Once Again: A Modern Fairy Tale Ch. One

In Honor of Our Queen

and for the enlightenment

of the Mankind

FOREWORD

A History of things as they were, and as they are, and as they are to be.

Since the creation, Elves have echoed men in form and stature. Fairies on the other hand have always been wee little beings. When men became more populous, there came a time when we could no longer coexist. As Christianity grew in strength, the fear men had for magical, mystical beings rose with it. The Inquisition became a means of destroying the noble Fair Ones. The greed and selfishness of both men and Fae played their parts. Humans wanted greater knowledge, and we Fair Ones refused to share it, lest we lose our advantage. In the end it hardly mattered, Elvin cities were ransacked, infiltrated by Humans who stubbornly refused to leave. We had no power to force them to leave.                                                                                                                           

The main thrust of the Inquisition was to rid the world of non-believers. We Fair Ones were incensed! We told our neighbors that we well and truly believed in the One True God and his Son. Somehow, they failed to see reason, choosing to believe the lie that we were of the Dark One, that we sided with evil. Evil certainly laughed that day. Nature wept at the slaughter of her Fair Ones.

Through the years this truth was hidden. Now few believe it ever happened at all having never been part of the history books. What remains as stories among men have little truth left, and yet enough remains to give us courage.   

If you learn nothing else, it would be well for you to learn this one truth: Life is a battle between the forces of good and evil, every living creature must take a stand. We all have the ability to choose virtue over wickedness. As a group, in the beginning, this was our choice, else why should we be called Fair Ones?

~ Bronwyn of Clan MacIntash







Chapter 1



It wasn't as if he'd meant to sound petulant. But, he did truly wonder; Bronwyn was as faithful a servant any prince could hope for. Making a scene on the beach wasn't like Aerrvin. Most days he was his own Purple self. He loved the qualities of being Purple, it allowed him to be more playful and carefree. Better than being Yellow like his sister.

Ah, Harmony. It was her fault he had yelled at Bronwyn at all.

***

"I am not selfish! I simply want to do as I please, is that so hard to understand?"

"No, Aerrvin, I understand you. Really, I do, it is just... hmmm, you are turning one hundred and ninety years old next month and you have yet to find a bride. Your parents are beginning to despair, and for them that is saying something! You know how patient they are," the broad Brownie sighed.

"I know, I know! If that sister of mine had just waited a little longer to marry, they would not be so anxious!"

With a splash of his foot in the tide pool he expressed his frustrations. "Just because tradition says the oldest must have a child first, doesn't mean it must be so. Does it?"

"Well, sir if I may say so-- it has never been done. Do you really want to be the one to break tradition, just to see what happens?"

Bronwyn had a point, so Aerrvin agreed to think on it. Bronwyn removed himself a respectful distance away. Having already picked up a piece of driftwood, he settled down to whittle some delicate whimsy. Aerrvin had no doubt it would be given to one of Bronwyn's two daughters. Bronwyn rarely gave his son, Seamus, a carved trinket.

Wriggling himself in between the two starfish in the tide pool Aerrvin imagined his golden hair swirling beautifully in the ripples. The tide was rising, so he dared himself to come to a decision before the pool became a part of the ocean herself. Stroking the nubby surface of the purple starfish on his right soothed his anxiety over having yelled at Bronwyn. Not only was he Aerrvin's personal servant, but he was also his royal historian, and advisor. Brownies are brilliant at most any task they are given, and make excellent writers. It was quite disrespectful to lash out against him.

The truth of the matter was, Aerrvin was also partially White in his genetic make-up, and so he cycled out of his happy-go-lucky moods from time to time. Being a White Fairy caused Aerrvin to withdraw from social contact. Sometimes for days, other times months. During these cycles he was best left alone. Still being in a White frame of mind meant he could ponder more clearly, and make wiser decisions. It was deemed a good trait for a future King to have.

Entering The Land of Dreams within the Void, Aerrvin chose to visit a past memory...

He was a Fairy Prince who happened to also be a Unicorn. Not all Fairies are Unicorns, but all Unicorns are Royal Fairies. His newest companion was a Wind Sprite or Aerie by the name of Mirri Sihee.

Ae loved her very much for she had saved his life...sort of...however it was, he felt grateful for her help when he felt in need.

She was the sigh in the wind and the song in his mane as he ran for pure joy. Her ethereal beauty enraptured him; easily distracting him for hours as she danced among the trees, or swam through the tops of the flowers as easily as a mermaid in the sea.

So it was that in this particular memory he had downsized to his own six inch Fairy self with his purple wings shimmering softly in the afternoon sun. Joining her in her flight was every bit as intoxicating as having her caress his flanks as a golden Unicorn.

At last she allowed her dancing to die down, her Aerie companions swept away; leaving the two in the silence of the still air. Knowing well his love of the setting sun, Mirri sat softly beside Ae and watched the golden orb of day surrender into the depths of the sea's horizon.

Ae turned his attention to Mirri as the glow of the sun lingered, "Dance with me?" he asked standing with liquid grace.

If a Wind Sprite could sparkle in the dark she would have, but her translucent nature barely allowed Ae to see her.

"Oh, please let's," she sighed softly in his ear.

Thrilled with her reply, Ae took her into his arms and danced through the air until they were above the treetops.

"Mirri" he said with such emotion, "to dance with the wind in my arms is such a delight! I know not how to describe it."

Mirri ruffled his golden locks off of his shoulders and replied, "Nay my Lord, it is I who can barely give voice to my joy. I never expected to feel such devotion, but truly I could never be parted from you."

