Protector of the Enchanted

In the wake of those words, a beat of dead silence follows. Then, slowly, Gem steps to the side and gestures them to come in. Immediately, they accept the invitation, taking a seat at large couch I’d almost fell asleep in moments before. Suspecting this is going to be another one of those long stories, I decide to get something to drink as Gem takes a seat.

 

Making quick work of pouring the drinks, I take a seat beside Gem opposite of our guests. Setting the tray on the table, I wave a hand towards them to let them know they’re welcome to take one. I’ll wait until they explain what they came here for before speaking.

 

For the following moments, all that can be heard is ticking of the clock. When it becomes clear, we’re not going to break the silence, one of them reaches out to take a nervous sip of the tea. My eyes simply on stay on them expectantly, as Gem fidgets in her seat to get comfortable.

 

Her companion opens and closes his mouth a few times. In the end, he doesn’t speak word. I feel my eyebrows raising at this. It seems to bring them back to reality, as a blush makes its way on both their faces.

 

“Did you come here simply to drink tea?” Gem furrows her eyebrows, her mouth pressing into a line. This only makes them blush harder. “What’s the problem?”

 

Coughing into her hand, the woman exchanges a look with her companion, before turning to face us. I can see her tongue running nervously over her lips. For a second, I think she’ll never start explaining, but the suspicion eases when she starts speaking.

 

“One of our own has been captured.”

 

“Oh.” Gem states, a tight expression on her face.

 

“Captured by who?” I ask when it becomes clear they’re going to elaborate. Although from the way Gem’s face has grown ashen, I think she might already know.

 

“The Dark King.” Three voices answer in unison.

 

“What happened?” Gem questions them, “How did they get captured?”

 

They looked at each other, and then around the house, as if to make sure no one was listening. “Well, we were out in the forest and…”

 

Faeries danced in the middle of the forest, as was their annual gathering. Their queen had told them this was a special gathering. A celebration. They drank wine and danced the night away, feasting on the many delicacies presented to them. They felt more content then than they had in decades.

 

In the midst of the celebration, one faerie noticed that their queen had vanished. She gathered two of her friends and wandered through the clearing in hopes of finding her. They traversed through multiple courts yet the queen was nowhere in sight.

 

Suddenly, a monstrous clap of thunder rang through the clearing. It seemed to be coming from the diner on the other side of the forest. They’d heard there, too, was a celebration. When feeling the air, it was clear to them the sound had been muted by someone so the people inside wouldn’t hear it. The force, however, would be large enough to put them all to sleep.

 

Curiosity piqued, she decided she wanted to know who could release such power. Before she could take a step towards flying there, screams engulfed her surroundings. Turning, she saw some of those horrid creatures attacking their kind. The darkness they emitted was poison to full-blooded faeries.

 

No call needed to be made for them to rush forth, using their wings to get away from their grasp. They made their bodies smaller through magic, slipping through the reeds on the lake to their home. With the moon as witness, they fled their celebration, a dishonour that had not been committed in countless millenniums.

 

Some feared their queen would come and chastise them for it. Whilst others couldn’t care less about anything not pertaining to the present. One of the contemplative ones got caught in a reed, stuck in place without the ability to move. The terror so strong that none noticed the fall. It was only when the last two looked back at the scene did, they realise their error.

 

Slimy tentacles were wrapped around the poor being’s body. His body paralysed by the dark poison, his eyes begging someone to save him. Alas they couldn’t, they were not warriors like the Fae, their purpose was mischief not war. They could only look on in horror as the horrible creatures disappeared with one of their own.

 

As they went inside, despair evident in their faces, they heard something hopeful. There was someone in the world with the power to rescue the fallen. A solution to their plight had arrived, they’d pursue this lead on the morrow. The terror of the night’s events had worn them significantly.

 

“So, you see, that was how it happened.” The man is saying, “Those horrid creatures attacked us whilst we were taking part in our sacred celebrations.”

 

My eyes narrow on at his tone. It sounds more like he’s trying to throw off responsibility than worrying about a comrade. A part of me feels sorry for them. Especially after coming face to face with one of those things earlier today, but the other part…The other part can’t help but be suspicious.

 

“Why did you come to us?” I ask.

 

They give me a look as if it should be obvious. “We heard that you had arrived.”

 

“Word really does travel fast.” Gem mutters underneath her breath.

 

“Does that have any significance?”

 

“Yes, it does.” She emphasises, “We need your help if we’re ever to rescue those that have been captured.”

