Part 1
Chapter 26
Dinner and a Wedding
"An honorary faerie?" I raised an eyebrow and folded my arms while they worked. "Wot's th' difference?"
* * * * * * * *
Hovering on the other side of Gwinna, I watched as the clerk said the two's vows to them. This was the longest wedding I'd ever heard of. Ones I was used to only lasted a few minutes, and just a couple gifts were exchanged between couples and their families. Chapter 27 Forlorn in Praryland
Pausing at the position my hair was in, I pulled it back tighter, so it wouldn't come forwards and bug me when fighting, or running, or flying in heavy winds. Chapter 28 The Beginning
Staring up at the large doors that I'd snuck through my first dag here, I recalled the knighting ceremony.
* * * * * * * *
Okay, I changed my mind. I was sure glad I visited the faerie tree.
"The difference is you get to come and go as you please, and you don't have all of our abilities." The magenta and light blue one answered.
"And the King is so happy now. He hasn't gone back into his depressed mood." The yellow one added with a happy giggle.
"He es?" I would've cocked my head if I could, as they pulled and yanked at my hair.
"Yep! He's out and about with us, making and changing laws, watching over the kingdom, having fun. . ." 'Light Blue' waved her hand in the hair, then did a quick twirl, grabbing my hair again before it could fall out of place.
"Back to normal, in other words, for the first in thirty-five years." 'Yellow' continued.
"Yeah, so even though you're not one of us officially, to us you'll always be a faerie." 'Light Blue' sniffed happily right before they both gave me a milka, squeezing hug from either side.
It felt like I could hardly breathe, and hugging was not something I was accustomed or warm to. "Uhh. . .thanks. . .Oi think." Who knew where this would go with them, as mischievous as they were. "You winna trick mey anymore?"
Then they left go of me, just as gleefully as before, and finished up my hair.
"Oh, don't worry. We don't play tricks on each other like we do outsiders." 'Yellow' waved a hand lightly in the air. Her words didn't convince me or comfort me, however.
"Done!" 'Light Blue' commented as she and 'Yellow' landed on the dresser on either side of me.
Peering at my hair in the mirror, I saw that they'd braided half of it with the silk, and then tied my sides back overtop the rest of the hair. Well, at least it wasn't too fancy. Fancy hairdos and clothes weren't exactly my favorite.
"Well, we must be off, Brenda." 'Yellow' yawned.
"It's long past time for our breakfast. Mmmmmm, blueberry pie with truffles, cream, custard and bananas." 'Light Blue' licked her lips before taking to the air.
"Bye!" They flew over to the window and paused to wave, before disappearing into the wind.
What was it with faeries? I just stood there and blinked, wondering if they'd really been here. Spying my hair again, I saw that it was still all done up. Yep, they'd been here all right; the hyper little things.
Staring at the mirror for a calming moment, realization finally hit me. The question I'd asked when I'd first come here was clearly answered! The reason that I was catprued by the guards and banished here, was so that I could save Donnelly and his rike! That's why I'd gone through all that trouble and turmoil. Now everything was all clear to me. Wow.
Stretching once more, I licked my lips as the scent of breakfast slowly made its way up to the room. Like a moth to a flame, I hopped up and followed the scent down the staircase, through the reception room and into the kitchen, where everyone sat dining.
Looking over the room, I saw the members of the court and the clerk sitting at the end of the table, nearest me. At the other end, sat Donnelly, and to his right sat Gwinna. To his left there was an open seat, beside Paul the cook.
"Brenda, I thought you'd disappeared again." Donnelly paused eating the delicious-looking baked turkey stuffed with bread, onions, celery and seasoning, and covered in gravy and butter, to chuckle. On the side were vegetables, muffins, rolls, puddings, pies, cakes, teas, carrots covered with sauce, and salads made with fresh herbs and spices. To drink there was grape juice and fresh water seasoned with slices of lemon.
Drooling, I shot over to the empty spot at the table and landed on the tabletop, since the chair was pushed in. There were several small plates, utensils, napkins and glasses, cut to suit my size perfectly. A tiny chair sat on the table also, so I could sit down while I ate.
Taking a plate I hurriedly flew over the different foods, cutting off small pieces for myself and filling up the dishes. Then I flew back to my little seat and sat down comfortably to eat.
Donnelly chuckled again as he began eating.
I heard one of the council members mutter to another, "Her manners are something to be desired."
Pausing with a piece of meat in front of my mouth, I glanced over at them. None of the council members, nor the cook, were happy with me.
