Golden Horn with Twink of Eye

Once Mati, Steve and Alex were before him his horn began to glow with a brilliant golden light and the fairies from all around stopped their play, there were more than a hundred of them now, and began to form a circle on the ground where they sat waiting like children at story time. 1

"Welcome home children of Eve." came a powerfully melodic voice, penetrating deep within their minds. "It has been a long and lonely time here since you left us. We have missed you. But tell me, how fares your garden now? Have you made of it what you wished?" 2

Stephan was taken aback by the voice in his head. That was something he had never thought would happen. But looking at the unicorn he felt it was coming from him. He was asking them about their garden and if they had made it what they wanted. He knew the biblical story of Adam and eve and he had called them children of Eve. Many thoughts ran through his head. But the one that stuck was that it seemed perhaps Adam and Eve had come from this mystical land through another opening, not being forced out but leaving on their own to create their own world.3

How could he answer the question? "Well I am not sure what Adam and Eve thought to create, but the world beyond is a vast place filled with very different people. There is good and there is evil. I think it is still growing and changing." he told the unicorn.4

A puzzled look had settled on Alex's face, not from hearing the unicorn speak to her in her mind, but from what it had said, "Children of Eve," she thought to herself, "garden. What is he talking about?"5

Phantom had soon wandered over to stand next to Alex after the fairies had stopped playing with him and rubbed his head against her hand.6

Alex began to pet Phantom after feeling him rub against her. She was still trying to figure out what the unicorn was talking about when Stephan spoke up. She listened as he talked and remained silent, after he was done talking, waiting to see how the unicorn would respond to what Stephan had said.7

The unicorn listened attentively to Stephen as he spoke, as did the little ones who turned and smiled at his words. Yet neither the unicorn nor the little ones understood what he meant. Yet the unicorn struggled for comprehension.8

"There have always been differences among the races, as are the differences between you and I. Yet, I know not these words you speak.. "Good" and "Evil". he told him. Then continued to explain what he thought might be the reason for this. "Seldom have I or my brothers gone through the gates since the first born left. Only for brief moments now and then, and only when we hear the cry of a child lost and alone. To give them what comfort or guidance we can for a time. Yet there are few of us left now, so many have not returned. Perhaps you know how my brothers and the White Witch fare? he asked curiously, his mind, though 6000 years old, was pure and clean, and as such, incapable of encompassing or even envisioning such a thing as evil or death. At least not in the way the world outside knew it.9

Stephen listened and wondered. The unicorn said that others of his kind had gone through the gates and not returned. His kind was thought to be myths, form centuries before. "We know not of your brothers. Mankind has not seen the likes of you perhaps for centuries. Even the fairies here have not been seen in the world for that long." He tried to explain, "Mankind has moved away from magic I am afraid." 10

He had asked about someone called the White Witch. He had heard nothing of such in any myth or story. "As for this white witch, I have never heard of her. Who is she?" he looked over at Alex hoping that he would add to what he was saying. Stephen didn't think he had the right answers for the unicorns questions.11

Alex's brow furrowed as she listened to the unicorn, "I wonder if those tales I heard while traveling were true," she thought to herself as she stood there looking at the unicorn, "mayhap some did." 12

"Like Stephen I have heard nothing about a White Witch during my travels," she said finally after he was done talking, "however I have heard tales of people who hunt unicorns and other creatures of legend," as she spoke her voice took on a sad quality as well as her eyes, "mayhap that is what happened to some of your brothers."13

As the Ancient Unicorn asked about his brothers his mind was envisioning a much different scene. Here in this secret valley all those who lived here, listened to him as the little fairies did now. So it seemed logical to him that his brothers would be amongst the children of Eve, guiding them, and teaching them the ways and uses of Gaia's magic. Never once considering that magic and harmony would be swept aside and his brothers hunted as if they were food.14

He raised his head high and shook his long mane. "Stephen, how can you move away from magic when it is all around you? he asked with amused curiosity. 15

Then turned to the young girl. "Alex, are you and your people so hungry that our flesh is needed more for sustenance then the knowledge it contains?" he asked her, confused16

He didn't doubt that what they said was true. It was just that it seemed so wrong and illogical. As he waited for their answers he turned his attention to the little ones.17

