by T. R. Reilly
"We have endured his rule here for nearly twenty one years, as he has brought darkness and evil to our lands."
Leanna's hopes of a happy homecoming quickly evaporated, "So I have no family...no one to love me?" Leanna whispered, looking away from Freya's gaze. Not wanting to see the pity in Freya's eyes. She paused, then looked back at Freya, "No one, except this uncle Girvyn, who wishes me dead?" Freya nodded as Leanna pushed past her and walked around the bed toward the open glass-less window and placed her hands on the ledge. "There are many here who will love you. I am sorry you have ended up alone, but you are loved, of that I am certain." Freya looked toward Ash, whose head was down, as he remained by the open door. "Ash, please take the tray down to the kitchen. I wish to speak to Leanna alone for a moment."
"As you wish mother" Ash responded and retrieved the food tray from the bed and headed out the door, closing it softly behind him. Freya walked to the window to join Leanna, as she gazed out at the scenic flower and vegetable gardens, watching the workers weeding the garden beds and doing their daily tasks. Freya spoke firmly but quietly, "I know this is a lot to take in. But over the coming weeks and months I assure you, we will tell you everything you need to know and make you feel at home here. We will be the family you want and need. Though of course, once you become queen we will be your subjects, but will love you no less." Freya's face held tension and worry. Leanna turned her head to look at Freya as her hands gripped the stone window ledge tightly. "At home? Why did you bring me back here? I'm no queen. I don't know anything about the Fae realm, let alone ruling it." Freya smiled reassuringly and reached to touch Leanna's left hand, "THIS is your home now. WE want you here Leanna. You are our princess...our soon to be queen. We will teach you our ways... and place you back on the throne. Our kingdom needs you."
Leanna pulled her hand away, feeling overwhelmed and now disappointed that things weren't going to be any better than in the human world, she turned again to face Freya. "I don't want to be here! I want to go back! I can't do this!" she yelled putting her hands straight at her sides, tears filling her eyes and spilling out onto her cheeks.
"I understand-" Freya began.
"No, I don't think you do! I'm better off back home than here. At least no one wanted me dead back there!" Leanna squeaked out the words before her legs gave way, letting her fall toward the hard floor, the fall slowed only by Freya's quick reflexes, as she grabbed Leanna's arms to ease her more gently to the floor. Freya gently stroked Leanna's head in silence, as the tears of realization and grief took over for Leanna. Once Leanna's crying began to slow, she allowed herself to be gently helped up and moved to the bed where she closed her eyes welcoming the peaceful slumber that sleep brings when the body has had a shock.
CHAPTER THREE
Leanna woke from her long nap and opened her eyes. It felt as though several hours had passed since she broke down and cried herself to sleep. She knew she could not go back to the human realm now, especially since Ash was here and her future appeared to be that way too. Part of her also felt guilty that she'd secretly always wanted to get away from humanity, as though that wasn't really her rightful place. Sitting up slowly she felt her stomach growl and decided she needed to leave the room and go find something to eat. Then she would see what this new life had to offer her. Slowly rising from the bed she made her way to the door. When she stepped through the doorway she jumped when Ash suddenly stood up beside her. He had been seated on a chair outside her room and rose quickly when she'd stepped through into the hallway.
"Ash!" she exclaimed laughing a little. "You scared me!"
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to. It's just...I was waiting for you" he said with quiet concern.
"You mean you were making sure I didn't run off." she smirked, "so what time is it? Have I slept all day?"
"Ha ha, yes...but it's okay. I expect your body has to get used to the change of realms. Would you like some dinner?" Ash looked adoringly at Leanna.
"Yes, I'm starving, I should have eaten my fruit this morning and not just my toast!" Leanna said rubbing her stomach with one hand.
"I'll give you a tour of our cottage on the way," Ash said, placing a hand on Leanna's back as he led them both along the hallway.
"That's my mother's room" he pointed to the next room they passed.
"That's the water closet" he motioned to a small door next to his parents room.
