Sorry, I'm a few days late. I had a hard time deciding the direction of this chapter.
Wendy smiled at the older woman. "Just as it is."
Even the maid seemed a little confused at her answer.
The older woman chuckled behind her teacup.
The maid quickly poured Wendy some tea and disappeared.
"I have heard a lot about you…" Eric's mother smiled warmly at her. "…girl, who dances with fairies…"
Wendy blushed and smiled too. "I'm more used to being called the female hunter."
"Really?" The woman asked and sipped her tea. "There are quite a lot of stories about you. About how beautiful you are, your music, and your dancing – not any of how you ride wildly through the woods and hunt animals."
Wendy nervously took a sip of her tea. It had a nice taste - like strawberries. "They call me that out in villages..."
There was a sharp edge to the baroness' voice and a sharpness in her eyes.
"Oh? I must say the rumors are true … and I am delighted to meet a person that could have stepped out of a fairy tale…"
Wendy laughed. "Many villagers thought that of Eric when they first saw him. That he was a prince from a fairy tale."
The woman seemed a little taken aback, that Wendy had interrupted her, but smiled. "Yes, he is a rather handsome boy, is he not?" Then she seemed to regain her sharpness. "He was quite sought after by girls his age, so it was quite a surprise to me when he started neglecting his duties and riding out to a small inn in the countryside to romance a pretty dancer."
The older woman looked Wendy straight in the eye with clear blue eyes.
They were just like Eric's.
She smiled at the thought. "Your eyes a really beautiful."
The baroness looked taken aback again.
"Thank you…" She said into the teacup.
"Can I ask you something?" Wendy asked.
The other woman nodded, her teacup still covering her mouth. "Of course, dear."
"Why did you never come to the inn to see me – like other nobles did?"
Eric's mother made a face at her. "I never saw the reason to. I thought that with time, my son would move on… though you are incredibly beautiful, and I can see why some have called you a fairy painting come to life."
Wendy knitted her brows. She had never heard that expression before. "Thank you…?"
The woman just continued. "I want you to know that I do not think ill of you, my dear. I am sure you are a fine lady for your stature, and from what my husband tells me, your father's inn is doing well and you would get a good match … my son though…"
Wendy felt uncomfortable. "I love him."
The older woman stopped talking and looked at her with a kind smile. "I do not doubt that, my dear. I saw the way you look at him and the way he looks at you…"
The woman suddenly looked a lot younger and smiled fondly. "It really is quite the fairy tale…"
Wendy smiled embarrassed and looked down at her gloved hands.
The white gloves suddenly looked out of place on her hands.
"The problem is that this is no storybook, my dear." The older woman continued. "While your romance might get the interest of other families, there is still not much you yourself can offer."
"I have thought much about that myself," Wendy said and smiled up at the woman. "Not that I cannot ever be of use to him, but that I would not want to let go of the life I had back home."
The baroness waved the maid over to serve them more tea, while she looked at the younger woman puzzled.
"Your life in the village?"
Wendy lifted her teacup to her mouth. She was parched.
"Yes … I spend my days playing and working at the inn. When I started hunting in the forest, I felt a freedom I did not know I had." She smiled to herself. "I do enjoy my life in the village. While I never quite liked the many different names, they gave me, I did like playing and dancing for them. I felt free and light when I did, and it helped the inn and the village out. It made them happy, so I was happy too." Wendy felt herself get lost in thought as she continued. "Exploring the forest as the seasons change, eating in the shade of a tree and bathing in the lakes, picking berries and making them into marmalade … it has always been so magical to me."
"And yet I would give it up for my son?" Eric's mother asked and regarded her with softly glittering eyes.
For a moment she looked like an elven.
Wendy smiled at the thought of her Prince Charming. His dark hair and blue, blue eyes. His gallant behavior and his flustered expression, when he did not know what to do. The way he seemed to smile just for her.
"I can see why my son is so charmed by you."
Wendy focused her eyes on the Baroness again. There was no edge left in the woman's voice, instead, she looked at her with warm, kind eyes.
"You are determined and not easily shaken." Eric's mother complimented and put the teacup to her lips and sat it down again. "And you carry yourself with confidence and elegance despite your lack of education…"
Wendy was quiet. She did not know how to respond.
Eric's mother did not say anything either. For a while, they just sat there and drank their tea.
