wake up Tatania...Wake up my dear.... Wake up.... WAKE UP!..."
Tatania jumped from her sleeping space She looked around her and saw an old gnome prodding her with a stick. Tatania knew very well that the creature wouldn't hurt her, but she backed away from it anyway.
" What do you want?!" She cried, surprised at the small quiver in her voice. The gnome was taken aback; he looked at her suspiciously.
"I wanted to know what you were doing in my garden." He cocked his head to the side a little.
"Your...Your garden?" Tatania looked around, and she saw a small rocked cave in the distance. All around it were flowers and vegetables of all sorts. There were beautiful fruit trees and vines. Tatania did a double take and wondered how she could have missed seeing all of this. Sure it had been dark, but not dark enough to miss this kind of splendour.
"It's beautiful! But...how...how did it get here?" She breathed.
The gnome stared at her.
"How did it get here? It has been here all along."
"It couldn't have been! What happened?!"
The Gnome looked at her bemusedly.
"I would've thought that you' have known by now."
Tatania just shook her head. The Gnome shrugged.
"Well the fairy queen Arylllia had ordered the boundaries to be opened yesterday at Midday. We were expecting two people, but a band of ogres had escaped and they burned their house down, soon afterwards-... um, are you okay?" The gnome stopped to look at Tatania. "You seem a little pale..."
"Did...did you say that their house burnt down?" Tatania asked slowly, unbelieving.
"Why yes, I did. Weren't you listening?"
"Were those two people, their names," Tatania swallowed, "by chance, were they Arielle and George?"
"Well why, yes. I believe so." The astonished gnome revelled. "How did you know?"
"Well...they, they were my parents." Tatania whispered. "Are you positive it was they? Absolutely? It could have been Charles or Judy, maybe Sully even? My parents weren't the only ones in the house!"
"Dear child, I'm dreadfully sorry. If I had known...well I'm almost certain that it was George and Arielle. And if it makes you feel any better, they died in good deed. So they were your parents then..." Tatania gave the gnome a sad smile.
"But really Sir, I don't understand."
"Well no, I probably wouldn't either if I were in your stockings... Oh, excuse me! I didn't realize we were still out here." The gnome looked around at their surroundings. "Come inside with me dear, I'll make you a nice cup of tea then we can talk."
Tatania followed the gnome into his 'cave'. It was actually quite comfy considering that it was made of stone. She peered at the beautifully furnished corners. It was as dazzling as the garden.
"This is a splendid home!" Tatania exclaimed. The gnome smiled appreciatively.
"Thank you. Oh excuse my manners, I haven't yet introduced myself. I'm Fnashphi the garden gnome."
"A garden gnome? So you can't tell futures then?" Tatania remembered reading about garden gnomes. They usually were recluses, loving to keep them and their gardens to themselves.
"Lovely to meet you. I am Tatania of Geanne."
"Hmm...Sounds familiar, I don't recall exactly who you are though. Never visit outside the boundary much." Fnashphi was by the stove brewing tea. It smelled delicious.
"So isn't the boundary, like, well the border to the fairy world? Had it not used to be open all the time?" Tatania was remembering some past references where she had heard much about the boundary.
"Yes, that's right. But their have been many problems lately."
"Lately being the past one hundred years?" Tatania grinned. Fnashphi looked startled.
"My has it been that long?! Well then that would make me..."
"Seven hundred and eighty six years old." Tatania provided. The gnome looked at her, clearly shocked.
"How did you know?"
"Every hundredth year leaves a sign, and every other year from the tens to ones leaves another. It is hard to explain, but the concept of any gnomes' age is simple. I read it in some book."
"Really? Amazing…I had no idea you humans were so perceptive." Fnashphi grinned. 'This girl is astounding' He thought to himself.
"But, why is it open right now? The boundary I mean. I thought you had said that it was closed." Tatania wondered.
"Well, that is what I don't understand...It's not open." The gnome said.