Gazing down at my hand as I held the meat with my fingers, I peered around at how everyone else was eating. They were using all sizes of forks, spoons and knives, daintily washing their fingers in small bowls and then drying them on their tablecloths.
Glancing up at Donnelly, I saw him giving the councilman who spoke, an evil glare.
The clerk cut in before any tempers could flare, "So. . .Brenda, is it?"
I nodded, quickly munching on the meat. "Brenda o' Lo'lamond."
"Where's that?" He asked in between bites.
"Somewhaer over th' mountains." I replied, finishing off my meat and moving on to the rest of the first plate.
"Are they all faeries like you?" A councilman asked bluntly.
"None are faeries. An Oi'm not woon either." I answered before eating my tiny chunk of blackberry pie.
"Yes, that was my question. When I first met you when you came here, you didn't have wings or antennae or anything like that. Now you do. What happened, and why did it take so long to get the keys?" Donnelly paused to get a drink.
"Umm. . .it's a long story. . .can Oi finish moy meal first?" I stared down hungrily at the food.
"Oh. . .sure." Donnelly answered as the councilmen gave me more bad looks. What did they want from me?
Stretching in mid-flight, I watched as they finally both said, 'I do', and gave each other a big smooch. Then they turned around, just in time for everybody in the room to stand up and give a large, bellowing cheer!
My eyes widening, I quickly clasped my hands over my ears at the deafening noise! Had I known they were going to do this I would've grabbed some waxed tissues and stuffed them in my ears.
Glancing at the two, I couldn't help but see how much a good couple they were. King Donnelly and Queen Gwinna, the new rulers of Praryland.
I was more relieved than anything at the fact that it was all over, and yet. . .how come I wasn't ecstatic?
Peering from jätte to jätte, I began to envision what life would be like for me if I stayed here. I'd have to live in a box inside the castle, rarely go outside in case I got caught in rain or eaten by birds. I'd have to have special items made for my tiny size, since this was nobility and everyone had to have their special utensils and such. I'd also have to watch where I went in case I got stepped on, and would have to take extra care when visitors were around. I'd have to wear their elaborate clothes like this dress all the time. . .
A shiver traveled up my spine. I'd be so BORED! I couldn't stay here, no matter who banished me here!
Spying Gwinna and Donnelly walking back up the isle, I quickly shook myself back to reality and hurried after them, like I was instructed to do earlier.
Then I flew around them and above them, letting my dust fall all over them, making their clothes shimmer in the light for short periods.
Stopping at the reception, I halted at the doors like I was ordered to do by the councilmen. All they said to do was stop here so that everyone could leave and congratulate the couple in the reception hall.
So, after glancing quickly around for the councilmen, who'd already left, I flew up towards the ceiling and landed on the candle chandelier, peering down at the people.
Feeling that sudden twitch in my antennae, I glanced around the room. I didn't see any of the faeries but I knew they were there. . .somewhere, probably wondering why I wanted to leave. They were sad, but it was a happy kind of sad, like people feel when crying during weddings.
Glancing down at the expensive dress, I then stood up and flew out the open window and headed towards Gwinna's room, where I knew the window would still be open there.
Dodging two fat, hungry robins and a brown sparrow, I flew into Gwinna's quarters and landed on the oak dresser, looking for my old and new clothes.
"Ah hah." Finding them near the box, I flew in and kept it open with the needle like I'd done before. Then I quickly changed into the new, bluish/velvet clothes, and the black cloak. The holes in them were made just so I could comfortably fit my wings through when changing in and out of them.
Taking the old clothes, the dress and shoes, I stuffed them and the old boots into the cloak and tied the four ends in a knot around them.
Hopping back out of the box, I picked up my brand new weapons and put them on, before I stood and looked at myself in the mirror.
There. Ready for travel.
A group of faeries suddenly appeared on the dresser top on all sides. There were only about twelve of them, but they were enough to make me jump.
"Wot?" I glanced at them in the mirror.
"Are you. . .leaving?" One girl sniffed, on the edge of tears.
"Yes. Oi canni stay here. Oi winna fit en." I shook my head before turning and walking to the edge of the table.
"Are you going to at least stay and rest up?" Asked a boy.
I paused a moment to think. "Wael. . .th' councilmen made it clear 'at Oi'm not welcome here. . ."
"Then at least rest up at our tree before you go." Another girl faerie perked up.
