Maud, of course, has a table laden with goodies for them, and Elsie is starving. Her cheeks are flushed as she explains to Maud what she planned with the female fairies. Maud looks shocked and Elsie laughs. Hardy shakes his head at his mother, a warning to say nothing, and Elsie catches it. She loves how he sticks up for her.
“I don’t know what to say, pet. I have no interest in fighting, so I can’t understand it. I suppose you youngsters like to think you’re full of radical ideas, though.”
Elsie takes a bite of food. “Actually, we have some fairies older than you joining us.”
Maud chokes on a piece of bread. “You’re kidding me! Who?”
“Bronwen and a bunch of other ladies from the troupe, and quite a few from the village who Norah brought along.”
Maud shakes her head and takes a sip of her drink. “Well, I never! Maybe I should swap my spoon for a sword. What do you think, Hardy?”
Hardy grins. “You could definitely batter a few guards, mum.”
Elsie and Maud groan at his terrible joke, and then Elsie catches hold of his hand under the table. How could she have doubted him?
“And we have a date set to fight.”
“You do?” Maud looks panicked. “When?”
“One week.”
“A week! Is that long enough?”
“Of course. We’ve been preparing for years. Don’t panic, mum.”
“It’s just one of those things. We’ve been planning it for so long I almost never thought it would happen. Then you came along, Elsie.”
Elsie smiles. She’s got what she wanted. She came back to Allaire to stop her parents. She knew she’d need help. And she’s got it from Hardy. She didn’t come back to be helpless and weak; she wanted to make a change and now she gets to fight in this battle which should see her on the throne. It’s all working out perfectly. She is frightened of the fight and what might happen, but she’s happier to fight than to sit around.
She eats until she’s bursting and then excuses herself. “I’m tired, I’ve never done so much as I did today.”
“I’ll walk you up to your room,” Hardy says and follows her upstairs.
Outside her room, she pauses. She wishes she was more experienced. He leans in and kisses her. “It’s not that I don’t want you to fight; it’s just that I’m scared you might get hurt.”
“I won’t.”
“You won’t because I’ll make sure of it. Norah knows what she’s doing, but there’s still a risk.”
“I think we all know that. We’re not trying to be reckless, but we want to help.”
“And you will. We have the numbers now to do it. Even with the troupe joining us, we were a little short. This way we can set up barricades and perimeters and make sure we’re all safe. As much as possible. Thank you.”
“Really?”
“Really what?”
“You’re thankful that I did this. You don’t think I was sneaky, or that I went behind your back?”
“Not at all.”
He kisses her again, and she lets herself melt into him. Trust grows, she knows that. She barely knows him, however attracted to him she is. Time will tell. She’s heard that saying, and it makes sense.
She puts her hand on his chest, wanting to touch him, but also giving him a subtle sign to back off. She goes into her room and leans against the door. Her life has changed so much and so quickly she can barely catch her breath.
She undoes her hair, running the ribbon through her fingers. She thinks Dayle would be proud of her, if she knew. Rallying the women to fight and then telling Hardy what was going on; not asking for his permission, but telling him was brave.
She feels impressed with herself. Meg said that when she had the chance to make choices, she would get to make good ones, better ones than her step parents made, and she feels like she’s doing it.
She undresses with some difficulty; who knew buttons and laces could be so tricky? Then she puts her nightgown on and snuggles into bed.
There’s a knock at the door and Maud slips inside with a pitcher of ale and a plate of food. “In case you get hungry in the night, lovely.”
“Thank you. And thank you for not laughing when I said we’d be joining the men in this fight.”
Maud perches on the edge of the bed. “I’d never laugh at you. I’m an old woman, but I can learn from you as you can learn from me. I would never make fun of you. And I hope you’d never make fun of me.”
Elsie shakes her head. She likes Maud a lot.
“Hardy takes this thing seriously. I don’t know what he’ll do with himself when it’s done; it’s been such a big goal for such a long time, and it’s felt unattainable.”
