The Abyss

part 31

"It hurts so much,'' she cried. I touched her arm "its almost over just hold on." As i looked at her back i could only imagine how much it had to be hurting her. Her skin was split, thin lines of blood trickled down her back. Pale tips of small new wings were exposed through her skin, growing out of her. The bottom piece of the wing tore through her and she let out a piercing scream, her body went limp in my arms. I lifted her face to me and looked at her eyes, she was unconscious.
Deep in the swamp...only a few miles away.

Syrinas view
The old bridge creaked under us as we walked across it. The guards surrounding the queen followed me, their movement precise. My head turned at the sound of a splash next to me. I reached out and poked the water with my stick. The murkiness kept everything from view. A sudden burst of air bubbles submerged. "Its the breath of an alligator hunting," said one of the guards. I felt a large lump slowly slid down my throat as i swallowed. Taking a deep breath I continued over the bridge. The decay of the swamp flooded my nose, burning it with its stench. Faerie Queen breathed it in, this was her world. One of the guards touched my shoulder, stopping me. His eyes met mine, "Syrina how far away are we, can we just fly?" I looked passed him at the Queen, "if we want to be quiet no." The queen looked my way, "i want to be there now" she hissed. I turned away, looking above us at the tree tops, "ill be right back." I scrambled into the nearest tree. The slimy bark squished against the tread on my boots, but I managed to make it to a lower branch. Pulling myself up some I started to climb. The tree tops opened up some and I looked out over the area. Swamp stretched on for miles. I did not want to keep moving through this leech infested hell hole. "We can fly," i yelled down to them.

Lailas view
I laid down on the bed, Fendewen had helped me home. Rocyla came back after we had sent Silence out to get her. She knelt on my bed beside me, her hands working at my back. The tender wings fluttered a little, I could feel the muscles straining. It had been a long time since i had felt like this. Fendewen sat on the floor next to the bed, holding my hand. "Okay, i need you to take a deep breath Laila. When I get to three let it out,'' Rocyla said. I heard her counting but i wasnt ready, my breath was ragged and when three came she tore the split skin from my back. My face slammed down into the pillow, i exploded into a scream. She cringed a little and dabbed at the new blood, "im sorry sweetie, one more just hold on." I felt my teeth clamp shut as the pulled the last broken skin away. I laid there and breathed for what seemed an eternity, then felt the silence around me. My back was no longer hurting, as i tried to move i felt Fendewens hand press down on my arm, so i remained still.
Rocyla healed my torn skin, i tried to get used to my wings again but it just didnt feel right. They werent fully grown and i didnt know how long it would take.

part 32

My dreams came strong that night. Fire everywhere, screams echoing through the night. I stood outside, watching my home burn to the ground not being able to stop it. I could see Rocyla in the window, her fists slamming against the glass but it wouldnt break. Flames engulfed her then she was gone. I fell to my knees, i couldnt save anyone. Tears trickled down my face, the lump in my throat grew until the screams tore from me. My lungs ached with every breath i took now. "Laila," i heard my mothers voice, so faint, a whisper. I looked up from the ground, my eyes fell on a black cloak inches from me. "Mother?" Slowly i leaned my head back to look at the cloaked figure. It had my mothers face, her lips curled into a smile. A smile that didnt meet her eyes. She moved and the cloak fell, revealing her arms. Long claws hung at her sides, fresh blood dripping from them, staining the dirt at her feet. I looked back up at her face, the face i once knew was no longer there. Sharp fangs snapped at me, cutting the air near my face. Quickly i jerked away and slid back trying to move from her reach, but not quick enough. Her claws dug into my shirt and pulled me from the ground. My face inches from hers, her mouth opened, a growl rumbled in her throat. A sharp pain in my stomach made me look down. Her claws now dug into my skin, she forced them in deeper. Blood seeped out, drenching my shirt.

I woke up, fear shaking through my body. Slowly I peeled the cover back and touched my stomach, I was okay. "Fendewen!" I yelled. No one answered. I climbed out of bed and walked over to the window. The sun was coming up, streaks of pink and orange lit the sky in a fiery glow. I could feel the sun on my skin, warming my face. My golden hair blew with the wind that was wrapping around me. "Laila?" I heard Teralyne call to me. As i turned she walked into my room, "we have to go get the cows, they got out somehow last night" she said. I nodded to her then went and got some clothes. We headed out to the field, ringing the bell for the cows. I couldnt hear them mooing or anything. "This is weird," i mumbled. She nodded. The farther in the field we got the more unnerved i became. No sign of cows, none at all. "Do people steal cows here?" i asked. She laughed a little, "Laila that is about thirty cows. Silence would have killed a thief im sure. They might have just gotten curious or something. But how did the pens get open?" she stopped walking and looked around. I heard her breathing calm and could see her focusing.

