The Misty World of Arial Hollyberry

Mab had finally returned to her seasonal palace in the west, giving Orlaith full reign here for the winter. Our small group stood by the great crystal doors of the palace as all the guests at the Yule ball said their good-byes and departed into the forest. The mermaids needed a little assistance getting back to their lake but that was accomplished by the centaurs pulling massive wooden carts with large crystal tanks. The tanks were  filled with lake water, and the mermaids who were now flapping and splashing happily as they rolled away down the path and into the darkness.

Orlaith glided across the hall toward us followed closely by Arial, Sunny, Bella, Pip and Ferne. Arial took her usual place on my shoulder and the others played tag with each other around my head. In the year that had just passed I had forgotten what a handful they could be. Not that I minded. Other faeries shot past me and took positions by what I assumed were their mortals. I chuckled under my breath when I realized that they kind of matched their charges. Sparkle had a feisty little faerie that wore a gown of multicolored scarves in a daring off the shoulder fashion. She had large eyes and a puckered mouth. The Word Master’s faerie had silky straight hair and wore a black and white one piece jumper. A faerie with large green wings in the shape of oak leaves perched on Jewel and the faerie hovering around the Sculptress had her honey colored hair pulled up in a lose bun and was wearing a red and white polka dot skirt that ballooned out like the top of a mushroom. Golden Heart had the most glorious faerie. She wore a gown of midnight blue and silver that billowed around her like a cloud.

When the last of the straggling pixies had departed, Orlaith drew closer so that she could give us her royal blessings. Speaking softly to each person, she sent them off with their faeries. One by one, my new friends dissolved in sparkling light with promises that we would keep in touch.

Orlaith waited patiently while  Golden heart gave me a hug. Her black hair shone in the reflected light of the palace as she waved goodbye. Grinning broadly, she shimmered away into nothingness. The winter queen slipped her arm through mine. “Kind One, I must speak with you before I let you return to your world.” Her mood was suddenly somber. “I have been informed of a breech at the portal in the ivy hedge. ” I jumped back in shock at the unexpected bit of news, sending the group of faeries spiraling around my head flying off in all directions, squeaking their displeasure. “Oh no! is anyone hurt? I must get back immediately. I, I have to check on my gnomes and Bill, oh, and my dogs!”

I charged through the crystal doors, down the wide steps, and out into the night. I shut out Orlaith’s frantic plea’s for me to return to her and the safety of the palace. The only thing on my mind was the safety of my family. Not stopping to think about what I would do when I got to the ivy hedge, I dashed through the meadow, heading for the ebony gloom of the trees. A single thought wafted though my panic driven mind, I’ve been down this path many times before, I have a good idea how to get back, even  if it is pitch black. I ran, fearing the worst, but hoping for the best. I had no idea where Arial was or even if she was following me.

The path ahead was swallowed by the forest. I hesitated for only for a moment then shot forward, dashing into the inky underbrush.The wild wood closed in around me. The trees that were so cool and inviting by day had turned menacing, their branches reached for me, picking at my hair and clutching the sleeves of my gown. The last thing I heard was Orlaith’s voice warning me about…what was it…her voice was so faint now, it sounded like “they’re dangerous” or something. Then, I was alone, with nothing but the pounding of my heart in my ears.

Irrational fear drove me out of the palace and into the darkness of the forest. I had to get home, had to help…somehow, but it wasn’t long after I entered the dark, foreboding,  mass of pine and oak that cool, logical, common sense hit me and I stopped running. My sides burned and ached and my breath came in ragged gasps. I tried to see through the murky blackness with no success. Bending forward, I wrapped my arms around my waist and waited for my breathing to slow down and the pain in my side to release. What had I been thinking? I hit my forehead with the palm of my hand. Stupid, stupid, stupid girl! Now you’re alone in the woods, in the DARK.

My imagination began to get the best of me, I thought that I felt a hand close around my ankle and jerked myself to attention. I tore forward, shaking  my foot with each frenzied step.The darkness filled with all kinds of eerie sounds. Multiple sets of tiny, piercing, yellow eyes blinked at me from the bushes. I slowed my pace and began walking slowly up the path, hoping I was going in the right direction. The yellow eyes were all around me now, moving with me.

