Fairy Speaks-Prologue (by bridget)

Prologue


A very long time ago in a land now lost in the sands of time there was a kingdom ruled by a kindly king and queen who desperately wanted a child. Every month the queen waited with bated breath, the whisper of a hope not daring to pass her lips, and every month with the arrival of her courses, she’d lock herself in her bedchamber and cry the tears of a devastated woman. The years passed and there came the time when the queen knew that she would soon be unable to conceive let alone carry a child.

One evening, when faced with the signature pains of looming despair, the queen locked her bedchamber door as usual and sat sorrowfully at her window, the cold light of the full moon doing nothing to dispel her gloom. Sitting in one attitude contemplating her latest failed attempt to become with child pushed her swiftly into irrational anger, causing her to pound her fist upon the unforgiving pane of the window. This sincerely futile act resulted in more tears which streamed uncontrollably down the of the queens pallid cheek, soaking her elegant nightgown. Once her tear ducts ran dry she stared listlessly out at the glittering dew-drenched lawns. In her solitude she found herself talking to herself and pleading with the moon. “For what sins am I thus punished? Why must I remain childless when it is the dearest wish of my simple heart to feel the joys and satisfaction of motherhood?” The queen leaned her furrowed brow against the cool glass, attempting to calm her harsh breathing. “I wish with all my heart, to whoever may be listening, for a child. Toward this end I will do anything asked of me, just give me a little prince or princess for me to shower with my unending love and devotion!” The queen’s voice rose until she was shouting hopelessly at the indifferent orb in the velvet sky. Her head fell heavily into cupped hands, her thick plaited hair swung forward across her shoulder in defeat.

Several moments passed, the silence deafening. It was a number of minutes before the queen became aware of a presence in the room, a disturbance in the natural rhythms of the room she knew so well. Raising her bowed head she blearily searched the room for the source of the disturbance. At first she registered nothing different in the room, but out of the corner of her eye she saw a slight movement in the shadows near the wardrobe, a mere flick of silent shadow, but a movement none the less. She focused on the spot, but the darkness was too dense for her moon-struck eyes to dispel. She stared a moment longer willing the stranger to move once more but still she saw nothing. She shook her head chastising herself for falling prey to hallucinations when a final glance at the corner displayed the image of a black-clad woman stepping from the darkness. The queen blinked to assure herself this woman was no figment of an splintering sanity, and when the woman continued to step forward the queen conceded the validity of this miraculous appearance. The woman was tall and willowy with pale skin and black hair which fell in chaotic waves far below her waste. She was dressed in black leather and a black cloak, with knee-high boots that were durable-looking yet wildly sexy at the same time. The woman stopped walking as the queen took in her appearance, standing arms crossed in front of her chest and one hip stuck out arrogantly. The queen saw the sly glint of a silver dagger stowed within easy reach in the top of the woman’s boot and for the first time realizing her own danger and the grave possibility of this being an assassination attempt. She knew she should scream or call out, but her voice caught in her throat, the woman had her mesmerized. The queen kept on staring while the woman alternated between staring haughtily back at her and glancing at her nails in boredom. Finally the woman in black cleared her throat impatiently. “Who—who are you?” the queen asked, her voice shaking. The other woman tossed her thick hair over one shoulder with barely concealed irritation. “You made a wish did you not?” The queen gaped back dumbly. “I—well yes I did, but I didn’t expect anyone to respond. Who are you?” she repeated. “I am Maeve, Queen of the Fae.” The black-haired woman continued completely ignoring the queen who stood rooted to the spot in disbelief. “You wish for a child. I have decided that I shall grant you this wish. In nine months time, you shall give birth to twin princesses, one with hair like morning’s first rays and one with hair the ebony of night..” Overjoyed and humbled by these glad tidings, the queen fell to her knees, the tears renewed upon her cheek. “Oh thank you, Your Majes—“ Maeve held up her hand to silence the prostrating woman. “However, in return you must give me the dark princess to be brought up among the fairies.” The queen, horrified at the thought of giving up something she had so recently gained started to protest, but Maeve once again cut her off. “Without my help you shall be barren all your days. If you wish for a child then you must agree to my terms.” Seeing no alternative, the queen reluctantly agreed, vowing in her heart to find some way to save both her daughters from fairy trickery. “I will agree to give you one of my daughters if you grant me this wish,” she said tightly, and without another word, the Fairy Queen melted silently and lithely into the shadows from whence she had appeared. Once the other monarch at removed herself, the queen placed her hand gently on her flat stomach, willing her fingers to feel the stirrings of new life within. She would protect her babies, she wasn’t sure how, but she would protect her babies.