Queen of the Wild Magic—Chapter 3
"Good morning, Your Majesty." Theosfain whistled, drawing open the silken curtain that was darkening her room.
Addy grimaced at being called Majesty. Pushing aside her soft, woven blankets she planted her feet firmly onto the grass carpet. She wondered what time it was. Because the crystals gave light, there was no rising or setting of the sun here. No day, no night. But her body told her she had rested long enough and her stomach told her it was probably time for breakfast.
She watched the lithe fairy man float around her room, cleaning and arranging her things, and recalled the events of yesterday and her arrival at the Royal Palace.
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Taking her hand, he led her through the ring of trees out into a field of bright pink grass. It ended abruptly, just a few steps ahead, with a sharp descent into a valley far bellow. Here, the underground world opened out into a wide plain full of forests, little rivers, and small woven huts.
"This is the Mag Mell, the Delightful Plain." Theosfain said proudly, gesturing his hands across the view. "It is where most of my people reside. I hope that you will stay long enough to explore this land, for it is a place of great peace and harmony."
He motioned for her to follow him across field, parallel to the edge of the cliff. At the end, he pointed to a carved pathway winding its way down the rocky side. "We will take this path to the city. There, you will find food and rest at our Royal Palace." He began to descend, and she followed, trying to take in everything.
The realm of the Sídhe was breathtaking. She knew it would haunt her dreams for a lifetime. It was both wild and cultivated, giving the impression that great care had been taken in the design and order of the land. Great rowan trees grew in perfect little rows, but were interspersed by wild hedges bursting with berries. Willows drooped across absolutely round ponds topped with lily pads and reeds. Fields of wild grasses in shades of pinks, violets, and blues grew into intricately cultured patterns. Even the path they walked on was of precisely placed, well-worn cobblestones. The air smelled of childhood memories, and of adventure and mystery. She could feel the hum of the earth here, the heartbeat she was now attuned to. The more she saw of the Otherworld, the less she wanted to leave.
At last, they arrived at the city. "Tír na nÓg," Theosfain declared, holding his arms out wide, like an embrace. "Our great city. Before him was a lake surrounding a walled confusion of houses and shops. They were arranged in such a jumbled mess, Addy wondered how they would even get through it. But as they crossed the crumbling stone bridge, she could see that the buildings were locked in an intricately complex dance of wood and stone. There was nothing random about their design. Each edge, each wall, was purposefully placed. It all reminded her of an Escher drawing she had seen at University. One where there were stairs going in every direction including upside down, yet all seemed functional.
The cobblestone street rose as they travelled inward. Everywhere luminescent fairies flitted gracefully about their fairy business. She was overwhelmed by the fact that, despite variations in hair color and clothing styles, they all looked alike. She wondered how they were able to distinguish each other at all. She rushed to keep up with Theosfain, fearing that if he left her, she would never be able to find him in the crowd of similar faces.
The road ended at a grey stone structure of such elaborately complex design, she knew immediately they had reached the palace. Running up the sides were perfectly carved animals of every shape and size. The scrollwork around the doors was so minute it made her dizzy. Windows of rainbow-colored glass dotted the face of the castle.
Theosfain offered her his arm, and said, "Welcome, My Lady, to your home."
In silent, overwhelmed awe, she took his arm and allowed herself to be taken inside.
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Theosfain must have realized that Addy was overcome. He immediately showed her to a bed-chamber and promised to have some food sent up for her. Then he bid her farewell, saying, "Rest now. Tomorrow, I will answer your questions and talk with the elders. In the meantime, there are two women, just through that door, who will assist you with whatever you may need." He pointed to a smaller, carved oak door at the side of the room. Clapping his hands, the two ladies appeared. "Their names are Imeria," at which a slender fairy wearing a braided gold band in her blonde tresses stepped forward, "and Rowaine," at which the curly red-haired fairy next to her bowed. Both shared his face and black eyes, as well as his shimmering skin. "I will leave you to their care." He nodded his head and ducked back through the door.
Addy looked at the two ladies who were gazing at her expectantly. "Um. Hi." She said sheepishly.
They smiled. She noticed they had the same curling smile as Theosfain. The blonde, Imeria, stepped forward again, "Does My Lady need anything?" Her voice reminded Addy of a dove's, mellow and soothing.
She glanced about the room. The carpet was of living grass. Tall, twisted willows wrapped around the bed. Lush, silky fabrics draped across the bed and chairs. At the far wall, a large window of yellow-stained glass gave her a perfect view of the city and forests beyond. "Um, no. I think I'm pretty good." She replied breathlessly.
Just then, a knock at her door signaled the arrival of food. Rowaine, the redhead, retrieved the dishes and placed them on a little table next to the chair. Addy sat quickly and stared in shock at what was brought for her. It looked like peaches, but was colored electric blue! She touched it gently, and sniffed at it. It smelled of berries mixed with fresh linens.
"Sapphire fruit, M'Lady." She said, as if that explained everything.
"Um, I think I'm good. Thanks." Just then, Addy's stomach growled, betraying her.
"It's perfectly safe and quite delicious." Her black eyes watched expectantly as Addy lifted the fruit to her mouth. She closed her eyes, gulped, and took a bite. The next instant, she devoured the whole fruit. It was incredible, like biting into essence of the color blue itself. The juice ran like honey down her throat. Amazingly, by the time she had finished her second fruit, she was feeling completely full and satisfied.
"Here," Imeria said, joining the other woman. She held out a carved, wooden goblet. Inside was a liquid that looked like molten gold.
"What is this?" Addy asked, sloshing the liquid around in the cup.
"Water from the lake of Beatha Síoraí that lies at the heart of our kingdom. Theosfain thought you might like it."
