The Rise of the Fairy Queen (The Fairy Queen Trilogy Book 1) Page 19

  “For those of you who don’t know, I’m Elsie, the oldest princess of Allaire. They kept me prisoner from the age of ten until I turned sixteen. Then I was allowed to leave the castle to go across the seas and marry. This wasn’t a marriage I chose or wanted; it was a political marriage. I had no choice in the matter. I haven’t had a say in my life since my parents died. I had no idea what was happening in Allaire or what my step parents were doing.”

  She takes a deep breath. All eyes are on her. It feels strange, to say the least.

  “I am sorry to any of you who have been clipped, or know someone who’s been clipped. I cannot tell you how heartbroken I feel about what’s being done to you all. I found out about the clippings when I was on the ship heading across the waters, and almost immediately I knew I had to come back. I have never felt so scared and terrified and petrified and any other word that means the same thing! But I was also determined to come back and help if I could. I didn’t think about being queen, I just thought about my homeland, my Kingdom. I also knew I’d need help. I don’t know anyone in Allaire and there’s no way I could fight my step parents alone.”

  Elsie holds out her hands. “I found out about the rebellion and I knew it was the answer I’d been looking for. Fairies who were ready, willing and able to fight alongside me – however scary it might be – to rescue Allaire and all the fairies who live here. It made me even more sure I had made the right decision.”

  This is where she needs to convince them. She takes another deep breath. “Allaire is my home. And yours. It’s where you live, where your family lives, where your children live. There are a lot of us. Why shouldn’t we be part of this rebellion? We have some of the best fighters in our ranks – Bella, Norah and I know there are hundreds more and I’m sorry I don’t know your names yet. Join me. Join us. Let’s fight for Allaire together. Let’s show the men folk what we’re capable of and what we can do.”

  The women all cheer and Elsie lets it wash over her.

  This is it. This is what she came back for.

  21

  THE EXCITEMENT RIPPLES through the crowd, and the air feels electric.

  Elsie weaves through the crowd with Norah on one side of her and Aster on the other. They introduce her to various fairies who all smile and thank her, grasp her hands or hug her.

  Bella stops her with a hand on her arm. “We need more than inspiring words. Do you have a plan?”

  Elsie shrugs. “Of course not. That’s why I need all of you.”

  “And Hardy?”

  “I don’t know about Hardy yet. I have to make my decision about that.”

  Norah nods. “Bella, you broke up with Hardy; you can’t worry about him now.”

  “I can if he plans to be King.”

  Elsie butts in, her tone irritated. “I’m not stupid. I like Hardy, I’m sorry, but I do. I don’t know if he likes me or if he likes the fact that I’ll be queen. I don’t even care about that. I want us all to get ready to join this fight. Why shouldn’t we? When I came back to Allaire, I had a feeling it was for something huge, not to sit and watch the men fight and then cheer when they won, or cry when they lost. There are enough of us to take a stand.”

  “And then what?”

  “Hopefully we’ll defeat my step parents and we’ll all be safe.”

  Bella rolls her eyes. “And then you go and live in the castle with Hardy and live happily ever after?”

  “So, what if I do? Are you telling me you came today, but now you wish you hadn’t? That you don’t really want to join this fight. That you’re just here to be rude?”

  “I think you need me. I’m the best fighter here by far. But what do I get for fighting, that’s all I’m asking? Am I helping you to win a throne and then we’ll all be cast aside?”

  “You get glory. You get honour. You get prestige. You get the satisfaction of knowing you saved your fellow fairies from clippings or worse. You’ll know that all the little fairies can sleep soundly in their beds instead of hiding away in a cave. And I don’t want to sit on my throne and ignore everybody who helped me win it. I want to rebuild Allaire and make it wonderful again.”

  Bella folds her arms and refuses to answer. Aster touches her arm, then turns to Elsie.

  “It sounds good and we want to help. What’s the plan?”

  “So I don’t really know, but I thought we could work out shifts so we can all train, learn to handle a weapon and have a fighting chance if we get to this battle. I thought we could make or borrow weapons from Hardy and the rebellion to train with, unless any of you know of a better idea?”

