The Fairies of Briarwoods p1

It was that twilight time in the forest, where the creatures of the night began to rise, and those of day returned to their nighttime shelters; it was that time of magic, when, for a few hours, the creatures of fairy began to frolic and play within their secret glades. It was in one such place that a young lass, disguised as a boy, had unknowingly come to rest.1

Alex was sitting at a fire cooking a couple of rabbits Phantom, her wolf, had caught for her along the way. She was dressed to look like a boy of about eighteen and that is what anyone would see if they looked at her. 2

Even though she was hungry there was more to her stopping in this glade then just that. She had recognized this place from one of her 'dream visions' as she called them, and knew that she was going to meet some people here, she just did not know when it would happen or who they would be so decided to stay only as long as the rabbit lasted.3

"What do you think boy," Alex asked Phantom as she rubbed his head, "am I being stupid?" Phantom just laid there looking up at her with his big blue eyes.4

The little fairies, glowing from reflected moonlight that penetrated through the canopy of trees, flickered about, playing hide and seek with each other and teasing, with youthful joy, any hapless creatures they spotted. 5

As they entered the glade they were shocked by the sight of a human and wolf sitting nonchalantly before a small fire. Quickly they flew back into the forest and hid behind leaves and bushes, peeking out at them. 6

But too late, the wolf had sensed their presence and rose, looking around curiously. A couple of the fairies thought this was very funny and began to giggle. Slowly the wolf's tail began to wag and he began to bark in a playful manner.7

"Well at least it is nothing dangerous," Alex thought to herself as she sat there watching Phantom, "or so I hope." "What's the matter boy," she finally asked as she stood up and walked towards him. "I knew I should never have listened to that vision," she thought to herself as she placed a hand on Phantom's head, "we should have just kept going."8

She looked around the woods, "hello?" she called out into the darkness, "who is..," Before she could get the rest of the words out of her mouth Phantom took off running towards the woods. "Phantom come back here!," she called out as she took off after him, "Phantom~!," she sighed in relief when he finally stopped only a few feet away from a large bush. "What has gotten in to you?" she asked as she came up next to him, still trying to figure out what he was so excited about. His tail was still wagging playfully as he stared at seemingly nothing.9

"Hello?" a few then cried from different directions, mimicking precisely her first words and posture. They did not know what the word ment or even the language the human spoke. In fact, they didn't know any languages at all. Though they could mimic any sound, there language was a visual one, more sign language and posture recognition than anything else, of which fairies are quite well versed. Sound to them only carried a small piece of emotion. "Hello?" to the fairies, with that particular body posture the human used, to them, meant curiosity. So they used it for no other reason than for the fact that they were curious too. 10

Some of the other fairies seemed more interested in the wolf, who was certainly interested in them. One brave fairy came right out and hovered above him, teasing him to jump up at her, a thing the wolf seemed more than happy to do. And when he did so, she flew down and kissed his cold wet nose. 11

Wiping her now wet face and giggling, she flew off to a branch to let another try it.12

Suddenly, one of them, trying to be more brave than any other, flew right up to the young humans face and kissed the boy delicately on the lips. The others were so shocked they flew back into hiding and waited in silence to see what he would do.13

Her eyes widened when she heard the sounds of laughter and turned her head just in time to catch a quick glimpse of something flying back into the woods, "very strange indeed," she thought to herself when she soon heard the echoed call of "hello?" going throughout the woods. Her eyes darted around for a moment trying to figure out what was going on. Most humans by now would have taken the high roads and ran as far away from the place as they could, thinking it was haunted. But not Alex, curiosity as always, had gotten the best of her.14

She turned her gaze back to Phantom and her eyes widened in shock when she saw the fairy teasing him. Her mouth curved into a small but nervous smile as she watched him jump up at the fairy, "well that explains it then," she thought to herself as she watched the fairy kiss Phantom on the nose and then fly off giggling. Phantom merely barked happily, wagging his tail even more as another fairy began to tease him. A slight chuckle escaped her lips as she watched Phantom and the fairies, "Well, looks like you have made some new friends," she said to Phantom.15

All of a sudden one of the fairies flew right up to her face and kissed her on the lips. For a moment she stood there shocked and then the realization of what had just happened hit her. Her eyes began to sparkle, a sparkle which quickly turned to laughter.16

