Sorry for being two days late, I had a busy week.
But I hope you enjoy this chapter.
The reception was beautiful.
The estate's gardens were filled with flowers and the terrace had been made into a dancefloor with musicians and all.
"Not conventional and quite eccentric - but perfect for the fairy bride." Mrs. Shearmore had said with half a smile, while they were planning the wedding.
Wendy smiled at the guests as she and Eric moved through the crowd.
She saw a couple of young ladies standing with Edward and David on the terrace, both of them seemed bright red.
She laughed and Eric smiled at her.
"Is this all you ever wanted?" He asked.
Wendy put a hand over his chest and looked into his striking blue eyes. "You are all I ever wanted."
Eric, her husband, smiled and kissed her.
There were cheers and claps all around them.
Wendy smiled.
She saw their mothers chatting at a table.
Ethan was sitting beside them with a piece of cake, while William was standing with a group of girls his own age and handing out flowers to them. They all giggled at him.
Arthur was slipping in and out between guests, talking to different people before running off again, and her father was sitting at a table with a group of men hanging on his every word.
Wendy leaned against her husband's shoulder and smiled, while they had a moment in between guests.
Everything was perfect. The wedding cake was beautiful and delicious, there were not a cloud in the sky, the garden was filled with soft music, chatter, and laughing, and Eric had not left her side once.
"It is perfect, is it not?" He said against her hair.
She sighed content. "I do not want it to end."
Eric chuckled and gently took her hand and lifted it to his lips. "Neither would I, my fairy. I would marry you over and over again if I could."
Wendy felt her cheeks grow warm and looked to take everything in. "I am so happy that our families are getting along."
Eric's arms encircled her waist, pulled her closer against him, and rested his chin on her shoulder. "Your family and friends are quite lively. I prefer this. Normally the parties can be quite dusty and boring."
Wendy smiled and looked toward the terrace. "Well, the terrace seems to be getting a little dusty. What do you say, dear husband? Shall we make it more lively?"
Eric's eyes shined at her, as she smiled up at him when she referred to him as her husband. "Nothing would please me more."
As they stepped onto the terrace, the music changed.
They waltzed and others joined them on the terrace.
Wendy felt like she could float away.
She was happy Mademoiselle Victoria had designed such a lighter dress. It didn't feel heavier than her nightgown.
The music changed to a lighter melody and Eric spun her around.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Mathilda chatting with a well-dressed man.
She giggled.
"Is something funny?" Eric asked.
"There were a few girls in the village, who wanted their own Prince Charming." She said and nodded towards Mathilda as they turned.
Eric looked in the direction and smiled. "Can you imagine our wedding as the start of another's fairytale?" He leaned in so they stood forehead to forehead. "This will go down in history as the best wedding."
"It already has." She said and kissed him.
The applause rang out.
Wendy looked out at the smiling faces.
"Do I really deserve all of this?" She whispered and leaned against his chest.
"You deserve the world, my rose," Eric said and kissed the top of her head.
She could see the forest's edge. The Elven Queen stood between the trees along with a small figure that had to be Eva.
Wendy smiled. Everything really was perfect.
The next day
Wendy blinked awake.
"Good morning, my rose."
Eric was lying beside her in bed and watched her with loving eyes, as he wrapped one of her red locks around his finger.
Wendy felt the sunlight on the back of her head and sat up – still not quite awake.
The sun shined through the window in their new bedroom.
She smiled. "It was not a dream."
"Of course not, my love," Eric said and leaned over her and kissed her slowly. "Yesterday we got married, last night was our wedding night and now is our honeymoon."
Wendy leaned against him. "Does that mean we can do what we want?"
Eric's hand caressed her face. "Whatever we want."
Wendy cuddled closer to her husband and remembered how they had danced and celebrated until dusk the day before. "That sounds perfect."
Two months later
"Is there something the matter, dearest?" Her mother-in-law asked as they were having tea on the terrace.
