The Benevolence of the Snow Faerie

     And so, every time the Council was called, Taelia attended.

     It wasn't even the Council that bothered her, despite her preference for isolation at the top of Terror Mountain. Nor was it Illusen and Jhudora's rivalry, or Siyana's overly bubbly attitude and unwarranted advice, or even Marina's complaints about the water quality being bad for her skin (which Taelia struggled to not roll her eyes at, as Fyora graciously provided a pool for the Water Faeries to lounge in so they could comfortably participate in the Council and Taelia was certain it was the same water as the Healing Springs, minus Marina's magic).

     No, none of these things bothered Taelia as much as the discomfort of the climate.

     Faerieland was temperate most of the time, but this time of year it was just plain hot. Even on the warmest days on Terror Mountain, the temperature remained low and comfortable for a Snow Faerie such as Taelia. Down here, she was sweltering even after she removed her thick winter coat generously gifted to her by Tarla so many years ago. Not that she really needed it, but she could never refuse such kindness. That sweet Ixi was Taelia's closest friend.

     It was funny, she mused to herself as she flew past the Healing Springs with the midday sun beating down on her. Not even Mira seemed to have as much of an issue, and she lived in space. Maybe she had a special magic that Taelia could ask about.

     Faerie City was just ahead, on the other side of a small pool of crystalline water fed by a waterfall that reminded her of turquoise silk rippling against a soft breeze. A small grove of trees swayed gently on the pool's southern side, making the longer-than-necessary journey a little more pleasant. It was a courtesy to enter from the south, rather than random Faeries flying in from all directions, which also made it easier for the Queen to keep track of everyone. Despite having to circle entirely around since she came from the north, Taelia never complained. Faerieland really was beautiful, but she just couldn't get used to the heat.

     As Taelia passed over the grove of trees, something caught her eye. She frowned and circled back, her wings flaring against the breeze to slow her down as she scanned the shadowy underbelly of the trees for what she saw just moments ago.

     There!

     Taelia angled herself downward, pulling her wings in just slightly to increase the speed of her descent. As she approached the grove, her frown deepened when she finally processed what she was seeing.

     She landed smoothly in the shade of the trees, grateful for some relief from the sun's merciless assault. With soft footsteps, she cautiously approached the small, sad-looking plushie she'd only ever heard rumor of, but had never seen herself. It hung from the lowest branches of a gnarled tree, caught by the fabric of its hind end and looking depressingly out of place against the backdrop of glittering, diamond-like water from the pool.

     But wait. Wasn't the so-called Discarded Magical Blue Grundo Plushie of Prosperity supposed to be... well, blue?

     This plushie was not blue. It was grey.

     "Did you do this?" Taelia found herself asking. She blinked in surprise at the sound of her own voice.

     The response came several seconds of unhappy silence later. "I don't know. He was like this when I got here."

     The Grey Faerie was tucked against the tree's twisted roots, her knees drawn to her chest as she gazed sullenly at the ground between her worn, grey slippers. Her dress was tattered and filthy, as though she'd been travelling by foot. Taelia's eyes landed on the Grey Faerie's ruined wings and reminded herself that the poor thing couldn't fly, so foot travel was the only plausible option.

     "Did you receive the Queen's summons as well, uh...." Taelia awkwardly trailed off when she realised she couldn't remember this Grey Faerie's name. Surely she knew it, right? Yes, of course, she did. She remembered learning it ages ago and finding it amusing for some reason. But why? "I'm so sorry, but I don't recall your name."

     The Grey Faerie smiled sadly.

     "Not many do," she said, "and I cannot say it myself."

     "That's right," Taelia murmured, more to herself. "You were cursed."

     The Grey Faerie was nodding solemnly. "Yes. And to answer your question, the Queen always summons me to the Faerie Council, but insists my presence isn't mandatory since I can't fly." She faltered for a moment, averting her glassy gaze. "I always try to make it though, and usually I do. This time, though, I didn't know if I should. I stopped to rest and now I can't bring myself to continue."

     "Why not?"

     "I wasn't sure if Kari would want to see me," said the Grey Faerie, her voice soft. Taelia inhaled sharply, understanding what the poor Grey Faerie meant. "I don't know how she's doing or if she thinks what happened is my fault. I don't even know if it's my fault. What if it is, somehow? I guess... at least she got to keep her wings and can tell others her name."

     The Grey Faerie sounded sincere, even though her eyes betrayed her despair at Kari's fortune over her own. Taelia glanced in the direction of Faerie City, wondering how late she was. Overhead, she could hear wings fluttering as any last-minute stragglers made their way toward the castle. Really, she should leave soon, but leaving the Grey Faerie here by herself seemed unfair. And the shade of the grove was preferable to the wrath of the sun's rays.

     Still, she would have to get to the city soon, or risk the Faerie Queen's indignation.

     "What will you do, then?" Taelia asked.

     "I'm not sure," said the Grey Faerie with a small shrug. "I long for nothing more than to sit by the water and enjoy the sun but I don't find joy in it the way I used to before...." She gestured limply at her whitened hair and clipped wings. "I think I should just return to the Haunted Woods."

     "The Haunted Woods?" echoed Taelia, furrowing her eyebrows in confusion. "What were you there for?"

     "Edna the Witch," she answered. "I sometimes stop in to see her, just in case...."

     There was no need for her to finish that sentence. Edna was notorious for her unusual methods and constant experimentation. Taelia frowned for a moment and cast another look toward Faerie City, but her mind was made up.

     'Fyora forgive me,' she thought. The Faerie Queen was benevolent and kind, and Taelia knew Fyora would see her absence for what it was: a gesture of kindness, as in the Queen's own nature.

     She offered the Grey Faerie her hand.

     The Grey Faerie stared at it, her expression incredulous when Taelia didn't withdraw.

     "Come on," she insisted patiently. "Take my hand."

     "What—?" The Grey Faerie tripped over her words, hesitating before trying again. "What if I turn you grey?"

     "Then you turn me grey," Taelia said. "But you won't. Come with me. It's not far."

     After staring at Taelia's outstretched hand for another few seconds, the Grey Faerie slowly reached out with her own slightly trembling hand and took it. Time froze for a small eternity as they both waited for something to happen, but nothing did. Taelia didn't turn grey.

     With a small, slightly relieved laugh, she helped the Grey Faerie to her feet before guiding her over to the banks of the glistening pool of turquoise water. Taelia lingered in the shade, but pointed to the sandy shore.

     "Go on," she said gently. "Even if you don't find joy in it the way you used to, you can find joy in it in a new way."

     The Grey Faerie looked uncertain, gnawing on her lower lip as she hugged herself. "How?"

     "That's up to you to discover," said Taelia with a shrug.

     "Will you... will you sit with me until I do?"

     She paused, not anticipating the question at all. It was only just past midday and there were still several long hours of summer heat left. Could she tolerate it long enough for this sorrowful Grey Faerie to find some joy again? Maybe Taelia could tell her a story, or they could play a game like the silly rhyming game she sometimes played with Tarla when visiting the Shop of Mystery.

     The rhyming game!

     A broad smile slowly spread across Taelia's face as realisation struck her. Of course. Rhyming.

     "I will gladly sit with you. For as long as you need, Baelia."

     The End.