"And what seems to be your problem Emillia?" he asked the little fairy sitting forlornly on Alex's shoulder.18

Emillia shrugged her shoulders and with her thumb pointed at Alex.19

"Ahh, I see." the unicorn said mysteriously with an amused chuckle that sounded strange coming from inside their heads.20

Stephan didn't quite know how to tell the unicorn why they had moved away from magic. "I suppose many became afraid of it and in many places banned its use. That was a long time ago and most now do not know how to use it."21

The stories of unicorns, the magic of their horns and those that desired that power, he had heard of. Knowing that there were such creatures it made him sad and angry that there had been those that wanted to destroy such wondrous creatures.22

He heard the chuckle in his head from the Unicorn when he had addressed the little fairy. "What is wrong with the little one?" he asked the Unicorn.23

Alex's eyes widened in shock from the unicorn's question, "even if I was on death's door because of starvation I would never stoop so low as to hunt down a unicorn," she said finally as she scratched Phantom behind the ear.24

Her mind was in thought for a moment when another tidbit of information she had heard came to her, "from other stories I have heard some don't eat flesh just for sustenance," she said, "some people believe that in consuming the flesh of others that they can gain their powers and in the case of unicorns it would be their magic that they are after," her nose wrinkled in disgust, "It is barbaric and a rather stupid notion if you ask me, because magic can never be gained in such a way only taught, but alas there are some that seek power so badly that they would commit such an act."25

She sighed to herself as she rested her hand on Phantom's head. Her eyes held a questioning look at the unicorn's question to Emillia. She was about to ask what the matter was, but before she could Stephan asked the same question that was on her mind so she just merely stood there and waited for the answer.26

"Hmm, afraid of magic Stephen, how bizarre. Yet you both carry long sharpened tools. Isn't their only intention to be used as a force to destroy what they touch? I don't believe they can be used to heal or make something more beautiful as magic can. Watch,..." he told them.27

He raised his head high and his horn began to glow, a brilliant light shot out hitting the ground a short distance away. From the ground where it hit, quickly rose an apple tree that bloomed and bore many bright red fruits. 28

You see, there is nothing to be afraid of. Come, eat of the tree. This fruit was one of Eves favorites you know, one of mine as well, I might add." The ancient unicorn did not know of the terrible stories that had been told of the apple tree or he might have chosen a different demonstration.29

As he walked toward the tree he spoke to Alex.30

"You are right Alex, flesh is flesh and holds nothing more, and the ways and use of magic is taught much the same way as you would teach a child to read the signs of the world around them." he told her sagely.31

"Now as for Emillia, you must first understand how fairies view the world. For example, I am known to them as Golden Horn with Twink of Eye. You see, they identify others by their characteristics, weather those characteristics be spiritual or physical. She knew you Alex, as Pretty Boy with Kind Heart.. She now feels you deceived her and is rather upset and confused. If you like I can help you speak to her."32

Stephan listened to what Alex said and then was amazed at what the unicorn could do. It was true then, the power of a unicorn's horn was indeed powerful. "Magic, I guess could be wondrous, as you have demonstrated. But along with what Alex said, those that used it to gain power and against innocent people made many fear it. Not all used magic for good I guess. "33

He then heard what the unicorn was saying about the little fairy. "Why does she call Alex a deceiver? What has he done?"34

The unicorn stopped for a moment and pondered Stephan's strange words. They made no sense. What value was knowledge unless shared to benefit and raise the consciousness of those with less? To horde knowledge was an aberration that could hurt the collective spirit of Gaia and retard the natural progression of life toward the eternal. He could not understand why anyone would want to do that.35

"Stephan, Alex, neither of you are any less powerful than any other. If your spirit tells you something is wrong, shouldn't you then take the steps necessary to correct it?" he asked, becoming very concerned that the children of Eve had gotten themselves so interbulated with chaos that they had now forgotten who and what they truly were. If this was so his next lesson would be a very frightening one to them. 36

His horn was already beginning to glow with the anticipation of its need.37

Alex thought on what the unicorn had said, "swords are indeed used to destroy things," she said, "but as Stephan said there were those that used magic to destroy things even worse than swords ever could and that is the reason why some people fear it now."38

