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Little Red Wolf - 05 - Seeing the Seelie

Adara, as it turned out, was a member of the Seelie court with enough pull to walk Scarlett and Arthur directly into the glade where the queen was currently holding court. Puck could not go with, due to his exiled status, but it was still a very dangerous trip non-the-less. Scarlett's heart beat with the excitement of a child on the eve of Yule. She was about to see a woman whom she had heard about in stories that always seemed too fantastic to be real. Her imagination danced through the fields of possibility and her emotions caused her to fidget uncontrollably.

As the water nymph lead them through the forest, Scarlett looked admiringly at Arthur. Adara had used her magic to spin some tree branches and his deer skins into a proper outfit. After decorating the outfit with leaves and stones, he officially looked the part of the green lover at the Beltane spring festival.

Adara then turned to Scarlett's outfit. The huntress resisted the nymph's offer to "fix" the outfit she had made with her own hands, but after a promise that the effects would be temporary, she agreed. Adara weaved branches into the seems and formed leaf pattern into the leather that would have taken weeks of curing to create. She then waved her hand and leaves from a dozen trees came together and formed a long green skirt.

"This is really nice," Scarlett told the nymph in the most polite way she could manage, "but I don't do dresses."

"The skirt is temporary," Adara promised her, "you still get to wear your pants underneath and the leaves will fall away once the magic fades."

Scarlett looked at the skirt and though. Her outfit did look very nice. "How long will the magic last?"

"The branches and the leaf pattern, in your blouse, will last for several weeks," Adara smiled as she talked about her handy work, "but the skirt will fall apart shortly after you are a hundred feet away form me or any Fae power source."

"So..." Scarlett tried to wrap her mind around the information she had been given, "it will stay together as long as I am in the fairy court?"

"Exactly," Adara smiled.

Scarlett was not happy that she needed to wear a dress, but at least it was temporary and easy to move around in. The leaves flexed and expanded to give her legs more space than past skirts had ever allowed. She was certain she could still run in this.

Scarlett's mind wandered until the water nymph led them into a mushroom circle. The huntress was confused but she trusted Adara and was not disappointed.

"This is a fairy circle," Adara explained, "From here we will travel into the fairy lands. Please be patient while I ask for admittance." She closed her eyes and a gentle blue glow began to outline her body.

Scarlett tried not to bounce as she stood there but it did little good. She turned to Arthur who looked impossibly serious and at ease. Scarlett found herself caught between wishing she could master such self control and jealously despising him for it.

"Stay close to me," Arthur told her in a way that caused her to flush even more. "I don't want to lose you in there."

"I think you'll be in more danger than me," Scarlett said taking his hand and squeezing it.

"That is another reason for you to stay close to me," he told her as a tiny smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. "In here a flower is stronger than a wolf."

"So I'm just another delicate flower now?" Scarlett was so sick of hearing that comparison.

"A flower with thorns and a deadly poison," he said eloquently. "I feel that this will be a place that no amount of strength can overcome. It is by guile that we will or will not survive. Please help me... I am not as smart as I once was."

Scarlett threw her arms around him and squeezed him tight. "That's why I love you," she told him as she fought back tears. "You know just what to say to me."

"It is time," Adara told them.

Scarlett let Arthur go and looked into his eyes, his wonderfully, intelligent, dark blue eyes. His strength gave her strength. She hoped she would have the same affect on him as well. With a deep breath, for courage, she nodded to their escort.

There was a blue-green glow and the world shimmered. When the distortion cleared they were in a much larger clearing with more life and color than Scarlett had ever seen. The grass was lush and green and there were flowers of red, yellow, and blue. As her eyes moved further along, there were other shades to include violet and orange. The nectar of these blossoms was thick and their scent filled the air with their heady aroma.

Pixies danced along the flowers, like bees collecting pollen. Satyrs and nymphs, of different colors and temperaments, lounged, laughed, played games, or slipped off in pairs. Elegant creatures with human faces and animal ears and tails talked, laughed, and scurried as trees with faces discussed birds and rain. Tall elves and noble centaurs were clad in armor and bore all manner of weapons. They stood at the ready, their eyes watching the newcomers for signs of aggression. It was a sight normally reserved for fairytales and dreams.

In the center of all the spectacle was a great tree that taught Scarlett the meaning of the word, 'grandeur.' Its trunk was hundreds of feet around and it towered over a mile in height. It appeared to be hollow with windows, lights, and stairs woven all through its trunk and branches. A mighty city of mysterious people traveled here, there, and everywhere, going about their lives. Scarlett could imagine cooks preparing honeysuckle nectar and artists gathering stardust for the morning dew. She could not stop the wide eyed grin from forming on her face.

