The Fairy King & The Hero

Aoide sat in the garden outside, perched underneath the shade of the nearby tree. The wind blew her long brown hair wildly, but she didn't mind as she was too wrapped up in the book that she was reading. This book was a present from her older brother, Evander, who had gotten it from a merchant passing through the kingdom the day King Arthur was inducted into the royal family. She had read this book so many times and could never get enough of it, her brother always teased her about being a bookworm. The book was about a young Irish princess, who had a strange encounter with a witch and needed to save her kingdom. "Ah, I knew I would find you here, Aoide." Aoide lifted her emerald, green eyes up from the page she was reading and smiled as her long-time childhood friend had come up the hillside. His dark blonde hair blew softly in the wind, his amber-colored eyes were filled with joy.

"What? Were you expecting me to be elsewhere, Finn?" Aoide quipped, brushing her hair with her hand.

"I thought with your King Arthur being inducted you would have been out in the town square celebrating with everyone else." Finn placed his hands in his pockets, shifting his weight onto his left leg. While Aoide had grown up with Finn, there was one large secret he had been keeping from her. He had hidden his true lineage from her, he wanted to tell her, but it wasn't easy telling someone you weren't human. And in this day in age, not being human scared mostly everyone.

"You know I prefer being up here reading than being in a crowded town square with people who get drunk." Aoide replied.

"Ah, that is so true." Finn smiled, nodding his head.

"I know you didn't come all the way up here to catch up, is there a reason you came to see me?" Aoide marked her page and closed her book, placing it down beside her.

"Yes, I did. I wanted to take you somewhere." Finn said, Aoide felt that something was off with the way Finn was acting, she always knew to always trust her gut. "Take me where Finn?" Aoide made small movements, hoping that Finn wouldn't catch onto her being suspicious of him.

"A garden that my Dad created, he made it for my mom before she died and he finally is letting me bring someone to look at it for the first time. I wanted to take you to see his garden. Are you up for it?" Finn asked, he walked a little closer to Aoide. He could see in her eyes that she didn't like this idea, he couldn't outright force her which meant that he had to rely on his magic.

"I don't think that's a good idea. Evan wouldn't want me to be out late, after all, he gets to come home early today."

"Please, it won't take that long. I promise I'll have you home at a reasonable time." Finn pleaded, Aoide placed her book in her bag and stood to her feet. Her white dress flowed gently in the wind as a breeze blew past the two, Finn took large steps forward until he was standing directly in front of her.

"I can't, Finn." Aoide shook her head, making eye contact with Finn. "Not today, I want to cook a celebratory dinner for Evander, and I need to go to the market. I'm sorry, Finn. We can do it another day." Aoide reassured, she went to walk forward, Finn grabbed her arm harshly. Aoide became alarmed, "Finn! Let go!"

"I'm sorry, but I need you to come with me Aoide."

"No, I said that I can't. You just have to accept that." Aoide argued.

"This is a matter of life and death, Aoide! You need to come with me." Finn lost his temper, "Aoide?!" In the distance, Evander was calling out for his sister. He had time to go see her and let her know about how his new job was going. He figured that she would be up on the hillside at this time of day, he knew his sister too well. "Evander!" Aoide called, Finn pulled Aoide into him causing her to scream out of fear. "Evander, Help!" When Evander heard his sister's scream, he knew that something was wrong. He immediately took in the direction that the scream had come from, pushing himself to run faster.

"Aoide!"

"Evander!!!"

Finn put a hand over Aoide's mouth, pulling her closer to his body. He panicked, knowing that Evander would kill anyone who dared to harm his little sister. As Evander got closer, he saw Finn holding his sister hostage. "Finn!!" Aoide struggled against Finn, who kept a strong, iron grip on her body.

"Finn, what are you doing?!" Evander questioned, his eyes filled with rage and concern as Finn sighed.

"I always wanted to tell you both who I truly am... What I truly am but I was afraid that you wouldn't want to stay my friend if I did..." Finn started, removing his hand from Aoide's mouth.

"What are you talking about?"

"I'm not human, Evander. I never was." A breeze blew past the trio, both Aoide and Evander standing too stunned to speak. Evander's eyes widened as Aoide looked back at Finn, the wind picked up and a bright yellow aura surrounded Finn. The siblings were both scared of what was to follow, two large beautiful transparent purple wings appeared on Finn's back. His hair grew longer, turning a lighter shade of blonde and his amber-colored eyes were now brown, his garments changed, and his ears became slightly pointed at the very tip. His clothes now consisted of a beige shirt made from the finest silk, black pants made of the finest fabric, and brown boots. "Wh--- What?" Evander questioned, feeling even more uneasy, he reached down and drew the sword he carried on his hip. "What the hell are you?" Evander demanded, "... You're a fairy.." Aoide concluded.

"You would be correct, my dearest Aoide. My apologies for revealing my true form so late."

"What do you want with my sister?" Evander asked, "... My father has requested that I take a bride... It's time for me to assume rule of the throne, he wants me to wed and bear an heir to take over when it's time. Aoide," He looked away from Evander, his eyes meeting hers. "I chose you to be my wife. I have always loved you, ever since the day you chased off the neighborhood bullies." He smiled, "I don't want to be your wife! I'm not going anywhere with you, Finn. If that is even your real name." Aoide bit back, she was angry and hurt. Hurt that Finn had hidden such a huge secret and was angry that he was making decisions for her. "Why my sister? Why Aoide?" Evander questioned.

"Because Evander, she's the only one worthy." Was all Finn said.

"Let her go, right now. You are not taking her." Evander demanded, "No can do, Evander. I must hurry before Father gets frustrated."

"I said you're not taking her anywhere." Evander swung his sword up and down, releasing a large wave of magic at Finn. Finn sighed heavily, "I'm sorry, Evander." He held out a hand, reflecting the attack back at Evander who didn't see it coming as he was shocked. Evander was hit in the chest and flew back, rolling down the hillside. "EVANDER!" Aoide cried, she tried to get away from Finn, but it was no use. "Now, now, Aoide. I didn't kill him, he'll be fine. We must go now." Finn said, "No, I'm going nowhere with you!! EVANDER!!" Aoide screamed, she struggled against Finn who rolled his eyes. "LET ME GO!" She tugged her arms, trying to get free. "Time for you to take a rest now." Finn waved his free hand over Aoide's face, the young woman being lulled into a peaceful state of unconsciousness. Finn caught her before she could hit the ground as she fell back, he picked her up and carried her bridal style. Evander groaned, coughing as he rolled onto his stomach and got onto his knees. When he heard Aoide go quiet, he reached for his sword and got onto his feet.

"AOIDE!!!" Evander shouted, he raced up the hillside, tripping over himself slightly. "I'll take care of her Evander, don't worry." With that, Aoide and Finn disappeared right in front of Evander and there was nothing he could do about it.