1

 

It seems so long since it all happened; years since I last saw Lancelyn, ages since I have been to Darmoor, eternity since it all began. I can scarcely remember my life before all this happened, all though what ‘all this’ is, I can hardly say. My fate first became entangled with Ian of Darmoor’s when I saw him in the clearing that late October night

What was I doing out there all alone under the full moon, scarcely a week before All Hallows E’en when all God-fearing folk where safe in bed?

I do not know, nor do I know why night after night I returned, mesmerized, half-mad, and living on a thread of hope; hope that I would see him again though I didn’t even know what it was that I had seen. Lancelyn would never explain it clearly to me; he just said that anyone who has heard fairy music under a full moon goes mad eventually. Something more to do with the Codes he always talked about; magic we call it here.

Maybe I heard the music, or maybe I just felt it. But it called me away, over the moor, until I came to the brook and I saw him. I had never seen a fairy before but I believed that they existed.  My belief had been substantiated by the appearance of a fairy ring the day before.

Now I can still remember standing in that fairy ring, though I would have never stepped in it knowingly. And aided by its powers I could see as well as hear things from another world. He was standing beside the brook and though he held a pipe in his hand he did not play it. I remember the words still to this day, for they haunted me for months.

 

Coola, coola, coolain

Sulia, sulia, Taine.

 

The verses told of a prince who went into battle and was killed. As he lay dying he laid a curse on whoever took the kingdom from the rightful heir.

Somehow I knew what he said but the tongue was strange to me. The chorus however, which was the curse, was beyond my comprehension.

I stood there that night in a fairy’s dancing ring and saw things I had never seen before and heard things I would never hear again. The magic of the ring gave me the power to see the singer and to understand his song, but the words were to drive me mad. They would have driven me to my death eventually had it not been for Lancelyn.

Lancelyn, Lancelyn, that dear friend whom I shall never see again! Maybe he will return; he said he might. He said in a couple of centuries things might change.

“Who knows,” he said, trying to be cheerful, “I might have a son to pass on the kingdom to. Or there might be another rebellion. I’ll gladly face banishment again now that I have something to come back to.”

But it won’t happen. Somehow I know. I threw away my only chance to return to Darmoor myself just a few days ago. I was out on the moors again, and I saw a ring; a dancing ring. It was recently abandoned for I could still see the flowers strewn in it.

I still had the flowers I had carried in the coronation; they could serve as my passport. But I threw the bouquet into the circle and rode back to the manor.

I had told him I wanted my life to go back to normal. I wanted to forget Darmoor and all that had happened. But I could never forget him. I told him I would never forget. But living with the memory is not going to be as easy as I once thought.

Mother asked me yesterday if I was ready to start thinking about marriage. Dear, sweet mother, always concerned about my acting more like a lady.

She didn’t know why I started crying. She couldn’t know that Lancelyn had asked me to marry him already, that he had taken my hands in that dark corridor and asked me to stay with him, to be his wife and Queen of Fairies.

And I had refused him.

He hadn’t wanted me to see how much I had hurt him, but I knew. I guess that’s what love is, being able to know a person’s heart as well as you know yourself.

I’ll never tell mother, she would be shocked. He was never her idea of a romantic match and certainly not one for a lady. Oh, she liked him well enough, she still asks after him every now and then. If I did tell her she would ask me why I hadn’t married him and then I would have been drawn into a whole nest of lies or else the truth would come out and I have sworn never to tell the truth.

 

+  +  +

 

I don’t remember much about that night when I first heard the fairy song, but they say I came home raving. No one knew what had happened. Only Liddy Maur, and all the village folks said she was daft.

“She’s heard fairy music.” Liddy told my father darkly. “Every full moon she’ll go in search of it. There is no cure. She’ll keep going till the day she dies.”

My father chose to ignore her. He chose well, for my mother lived by the hope that I would be soon well.

For a full week I lay in a high fever and knew no one. All I cared for and all I heard was the chorus of a fairy song.

 

Coola, coola, coolain

Sulia, sulia, Taine.

 

Eventually I came out of the fever. But I was listless and easily upset. My health and strength gradually returned but I cared for nothing. I would stare out at the moors at night, with the song running through my tormented mind, weeping in despair because I could not find the singer; I could not dance to his pipe.

A month later the November moon began to wax full and my madness returned in force. On the night of the full moon no one could keep me. I broke out of the manor and ran over the hills; my cries mingling with the harsh autumn wind.

They didn’t find me until late the next day. Mother wrung her hands and begged father to find someone to help me. Father thought about it and thought about it and at last he did the only sensible thing; he went to see old Liddy Maur whom the town folks said was daft. Father was a clear-headed man and paid no mind to village gossip. He went himself to the old herb woman’s hut and asked if she wouldn’t come see if there was anything she could do for me.

“No,” she said, “If it’s fairies no one can do anything.”

“Just come see her.” Father begged, “Just look her over and talk to her about it. Maybe she’ll talk to you.”

That was how old Liddy came to the manor.

Father brought her up to my room where I sat staring into space, seeing only the fairy singer, hearing only his distant melody, a melody I could never reach.

“Did you hear the music?” she asked me.

“I did more than hear it.” I murmured, “I saw him too.”

“Saw who?” she pressed.

“The Piper!” I cried in anguish, “He was down by the brook and I saw him. But he wasn’t playing, he, he was singing.”

I shuddered at the memory. I could still see him staring into the distance, his song boring its way into my mind, pulling me down to its freezing depths taking possession of my heart and soul and then mocking me by going where I could not follow.

“Describe him.” Liddy asked next.

I tried, but I could not. How to describe something like that? A piper I scarcely saw, a song I could scarcely hear… it was all too terrible, too wonderful.

But she pressed me for details.

“What colors did he wear?”

“Yellow. Yellow and green. Like a minstrel at a festival.”

“And his wings?”

“What wings?”

“If he was a fairy piper my dear, he had wings.”

“I saw no wings.”

“His pipe then, was it wooden or silver? Or, gold?”

What was it made of anyways?

“Silver I think.”

Silver? Hardly silver. It was all the colours of the rainbow. It was crystal, and it acted as a prism in the moonlight that night. I could see the colours around me now. They were spinning around me, swirling. And through them came his song-- mocking me. Liddy and my father disappeared from my sight and in the darkness I saw only the many colours of his pipe and heard again that haunting tune over and over through my mind. The words darted ahead, taunting me, daring me to guess their meaning.

 

Coola, coola, coolain.

Sulia, sulia, Taine.

 

Coola, coola, coolain-

 

“Erin!” my father was peering over me anxiously. “Erin.”

I looked around wearily. I was laying my bed and it was late at night. Sighing I turned to my father.

“I have to find it.” I whispered, “I have to.”

“I know.” He said gently.

“What did Libby say?” I asked “Can she help me?”

Now my father sighed.

“She says you saw merely a roving gypsy. She said you both heard the music and if I can find someone else with your sickness it might help.”

He looked so tired, and I pitied him.

“But father,” I said, “He was the one singing.”

“I know Erin, I know.”

“Then there is no hope?”

“You must have hope daughter. You must try to forget the fairy tune.”

“Forget?” I cried, “I can’t live without it. I can’t forget, I have to find it.”

Feverishly I made my way to the window and peered anxiously over the moor in hope of hearing something. My mind begged to hear the fairy pipes again. But there was nothing, nothing at all. Just silence.

Crying out in disappointment I fell to my knees in the casement. I did not hear my father leave the room.

 

+  +  +

 

December came and went. When the full moon rose in January I fell deathly ill from the shock of being out all night in the cold. No one knew when I had left and by the time an alarm was raised I was wading through the brook singing to myself, thinking I could find the singer of my fairy song.

After that, father kept someone with me always, and took to locking my door when the moon was full. But as the months drew on I only grew more desperate to find the fairy music. I took no interest in anything. I would not eat and would cry all night. The villagers started avoiding the manor. They called me ‘Crazy Erin’ and were afraid of me.

It was the third week of April when the cook came to my father all in a flurry. She had had a letter from her sister and could her nephew come to live here? He would be a great help to her in the kitchen and she promised he wouldn’t cause any trouble. But he was being tormented in his own village. His English was not very good and the children called him crazy…

Almost as soon as the cook’s nephew had arrived my father took me to meet him.

“I think he might be a good companion for you Erin.” He said, “He is not well liked here either.”

But the moment we were introduced I hated him; and the feeling was mutual. He looked at me in disdain, from my dark brown hair which I had not bothered to brush, to my grey eyes, full of anguish. He didn’t know what torment was. His gaze scanned the rest of my rich dress and came back to my face.

“What ails the lady?” the asked mockingly,

“Nothing.” I snapped, feeling riled for the first time since I had heard the music. I would not let him know that I was haunted. “And for a boy who doesn’t know English that was an awfully coherent sentence.”

“I learn fast.” He said it as though it was a talent I did not have. I did not care to continue what was bound to turn into an argument, so I turned and left the kitchen to his obvious pleasure and my father’s dismay.

I did not see much of him for the next few weeks but what I did see was more than enough. He was polite, but mocking. Always so concerned about how I was feeling. So obviously not caring if I was all right or not. And as the moon began to wax and my madness began to increase I seemed constantly to see him.

The day before the moon was full, he came to my room. I didn’t give him a chance to state his errand. Screaming I ordered him out. When he did not leave immediately I attacked him, blaming him for all that had happened. Too astonished to say anything he did not fight me and finally exhausted I ran out the open door, down the stairs and away over the hills. I spent that night and all the next day running as far away as I could. At last I was too tired to continue and fell into an exhausted sleep. But it brought me no real rest.

Early in the morning I heard a horse. Terrified I wanted to flee, but I found I couldn’t even stand on my feet. It was the cook’s nephew and I didn’t protest when he took me back to the manor.

It seemed he was a little nicer after that and his eyes did not seem to taunt me as much as I thought they had. But I was too exhausted to come down often, and too heartsick to try to make his acquaintance.

But one day I heard him singing and my life was changed forever.

 

+  +  +

 

I will never know what I was doing that day, for everything else was completely forgotten. I was passing the parlor and I heard the sound of someone playing the harp. Curious I started to open the door and then I heard the singing.

 

Coola, coola, coolain.

 

I fell to my knees in tears.

 

Sulia, sulia, Taine

 

I opened the door and slipped in. The cook’s nephew did not see me. His hands ran skillfully over the strings and his voice was clear as he sang the song I had searched for so long; the words I so longed to hear.

 

A prince from the castle of Darmoor

Against an enemy king

Waged a dark and bloody war.

 

His men were brave, his captains bold,

His sword was strong and keen

The end of the battle would soon be seen.

 

But the enemy king dealt him a cruel blow

That took his heart’s life-blood

And he fell in despair, the Prince of Darmoor

 

He knew as he lay in the blood and the gore

That he lay on the brink of death

And he spoke a dark curse with his last breath.

 

Coola, coola, coolain

Sulia, sulia, Taine.

 

He did not sing in English but some how I knew what he was saying.

 

The man who takes the throne of Darmoor

From the hands of the rightful king

Shall fall under the curse that now I sing

 

Coola, coola, coolain

Sulia, sulia, Taine

 

Than he sighed and breathed his last

The Prince of Darmoor died.

But his desperate curse still holds fast

 

The fairies of Darmoor still hold dear

The promise of the curse

That will keep their king safe- forever.

 

Coola, coola, coolain.

Sulia, sulia, Taine.

 

He stopped singing and saw me, but I didn’t care. I was crying in relief and in fear. Afraid I would still have to find the singer. Relieved that I had found the song.

He knelt beside me anxiously and all trace of malice was gone.

“Lady Erin,” he said gently, “Lady Erin, what is wrong? Can I help you? Is something wrong?”

