Sitting under a rather large old oak tree on the outskirts of the Kingdom, the fea let her delicate hand caress the small rabbit she held in her lap. The poor thing, ill with age, she knew hadn't much time left. Rarely did she venture into the world of man, for men could be quite a cruel manipulative lot. She still held scars from lashes upon her back from the "love" of a man. Yet, exceptions had to be made. Her doe-like deep emerald eyes, scan the creature. "Would you like an apple old chap?" she asked in a gentle voice. Of course he would. She knew it would be his last. Yet the trees of the forest did not produce apples, nor grapes nor the cherries she once loved. As she glanced about, a small sigh escaped her full pink lips. Pulling her legs under herself, she stood, gently cradling the rabbit as if it was a newborn babe. Turning she placed him on a bed of green moss which filled the hollow of the oak. He would be safe there till she returned.
She made her way over to a small stream. Looking down to her own reflection, a frown formed as she saw her pointed ears peeking out from her long, wavy, tousled hair which tumbled over her breasts, and down to the small of her back. Her skin held opalescent hues of golds, greens and blues, which had the annoying habit of of leaving a trace of herself about, almost as the scales of a fish would do, when the sunlight would hit her just right. Once she was told by her grandmother, many years ago, that she was actually a mermaid lost, far from the sea and that was why she held such sheen for not even the other fea's had such beautiful skin. But that was a happier time, long ago, or perhaps only a dream held in the fea's own mind.
Her long delicate fingers picked small pieces of leaves and bark from from her hair. As she reached for the last item entangled, she again caught her own reflection. A small pink flower, no bigger than that of a lady bug caught her eye. Never believing herself beautiful, in that moment she dared believe she could be, even with the smudges of dirt upon her face. And she was.
Quickly she pulled the flower from her hair and let it drop into the stream. A beautiful thing out of place as it floated among the small diamonds the sun formed upon the water at, the mercy of the current and the dangerous things which lie beneath. Suddenly with a splash, the flower was gone,as a fish thinking it some delicious bug devoured it, disturbing her thoughts, bringing her back to the moment, and her dying friend. She blinked at the sudden disappearance of it, then frowned. "Ohh." she grabbed a stick upon the ground and smashed at the water with it. Yes, even one such as she held a temper, and much more.
She washed her face hastily, as she knew time was fleeting, grabbed her basket and
tousled her hair again so it covered her ears. She gathered her gown, that of a sheer green material, small pieces of mother of pearl adorning it, and skipped over the stream that just took her thoughts away. The gown must have been beautiful once, but now it had tattered edges and was as smudged with the woodlands' dirt, as much as the fea herself was.
As she neared the castle, her eyes took in all of the sites, both beautiful and frightening to her. Often when she watched from the seclusion of the trees the comings and goings of the palace. The mortal girls and their children. Couples walking hand in hand. Forever watching but never a part of it. Oh and the Prince. He was lovely in her eyes. She just knew he had to be the kindest, gentlest man there could ever be if ever such a creature existed, a gentle man. She would watch as the maiden's cheeks turned red when he passed or spoke to them. Yes, he was beautiful.
She put on her green cloak she had carried in the other hand, and pulled up it's hood as she made her way down the hill towards the market, following a wagon in. She could feel disapproving eyes upon her as her bare feet carried her through the cobbled streets, but what did that matter, her friend was dying and her own stomach growling. She would only be there a moment and they could whisper what they wished. For they had no idea how much courage it took the small slender woman to even venture to such a place. Courage none of them could ever possess.
As the girl stepped up to the produce stand, the rotund, balding man eyed her. She was pooor, probably couldn't pay for a thing. Loreli payed him no mind, she picked an apple for her friend, then she remembered the sweet taste of cherries. Picking a small bunch of those also, she popped one into her mouth, before placing her selections into her basket. It wasn't more then she needed well save the cherries, but what woman , didn't allow herself a small indulgence once in a while?
"That's two silver girl." the man gruffed at her. "Those cherries are imported for the prince himself." His eyes scanned the beauty even if she was a bit dirty. "You have got payment aye girl?" She smiles brightly, a touch of cherry stained her lips. Reaching deep into her pocket, then held up her hand to him. "My payment..."
The man looked into the palm of the girls hand. It held a few small colored stones, two beautiful shells and a golden piece of thread. "I KNEW IT! THEIF!" he chided as he grabbed her basket and the few items inside. "Guards! Grab her! It's inta the cells with your girl." Before she knew what was happening, the man was yelling at her and grabbing her basket from her, as if she were old hob himself. The hood fell from her hair, her eyes as wide as a deers caught in a hunter's torch. "Nay Please! I payed you!" "You payed me in rocks and shells girl, what are you daft?" "And about that one you already ate...." Now he was grabbing her by the arm. A crowd of people gathered as a few guards made their way to the disturbance.