Their offer did sound nice. Everything would be my size, including the people, and their food and drink sounded tasty. "Wael. . ." I paused, watching them as they neared standing on their toes, "Okay. Oi'll stay two dags at th' tree afore Oi gu."
Their faces brightened and seemed to glow.
"When?" Asked one.
"Oi'm gonna gu tell Donnelly wot Oi'm gonna du. You'll know when Oi arrive." I replied, taking to the air and hovering. "Now you'd better gu, else you'll be seen."
They nodded and quickly swished out the window like a breeze, leaving the quarters slightly dimmed at their absent glowing light.
Turning, I buzzed down the stairs towards the reception room to search for Donnelly and Gwinna.
Peeking around the corner at the bottom of the stairs, I saw hundreds of people standing around chatting, eating, and some leaving. The noise was tolerable; it gave me a headache, but it was tolerable.
After scanning almost the whole of the room, I caught Donnelly and Gwinna standing in one of the corners, chatting leisurely with a heavily jeweled couple, that looked like they needed to cut back on the cakes.
The two newlyweds were much happier than I'd originally seen them, and it was a great relief and load off my shoulders. I'd kept my promise, and now everything was all well and good.
Flying over to the quartet, I hovered beside them and waited until they were finished gabbing about whatever it was they were gabbing about.
Gwinna noticed me first, "Oh, Brenda. Why'd you change out of your dress?" She gave a large, toothy smile as she held the grape juice-filled wine glass in her hand in the proper way, with the forefinger, thumb and upturned pinkie.
"Oh. . .'at's wot Oi want ta talk ta you aboat." I him-hawed around slightly, not wanting the rich couple talking to her and Donnelly to overhear anything for gossip.
Donnelly finished his sentence with the two and turned to me, as if I were an old friend, "Brenda, this here is Lord Willford and his wife, Lady Lilithe. Willford and Lilithe, this is Brend of Lo'lamond."
"Oh, how do you do?" The woman asked raising her glass some, her voice somewhat husky.
"Hoe du Oi du wot?" I blinked at her, flying back some so I wouldn't get hit by the glass.
She laughed, "Oh. . .you're a funny little thing. No wonder you're staying here to keep them company."
"Hello my dear. Say, what is this Lo'lamond place? Is it near Triphil?" Willford asked, his gray mustache wiping his lips as he spoke.
"Umm. . .Oi dinna know. Er. . .can Oi 'ave a ward with Donnelly an' Gwinna?" I asked, feeling totally awkward and apart from them.
"Oh sure, jolly good." Willford replied before he went walking off like he had a board stuffed up his back.
"Yes, little one. And I'll speak with you later about the treaty, Gwinna dear." Lilithe trotted off after her husband.
Staring at them as they left, I slowly turned my attention back to Donnelly and Gwinna. "Did you see 'at?" I pointed at them.
"Yes. They were very thrilled with you." Gwinna beamed.
"No. They called mey 'little woon' an' said Oi'm jist here ta keep everywoon company like a cloon." I folded my arms, right before I was forced to dodge a person's large arm.
Flying in a circle around the arm, I stopped in front of Donnelly and Gwinna again. They were clearly alarmed by the arm.
"He should be more careful." Donnelly eyed the man.
"An' 'at's another thing, everywoon here es mikla, an' Oi'm totally out o' plice. Even en th' castle." I eyed the man as he walked by. He was laughing like a true noble. "All 'at's aroond here are nobles. Oi dinna belong."
"Of course you belong. It'll just take some adjustment by everyone. That's all." Donnelly sat his cup down on a nearby platter so he could concentrate solely on the conversation.
I shook my head, "Oi'm not a noble. 'At's been made clear."
"Who told you that?" Donnelly set his hands on his hips.
"Nowoon told mey, Oi figured it out fur moyself."
"But. . ." Gwinna glanced from Donnelly, to me, "You've done so much for us. You kept us from being miserable for the rest of our lives. You saved the kingdom from a bad ruler, and risked your life over and over again. It would just take some lessons from Lisa and I and you'd be just like everyone else in no time."
Rubbing my temple, I shook my head, "No."
"Why not? It can be done." Gwinna sat her drink down now also knowing this wasn't just a fling.
