Sorry that I didn't post last week, I have had a rough two weeks and I only just finished the chapter just now.
One year later.
The rabbit raced out through the trees and Temper was right behind her.
Wendy pulled the bow off her shoulder and took an arrow from her quiver.
The rabbit jumped over the trunk of a fallen tree, and she expertly took hold of the saddle as Temper followed it.
As Wendy took aim the rabbit disappeared behind some thick bushes.
She clicked her tongue irritated and pulled the reins to slow Temper down.
"looks like we are not catching that…" she mumbled as she patted the horse's neck.
She slowly led him around the thick, thorny bushes.
"We will find something else for dinner." She reassured Temper and herself.
She was the only one hunting today, so she had to come home with something.
They slowly moved through trees. Something snapped in between the trees and Wendy quickly lifted the bow and tightened the string to send the arrow flying at whatever was there.
"Please put that down." A deep voice said.
Wendy lowered the bow in sheer surprise, as two figures stepped out from the trees.
"You must be the famous female hunter." The bigger figure said and looked up at her with sharp blue eyes from under his hood.
"And who are you?" Wendy said slowly and let the bow rest on the saddle but kept the string tight. There had been others, who came into the forest just to meet her. She had learned a lot.
The other figure moved around a bit and looked at the one who had spoken.
"I … have heard it said that you dance with fairies."
Wendy blinked at the two figures. She had this odd feeling that she had met or seen the big figure with the deep voice before. Though both of them were covered by a long cape and hood.
"Yes, I do…" She said and looked at the other figure, who looked rather small in comparison to the other. It looked up at her and showed two big golden-brown eyes.
Wendy tilted her head. She had never seen someone with brown eyes before.
The taller person looked at the other one and whispered something in an angry voice.
The smaller person reached up and pulled her hood further down over their face with very dark hands.
"I wish to speak to the fairies." The bigger person said in a more polite tone and pulled down his hood.
Wendy tilted her head in the other direction. The man had long thick hair and oddly sharp features. He kind of looked like a wolf or a bear. Though what really confused her was that he wanted to talk to fairies. Most people did not even believe in the creatures of the forest.
"Why?"
"We simply wish to speak to the queen." The smaller person said. Her hood flew back as she spoke and revealed a face as dark as her hands. Her hair looked odd, like a beehive of black hair sitting on top of the girl's head. She looked around Wendy's age.
"Olympia!" The man scolded and the girl shrunk a little. Then the man turned back to Wendy. "There are things I need to discuss with the queen of fairies."
I will not speak to him…
Wendy looked down. The elven queen was standing by Temper's side.
Not her either… Her majesty nodded toward the dark-skinned girl.
"Is she here now?" the man asked.
Wendy looked in between them.
That man is not someone I will never speak to…
"The fairies do not want to speak to anyone," Wendy said to the man.
She had no idea, why the queen did not want to talk to him, but she would help her friend.
"But I must talk to them." The man sounded angry.
Wendy took a breath. "The fairies, as you call them, only show themselves to people, when they want to be seen." She pulled at the reins and Temper started to turn around. "If you cannot see them, they do not wish to speak to you. And I cannot do anything about that."
She was scared that they were going to follow her, but they did not.
The elven laughed as she walked alongside Temper. I wish to thank you … for this favor…
Wendy smiled. "What do you have in mind?"
The endless eyes glittered up at her. The celebrations of your birth … I will show you what only I own…
Wendy giggled. "I look forward to it."
"You are late coming back," Eva said.
Wendy put down the birds on the kitchen table. "I had a hard time hunting today."
"Wendy!" Arthur said and jumped towards her.
Wendy caught him in her arms.
Of course, the twins came toddling behind him wanting to do that too.
"Can you take them into the dining hall?" Her mother asked as she started to prepare the birds.
"Of course," She led the three little boys into the dining hall, where Edward and David were busy finishing the bar, they had spent the better part of the spring building.
Wendy stifled a laugh when Eva yawned.
"You can just go to bed if you like. I can take care of the rest."
Just as she said it the clean plate she was holding slipped out of her hand and into the water again.
"It will go faster if it is the two of us," Eva mumbled and blinked to keep herself again.
