The Princess and the Faun
He would watch her smile, he would watch her cry. He would watch her grown and watch her learn. Most importantly, he would watch helpless as he fell in love. . .
Chapter 05: The Hiding Spot
It had been a few more months and Moanna was finally settling into her life at the palace. She was also getting many lessons from Pan and even began to remember things again. Though, thankfully, none were quite as scary as the first time. She remembered people, names, places, things she and Pan would do like take walks in the gardens, the games they would play, she assumed that the Faun was some sort of care taker for her, as well as a teacher.
They were studying right now, the Fea language. Though most Fea could speak most all languages, it was due to knowing Fea, the root language. Moanna was still trying to relearn it, though it was hard with her mind wandering.
"Your Highness?"
She looked up from the window, strange birds, more exotic than any of the world above, were flying by.
"Oh! Sorry faun" she smiled and turned back to him. Pan smiled, she had such a fresh new look on the world. "Mmm come on, faun. You've been teaching me all day, let's play a while" Moanna said with excitement as she stood and tugged on his hand.
"Very well" Pan said, closing his book and walking with Moanna to the several royal gardens.
The gardens were alive with foliage and little creatures.
Pan's odd eyes watched the small white hand that clung to his old wood one. He had missed his Princess, his heart ached when he was cruel to her in the world above, it rejoiced when she ran to his arms.
"Faun?" Moanna's voice shook him from his memories. "Turn around and close your eyes" she giggled. Pan became wary instinctively. "What for your Highness?" he asked.
"Well we can't play 'hide and seek' if you're watching where I hide, can we?" she said giggling. "Now turn and count to ten" she said, giving his belly a push, making the old goat grunt. Sighing, Pan reluctantly turned around, closing his wide eyes and began to count. His deep, creaky voice listing off the number from ten as Moanna took off to find a suitable hiding spot.
She looked and looked, finally, near the edge of this garden there was a waterfall that lead to the next garden. Moanna quickly dashed down the steps that had been carved into the rocks and went to the water fall. It was perfect! The waterfall hid a cove that was huge to fit Moanna, the faun and even her family too. Moanna squealed as her side got misted from sneaking into the cove.
About now, Pan had finished counting and began to 'look' for Moanna. He chuckled, well he sort of cheated, he followed his nose and his old, peach fuzzed ears listen for where she could be. Deep down he was worried, surely she wouldn't of headed for the surface again, would she? No, course not! He thoughts to himself. She remembered what happened to her when she did the first time. . . Her . . . her soul can't make a second trip up to the surface again. He thought with dread.
When Pan finally reached the waterfall though, he froze, he couldn't smell Moanna anymore. The trail went cold, panic struck him hard.
"Your highness?" He called out.
Moanna heard Pan calling out and began to giggle and laugh, her faun clearly had no clue how to play hid and seek.
Her giggles rose to Pan's keen hearing, he looked around, befuddled as to where she was.
"Princess?" he called again, softer, looking among the rocks and brush.
Glancing over the edge of the garden to the other he glanced curiously at the waterfall. His heavy hooves clopped down along the rock carved path, down to the small ledge that lead to Moanna new secret place. "Your highness?" he called ducking his huge horned head into the cove.
Moanna giggled and popped up from behind a large rock.
"You are horrible at hide and seek" she grinned, running up to hug Pan's waist, who sighed with relief. "Then we must play something else" he chuckled. Stroking his hand through her hair, "come we will walk and let the sun dry us. I can show some of our worlds plants, what ones can heal and what ones can help you" he smiled, leading her from the cold cove and shaking his body, much like a dog and making that high pinch noise that always made Moanna giggle.
She took his gnarly hand tightly in her small hand, Pan giving it a squeeze as he lead her on to the next garden, pointing out flower that would cure wounds and bark to chew on when sick. He even showed her where the mandrakes grow.
The day ending with Pan Sitting, curled around Moanna as she sat, leaning on his hip while weaving the small flowers and grass and making rings to place on Pan's head and horns. As she weaved they spoke, Moanna telling Pan and little bit of her life from the Surface. It wasn't all that bad, at least before her father had died. The children she played with, the kittens she would feed milk too and all the wonderful books she would read.
Pan would smile and listen, helping her as she placed her own flowery wreath on her head, it was crocked and Pan adjusted it so, tapping her gently on the nose. They joked, laughed, told stories and finally ending the day with Moanna nestled against Pan's chest as he sang his little lullaby for her. He voice, deep and soothing. It sent her off into another world of dreams and wonders. While Moanna's ever watching guardian cradled her.
"A leanbhín ó, my child, my joy. My love and heart's desire" He whispered softly as he carried her back to the castle.
Thank you for all the reviews! Thank you so much! I'm working on so many things right now that it's gonna be a while till the next update, I'm sorry! But it'll be a sweet one.
~Irish Neko