I apologize for taking so long to post, but I literally over-think every line before I write it… so it takes me a while plus school work and all.
I just want to take a moment to thank LightningBolt21, xX Blood-Bond Xx, ninja princess LW, Queen of Air and Darkness, and tyra for reviewing. Love you guys!
Copyright: I own none of the characters I stole from the Iron Fey Series. None.
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"I have been looking everywhere for you."
The girl jumped from where she had been sitting, reading, but then relaxed when she recognized the boy in front of her.
"I swear Rowan; I would highly consider not approaching me like that." She laughed. "Next time you very well might find yourself as an ice-sculpture."
He smirked, and stared at her with a look that normally made girls swoon. Only, to his disappointment, the girl in front of him only raised one delicate eyebrow.
He sighed. "You are never any fun."
She laughed. "Maybe you are just not as irresistible as you believe yourself to be."
"Come on Reina; you know you want me," he said stepping closer.
She sighed, "I am no fool Rowan, unlike your other… experiments… I will not allow myself to be used."
"What if I told you that you would be more than a one-night-stand?"
Her eyes slightly widened at the sincerity in his tone. "I would tell you to prove it."
And that was when he kissed her.
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Chapter 3
I remember stars.
They were brightest and the closest I had ever seen them. It was almost as though, if I could only reach up high enough, I could touch them. I had briefly wondered that if I had in fact mastered glamour, if I could have maybe turned into a bird and flew up there, if I could have been surrounded by their warmth.
I wanted to join them. No, more than that; I wanted to be one of them.
All around me was fog. I couldn't see anything besides the sky, but I could hear sounds, terrifying sounds that seemed to be coming from every direction.
I didn't run though. No, I was too worried that I might be separated from the stars. I was too afraid that I might get lost in the fog. I figured that maybe if I died here, right here beneath the light, that they might let me become one of them.
"Why?" I demanded when desperation began to set in. "Why can't I join you?"
The wind suddenly picked up, and mixed the fog into strange shapes and patterns. The whistling of the wind took on a light whisper as words began to take surface from the gentle sound.
"Greatness is not found in beauty or power," the wind sighed, "but in who you are."
The gentle breeze circled me one final time before it blew away, opening a break in the fog in the process. I would have followed it. I would have stupidly followed, if a strange creature had not appeared out of the strange path the wind had made.
I was certain I had finally entered the plain of insanity when the creature before me began to alter shapes; from deer to pony, goat to stallion. I blinked as I noticed the light that surrounded its entire body seemed to dim the stars in comparison. This creature at least had achieved greatness.
It regarded me with ancient yellow eyes that seemed to bare all the knowledge of the world. Its eyes watched me somewhat sadly, and its voice rang with great intelligence and gravity when it spoke.
"Princess Laufeia, you do not belong here."
I felt as if someone had stabbed me in my gut. I did not belong here. I did not belong here, in the plain that greatness walked. I should have known better. I looked down in defeat. I heard the creature softly laugh.
"I fear you misunderstand me child," the creature began causing me to lift my head. "You are destined for greatness far beyond even myself, and your light shines unlike even the brightest of stars." The beautiful creature stepped forward and breathed. Silver air surrounded me, and my eyes immediately closed. "I realize that you do not understand, and I realize that your path is unlike any others before you. You will trudge a much more difficult path then many of us even realize exist. I trust you will prevail. Spring always does seem to succeed in bringing beauty into the world, even when the heat of summer and the ice of winter only wish for it to fail." The creature's soft chuckle was the last thing I heard before something touched my chest releasing an almost blinding rush of heat, and I blinked open my eyes.
To say the least, the dark forest and mangled gray cat were not exactly the things I had anticipated seeing. Nonetheless, for some unknown reason in my foggy mind, I was kind of happy to see both. I sat up, rubbing my eyes, only to realize that the world was no longer spinning and I was no longer in pain. I scanned my memory, and found the last traces of my dream still remaining around the edges. I blinked in surprise, and looked at the amused- yet somewhat irritated cat in front of me with a new light.
I was almost positive, that on that day, Grimalkin had saved my life.
To put everything in simple terms, Titania was furious when I returned. However, even the Queen must have thought that having to get the spear ripped from my back was more than enough punishment for my vanishing act.
And so everyday thereafter, I would sneak around the grove stealing medicine herbs and meats that I would then take to Grimalkin. However, even the simplest of items had to be taken with caution. If Titania had noticed anything she would have had me chained to her throne. And it didn't help that I refused to eat meat, so if she had seen me take any there would be no excuse.
I have no idea how long this lasted for, but what I do know is that Grim and I become close in our time together. The annoying fur-ball and I actually became friends. Best friends actually. The whole thing was beyond me.
But, as it seems life is never fair, and eventually all good things have to come to an end. Titania was beginning to grow suspicious, and there came the day that Grimalkin was fully healed.
