Nemesis and the Fairy of Pure Heart

by Ashley Du Toit

  “I mean you no harm, so I do not understand why you would try to harm me. I seek only to cross your kingdom, retrieve something from the other side, and then return,” she said.

  “I wonder, what you could want on the other side of the river, Fairy? What would you recover from the ancient realm of our enemy? Do you go to save the Elfin race that we have tried to doom? You cannot expect us to let you live, surely you did not think it would be so, surely they did not think it would be so?”

  Zeis sent Bella an evil smile, turned and swam away. Some of the bigger sprites grabbed the bubble and started to drag it towards Zeis’s throne. Bella watched as they heaved and hauled her snug bubble, surprised that it didn’t burst when they twisted its covering in their hands to get a better grip.

  Zeis’s throne was set in a clearing that shone so brightly that momentarily Bella had to close her eyes against the glare. Still trapped in her bubble, Bella looked at Zeis, seated on his throne, droning on to the sprites that surrounded him.

  What was this spiteful little water sprite going on about? she wondered. She called out, but they ignored her and talked animatedly amongst themselves. When at last they had finished, Zeis floated threateningly down towards Bella,

  “You cannot harm me, Water Sprite,” she said softly.

  “Perhaps you are right,” he said, a smirk upon his face, “but that doesn’t mean I have to let you go. You will stay here with us for all time, Fairy. Enjoy your bubble,” he grinned wickedly at her.

  Desperately, Bella searched her mind for a way to escape such a terrible fate. He’s acting like a thwarted child, she thought, and the thought set her on the path to an answer. Whenever the fairy babies would look ready to throw a temper tantrum because they couldn’t have something they wanted, one of the older fairies would provide a distraction, and so avoid the outburst. Perhaps she could find a distraction here. It could not be something welcome, as with the fairy babies, she didn’t know enough about the water sprites to know what would work there, but maybe there was something that would frighten the water sprites enough to let her go.

  A thought came to her. Raising her eyes, she gave Zeis the sweetest, most charming smile she could muster.

  “Are you sure Water Sprite?” she asked pleasantly. “Because if that is the case, I shall have to summon the sun fairy, and ask her to dry up your river. We fairies are pledged to help each other. All I would need to do would be to chant her name seven times, and she would rush to my side.”

  Bella stifled the giggle which threatened to escape her as the Water King’s eyebrows snapped up.

  Sighing dramatically, she said, “So if you’re really sure that you want me to be a permanent guest, then please feel free to tell me right now.” She smiled sweetly at him again, tilting her head to one side as she watched his expression.

  Zeis was absolutely livid. His face turned an even darker purple colour, and a vein in his forehead throbbed noticeably. After a few moments where he visibly struggled to master his rage, Bella could see that he was seriously contemplating her words. He pointed his spear at her bubble, this time bubble burst.

  Cool water lapped at her body as he muttered to her, “Go, Fairy, before I test that protection spell of yours.”

  Bella was so happy to be free that she almost danced. Instead she held up her hand to halt Zeis. ”I will return this way tomorrow, and I do not want my passage to be hindered this time.” With those words she swam away. None of the sprites followed.

  The current became stronger the closer Bella got to the opposite side of the river, and nightfall had arrived by the time her feet could touch the river bed again. So much for getting back in plenty of time, she thought as she dragged herself up onto the bank, and sank into an exhausted sleep right there.

  She awakened when morning’s light smiled on her, but was still tired from her long swim. She pulled herself up and looked around. In front of her was a beautiful lush green meadow, a sense of great age and peace gracing it. It beckoned her, called to her to come and discover its secrets. She moved quietly, so as not to disturb this ancient place, and sought to get her bearings.

  Bella listened to the sounds of the trees talking, their leaves rustling in the early glow as she moved forward. As she walked, she looked for the ancient oak that Pirogues had said sheltered the crystals beneath its roots, but she couldn’t see it anywhere. What do I do now? she sighed, It’s supposed to be right here.

  An idea came to her. She realised that the elfin glen must be hidden within the meadow, protected from the eyes of intruders by an ancient charm. Sitting down in a clearing surrounded by trees, she crossed her slim legs, closed her eyes and concentrated, saying clearly:

  “I Bella, Fairy of Pure Heart, seek the ancient elfin’s glen,” she announced, then began to chant:

  I seek beyond your hidden wall,

  I seek to find your ancient hall.

  Let me see your secret door,

  Let me see what was before.

  Reveal to me your sacred space,

  Reveal to me that hidden place.

  Bella sensed a life force to match hers quivering around her. She felt the earth shift, then still. She opened her eyes and smiled. The elfin glen was now fully revealed to her.

  She rose and walked into the glen. In front of her stood the ancient oak; its beautiful branches stretched out high in the sky, its massive trunk standing proudly tall. The tallest tree in the hidden elfin’s glen.

  Bella moved towards the oak, treading lightly as she felt an unseen power sizzling around her. This ancient glen held powerful magic. Bella sat down at the venerable oak’s roots and lifted her face to it. She removed Pirogue’s parchment from her charm bag and unrolled it. Placing her hand upon the tree, she began to read:

  O ancient oak

  Remove the yoke

  Deep within your hidden depths.

