The Shadow King and the Fairy: Part 1

A young woman ran through the forest, the basket on her arm bumped lightly against her side. Her feet made no sound as she came nearer to her destination; a glen filled with thousands of plants and flowers.

It was carefully hidden behind the branches of two large willow trees that were tall as a palace. The branches seemed to part for the woman, as she slowed to a jog in order to pass through.

 A smile came across her face as found herself in the glen; a smile of joy. As she walked to where a group of smooth rocks stood in the middle; flowers opened their petals and vines uncurled. As if they were just coming alive…or waking up.

She placed her basket on the largest rock; which came up to her waist, before taking out a clay mortar, a knife, some glass bottles, and some strips of cloth. Lastly, a clay jug which she filled from the small stream.

Once the other things were laid out, the young woman went to a bush of Sage and said, “Good morning. You’re looking well.”

The Sage bush unfurled its leaves to the fullest. She smiled and gave it some water; then went to start picking the flowers she was there to harvest for medicine.

She was a healer after all.

Plus, she had to practice her powers. She had the ability to control the element of Earth; trees, rocks, even plants would come to her aid if she needed help. Animals too.

“Angela! So this is where you’ve been!”

The young woman turned to see her Godfather, enter the glen. He was old with streaks of grey through his red hair and beard. Dressed in wool spun clothes, and wearing half-moon spectacles. He used a cudgel shaped walking stick to lean onto as he came nearer.

“I’ve been looking high and low for you lass.” He said, in lightly scolding tone.

“Sorry Godpa.” The woman, Angela, responded. “I had to get here before the weather got to hot…or I wouldn’t have been able to gather what we needed.”

Her Godfather sat on one of the rocks. “True enough, but your Aunt Emilia is throwing herself into a tizzy.”

“She’s not my aunt, Godpa.”

“We’ve been through this, Angela. She may be your father’s half-sister…but if anything ever happened to me, she has to care for you.” He sighed. “I worry for you, lassie. You’re a beautiful girl and I want someone who’ll protect you when I’m gone.”

Angela sighed. She knew that she was different from the other mortal children; she had hair as black as a moonless sky, pale skin, rosy shell shaped lips, and eyes the color of the purest gold.

‘A gem unlike any other.’ As her godfather would always tell her.

Because of this, men came to take her hand in marriage once she came of age. But she had no interest in them.

All Angela wanted was to be able to run through the forest and feel the wind on her face, to wake up and see the mountains outside her window every morning.

It was what her late parents would’ve wanted for her…

But her ‘aunt’ was making things difficult.

Aunt Emilia wasn’t really her aunt by blood…just some lady that ‘claimed’ three years ago, to have her father’s permission to take Angela and raise her. Of course, her Godfather wouldn’t stand for it so they raised her together.

She was over protective. VERY over protective.

Aunt Emilia wouldn't let Angela go outside alone, or even leave the house. She wanted to keep Angela locked up. She would even make the weather keep the girl inside. Well, she was a witch.

Now you might think that anything magical doesn’t exist…but they do. Angela knew this ever since she was a baby. Her mother was a healer. Even through Angela didn’t remember her parents, she believed the tales her Godfather told her of them.

Her dad had met her mom when he had been wounded from a bear attack. She took him home and cared for his wounds with herbs, roots, and bark. After the three weeks it took for him to heal…they fell in love. He didn’t even judge her when she told him that she had a ‘gift’ for growing plants and treating animals as well as people. A magical gift.

After that they were inseparable.  Her Godfather met her mother later and deemed her a perfect match for his friend. “I never saw two more in love.” He had told Angela. “Their wedding was simple yet elegant, and they were like the Fairy King and Queen that day.”

Angela would then ask why they left that day…and the answer was always the same.

They had to help ‘someone’.

And that would be the end of it.

Even now, Angela wanted to know who that ‘someone’ was.

She was snapped from her thoughts by her Godfather asking if she was alright.

“You were day dreamin’ again, lassie.” He chuckled.