Alex watched in amazement as the unicorn used his powers to make an apple tree, "if others had used their powers the way you just did maybe it would have been different." 39

She was not really all that hungry, but started to follow the unicorn towards the tree he had created, "I did not mean to deceive Emillia," Alex said with a frown, "and would really like it if you helped me speak with her about it," there was a bit of fear in her eyes when she heard Stephan's question.40

"If I ever felt anything was wrong I would indeed take the necessary steps to help in any way that I could to fix it," she said for the moment forgetting what Stephan had asked and hoping that he did not guess that Alex was short for Alexandra.41

"Stephen, the believed deception is a burden carried, that only Alex, when ready, can remove. Why it is carried I do not know, nor is it my place to ask or reveal." He explained, being careful not to say too much, yet still answering his question. 42

"It is good Alex that you feel you would do your best to correct what wrongs you find. Yet, from what I hear from the two of you is that there is much that has gone wrong outside this valley. With that much counter will, there is little that you two can do alone. I will teach you what I can, but you will need the help of the White Witch, the being the fairies were searching for when they found you. I, the fairies, and many others who live here are just a construct of her magic, a form of living art you might say." 43

Stephen looked over at Alex. Now what had the young lad done to the fairy to be considered deceiving. The little fairy looked quite unhappy. He studied Alex for a bit looking him up and down from head to toe and then he noticed something and he grinned.44

He noticed Alex's throat and the lack of what people called an Adams apple. He chuckled and then knew the little fairy's frustration. She had thought Alex was a boy at first, but soon found that he was indeed a she. Stephen could not help but chuckle as he realized the deception. 45

But then he turned his attention back to the unicorn. "Who is the White Witch and how long has she been gone?" he asked. "What does she look like?"46

Alex had glanced back at Stephen when the unicorn had spoken to him about her deception. She sighed in relief at the unicorn's words, but the relief soon fled when she noticed that Stephen was giving her a once over and from the grin that soon appeared on his face he had figured out just what she was trying to hide.47

"Oh this day just gets better and better," she thought to herself with a frown, "Well it was bound to happen sooner or later I guess." This was one of the reasons she was always on the move and never stayed in one place for long.48

She was glad that he did not begin asking her questions right there and then of why she was dressed as a boy and sighed to herself as she listened to what he had asked the unicorn about the White Witch and waited for a reply.49

Stephen moved up to Alex shaking his head. "Do not worry, I will not let your secret out once we leave here." he placed a friendly hand on her shoulder, "I can understand why you are hiding who you are." he wondered though what she looked like without the disguise. "Though with a friend like your wolf, I don't think you really need to. I am sure he is a very good deterrent to many." he gave her a warm smile.50

Alex looked at Stephen's hand that now rested on her shoulder, "thanks," she said with a small smile, "I appreciate that you are not going to tell anyone."51

Of course there were other reasons she was hiding who she was, but she was not going to tell him those other reasons. "It is bad enough he knows I am a girl," she thought to herself.52

Phantom soon stopped at her side and growled low in his throat when he noticed that Stephen had laid a hand on Alex. Alex looked down at Phantom, "it's okay boy," she said in a comforting voice as she bent down and patted him on the head. He soon stopped growling and let his tongue loll out of his mouth as Alex pet him.53

Though the unicorn couldn't smile he watched their interplay with gladness in his heart. 54

"You ask of the White Witch and how long she's been gone, young Stephen. I am afraid knowledge of time here is a rather difficult thing for me to conceive. There being so little to mark the days in any way we of the valley could relate to you." he explained.55

"However, I can tell you she is of the first race born of Gaia, and as such has much power to change the world. Her name comes mostly from her aura. Which is of the purest white." he informed them with a feeling of nostalgia. "The other part of her name is a euphemism she brought back with her on a visit, though anyone from this Valley would recognize that aura instantly."56

"Now Alex, you wanted to be able to converse with Emillia. To do so you must first understand that it will require a special ritual which will change the little one forever and bind her to you for many years to come, For she must be born again in the purity and innocents of a new form. Now, before I ask her if she is ready to give up her fairy life, which I think she is. I must ask, are you ready to protect her from all that might harm, till she, like you, can walk alone?" 57