Teralynes view
Passed the trees they waited. I could feel their presence. But i couldnt tell their intentions. "Laila wait, lets go back, i have to use the bathroom" i told her. Her eyes looked toward the trees but quickly back at me. As we went toward the house i kept my focus on them. They were moving, how many? I dont know. But they moved slow, uncertain. I saw the cows, farther out, huddled. They were a trap a distraction. I could see the house in the distance, finally. A strong power hit me, blocking my focus. They were headed for us. Fast. "Run!" i screamed at her. I reached over and grabbed her arm and pulled her with me. I didnt know what was coming we just had to get back and hope someone was there. We screamed toward the house but no one came out. Shadows cast around us, they were above us. "Laila do you trust me?" i panted. She looked at me and said yes. "I'll save you."
Lailas view

With that she tripped me. I fell to my knees, catching myself. I could hear them landing behind me, fear taking over. But i only watched her run away and never look back.

part 33

The beating of their wings pounded in my ears, shadows covered the light around me. Teralyne had faded in the distance and now I was left alone with the creatures. The crunch of dirt under their feet became louder as they grew near. I saw the dark cloth move next to me, covering the black boots. I closed my eyes and waited. Quickly I opened them, my head turning back to the boots. Boots? I looked up into the face of a faerie guard. "Laila I want you to come back to Faerie with me," she said. I shook my head no at her, "im staying here, you made me leave mother." Her face twisted with anger and she looked toward Syrina then her and the guards began to walk away.

Syrina helped me off the ground and gave me a weak smile, "can we walk?" I nodded and we started toward the house. She told me about how things were in Faerie and that mother really wanted me back, it wasnt the same without me. Since my wings were growing back it was where i needed to be. Magic isnt the same for a fairy outside of Faerie walls, its hard to control in the real world, I wouldnt be able to control it without learning. I would be a mess. "What about everyone here, I cant just leave them," i said. She smirked a little at me, "they seem to have no problem leaving you Laila, you will be safe and guarded at home. But here, here you are merely a meal." I looked at her and thought about what she had said, I had been through a lot since i left Faeire, things that would have never happened if i had stayed. "But they kicked me out, my mother had me thrown out. How do i go back to that?" I felt myself almost screaming. Her eyes widened then she took me by the arm and walked me into the house. "Laila, everyone is waiting for you to return. You are a princess, you should be treated like one. Wearing royal cloth and drinking from diamond glasses. Not this!" She reached over and grabbed onto my shirt, shaking it. "Let us take you home, try it. If you dont want to stay I will personally bring you back."

I didnt try to fight her, everything she said was true. I just accepted it. I packed my bags and wrote Fendewen a letter hoping he would understand:

Dearest Fendewen,
The time has come for me to go. I thank you for everything, I will never forget you. Please be safe and take care of yourself. Tell everyone I said bye, okay? Thank you. I miss you, I promise I will return.
-Laila

"Are you ready?" I turned to the voice and saw one of the guards standing at my bedroom door. I nodded then took one last look and set the letter on my bed. He would find it. We walked down the stairs and out the front door then across the yard. I tried to not look back, I knew it would hurt. But as the guard lifted me into his arms, slowly my eyes went to the house. I could feel the bit of sorrow in my heart. The heaviness settling there. With a small grunt he pushed off the ground, his wings beating heavily, then we were airborne. "Just close your eyes and take a nap, we will be there later Princess,'' he mumbled. So I did. Sleep came fast, my body molded to him and I was out.

part 34

The Seelie Court was not as welcoming as Syrina had made them out to be. The seven elders stared at me as I walked into the castle, hushed whispers cut the silence. I tried to hold my head high, like i was proud, but i was terrified. As i passed the last elder i could see her hands tighten into fist. I looked up at her, her black eyes bore into mine. Her lips pulled back in a snarl and she turned her head at me. Well.. Theres one elder thats not on my side, great. We went down the corridor and into the main room, I had forgotten how beautiful this place was. The walls are painted a soft amber, light green curtains flow down, lining the windows. A simple design is painted across the ceramic tiles, the tiles are interrupted by a dark red rug. A long strip of rug from the doorway to the far wall leads to a large throne. Two columns are on each side of the chair, stretching up toward the glass ceiling. Crystal lights dance throughout the room, making the tile glisten. I look at the Queen take her place at the thrown, her white gown trailed behind her. Slowly she turned, then took a seat. Her eyes came to me and she smiled, but it wasnt a Queens smile, it was a mothers smile.

