Chapter 5: Promiscuous Happenings

Chapter 5:  Promiscuous Happenings1

Finn was nestled in a tree by the time the yellow bus pulled to the curb that afternoon. Demitri got off, and as the bus pulled away, rocking all the way down the road. She raised an eyebrow at Finn. He was sitting inside the nest of a robin, the two other chicks fussing with him over a small red berry.2

“It’s mine!” He cried, grabbing at it and gnashing his little spine like teeth. 3

The mother robin hovered above him squawking and pecking his big blue head.4

“Don’t think she likes you in there” Demitri said tartly.5

“What…what gave you that idea?” replied Finn sarcastically. “Alright, alright bird, fine! I’m going!” He said to the disgruntled robin. With a small ‘pop’ he disappeared and materialized on Demetri’s left shoulder. He stuck his tongue out and muttered “dirty bird.”6

“Finn, we really must go see Grandmother now. We really shouldn’t be late.”7

“Do I have to go?” He asked.8

“Are you my friend or not” said Demitri giving Finn an exasperated look. “As an appointed guardian you’re supposed to look after me!”9

“Fine, but I don’t like this. Remember what happened last time?”10

“How can I forget?” Demitri groaned.11

“Oh you and Katie Rose had that row, but that isn’t what makes me angry about going. All of their guardians transfigure themselves into kittens. They sit there and just bat flowers the whole time. There is no way you could ever get me to do that. Forget it. I’ll go guard another girl that accepts my masculinity.”12

“This from a furry newt that likes to receive body lotions and sprays for Christmas”, She said, poking his furry stomach.13

“Don’t be smart. Fine. I’ll go with you this time, just make sure those pathetic little kitty-cats stay away from me.”14

Toward the back of the house, there is a peculiar little shrub. It is a rose bush, which sits hugging a well, its long thorny stems strangling it. Everything about the bush is normal, except for the colours of the roses. No rose is the same colour. Some are brilliant blues, and some are somber purples and radiant golds. The ends of the bush trail out into a thorny green skirt, which rises on the bottom on the well.15

Demitri reached through the vines of roses, looking for one very special one. In less then a minute, she found it. On this rose, each petal heralded a different colour. Carefully, she randomly plucked one of the petals off and heard the groaning from below the well.16

“You first” she said to Finn, who was running his fingers through the hair on his lion-like tail. He jumped to attention, and went to the well. He crawled through the thorns and leaves until the rustling disappeared. As soon as he vanished, Demitri got down on her knees and prepared to enter. She began crawling through the thorns and leaves. It was as if they were invisible, she could not feel the thorns on her body, or the leaves crack under the weight of her. Like ghostly apparitions, she passed through them and into a dank tunnel. Crawling through, she felt the wet earth beneath her and could hear the dripping of modern day pipes carry water into the neighborhood. Finally, she saw the light at the end of the tunnel. She emerged; no longer wearing her jeans and tee shirt, but wearing a mossy short dress the colour of summer leaves. She felt weight slip from her back, as the skin peeled to reveal transparent wispy wings. They emerged fully, and she sighed with relief as they stretched and fluttered in the dewy air after being compressed for so long.  17

Lying in front of them, as if waiting for them, were fields of rich green, speckled with patches of wildflowers, scattered about. Towering trees shaded the kingdom, and little winged pixies slept in the vegetation, weak from the night’s flight. The air felt good in Demetri’s lungs; cool, fresh and pure. Not like in the mortal realm where smog and smoke perfumed the air like a poisonous snake, seeping through the purities. In a shady dell near the small pond across from them, Demitri spotted her cousins. The elder ones were lounging on toadstools, sweeping their curls, and making daisy chains. While the younger ones, were making an effort to imitate the elder ones by tying weeds together in rudimentary squares. As soon as they saw Finn, the littlest one leapt up, pointed his tiny finger at him and screeched, “Finn! There he is! Get him!” All at once the little children abandoned their little chain squares, and ran as fast as their little legs could carry them over to Finn, laughing and giggling all the way. 18

“Uh-oh” Finn muttered, as he flitted away, the children chasing after him. One little girl stopped for a moment then ran over to Demitri.19

“Green!” She cried as Demitri scooped the little child up into her arms. “You’re back!”20