“But it’s good that we’re doing it?”
“Good, but strange. I honestly never thought we’d get here. After my husband died and Hardy had to do it on his own, I thought there’s no way he can rally anybody. He’s just a kid. But he’s done it, and he’s made me so proud. This is his life’s work.”
Elsie is quiet. She’s not sure what to say.
“Good night, lovely.” Maud kisses her forehead and leaves her alone.
Elsie knows how much Hardy has put into this. She knows what it means to him. It’s what it means to her too. She’s the princess. The castle is her home. However much Hardy has made this his mission, the result has more to do with her than anyone. She will be queen. Running a Kingdom. She shivers; with excitement or fear, she’s not sure.
The next morning, she wakens with a bubble of excitement filling her up. Already a day closer to the big day. And still so much to learn.
“Morning,” Hardy greets her and pulls the chair out for her. She sits down and starts eating straight away. Nobody would ever go hungry in this house. It feels like a home, a routine centred around mealtimes, and Maud a constant. However crazy your life was, you’d be relaxed to come home to this.
“Ajo will bring the men from the troupe to the training today, and weapons. There’ll be more of us all, but it’s such a good system, it makes sense to train altogether. Norah did a splendid job.”
“She’s bright. And fun. I like her.” Elsie takes a deep breath. “Bella is helping too.”
“Bella? Really?”
Elsie nods. “She’s an outstanding fighter; you said so yourself.”
“I just didn’t think she’d want to help me.”
“She didn’t want to help me, at first, but I think she likes the thought of fighting in this battle more than she hates me.”
“That’s good. She’ll be an asset.”
Elsie likes the way he can still say kind things about Bella. She thinks it shows that he’s a good man, despite what everybody seems to think of him.
“Ready?”
Maud wipes her hands on her pinny and hugs Elsie. “I’m nervous to see you go, now I know where you’re going.”
“Don’t be. Hardy will look after me.”
Maud nods. “I know that much is true.”
When they open the door, Norah is outside.
“I thought it was Bella’s turn today?”
“I wasn’t sure if she’d turn up,” Norah says, looking awkward. “Anyway, now we know when we’re doing this, we need to get moving.”
Elsie loves Norah’s enthusiasm and the three of them fly quickly to Apple Valley. Most of the fairies are already there, male and female, and there’s a different feeling in the air today. It all seems more serious, there’s less laughter and more concentration.
Bella is there, leaning back against a tree, scowling.
Hardy gives Elsie’s hand a quick squeeze, then flies over to Ajo. They give out the swords and daggers, showing everyone how to hold them, the best way to grip them, swapping some for others if they are too heavy to hold.
Elsie flies over to Bella, who doesn’t smile but doesn’t scowl either.
“Morning. Do you know we’ve set a day? Are you still happy to help?”
“More than happy. And yes. I’ll be glad to get
it over with.”
“I’d love you to help our group, if you don’t mind.”
“Not at all.”
There’s an edge to her voice, which makes Elsie nervous. But she joins the group and accepts her sword from Ajo, choosing between two.
Bella is very good, and Elsie relaxes as she instructs them. She does the same as Norah – they’ve planned this well – taking the best fighters and letting them help the ones who are struggling. Soon the fairies are split into twos, practising manoeuvres and learning the ropes.
Elsie smiles as she spots Bronwen helping some younger fairies and gives her a wave.
“Concentrate!” Bella says, her tone harsh.
Elsie spins around. “Sorry, I was just-”
“You can’t afford to be distracted. Not when we fight. In less than a week. If you get distracted, maybe you get killed, or maybe you get someone else killed. This isn’t a game.”
Elsie wants to cry but doesn’t. She digs her nails into her palms to stop herself and she concentrates twice as hard, copying every move Bella makes, twisting this way and that; the sword making every move that much harder. She’s physically exhausted and knows that every fairy who fights in this battle will feel the same way. She also knows that an actual fight will be different to their training camp.
