《 The Grove 》

Taron and I walked side by side down the hill, Marcus trailing behind us.
I hadn't spoken to him and Taron had noticed the awkward silence between us.

Currently, he was distracting me by explaining Faerieland. It sounded wonderful the way he explained it. Beautiful sunsets and fascinating creatures.
He explained that most creatures in Faerieland would actually kill you, like Kelpies, nixies and pixies.

I listened intently, trying to find any connection from Faerieland to me. He explained the politics, that there were two courts, Summer and Winter.

I belonged to the Summer Court, a Summer Princess.
I could hear Marcus scoff every now and then as we walked.

The day turned into night and my mind was reeling with all this new information. "So what do you do when you greet the Queen?" Taron asked.

"Curtsy and address her by status" I replied quickly.

Taron smiled as we settled around the fire. "Good" he said.

"I'm going to go hunt" Marcus said, bored.

I turned to look at him as he walked into the trees. I sighed and looked down into the warmth of the flame. "You know he's just trying to protect you?" Taron said, stoking the fire with a branch.

"Protecting me requires kissing me?" I asked in disbelief.

"He's in love with you, what do you expect the man to do? Not stare at you and fight his urges to kiss you?" He asked, the flames creating shadows on his face.

I bit my lip. "Look, I know you're going through a rough time with not knowing who you really are, but don't push away the man who wants to be by your side" Taron continued before laying back.

He gazed up at the stars. "You never know when he'll give up and just walk away" he replied, a sound of pain in his voice.

"Sounds like you know how that feels" I replied, turning my head to look at him.

Taron stayed silent. Sighing, I fell back and turned my face to the stars. I had started to draw constellations when Marcus appeared out of the trees silently. I watched him crouch at the edge and stare out over the grassy field.

He picked up something.. a leaf? A rock? And tucked it into his pocket. I looked away when he looked over at us.
I closed my eyes and fell asleep.

"Diana, c'mon, we don't have far" a voice said, shaking me awake.

I bolted upright, dreams of vampires and faeries falling from my mind. "I'm up" I exclaimed.

"We can see that" Marcus replied monotoned.

I glanced over at him and he was perched on a rock, staring at me. "You didn't sleep?" I asked, confused.

"I'm a vampire Diana, we don't sleep" he replied coldly.

He then stood up and walked away. I glanced at Taron who glanced at me, a sad expression on his face.
"It's not far to the Grove, you'll be in Faerieland soon" he said, trying to cheer me up.

I smiled at me but when I turned away, my smile faded.

I packed my bag again and hoisted it onto my back. Taron helped me stand and we started walking, following Marcus. "What's wrong with him?" I asked, studying his back.

"Guess there's only so many times he can take no for an answer, his elders aren't happy with him and you're not happy with him, I think that sums up his life at the moment" Taron replied, studying him too.

I watched as Marcus picked up a rock and threw it off into the distance. "It's not that I'm not happy with him, I just wish he'd stop being so..." I trailed off.

"Caring?" Taron asked, giving me a look.

I sighed, following my brother.

Marcus stopped and turned around to face us. "Are you going to open the door or what?" He asked, folding his arms across his chest.

"Patience, Marcus, the door will open when it needs to be" Taron replied.

Suddenly, the air in front of us seemed to ripple with blue electricity. It all gathered in one spot, before a cracked shown, before widening. "Welcome to Faerieland" Taron said, stepping forward and pushing open the door.

I gasped at the splendor of the lands in front of me. Long grass swayed back and forth through a summer breeze that drifted through the door.
Sunlight streamed across the meadow, casting down onto the four people that awaited us on horseback.

Taron stiffened. I glanced at him before looking at who he was looking at. The man had violet eyes and brown hair, he swung off his horse and stood tall on the dirt path. Taron helped me through the door.

"Well met, Princess" the man said, bowing.

I gave a curtsy back. "Well met, Prince Taron" the man said, then turning to my brother and bowing stiffly.

My brother did not return the bow. "Welcome to our lands, vampire" the man said, as Marcus just gave a firm nod.

"The Queen is awaited your arrival, shall we?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I'm sorry, who are you?" I asked, not meaning to be rude.

"Forgive me, your highness, my name is Keian, The Queen's most trusted servant" he replied, smiling.

"Oh" I replied.

I glanced at Taron who seemed to be deliberately not looking at Keian. "Would you need help on the horse?" Keian asked, bringing me back to what's in front of me.

"Yes please" I replied.

Taron winced. Keian grabbed my waist and hoisted me up with the help of the rider already on. "To the castle" he said as Taron climbed onto his own horse.

Marcus stood astride his steed, looking very mysterious and dark like. 
The rider behind me, kicked his horse lightly and we sprang into movement.

Taron stayed close to my side and I watched him watch Keian. "You've got it bad bro" I said quietly. 

Taron glanced at me surprised. "I don't know what you're talking about" he replied stiffly.

"Umm I'm pretty sure everyone can feel the sexual tension between you and Keian" I replied, giving him a look.

Taron glanced at my rider. "There's no such thing, do not make up things" he said, coaxing his horse forward and past Keian.

I frowned, confused.