"Nothing much," Wendy said, and put the cup back down on the saucer. "I was just wondering what Eric is up to."
The older woman looked in the direction of Eric and the other man as they wandered down the garden. "One of the businessmen from the capital." She said. "Brian was saying something about an investment."
Wendy shook her head, not knowing what that meant. "It must be something important for him to miss teatime."
Her mother-in-law made an off-handed gesture. "Men who always think their business is more important. They do not understand the social responsibilities of teatime."
Wendy laughed a little but then looked at Eric's back as he slowly disappeared into the stables.
"We rarely see each other these days. I just wish he could keep that at least. Not that you are poor company, Adaline." She sighed.
"I suppose it is rather different from your parent's marriage." The Baroness said. "Because they work together to run an inn. As the future Baron and your husband, he will be quite busy for a time." She smiled endearingly at Wendy. "You leave quite the impression on people and it is up to him to manage that. Not to mention you have your own work to do now – I will need quite a lot of help organizing parties."
Wendy smiled and agreed - as she hid her thoughts.
It wasn't just that. In the last month, Eric had grown colder. She had suggested that for the two of them to go riding - like they had done a few times during their honeymoon, and he had been irritated.
And when she tried to tell him news from the village as she and her mother were now exchanging letters almost weekly, he hadn't seemed that interested.
She couldn't help but think that there was something wrong with him, but no matter how, she tried to explain it to her mother-in-law, the older woman didn't seem concerned.
She understood that the work would never go away, but she was starting to miss his gentle laughter and soft eyes.
One month later
"So how is married life?" One of the younger girls asked and giggled behind her hand.
"Wonderful," Wendy said with a dreaming expression.
It was not a complete lie. Eric was wonderful, but at times seemed to be so annoyed with her.
One moment, her lighter dresses and eccentric personality - as everyone referred to it - were charming, the next he just wanted her to behave like everyone else, and stop staring at the forest with such longing eyes. She didn't know what she was doing wrong, and Eric wasn't willing to tell her. Every night before they slept, he would always apologize for any harsh words and they would reconcile with a kiss passionately.
"Your love story really inspired me." Catherine, a young lady who had just had her debut said. "I want to change my own fairy tale…"
"Oh my, who's the young suitor then?" Duchess Madeline teased.
"Elias Angelico," the young lady said and gestured to Elias as he wandered down the path.
A stunned silence fell over the tea party, as the young woman waved the painter over.
Everyone stared at the young handsome man, and though he hadn't heard what the young woman had said, he seemed uncomfortable.
Wendy glanced over at Catherine's mother. The displeasure on the woman's face was palpable. She had definitely invited to a tea party to discuss the incoming balls and gatherings at which she could find a good match for her daughter, not for her daughter to show off a romance with a painter.
The only sound was the young Catherine's voice as she greeted Elias cheerfully. "We were just talking about you Elias."
"Nothing bad, I hope." He stammered out nervously.
Wendy felt bad. Catherine had more or less ruined Elias' career just with a few words. No one would let neither their daughters or their wives near him again.
His eyes found hers and asked a silent question.
She understood and gave a short nod.
His face lit up in a smile and he stepped towards her.
"Oh, Lady Branigan." He greeted and elegantly lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it. "I apologize for not being able to greet you on your wedding day. Though I am sure you made the loveliest of brides, I felt it inappropriate with my status."
Wendy lifted an amused eyebrow. "Thank you, Elias."
She couldn't really feel the atmosphere lift.
"Elias." Catherine tried to get his attention.
But instead, Elias kneeled in front of Wendy. "Though I must say, my lady, my muse." He spoke like an old poet. "It pains my heart that I am far below you in stature and therefore could not ask for your hand myself. As such, my muse, I must be content with capturing your glorious beauty in my paintings."
Wendy held the gloved hand over her mouth to try and hide her giggle, while Elias gently held her other hand.
The other women laughed along.
She wasn't sure if this was part of his act or if this was his own way of telling her how he felt.