  “I know where Ajo keeps a bunch of weapons. They might need a bit of a clean, but we could use them.”

  “Brilliant, thanks Anya.”

  “I know the techniques Hardy’s been using to train the men. Mostly ideas I gave him. It works, though. If me and Norah work together, I think we could figure it out quickly. Some of us will have a natural flair for fighting so we can figure out who to utilise too.”

  “Thank you, Bella. I know you hate me, and I am sorry, but if we can put our differences aside for this, I think it would be worth it.”

  Aster clears her throat. “We need to get back. We’ll be missed.”

  Elsie hugs her. “Thank you so much for coming and for helping.”

  “We all want the same thing.”

  “We do. I wasn’t sure if I should say about your wing mending?”

  “Not yet. When I know I can do it properly.”

  “You’re right. Thank you. I’m not sure when I’ll see you.”

  “I’m sure it’ll be soon. Elsie, I’m so excited about this. It will be amazing and change so many lives.”

  “I need to go too,” Norah says, flying over to Elsie. “Bella and I will coordinate and run two training groups. Then we’ll find our best fighters and get them to run smaller groups, and on and on until we’ve all got some good basic understanding, and until we can figure out who our prize fighters are.”

  “Thank you. Thank you for believing in me.”

  “Thank you for believing in us. We’ve been pushed aside for too long.”

  “Not anymore.”

  Bella comes over and gives Elsie a little shove with her foot. “I think this might be incredible. The girls are all so excited.”

  “I am too.”

  “I think it will work. Me and Norah have figured out an idea, if you’re happy for us to get on with it?”

  “More than happy. So grateful. I had this idea that we should all fight, but I had no idea what to do next, and I could never have organised anything by myself.”

  “I’ll see you soon.”

  One by one, the fairies fly away until Elsie is left alone. It feels exciting to think that instead of being the spark that made the rebellion begin, she might be the spark that ignites all the female fairies to take up their weapons and defend their home.

  She flies back to Maud’s house feeling lighter than she ever expected to after Meg’s death. Maud opens the door and ushers her inside. “Where have you been, girl? We’ve been worried.”

  “With Norah. I’m fine.”

  Elsie follows her through to the kitchen. Hardy is sitting at one end of the table, looking stern, and Gwenna is sitting on the other side, looking less amiable than usual.

  Hardy clears his throat. “I ran into Norah in the street about half an hour ago. You weren’t with her.”

  “I wanted to be on my own. Norah left me.”

  “She shouldn’t have done that. It might not be safe. Stupid girl.”

  “That’s not fair.” Elsie tucks her hands under the table so nobody can see them trembling. “I was quite safe.”

  “She was supposed to be helping you to fly, not abandoning you. Wait until I see her.”

  “No, Hardy. I’m fine. I told her to leave me alone. I was sad about Meg and I wanted to be by myself. I’m allowed to be on my own.”

  “Of course you’re allowed. I don’t mean it like that. I just worry. Wh
en I saw her without you...”

  “You thought the clippers might have found me?”

  “Exactly. Come with me a sec.” Hardy leads her out of the kitchen and into the hall, shutting the door behind them. He takes her in his arms. “I was so scared. After what happened to Meg. I thought you might be hurt, or worse.”

  She sinks into his arms. “I’m fine, absolutely fine.”

  He kisses the top of her head, letting his mouth rest there. “I’m so glad you’re safe.” He looks at her, and smiles. She can see unshed tears in his eyes; he really was worried about her.

  “You were really worried?”

  “Of course. What did you think?”

  She shrugs, looking embarrassed, feeling embarrassed.

  “What? What’s worrying you?”

  “Just something Bella said.”

  He rubs his face. “I was worried about this. Is she saying awful things about me?” He takes a step away from her and holds up his hands. “It’s all right. I know she’s angry with me, and maybe she has a right to be. I was happy with her until...”

  “Until?”

  “Until you came along, Elsie. But why would you trust me? You don’t know me. I’m sorry. I’ll go, I’ll-”

  “Don’t go.”

