To Live

Hahahaha Sophie! 

 

Sure danzo. Give me a description

 

They sat around a table, the aroma of vegetable broth and freshly baked bread wafted in the air making everyone’s mouth water and stomachs rumble with anticipation. As Fay helped the farmer set out the food she looked around for paintings of family but could not find one. “You never told us your name.”

He looked at her with surprise in his eyes, which he quickly folded back in himself. “Did I not? It must have slipped my mind. I apologize dearly. My name is Zeuss.”

Sophie seemed to jump out of her chair as he spoke his name but at this he was not surprised, but rather he had been expecting such a reaction. “Your Zeuss? You were once married to Leona? I didn't even know you were an elf!”

“I do apologize. I suppose acting and being like a human has made me into one. But yes, I am he and she was once mine. Before that fatal night of course. But please, lets not ruin such a marvelous meal over such unpleasant talk.”

“I'm sorry Zeuss. How did you get all the way here, into the Sacred Lands. Its impossible for elves to get here.” Sophie was determined to figure out how he was here and why. He looked so old to her now. She could see the age in him. He was well into his years. He must only be in his early forties or late thirties, but he looked much older.

He took a small bite of his broth and munched on some bread with a look of thought on his face. He was trying to figure out how he could explain his story. “After my wife passed away and my child was taken I found life to be almost pointless. I couldn't eat or sleep and I wouldn't dare step outside my home in fear of my own death. Long story short, the Faerie queen felt pity for me and invited me to move here. She had this lovely home built and made It so I could farm the land and have whatever animals I wished. I couldn't resist such an offer so I took it and here I am. I've been here for quite a while now. Everyday I wonder if this is where I should be. Every year, the queen sends a messenger to me asking if I wish to leave and return to the home I once knew and back to my own family, but every year I decline the offer. I'm not sure why its so difficult for me to leave here when I miss social interaction so much but I still wonder if that murdering deleterious is still out there trying to find me.”

Sophie was surprised at all of this. The Fairies were much kinder than she gave credit for. “I'm so sorry about your wife. And it was generous for the queen to do such a thing for you. But I don't believe that person, whoever they are, are still looking for you. I think they got what they want.”
He didn't say anything else but he grinned solemnly and continued eating. The rest did the same and afterward headed to bed. Fay had attempted to help clean up but was persuaded into following the other two back to the room for some rest.

They left early that next morning, eating just a bit of fresh fruit for breakfast. Zeuss kindly gave them a bag of food for the trip and wished them luck and farewell as they rode away. Fay looked back at the sad old elf they were leaving and wished deeply he had said yes to going with them. Knowing he would be there alone was an upsetting thought. She wondered how a person could do such a thing and live in such a way without going crazy. She herself nearly lost her mind from little interaction and just her father's being passing by here and then. She could tell Sophie and Luka felt the same way but no one was willing to talk, so they rode on in silence until they reached the border of the sacred lands. Fay entered the passing first and Sophie and Luka followed. It was just as bad as the first time if not worse but atleast they were prepared.

They would take a shortcut to the elfish kingdom of The Green. It was a good name indeed, something Fay found out when they arrived. The grass was greener than she had ever seen before. The leaves on the trees were bright and green along with the moss and anything else that was of green nature. As they approached the city Fay noticed how the homes were built so close to the trees, stairs often led up and around the trunk to another level of the home. Bridges and platforms were built on the uppermost parts of the trees camouflaged. She herself would have never noticed it if she hadn't been looking for something of the sort.

They followed a straight dirt road to the center of all of it. There was a large and beautiful garden of every flower with hedges so neatly trimmed they seemed to have grown that way. Many of the elves walking around stared as Fay walked by but kindly nodded at her or smiled. The palace the elf queen lived in was beautiful and grand. Its structure was made of granite and ivory, designs so beautifully carved into it, it seemed almost impossible. And as the walked into the magnificent building Fay noticed the simplicity of the interior. There was no chandelier like she had thought, and the floor was of simple white tiles. Sophie grabbed Fay's arm bringing her back to the moment. She was being led through the building passing elves here and there, all of them so human, besides the pointy ears and large eyes. They dressed simply and comfortably, all with weapons on hand, usually ranging from a dagger to a large sword, and bows. The great hall was indeed great in size and at the back center of the room was a ivory and silver throne. And in it sat a woman of about forty, but most likely older. Her humble green eyes gave her a wise look and her welcoming smile and gentle face was delicately framed by wavy brown locks. She wore a royal gown of simple design and a crown sat atop her head. Her jewelry was the fanciest thing Fay had seen so far. It was made of gold and diamonds, but before Fay could observe further Sophie slightly nudged her. She noticed Luka's absence at that moment and looked around to find her but instead met eyes with the queen. “You must be the young fairy I’ve heard about. Your a very pretty thing, much like most of your kind, but there’s something about you that’s different. What is it?”

Sophie nodded at her to reply. “I'm half human, your majesty.” She looked the queen in the eyes as she said this. She wasn't proud to be human but it was who she was and she didn't want to seem weak in front of the queen.

“Please, call me Jodie. Formalities here aren't as important, especially of someone with your, qualities and high position.”

“Excuse me? My qualities and position? Do you mind telling me what oyu mean by that?”