"But, if it's not open…then… then how can I be seeing your world?" She asked startled.
"Well, the only explanation is that it's your world too."
"Oh...oh my."
"Oh my, is definitely correct." Fnashphi said, agreeing
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"So, you're saying that a fairies' powers are useless during a new moon?" Tatania asked the gnome.
"Basically."
"And that since I am the daughter of George, a quarter faerie, and Arielle a half faerie, I am a three quarters of a faerie? Which is enough to make me a faerie?"
"Something like that, yes."
"And so, since yesterday evening no moon was present, then I couldn't have seen this...this world?"
"Exactly."
"Well then how is it that I never learned of this before?" Tatania demanded.
"How am I supposed to know? Maybe you should have asked somebody?" Fnashphi said sheepishly
"Oh yes, I'm sure that the thought would've suddenly crossed my mind one day to ask if I by chance could do a little magic."
"Could've been worth a try." Tatania glared at him then just sighed.
"So, what I don't understand now is why would the ogres want to burn down my home." Tatania felt a pang of sorrow as she thought about her parents.
"I wouldn't have any knowledge of that either. Your parents and maybe Queen Aryllia would have an idea but asking either of them would be impossible." Fnashphi sighed this time. "By the way though, you are taking your parent's death extremely well."
Tatania shrugged, wondering at the thought herself. She shook her head to rid her of it. Thinking again of the ogres she asked,
"Do you think that the ogres would come looking for me?"
"If they knew you were alive. You see, since I live so close to the human village I was sent to find out if there had been any survivors. I didn't know your name at the time, but I knew that your parents had had a child. When I asked if you had survived, strangely, your nurse...I think it was Agatha, had said that you had died in the fire. The other servants had also agreed. What I don't understand is how they would think that, if you…well hadn't even been in the house as you say." The gnome looked at her questioningly.
Tatania shrugged shamefacedly. Fnashphi studied her closely then concluded,
"You told them to lie didn't you? Why?"
"I... I don't really know. I guess, because I figured I would have had to go and stay with my mother's horrid cousin. The Duchess Regina." Tatania shivered in disgust. She found her mother's family very unappealing.
"I think I have heard of her.... Oh well. Doesn't matter. If you don't have anywhere to go, you're welcome to stay here..." Fnashphi suggested circumspectly.
"Really?! Well, I don't know what to say!" Tatania exclaimed, delighted.
"How about yes?" The Gnome supplied.
"Well then Yes! Thank you so much. I would have had to travel the woods forever. There are no words for my gratitude. But…you've just met me. Aren't you worried?"
"No, you seem genuine enough. Besides, you've just met me also. A crazy old Gnome living in the woods, now there is something to worry about. But, any fairy is a friend of mine." Fnashphi smiled, and Tatania actually smiled back.
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It had been almost a year since Tatania had been staying with her gnome friend, and everyday she would think of new questions to ask him. His home was peaceful, and Tatania loved it even more than her old manor. She would never forget her parents, and would refuse to think anything but happy thoughts about them. Instead of being saddened by their death, she made herself think that they had left this world for a better after life in heaven. This cheered her outlook on life generously. She also had much help from her no longer new friend, Fnashphi.
A couple of months before, Fnashphi had come home with a gift for Tatania. He had found a magical tutor for her. Now Tatania was learning how to use her fairy magic.
Her tutor, Miss Angelica, was a grey haired woman in her fifties. She was very skilled in fairy magic though.
"Miss Angelica, why is it, that I have much fairy blood, but I haven't any characteristics of a fairy?"
"Why what do you mean?" Miss Angelica asked.
"Well, I'm taller the most humans, and my feet are almost as big as any mans'..."
"Your case is unusual, but it just happens sometimes."
"Positive?" the pupil questioned.
"Absolutely."
Tatania shrugged then went back to her lesson.
"So what were you saying about big magic?"...