  The hurt on his face is too much for her; she feels guilty and cruel. He’s only ever been kind to her, he’s only ever looked after her. And she has no idea why it’s easier to listen to Bella than it is to trust her feelings. “I’m sorry. I was worried about the things she said, but I don’t know why. You have only ever been kind to me.”

  “I thought my path was set, Elsie. I know people like to moan about me. They think I’m too ambitious or power hungry. The truth is, I would have ruled if I’d had to, I told you that, but it’s not what I wanted. All I have ever wanted is freedom. And then you came along, and all I seem to want now is you. But I can see why you’d worry, especially without Meg.”

  Her face pales and she’s not quick enough to hide the flash of guilt she feels at Meg’s name. Could she really have believed he had anything to do with her death? Even for a second?

  “What?” He steps towards her again, concern colouring his face.

  “Bella said...”

  “Bella said what?”

  “About Meg?”

  “What? She thinks it’s my fault? Elsie, you know I feel guilty enough about that. I shouldn’t have argued with her-”

  “No. Bella said something about the clippers.”

  “The clippers?” Confusion turns to understanding and this time a tear falls down his face. He covers his face in his hands, letting out a groan. “She told you I had something to do with it? No, Elsie, please tell me you don’t believe her. I can understand your lack of trust in me, but I would die if I thought you could believe such ill of me.”

  He drops to his knees, peering up at her.

  She drops beside him and takes his hands. “No, I knew you couldn’t do something so terrible. I’m sorry. Please.”

  They hold each other in silence, and then Elsie clears her throat. “I have no experience in this, no idea about love. I feel things for you, and I feel nervous about those feelings. It was easy for Bella to plant doubt in my head; it’s already there. Not about you or your character, just because I’m scared. This is all so new to me. Please forgive me?”

  He pulls her up to standing and envelops her in a hug, kissing her softly, and then hungrily.

  “This feels new to me too. Let’s go back in, before I do something ungentlemanly.”

  Elsie shivers and kisses his cheek.

  When they take their seats again, Gwenna smiles at her. The complete physical opposite of her sister, Elsie can still see Meg when she looks at Gwenna. Something in her eyes and her smile.

  “I came to offer my help,” Gwenna says. “I spoke with Aster.”

  Panic makes Elsie’s stomach turn, she doesn’t feel right keeping this from Hardy. Not now.

  “Before Meg died, she spoke to me about all the things she wanted you to learn. Courtly manners. Jousts. Plays. All the things a queen will need to know. I remember a lot from when I was a young girl, and the castle was a cheerful place to be. I was going to help Meg train you.” She puts an emphasis on the word train, and Elsie smiles. She must stop worrying; she can tell Hardy another time, when she knows exactly how many women want to fight.

  “I’ve told Hardy that I need to take you under my wing. While he’s busy planning this rebellion and the day creeps ever closer, he won’t have the time or the knowledge – no offence, Hardy – to help you. We can’t have our new queen embarrassing herself in front of the Kingdom, can we?”

  Maud passes around some cake. “I wish I had the time to help you myself, Elsie. It was remiss of us – of Hardy – not to think about it.”

  Hardy nods. “Of course. Thank you, Gwenna. I am so, so grateful.”

  “It’s nothing. Now I wouldn’t mind some of Maud’s legendary cuisine before I head back to the troupe. I’ll come and fetch you later, Elsie. You have a lot to learn.”

  Elsie takes a cup of ale from Maud and sips it. Even though it’s clear Gwenna will help her and give her an alibi so she can meet the other fairies, she also seems a little angry.

  Once they have all eaten and drunk and laughed and gossiped and commiserated a little more about Meg, Hardy excuses himself and leaves the house, touching Elsie’s knee under the table before he goes. Maud excuses herself to bustle around with more cooking and clearing, And Elsie walks Gwenna to the door.

  Outside they talk in quiet voices. “I thought I made it clear to you that war is a man’s game.”

  Elsie looks bashful. “I wasn’t trying to ignore you, or be disrespectful, I promise, I just felt strange letting the men take over and take all the risks while we sit around and watch.”