*********

Orlaith shouted at me as I darted down the steps. “Kind One, no! Don’t go, wait for the emerald guard! You don’t know what lurks in the dark woods, wait! They are dangerous!” Arial was hovering at her side, shocked at how fast I had moved, wings flapping like a humming bird, eyes wide. Mutely, she pointed after me as I sped across the meadow toward the opening in the trees. Panic swept through the mass of faeries that had gathered by the palace doors. Sunny and Ferne were trying hard to calm the commotion. Shrill whaling’s of “what will we do now!” echoed through the great hall.

Orlaith turned and raised her arms, calling for quiet. The court grew silent and waited. “Arial, my daughter, go after the Kind One, be quick now, they will hear her coming. Sunny, Ferne, go ahead to the portal, see what needs to be done, help where you can and send the captain of the emerald guard to me. Bella and Pip, you go to the Elvenwood and notify Elendain and the elves, they can work back from the far side of the realm. The rest of you spread out over the forest, be sure to stay above the canopy, and keep your eyes sharp. Signal if you see anything.

Orlaith stood at the entrance to her palace and watched as hundreds of faeries headed into the night. “I pray the Goddess Danu watch over you, and keep you safe Kind One.” Her voice stuck in her throat. “Please Danu, bring her back to us.”

*********

I walked timidly through the pitch black forest. Eyes wide, arms out in front of me, feeling for any obstacles that I might run into. The yellow eyes kept pace. I noticed that the farther I went, the more  pairs of eyes were watching, waiting. A low moan echoed the the darkness causing the tiny yellow beacons to wink out. I don’t know what was worse, seeing the yellow eyes, or not seeing them but knowing they were out there. A chill ran down my spine as the moan echoed again. I stopped and waited. Silently cursing my stupidity, I began to wonder what had happened to Arial. Why wasn’t she here? I whispered into the darkness, “Arial, I need you, I’m here, on the path leading to the ivy hedge, and I’m not alone. Follow my thoughts…hurry, please hurry.”

A glowing mist had begun to form on the path ahead of me. In it was a ghostly form of a faerie, she was smiling and beckoning me to come closer. A warm peace settled over me and all sense of panic subsided. Feeling a little lightheaded, I moved toward the light…

© Tami Ruesch, The Misty World of Arial Hollyberry, 2009-2010

I looked around and saw that we were standing in the grassy meadow that I have come to know so well. Funny how it has started to feel a little like home. I couldn’t help thinking, at least my life couldn’t be called boring! The Palace rose up in front of us. The last time I saw it, it was sparkling ice blue, all icicles and frost. Now, it was a warm pink. Vines of Wisteria and Honeysuckle wrapped around the columns, ferns were growing wildly everywhere. The crystal doors had be replaced with bamboo reeds that were woven together to look like gigantic butterfly wings.

Wow! The spring faeries certainly decorated different than the frost faeries. Cythia lead the way up the steps. When we reached the top, the butterfly wings parted to reveal a beautiful fairy hovering just inside the arch. Tiny pink and purple flowers were braided into her long blond hair, and her crown consisted of masses of multicolored butterflies. I looked a little closer and saw that the wings of the butterflies were constantly moving.

Before my eyes she transformed into a tall graceful elven like being, her gown was made up of layer upon layer of leaves that had been interwoven with a sheer gossamer fabric, it wasn’t a fabric I had ever seen before.

She came forward, took my hands in hers and smiled. Have you ever seen anyone smile with their whole face? It was like that, but more, when she smiled her face actually lit up, it glowed. “Welcome! Please do forgive me my bad manners. I had hoped to greet you much earlier than this, and under more favorable circumstances. Come and sit with me.” She turned and held out a hand to Cythia. “Dearest, would you please have some nectar brought for our guest?”

I was at a loss for words, I’m afraid I gave a very rude first impression but I didn’t know how to respond. Here was a faerie queen treating me like I was the royalty, and it didn’t help that Arial and the guard had retreated politely into the background. “Your Highness…”  she held up a hand to stop me. “Please, call me Alina.” Okay, if I wasn’t already feeling totally undeserving, that did it! I bowed my head, “Alina then, thank you.” I continued. “Alina, please forgive me, but I’m afraid that I’m a little confused. Cythia and Arial have been being very, how shall I say it? Mysterious. Something about things that can impact me?”

