The Dark Lullaby

We traverse the hill making sure not to disturb any of the hollows nuzzled into the earth. Pixie’s are rarely known to interact with other beings, but when they do it is said they speak to you telepathically for their voices are so soft they can not be heard any other way. They are the most interesting creatures. They are fiesty and are known for playing tricks, but they are also known for their immense love for each other. Once they find their true love nothing can keep them apart.

“This is amazing!” Amelia says, grabbing onto Luke's arm and dragging him up the hill behind her. We climb to the top of the hill and stop at the edge of the gigantic tree. Pixies flutter past us in and out of the hollows. The tree is full of doorways and bridges connecting each branch. Soft golden dust falls from the branches.

“Pixie dust.” King Eloquen holds out his hand letting the golden flakes pile up into a mound and then throws it high into the arm, letting it rain down on us. “The most precious material on Ivardia.”

“It is truly an honor to be here.” I smile at the King and he smiles back.

“Please take some time to explore alone, maybe find a cozy spot to meditate. This is sacred ground, and is the best place to find some inner peace.” Queen Iverna speaks in a hushed tone and then turns away hiking down a path alone.

I do as I am told and begin walking down a pathway on the hill. I find a nice green and mossy rock at the edge of the hill and take a seat. I take a few deep breaths in and out and then close my eyes. I hear wings flutter all around me, birds chirping in the tree above me, and water running somewhere in the distance. These serene noises seem to guide me into a deep meditation when all of the sudden a strand of my hair is pulled to the left. I open my eyes and see a little Pixie pulling my strand of hair.

“Hey, stop that.” I say pulling my hair from her grasp. She flies to the back of my head and pushes as if telling me to stand. I stand up and turn around to stare at her.

“Follow me.” A soft angelic voice echoes through my head. I jump back shocked and grasp my head. The pixie nods as if acknowledging she is the one speaking to me.

“Okay.” I tell her and she immediately flutters off into the nearby woods. She is quite fast so I follow her quickly, but carefully, as not to disturb any of the hollows around me. “Wait,” I stutter as she gets too far ahead. “Where are we going?” I see her stop for a second allowing me to catch up.

“The Goddess has summoned you, human.” She flutters ahead dodging branches and vines, as I stumble through them. The Goddess? I rack my brain trying to think of who that could be with no luck. I should have paid more attention in my magical creatures classes. The Pixie flies ahead and then disappears into a bundle of hanging vines.

I push through the vines and enter a hidden grove, much like the one Elau and I meet in at home. Although this grove has a waterfall in the middle and is surrounded by white and purple crystals. “Wow” I mumble walking towards the water.

“Welcome Child.” A voice says and a woman shroud in golden robes with light beaming from every inch of her floats out of the river. I recognized her instantly.

“Goddess Elfreena, Mother of Light.” I bow in respect.

“Young one, how is it that I find you here in Girandole?” She asks, lifting my chin, “It has been many years since a dark one has entered my grove.”

“A dark one?” I look at her

“You do not know your history, child?” She asks, making a small tut to herself.

“I can tell you.” She grabs my hand, “Born of darkness but fated to love light.” She says somehow sensing my history through touch, “Royal blood flows through your veins.” She smiles at me as I stare at her in shock. “Did you not know?”

“I… I suspected that I may be from Tartarean but I know nothing of my life before Girandole.” I confessed to her.

“Can I sing you a song?” She asks but continues without an answer.

*“In the dance of dusk, where shadows play,

Light and dark meet at the close of day.

One whispers bright, with a golden glow,

While the other wraps secrets in velvet low.

They twirl together, a delicate waltz,

Embracing their flaws, yet never at fault.

Light paints the dawn with colors so bold,

While dark cradles dreams in a blanket of gold.

In the heart of the night, stars twinkle and gleam,

A testament whispered in the softest of dreams.

For every bright sun that rises anew,

There’s a moon that will cradle the night’s gentle hue.

Together they weave a tapestry rare,

Of laughter and silence, of hope and despair.

In their tender embrace, they find their own rhyme,

A love that endures, transcending all time.

So let them unite, in a symphony true,

For light needs the dark, and dark needs light too.”*

She sings one of my favorite childhood lullabies, and in her voice I feel as though I am floating. She finishes the song and then grasps both of my hands. “Child, think on this song well, and soon enough you will know who you are.” She releases my hands “You will soon learn how important you are to Ivardia.” She speaks softly and slowly disappears back into the waterfall.

“Wait, what do you mean important?” But it is too late, my question remains unanswered and I stand alone in this hidden grove even more confused than before. “Royal Blood?” I whisper to myself and push back out the vines to find the others.