"You did very well today." Their sleepy mother wandered past and squeezed both their shoulders. "Finish up quickly and head to bed…"
She yawned and disappeared into the bedroom.
Wendy nodded and yawned.
Her fingers twitched, as she tried to clean another plate.
Playing the fiddle was apparently harder on her fingers than hunting all day.
She blinked a couple of times and tried to focus on the last few plates and mugs.
Eva looked like she was sleeping on her feet when Wendy handed her the last mug.
She poured the dirty water outside and gave Eva a tired smile. "Let us get to bed,"
She took the candle from the table and led her sister to the room through the dining hall.
Eva let out a sigh and fell on to the bed, as soon she had pulled off her skirt.
"Do you sometimes miss grandmother?" She asked her as Wendy got into bed.
"Of course," Wendy said and rubbed her eyes.
"It is really odd to sleep in her room." Eva mumbled. She was close to falling asleep.
"Yes," Wendy moved closer and put her arms around her sister. "But she is watching over us from heaven…"
Eva snored and snuggled closer to her.
Wendy smiled and stroked her hair, as she herself fell asleep.
A week later
"So, you are not going to tell me where we are going?" Wendy asked as she followed the elven queen through the forest on foot.
The best things come to those who wait … long enough…
Wendy huffed.
They were very deep into the forest.
When the elven queen said she wanted to show her something, Wendy thought it was something in the clearing.
The only hint was her majesty's knowing smile, whenever she turned back to look at Wendy.
"Could you just tell me, where we are going?"
The elven queen's laughter echoed around her.
I barely have fun … in this time… the blue eyes glittered, as she looked twirled around. Let me have this … for just a moment…
"Mortals can only walk for so long, you know." Wendy smiled, but she knew it would be harder to get back home, the further into the forest they went.
Be not worried … we are here…
Wendy eyed her friend confused.
They were standing in the middle of the forest. There was no clearing or waterfall of any kind.
Wendy looked around. It looked just like any other part of the forest; they had just walked through.
Her majesty giggled and her eyes seem to glow.
She pointed and Wendy looked in the direction of the pale hand, but there was nothing.
She looked back at the elven and the pale finger moved through the air.
When Wendy looked back at the place she pointed to and a glowing white line appeared on the forest floor.
Some can only see so much… the elven queen smiled deviously and stepped over the white line.
The moment she did, she disappeared from view.
Before Wendy could even react a delicate, white hand appeared out of thin air and beckoned her closer.
Spellbound, she took the hand and was pulled over the glowing line.
The elven queen appeared once again out of thin air and smiled warmly at her while holding onto her hand.
"What happened?" Wendy asked confused.
The deep, blue, endless eyes glittered in the sun and The smiling elven gestured to their surroundings.
Wendy did not believe her eyes. The trees were the tallest she had ever seen, and there were little cottages neatly sitting on the higher branches. There were flowers in colors she had never seen. The air was filled with the sound of birds and music.
"Where are we?" Wendy asked.
My realm…
A tiny fairy fluttered close and sat on the elven queen's fingertips.
I wished for you to see it… The beautiful woman gently caressed the tiny fairy with a finger, before it fluttered away. Now come…
She led Wendy down a path. Thousands of little creatures peeked out from trees to look at her.
"It is magical," Wendy whispered as the elven queen continued to pull at her arm.
Of course, it is … though it was so much more … once…
Up ahead the trees parted to reveal a fantastic party of dancing elvens.
As her majesty stepped into the party, the laughter died down and the beautiful elvens greeted both her and Wendy.
This is your present … my friend… the elven queen's voice echoed all around. A celebration and feast only for you…
Wendy smiled. It really was like she had stepped into a fairytale.
"I guess, that is why you made me bring food?" She said and nodded to a big table filled with food.
The elven queen just laughed.
Music flowed through the meadow and an elven girl pulled Wendy into a circle dance.
She looked down at her pants and shirt and felt very underdressed next to the beautiful elven girls with their colorful, billowing dresses and bare feet.
They laughed and danced around in a circle when Wendy suddenly felt herself being pulled upward.
