Part 1
Chapter 16
Tricked
Sitting in the bag, I tapped my leg in the blackness and silence. Where was I? How much time had passed? Chapter 17 Dun's Curse
"Oi'm. . .Oi'm. . .Oi'm. . ." I stuttered, staring at the mirror with my mouth wide open. I just couldn't bring myself to get the words out. Chapter 18 King Faerie
Standing in the thrown room, not far from the upper knothole opening in the huge oak tree, I glared at the Faerie King as he sat on his thrown to my front. On either side of me stood the two faerie guards, and several more guards were about the room, and two more at the King's sides. Chapter 19 Deadline Nearing
I'd failed Donnelly. I'd made a promise and now he'd sit up there and rot while Gwinna would have to marry a maniacal, scheming, underbelly. And all because I'd wanted wings. Chapter 20 Widower
Pacing about the room, as the maid hung behind me by my hair, I tried to think of a way to warn Gwinna. But nothing was coming to my mind. And the late morning hours were drawing near. I was running out of time, and the less time I had, the more jittery I was becoming.
It was obvious that they'd hung me somewhere, because the bag hadn't been moved for hours. But what was I hanging from? It couldn't be a cave, else I'd be on the ground.
Could we be somewhere in the castle? It would make sense, if Claiborne wanted them to keep an eye on Gwinna.
Okay, so I was in the castle, or somewhere very near it, hanging on a wall, in a leather bag. Were the ogres asleep?
Grabbing a fold near the top of the pouch, I braced my feet against the opposite side and tried with all my might to pull it apart. No luck. I slid back down to the bottom and sat there, trying to think of a way to escape.
It had to be dark out by now. Everyone would be eating supper, probably feasting for the wedding tomorrow. My stomach growled and mouth watered at the thought.
A sudden conversation outside caught my attention and I listened intently against the leather.
"So, do we feed her?"
"No. Don't let her out of that bag, ye understand me, Dun?" I recognized the second voice to be the head ogre's.
"Uh huh, Grum." The other responded almost sheepishly.
"Good. I's going to go keep an eye on Gwinna. Trum, ye go and make sure Donnelly's whar he's supposed to be. We meet back here at midnight."
Then I heard faint footsteps disappear, and the light crackle of a fire somewhere close. So, I was left with the dumby of the group. I could use this to my favor.
Taking a deep breath, I began to pound the bag with my hands and feet. It would have to get his attention.
After I got tired of that, I reached up and began pulling at the top.
When several minutes had passed I began to fear my plan wouldn't work, but then I heard Dun thumping over.
"Hey. . .stop wigglin' in thar." I felt his finger poke against the bag.
"Oi'm hungry, an' Oi canni breathe!" I pounded on the leather and yelled as loud as possible.
Dun quieted on the other end. Then he spoke, in his slow way, "I's not apposed to let ye out, Grum said."
"Wot if Oi sopheecate en here? Wot if Grum found out Oi were daed? You'd be th' one he'd be flaemin' at." I calmed down and sat in the bottom of the sack.
"Oh. . ." Dun's voice sounded a little nervous, "Dead?"
"Daed. Then wot would happen ta th' weddin', an' your pay?"
"Oh no." His voice was a little shaky.
"Oh yes."
"Well, hang on litter buggy. I's'll get ye out."
Success! I tried not to act happy as he opened the top of the sack and I saw his large nose and two eyes overhead.
Then his face disappeared and a fat hand reached in for me. I let him grab me with no difficulty, since fresh air and food and freedom were on the upside of it.
The ogre pulled me out of the sack and I got my first good look around the place.
It was in the castle all right, probably a secret room down below one of the ground floors. There were five staircases, one in each corner of the room. At the one wall there was a hole from which smoke escaped from the fire in the middle of the room. It must've led outside the castle, so no one would see it.
The ogre waddled over to the fire, where a large animal was roasting on a spit. Bread sat in three large bowls at the base of the fire, turning a dark brown color.
Flopping down, he didn't let go of me for a second. Could he be smarter than originally thought?
He seemed to answer my question as he took a clothes pin and stuck in on my wings so they couldn't flap, before setting me on the log beside him. Well, maybe I could get away after all.
