“Jim?”
“Smelly Jim,” he says and dips his head in a bow.
“How?”
He doesn’t smell, he’s not cadaverously thin, and he’s fairly handsome, in an unobvious way.
“The art of manipulation, my dear. I’m a chameleon. It’s always been an archaic and fairly useless form of fairy magic, but I made it pay. There are people who pay for information. And if you can talk to their enemies, they’ll pay you double to play games. I have fun.”
He stretches his legs out in front of him and steeples his fingers together. “Elsie. I feel bad. And I’ve been looking for you. That you’re sitting here in the open probably isn’t a good thing for you. If someone from the castle spotted you, it wouldn’t be good. But here you are.”
“Here I am. Why were you looking for me?”
“I had a feeling you’d need some help. Sometimes we’re on a path so straight and the way ahead is so clear, we could be blindfolded and turned in circles and we’d still end up where we were meant to be going. Easy. Then for some of us, our path changes and the way ahead is unclear. There are obstacles. There are upsets. There are questions to be answered and decisions to be made and so many variables we feel as though we may never get to where we’re going.”
Elsie smiles. She has no idea what he’s talking about.
“When I saw you in the tavern, my dear, your path was clear and straight. Then I was paid for some information. I gave it freely, as it seemed such an insignificant thing. Could I watch the princess leave the Kingdom and could I report when she got to the other side? It was your step parents, just making sure you got where you were going. Easy. Then I got wind that you were back in the Kingdom. I have my spies as others have me.”
Elsie is leaning close to him; thankful that he no longer smells, hanging on his every word. She cannot believe her step parents cared enough to make sure she left. Dread fills her.
“Did you tell them? My step parents?”
He shakes his head. “No. something stopped me. I watched you instead, to see what you did and where you went. And now I’m here to help you.”
“Help me?”
“Don’t you need help now Meg is dead?”
Elsie nods. “I do.”
“It’s simple, what I’ll tell you, but you must listen to me. I see so much, and I know so much. You must fight in this rebellion. And you must win this rebellion. And you must take up the crown and sit upon the throne and refuse to let anybody else tell you what to do.”
“But how will I know what to do if nobody helps me?”
“There comes a time butterfly, when you must do as you see fit, do what pleases you and make choices that satisfy you. One courtier will ask you to do things this way, and another will advise you to do it that way. One man will say he is innocent while another will swear he is guilty. There will be so much contradictory advice that you will spin in circles the entire time the crown is on your head.”
Elsie sighs. Why is it all so complicated?
“It just is.”
She looks sharply at him, confusion in her expression.
“No, you didn’t say it aloud; I knew it anyway. I know much and I see much. And I know this; there are many who will see you, a young and naïve princess, as the perfect way for them to get what they want. They will manipulate you and abuse your friendship. I am not saying that you will only know false friends, but I say that without Meg and with no other to advise you it is time to do as you see fit. Use your moral compass to find the way ahead.”
“I’m not sure I have a moral compass. I have had no life experience to gain wisdom or knowledge.”
“It is all within you. If I ask you to kick that old lady, how do you feel?”
“How do I feel?”
“In the pit of your stomach, just under your belly button?”
“I feel sick.”
“Right and so you know it’s not a good thing to do. Now focus on that same spot whenever you have to answer a question. People assume your intuition lives in your heart, but it doesn’t; it’s in your gut.”
“And if I make a mistake?”
“To err is human, remember? But to blindly follow or foolishly and passively allow others to hold the reins that belong to you – that would be a travesty. Hold on to the reins and your reign will be successful.”
“Hold on to the reins. But-” She blinks and looks from side to side and all around, but he’s gone.
20
ELSIE SUDDENLY FEELS exposed and flies quickly back through the woods and up to the village and back to Maud’s house. She knocks on the door and Maud answers, her usually welcoming grin covering her face.
“Hello duck. How’s your day been?” She peers past her. “Is Hardy with you?”
