The Land Never Lost

Chapter 17

Trinkett and Peter flew through the woods, weaving in and out of trees. Peter still wasn't able to keep up with Trinkett. She flew as naturally as Peter walked. He had gotten better though. Trinkett was impressed at how much he had improved using nemerald in the time he spent in Pan. Peter wasn't sure how long he had been in Pan. He tried to keep track of time as best he could, but it was difficult. If he had to guess, Peter would say he had been in Pan for around four months.

The boy's training had been completed unexpectedly fast. Now he spent most of his time exploring Pan. Sparring with Brutus and Blink. Learning from Ramona and Leif. But his favorite thing to do was fly with Trinkett. She showed him parts of Pan that felt more magical than he could fathom. The Fallen often asked Peter about his world. Peter appreciated their curiosity as it helped him to always remember his old life.

Peter took any dull moment to share memories of James and their many adventures. The way the other boys would call him captain and the treasures he and James would leave them. Peter would tell stories. Act out memories. The Fallen were mesmerized by the boy's charisma. It made Peter feel he was home in Pan.

After flying around Pan for a few hours, Trinkett led Peter back to the tree house. The Fallen were waiting for them to arrive. Before Peter landed, he noticed Belias was holding a piece of parchment. Trinkett walked to Belias and took the parchment. She read it slowly. When she finished, Trinkett exchanged concerned looks with the rest of the Fallen. Ramona finally spoke, "They have finally called for us."

Peter began to feel nervous. They had spoken about this day ever since his training started. Whenever he asked how long he had to finish his training, nobody could answer. Peter learned quickly that Fairies never considered time. They just did as they did.

Trinkett tried to explain to Peter that his training was just the beginning. The next part of the plan was the most unpredictable. The Fallen had to convince the King and his council to teach humans to defend themselves from glooms before the fairies abandoned their mission. Peter was the key. He had to show his grasp of nemerald. Assuming, the fairies wouldn't think it treasonous to have been hiding a human in Pan.

Trinkett sent Belias and Leif to the castle to request a meeting on neutral ground. If Cadman took poorly to the revelation of Peter, his influence would make it so the Fallen could not protect the boy. Inside the castle, was where Cadman's influence was strongest. The request was a bold move, however the presence of Leif made Trinkett confident her father would agree. Besides Cadman, no fairy in all of Pan had King Fairbelle's favor more.

All that was left now was the wait. Peter sat on the porch of the tree house while Brutus and Blink waited on the ground far below. Trinkett and Ramona were inside watching the surrounding areas on the shield. After what seemed like hours to Peter, Belias appeared behind the boy. Peter almost fell off the railing when he realized Belias was there. "You ready?" Belias asked as he walked into the tree hous. Peter, clumsily followed behind asking, "Where is Leif? Did they agree to meet?". After Belias addressed Trinkett and Ramona, he leaned against the wall speaking softly. "The King agreed. Cadman suggested otherwise but Leif was able to convince King Fairbelle it was in all our interest to discuss matters outside the castle. Leif is taking the King, Cadman, all five members of the council, and two of Cadman's best knights to the Room of Rumination as we speak."

"This is the plan Peter, you are simply going to show the others what you have learned. Let Trinkett and Leif do all of the talking. When you are instructed, you can do your thing. Make it convincing. If they agree to play along that is what you will do." Ramona said.

"Okay and what if they freak out because, well you know. Human boy in fairy world." Peter asked nervously.

Trinkett threw her jacket over her shoulder. "If Cadman and his knights react poorly, you go home. Not back to the tree house.". Trinkett and Ramona exchanged sad looks. Peter slowly realized what Trinkett was saying.

"Like leave Pan?" the boy asked in a shaky voice.

Belias walked past Peter. As he lifted the hood of his jacket, he said "Don't feel bad. You will just have to leave. We will be stuck here dealing with the consequences."

Peter stood in disbelief. Leaving Pan would suck. He already left one home. Peter belonged here now. That's what Peter knew about himself, if he knew anything. The boy was washed over with sudden steely determination.

Back at the Room of Rumination, King Fairbelle was settling into a large wooden throne Leif had constructed. Smaller armchairs were set on either side of the throne. Cadman stood beside the King dressed in his ivory white armor. His signature oak gauntlet was strapped to his arm. Leif was talking to the other knights about their day's training. "I wasn't sure I would pass. Especially the combat part. Brutus and Blink kicked our butts every day. Leif had to step in a few times, right Leif? Leif?". Corbellia's attention was on the entrance of the large dome. "Excuse me." Leif walked towards the King and his council, bowed, and stood back up proudly. "I present to his majesty and his majesty's council, The order of the Fallen and the princess of Pan, Trinkett Fairbelle.".

The entrance opened and The Fallen walked in. Trinkett led the group, followed by the rest of the fairies, directly to the King's throne. After The Fallen bowed and addressed the council, King Fairbelle spoke, "Now that formalities have been shared we must get to the matter at hand. As you all well know the council has advised for some time that I cease the hunting of glooms. The Land of Pan has lost too many fairies to count and when a fairy dies in the human world it's essence will not return to Pan. Which means, as King, I have allowed my subjects who died in battle to be lost forever. A part of my reign I am saddened by constantly and deeply regret. Before I made a decision however, my daughter proposed a plan. Trinkett and her most loyal guard would carry on the mission of eliminating glooms. Something they have done admirably." King Fairbelle winked at Trinkett. "However, Sir Cadman Belargus has aptly pointed out that your mission does not eliminate the risk to ALL fairies. And the actions of the Fallen can inspire younger fairies to take action against glooms. Therefore I have decided it is time to heed the advice of my trusted council. No longer will any fairy be permitted to hunt glooms in the human world."

The council was filled with sounds of agreement and approval. Cadman Belargus was smiling smugly, passing between each member of the Fallen. The knight's smile faded slowly as he noticed the Fallen did not look disappointed by the King's announcement. Cadman leaned in and whispered something into the King's ear.

Trinkett stepped forward, "Father, I have prepared my guard for any decision you made. I have also set preparations in motion for another plan. I want the council to understand I am not playing hero. None of us are. We simply believe if we have the power to do something we must do it. It is what the great King Reinhold Fairbelle believed was our duty."

"With all due respect princess, your grandfather offers no explanation as to why this tradition of his even existed. Saying it is our duty might be enough for some, but others would like to know what we are fighting for." Cadman interrupted and was now facing the Fallen.

"Oh please, do you and your knights even remember how to fight?" said Blink, stepping forward. Brutus placed an arm on his brother's chest. Leif intervened saying, "Cadman is correct. But our mission stands. I have asked you all here by my princess's request. Now allow me to ask one more thing, have an open mind. Princess Fairbelle has made an amazing discovery that will shift the balance back to the center."

"Myself, Brutus, Blink, Ramona, Belias, and Leif believe humans can learn to fight and dispel them." Trinkett said.

A member of council wondered out loud, "I'm sure a bold claim is made with some evidence"

Trinkett walked back to the entrance of the Room of Rumination followed by the Fallen. Leif opened the entrance and the other fairies moved aside. Into the view of the King and his council stepped the human boy. "Hey." Peter waved, smiling completely oblivious to the severity of the situation. "I'm Peter."