Child faeries also known as winglings flutter past me in a flurry of disturbed murmurs and whispers, as shrill cries drown on from around the dancing oak. A crowd has gathered at its roots, in fear that their beloved tree is dying; and taking the rest of the faery realm with it. The same crowd, the same argument, the same tales resurrected; but hey they are just myths and legends, right?

The day is miserable with the threat of rain only adding to the depressive mood lingering in the air. Turning from the cold arguments before me I wander to what is supposably the edge of the faery realm, what lies beyond no one really knows, although the human world does lie out there somewhere. It has protected us since the dawn of time at least, that is how the story goes.

The lush green grass balance the harsh leaves of the endless hedge as I walk the enchanted boundary. The sun is high and its powerful rays can be felt even through the ominous clouds that cover the expanse of the sky. The eerie songs of birds and the whisperings of the trees float in the air around me. Scarlet butterflies dance before me for a moment before going their separate ways, leaving me with my own thoughts and worries. My pearl white wings capture the sun and leave a trail of silvery dust in my tracks as I continue to follow the hedge, away from Kai and into the dense forest beyond. Someone calls from behind me, clear, distinct and familiar, "Elaina, where do you think you are off to?" I turn and find Zavier jogging up behind me, his brown hair falling over his leaf green eyes. He joins me, breathless, I cast a final glance at the whispering hoard around the dancing oak before turning away and saying, irritation lacing my voice, "away from that", with a jab of my thumb in the direction of the other faeries I continue on my path into the forest.

The dark greens and deep browns of the forest surround me and I release a deep breath that I had been holding for the past few paces. "That was a big sigh for such a small faery " Zave whispers in my ear. He followed me? How hadn't I noticed him? No worry, I wouldn't mind the company. I give him a quick glare, before sarcastically replying "coming from you." He gives a small laugh before gesturing for me to continue down the forest path.

The sound of running water reaches my ears, long before the clearing or the glistening surface of the creek comes into sight. This place has been somewhere I have come for many years now. I come to think, and to have some peace and quiet; often on my own, but there have been times when Zavier has accompanied me.

Tall trees conceal the cascading waterfall that flows from the cliff above. Soft grass grows by the water and through the sand, all the way back to the tree line; which begins several paces from the creek, before it disappears amongst the underbrush. Damp moss grows in a few places on the large grey boulders that rest by the cliff base.

"Do you remember this place?" I whisper, barely conscious that I had spoken. I hear Zavier give a small laugh from behind me; just as he did when we were younger, when we were told off for getting too close to the water. When we would swing from the vines and fall into the creek below, when we would jump from the cliff above. Before we were burdened with the responsibilities of adult-hood, before blooming and gifts were any of our worries, before I lost everyone and before Zavier became so secretive, so withdrawn.

"Yeah, I do" Zavier spoke, drawing me back to here and now "it seems so long ago." For the first time since the accident, that changed both our lives for good; I look at him, really look at him, and for a moment, just a moment, I can see a pain that looks so out of place on him but what is causing it? I wish I knew and I wish I could go to him, help comfort him, take away that pain, but I can't and I turned from that path long ago.

I walk over to him, to the top of one of the boulders that rests near that water and doing something I haven't done for years, I push him, laughing as he lands in the glistening water. He emerges a few seconds later a huge grin on his face. Then we are both laughing, as if nothing matters anymore, our eerie faery skin sparkling in the shrouded light of the sun.

I hear a distant sound; shrill and deafening it reverberates through the trees. "Hush" I whisper, and Zavier quiets down. The forest is silent for a moment, then the sound comes again; a high-pitched scream, a tortured sound that is carried on the wind, from Kai. I take a glance at Zavier, and without waiting to see if he was following, I take off at a run, leaving the glade. I rush down the forest path, back towards the boarder of Kai, then towards the dancing oak.

Kai had turned to chaos. Limbs of the Dancing Oak lie in ruins across the centre of town. Homes are destroyed, reduced to splinters under the weight of the fallen branches. Faeries and winglings are being pulled out of the decimated buildings, either dead or wounded. The Elders are hidden away near the trunk of the tree, concealed by a ring of guards and whispering faeries. I make my way there, the crowd parting before me and the violent whisper dies down. Even the guards step aside as I approach, allowing me to pass; why this is, I do not know. As I approach the elders I can hear my name passing from faery to faery, gossiping whispers are exchanged within the hoard behind me, but again I am clueless as to what and why.

"Elaina" a gentle voice comes from the small group of Elders in front of me. Freya, a delicate faery, is one of the eldest from our village, yet she appears no older than me with her cherry red hair falling in waves to her waist. Her hazel eyes stare back at me, fear glistening in them. "What is happening?" I claim, brushing aside how distant the faeries are. "We, we don't know" Freya stumbles, avoiding my gaze. "Just tell her, she will find out sooner or later" a rough voice comes from the back of the group of Elders.

After a few moments where no one has spoken nor made any attempt to; Verum steps forward, his stiff stature towering almost a head above me. "Follow me," he grumbles before gesturing to Freya and walking towards the tree. Freya and I fall into step behind him. Verum leads us to the base of the Oak and through a wooden door that was crafted of the same eternal wood as the Dancing Tree. Legend says that the door leads to the heart of Faery; a door that was never to be opened, until the need was dire. Until now.



What I imagine Elaina and Zavier to look like please excuse any poor editing, certainly not my forte but I tried :)