It was wrong that she was flattered. It was indecent to have someone say such things when she was married.
"My my Wendy," Madeline teases. "To think that as a married woman, you would have a suitor even now."
"Beauty does not fade with marriage, my lady," Elias said to Duchess Madeline as he gracefully got up. "Instead, I would say just by your face that it increases."
The group of women giggled, as Elias excused himself again.
Wendy had felt a little bad at embarrassing Catherine like that, But her mother had thanked Wendy for being able to solve the situation without bringing shame to the young girl's name.
Another month later
She smiled at the trees as she kicked off her shoes.
She had been feeling more and more depressed. She had missed her mom and even started feeling sickly because of it. She was sure that a walk in the forest would do her good.
She had managed to clear her schedule for the day and asked to be dressed lightly for the weather before she slipped out of the estate.
She had asked Eric to come with her, but he said he was busy and that they would do it another day.
Wendy frowned as she wandered into the forest. He had returned to how he was before the wedding. Distant. He was more focused on running the estate and talking with other nobles than her.
She signed.
The irritating part was she couldn't tell anyone about her feelings. Everyone was so happy that they had achieved their fairy tale. Though Eric seemed more focused on how popular they had gotten with both the common man and the nobles because of their wedding and Wendy's eccentricities and what goods that would bring, while Wendy was drowning in invitations to tea parties and events in the capital - not to mention helping the Baroness with her work.
What bothers you … my hunter…?
She smiled and looked up at the beautiful being.
Instantly it was like the sickness and headaches disappeared.
"Nothing when you are here." She smiled.
What about … when we are not there? Eva echoed as she hugged Wendy's legs.
Wendy sighed, knowing that she could not hide anything from them.
"I think I have made the wrong choice," she said and patted Eva's head in defeat. "I feel like Eric has changed."
He … has not. The Elven Queen said strangely forward.
Wendy smiled. "Ohh, I think he has. He used to be so sweet and caring and wanting to know everything about me, but…"
Some lure their prey … before they hunt it… her friend said, cutting off the sentence before she finished.
Wendy raised an eyebrow. She couldn't understand what that meant.
"Maybe I'm the one who's being childish. I just want to sing and dance in the forest with you again."
You can … You can… Eva said eagerly as she jumped up and down. We can go back to mum and dad … and we can all dance … and have fun forever…
Wendy looked down at her little sister, confused. The little girl's eyes were strangely hypnotic.
"I can't keep doing the same things forever." She said that she caressed her sister's hair.
Perhaps not… The Elven Queen said and drew closer. But growing and changing … does not mean you give up … what you love… a tree never stops ... being a tree...
Wendy looked at her friend. "I cannot keep doing these things, because Eric and the rest of the nobles do not think it is something I should continue to do!"
Wendy had never seen The Elven Queen narrow her blue eyes. They seemed to grow as a shade darker and the sky seemed to cloud over suddenly.
The problem … with a flower… Her voice echoed. It is beautiful … even when it withers…
The young woman glanced down at her sister as the beautiful being came even closer.
The little elven child just smiled.
I do not like … your eyes… Her majesty said as she caressed Wendy's face. You are like … a horse being tamed…
Wendy's eyes widened, as she remembered Elias telling her something similar.
"I just wish…" She mumbled as she looked into the eyes of the Elven Queen, which slowly returned to their natural shade of blue. "That I could speak to someone who understands me."
The Elven Queen smiled and turned away pointing in between two trees. The air seemed to flow differently there and suddenly an image of Elias painting in between the trees appeared.
She understood immediately, that if she stepped towards the trees, she would go to where Elias was now.
She smiled and took a step forward. She missed the conversations they had as he painted her image.
Eva giggled as she followed her. I want him to paint me too… She echoed.
Wendy stopped for a moment and looked at The Elven Queen.
"During the numerous times I have taken Eric into the forest with me, why did you never show yourself to him?" She asked.