Many creatures have tried to catch them, only to find, much to their misfortune, the little ones would fly to the nearest source of protection: into a deadly swamp, or even bring them face to face with a huge and angry orc, lion or bear. Yet this young human had nothing to fear, for with her laughter she had became one with them. So as soon as the laughter slowed a bit, the fairies were able to fly again. The little one who had kissed her came out of the bushes and landed on her shoulder, crossed her tiny little arms, and leaned against her neck. Showing off to all the others that she now had a boy friend.17

Unbeknown to those in the glade two men, sailors from the port out exploring the forest, lurked just beyond the fires glow. 18

Stephan watched as he saw things flying around a young boy and wolf. They were small and seemed to be friendly towards the two. The wolf was jumping up trying to catch one and wagging its tail. He had been told this land was enchanted before he sailed here and this certainly proved it. He could not help but laugh as he saw what was going on.19

He covered his mouth and knew he had just given him and Mati away. There was nothing for it so he stepped out, still laughing. He held his hands before him, not wanting to make himself look threatening. "I had heard this land was enchanted but never thought to see such a wonderful sight." For he truely was amazed at being able to witness such marvelous little creatures. 20

As the two men entered the glade laughing, the fairy on her shoulder put her little hand over her mouth in startled surprise. . Then, with dozens of other fairies from the surrounding bushes and trees, flew directly behind the young one in hopes that he would protect them. While the three fairies that had been playing with the wolf, tucked themselves deeply into the thick fur behind the wolfs neck, hanging on for dear life as he spun around to face the strangers. Lined up behind each other, holding on to fist fulls of hair, they looked like a very strange set of sadleless horseman.21

A growl came from the wolf that the fairies on its back quickly mimicked, and from behind the young boy came a tiny little "Hello?" 22

The taller man smiled broadly and warmly. The other, a black man, whose eyes were wide with wonder followed behind, a smile upon his lips. "We mean no harm." he called out, removing his large feathered hat, and bowing slightly. " I am Captain Stephan Flanders of the merchant fleet of Ellsworth."23

Replacing his hat he looked back at the boy and wolf. He heard the tiny "Hello" and chuckled. "Hello to you too little ones. 'Tis an honor to see such wonderful and magical little folk as you." he nodded his head in their direction.24

Alex turned in time to see the two men come out of the shadows, neither carried any sort of weapon that she could see, and one held his hands up as if to show that fact. Alex soon felt the little fairy on her shoulder fly behind her, and saw, out of the corner of her eye as dozens of other fairies followed her lead.25

"They act as if I am going to protect them," she thought to herself, "Very well, I will do just that if it comes down to it, but I really hope it does not."26

Phantom growled deep in his throat as he watched the two men carefully. If either of the two made any sudden movements he would attack, but for the moment he merely moved closer.27

Alex looked down at Phantom when she felt him brush up against her and a small smile tugged at her lips at the sight of the fairies on his back and the mimicked growls from each of them, "You smile at a time like this," she scolded herself as she turned her attention back to the two men. She was not even surprised to hear the little "Hello?" from one of the fairies behind her.28

"We have heard those type of words before," Alex said after a moment, "And let me warn you now, if your words don't match your actions I will not be responsible for what happens," As if on cue Phantom showed a quick glimpse of his teeth. She watched with a slight smile as one of the men introduced himself. 29

"I am Alex," she said finally after coming to the decision to trust them for the moment, "and this is Phantom." 30

Stephen moved slowly across the clearing, not wanting to make any threatening moves that might evoke a confrontation. The wolf, Phantom, was very protective of the young man that owned him. "This is one of my crew Mati."31

Mati nodded his head as he was introduced. "Ah wolf good friend to have. You very lucky." he gave Alex a toothy smile. "Mati once had great blank panther as friend but had to let him go back to jungle when go to sea. Cats no like water." 32

As they got closer, Mati squatted down so he was on the same level as Phantom. "Maybe Phantom, I friends, yes?" he looked at the wolf33

Stephen stopped a short distance from Alex and Phantom. "You know you are very close to the castle and the town. No need for you to stay out here in the forest." he informed the young lad.34

The fairies were very frightened of the men whose words they did not understand. The language of their bodies, though seemingly peaceful, when grouped together, were far too complex. They had to rely on Alex to interpret their meaning, which included the instincts of the wolf that accompanied him. 35

Alex watched carefully as they made their way slowly across the clearing. She inclined her head slightly to Mati when Stephen introduced him, "He is that.," she said placing a hand firmly on Phantom's head, "And to be friends with him is totally up to him."36

