Trip to a Fae Realm: A collaborative Fairy Tale (by invitation only please)

"I hadn't considered that...", Krystal mused... "still,  I should bring it up in my debriefing."

************

"I have tracks over here...", said Stirling.   Alex observed the impressions and confirmed that they were from an natural  stag.

Chaz asked Alex how he would bring down such a beast without a weapon.  In answer, Alex reached inro the air and pulled forth a bow and quiver.

"Krys has taught me a few things over the years...", he replied.

*As the others went on their different ways, Collette returned to her room in the castle discreetly. She was unashamed to speak the truth about Robin to his face, but she was ashamed that his actions were because of her hurtful words and something would have to be done eventually to settle the grudge between them both on neutral grounds so no one would be hurt.

She changed clothes and used an enchanted brush from her bag from Earth to help herself clean up so she again looked presentable. Then she went to look for the bar that Krystal had mentioned the night before. It would do her good to have some relaxation away from the others or anyone like Robin for a time.*

"So, why do you go out to hunt this stag?" Chaz asked. "I've seen the castle and you just summoned a bow out of thin air using magic. It's clear you don't need to kill the creature in order to feed yourself, so what is the point of this? Tradition? An activity to showcase your prowess for visitors?"

"Are you not a hunter?" Alex asked.

"I hunt for stories. For truths that aren't on the surface," Chaz replied. "And if I shoot anything, it is with this." Chaz held up his camera by the strap. "Don't get me wrong, its fine whatever your reason is, I'm just curious about the why."

Alex looked Chaz up and down for a moment, then broke into a grin.

Alex clapped Chaz on the shoulder.

"You're right about me... I rarely kill an animal... for me it's about the chase... it sharpens my skills.  I usually just touch the animal."

"You have keen perception, my friend, and don't fear the possible consequences of confronting a potentially more powerful person with your conclusions.  It's not hard to see why Krys is fond of you."

   The three women approached a small unassuming building.  When Krystal went for the door Gerri stopped her, "This can't be the Archives, it's too small."

    "Did you forget where we are?" Krystal questioned as she opened the door.  Inside she could see a large library with tables and desks and even divination tools.  "It doesn't matter what the outside looks like.  Magic makes space."

    As they walked in Futurina saw a small silver bell with a small sign that read "Please ring for service."  Futurina used her telekinesis and rang the bell.  She loved silver.  Unlike gold, it didn't feed back into her.  the slight sound echoed through the building.

    "Coming!" they heard someone shout.  They heard someone running to get up to the desk.  Suddenly, someone was there...

A young Elvish woman approached the desk quite quickly but skidded to a stop when she saw the group.

She puffed for a second, as she had obviously come from quite a distance, determined who the visitors were, and curtsied formally to Krystal.

"Your pardon, Princess... they had not informed us you would be visiting today.", said the young elf, "and your companions are?"

"My companions have questions regarding the Book of Elvish Lore... would you summon Lexi'kahn for us?", Krystal replied.

"It shall be done, Milady.", the young woman said.

    Gerri switched hands holding the tome.  She was excited.  "Do you think she will correct the error?" she asked.  "I mean I knew nothing of Futurina until last year.  She pointed out that she should be in the tome and where they couldn't remove her the just changed it to say 'The Freak'."

    "Well, Lexi'kahn was probably following orders," Krystal explained, "that doesn't make it right."

    "I appreciate this," Futurina stated.

    "I wish I could have obtained my Great Grandmother's golden armor," Gerri sighed.  "Santa has that, and I haven't earned the right to wear it."

   "He has his reasons for that," Futurina cautioned.  "It's very powerful, and shouldn't be taken lightly."  She looked down remembering what happened to her friend.  She shed a tear when someone approached.

"It was never my intention to hide all knowledge of you, Theressolae,..," stated Lexi'khan.

"Your contributions  were recorded within the text... they were merely hidden in a rarely referenced appendix, written in archaic form of Elvish...", she continues.  "…. I was under orders by the King and the Ruling Council to remove your contributions."


"I... understand.,.", said Theressolae, " ... your rulers put you in an impossible position.  You resolved it in the only manner available to you."

" You'll find that now that the order has been officially rescinded, the text has been corrected... I truly DO apologize.", said Lexi'khan.