It’s time to rest while the more advanced fighters get extra training and some weaker fairies get extra help. The ones who are faring somewhere in the middle get to relax.
“This is harder than I thought,” Elsie whispers to Aster. “Any more progress with the wings?”
“It’s so hard, but I’m enjoying it. And yes, I had a fairy fresh from a clipping last night. He’s very unwell, but I seem to be helping him, and his wings are growing. Only a little but growing.”
“That’s incredible. I’m so impressed with what you’ve done. You’re so clever.”
“Thank you. So are you. Who would have thought we’d all be fighting together like this? And so quickly.”
“Are you scared that it’s so quick?”
“Not at all. I think it’s time. This man, who’d been clipped, Elsie – he was broken. Absolutely broken. We need to stop this. It’s simple, really.”
“Simple.”
“Come on! Back to it.”
Elsie and Norah smile at each other, eyebrows raised, but listen to Bella immediately. Neither of them wants to be on her bad side.
“Let’s see what you’ve got, princess.” Bella’s tone is harsh, and Elsie feels a flutter of apprehension. Some other fairies are looking, and so she wants to appear brave.
She grabs hold of her sword and stands up. Pretending it isn’t Bella and imagining it’s someone else, Elsie holds her sword aloft, remembering how Norah showed her to hold it and how to move, how to duck and weave.
Bella is quick though, and with a leap and a flick, she hits Elsie’s sword out of her hand.
“You have a lot to learn.”
Elsie nods and picks up her sword. It’s true and she can learn. Bella learned and so did Norah or anyone else who got good at anything. She stands opposite Bella again, sword raised. This time it takes longer, but Bella knocks the sword out of her hand.
Elsie picks it up, ready to try again. Hardy flies over. “Elsie you don’t have to do this. You have nothing to prove.”
“She has everything to prove,” Bella says, spinning around and pointing her sword at him. “This little girl thinks she can rule this Kingdom, but she cannot even hold on to her sword?”
Elsie holds her sword up, gripping it tightly, so she doesn’t cry. Why is Bella being so horrible today? She thought they’d got over whatever was making Bella so angry with her.
Bella gets into a fighting position.
Elsie tries again. She fights back this time, weaving and twisting, jabbing and warding off blows. She’s panting but determined to do well.
Bella is relentless, and Elsie eventually loses her sword, stumbles and falls back. Bella leans over her, sword to her skin, evil expression on her face.
“Bella! Don’t do it.” Hardy comes to their side and reaches down for Elsie. He takes her hand and Bella digs the sword into Elsie’s skin, just enough to draw blood. Elsie cries out and Ajo pulls Bella away. “What’s the matter with you?”
They all close ranks around Elsie, and Bella flies away.
“Are you all right?”
Elsie touches her finger to her neck, looks at the blood and wipes it on her skirt. “Fine. I’m fine.”
She isn’t but she will not show it. She would love to know what’s rattled Bella, but she is also happy that she’s gone. That wasn’t fun.
Norah calls the fairies back into their groups, and soon the atmosphere returns to normal. Hardy slings his arm around Elsie. “Ignore her.”
“I will. I just thought we were all right, you know. She said she was happy to help. I thought...” Her voice trails off. She cannot worry about Bella, not with so few days to go before the battle.
Norah flies over. “I think we will be ready. What do you think?”
Hardy nods. “We’re doing well. We’ve got weapons for almost everybody, and Calista has been making some tonics, just to make sure everyone’s in good health.”
“That’s a good idea. Aster can probably make some too,” Elsie says.
Aster nods and Elsie opens her mouth to tell Hardy about how Aster has been mending wings, but then she stops herself. Aster is bashful about her gifts and she doesn’t want to embarrass her; she can tell everyone when she’s ready to.
“So, we’ll do it again tomorrow?” Norah asks, her cheeks flushed from excitement and the training.
“Yes. I think we need to do it as much as we can. Before it’s too late.”