Then the baroness sat down her tea with a gentle clock of the porcelain. "Charm, confidence, elegance, and steadfastness are some of the qualities of a young noblewoman, though you are still lacking…"
Wendy continued to be quiet. She felt it was best to let the baroness talk.
The older woman smiled with endearment in her eyes. "And you know when not to talk…"
She sighed and looked Wendy straight in the eye. "I cannot agree to it, not at this moment."
Wendy felt like she had been kicked in the chest.
"Though I might at some point."
Wendy felt her body tense. "What do you mean?"
"The problem is not your character, but your education." The Baroness said and elegantly lifted her teacup to her mouth. "Therefore, if I took you in and had you educated it would not be a problem – for me or my husband."
Wendy furrowed her brows and felt the tenseness go away. "Do you … want to adopt me?"
She had heard nobles did that sometimes, but in this situation, it seemed a little strange.
The baroness chuckled behind her teacup. "No, no, that would not do well, if you and Eric were to be married. What I suggest is that I take you as a lady-in-waiting and educate you in the ways of high society…"
Wendy was a little taken aback. "Do you want me to stay in your home?"
Eric's mother smiled and reached a gloved hand over and touched Wendy's hand. "Do not worry, dear. You would stay in my quarters ... there will be no indecency."
"But for how long?" Wendy sputtered at the way the conversation was going.
"About a year, that would be about the time it would take for me to introduce and establish you as a lady in high society. After that, you and Eric get married."
Wendy left parched and drank from the teacup again.
"it is getting rather late, my dear. I'll call for Eric to take you back home, but I will send a messenger with the finer details in the coming week."
One week later
"So, Wendy, I have heard the good news," Mathilda said with a knowing smile and leaned against the doorframe.
Wendy hoped she managed to look as happy as she had felt when Eric had proposed to her. She was honestly exhausted.
The gossip had run wild, when Eric had taken her home as the sunset and helped her down from the carriage. As they said their goodbyes, Eric had lifted her off the ground, spun her around, and gave her a passionate kiss.
She smiled at the memory and held up the ring for Mathilda.
It properly had not help that she was wearing the green dress.
Mathilda her hand gently and looked at the glittering stones.
"It is beautiful…" Mathilda said longingly and then looked back up at Wendy. "You are so lucky…"
"Yes, it's really wonderful." Wendy smiled stiffly.
It had been a week of people staying at the inn, watching Wendy play and dance, wanting to talk about the wedding and see the green dress that Wendy had worn.
"Are we all invited to the wedding?" Mathilda asked excitedly with big eyes.
Wendy relaxed and giggled. "There are still many things that I have to do before we start to plan the wedding.
Mathilda sighed. "Yes, I suppose it is different in nobility … but I am so excited for you! Maybe I should get a husband too…"
Wendy managed to excuse herself, as Matilda talked on and on about her own future prospects.
A few days later
As Wendy stepped over the stream, she kicked her shoes off and continued barefooted.
The earth felt soft against her feet.
There seemed to be something extra magical about the forest today. Every tree and flower were in bloom and birds chirped cheerfully.
What troubles you…?... my little hunter…
Wendy gasped and turned to the elven queen.
From behind the beautiful creature Eva's small head peeked out at her.
Wendy…!
She sang with glee, her voice echoing around all around them – just like the elven queen's.
You have not … visited in so long…
Wendy smiled as Eva's small form collided with hers. "I'm sorry. There have been many things…"
Is that what troubles … you …? the elven queen asked.
Wendy looked into the Queen's beautiful, endless eyes, then she looked away.
Eva pulled at her skirt. Is it something bad…?
No … child… it was the elven queen who answered, not Wendy. It is rather … something good…
Wendy looked back at the beautiful being in front of her. "How do you know…?"
Instead of answering the elven queen just smiled gently, then she turned to look in another direction.
Let us go … children…
Eva did not hesitate and skipped toward the majesty.
"Where to?" Wendy asked.
A place of beauty, joy, and peace … where we can … talk… The elven queen smiled, and the blue endless eyes glittered.
She took the elven's hand and was led through the forest.
Wendy admired the elven queen's every move. She moved so effortlessly and gracefully, if Wendy could just be half as graceful, then she would be fine.
Trees sometimes wish … they could move … did you know that…? The elven queen asked her as she stopped in front of a big tree.
"No, I did not." Wendy smiled up at the tree.
It was as beautiful as it was big with large, interconnected branches, that seemed to go on forever - and spring-green leaves.