“No. I mean, yes. I mean… oh I don’t know what I mean.”

He didn’t press me, he just let me weep, and when I went up to my room without explaining he didn’t nag me.

It was the next day before I went to find him. He was busy washing dishes and didn’t make a smart Alec remark about my being in the kitchen when he saw me.

“What is your name?” I asked,

“Lancelyn.” He said. I was surprised at how friendly he had become. It seemed he was a totally different boy. I couldn’t think of an easy was to bring up the subject of the preceding day so I came right out and asked him.

“What was that song you were singing yesterday?”

“One my grandmother used to sing. It tells of a prince who went into battle and-“

“I know.”

“You know?” he repeated in surprise,

“I’ve heard it before?”

“But, how could you understand the language?”

“How can you?” I countered.

He was silent a moment considering.

“Because,” he said softly, “I know the Darmoorian language.”

Now it was my turn to be surprised. “You do?”

He nodded. Rinsing the last dish carefully he dried his hands and turned to me.

“Lady Erin,” he said, “I think it’s time we got to know a little more about each other.

 

+  +  +

 

That was the beginning of my friendship with Lancelyn. A friendship that would drag me into another world.

From that day on I was cured of my madness. I spent as much time as I could with the cook’s nephew and my father surprisingly enough didn’t seem to mind. It was over the course of the summer that I told him my story, and then, hesitantly, as though afraid to trust, he told me his.

At first I didn’t believe him. How could I? It was an absolutely unbelievable tale. But gradually I came to see that he was indeed telling the truth. And when he asked me to help him, how could I refuse?

We didn’t know that our simple friendship would become so much more. And how could Lancelyn realize that my act of gratitude would be the means of tearing us apart? That it would separate us so absolutely that we would both spend the rest of our lives hunting for a tune far more beautiful and elusive and so much more unreachable than any fairy music?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

Lord Sol turned angry eyes on the murmuring crowd he was addressing.

“What are your alternatives?” he shouted at them, “You would rather have a child rule you? A boy less than three hundred years old?”

“My Lord, we see what you are saying but- ” It was a young man speaking; a member of the royal family but still with no right to counter him.

“But what?” Lord Sol cried, “But what?”

“But it’s not right. Take the kingdom from our dear King Aon-“

“The boy cannot rule justly. The kingdom does not belong to him.”

“But there is a law,”

“Don’t forget an ancient curse was made,”

“Aon could have left other instructions,”

Protests arose from all sides. Lord Sol sighed; he had to approach this from another angle.

“Prince Ian may have the throne when he comes of age.” He said condolingly, “But would you have the scepter of Darmoor in the hands of an undiscerning child?”

An hour later it was all decided. Lord Sol would be king on the condition that Prince Ian, not his own son, would be the heir. But then, unexpectedly, Ian disappeared.

 

+  +  +

 

A great banquet had been assembled to celebrate the birthday of King Sol’s eldest son and heir, Prince LaRuin. No one seemed to remember Prince Ian, the son of late King Aon.

Toward the end of the meal, King Sol called for a song from one of the minstrels. One young man came forward clad all in yellow and green as though he had come from a spring time dance.

He sang quite well but it was not a merry song fitting for a party. The words told of a prince of Darmoor who went into battle and was killed. But before he died he laid a curse on whomever took the kingdom from its rightful heir. While the song was mostly in Darmoorian the curse was in an ancient tongue unknown to those present.

“Why do you bring such a tragic tale to this joyful celebration?” King Sol demanded when he was done,

“Because a wrong has been done here and it must be righted.” He answered, “King Aon sent his oldest son into battle, the heir to Darmoor, Prince Tol. He was the prince killed as the song tells. Upon the death of the King his younger brother should have ruled this realm but Darmoor deemed him too young. The throne was taken from Aon’s young son and given to the King’s brother upon his death. But as Tol lay dying he knew that this should happen and cursed the man who kept the throne from his brother.

I intend to find the means to full-fill that curse sir. For I am Prince Ian and I intend to rule my father’s realm. You would have wished me dead but I have returned now to withstand you.”

The room was tense with the silence that followed his speech but it was suddenly broken by King Sol’s outraged voice.

“How dare you face me thus, a common minstrel, claiming the name of our dear prince? You are banished, banished from Darmoor forever. Anyone who sings that song, or who mentions that curse again shall suffer your fate. I am the King and I have spoken. Now go!”

The young minstrel said nothing, as though he had expected all this to happen. He bowed to the King and left the palace, Darmoor, and the fairy world.

 

+  +  +

 

“It was not easy you know, leaving Darmoor.” Lancelyn sighed at the memory, “I especially didn’t like the sunlight.”

“Is Darmoor underground or something?” I asked,

“No. Our homes are in the mountains of course but we have fields and forests just like you.”

“But- ”

“Lady Erin, it’s wholly another realm. It isn’t a part of this earth as you know it. The light does not come from the sun. It just is. And it isn’t as bright. There is light Erin, but it’s like the filtered light that comes through the leaves of a dense forest.”

“Weird.”

“Yeah,” he grinned, “Everything about this world is weird.”

I had to laugh. It felt good to laugh again after so many long months of weeping.

I had persuaded father to let me go riding on the moors for the first time since my sickness. He consented reluctantly after I promised to take Lancelyn with me and after he promised to see that I came to no harm.

We had stopped down near the brook to rest and Lancelyn told me a little of what had happened after he came to the mortal world.

“How did you become the cook’s nephew?” I asked,

“Well, I guess her sister was the old lady who found me. I couldn’t stay with her of course. For one reason, her husband wouldn’t let me.”

“Found you?” I repeated,

“I was very ill.” He said softly, “And I didn’t speak any of the mortal languages. Just a word or two of Gaelic I had learned from the lost souls that find their way to our city during festival times and that didn’t help me any here.”

“So, a relative of the cook’s took you in?”

“Yes, and eventually I began to learn English. When she thought I was well enough she sent me along here. It was already getting too dangerous for me.”

“Dangerous? Why?”

“The villagers didn’t trust me because I was so different. I was alternately called a spy, thief, heathen or demon. So Mrs. Cummings thought it best I leave.”

“The villagers are afraid of me too.” I said softly.

“I’m sorry.” He murmured, “Maybe they will learn to trust you again.”

“Lancelyn,” I began, than stopped. “Why are you called that?” I asked, “If you are really Prince Ian?”

“That’s what Mrs. Cummings called me. She didn’t see me as a pawn in the devil’s hand; she said I was sent by God to replace her dead son. He was killed in some war, don’t ask me which, I can’t keep up with your mortal wars, and she called me by his name I guess. I don’t mind, Ian sounds to Gaelic anyways.”

“Gaelic? Isn’t it Darmoorian?”

“No. it was the name of an Irish prince who once saved my mother’s life. Father named me in honour of him. I spent the first few years of my life being ridiculed about it.” He sighed heavily, “It seems I’ve never had anyone who believed in me. I never had any friends and when I was banished- well, there weren’t any protests. None of the royal family ever cared. No one that is, except Tol.”

He broke off suddenly and stared into the distance trying to fight back the tears that threatened to come.

“How long has it been?” I asked gently,

“I don’t know. I’ve only tried to forget.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s been a hundred years maybe? Maybe longer. I don’t know the date either. The whole war was a blur for me. Too much happening, all at once- I was pretty young then too.”

“Lancelyn,” I asked hesitantly, “Precisely, how old are you?”

The hint of a smile flickered across his face. “Three hundred and twenty four. Of course, that’s less than twenty in your world.”

I could only stare at him in disbelief. “You are over three hundred years old?” I exclaimed,

“Yeah, and too young to rule. Do you believe it?”

“No.”

“Quite understandably. Of course Lord Sol, excuse me that’s King Sol,” and there was more than a hint of sarcasm in his voice, “is five hundred and sixty four years, so what do you expect?”

“So, when does a fairy come of age?”

“At three hundred.”

“That’s unbelievable.”

“We’re immortal Lady Erin. Barring magic, the plague, and battle, we’ll live forever.”

“Barring twenty-some other things I’ll be lucky to live till I’m seventy.”

“Well, I’m a fairy. You are human. Therein lies the difference.”

“I’ll keep my mortality thank you, and stay where there is sunlight.” I said teasingly. “But I thought fairies were little winged creatures.”

“Yes, many people have many ideas of what things they don’t know about look like. I had to give up my wings Lady Erin, for my life.”

“Hold it, you had wings?”

“Of course. Handy things too. But have you any idea how long I would last in the mortal world if I kept them?”

“Um, long enough to be burned at the stake?”

“Precisely. But most fairies are winged.”

I shook my head in astonishment. “Amazing.”

He smiled. “We’d best get back.”

“I’ll race you to the Manor.”

“Are you sure you are well enough?”

“I’m as well as I’ll ever be.” I mounted my horse. “And if you don’t get up, I’m going to win.”

He only laughed and waited until I was a fair ways away before mounting his own horse and following in hot pursuit. Despite my greatest efforts, he won the race.

 

+  +  +

 

It was a late November afternoon when Lancelyn asked me to help him win his kingdom back.

We were in a tower room watching the snow fall outside. Mother had asked me to wind the yarn she had spun the preceding days so that she could start working with it. When I asked if Lancelyn could help she consented.

“I don’t mind that you are friends with him dear, even if he is just a servant.” She told me, “I think we all owe him a debt of gratitude for saving you and he knows his place quite well. I don’t think he would try to take advantage of your favoritism.”

So Lancelyn came to help me wind hundreds of yards of yarn into balls as we sat in a casement window watching the snow fall. And then, without any warning, he asked me to help him.

I could only stare at him speechless.

“Me?” I stammered, “How could I help?”

“Well,” he paused, “It’s a wild scheme. Say you will and I’ll tell you.”

“Lancelyn, I have no intentions of consenting to something I know nothing about.”

He laughed. His laughter was almost musical I observed. As a matter of fact, everything he did was perfect and graceful. Like a dancer. Or a brook. Or a butterfly. I had always thought that if butterflies could talk every word would be a song.

“Lady Erin,” he said with a slight smile, “how old are you?”

“What has that to do with anything?”

“Just tell me.”

“I’m almost eighteen.”

“When is your birthday?”

“Mid-December.”

“You are young.”

“Especially by your standards.

He dropped the subject. “I can’t expect you to say you’ll help me,” he said, “I have not thought anyone could, so if you say no it won’t come as a great disappointment.”

“I owe you a great deal.” I began,

“For curing you?” he interrupted, “I owed you that.”

“What do you mean?”

“I was the singer you heard that night.” He told me gently, “I did not know anyone was there.”

I froze, trying to comprehend what he was saying. In my mind I saw the fairy piper again. He was dressed in yellow and green and he had a crystal pipe. He was wearing a cap and I head not seen his hair. But his eyes… would I ever forget them? Black eyes that had looked straight at me and seen right through me. Piercing eyes that burned their way through me and seemed to read my soul.

It seemed I was there again. The world began to disappear, and then I heard Lancelyn shouting my name.

“Erin, Erin, come back. Erin!”

Slowly the room came back into my line of sight. I realized I had fallen off of my seat.

“Erin, what is it?”

I took a deep breath and looked at him. I looked into his eyes filled with worry and I believed him. He was the fairy piper who had caused my madness. He met my gaze unhesitatingly and for several minutes I stared at him as though trying to memorize his face.

 If one didn’t know better you might think he was no different from the people around him. His skin was pale, but not exceptionally so. His hair was as black as his eyes. I had never seen anything so dark. I could not help but think that the minstrel’s garb he had been wearing when I first saw him suited him better than the drab servant’s clothes he was wearing now.

Sighing I dropped my gaze to the yarn abandoned in my lap.