 

“You want our help, or you want us to rescue them for you?” Gem questions straightforwardly.

 

Another look that seems to be questioning why we’re not understanding. “To rescue them of course, we are not warriors.” And we are? I have to say, they don’t sound too worried, only demanding.

 

“Why should we?” I narrow my eyes on them. “I don’t see how it has anything to do with us.”

 

“You can stand the darkness released by those creatures.”

 

“We’ve heard that you were able to escape after encountering them earlier today.”

 

Gem’s right. Word does travel fast; how did they even find out about that? The thought is fleeting, more important conversations need to be had. Namely why they’re so set on making us rescue their friend for them. It’s not an attitude I admire.  

 

“A lot of people would be able to stand the darkness released by those creatures.” Luckily my cousin seems to be thinking along the same lines.

 

I add on to it. “Why does it need to be us?”

 

They look me square in the eyes, “Because you’re the protector. The only one capable of saving us.”

 

My eyes narrow of their own accord. “Doesn’t mean I have to.” I grit through my teeth. “What reason do I have to reward such entitlement?”

 

Eyes widening, they simply stare at me. Huh. I’m not done.

 

“You come into our home. At an ungodly hour, disturbing our rest, and then have the audacity to ask us to risk our lives for you?” My tone makes their heads sink into their shoulders like scolded children. Even Gem seems to have gone still. “All because…” I give a frustrated huff, “you think it my job?”

 

Gulping, they don’t say a word. It makes another spark of anger go through my chest. “How. Utterly. Rude. Didn’t anyone teach you not to make demands?” The last words echo in the ensuing silence.

“Get out.” I point towards the door when they do nothing but stay in the same shocked state.

 

“But you agreed to-”

 

“All we agreed to do is listen.” My voice is stern, even to my own eyes. “Not comply with your demands. Get. Out.”

 

“Rose…”

 

“No.” I turn and place a hand on her rising hand. “This is ridiculous.” At her questioning look, I sigh. “It’s not my job, or yours, to clean up after someone else’s mess.” My eyes turn glare at the frozen statues in front of me. “Especially when they suggest you risk your lives for them with such blatant disregard.”

 

If you don’t set boundaries and stick with them, people tend to think they can walk all over you. I’ve had to learn that the hard way. It’s why I never let anyone cross those boundaries. What has me sticking to them now. Entitled people will take any acquiesce to mean they can take more.

 

Better to nip that sort of behaviour at the nub. Sensing I’m unlikely to budge on my decision, my finger staying pointed towards the door, the two faeries fall to their knees. Right in front of my feet.

 

“Please…” They beg, “Take on this task. Save us. Please.” Kneeling people make me a little uncomfortable, especially when they do it this desperately. Instinctively, I bury my body back into the cushioning of the couch.

 

“Stop that.”

 

“Please!” Ignoring my words, they sink lower into the ground. “We have no way to save them! We promise it was not our intention to insult you! Please save them!” As they beg, their attention shifts so it’s focused on Gem as well.

 

She looks just as uncomfortable as I feel. She sends me a look that conveys more than words could. It also lets me know she’s leaving the final decision up to me. I guess my words stuck with her. Even if only a portion.

 

Sighing, I move my legs away from reach. “I’ll think about it.” The pleading stops as they look up at me with hope-filled eyes. “That doesn’t mean it’s a yes. Just that I’ll consider it more before rejecting your request.”

 

Seeing that they may be about to object, I cut in once again. “As of now, it’s the best you’re going to get.” They deflate a little at those words. It has me softening despite myself.

 

It’s much easier to want to give into their request when it’s put as a request and not a demand. People need to learn to ask without automatically assuming their owed a yes. It’s a lesson these two are going to learn the hard way. Although, seeing the pathetic state they look, I find my heart wavering. Just a little.

 

“If…” I say, making all eyes snap to me. “If I happen to come across a way to save these faeries of yours, one that doesn’t require needless risking of our lives, I’ll…try to save them.”

 

Sniffling, they shift into a stand, bowing in acknowledgement. It’s not an absolute yes, but it’s a maybe very close to one. And it seems they’re aware. A glimmer of hope is back in their eyes. “Thank you.”

 

I shake my head. “Don’t thank me quite yet. I haven’t done anything.”

 

“But you will.” They sound so sure. As the send me small smiles on the way out, I wonder where exactly this belief comes from.