Her Majesty leaned her head to one side. He does not believe … and he will never believe…
Two months
During the last two months, she had met Elias a few times a week thanks to The Elven Queen.
Sometimes they talked, sometimes he painted her, sometimes they just wandered around.
They had been lovely, peaceful moments between the two of them. Elias had confessed his love to her numerous times. She had been honest with him about her confusion, though she was starting to warm to the idea.
They talked about all the places they wanted to see, and all the things they wanted to experience. And Wendy realized along the way that she didn't want the fancy dresses or jewelry. She could do without the decorated drawing rooms, the particular manners for everything, and the never-ending tea parties. She just wanted to be free. To have the freedom to dance around in the forest and kick off the shoes when she felt like it. She missed how happy and amazed people were when they saw her dancing and playing her fiddle. When she did play now, people just thought she was eccentric, because that was not how a lady should act.
She sighed. Perhaps she and Eric had never meant to be much, other than a passionate summer romance.
"Is there something the matter, Wendy?" Duchess Madeline asked. "You have been very quiet all day."
Wendy suddenly became aware that she was still sitting at one of those endless tea parties.
"Do not pay me any mind…" She smiled politely. "I was just lost and thought."
Some of the other women at the table wondered if it was about fairies and Wendy continued smiling politely but didn't answer.
Elias had met numerous elvens by now. He thought Eva was adorable. He was even more amazed with Wendy's playing.
They had begun to make up stories of what they would do and about how they would run away together, despite them not daring to kiss each other.
Wendy lifted the cup to her mouth to hide the smile at the thought of their moments in the forest.
The tea tasted bitter. A lot of food had begun tasting oddly.
It made her think of Eric. She tried to talk to him more than once about everything. About how unhappy she felt. How she was beginning to feel sick.
The only progress she had gotten so far was that he still loved her, But that they could not continue to act like children.
She blinked a couple of times, as dark spots started appearing in her vision.
She felt nauseous and felt her forehead.
Someone called her name, but it sounded blurry.
She felt herself growing heavy as she weighed from one side to the other and tried desperately to grab the edge of the table.
At last, it all went black.
Three days later
Wendy breathed heavily as she walked out into the gardens.
"My lady, the Lord asked that you overexert yourself." Lilian reminded behind her.
She smiled over her shoulder. "I am just taking a small walk. I will be back in a moment or two."
Sara was about to protest, but Wendy held up a hand to stop her. "Sitting indoors all day is also not good for me."
The two maids let her go on by herself luckily.
She felt like a heroine in a romance novel, that had been trapped and now must flee in secret, as she snuck into the forest.
The Elven Queen didn't say a word, as she appeared out of thin air and only smiled down at Wendy's hand.
She opened up a path for her and Wendy stepped through.
Elias sat just two feet from her painting an old church, where green children played in the long grass and had not even noticed her.
"It looks nice." She said as she stepped closer.
Elias looked up with a smile and stood up. "My Lady Muse. I thought you had forgotten about me."
Wendy gave him a weak smile. "I could never forget you, Elias."
His expression immediately changed to confusion. "What is wrong, Wendy?"
When she didn't answer, he gently took her hands. "Is it because I talked about us running away together last time?"
Wendy couldn't help but smile at the thought of them traveling around the world as artists, telling stories about their forbidden love and living off their fame.
She smiled at him and his brown eyes. "I would love to run away with you and leave all my troubles behind..."
Elias smiled and held her hands even tighter, kissing the top of them. "Then when do we leave, my lady?"
She pulled back. "But I cannot go with you, Elias."
"Why not?" He asked perplexed. "I understand your hesitation to get divorced, but you are miserable. He does not care about that. You said yourself that your father would welcome you home no matter what…"
Wendy cut him off by taking one of his hands and putting it over his stomach.
He looked at her, confused.
"Elias," She said slowly and looked him directly in the eye. "I am pregnant with his child."
I hope you like it.
I will be back later in the week with the next chapter