“Are you sure you’re all right?” he asked again; I made him no answer. I picked up my work where I had left off. Lancelyn did not attempt to talk to me, instead he started singing.

 

A prince from the castle of Darmoor

Against an enemy King,

Waged a dark and bloody war.

 

His men were brave, his captains bold

His sword was strong and keen-

 

“Lancelyn,” I interrupted, “Is that the only song you ever sing?”

He smiled sadly. “Lady Erin, I live on that song. It is the only substance I have for hope.”

“Who wrote it?”

“I don’t know. I learned from a wandering minstrel after I escaped from Lord Sol. When he tried to kill me-“

“He tried to kill you?” I interrupted,

“Yes. Didn’t I tell you that? He has no intentions of letting me rule; ever. But he is afraid of my brother’s curse.”

“What is the curse?”

“I don’t know.”

“You don’t know?” I repeated in amazement, “Isn’t it in Darmoorian?”

“No. it’s in one of the old tongues. I didn’t know Tol knew them.”

Just then my mother came to check on us.

“Oh here you are, Erin dear. I’ve been looking all over for you. Why are you in this drafty room? Lancelyn, Lancelyn, your aunt is looking for you. Oh and Lancelyn,” she added as he started to go, “Bring up some tea for us will you?”

“Yes, Lady Eleanor.”

“Thank you. Such a polite boy Erin. Your father could make something of him. How is your work coming? Oh, you’re almost done I see. Well, you can leave that till later dear, I can have a maid finish it if you don’t. But dear, I wanted to talk to you about a dress for the Christmas dance. You really ought to have a new one, dear, and I had thought- “

I nodded and agreed with her, but I wasn’t really listening. My mind was whirling with plots for assassinations, fairies, and curses unfulfilled. And through it all I saw Lancelyn’s black eyes pleading with me and heard his fairy voice asking me for help.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

I told him I would help. How could I refuse? I spent several days thinking about it and then I told him yes, I would.

“But why Erin?” he asked, “Why will you help me?”

“Because, if you’re crazy enough to try, I’m crazy enough to help. And besides, it will be an adventure. I’m tired of staying around here doing nothing.”

“But Erin,”

“And furthermore,” I added softly, “I hate to see a wrong unrighted and never have I seen an injustice greater than this.”

He reached over and took my hand.

“Thank you,” he said, “Maybe it’s safe to hope again.”

I smiled at him. “It’s always right to hope for something.”

He started to protest but I stopped him.

“Face it Lancelyn, anything is better than despair.”

“I suppose you’re right.”

“Of course I’m right.”

 He squeezed my hand and smiled and I realized how much his smiles meant to me. It was then I began to seriously doubt the real reason why I had consented to help me. It wasn’t till later I realized just what he meant to me.

 

+  +  +

 

It seems ages ago, and in fairy time I guess it has been. I can only imagine what he’s doing now.

How can I live without you Lancelyn? This is what I wanted. This is what I asked you for. But Lancelyn, Lancelyn, Prince of Darmoor, I’m going mad without you!

I had no idea anything could tear my heart out like this. But than, I’ve never known what it was to love, and be loved by, a fairy. I don’t know if I’ll survive, but I suppose I’ll learn that as well. I guess I will because otherwise Lancelyn would have used it to convince me to stay.

I wish he had convinced me. Now that I’m gone I regret my choice as I knew I would. But what choice did I have? He knew it was the best thing we could do.

 

Spring had found us before he took me to Darmoor. One bright April afternoon down by the brook he suddenly jumped to his feet and said, “Let’s go.”

“Go where?” I didn’t fully comprehend him.

“Darmoor. Provided you still want to go?”

“Yes, of course. But, now?”

“Now or never. I think I can find an entrance to the fairy world and there’s a full moon which means that we might be able to get through it.”

“It’s so difficult?”

“Not for a fairy. But when a mortal wants to come along…” he gave me a smile that seemed to light the world and led me down stream.

“Of course, it would be a whole lot easier if we could find a dancing ring but the dance won’t take place till tonight which means we can’t use it till tomorrow so that means we have the moon or the ring. I’ve chosen the moon.”

“Strange. You don’t like our sun but you come to dance under our moon?”

He shrugged. “That moon is a powerful force.”

“It’s not even shining yet.”

“Doesn’t matter.” He suddenly stopped and waded into the middle of the stream. “This will do I think Erin.”

Suddenly I was terrified. What was I doing? Trusting absolutely a man I scarcely knew, playing with forces I could not control, I could end up kidnapped or used for a sacrifice.

“What is the matter? Aren’t you coming?”
”Will I ever be able to return?”

Lancelyn looked down and made me no answer.

“Will I?” I repeated, my voice rising in panic, “Will I ever return?”

He came back to the bank where I was standing.

“I cannot guarantee that we will not both loose our lives in this venture.” He said quietly, “I thought you knew that.”

I grabbed both of his hands and clung to them. “I’m scared. I don’t know who you are, or where I’m going or what I’m doing, or anything.”

“Trust me.” He whispered, and then pulled me into the stream.

Five minutes later I was still standing there with the icy water making my feet numb, still holding his hands watching him fight with something. What, I can’t say. I don’t know.

He was fighting to get back to his country and something was fighting back. And the Something kept winning.

“I’m the Prince of Darmoor.” I heard him mutter under his breath, “Let me through.”

I could tell he was defeated again.

“I can’t believe this isn’t working!” he exploded, dropping my hands, “I can only imagine what you think of me. But honest-“

His sentence was broken of suddenly as the world as I knew it vanished around us. It suddenly grew dark and the whole earth lurched as though there was an earthquake. Then the water of the brook leapt up around us and I was falling. Falling down, down, down. From somewhere far away I heard Lancelyn shouting. Then something grabbed me. I tried to pull away but it insisted and with cold icy hands pulled me to it. Then I lost consciousness.

 

+  +  +

 

When I came to I was lying in a sort of a forest. But the trees seemed unbelievably high. I had no idea where I was and I didn’t think I had the energy to find out.

“Lady Erin, I owe you an apology.”

Slowly, I found the source of the voice.

“I had no intentions of taking you that way.”

“What way? Who are you? Where am I? What are you talking about?”

“Erin,” the creature, whatever it was, sighed. “I guess it does no good to apologize if you don’t know what I’m talking about.”

I had a vague memory of being sucked down through icy water and then of being grabbed by hands so cold they burned. With strength I didn’t know I possessed, I jumped to my feet screaming in horror at the memory.

“Lancelyn!” I had no idea why I screamed that name, “Lancelyn!”

“Lady Erin, Lady Erin,”

“Lancelyn, where are you?”

“Lady Erin, please. I’m right here.”

Slowly I turned around. I knew nothing but that there was something I should know. There was that creature but now he seemed slightly familiar.

“Erin, let me touch you.”

I jerked back instinctively, remembering those icy hands. Then I commenced to calling for Lancelyn again.

“Don’t you understand yet?” the creature shouted, “I am Lancelyn.”

“That might be.” I snapped, “Seeing as I don’t know who he is.”

Then he laughed, a little strained maybe but I didn’t notice. At the sight of his smile I recognized him. I ran to him at once and no sooner did our hands touched when I remembered everything.

“Lady Erin,” he said, “Let me repeat. I owe you an apology.”

“What precisely just happened?”

“The best thing that possibly could. You have your memory back. Most mortals never recover it.”

“You never mentioned that among the risks of coming here.”

“I never intended for you to lose it. I intended to walk into Darmoor in a civilized manner. I thought that I could just open the door and walk in and drag you along behind me. I discovered I couldn’t do that.

“So, what happened?”

“The magic gave way and you fell through, alone and unprotected.”

“You followed me?”

“Of course, but it was too late.”

“Something- grabbed me.”

“That was me. I was trying to save you. I was afraid I was too late. Let me see your hands. Are you burned badly?”

“Burned?” I wasn’t sure I was following what he was saying.

“When I touched you.”

He turned my hands over and I saw bluish marks on my palms. Scars, like I had grabbed something hot and not let go quickly enough.

“You probably have them on your arms too.” He said apologetically, “I’m sorry Erin.”

“It’s all right.” I said a little shakily; I stepped back from him a little uncertainly. “At least we’re here. Wherever here is.” I added.

Lancelyn smiled. “This is Darmoor. We’re just outside the city and if we’re caught I’ll be killed. If I’m killed you’ll probably lose your memory again and if that happens you’ll be treated as the other Lost Souls.”

“How is that?”

“I have no intentions of telling you. Although, if you stay in Darmoor long enough, you’ll probably find out. But I have no intentions of giving you nightmares as soon as you get here.”

“So, you’ll leave it to my imagination?”

“It’s better than the truth. There’s a reason they’re called Lost Souls you know.”

“This world of yours does not sound like a very pleasant place.”

“It’s not; if you’re not a fairy.”

I leaned against the trunk of one of those giant trees.

“Do you know the Darmoorian language yet?”

“How should I know?” I asked, “You haven’t taught me a word.”

“You ought to know, having been burned by my magic like that. Maybe it will just take a while to bring it out of you. You’re tired Erin, you should rest.”

“I don’t think I could sleep.”

“Lay down, I’ll sing you to sleep.”

He knelt beside me and sang a song I thought I knew well enough to sing myself.

 

Coola, coola, coolain

Sulia, sulia, Taine.

 

Lulled by the familiar hope, I fell asleep.

 

+  +  +

 

When I awoke I was laying in some kind of forest but the trees seemed unbelievably high. I had no idea where I was but there was some kind of creature kneeling beside me. Something about him seemed familiar, but I couldn’t think of what.

“Do you feel better now?” the sound of his voice terrified me. I tried to jump up to run away but the creature stopped me. The touch of his hands burned and I remembered being touched before by hands so icy they burned. I screamed and tried to wrench away but he wouldn’t let me. There was someone who could help me but I couldn’t remember who.

“Erin, Erin,” Why did he keep saying Erin? What was Erin?

“Let me go!” I screamed, “Let me go!” He only held on tighter, and finally I lost consciousness.

When I came to I could see nothing for someone was holding me. I thought it might be my mother, but she was mumbling something over and over. I didn’t know what she was saying. I thought she might be praying, and it occurred to me that I ought to pray.

“Ave Maria,” I whispered, “Gratia plena. Benedictus tui mulienribus.”

“Thank heavens, you remember something.” A voice interrupted my prayer. I wiggled away from the arms that held me and looked up. It wasn’t my mother, but it was someone I knew.

“You can help me.” I stammered, “I don’t know how, but you can help me.”

“I am Lancelyn. Lady Erin, don’t you know me?”

 I stood up and looked down at him. He stayed kneeling, his hands in his lap, imploring with his eyes. “Prince Ian of Darmoor.” He repeated, “This is Darmoor. Oh Erin please- “

I couldn’t bear to see him like that. I laid one hand on his shoulder. “I’ll help you.” I said uncertainly, “If you can tell me what to do.”

He shuddered at my touch but he didn’t draw back.

“It’s no use.” He said shaking his head, “I’ll have to take you back to the mortal world.”

“The mortal world?” I gasped, “You mean-“

Then it all came flooding back. Everything I’d known or loved flashed before me, and finally I knew who knelt there before me and I knew why he needed me.

“Lancelyn.” I said.

He looked up and a wave of relief washed over his face.

“Erin,” he cried, standing, “I thought I had lost you for good.”

I put out a hand to steady myself and snatched it back when the touch of rough bark reawakened the pain in it.

“Are your hands bothering you?” he asked observing my action, “I’m sorry. I didn’t help things much just now I’m afraid.”

“How long is this going to go on?” I asked, “Lancelyn, I’m terrified.”

“So am I.” he confessed, “I don’t intend to risk it happening again. Next time I may not be able to bring you back.”

