I plan to post some author's notes sometime in the future. It is possible that I will write more stories in the same AU at some point, but I have nothing planned at present. Thank you for taking the time to R&R.
In the bright canopy of the enchanted forest, Oona peered at Jack through the leaves of a forsythia bush. He was muttering to himself in front of a pile of his things, stepping back and forth as if uneasy. "Three cabbages, eleven carrots... three of my favorite rocks... It's okay Oona, I see you, you can come out."
The little light floated toward him, landing on his shoulder, looking down at his things, "Those are some fine looking trinkets... thinking of making a stew?"
"Not exactly," said Jack, grinning, though his eyes were empty of the smile. "But I don't think you came to ask me for stew."
The tiny bobbing creature could hardly contain herself, and burst forth in a shower of light into her larger form.
"Dearest Jack," she giggled, "It's alright to kiss me now! You won't be unfaithful if you do."
She wrapped an arm around his waist, but he held her at arm's Length.
"What have you done to Lili?" he asked sternly.
Oona rolled her eyes, "Well it's not my fault... she's gone and fallen in love with someone else! Can you imagine!" she wiggled her pointed feet in the air, unable to control her expression of glee.
"Oh yes, I heard," said Jack in a dull voice, picking up one of the cabbages, then setting it down in the same place, "She is to be married to a prince."
"Well," Oona said thoughtfully, "that's not exactly it, but who cares? You're free of her, Jack. Free to love me!" the little fairy closed her eyes, puckering her lips for the now-grown forest-boy.
"No, Oona," he said, patting her shoulder, "Come on. Snap out of it. You've been a great help to me, to all of us... but you and I both know that Lili is not my only reason not to kiss you." He bent down and looked her right in the eyes, as her lips started to quiver, and her eyes filled with tears.
"I know you said that with a fairy's love, anything is possible," said Jack, "but I can't show you that same kind of impossible love that you have for me. I might speak like a romantic, but those are just sayings I learned from the owls and the swallows. My heart is still the heart of a child. Staying here has kept me from growing up. I haven't learned as other boys have learned, and you have lived for many years, and will live for many more than I do." He paused, handing her a cabbage leaf to wipe her tears.
"I have thought about it now... for a long time," said Jack, "and realized that I must leave this forest and seek my fortune among men. There are things in that world that I have to learn, things I would never learn if I stayed here with you. I wish you and the others every happiness." he took her hand. She could not help but drop the cabbage leaf as she let her tears fall.
"But Jack," Oona choked out through her sobs, "I thought... I was certain... that now we could be together. That nothing more would stop us..."
He looked off into the distance, "I have a strong fondness for this place. I will miss you, and I will miss it here. But I must go."
"Can't you see how cruel you are, Jack?!" She cried, "I will never be able to forget you!"
"Then don't forget me. I won't forget you either," he gathered his things into a canvas wrap and tied it together with a vine, slinging it over his shoulder. "There's a bigger world out there than this place could even dream about. I'm not sure how it is for faeries, but boys aren't meant to be boys forever. I'll be a man someday. You would not keep a caterpillar from becoming a butterfly, would you?"
She shook her head.
"Good... here," he handed her one of his rocks, "It's my favorite one. And don't be sad, now. Part of me will always be here." He hugged the fairy gently, and started down the path out of the woods.