“Sorry, Godpa.” She blushed. “I was just remembering how mom and dad met.”  A look of sorrow crossed her face. “I miss them.”

“I know, Fairy Queen.” Her Godfather said. “I know. I’ll go tell Emilia I found you and that you’ll be along.”

Angela watched him leave, before turning back to the herbs she needed to clean as a few animals came out. A deer, a fawn, two rabbits, a few birds and even bear. Most people would run when they’d see a bear…but not Angela. The bear was as gentle as a rabbit or house cat around her.

She grinned and stroked the rabbit’s fur before patting the bear gently.  They all laid by or around her as she finished her work. Yet she was deep in thought.

Her aunt would never let her leave the house once she returned; in a way, she was prisoner in her own home.

Using the mortar, Angela ground up a few Feverfew leaves into a powder before pouring them into a pouch. After packing up her things, Angela looked at the animals around her…each a mate. Someone to love.

“When will I find that special someone?” She asked herself. “Where could he be?”

Kneeling by the stream, Angela splashed some water on her face. Before cupping her hands to drink some water. When her thirst was quenched, Angela began to sing an old Irish song while braiding her hair…using the water as her mirror.

What Angela didn’t know was that water was a gateway or mirror to the Realm Of Shadow Beasts. A place where creatures that lived with in every soul reside. From Dogs to Cats, Fairies to Sprites, Magicians and Ghosts, Beasts to Dragons…they lived in harmony. And were ruled by a fair, yet stern, King.

He was very handsome; he had spikey tri-colored hair which was red and black and in the shape of a star. Gold bangs which was shaped like lightning bolts framed his face. A few extra bangs shot up into his hair. His face had sharp angled features. Eyes were a dark purple with flecks of crimson around the pupil. Skin a dark brown, with a tattoo of a strange green symbol on the left shoulder and left cheek. Ears were hidden behind the Nautilus shells which were attached to his crown. And the same color strands of twine which had blue and green stones, threaded for decoration, adorned his neck. Gold wrist and anklets glittered in the light from the lamps. A Roman kilt covered his lower body, ending just below his knees. Sandles covered his feet and a strange glowing crystal hung around his neck.

His power was also beyond imagination...he could destroy or create anything with just a snap of his fingers.

His palace was large and carved from Limestone, his people roamed the bare lands where they pleased…yet the King never smiled. Not once. And through he was fair…his eyes held no warmth. Just dark emptiness. The same was for his soul.

That day, the King was sitting on his limestone throne listening to the daily reports from his guards and  Councilors. He covered a yawn and prayed that they would finish soon…he really didn’t want to listen to this dribble.

Finally, they were done and the King went to his chambers where there was a pool in one corner filled with turquoise water. He took off his sandals and flopped onto his bed. This was the only time he could think without anyone bothering. Closing his eyes, the king felt his mind wander…he had everything anyone could want; fine clothes, food, master pieces of artwork, a palace, servants who catered to his every need. Even his room was spectacular.

So why did he feel so empty? What was missing?

Just as he was dozing off…he heard it. A voice unlike any other; both musical and sweet. He slowly sat up and listened. For some reason he felt the emptiness leave his heart.

But when it began to fade, the King felt sadness over take him again. He just had to know who this beautiful voice belonged to. He just had to!

He quickly ran over to the pond and waved a hand over the water, causing it to turn blue with magic. “Show me…show me whose singing.” He ordered. The water shimmered and Angela’s image appeared. The king’s eyes widened when he saw her, he had never seen anyone so beautiful. “She’s…She’s gorgeous!” He whispered. “Her hair is black as night, skin as pale as the moon, eyes the color of the gold stars, and lips as pink as roses.” He felt his heart pound in his chest. “If I could meet her, she’s so full of life and joy. I wish she could visit me in my dark kingdom.” The king sighed, eyes sad. “But who am I fooling…she’d never want to stay. But if I could just…” He reached out to the image; as if to cup her face. “If I could just be with her…even I could only hold her hand…then I’d be content.”

Yes, the king now knew that had been missing.

A companion.