The Fairy Way

Chapter 2

         Ebony stared at the valley below. It was by far the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. At the far end stood a large Tudor-styled cottage with a stone path leading to a well and a second path leading to a large garden. Running through the middle was a clear stream were small children splashed around. Nearest to them was an open field were a group of older boys were playing a surprisingly violent game of soccer. A large balcony at the front of the cottage held tea-tables were kids in fancy clothes sat lazily. Girls in aprons, who appeared to be servants, hurried around filling buckets with water, working in the garden, and helping with whatever else was needed.

        Lem took of running, pulling Ebony along. As soon as they reached the bottom they stopped. A semi-circle of children had gathered around them. The kids from the balcony were all staring menacingly and the girls in aprons just sighed and got back to work. The only ones that seemed happy with Ebony, were the boys from the field, though most looked to shy to come forwards.

       Ebony was startled out of her thoughts when a boy tapped her shoulder. Ebony let out an embarrassing squeak. The boy beside her let out an amused chuckle. The boy's auburn hair hung over his sapphire blue eyes. He had a grin fit for Prince Charming that showed dimples in both cheeks. Ebony blushed. "Hi, um, I'm Ebony," she said suddenly shy. The boy blushed, too, and looked down at his feet. "My name's Raegan," he replied. 

     "And I'm hungry!" shouted Lem from behind them, startling both Raegan and Ebony. All three started laughing. "And I am Willow," teased the melodic voice of a girl walking towards them. Raegan and Ebony both waved, but Lem just turned a deep crimson. The tall, and yes, willowy figure became clearer as Willow drew nearer. The girl wore a pale green ballgown with gold lace. Her hair was a soft blond and done up in an elegant style. The girl was gorgeous, to be frank, and they were all transfixed till a soft clear voice rang out, "Mistress Willow! You've forgotten your... Raegan! I haven't seen you since... since... since forever!" Raegan laughed. "It hasn't been that long, Moony," he shouted in reply.

          Ebony looked at a small frail girl about nine. She had the same rusty colored hair as Raegan and the same sapphire eyes, so Ebony could tell this was his sister. Moony, as Raegan called her, had broke out running when she saw her brother, but paused, unsure as she noticed Ebony. Ebony laugh echoed as she said, "Don't worry. I don't bite." The small girl giggled and took a nervous step forward. As Ebony watched Moony, she noticed that the small child bit her bottom lip. "Probably a nervous habit," Ebony thought to herself.

       Ebony looked over at Lem, as he was being awfully quiet, to find that he was still staring at Willow. Ebony rolled her eyes and muttered under her breath, "Boys." Raegan raised an eyebrow as he followed Ebony's gaze to were Lem was still staring at Willow. "Don't worry. Not all boys are like that. And even the ones that are, its usually only one girl. Usually,"  Raegan whispered.

     "What are you guys looking at?" asked Moony, making Ebony jump. Raegan picked his sister up and put her on his shoulders. "We were just watching Lem drool," he joked. None of them had really taken notice of Willow standing there listening until she smirked and said, "You know, when you're trying to talk privately, you should really make sure no one else is standing nearby. Now, what were you telling me, Moonlight." Moony scowled, "I told you to call me Moony, like everybody else. And anyway, its Moonbeam not Moonlight. I was going to tell you, that you forgot your dentures, but I thought maybe you didn't want everyone to know your teeth are all messed up and half of them have fallen out."

      Ebony tried to cover Raegan's laughter by faking a coughing tantrum, but it was only making it worse. Lem glared at Raegan, "You shouldn't laugh. We all have our problems. How would you feel." Ebony added, "Well, it wouldn't feel great, but Willow should at least try to be nicer to Moony, though, honestly, Moony, you shouldn't have told Willow's secret, even if it was a little funny." Apparently, that was the braking point of Raegan and Moony because they both fell over with fits of giggles. Willow sighed, "I guess I can try, but only if you stop laughing," she broke into a slow smile, "Please don't tell anyone. And, well, I guess it was a little funny." That time, all of them started laughing,  with the exception of Lem, who was still glaring.

     A loud siren suddenly broke through the giggles and when Ebony looked around she noticed how pale Raegan had gotten and saw Lem and Willow running towards the mansion. "What's that?" Ebony asked worriedly, covering her ears. "That's the warning siren. They only use it in a complete emergency," Raegan states softly. Moony hurried over and hugged Ebony. "I'm scared," she whispered. Raegan nodded, "That bell is the sign of no hope. It's basically surrendering...well, everything."