“So what are you going to do?”

“We’re going to find old Melvin. He can help us.”

“Are you sure?”

“No, but if he can’t, no one can.”

 

+  +  +

 

“Let me get this straight.” Old Melvin leaned his head on his hand. “You brought a mortal girl back with you to help you win back Darmoor?”

“Yes sir.”

“You won’t say what you intend to do with her but you want me to heal her with no hope of recompense and at the risk of being charged with treason for helping you?”

“Our fates all hang on one thing.” Lancelyn tried to explain.

“Yes, I know. Your success. But I don’t even know what you are going to do so I can’t even determine what your chances are of succeeding.”

“Look, I haven’t even told her, and I can’t until she’s ready. Besides, if I tell you you’re liable to bring me to King Sol.”

“For what?”

“Treason.” He whispered the word.

Melvin said nothing for a long time.

“You would betray Darmoor to win a kingship?” he asked, his voice dull and heavy.

“It’s been done before.”

“At a very high cost Prince Ian, a very high cost.”

“I know, but I hope to avoid such a cost.”

“Do you know how your father died?”

Lancelyn shook his head. “No, I don’t want to know.”

“If you want my help,” Melvin said softly, “You will need to know.”

Lancelyn glanced at me. I was exhausted but trying not to show it. It didn’t matter what I did though, he knew exactly how close I was to collapsing.

“Save her,” he whispered, “and I’ll tell you everything.”

Melvin looked at him for a long time. And being a fairy, he read his heart.

“All right,” he said finally, “Leave me alone with her.”

With a final glance at me, Lancelyn left.

I was afraid of the man who came over and sat beside me.

“What is your name?” he asked; I shrunk away from him.

“Please Lady, I’m here to help you. What is your name?”

“Erin.” I whispered.

“Lady Erin, are you naturally timid?” I made no answer. He smiled slightly then, for he needed none.

“You need to rest.” He said gently, “Go to sleep and we’ll talk when you wake up.”

“No!” I began to panic, “I can’t sleep. When I wake up it’s- it’s all a nightmare.”

He got up and came back with a goblet. “Drink this.” He ordered. I shook my head in refusal.

“Do you want my help?”

“I don’t want to sleep.”

“This won’t make you sleep.” He promised. Somewhat reassured, I drank it.

“Now how do you feel?” I asked when I was done,

“A little bit more like myself.” I admitted.

“And that nameless dread of anything Darmoorian?”

I shrugged. I didn’t really know what he was talking about and I was too tired to concentrate anyways. It had taken us too long to get here. Even Lancelyn was tired.

“Let me see your hands.” Melvin demanded. I showed them to him without protest. He poured the contents of a vial over them and they stopped their incessant burning. Then he gave me another potion to drink. I felt myself slipping away and vainly fought against the darkness that closed in on all sides. The last thing I heard was Melvin calling Lancelyn back in.

“She’s sleeping now.” He said, “You had best watch by her.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

 

King Aon looked up at the towering walls of the city of Kylon. The gift he had brought for their Lord he carried in his hands. He had come alone, according to custom. The safety of the army and of his allies lay far behind him. They had thrown a lot to determine who should bring the gift to Kylon, and the task fell to him.

“But I am the Lord of Darmoor.” He muttered, “The most powerful kingdom in the entire world. Besides, we shouldn’t be doing this at all.”

Three kingdoms had united to come against this rebel city. Not one of them had thought they could withstand their forces for so long. Finally the three kings had decided to make peace. The gift had to be carried by royalty and the lot fell to their honored king Aon. Now he walked up to the gate and knocked. Surely they had seen him coming. Surely the whole city knew that Aon of Darmoor was bringing them a peace-gift.

But no one came. Irritated he shifted the small but heavy chest he carried to his left arm and pounded on the gate. Finally it swung open. The courtyard was crowded and silent. Slowly King Aon walked into the city’s center. The Prince of Kylon greeted him silently.

“We have realized this day your power and might O prince.” Aon recited in a monotone, “accept this gift as a symbol of our peace and goodwill.” He knelt and set down the chest at the prince’s feet.

He did not see the wicked smiles of the people; he did not see the gesture of Kylon’s prince. He did not know anything was amiss until the guards seized him and drug him the stake in the middle of the yard.

“He will die!” the people shouted, “He will die an everlasting death to prove that we are invincible! He will die! Burn him! Light the funeral pyre. He will die. He will DIE!”

 

+  +  +

 

The fire that burned King Aon destroyed all of Kylon. The entire city burned to the ground and every man, woman and child died with it. The army returned knowing that justice had come from another place.

But they told to no one the secret they carried, that that justice also gave that King Aon might one day be avenged. None of the army ever whispered that a voice had given Aon’s son the power to destroy a city in the same way.

But regardless of hidden curse, it was always whispered after, that never again could a peace-gift be given to end a war. A Code had been broken and never again could trust be restored. Moreover, every Darmoorian who heard the tale knew what came of breaking one of the Codes. A few still whispered of the Code that forbid the banishment of royalty. But no one spoke of the curse that came when a throne was usurped.

 

On those two things Lancelyn place his hope. Those two things and in me. He finally told Melvin and me his scheme, and Melvin told him it could never work. He insisted it was the only way. His plan it seemed was this.

 

Some thousands of years past Darmoor was almost destroyed by a traitor who opened the gates of the city by night to an enemy unawares.

To prevent this from ever again occurring, a key to the city was made and given into the keeping of the King. Who ever held that key held the fate of the entire city in his hands. The King’s job was to protect the city’s fate. As long as he held the key, all was well, and the Darmoorians were secure that it would never be stolen. For every fairy was bound by oath to protect it.

 

“A fairy’s word cannot be broken Erin.” Lancelyn explained, “No matter what. I cannot touch that key. But you, you are a mortal. You have sworn no such oath.”

“That’s treason.” Melvin whispered.

“I ought to be king. I am only betraying my own trust.”

“You are betraying every Darmoorian.”

“I will do them no harm if they surrender.”

“They will never surrender.”

“Why not? Am I not King Aon’s son? Am I not old enough to rule? Did not King Sol promise Darmoor I should be king? Will Darmoor itself turn against me now? Is that what you are saying? What of my brother, what of Prince Tol? He promised I should rule. He said…”

“How much does this mean to you Prince Ian?”

“Everything. Everything in the world.”

“You would give everything for Darmoor?”

“Yes.” He didn’t even hesitate. I wondered if I was that sure about anything.

“Then go Prince Ian,” Melvin’s words came like ice, “Go and lose everything.”

 

+  +  +

 

Had he lost everything? What did he lose that he did not regain? What Melvin had said unsettled us both, but Lancelyn was confident; even cheerful. I was still afraid but gradually began to gain courage from my companion.

Old Melvin's potion had healed my mind and I no longer feared to sleep. Melvin promised he wouldn’t report us to King Sol, but he also told Lancelyn he would have nothing more to do with him. So Lancelyn and I left his hut and made our way back toward the city.

“There’s just one thing I don’t understand.” Lancelyn said as we walked along, “Who taught Tol the old languages?”

I didn’t answer him. I was walking a few feet behind him wondering that if fairies didn’t ride horses, what did they do for transportation? Surely they had a better means than walking. These forests didn’t look like they’d ever been walked through before anyways. what did they do? Fly?

Lancelyn suddenly stopped in the midst of his ramblings about Sol, and Melvin and the injustice of Code breaking and looked at me curiously.

“What did you say?”

I blushed. I hadn’t realized I’d spoken aloud.

“I was just thinking that surely fairies have some better means of getting around then walking.”

“Like, flying?”

“Well,” I protested, “If you are so fond of traveling on foot you could make some decent trails. It looks like no one has seen this place in a hundred years!”

“I just thought it curious that you should mention flying. Especially seeing as how fairies have wings.”

“Wings? You haven’t any wings.”

“No, I haven’t. I told you this all ready. But didn’t you notice anything different about Melvin?”

“Different how? Lancelyn, the only wings I’ve seen here are on the bugs.”

“Well, maybe he’s too old for them to be seen by mortal eyes.”

“Lancelyn, what on earth are you talking about?”

“You’ll figure it out eventually.”

“When are we going to get to Darmoor?”

“I don’t know.”

“What are we going to do when we get there?” I asked, irritated with his behavior,

“I don’t know.” He stopped so suddenly that I bumped into him and lost my balance. I fell into a bush beside the path that scratched my face and tore my dress. I didn’t even try to extricate myself; I just laid there miserably and found myself crying.

“Erin,” Lancelyn stood there uncertainly, “What’s wrong? Are you hurt?”

“No.” I said angrily. I sat up and glared at him. “I’m not hurt, no thanks to you.”

“What did I do?” he asked bewildered, “What is wrong?”

“I’m tired and hungry and sick of traipsing through this god-forsaken forest alone and on foot and without shelter or comfort of any kind, without knowing where I am going or what we are going to do, with you talking in riddles and acting unsettlingly like something not quite human.”

“Erin I’m sorry.” He knelt down and helped untangle me from the branches. “I didn’t know. Forgive me please. I haven’t been around mortals much you know.”

“There you go talking in riddles again. What does being a mortal have to do with anything?”

“I don’t know.” He exclaimed, “But if you were so unhappy why didn’t you tell me long ago?”

“Because I didn’t want to complain about something we couldn’t remedy and I thought we would be there ‘long ago’.”

He sighed. “My point exactly. What makes you think we can’t remedy anything? Erin, what precisely do you want?”

“I want to go home.”

“Without full-filling your mission?”

“Is there a mission to fulfill? I feel like you’re leading me on a wild goose chase. The only other person I’ve seen is old Melvin. Where are we? Where are we going? When will we get there? Or are we absolutely lost between two worlds, destined to wander forever?”

“Erin, are you tired? Do just want to sit here and rest for a spell?”

“How did you guess?” I asked with bitter sarcasm.

“You’re talking nonsense.” He answer gently, “go to sleep and if you want anything else, just tell me.”

“Don’t you ever sleep?” I asked,

“Not as often as you do.” He said with a grin.

 

+  +  +

 

Lancelyn’s sunless world was not agreeing with me very well. How they measured the passage of time here was more than I could comprehend. There was light; a sort of dim twilight that was perpetual. But I missed the sun, and I missed the darkness, and I missed the cool winds that blew across the moors. Lancelyn tried to be kind but he had spent two years in the mortal world and hated every minute of it and it was hard for him not to act like Darmoor was the most wonderful place on earth.

When I awoke I felt a little better but it was somewhat discouraging to find that I was still in the forest and that it hadn’t all just been a bad dream. I sat up and sighed and in an instant Lancelyn was there.

“Lady Erin,” he said, “I really am sorry. If you truly want to go home…”

“I don’t know what I want.” I said dully.

“Are you hungry?”

“I don’t know.”

“Probably,” he said smiling, “Seeing as though you’ve yet to taste food in this world.”

“Is there anything to eat?” I asked, “What’s the point of talking about it?”

He spread his hands and instantly they were filled with fruit. “It’s all I can get right now.” He said, “I hope you like it.”

“How did you do that?” I asked in awe,

“Do what?”

“I mean, where did that just come from?”

“Oh.” He looked down confused. “It’s, just, something I can do. I don’t know how to explain. Here. Eat it.”

It was like nothing I had ever seen or eaten before. But it tasted good, and when I was done I did feel a little better.

“Now,” he sat beside me, “What else do you want?”

“I want to get out of this forest as quickly as possible. I want something to think about and anticipate. I want to know when we will reach your city and what we’ll do when we get there.”

He sighed again. “Do you want anything remotely possible?”

“That’s not possible?”

“Not for a while Lady Erin. Don’t you know?”

“Know what?”