"Well it has been entertaining Spring, though I do think that it is time I go on my way." He had said. He had drastically plumped up over our time together, for he was around double the size that he was when I had found him. His dark-gray fur was long and wispy, and during the night it sometimes seemed that only his bright yellow-green eyes were visible in the darkness. I found that he also had a tendency of disappearing at the oddest of times. And when I say disappear I mean he would vanish into thin air. I never could completely figure out the caith sith. And although the cat always seemed to be surrounded by a cloud of mysteries and unanswered questions, I could not seem to shake the part of me that trusted him.
"Really but you have not even visited Titania yet." I replied sarcastically. Grimalkin had made it clear that his first meeting with the Queen years back had not gone as planned. He had however managed to draw a favor from the Seelie King. How he did it, I have no idea; and I didn't bother asking either.
"Which is something I do not intend to do, her hounds always have had an alarming temper," he stated matter-of-factly.
I laughed.
"Believe me, I know." I cringed at the memory of seeing so many servants fed to the blood-hungry beasts.
Grimalkin's demeanor suddenly turned serious and professional.
"You have done me a great service girl, I do not say this very often; nevertheless, I am in your debt."
"It was nothing, you needed help," I shrugged. "I would have done it for anyone." It wasn't exactly a true statement, but I didn't want my only friend forced to be in debt to me.
"No matter the case, I would prefer it if we reached an equilibrium. So in that case I will provide you with one favor of your choosing," he said. He sat as still as a statue as he waited for my response. I understood how hard this had to be for him. Caith siths' were notorious for collecting favors and never giving any out. By having a favor I could virtually ask for anything from him, and in a life veiled in secrets and mystery; Grimalkin had to of really trusted me in order for him to grant one.
I knew that there was no point in arguing with the stubborn cat, so I simply nodded. Besides, I was honored and would never disrespect him by refusing the amount of trust he was presenting.
"Then I guess we have reached that equilibrium then." I giggled at how his vocabulary sounded coming from me.
"It would seem that way." He stated, always the picture of calm.
"I am really going to miss you Grim. Now who is going to mysteriously vanish on me in the middle of a conversation?"
"I have grown rather fond of you myself. You are quite amusing."
I laughed. "Well in that case," I said in a dignified manner, "I am sure that we will meet again."
"Perhaps we will my friend; the fates do always have a fascinating way of working." He looked at me fondly before slightly inclining his head. "Farewell, Spring."
And then he turned and vanished into the trees.
It wasn't long after Grimalkin left that I began to grow bored. Now, I had in fact been bored many times before, but it was nothing compared to this. That was all before I knew what I was missing, knew what it was like to have an actual friend. I found myself searching for someone to talk to, only to find that it was to no avail. I no longer had anything to say to the servants, and dresses and jewelry just didn't hold my interest like they used to. Not saying that I no longer liked them, because I completely did. Well anyway, it was around this time that Titania decided to start my weapon training.
Physical fighting came a lot easier to me then glamour did.
The servants started me with a sword and shield. And although I was able to get a few good swings in with the sword, the shield was simply dead weight. And I found myself quickly getting tired, my tiny body not being able to hold all the weight of the silver shield and sword, and still manage to move and dodge attacks.
So they took my shield away, and replaced it with another sword. It was better this way, I admit. But with trying to swing two heavy weapons I found myself getting even more exhausted. Then it was like something finally clicked in all of their heads. They finally realized that I was too tiny for large weapons, and that I didn't have enough power to force a swing. My main weapon was my agility. I was tiny and I could literally do cartwheels around my opponent.
As long as I didn't have extra weight.
And so the next weapon they tried was a dagger. Holding the small silver knife-like weapon actually felt right to me. It made me feel safe, like I could actually defend myself. The opponent I was training with couldn't even get a hit in. I danced around him until finally I dove behind him and placed the dagger at his neck. There was a shocked silence in the grove, until I began to hear sounds of approval. And for the first time, I felt like I proved that I was good for something.
Then they decided to give me another dagger to see if I could duel-wield them. The moment they put that second dagger in my hand, I saw the big picture. The knives were no longer weapons in my eyes; they were two extensions of the arm. Two very sharp extensions. I moved, they moved. It was natural, it was effortless.
I moved like a whirlwind, and my opponent was down in seconds.
So they moved too two opponents, and then three. No match.
They gave me four opponents, then six, then eight. I danced around the training area laughing and smiling the entire time. I did back-flips, and cartwheels, and altogether just showed off. For the first time in my life I found pride in something I could do.
I had mastered first-hand combat.
To say I was a little snobby about it would be an understatement.
For the next few days, I was on top of the world.
The fey don't age like humans do in the mortal realm. Time isn't recorded in faery because it doesn't exist. The sun rises when it wants too, night appears when it feels like it; you won't find any clocks in faery. Truthfully, it's almost like we never age; if we do, it must take an uncountable number of years. It's unexplainable, just like our existence.
