A Faerie Tale

Prince Alexander, Wil, Sir Jacob, and I were seated near the head of the long table, with the rest of the Royal Family. I half-feared the table would buckle beneath the weight of so much food, yet it held fast as the servants brought out more and more platters.

“Sir Jacob, my valiant Knight!” the King exclaimed, his words slurring ever so slightly. I noticed the servants began to water his wine before refilling his goblet. “Regale us again with your tale of victory against the winged beast, Nezeryl.”

Sir Jacob grinned in as much enjoyment as the King. I hardly paid attention to the dramatic re-telling of a battle that never took place. I, instead, focused only on keeping myself from nodding to sleep at the table.

Princess Cara gave me a steady look. “Are you bored, Lady Ariana?”

“Not at all, Your Highness, only weary,” I replied with an apologetic smile, though I felt no true remorse. I rode upon the back of a dragon today; what did you do, aside from sleep peacefully at the bottom of the mountain? “Understandable, as I am not accustomed to encountering dragons very often.”

She gave a small smile and I began to wonder if she knew our charade for what it was. “Tell me, Lady Ariana, were you frightened when you hunted down the beast? What did she look like, out of curiosity? I have only ever caught glimpses of her as she flew away with a new victim in her jaws.”

I met her challenging eyes with a smile of my own. “She is the colour of these mountains at dusk, a midnight blue edged in black. Her belly is golden like the treasures she covets. Some of which we have brought back to attest our victory.”

I motioned lazily towards the servants, several of which brought out the saddlebags filled with the valuable trinkets we’d brought from Bak-rü’s aerie. They poured the golden goblets, coins, and precious gems upon the table so that they spilled decadently around the platters of sumptuous foods. The Hall burst into more applause amidst the admiring gasps and murmurs that accompanied the jingle of the gold as the King’s hand ran through it.

“There’s more, you said?” he asked, holding a coin closer to one of the candelabras in the center of the table.

I saw the greed begin to flicker to life in his old eyes and before I could speak a lie, something to protect what remained in Bak-rü’s aerie, Sir Jacob said merrily, “A pile of it larger than what a hundred horses could carry back down the mountain, my lord!”

“Then we shall bring two hundred horses!” the King roared, rising to his feet with his goblet raised in a toast. “Tomorrow morn, we shall ride back up the mountain that for so long has been guarded by evil and take what is ours by right!”

I closed my eyes as though it would drown the din of the Royal Family and their Kingdom rejoicing for their own greed. I felt Oliver’s little webbed feet press against my hand in reassurance but when I looked up, it was the Prince’s eyes I met. I saw the same disappointment I felt for the Kingdom mirrored in his eyes. Further down the table, to my left, Wil looked paler than norm and he smiled with his brother only reluctantly. We three stood alone in a vast, crowded Hall.

“Does he realize he just condemned us all?” Oli whispered from where he hid under a napkin in my lap. “What will we tell the King when there is nary a dragon body in site at the aerie?”

“I haven’t the faintest idea, my green friend,” I replied softly. “But I’m quite confident in our abilities to weave some new tale in explanation.”

Among the excited chatter of the guests, one rose above them, voice heavy with disdain: “Excuse my dubiety, my King, but it is quite possible for such riches to be acquired outside of a dragon aerie.”

Our attention turned to a man with dark, curly hair and cleft chin set in a strong jaw. By his attire, he was one of the King’s courtiers, though obviously low in rank by his distance from the King at the table. His eyes were shrewd and malevolent as he glanced at each of us in turn, lingering uncomfortably on me. I could see Prince Alexander’s jaw clench and half-wondered if he were contemplating doing the man some bodily harm. I was beginning to suspect I wouldn’t mind him doing so as the man continued.

“Sir Jacob, have you any actual proof of the beast’s demise? I am not entirely convinced with this handful of coins and trinkets,” he said, though I knew his insouciant attitude was merely a ploy by the way his eyes kept darting back to the small pile of gold. “I thought it customary for a hunter to bring back the head of his prey, so that his valor may be proven?”

“I needn’t any more proof of my valor, viscount,” Sir Jacob replied none too friendly, tapping a finger upon the crest he wore upon his armor that denoted his rank of Knight. “But your concerns are entirely understandable!” he continued, surprising us all with his cheerfulness, as though he truly appreciated the viscount’s query.

He reached for something at his belt and held it up with a flourish so that the entire Hall may see it. He unwrapped his handkerchief from the parcel to reveal a long, serpentine tongue—Bak-rü’s tongue, the one he’d cut off before I had revived him. Why would he keep such a thing? I wondered with disgust before the realization dawned on me that this tongue was now the key to our ploy.

“Behold, the dragon’s tongue!” Sir Jacob announced triumphantly, handing the tongue to the King. “No beast but a dragon would have such a predacious tongue as this.”

The King seemed reluctant to touch the tongue, lest he cut himself on the row of tiny fangs that lined either side of it. Predacious, indeed.

“What say you, Bromwell? I find myself to be quite convinced of the beast’s demise, if only for my daughter’s safe return,” the King said, fixing the viscount with a steady stare.

