Hey everyone ^-^ Chapter two on the go. Yayyy! I hope you're enjoying the story.
Daisies
(present day)
Skylin
It wasn't anything like I'd anticipated. Where I imagined a vast desert, a luscious forest lay. Yet, it was different. In the sunlight iron wires glinted, coiled around the thick roots of the trees. Their large crowns touching the sky, overshadowing the grass-covered plains. It reminded me a bit of the Summer Court, rich with all kinds of plants and fruits, their scents filling your nose.
The Seelie Court reminded me so much of life and happiness even with the dangerous fey lurking around. It was peaceful in its own way. The Iron Realm had its own flair and I was happy to see the rumors of this supposedly dreadful place were simply that. Rumors.
I'd sent Shadow away before, since I didn't need him for the rest of the journey. However, I knew he was near. He was never far away. I could always count on him. We had built a bond so strong nothing and no one could break it.
I remember the day I had first seen him. It was a while after I'd entered the Nevernever with Alina. He was still very young then but a full grown horse nonetheless. I was just out enjoying nature when he showed up, it was almost like he was waiting for me. A tall, black horse with a strong build and a long billowing tail and main, waves running through them. I had looked straight into his eyes, seeing the intelligence in them with which he studied me, but looking into his dark brown eyes, had also stirred something within me.
A feeling of having met the one true friend you've always been searching for. Like a key that perfectly fit into the lock. I had known he had felt it too and over the years we had become inseparable. Side by side we'd faced challenges and together made it through the darkest and hardest times. You might wonder why a fey would act this way. Why would he help me or want to be my companion without any personal gain? Well you see, he wasn't fey, I could tell that as soon as I'd spotted him. He was... different. Like me. Maybe that is why destiny decided to cross our paths.
On our journey I explained everything to Puck. The who's, where's, what's and why's. Other than his eyes darkening a bit at certain parts of the story he seemed to take the news pretty well. It wasn't long after I was done that he returned to his normal self and started commenting on my "stylish shirt". The blood stains on it probably didn't help.
Except for a pack of clockwork hounds that needed to be taught a lesson, Puck and I didn't have to many problems on the way. Though I could feel creatures lurking in the dark, watching us and I was ready to defend myself at any moment. After all, we were intruders in their land and I wouldn't doubt if word had spread that a certain summer fey had crossed the boarder with a human accompanying him.
Of course they would probably see me as a human, since I lacked the pointy ears. I did not like to be called human. I mean, who would like to be called something they were not? I do not think I am the only one that would be somewhat upset if not addressed properly.
But of course I could not blame them. Everyone judged you based on one's appearance, intentionally or not. Unfortunately, I looked like a mere mortal on the outside, so they couldn't possibly know what was within me. What my true nature was. A mistake, one should not make if they were to survive. Underestimating someone unknown to you could be a fatal misjudgment. Besides, the essence of a being was always something that mattered to me the most.
Night was setting in again and we weren't far from the palace now.
"Goodfellow, I think we should set up camp here. There is a city not to far heading west, in the morning we can take the train to Mag Tuiredh and meet the queen."
"Yeah, 'cause you look like you're about to keel over from exhaustion and to be honest, I don't want to drag your ass all the way to the castle."
"Whatever, Goodfellow. Go make yourself useful, like finding some wood or something," I said glaring at him.
"Wood? Are you cold, Blue?"
"Just get some wood and stop annoying me!"
"Okay, okay. Jeez. Don't get your panties in a twist," he said defensively raising his hands. "I'll go get some wood, Sky. You just sit down and relax," and with a mock salute he went away.
Puck
Skylin was just how I remembered her. The caramel skin, long dark curls and white smile, but the person behind those once luminous turquoise eyes had changed. She was more reserved and non-present now. I caught her zoning out a few times, drifting off to another world. Her face is set in a constant grim line, devoid of the gentleness and happiness I had grown so fond to.
You wouldn't think that I remember the first time I'd met her. It was the day after Elysium. She'd worn a long, one-shouldered dress that was fuchsia on top and faded into white at the bottom, unlike the plain clothes she wore now. She arrived at court and stayed for a while, giving me a chance to talk to her. I wanted to know who she was. What business she had there. It was evident she wasn't fey. I spent time with her and came to enjoy her company. We went on hunts together and became something like friends.
It wasn't until her departure that I found out who she truly was. She made me ensure her that I would keep her identity secret, for only few knew, including the kind and queen. When she left court I felt somewhat lonely again. I had gained a friend in her, but I knew it wasn't the last we'd seen from each other. While she was there, I'd found out that she came to handle some business with lord pointy ears but I never figured out what it had to do with until now. I had been wondering why she wanted him to like her so much. Hell, she even gained Titania's favor. Don't ask me how she did it. Until this day I didn't know how she did it, but we would need them in the oncoming battle, just like her royal iciness. You bet. Queen Mab herself. We needed all of the rulers to accomplish this mission and let me tell ya. It wasn't going to be easy.
Skylin
"So, it's really going to be this way?" Puck asked when we'd settled around the fire.
"Yes, it is, and as much as I would like to have had things happen differently, they didn't. We must live with what life hands us and deal with it," I replied tiredly, idly playing with a curl that was hanging in my face. I was weary and I felt drained from the long voyage. That is the only thing I've been feeling lately. Drained.
