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 woke up this morning to a turmoil of activity. Arial and several of the emerald guard were fluttering about my face, pulling at my eyelashes and tugging my ears. Over by the French doors, still more of the emerald guard dashed back and forth obviously ecstatic about something outside.

I dragged myself out of bed and gently brushed the excited faeries out of my hair. “Arial, what’s this all about? I was sound asleep.” Pulling on my robe, I shuffled over to the windows and looked out.

Overnight, the world had been transformed into a mesmerizing study in white. Lacy flakes of snow as large as silver dollars chased each other in a downy race to the ground. Pine boughs hung low, straining to bear the burden Mother Nature was asking. The snow was so thick that the valley below me had been completely consumed by whiteness, and I could see no signs of it stopping any time soon.

I stood, transfixed, with Arial and the emerald guard on either side and marveled at the frozen fantasy playing out before my eyes. I had only been standing at the window for a minute when I realized snow wasn’t the only thing that drifted down.

I wiped my breath off the glass with my sleeve and peered out into the crystal fog.  Tiny faeries were riding snowflakes to the ground. It was difficult to determine where the lacy white flakes stopped and the delicate outline of the faerie wings began. When the faeries landed, they twirled off in all directions causing the snow to poof around in little circles

Arial whispered in my ear. “They have returned, the frost faeries have returned!” She giggled suddenly. “Come, we must go to the palace and pay our respects to the queen. Hurry, she will be waiting to hear about the happenings here.”

The emerald guard had started to tug at the sleeves of my robe. “Hey, wait a minute! I’m sure Orlaith will wait until I’m properly attired.” Arial shot through the mass of faerie wings and pulled out her wand. The guard immediately fell back and waited.

She waved her wand above her head and whispered in elvish: “To the palace we must go, through the cold and swirling snow, adorn the Kind One in beads and lace, so that she may take her place beside the queen of winter’s grace.” Sparkles rushed at me from the tip of Arial’s wand and quickly surrounded me in a flash of silver light.

I felt a press of cool air and my feet left the ground for a moment. My hair was magically swept up into a loose bun, held in place by glittering butterflies, and a diaphanous silver gown covered in shining crystal beads replaced my pink robe. A cape of ice blue faerie lace drifted down and landed lightly over my shoulders.

Arial tilted her head and nodded in approval. “I think that will do nicely, Queen Orlaith will be pleased.” I held out my arms and spun around in a circle. “Arial! You have out done yourself! I inspected myself in the floor mirror. “Exquisite,  but won’t I get cold?”

A tiny frown creased Arial’s forehead. “Really, do you have to ask? I would think that you would be used to faerie magic by now.” She snapped her fingers and the crystals on my gown began to pulse, first growing brighter, and then fading to a warm pinkish glow surrounding me head to toe in a magical wash of silken warmth.

The emerald guard was arrayed in their usual positions, four in front of me, four behind me, and two on either side. Arial took the lead position. She had transformed herself into her true and royal personage, Princess Arial, daughter of Queen Orlaith, queen of the frost faeries.

Since last winter, I have had Arial as a constant companion. We have had many adventures together and have become very close. I sometimes forget her linage, she just seems so normal. It sounds strange to hear myself use the word normal when talking about faeries! The only time she takes on her true identity is when we are about to have an audience with the queen.

Arial darted up to my face and pinched my cheek, then settled herself on my shoulder. “Kind One, please return to the present.” I shook myself and let my memories fall to the floor and bounce around, not unlike a pail full of rubber balls. One by one they bounced and disappeared in a quick poof of mist. “I… I’m sorry, what were you saying?”

The queen’s daughter smiled at me like someone smiles at a small child. She tucked a straying lock of hair up under her sparkling crown and repeated, “I was asking you if you were ready to journey once again to the palace of the winter faeries.”

I executed a low courtesy. “I am indeed your highness. Forgive my inattention.” The faerie guard giggled under their breath which drew a sharp and icy glare from Arial. She glided to face me full on. “No need for sarcasm, I just didn’t want to lose you somewhere in the darkwood. I need your full attention, as you well know.” Without waiting for me to reply she swirled her wand in a large arc and we all dissolved into the glimmering white light.

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