The Elf Girl (22 page)

Aaliyah winced. “No, we believe that because we were the first to create a Realm, we do not need to bow to Queen Titania,” she explained. “We were the ones to come up with the idea of separate Realms in the first place. However, she
is
the most powerful being of the Realms. An elf would be foolish to cross her….I don’t believe any elf would, no matter how he or she felt about Titania. She is dangerous, stunning, and wondrous…many words can describe her and not all of them very good. So even though our Realm does not acknowledge her as supreme ruler, we
do
respect her.”

I nodded. “Why are the Golden fairies considered royal?”

Aaliyah flattened a part of the blanket that was ruffled and flicked away a few pieces of grass. “They are the most beautiful of the fae, the most magical, and the most powerful. Golden fairies have honey golden hair; soft, tan skin; and lovely golden wings and can have many abilities instead of just one like the elves. They also have the ability to perform spells, create charms, and mix potions. Golden fairies have their powers all of their lives, far reaching abilities stronger than most can imagine. The possibilities are endless. However, these powers vary for each Golden fairy. They are a wondrous sight to behold and equally just as threatening. Their powers, unlike the elves and other fae, are limitless. I do not know one creature who has ever challenged a Golden fairy. Any who would do so would most likely pay for it with their lives.”

“Sounds like they can do almost anything,” I remarked, feeling a little intimidated just hearing of the Golden fairies.

Surprisingly, Aaliyah nodded. “Almost,” she said rather quietly.

“What about the others?” I wondered.

“Well, the next step below Golden fairies is the Element fairies.”

“Yeah, Cass told me a little about them my first night here.”

“Oh, did he really?” she asked, raising a pale eyebrow.

“Yeah, how they each have their own element,” I remarked.

“Yes. They have water, earth, air, or fire, and they are truly exotic beings. Their looks correspond with their element. For example, a fire fairy usually has red or dark hair. Element fairies use their specific element as their power, and they have it all their lives like the Golden fairies do. Actually, fairies always have their powers. It’s only elves who must wait until sixteen,” she explained.

Aaliyah paused to open the picnic basket and examine its contents, as if contemplating what to remove first. I fidgeted as she did so, eager to learn more, to know more about the wonders of magic, of this place.

“I want to know more,” I blurted. I knew I probably looked like a kid in a candy store, eyes sparkling with excitement and urgency in my tone. Every piece of information Aaliyah gave me was like another door opened. The more I learned about magic, the greater attraction I felt toward it, realizing it truly was a part of me.

Aaliyah smiled and shut the picnic basket. “Then the food can wait,” she decided. “Let’s see…after the Element fairies come the Woodland fairies. They are the common folk of fairies. They look a lot like we do, except they have translucent silver wings on their backs. They don’t have abilities like we do, but they have different magic that is born within them. This magic includes abilities like Golden fairies: to use spells, potions, charms, and other oddities that deal with magic. However, they are not nearly as powerful as Golden fairies are. Woodland fairies love the forests and do not meddle in any affairs unless they involve dancing, drinking, and merrymaking.”

“It sounds like they love to party.”

Aaliyah stifled a giggle. “Yes, they do,” she agreed.

“Go on,” I urged.

“Just below the Woodland fairies are the Flower fairies, or as they are also called, Butterfly fairies. They are pretty and dainty little creatures that wear clothes made of flowers and are often confused with pixies. Flower fairies, however, are much smaller than pixies. Their wings are like a butterfly’s, colorful and delicate. Flower fairies embody a type of flower. Depending on the flower, the fairy will receive a certain type of magic, a power. They like the presence of animals and keep to themselves. I have never had a chance to learn much more about them for that reason.”

“I think I like the Flower fairies best. They seem less likely to start a war because they keep to themselves,” I remarked.

“Yes, they are a nice folk. The Woodland fairies are as well, for the most part. The only disturbing thing about them is that they are unaffected by sadness or despair,” Aaliyah said, as she opened the basket.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“Most of the fae don’t feel sadness. They do not look upon death the same way we do. They celebrate life and do not understand feelings of pity or remorse. They have no guilt, and only know happiness and fun. This is how every Woodland fairy that has lived in their Realm feels.”