For instance, I've been around for a little over two centuries, and my appearance is still that of a young girl. I would give you a mortal age to compare my appearance too; however, I'm not really sure what that number would be. I've always been small, smaller than most fey. Some even say I have a somewhat child-like appearance; although don't get me wrong I look entirely immortal and inhuman, but you get the point.
I would describe my appearance to you myself; however, I believe that a handsome mortal writer once summed everything up quite nicely himself. So nicely, that I decided to keep his poem.
And yes, in case you were wondering, I would in fact occasionally take trips to the mortal realm; guys were much more… simple there.
Child of the sun, woman of the moon
Her large silver doe eyes burn bright,
Her smile can light up a room.
Her small legs move her with unparallel grace
Her steps fail to make a sound
I feel she is somewhat out of place
A girl like her is not often found
Her willowy form and petite features are perfect
Like a shadow she glides around the room
I sometimes feel as if her eyes reflect,
All the light and wisdom of the moon
Dark, thick eyelashes bring out the hidden blue in her eyes
When it comes to beauty she is equal to none
Hair so dark it sometimes matches the midnight skies
She runs like the river, and shines like the sun
Her raven-hair sits in large yet gentle curls
It falls like a satin river down to the curve of her back
When it comes to life she simply twirls
She told me that it is just too difficult to stay on track
I found that she seldom speaks
When she does there is great insight and gravity in every word
I know there are secrets she keeps
Her voice turns words into the most beautiful song I have ever heard
Her skin glows ivory in the light
It is smooth and delicate too
She says that she must leave tonight
I am not sure if I will ever make it through
And that's what that famous poet once said… well wrote about me. Flattering isn't it? I wish I could remember his name… he had such a lovely voice…
Okay, so I admit it, I was beautiful. I won't be like those self-conscience humans who only see their flaws, I know how I appear. I was the girl that caused humans to weep; the one that all mortal women loathed and envied, and all mortal men fantasized of and waged wars over. And although it was satisfying to play with mortal emotions, I would have traded my beauty in a heartbeat if only I could have found a place where I fit in, if only I could make Titania proud of me, if only I could prove everyone wrong and not be the useless princess who didn't even know half of her kingdom.
I remember the first day I really looked at my reflection and really looked at who I was. I remember how my skin seemed to reflect the bright sunlight of summer, making my body almost appear to be glowing.
I remember seeing myself dressed in an extravagant light gray ball-gown that showcased my large silver eyes. Titania had requested the dress be hand crafted for me.
I remember how on this day my hair was tied back with a large silver ribbon. And as to tie everything together; a fist sized diamond rested on my chest, tied around my neck by a silver chain
It was at this time that I realized that my elegant ball gowned form wasn't what I wanted to see. My entire life had been based around what Titania wanted me to be, I never took the time to really make an image of myself. And that's what I really wanted. I wanted to make something of myself, so when I saw my reflection I would be proud of what I saw. When I looked at the girl, at my reflection, all I could feel was ashamed. Ashamed that this beautiful useless faery was the Summer Princess. I didn't deserve that title. But one day I would, that's what I promised myself that day.
It was shortly after this realization that I noticed I was beginning to think more and more about who I was. I found myself going out into the forest more and more just to try and escape everything. On most days I would hunt the dangerous and hideous creatures in the Wyldwood, mainly hunting goblins, I had learned to have an extreme dislike for them in particular.
Then I would also sing, pick berries, or sometimes I would climb the highest tree I could find and simply watch the sky change colors, occasionally from night to day. Then there were the days that I would find myself running non stop through days and nights, hardly pausing to rest. I would venture so far I would go right through the Wyldwood finally stopping at the icy border, simply staring out into the snowy expanse of Unseelie territory. Occasionally I found myself staring at Winter and wishing that there wasn't that small line dividing us. Wishing that some day Winter and Summer could unite, and not have to hate each other so much. Wishing I could be cut off from Titania so I could travel where I pleased without being punished. It was those days that I found the travel back to the grove to be the hardest.
The days I discovered I didn't want to return.
Now I'm going to try my best to give you a first person view on my actual story. Not my back story, but the story that you actually came here to hear. Most of the time, as I look back on things and tell you my tale; I'll be able to give you a good idea of what was going on in my head at that time. However if I can't exactly recall I do apologize in advance.
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Guess what?
That's pretty much it for the back story!
Yep. I can practically feel the excitement. Haha
And thanks again for all the amazing reviews!
I should start a question of the eh… post? … hmmm…. Well, what do you think of how I wrote Grim? Believable?
In case you were wondering, that's what I'm kind of going for: believability. I've been trying hard to get this as close as possible to the Iron Fey Series, so that it gives you a sense more of another look at the story more then per-say a fanfiction? I guess? lol you'll see what I mean later…
