Two days passed while Gillie recovered in the medical ward of the castle. Her transformation had taken a toll on her body, but she was finally up and moving around. Oberon entered, accompanied by his Harold,
“How are you my dear?” he asked as he took a seat on the bed.
“I’m fine father” she responded as she placed her feet on the ground for the first time in days. Her wings had fully developed but she still had trouble controlling them. Oberon stood up and asked Gillie if she would like to join him for a walk in the garden. She nodded and they made their way to the rear of the castle. They strolled the path through the roses, stopping to admire them every so often. Oberon turned to Gillie and took her by the hands.
“Are you ready to fly?" He asked with a large grin. Gillie bubbled with excitement and began to ask a plethora of questions.
“Slow down,” he exclaimed as he placed his hands on her shoulders.
“Take a deep breath, spread your wings, and feel the warmth of the sun radiate through them. And when you exhale just think of flying and trust your body.” She did as her father instructed, she took a deep breath and spread her wings. She thought about a butterfly and how it gracefully floats through the air, her wings began to flutter and she lifted off the ground. She climbed higher and higher until she was above the castle. Oberon circled around her encouraging her.
“Try and keep up.” He said with a chuckle as they made laps around the spires. They spent the better part of the afternoon playing in the wind. It was dark before they could make it back to the castle. The moon was nearly full, its light illuminating the land. Gillie stood on the balcony, staring across the kingdom, a powerful gust blew through the air and she could hear a foul voice on the wind, but couldn't make out the words. It lasted for just a moment, and the wind calmed down and all fell silent.
That night, she slept restlessly, her dreams invaded by visions of a kingdom on fire. The people cried out to their gods, but their pleas fell on deaf ears. Through the smoke a set of eyes starred at her. Shrouded by dark flame. The creature held his hand out to her as they remained locked in each other gaze. Gillie recoiled from the creature and turned to run, tripping over a book on the ground. She picked up the book inspecting the cover. She looked up to find the creature on top of her, all she could make out were those searing eyes surrounded in dark flames. The creature grabbed her by the throat and spoke.
“I will have your heart of hearts”. The creature took its other hand and plunged it into her chest ripping out her still beating heart. Gillie woke in terror, shaken by her dream. The light of the moon cascaded though her windows bathing her in its glow.
The sun peaked over the horizon, and the birds began to sing. Gillie could hear commotion in the halls, she opened her door to find the queen’s dressmakers. Standing before her stood 3 very small brownies, bickering with each other in a language she couldn’t understand.
“Hello” said Gillie. The brownies looked up at her in shock as if they hadn’t noticed her standing there. They bowed to her and she returned the gesture. Without hesitation the brownies rushed the girl inside her room and began to measure her. They fussed amongst each other, stopping every few minutes to smile at the girl before returning to the ongoing argument between each other.
Once they finished, the brownies gave the girl another bow and took off through the hall. Gillie got dressed and made her way to the feast hall. The queen was sitting with her hand maiden having breakfast at the large table at the head of the hall.
“Come join us my dear” the queen said, pointing at the chair next to her. Gillie took a seat and began to tell her mother of the dream that woke her in the night. The queen insisted that it was merely a dream, but Gillie pressed the matter.
“If you think you are having visions my child, then you should tell your father. He could help you make sense of this” the queen told her. Oberon entered the hall surrounded by all manner of fae,
“The moon shall be full in two nights, we will have a celebration for my daughter. And the whole kingdom is coming!!” He yelled across the hall.
“Father I need to speak with you” said Gillie, standing from the table. She walked around the castle with her father, explaining what she had seen. But he too insisted that she had a nightmare, and that all was well.
That night Gillie tossed in her bed as she dreamed of fire and death. She stood on a hill, in a circle with 5 other princesses, each holding their own heart. In the center of the circle was the book, burning in dark flames but remained undamaged. She could hear the haunting voice of the creature chanting on the wind. The book flew open and the flames began to stretch towards the sky. In the dark fire stood the creature, starring at her with those menacing eyes. It stepped forward out of the flames and began to walk to her. It took the heart from her hands and drew a dagger, the creature starred into her eyes as it plunged the dagger into the heart. Gillie woke in a frantic state, covered in sweat.
She got out of bed and put her robes on, then quickly made her way to Rhoane's room. She told him of the dreams and how no one would take her seriously. Rhoane assured her that her mind was not slipping and that the gift of foresight is more of a curse than a gift. But that the evils of one world were not worth risking the safety of this world to save.
The next day the castle was buzzing with the excitement of the ball. Flowers and creatures from across the land began to fill the castle. Gillie returned to her room to get ready. As she opened her door, the three brownies were standing around her bed congratulating each other on the success of the dress they had made. On the bed lay a beautiful gown. Gillie walked to the bed, and the brownies began to dress her. They stood at the mirror inspecting their work, one brownie began to give a speech to the other two and they began to argue again. “Well that didn’t take long” Gillie said with a giggle. The bells began to ring in the high spire, signaling the start of the ball. She made her way to the grand hall, but was constantly stopped by creatures wanting to pay their respects. Upon entering the hall Oberon stood in the center of the room. He introduced Gillie to the crowd and held his hand out to her. They danced through the first song, gracefully gliding across the floor. The night went on and a good time was had by all. Gillie sat in a window to get some air, the moon was full and bright, and she could see far across the land. as she looked into the distance, she saw fire on the hills, it spread fast, and soon covered the entire hill side. Gillie yelled out in alarm “fire!” As she turned to get help, she saw the entire court lay dead at her feet. Blood cascading over the stone like a river. Sitting in Oberon’s throne was the dark creature with its piercing gaze. She could hear its voice, “All worlds shall belong to me." She clenched her chest, feeling her heart pounding as she tried to catch her breath. A hand grabbed her on the shoulder, Gillie screamed and turned to see Rhoane standing there. The entire court was starring at her. She looked out the window to see the flames from before, but there were none. “What’s the matter?” asked Rhoane.
“Meet me in the war councils chamber” Gillie said as she stormed off.
Rhoane and his guards waited in the council’s chambers. The door opened, Gillie and her personal guard Etrigon enter the room.
“Father refuses to take this seriously, but I will not let my home burn again,? She said in a stern voice.
“We must go back to the kingdom of my birth and stop this evil before it destroys us all. Are you with me brother?” Gillie said holding out her hand to Rhoane. Rhoane nodded and grabbed her hand. Gillie held her hand out and opened a portal.
“We must not fail.” She said as they step through the portal.