I didn't sit on the log long before he picked up a piece of bread and broke a small chunk off of it. Then he nearly stuffed it in my face before I took it and began devouring it.
Taking another loaf of bread I watched him out of the corner of my eye as he ate like a slobbering pig. His attention seemed solely on the bread.
Finishing off the last of my food, I slowly began inching forwards on the log in order to hop down and make a dash for the nearest staircase.
"Ye didn't have those funny things on yer head before."
I halted when I heard the oaf speak around the lump of bread in his mouth. "Wot?"
"Those things. The litter pieces of string on yer head." I glanced up just in time to watch him flick something above my head.
At the touch of his fingertip, I felt something twitch in my hair and head. What was he doing? What was up there?
Feeling my head and hair with my hands, I soon discovered two, thin antennae growing out of the top of my head! At the ends were small, blue balls, and they had a strange scent to them. I pulled them down to get a better glimpse before quickly standing up.
"Wot are these things?" I grabbed his pants and shook them.
"They's look like litter buggy horns." He shrugged, very interested.
"Bug horns?" My eyebrows furrowed at his intellect.
"Yeah, so does those ears."
Ears? What was wrong with my ears? Quickly feeling them with my hands I discovered what he was talking about. They'd not only grown in size, but had developed large tips at the top. This was getting confusing!
"Wot's happenin' ta me!" I shook his pants again. "Wot did you du ta mey!"
His eyes grew wide, as if I was large enough to hurt or scold him, "I's didn't do nothin'! Honest!"
I suddenly stopped, hit like lightning with a revelation! I needed a mirror to prove my theory correct though. "'Ave you got a meerror? Oi need a meerror!"
"Mereroar?" He sat scratching his head.
Now I was beginning to get frustrated with the dolt, "Meer-ror! Th' thing 'at reflects th' person's image!"
"Oh! A mirror!"
"Yes!" I was hopping up and down by now. It was then I noticed strange, white dust falling from me onto the log. As I watched it, it disappeared after a few moments, right before my eyes!
"I's have one in my pocket." He dug through about five pockets before finding the shard piece of mirror hidden in his clothes. "Thar." He sat it on the log in front of me so I could see my full reflection.
My worst fears were real. With the pointed ears, antennae, glittering wings, and the new dust falling from me when I moved up or down, it was obvious, especially at my reflection in the mirror. I had become a faerie!
"A fearie!" The ogre finally grasped what I'd been contemplating, as he suddenly stared at me with saucer-like eyes. "Oh no, I's better put ye back."
Just getting over the shock of my new predicament, I could barely move as he quickly bent over and reached for me with his crumb-laden hands. Covering my head, I waited to be stuffed back into the sack again. A sudden tingling sensation traveled through my body.
"Hey. . .whar'd ye go?"
What? Taking my arms from my head, I peered up at him. He was staring straight at me, then all around the log, then at the whole room. Now what was going on?
"Come on, whar'd ye go!" His voice was getting worried, as he thumped up and began hurrying around the room looking.
Okay, had he just flipped?
Since he didn't seem to have a brain left at all now, I reached back and began yanking the pin off my wings. It was then that I realized what must have happened. My thoughts traveled back to when the Faerie King had given me the wings. They must've tricked me! The wings had turned me into a faerie like them!
Finally pulling the pin off, I tossed it aside and flexed my pinched wings. Dun continued thumping around the place, making nervous noises.
The answer came to me. I must have been invisible. It would make sense, since I was now a faerie, and they always seemed to appear out of nowhere.
I paused. A Faerie! I could turn Dun into a. . .a. . .hmmm. It was obvious to me that I wanted him to turn into something, but what would it be? The classic frog? A bird? Naaaa, birds are dangerous. A mouse? That's it, a mouse! A harmless little mouse. Then he wouldn't be able to hurt anyone anymore!
But now how would I become visible again?
My question was answered when Dun suddenly ran over and looked straight at me, "Thar ye be!"
"Stop!" I put up my hands, closed my eyes and cringed, turning my head slightly. He was either going to squish me, or put me back in that sack, and then I wouldn't be able to help Donnelly.