"What was that saying again? When life hands you lemons make lemonade?" Usually I would have laughed at his joke, but due to the circumstances I wasn't in the mood to laugh. The following silence was one of resignation. I didn't want to dwell on this subject anymore. I needed some rest if I was going to face the Queen tomorrow.
"You take first watch, Goodfellow. I will get some sleep," I told him rolling onto my side, facing the wall. He mumbled something about lady's first but I didn't hear him anymore. My mind already in a field of daisies.
There she was again. Her white dress billowing in the wind which rippled through her hair. The crown of daisies atop her head. She'd picked them from the meadow that surrounded us. Her face bathed in the sun, eyes closed. The tall grass lightly caressing her fingers. I took a moment just to look at her. Beautiful, just as I'd remembered. She opened her eyes and spotted me. A brilliant smile immediately covered her face, mimicking my own. Raising her arm, she waved to me. I loved those moments I got to see her shine.
Come to me, Love. Let's play.
Her voice called out to me, more of a loud whisper. I began to move towards her and right when I was about to reach her, she ran. I chased after her, her giggles echoing everywhere. My own laugh joined hers as we ran around the meadow.
After a while though, I lost my breath and tried to tell her to slow down, but she wouldn't. She kept running and the distance between us became larger. I called out to her once more, but she wouldn't listen. Or was it that she just couldn't hear me? I didn't know.
Finally she stopped, near a huge oak tree. Turning around to face me I saw that a tear was rolling down her face but her smile never faltered.
Do you remember this place? This tree? We would always sit here and sing and you would teach me how to use my power.
I remembered. I remembered the times we'd spent our days sitting underneath that tree. For hours and hours we would stay there and be happy. It was our place of happiness. Until one day, everything changed...
I focused on the girl again. She was really crying now, but that smile stayed where it was, even though it was sadder than before. She started running again, towards a cliff. I tried to warn her, tell her to stop but my voice had disappeared. With all my might I hurried after her. Wanting to reach her. My desperation grew because I knew she'd fall if I didn't reach her in time. I was so close, reaching out with both of my arms to catch her, but I missed, instead embracing the air and as if in slow motion I watched her fall over the edge, my scream drowned out by the howling wind.
Kensley!
Breathing hard I awoke, sweat covering my body. This wasn't the first time I'd dreamt that dream. Every time I tried to catch her. Every time I failed. Nightmares had been haunting my sleep a lot lately. Ever since Kensley had left me they occurred more often. Nightmares. They made the things we feared most reality, if only for just a moment.
When it was time to leave I pushed it into the deepest corner of my mind. Discarded but not forgotten. We were heading towards the train station now, walking among the numerous fey who eyed us skeptically. Wire nymphs, spider hags, clockwork hounds and hacker elves, you name it. Keeping my head low, the both of us quickly made our way through the crowd. We didn't want to run into anymore trouble.
On the train Puck eyed his surroundings warily.
"Something wrong, Goodfellow?" I asked, the corner of my mouth slightly quirking upward. His jitteriness amused me.
"Oh,nothing. It's just that I'm in a train made of iron, surrounded by fey made of iron, in a realm completely made of iron. No biggie. I don't see a problem. How 'bout you?"
"Relax, Goodfellow. You'll be fine. We're almost there anyway. Besides the iron doesn't affect you, remember?"
"I'll never get used to this," he muttered paying attention as to not touch the iron bar next to him and glaring at a cackling gremlin hanging from the ceiling.
"I don't know how ice-boy does it."
We finally arrived in Mag Tuiredh, hurrying towards the castle. I noticed the fey here muttering and glancing at us more frequently than back in the other town we'd come from. This made me uneasy.
"Uh, Sky? Is it me or is everyone staring at us?"
"No, they're staring at us. Come on, Goodfellow, we must hurry before-"
"What do we have here?"
I silently cursed in my mind and turned to the source of the voice. Two iron knights stood in front of us. Their armor glinted in the sunlight, almost blinding me. Their breastplates adorned with the iron realms symbol, a giant oak tree. They looked at us with watchful eyes, wary of our intentions.
Suddenly, they parted and a third fey stepped into the scene. Yet this one didn't wear any armor. Instead, he resembled more of a punk rocker. Hair black and spiky, lightning bolts crackling through it, like a little storm was brewing in it, a stark contrast to his vibrant violet eyes. He turned to Puck, flashing him a devilish grin.
"Hey, Glitchy. Haven't seen you in a while."
"I see you haven't changed Puck. Might I ask what you're doing here?"
"Oh, I was taking a stroll when I thought I'd come visit you, since it's been a while. Didn't want you to feel neglected, ya know?"
"I'm serious, Puck. What are you doing in the Iron Realm?" he asked, making sure to emphasize the word iron.
"The iron has no effect on him. Anyway, that is not of importance right now," I chimed in, annoyed with the whole situation. Glitch's gaze focused on me.
"And who are you? Puck why did you bring a human here?"
He rubbed a hand over his face, clearly stressed by the situation.
I stiffened. Did he just call me... human?!
Puck shot me a warning glance and quickly spoke up before things got really ugly.
"Look. One, she's not human. Two, we don't have time for this. We need to get to Meghan."
Glitch studied us for a moment probably unsure of what to do. Just when I thought he'd send us away he sighed and motioned for us to follow him.
"This better be good."