"Lady Adara," called a satyr who bounded up to them and bowed. "It is so wonderful to see you m'lady." He kissed her hand and she nodded to him.

"It is wonderful to see you as well, Tigums. These are my new friends, Lady Scarlett and Sir Arthur."

Scarlett swelled with pride at being referred to as a lady. She had never liked the title before this moment but she liked being put on the same level as Arthur. She would not be a delicate flower for anyone else, but if he was her knight then she could be his lady.

"A pleasure to meet you," Tigums said genuinely. "Any friend of Lady Adara's is an honored guest in my house."

"A pleasure," Arthur told him with respect. Scarlett said nothing, everyone was much too proper and polite here for her taste.

Tigums offered Adara his arm and she took it. Scarlett took Arthur's arm, for appearances, and the four of them walked through the crowd. Scarlett felt extremely out of place. There was so much sparkle and glamor around her that she felt like an ugly troll. Even in her enchanted outfit she could not compete with the unearthly beauty of the Fae. It was impossible for her to maintain a completely neutral face.

As they approached the great tree Scarlett saw guards in front of platforms that were pulled into the high branches by ropes. There was also a grand staircase was hundreds of feet wide and ridiculously tall. Scarlett was impressed but was beginning to wonder if this was all natural to the Fae or if they were deliberately showing off.

When they finally reached the base of a great stairs, they were stopped by a pair of green giants. Tigums and Adara spoke to them briefly then all four were allowed to pass. The climb was over two hundred steps and Scarlett was glad she was stronger now than she had been before. Though she had always been more fit than her sisters, this was a climb that would have caused her to breath heavily. Nobles, and especially ladies, were always supposed to effortlessly float over everything and something like fatigue from hard labor was taboo. She found the custom very annoying.

"Lady Adara and honored guests," Tigmuns announced when they finally reached the top.

So much bloody ceremony, Scarlett thought as they were given the go ahead to continue. A massive dais sprawled out before her with very well dressed Fae who all looked very important. They were all perfect with sparkling outfits and not a hair out of place. Pleasantly neutral faces spoke in medium tones with not a single outburst of expression or emotion. An orchestra played a somber tone and a group of couples moved to it. Scarlett would never call what they were doing 'dancing' for there was no energy to it. It was more like watching trees sway in the breeze than the hopping and laughing of real dance.

"Excuse me, Lady," an armored man told Scarlett as they moved through the crowd. "I am afraid I will have to hold your weapons for you while you present yourself to the queen." The request was reasonable but it still caused Scarlett discomfort. She stared hard at the man in armor and noticed his pointed ears and impossibly thin frame. She guessed he must be an elf. Her eyes then traveled to the other guards. Many of them were centaurs or giants. Despite the court's beauty, there was an amazing amount of strength among these people.

She looked to Adara for advice and support. The nymph nodded, so Scarlett turned over her quiver, bow, and axe. "Your knife, Lady," the elf said politely. Scarlett was visibly disappointed but she lifted her skirt, pulled the dagger from her boot, and handed it over. For the first time in years she was now completely, and publicly, disarmed.

Finally, the small group was allowed to continue to the throne of the queen. It was a sight to behold. The elegant throne appeared to be carved out of the great tree itself and its occupant appeared to have grown from her seat. Queen Titania was as lithe and beautiful as the nymphs of her court, but she had a sad solemn look. Her green eyes were long slits that appeared to be solid with no pupils. Her brown hair seemed to grow out of the tree's bark and her body had roots that attached her to the great tree. It was then that Scarlett realized the closer one got to the queen, the less noise and joy filled the air.

"My queen," Adara said with a great bowing curtsy, her features now as placid and perfect as the others who stood around her, gazing indifferently at the world. "I present to you my new neighbors, Sir Arthur and Lady Scarlett."

"Welcome," said the queen in an almost musical tone.

"My queen," Adara continued, "we come before you today for your wisdom and your blessing."

The queen nodded. "I will hear you."

"My queen, Sir Arthur has been blessed by Luna and has kept his mind intact." There was muttering in the court after she said this. Scarlett felt all eyes fall upon them and noticed several of the guards had put their hands instinctively on the hilts of their blades. They were preparing themselves for a fight. Scarlett could not help herself, her right foot turned and slid behind her left, the basic stance of many right handed warriors who expected a fight.

