Swear Not By The Wings

I wake up with a blush on my cheeks. The events from last night resurface to my brain. Does this mean Elio will be less tough on me?

I hear the ringing of a bell outside of my room and open the door. Next to my feet lays a box with a note attached to it. I pick up the paper and read aloud,

"I went to the health fairies and got you a few things. Use the remedies generously. Sincerely, Arden."

I smile and grab the medicines.

I charitably apply the creams to my bruises. I was still in a great deal of pain from my beat down yesterday, but Arden's gift helped sufficiently.

I get clothed in a pink cotton dress and rose peddle shoes. I brush my red locks and wear the flower crown that Ellowyn gave to me.

I wander out of my cottage with my heart set on finding Arden. I want to thank him for helping me treat my injuries. It didn't take long before I spot the brown-headed fairy. I notice that Elio is also with him. I nearly drown with nerves the closer I get to the pair.

"Good morning Arden, thank you for the gift," I say politely. Arden's eyes widen and he quickly looks to Elio. The white-headed fae glares hardly at the crafts fae who laughs nervously.

"Oh um, no problem! It was Freya's idea!" Arden talks smiling.

"No, it wasn't," Freya speaks up, joining the conversation. I look to Elio who is boiling in rage. The angry fairy storms away moments later.

"Jeez Arrietty, you couldn't have picked a better time?" Arden sighs, scratching the back of his neck.

"I don't understand, why is Elio so mad?" I question.

Arden and Freya look at each other.

"Probably because he wanted to take care of you, but Arden beat him to it, " Freya deadpans. Arden jabs her shoulder.

"Why would Elio want to take care of me? He's the reason I got hurt after all," I wonder aloud to the two fairies standing in front of me.

Arden slaps a hand over Freya's mouth and shrugs. I squint my eyes at the duo suspiciously. I slowly walk away, searching for Elio.

"Did you just lick my hand?" I hear Arden squeal in disgust from behind me. I laugh and continue my quest. I begin asking fairies if they've seen the winter fae, but they all shrug.

I am about to give up when an icy cold hand turns me around by the shoulder. I try hard not to look into his hypnotizing eyes.

"Why were you looking for me?" Elio questions with a glare.

"I was worried. Wait, no! Not worried. I was just making sure you were okay? You seemed upset so I thought I would, I don't know, " I stutter.

"Do you care for me, Arrietty?" Elio asks with his signature blank face. My heart is racing.

"No, I just-" I didn't get the chance to finish because the fairy is already interrupting me.

"Good because if you did, It would be impossible to reciprocate your feelings," I keep a straight face while Elio studies me for a reaction.

He was comforting me just last night, now he's treating me coldly again! I will not show him that his words affect me. Even though, his words do affect me, a lot. The fae takes my silence as an opportunity to keep talking,

"Very well, your training session starts at noon. Do not be late." Training session?

"What training session?" I panic.

"Belief doesn't come easily, human. It'll take time," Elio replies and stares at my half-full pendant.

He then glances over my entire appearance. His eyes travel from my necklace to my dress and back up to my face. My breath hitches at the way his gaze pauses on my lips.

His stare locks with mine and I quickly look away. I let out a breath of relief when Elio casually strolls away from me. I run like a headless chicken to the garden.

Sometimes, Ellowyn lets me plant flowers and talk about all sorts of things. I even catch myself asking her about Elio from time to time. I don't know why I feel so drawn to him. He took me away from my mom and friends. Yet here I am, wondering about the cold-hearted fae.

"I don't mean to intrude your thoughts, Arrietty, but you think about Elio quite a lot," Ellowyn says to me.

My cheeks flush red.

"Ellowyn, I think something is wrong with me," I moan while hiding my face in my hands.

"There is nothing wrong with you. Elio is very handsome, you two would look nice together," Ellowyn concludes. I scrunch up my nose.

"I'm pretty sure he finds me ugly," I say flatly. Ellowyn laughs at this.

"You aren't ugly Arrietty! You are pretty. All of the fairies think so!" Ellowyn tries to convince me.

Yeah right!

I am just finishing up planting a yellow flower when a whistle is heard from behind me. All the garden fairies line up in a straight line. I give my flower a little bit of water until,

"Arrietty!" I turn around to see Elio along with the flower fairies staring at me. I didn't realize training started an hour ago! Ellowyn tries to defend me but Elio is not hearing her. I am dragged away by my hair and brought to the training grounds.

When we arrive, there are all types of tough-looking fairies doing daring things. One fairy with deep brown hair and colorful highlights threw herself off of a treetop. She didn't even use her wings until she almost hit the ground! Other fairies are being chased by hungry dragons. I gulp at the sight.

"Today Arrietty, you will learn how to fly," Elio smirks at my dramatic reaction. Fly? I don't have wings! How can I possibly fly?

"What does flying have to do with believing in fairies?" I doubt while shouting in distress.

"In order to believe, you have to fly. In order to leave this place, you have to believe. You think fairies can only fly because of their wings?" Elio's question has me stumped.

Everything I knew about fairies? Wrong. The woodland is full of magic which makes anything possible, even for humans. You cannot believe in fairies without believing in their home, the woodland.

For it is the magical woodland that gives a fairy their powers. One who truly believes in the place and its inhabitants, cannot have any limitations. I've learned this from Elio, my kidnapper, and my mentor.

So here I am, standing on a treetop with shaking legs. Elio is behind me, talking me through the process.

"When you're falling, trust the woodland and it will make sure you never reach the ground," I listen to his words and take a deep breath.

You can do this Arrietty. I can hear my heart beating inside my ears. I feel like I am on fire! I sense that I should back out but I remind myself that my mom is waiting for me. If I don't learn to trust the woodland, I'll never be able to see her.

That's all it takes for me to let my body drop from off of the treetop. The cool breeze sings to me the whole way down. The view of the forest floor waiting for me begins to invade my mind. Think happy thoughts, Arrietty!

"Please don't let me die!" I yell at the trees. Much to my amazement, a winged horse emerges from the tall plants. Like a superhero, the creature saves me from plunging to my doom. The woodland heard me!

I hug the back of the magical animal tightly as it freely soars around. The horse takes me so high, I can kiss the clouds! I look around at everything below. The fairies look like ants from up here!

I shift my gaze far away and notice something I've never seen before. It is a castle, a black one. It looks absolutely beautiful and ancient. I wonder who lives there. Perhaps a princess?

Maybe, she can help me return home! Is that why Elio has never shown me to that place? The pegasus takes me back to the winter fairy who is grinning at me.

"I told you the woodland wouldn't let you fall," he says to me. I don't know why, but I flush when he pats me on the head. The friendly gesture affects me more than it should have! I look down and see more dust occupying my heart-shaped pendant.

Time to Spring-supreme! Elio watches my eye-catching dance moves in dreadfulness.

"Please tell me you are not a dancer!" He criticizes while shaking his head. I ignore his comment and continue with my killer moves. I then look at my instructor when I remember something.

"Elio, there's a castle in the far off distance. Who does it belong to?" I ask curiously. Elio stares at me in shock. Then, his features harden.

"Never ask about that place again. Do you understand?" He says seriously.

The reaction was expected. I nod my head and grin widely. I will find out eventually, I think to myself.

"Over my dead body," Elio growls, sizing me up. Right, mind reader.

The lesson of the day, think before you think.