Elsie shakes her head. “Just me. He had rebellion stuff to do.”
Maud beams. “He works so hard that boy. Are you hungry?”
Elsie nods and then smiles. She doesn’t want Maud to know how unsure she’s feeling about everything. Seeing smelly Jim has confused her even more. How can she trust herself to decide when she’s never had to do so before? What if she makes a terrible decision, what if she ruins everything, what if her idea of the women fighting is an example of a rubbish idea?
Maud passes her freshly cook slices of beef, still hot from the oven and dripping with fat, and some freshly baked bread.
“You must cook all day.”
“I do. I love to cook it and I love to eat it. And I love to feed people.” She laughs. “We’ve always had a full house. Between my husband and all his plans, and now Hardy with his, there’s always some hungry belly that needs filling.”
“Don’t you wish you could do more, be more involved, I mean, in the rebellion?”
“Oh no. That’s men’s work.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Oh my pretty, you’re not still wishing Norah could teach you to fight? What would be the point? There’s never been a warrior queen in Allaire, and we don’t need one now. This will be a peaceful Kingdom when your step parents are out of the way. You won’t need to fight to keep your crown.”
“I suppose. I think it just feels lazy.”
“Nothing lazy about women’s work. Don’t we cook and clean and feed everyone and wash up and wash the clothes and, well, I suppose you won’t be doing all that when you’re queen. But you’ll be hosting parties and jousts and having beautiful dresses made.”
Elsie laughs. “Won’t I be busy running the Kingdom?”
This time Maud cannot hide her mirth and laughs and laughs. “Oh, Elsie. You’re a real star.”
“Why?”
“How can a sixteen-year-old girl run the Kingdom? You’re a funny one. You’ll have a council to do that for you. You’re the figurehead, remember?”
Elsie chews on her food, then as nonchalantly as she’s able asks. “Who will be on the council, though? We couldn’t have anyone who’s in the castle right now. We couldn’t trust them, and I don’t know anyone here who would know about the running of a Kingdom.”
Maud passes her a beautiful little cake. “Hardy. Hardy has been planning this for years. Not just the rebellion – that’s the first phase. It’s what comes next that’s important. Getting Allaire back to its former glory and running a peaceful Kingdom. It’s all anybody wants.”
Elsie remains quiet. He really wants to rule the Kingdom, as her husband or otherwise. He really thinks she came back to Allaire just to give the running of the place to someone else. He really thinks she’ll happily step aside and play dress up while the capable men run the Kingdom in her name. Bella was right.
“All right, pet? You’re quiet.”
“Just enjoying my lovely food, thank you. And excited to be queen and buy dresses and stuff.”
Maud pats her hand. “I knew you wouldn’t be any trouble. Hardy wasn’t sure. But I knew. I knew.”
Hardy wasn’t sure. What does that even mean? Does that mean his kisses were an insurance policy? Just a way to
keep her sweet and keep her on side. She holds a hand to her stomach and tries to gauge what her intuition thinks. All she feels is a rumble of hunger, as if she hasn’t eaten enough.
“I heard that rumble. Here have some more bread.” Maud pushes the plate of bread closer to Elsie, and Elsie digs in. She might not know Hardy’s game, if he’s even playing one, but she knows she will meet Norah tomorrow and Aster and maybe Bella and Anya and she will have some say in this rebellion. Her gut is telling her that’s a good thing to do at least.
And maybe it’s wise to keep your thoughts to yourself and decide slowly and carefully and in a considered way. Who knows? The biggest decision she had to make while she was locked up was if Meg should tell her this story or that one. Hardly powerful stuff. Hardly important in the grand scheme of things.
But if she should trust Hardy or not? That’s big.
If she should listen to Bella or not? That’s big.
Trying to figure out if someone killed Meg on purpose? That’s bigger than big.
“Shall I get a nice bath ready for you, lovely? You look exhausted.”
“Yes, please. That would be wonderful.”