"Water closet?" Leanna eyebrows shot up.
"Oh, you may know it as a toilet," he smiled then continued walking, pointing to the next closed door, "here is the bathing area, or bathroom..." He said. Then, moving to a large open area further down the narrow hallway he motioned with his arm, "This is the sitting room, or study."
"Where is your room?" Leanna asked curiously.
"Uh..." Ash tilted his head in the direction of the room she had just left and shrugged.
"Am I? Is that your room that I'm in?" Leanna pointed to the room behind them.
Ash nodded, "Yes, but it's fine. It's more important that you be comfortable, princess"
She stopped and grabbed Ash's arm, "Please call me Leanna, it doesn't feel right, you calling me princess all the time."
Ash stopped, then bowed his head slightly and continued toward the kitchen, across from the study. "Here we are, now what would you like to eat?" he asked as he made his way to the the counter.
"A sandwich sounds good, I'm pretty hungry, that bread I had this morning was yummy." Leanna took a seat at the small kitchen table. "So what do you people...uh, Buranian Fae folk eat?" she asked playfully. Ash laughed, "We mostly eat vegetables, fruit, as well as milks of different kinds. Not much difference to human food, you'll find. Well, except we don't make our food poisonous like humans tend to do. We make everything ourselves. We grow our own food, as well as supply the food for the palace. My mother has prepared a salad, would you like that with your sandwich?" Ash grabbed the loaf of delicious smelling bread that was sitting on a cutting board. "Okay, that sounds great" Leanna smiled. She watched as Ash expertly cut perfect slices of homemade bread, then as he cut up vegetables for the sandwich her eyes wandered around the kitchen. There were plenty of wooden cupboards, a sink, with taps that looked slightly old fashioned. What she assumed was an icebox sat on one wall, with a tall cupboard next to it. Their stove was like an old wood stove that she'd seen back in the human realm, in old movies. The small table she sat at was made of solid wood and had four good size sturdy chairs with ornate engraving on the backs of them. As she turned her attention back to Ash, he was placing her sandwich on a plate. He walked over to the table, setting the plate in front of her. "So is it just you and your mom here, Ash?" she asked as she took a huge bite of her sandwich. Ash nodded his head and pulled the salad out of the icebox to begin serving it up to each of them. "Yes, my father was killed fighting for the queen during the rebellion."
"I'm sorry Ash" Leanna said, swallowing the mouthful of food, then frowning.
"It's okay. It has taken my mother a long time to come to terms with his death. He was the queen's personal knight. He gave his life to keep her on the throne and failed." Ash's lips formed a thin line as he looked up at Leanna briefly, "my family have served the royals for hundreds of years."
Leanna watched as Ash filled two bowls with salad and joined her at the table. It was impossible to tell his age based on his perfect youthful looking skin and hair. "May I ask you just how old you are Ash?" Leanna stared brightly at him, trying to guess before he answered.
"In human years? Or faerie years?" he laughed.
"Both" she smiled.
"I have lived only about a hundred years as a fairy, though I guess I look more like I am about your age, maybe a little older, in human years. What do you think?" he said with a smile that lit up his face.
Leanna blushed then and looked down at her food. "I guess you look about twenty or so, yeah. Give or take," she said, taking another mouthful. They both laughed, lightening the mood and making them each feel a little more relax
ed. After a few minutes Leanna stopped eating again and waited for Ash to finish so she could ask more questions. As if he read her mind he looked up from his bowl and smiled, "What would you like to know, Princess".
"Well, you said earlier that the females rule this kingdom, the royal females. How many other kingdoms are there?"
Ash thought for a moment, "This realm has many, perhaps forty or so? They are divided into light and dark. Our kingdom, Burana, is nature based and we do light magic. Some dark kingdoms practice less altruistic lives and darker magic, but in all the females rule.."
"Okay so how is it that my Uncle...Girvyn is it?" Ash nodded, "How is it that he is ruler, if it has never been done this way?"
