Chapter 6

It's been a few days since my encounter with the kin and needless to say I still felt a strange pull towards him. Something about his presence felt familiar, like I've been around him before. But it was hard to tell, because I had no idea what he looked like.

Moira adviced me not to go near the West Wing, because it was solely the king's part of the castle. I was a bit saddened by that because I wanted to go to the library again, but I knew it was for the best not to go near that place again.

I tried to pry more information of the curse out of Moira, but she just said what she always said, 'it was his story' and I left it there.

I also told her about my powers I've discovered and she told me everything she knew about fae. Fae only had two to three powers and I already discovered two of mine. She said it was unlikely to have a third power, but I should always remember that it was a possibility.

Atleast my powers made me more optimistic than my memories. I still had no answers for my questions. Moira said that my memories might be triggered by an event, but that event still had to come.

While I waited for my memories to return I helped around the castle as usual. The servants have somehow became the family I lost. They treated me kindly, more kindly than their grumpy king.

I spent most of my days with the cook, Ms. White. She taught me how to prepare a few meals and I enjoyed it to work with her. She showed me many things and I must say her food was beyond delicious.

I saw myself as lucky because I was treated very generously even though they didn't need to. They treated me like a guest. And though the king wasn't a big fluffy teddy bear he was still kind enough to let me stay here until my memories returned.

I was currently helping cook to clean the kitchen after our baking for the day. When we were done I was beyond tired and quickly bid them all goodnight before I left for my room.

I quickly dressed in my night wear before I dove into my soft bed. A relaxed sigh escaped my lips as I wiggled myself into a comfortable position. The soft mattress and pillow helped me relax and before long I was pulled into dreamland.

-*-
A thunderous roar startled me awake and I nearly fell out of my bed. Then I heard a big commotion coming from downstairs. I quickly grabbed a robe that was in the closest before I rushed to see what was going on.

Just as I exited my room I heard Moira's voice and just then I was thankful for my super hearing abilities.

"Sire, please stay still, you're losing a lot of blood." I heard her say and a gasp escaped my lips. The king was in trouble.

I rushed my steps as I took two steps at a time. It was only now that I realised how many steps there actually were.

"I don't care, just leave me to die. Death can't be more dreadful than this curse." I heard the king roar in response.

When I finally got downstairs I noticed that the servants were standing around something, probably the king, blocking my view.

"Moira?" I asked and the woman immediately turned around and watched me with fearful eyes.

"Freya what are you doing down here? You should be sleeping." She said.

"I heard some ruckus and came to see what is going on." I said as I tried to get a peak of what is behind her, but she quickly moved infront of me, blocking me from getting a peak.

"Nothing we can't handle. Now go back to bed." She said with a tight lip smile. Just then another painful roar echoed through the castle. 

"It doesn't sound like you've got everything handled. Let me help." I said.

Moira gave me a contemplating look before she turned around.

"Sire?" She asked.

"Let her help. She was bound to see me sooner or later." He replied.

Moira nodded before she turned around to face me once more.

"Freya, just stay calm and don't be afraid." She said.

"Be afraid of-" My words died in my throat as Moira stepped aside and I was faced with what was behind her. A big, scary looking brown bear.

"You're a bear!" I shrieked as I stared at the king. I didn't expect him to be a bear. Yes I know that the kingdom was cursed and that all the servants had animal features, but I didn't expect him a bear with no human features at all.

The king looked up and I captured by his gaze. He had pure golden eyes and as soon as I saw it I was pulled into a memory...

-*-
I was in a forest looking about when I saw a little girl. She had the same brown hair and blue eyes as I did and I knew she was a younger me.

She was walking down the forest and looking around her. She was about two summers of age.

Suddenly she came to a stop and picked up a necklace that laid on the ground. Then there came movement from a nearby bush and a bear cub appeared.

The bear cub had golden eyes that stared at the necklace longingly. The girl held it out to the bear who quickly grabbed it and dissappered.

-*-

"Are you going to keep staring or are you going to help?" The king snapped and I was pulled out of my daze.

I cleared my throat before I rushed to his side.

All the servants were standing around him with wet clothes. There was a cloth on his side and when I removed it I saw a big gash along his side that was bleeding vigorously. A gasp escaped my lips as I saw that his blood was a golden colour.

"Can you help him?" Moira asked.

I looked up at her.

"I can try." I said as I placed my hands around the wound that received a low growl from the king.

"Sorry." I whispered. As soon as I placed my hands on his fur I felt the familiar buzzing pulse through my veins.

I closed my eyes and hoped that it would work. My eyes were still closed when I heard gasps coming from around me. I opened my eyes and saw a spark of white light and after it vanished the wound was fully healed.

I quickly took a cloth to wipe of the dry blood that was still present.

When I looked up I saw that everybody eas looking at me, including the king.

"I guess I have three powers then." I looked at the king who was looking at me with astonishment in his eyes. But it quickly dissapeared before he shook his head and stood up.

"Thanks." He said in a gruff mumble beforr he walked upstairs. His big body-that was the size of two bears- swayed as he climbed step for step.

He turned around and gave me a last fleeting look before he disappeared.

As soon as he was out of sight I felt myself breathe again.

"Thank you so much, Freya." Moira said as she placed a hand on my shoulder. I smiled at her before I stood up and helped the rest of them to clean up.

When we were done cleaning I went back to bed.

Thoughts raced through my mind as I wondered about the king. Was he the bear I met as a little girl in the woods? Was that why his presence felt so familiar? Did he remember me?

All these thoughts kept coming until exhaustion took over.

-*-

Ronin's POV

It was her! She was the faery I met in the forest when I was only a cub. All these thoughts rushed through my head as I laid in my bed.

I remembered that day so clearly because it was the day I almost lost my mother's pendant. I remember seeing the fae girl picking it up and playing with it before she saw me. She must have thought it was mine because the next moment she held it out for me to take and I didn't hesitate to take it.

But it was so many years ago, did she even remember?

Of course she didn't remember, you fool. She can't even remember her own name why would she remember a bear. I berated myself.

But I could've sworn I saw a hint of recognition glimmer in her eyes when our eyes met.

Was this fate or was this just pure coincidence that the same girl I met so many years ago was in my kingdom?

And what did she think of me when she saw I was a bear? Was she scared? Did she fear me?

I remember the pain that I felt in my side. I knew I shouldn't have ventured into the faery kingdom, but I needed to see if I could get information on who this faery was.

I didn't even see the trap until it was too late and I felt the painful slice through my side. After I broke free I ran as fast as I could. The fastest I've ever ran in my life.

Moira wa frightened to death when she saw me and I knew I scared her. Afterall I was like a son to her.

I didn't want them to help me because I didn't deserve it. I was the one who got us all cursed in the first place.

And then when I heard Freya's voice I froze. I didn't want her to see me like this. And when she wanted to help I heard the sincerity in her voice and I accepted her help.

When she touched me I felt her powers even stronger. It was painful at first, but her closeness calmed me.

I couldn't believe she healed me after the way I treated her.

A sigh escaped my lips as I though about the fae. My parents taught me to be weary of fae for they weren't trust worthy creatures.

But somehow I knew this faery wasn't like the rest.