Shaylee stood atop the rock wall that divided the cave into two portions;
the dark and desolate and the lush gardens of an underground forest opening up
as far as the eye could see. She stared in awe. Waterfalls cascaded out of the
cavernous rock to flowing rivers and bubbling fountains. The trees towered
above open meadows and nearly touching the cave ceiling that looked like a star
lit night sprinkled with glistening stars. The gardens of a plethora of
different flowers bristled with colored orbs whizzing about twisting and
twirling in a graceful manner.
"Fairies" she breathed. This was the first time she had ever seen
a fairy. She had heard of them in books and stories growing up, but to see one
up close and personal was different. Their wings glittered like gold flecks in
the bluish light that resembled the moon hidden behind the tallest branches.
Though she could not see their angelic bodies, she knew what they looked like
from the pictures in storybooks. When she was a child she would always look for
them. In the gardens behind her parent’s house amongst the flower beds and
fruit trees, the nightlight that kept her safe at night, and even when they
would drive to the coast. She would close her eyes so tight and imagine their
delicate little bodies fluttering about like butterflies and glowing like
fireflies all around her, their wings kissing her cheeks as they flitted by
her. But they seemed to only appear in her dreams. She use to dream they would
carry her away to a mystical land and teach her to fly. They were angelic and
beautiful, without a flaw.
Shaylee noticed a group of them skim the top of the glassy water below,
then skip off toward the forest. Off in the distance she could see a group of
Satyrs chasing a couple of Nymphs in the meadow. Their half goat, half human
bodies stumbling about with their tiny arms outstretched. With a failed attempt
at capturing them, one of the Satyrs, with a rusty colored pelt, pulled out a
wooded flute and started to play a melodious upbeat melody that brought them
out to dance like a moth to a flame on a candle.
"They call it Avalon." A male voice spoke behind her. Shaylee
spun around, the spell of awe broken. Alexander leaned against a giant rock
jutting out of the earth. His blue eyes fixed upon Shaylee's hypnotic trance as
she drank in the scenery below.
"Alex." She sounded surprised. "How did you...your leg...the
fever?"
"Nothing but a fleeting memory. I'm as right as rain, thanks to
you." Alex walked toward Shaylee without a limp or a stumble. She gapped
in disbelief.
"How?" She questioned in a breathy undertone of relief. He smiled
amused by her lack of belief after all this time, traveling in a world far
different than her own. Perhaps she would never get use to the magical realm
and the miracles of magic and healing waters.
"The water you obtained to use on my wounds, are the healing waters of
Avalon.” Shaylee’s face held a vacant look. “What is Avalon if it holds such
magical elements?” She questioned
“It's a sanctuary for magical
creatures...a neutral zone if you will. It's also a place of refuge for the
wounded and pure of heart. Avalon is said to be the birth place of Excalibur
and the final resting place of King Arthur. Though there are many rumors and
many accounts of such a place, I believe now." He walked to the edge of
the rock wall and scanned the enchanted realm before him. "Who are
Excalibur and King Arthur? Were they Kings of other lands?" Alex smiled
again and turned to face Shaylee, "You really should read more books, love.
Excalibur was a powerful sword with unspeakable magic that King Arthur wielded
for many years. Some say he became king once he pulled it from the stone, when
no one else could. Others say it was given to him by the Lady of the Lake. No
one rightfully knows, but the legends live on." Shaylee stared out pensively
toward the open meadows. The Satyrs and Nymphs were still dancing.
"Books meant more to me as a child, with princesses, far off lands,
and fairies. My imagination was ignited with such fairytales. Once I grew up
they were nothing but meaningless words on a page, and reality…took that away."
Alex felt the twinge of pain that flitted across Shalyee's face. He knew what
it meant to grow up and let go of dreams and fantasies, even living in a world
that held such. The reality of life played a price so detrimental to the whole
of imagination. Many forgot what it was like to dream, but dreaming in a fast
paced world, you were always left behind. Alex took Shaylee by the shoulders
gently and turned her to face him.
"Don't you see, love? This story isn't just some meaningless words on
a page...it's real, as real as you allow it to be. That's what books are, words
woven into magical lands, kingdoms, and adventures no matter how great or
small. It's our imaginations that breathe life into those words and stories and
make them real. They are the escape from reality if you let them tear you away
from your fast paced life. The story doesn't have to end unless you allow it to
end." Shaylee nodded. "But every book has an ending." She said
sadly. Alex felt her tense under his grip. Her eyes darkened and lowered to the
emerald necklace around her neck. The stone was cracked in the center sending
out a web of jagged groves. The hypnotic black magic that bound her was gone,
but it still served its purpose as a homing beacon to Tavick. If she stayed
with them he would always be able to find them. She couldn't prevent them from
making it back to Lydia by the summer solstice, so they would finally assume
the throne as the rightful heirs of the kingdom before Tavick destroyed them
all. She wanted them to have their happily ever after. That's why she had to
leave. It was her fault for siding with evil from the beginning.
"This doesn't have to end." Shaylee looked up with the sudden
tone in his voice. He no longer spoke about stories ending or imaginations, or
even books. It was something far deeper, which she knew they could never have.
Not when Tavick lived and the curse hung around her neck. "I have to go.
You'll be safer if we part ways. Lydia isn't far from here and if we separate
you will have a better chance of reaching Lydia in one piece. You deserve your happy
ending." His blue eyes searched her soul for some flicker of hope. She
knew he wouldn't give up without a fight. If only she had seen this from the
beginning, perhaps the story would have gone differently. Alex released his
grip on Shaylee’s shoulders and took a step to the side out of her path. “As
you wish,” He sighed. “If there is one thing I have learned from this
adventure, it’s never stand in the way of a lass, on a mission.” Shaylee
swallowed hard trying to fight the lump rising in her throat. Did she really
think he would fight for her, even love her after nearly getting him killed
half a dozen times, not to mention trying to kill him herself. She was reading too
much into these fairytales. They were going to her head. She had to realize
that not everyone in a fairytale or a story had a happy ending. He was in love
with somebody else after all. Arina was a princess, and once he found her, her
own fairytale would come to an abrupt end.
“Finally, I man who actually listens. I’m glad we got that in writing. That
is going to change history as we know it.” Shaylee replied with sarcasm. Alex
looked perplexed at her mood change. She passed him without another word. Her
face dropped once her back was to him and she could feel his lingering stare. She
had to stay strong. She bit her lower lip forcing back the emotion swelling inside
her.
“Apparently you have learned nothing about holding your tongue.” Shaylee stopped
and spun on her heel, “Excuse me?” Alex gave her a half smile and began walking
slowly toward Shaylee. “I believe you heard me, lass. I don’t take kindly to
sarcasm and you have yet to learn to hold your tongue.”
“How dare you.” Shaylee raised her hand to slap his face but he caught it
in mid motion. “I was only trying to be a gentleman.” Shaylee groaned. “What do
you want from me?” Alex stepped closer his hand still wrapped around her raised
wrist. She could feel his warm breathe against her skin. Her heart beat
increased and her breathe quickened. He looked at her for a moment before
seizing the moment.
“One last adventure,” he whispered audibly. Shaylee’s words were caught in
her throat. She swallowed hard before she spoke.
“Where?” He leaned down pressing his lips to her ear, “The forest of
Avalon.”
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