The elven girls giggled, as their feet lifted off the ground and Wendy was left dangling by their hands, as the circle continued to spin.
Mortals do not float…? One of them said.
Though she dances … so gracefully… said another.
Wendy giggled along with them and kicked her legs at the thin air, as they floated higher.
The elvens looked up to the sun. The purple night is nearing … will you join us for it … little hunter…?
Wendy shook her head. "I do not think so, I am not a creature of the forest after all."
She felt her feet touch the grass, as the elven's lowered onto the ground.
You could be … though… one of them whispered.
"Sometimes I wish I could be out here all the time." Wendy sighed.
She and her majesty were lying in the tall grass with their toes dipping into a stream that ran through the forest. They could still hear the party, but Wendy's feet needed rest for a while.
I wish for that too … from moment to moment … such fun we could have…
Wendy smiled and looked up at her friend. Both of their hair spread out over the grass and somehow her red locks had tangled into the elven queen's black hair. "No chores and just spend all day dancing and having fun…"
The beautiful woman beside her sighed content. Yes … we have been blessed to dance and enjoy … for eternity…
The words echoed around Wendy. There was a strange longing in them, but before she could ask, she hear a sound.
She sat up and looked in the direction of the strange howl. "What is that?"
There was a sound of heavy feet approaching.
The elven queen sat up and untangled their hair. It is just a bear…
Wendy looked at her in horror. "A bear! We need to leave."
She franticly stood up and tried to quickly put on her boots.
She had seen wolves in the forest before, but never a bear. Though that did not mean she had not heard what happened to the people that had encountered one.
The elven queen just looked at her.
There is no need for this…
Wendy saw the large animal come running at them. "We need to leave…"
The elven queen elegantly stood up and put both hands on Wendy's shoulder, as they stood facing the bear.
No need to fear … little hunter…
She said into Wendy's ear.
The bear slowed down as it closed in on them.
Be brave… her majesty continued. Look the beast in the eye and show it…
Wendy had no idea what she was supposed to show the growling bear, so she just breathed and tried not to look scared, as the bear now stood in front of her.
Just breath…
She stared into the yellow eyes of the bear when something strange happened. The bear stopped growling and seemed to relax. It tilted its head at her and looked like a dog wanting to be patted.
I guess… her majesty smiled as she walked around Wendy and went to the bear. It really is able to be done…
"You did not know that would work?" Wendy said as her friend caressed the bear's head. It nuzzled its head against her hand, just like a dog.
I am the queen of this realm and the forest … nothing here can bring harm to me … she looked up at Wendy and smiled. And I would not let him harm you…
Wendy stepped closer, very uneasy, and put a hand on the bear's fur.
When you become part of the forest … you will see ... the wonder of all our ways…
Wendy smiled and petted the bear.
This was truly amazing.
"Eva?" Wendy whispered as the door creaked open.
Her sister sat up in bed and smiled in the candlelight.
"Did the elven queen give you a grand celebration?" She asked eagerly.
Wendy smiled and sat down the candle on the bedside table.
"Yes," she pulled off her clothes and found her underdress in the drawer. "I went to the realm of the elven queen.
Wendy looked over her shoulder to see her little sister's eyes sparkle. "Really? Did you meet more magical creatures?"
"Yes," She said and slip into the underdress. "We floated as we danced together, and I even petted a bear."
"A bear?" The little girl's eyes grew even bigger.
"Yes," Wendy smiled as she got into bed.
"What else?" Eva asked excited.
Wendy pulled her down, so she laid down on the bed. "I can tell you tomorrow, we need to sleep now."
"That is not fair!" Eva scolded her and made an odd sound – like she was trying to stifle a burb. "Mother made me go to bed early."
"You are coughing, and you were saying you felt dizzy." Wendy turned and blew out the candle.
"I am fine now," Eva pouted in the dark.
"Then we can just go see the elven queen tomorrow," Wendy promised. "Mother is just a little worried about any of us getting sick at the moment."
"Why," Eva pouted and cuddled close to Wendy.
Wendy yawned. Her sister felt a little warm against her skin. "I am not really sure…"
So, expect a chapter in the next two weeks.
I know my schedule has been all over the place, but I am trying to fix it.