“Do you want to know the truth?” he asked softly,

“Yes.”

“I’m lost.”

“I knew it.”

“You said you didn’t know!”

“I mean, I deduced that must be what happened because we should have been there by now. I don’t have a sixth sense Lancelyn; I can’t read your mind.”

“That’s just what I’m not used to.” He said glumly, “I do.”

“Read minds?”

“Have a sixth sense.”

“So, why don’t you use it to get us out of here?”

“Because I don’t know why we’re lost. It just doesn’t add up. I know where I’m going.”

“I wish I did.” I said despondently.

“Erin I’m sorry. Really, I am. I’ll find a way out of here. Honest, I will. Try to cheer up, please?”

“I just want to be out of here.” I was close to tears again. “I want to see the sky once more.”

He mumbled something under his breath and stood up.

“I need to work Erin. You go back to sleep.”

“I don’t want to.”

He turned his back to me and began to chant something in Darmoorian. I knew it was Darmoorian and the knowledge that I could understand his words was a shock to me. But before I could figure out how I understood what he was saying, or what it was he was saying, I was fast asleep.

 

+  +  +

 

Lancelyn finished the spell and turned around to look at the sleeping girl. He hadn’t wanted to put a sleep spell on her, but he’d realized he had no choice. He had to think, and he had to be alone to do it.

What he needed was a map, but that was far out of his reach. The next best thing would be a magic stone, but he couldn’t get one of those either. Sighing he leaned against a tree. Maybe he did need to rest. He couldn’t remember being this tired before. But he didn’t dare sleep, not with her to take care of.

“Why did I ask her to come?” he asked aloud, “I should have befriended a mortal man. Someone strong enough to endure my magic and sensible enough not to ask confusing questions.”

He shook his head and started to walk away. Now was not the time to decide whether he’d acted rationally or not. The question was: why couldn’t he get into Darmoor? It was like there was a wall that stood between them. But why the wall? Was it because he was banished? Was it because of the mortal? Or was it someone trying to keep him out? And if so, why?

In a moment all the answers flashed into his mind. Swiftly he walked back to Erin. The words to wake her were on his lips when he paused. Why disturb her sleep only to make her walk back through her despised forest? He had no idea what effect the magic would have on her and it would be better to find out when there was something he could do about it.

He knelt beside her and brushed her hair off her face. He didn’t want to make her unhappy; as important as Darmoor was to him he didn’t want her to think that he didn’t care. A voice was nagging him to find out why it was he cared, but he silenced it impatiently with that age old tale, ‘she’s my friend.’

So, gently, he picked her up and carried her through the forest and did not break the sleep spell until they both stood before Melvin’s hut once more.

 

+  +  +

 

When I awoke the second time, Lancelyn was leading me up the hill to Melvin’s hut.

“How did we get here?” I demanded, “What are we doing here?”

“How did you get here? I carried you.” He said, “Why are we here? Melvin is the one who is not letting me into Darmoor.”

“I slept that long?”

“Yes, how are you feeling?”

“Fine. Why?”

“You were under a spell.”

“A spell?”

“A sleep spell. It was the only thing I could think of to do. Are you sure you’re all right?”

“Yes, I’m fine. What about Darmoor?”

“I don’t know anything else Lady Erin, that’s why we’re here.”

I suddenly noticed he seemed very tired and I wondered how far it had been to come back here. Suddenly I realized I’d been acting a little unreasonable lately.

“Lancelyn,” I said hesitantly. He didn’t even look at me.

“Yes, Lady Erin.”

“Lancelyn, I’ve been acting like a spoiled child lately haven’t I?”

“Yes Erin, you have.”

“Forgive me, I want to help and not hinder you.”

He turned around to face me and I thought I detected the hint of a smile on his face. “Maybe magic has a good effect on you.” He said, “I should have tried that earlier. It’s half my fault Lady Erin; I don’t know how to treat a mortal.”

“And I don’t know how to behave in the Fairy World.”

He smiled; a real smile this time. “Maybe we just need to learn how to work together.”

“Prince Ian! Prince Ian of Darmoor! What are you doing back here?”

Melvin’s angry voice interrupted us. He came down out of his hut and I gasped in surprise. For I could finally see him, as Lancelyn had wanted me to see him, as fairy eyes saw him.

His hair was grey as I remembered it and it was long, falling almost to his shoulders. He wore a long white robe that came to his ankles and there was a strange smoke about his feet as he walked toward us. But it wasn’t any of that, strange though it might be that caught my attention. The most astonishing thing was his wings. Bright red wings behind him, seeming almost unreal as though if you touched them they would vanish.

Lancelyn seemed as though nothing was amiss. I don’t even think he noticed my wonderment. Melvin, however, did.

“Oh, so you’ve unveiled her eyes have you?” he said mockingly, “and brought her back to have another look at me?”

“Melvin,” Lancelyn said angrily, “you would not let me into Darmoor.”

“No, and why should I? I said I would not betray you to the king but you think I would let you go and destroy the city?”

“I told you that- ”

“I don’t care what you said!” he cried angrily, “I won’t let you have the power to destroy the city!”

“You won’t let me do what?” Lancelyn yelled back, “Who do you think you are Melvin?”

“This after you came begging me for help?” the old fairy said contemptuously, “Don’t try to fight me. Go back to the mortal world where you belong.”

“I belong here!” Lancelyn cried passionately, “In Darmoor!”

“Prove it.” Melvin snapped. Instantly the exchange ceased. Lancelyn  looked at the ground and said nothing.

“Aren’t you going to answer him?” I asked softly,

“Yes,” Melvin said smirking, “Don’t you have an answer?”

“No.” he whispered.

“No?” I exclaimed, “Lancelyn I can- ”

“It's no use!” he interrupted me, “I have to find someone who can help me.”

“No one will help you.” Melvin laughed wickedly, “The rumor is all over Darmoor that Prince Ian has returned. No one will help you. King Sol has ordered it.”

“But, I am the rightful prince! All of Darmoor knows that.”

“They know, and they don’t’ care. I’m the only one who cares Prince Ian, and I said no!”

It seemed to grow dark all around us and a cold breeze began to blow. Melvin’s wings fluttered and it looked like flames leapt from behind them as they threw the light around.

“I’ll fight you Prince Ian,” he shouted, “For Darmoor!”

“I can’t fight!” Lancelyn cried in anguish, “Don’t you know? I’ve lost my strength.”

“Why? And how? Because of that girl there?”

For the first time since I had seen Darmoor I wasn’t afraid. In fact, I was downright angry.

“You leave him alone!” I cried. I ignored Lancelyn who tried to tell me to be quiet, that I knew nothing of what I was doing. I stepped in front of him and faced Melvin. “The question here is of who is fighting whom. Are you just like every other Darmoorian who you say doesn’t care about the law that says Prince Ian should rightfully reign?”

“NO!” Melvin shouted, “I know the Code of Rightful Kingship!”

“Prove it.” I snapped.

“I would little lady, if your little prince would challenge me.” he sneered,

“Why challenge an ally?” I retorted, “if you want to keep the code than why are you fighting? You make yourself in league with King Sol by such an action.”

“You don’t know what you are talking about.” But his voice was less fierce.

“No,” I said, “I don’t. But I know an injustice when I see one. That’s the only reason I’ve come.”

There was a long pause, and Melvin said nothing.

“Magic does have a good effect on you.” Lancelyn whispered. I looked up at him in surprise. He was almost laughing. “Stand back Lady Erin, I’m going to fight him.”

“Lancelyn, don’t.” I took a few steps back out of his way.

“It’s all right now. Thank you.”

And then I learned how fairies settled questions of honor.

I never knew what Lancelyn did as soon as I stepped out of his way. And as usual, when I asked him later, he wouldn’t tell me.

“The less you know of our ways Lady Erin, the better.” He told me, “you are not, after all, a fairy. The knowledge of such power could hurt you.”

But when Lancelyn stepped forward Melvin threw his hands before his face and the darkness was dissipated by a bright light that came from nowhere. Melvin stood there stunned and suddenly they both disappeared from my sight.

And an instant later the world was back to normal. Gone was the wind, gone was the darkness, gone was the brilliant light. Lancelyn and Melvin appeared where they had been. I could not see the Prince of Darmoor but Melvin was kneeling and had dark streaks across his face. “Forgive me Prince Ian.” He said hoarsely, “I had no idea you were so strong.”

Without warning Lancelyn suddenly collapsed. With a horrified cry I rushed to his side. He was desperately pale and he lay without moving despite my cries.

“He’s all right.” Melvin tried to assure me, “It was a hard battle.”

“Can’t you help him?” asked,

“Lady, I’m too weak to help myself. I didn’t expect him to defeat me.”

“What can I do?” I implored,

“Let him rest.” Melvin sighed, “Can you sing Lady?”

“A little.”

“Can you sing any fairy songs?”

“I know one.”

He was too exhausted to be astonished. “Than sing Erin. It’s the only way you can help.”

So, I sang. I wasn’t sure I knew the language but to my surprise the words came easily.

 

A Prince from the castle of Darmoor,

Against an enemy King

Waged a dark and bloody war.

 

Melvin’s eyes closed and his head rested on his chest. “Keep singing Lady Erin.” He whispered. Gaining confidence, I continued.

 

His men were brave, his captains bold

His sword was strong and keen

The end of the battle would soon be seen.

 

And so I continued, on through the song and without missing a word of Darmoorian. By the time I was done Melvin was asleep and Lancelyn still had not stirred. He looked so tired and gently I reached over and stroked his hair. He may very well have been over three hundred years old, but now he looked so young and helpless. Robbed of his kingdom, without any friends, I vowed I would help him.

 

+  +  +

 

“Prince Ian, that’s preposterous.”

“Show me a better way.”

“It’s not that, it’s just that, well, you can’t succeed.”

“I thought you were going to help me.”

“I am. But Ian…”

“Than stop telling me how difficult it is and let’s figure this out.”

The continued talking but I had stopped listening. Melvin had agreed to help Lancelyn after he had defeated him but they didn’t seem to agree on anything. From whether or not I should keep calling him Lancelyn, to how we were to get into Darmoor, they disagreed.

Finally Melvin called it quits.

“Fine!” he yelled; it seemed he was always yelling. “Go make your attempt on Darmoor. But I’m not going with you.”

“You promised!”

“I promised to help, but I will help from the safety of my own hut.”

He got up abruptly and came back carrying something. It was a cloak made of white satin; strangely embroidered in silver.

“This is for you Lady Erin.” He said handing it to me.

“Me?” I repeated in amazement.

“Put it on.” He commanded. I did and suddenly the world seemed blurry. Lancelyn was shouting and I wanted to tell him to be quiet but I couldn’t seem to find my voice. I felt strangely dizzy and I reached for a chair to steady myself but I missed and fell. Then someone was beside me pulling off the cloak.

“What did you do to her?” Lancelyn cried, “How many times do I have to tell you that…”

“Lady Erin, are you all right?” Melvin asked interrupting his tirade,

I sat up and shook my head. “Your world is very different from mine.” I murmured, “Will you explain what just happened or shall I add it to my collection of mysteries?”

“The explanation is quite simple. It is a cloak of invisibility. I’ve been working on it for a while. I thought you could use it, especially as you have no other powers.”

“Thank you.” I said uncertainly, “but- “

“You haven’t the strength to wear it.” Melvin said smilingly. “The all powerful Prince Ian can solve that problem.” He bowed mockingly to Lancelyn. “What else do you desire of me?”

“Nothing.”

“Then you may leave.” He said, suddenly angry again, “I want nothing more to do with you.”

“I was hoping you could tell me something of my brother.” Lancelyn said wearily.

“Prince Tol? What of him?”

“How did he know the old languages?”

