Faerytale, The Greatest TAle Never Told... *Book One*

*Once Upon A Time* (3)

*Once Upon a Time*

(3)

                “Once Upon a Time . . .the Stronghold of Ainys’Dai rose high above the earth, nestled amongst the foothills of the Rain’Dai Mountains. The Sanctuary of the Leight was a brilliant gem. The sky pure and blazing in azure, the mountains fell next from the heavens. The deep shades of sapphire and amethyst covered only at the tops by the pristine white snow. The trees of pine began midway down; like a dark emerald that lightened as it reached the less condensed woods to the open fields. The lake’s deep crevices gave way to its teal appearance and tide.         

                Everywhere, beauty still held a foothold, the blemishes of mankind unable to cross the boundaries of the shimmer, the earth here, still unpolluted and pure. Here lay the largest Stronghold of the Faery Leight. For nearly a thousand years, the Darkeness had once again taken hold and spread out across the Lands of Magick. Already the number of Strongholds had fallen to a count of but a few score. Those that remained, remained strong, though they were few and in between.

The battles between Leight and Darke raged, the loss great on both sides, but only truly felt for the Leight. The Leight succumbing to the wreathing Darke as it wound its way in, capturing the soul, shredding it with its depravity. Their numbers were dwindling and the Prophecy was now more important than ever. The faery suffered greatly with their inability to easily reproduce. Their numbers were falling and there was no way to rebuild them.

 Long ago, humans had lived long lives, lived well into their hundreds. Not as long as the faery though, they who lived to be thousands of years old. In exchange for shorter lives, humans were given the ability to have multiple children. Faery were unique. They were capable of bearing a single faeryling between soulmates. Even then, the death of an Elder would awaken the soul of a faeryling to creation; always keeping a balance, always keeping life. Now, with the plague of the Darkeness, faery were fading before their time. Faerylings were not awakening and their end would come by extinction if nothing else . . .

 ***ϽϹ***

I could feel . . . swirling, tingling . . . then, then there was nothing, nothing more . . . I sighed into the darkness as it swept me away. . .

  ***ϽϹ***

Caitrin stared out at the view opened up to her, the world unfolding through the high tower window. Smiling, she dressed quickly in the clothes they had provided her and she thought about her arrival the night before. Remembering was an amazing thing. She had never imagined anything as beautiful as this place. It all seemed like a dream, a dream of magick. Shaking her head, she thought of her new friend and her smile grew larger, this was a wonderful world . . .

*

...He had watched her as she had walked cautiously around. He could not see her face, but she was tiny. He could see the nearly white, curly hair. It hung to just past her shoulders, bouncing as she moved in a cautious manner. He had heard of her arrival not long before, others whisperings had reached his ears. He had come to look for himself. To see if what the others had said was true.

She stood in the hallway, as she had no doubt been instructed to do. Waiting, she did not realize that she was being watched . . .

*

Caitrin was lost in her wonder. She was in a castle! A real castle! Her Máthair would never believe this. And the faery, they were real! All of her Máthair's stories were real. Glancing from side to side, she looked at the pictures on the walls, the huge candles that burned brightly, casting a great glow. She was going to love it here, she only hoped that her Máthair would be here soon to be with her.