“I don’t understand what this has to do—” Fae Gaia started to interrupt the queen.
“Humans are no longer worth the effort,” explained the queen. “They squander our generosity for their own selfish gain, and in the end do we truly help them? The last time we directly interfered with a human’s kingdom was at the birth of Princess Talia Aurora, which had disastrous results.”
The court murmured in agreement as the Queen of Fayres continued, “That is why we forbade any of the Fae Gaia to interfere directly in the affairs of kings and queens in the human realm. The fairy magic that caused her to fall asleep on her sixteenth birthday was so great that it transferred to her children.”
“But, my queen,” said Azure in defense of her friend, “It was the petty jealousy of one fairy that had cursed her to death in the first place, and if it was not for the quick thinking of a Fae Gaia she would have been dead rather than in a hundred year sleep.”
“Even the Fae are not above pettiness and jealousy. Our race is not as perfect either,” Fae Gaia pointed out, staring directly at the queen as she spoke.
“Those details do not matter!” the queen said in a raised voice. “The point is— we should not have been involved at all.” The Queen of Fayres’ tone grew in annoyance for a brief moment.
With a gesture, the queen summoned to her side two children, a boy and his twin sister; both looked no older than sixteen years of age and with bright blue eyes and light blonde hair dressed in white tunics of the lightest silk. “You recall the children of Aurora, the boy known as Day and his sister, Morning?” The Queen of Fayres asked. “They have not aged past their sixteenth birthday, though they have lived for a century or more because they were born under the spell of Fae magic. Just as Princess Talia Aurora was never to live past sixteen years of age under a Fae’s spell, so shall they. It was an unforeseen consequence. They will never grow into adulthood. They will never age. They would not survive in their human realm. They would be labeled forever as children, judged by their outside appearance. Some would brand them freaks, they would be outcasts. It is a tragedy and Fae magic is responsible. For that mistake we have taken them in and they have lived with us for many years. Add to that, when we heard of your death at the hand of Cinderella, it was decided that we can no longer meddle in human affairs. All the Fae have expressed curiosity in humans. Azure the blue haired fairy has,” The queen gracefully motioned with her slender arm to Fae Gaia’s friend. “Even I have in the past, dabbled with humans as have others; but no more. All contact is forbidden now. The tales of fairies have come to an end. The humans can fend for themselves. It is this queen’s decision that Matakin will no longer uphold the Fae-Wonderland treaty. Let Wonderland have at them. Let the humans suffer the consequences of their greed and power lust for once. There will be no fairy godmothers to help them this time.”
There was polite applause and approval from the fairy court as the Queen of Fayres announced her declaration.
“What? You can’t be serious?” Fae Gaia pleaded. “What of the young girl who saved my life? That must mean something. The bravery and courage that one little girl has shown is enough to shame a hundred cowardly Kings. I saw the child’s own mother give her life to save her child’s.”
“A noble sacrifice indeed, Fae Gaia,” The Queen of Fayres replied, growing bored of the conversation, “I am sure there are many stories of such deeds; and they are not without merit. However it is the actions of their leader that must be held accountable for the rest.”
“Then what if Wonderland decides to invade here?” Fae Gaia challenged, her voice bristling with frustration. “Where would you like to stand up to them? When they’ve reached this side of the courtyard, or that side?”
“Fae Gaia, enough of this foolish talk, you are acting like a human,” The Queen of Fayres said calmly. “It has been decided. The Fae will not uphold the Fae wonderland treaty. Furthermore, I forbid any Fae to travel to the human realm,” The queen declared. Her large sylvan eyes narrowed on Fae Gaia. “Your dedication and service has been beyond measure, you are the last of your order. I suggest you take this as an opportunity to reconnect with your life here as a Fae, and do not concern yourself with such a lost cause as the humans.”
The queen turned to address her court directly. “Now we must clear the courtyard for the bees to prepare for the honey banquet tonight. And we shall celebrate the official dissolution of the Fae-Wonderland treaty and our new freedoms from the burden of obligation to the humans!”