  Show them to me

  That I may see

  The treasures that you keep.

  Open up your hidden void

  So that I may return what lies within

  To where it should be.

  Test me now, O ancient oak

  That you may know

  All is as it should be.

  Bella felt the atmosphere charging. The ground rumbled beneath her. Scrambling to her feet, she hastily stepped backwards as the roots of the ancient oak began to move, slowly at first, ripping their way clear of the ground until finally they were free. She moved closer, staring into the chasms they left behind. Shining crystals were neatly lined within.

  Bella stared in awe at the crystals. She could sense the ancient, potent magic whispering, calling, drawing, commanding her. Shaking her head to deny its siren song, she carefully picked up a crystal, wrapped it in a large oak leaf. She said a spell over her charm bag and watched it double, then triple in size. She put the crystal inside. Soon she had secreted all twelve crystals into the bag. Angling the strap from one shoulder across her chest and securing it at her hip, she was ready to return. Once more she placed her hand upon the tree, and chanted the words that would again cover the hidden place:

  O ancient oak,

  Friend to elfins past,

  Seal your hidden depths once more,

  Until another one should call.

  I thank you for giving me passage free,

  For letting things be as they should be.

  Again the ground rumbled beneath Bella’s feet. Moving away from the tree, she watched as the roots righted themselves and returned where they belonged. Saying a small thank you to the glen for allowing her entrance and safe passage, she heading back the way she had come. Without needing to turn to see, she knew that once again the glen had disappeared, hiding its existence once more.

  At the river’s edge, Bella slowly lowered herself into the cold water, again h
oping to reach the other side before dark. She dunked her head under and set off. As she neared the centre of the river bed, she looked about for Zeis and his followers, but saw no sign of them. Relieved, she continued her uneventful journey until finally she reached the other side.

  Dragging herself free from the water, she sat on the river bank. Bella was resting her head against her knees for a moment to get her breath, when she heard a sudden noise. The King of the Water Sprites lifted his head out of the water in front of her.

  “Fairy of Pure Heart,” he yelled loud enough for her to hear, “word has reached us of your quest, of your willingness to fight for your mortal, even in the face of death. We have tested your strength and courage, and have found no lack. You have gained our approval. Should you ever have need of us, rub this stone beneath water and we will answer your call. Good journey, Fairy.” With those words ringing in her ears, he threw a small object into her lap, and then disappeared.

  In Bella’s lap lay a small opal. While smooth and lacking detail, its shape was undoubtedly that of a sprite, and she could feel the power that lay in its blinking blackness.

  Bella was bemused by the speech and the gift, especially after the way the sprites had treated her on their first encounter, but she was glad to have passed their test, and any offer of help was welcome given the nature of the task she faced.

  The sun was beginning to set by the time she reached the glen’s edge. All the elfin folk were waiting for her. She could smell the excitement in the air.

  How could they know I found the crystals? She wondered, and even as she did, the answer came to her. Of course, they must be able to sense their presence.

  Pirogues rushed up to her, taking her arm and leading her towards a mushroom, motioning for her to sit. All the elfins were talking and laughing at once and Bella smiled to see them. Turning, Pirogues asked one of the elfins to bring the magical charm that Bella needed.

  Bella took the crystals from the bag that hung around her neck, unwrapped them from their protective leaf coverings and handed them over to Pirogues. He accepted them reverently, passing one to each of the other eleven tribal leaders. The twelve joined in a circle, lifted their crystals high above their heads and chanted a little song, while the crystal absorbed the twilight’s magic rays. When dusk gave way to night, they lowered their arms and returned each crystal to the covering that Bella had provided.

  Bella was watching them respectfully, feeling very privileged to have been a part of something so momentous, when Pirogues bent low before her.

  “Oh Bella, Fairy of Pure Heart, you are truly named. Thank you for all you have done for us. We wish you luck on your voyage and safe speed. We will not forget you.” And with those words he presented her with the magical wind charm.

  Bella felt a quiver run down her spine as her hands reached out to take the beautiful charm. It was crafted from wood, the exquisite, intricate carvings etched deeply into the grain portraying how ancient it really was. She raised tear-filled eyes to Pirogues and gave him a watery smile of thanks, knowing that she was now one step closer to setting Arthur free.

  “Let’s celebrate,” shouted Pirogues, raising his hands in triumph.

  Bella grabbed his hand once more before he started the festivities, “Pirogues, can I ask one more thing?”

  Pirogues smiled. “Yes, fair fairy. If we can be of service to you, then we shall be. Any help we can bestow is yours. You only have to ask.”

  “Oh, Pirogues, would you know where I can find the fire’s heart?”

  Still smiling at Bella, Pirogues simply told her, “Bella, everyone knows that fire’s heart can be found deep in the Cave of Forgetfulness, in Dark Mountain.”

  By the time the celebrations had begun to get lively, Bella and Teague had slipped away into the night to continue their quest.

  8

  Fire’s Heart

  High in the air, Bella and Teague flew, letting the wind sweep over them. Bella stretched out on Teague’s back, her hands clasped firmly within his soft fur.