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"Fnashphi! FNASHPHI! Come quickly!" Tatania screamed to her guardian. She had run into the house from the garden where she had been. The gnome came,
"What is it?!"
"An...An ogre! It must be after me!" There had been many burnings by ogre bands lately, and many of the human manors had been the target. Tatania had feared that they would soon find her. Her fears were coming true.
"Tatania, hurry! Get your things, you must get away from here! I'll distract it." Tatania grabbed his arm.
"No, I won't leave you. The ogre will hurt you! You can't fend it off. You have no magic." Fnashphi shook his head.
"But you can't use big magic!"
"At a time like this...I have every right!" Tatania ran back to the garden to find the ogre searching for her. He heard her come and looked up. She felt him search her mind, and his smile widened into a horrifying display of flesh rotten teeth.
"I've finally found you..." The ogre said in Kyrrian, not even trying to hide behind sweetness. He grabbed for Tatania and was rewarded with a fistful of her long black hair. He held her by it, and swung her like a pendulum in front of his ghastly face. Tatania, trying to be braver then she felt held back a scream. She sucked in her breath as she smelled the ogre's own rancid mouth. His beady eyes shone as he opened his maw wide, acting as if to swallow her whole. In frantic despair Tatania cried out,
"What do you want with me?!" The ogre smiled again.
"To kill you." He said simply. In a sudden burst of despair Tatania, using her magic, threw a huge rock at his temple. Its effect was minimum but the ogre's grip loosened.
Tatania fell from his hand and she scrambled to get up. The ogre grabbed at her. Trying to stay calm a distant memory was unexpectedly thrown back at Tatania. An inkling of a plan devised in her mind.
"AuUghJ!... KyyI FrAu jO rrEa tA Ewe hYe!" 'Wait!...you don't want to eat me!' The ogre looked at her suspiciously... Tatania was sweating madly. He shook his head as if trying to ward off her words.
"YuT fe IgH tWRddEn yoDl!" 'Don't you want your fortune told?' The ogre looked around, bewildered. Tatania new that her chances of getting through this were slim, but she could dare to hope. Her father had practiced her in the art of languages, and she had mastered Ogrese.
"Ge tWRddEn?" 'My fortune?' The Ogre asked.
Hope rose in Tatania's heart...she suddenly saw Fnashphi charging at the ogre. Oh no! If the ogre became distracted then he'll break from his stupor. Tatania lunged for the gnome and grabbed his ankle. She sat him down beside her.
"YwE Gnome Re tWEddEn!" 'The gnome will tell your fortune!'
"What did you say?!" Fnashphi whispered.
"I told him you'd tell his fortune."
"What!? Oh no! I can't tell fortunes!"
"Just make something up!"
"I don't know Ogrese!"
"Ogres know all languages dolt! Just start talking, Miss Angelica just taught me apparition, I'll send for help...Talk!"
"Umm...Mr. Ogre... In your near future I see...I see, glory. Yes...You will be victorious, in many battles. No more scrounging for food. You will please your master..." The gnome started saying shakily.
"Yes, please master..." The ogre repeated...transfixed. Tatania had disappeared already.
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"Fnashphi I can't stay here any more. I'll bring danger to the fairy world. It is not even believable what happened today, a miracle, and I doubt we'll be so lucky again." Tatania was back in the gnome's kitchen. The Fairy guard had come to take the ogre away. It had been a close call, and it was hard for Fnashphi and Tatania to believe.
"Are you positive...? You don't want to stay?"
"I can't stay. I don't want to hurt you. You've been just like a father to me. I'll miss you."
"And I you." The gnome said. A memory of Agatha floated into Tatania's mind. Just what she had said when she had left her. They hugged, then Tatania grabbed her bag, which she had packed before, and was off.
A/N: I know...this was sooo stupid! Oh well. It's been hard getting to where I want to be. In case you're wondering Ella will be mentioned in later chapters. The story has barely started. My Ogrese is pretty bad too. Five More Reviews or no chapter four!