“Wait, would they feel that way if they lived in our Realm?”

“No, once they have left their Magical Realm, they change. You see, their Realm is like a cloak. It covers up feelings of sorrow. However, once they have crossed into the Elf Realm, the cloak is gone and those covered feelings are revealed. In our Realm, they can feel sadness. That is why elves always went to the Fairy Realms before the war and not the other way around. Who would want to feel sad while visiting a Realm? The fairies surely would not. The reason our Realm is uncovered is because elves believe all feelings are a part of life.”

“That all makes sense, but the fae sound so cruel. So different from what I used to believe….”

“They are not really cruel, Ramsey. They just do not see things the same way we do. Their magic separates them from other beings, like elves and humans.”

“I guess it could be a good thing, not feeling sadness, but I couldn’t imagine not caring if you, Stellan, or Addison were to die. That’s just terrible,” I said.

“Yes, it is, but the fairies cannot experience this in their Realms, especially the Woodland fairies.”

“How do the other fae feel?”

“They do not feel much sadness, but they can feel some. For instance, when King Oberon, Queen Titania’s husband, died, every Golden fairy cried for days on end.”

“What about the Flower fairies and Element fairies?”

“The Flower fairies are too filled with innocence to feel such a way. They are like children. As for the Element fairies, I believe they once felt sad feelings, but have hardened since the war began,” she explained.

“How can the Element fairies get away with war? Why doesn’t Queen Titania stop them? Is she really that concerned for her own fairies?”

“Actually, she is. The Element fairies are very powerful. They are only one step down in power from Golden fairies. Titania doesn’t want to fight with them, so she stays out of it. She believes it’s better to let the Element fairies deal with their problems than get every Realm involved. The fae have always tried to get along with each other. Titania doesn’t want a conflict. If she were to get involved, there would be differences in opinion among the fae, leading to great turmoil. She truly just keeps the best interests of her folk in mind. Her subjects mean everything to her.”

“I think I can understand that,” I decided aloud. I sighed. “I’m sorry to be bothering you with all of these questions, Aaliyah.”

“It’s quite all right, Ramsey. I’m happy to tell you about the other Realms. It’s high time you knew about them anyway. This is just as much a part of your culture and history as mine.”

While Aaliyah went back to digging through the picnic basket, I took a moment to absorb everything she told me. It was amazing how much I still needed to learn. Playing with the loose threads on the blanket, I realized it would probably take more than Aaliyah’s wisdom for me to become accustomed to the reality of magic.
That will come with time
, I decided.
Right now, the most important thing for me to do is to find my sister.

“Thank you so much for explaining these things to me,” I said to her gratefully.

“Well, that was just a brief history. As you grow older, you will learn more. I have just told you the basics, which is good enough for now.”

“Should we eat then?” I suggested.

“Oh, yes!” Aaliyah agreed, while removing the various foods she had packed from the basket.

I looked at the food warily. Aaliyah brought several kinds of meats, some of which I didn’t recognize. My stomach churned.

“Stellan told me how uneasy you were about the meat here. I wanted to bring you some different kinds to try. I promise you don’t have to eat anything you find unappetizing, but I thought it might help you become accustomed to our eating habits.”

“What kinds are there?” I asked, as my voice slightly rose higher in pitch.

“I brought chicken, pheasant, venison, and lamb.”

“No rabbit?”

“No,” she assured me, shaking her head.

I breathed a sigh of relief. “I’m sorry. I know you eat it here, but I could never imagine eating a bunny.”

“It’s okay, you don’t have to apologize. We don’t eat rabbit very often. Elves that hunt usually eat a wider variety of game. But I do not, and neither does Stellan or Addison.”

“Then I will try all four. They sound normal enough. I have already had two of the four anyway.”

