Once Upon a Faerie Tale

Chapter Eighteen

Eighteen:

Though the rescue had been successful and the King Carlin was dead there was little rejoicing in the East Kingdom. King Andrew lay dying, and the kingdom was in mourning. But sadness was not the only emotion running heavy through throughout the castle. 

Nick had rescued a slave girl, Marana, who had been born into slavery and never been outside of the castle walls. She had been enthralled by the forest and the animals that were alive. She had never been allowed to go to the second floor of the castle and had never seen what was on the other side of the castle walls. On the journey back to the East Kingdom the group had stayed near a small river flowing through the forest and Marana had been amazed by the running water. She had never seen water in such a large quantity, nor had she known it could flow ‘so beautifully‘, as she put it. The two had been inseparable after spending two days talking in the dungeon, and after so short a time, Nick was convinced he was in love. 

Their love caused some contention though. Michelle, who had liked Nick all throughout college, was jealous. The poor girl had been trying to tell him for years, but could never find the courage, and now, the boy she spent years obsessing over, had found someone new. 

For Darby the emotions were not quite as clear cut. She was saddened by her slowly fading grandfather, a man she’d had few interactions with, all of them involving yelling and demanding. She had not thought there could be any love for this man in her heart, but she supposed the love came from the knowledge that her grandmother had once loved him dearly. What am I going to tell Grandma when I get home? Darby thought desperately as she stared out into the rain in the room that used to be her grandmother’s.

But while she was saddened by her grandfather, she was feeling an odd sense of hope in the form of Markus. He was a nice man, handsome, intelligent, a good story teller, and she thought she might be falling in love with him. But there were other complications. She did not belong in this world, and Markus would be forced to make a choice. Stay here, or come with her. She had already made the choice that, not even for Markus, would she stay in this world. There was too much violence, and primitive warfare. 

As she sat contemplating this predicament a knock on her door pulled her from her thoughts. Getting up, she opened the door and was surprised to find the very object of her thoughts standing there. “Markus, we need to talk.” She said, holding the door open for him. When the door was closed Markus shook his head and came to her. 

“No talking yet.” And with that he pulled her lips to his, enchanting her into a long loving kiss.

***

A forceful knock at the door pulled Darby from sleep. She had not realized how exhausted she was, but considering her activity, how could she not? Smiling as she slipped out of the bed, hoping not to disturb Markus she pulled a robe on and opened the door to a grim faced Nick. “Darby, your grandfather’s asking for you.” 

Understanding the underlying meaning, she nodded, “I’m coming.” Closing the door she quickly shed the robe and pulled on a shift, and a dress, dreaming of the day when she could wear pants again. She grabbed the soft leather shoes that were her only protection from the cold stone floors and brushed her hair back from her face. She was just rushing out the door when Markus opened his eyes. 

Knocking softly on the door to her grandfather’s room, Darby entered to see Renalie speaking quietly to the man that had seemed so strong and big just a few days before. Now he was pale, his skin clammy, and his body seemed frail and weak. He looked past Renalie, and when he saw Darby standing there, he smiled, “Darby,” He said, reaching his hand out. She went to him and took his hand.