Of Fairies and Noontime

Rings and Things

Ellabelle, Catra, Lue, and Dask gathered in a small bunch behind Ellabelle's house. They hunkered down behind a few bushes so that no wandering eyes would see them. Ellabelle held the gold and emerald ring in her palm before them.

"This ring is a teleportation device," She explained. "I'm not sure exactly how it works, but it's our best shot to get past them without notice."

The others nodded.

"Everyone, grab each other's hands," Ellabelle whispered. They all complied, grabbing hands and holding each other tight. Ellabelle began to focus in her mind on the Magic Council's stump, closing her eyes tight. Lue had his hand on her shoulder, which gave her a sense of security and comfort. She took a breath in and slipped the ring on her finger.

A blue ring of light surrounded them, and soon, they were all engulfed in this light. It felt like they just kept spinning around and around and around in an unknown darkness. When they realized what had happened, they were spread across the ground next to the Magic Council's stump. Ellabelle sat up, feeling her head. She looked around.

"Guys?" She asked, standing and brushing herself off.

Dask came up behind her and pulled her back down on the ground, hiding them behind a bush with the others.

"Ow! What the heck, man! Brittle bones!" Ellabelle yelled, but she instantly got shushed. She shifted her focus. "Are you guys ok?"

"Yep." Catra sighed. "Are we ready to move forward with our plan?"

All three of them nodded.

"Ok: Catra, you and I are gonna break in and try to find those dungeons. Lue and Dask, you two go disable those security fireflies. We've got a big mission to fulfill in a little amount of time, so let's get started. Good luck, team." Ellabelle said. She and Catra broke off from Dask and Lue, and they all split up to begin their plan, pretending that their nerves weren't getting to them.

In the meantime, Heartwinger was trying her best to delay the execution of Hadley. She walked down the hallway, feeling nervous but absolutely furious at the same time. She remembered that she had to stay calm when talking to Lady Larkdale, or nothing would get through to her pea-sized brain.

Heartwinger stepped into the meeting room, where the other Council members were already gathered. Brilland was watching security cameras and Larkdale was talking to Toadbiller, and when Heartwinger stepped in the room, they all looked up.

"Oh, good, it's you, Mistress." Larkdale welcomed her. Heartwinger couldn't tell if it was genuine or not.

"Lady Larkdale, I must speak with you immediately." She said, taking a deep breath in.

"Like... right now? I'm kind of busy planning an execution." Larkdale replied.

"If I could have just a moment of your time, please." Heartwinger sighed. She kept her expression stone cold.

Larkdale crossed her arms, glaring towards Heartwinger, then shrugged. "Alright then. If it can't wait." She added, sitting down on her oversized throne.

Heartwinger took a deep breath in. She had to defend what she knew was right; she just had to go at a different angle when talking to those lunatics.

"Listen, I was wondering..." She began, trying to come up with something that they could do other than watch the clock count down. "Could you guys... maybe... Help me with some planting? I'd love to spend more time with you all, and with the season just starting-"

"Mistress Heartwinger, your offer is quite tempting, but for the next few hours, none of us are going to leave until Hadley's head is no longer attached to her body." Toadbiller replied. His tone made it sound like this was a completely normal occurrence, as if there was nothing wrong with it at all.

Heartwinger's insides were boiling, but she had to keep her cool.

"But... you all deserve a break from work. After all these crazy orders, aren't you guys a bit tired?"

"Hm... I suppose. Being in power of the entire village is quite tiring. But I'm afraid we shouldn't leave until what is said to be done has been done. We can't change our minds." Larkdale replied adamantly. She was so stubborn and blinded by false truths that it led her in every decision she made. Now, she couldn't even decipher what was actually for the good of the people.

"But... don't you think this is all a little wrong? Doesn't it feel wrong?" She asked, hoping to get some sort of sympathy.

"What's gotten into you? You know that humans are forbidden in this place. I will not allow it." Larkdale retaliated, scowling.

"But why? It's not Hadley's fault that she ended up here. You're not playing fair!" Heartwinger yelled, probably louder than ever before.

Lady Larkdale tapped her chin. Once, twice, three times. Heartwinger could tell that she was going to think of something clever rather than changing her mind.

"So... if it's not Hadley's fault, then it must be Ellabelle's fault, right? She's been smuggling this human girl in my land, she deserves some sort of punishment."

Heartwinger shook her head, glaring. "No. That fairy has been through enough already. You made her life a living pershnickle and look what's come out of it. All she's done in response has been rebel, rebel, rebel. If you put limits on your people that they know are wrong, you won't get their respect; you'll get a boatload of angry fairies who are ready to start a war." Heartwinger warned. The others fell silent as she continued. "Now, I don't think any of you want that to happen, because I don't. Please, Lady Larkdale, I beg of you, do not execute this girl." She added. Her eyes were tearing up and her fingers were shaking.

Larkdale's scowl deepened. "Fine. Submit the girl to torture instead," She added.

"What? NO!"

"And someone find Ellabelle so I can kill her. This charade with the Eos family has gone on long enough." Larkdale pointed the tip of her wand in Hearwinger's face. "And you," She said. "If you want to stay in this Council, you will listen to what I say. You must remember that I make the rules of this place. One more misstep and you'll face the same fate as Ellabelle," Larkdale said finally, changing her wand into a sharp-tipped sword. "Don't get in the way."

The Council members all returned to their work, but Larkdale left the scene. Heartwinger was through with her fellow Council members. She had to help the ones on the good side of the fight. She couldn't deal with Lady Larkdale's mind games any longer.