"You dinna get it. Oi were born an' raised on a gård. Oi had woon brother, woon father, twelve cousins, three friends, an' two grandfathers. They were all boys. Th' only girls Oi knew were moy two grandmothers, an' moy stepmother after Oi were eleven. Oi grew up playin' en th' mud with th' boys, an' workin' along with th' men." I paused to breathe. "Oi dinna like wearin' th' clothes you du an' make-up you du, Oi dinna know any o' th' manners, an' Oi only use moy hands ta eat. Oi'm used ta roamin' free an' fightin' with mey sword an' endless country. Oi'm sorry but Oi dinna like it here."
They were silent for a few moments, thinking. Then they picked up their earlier drinks and sipped some in silence.
I just hovered in the air, cringing at the voices around me. They weren't loud to each other, but they were booming to my sensitive ears. "Oi wanna leave soon."
"But what about the banishment?" Donnelly asked after a sobering sip of juice.
"They're not goin' ta came back here ta see if Oi'm still here. An' if Oi gu back home, Oi've got moy new tools ta use ta get awaey if Oi 'ave ta." I pointed at my wings as they bat at the air to keep me afloat. "But Oi might gu en th' opposite direction jist ta see wot's thaer."
"Well," Donnelly paused as he and Gwinna glanced at each other, then back to me, "We can't keep you here. So will you at least stay for the knighting? It's the best we can offer, since you can't carry our heavy money."
"Knightin'?" I cocked my head. "Fur who?"
"You, of course. It's in four days. During that time Gwinna and Lisa will teach you all they know about manners and such to help you later on if you come across anymore nobles, since you have such a hard time around them. And I can have our best fighters teach you anything you want to know about any kind of fighting tactics." Donnelly answered.
"Yes. And we'll give you supplies for your journey too." Gwinna added.
My mouth dropped at the news. I was going to be knighted? And then they were going to teach me too? Wow! I couldn't hold back a wide smile. "Uh. . .thanks. . .wow. . .Oi dinna know wot ta say."
"Just say you'll stay the four days." Gwinna replied.
"Okay. Oi'll stay." I nodded quickly.
I'd had to walk up the isle and kneel before Donnelly and Gwinna. They were decked out in their best robes, pants, dresses, and small crowns.
Donnelly stood with his personally decorated, gold-handled sword and waited until he had everyone's attention in the room. Then he began the speech, incredibly, to the little fly that was I.
Anyone farther back than the first two rows could hardly see me. All they could see was the slight glow I put off and the faerie dust I dropped.
When Donnelly was finished with his recited words, he'd lightly swung the sword from my right side to my left, instead of trying to land it on my shoulders.
"Now stand, Lady Brenda." Donnelly stepped back and sheathed his sword.
I not only stood, but began hovering as well at the height of his head. I didn't know if I was allowed to do that, but I knew he wouldn't care about details. Now for the council memebers, they were another story. I could just feel their scowls on my back.
"And since you can wear nothing nor carry weapons of the traditional knight here, I had something especially made, so you will be able to prove what you are to future people you meet." Donnelly glanced back at Gwinna, who signaled with a hand gesture to the nearby servant.
The servant, carrying a large pillow, with seemingly nothing on it, walked over to Gwinna.
Gwinna then took something very small off the pillow and walked over, handing it to Donnelly.
Donnelly then held out his hand.
I guessed I was supposed to land on his hand, since no one, not even the councilmen had known about this special ending to the ceremony, else they would've bombarded me with manner rules beforehand.
After I was on his hand, he took the object in his other forefinger and thumb and placed it on my head.
Peering up at it, I saw that it was a very small tiara, made of precisely cut silver with teeny diamonds placed all along the front. It was thin, with only a top and bottom the size of small wires, but it was perfect. Very light, not too showy, and it fit my head snugly so it wouldn't fall off.
Now, as I stood in front of the doors, the servants quickly opened them.
The sunlight blasted me so powerfully in the face that I was temporarily blinded.
Looking over my shoulder at Donnelly and Gwinna, as they stood in the reception room, I paused to wave one last time.
They waved back, and then I took off in flight down the path to the faerie tree. I'd told Donnelly and Gwinna that I would be staying there for two dags after I left their castle. Now I wasn't sure if I wanted to.
Munching on the beautiful different kinds of sweet foods made any other kind of food that I'd had before seemed almost like it had no taste at all!
Gulping down a large glass of blue drink (which I wasn't sure what it was), I savored every little bit of taste.
All around me sat thousands and thousands of faeries, all dining at the same time, at different spots on the tree. Some sat in branches, others in knotholes, others in actual rooms, still others on flowers, on top the small stream nearby, and even under the tree's showing roots.