The way it sounded, the White Witch left a long time ago. If time was not known in this little valley then it could have been hundreds of years. The White Witch might even be dead. He had never heard of anyone that would fit the description the Unicorn gave. 58

Stephen looked back at the way they had come. The storm that had hit before they entered this place of safety, would have done damage to his ships. He was worried about them and the crew. "Though we would like to stay longer, there are concerns in the outer world that must be attended. There was a sudden storm that seemed to come out of nowhere and I am the captain of a ship in the harbor and responsible for two more. I need to return to see if they and their crews are alright." 59

Alex ruffled Phantom's fur one more time before she stood up to look at the unicorn. She thought on what he had asked her and as she did so she closed her eyes, "am I ready to protect someone," she thought to herself as she chewed lightly on her lower lip.60

She finally opened her eyes to look at the unicorn once again, "I am," she stated simply, "and along with my protection she will also have Phantom's protection as I do."61

Phantom licked her hand as he sat next to her.62

On hearing Stephen she turned to look at him, "I am sorry I understand your need to go back, but I can not go yet," she gave a small smile, "however you can go back without me I am sure I can find my way by myself and I am sure we will meet again."63

"I think Phantom and Emillia will get along fine Alex. The wolf, though born wild seems to have a soft spot for children and the little ones." the Unicorn commented before turning back to Stephen. 64

"Stephen, I can understand your desire to hastily return to your ships and men. However, before you leave I think it is important you meet Gaia. It is my hope that through the experience you will come to know yourself and the world more fully. 65

"Alex, for you this upcoming experience will be even more important. For you, as a new Fairy Guardian will be taking on a special role in the events to come." for the first time Alex gained a little knowledge of her future.66

As the unicorns horn began to glow more brightly. All the fairies, including Emillia rose up and began to fly in a large circle about them. 67

The world, as they knew it, began to shimmer and grow faint. But that was all just an illusion as a crystal globe formed about them and they were lifted high into the air. In just a moment the entire valley could be seen. In a far part of the valley could be seen a mermaid brushing her long hair on the banks of a quiet pond, yet that too faded into the distance as they continued to rise higher. 68

As they broke above the surrounding mountains and into the storm that raged beyond, their minds filled with the voices, dreams, fears, hopes, laughter and tears of all who lived upon Gaia... and still they rose. Stephan could feel himself being lifted up. At first it was a bit disconcerting as his balance seemed a bit off. But soon he adjusted to the feeling of what he considered flying and looked down as the world receded from them. He looked over at Alex and Phantom. He wondered how they were feeling about the experience. Too he knew that he would have to wait a bit more before finding out about his crews and the ships. The unicorn had said something about meeting Gaia. In olden times she was thought to be the Earth Mother, the guiding force of nature and all that was their world. Was there actually a woman by that name, someone that had extensive magical powers as were told in old tales. It looked as if he was about to find out.69

"Well this is an experience we can tell in our old ages." he said to Alex and chuckled. "It is not every day that one gets to meet creatures of myth and.........fly."70

"I do believe you are right," Alex said, "they will both get along just fine and he has always had a soft spot for certain people." She looked down at Phantom for a moment and the corners of her mouth curved into a small smile as images of a time long ago came to her. The twins, her brother’s children, had always loved to play with him and him them. He was always gentle with them and any other children that he had ever played with.71

The images in her mind soon went away and she turned her head to look at the unicorn, "what is this special role you speak of," she asked hoping to better understand what was expected of her so that she could seceded at whatever her role was to be.72

She watched as the world around them shimmered and faded away slowly. Alex then felt herself being lifted and soon found herself along with the others up in the air. Her eyes looked around at the world below and she enjoyed what she saw. She even caught a glimpse of what looked like a mermaid before she too faded from her sight.73

Alex soon saw the raging storm and wondered if this was the same storm that they had just moments ago escaped. She soon started to hear voices in her head the higher they went. "Yes it is," she said on hearing Stephan's words, "but how many people do you think would believe what you told them."74

The unicorn had heard Alex's question. But knew those questions would have to wait. 75

Shortly after rising above the stormy clouds they saw a strange ring of power passing through them that quickly caused the clouds to break up and scatter. From their position high above they could now easily see, though not in any real detail, the rising clouds of smoke from the burning town and the tiny broken up ships that only a short time before had sat quietly in the port and harbor. But more than this was the intensity of terrified emotions rising up to them from those below that for some reason they could not shut out, a thing their minds would normally do. Yet still they continued to rise ever higher.76

