A/N: I'm really creative this week! Here it comes!
Disclaimer: Um, yeah. If you haven't figured out my disclaimer yet, you're quite the idiot. Kudos to you for having such a thick head.
Chapter Four
'I do wander everywhere….'
I stumbled back to the lodge in a daze, my eyes glazed over with thought and reminiscence. Once or twice I nearly walked into a tree, and I did fall into a thorn bush. The pain of that was nothing compared to the sheer giddiness that kept sweeping over me, like a wild northeaster wind, as I continued down the wide path to the tiny Fairy lodge. It did not come randomly, but almost as if it were timed to
catch me every time I though of Robin Goodfellow. Like the little naïve child I was, I was rather annoyed by it, and wondered if I should go see our herb-woman for a remedy.
The warm torchlight of Titania's chambers enveloped me, and I blinked. My mind was suddenly re-moored in the present, like a ship to a quay. Quite surprised by my psyche's rapid shift to calm normality, I quietly sauntered into Titania's room. The way the door shut was hardly noticeable, but every single fairy of the score that was working in that chamber looked daggers at me.
The Lady herself was rather put-out by my tardy entrance. Blue eyes that were set off by a magnificent chiton of ivory silk were narrowed very slightly, and thin blonde eyebrows were raised subtly. I understood I was in trouble, and I hung my head guiltily.
"You're late, Aspre," was all she said, but her few beautifully modulated words spoke volumes. It was practically a crime to be late for serving the Fairy Queen, as being her servant was considered a great honor. I bowed my head a little lower and dropped to one knee.
"My loyalty, my lady, is in the highest places I assure you.." I began to stutter, but she held up a hand to stop me.
"I understand this." Titania said coolly, cutting across my babbled monologue about fealty and loyalty. "However, I must understand that it won't happen again. I cannot have songstresses and servants who are late. Is this understood?"
I nodded wretchedly. "Yes, my lady."
The Fairy Queen smiled slightly. "Very well then."
"Come, now a roundel and a fairy song;
Then, for the third part of a minute, hence;
Some to kill cankers in the musk-rose buds,
Some war with rere-mice for their leathern wings,
To make my small elves coats, and some keep back
The clamorous owl that nightly hoots and wonders
At our quaint spirits. Sing me now asleep;
Then to your offices and let me rest."
A good number of the court departed, leaving Peaseblossom, myself, Moth, and two others. We began to sing softly, swaying in tune with the chant.
"You spotted snakes with double tongue,
Thorny hedgehogs, be not seen;
Newts and blind-worms, do no wrong,
Come not near our fairy queen." Crooned Moth quietly.
"Philomel, with melody
Sing in our sweet lullaby;
Lulla, lulla, lullaby, lulla, lulla, lullaby." We all sang.
"Never harm,
Nor spell nor charm,
Come our lovely lady nigh," I chanted gently.
"So, good night, with lullaby.
Weaving spiders, come not here;
Hence, you long-legg'd spinners, hence!" Sang Peasblossom.
"Beetles black, approach not near;
Worm nor snail, do no offence." Finished the other fairies.
"Philomel, with melody
Sing in our sweet lullaby;
Lulla, lulla, lullaby, lulla, lulla, lullaby."
The song ended, and Titania was quite asleep. We took our leave quietly, carefully shutting the door behind us. The other fairies took off for their alcoves, but Moth, Peaseblossom and I were quite restless. We turned to go outside, and found ourselves facing Lord Oberon in the doorway.
We all obeyed our first instinct at the sight of his tall, black-cloaked, slightly menacing figure. That was to back against the wall and cower in fear. All he did, however, was sweep us scathing looks and stalk away towards Titania's chambers with..flowers in his hand?
Moth looked at me, confused.
"What was that all about?"
I just shrugged.
A/N: Um..yeah. Happy? I thought it was pretty.