Forest of Mischief

The Forest's Edge

Rory takes the lead through the forest, Flora quick on the back of his heels. Merlyn is a fraction behind them, and Lilli walks with Freya. Still seething over the remarks Rory made, the question he asked her. The arrogance that comes so naturally to him. As if he thought she would say yes.

Freya glances at Lilli, “Did you know he was going to ask me that?"

A guilty look overwhelms her face. She did. “Don't get mad, okay? I knew you would say no. But, I also know why he had to bring it up. Although, he could have been a bit more subtle about it."

They certainly know how to get under her skin. A part of her kicks herself for agreeing to go with them, for being trapped in this strange world. Even as she thinks that, Freya feels the revitalizing energy of the woodland. Ivy wraps around the massive tree trunks. Red and pink toadstools carve out the small trail they walk along now. Rory offered to carry Freya, explaining how if they moved at their full speed, they could be there almost instantaneously. Naturally, she declined his offer, and they began their hike through the untamed forest. She wonders the last time they traveled at a human pace. Most likely never.

As they walk, Freya hears a soft humming sound coming from the tree hollows. Flickering luminescent lights cast an enchanting glow. Merlyn doesn't turn around as he says, “Those are Sprites. Small creatures, but powerful."

“What do they do?" Freya asks. She only has an inkling of the Fae powers they have.

“They help control nature in the Realm, making sure there's balance between the different magics," he responds, in the same drawl as before. As if the conversation bores him. Freya keeps her questions to a minimum after that as they continue to walk. Her legs feel heavier with every step. Maybe walking wasn't the best idea, but it's too late for her to admit that now.

They continue a ways, Freya now noticing the buzzing of sprites growing stronger around her. “We're almost there," Lilli announces, as if she knows Freya's legs are about to give out at any moment.

As she says that, the ground crests and a stone staircase leads to the top of a hill. They look ancient, worn down with weathering of the elements. Rory takes a step, and the others follow, Freya being the last one. She trudges to the top where the others wait. The view itself is enough to make Freya's knees buckle.

Her eyes take in the village that circles around the castle that looms on top of a mountain. She isn't sure where the cliffside ends and the castle begins. Bungalows web between the trees and ground, interconnecting pathways between each other.

Rory steps beside her, the mischievous grin back. He knows this is something to behold. His arm extends in front of him, pointing to the castle. “That's where we're going. My offer still stands to travel faster, unless you want to climb the steps by yourself."

“Fine, but I'd rather go with someone else," Freya says, referring to Lilli. She doesn't want to be in the iron arms of Rory again. Instead, Merlyn volunteers, stepping toward her. His face is still undecipherable. Freya lets out a sigh, nestles Flora safely under one of her arms, and then clasps his outstretched hand. He wraps one of his arms under her legs, pulling her close to him. The other grips her waist, his hand on her rib cage. Before she can say anything, they're flying.

Or, it feels more like gliding. His feet barely touch the earth as the cottages and trees whip past her and the wind is sharp on her cheeks. She grasps Merlyn as the speed overwhelms her and she closes her eyes. In an instant, they stop at the outer wall of the gilded castle.

It takes a moment for her to climb out of Merlyn's arms, the ground feeling unsteady. They must have been invisible to any onlookers at the rate they went. She thinks about how much quicker they would have arrived if she accepted Rory's offer in the first place.

She looks at him, his face upward at the castle and his floppy hair windblown. No, the walk was worth it. As if he can feel her state, Rory turns to them. Intently, he says, “Remember, no one can know about Freya. Only Aeron does – and even I don't like that." Freya mentally notes the name, wondering who he is. Certainly, she'll find out soon if he's the only other fairy who knows the truth of her identity.

The outer gate opens, like they have been expecting their arrival. They walk toward it, but Freya pauses a moment. Her neck craning to the highest turrets and back to the now open pathway to the intimidating entrance.

“Does it ever get boring? Immortality?" She asks. The question seems to catch them off guard, none of them answering right away.

Rory walks to hear, so close that his muscled arms brush against hers. He tilts his head down to her, “That, Freya, is exactly why we have to keep things interesting." He walks forward, and then turns on his heel, walking backward. Beckoning for Freya, and the other three, to follow. Flora sits idly by Freya's feet, waiting for her to make a move. Slowly, Freya's feet move in front of her, leading her to an unknown future.

They stand in the massive entryway, gold accents glitter on the crimson halls, similar to that of the castle in the In Between. That one must have been modeled after this one, as it's only a fraction of the size.

Rory looks around the empty foyer, “It's a bit extravagant for my taste, but I've heard the King is a narcissist."