Their perspective switched as they rose, no longer was it just the terror of the town they felt but the excited emotions of an entire country thriving to survive. 77

"What you feel is what Gaia feels." he explained seeing their concern. "and it is this that guides her destiny. You must try to understand that, like you, too much negative emotion and soon the will to live begins to die." the unicorns thoughts spoke quietly and sadly. 78

What he was trying to convey he felt was more important than any single life they might save by getting involved with the troubles currently facing Avalon. So they continued to rise until they could see and feel the heartbeat of an entire planet rotating slowly below. 79

The unicorn spoke softly to their minds, from within the crystal ball, that stopped in space more than a thousand miles above the earth. 80

"That is Gaia and it is your combined will that made and now sustains her. Do not worry for any of the individual souls crying out in fear below, they know not what they are." 81

Those in the crystal ball, except for the unicorn, were unaware that their own physical bodies were still standing within a mysterious circle created and protected by the fairies of Gaia in the secluded valley far far below. For the first time, except for perhaps brief instances in their lives, they were experiencing the world in their true form. 82

Alex's eyes widened as they went higher and higher into the air and finally came to a stop. As she looked at the world below she listened to everything the unicorn said and soon turned to look at Stephan for she had noticed the smoke below them, "I wonder if those are his ships down there," she thought to herself, "I hope not, but from the looks of it they are." Her attention soon turned back to the world below them.83

Even after the unicorn had said not to worry for the souls crying out below Alex's face still held a bit of worry to it as she listened to the cries. Even though her mind was occupied for the moment she had not missed the fact that the unicorn had failed to answer her question she had asked, "oh well I am sure it will be answered soon enough," she thought to herself with a mental shrug.84

Stephan looked down in horror at the destruction that was being done by the storm, he saw the ships and recognized his three immediately. His eyes widened, his heart pounded in his chest. "Noooooooo." he shouted out. He barely heard the unicorn his mind was tormented by seeing the wreckage of his ships and knew that many if not all of the crews, his men, his responsibility were dead. He should have been there with them, should have been there to tell them what to do. He may have been able to save the ships, by sailing out of the harbor, into the open sea. 85

The unicorn said not to worry about the cries of those from below. How could he be so unsympathetic? Those were his men down there, his mean dyeing, his ships destroyed.86

"Take us back! Take us back!" he demanded. "Those are my men down there, my ships. I was responsible for them. Their blood is on my hands now." He sunk to his knees shaking his head.87

Golden Horn with Twink of Eye looked at Stephen with concern and compassion, not realizing the human was unaware of his current incorporeity. 88

"You may go to them if you wish Stephen, for up to two hours and do what you can, I would never think to stop you." the unicorn told him sincerely. "But I must warn you, that after that time, your own body will be in danger, as the path and memory of it will soon begin to disintegrate leaving you only as a lost soul ever wandering the sea trying to save those who are no longer there." he paused for a moment letting the words echo creepily with the depth of their meaning.89

"I would suggest instead" he continued after the pause. "that you watch their struggles and find a way to immortalize their valiant efforts to live so all will remember this night and know how those young heroes died." 90

"The choice of what to do, as always, is yours to make, Stephen."91

The unicorn worried that he would choose the instinctive path and go to those below immediately upon hearing he was capable of doing so. Yet he knew this son of Eve had little experience or knowledge of the astral realm of which he now inhabited. Yet he stood silently. A new born soul must learn to fly... or die.92

Alex's head spun to look at Stephan after his sudden outburst, "guess I was right," she thought to herself, "those were his ships." She shook her head and walked towards him, "flying off the handle like that helps no one," she said as she placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, "there was nothing you could have done. Even if you were down there that storm had a one tracked mind and I bet even taking those ships out into the open waters would have not saved them."93

Her hand was still resting on Stephan's shoulder when she heard the unicorn. She raised a brow as she turned her head to look at the unicorn. Her mouth opened as if she was going to say something and then snapped shut again as his words buzzed around inside her head.94