“Oh, the old languages. I taught them to him.”

“You know them?” he said in surprise,

“Yes, I do, and so did your father. Now I suppose you want to know them too?”

“I just want to know what the curse is.”

“It’s not a curse, Prince Ian. The song is wrong. It’s not a curse.”

“Than what does it mean?”

“It’s a riddle. I don’t know what it means; no one does. But it roughly translates as this, ‘only a willing sacrifice can save Darmoor.’”

“That doesn’t make any sense.”

“Prince Tol knew your kingdom would be taken from you.”

“Yes?”

“And he said that the man who took it from you would be cursed and, ‘coola coolain, coola sulia, sulia taine.’ Only a willing sacrifice can save Darmoor.”

“There is no such thing as a willing sacrifice. To be willing you must make a choice, to make a choice you must be free.”

“Aren’t you free?” I asked suddenly; I had said nothing and it seemed they had forgotten I was there.

“No,” Lancelyn said softly, “We are not.”

“Tol was a prophet.” Melvin half whispered, “he knew what he said would come to pass.”

“There can never be a willing sacrifice.”

“You will live to see it Ian.”

No one said anything for a while.

“You should go.” Melvin said quietly.

“Yes, we should.” He held out his hand to me. “Come Erin.”

Still holding the cloak I stood and took his outstretched hand. It seemed exceptionally cold as he led me back into the forest.

 

+  +  +

 

“So, this is Darmoor.” We stood on a mountain overlooking a bustling city. It was beautifully crafted, and set almost into the mountains. Indeed, the palace seemed to be a mountain itself. I remembered what Lancelyn had said about their homes being underground and wondered what this city was like inside. Everywhere the fairies bustled about, their brightly colored wings making them look like a bunch of butterflies. There were wings in purple, yellow and red. But only once did I see one that had blue wings. I asked Lancelyn if there was a reason they were so scarce.

“Blue is the royal color.” He said smilingly, “I had blue wings once.”

“Will you ever have them again?” I asked,

“I don’t know. I haven’t given it much thought.”

I knew I should go. I knew what I was to do. I knew where to find the city’s key. I knew how to get in and out of the castle and I knew I had the strength to wear the cloak Melvin had given me. Lancelyn had taught me much on our way here. But I also knew that he could not come with me.

“This is Darmoor.” He repeated me, “My city. Tol’s city. King Aon’s city. But now, now it is Lord Sol’s city.”

So now we were here at last. Now something would happen like I had so long wished something would. Now I would get to do something other than get on Lancelyn’s nerves. Now was the time to see this injustice he spoke of righted.

There were still many, many things I did not understand. But I had begun to see why Lancelyn did not explain them to me.

“You have to go.” He said gently, “Now is the best time.”

“I know.” But I didn’t go.

We stood silently staring over the city.

“Erin,” Lancelyn said hesitantly, turning me to face him. He didn’t know how to tell me to leave and on a sudden impulse I threw my arms around his neck.

I didn’t cry, but he held me for a long time before I let him go again.

“I don’t want to lose you Erin.” He whispered; I turned back the city.

“I will return.” I promised, “Victorious.”

He realized he was holding my hand and dropped it.

“Go on then.” He said without looking up again. “I need not say goodbye if I am to see you again.”

I set off down the mountain, alone for the first time in this fairy world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

The royal palace of Darmoor was magnificent. But I hardly noticed. As I neared the city I put on my cloak and no one questioned me as I passed. I reached the castle and slipped passed the guards as noiselessly as possible. I knew no one could see me and yet I was nervous. I knew it would not go well with me if I was caught. And yet, my mind was busy with thoughts else where. My emotions were in turmoil. A voice inside me was nagging me to take a better look at my heart. I wanted to ignore it, but I couldn’t. Something was telling me Lancelyn was more than a mere friend, something that pointed to how I had bid him farewell.

‘It was not fear that made you want to stay.’ The something said, ‘it was more than just the knowledge that you might not return that made you not want to leave him.’

“He’s a dear friend.” I argued, “And he saved my life. It is not uncommon for friends to embrace when parting.”

The voice inside me didn’t answer, but it had no need to. Such voices never argue with logic.

Slowly I began to climb the stairs to the second floor of the palace. The key was the king’s greatest charge and it was his duty to guard it with his life if need be. As a result it was kept in the most logical place, his chambers. Guards stood outside the door day and night to protect against intruders. I walked to the door and threw a handful of pebbles far away from me. As they looked to see what the disturbance was, I opened the door and slipped in.

There was a gala party in progress and all the royal family was in attendance. I had no fear of being disturbed. A small chest stood beside the king’s bed. The king feared no intruders and had deemed any extra precaution unnecessary. The chest was unlocked. I opened it and took the key from its rightful resting place. It was not very large for the key to a city. It was made of pure gold and it had something written on it, in the old tongue I presumed because I had no idea what it said.

Suddenly there was a loud rumble. The whole castle began to shake and the door to the chamber flew open. I clutched the key to me and shrank back against the wall as two burly guards burst in.

“What is wrong?” he spoke Darmoorian, but I had long since learned that I knew the tongue.

“Strong magic.” The other one cried,

“Look! The key! It’s gone!” the first pointed to the empty chest. I didn’t stay to hear more. I fled down the stairs but the cries of treason followed me.

The hall below was crowded and my progress was slow as I tried not to walk into anybody. I heard someone shouting for the king and someone else whispering that only treason could cause such disruption. In the courtyard people stood huddled in groups fearful of the continuing earthquakes.

I scarcely got through the castle gates as they were shut and barred. I ran through the city as fast as I dared. The outer gates were deserted. In triumph I shut them and locked them. No one could follow me, for I had the only key. I practically flew up the mountain where I had left Lancelyn. He was lying on the ground and didn’t look up when I came running though he surely must have heard me. Hastily I took off me cloak and knelt beside him.

“Erin?”

“What is wrong?” I asked anxiously,

“Did you get it?”

“Yes.”

“I thought so.”

“Lancelyn, please tell me, what is wrong?”

“I am a Darmoorian. What my people suffer, I am doomed to suffer. Treason is a very strong magic.”

“What can I do?”

“Nothing. I just hope they figure out who they’re dealing with soon.” He propped himself up on one elbow. “Give it to me.”

I handed him the key. It had been so easy to carry off and it could have such consequences now.

“Prince of Darmoor!” the words came to us clearly though an entire valley separated us from the castle. “Prince Ian of Darmoor! Hear us!”

“What do you want?” he shouted in return,

“You have our key.” The caller answered, “And you have our strength.”

“You have my kingdom and my father’s place.”

“We cannot surrender.”

“I will do you no harm.”

“Return our key and we will make terms with you.”

“Give me the throne and your key will be where it belongs.”

“We cannot wait. The throne is yours.”

“Promise me.”

“We promise…” his words came wafting back to us and the entire city added its cries.

“We promise, save us, give us the key and we will treat with you. We promise,”

“Here.” He handed me the precious key. “I cannot go myself.”

“You’re just going to believe them so easily?”

He waved me off. “A fairy never breaks his word.”

“Why can’t you go?”

“You took it, you must return it. Besides, it isn’t customary. And I cannot put myself in their power. I can protect you, but you cannot protect me.”

“I can’t believe you are just sending it back like that. What if they just slam the gate in your face?”

“Don’t argue with me Erin.” His voice was stern and I flinched under his displeasure. “They gave their word and that is enough. There is no more to be said.”

“But…”

“Go.”

Slowly I took the key and began the descent, quite visible to the wondering eyes of the fairies. Lancelyn’s anger at me was bewildering and it hurt. After all he had told me, all he had trusted me with… I didn’t trust these people! I wanted him to see that. The little voice started nagging again. Why didn’t I get angry back at him? Why did I do his bidding? I dared to find out and proved the voice wrong. I was afraid of him. I was afraid of his power. And I was afraid of what would happen if he discarded my friendship.

It seemed forever before I reached the gates of the city. All the fear of the fairies and their magic that I had been ignoring for so long came back in a wave of panic. My hands trembled as I unlocked the gates to the city. They swung open and I found myself facing a sea of angry faces. All of Darmoor it seemed had gathered there. They parted to make way for me as I walked up to King Sol. Lancelyn had told me nothing of what to say to him and I had been too frightened to ask. I knew he was the king and that I should kneel to him but I couldn’t bring myself to do so.

“Here is your key.” I said mustering all that remained of my courage, “your people are free. Remember your promise.”

“Promise?” his face was purple with rage. “I made you no promise, mortal girl. Guards?”

I had no time to react when I was seized from behind. My hands were lashed tightly together and I was drug to a pole in the middle of the courtyard.

“Kill her!” the people cried, “Mortal treason must be punished. She will be sacrificed for her treason. Justice must be done.”

I looked around wildly, not a friendly face anywhere. Not one look of compassion. They had been lying when they promised to make peace. As they tied me to the stake I saw Lancelyn. He stood on the mountain and the look in his eyes could have killed a thousand. I knew what he was thinking and in an instant I heard the voice. It was not audible, but it was very distinct.

“It is given to the sons of King Aon to avenge his death.”

“No,” I whispered, “Lancelyn, no. it’s not worth it. My life is not worth it. Your life is not worth it. The lives of every man, woman, and child in Darmoor is at stake.”

Lord Sol held a burning brand in his hands. He was reaching to start the fire himself when a voice cried, “Look!”

In an instant the court yard was still as all eyes went to the figure on the mountain. He held death and destruction in his hands. The key that was the city’s protection did them no good. They all lay at his mercy.

Lancelyn, don’t. But I couldn’t speak aloud. The words were frozen in my mind.

“Murderers!” he screamed, “Would you kill her the way your own King Aon was killed? Would you break your word to me? Have to no regard for the Code that bids you keep it? Touch her and every one of you who stood by King Sol when he took my throne shall die a long and perishing death.

No. my mind screamed, No, no, no.

Sol handed the brand to a guard. “Light the fire.” He said hoarsely. Lancelyn shouted something and the guard bent over gasping in pain. Everyone else in the courtyard slumped to the ground their faces white with agony. I fought with the ropes that held me as Lancelyn disappeared off the mountain.

“Somebody help me.” I whispered, “Somebody help them. I’m not afraid to die. I would have let them kill me. I know I could have ended up dead. But oh, please, I don’t want to live if the entire city dies because of me.” I was talking louder and rapidly but to who, or what, I didn’t know. “I’d take their suffering if I could but don’t let them die. Sacrifice me if that’s what it takes but don’t let the whole city perish. Sure, they betrayed me, sure they’ve done wrong, but don’t we all? Hasn’t everyone done worse? Don’t let them die. Kill me, but they don’t deserve to die.”

There was a boy of seven lying at my feet. “Mama,” he whimpered, “Why?”

“I didn’t mean it Autin.” She answered, “I didn’t mean to break a Code.”

“Lancelyn!” I screamed, “Save them. You have the power!”

“No, Lady Erin. You have the power.”

It was a fairy who stood before me and his wings were blue, meaning he was of royal blue. Suddenly my hands fell free of my bonds.

“I was Prince Tol,” he said, and I knew he was a spirit. “I saw you before I died. Don’t you remember my riddle?”

“‘Coola coolain, coola sulia, sulia Taine.’” I spoke them as Melvin had told them to Lancelyn.

“Very good. Will you save Darmoor? Will you be the sacrifice?”

No one else saw the spirit. No one else heard his words. I nodded wordlessly. I couldn’t bear to see the fairies suffering. The spirit touched me and I felt pain as I had never felt it before. I didn’t see him vanish or the look of relief on everyone’s faces. I felt like I was being burned by ice and frozen by fire. My vision vanished and I could scarcely breathe. As I fell to the ground I knew I was dying.