If she’s by herself, she won’t have to pretend that everything’s all right. And maybe it is. That’s the ridiculous thing. She really has no idea.
Elsie climbs into the bath, the scorching water covering her skin and scalding it. It feels delicious. It also feels strange. Even though she was a prisoner; she was still a princess and so she had a handmaiden and so everything was done for her. Meg even cut up her food for her.
Elsie laughs and ducks under the water, soaking her hair. How pathetic she is to be sixteen and unable to wash her own hair, cut up her own food and dress herself. No wonder Hardy thinks he’ll have to run the Kingdom on her behalf.
So she’ll show him. She’ll gather up the women, and they’ll all learn to fight, and they’ll all go to Hardy and show him that women can fight and she can rule. She can decide and not wait to be told what to do. Then he’ll see how capable she is.
Then maybe she’ll get to run her own Kingdom instead of watching other people do it for her.
She washes her hair and washes herself and dresses in a clean nightdress she finds on her pillow. Maud is so nice; how could she think otherwise? They know she needs help and they just want to give it to her.
Her stomach twists.
They have been kind to her.
Her stomach twists again.
Is this intuition or indigestion? That she has no idea makes her laugh. Then she’s giggling, then laughing, then the laughter has a slightly hysterical tinge to it and then she’s crying.
It’s how Hardy finds her when he knocks on the door and comes inside.
“Elsie. Are you all right?”
She laughs and sobs in one weird sound and Hardy scoops her up and holds her against him, letting her cry and sob and laugh and hiccup.
“What’s wrong? Is it Meg?”
Elsie nods. There’s no way she can tell him what else is troubling her.
“I know it’s sad and scary, but I promise you, you won’t have to deal with any of this alone. I’m here for you and my mother is, all the rebels. We all want what’s best for Allaire and what’s best for you.”
“What is best for me?”
He pulls back and smiles at her, his expression unreadable to her.
“Whatever you want. You’ll be queen. Doesn’t that sound amazing?”
She nods and bites her lip. She won’t say any more.
“Are you hungry?”
“Yes, and I wouldn’t mind some fresh air.”
“Come down. We’ll eat in the garden.”
“That sounds wonderful. Thank you.”
He pulls her up and then puts his arm around her. “I’m at your service. Anything you need, you just tell me. Anything you want, you just tell me. Elsie, I can’t help it. When I’m with you... I’m feeling all these feelings, these new and frightening feelings. I don’t even know you, but I feel so protective of you. I feel like I’m meant to be in your life.” He shakes his head and laughs. “I know I sound crazy.”
“Not crazy,” she says and heads down the stairs. She wants so much for his words to be true, but since speaking to Bella everything he says just sounds hollow. And yet she is feeling those feelings too. Is it that unbelievable that he might feel something for her?
Maud greets her with a warm smile. “How was your bath my lovely?”
“Lovely. Though quite a novelty to wash my hair.”
They all laugh and take the dishes outside.
“This was a great idea. I love to sit outside to eat. We haven’t done it for a while, Hardy. Why not?”
“I think it’s something dad always liked to do.”
Maud nods. “Of course. Ah, he did. He loved the fresh air and the sound of birds tweeting. We must do it more often.”
“Absolutely.”
“Evening.” Norah flies over the fence and joins them. “I knocked at the door, but there was no answer.” She grabs a cake. “Ooh, Maud you’re the best.”
Maud laughs and they all tuck in.
“So, I was just out and about and I saw Anya.” Norah looks at Elsie who gets her point right away. “And I was wondering if Elsie wanted to join me in the morning for some flying practice. I know you’re still a bit rusty.”
“Really?” Hardy turns to Elsie.
“Yes. My wings ache so much. Thanks, Norah. That would be great.”
The two girls smile and although Hardy is looking from one to the other as though he’s trying to figure them out, they give nothing away.
“You’re not bothering to learn how to fight anymore?”
Elsie shrugs. “What would be the point?”