Syrina took me upstairs to my room, not my old room but a new one. I had asked her what happened to my old one and she would not answer. Later I would find out, my curiosity only became worse the more she avoided my questions. We stepped into my new room and my breath was instantly taken away. There was a large open window, it had no glass but instead thin black gates covering it. Vines seeped through the spaces between bars and came into the room, covering the wall and parts of the ceiling, then coming down the posts of the bed. There was a golden white-stitched blanket on the bed, against the head-board feathered pillows lined it. I touched the blanket, letting my fingertips slide over its cool silky cloth. "Laila I will be back later, you go ahead and get settled in. If you need anything just let the guards at the door know. Dinner will be ready soon, you will dine with the royalty tonight Princess,'' Syrina said. Then she was gone. As the door closed behind her I set my bag on the bed and started to unpack. Soon I found myself at the window staring out at the kingdom. This was a life I missed but at the same time I didnt want it, it wasnt me.

I was escorted to the dining room, seated at one end of the table, my mother at the other. Her guards sat with us then the servants came in and placed food before us. They removed the cover to our food and instantly the smell of meat hit me. I gagged a little and covered my nose to keep from catching the smell again. "Mother, when did you start eating meat?" I asked her. When she looked up from her food a wicked smile came to her lips, followed by a small laugh. "Just try it Laila, you will be surprised" she said. My eyes went from her to the guards, I could tell some of them didnt want to eat it, but my mothers orders made them change their mind. Still I didnt eat it. I ate my grapes and pieces of berries but did not touch the wretched meat. How dare she. Fairies dont eat meat, the animals are supposed to be sacred. We arent the Unseelie, we are Seelie. The pure ones. As dinner came to an end mother stood and came to my side, reaching her hand out to me. I took it and stood then followed her to the door. She let my hand go and placed hers on my back pushing me forward a little, "go to bed sweet dreams." I nodded at her then started for the stairs. "Laila wait,'' she called after me.

"You need some protection dear,'' mother said. She went back to her guards and looked them over. Then grabbed one by the arm and pulled him with her, walking back toward me. They stopped a few feet away, "Laila this is Silas he will be your guard.'' She turned toward him and placed her hand on his helmet, "by all things good and evil, by the darkness that devours the light i release you into the hands of a new, Princess Laila." Carefully she pulled from him and walked around him, never looking back. I looked at him and smiled. Most of his armor covered his body, all i could see was his golden wolflike eyes.

part 35

I had forgotten what it was like to be guarded. Silas never left my side, in a way it was nice to not be alone but at the same time it would drive me crazy. We walked down the pathway into the garden, the sweet perfume of the flowers flooded the air around us. On the edge of the path was a small white fence lining the flowerbeds. Roses, daisies, marigolds, and many other wildflowers bloomed free, sprouting everywhere. "Soo Silas?'' I said. He turned to me and waited. His arms crossed in front of him, standing straight, just waiting for something interesting to happen. His armor glistened in the sun, i could feel the bead of sweat trickle down my back. "Are you not burning up in all that?" I asked him. For a moment he didnt answer but then, "honestly yes. I am pretty hot." I laughed a little, "you dont have to wear it you know? Im not going to make you." He stepped away and turned toward the flowers, "Princess you own me, i do what you desire," he whispered. I walked toward him and grabbed his arm then turned him back to me, staring into those golden eyes. "Silas, fine. I command you to do whatever you want. Just keep me safe. Wear what you want, eat what you want, go where you wish. Just keep me safe. I was given a guard, not a slave" I told him.

Night began to fall and he said we should go back inside. We took the stairs to my room and he opened the door then walked me inside. "Sleep well Princess,'' he said and turned to leave. "Wait," i called after him. "Where do you sleep?" A small chuckle came from his helmet, "I dont. Good night'' then he was gone. I stood there looking at the closed door, replaying what he had just said. How does he not sleep? Slowly I turned and took off my shoes then climbed in bed pulling the silk blanket up to my chin and hugging the pillow against me. I closed my eyes but nothing happened. Sleep wasnt coming easy as it had been. After a few frustraiting attempts of getting comfortable I gave up then climbed out of bed and put my shoes back on. When i opened the door he was there just waiting. "And where do you think you are going so late at night Princess?" he laughed. I leaned against the door frame and smiled at him, "for a little run. You're more than welcome to join me." He pushed off the wall and walked with me back out to the garden, "where are you running to?" he asked. But all i did was take off running. I screamed back at him, "guess you gotta find out!"

His screams for me to come back started to fade, I could hear the clanking of his boots on the path. "Come on Silas! You know all that metal is weighing you down. You could catch me," i yelled breathlessly. A large tree was ahead and I quickly scrambled up it, settling on a branch waiting for him to come by. As he came by he stopped running, his head turned in different directions, "Okay you win. Ill take it off Princess! Just please come out of that tree." he laughed. I felt my mouth drop open, "What! How did you.. Ugh whatever fine,'' I growled then climbed back down. He turned and looked at me then slowly reached up and grabbed both sides of his helmet and started to pull it off.