poemtry and prose

The faerie waited for Cassie to follow behind her. "Right this way milady."

Cassie giggled. She thought it was incredibly funny as she did not feel quite like a Lady. At least not yet. "Maybe in a few years," she thought.

Selan lead her down the side door of the Elder's Chambers. Into another hallway. The walls were still smooth and the floor was still made of white marble swirled with black. Touches still floated in the air, the fire glowing dimly, casting shadows along the bare walls. They walked next to a window carved out of the obelisk. Cassie wandered over to it. She wanted to see how the faerie world looked from being so high off the ground.

She placed her hands on the windowsill. It was smooth as silk. Not even any bumps or roughness from where she presumed someone had cut it with a knife. While it surprised her a little bit, in a way she should have also known better.

The air was cooler from being so high off the ground. It smelled fresh, like it had just rained. She shivered a bit, and zipped her hoody up. First, she looked all the way out towards the horizon. She was facing the opposite direction that she and Hazel had come into Stonehaven. The window gave her a good view of the mountains she and her friends would be visiting in the next day or two. They were tall, easily 14,000 feet tall, her mind guessed. Twin snow-capped peaks rose out from the ground. The terrain looked unfriendly, rocky and not at all friendly. It would be a hard trip to make. Cassie hoped that her body was up to the climb and said a silent prayer to an unknown god that everything would work out fine.

Farmlands lead the way from Stonehaven into a few hills, and then into the mountains. From her best estimate it would take them a half day to a full day to reach the foothills. She was not sure how long the hike up the hills and the climb up the mountainside would take them. All in all she wagered a couple of days by foot. While part of her wanted the exercise and hike, a greater part of her hoped that the Elders would teleport them to to the mountain tops, saving them some time. Of course, once she was there at the top of the mountain, she had no idea what would happen next.

"Trying to locate a hermit up there is going to be like looking for a needle in a haystack," Cassie frowned. "I have no idea where one could live or survive up there. I just hope someone can give us some useful directions and information. After all, who knows if this faerie really exists?"

She leaned out the window, looking straight down. A wave of nausea and vertigo washed over her. Stonehaven extended outwards from the obelisk for about two miles or so. Brown hay colored roofs and grey cobblestone roads was all she saw. She felt like she was staring straight down into an ant colony. Cassie was shocked as she thought the town was a lot bigger than that.

Celan stood silently as Cassie paused at the window. "Thank you for allowing me to stop and look out the window," Cassie said to Celan.

The faerie nodded, "You are most welcome. I know how you feel. The first time I came here and saw out the windows, I was mesmerized. We are very lucky to live at the center of it all. The world is so gorgeous."

"Have you always lived at Stonehaven," Cassie asked. Celan did not look a day older than Cassie. The faerie was stocky and had dreadlocked hair, colorful ribbons braided in them. She wore a long brown overall dress, with a white shirt underneath. She wore no shoes. Her wings were smaller than normal, and twitched every few seconds.

"I was born here. And I will most likely die here as well. I do not mind it, my Lady. Stonehaven is my home. Besides, I have no real desire to travel. I have too much to do in this town as it is."

Cassie smiled. "I know what you mean. Before coming here, my parents really did not do a whole lot of traveling. I wish I did not have to leave here so soon. I would have loved to stay a few weeks just here alone. Boy do I wish I had my sketch book and journals! Just think of all the things I could capture and draw."

The faerie smiled at her. She liked how open Cassie was, "Not many people have come to Stonehaven in the past few weeks. Word of the plague has spread rapidly and it has a lot of people worried. I have heard rumors that some towns will not allow strangers to enter their gates."

"Really? Wow."

"May I ask you a question?" Celan ventured. "You do not have to honor it, if you do not like."

"Go ahead and ask," Cassie replied.

"Is it true? I mean, are you really going to try and see if you can find a cure to end this plague? Have you seen anything like it where you are from? I have never met a daughter of Adam before. Please forgive me, but I am very curious."

"Well, I guess it is true. To be honest, I have never seen anything like it. Nor do I have any idea how I can help you. But I will try my best," Cassie laughed. "No it is not a problem at all. My world is similar to yours, except we have things called cars and television and other weird machines. Tell you what, when we get back I will tell you all about it. Does that sound like a deal?

Celan smiled. "I would like that very much. Maybe one day I will get lucky and meet a son or daughter or Adam myself. And maybe I can travel to your world to meet them and see where you live."

Cassie nodded. "You would be surprised. It is not as beautiful as your world. I mean, I like it just fine, but there is so many new and different things here. My world does not have the same uniqueness that I see here."

They stopped at another door way. Celan grabbed onto a stone door knob and pushed the door open, "This is your room, milady."

