Once the performance was over, Adeline saw Oberon stand and walk over to her.
"What a performance Adeline. You no doubt are talented." Oberon smiled gently.
"Thank you your highness. This realm is incredible!" she grinned happily.
"So…you've enjoyed everything here?" he asked gently.
"Yes! I've really enjoyed being with Cirque Mystique too! They have been almost like family to me and I have just started traveling with them." She grinned.
"I see." Oberon said, now seeing that Evander was watching from a distance. "So young one…how about coming for a personal tour of my castle?"
"Really? That would be great!" she smiled. "But I better let Evander know where I'm going."
"Nonsense little one. I will let him know where we're going." He said, his smile getting somewhat more toothy.
"Well…I…"
"Come on. All will be well little one…come with me." He said, now picking her up bridal style and flying to the balcony. The queen grinned, knowing what her husband had in mind.
"And so it begins…" she smiled to herself.
Meanwhile, Evander noticed that Oberon had Adeline and his eyes narrowed in concern. He then walked over to Silverbeak and the rest of the performers.
"Everyone. Have your items ready in case we have to leave early," Evander said. Everyone was a bit confused. Evander said that he was going to stay in that realm for at least a night, but it looks like he had had different plans.
"What is it Evander? Where is Adeline?" Shell asked.
"Oberon has her. We need to keep our eyes and ears open. Oberon seems to have taken a liking to her, but I am unsure if that is a good thing or a bad thing," he said gently. "I guess we will know in an hour or so."
Meanwhile, Adeline was walking around the large castle with the large fairy king. He was very polite and treated her with nothing but respect.
"So…you are enjoying being with Evander and his wonderful performers?" Evander asked.
"Yes, they've become like family to me." She answered.
"So where will you stay when they are in their 'off-season.' After all, they will not be performing when we have realm holidays," Oberon said, now smoking from a large pipe-like item.
"Oh? Uh…I'm not sure," Adeline said gently.
"Well, it is something to think about young one. In the meantime, I want your opinion on something." He said, now leading her through a variety of rooms. "Which one of them look the best?"
Adeline's eyes popped open wide as she saw rooms filled with beautiful silks, furs, and beautiful jewels on the walls. It took them at least 15 minutes to walk through at least three rooms.
"It's beautiful! I think I love the one with the dark pink and silver jewels!" Adeline said, now admiring everything!
"Perfect. Because it is now yours," he said, now glancing at her. Adeline's jaw dropped and she turned to the large king!
"W-What?!" she asked.
"Yes. You heard me correctly. It is yours. I have decided to make you part of my harem," Oberon stated, now running his hands through her hair.
"HAREM?! I don't want to be in a harem! And in plus, you have a queen!" Adeline said, clearly disgusted.
"Of course. My queen is always first. But I always have my harem. It is part of our tradition." He said. "I've never had a human in my harem before so you will be a good addition."
"I can't marry a fairy king! I'm not even old enough!" she gasped.
"I can wait until you've matured more. Or if I get impatient I can speed up your life cycle. Magic is of no concern with me." He said, nonchalantly.
"No! I can't marry you! I just can't!" Adeline said strongly. Oberon's eyes narrowed and then he bent down and gently lifted her chin with a sharp claw.
"I understand your reluctance. But rest assured I am a good king. You will be at home here and I will make you happier than that circus ever could." He then bent down more and whispered in her ear. "However, if you keep refusing me…not only will I take you by force, but I will take some of your 'friends' and torture them until they are no more."
Adeline's eyes welled up with tears and she pulled back and looked at him in an angry manner! "You can't hurt them! None of them have done anything to you!"
"I don't harm individuals willingly little one. But I always get what I want…and right now, I want you. Take some time to think about it. Remember that you will be well taken care of and that you will still have a family…us." He said, now gently pulling her to him and making her look at him. "You belong here and you will be just like one of us…a fairy."
And with that, he bent down and pressed a kiss on her jewel and then picked her up. It only took a moment to land with the others in the performance hall. Once he placed her down, he eyed her carefully.
"Remember our talk young one." He said, now turning and returning to his other guests. Adeline let out a defeated sigh and turned as Evander placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Everything alright?" Evander asked.
"No! Evander I'm in big trouble! The king wants me to stay and be in his harem! He said if I refuse he'll harm some of the performers!" Adeline panicked. Evander was quiet a moment and then his face perked up.