Cheers and polite applause rose from those gathered in the courtyard, even Azure clapped with excitement; cheers from everyone except from Fae Gaia. Then as an afterthought, the queen kicked the severed tail of the Cheshire Cat slightly with her foot. “And would someone please dispose of this.”
With that, the queen, her court and many of the Fae left the courtyard, fluttered up and disappearing amongst the branches and leaves of the Great Oak. The rest dispersed through the garden paths chatting with each other.
Fae Gaia stood with Azure, in the now empty courtyard as bees of every size began to clear away chairs and move tables.
“I forgot how flippant and frivolous the Fae can be,” said Fae Gaia, as she suddenly found herself fighting back tears of frustration in mid-sentence.
Azure put a comforting hand on her friends shoulder. “I’m sorry,” she offered.
Fae Gaia composed herself, “well, if they are going to just stick their head in the ground, I am not staying here,” she whispered with stern resolve to Azure.
There was a look of shock on the blue haired fairy’s face. “You can’t leave! The queen just forbade anyone from leaving,” Azure reminded her.” What about the honey banquet? It would be such like old times if you were to stay for the honey banquet. We had such fun.”
“Are you serious, Azure? You are now more concerned about a silly banquet?” The two began to walk down one of the other garden paths talking in hushed tones.
“Well, what’s the point otherwise? The queen said we can’t leave, so that’s it,” Azure answered, shrugging her shoulders. “What dress are you going to wear tonight?”
“I did not come here for the honey banquet, Azure. I came here for help to stop a war; I owe that at least to the girl, Patience. I would rather go back and at least try to help a friend than pretend for the rest of my days that it didn’t matter.”
“Very well, then I will go with you!” Azure suddenly offered.
Fae Gaia stopped in mid-step and gave her friend an incredulous look, “…and miss the honey banquet?”
“As you said, we Fae are flippant,” Azure added with a smile and Fae Gaia laughed despite herself.
“We want to go with you!” from an impromptu hiding spot among the thick bushes of the garden path emerged the twins, Day and his sister Morning standing in front of Fae Gaia and Azure “We can help as well!”
“Oh, No… this is too dangerous,” said Fae Gaia, concerned that things would get out of hand. It would be risking her plan as well as the safety of her friends. “You two are not Fae; you would not be able to leave without assistance. And I am not going to help you so you can risk your lives, or at the very least get in trouble with the queen.”
“The queen forbids any Fae from leaving, we’re not Fae, we’re human, we’ve more right to go than you,” added Morning. “Besides it would be nice to see other humans for a change.”
“And it’s an adventure!” said Day. “It is a little boring around here, when you are not Fairy.”
“Absolutely not,” Fae Gaia refused again.
“Well then, we’ll tell the queen, then that you are planning to disregard her decree,” countered Morning. Her brother nodded in support.
“Or,” Day added, “We can show you where the Chariot of Dragons is. The queen has a room called the vault—full of fairy treasures and artifacts. As guests of the queen herself, we’ve access to all we should request. A chariot pulled by dragons would be very useful in a war.”
&n
bsp; “…And useful for helping two enthusiastic humans to leave the Fairylands, I suppose as well,” Fae Gaia replied. The devious smiles on the faces of Day and Morning confirmed her suspicion of ulterior motives from the two children.
Fae Gaia looked at Azure for help in resolving this. Azure, however stood next to Day and Morning, “or you could go to the honey banquet tonight and be miserable.”
“The honey banquet, of course!” Fae Gaia said, “Perfect cover. With everyone there including the queen and her court, it will be such a distraction that it will be much easier to get inside the vault and slip away.”
Fae Gaia hugged Azure warmly, “Tonight, we’ll do it!” The she patted the shoulders of the two children.
“Are you sure you want to leave, Children of Aurora?” Fae Gaia asked.
“More than anything!” Day and Morning replied in unison.