"He has a small following of disgruntled males that agree with his ideas. He also went to other kingdoms rallying for support. There are rumors that he even engaged the help of a dark faerie queen, but we don't know if there is any truth to that. When your mother died, he claimed there was no rightful heir to the throne except for him. No one in Burana was successful in standing against him, it was decided that we would wait until you were old enough to come back and claim the throne yourself."
Leanna sat thoughtfully, going over everything in her mind. "So he knows I exist and what, he thinks I will never claim my birthright?" Then after a brief pause she added, "How will we prove I am the rightful heir? It isn't like he is going to let me waltz in there and take over...is it?"
Ash let out a small laugh, "No, it is going to take some proving and that's why you have the amulet." He pointed at the glowing green gem hanging on a chain around Leanna's neck. Leanna's hand went to it unconsciously, she felt it between her fingers, rubbing it gently.
"That's why you have to stay with us for a few weeks first. We will help you learn about your abilities and teach you our way of life."
Leanna did a sudden intake of breath, "abilities?" dropping the amulet against her chest.
Ash's eyes narrowed slightly, "You have natural psychic and healing abilities because you are an nature faerie. But these need to be nurtured and developed, so that you don't hurt yourself or anyone else." He reached and took her bowl and plate, putting it with his own and rose out of his chair to place the dishes in the sink. When he turned to the table once more, his face had lightened a little and Leanna had wondered if the feeling of worry she'd just picked up in him was real, or her own mind making it up. "Let's go to the study, we'll be more comfortable there," he motioned to the room across the hall from the kitchen. Leanna hadn't noticed the room so much earlier, but now as they entered it, she saw two plush brown colored sofas in the shape of the letter L. Also in the room were a couple of small tables, some book shelves stuffed with books, and a fireplace. She chose a seat on the sofa facing the fireplace, even though it wasn't lit, it was still very nice to look at. The room had a cozy feel to it. She curled her legs up beside her and leaned on the comfy arm of the love- seat sized couch. Ash sat on the other full sized sofa at the end closest to Leanna. He sat upright, his posture as perfect as it always seemed to be, his feet flat on the floor, his hands on his thighs.
For the next couple of hours, Ash indulged Leanna's questions, smiling politely. His mother, Freya popped her head in as she headed off to bed, "Good night you two. I have an early morning tomorrow at the palace." Then looking at Leanna, "sleep well my dear princess" she said as she left the room as quietly as she'd entered, with Leanna smiling back at her.
Around midnight, Leanna could no longer keep her eyes open and began to fall asleep, the comfortable sofa beckoning her to lie her head down, so she put her head on the arm of it, just for a moment, as Ash continued a story about the history of Burana. Soon she was fast asleep. She didn't stir when Ash went to her and gently swept her up in his arms. Once in his arms, her eyelids fluttered briefly, as she snuggled closer into his chest. As he tucked her into bed and was walking away, her sleepy voice called out, "Thank you Ash, for tonight and for answering my questions." Ash returned to her bedside and looked down at Leanna. Carefully he touched her cheek with his fingers and whispered, "Sleep well, princess." He closed the door quietly and returned to the study to set up a bed for himself, on one of the sofa's.
The next morning, Leanna rose early, gathered some fresh clothing from the dresser and headed to the bathing room. As she dressed after her bath she checked herself in the mirror. Her emerald green eyes looking back at her with a glint of happiness. She only vaguely recalled Ash putting her to bed, she hugged herself at the thought of his big strong arms carrying her and holding her close to him. She couldn't wait to lay eyes on him again today and hear more about Burana. As she combed her hair she thought about how it would feel to touch his hair, to stroke his perfect face and kiss his full lips. The more she began to think about him, the quicker she began to get ready. She didn't want to miss a moment of him. Just as she finished up, there was a soft knock on the bathroom door. She walked over and opened the door. It was Freya, "Good morning my dear, would you like some breakfast before I leave for the palace?"