There was a flush in Bromwell’s cheeks and it was clear that he was displeased with Sir Jacob’s veracity. He sat down with an ugly look on his face, sullen. I glanced at the Prince and he returned my look with a raised brow and smug smile. I raised my glass to hide my own curled lips.

“Enough of this talk! There needs to be more music, more dancing! The night is young!” the King said merrily, having fallen deeply into his cups by this point. The musicians started a lively rhythm and the guests eagerly returned to the wide, empty space of the Great Hall.

I could not fathom how people could have the energy to dance with such enthusiasm but the wine had been flowing freely all night and the merriment was ubiquitous. I caught the Prince’s eye and glared at him, daring for him to trap me into another dance. It appeared as though even the prospect of annoying me could not inspire him to get up from his seat and his smile was a tired one.

“What is the matter, milady? Is the music not enough to inspire a dance?”

I smiled tightly and stood. His eyes followed me, suspicious. I tapped the shoulder of a lone woman and whispered in her ear, “That gentleman over there at the table is in desperate need of a dance partner; he would be much obliged if you joined him.”

She blushed but looked quite pleased before making her way over to the Prince, curtsying before him. I read the request on her lips and he shot me an unfriendly look but obliged her. As they made their way to the Great Hall, he spoke to a young gentleman, who then approached me with a polite smile. Bastard.

“Milady, may I trouble you for a dance?” he asked, offering a hand.

He had soft, grey eyes and dark hair. I, of course, could not refuse him politely. I slipped my fingers over his and we entered the Great Hall, where the musicians were tireless in their music-making.

The Prince and his partner were near and I was close enough to see that he was not comfortable. There was tension in his shoulders and his eyes flicked from one thing to another, never settling upon hers for more than an instant. I realized with a start that Prince Alexander was nervous.

“Is there another that you wish to dance with, milady?” my partner asked gently.

I blushed. “I’m sorry, I am being terribly rude.”

He smiled. “Not at all. I cannot imagine you are much interested in dancing with a stranger; he does, after all, share your glory.”

I wanted to tell him that glory was not a factor at all but stopped myself. It gave me an opening to take Prince Alexander away from his anxiety, though I couldn’t think of one reason why I should care other than I genuinely did not like to see him so apprehensive.

The song ended and, before the next began, I politely interjected and asked Alexander for a dance, though I had every intention of taking no more than a few steps before sitting down again. His partner curtsied and wandered away.

“Be still, my heart,” he said, amused. “Your request for a dance may overshadow even the strangeness of meeting a live dérkomai this day.”

“I would contain my excitement if I were you, Prince. I merely needed an excuse to sit down again and cutting short a dance with you is infinitely more favorable than doing so with the other gentleman.”

“No lies between us, Ariana,” he said, his smug smile still in place. “Perhaps I am finally making progress in swaying you.”

I narrowed my eyes at his arrogance. “Or perhaps I did not want to be embarrassed when you fainted in the arms of that woman you were dancing with. You looked to be nearly sick with nervousness.”

To my surprise, his cheeks flushed with embarrassment. He glanced around the Great Hall and said lowly, “I’m not used to being around so many people.”

I frowned. “But what of the tests your mother thought up to bring you a bride? You were surrounded by people then and nearly all of their attention was solely upon you.”

He waved that away. “Those were foolish maidens that I could send away with a motion to the Guard. I’ve never been outside of the Palace, let alone my own Kingdom,” he said wistfully.

“Why not? You’re a Prince, you should visit every Kingdom and country there is to see.”

He laughed bitterly. “I’m cursed, remember? My mother couldn’t risk my beast coming to light while visiting some neighboring Kingdom. The very notion of it ever happening is appalling enough for her to have carefully kept me in the Palace since I was a boy.”

“I’m sorry,” I said genuinely. “But you’re here now, are you not? You may think I am foolish in my pursuit of freedom but I think that you secretly enjoy it as well; I am your excuse to see the world you never could before.”

Surprise flowed across his face but I do not know how he may have responded because at that moment, someone new entered the Hall that caused quite a stir. I heard the low hum of conversation turn to excited chatter and queries.

“Who is that?”

“I’ve never seen her before in the Kingdom, is she a visiting Princess…?”

“She’s beautiful!”

The crowd parted to reveal the mysterious visitor. Her hair was shining ebony, reaching her waist and emphasizing her flawless, alabaster skin. She had eyes like sapphire and lips of rose. The blackness of her hair was a stark contrast to the shimmering gold dress she wore. It was as though the material was carved from the sun itself.

“Is she…Fey?” I asked in a shocked whisper in Prince Alexander’s ear. The woman was so flawlessly gorgeous that I could think of no other explanation than that she was of an otherworldly nature.

“No, I don’t think so,” he replied softly, the tiniest wrinkle appearing between his brows as he stared at her. I swear I saw his nostrils flare ever so slightly, as though he were catching her scent. “She’s human,” he said firmly. “Her beauty is entirely hers.”