Marcus's horse past me and I sighed. Great. Now Marcus and Taron all hate you.

The trot wasn't for long until we arrived in a shiny reflective road. It seemed to be made out of pure silver, leading into a bridge, also made of silver.

We crossed the bridge and I stared at the waterfall that cascaded down the rocks. "This place is beautiful" I said, impressed.

A smile lit up Keian's face. "The Queen would be pleased" he replied.

Our horses trotted from the silver bridge onto cobblestone, passing through a small village that seemed to dot the castle walls. Faeries of all kinds and colours came out of their homes to point and wave at the Queen's enclave. 

I waved back and smiled at the children that ran after the horses. I looked up and saw a figure standing above the gate, a shiny figure who disappeared when we grew nearer.

The gates to the castle opened and our horses trotted inside. Pulling the reins to a stop, my rider helped me down and I almost fell.

Taron caught me and hoisted me up, dusting me off. "The Queen will see you after you are refreshed, please allow me to show you your room, your majesty" Keian said, beaming.

I nodded and smiled back, receiving a weird look from Taron. I followed Keian through lots of hallways, managing to get lost after about the fifth door. "Your room" Keian said before leaving me in front of a large wooden door.

I put my hand on the handle and pushed it open. I gasped. My bed was huge, taking up almost the whole room. A cupboard made out of sticks, hung beautiful dresses and coats. I turned my head to see another room,  a bathroom. 

It had a huge corner bath, a bubbly spring that seemed to be heated from the rocks in the hall. I quickly looked in the mirror and realised I looked absolutely horrible and probably smelt like it too.

I went back into my room and went through the dresses. I finally picked a white dress, it looked like it'd fit me like a glove.

I peeled my disgusting clothing off and climbed it to the spring, automatically feeling the relaxation. My tired legs seemed to sigh as they floated in the water.

I heard a giggle and turned around to see a young lady sitting on a stool. Startled, I buried my body under the bubbles. "You seem like you've had a bad day" the woman said, her voice like tinkling chimes.

She grinned. "I'm Saorise, your handmaiden" she said standing up and nearing the bath.

"What are you doing?" I asked as she gripped my arm.

"Washing you, silly" she replied.

"What! No! I can do that!" I exclaimed, trying to pull away.

"Don't speak nonsense, it's my job to take care of you and I will do my job" she said, holding my wrist firmer.

"Okay okay" I said, giving up.

She pulled me towards her and turned me around to wash my hair. "A long journey I take it?" She asked, rubbing her hands through my scalp.

My eyes closed at the sensation. God, that feels good.

"Mhm" I replied.

I could barely pull a sentence together with the feeling that flowed through me. She rinsed my hair and washed out again before pulling back. I didn't even know she had finished. I was in heaven.

"Thank you" I whispered. 

Saorise blushed. "Your welcome, Princess" she replied standing up and walking over to the fluffy towels.

"Come, we must get your dressed" she said, waiting for me to stand up.

"I'm not standing up with you in the room" I replied as Saorise laughed.

"Okay, here.." she said handing me the towel and walking out.

I climbed out and wrapped the towel around my body before following her. "Sit" she said, pointing to a chair.

I sat and she busied herself with brushing my hair. She lifted up jewelry and placed a necklace around my throat, a beautiful clip it my hair before saying I was done.

She left me to get dressed and I pulled the dress onto my body. I smiled at my reflection, finally looking beautiful. I saw white heels on the shelf of the cupboard and pulled them down, wearing them.

I opened the door to my room and Taron was leaning on the other side, finally looking dapper in a soldier uniform, a sword strapped to his side. "Wow, you have a sword and everything" I said, walking out.

Taron stood straighter. "Excalibur" he said.

"As in King Arthur?" I asked, shocked.

"Yes, the sword belonged to the faeries, when the king died, the sword returned to its natural owner" he replied.

"Wow, that's not written in the history books" I replied. 

Taron smiled. "You look beautiful sister" He said.

"Thank you, you look rather dashing yourself" I replied as we started walking down the hallway.

Taron led me through a other set of doorways before stopping in front of wide gold ones. "Ready?" He asked, seeming more nervous than I was.

"Yes" I replied, hiding my shaking hands.

He nodded to the guards and they moved forward and opened the doors.  Taron strode in with his head high, and I followed him.

I didn't have time to glance at the room because the figure on the throne stood up. I stared at her as Taron bowed. "Your majesty" he said.

He glanced at me. I quickly gave a curtsy. "Your highness, I am Diana-" I was cut off.

"You are my daughter" the splitting image of me replied. 

I glanced at Taron who looked down. I straightened slowly. I spotted Keian standing next to the throne.
The Queen slowly walked down the stairs, she stopped in front of Taron. 

"What took you so long?" She asked, rather harshly.

Taron flinched and looked away. She continued to me and touched my cheek. "My daughter, my beautiful daughter" she said, smiling..

A/N

BOOM! there's a long chapter for you!
Did you like the length?

2000 words!

What did you think of the chapter?
What's going on between Keian and Taron?
What's up with Marcus?
What does the Queen want?

So many unanswered questions!
Stay tuned.

Love you lots,
T xoxoxoxoxo