A sudden tingley feeling fluttered through my body and out my hands, and it was almost as if I heard light music flowing somewhere nearby.
Then the music and feeling stopped abruptly.
Opening my eyes and peeking where Dun had been, I discovered that he was gone. What happened?
A small squeak came from the other side of the log. In another moment, I watched a small mouse scurry across the floor and up one of the staircases.
I had turned him into a mouse! Wow. Without even meaning to.
Blinking, I contemplated how much better he appeared, and smelled in his new form. He and the world had probably been done a favor. Now his IQ matched his stature.
"Nice shot."
"Thanks."
Whirling, I saw two faeries hovering above the log behind me. For some reason I wasn't surprised to see them. They'd tricked me, and now they were probably going to gloat.
"Why don't you fly very much?" The guy questioned, like we'd been conversing as old friends for hours on end.
"Wael, Oi've never had wings afore. It'll take some time fur mey ta. . .haye, wait a minute. Wot are you doin' here?" I narrowed my eyes at them. It was strange that I didn't feel as afraid or apart from them as I had before. Must have come from becoming one of them.
The girl spoke up, as she and the boy landed on the log, I suspected not to be rude and continue flying when I was too tired. Funny how I suddenly knew all the manners of them. It would take a lot of self control for me to keep from just joining them without a second thought. I'd have to keep reminding myself about where I came from, and what I was doing here. "The King is requesting your presence back at the tree."
Oh great. Me and nobles were like oil and water. Now I would have another reason to despise them.
Folding my arms, I shook my head, "You've tricked mey. Give mey woon guid reason."
They glanced at each other before turning back to me, "We've been ordered to bring you to him with force if you don't cooperate."
"Farce? Wot kind o' farce? You goin' ta trick mey again an' turn mey enta a frog? 'At kind'a farce?"
They blinked, and it was clear that they barely understood a word I said. But then the boy stepped forward with his hands glowing a silvery color. The silver matched his silver and white clothes and features.
The girl's hands began glowing an orange color, which matched her orange and yellow features and clothes.
"We're the King's personal guards. If you refuse, we'll be forced to detain you by the laws of our faerie kingdom." The boy explained, coming nearer.
I began backing up, "Haye. . .Oi'm not woon o' you. You 'ave no plice usin' your lags on mey." My own hands began glowing with my anger. They glowed turquoise/purple, the same color as my wings. It surprised even me, and I glanced at my hands before looking back at the advancing faeries.
The faeries immediately took to flight and flew straight for me.
Whirling, I took to the air myself, heading for one of the stairwells. I wouldn't be able to fight off one, let alone two, as new to this as I was. My weapons were also missing; the only way I could escape them would be to run, but that couldn't last long.
The fearies were faster, and they soon caught up to me while we were in the middle of the dark staircase. The boy grabbed one of my arms while the girl did the same with the other. Then they halted, forcing me to halt with them because of my weak wings.
In a last attempt to break free, I pointed my hands at each of them, trying to turn them into anything that came to mind. The bluish-purple stuff sprayed out on them and they both immediately changed into beetles, but just as soon as they’d changed, they transformed right back. Oops.
I was about to zap them again, but the girl spoke up, "There's no point in trying to change us, because we can change ourselves right back." I hadn't thought of that problem before. Great.
As useless as it was, I tried to wrench my arms from them, which of course didn't work.
"Calm down." The boy ordered.
We were suddenly interrupted as large stomps sounded overhead, and came quickly nearer. It must have been Grum returning.
The faerie guards quickly flew over to a small indented corbel in the wall where one could set a candle, with me in tow. Then I felt the familiar tingling sensation go through my body. They were making us invisible, even though I could still see them and they myself.
Sure enough, Grum came thundering down the stairs. At least as his prisoner I could count on remaining alive until the wedding, with these faeries and their 'noble' it could be a very different story.
But the faeries seemed to read my mind. The boy wrapped his arm around my shoulders and cupped a hand over my mouth. while the girl grasped my fore-arms tightly. I struggled, but to no avail.
Grum thumped by and continued down to the basement room.
The faeries relaxed, grasping only my arms again.
"Like we said, the King wants to see you."
