Beyond The Realms

Chapter 4: First Meetings, Fast Friends

There was muffled scuffling behind me and I turned in time to see my new found friends being unceremoniously escorted out a side entrance. Breeard shot a worried glance back at me and attempted to say something, but was drowned out by the Fae king on the throne.

"Now, what do we have here," he began, a thin hand raised to the side of his face and index finger tapping his temple. "What is your name? My guard tells me you came through a.....portal?" He shrugged.

The room erupted in noise, and my hands suddenly grew cold. An irritated wave of the king's thin hand and all became quiet again. I swallowed, trying to quiet the pounding of my heart.

"Where are my manners, dear Lady? I am the King Valentin of the Winter Realm. I need to ask you questions to guarantee the safety of my people and my land."

I understood, nodding, "My name is Thea. I am a photographer and record artifacts. I was working at recording runes when I went into this tunnel and through an archway...."

A sudden frown creased Valentin's forehead.

"Archway? What did it look like?"

"It was an oval - shaped arch....with runes."

"You just decided to walk through it? Why did you come through and what are you planning to do?" The intent purple eyes stared aggressively into mine.

"It was an accident, your Majesty." I shrugged. "I was copying the runes when I passed through the arch, er... portal, and it closed."

I took a breath and blurted, "I do not mean to cause any disruption. I just need to get home. I have children I need to get home to."

"But I'm asking, what are you doing here?" Valentin sat straighter on the throne. "What powers do you carry with you? I need to know."

I stood silent, confused.

"Powers," I half laughed, half shrugged. Was this for real? The king sat silent, waiting. "I am just a human, a woman. I have no powers."

At this, Valentin rose and slowly descended the steps of the throne. He halted barely a foot away and looked me right in the eye. The purple burned into my blue.

"No powers? None?"

"None, King Valentin. I can do nothing, I can barely put on my own shoes."

Once again, Valentin stared. There was a slight flick of an eyebrow.

"I will take your word for it," he stated. He turned and walked back to the throne. There was a heavy pause while he sat, hands together and pointed under his chin. After a breath, Valentin sat up.

"My heart is moved by your desire to be reunited with your children. Who am I to separate loved ones? I will help you find another portal to go home," the slender king announced. "However, to keep you safe until that time, you must stay within this castle's walls."

For now, it seemed fair enough. I nodded yet again, and was dismissed with a flick of a hand.

"Find her a room and make sure she is comfortable," Valentin's silky voice followed me out of the throne room.

Almost immediately after the throne room doors shut behind me, and being escorted up several, elaborate staircases of stone, a sense of dread found its way into my chest. By my sides, there marched an armed guard. I had no idea where my early companions were, and I was required to stay in the Castle like a convict serving house arrest.

"Where are my friends, the knights in silver armour?" I asked the Fae guard beside me. He opened a heavy, thick wooden door and waved me inside. He turned his kind, amber eyes to look away.

When he paused and noticeably swallowed, my stomach dropped.

"They left, My Lady. Our kingdoms don't quite see eye to eye, so they brought you here and had to leave immediately."

I frowned, "We were forced to come here. The knights were protecting me."

"...And it was the right choice, to bring you here, where I can protect you better," an oily voice mentioned behind me.

I turned and before me stood the reigning Winter King.

"I came to see if your room suited your tastes," he continued, his purple eyes never left mine. "I do hope my guards were not too rough with you."

"The room is fine, and I can't thank you enough for your gracious help. Your guards could have been softer but I guess they were only doing what they were told. Don't be too hard on them."

My reply seemed to amuse the King, who smiled briefly with a thin, ruby coloured mouth. He glanced around the room. It was a large room, with a sleeping area in the middle, a sitting area on the left, and to the right, a turret attached to a balcony.

King Valentin addressed the guards, "One of you go and collect a servant to assist...Thea...with her daily needs, and dressing. Let's make her comfortable during her stay."

The violet eyes took me in, gazing up and down. I realized I was still wearing clothes from home, a pair of dirty jeans and a t - shirt, obviously a stark contrast to the beauty, and cleanliness of this world.

The friendly guard stepped forward, "I'll go."

He turned quickly and disappeared down the hall. Now, I truly felt alone.

"I look forward to speaking more with you," Valentin spoke confidently. "I am sure we will be able to find a portal quickly, but in the meantime, I would love to learn more about you, your home, your children."

I shivered slightly, silently realizing I wasn't dressed for the weather here. "I think that would be lovely."

"Good, "the pale king nodded. "I shall see you tomorrow morning."

He paused, due to the approach of a briskly walking guard. The guard stopped in front of us and catching his breath, said clearly, "There are messages for you from the other kingdoms"

"Other kingdoms!" Valentin's smooth voice took on a raspy, irritated tone.

The guard faltered, and half - heartedly nodded at me, "Uh, yes.... it's about.....her."

Valentin was silent for several moments. He seemed distracted when he turned to me.

"We will have to continue our conversation later," the king motioned sharply to the guard to come with him. "Ah, here is our new handmaiden. Do your job well."

With that, he excused himself and left with the other Fae guard.

My guard friend was back, and beside him trotted a curly black - haired, amber - eyed, female Fae with a firm step. With everything going on, I hoped I had found a friend. Smiling, I gave a slight wave.

"Hello. I'm Thea."

"This is Paona."

The guard and handmaiden exchanged a glance and parted ways.

"You may call me Poe," the Fae curtsied when we were in the room alone. "I have brought a small selection of dresses for you to try on."

As I never had anyone assist me to dress me, having a handmaiden hover nearby while I undressed and changed clothes was unnerving...at first. I waved Poe off for several minutes, insisting I could dress myself. It was a matter of time before the difference in the clothing created difficulties.

"How do I....." helpful hands pulled the dress this way and that.

A moment of silence, "How,...oh help!"

Poe tugged the dress over my shoulders, and gently adjusted my chest as she tried to stifle a smile.

Meeting each other's gaze, we broke into laughter. Seriously, how hard is it to put on a dress? When she left for a moment to find some better - fitting shoes, I took the opportunity to open the doors and explore the balcony. The door of the balcony itself was made of frosted colours, encased in a bronze coloured metal. The handles curved naturally in my hands and opened with a firm pull.