  “Oh, it’s an unfamiliar world and I cannot get used to it. When you came back with Meg, I knew you were something special. But all of you young girls are. There’s no resting on your laurels, letting other people look after you or tell you what to do. It’s so different to how I have lived.”

  “Are you angry?”

  “Would I be helping you if I was angry?”

  “Probably not.”

  “I’m in awe, I suppose. When we were told to sit down and be quiet and let the men run the show, we never thought to question it. Your generation is different. You’re asking the questions we were too scared to ask. Why can’t we get involved? Why can’t we do it? Why are we letting men tell us what to do?”

  “It wasn’t really a conscious thing; more I was fed up of doing nothing and having no say in my life. Imagine thinking I could rule when I haven’t helped win the throne. Would I ever feel deserving of the crown?”

  “You are deserving, and I am proud of you. I know Meg would have been too. If there’s anything I can do to help, anything you need from me, or the rest of us oldies in the troupe, then you just say so.”

  “You’re not old.”

  “I am twice your age.”

  “Twice as clever, twice as experienced, twice as quick at picking up new skills?”

  “Are you trying to convince me to fight? To join this battle.”

  Elsie laughs. “Maybe. Aren’t you even a bit intrigued to know what you could do?”

  “No. I fill my days with work.” She pats her stomach. “And I have a baby to grow.”

  “Oh, congratulations. Did Meg know?”

  Gwenna wipes a tear and shakes her head. “No, she didn’t.”

  “Oh, I’m so sorry. But you’re right, you definitely shouldn’t even think of fighting. And I have even more reason now to do what I’m doing.”

  “More reason?”

  “Yes.” Elsie points at Gwenna’s belly. “That’s Meg’s niece or nephew and I owe it to Meg to make sure they live in a Kingdom that’s safe. And if it’s a little girl, then she’ll grow up in a Kingdom where girls can decide what they want to do, even if it’s something they wouldn’t normally d
o.”

  “You’ve made me cry even more now. Meg would have liked that. She would have liked this – you stepping up like this, making decisions like this, taking charge like this. She wanted you to be happy. That was always her primary concern, you know. She felt such an affinity with you. She would have loved this. She might not have approved initially. I know she’d be feeling like I’m feeling; worrying about your safety and worrying what people would think – worrying about what the men will say – but I know she’d have been bursting with pride.”

  “Thank you. That means so much. And I hope you’re right. I wouldn’t have done anything to upset Meg, but this feels like the right thing to do. These are my step parents and I know I’m not responsible but if I can be a part of the rebellion that stops them, and part of the team who get Allaire back to normal then I’ll be happy.”

  “I’ll be back later.”

  They hug and when Gwenna flies off, Elsie leans against the house for a moment. She feels almost giddy with warmth. She’s so glad she told Hardy about her worries. They feel stupid and insignificant now she’s spoken them out loud. He would never have hurt Meg; he didn’t know she would storm out of the house for a start. How could he have organised her death? And why listen to Bella or Bella’s friend? They are bound to say unkind things about Hardy. It would be weird if they said anything but unkind things about him.

  Poor Hardy. She will never forget the look of sadness on his face; the hurt she made him feel.

  He’s so handsome and when he looks at her, it’s with such intensity. The old clichés in the stories Meg told come to mind. It feels like they are the only two people in the room, in the entire world. When he looks at her, she melts. His touch gives her butterflies. She smiles. Clichés are often true. Maybe too true to be comfortable in this case.

  She ducks inside the house and into the kitchen, happy to be fed by Maud once again, who doesn’t disappoint. She has the best food, always fresh, always hot from the oven, and Elsie feels comfortable in her presence. She’s so lucky Hardy found her when she came back to Allaire.

  She spends the rest of the day waiting for Gwenna to come for her, making small talk with Maud and helping her with the chores around the house. Hardy pops in for food and then pops back out. He gives her plenty of attention while he’s there, though, and she tries not to show how sad she feels when he leaves. She can tell he has forgiven her for earlier.