The room looked like just a large hole made of twisting wood, except it was lit by mirrors set up to catch the sol during the day. I don't know what went on during the night though. The faeries themselves probably glowed.
With a wave of his hand, the two guards left my side and walked to the sides of the room. I was alone in the center.
Then the King stood up and walked over to me, clad in his robes, and this time he wore an elaborate crown, ring, and held his scepter. "I suppose you want to know why you're here."
At this point my temper was flaring so bad that I was afraid of what I'd say to him. One wrong move and they could do unthinkable things to me. So I thought it best just to seethe in angry silence and hope they couldn't see steam rise from my antennae.
The King chuckled, "You've got nothing to say?"
"If Oi say wot Oi'm thinkin' Oi'll probably end up like Elmer." My wings twitched as I spoke between my teeth and gripped my hands into fists.
The King only smiled and shook his head. "Others in your position would be thrilled and thankful. You are a strange one." He began walking around me like a shark.
"You tricked mey. Even after Oi killed Elmer fur you, an' got you back your scepter. Oi risked moy neck an' fur wot? Ta get suckered enta these wings an' a life en a tree." It was all I could do to keep from bursting with anger. "An' all while moy friend seets locked en a tower while hees rike es stolen frum heem an' hees bride es bein' farced ta marry hees brother. Hoe dare you."
The King shook his head and stood to face me. "You've got wings, and new abilities now. The wings I gave you were a Queen's wings. Those wings are only given to future Queens of the Faerie Kingdom. If you become my Queen you will be the second most powerful faerie in the Kingdom."
I blinked, realization hitting me. I recalled what he'd said when he'd given me the wings. "Oi should've seen it caming when you commented aboat them."
"You aren't the least bit thankful? Any faeries in this kingdom would be flattered to be asked to be my wife." The King set his hands on his hips, apparently surprised.
"No. Oi'm here ta help Donnelly an' Gwynna. An' faeries ain't alload ta mess en th' castle affairs. You said so yourself." I pointed at him. "Besides, if Oi ever marry it'll be because Oi choose so, not because somewoon tricked mey enta it."
Sighing, the King closed his eyes for a moment to think, apparently frustrated.
He was tired, and bored with arguing with me. Now would be my chance to end it quickly. Wings or no wings, if I had to run the whole way back to the castle and get the keys from Claiborne's pocket while he was saying 'I do', I was going to get those keys and free Donnelly. "Here, take th' wings. Take everythin' back. Then Oi can leave an' everybody's happy."
He opened his eyes, "No. A deed would be unpaid for. You retrieved the scepter and a reward is in order. It wouldn't be right and just, and it would be against our law."
My mind worked fast, blurring through some good ideas and some not-so-good ones. "Wael. . .then jist lat mey gu."
"Can't. A faerie can't leave the tree to meddle in outside affairs."
"You lat Elmer out. He did a lot o' meddlin'."
"He was banished and cursed. Big difference."
I was getting desperate. Already I knew it was past midnight. "Wot. . .wot if you jist take awaey moy abilities, so then Oi winna be a faerie? Then Oi can leave an' still be rewarded."
The King eyed me a moment, thinking it over. "No."
"Wot?" It had to work! "Why not?"
"We care for the animal kingdom, and one of our rights are to choose those which we want to join our specie and become a faerie.
Our forefathers made the laws of our land as best to their abilities, thinking about what would be best for our Kingdom. And the laws are there so that nothing is abused.
Those who are chosen are only chosen after much consideration." He seemed very sincere, but who could trust him? He was the one that'd duped me into this for his own benefit, the whole way around. "Our marriages are planned by other family members, but since neither of us have any, I am to be the one to arrange my marriage. The wedding will be in one day."
"Thees canni be happenin'." I smacked my forehead with my palms. "Luik, all Oi want es ta free Donnelly an' save heem an' Gwinna frum Claiborne so they can live happily ever after an' all 'at. Then Oi would like ta leave."
"But you were banished here."
"At thees point, Oi dinna really care!" I was loosing it. "Du you aken wot Oi've been trooe since Oi gut 'ere?" I nearly went back into my old language.
"Yes, I do." The King stood motionless. It was a wonder he could actually understand me. He probably had to piece it together with the words that he did know.