Freya muffles an incredulous laugh, “And you're not?"

He slides a sly smile her way, “Only when I have to be."

_______

Freya crashes onto the soft bed, once again enjoying a moment of solitude.

After entering the castle, Merlyn claimed that he had responsibilities he needed to attend to elsewhere. Freya easily picked up on his desire to leave the melodrama of her getting accustomed to the new surroundings.

Surprisingly, Rory also excused himself, asking Lilli to show Freya to her room before he vanished. Freya had a million questions for Lilli, but her exhaustion took over as they climbed winding stairs made of oak branches.

Lilli chatted the whole way, telling her of how they've preserved her room as best they could while Freya's been gone. Making her wonder exactly how long she's been out of their lives. She tried to ask Lilli why her room was in the castle, why she – and all of them – live there. But, she only gave vague reasoning, mentioning it having something to do with their roles in the Realm.

The room is more snug than the one in the In Between, mainly because of the tree sprouting from the floorboard and disappearing through the ceiling. No amount of reasoning could explain how it's possible. The farthest wall is covered in windows, facing the sprawling gardens where other fairies roamed about. The bed leans against the windows, an ivory canopy draped around it with vines and white flowers that look like snowdrops. The vision of nature embedded in her room calms her, as she sinks further into the cozy bed. Flora is already dozing next to her.

Her mind clouds with sleep even as Rory's parting words echo, 'Rest up and be ready for dinner, Aeron will most likely want to talk to you.' Again, the mention of Aeron. Coupled with Rory's remark about the King earlier, Freya wonders if they're the same person. But, she doesn't want to think about this now, not with sleep seducing her.

_______

Freya wakes up abruptly from fast, rapid knocks at the door. She jumps out of bed to quiet the raucous, her mind still partly asleep. She cracks the door open, and groans as she sees Rory leaning with his arms crossed against the doorframe.

“You're a deep sleeper, I've been knocking for a while. I thought I was going to have to break the door down," he says. His face is playful; his eyes tease her.

Freya slams the door on him.

His laugh rumbles from behind the door, and it springs open, despite Freya's push back. She retreats into the room, giving Rory a wide berth. He strides into the room, sitting down on her bed. He leans back, his arms flexing as he interlaces his hands behind his head. “Dinner's almost ready. If you want to change, there's dresses in there," his head nods to the ornate armoire in the corner of her room." Freya purses her lips as she walks to it, opening one of the doors to reveal that it is indeed stuffed dresses. They're fancier, more elegant, than the one she's in now. Freya eyes a long sleeved midnight blue gown.

Rory follows her gaze and says, “That'd be a good choice."

“What are you doing here?" Freya says as she shuts the wardrobe and turns to him. She cringes as Flora snuggles next to him and he absentmindedly pets her.

“Usually, Lilli would be here to help you get ready. But, I selflessly volunteered."

“That sacrifice must have been difficult for you," Frey bites back.

Rory touches a hand to his heart, feigning hurt. “It was, but for you, it's worth it." It's time to wrap this conversation up, Freya decides.

“If me getting ready is so urgent, you can leave," Freya says.

He eases himself out of her bed and lazily walks toward her. His chest leveling at the top of her head as he stands a foot away from her. “Hm, if that's what you want." Freya shifts, trying to assert that she's not his play thing. He continues, “I also wanted to cover a few rules for tonight. First, try not to talk to anyone. We don't need your identity discovered on the first night." Freya starts to stand up for herself, to say she knows how to take care of herself, but he doesn't give her the chance.

“Unfortunately, that means you can't come as my date, as that would be too obvious."

This time, Freya interjects. “I would never want to be your date, anyways."

“So callous for a human," he shakes his head at her, clicking his tongue at her. 'That's why, Merlyn will be the one accompanying you."

“Why do I have to accompany anyone?" Even as Freya says this, her heart skips as she thinks of the bewitching amethyst eyes that put her to sleep in a second.

“Because we can't just have a brand new Fae at the head table with no explanation. If you're with me, it would be easier for people to find out. But, if you're with Merlyn then we can say he met you at one of the other villages," he says in a commanding tone. “Plus, if you're with Merlyn, no one will ask you questions."

“Why wouldn't they ask me questions?" Freya asks. His other words also catch in her mind, 'head table'.

“If you haven't noticed, Merlyn isn't the warmest person to talk to," Rory says as if it's the most brilliant plan he's ever had. For once, Freya accepts his confidence despite the qualms running through her. He gives her one last smirk and drifts to the open doorway. “See you soon, Freya."