24
THE DAYS FLY BY IN a rush of training, eating and sleeping. Elsie has never been so exhausted or so happy. She thinks Meg would be proud of her, and sometimes that’s the only thing keeping her going. Her fighting is improving, and her strength and endurance have both increased dramatically. Her wings still ache, but it’s to be expected, and she reminds herself how lucky she is to have wings.
The plan is all ready and just has to be finalised. She is spending as much time in the war room as the training field. A few fairies have dropped out – male and female – from injuries and nerves, and on Elsie’s instruction none of them are given a hard time because of it.
Bella hasn’t been back to Apple valley, and Elsie can’t say she’s sad; she wants everyone to like her but understands it’s not possible.
“Let’s go,” Hardy says, taking a basket of food off his mum.
“You pair are never here, anymore. I miss you. It’s too quiet here.”
“I bet you enjoy the peace, really.”
“Never!”
They all laugh, and Elsie and Hardy fly out.
They are going to the war room before the training ground. The battle is tomorrow.
“Last day,” Hardy says.
“Last day.” Elsie feels sick. She hasn’t spoken this out loud, but she can’t pretend to herself. Her stomach won’t allow it.
“Then you’ll be queen.”
“If we win.”
“We’ll win. We have the numbers, a simple but effective plan, and right on our side.” He takes her hand. “Success guaranteed.”
“A simple and effective plan that isn’t finalised because nobody can agree on the fine details.”
He waves a hand. “It’ll sort itself out. I’ll let everybody argue and then I’ll decide.”
Elsie laughs. “So, we win, and then?”
“Then you rule, and we all bow before you. Isn’t that what you want?”
“You don’t have to bow, I mean, you could, if you really wanted to...” She trails off, laughing.
“And then, you will live in the enormous castle by yourself, and I’ll go back to living a boring life with my mother.”
She laughs again. “And you’ll be one of my council members.”
“I
f you want me to be.”
She shoves him with her hip, and he grabs hold of her, kissing her.
“As if I could stop you,” she says when he pulls away from her, her lips tingling from his kiss.
“You could. You could hold me in the dungeons.”
She rolls her eyes, and they land together and walk into the caves. There’s even more going on than the first time Elsie came here.
“We’ve got armour, weapons, tonics, oh, Elsie, we’re all ready.”
“Aren’t you even a little bit apprehensive?”
He shakes his head. “No. Not even a teeny, tiny, weeny bit.”
The war room is full of activity. As the group of fairies with access to the room and the plans has grown, so have the disagreements about what to do and when. Nobody can agree, and there are countless plans littered around the room.
“We’re going around in circles,” Malachi says, smiling in greeting at Elsie and Hardy.
Elsie smiles back. She hasn’t seen Malachi many times since the first time she met him; he doesn’t come to any of the training sessions; she’s not sure why not. Whether he won’t be fighting or whether he’s so good, he need not train.
Not that it matters. They have more than enough fighters. They just cannot agree what to do with them.
She sits down and watches the novel ideas being batted around, and then she bangs the table.
“I’ve got it.”
They all turn to her, anticipation filling the room.
“Go on.” Hardy sits opposite her.
“We’ve got the numbers, right?”
Everybody nods.
“We can fight whoever comes out of the castle, right?”
Again, they all nod.
“But we know they won’t come out, so we have to go in by force, right?”
“Yes!” Hardy sounds frustrated.
“Wrong.”
“Wrong?”
She grins. “Yes. Force is fine, but there’s no element of surprise, and by the time we get inside the front line will be exhausted.”
“So...?”
“So, I knock on the door.”
“You knock the door?”
“Yes. They’ll open up for me, they’ll be surprised to see me and curious. All the guards know me. They’ll assume something went wrong on the journey over the seas.” Sadness hits her like a physical blow. “Especially when I turn up without Meg. They open up and we swarm.”
The Rise of the Fairy Queen (The Fairy Queen Trilogy Book 1) Page 21