Chapter 1: A Stranger/Good News/Birth of a…….
Once, there was a kingdom of faeries ruled by a handsome King and his lovely Queen. Though all was peaceful and though she seemed happy, secretly the Queen wept every night, wishing for a child- a boy or girl(it didn't matter which gender) Faery. And not just so the kingdom would have an heir, but so that she could know the joy of being a mother. After several years, she'd lost all hope, but one day……………..
"Your Majesty? There is a stranger at the gates, asking for shelter tonight," one of the queen's serving maidens said as the Queen stared out her chamber's window, waiting for her beloved husband's return. " Well, we can't refuse him or her," the Queen finally answered, turning to look at the maid. "Send him or her to me." "But Your Majesty…." The maid nervously twisted her hands. "Galinda?" the Queen eyed her servant questioningly. "Yes, Your Majesty. I beg forgiveness." And she flew out of the room as fast as her wings would allow.
A few months later, when the King had returned from the Underground Council, it was announced that the Queen was to finally have a baby. This news set the entire Faerie kingdom upside down. Immediately presents and advice came from all over, almost overwhelming the future mother-to-be.
Finally the day of the birth arrived. The king stayed outside the room the Queen had been placed in, flying around anxiously. "When will the Mother arrive?" he snapped at one of his Advisors, a rather fat fellow with turquoise hair. "Sire, you know a Faerie child cannot be born until the Mother comes. And everyone knows She comes at her own pace," one of the Advisors suggested, this one a tall lanky sprite named Bumpy, though the name obviously did not fit. All the Advisors and the King suddenly fell silent. "What will she look like this time?" The Mother, who served as midwife for the entire Underground, never came to expecting mothers the same way twice. She had existed, it was said, since the beginning of the Underground. "When I was born my Mother says she was a great coral butterfly," Bumpy recalled. "She came as a Worm for me," another Advisor exclaimed. As they all remembered the Mother's various appearances, a cry came from within the birthing room. The king sped over to the door, and just as he was turning the handle, the door opened from the other side, revealing a spectre of golden light. With a gasp, the King fell on his knees, correctly guessing this was the Mother. She shifted, and in a warm melodious voice stated, "You are the father? Come," -she turned- "Your daughter is about to be born."
In the great corridors of the Faerie Castle, the lords and ladies of the court flew about, each one with 'news' about the newborn princess. "I hear she has eyes the color of a new morning." "I hear her skin is as soft as flower petals." "Her wings are a lovely…" All chatter ceased as a group of the Queen's relatives emerged from the Royal Chamber Hall, fussing and fuming. "What's wrong?" "What is it?" some lords called out. One of the relatives spun around and hissed angrily, "That child is not related to me! It isn't possible!" "Why?" "She doesn't even look like a Faerie! My advice to that thing's parents is: kill it. As soon as they can."