Chosen to Protect

Chapter 12

Evelyn whistled happily as she flew to another flower. All the fairies were out and cheerful, ready to meet their new queen.

She wondered who it was going to be.

The Council had decided two days ago and they had appointed her to go around and tell all the fairies to be in the palace yard for the naming.

She was proud to be given such a big job and had hurried to complete it quickly but thoroughly.

"Evelyn!" another fairy flew toward her. She recognized Alexa, one of the maids from the palace.

"What is it, Alexa?" she asked, pausing.

"I'm to take your place!" Alexa said, spinning around in her flowery dress, "The Council wants to talk with you!"

"Why?" Evelyn asked, confused.

Alexa shrugged but leaned over and whispered, "I think you're gonna be the next queen!" she squealed.

"Ow!" Evelyn laughed, plugging her ear, "I'd like to keep my ear please!"

Alexa pushed her toward the oak. "Go!!" she shrieked excitedly.

Evelyn zipped off toward the Great Oak and sighed. The Council probably needed her for a different task. Alexa was very...excitable.

She decided that walking would be faster than flying and grew larger, running toward the oak.

To any human she would look like a typical girl unless they caught the sunlight on her wings perfectly.

When she got to the oak she shrank and flew up to the knothole in the trunk that was the Council's meeting room.

The Council nodded to her as she entered and curtsied.

An elderly Council woman, Rose, smiled at her, "You have been chosen, child."

Evelyn frowned. "What do you mean?"

One of the older men, Jeff, stood up and walked over to where the crown sat on a cushion in a thick glass case.

Evelyn bounced on her toes, a wide grin on her face. "I get to crown the new queen?" she asked excitedly. Usually only a Council member did that.

Jeff shook his head and lifted the glass, slipping the crown out from inside.

Rose smiled, "Child, you are the new queen." she said gently.

Evelyn frowned, "But I'm just a messenger."

"One of the most devoted and wisest messengers we've ever chosen." another Councilwoman told her.

"I'm not wise!" Evelyn protested. "You should choose Alexa! She's done great! She'd be great!"

Jeff shook his head, "No. We have chosen you."

Evelyn sighed. There was no getting out of this.

"Find Alexa. She is to help you prepare. Be ready in two hours." Rose told her.

"We've got two hours?!" Evelyn shrieked. She zipped away in search of Alexa.

When she had found Alexa and told her what was happening, they rushed back and the Councilwomen helped Alexa get her ready.

There was a trumpet blast and Evelyn took a deep breath as the head Councilman started his introductory speech.

"Sit down." urged Alexa, "You know how long he can talk and standing up won't give you any energy."

Evelyn nodded shakily and sat down.

A rumble interrupted the speech and everyone looked up.

A human was striding into their little kingdom.

Evelyn frowned, all nervousness gone. She stood up and ran out, "Everyone please get to cover!" she called, "And be careful!"

She grew larger and glared at the intruder, "What is going on?" she demanded, "We are trying to have a ceremony and your big elf boots are clomping in?! I thought we had an agreement to leave each other alone!"

"Don't be mad, dear." a smooth voice said. Someone stepped out from behind the elf, "It was me who told him to bring me to you."

"I told you to leave me alone years ago and I'll tell you again. Leave, Jason." Evelyn said coldly.

"Tsk, tsk, dear." Jason said, sneering at her, "Is that any way to greet a guest?"

She slapped him as hard as she could. "That's the way to treat someone like you." she snapped, fire blazing in her eyes.

He grabbed her wrist, "Take me to your queen." he hissed at her.

She yanked her wrist out of his grasp. "You already are. Now leave." she told him.

"I'll leave. For now." Jason growled. He and the elf strode away and disappeared.

Evelyn shrank and Alexa hurried toward her. "Who was that?" she asked Evelyn.

Evelyn watched the place where the men had disappeared. "No one good. He was a pursuer of mine but I rejected him for someone else and he vowed to get revenge. Looks like he found some powerful friends. Come on." she ran toward the oak.

"Where are we going?" Alexa called running after her.

"I need to talk to the Council!" Evelyn told her.

They shot up the trunk and landed in the knothole where the Council was waiting.

"I hope you have a good explanation." Rose said sternly.