They started walking again.
Though now … that they have roots … they cannot…
"I am going to marry Eric," Wendy said. She did not know where to begin, it had been far too long since she had talked to the elven queen.
You are going to be a princess…? Eva hugged Wendy again. Can I see it…
"I do not know…" Wendy said and looked up at the elven queen, who regarded her with her endless eyes.
Is that … what troubles you...? The voice seemed to echo throughout the forest.
Wendy shook her head, as their wandering continued.
They arrived at a clearing where elven folk were gathered.
The queen guided Wendy to a tree where they sat down in the shade while Eva played with the other elven children, and musicians played and sang, while others danced.
Tell me … my hunter… the elven queen said and gently touched Wendy's braid. What troubles you…
Wendy held up the ring as if to show the elven queen.
She admired the ring. Such a shiny stone… she whispered as her eyes glittered at it.
Wendy smiled. She had been told that the stone was a precious jewel, but to the elven queen, it was still just a pretty stone.
"This is a sign of engagement between me and Eric," Wendy explained.
Yes… the elven queen nodded. A ring of promises … and dreams…
"I am not upset that we are getting married, I am looking forward to it, but…" She looked over at the elven queen, who just looked back until Wendy continued. "His mother wants me to go to their castle and learn how to be a lady…"
Yet neither this … is bothering you… Her majesty echoed and undid Wendy's braid - letting her long red hair flow down her back.
Wendy looked at the otherworldly creature who was sitting beside her, combing her hair with long, delicate, white fingers. "How do you know so much?"
Knowing comes with time… the elven queen echoed.
They sat for a while and watched the elvens in the clearing.
Fear can come … when change comes… the elven queen said and looked down at a lock of Wendy's hair she held in her hand.
The hair looked even more red, against the queen's white skin.
As trees cannot move … nobody can remain still… She let the hair glide through her fingers, and it fell back into place behind Wendy's ear. Not now … neither before…
Wendy looked into the endless eyes as the beautiful being continued.
You are not troubled by change … you look forward to that … and the upcoming adventures…
Wendy smiled embarrassed and nodded.
She glanced out at the elvens.
"It feels more and more like I have stepped into a fairytale. When I was little, I could not care about dresses or balls or tea parties, but now I am excited to see a world I have only seen through story books." She felt her cheeks grow warm and she looked down. "And I look forward to seeing Eric every day…"
Then tell me … my beautiful hunter … what troubles you…? The queen echoed and ran her fingers through Wendy's hair again.
Wendy sighed and looked down at Eva, who was being swung around by an elven boy.
"I am sad that I have to go…" She admitted. "I am sad to leave my family, I am sad I might never play my fiddle at the inn again, or hear my brothers laugh and play as they do their chores, help mother in the kitchen, or see father smiling as he tends to the guests … I am going to miss all of them and everything … and I am not even getting married yet, I am just being taught. Most of all I am going to miss this." Wendy gestured out into the clearing, then looked at the elven queen. "And I will miss you."
Her friend leaned her head to one side. Why … would you miss me…?
Wendy mirrored her movement. "Because I will not be here anymore, I will go live in an … estate, at least for a while."
Such a thing … would be no hindrance… Her majesty moved her head to the other side and smiled.
"But you live within the forest…" Wendy reasoned.
My little dancer… she said and reached out to touch Wendy's face. She gently brushed the hair away from Wendy's eyes. We are not trees … though we live within the forest … we are not tied down to this one…
A little while later
Wendy smiled down at the hair tie, as she wandered back to the inn.
It was only when she stepped onto the grassy fields outside the forest that she realized she had left her shoes behind.
She looked back over her shoulder into the forest.
Then she heard horse wine from the front of the inn.
Confused, she walked over.
As she turned the corner of the end, she saw a young, well-dressed man sitting on a horse outside the door to the inn. He was looking around.
When he saw her, his face lit up and he smiled.
He greeted her cheerfully as he got down from the horse.
"You must be the girl, who dances with fairies." He bowed politely at her.
Wendy looked down at herself. She was standing by the road in bare feet, and her hair flowing freely and wildly around her face. Was this what people thought she looked like?
"I am Baroness Branigan's personal messenger." He looked up at her with polite eyes. "I am here to discuss your endeavors."
He held an envelope up for her to take.
Please tell me what you think.
I'll try to update on Sunday again.