Maud brings out more food and they eat and drink and chat. Norah talks enough that Elsie can switch off a little and contemplate all the things she’s learned today, and she feels all right. She has to learn how to do this by herself. She has to learn how to judge people and decide if they are good for her or not. Hardy can assume all he wants, but when she is queen, she will make sure she makes the choices, not him. She will put people she chooses in her court; not him.
She won’t be a puppet. And if that’s what he thinks he’s getting, he’s mistaken.
She enjoys the rest of the meal. Norah is funny and has them all in stitches with story after story after story. Hardy is good company, and she feels more sure that he’s being honest with her, and Bella just has a severe case of sour grapes. There’s a bit of her that hopes he is falling in love with her. Would that be so terrible?
She takes a long time to fall asleep when she finally gets to bed and her dreams are unpleasant. She wakes up feeling unrefreshed but excited to see what the day will bring.
What if nobody turns up? What if Bella still hates her, and Anya thinks it’s stupid, and Aster can’t convince anyone from the troupe and Norah only turns up by herself? She keeps as calm as she can through breakfast.
“You don’t need Norah to help you with flying,” Hardy says, passing her a drink. “I’d have helped you.”
Elsie smiles up at him. “You’re so busy though with the rebellion. I didn’t want to bother you.”
He touches her hand. “You’re no bother. Not to me.”
She blushes and eats her food. There’s no way he’s that good an actor. She’s listening to her gut and her gut is telling he that he likes her.
Hardy takes a shawl from the back of another chair and drapes it over her shoulders. He kisses the top of her head and sits back down. Maud beams at them both.
“You’re a sweet pair.”
“Mum!”
Elsie says nothing. Just eats her food. The knock at the door interrupts them and Elsie tries not to look too excited. Will her idea work? Will anybody be interested in joining her?
“Enjoy and don’t let her fly you too hard.”
Elsie grabs Norah’s hand and they fly away before either of them says a word.
<
br /> “Oh, thank you for coming and thank you for coming last night. Am I mad? Did you get anybody to come? Will anybody join me?”
Norah laughs and puts a finger to her lips.
“Tell me!”
Norah refuses to answer and just flies alongside Elsie to Apple Valley. It looks different to how she remembers it, and she’s so busy feeling sad at the lack of greenery and the dying trees and the dried-up river that she barely notices hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of female fairies. When Norah turns her away from the woods and she sees everyone, her hand flies to her mouth and tears well up in her eyes. She spots Aster and raises a hand. Aster joins them.
“I can’t believe this,” Elsie says. “Are they really all here to fight? To help me?”
Aster nods. “The women in the troupe are so excited. Some of them think it’s a terrible idea, but most of them want in. They couldn’t all come; the men would wonder where they were, and the children would have gone wild with nobody to supervise them.”
Norah laughs. “I had the same problem. We’ll have to do this in shifts or something! There are hundreds more who wanted to come. Everyone is super excited.”
“Really?”
“Yes. They’re ready to take the Kingdom from your step parents and they think it’s amazing that you’ll be queen.”
“And most of them are pretty annoyed that the men won’t let them fight.”
“The men think it’s funny we might even want to fight.”
Bella flies over and lands in front of Elsie. “Men think it’s funny that I might want to fight when I could beat any of them. Even Hardy.”
Elsie grabs her hands. “Thank you, Bella. Thank you for coming.”
“I enjoy fighting. I’m sorry if I upset you yesterday.”
“You did. But maybe I needed it. This will be a test. If we all get trained and we all ask to join the rebellion; we’ll see what Hardy says then.”
“He won’t like it.” Bella, Aster and Norah say at the same time.
Elsie laughs. “Then he can lump it.”
She flies to the middle of the throng of fairies and hovers in the air.
“Thank you!” She calls out loud enough for them all to hear. They press closer.
The Rise of the Fairy Queen (The Fairy Queen Trilogy Book 1) Page 18