  Raising her head slightly, she gazed at the millions of stars scattered across the sky. Teague’s wings fluttered up and down, a soothing motion that soon lulled her into a deep sleep.

  Day broke, and for the first time since Bella’s quest had began, the sun wasn’t shining. She looked at the dark, angry clouds that threatened to open and rain down upon them any minute.

  From high in the air, Bella could see that they were nearing Dark Mountain, where lodged the Caves of Forgetfulness. The mountain certainly was dark and sinister-looking, with an icy coldness in the air surrounding it.

  As they landed near the foot of the mountain, Bella noticed that the icy coldness extended even down to the forest floor. She shivered. Heaviness lingered all around them. It crept up and wound its way up her spine, cutting off contentment. Bella wondered if it was a spell to frighten intruders away.

  Teague moved restlessly. Bella climbed off his back and stroked him gently, seeking to soothe him.

  I can’t stay here, Bella, his thought entered her mind. He moved into her touch for a moment before backing away edgily.

  “I know, my friend, you need the light. Go to the other side of the forest where the sun still shines and wait for me. As soon as I am able, I will call you, and then you can come back for me.” Bella smiled a little sadly at him.

  “Be safe,” she whispered, and watched him flutter his wings in agreement a moment before he took to the open sky, leaving her behind.

  I wonder where I’ve come to this time, she thought as she looked around. Tall dark trees surrounded the forest, giving it an eerie feel. Shadows haunted every nook. The icy coldness slithered up to her, winding its cold fingers around her feet and climbing up her legs. Bella shuddered.

  The mountain, silhouetted in darkness, loomed ahead. She squinted her eyes to make the most of the pale light in the mountain’s shadow. She could just make out a darker area, ebony on black. Since it was the only feature she could see, she headed in that direction.

  As she approached, the darker patch revealed itself to be an opening in the mountainside. Bella walked up to it and looked closely. There was writing etched in the rocks that surrounded the entrance, and she was startled to recognise that it was formed in the ancient script of the dwarves.

  The dwarven folk were all but extinct, the few that remained having gone into hiding many years ago. Their language, long not heard in the immortal realms, was almost forgotten. But only almost, for the fairy folk kept alive the knowledge of all the immortals, and fairy children learnt all the spoken and written languages before their coming-of-age.

  Bella moved closer towards the etchings, wanting to glimpse the intricate curvy inscription. It flowed whimsically, the words plainly etched clearly for any who could heed its words. This must have taken a long time to carve, she thought as she lifted her hand to run her fingers lightly over the markings, in awe she began to read.

  So, this was indeed the entrance to the Cave of Forgetfulness. While Bella had been concentrating on the words etched into the rock, she had slipped her small hand into her bag to find the shimmering blue protection dust. She sprinkled it over herself, then once more reached into her bag. This time she withdrew a bright yellow bracelet and wrapped it around her wrist. The bracelet would hopefully ward against losing her way within the dark walls of the caves. Straightening her shoulders and lifting her chin, she entered the cave’s mouth.

  An even more bitter cold cloaked itself around Bella, and she realised that there was no light at all to guide her. She shuddered. For one brief moment, she considered going back, but then Arthur’s face flashed before her and reminded her why she was doing all this. She felt for her bag, reached inside and sought her light crystal. She moved her fingers over the precious stone, and then lifted it high above her head, lighting the caves.

  A
nd found herself in a large cavern, from which several small tunnels appeared to lead further into the mountain in many directions. Bats hovered above her head and spiders swung in their cold webs. Bella listened for any other sounds within the walls of rock, but found none. She walked further into the main cavern, trying not to think about the cold seeping into her bones, the silence, or the cave’s inhabitants—those already encountered, and any as yet unseen.

  Having no idea where she was or where to go, she stared at the many tunnels that lead off form the cavern, and decided that the safest path would be to investigate the largest. After some minutes of groping her way towards it, she could look into the tunnel. It stretched ahead, wide and straight for as far as she could see with the small light crystal, so taking a deep breath, she entered.

  She had travelled along the tunnel for several minutes when the faint sounds of singing and giggling reached her ears. Her feet stilled. Someone was in these caves with her. Bella’s heart thumped wildly and she had to strain to hear over it. So as not to give her presence away before she knew who or what she was facing, she shielded the light crystal with her hands. She could then see a dim glow in the distance, spilling out into the main tunnel from an opening to the right.

  She inched along one wall until she was just outside. She cautiously moved her head until she could just see inside. She saw a naturally rounded cave room. Then her eyes widened with shock as she spotted two of the biggest goblins she had ever seen.

  Slowly, so as not to draw their attention, she extinguished her light crystal and returned it to her bag. She wanted to observe them for a few moments before making herself known.

  Sitting on the dirty floor, the goblins sang at the top of their voices and then burst into loud fits of laughter. From this distance Bella could not quite hear what they were laughing about, but she stifled the sudden urge to laugh herself at the way they were behaving. Bella had always believed that goblins were dim-witted, hairy and fat. She had never seen any who were as light-hearted as these two; goblins had always seemed so serious to her before.