Alina sat back and sighed heavily. “Yes, that is my fault. I have instructed them both to be wary of divulging too much information. You never know if the walls have ears.” I looked around the room quickly. “I thought that saying was just a cliche.”  The queen laughed suddenly. “Oh, Kind One! You forget where you are! In the Realm, the walls can literally have ears, and I’m not to sure if that truth hasn’t spilled over into your world.”

Her mood turned suddenly serious. “We have had reports from our allies in the dark woods that there are plans to use you as barter for pardoning the shape shifter, giving her the right to return to our realm. She wants to return and meet again with those who would overthrow the faeries of the four seasons.”

“Ages past, there were beings that could change into anything they had touched, these beings came to be known as shape shifters.  They believed that because they could change form, they were superior to the four seasons of faeries and should rightfully possess the keys of the crown and rule the realm. The four clans came together and exiled the shape shifters, denying them and their descendants, forever after, access to the realm that they so fervently wanted to control.”

“The four seasons of faeries worked together to produce a potion that could change anyone into the thing they touched, leveling the playing field.” Alina cupped my face in her hands. “You, Kind One, are the only human to ever experience the  effects of the changeling potion, and you did it out of love for the fae. There is no way to ever repay our debt to you, you will be forever changed as a result. We must, no, we will protect you. With your world in crises, this is the ideal time for them to stage a takeover.”

Alina stood and paced back and forth. “Our time here is short, the newborn animals are surviving and the crops are planted and growing. We have fulfilled our responsibilities for this turn of the wheel. We must relinquish the power of the season to Queen Lilith and the fire faeries of summer. Midsummer is upon us, but never fear, we will pass on this critical information and the situation will be dealt with, you will be safe.”

When Alina stopped speaking, Arial and the Emerald Guard came forward. Alina waved her wand over our heads and the palace dissolved in white light.

We were back on my porch when Cythia popped in. “Kind one, my queen has dispatched me with a gift from the flower faeries.” She held out her hand and in it was a butterfly from the queens crown. “This will guide you when you are lost.”

I had an uneasy feeling of things to come and all I could say was…”oh crap.”

© Tami Ruesch, The Misty World of Arial Hollyberry, 2009.

I always get the most peaceful feeling when I come home, it doesn’t matter where I go or for how long, I guess it’s all the wonderful positive magic that flows through my garden. Today, I felt that serenity stronger than I can remember in the recent months.

I took the leash off of Lucy and let her in the house then turned back to face Arial and Cythia. The two faeries were sitting on the gate to the back yard, watching with intense concern as the emerald guard checked the silver protection orbs in the garden that marks the boundary between our house and the Shunners.

I walked quietly up behind them and peeked between the ornamental iron leaves that cover the gate. “So, are you two going to tell me what in Gaia’s name that little stunt was all about? Shooting in and disrupting a  perfectly charming conversation I was having with my neighbor down the street, I almost fell out of my chair! I’m just sure that she thinks I”m a little whacked now.”

I was hoping to return the favor of startling them by sneaking up behind them but I forget that it is almost impossible to surprise a faerie. Without turning to look at me Cythia said, “We have received some disturbing information from our colleagues in the realm, information that could directly impact you.” She turned to face me now, her eyes dark with worry. “The queen has requested your presence, I have been sent to escort you to the palace.”

Arial took her usual place on my shoulder. “The Emerald Guard and I will not leave your side.” She gave Cythia a defiant look which told me that they had already talked about this. Cythia shrugged her tiny shoulders. “As you wish, but we must leave immediately.” She pulled out her wand and touched the tip to my forehead. A flash of bright white light surrounded us, and as the world dissolved beneath my feet I asked, “Does this have anything to do with Lilly!?”

This isn’t the first time I have traveled into the realm of the fae. Every time I land on solid ground again, I always feel dizzy and disoriented. It would be nice if some of that faerie blood I have in me would help when it came to moving about the universe. Arial smiled at me as if she knew exactly what I was thinking.

© Tami Ruesch, The Misty World of Arial Hollyberry, 2009.