Joanie lay in a wide-open field. She closed her eyes and breathed in the fresh air. She knew it was dangerous to be so close to the village, but she really needed to get away. Suddenly she heard her name called. She sat up and opened her eyes to see Marcus on his unicorn, Vincent.
"Hey Marcus!" she greeted her friend as she stood up. "How are you doing?"
"I'm managing," Marcus replied, getting down from Vincent. "What are you doing all the way out here? If someone sees you…"
Joanie rolled her eyes. Marcus took up the role as big brother. But sometimes Joanie viewed him as too overprotective. "If someone saw they would question my being here and take me away. I know."
"Good." Marcus nodded firmly.
"What about you?" Joanie asked with interest. "What are you doing here?"
"I was looking for you," Marcus said, almost as if accusing her of putting them both in danger. "I wanted to talk to you about some rumors I've heard. But let's get out of here first."
Marcus helped Joanie onto Vincent's back, then got on himself. Vincent started off on an easy trot. Joanie turned to look at Marcus. "So, what was it you wanted to talk to me about?"
"Oh, just that Titania and Oberon are planning on setting us up," Marcus replied, his eyes shifting uncomfortably.
Joanie raised her eyebrows. "As in marriage?"
Marcus nodded grimly. "But I don't know if it's true yet. I just wanted to know what you thought about it."
Joanie shrugged. Her cheeks turned pale pink. "Truthfully, I've never thought about your more than the brother I never had. But I guess it wouldn't be too bad. I'm just worried that someone else will come along."
"I thought you might say something like that." Marcus smiled lightly. "I guess we'll have to figure it out when the time comes. At least we're friends." Joanie smiled and nodded in agreement.
"Guess what Nerida?" Joanie asked her fairy friend. Nerida was sitting behind Joanie brushing her hair.
"What?" she asked her without loosing concentration on what she was doing.
"I think I've made an enemy of Puck," Joanie answered simply. Her tone suggested a hint of amusement.
Surprisingly, Nerida gasped and dropped her brush. "What?!" She groaned and turned her friend around to face her. "Joanie, do you know what you've done? You're in for it now."
Joanie just frowned. What was she talking about? "What do you mean?"
Nerida sighed impatiently. "Puck is known as a mischievous trickster. He usually keeps to the mortals in the village, but now that you've angered him I wouldn't be surprised if he tried to do something to you."
Joanie cocked her head to the side. She didn't know what to think now. "Like what?"
"I don't know!" Nerida exclaimed. She lowered her voice. "Just be careful, ok?"
Joanie smiled, glad that her friend cared about her. "Ok."
That night Joanie was twirling around in a field of flowers. She got close to a particularly purple looking flower and jumped back. She recognized the flower as love-in-idleness flowers. She had to be careful. She knew what power the flower held. She took a step back and bumped into someone. She turned around and jumped, falling on her back into the flowers. Puck stood there laughing.
Joanie scowled as she picked herself up. "That wasn't funny!" she protested, coming up close to his face.
Puck just smirked. "Yeah it was." He suddenly pulled out something from behind his back and shoved in Joanie's face. It was a love-in-idleness flower. Joanie gasped and stepped back, careful not to fall over again.
"Get that away from me!" she cried. "I don't want to fall in love with you!"
The expression on Puck's face showed his offense. "Why would I want you to fall in love with me?" Joanie glared at me. "No, I was thinking about something a bit more atrocious."
Joanie rolled her eyes. "Good luck with finding something like that."
Puck narrowed his eyes at her and pulled her toward him by her shirtsleeve. "You listen to me-" he began.
Joanie turned away and shuddered. "No!" she cried. She closed her eyes shut, trying to stay strong. She didn't like the way he intimidated her. Maybe Nerida was right after all. Maybe she should just avoid Puck altogether. But what about now?
Joanie opened her eyes and looked back at Puck, locking eyes with her. His glare gave her shudders, but she kept a steady gaze, all the while trying to think of a way to get out of the situation. Puck still had her by her sleeve. He thrust the live-in-idleness flower back at her. She winced and turned away. Thinking of her only defense, she called out, "OBERON!"
Joanie knew he could hear her. He had a talent for that. Just as she had hoped, Oberon was son behind her. "What Joanie?" he asked gently. Looking over the situation he frowned. "Puck, let go of her now." Puck reluctantly back away from Joanie. Oberon gave him a questioning look before extending hi hand to Joanie. "Come with me, Joanie. I'll make sure he doesn't bother you."
Joanie accepted Oberon's invitation with relief. She was sure glad that was over! But she couldn't help the chilling feeling that this was only the beginning…