I calmed down slightly. "Oh." Then I realized what he was saying. "An' you're still doin' thees ta mey anyway? Why you selfish likolm orm."
Now that insult I knew he didn't understand, but he could still read into the anger behind it.
The whole room became deathly still and quiet.
Finally there was movement, when the King narrowed his eyes and glared me in the face, "Look at me and tell me you haven't enjoyed these gifts at all and I'll let you go. But beware, everyone in this room will be able to tell if you're lying or not. Otherwise, you stay right here."
Why that. . .that. . .that. . !
He leaned back and folded his arms, waiting. It was then I noticed that everyone in the room was holding their breath.
Well if he was going to be like that, I wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of an answer. Folding my own arms, I turned so that my back was to him, and glared straight ahead at the entrance to the room. Outside I could see the castle in the distance, full of lights from the marriage celebration of Claiborne and Gwinna.
Above the lit rooms of the keep, I could also see the dark tower, completely black.
I heard the King's angry voice behind me, "Take her to her new quarters and get her ready. The marriage is at dawn tomorrow."
Standing at the small window, I stared at the castle before banging my head on the wood. "Stupid. Stupid stupid stupid. Why couldn't Oi've jist said 'no'? But oh no, Oi wanted wings so Oi could get aroond faster. Hmmph. Grandpa were roight when he said not ta gu th' easy path. Stupid stupid."
"Who're you talking to?"
I glanced behind me and saw a faerie woman dressed in light clothes. She was apparently one of the maids I was supposed to have. Behind her stood five others, each carrying something.
The window and doorways were bare, but somehow I knew there was something barring me from traveling through them. Everytime I had tried to run out the door or climb out the window, I was thrown back inside by some invisible force. All the other faeries were free to come and go as they wished.
"No woon." I turned back to the window and began knocking the wooden sill with my pointer finger knuckle. I'd knock it, knock it double times, knock it and knock it double times, making small tapping sounds like a woodpecker.
"What are you doing? You can't get out." She said with a chuckle and smile. As if I didn't know that.
"If Oi canni get out then why du you care ta ask wot Oi'm duin'?" I didn't feel like talking and I hoped my comment would drive that point home. But it didn't.
"Oh you grumpy old acorn. Now come here. We have to fit you for your new wardrobe." She continued being just as cheery and annoying as before, while the others giggled and chattered quietly amongst themselves.
"Call mey a nut again, an' you'll be eatin' 'at särk." I muttered, continuing to stare out the window.
I heard her chuckle to herself right before they swung me around and pulled me to the middle of the room by my arms and legs! My eyes widened as they held my arms level with my shoulders and out at my sides. I struggled, but was outnumbered five to one. "Haye! Wot are you duin'?"
The head maid chuckled as she held up measuring pieces to my arms, legs, head, shoulders, and entire body while the other four held me still. I felt like I was being fitted for a coffin. "We're taking your measurements, silly."
They finished a few minutes later, and freed me, quickly stepping back. Able to move my arms again, I put them down.
"There. Now that wasn't so bad, was it?"
That old fearie instinct and temperament I'd gained tried to show through and I nearly said 'no', but realized what I was about to say, and kept my mouth shut. Also I found that my anger had died down and my temper cooled.
"Go begin making the wardrobe." The head maid waved to the others and they flew off into the tree somewhere with their tools. The head maid stood there and watched them leave, still all happy and jolly.
I, on the other hand, went back over to the window and leaned against the sill, staring at the castle. I could easily attack her now, but it wouldn't get me anywhere.
After a few minutes of silence, I began to wonder if that maid had left. Glancing over my shoulder, I saw that she was standing in the middle of the room, like she was at attention. I blinked a few times and rose my eyebrow before turning back to look at the castle.
Feeling her eyes on me, I turned and saw her staring. "Wot?"
"Just wondering." She shrugged.
"Stop starin' at mey." I turned back and stared at the castle. By now the sol was beginning to rise. When Donnelly would be set free after his brother became King, if he ever saw me here in the role of Queen he'd hate me. Him and Gwinna. Well, maybe at that point then I could turn Claiborne and his goons into toads. Of course then I'd be forced to live in a tree the rest of my life.
