The Land Never Lost

Chapter 15

The Land of Pan is, in and of itself, the kingdom of the fairies. The village in the heart of the kingdom is known as Aidelade, a mass of wooden cottages and houses built into the trunks of large trees. Aidelade flashed with colors, buzzed with conversation, and roared with scattered laughter as fairies of all sizes moved around the village.

Trinkett and Belias flew to the center of Aidelade. As soon as the Princess landed, a crowd of younger fairies gathered around. Belias pulled his hood over his head and stayed hovering just above the princess and her admirers. Trinket smiled and laughed as the citizens of Aidelade greeted her.

The crowd moved along with Trinkett as she made her way to the castle. The star of Aidelade was a pristine assembly of bone white marble and pure gold accents. All light was drawn to the castle and reflected back through the town, so that even at night, the village of Aidelade was always lighted by its star.

For as long as Pan existed, the castle stood tall. It was the first home Trinkett had known. It was technically still her home although she spent most of her time with the Fallen. Trinkett made sure she would visit Aidelade frequently however, considering she was the heir to the throne after all. And heir to the Star of Aidelade itself. Which in turn meant the entire land of Pan was dependent on her.

As Trinkett approached the castle's entrance she began to feel nervous. Her father usually let her come and go as she pleased as long as her royal duties were fulfilled. If the King was going out of his way to request her presence, it most likely was coming from someone in his court.

Trinkett took a deep breath and exhaled. With a thud, the two massive doors swung opened. Belias, now at Trinkett's side, removed his hood and gestured the princess forward. "After you, your highness." Belias said. "Oh here we go." Trinkett replied. Belias chuckled and followed Trinkett into the massive throne room. The room was empty except for the king and one guard standing behind the throne.

The throne was a large wooden seat. A random assortment of flowers were growing in real time out of the back of the chair. When one fully blossomed, it snapped off and floated towards the castle's high ceiling. The floral tapestry moved around overhead creating images. On the throne sat the king of the fairies.

Riordan Fairbelle had ruled over Pan for centuries. He was a regal man who was unanimously loved by all fairies. King Fairbelle was large and muscular. His long golden blonde hair was pushed back over his head. Most of his face was covered by a flowing beard and thick mustache. His wardrobe matched the tint of his hair. The King was so thoroughly shrouded in gold he would've looked like a statue, had it not been for his emerald eyes and long green cape. If Trinket got anything from her father, it was those piercing eyes that radiated nobility.

Belias walked to the throne. He crouched to one knee and lowered his head silently to King Fairbelle.

"My King, an honor to be in your presence as always." Belias stood.

King Fairbelle rose from his throne. He walked down the steps and placed a hand on Belias' shoulder. "Happy to see you in good health Belias. And thank you for accompanying my daughter." The king turned to look at Trinkett. His serious face turned up into a wide smile. Trinkett smiled and ran to her father. The two embraced in a long hug.

Cadman Belargus, King Fairbelle's most trusted knight, cleared his throat. "I don't mean to break up this reunion but, there are pressing matters to discuss my king." He bowed to Trinkett, "Your highness."

"Hello Cadman." Trinkett replied dryly. Cadman Belargus was a steadfast and proud fairy. He was always dressed in his white armor. Around his neck, on a string of green vines, hung a sliver of iron. On his right arm, was an oak gauntlet. His brown hair and eyes looked like tree bark against his tan skin. He was much stronger than his lean frame would suggest. In the eyes of the fairies of Pan, no one was mightier.

Belias broke through the silence. "Well princess, I'll be around the village. If you need me just send the word." The fairy pulled his hood over his head and flew out of the room. Cadman led the King and Princess into the counsel room. The doors closed leaving nothing but the soft whistle of the flowers dancing on the ceilings.

The inside of the counsel room was relatively new to Trinkett. She has just recently been allowed inside. Since her and the Fallen continued their effort against glooms, any matter pertaining to the human world now required her presence. A long rectangular wooden table took up most of the room. Chairs surrounded the table.

Trinkett took the chair closest to the exit. She wasn't one for politics. Ramona was more equipped for these discussions. Cadman pulled a chair for King Fairbelle. When the king sat, Cadman took the chair immediately to his right.

"So what's up dad? I hope I wasn't called here for another attempt at getting me to stop." Trinket said.

"My requests have been an attempt to appease both you and the council. We were in agreement that we would allow you and your friends to continue your adventures to the human world. However, there has been a growing push to cease all activities in the human world." The king stated.

"Why? What is the big deal? Me and the Fallen do not ask for assistance. We simple ask for no resistance." Trinkett replied.

The king sighed. Before he could answer, Cadman placed a hand on the king's shoulder. "If I may, your majesty?" The king nodded. Trinkett rolled her eyes.

"Why? Because your father is expected to rule. Not negotiate with his daughter. The big deal is that the more legends and stories that make their way from your tree house into the village of Aidelade, the more sympathizers your cause gains. We already decided we would no longer risk the lives of fairies for a fight that is not our own."

Trinkett stared at Cadman and back at her father. The king said nothing. "Funny when is the last time you risked your life Cadman? Or have you forgotten what it means to defend something?" Trinkett asked.

"I defend Pan daily or have you forgotten what a fairies true duties are?" Said Cadman.

Now the counsel room was no longer empty. There was a king, a princess, a guard, and so much tension breathing felt difficult.

The king finally spoke, "Trinkett, when a fairy passes on in Pan they are reincarnated as a part of the land. When we lose fairies in the human world, they are just lost. Forever. Nothing is returned to Pan. It's a loss. Put quite simply, there is nothing gained from helping humans. If I could have ever found a good enough reason to continue I would support you fully." King Fairbelle walked to his daughter. He sat next to her and grabbed her hands in his. "It's not our battle anymore."

Trinkett wanted to pull away but the shaking from her father's hands stopped her. He was in a difficult position. It wasn't just the desire to please his court and daughter, Trinkett understood her father resented not knowing why. What was the reason fairies felt responsible for defending humans? It was a tradition he was born into. But not one he understood. Trinkett looked at her father and realized he was fighting a battle within himself. His eyes didn't glow the way they used to. She hugged her father. "Okay. I'll go back and meet with the Fallen."

Trinkett turned to Cadman. "The next time we convene in the council I would like to have my "friends" present. Instead of having them wait back at the little tree house. She shot sarcastically at the guard.

Cadman forced a smile through gritted teeth. "If it pleases his majesty, who am I to disagree?" He stood and bowed to Trinkett before leaving the room.

Cadman barely made it out the door before he stopped and looked into a corner covered in shadow. His left hand instinctively reached for the sliver of iron hanging from his neck. Belias stepped out from the shadows and raised an eyebrow from under his hood. "Interesting. Still scared of shadows huh?".