"Well then…I guess you will have to stay," he said.
"WHAT?!" She said, almost in a roar.
"Take it easy. We will make him believe you're staying and then make our escape later." Evander replied.
"But how?! He will be watching me." Adeline said.
"Don't worry about it….we will plan an escape tonight," Evander replied, now placing a comforting hand on her cheek. She nodded and he walked over to the others to explain the plan.
Later that night…
Adeline was about to walk out with the performers when Oberon cleared his throat. It was so loud and deep that everyone stopped. As she turned, he smirked and floated over to her.
"Well young one? Are you ready to stay?" he asked.
"Yes, my king." She said lowly. He smirked at her and then turned to Evander.
"I am pleased that you all are not trying to fight it. She will be well taken care of." He said.
"Please take care of her King Oberon," Evander said in almost a whisper.
"Rest assured I will. And now…I will let my guards escort you all to another realm. Adeline will be escorted to the banquet hall," Oberon stated, now clapping his hands.
Evander nodded and he gave Adeline a knowing look before turning and walking out with the others. Adeline felt her stomach churn as the king turned her to face him.
"Come." He said, now leading her back to the others. As they began to walk to the balcony, Adeline saw as most of the performers went through the portal and into another realm.
"Don't forget me Evander," she whispered under her breath. But she gasped as she felt a gentle voice in her head.
"I won't Adeline. I am nearby." The voice whispered. Adeline felt reassured, but what she didn't see was Oberon giving her an amused look.
"You seem glad. I am pleased. Now come…let's join the others." He said, now taking her to meet the rest of his fairy court.
A few hours later…
Adeline was sleeping on the bed when she felt a hand gently shake her. As she opened her eyes, she saw Evander smiling at her.
"I've come for you little one. Let's move." He said, now helping her up.
"But Evander I'm scared," she said, clearly afraid that they would be caught.
"Hey," he said, now making her look at him. "No matter what happens…I will take care of you."
And with that, he picked her up and he balanced like a cat on the window sill. He chanted a few words and soon the window opened on its' own. He then got a firmer hold on her and jumped. Adeline closed her eyes in fear, but she opened them as she heard him chuckle.
"Do not fear. I won't let you fall," Evander said, now hugging her to him. He truly cared for her safety and was not going to let anyone harm her. But as he hugged her, they both heard a deep chuckle. Evander swirled around and noticed Oberon approaching from the darkness.
"I knew that you would be coming Evander. You have never let one of your performers escape through your fingers," he chuckled.
"She's not a performer. She is a part of us," Evander replied.
"Nevertheless she belongs to me now," Oberon smirked. "You can't possibly defeat me Evander. I have powers that are far greater than yours, even though you are a strong magician."
"Evander," Adeline whispered in horror.
"Oh no fear now little one. I will make sure that Evander isn't tortured too long on my rack for attempting this pitiful escape," Oberon said in a low snarl.
"You can't do this!" Adeline protested.
"I can do whatever I please. You are in my realm and my world!" Oberon thundered, now chanting a few words and throwing Evander back into a large tree.
"EVANDER!" Adeline screamed, now feeling something wrap around her waist and hoist her into the air. Soon she was being carried away by Oberon! "HELP! PUT ME DOWN! PUT ME DOWN NOW!" She screamed.
"Oh hush now, you'll wake my entire realm," Oberon said, clearly not concerned as he chuckled at her squirming. Evander got up and his eyes and hands began to glow.
"STEELCATUM HASSUR!" He yelled. Oberon swirled around and felt a strong iron chain grip around him. He yelled out for iron was painful and weakened fairies! Evander ran to grab Adeline and they heard a loud and angry shout behind them.
"Run! Run Evander! You won't escape me! I have eyes and ears everywhere! I WILL GET WHAT I WANT!" He snarled, now letting his eyes glow angrily.
Adeline began to cringe as Oberon began chanting words that began breaking the chains!
"Don't look back at him! He's playing on your fear!" Evander panted, now opening up a new portal. He almost jumped out of his skin as Adeline screamed. He glanced over his shoulder and his eyes widened as he saw Oberon break free and fly at them in rapid speed. "Hang on!"
And with that, they jumped through the portal with only a second to spare. Oberon let out an angry cry and wiped his white hair from his face.
"You will not escape me that easily…" he said, now making a magic portal appear. "For I know where you are going."
guestsurprise: Oh dear!