Then Fae Gaia, with a gleam sparkling in her eyes affirmed their plan. “It’s settled then, during the honey banquet, we shall make our departure, all of us!”
JACK MEETS CINDERELLA
(INTERLOGUE PART II OF IV)
Marchenton Castle, 10 Years Prior.
The castle’s Majordomo, an elderly gentleman named Henry, stepped sharply around the hallway corner, where outside the doors of the secondary receiving hall sat a disheveled young man in the simple clothing of a villager. The lad and his attire both a little more worn and plain looking; he pulled his brown woolen cap from his mop of brown hair respectfully, and nervously began wringing the woolen cap in his hands.
“A representative of the royal family has agreed to hear you, Mister Jack Spriggins,” Henry said with an annoyed sniff.
Jack’s face brightened with genuine surprise. “That’s great news! Thank you so much sir! It will be an honor to speak with the king!”
“Not quite. King Marchen is traveling on business; nevertheless, you will be heard. You will tell your story to the Princess. Now, there are rules,” Henry looked the young man over. Then with a white gloved hand began to brush and smooth out Jack’s tunic.
“Princess? I think this should be handled by someone with a little more... authority …than a princess?”
“Very well then, if the farm whelp is displeased with the arrangement, I shall gladly show him the exit instead.”
“No, I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to offend... I was just a little excited, that’s all.”
“I assure you all members of the royal family are more than capable. Now as I was saying, there are some rules—”
“But didn’t she marry into the family?” Jack interrupted. “That’s different than bein’ born into it, isn’t?”
Henry ignored the lad’s question.
“Rule number one.” Henry began. “Do not speak unless you are spoken to. Next, do not make eye contact. You are to kneel until you are told it is okay for you to stand. You are not to approach the royal family.”
Henry began to usher Jack towards a set of heavy wooden doors inset into a small stone alcove. “You will address the Princess, as ‘my Princess…’.”
Henry stopped with a hand firmly on the ornate brass handle. “And above all be brief. The Royal family keeps a very busy schedule and you are lucky anyone has made the time to see someone such as you on such short notice. So don’t waste their time.”
Jack took a deep breath as Henry threw the doors open and began his formal announcements in a very dour and formal voice.
“Princess Ella Marchen to hear matters regarding...” Henry’s booming voice and his well rehearsed announcement suddenly trailed off.
There was laughing and the sounds of women giggling. Jack and Henry looked toward the empty throne that was regally centered against the back wall of the secondary reception room. The laughing cut off abruptly as the Majordomo glared across to the other side of the room.
A group of maids had gathered around, in the middle was Princess Ella, in a regal gown, standing by a water bucket, holding a dirty floor mop.
“Princess!” Henry said with formal aghast.
“Hello Henry, I was merely showing some of the staff some tricks to help them—” The Princess saw the silent, glowering expression on Henry’s face, and handed the mop to one of the maids. “Thank you, Catherine,” said Ella.
As she proceeded across the room toward Henry and Jack, without thinking she wiped her hands on the delicate, plum-colored, royal dress she wore. The princess suddenly realized what she had done, when Henry let out a horrified gasp. “Princess Ella!”
“I’m sorry,” she offered, “old habits.” She winced and offered an apologetic smile.
Quickly, Henry went across the room to a nearby table for a pitcher of water and a bowl that he poured water into. Then with the bowl in hand, and grabbing a rough towel, he rushed to her side, briskly wiped Ella’s hands clean.
“Indeed. It is my recommendation that this meeting be rescheduled so the princess may don more presentable attire befitting her station, and to be properly seated on her throne.” Henry overtly chastised Ella, making no effort to hide his displeasure as he inspected the swipes of grime on the dress. “That’s another one ruined,” he muttered.
“No need to reschedule, Henry,” Ella waved him off. “A little dirt on the dress won’t render me unable to function. I can still speak and listen,” She gave a quick smile and a wink at Jack, “Besides, us Cornish folk like a little dirt under our nails.”
