Briar Rose, A Tale of the Fairies

2

Ruby Red lay resting upon silken pillows as servants tended to her, Briar sat at her side, watching the movement in the brass mirror which stared back at them. A sigh escaped Ruby's lips as one servant began running a comb through her golden locks, her blue eyes drifted over to her daughter whose silence rang throughout the room.

"Now, what are you brooding about?"

"I don't understand why Ella has to work so much," Briar explained, "She works more than half the maids her age."

"Darling, you shouldn't be worrying about such things like that. She works hard and dutifully, as long as she does, everything will be fine. Dinner doesn't start until a few hours, you may run free until then," Ruby Red said in hope of enlightening the situation. "Remember, don't venture out too far."

Briar sighed, she picked up her skirts as she made her way out of the room and towards the darkening woods of the Enchanted Forest.

The forest has always been an escape for both Briar and Ella. Ever since they were young, they've scoured every inch of the dark woodlands, discovering all the hidden wonderlands waiting to be found. Briar stood in the shadow of the woods, in the dividing point between the sprawling pines with lush, wild greenery and the swaying ocean of towering grass covering the fields between the forest and the castle. She closed her eyes and pictured the turquoise lagoon isolated deep in the heart of the Enchanted Forest, that was the designated location for a time such as this. Eagerly she entered the wild growth, picking her way past gurgling brooks and spiny thorns, leaping over patches of berries and quietly making her way past fox dens.

The forest welcomed her presence as she moved, the leaves on the trees swayed softly along as she passed, the gentle whisper of the breeze caressed her cheeks whilst the steady hum of hidden gnomes acquainted her journey across. Finally she stopped in front of two large boulders, a thin veil of vines hid a small entrance leading beyond the rocks. Briar gently moved the swaying plants aside and moved into the entrance, however, the sight on the other side was not one she was familiar with. Instead of a lagoon varying in colors of blue basking in the sun, there was a small stone cottage nestled in between apple trees and berry bushes. Briar stood for a moment, she looked back at the boulder entrance, then to the cottage. She was sure that the path she took was right, there were no other boulders in the forest, and she had followed the path for sure. Suddenly curious, Briar made her way towards the house. Above a small trickle of smoke climbed up into the sky from a stout chimney. Perhaps the person was home, hesitantly, Briar raised her hand, then knocked three times on the wooden door. Silence answered her as she began to grow impatient. Around her the sun beat down harshly upon the land, as she got ready to explore the area around the cottage, the door swung open. A worn and humbled old woman stood at the entrance, a scarf with swirling colors representing the starry night sky was wrapped around her head hiding the hair underneath. Around the woman's soft eyes were wrinkles etched gently into the skin leading to the lines around her mouth. From behind her the soft essence of home and magic leaked out towards Briar who shivered once it made contact. The woman smiled once seeing Briar, "Welcome to my home, why don't you come inside little girl, would you like a cool glass of cider to go along with your day?"

Briar nodded eagerly, disregarding all common sense. The woman laughed as Briar entered, the inside of the cottage was furnished sparsely with a pot, a few wooden chairs, a table, a bed, and a cabinet; almost as if the woman didn't plan on staying there long. Briar seated herself in one of the few chairs and watched as the woman prepared the drink.

"Miss, why do you live in the Enchanted Forest?"

The woman chuckled, "I was never fond of busy villages and towns. The forests are where I find my peace."

Briar looked around the room once more, "What do you do? Are you a witch? I sense magic here."

"I am no witch, unfortunately," the woman exclaimed as she turned and handed Briar a full mug of freshly squeezed apple cider. "I am just a humble fortune teller who travels around."

Briar's eyes shone bright, "A fortune teller? Why, does that mean you can read into anyone's futures?"

"Of course, little girl," the woman smiled gently at Briar, "However clairvoyance is only granted once per lifetime, if you ask for one now you won't get another chance until your next life."

"I ask for one now," Briar stated, "May I ask to see a particular part of my future?"

The woman sighed, "I cannot control what I see, however I'll see what I can do. Are you sure you want to know so early?"

Briar nodded fiercely causing her braided locks to bounce.

The woman closed her eyes, her lips pursed as the wrinkles and lines on her face began to slowly smoothen out into a much younger looking face. Her scarf fell from her head and snow white hair fell past her waist, curling in such a way that would make any woman of Enchanted Kingdom envious. When the woman finally reopened her eyes, the harsh sun outside had already grown cool. Her lips were still pursed, but no longer in concentration but pity.

"What?" Briar asked, her heart falling as she saw the expression on the woman's face.

"Little girl, a cursed future is what you have, ominous events lay ahead of you, tread lightly or be beaten by your curiosity and stubbornness," the woman sighed, she began to usher Briar towards the door, "Be careful, Briar Rose."

Before Briar could utter a gasp of surprise and protest, the cottage disappeared into nothingness and the world around her turned black.