* Only the original characters belong to me. Known characters belong to Shakespeare. *

Chapter Three

Maya smiled as she left her father's home. As she made it to the outside of the city her eyes widened. Moving toward the woods was Helena and Demetrius. Demetrius was the man her father wanted to marry Hermia and Helena was in love with Demetrius. There were rumors that Helena and Demetrius had been supposed to marry until Demetrius fell in love with Hermia. He abandoned Helena to peruse Hermia.

Maya shook her head. Helena had betrayed Hermia. That was the only reason that Demetrius would be heading to the woods.

Maya jumped when a wagon with several men started coming out of the city talking.

"Where are we going Quince?" One man said.

The man Quince smiled and said, "To the woods, Flute. We will practice in the clearing where the worn-down pillars are located so no one can spy on us."

"What of Nick Bottom?" Another man asked.

Quince clapped a hand on his shoulder, "No worries, Snout. Bottom will meet us there to practice. We will have the best play for the wedding."

Maya snickered. Her father had mentioned Nick Bottom. He was a fool who liked to be the center of attention all the time. If they were going to be there, she would go somewhere else to set up her offering to the fairy queen.

Midsummer night was when fairies would be very active with the mortal world. Alla had told her many tales of fairies and other mystical creatures that lurked in the world. Maya was determined tonight she would finally see the queen of the fairies.

Maya made it to a clearing where the waterfall fell. It was perfect for her offering. She started preparing her offering by cleaning up an area from debris. After that she started setting up all her gifts. In the center was a beautiful mirror with diamonds around the frame. To the left was the sweetest berries dunked into sugar to sweeten it. To the right was a glass of the finest honey mead. In front of these three things was a plate filled with the finest food. Flowers were spread out around the gifts and candles circled the items as well as circled Maya.

Maya licked her lips and backed up to make sure everything was perfect.

Now all she had to do was call out to the fairies and hope they heard her. So far, she had never seen a fairy, but she would try until she could no longer do so.

Maya lowered down to her knees and took a deep breath before calling out.

"Oh, great fairy queen. Hear my voice and come to your servant. I live to serve you and live to see your beauty."

As Maya was talking the sound of music could be heard.

Queen Tatiana and her seline court walked through the woods. She was here to bless the bed of her servant on the wedding night of the king of Athens. Tatiana stopped when she heard a sweet child's voice call her floating on the wind.

"What is that? Let us see who would dare call to me" the queen said. The child in her arms smiled and wrapped his arms tightly around the queen's neck.

Tatiana slowly walked toward the light was formed with her fairy subjects following. In a grove sat a small human young child surrounded by candles. The child was on the edge of being an adult but still holding on to her childlike wonder. Her golden hair shined in the light and the tears that fell down her face like diamonds glittering brightly.

Tatiana adjusted the changeling child in her arms. The child was beautiful and pure.

Maya took a breath. "Oh, great fairy queen. Please hear my plea. I beg you to touch my father's heart and make him less cruel to me. I wish for more than the life of a simple wife. I wish to see the world and all it has in it. I wish to use my short youth to do this. Please grant me the wish of a more peaceful house and love from my father. Please let him change his mind about sending me away to become a wife to an older man. Please accept these gifts as a tribute to you oh fairy queen…hear my plea and grant me the freedom I seek."

Tatiana moved forward to glance at the girl's gifts.

Five items laid a circle of candles. In the center was a plate filled with the finest food. Cheese slices, warm bread, grapes, and nuts on a gold plate. To the left of the plate was a beautiful mirror with diamonds around the frame. To the right was the sweetest berries dunked into sugar to sweeten it. To the back was a glass of the finest honey mead. In front of a silver comb. It was fine gifts.

The fairy queen raised her hand and a servant appeared. She handed the changeling child to him before walking closer to the young Athenian girl. She waved her hand, and the flames went out.

Maya gasped as the lights went out. She glanced right and left but could not figure out what had made the candles go out. There was no wind. The only light now was the light from the moon located above.

Tatiana stepped forward and placed a hand on the girl's face.

Maya was shocked to see a woman suddenly appear. She was much taller than Maya. Dressed in a beautiful white dress with golden hair that seemed to glow in the dark.

Tatiana smiled at the girl's face. She loved to see mortals' reaction to her. She knew she was beautiful, and she only took those who would make her court more beautiful.

"Mortal child who calls to me. I have heard your plea. You have given me fine gifts. finer gifts than what has been presented for a long time. I will grant you the freedom you seek."

The girl's face lit up however it fell at the queen's next words.

"But not the manner that you wish. I see your thoughts and know your deepest wish. You will be mine and together we will see all this world has to see. I will not allow you to be a changeling like other mortals that I have taken. No. You will be more than that. You will be fairy." Tatiana said.

Queen Tatiana leaned forward and placed her lips on the girl's forehead. The girl's eyes blinked twice before closing. She fell backward into the waiting arms of a male fairy who picked her up and waited for orders from his queen.

Tatiana ran a hand across the girl's head pushing her hair from the girl's forehead. "You will be an amazing part of my fairy court."

Tatiana smiled. "Take her somewhere safe so she may change from human to fae. You, Thimble, and you, Tumbleweed," the queen pointed to a female fairy standing in the crowd, "will watch and protect her. Bring her to me once the change is complete."

Thimble and Tumbleweed nodded their heads. They turned and disappeared into the night to a haven to wait for tomorrow night. Their sister would soon join them.

Tatiana smiled. She had gained a new subject.

"Come my fairies it is time for me to rest."

The queen and her court vanished into the dark to the place of rest for the fairy queen. In the shadows stood a figure. An Indian nurse maid who was staring in shock. She quickly fled back to her room, being careful so no one saw her. She needed an alibi for when the child was discovered missing. She would never see her ward ever again.