The last two days had been a kind of heaven, and the faeries had continuously tried to impress me so I would stay. They even began to make up stories about terrible things that had happened to their own that had traveled away. None of it was true though.
The Faerie King hadn't tried to pressure me either, he would just wave as he walked by, or say a nice few words here and there, but nothing like I was expecting.
As I finished off my last meal, I realized how late it was getting. Soon the sun would be up, and I wanted to get a hard start on the day so I could cross the wide path before the birds woke up.
Getting up from the table, I flew over to the edge of the longest tree root beside the path, eyeing the sky for birds.
Hearing light sounds behind me, I turned to see the faeries waving and saying 'good-bye's while they ate.
I waved back and prepared to continue across the winding path into the cover of the grass. I'd tied my bag bundle onto a long stick, which I now carried over my shoulder.
Okay, I was ready. Sword; check. Bow; check. Quiver; check. Arrows; check. Tiara; check. Old clothes and new dress and shoes; check. The clothes on my back; check.
"Hey! Litter gold faerie!"
I blinked as I heard the high-pitched voice. It sounded somewhat familiar to me, but I couldn't quite place it. So I turned around expecting it to be another faerie.
What I came face to face with was a large mouse, standing on his hind legs almost nose to nose with me!
Jumping back, I grabbed my sword and stood in a stance in case it attacked.
"No! Don't kill me! Don't kill me!" The mouse quickly got down on all fours again and cringed.
I stood and stared wide-eyed at the mouse. "Dun?"
"Yeah. It be me." He opened one eye to peek at me.
Narrowing my eyes, I frowned at him, "Wot du you want?"
"Please, please change me back! I's'll do anythin' ye want! Please!" He inched forwards and stood in a bent over position, which resembled the classic begging stance.
"Why should Oi?" I left go of my sword and stood straight. He wasn't a threat.
"I's can't talk to my friends, everywhere I's go they's try to kill me, I's small and helpless, and I have to eat leftovers and crumbs!" He inched forwards and clutched the front of my overcoat in his small paws. "Ye don't know what it be like!"
I just glared at him.
"Oh. . ." He paused and got down and backed up. "I guess ye do." Then he tried again. "But please change me back! I's didn't hurt ye!"
I folded my arms. "Even if Oi wanted ta Oi canni du it."
"Why not?" He cocked his head and twitched his whiskers.
"Oi dinna 'ave moy faerie abilities 'at changed you. Sorry. Guess you'll jist 'ave'ta be a mouse." I shrugged and turned to walk away. But he scurried around in my front and hopped some, begging again.
"Then, I's gonna be stuck like this forever?"
"'Fraid so." I spoke in monotone.
"But. . .what about them? Can they's change me back?" He pointed with his nose at the faeries in the mikla tree.
I paused and glanced up at it. "Possibly."
"Okay, thanks!" Dun scurried off towards the tree. He'd be lucky if they didn't turn him into a tadpole.
Rolling my eyes, I continued down the path, hoping he wouldn't come back to pester me.
About five hours later, still no Dun. Good. Maybe they had turned him into a tadpole.
Sitting down for breakfast, I took a slice of cheese from my bag, and a piece of fresh honeydew and began to munch in the nook between two large blades of grass right beside the creek bank.
Savoring the morsels, I laid back and let the sun bathe me in its warmth.
One of the leaves began to blow in the wind, covering me in shadow. So I opened my eyes to see where I could move to.
The twitching nose of a large mouse hung overtop my head! I could even see the little teeth and the nostrils of the thing!
I sat forwards and took to the air, hovering over the creek, and looking back at the mouse.
"It be just me!" Dun cringed again.
"Oh." I narrowed my eyes before landing on the soft soil again. "Wot du you want now?"
"They's said they's not gonna change me back. They's said that I's apposed to help ye in apology for what I's did, while I's learn my lesson."
Oh no. My worst nightmare. Dun trying to help me. "Hoe long du they think 'at'll be?"
"I's dunno. They's just said that the more I's can repay ye, the shorter it'll be."
Great. Just great. Well, maybe he'd be good for something. While he was getting attacked it'd give me a chance to get away from danger. "Only on woon condition."
"What?" He panted expectantly, eager to get his old body back.
"You 'ave ta du wotever Oi say. Got it?" I leaned over and eyed him.
He cringed and lowered his head to the ground with a gulp, "Got it."
Then I turned around and sat down again to finish my breakfast.
Dun trotted over and drooled at the food in my hands. "Ye gonna eat all that?"
Yep. This would be a long trip.
