Disclaimer: Honestly, people... If I'd invented fairy tales do you think I'd be uploading this story on a fan-fiction site? Hint: the answer starts with an 'N' and ends with an 'O'.
A/N: Thanks again to everyone who reviewed.
Chapter 3
The last part of the journey to Faery was along a magically concealed path through a great forest, up close to the Isyllian Mountains. For the most, Kedvan carried them, but every now and then one of them- usually Tabina, whose stomach often protested against his rocking gait- would insist he let them walk a bit to stretch their legs.
Alex delighted in the trek through the woodland, being fond of trees, and she marveled at how Tabina had taken to her, when they were complete opposites in nearly every sense imaginable, with the exception of their love of nature.
Along the way, Tabina chatted cheerfully, and the other two listened. Occasionally, Kedvan would step in and comment, but Alex said not a word throughout the whole journey. At most, when questioned she would nod or shake her head softly and smile. Although relieved and thankful, she was nervous. It all seemed too good to be true.
What if it all turned out to have been a dream and, morning come, she found herself back in the palace, waiting to be wed? Or worse, what if it were not a dream? In her experience, happiness could come only when you suffered, and then, to remain happy you had to keep suffering. It was all too perfect, too easy, but she did not want to live afraid. She wanted to prove she was good enough for it.
After nearly a fortnight of walking, the three finally arrived upon the borders of Faery. Alex would never forget her first sight of the enchanted hidden land, its beauty surpassing all others nearly to the point of being unbearable. Every part of it seemed to gleam and beckon with a gentle shimmering, each blessed inch perfect and made to be loveable.
She raised her arms and her face to the brightly shining sun and sky and laughed, and her laugh was the most pure sound of complete merriment. Her birthplace was far from this land, and yet, she only felt as she had returned after a long, hard journey, and she finally understood the passion that flamed Tabina's clear eyes each time she spoke of her country.
A gentle, clear-scented breeze wrapped about her. Alex smiled, and, close to tears, understood she had finally come home.
The days passed uncounted, and with each new morning, Alex felt she loved Faery more and more. Even her constant debates (cough, arguments, cough) with Tabina were something she looked forward to, and she surprised them both by admitting so one day. In spite of their frequent disagreements, the two lived in extraordinary peace.
Tabina's home consisted of a series of woven platforms in the branches of a tall whitewood (incrusted with precious stones) set at the center of the widest edge of a large oval clearing. At night, the two friends would spend long hours observing the heavens before letting Sleep wrap them in its gentle arms. Tabina delighted at all times in observing the night sky but loved best the strange, pale stars of Faery, while it was the silver ever-changing moon drew Alex's attention and reverence.
Every time the bright white-blue Fay star shone over them, Tabina would let Alex put to test the abilities bestowed her, which she was now beginning to fully understand and learn to use. Each new achievement, however small, made the fairy's heart swell with pride that showed in her eyes, though she rarely commented upon it.
One autumn night, while Tabina slept, Alex felt a sudden reckless urge to leave the safety of the high platforms, and silently lowered herself to the ground. Once there, she walked over to the smaller edge of the clearing, her bare feet not making the slightest sound on the soft floor.
All was quiet. It was a cool night, and the sky was more than partly cloudy. The only cloud-free space in the firmament was a small area around the moon. Its light shone about her, like a limelight. A strange feeling overcame her, as if a queer force told her what to do, and she acted accordingly. Slowly, she raised her slender arms and turned to face the shining moon.
Humming, she began to dance, her arms and thighs undulating, her movements soft and exotic. Never once did her eyes leave the brilliant orb. She took a step forward, and with the tip of her other foot slowly traced a line from her ankle to the back of her knee as her head fell back gently. As she did this, the moonbeam she stood in seemed to intensify, and her body slowly, magically, rose into the air.
A soft breeze began to blow, bringing along a rumor of strange, soft music. She smiled, and her gentle movements seemed to intensify with the magic of the sound. She was now about at half of the tree's height in the air, and still rising. The music became wilder, more demanding. She complied, and her movements became just as wild and lively as the beckoning rhythm.
She twirled in the air, her dark hair whipping her face. Her dancing form rose faster, coming to a stop a dozen feet or so above the tallest trees. Suddenly, the music changed again, this time turning softer, slower and gently fading. She slowly turned three times to the left, her toes curling, and stopped dancing, lowering her arms to cross them over her chest. To one side, were the mountains, and to the other, the Sea.
A mysterious smile formed on her pale, moonlit face. She looked curiously strange and beautiful quietly hovering there barefoot in a simple nightdress, her dark hair wavy and windswept, her face glowing strangely... Once again, she raised her arms towards the moon, and then lowered them. Slowly, she descended back unto the ground, where she bowed respectfully before turning back to the fairy's tree home.
The following morning, she was unusually quiet, saying nothing to Tabina about her nighttime dancing. She felt exhilarated, but determined to keep it a secret. Somehow, she sensed that the strange magic she had experienced the night before was not something to be shared; rather, it should be carefully kept and guarded.
Little did she know what that secret could bring.
A/N: Ahhh, cliffy!!! What does Alex dancing have to do with anything? Lots! You guys just wait and see. ;-) 3