Closing my eyes, I gave a deep sigh, going over the whole list of people I was letting down, including myself.
Then, totally depressed, I let my head fall on my arms as I leaned on the sill. I missed Lo'lamond. At least there I knew what would happen from day to day, and I didn't have to worry about anyone stepping on me or turning me into a bird.
A sudden tugging on my head caught my attention, and I lifted my head and glanced back. "Wot are you duin' now?"
"Getting your hair prepared. And you can fuss all you want but it has to be done." She took my rope from where I had it tying back my hair, letting it down.
How delightful. I would become a primpy little Queen faerie stuck in a tree for the rest of my life.
"Ain't it enough fur you 'at Oi'm stuck here without pesterin' mey?" I quickly flicked my hair out of her hands and left the window to get away from her.
Flying over to me, she began messing with my hair again.
"Oh, why dinna you jist gu awaey! Oi wish Oi'd never met you faeries!" I tried to walk away but she held my hair firmly. So I began pulling against her using my weight so I could get my hair out of her grip.
"Well, I see you're getting along with the maid."
The tension on my hair released as the maid left go. I nearly tumbled to the floor in surprise, since neither I nor the maid had heard him enter. Scrambling with my balance, I turned around, brushing my long, silver hair out of my face.
Standing in the room was the King, and the maid that'd been yanking on my head stood off to my side at attention.
Hurriedly walking over to the maid, I snatched my piece of rope from her and tied my hair back again.
"Why do you keep your hair pulled back? It looks much better hanging down." The King asked, waving a hand at the maid faerie. I was relieved when the maid quickly left, but became angry now since he was in here.
"It gets en th' way. You know wot moy life-style es like." I folded my arms and turned my back to him, since that was basically all I could do at this point to keep some dignity.
He paused before speaking again. "Here. My subjects have a gift for you. A piece of the mirror Elmer had stolen from us."
I turned around and watched two servants placing the mirror piece on the wall. I remembered it well. I'd smashed into it enough times that I practically had an imprint of it on my back. Then I began to wonder what he'd actually done to become banished. Maybe if I did something of the like, they'd banish me too.
The King shook his head, "Elmer tried to murder me. And no, the only thing you'd get would be your own spot in the dungeon below, after the council had you turned back to normal and you were cursed."
I stared wide-eyed at him. Then he pointed at my antennae, "They can sense the feelings and moods of other faeries, and sometimes we get warnings through them about what other faeries are thinking. That's how we know when others of us are lying."
Hmmmm. That would take some time to master. I'd have to be careful from now on. But then I caught on to the tense he was speaking in last. "Thaer es no 'we' or 'us'. Thaer es only you, who are th' faeries, an' then mey, th' person frum Lo'lamond." I folded my arms and turned back around.
I heard his wings flutter as he left the room. Good. I was finally alone, and with the mirror piece. Now I could see what was going on inside the castle.
Spinning, I ran over to the mirror, pulling a stool up to it. Then I sat down and tried to figure out how to get it working.
First I had to decide who I wanted to see. Donnelly. I needed to check on Donnelly.
Peering at my reflection, I tried to remember what Elmer had done before we fought. He'd done something. What was it? Wait. He touched it!
Reaching out, I touched it with my finger. The mirror surface turned to liquid and rippled. Then the image of Donnelly in his cell came into focus. He was asleep, with the rats and mice flocking through the hay beside him.
Now I wanted to see Gwinna, so I touched the mirror surface again. Gwinna's room appeared, and I saw her maids bustling about, getting her dressed and ready for the wedding. I never thought I'd be able to sympathize with her until now.
Feeling someone pulling on my hair again, I touched the mirror and it returned to normal, showing myself, and the head maid in the reflection. She was working on my hair again.
I rolled my eyes before using the mirror to see Claiborne. He was getting ready in his own quarters, as his male servants hurried and fussed over him. Stewart was standing nearby, as the two spoke about the upcoming triumph.
"So, Gwinna's going to accept?" Claiborne asked, as the servants worked on his hair.
"Yes, sire. Grum is handling the situation perfectly. Nothing should go wrong." Stewart replied.
