Beyond the Pale

Spirit

“Hello, Penny.”

Penny had landed on a forest floor, among leaves and plants and dirt. The sky above her was dark, with a net of twinkling stars thrown over it. The fall had been pleasant, more of a floating sensation than tumbling through blackness, setting her down softly among the leaves.

The forest had a peaceful quality, one that made you happy with life and the world in general. Lightning bugs darted about, flashing here and there among the foliage. The trees themselves soared high and confident, covered with soft moss and dripping with silver leaves.

Though all of this was very beautiful and mesmerizing, Penny’s eyes were locked on the woman standing in front of her.

She was completely comfortable among the strange trees, and indeed, she fit in beautifully. Her long white gown trailed behind her, inwrought with silver and gold designs that seemed to move in a continuous melody. Her hair hung past her waist in a pure white river, colors passing through the locks every time the wind stirred it. She had delicate but fearsome features that demanded respect and attention.

Penny couldn’t look away from the woman. She was intimidated but spellbound. In the woman’s presence, she was very aware of her dirty, plain dress and the snarls in her hair and her ripped stockings. But then the woman smiled, and she forgot about all that.

“How are you enjoying Fairyworld, Penny?” Her voice was smooth and sweet, like a lullaby. Penny swallowed.

“I like it very much, thank you.” This was true, and though Penny also found it strange, she did not think it was  appropriate to menion that.

The lady sat down on a rock near Penny.  She moved fluidly, like a master ballerina. “I’m sorry for bringing you here so abruptly, but I’m afraid there is no time to waste.”

“Excuse me, but what do you mean? I thought it was the well that brought me here,” Penny said.

“Of course. But you wouldn’t have found the well without my assistance.”

Penny blinked at her and sat up straighter. “You don’t mean you were the one behind the Pulling?”

“I was,” she said, smiling. “It was very urgent that you come here.”

“So… I’m not dreaming then,” Penny realized, staring at the lady, who shook her head. “Why did bring me here?”

The lady frowned. “Are you unhappy? I believed, with your situation in life, this change would be welcome.”

“It is, miss, of course it is. But you said that it was very urgent that I came here, and I was just wondering why,” Penny said, rushing to get the words out.

“Of course you are. The explanation is very lengthy, I’m afraid, but if you are to understand, you must listen. Are you ready?” Penny nodded vigorously.

"I have been alive for a very long time, Penny. As the Spirit of the Fae, I am the patron of this land. I have watched kings and queens rise and fall, and witnessed the wars fought for them. I have seen it all. Without me, Fairyworld would crumble. I am in each and every Fairy, and each and every Fairy is in me.

"Long before you were born, before your mother or grandmother or her mother, there was turmoil in this land. Fairyworld was at constant war. It was a dark time. No one knew who to trust or where to go. It seemed death was always around the corner.

"Then, our savior was delivered. It came in the form of a Crown, forged in the deepest roots of the High Mountains by the dwarfs that dwell there. This Crown held an awesome power: to choose the destined Queen of Fairyworld. And so begun the line of the Wise Queens. Under them, Fairyworld prospered. Fairies danced on the streets and wine flowed; doors to other worlds opened, and Fairies brought others here to share their joy.

"For almost two hundred years, the Wise Queens ruled. But then the Crown was lost. No one knows what happened to it- it simply disappeared without a trace. And with the death of the final Wise Queen, chaos fell upon Fairyworld once again. We almost returned to our dark ways. But a young man stepped up, a squire name Sene. He named himself King and took the throne. Though he restored order to Fairyworld, he also brought despair. He has had more Fairies killed in his reign alone than in all of Wise Queens' combined. I'm afraid without the Crown, we won't be rid of him until his death."

"But if you are the patron of Fairyworld, surely you know where the Crown is," Penny said, completely absorbed in the Spirit's tale.

She sighed. "Alas, I do not. I am blind to its presence. It must be retrieved by someone pure of soul and character, and I'm afraid it is difficult to find a Fairy with those particular traits."

Penny was beginning to understand what the Spirit meant. She stared at the woman with wide eyes. When her voice finally caught up with her, she blurted, "You couldn't mean me, Miss?"

"I do, Penny," she said, smiling. "I've been watching you for quite a long time, and I think you are just what Fairyworld needs."

"You must be mistaken. I'm not pure at all- I smacked Charlotte just last week."

The Spirit laughed. "Yes, I saw that. But your temper should do you good on this journey. But I do think you will need the help of friends, to offer perspective as you begin your quest."

Penny, who had been shaking her head through this, said, “I'm really sorry, but I don't think I'll be able to find your Crown. I'm not an adventurer- I wouldn't have the faintest idea where to begin."

“Then I'll give you this advice: Start where all great quests begin," the Spirit answered.

“Where?”

“The city gates, of course. I must leave- I cannot stay in this form any longer. But I'll be able to bring you to the city gates before I leave. Oh, and Penny? Do try to be quick about finding the Crown. The King is about to pass a Law I'm not particularly fond of."