“Oh Meadowsweet! You’re getting heavy girl! What have you been eating?”21

“I’m four now!” She cried, holding up five fingers.22

“This is four, Sweet.” Demitri said, helping her put down her pinky.23

“Green how come you don’t come to see us anymore?” She asked, her blue eyes sparkling in the sun.24

Demitri stroked her curly cornflower hair aside and began, “You see…”25

“Well, well! Half-breed has paid us a visit everyone! Don’t we all feel so special” A cotton candy voice called over to Demitri.26

The older girls had stopped their linking, and the guardians who had been sitting by them were now on their owners’ laps, in the form of kittens. In the middle of the group, sat the eldest, Katie-Belle Rose. She sneered at Demitri, her eyes narrowed.27

“Katie I was called here by Grandmother. Where is she?”28

“You know Half-Breed, it is bad enough that you covert with humans, but not even a proper greeting for your successor of the throne? Tisk, tisk, didn’t your soiled mortal father ever instruct you any etiquette?” She batted her eyelids sweetly.29

“You may want to watch what you say. One of these days those big words might hurt your brain, then what would your pretty little face do?” Demitri replied, anger welling up inside of her.30

There was a small ‘pop’ and a man appeared next to Demitri. He was clean-shaven, blond, and wearing the crest of the royal guard.31

“Your highness” He said bowing so lowly his ponytail grazed the grass. “Her Majesty Rose summons you to the palace at once. I will escort you,” He said in a hushed tone.32

“Yes. Of course, Thank you” She said turning on her heel and following the man, his light blue tailcoat billowing in the breeze. 33

The courtyard outside the castle was an amazing sight. A sparkling pond nearby licked the edges of emerald green grass. Swans were nestled in the water and on the, while a number of other odd creatures fluttered in the air. Grandmother Rose sat in a wicker chair under the shade of a sorrowful willow, fanning herself with a rather large leaf. She looked up at Demitri when she saw her. Her once golden hair now silver was sparkling in thick ringlets. Her violet eyes were shaded under long eyelashes and her lips were a fresh peach.34

“Greenwood Rose! Darling!” She cried, sitting up and embracing Demitri, Her sheer rosy robe fluttering in the breeze.35

“Grandmother…it has been so long,” She said, bowing her head respectfully.36

“Yes my dear, nearly two years. Would you like something to eat? Some tea? Cook made your favorite tarts.” She said motioning regally to a servant standing beside her. A small stool was pulled up next to the waist of the tree. Demitri took a seat and folded her hands neatly in her lap.37

“Grandmother, I must inquire as to why you have called me here”.38

“My dear child” She said, taking Demetri’s hand. “You are aware that Midsummer’s Eve is upon us in less than a month.”39

Demitri nodded, keeping her eyes low.40

“Your mother was the only Female child I bore during the time I have been queen. But she is gone, rest her soul, and all of my sons, sadly, have perished in the great wars. You are my eldest granddaughter, sixteen years old already if I am not mistaken. You are strong and brave, and you have your wits about you. You have finally come of age to be recognized as lady. You have been a princess all of your life, but this midsummer’s eve, I plan to change that. My bones are weary, and my Faerie heart has dulled over the years. You were the apple of your mother’s eye…and mine. This is why on the coming eve you will be coordinated as our sixth Faerie Queen since the days of Morgan Le Faye. When you are ready, you will choose a husband that will become King. I have faith in you Green. I always have.”41

Demetri’s thoughts rushed through her head faster than anything on wheels. She was sixteen years old, and would rule a Realm. She could see all of her dreams of being a normal teenager slipping from her grasp. Images of Saturday Night pizza nights and romantic candlelight dining flickered away. Forget about waiting to get married, and having a quiet wedding with a mortal man. She would have suitors knocking on her door as soon as she turned eighteen. As a human she would be in a college, still a child holding on.42

“And if I do not choose to accept the responsibility and return to my normal life?” Demitri asked, unsure.43

“Your next eldest cousin, Katie Belle Rose will assume the role as queen.”44

Demitri flinched at the thought. The kingdom would go to the dogs. Or rather the pixies in this case.45

Grandmother Rose kissed Demetri’s forehead and said, “Trust your heart Greenwood. Your heart I always right, never forget that. I know you will do great things.”46