I narrowed my eyes at them before switching the mirror to the location of Grum. He was down in his secret room, fiddling with a sack, and a small mouse. Peering closer, I recognized the mouse to actually be Dun.
Snickering, I watched as Grum stuffed him into the sack.
"There. Now Gwinna won't know the differ'nce." He tied the sack on his side and adjusted his coat before walking up one of the staircases.
Gwinna won't know the difference? He was putting Dun, without knowing it was Dun, in my place in the sack? He was going to trick Gwinna. She'd think I was the one in the sack! If only she could see that I was here instead of there, she wouldn't marry Claiborne and they'd be saved!
Standing up, I nearly fell back down beacuse the maid stood clutching my hair while she braided it in small strands. "Haye."
"Sorry."
"Just calm down and let me finish your hair." The maid continued braiding as fast as she could, yanking some on my head.
I ignored her. If there was some way to get the mirror in there, maybe Gwinna could see I was here? No. No one would take it there.
What if I somehow escaped and showed myself to her? No. There wasn't a way out for me, and if I did manage an escape they'd catch up to me before I could reach her quarters.
There had to be a way! There just had to be! I couldn't just sit here and let everything wrong happen, especially not when they were counting on me.
Stopping at the window, I peered up at the castle. It had been decorated with large drapes, all the flags were up, and spectators were entering the castle gate, coming from what I suspected were distant fiefs.
I couldn't let this happen. I just couldn't. Why had I taken those wings!
I suddenly realized that the maid was agitated and getting tired of my pacing and nervous antics. Wait a minute. . .I hadn't even looked back at her. How'd I know that?
Pausing, I remembered what the King had said about the antennae. Then I began pacing again. "Thees es all crashin' tagether." I waved my hands in the air. "Oi should'ave stayed en bed 'at fateful marnin'."
"Nope. You came here to be our Queen." The maid commented happily.
"Wot es it with you an' thees queen buseeness?" I glanced back while rolling my eyes.
"Well, because we haven't had one since the last Queen was murdered by Elmer." She sighed.
I stopped so abruptly that she bumped into me. "Wot?"
"Yep. Elmer killed her when she found out what he was up to. The King was depressed for years afterward. We thought he was never going to come out of it. But then we saw you arrive." She giggled with delight.
No wonder he was so intent on marrying me! I nearly fell over from the sudden shock. No wonder his subjects were so eager to get me into their happy cheer too. No wonder he'd tricked me. He was lonely for a new wife!
"Wait. . ." If I could use logic here, maybe I could somehow get him to let me go. "Hoe did he an' hees wife meet?"
"In the castle gardens while they were flower hopping." She answered.
"An' hoe long were it afore they were married?"
"Six years." She was beginning to wonder suspiciously what I was getting at.
"An' after wot point did they get married?" I would have looked back at her if I could, but she was latched onto my hair.
"After he asked her to marry him and she accept-. . ." The maid paused, then began braiding my hair again.
"So, if he es jist lonely now, he winna be happy with mey fur very long, since Oi dinna love heem back." I smiled, as I felt her grow uneasy. "So you'd jist be foolin' yourself with th' hope 'at he'd be happy with mey fur more 'an a few months. Then he'd jist be sad again."
She quickly finished my hair and hurried off with a quick, "Good-bye ma'am."
Ha! It worked. Now hopefully she'd soon spread the word around about this and the King would hear about it.
Hurrying back over to the mirror and sitting on the stool, I checked on the whole castle. People were filling up the large church, where I suspected the marriage would take place. In one of the front rows sat Grum, with the moving pouch in plain, and easy view.
They had a large thrown set up behind the stairs in the back, where I suspected they'd crown Claiborne immediately following the wedding.
Checking on Donnelly, I watched him pacing back and forth in his small quarters. Never thought I'd know what he felt like either. How many times had I paced this room already, even after only a few hours?
"So, she told you about my late wife."
I would've jumped out of my skin if I hadn't had the antennae. I had known as soon as he stepped into the room though. It wasn't much warning, but better than nothing.
"She told mey." I didn't turn away from the mirror.
"You've wasted no time in using the mirror. I thought as much."
I switched the mirror next to watch them preparing the thrown room for the ceremony. "An' you've wasted no time en securin' yourself a new wife after you saw mey."
