Of Fae And Fire [#Wattys2016] √

(|] 7: telling [|)

Later, at dinner, I decide to tell the Few about my discovery. We're all sitting in the same places as before, Faas sneaking smiles at me and Ferin looking over at me with eyes thin, searching. Now is definitely the time to tell her.

"Guys?" I say. They all look up and fall silent. "Um...I have something to tell you." An awkward pause. "All, I saw something on the ceiling of my bedroom. It was like a picture, and it showed this girl watching her parents fight. Then I looked in the other rooms -that's why I was in yours, Ferin- to see if there was more, and I think they tell the story of how the Queen of Chaos became, you know, crazy."

Ferin says down her fork. "I guess that might be possible. So it's because of her... parents?" I nod. "Alright, we can use that, too, I guess."

Faas grins. "Great job, Meree." I smile back, feeling better now.

"Thanks."

Ferin and I eat in silence while Faas and Farland make small talk. I get up, wash off my plate, and add it to the attack of clean ones. Then I go back to my room and change into the golden nightgown.

A bit later, there's a quiet knock on the door. "Come on in," I call. The door opens to reveal Faas.

"Hey, Meree. Is something wrong?"

"No, I just...I'm still confused. About the whole war thing. But I guess we'll figure it out, right?"

He lets go of the doorknob and lays on the bed next to me. "Right." Then he picks me up, lifts me on top of him, and kisses me again. His fingers tangle in my hair, and I run mine through his. I squeeze my eyes shut and imagine him, and open them again and he's there. He opens his eyes and looks at me, and I feel his mouth curve into a smile underneath mine. His silver eyes twinkle, and I can make out slight sparks of gold deep in them.

We're still kissing when the door opens and Farland comes in. I scramble off of Faas and onto the floor, sitting my wild hair down. "Oh! Um...hi," I mutter, not meeting his eyes.

When he speaks, I can hear the smile in his gentle voice. "I'm sorry, were you two busy? I can come back later."

Faas gets up and puts his comforting arm around my shoulders, straightening me. "No, we aren't busy. Just...talking." He winks at me, and Farland raises his eyebrows knowingly.

"Alright, then. Well, Ferin and I have something to talk to Meree about, but Faas, you can come too, I guess." He leaves and we follow him to another room past the kitchen, a room filled with a circle of couches and chairs, with a sort of coffee table in the center. Ferin sits on a low-backed red couch, her brother next to her. Faas sits in the chair across from them, and I perch on the arm next to him, with his hand on my back.

Ferin folds her hands together and places then in her lap. "So, Meree. First of all, you're absolutely certain that you want to be in the war physically?"

I can feel the weight of Faas' eyes on the side of my head, and I say, "Yes, I'm sure. Positive."

She nods once, firmly. "Okay. That's settled then. So, we need to get you ready. We'll give you weapons, and tell you more about the enemies. Just to prepare you. Is that alright?"

"Yes. That's fine."

"Are you prepared to start practicing tomorrow?" She asks, leaning forward. I agree. "Alright, then. You may go back to bed."

I get up, and Faas follows me back to my room. He gives me a quick kiss on the mouth. "You'll be alright." He didn't say it like a question; more like he's assuring himself.

I climb into bed and pull the covers over my body. "Goodnight, Faas."

"Goodnight."

He sits on the floor next to my bed, holding my hand until I fall asleep.

···

I wake early up the next morning and can still feel the pressure of Faas' hand in mine. I lean my head over the edge of the bed and smile at the sight of Faas fast asleep on the floor below. I gently detach his hans from mine and lower myself out of bed.

At the wardrobe, I put on a white tunic and black trousers, and switch my old boots for some shiny new ones. I walk to the kitchen after placing a small kiss on Faas' forehead.

Nobody is here yet, so I head to the room we were in last night. Before I open the door, I hear two murmuring voices, and stop to listen, even though I know I shouldn't eavesdrop.

"...don't know if it's the right thing to do," Ferin is saying.

"Ferin, you shouldn't worry like this. She's strong, even for a human. She may not have magic, but I'm sure she can fight if we give her the proper training, which we wi-"

Farland stops speaking abruptly. I hear the wood floor creak underfoot, and I race down the hallway to make it look like I was just coming down.

The door opens when I'm a few doors down. I wave at Farland and he shoots me a small, forced smile. "Meree. Good to see you. Are you hungry?"

I shake my head. "No, not really. I'm a bit anxious to get started..."

He nods and steps out of the room. "Okay. Is Faas awake? Because we can meet you in the room two doors that way, on the left." He points.

"Okay. Um...Faas is in my room, just so you...know..." I trail off and walk awkwardly to the room he pointed out and enter it.

I gasp. The walls are covered in different types of swords and knives, all mounted on golden nails pounded into the walls. I circle around, looking at all of them, when the Few come in.

"You ready, Mer?" Faas asks, rubbing his hands together.

"Yep."

Ferin walks over to the wall on the right, taking up a sword with a polished golden hilt engraved with silver whirls like a snowstorm. She hands that and a similar knife to me. "These will be your weapons." Then she hands me a sheath for the sword with an attached place for the knife. I attach it to my pants and sheath the knife.

For hours, the Few teach me how to wield my new weapons, as well as different cuts, blocks, and stabs. Eventually, they look me up and down when I'm in the ready stance, sword drawn and prepared. "You're ready to fight," they say.