Phantom eyed the man that was now squatting down in front of him and merely sniffed the air. He did not feel threatened by either of them at the moment and had stopped growling, but he still stayed close to Alex just in case.37

Alex shrugged her shoulders, "I like the woods," she said in reply to Stephen's question, "Besides it is rather hard to get into the castle at night." 38

Her eyes narrowed as a thought occured to her, "And just what are you two doing out here in the woods? I am sure there is an easier path into town that does not inculde going through the forest." 39

Stephen chuckled. "We are here because of a hairbrained scheme I was considering. " he shook his head, "A friend of mine, a knight, seems to have gotten himself into a spot of trouble defending the honor of a princess. Seems the prince took offence of it and sent his soldiers to arrest him."40

He hoped the fairies would come out of hiding. It was not often that any one got to see something like them. "Since we can't get into the castle through the gate, I was thinking of going over the wall somewhere and see about helping him. But as I said it was a stupid idea and I decided to return to the tavern and get a couple kegs of rum for my men."41

He then looked at Alex, "What brings you here?"42

Alex shook her head as she listened, "Figures," she thought to herself, "Leave it to a man to get himself into trouble over a woman, and a princess no less." she sighed to herself, "I wonder what it was over?" 43

She had met plenty of princesses whenever her father took her with him to meet other royals and knew it did not take much to make some princesses think their honor had been threatened. Then again, it did not take much for a man to think a ladies honor had been threatened either. There had even been one time that a man had thought her honor was at stake, just because he heard someone call her the 'Princess of Beasts'. If the idiot had even bothered to ask her if she felt offended she would have said no, and would have saved him the trouble of a fight. But no, like most men he did not have the brains to ask her and it had dragged out into a big fight over something she did not even mind being called.44

"You're not kidding," Alex said finally, "that has got to be one of the stupidest ideas I have ever heard. You had only a slim chance of finding him and an even bigger chance of finding yourself tossed in the cell along with him."45

She looked at him for a moment and soon told him the same thing she had told everyone before with practiced ease, "We have no land to call our own and have been wandering around for awhile now," she said as the lie ran smoothly off of her lips, 46

"So when we heard tales of Avalon we decided to come and see it for ourselves," even though the first part was complete hogwash the last part had been true and she also had hopes of finding a job here, mayhap even in the royal stables or at least somewhere with animals to take care of.47

One of the fairies, peeking out from behind Alex, had become fascinated by the large feather that kept bobbing around on the mans strange big hat as he gesticulated and spoke his strange words to her sisters new boy friend. While those on the back of the wolf, quickly becoming board when he who would no longer play with them, flew off into the forest to find more interesting creatures to play with.48

When suddenly they were back, gesticulating frenziedly, and pointing to the sky that was beginning to fill with churning black clouds. Almost instantly the air in the glade began to cool noticably and a feeling of electricity was in the air. 49

This was to be a storm of immense proportions the like of which few had seen and lived to tell; it was a storm that could fill with dread a seasoned sailors worse nightmares.50

Stephen felt the change in the air, smelled the moisture, and saw the dark ominous clouds filling the once star lit night sky. He had been in storms on the high seas. He had seen their approach, and this one seemed strange. It came to quickly, without warning. 51

"I think perhaps this one time though, you and your friend should come with Mati and myself back to the Tavern and out of this coming storm." he told her as he felt the wind pick up. A cold chill ran down his spine as he felt that this was going to be a storm that beat any he had ever seen before.52

Alex watched the fairies and soon looked up into the sky. "Oh this can not be good," she thought to herself as she saw the black clouds come rolling in all of a sudden, she could also feel the fast change in the air.53

Phantom rubbed up against Alex and gave a soft whine. He to felt the change and did not like it one bit.54

A grim look had now settled on Alex's face, "I believe you are right," she said finally as her gaze turned back to Stephen, "but what about the fairies? Do you think they will be okay?" worry was now in her eyes as she turned her head to look back at the little ones behind her.55

Well," Stephen said as he took off his hat. "If they wish they can come with us. They can ride in safety in my hat as we make a dash for town." he held out the hat so the interior was facing up. Plenty of space for the little ones to travel in, if they wished.56

The fairies were worried and all but one quickly flew off into the forest, the one who liked Alex stayed behind. It was now her turn to protect her friend if she could. She saw the extended hat with the funny feather, and understanding what he wanted, she shook her head. It was definitely not safe for her in there.57