Jodie straightened herself up a little more. Strands of hair fell forward and Fay could see its great length. “Well my dear. You've been wrongly informed. You are not half human. You have absolutely no human in you. Now dear Sophie, please tuck the girls hair behind her ear.” As Sophie did this her eyes grew wide and Fay could see something was going on. “Her ears are pointed. Not much but just a bit. She has elf ears, but because of her fairy blood it isn't as obvious. And if you didn't noticed her eyes are quite large for fairy eyes. Certain features hold certain elf characteristics that are well camouflaged by the fairy in her blood. Who are your parents, or rather who have you been told are your parents?”

It took her a moment to figure out what to say and to remember the names of her mother and father. Her mind was off now trying to figure out why she had never noticed before when she spent hours staring at herself in the mirror but she now recollected that last time. She never looked at herself but rather past herself at the portrait of her mother hanging alone on her wall. “My mother, a fairy was Faun Marie Harlem, and my father, a human, is Robert John Young. But if my father isn't my father, then who is?”

This time, it seemed the queen was surprised. She attempted to act as if she was fixing her gown and soon started to fiddle with her slender fingers. The silence had grown loud for Fay, the anticipation of the truth growing inside of her. She listened and watched closely just the same as Sophie did, when she heard loud echoing footsteps from behind her. The queen let out a sigh. Fay turned and saw Luka approaching, her hair in a bun and she had changed into a clean shirt and pants. “I”m sorry to interrupt, but my queen, the fairy king has sent a message. He wished to see Fay. He wants her in his kingdom immediately. He has heard of her half heritage and wishes to see it for himself.”

“Oh dear, I believe It's about time the truth come out. The people will be greatly shocked so this information must not leave this room. Guards, please leave and shut the doors on your way out. Do not let anyone in or even near this room. No not you Sophie. Luka come stand beside your friends. Now listen closely you three. Years ago when Zeuss and his bride Leona found that they loved each other they came out and publicly stated this. This was when my husband was still alive. The fairy king, King Trawda and I were also much in love.” There was a pause as the queen stood and paced nervously. “I'm very ashamed of this. Not my love for him but what he and I did and what we risked. You see he and I met when we were just kids. We got along so well and as we grew older we saw one another more often and soon we fell in love but we were royalty and mixing blood was not traditional or acceptable. We didn't, or rather we couldn't stop loving each other so we hid it for years and after my husband passed away I felt this sense of relief. I loved him, you must understand that but I could never forget the man I had loved first and when that young couple so openly showed their love I wished to do the same. King Trawda and I met on a night so far back I can't barely remember. But he and I argued on what we should do. He was married of course but it isn't uncommon for fairies to separate, as long as it's only once. He feared thought, how this would make him look and we argued even more. That night the King and I made love and it was a simple mistake but it was something he and I needed so badly from each other. That night I became pregnant. It was two weeks after my husbands passing. It was easy to make an excuse and saying it was my late husbands child but people would notice it wasn't a full elf. So the night it was born I sent it away with a young woman who I knew wished to live with her human lover. So she took the child along with many gifts that I gave and she moved to a human city and that’s where she raised the child, or so I thought.” She looked sadly at Fay. “Now you my dear need to tell me what happened to Faun.”

Fay was both shocked and embarrassed. She hadn't known she was an elf let alone the queen's child. She never never would have guessed and as she looked at both Sophie and Luka she could see they tried desperately hard to hide their shock and panic, but were just barely able to. She looked back up at the queen who watched her and she knew that Jodie was comparing her to herself and the Fairy king. “I was born on a farm actually. My fa...Robert was a farmer. Faun passed away when I was young. She was murdered.” She no longer felt she had the right to call the people she had thought were her parents mother or father.

“I'm very sorry my dear child. I’m very sorry for your loss and I’m so sorry for even letting you go. I should have kept you with me. You look so much like your father, your real father. You have his hair and his eyes. I know an apology would be unacceptable and I don't expect you to forgive me for my wrong but I truly am sorry. You've grown up so much and you've become a beautiful young woman. You must be about sixteen or seventeen now. Am I right?”

“yes. I’m sixteen.” She didn't know what to say. She no longer knew who she was. This queen, whom of which she just met, claimed her self as her mother and King Trawda her father. The story seemed believable but she couldn't get it through. It was hard to process and so many emotions were diving in and out of her. She looked over at the still shocked Sophie and Luka. She didn't know what to do now.

“Fayette. King Trawda wishes to see you. He believes its safe to do so because a few nights ago Queen Julianna passed away giving birth. Sadly the child did not make it either. I will send you to him, but you must return to me, your mother. I wish to make up for all that lost time.” Sophie, Luka please find a servant and return here. I will give him instructions to your rooms and he will take you there. Fayette I would like to give you something.” She led Fay behind the throne where a wooden door was well hidden. It led them to a passageway and as she followed she realized this must be the Queen own way to the great hall. They entered a beautiful room. It was also simple but it had warm colors incorporated into the design.
The queen made a bee line to the wardrobe and pulled out a long light yellow dress. She handed it to Fay. “Change into this. Your clothing is torn at the hem and its not appropriate clothing for a princess. And I’m sure you want out of that outfit you’ve been wearing for quite some time. I'll leave you to change. You may leave your dress on that chest over there. Just take the same passage back.” The queen left the same way she had come and shut the door as she left. Fay looked around and wished greatly she knew what to do.