Please note that while there are two iterations of the Seelie court, Irish and Scottish, I have modeled my world-building and Court after the Scottish lore. I am not from nor familiar with Scotland, so please forgive any discrepancies that you find. (Also note that even though the Seelie and Unseelie Courts are divided as "good" and "evil" respectively, I am of the belief that no collection of individuals/beings can be wholly "good" all the time. Thus, there is some prejudice in the Courts. Enjoy the long-awaited update!
At times, the Court could be stifling. Lucy had become aware of the fact not three weeks after her 'adoption' by the Seelie. Even for the generally benevolent and kind Fae of the Seelie Court, malice did appear, and, unfortunately, she was often the target for it. Whether it be a pure Fae child making a mockery of her or an adult slanting her looks, Lucy had learned to recognize when the general atmosphere became cold and dangerous, and to react accordingly.
Layla had loved exploring, even before she became entangled with Jude Heartfilia. She was fondly remembered as one of the few fae prone to any inclinations of adventure; her infatuation with seeking out wilderness had reaped rewards and awareness of risks in the Court. The alchemists and healers praised her ability to discover new flora and fauna, as well as harvesting beds. The mages and warriors murmured of the potential threats to the Court, as discovered by the lost Fae.
Though she had not been granted time to know her mother as the Court members had, Lucy did share her desire for exploration. When the haven became a prison, the blonde Half fled to the uncharted forests, caves, and rivers. Her wings sighed at the gentle stretch, her heart soaring with the joy of flight. The elegant system of trees, entwining and weaving to form the Court foundations, and the well-lit cave stores could not compare to the fresh damp air, unspoiled by the presence of so many magical folk. She could not breathe deeply there, nor could she indulge in flight.
The river and branching streams glittered in the moonlight, a waxing gibbous glowing against the dark sky. Lucy often wondered whether anyone could reach out and touch it, harvest its energy directly from the source. Her fingers swept over its imprint in the sky, contact evaded. She shook her head at her own folly, a smile tugging at her lips. Though she could not touch the source of night, she could revel in the beauty it caused, and the power it provided.
The trees grew taller here. The bushes thinned, clustering around roots and the occasional boulder, covered with a layer of moss. Small animals scampered to whatever shelter they could find as she flew overhead. Pebbles nestled amongst the grass carpet, gleaming in the light of the moon. Flashes of color caught her eye, and she smiled at the vivacious patterns of Melampyrum and the soft pink trumpets of twinflowers. A red squirrel chittered its displeasure from the boughs of a tree as she passed.
The forest thickened, the moonlight filtering through gaps in the canopy in errant beams of silver. When her gaze caught a large fallen tree, Lucy allowed her feet to touch the ground and hid her wings. The tree must have been centuries old before its meeting with the Earth; the trunk was thick, the branches stretching tall. They curved intricately, forming a whimsical barrier to any being without magic. Lucy's smile lit the night as she stepped forward, walking to the fallen tree. Her bare feet stepped lightly over the mossy ground, no footprints marking her passage. The Fae child stopped before the mass of twisted wood, and held out her left hand, resting her fingertips against the aged wood.
"Feicim tú, ársa, agus cuirim ar aghaidh, agus tú ag garda na Cruinne naofa. Beannachtaí ar na déithe, agus mo bhuíochas." Golden light flowed from her palm, illuminating the darkened forest and caressing the dead branches. A groan filled the air. Shuddering, the boughs began to move, folding back and gathering together until a small opening appeared. Bits of bark fell to the ground, and Lucy smiled sadly at the once-mighty tree. "I thank thee, Ancient."
Beyond the natural door, there was a clearing. A small stream trickled underneath the Ancient tree, sparkling in the low light. Dense trees offered a thick canopy, shielding the forest floor from the sky's wrath. However, at the center of the meadow, a single beam shone steadily from a gap in the leaves. As she stepped across the stream, a breeze carrying the scent of soil and the sea whispered teasingly through the forested cavern, lifting the hair from Lucy's face. She straightened the strands with a giggle, turning her attention to the meadow again.
There was a large rock formation at the Northern end of the grassy plot, pressed closely against the trees of the forest. An opening had formed, resembling a small cave. The formation rose from deep brown soil, clay visible within the dirt and streaked across the stone. On both sides of the entrance to the hollow, there was a mark. Lucy tread lightly to the other wall, minding the clay deposit, and gasped. Despite the distance between the sides of the den, the marks were handprints. The prints were so large that her own, spread fully, resembled an infant reaching to their parent.
Withdrawing, lest her energy lure a being to the cave, the blonde fae inspected the rest of the sacred earth. The Ancient tree's branches, her 'door', lay on the West side of the meadow, the babbling spring secluding the entrance beyond its flow. A single rock resisted the current, providing a worn stepping stone, smoothed by millenia of rushing water. Lucy knelt before it as she reached out and caressed the polished surface, wondering at the span of years the stone must have withstood its natural erosion. The water glimmered with golden light, and the Half rose to her feet, eager to further study the sacred grounds.
The grass was soft against her soles, tickling her ankles, and a light breeze swept the sheer overlay of her gown back. The bodice straps fell below her shoulders, but Lucy paid them no mind. As she tilted her head upwards to inspect the open circle in the canopy, her blonde hair flowed over pointed ears, disrupting the delicate earrings clinging to her lobes. Her eyes narrowed thoughtfully at the natural window, following the fading moonlight to the circle of stones, the beams contained perfectly by the ring.