 

When I glance back, Gem is smiling as well. I find myself returning it out of habit, a yawn following soon after. And suddenly her smile is turning into a laugh.

 

“Let’s go to bed.” She suggests, “We have a long day tomorrow.”

 

Ah. I suppose we’re thinking the same thing then. If there isn’t a clear way to save them, we’ll just have to make one. As much as I would like to pretend those pleas didn’t bother me, the way they echo in my head would reveal that as a lie. But that’s a conversation for tomorrow.

 

So, perhaps, they weren’t wrong to believe I would save them, after all. And maybe this way, we might be able to save the rest of this kingdom as well.

 

Sitting on her throne, the queen peered at the gathered people awaiting her. She’d gotten word this was a matter of utter importance, so she’d come. It was a little uncomfortable to walk with her protruding stomach, but she’d never exchange the joy for anything. It had taken long enough for it to occur.

 

“Speak. Why have you come into my court today?”

 

“Your Majesty, word has reached us that there is a great threat to our kingdom.” Then they proceed to retell the age-old legend they’d all grown up with, the blessed ones and the dark king.

 

“What would you have me do about it?” As much as she’d like to ignore it, the signs were there, and her child’s future was at stake.

 

“We believe that your child is key in defeating this threat.”

 

“Calculating the dates, your child is the only one who is to be born on the auspicious date.”

“She will be the protector.” This brought both joy and sorrow. Joy at the power her child would have, sorrow at what this power would mean for her. The only thought that calmed her was the reassurance that the child would be healthy.

 

“She?” Her husband questioned, “You believe our child is a girl?” Oh. She hadn’t even heard that part. A daughter. She was to have a daughter.

 

“Yes. We believe so. We also believe that according to the prophecy, she’ll need to be sent to a more secluded place to train.” A daughter she may never see grow up.

 

Her hand immediately went to her stomach, as if that would somehow protect her from this. She’d only had her for three months, but already she’d do anything for the small being growing within her.

 

These consumed her so fully; she didn’t notice her subjects leave until her husband put a hand to her shoulder. They exchanged a look of sorrow, years of trying, and now they’d have to give up their child for the good of their kingdom.

 

‘No.’ They both decided, that would be their last resort. They’d try to find a way to prevent this curse and if that failed then, and only then, would they even consider giving up their child. Even then she may not be able to do it.

 

“Are you sure we’re going the right way?” I ask the woman who woke up at dawn to go foraging in the forest. We’d decided we’d look for a way but, no ideas came to mind. Apparently, being in the forest was supposed to help with brain storming.

 

“For the last time, we are not lost.”

 

“You don’t sound so sure.”

 

“Shh…I’m trying to read this map.” I can see her eyes squint at it. “I swear it was around here…Maybe a little more to the left.”

 

Rolling my eyes, I try and see what she’s looking at. Judging by the features on the map, we’ve been walking in the wrong direction. I tell her as much and turn the map around, so we can follow it back easier. She scrunches up her nose, eyes blinking as she processes that.

 

“Just admit it.” I tell her in a flat tone. “We’re lost, cousin.”

 

Immediately her eyes snap to my face. The greys growing bigger as she gapes at me for a minute. She moves so fast that the map is scrunched a little in her hands. Blinking she looks at me in wonder. “You called me cousin.”

 

“It’s what you are, isn’t it?”

 

“Yes. But you’ve never done it before.”

 

I give her a lopsided smile. “It’s only been a few days. Honestly, it’s a miracle it didn’t take longer.”

 

She looks like she wants to say something about that, but ultimately decides it doesn’t matter. Instead, she shoots me a beaming smile, before her eyes go back to looking at the map.

 

“What are you looking for?” Snapping around, I notice a man, probably a woodcutter, has walked our way.

 

“Information.” The word leaves my mouth before my mind can process.

 

He hums. Tilting his head, a little. “You seemed lost, so I thought I might be able to help.”  He points to the wagon full of wood near the tree. “I know this place better than anyone.”

 

“I don’t doubt it.” Gem cuts in. A considering glint entering her face as her grey eyes flick from the wagon to the man. “Would you know a place we could go?”

 

The man thinks about it for minute, before nodding. “If it’s information you girls are looking for, then the cave in the middle of a certain forest may be the place to go.” More forest. Wonderful.

 

Exchanging a look with Gem, I give the kind man a sheepish smile. “Would you be able to point us in the right direction?” It’d probably be better than trying to follow the map.