"Luna's children are forbidden in this court," the Queen Titania announced. "Why do you break my laws and bring them before me?"

"I wanted you to see the clarity in their eyes, my queen. They desire peace with your house. They wish to honor your laws and find acceptance where before they have found none."

The queen looked at Arthur then turned her penetrating gaze to Scarlett. The huntress felt a chill run through her as if this woman was looking into her very soul. She locked eyes with the queen and refused to look away.

"Then this is his progeny?" the queen wanted to know.

"His mate, my queen," Adara corrected. "She has not yet had her first change."

"Then she can be saved," with a motion of her hand, the queen's guards drew their weapons and surrounded them. Scarlett bristled and clenched her fists. Arthur put a hand on her arm to calm her, but otherwise made no movement to defend himself. This upset her even more but she calmed her physical stance.

"My queen," Adara pleaded, "they mean you no harm. They have come here to show you who they are to avoid being hunted."

"They shall not be hunted," the queen said, "for they are already here."

Arthur gave Scarlett's arm a gentle squeeze. "If my love will be spared then I will not fight you." All eyes turned to Arthur including Scarlett's. She could not believe she was hearing this. She would not give up without a fight.

"An admirable sacrifice," the queen said as she held up her hand to stop her guards. "Is your heart and mind truly as clear as your eyes?"

"My mind is as clear as my heart allows it to be," Arthur said regally. "I would sacrifice myself for no other than the woman I love."

Scarlett's mind began to spin as her emotions twisted her stomach into knots. Arthur had admitted to the type of love she had only heard about in stories told by bards. It was too much, she felt unworthy of this type of devotion. He was willing to give of himself so that she could live. He was willing to send her home, away from the dangers of his world, so that she might return to her family. She would not have it.

There were creaking noises, like an old tree, as the queen slowly rose from her throne. The entire population of her court dropped to one knee and bowed to their queen. All accept Scarlett who refused to break eye-contact.

The court began to hum with energy and the queen became surrounded by dancing lights. She raised her hands and Arthur was suddenly ablaze in green fire. Scarlett was thrown back and Arthur began to growl. His body began to shift and pop as black fur started sprouting from his chest and back. His hands became claws and his feet grew pads. His ears pulled back and his jaws pushed forward, filling with sharp teeth. The outfit Adara had made him tore and fell to the ground as his body mass increased. His transformation completed with a musical howl that sang through the throne room and washed silence over the court.

"You are not as controlled as you might believe," intoned the queen.

Scarlett rushed forward. Two guards armed with spears moved into her path. Without hesitating Scarlett put both hands on the spear that belonged to the guard to her right and twisted the weapon out of his grasp. She then swung the weapon low and knocked both guards to the ground.

With the speed of the wolf, she growled and sprinted toward the queen. She twisted and dashed past all of the guards and leaped high into the air. Green light surrounded Scarlett's body and she was frozen in place.

"Your passion for this monster is strong," the queen told her, "but they will not serve you here. Your lover and your friend will stay here to answer for their crimes, but you are not yourself. You shall be cured and released.

"I will burn this forest to the ground if you hurt him!!!" Scarlett's voice projected with the power of the predator she had become. "I thought you were wise! I thought your had honor!"

The queen's eyes narrowed and then she released Scarlett who dropped to all fours. As the huntress drew herself back into a fighting stance the queen spoke.

"If it is honor that you seek then I present you a simple quest." The queen held out her hand and a pixie flew to her while carrying a scroll. "A sister of your village was taken by the moon wolves while she was with child. The foul creatures tore the baby from her body and ate it while the poor dear watched. She died, but has not left the southern swamp. She has become a Rusalka and needs to be put to rest. If you complete this quest before the sun rises twice then I shall release your lord to you. I cannot promise not to hunt you, but I am willing to allow you three days to leave these lands."

Scarlett brought her breathing under control and grit her teeth. She did not like being in this type of position but she had no choice.

"If those are your conditions," Scarlett said with a voice full of anger, "then I accept."

"Good," the queen said calmly, "you should begin immediately."

With the conclusion of these words Scarlett was blinded by the queen's green fire. When she could see again she was back in the fairy circle on the mundane side of the forest. The spear in her hand was gone but her own weapons were laying next her on the ground. The queen's scroll was in the pile of equipment as well. Scarlett looked toward the horizon and saw that the sun was already low in the sky. She would have to move quickly and beat the sun in their new races.