Nothing could be done. He could have tried if he had been there and if not he could have died with his men. He had sailed with them a long time, drank with them, fought with them in many battles on the seas. They had been like a family and now they were dead. 95

He looked up at the unicorn. "You don't understand do you? Would you stand there and watch the fairies here die in front of your eyes and do nothing? See those you have come to call family die and not be there with them to die with them." He was now a man without a sense of worth or life worth living for. He had no desire to live.96

Even though Alex's head still reeled with the unicorn's words her mind remained sharp, "and just what makes you think they are all dead," she asked Stephan, "Things are not always as bad as they appear to be," it was the truth she had seen people come out of things alive that should have killed them, "Maybe some of them did die, but that does not mean all of them are dead."97

She took a deep breath knowing that her next words were more than likely going to piss him off, but anger would be a more welcomed thing right now then the depressed 'I want to die look' he now wore, "you need to stop your whining, it is after all doing no one no good, let us get done with what we got to do here, and then we can go see if any of your crew still live." Her hand was still resting on his shoulder as she talked and she now held her breath waiting to see what reaction her words caused.98

The Unicorn looked at them with his dark mysteriously intelligent eyes; for thousands of years he had watched the cycles of life. 99

He recalled for a moment those years long ago when hundreds of unicorns like himself wandered the plains, a time when horses flew and dragons scoured the earth, a time when a little one could be found peeking out from behind almost every tree; a time now long gone. Did he know of death, did he know of despair... Of course, yet over time he learned that life changed and things passed on, and it was not the corporal that was important but rather the spiritual, for it was this that bound all life together, and it was this he was trying to make them see.100

He could tell from Alex's expression that she was struggling to grasp the duality of the world, from the dust of which it was made and the spirit which bound and shaped it. He knew it would be hard for them to do when their spirits had lived so long believing they were only dust. Now here they were in their true form far above Gaia somehow convincing themselves they were still in their corporal forms. He was a little exasperated and shook his head to clear the fog of frustration, when the air shimmered about them and a young woman appeared. 101

"I need your help Golden Horn, come quickly!" the woman called out in desperation before vanishing again.102

The unicorn looked at Stephen with sorrowful eyes. 103

"I will bring you back so you may return to your people and help rebuild that which has been broken. It will take only a moment."104

At speeds seemingly a hundred times faster than when they left, they returned to the flowered meadow within the secluded valley, to stand once more as they were before, right beside the apple tree. The fairies that had been flying about them, other than the one who had befriended Alex, reformed and sat again upon the ground, their eyes filled with expectation as they watched the two men, Golden Horn, Alex and Emmilia who was now hovering alone and fearfully nearby. 105

"Go Stephen. Do what you can for those struggling in the town and harbor. And let the spirit of Gaia be your guide." the unicorn told him sincerely, wishing him the best upon his journey through life. "Perhaps we will meet again."106

He then turned his deep blue eyes to Alex. "The woman you saw Alex, is one of the five daughters of the White Witch. Her name is Serena. Though born sidhe, she is otherwise a warm and caring woman much like you. The fairies, you will find, love her greatly and call her their Queen." he explained calmly in answer to her question about the woman who had appeared before them pleading for his quick response. Yet, he had a promised duty to perform for Emmilia and Alex before he could leave. A duty of beauty and love he would not hasten. He also knew Serena would struggle along alone until he was free to join her. 107

Alex shook her head, "idiot," she thought to herself as she watched Stephan for a moment longer and then turned back to listen to the unicorn answer her question.108

She stood there for a moment digesting what she had been told and rubbed Phantom's head when she felt him bump into her leg. "There there," she muttered to him on hearing him give a soft whine, "everything will be okay."109

This was it" Emillia thought with some fear as she watched Alex, and Golden Horn with Twink of eye discuss the upcoming ritual that would change her life forever.110

The moment she had dreamed of was at hand.111

She didn't know what to do with herself as she fluttered and flittered around them, one moment wishing to fly away and hide, another moment wishing to rush them along. Yet she knew there was no way to rush Golden Horn, rushing just wasn't in his nature. 112

A small part of her secretly wished that Alex had really been a boy, yet she knew not why. Nor did she understand why she would need a guardian. Yet she understood instinctively that this was a known and excepted part of the ritual.113