The room was cozy. A fire burned from a grey marbled fireplace on the right wall. Across from it, was the biggest bed Cassie ever saw. The frame was cut from black marble, which looked very uncomfortable. A green and blue and purple hand woven patchwork quilt hung over the bed. The headboard had the same Celtic knot work chiseled into it. Soft pillows littered the bed. Draped over the top of the bed's posted was a piece of sheer black cloth.

A metal frame chair, covered with a soft padding sat next to a large window. Next to it was a marble slab table, the top fitted with glass. A white glass vase sat on top of the table, gigantic purple flowers tumbling out of it. They smelled like lavender and roses mixed together. More tapestries hung on the walls, displaying geometric patterns and intricate Celtic knot work.

Celan entered the room and walked over to another door. She opened it, "Milady, your wash room is in here. There is a basin filled with warm water and we have some smelling salts to wash your hands and face. If it would please you, can I draw a bath for you?"

Cassie thought about that. A bath sounded lovely. "Oohers. Um, sure. I mean if it is not too much trouble. Of course, I could always do it myself."

"Tis no problem at all," Celan bowed. "Tis part of my job. I do not mind at all."

The sound of rushing water entered the room. Cassie wandered over to the bed while the tub filled. She spread her arms out to their sides and then free-fell, dropping onto the bed. She cringed as she expected the bed to be hard as nails. Instead it enveloped her body, hugging her in a sea of comfort.

"I could really get used to this," Cassie told herself. "I may fall asleep if I am not too careful."

"Milady, your bath is ready." Celan called to her from the bathroom.

Cassie lept off the bed, somewhat embarrassed by her childish actions. She went into the bathroom and was greeted by the smell of lemons and oranges. A white stone bear claw bathtub sat in the middle of the room. Steam rose from the water. Celan had placed a towel next to the tub, for when Cassie was finished washing herself.

Cassie removed her clothes and placed one foot into the water. Despite all the steam rising from the tub, the water felt perfect. She eased herself into the water, which started it's own magic by relaxing Cassie's body. All the previous day's worries, the tension and muscle burn from their hike rushed from her body, out into the water. Cassie dipped her hands into the water, scooping a handful up. She pushed the water over her face, washing the grime off. And then she closed her eyes.

She stepped out of the bath and toweled herself off. Her body no longer felt sore, and smelled of the oils Celan had placed into the tub. She turned to look for her clothing, but they were no longer on the floor.

"Hmm, that is odd. I could have sworn I dropped my clothes next to the tub," she thought. "Celan, you did not happen to see where my clothes went to?"

"Yes, Milady, they were dirty so they got sent to be cleaned. You will find some suitable dining clothing laid out on the bed. I do hope that it fits you. Please let me know if you need help in dressing yourself." Celan then walked over to tend the fire, turning her back on Cassie so she could disrobe and clothe herself.

Cassie walked out into the bedroom. Laying on the bed was the most beautiful gown she had ever seen. It was purple and embroidered with Celtic designs around the collar. The back of the dress required someone to lace it up, as tied together with black ribbons. A silk black undershirt laid next to it. A pair of black Chinese-style slippers sat on the floor. Cassie touched each garment with her hands. They felt very smooth, and were expertly made so that she was not able to see the seams.

She dropped the towel and lifted the black shirt over her head. It fit perfectly. The sleeves ended in a poet's style poof. Then she lifted the dress over her head and discovered that it too fit perfectly. Either the faeries knew exactly what her size was or they used magic to conjure up her clothing. She tried to tie the back of the dress and found that dexterity had failed her. So Celan helped tie up the ribbons in the back of the gown.

"Is there a mirror handy," Cassie asked. "I have GOT to see what i look like."

Celan nodded and waved her hands, "While I may have limited magic, I think i can create something for you to see how beautiful you are. However, may I suggest we braid your hair first?"

"I would like that a lot," Cassie replied, smiling wide.

As Celan braided her hair, Cassie told her some more about her world. Of how she met Hazel and Stick, her parents and what she filled her days with. Celan listened to every word she had to say, asking questions about the stuff she did not understand. And when she was done braiding Cassie's hair, she said a word in that strange faerie language. Mists swirled in front of Cassie and then solidified, giving off a reflective surface.

Cassie did not recognize herself in the mirror. Celan had braided her hair into one single braid with a strip of leather tying it fast. Her pale face had regained color since she arrived to the world. Her lips looking full and red and healthy. Even her eyes appeared alive again, no longer clouded by the drugs they once forced into her. She looked mature, wizened and not at all the little girl she thought she once was.

"You look beautiful. Just like a princess," Celan said.

"Wow," was all Cassie could mutter as she slipped into the soft black slippers. They also fit perfectly, which still surprised Cassie when she knew they would have.

"Everything is all ready. Now if you would follow me once more, I think there are a few people who are absolutely dying to see you again," Celan said heading back towards the main door.