"Good morning Freya. No I can manage, thanks." Then she thought for a moment, "that is, if you don't mind me helping myself?" she added. Freya gave a dismissive brush of her hand, "No problem my dear. Please, make yourself at home here." With that, she was off again and by the time Leanna entered the kitchen there was no sign of Freya. Quietly she moved around the kitchen preparing food and drink for herself. As she sat to eat what she had prepared, Ash entered, "Good morning," he said putting his arms up in a big stretch before pouring himself a glass of water and joining Leanna. She smiled.
"I trust you slept well?" he said.
"Yes, thanks. Oh and thank you for putting me to bed." Her face lit up again with a slight twinge of pink in her cheeks at the thought of him having carried her.
"I hope you don't mind. I didn't want to wake you. You looked so peaceful." He said as he took a gulp of water and placed the glass back down onto the table.
"No..I mean, it's fine." There was an awkward moment of silence as she ate, and Ash got up to get himself some food.
"What will we be doing today?" Leanna asked as she finished up her breakfast, then added, "Can I go outside yet?"
"Soon Milady, first I want to go over a couple of ground rules with you."
Leanna shook her head at him calling her 'milady' again but decided to overlook it since he sounded so serious.
"Okay," she said, looking over at Ash.
"You mustn't stray far outside the cottage. The palace is nearby and Girvyn has spies everywhere. If anyone approaches you, do not tell them anything. I will be with you, but in case I am not, do not allow yourself to be questioned. It's important that-" There was a loud knock on the door, causing Leanna to jump slightly. Ash, put a finger to his lips and left to answer the door. Leanna got up from the table and positioned herself nearby, but where she could not be seen by anyone, as Ash opened the door.
"Ash, my son needs help. Please!" a young female voice said, frantically.
"What's happened?"
Leanna could hear Ash moving around. She stepped out from behind the door to see Ash holding a young child, his frantic mother tearfully pleading with her eyes. "Come in, shut the door" Ash said in a serious voice. He looked over at Leanna, his eyes telling her to stay quiet. She obeyed and followed him to the study, where he placed the boy on the sofa. She watched as Ash rubbed his hands together quickly, his eyes closed, his lips moving silently as he did so. Then she watched him place his hands on the boy, one on his forehead, the other on his small chest. Keeping his eyes closed, Ash repeated the process a couple of times. The boys mother knelt beside the couch, her hands to her mouth and head down as if in prayer. Moments later the boys chest began to rise and he coughed. Ash pushed the child's hair back off his forehead, gently touching his face, then he helped him to sit up. The boy looked up at Ash, his face growing wide with a smile. The child's mother cried out in joy, "Thank you, Ash...thank you", she picked up her son and held him close. Ash looked over
at Leanna and smiled. The woman glanced at Leanna, as she and her son made their way to the door, and after a few words of encouragement and advice from Ash, they went on their way. When he closed the door and turned to Leanna, she had a look of admiration on her face. "So a knight and a healer huh?" she said. "So, do all faeries have the ability to heal?" she asked. "No, not all." He said as he sat down on the sofa and motioned for Leanna to sit as well.
"Will you teach me how to do that?" she asked.
"I don't need to teach you, you can already do it. I will teach you how to harness it. That AND your empathic abilities." He said confidently.
"Empathic? What do you mean?" she asked.
"You pick up the feelings of others, you take on their emotions, as if they were your own. You will need to learn to distinguish between what is their's and what is your own."
Leanna shook her head, "Wow, that makes so much sense. I wondered why I couldn't stand being around people for long." She let out a sigh, "So I'm not as crazy as I thought I was then." She remembered all the times she had picked up emotions that didn't feel like hers, it had been very confusing for her, it was one of the reasons she'd kept to herself back in the human realm.
"You also have some telepathy. It seems a bit hit and miss, but you can develop it." Ash said, as his brow furrowed. "I'm sorry that you are only learning about these things now Leanna. It was important not to reveal things to you until you were old enough to understand them. I'm also sorry that growing up and going to school in that realm was so hard for you." He bit his lip and looked at Leanna with compassion. "Are you reading my mind?" she asked.