 

+  +  +

 

Lancelyn walked through the open gate to take Erin and leave. But he knew instantly that something was wrong. All around him the people of Darmoor were sitting up in relief and talking about what had saved them. They didn’t know, and Prince Ian didn’t care. He was beyond caring whether these people lived or died. He just wanted to get Erin and leave. He wanted to forget Tol, and forget Darmoor. They could go to Kylon, or Eyton; someplace where he was unknown and could stay unknown.

He had realized something that he had been refusing to face for some time. He hadn’t meant to be harsh with the girl when he sent her away. Her question had seemed silly and he was too elated with a victory to meddle with a mortal. He was after all, King of Darmoor.

He had acted proud, arrogant and foolish and it had got him nowhere. He now had to face the consequences of that. Vaguely he wondered if Erin would hold it against him. Probably not, she was too innocent to know what his anger could have done to her.

But when he saw them ready to kill her he had had to face something he had been denying for weeks. The mortal girl meant more to him than any fairy, Darmoorian or not. Nothing meant as much to him. Not his own life, not ruling his kingdom, not the lives of the entire Darmoorian race. He had hated doing what he had done, but Erin was worth doing far worse things.

The pole she had been tied to was empty. Several fairies knelt around it. Dread seized him suddenly and would not let go.

“It’s too late.” One murmured.

“What?” he asked, they all shrank back in fear.

“She’s gone.” A woman whispered.

“She gave her life for us.” A burly guard spoke brokenly. Prince Ian pushed passed them, with growing dread. She laid on the ground perfectly still, her fair features twisted in absolute pain. He knelt beside her and gathered her into his arms.

“Erin, Erin,” he had ignored her cries. He heard her pleading with him and he had ignored her. He was too angry to see straight. He had been so blind! For months he had refused to see what was right under his nose, and now she was gone.

“Erin, forgive me please.” She was never meant to endure so much. Fairies were accustomed to endure much pain. They had hundreds of years to learn after all. But one so young, so mortal, to take the punishment meant for an entire race?

“Erin…” he didn’t care who knew what a fool he had been. “Erin I…” what was there to say? It was too late. For the first time in his life the Prince of Darmoor let himself cry. He pulled her close and hid his face in her hair. And all of Darmoor wept with him.

 

+  +  +

 

Someone was calling me. Somewhere through the blind pain and the swirling darkness that was closing in around me something begged me to return. But what did I have to call me back? Lancelyn was angry with me, and I would probably never see England again. I ignored the voice. The pain grew worse.

“Erin, forgive me please.”

Somehow the words sank through. I saw the fierceness in his eyes as I left him. Now he wanted me. Now it was too late. I couldn’t forgive him. And then there was that nagging voice. Here I was dying, and arguing with myself. Did I want to live? No. Now shut up.

The pain continued. Would it ever end? What wouldn’t let go? Why couldn’t I be free?

“Erin…”

One last time.

Lancelyn. My mind cried, Lancelyn.

And I knew I wanted to live. Slowly I fought my way back to reality, back to the pain that was beginning to dull. It didn’t let go easily. The harder I fought for the surface, the harder I begged to live, the more determined death became. But slowly consciousness returned.

I opened my eyes and saw the courtyard. But someone was holding me. I tried to speak but I had no strength. My neck was wet and I couldn’t figure out why. Slowly, painfully, I put my arm around Lancelyn’s neck. He looked up in bewilderment and I saw his face was wet with tears.

He didn’t say anything but there was no need to. I saw it all. He pulled me closer to him and, tired of fighting; I fell asleep in his arms.

 

+  +  +

 

“Erin, forgive me. I’m sorry. I acted foolishly and I know it. You’re Darmoor’s hero Erin. You can’t leave us.”

Slowly I looked up at the speaker. Moving hurt, as did everything else.

“I’m not going to die.” My voice sounded hoarse, but it was amazing to hear myself talk at all.

I was lying on a bed in a room in the castle somewhere. Lancelyn was kneeling beside it and I wondered how long he had been there or if he even ever left. He reached over and took my hand; gently as though he was afraid to touch me.

“If you die,” he whispered, “I will never forgive myself.”

I didn’t have the strength to answer him. I couldn’t even smile. He leaned his head on the bed.

“I’ve been so afraid Erin.” He didn’t know what else to say. I didn’t blame him. I could only imagine what he’d been through. And I didn’t even know how long it had been since he had found me in the courtyard.

I was exhausted. I felt like I was burning and freezing all at once. I wanted to sleep again but there was something I had to know.

“Darmoor?”

“Darmoor is saved. Oh Erin- ” He couldn’t say more. Of all people I had never though I would see him cry. From what I had heard fairies didn’t even know what remorse was. Grief was below them. I was only a mortal but the Prince himself…

I was too tired to think about it. Within an instant I was asleep again.

 

+  +  +

 

“My Lord, you should rest.” The page pleaded. Lancelyn shook his head.

“No. Not until I know.”

“She’s improving my lord. We can all see that.”

“No. I will neither eat nor sleep till she bids me.”

“But my lord, how long will you wait?”

“Forever.”

“It is almost the full moon. Surely then…”

“No! I did this to her.” He cried, “Why should I take comfort when she has none? I will stay with her,” he continued more quietly. “Leave me alone please.”

She was still sleeping. Almost the full moon, they must have been here a while. At least a few days. But he would stay as long as she needed him. As long as she slept he would not leave her side. It was the least he could do.

 

+  +  +

 

“Lancelyn,” I pulled my hand out of his grasp. I was tired, and very weak, but the pain was gone. “Lancelyn.”

He looked up and I noticed how pale he was.

“How long have you been here?”

“I’ve never left you.”

“You need to rest.” I chided, “You look exhausted.”

“How can I rest,” he said wearily, “Knowing what you are going through?”

“Your suffering will not alleviate mine.” From somewhere I remembered how to smile. “Promise me you’ll get some sleep.”

It took a few minutes but I got a smile in return. Then I remembered how much his smiles meant to me, and how few I had seen since we came here.

“I promise,” he said, “If you think you’ll be all right.”

“I told you, I’m not going to die.”

“But you should have.”

“Are you saying you want me to?” I was teasing but he was too tired to take it as such. The smile vanished.

“Erin, I never meant…”

“Lancelyn!” I interrupted, “I didn’t mean that. I would apologize but I don’t think I have the energy.”

“I’m sorry Lady Erin.” He stood up. “I’ll get some sleep. Maybe I need it.”

 

+  +  +

 

The day of the coronation had come. Maybe I should say time of the coronation as there were no days and nights in this world. Lord Sol had surrendered the throne to Lancelyn without protest. He had come closer to death than was comfortable for one who was immortal. The fairies of Darmoor all treated me with great reverence knowing I had saved their lives. I was amazed I was still alive.

I had hardly spoken to Lancelyn. Not that he didn’t come to see me but there just seemed to be nothing to say. Then just before the ceremony he came to see me.

Several of the fairy women had dressed me earlier in dark purple. I could not wear blue because I was not of the royal house, but they came as close to it as they dared. I had left my hair down and the dress set off its dark colors perfectly. But I wore no decorations in it. I had never liked dressing up.

“Lady Erin, you look very lovely.”

I turned and smiled at him. He was wearing the royal colors and still without his wings. I didn’t care; I liked him better that way. He seemed more human.

“I brought you your flowers.” He held out a small bouquet of purple and yellow flowers like none I had ever seen before.

“Thank you. They’re beautiful.”

He spread his hands and a wreath of them appeared. “Turn around.” He commanded. I did so, still amazed at his ability to produce something out of nowhere like that. He put the wreath in my hair and I smiled at the result.

“There.” He said as I turned back to him, “Now you are perfect.”

“You’ve been more than kind Lancelyn.” I said shyly. I was still a little afraid of him.

“I owe it to you.” He said gently, “After what I did- “

“Let’s not talk about it.” I interrupted, “all is well now; all has been forgiven.”

He didn’t say anything for a while.

“Lady Erin,” he said finally, “There is something I need to ask you. When I cursed the Darmoorian people, when I tried to kill them all, it was because I didn’t want to lose you. When I found you in the courtyard and realized what I had done I have never been so afraid in my life. I never knew what regret was till then. Erin, I don’t know why I feel this way but- I owe you everything. I have my kingdom back but only because of you, and I would give it up in an instant if you asked me to. I can never repay you but I will give you anything you ask for, anything. But I want you here, to stay with me forever. And Erin,” he paused and took a deep breath and without looking up at my puzzled face he plunged ahead. “Erin, will you marry me?”

“Marry you?” it was the last think I expected him to say.

“Yes. Stay in Darmoor, be my Queen. I- I can’t live without you!”

“I don’t know Lancelyn.”

“You don’t know?” he asked bewildered, “Don’t you love me?”

“Yes, I think so. No, I know that I do, but I need to think. This is so sudden. Can I have some time?”

“Erin, there is no time. All of Darmoor expects it. We should be married at the coronation.”

“Lancelyn,”

“Erin, what is it? Why are you so hesitant? Is it me?”

“No, no not at all. It’s just that this is not my home. What of my parents? I told you I would return to the mortal world if I could.”

“We can visit sometimes.”

“No we can’t. You know that. It’s too dangerous. No Lancelyn, you belong in Darmoor, I in England. I can never be happy here any more than you could stand to live in the mortal world. It can never be.”

“But Erin,”

“Please. This is what I ask, let me go home. Let me go back to my family. That is how you can repay me. You’ve returned to your home. Let me return to mine.”

“I can refuse you nothing whatever it may cost me.”

He turned away so that I should not see how I had hurt him. But I knew. I hated to cause him pain because I did love him more than life itself. But I could never be happy in Darmoor and I hated the fairy world. It would be better this way.

I laid my hand on his shoulder. “Lancelyn,” it was all I could say. He read it all in my face and with no more reserve he pulled me toward him and kissed me.

 

+  +  +

 

“My Lord, it’s time. Excuse me my lord, the ceremony is beginning. I’ve been looking all over for you.”

The future King of Darmoor sighed. “You will return to your home.” He whispered, “I promise you.” Then he was gone. I sank to the floor and stared out the door he had vanished through. What had I just done? I had refused to marry the man I loved and I had been kissed by a fairy. I wondered if I would live to see the mortal world again. I wanted to lay there and cry but there was no time. A fairy lady came to fetch me for the coronation. She was surprised to find me so upset when she had left me perfectly happy. She clucked in concern and chattered in Darmoorian, trying to cheer me up as she straightened the wreath in my hair and led me to the courtyard.

The ceremony passed in a daze to me. The celebration was torment. The dances seemed to go on forever and my heart was breaking.

Suddenly there was Lancelyn at my shoulder, asking me to dance. We didn’t say anything. I don’t think we dared. I could have been happy then. I could have been happier than I dreamed possible. But I had refused. We would learn to live without each other. We could forget all that we had suffered.

“The full moon is rising.” Lancelyn broke the silence. I nodded and followed him as he led me out of the city and into the forest. Eventually the forest ended and I found myself beside the brook under a star-studded sky and a brilliant full moon.

I let go of Lancelyn’s hand and walked forward in wonderment and delight.

“I never thought I would see it again.” I cried, “It seems like forever.”

He smiled as he watched me. But it was a sad smile.

“How long have I been in your world?” I asked,

“By our time, seven weeks.”

“That’s all? It feels like years.”

“By your time, only a day.”

“A day? Then my family?”

“They’ve just started looking for us.”

I looked again at the sky and the night. It was so wonderful to be home!

“Thank you.” I said softly,

“You’re very welcome.”

Neither of us knew what to do next.

“Shall I escort you home?” he asked,

“No.” I said softly.

“It’s late Lady Erin; you ought to have an escort.”