"Well, at last that is over.", said Theressolae, "... Gerri, I am vindicated,"

"I believe that concludes our business here, then...", said Krystal,

*Collette sent a message asking to speak to Krystal.  "I fear I have offended Puck too deeply to recover... It might be best if I leave.". Krystal frowned for a moment, then nodded.  " Our business here is nearly complete in any case."   Krystal gestured, then handed Collette a token.  "This will allow you to clear the attachment and open the gate for you... travel well, my friend,"

"Thanks. I am just sorry I was less helpful then originally intended. It is time to return to the Academy. Intuition tells me there are serious terrible things going on there in my absence, especially since I can't even get through to Aphrael in dreams anymore."*

Leo stood beside Oberon's throne, Krystal stood before him.  

"Krystal, my dear, you are to increased our number, I'm told...", said Oberon.

"That is correct, Uncle Obie... we're having a girl shortly,"

"Will you be returning to the H-R realm, or will you remain here in Fae-re?"

"I believe, after much discussion with Alex, that there is still a legitimate need for my continued presence in the H-R realm."

"Very well, ...", said Oberon, "... however, you shall not return alone... We shall arrange for Alex to be free for frequent visits, and by his request, a small contingent has been assigned to you for protection."

"Merigold Dewsparkle, thanks for coming...", said Alex, " I wanted to ask you a favor."

"What can I do for you, Commander Murphy?", asked Meri.  

"Princess Krys'tal'lyn will be returning to the H-R dimension shortly... I'd like you to head a small squad to go with her."

"I'd be honored, sir...", she replied.

***************************

Meri flitted along beside her best friend, Dafadyl Evenlyte as she told her of her new assignment,

"I wish I could come with you... I know you, if I'm not there to get you to loosen up once in awhile, you'll implode into a big worry-ball..."

"Actually, that's what I wanted to talk to you about... would you be willing to go with me?"

"I'd be disappointed if you hadn't asked...", said Dafy, caressing Meri's cheek.

**************************

 Oberon looked down from his throne... "Nyx Darkwing , since your 'transgression' occured in  the other realm, your reparation should be served there to as well... please report to Commander Alex for assignment."

"Actually, Nyx, I was quite pleased with King Oberon's decision...", said Alex, "... it never hurts to have someone without, shall we say, 'qualms' about certain necessary, but ethically questionable, actions that might be required when trying to secure the safety of a Royal peer."

"I've read of your refusal to harm the Princess during your 'transgression', and it goes a long way towards my decision to assign you to her team."

"I understand, Commander...", replied Nyx, "… it was mainly boredom which motivated me to join those who transgressed, and I much prefer to work for the Princess's interests than against them."

"Fine then, you are hearby assigned to Captain Dewsparkle's team... that will be all."

"I'm really going to miss this place.", stated Allison, as they stood on the hill overlooking the Castle of Dreams.

Theressollae (Futurina) smiled wistfully, and replied, "A place, even one as grand as the Castle, is after all merely a place... there are friends here that I haven't been able to see for decades, or in some cases, centuries... it is quite satisfying to know that is not to be the case henceforth.", as she stroked the neck of her mount.

Sterling grinned, then spurred his own mount in the direction of the gate, as Chaz uneasily clutched the reins of his own, and groaned as the spirited stallion galloped after.

To save herself the jostling in her condition, Krystal herself had elected to fly in the form of a fairy, surrounded by her new squad of protectors.

Alex and Alexis stood in the glade near the stone ring, waiting to see the companions off.

Sterling and Chaz shook their hands, as Krystal opened the portal, then they each hurried through, accompanied by the three fairies.

Alexis took Allison's hands, and grinned a crooked little grin.  "You know the way now... you needn't be a stranger."

Allison grinned back, and replied, "You come visit when you have time... I'll show you New Orleans.". She turned and stepped through as well.

Krystal leaned her forehead against Alex's chest for a long moment, then he chucked her under the chin so their eyes locked.  "You have to promise me something...", he whispered.

"Anything, lover... what do you want me to promise?", she replied.

"I know you feel obligated to protect that other realm, and that you dislike the trappings associated with being royal... just promise to remember that it's ok to come home and be a Princess every once upon a time... come home soon, my love."

Krystal's lip quivered for a moment as her emotions raced, then she kissed him tenderly, and whispered "As often as I can...".
 
She turned and stepped through into the other realm.

(Finished)