Lucy knew the power of this place. It was familiar, and as she approached the ring of light in the center of the meadow, her heart welled with realization. The power and Light were strikingly similar to the memories she possessed of her mother, Layla. If mother frequently ventured beyond the Court to explore, could she have...? Unbidden, tears wet her lashes, and she blinked them away, breathing the crisp air and cherishing the bittersweet embrace of her mother's power, all that remained of Layla herself.
But even the ghostly touch of Layla's Light could not dam the yearning in Lucy's heart. Reluctantly, she stepped past the ring of stones, and continued to the Eastern side of the grove. A slab of stone had sunk deeply into the earth, the visible surface reminiscent of a table. Moss covered the corners and spread across the spongy earth, creating a living carpet. Directly beyond the stone, a sapling sprouted, boughs flexible and resilient in its youth. Green buds swelled on its branches, sure to open soon. Though the memory of her mother weighed heavily upon her heart, Lucy could not help the smile that lit her face at the young tree, matching her age almost perfectly. An image of her dignified mother planting the sapling's seed in this rich soil, her pale hands streaked with dirt and clay, played across her mind, and she was overwhelmed with fondness for her Lost mother.
The moon was fading slowly, and birds began to stir in the trees as morning grew closer. Wind rippled the leaves of the canopy, dipping into the natural chamber. The air swirled through the open space like a playful bird, finally reaching Lucy. The once-brisk and careless wind seemed to soften, caressing the Half's pale skin and smoothing the errant strands away from her face. The space around her tingled with the presence of power and kindness, a strong feeling of care surging to envelope the young fae. Her eyes closed, tears forming anew as she marvelled at the compassion of this being, undeniably a spirit, possibly even an Elemental. "Thank you, Spirit. Your kindness means more than you know," she whispered softly, her head bowed and hands clasped to her breast.
The breeze circled her once more, then continued to the budding sapling. Its spry limbs danced in the wake, and Lucy watched in wonder as the first bud burst open, revealing verdant leaves. There came one last intangible touch before a quiet voice broke the silence. "She succeeded; so, too, shall you, little Seelie." The breeze faded, and with it, the weight of her own doubts.
With a confidence stronger than any of its predecessors, the blonde Fae rose to her full height and appraised the South end of the grove. This end was… different. A pyre was assembled atop a bed of ashes, and two torches rose from either side of the impressive stack. The air was charged with energy, as was all of the meadow, but this was reckless and potent, the sensation raising gooseflesh upon her skin. The breath left her lungs in a shuddering sigh, and Lucy found her lids fluttering shut.
The energy, the power, around each Directional Element, had all been distinct in its own right. Around the small cave, the air had been stifling, an oppressive strength that had dwarfed her in its shadow. The stream's territory was filled with serenity, but also a subtle turbulence, the promise of a storm lingering beneath the calm surface. They had both unsettled her.
The power that surrounded the Eastern monolith and sapling, however, was akin to the gentle touch of a healer, soothing to the soul and soft, smoothing away hidden injuries and healing buried scars that she had not known she still possessed. It was a stark contrast to the ambience of the Court, cold and lonely where she was confined to the shadows, awaiting the chance to prove her worth, complete her Trial and earn her place amongst the Fae that had resisted her since her birth and Layla's death.
Lucy shook the memories away. They would only hinder her here, in the sacred place hidden away for her alone. Her mother would not be disappointed with a useless Half daughter. Lucy breathed deeply, once again shying away from the strength saturating the air.
It was warmer than the other Elemental sites, she noticed. Though the nights were not often cold, it was only here that the blonde felt comfortable. As winter drew closer and the evenings grew cooler, warmth was difficult to find in large supply, especially when an 'escape' from the Court was necessary. Curiously, she breathed deeply. A laugh bubbled out of her chest. The air itself carried the scent of spice and fire.
The temperature rose around her, and Lucy smiled at the distortion of the air, almost able to taste the curiosity and excitement from this spirit. "Well," she spoke, stepping towards the fading column of light, "shall we begin?"
A/N - I had originally meant to have this chapter done on October 31st, in time for Halloween and Samhain. Alas, the events of the past two weeks have not been in my favor. I do hope that all of you (whom celebrate Halloween/Samhain) had a lovely holiday, and to those whom do not observe such days, I hope that the Autumn Equinox was to your liking, and that winter has not yet made life miserable.
The translation to the Gaelic intonation in the seventh paragraph was done with the aid of Google Translate, so it may not be entirely accurate. The original English sentence was as follows: "I greet thee, Ancient, and beg entrance, for you are guarding sacred Earth. Blessings to the gods, and my thanks."
Finally, I must express my gratitude for the response to this story so far. I was not expecting such a positive reaction so soon after publishing, and it was a pleasant surprise. I appreciate the reviews that have been left. I think, had I not seen such a response, I may have neglected to update for far longer. Again, thank you for the lovely words and the follows/favorites.
I hope that the world-building in this chapter has not been too excessive - I want to give you all a clear picture of how I imagine the sacred grounds to be. Also, for anyone interested, I have created several character portraits, should you desire to see how I envision the characters to look. I hope you all had a lovely week, and I will (hopefully) see you at the next update.
-AT