The Lost Monarch

A Solstice to Celebrate

The entire Underground was abuzz with energy. This time the energy wasn't worry or fear, nor was it stress or uncertainty. No, this time the energy was joyful, optimistic and warm. Shadows from various different sections of the Underground had gathered together with their friends and loved ones throughout the tunnel system.

     A pair of mischievous changelings used their spying powers for good and left presents in the homes of everyone they'd been able to reach. People woke up with their favourite cookies waiting for them on the table, candies and sweets and little treats of all kinds left by the two Shadow twins. Gifts were wrapped and hidden – as was the tradition – with clues left to help the receiver find them.

     The whole place had been decked out with decorations to honour the Unseelie Monarch. That was what the origin of the Winter Solstice Celebration had been made for. To celebrate the Unseelie Monarch's might and toast to their health. The humans who celebrated it didn't understand the origin of the holiday, nor did they care to.

     Snowflakes, silver bulbs, glass icicles, massive icy sculptures and a snowy glow all filled the Underground. The torches themselves had turned a shimmering blue instead of the normal orange flames. It was this day that the Unseelie faeries had the most power, and many practised the tradition of leaping into a hole in a frozen pond to bring them closer to the soul of winter.

     Ophelia and Eva had been the ones to explain all this to Estella the day before, as they'd set up all the decorations. The entirety of the Underground felt like an entirely different world, with ice lining the walls, ornaments strung across the high ceilings, the floor slippery enough to skate across. Somehow, despite all the ice, the Underground wasn't cold. Some kind of magic, surely.

     All around, supernaturals were skating, sliding and slipping through the tunnels, following the clues left out for them that morning. Some were earlier risers than others, including a particular pair of blonde-haired friends...

♕⁑꙰⁑♕

Estella woke up that morning with her entire body giddy with excitement. She threw off her blankets, startling a sleeping Jax and leaping out of bed. She got dressed quickly in "icy attire". Eva and Ophelia had explained that everyone was meant to wear the colours of the festival on the day of the Winter Solstice. Ophelia had let her borrow one of her skirts and the matching top.

     The skirt was long, a pale icy blue that matched well with Estella's eyes. It had patterns of white and silver snowflakes embroidered near the hem. It was pleated, with a high waist that fastened with pretty silver buttons resting over Estella's right hip. The top was a short-sleeved white blouse with blue snowflakes embroidered over the left breast.

     Estella pulled most of her hair up in a braided crown, but left the other half of her hair down. She curled that part of her hair, and examined herself carefully in the mirror. She smiled and spun in a circle, letting the skirt flare out a bit, exposing her very fluffy wool socks. Finally, she put on a pair of silver snowflake earrings that Ophelia had given her as an early Solstice gift.

     Then she opened the door to her room, stepping out into the hallway and poking her head into Landon's room. He was still asleep, curled up under the blankets with one arm around Skadi, who was sprawled over most of the bed, nearly pushing Landon off. Estella flicked on the light to his room, which was enough to get him to lift his head. He was a surprisingly light sleeper. "What time is it?" Landon grumbled, rubbing his eyes, his dirty blonde hair quite the spectacular mess.

     "Dunno!" Estella replied cheerfully. "Time to go!"

     Landon sighed, glancing at the wall clock. Then, he scowled. "It's six in the morning you asshole."