Her eyes widened as if in fright at the thought, indeed he felt a melting of his own heart. He pulled her close and kissed her cool lips, relishing in the sensual nature of it, having never experienced such sensations. To have the breeze as your companion offers many delights unknown to man, and most Fae as well.

"Mirri, I could never send you away from me, as you well know. You are mine and I am yours. Come, let us welcome the moon with my friends."

Leading the way with cascading sparkles, they soon came to a small clearing deeper in the woods. Several Fairies were playing musical instruments, while others danced within the mushroom ring, easily seen glowing faintly in the gloom.

None could see Mirri, but they  could plainly see Ae looking as if he had a companion...so they made way and accepted his "game" as truth...he was after all their Prince and leader of this Fairy Ring.

As Mirri began to dance within the circle their faces lit up as reason dawned, and they knew that Ae had met an Aerie. The music they played became lively as they wanted to see how much of a breeze she was willing to offer...soon a near gale was blowing them about, until Ae caught her hand and calmed her spirit, while arching his brow at his cousin, Gareth, signaling that he slow the pace of his music as well.

With grins, all complied. It had been a glorious dance, each bowed to their Prince and his invisible partner.

With the moon high in the midnight heavens, many of the Fairies settled down to sleep, while others went their various ways to follow their own personal pleasures.

Ae's nest was within a hollow tree. Inviting Mirri to join him, he entered and plopped gracefully onto the pile of dandelion and owl feather fluff, landing softly with a triple bounce which softened gently, and ever more gently with each succeeding lay.

Mirri's eyes sparkled, catching Ae's attention. He beckoned her near, soft as a whisper she breathed upon his person. Mildly, she sang him to sleep with her song of the night. Caressed by her cool fingers he dreamed delights of song and wind and flight like never before.

~

"And so it was that Mirri never parted from Ae's side," Aerrvin said out loud as he thought of Bronwyn writing that in his book of notes. The image made him and chuckle softly. Mirri whipped a bit of air in the pool so that it splashed in his face.

The tide was half way up; the tops of the rocks remained uncovered. Aerrvin judged he had time for one more memory. Thinking about how he gained Mirri as his companion lead him deeper back in time. He generally narrated his memories as he viewed them, these were his thoughts...

The young Unicorn had been warned, repeatedly, to refrain from over exertion. Getting winded and overheated is something horses and unicorns need to guard against. Generally, horses have enough sense to know when to stop.

Ae was alone. Lathered and overheated, the Unicorn was too far from the brook.

"Please just send a breeze!" he neighed.

Looking up he could see the treetops sway. Sadly the wind stayed aloft.



He felt weak and weary as he stumbled slowly in the direction of the water. His silky mane, like golden threads, fell to the side catching at grass along the path.

He could not think clearly. Had he been using his wits, he could have wished for a trough to appear. Yet, he was willful and preferred not to use his magic for frivolity; as a consequence it did always not come to mind at need.

Slowly he stopped and panted a fervent wish, nay a command it would seem, "Oh ye wind give ear to me, my life this day has need of thee."

"What is it ye desire, my Lord?"

Before his eyes and upon his skin--delight like never before known! Ae beheld an Aerie, an air elemental! She washed a cooling breeze over his panting side, now caked with drying foam and sweat. Calling her friends they removed the debris from the golden tail as well as the weeds from his long mane and the hair falling over his fetlocks and hooves.

Soon cooled, he made his way to the brook, once near enough to smell its sweet scent his nostrils flared, but he maintained his even gait. He asked the Aerie, "Tell, me why can I see you? And...well, what is your name?" He dared not hope she would reveal it, for once she did he would have command of her forever.

She shimmered in the light, iridescent and crystalline; he could not help but thrill at her beauty.

"You can see me, Sir Unicorn, because you have the gift."

"What gift is that?"



"The gift of sight of course!" She laughed musically. "Sure an' you know not what that is I perceive. Very well, I shall tell you." She paused as he came at last to the spring. He splashed in joyfully and drank great draughts of sweet, clear water.

"My Lord," she cooed as she breezed about him, softly caressing his face and sides, drying him with her touch, "every so often, one is blessed with the gift of sight and granted the ability to see those whom seek not to be seen. Namely the elementals." Seeing the surprise in his lavender eyes she laughed again and kissed his long snout.

"Tis true, you shall ever see me and all my kin. But, my lord, I desire a thing from thee. My name is Mirri Sihee." Here she bowed delicately in midair, her silken crystalline hair fell over her delicate ice-like face.

With joy he granted her desire, for each it was the same: Together forever.



Leaving the Dream Aerrvin pondered the rest of his romantic life to date. His first choice was Lumina, the Mermaid, sadly that did not go so well. Nor did Mirri approve. Mirri was quite vocal and did what she could to dissuade both Ae and Lumina...in time Mirri accepted her place...she was Ae's and Ae was hers, but never would they be true lovers. In the end Lumina broke poor Ae's heart by rejecting his plea for her love.

As the tide neared its highest mark Mirri advised, "My Lord, I do agree tis time for you to put aside your childhood. If I could wed thee I surely would, as well you know. But go, make a legend of your search worthy of the bards in olden times."

Laughing in delight Ae hugged his sweetest companion and nodded before lying back down upon the starfish whereon they lay. Mirri Sihee ran her fingers through his golden locks and sang sweet songs of peace to his soul.

With a mental sigh after having contemplated his past and future, Aerrvin rose up out of the tide pool, the young Fairy prince squared his shoulders and declared, "Bronwyn, we are off to find me a bride!"