The meat tasted great – it didn’t make me queasy or anything. I used the bread and meat together as a sandwich and everything tasted fine. For dessert, Aaliyah had baked a cake filled with the taste of honey, and we each had a piece. I learned later that it was a fairy recipe, one that Aaliyah was given by Woodland fairies before the war began.

“What was Zora like?” I asked, as we finished our meal. “I mean, elves have told me she was caring and friendly, but what else?”

“Would you like to see?” she asked me.

“What do you mean?” I was confused. How could I see Zora if the Element fairies had her?

“I see Addison hasn’t told you about my ability. I can show others my past memories. I could show you one of Zora.”

“Really, you would do that?”

“Of course I would,” she said. “Here, give me your hands.”

I nodded and slowly put both of my hands into hers.

“Now close your eyes and repeat Zora’s name over and over in your mind.”

“All right,” I said.

I focused my thoughts on Zora and waited.

Suddenly a million colors flashed in front of my closed eyes. They swirled and danced before me. Then they started forming into images.

I saw a pale-haired elfen kneeling beside a trough of flowers with her back to me. I recognized the house as Aaliyah’s and, at first, I thought the elfen was Addison. Then she turned around.

She was definitely not Addison.

She had the same hair, but her eyes were a glowing emerald, like mine…but they weren’t my eyes. They were Zora’s.

“Zora,” I whispered in awe. I couldn’t believe I was actually seeing my sister for the first time.

“Yes,” Aaliyah confirmed for me.

She was glowing, with a dazzling white smile. She looked like an angel, someone warm and inviting.

“Aaliyah, Addison plants such lovely flowers. I wish I had her skill,” Zora said. Her silky voice was like a bird singing. “It seems whenever I plant my own something always goes askew.”

“She does keep up a great flower garden,” Aaliyah replied, laying a hand atop my sister’s shoulder.

She sighed happily. “We are so lucky to have such a great gardener.” Zora laughed and then got up, brushing the dirt off her clothing.

“Yes, and soon you will have to start paying me for the great job I do!” Addison said as she joined the two.

“I’d rather not,” Zora disagreed, and gave Addison a playful shove.

“Come on, you two, it’s time for school. If you don’t leave now you will surely be late.”

“You’re right,” Zora realized, nodding swiftly. “Come on, Addison, let’s get a move on!”

Zora took Addison’s hand and ran with her away from the house and away from my mind….

Everything was dark again as the memories left me. I felt tears in my eyes. I didn’t want the pictures to leave. It would be wonderful to linger in those memories, even to live in them; to have Zora truly there, just sitting by the flowers, not held prisoner somewhere. Life would be a lot simpler that way.

“Thank you,” I said, letting out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.

“You’re welcome, Ramsey.”

We didn’t speak much after that. I
couldn’t
speak much after that. I was too wrapped up in Aaliyah’s memory of my sister. The sole memory I now had of her.

***

After our meal, we went off into the orchard to pick fruit. Aaliyah used her basket, and I used my shoulder bag. She told me to help myself and take as much as I could carry home. As we passed one of her many pear trees, I saw Aaliyah frown. Wondering what could be wrong, I watched as she bent down to inspect a pile of what I assumed were rotten pears collected at the base of the tree. Picking up one by the stem, she shook her head disappointedly. “Nasty little hobgoblins,” she muttered. “Sometimes I wonder if the war has changed anything at all. We still have certain types of fae running amuck, causing trouble in our Realm.”

“Why do they come here?” I asked, remembering that hobgoblins were nothing like fairies, but were still considered fae folk.

Aaliyah sighed. “Well, like I said before, fae that do not belong to the four major groupings fit where they like. Most see the Fairy Realms as their boundaries, and a large percentage never even left the Human Realm when the Magical Realms were created, but others…”

“Not so much?” I presumed.

She nodded, dropping the rotten pear and wiping her hands on her skirt. “Exactly.”

“Now, you said the fae fit in wherever they please among the four
Fairy
Realms. What about in our Realm? Are there other magical creatures here besides the elves? And I’m not counting the troublesome fae.” I thought about it for a moment. “Like dragons, for instance?”