For All The Paris Gold

THE TALE OF FAE

When you step in these green grounds

There are five rules you must abide

First to never be out after dusk

Then to never look at them in the eyes

Never approach them

Never take off your iron charm

And never, ever

Talk to the Fae

The words were like a nursery rhyme in the little girl's head, some sing-song tunes her mother taught since she was a babe. She skipped and jumped around the garden in her backyard, grown with lush, green verdure.

The backyard was always cluttering with little things. Flowers, crowns, even jewels, from time to time. But she could never pick them up; oh no, for her mother would scold her and throw them out.

Even so, her pudgy hands couldn't help but take one in her palm, marveling at the glint from where the Sun shone. It was like a mother's lullaby, tucking her into sleep at night with a kiss to the head. It was welcoming and hot and it lulled her always. She hid them between her ribbons, periwinkle in her hair.

But mother would scold her again and throw them all away.

Little girls could not be underestimated, however, for this one was clever. She did her chores and claimed to be going to bed. She changed into her nightgown and pressed herself to the wall. She did not take off the bow. Instead, she waited for her mother to retire, then crept her way out to the open.

The night was chilly, the mist shrouding the moon like a cruel warning that someone so little could not comprehend. The scenery was a magical portrait. It smelled like flowers, like fruits, like spring.

'There's nothing so bad about after the dusk!' she thought.

She wondered why there was salt sprinkled at the doorstep. Her mother would be mad to see such a mess. So she kicked them off with a shuffle of her little feet. She kept doing so until she reached the gardens, and then she saw it.

And it was scattering coins on the ground.

It was not human. It never looked human, almost like a beast. A beautiful, majestic beast that could captivate any that laid eyes on its form.

And the little girl felt the pull towards it.

Her steps were careful, for the creaking of the floor could alert her mother and she would get another earful of scolds. It was her fault, really, to have such silly rules around the house!

This creature didn't look unkind. It looked ancient and perfect. Too polished to be anything of the benevolence.

"Hello," she greeted. "Are you the one who left those things?"

Its eyes were poised on her, something twirling in her guts. It did not open its mouth, let alone speak, but the whispers were sharp in her ears, calm as the song of a siren, another one of its kind.

"Ma doesn't like the mess you make."

She took one step, two. It was frozen in place like a stiffened cat. The little girl liked cats.

Her hand went up to touch its brilliant face. But it hissed, inching away from the bracelet at her wrist. She was quick to catch, got rid of it immediately, falling as a cold lump, sad on the ground.

And then, finally, it spoke out.

"What's your name?"

Her name? Her name was easy. She'd been told about it every day. So you never lose it, her mother said. How silly, to lose a name!

"Elise," she answered. And she answered in full.

"Come, Elise," it called. It's so comforting, that voice, like the hums of an angelic choir. "Follow me."

Elise followed, leaving everything behind, including the mother who saw her blue ribbon at the door and wept. For she was Elise no more.

Never talk to the Fae.

Hey, guys! I'm sorry that I haven't updated in a while! The next chapter has been written but I feel like it's not edited well enough. Anyway, here's the short story mentioned briefly before! The one in Bijou's mother's fairy tale book ^^

Stay healthy., stay safe and wear a mask outside!