“I need to be alone. I need to remember that I am a mortal. I’ll be all right.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. I want to forget Darmoor. I want to forget everything that happened. I want to forget that fairies even exist. This is my home and I want to belong here. Lancelyn, can’t you understand that? Please?”

“Erin,” he opened his arms and I ran into them.

“I will never forget you.” I whispered as I clung to him, “Never.”

“I want you to be happy. Forget Darmoor. Forget all I’ve done. Return to where you belong and forget that a fairy ever entered your life. That’s all I can ask. Maybe one day I can return. Another code has been broken. At this rate Darmoor may have another rebellion. I’ll face banishment again knowing I have something to return to.”

“No Lancelyn.” I shook my head. “You don’t belong here either. You hate the mortal world as I did the fairy one. It’s just not meant to be.”

“I know.” He whispered, “I can see that. But Erin, I love you!”

“I know.” I stepped away from him. “And I will never forget that. I’ve had a wonderful time Lancelyn, but it’s over now. We won, and the adventure is over. I can never return to you. Now that I’m back where I belong I can never leave again.”

He said nothing and I turned to look again over the moor, still elated at seeing familiar surroundings.

“Farewell then.” He said; I turned to look at him, he was gone.

 

 

 

 

6

 

I don’t remember much about that night but they say I came home raving. For a week I lay in a high fever and knew no one. Mother was sure it was my old madness coming back to me. “For,” she said, “you spoke of such awful things. Of a fairy world and high magic, and curses and sacrifices and such like things. Oh it was awful.” Then she shuddered and pulled me close to her. I smiled and snuggled down under her arm. It was nice to be home again.

But when I came out of my delirium I was conscious only of one thing; that I would never see Lancelyn again. I tried to forget, and so great was my relief to be home that my recovery was rapid. But once life had settled down to normal, once the rising and setting of the sun had become a natural occurrence for me, I began to remember.

I might have been able to forget Darmoor, and I might have been able to forget what I had gone through. But Lancelyn was there always before me. I never knew how much he meant to me till he was gone. I never knew that love could hurt so much. Blindly I struggled through each day but it didn’t get easier. I came to dread every morning. I wanted to sleep forever and dream of his smiles; smiles I will never see again.

I know I am on the brink of madness. Who will save me a second time? I love a fairy; there is an everlasting bond between us. As Prince Ian is immortal so it can never be broken. I want to live a life in peace but I now know it can never be so. No one can save me. Even if someone could, would I want to be saved?

He is gone. I will never see him again. Mother continues on as if nothing as happened. But I will never forget. I cannot. She reminds me that I am of age; that I should be married. In my heart, I know I will never love again. My heart has already been given—to a fairy living as king of Darmoor. I can not reclaim it; nor do I have a wish to do so.

Time goes on, as time always does. It has no pity for parted lovers. But it can heal great wounds, and mayhap, in time, it can heal mine. Does time exist in Darmoor? Will it heal Lancelyn’s heart as well? I think, if given the choice again, I could not refuse him a second time.

“Erin?” I looked up, it was my mother. I turned my face away from her; I could not bear to see her now.

“Erin, look at me.” reluctantly I looked up. She sat beside me in the window. “Erin, what is wrong?”

I didn’t answer. What was there to say? We’d been through this before. I couldn’t bear to speak of- of him.

“Erin, something is wrong. I know something is wrong. Ever since you disappeared that night and,” the light of realization came over her face. “This has something to do with Lancelyn, does it not?”

Dumbly, I nodded.

“Erin, what happened that night?”

“I can’t tell you.” I said bluntly, “You wouldn’t believe me.”

“Erin,” she said gently, “I know you would never lie. Whatever you say must be true.”

“Unless I’m mad.”

“Tell me dear.”

“I, do you believe in fairies?” I asked hesitantly, silently she nodded, waiting for the rest. Then brokenly, I began to speak. I told her everything, how we had scarcely made it to Darmoor, how Lancelyn had fought with Melvin, how I had helped him win back the kingdom. There I paused and looked up at her waiting to see how she would react. She nodded at me to continue. So I told the rest. I blurted it out, scarcely able to keep the tears back. I told her how the city was to be destroyed and how I had saved them and given my life for it. Then I told her that Lancelyn saved me, saved me with his love.

“He loves me mother.” I cried breaking down at last, “and I love him. I love him but I broke his heart. I left Darmoor, and I came back here leaving him alone. He is King of Darmoor, but what is a king without a queen?”

“Hush dear, hush now.” She comforted me softly, pulling me close to her and smoothing my hair. “Is that why you’re so upset? You feel you betrayed him?”

“No, he said I could go. He offered me anything, and I asked to come back. But mother, you don’t understand. How can I live without him? I’ll never see him again. He kissed me; before the coronation. He asked me to stay. Oh, why didn’t I stay then? Living in Darmoor couldn’t have been worse than this.”

“Do you want to go back?”

It was a thought that had not occurred to me. Slowly I shook my head. “I cannot stay in the fairy world.” I said softly, “any more than he can live here. I am a mortal. There is no hope for us. Besides, how could I leave you and father here? I’m all you have.”

“I only want your happiness dear.” Mother said, “If going back to Darmoor is what you want than that is what I want for you.”

“I will never go back.” I mumbled, “I couldn’t even if I wanted to.”

Mother stood and looked down at me, her face creased with worry. “We’ll work things out Erin.” She said, “Keep hoping for the best.”

Then she was gone, leaving me with my memories and my regrets.

+  +  +

It was the next day father came up to my room. And he brought with him the old herb woman, Liddy Maur who the village folk said was daft.

“Your mother told me what you said happened,” he said gently. “I believe the story. Anyone can see you are on the brink of going mad once again, my daughter. If only hearing a fairy's song caused you such agony, then can you imagine the pain you'd live with having been kissed by one if you did otherwise?"

"But what can I do?" I didn't even care to look up. My fate seemed determined. I would die here, without ever seeing him again. There was no hope.

Father didn't answer, for he had no need to. Liddy came forwards tut-tutting in her own way. "You surely aren't despairing?" she cried, "You're much too young for that."

"But what else is there to do?" I said despondently, "What else is there to do?"

"Well, for starters, you could go back to the fairy world where you belong."

Her manner irritated me. "Just how," I asked, "Would I get back?" 

With a slight smile she produced a small bouquet of purple and yellow flowers. I caught my breath in surprise. It was my coronation bouquet. The one I thought I had lost.

"Wherever did you get this?" I cried, "Lancelyn…"

I trailed off crying again. I could not speak his name.

"I found it laying out on the moor." she said, "and I thought it might come in handy. Wait a bit child, in a few nights the moon will be full. When the moon is full the fairies come out and dance. Just before dawn, find their dancing ring. As long as you go before the sun has risen the door will open to you. Take care of yourself child; a mortal is not welcome in the fairy world."

Then she left, and I saw her no more. My father smiled bravely at me and pulled me into his arms. I felt safe there, and I didn't want to leave.

"How can I leave you?" I asked him, "Forever?"

"Words cannot describe my love for you, though fate has chosen you to be apart from me," He said, "I would rather know you were happy than see you going on to live a life of regret, and killing yourself because of it. You must go back." Even as he spoke, his eyes filled with tears. "I love you, Erin. You know that. And I know your love for me—for your mother. For England.

"But there is another love you bear that surpasses both." he drew me away from him and looked seriously into my face. "We will miss you terribly—but you cannot stay here. Not now—not anymore. You are destined to become Queen of Darmoor."

Mother was there then, I don't know how long she'd stood there but I let out a soft cry of both joy and despair, flinging myself into her arms. I don't know how long I spent sobbing in her embrace, though it felt an eternity. I held her tightly, not wanting to imagine life without her.

"Erin, I want you to be happy. You know what you want—who you love. I will allow you to return to Darmoor. You love Lancelyn—or Prince Ian, whichever you prefer to call him. You can't live apart from him— nor he from you." she smiled gently, caressing my hair. "Go. Be Queen Erin of Darmoor, and we will love you no less."

My heart finally began to believe that he meant the words they spoke. Suddenly, a slight smile came to my face as I gazed lovingly at my parents. My eyes now held light I had thought had gone permanently extinct. I fell into their embrace, treasuring the moments I spent there, knowing they would be few. My mind was already beginning to drift far away, to the fairy land of Darmoor…

 

 

 

It was another week before the moon was full. On that night I said goodbye and left to find the fairy ring. I found it, just before dawn and through it and my coronation flowers I entered the fairy world. For the first time, I found my way to Darmoor alone. No one noticed me as I entered the city. No one questioned me when I walked into the great castle. Then the question that remained was, where would I find him? I stopped a guard and asked if I could speak to the king. He shrugged and led me to a large room. Lancelyn was talking to many important advisors at the great council table. The guard told me to wait until they were done but so great was my joy at seeing him that I walked into the center of the room where he could see me. He looked up and our eyes met.

The moment we saw each other cannot be put into words. At least, not by my hand. No word would do the moment justice. All I will say is this—my joy, my perfect joy, was complete in that time, as I saw him and knew we would not again be parted.

“Erin?” he stood slowly and the wondering eyes of everyone else in the room soon found me. He had already been crowned king, but that didn’t stop him from dropping everything he was doing to come take my hands in his. He didn’t need to ask questions; I didn’t need to explain. Our fate was settled.

I could hardly bring myself to look into his eyes, as they were so full of emotion upon seeing me. I fell into his embrace. I didn't need to say I'd changed my mind. Somehow, we both knew. Neither of us could speak.

 

The fairy world rejoiced at my return for I was their hero I quickly learned. Our wedding preparations were underway when Lancelyn asked me the question I had feared to answer.

“Erin, you are only a mortal.”

“I know that.”

“Do you wish to become a fairy? You must choose before our marriage.”

I was silent a moment. I looked around Darmoor, the place I'd come to dread, though was willing to live there for Lancelyn's sake. I didn't answer immediately. I swallowed. "I want to live with you forever. If I remained mortal, I would die…" I looked up at him now.

His eyes had darkened slightly at my words, though he only said, "It is your choice."

"How can you be truly happy if I am not?" I asked, "How can we spend eternity together if I was to die in what would seem to you to be a very short time? No Lancelyn, though it is my last connection with the life I know, I have given up that life. I want to be a fairy. A Fairy of Darmoor like you are. This is the life I have chosen."

He smiled in evident relief and joy. "I was hoping that was what you would say. It's settled then?"

I could only nod wordlessly. My joy was too great to be described.

 

Epilogue

Cheers emanated from every fairy present as Lady Erin and King Ian were married. All of Darmoor celebrated the event joyously, and there was not one among them who bore either ill will. Even Lord Sol was present, and though he sulked, he joined in the festivities.

The moment had come. Erin was seated on the throne across from King Ian, her glistening blue wings  sparkling from behind her. She beamed at Ian—or Lancelyn, as she would always think of him as—, her face clearly stating her immense happiness.

Lancelyn stood, and Erin thought his wings—blue, of course—looked more beautiful at that moment than they ever could have.

She stood at his bidding, taking his hand. They stood before all of Darmoor. A silver crown had been placed atop her head moments before.

Lancelyn raised his hand for the crowd to quiet. "Fairies of Darmoor, meet your new queen—Queen Erin."

The crowd erupted in peals of applaud, and began to chant, "Long live Queen Erin! Long live King Ian!"

Erin beamed at Lancelyn. She looked over the crowd of fairies and beyond to the hills of Darmoor, surprised that she suddenly found them to be beautiful—it was her home. She knew this must be how Lancelyn felt about his land, and wondered if the change within her was because she was now, indeed, a fairy. She knew she would be content to spend all of eternity here, ruling Darmoor, with Lancelyn always at her side.

And so they would.