The Queen Must Remember

Part 3: The dark Fae has always known...

Orpheus was the Fae in my dream; and he was winged.

Even as a Fae, I had no knowledge of our power, our culture... All I knew was the Garden- that made me feel pathetic... Ignorant.
Orpheus was not winged like in my dreams, though he had told me he used to fly. So, what happened to him?
The pixies had taken care of me after I'd fainted; I didn't know what they had done, but I my head was not churning, I felt less frightened...
Wincing, I sat up from the grass, it was night; the moon shining like a drained pupil and the bioluminescent crystals and mushrooms glowing softly, like an aurora.

What were we talking about before I had fainted? I felt something heavy on my head: it was a crown of blue orchids, lilies and forget-me-nots with the base of woven willow twigs. I tilted my head in confusion, where did this come from?

Then I remembered Orpheus had gifted it to me, then he had started shouting at me?
I struggled to recall. Strangely, I found starweeps scattered over me. Maybe the pixies had given them to me to help me rest easy...
Slowly, I got to my feet, wobbling slightly as I made a steady pace.
The Garden glowed with Willo' the Wisps bobbing up and down in the flower patches like small stars ascending from the heavens, I could hear crickets chirping quietly, humming thier sweet lullabies to the flowers they hid atop of.

Wearily, I weaved through them, desiring to take it slow and not panic again. The birdcage was illuminated by the wisps and stray mushrooms winding around the bottom.
From after, it looked less leering, more... Peaceful.
I neared it, though I didn't dare come into view as I watched the sorrowful Fae silently shape his magic into being.
At least I had some knowledge; I knew some of his power...
The dark Fae could manipulate shadows and mist he creates from his own soul, shifting it into whatever he desired.
I circled the cage from afar, a silent audience to his performance:

Orpheus was holding the arms of a misted figure, waltzing her around the cage. A woman of mist and shadow, created entirely of nothing but Orpheus's essence- a puppet of no mind, a doll.

He moved so elegantly, so controlled. I knew his power was simply dust- not a solid being, only his imagination to keep him company at night.
He swerved so gracefully, dipping the false maiden in a bow before twirling with her.
I watched in awe, astounded by his serene talent as he parted with his partner, mirroring her bow before waving his hand across her chest and she evaporated, the blackened mist weaving into his shirt where his heart rested.
Orpheus looked so defeated as he held his hands up to the silver bars, leaning his brow against the green ivy with an obvious sigh.

Cautiously, I approached the cage. I stepped on a twig, his head snapped upwards, turning to see me.
I awkwardly flattened my ruffled skirts, "You dance beautifully." I whispered softly.

He blinked, glancing at his hand; a small, misty figure of his magic pranced atop his fingers, "I've danced ever since I was a young one... It's all my magic can do in this containment." He gestured to the cage, making the tiny mist-person dance in and out of the bars.
My eyes locked into his, I lifted my hand through the bars to touch his fingers. He didn't move, but the tiny figure disappeared.
"Orpheus, what were we talking about earlier?"

Orpheus's brows scrunched up in confusion, "You don't remember?"

I shook my head, ashamed. He let out a hidden sigh, "You asked questions, you never had the ability to- until you suddenly did."

"What do you mean by that?" I asked.

"You're conscience has made you naive, you've never asked why you're here, where you came from- why I'm here or who I was, your conscience told you to simply go on... To live with it- but then you did..." A tear fell down his cheek, "And then you asked why I am imprisoned..."