Flying up in front of Alex's face, she pointed towards the town and crossed her arms shaking her head no, then pointed into the darkness of the forest beckoning her to come. 58

Sensing the humans were confused and unsure, she flew to the edge of the glade and back again, then grabbed the tall mans finger, pulling with all her might, which barely caused his finger to move, but it was the best she could do.59

A few of the others came back signaling with frantic hand motions for them to make haste and follow, before disappearing back into the forest once more. 60

They were flying closer to the ground this time. The wind had picked up and began to howl with power through the midst of the thick foliage. Already many of the trees dark green leaves were being torn off their branches. Soon the branches and treetops would follow. Yet, thus far, the little fairy would not leave them, even though she new, in a few more minutes, she would no longer be able to fly.61

Stephen could see the fairies did not want to go to town nore travel in his hat. But seemed to want them to follow them. "Looks like we have been invited to join them somewhere." He smiled at the little fairy pulling on his finger and nodded, moving in the direction that the others had gone. 62

He followed the little, worried about the strong wind blowing. "Surely the little fairy couldn't fly in this strong a wind." he thought The branches and leaves were beginning to blow everywhere and his thoughts went to his ships and their crews. They were good lads and knew what to do, but still, he worried about them.63

Alex nodded her head in understanding as the fairy made gestures in front of her face to follow her, "I agree," she said after hearing Stephen's words, "They wish us to follow them. So lets go already."64

The wind howled through the forest, "I hope all of the little ones are okay?" she thought to herself as she followed the other fairies as fast as she could, "It must be getting very hard for them to fly."65

Phantom's fur blew every which way as he ran right back behind Alex making sure to keep sight of her.66

Alex soon stopped and waited for Stephen, Mati, and the little fairy that had a hold of Stephen's finger to catch up to her, "Hurry!" she yelled as loud as she could. She then heard a loud cracking sound right above her and looked up just in time to see a large limb begin to fall. Her eyes widened in fear and her body refused to move.67

Phantom had heard the noise as well and made straight for Alex. He jumped at her knocking her out of the way of the falling limb and landed right on top of her. Alex grabbed hold of Phantom, "Thanks," she muttered into his fur, "You saved me again." As soon as Phantom got off her Alex slowly stood back up, a little shaken, but fine.68

Suddenly the fairies that were leading them, weaving this way and that as they fought the high winds, disappeared into a dense thicket. An area so covered in picky bushes no human, or anything of greater size than a bird or fairy, could ever enter them without being torn to shreds.69

The little fairy that followed behind Alex with the two men, had given up trying to fly, and had made a place for herself in the tall mans heavy jerkin. From within its relative safety she saw Alex pull up before the bushes with some puzzlement. "Go!" she urged emphatically with her hand when she caught sight of her and the wolf looking back. 70

Though it hadn't reached them yet, the sound of heavy rains could be heard hitting the thick canopy of trees above. Suddenly the sky lit up as if it were day then plunged back into the darkness of night. A few seconds later was the loud crack and rumble of thunder coming from the direction of town, quickly followed by another bright flash.71

The fairy on Alex's shoulder was urging them forward, even through the thicket looked impassable. The flash of lightning and the roar of the thunder was close. It had to be right above the town. His thoughts went back to his ships. He knew that with his men manning them the ships would weather any storm in the harbor. But he was worried about the lightning. That bolt that had lit up the sky could be deadly to a ship. "Blasted storm had best not do anything to my ships." he would like it not if his ships were damaged.. or worse.72

Taking a deep breath, and trusting in the fairy on his shoulder, he lunged forward at the thicket placing an arm before his eyes73

"By Gaia this is no natural storm," Alex thought to herself as the night sky lit up as bright as day. For a moment she was blinded by the light and shook her head to clear her vision, "Dark magic is a foot this night. But who could be causing it, and why?"74

Phantom tilted his head to the side as he watched Alex. He never jumped in fright even as the lightening flashed and thunder boomed all around. He merely stood there patiently waiting for Alex.75

Once her vision was clear Alex turned to look at the others behind her and soon saw the little fairy's gesture, "Go into the thicket?" she thought to herself with wide eyes as she turned back to look at the bushes again. Her heart was thumping loudly in her chest. She took a deep breath, finally walking into the bushes with her arms raised, and her eyes closed.76

Phantom waited a few more moments and soon followed her.77

Part 2 will be titled "The Hidden Valley"