I admit that somewhere inside of me, a tiny flame of envy flared to life. It was echoed universally throughout the room, though it appeared to be much stronger in the other women, if their heated glares were any indication. And yet…I could not shake the feeling that this beautiful woman was very familiar to me.

While most gentlemen seemed too shocked to move, Sir Jacob appeared through the crowd, eyes never leaving hers. He held out his hand, a silent invitation, and she took it. They glided across the floor, her dress whispering across the stone like silk. They fit each other perfectly, he in shining armour, she in shining gold. It was breathtaking.

The song ended and they curtsied, eyes never leaving one another’s. The Great Hall applauded and slowly filled the space they had left for the dancing couple, conversation resuming, though eyes frequently glanced back at them.

For the remainder of the evening, Sir Jacob and the mysterious maiden were inseparable. When several brave young men stepped forward to ask for her hand, he merely replied, “She is my partner,” and they gracefully bowed and did not pursue the matter.

However, shortly before the next course of supper could be served, the maiden disappeared and though he looked about desperately for her for some time—not that she could be easily missed in her golden splendor—she could not be found anywhere.

“Worry not, brother,” Wil said, clapping a hand upon Sir Jacob’s shoulder. “Your mystery maiden will return sooner or later. She couldn’t possibly have resisted your charm so easily.”

“I must find her,” Jacob replied. “She is...magnificent.” He had a faraway look in his eyes, as though he were in a dream.

“I’m sure she will return for the remainder of the festivities. According to the King, there are to be two more balls in the next few days,” I said, sipping my soup.

He seemed to be assured by this and we all returned to our meal. I was finishing the last of my broth when Sir Jacob gave a small, surprised exclamation. He held a tiny gold ring up to the light.

“This was left in my soup,” he said, turning the ring so that it caught the candlelight. “How peculiar.”

He sent for the cook, who emerged a few moments later. Upon asking about the soup, the cook confessed that it had not been he who had made it.

“Was something amiss, my lord? I shall surely have the girl whipped for ruining the soup,” he said, wringing his hands worriedly.

“What girl?” Sir Jacob asked, and I could tell his interest had become thoroughly piqued.

“An orphan came to the door this evening, asking for food and shelter. I put her to work in exchange for such and it was she who made the soup this night,” the cook confessed.

“Bring her here.”

Several moments later, little Roughskin tentatively approached the table. I smiled at her encouragingly.

“Don’t be frightened, no one is angry with you,” I told her. “Sir Jacob simply has a question about the soup you made this evening.”

Jacob, Wil, and the Prince all looked at me, surprised I knew her.

“I was the one who brought her to the cook for shelter,” I said. “Her name is Roughskin.”

“Indeed,” Sir Jacob said, turning back to her. “Have you any idea how this ring came to be in my soup?”

Roughskin shook her head. “No, my lord.”

No matter how many times Sir Jacob asked, her answer was always negative. He finally sent her away, slipping the ring into his cloak, clearly frustrated with his lack of an answer.

Finally, after an eternity of merrymaking and dancing, the King gave us pardon to return to our rooms. The horizon was tinted with the barest beginnings of a new sunrise and the thought that we had been awake for twenty-four hours straight very nearly made me faint where I stood. After much coaxing, I had managed to persuade the King to put off the trek back up to the aerie for another day so that we might rest and be of sound health to accompany him to the riches and spoils that awaited us.

I was much relieved that we four had our own chambers to sleep in; many of the guests, exhausted after a night of reveling, had to make do in the large servants’ quarter that consisted of mats filled with reeds and hay to sleep on. There were simply too many guests for the castle’s chambers to accommodate.

“Gods, I thought it would never end,” I said, yawning as we made our way through the halls towards our chambers.

“Perhaps you have another root to drug yourself with. I slept quite soundly with the one you gave me,” Prince Alexander said, giving me a pointed look.

I smiled sweetly. “I’m sure you will rest well enough this morn. I couldn’t help but notice how much you had to eat all night long. I should say, you ate like a ravenous wolf.”

He didn’t blush as I thought he would. “You are such a charming young woman, I can’t imagine why it is you have remained, as of yet, unmarried,” he said dryly.

He must now be accustomed with my wolf-related jibes. I will have to remedy this, I thought. It was quickly becoming a favorite pastime of mine to goad the Prince whenever the opportunity presented itself.

“All levity aside, what are we to do about this treasure-seeking entourage the King wishes to bring to the aerie this time tomorrow?” Wil asked. He looked utterly exhausted, with dark circles beneath his eyes. I noticed that the left lens of his glasses was slightly cracked in the corner.

“Right now, we need rest,” I said, laying a reassuring hand upon his shoulder. “Rejoice in finding your brother in fine health; we’ll worry about the aerie later.” As if to illustrate my point, Sir Jacob clapped his brother on his other shoulder in a comforting manner.

“I wish I had your young optimism, Ariana,” he replied but I could tell that he set the matter aside in his mind by the way the wrinkles between his brows smoothed.

I bade the three men goodnight—or, rather, good morning—and the moment my head touched the pillows, sleep pulled me under and I knew only the darkness of the deepest of weariness.