Chapter I Reverie

I opened my eyes.
I expected to see the ceiling of my sleeping quarters above me, but instead I saw...nothing. Darkness enveloped me so completely that I couldn't see anything at all. For a moment, I assumed the coals in the hearth had gone cold, but a second later I realized something was wrong.

I was not in my room. My soft bed was not beneath me; instead, I felt cold, hard, damp earth. I propped myself up on my elbows as I strained my eyes, willing them to adjust to the night. Slowly, my surroundings came into focus. From what I could make out, I was in a long, narrow corridor with only darkness in front of me and behind me. The walls to the side of me were caked with mold and wet moss; several cracks trickled cold water, forming small pools of water and mud on the floor. With a groan, I got to my knees and used a root poking out of the wall to help me up. My body creaked in protest, as if I had been lying there for hours. Where was I?
I tried to swallow the panic bubbling within and looked all around me for some kind of indication of how I wound up here. Looking down, I realized I was still in my nightgown and my feet were covered in mud, but other than that, I seemed whole.

"Well, I'm not doing myself any favours by just standing here." I muttered softly.
Which way do I go? I looked from my left to my right, hoping to find some kind of clue. Studying the mudded ground, neither direction sported any kind of footsteps; no indication of which direction I came from. It was as if I was plopped here out of thin air...or someone brought me here and covered their tracks.

Just as I was about to take a step to my left, a very faint golden glow blinked into existence very far down the corridor to my right. It was so dim I thought I was imagining it, but the longer I stared at it, the more in focus it seemed to be. Cautiously, I made my way down the long passageway; my fingers growing numb as I felt my way along the cold slimy walls. Step after step, I drew nearer to the golden light; its luminosity seeming to pulse like a heartbeat and getting brighter with every step taken. Its radiance was now flooding the hallway, bathing me in warmth and comfort. I swear I could hear music. I was almost there, I was so close. I was running now, pumping my legs to get me there as fast as I was able. I don't know why, but I felt it was important for me to get there as fast as I could. I had to be drawing nearer. I must be almost there. But the brilliance that moments ago was shining so vividly now started to feel farther and farther away. Like I was chasing it as fast as I could, but it was two steps ahead of me and slipping away.

I wasn't going to give up, I was going to catch it. I had to.
But then the light flickered.
And it went out.

I was in darkness once again, and an emptiness replaced the fear I felt only minutes ago. I felt as empty as this hallway.
As if the universe read my mind, suddenly, a door appeared in front of me. It was old and weathered, with very little craftsmanship or decoration. A brass knob was fastened into the centre of the timber at navel height. Part of me wanted to open it, another part wanted me to run in the opposite direction.

Do you seek that which you've been chasing? a voice whispered smoothly. Its voice neither male nor female, both a whisper and a scream.
I whirled behind me, searching for the owner, but there was only darkness and the quiet drip of water onto the floor.
"Who are you? Where are you?" I asked back, my eyes scanning.
It lies behind that gate. But you must not if you wish to find it.
"I must not what?"
Lie...
My eyes narrowed, as I turned back to the door. "I just want to go home."
A laugh. The sound was painful and shrill, like nails being shaken in a metal can.
Resisting the urge to cover my ears, I gritted my teeth and placed my hand on the door handle.

It creaked as I twisted it, and the door swung open to reveal a dazzling light. The scent of flowers and grass flooded my nose and my eyes burned at the sunlight washing over me. I used my hands to cover my face and diminish the blinding light while my eyes adjusted to my surroundings. I gasped as I tried to take everything in. With how low the sun was, the day had only woken some hours ago. I was in a large meadow with long grass that swayed in the gentle morning breeze and dozens of varieties of flowers. Blooms of every colour, vibrant and beautiful, seemed to greet me cheerfully. There were blossoms of blue that seemed to glow from a light within, some flowers with brutal yet beautiful thorns and spikes, some even seemed alive, their petals opening and closing as if they were breathing. Birds flew in harmony together above me while squirrels chased each other through the numerous trees, chattering excitedly. It was so overwhelmingly beautiful, my eyes burned and glinted silver.

Remembering, I turned back towards the door, but it had vanished, along with the peculiar voice. Somehow, I didn't care anymore.
I looked around again and spotted something I had previously missed. Across the meadow from me stood a man. Even from here, I could see his long hair was like spun gold and his build was muscular and sound. He hadn't seen me yet. He had his hand raised in front of him, a squirrel perched contentedly there, stuffing its mouth with the nuts in his outstretched palm.

I checked to make sure my glamour was firmly in place before heading towards him. Trying to appear non-threatening, I relaxed my shoulders and walked softly and cheerfully towards him. I tried to make a bit of noise as I walked, so I wouldn't startle him by appearing suddenly, but even six feet away he didn't notice my presence. I cocked my head, amused at his lack of awareness, and cleared my throat. Nothing. I cleared my throat again a bit louder and said "Hello."
The man gave no indication that he had heard me. He lifted his other hand and gently stroked the creature with a finger, a soft smile on his lips. Though he was smiling, he seemed...sad. His smile didn't reach his eyes.
His eyes.
They were the deepest emerald green I had ever seen, with flecks of golden sunlight in them. Beautiful, he was absolutely and remarkably beautiful. High fae, no doubt. His tan skin shone with youth but his expression mirrored wisdom and intelligence; there was no guessing at his age.

"Excuse me, can you hear me?" I asked, stepping directly in front of him now.

For a moment, I thought he finally acknowledged my presence, for he lifted his eyes and gazed directly at me, but his eyes were distant, unseeing.
I stared at him for a moment longer before he looked behind him. Peering over his shoulder, I saw a worn path leading back into the woods.
With practiced grace, he lowered the squirrel onto the ground and wiped his hands on his trousers. Then, he turned away from me and headed towards the path.
I started after him, but my feet locked in place. Try as I might, I couldn't pull them up from their spot planted firmly on the ground. He walked further and further away from me, and suddenly I had that same urgency to chase after him as I did that golden light. He needed me. Frantically, I willed my legs to move, to carry me to him, but just as that light did, Tamlin traveled further down the path till he blinked out of sight.

Tamlin.

His name was Tamlin.