The Queen Must Remember

Part 8: Glaring daggers at the wingless...

On the first night, it was difficult to sleep.
Rhae tossed and turned in her bed, her eyes glued open as she stared around the room.
Eventually, she rose from the bed, her dishevelled reflection immediately faced into the mirror positioned to greet her within awakening.

Much like Orpheus, Rhae had been visually altered in the Garden of Eos; instead of her dark hair, it was now white like snow, each strand shining like diamonds against her ecru-brown skin.
Her eyes were silver like the stars and her freckles looked like pearl studs on her dark-skinned cheeks.

Rhae could not believe all that was around her; she was in the real world where all kinds of Fae roamed. She was in a world of law, of deceit and enigmas.
It was so overwhelming for her, she felt so clueless for something she was supposed to rule over.
Rhae took a breath to calm herself down, rising from the bed, she smoothed down her nightdress-- Esma had given her clothes-- and slipped out of her room.
Rhae decided that if she couldn't sleep, she would go on a midnight walk. It seemed that on the other side of the house was a garden... Much smaller than Eos, but still too similar.
She wandered through it for a while, remembering each plant and admiring the care put into each one, how she had cared obediently for her own under the spell-
She shuddered, suddenly feeling nauseous at the memory of the Garden coming to life and attacking, of the pixies-

She spotted a small creature hiding behind a bush; it's small body frail and fragile, it was a pixie.

Rhae stepped back, what if it was one of the pixies from the Garden - they'd take her away... They'd make her forget-

She stumbled over a twisted root, falling back-
Instead of hitting the ground, someone caught her. She tried to pull away, tried to run from the pixie in front of her, but the stranger held her tightly,

"Your majesty, it's a pixie, whatever is the matter?" It was one of the Fae, the one with sharp antlers and tawny wings. Arryn- that was his name.
She glanced up at him, meeting his worried face, his long hair slipping over his shoulders and grazing her own. She then looked straight back at the pixie, "It's violent- get it away from me!" She cried, unwillingly clinging tighter and hiding her face in his chest.

Arryn followed her eyes, "It cannot hurt you-"

"Get it out of my sight!" She ordered through tears, forcing her eyes shut. He sighed, "If that is what you wish, then I shall do it."

She slightly opened her eyes to see red mist billowing from his palm. It snaked around the pixie's neck- and tightened until it went slack, it was then demolished by the mist that slid back into his fingers.

She gazed up at him, eyes full of wonder, "Can all Fae do that?" She asked quietly.

Arryn smiled, shaking his head, "Only winged Fae, though my own is not as powerful as my wings."

"Oh..." She said.
Arryn chuckled, then his face became concerned, "Why were you outside, your majesty?"

Rhae hesitated, "I... I wanted to clear my head- well, I can't be any more clueless than I am right now."

He smiled reassuringly, "I'm sure you will remember, I believe in you."

She could feel herself blushing, "Thank you... Why were you outside?"

"Same as you; I like coming out here to clear my head and stretch my wings." He breathed.
She awkwardly dipped her chin, but reminded herself she must keep a queenly manner.
Arryn recognised the awkwardness, "I must take my leave, I shall see you in the morning." He bowed before disappearing into the house. With a sigh, she decided to retreat to her own room. After the encounter, she felt much calmer. And when she laid back into her bed, she fell asleep.