She smelled the inside of the cup, and was shocked that there was no scent to it at all. She took a small testing sip. Immediately, her throat began to tingle. I'm having an allergic reaction! Thought her panicked brain. As the liquid flowed down her body, her insides felt like they were on ice. She dropped the goblet and cried, "What did you do to me?"
Imeria and Rowaine quickly rushed to her side, "My Lady, don't worry. It is a normal reaction to tasting the waters for the first time."
Something was happening to her skin, it felt like she was burning. Looking at her hands, she watched as the tips of her fingers began to glow. The light spread up her hands and arms. "What's happening?" She yelled.
Imeria took her hand and spoke calmly. "The water grants life, M'Lady. One sip will keep you youthful for many years, long beyond other humans."
"WHAT!" She bellowed in disbelief.
Rowaine shrugged, her red curls bouncing. "Theosfain thought you might appreciate the gesture."
Utterly mystified by their apparent apathy, she stammered. Appreciate the gesture? Her mind raced with images of the various ways she would have her revenge upon these fairies. Then, she noticed that although her skin was still glowing, the icy sensation was disappearing.
"He said you would understand."
"Understand? How?" She couldn't fathom why they thought granting her super long life would have been so appealing. It would make her a freak, an outcast, a... wait... Slowly, a thought took shape in her mind. She settled her breathing and tried to reason out what had just occurred to her. It had something to do with Merlin. Merlin was old, he had lived for a long time. He would continue to live for a long time. And her? Well, she would get old quickly while he did not. It was not a future she had allowed herself to think about yet.
She looked at the cup on the table, still full even after dropping it. Long life lived with the person she loved? Maybe it wasn't such a bad thing. Maybe Theosfain did do her a favor after all. She wasn't certain about the water of life, but she wasn't dismissing it out-of-hand just yet.
Rowaine and Imeria were still hovering next to her like hummingbirds. "Is everything alright?"
She nodded. She still felt the residuals from the anger, especially since her skin was still glimmering just like the two fairies standing next to her, but she was calm enough to ask about it without shouting. "What about the glowing? Will I always glow like you?"
Rowaine turned to Imeria, covering her smile with her hand, and giggled. The blonde, who must have been older or of a more senior status, hushed her and answered. "No, M'Lady. Not unless you were to drink it everyday, as the Sídhe do. The effect will diminish in a little while."
"Oh, good. I can't imagine walking around London looking like I'm wearing a diamond body suit."
The two fairies looked at her with black, uncomprehending eyes.
"Forget it." She said dismissively. "I'm pretty tired. It's been an extraordinarily long day."
They rushed to the bed, preparing it for her. "Would you like to wash before bed?" Rowaine offered, pulling out a earthenware basin from inside a cabinet.
"Um, sure. It won't, like, magically make me look like a movie star will it?" She asked joking.
Rowaine laughed, and her black eyes shined. "No, it is not imbued with that sort of magic. But it is warm and soothing, full of healing and calming herbs from our gardens. Here," She produced a matching earthenware jug of water and poured it into the basin. Then, she waved a hand over it. Instantly, steam began rising from the surface. It smelled of chamomile, lavender, and vanilla.
"Thank you," Addy said sincerely.
The two fairy women bowed and departed from the room. Alone at last, Addy washed her face in the warm, scented water and then collapsed onto the softly cushioned bed. Almost before she could even pull the covers up, she drifted into a heavy, dreamless sleep.
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Theosfain had finally noticed the wooden goblet sitting still untouched on the small table. He said nothing, but picked it up.
"Theo, wait." Addy called, as he was carrying it and the other dishes away.
"Yes, Majesty?"
"Okay, first, stop calling me that. It's too strange. Can you please just call me Addy?" She met his black gaze and for once, seemed to be able to clearly read the expression. "Well, then, I guess 'My Lady' is alright." She conceded.
He brightened. "Is that all, My Lady?"
"No. That water you gave me. Why did you not just simply tell me about it yourself?"
"Would you really have tried it if I had told you it granted life?" He said defensively. Was he defying her? Maybe there was hope for him yet, she thought.
"No, probably not. But I thank you for your thoughtfulness, in any case."
His smile spread across his face. "You are most welcome, My Lady." He bustled the tray of food out the door and returned almost instantaneously with a new plate of fresh-baked bread smeared with cream and honey. Her mouth watered at the mere sight. Despite herself, she found that she was beginning to like the odd fairy man.
After she had stuffed herself full on bread, she said, "So, I believe you were supposed to give me some answers today. Have you been able to talk with the elders about who will teach me to control my magic?"
He paced in front of the yellow glass window. The light made his sparkling skin turn to powdered gold. "Yes. I have spoken with them, and they can find but one solution."
"What is it?" She asked eagerly.
"You must bring back to life the most powerful High Priestess of the Old Religion. Only she will have the knowledge necessary for you to learn to control your abilities." He said this almost sadly, reluctantly.
She frowned. "Bring back to life? How would I do that? Won't I destroy the world and stuff?"
"Oh, no! Not here. You can use your powers freely here, for magic rules over this place. As for bringing her back to life, well, you've already done it before. I believe you will find a way to do so again."
She remembered what it felt like to bring Merlin back and doubted his faith in her. "So, who is this High Priestess?"
His brow creased and he looked away, out the window. "Her name is Morgana."
Author's note-
Had a lot to cover in this chapter, so it got a little long. Sorry.
Oh yes, Morgana will be returning! But what will she be like after being dead for so long? Hmmm...
And next up, its time to find out who the doctor is and what he wants from Merlin.
As always, please review! I love to hear that you are affected by the story, that it means something to you. Of course, helpful criticism is welcome as well. Just a little note to let me know how you like it so far would make me happy! And a happy writer is a productive writer. :)
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