He became silent, and I heard him walk over to the window. "It's true. I missed my wife for many years after she was killed." Then he sighed and sat down on a nearby chair. The room was quiet for the next several moments. I began to wonder what he was going to do.
After several moments of anguished waiting, I finally heard him speak up with, "you're free to go."
The words were so unexpected that I nearly fell off the stool. I was quick enough to catch myself with my wings though. "Wot?" I just wanted to make sure.
"You're free to go. There'll be no wedding."
Nearly jumping with joy, I paused when I saw him slumped against the wall, staring at the opposite wall. Now wasn't the best time to make him even more depressed.
Glancing out the window, I saw the sol disappear behind the castle. I still had time left.
Before I could zip out the window with the key in my hand, I paused, wondering if it was another trap.
"It's not a trick. You're as free as a bird. The Council has already changed you back to a. . .whatever you were in the beginning. Because of my mistake, you can keep the antennae." The King didn't even glance up. He had been lonely and had good intentions, and here it wasn't considered wrong to force people into marriage. But the King's conscience had finally changed his mind, for one reason or another.. "But because of our law, you can't be a faerie and still leave the safety of our tree. It's too dangerous out there for one of my people to be on their own with all the misunderstanding giants about."
"Oh. Umm. . .thanks." He just sat there though, very dismal, much like Donnelly had while in the tower. I couldn't just leave him there like that. The whole tree would hate me. No telling what kind of attitude I'd get while I was in Praryland. And it was evident that it would be the right thing to do in helping him. . .but how? Then it came to me. "You know, bein' seengle ain't all 'at bad."
"It is when you've been married once." He leaned back with a sigh. "She was the only one that made me feel like an actual King."
"You'll find somewoon 'at'll du 'at again. Dinna worry aboat it." I waved my hand in the air.
"I already have." He glanced up at me.
Well, that made me feel all good. "Luik, you furgot woon little thing. Wot I thought. Th' only wag you're gonna find a wife again es if you du th' same with th' next woman as you did with her. Okay?"
I saw the hint of a small smile. "Okay. Heh, imagine, me taking advise from someone not even of this country, let alone my kingdom. It's just that I knew you'd make a very good queen. All that you're doing for people in that castle that you haven't even known longer than a few days; how you saved my whole kingdom; even after being banished to this place, which you hated. And your size didn't faze you any, even when you were turned into a bird, and caught by Grum. I guess I also thought I wouldn't have to worry about something happening to you, like what happened to my wife."
Well, that made sense.
I blinked. "An'. . .Oi'm still welcame?"
He nodded.
Before I could take flight and zip out the window, he stopped me again. "Wait."
I knew it. Another trick.
"No trick."
He seemed to read my mind. Must not have been hard, if he knew how angry I'd been at him.
He dug into his pocket and pulled out a blue and purple jeweled ring. "Here."
I took it from his open hand and peered at it. "Wot's thees fur?"
"Just a reminder. If you ever change your mind about my proposal. No pressure though." He put his hand up as a calmer. "And I think Claiborne just put the key in his pocket." He pointed at the mirror.
I glanced at the mirror and saw him stuffing it into his pants pocket. Then I noticed the actual mirror. "Oh. Tell your subjects Oi said 'thanks' fur th' meerror."
Pausing, I peered down at the ring.
"You don't have to wear it. It's just a reminder if you ever decide you want to drop in." He waved as he walked to the doorway.
"Wait. Hoe would Oi know 'at you winna be already married?" I was curious as to how he was planning all this.
He just continued on.
Faeries. I shrugged it off and stuck the ring on my finger. Out of the corner of my eye, I thought I saw the King looking at me with a smile on his face.
Quickly glancing up, I saw that the wooden hallway was clear. Huh. Must've been my imagination.
Grabbing the rope from the floor, I tied back my now braided hair with it, while stretching out my wings. I hoped I'd have enough stamina to finish what I had to do now.
Using my wings, I successfully began to hover off the floor. Then, after poking at the open air of the window and getting no response, I shot out of it, headed directly above the walls of the castle.
Claiborne and I would have to have a nice little talk.