There came a gruff sigh for Henry. “As you wish,” he said then set the maids off to their duties with a stern scowl and an all too familiar wave of his hands.
“How did you know I was from the Cornish area?” Jack whispered behind Henry’s back.
“You have red clay stains on your pants, where you’ve knelt. Cornish is the only province with red clay…I know all about those stains,” she replied with a quick whisper back.
“Princess Ella,” Henry said as he turned back to help Ella properly ascend and sit upon the princess’ throne. “Your continued determination to cling to your commoner upbringing is, certainly a respectable trait, in this situation. But the delegation from Bremensport will require more protocol when they arrive next month.”
“I promise I’ll do it your way for Bremensport,” she replied sweetly.
“Should I do the introduction portion of this meeting, or are we disregarding everything I’ve taught the Marchen family in my sixty years of service to the throne?”
“No, no, no. Please Henry, you can do the introductions,” Ella said as she looked at Jack, “he’s really a big mush once you get to know him.”
“I’m sure,” replied Jack sheepishly.
Jack felt he was staring longer than he should at such a beautiful woman. Remembering Henry’s rules, he quickly looked at his feet. Henry cleared his throat, and then began for a second time.
“Princess Ella Marchen to hear matters regarding Mister Jack Spriggins from the Cornish region—”
“Thank you Henry, well done as usual,” said Ella politely.
She extended her petite hand then with a warm smile. “Nice to meet you, Jack from Cornish,” she said.
Jack hesitated, looking slightly confused as to how to proceed, unsure of the rules as Henry rolled his eyes at the lad.
“If the princess presents her hand to you in greeting it is customary to gesture a kiss,” Henry explained. “To not do so is an affront to the princess and an insult to the throne.”
“But you said not to approach—” Jack began to argue.
“Just do it!” Henry answered back under his breath but loud enough for Jack to hear.
Jack took a hurried step forward. Reaching out he touched Ella’s hand; her skin was warm and soft, though her palm was slightly rough and calloused. The fine hairs on her delicate wrist rose with goose bumps that traveled up her bare forearm at his touch. As he leaned in nervously to place a soft kiss on the back of her hand, Jack could smell her flowery, regal perfume.
“I grew up near the market there,” Ella said, settlin
g in to her throne. “Went to there almost every week while growing up; we probably passed by each other, but that was years ago,” her blue eyes sparkled at him.
“My father owned a farm on the outskirts,” Jack replied with hesitance. “Since he passed away a few years ago, my mother and I, well—we’ve tried to sell what we could at the market, but these past few years we’ve not been successful. Last time I was there was almost a month or more at least. I tried to sell my last cow… wasn’t very successful.”
“My mother died when I was very young. My father died a few years after he had remarried. I know what it’s like to struggle to maintain a household, even a Cornish one,” Ella said. Then with a thought she looked at Henry. “Henry, make sure this man receives a fair share of gold for his troubles. Take it from my personal allowance if need be, the coffers won’t miss it.”
Henry nodded, and with a slight bow of his head, left to fetch the coins.
Then Jack hurriedly turned the small talk of the conversation. “My princess, your beauty is matched by your generosity but—“
“You can drop the formalities when Henry isn’t around. Please, call me Ella.”
“I did not come here to beg for money.” Jack said.
“Nonsense, I am happy to help a fellow Cornish. If it means helping to get your farm up and running, then you can contribute to the village market again.”
“Thank you, then. At least I’d repay this loan to the throne if I could,” Jack offered.
“No you will not! It is a gift. If you’d like to repay me, you will stay as my guest for dinner and a decent night’s rest before you return,” Ella insisted. “I’d love to hear your stories. I haven’t been back to Cornish since my wedding to the prince. With everything going on, since the queen died and this beanstalk and the weather; has everyone on edge and busy, it would be nice to have some company to talk to.” Her voice quivered a bit and her blue eyes seemed sad, but only for a moment.
Shards Of The Glass Slipper: Queen Alice Page 3