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Fake Fairytales

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Autumn, Year 759 of the New Age

Glenmore, The Glenwood


Fenella

He had escorted her back to her own thicket in the morning, with a healer on her other side for extra support. She had fallen asleep as soon as they had helped her lie down in her soft nest, lined with mosses. Even if she had done her best to thank him for following her home it had been hard to keep herself awake. Now two days after she felt a little better but her legs still felt weak so she had remained in her little nest. She couldn't, and the fact annoyed her a little, recall if she had behaved herself as she should have done. Perhaps she had been too bold, perhaps had she leaned on him a little too much? There hadn't been a word from him but the herbalist had returned two times to check on her. Fen smiled softly. Her shoulder and side still carried his scent. Vaguely, if she closed her eyes, she remembered mumbled words. Had it been his words? 'Magic' the voice had said. With the word she then remembered the feeling she had felt, one that reminded her of the one that had filled her at the regrowth of the New Oak. Not as much as that time however, but very similar. She hadn't felt as tired then as she did now but...perhaps it was because she was learning now?

Her hoofmaiden had gotten some time off. Both of them didn't fit in here anyway and as kind as the other doe was, no matter how skilled she was, she was still too large. Fen couldn't help to wonder what stag would ever look at a doe like that. She had pretty eyes, decent behavior but then again not all was fortunate enough to be raised like herself, being taught manners and how to behave. Surely there was some drops of royalty in the doe but still. Her size was almost too much. From judging from how the doe acted it didn't seem to become her that much, not that Fen would actually ask of matters like that. It wasn't her place...

The smile came to her again as her nose caught the scent of her King on her hide. It wasn't that much she remembered more than that she had felt him hold her, and that he had rested at her side, his nose so close to her own but she had heard some of the royal does speak of that it felt...special...like magic...and...if this wasnt magic...then what was... She gave her belly a tender lick. Here she had thought all was lost...that she wouldn't be able to prove her worth this rut, that she would feel the eyes of the other does upon her slender form again come spring, her fostermother not so subtle glances and remarks... No...now everything would be alright...but she ought to be careful from now on.

A sound brought her out of her daydream, something she only allowed herself to do in the secluded shelter of her den, and she brought her ears forward.

Nuala

Occasions when she was allowed out of the New Oak were few and far between. To many of the herd, she was a criminal, and she daren’t stir their anger by roaming often. To visit her foster sister, however, was essential. Leaving her filly with her father, the feathered doe tailed by a duo of Guardsmen made her way to the glade where Fenella could be found.

It had been a few days since the younger Princess had overreached with her magic but Nuala had been insistent on frequent updates. Fenella might not be her sister by direct relation, but they had almost been raised as such and Nuala treated Fenella as close as she did BòAnn.

She came upon the glade with habitually quiet steps, but the guards were hardly subtle. As Nuala entered the den’s small clearing, Fenella was already looking up. Nuala beamed, and dipped her head to nuzzle her adopted sister in greeting. “Fenny,” she licked her nose, “How are you?” She folded her legs and plopped down beside the younger doe with a huff.

She glanced sideways at the lingering guards, but it seemed they were insistent on carrying out their orders of keeping a literal eye on her. Nuala cleared her throat and peered up at them innocently, “Sirs, I have some... doe things to discuss with my sister... Would you mind?”

The pair of them all but dropped their antlers in their surprise and haste to escape. Nuala chuckled under her breath. Guards were no doubt the bravest stags in all of Glenmore, but one mention of the business of does sent them fleeing. She had no doubt that they would not go too far, but at least she could talk to Fenella out of their earshot.

Fenella

A smile grew as she saw it was her older sister, or at least the closest she had to one. It was really BóAnn’s sister but they were as close. She had no memory of her own mother, just Nu and Bò’s dam Fionnuala. Sometimes, the few times she thought she had dreamt of her mother she could only vaguely remember her voice. Some of the older Royals said she reminded them of her. It made her happy, but at the same time she worried. She did what she could not to taint her mother's memory by acting...less Princessy.

“Nuala! How nice of you to come and see me... ” She smiled as she got the lick on her nose. It was almost like the time when she was little had had gotten a small cold and wasn't allowed to leave the den. She had overcome the worst of the cold, but had still been a little weak, and the healer had told her foster parents she needed to rest for a bit longer. Both Nu and Bò and still played with her, pretending to be ladies that came to her visiting. That way she was still in on their games but was still resting. If she recalled it correctly it had been Nu’s idea. There was only Nu and Bò that called her ‘Fenny’, she would never allow anyone else.

She had grieved her sister when she had gone missing even if it hadn't been seen on the outside. How she had prayed to the First Doe to protect her. Sure...she had been just a little jealous when she had first seen her sisters pregnant form, and then adding to this her surprise when she had embraced the Captain of the guard. That whole day had been very confusing, turning many things upside down. She wasn't sure what was worse, to be tainted by outside blood or...to have gone with a Guard. Surely Lonan was related to the King, but none the less he was a Royal Guard. She had seen the looks they had given eachother and she wondered what it could be. She hadn't seen that look on Dru, at least she didn't think so. He had just looked sad and worried. Had he looked at Bò liked that? She couldn't remember.

Nu’s daughter was a sweet little thing however. She had yet to actually meet her in person but she had seen her at a distance. A adorable little filly fawn like that could hardly be made out of something wicked. The thought made her smile again, her thoughts drifting a little. She almost didn't catch what her sister said but her grin grew as she saw the guards reactions. Dipping her head to hide it, she couldn't help to let out a soft giggle, but then she looked up again and watched the guards move away some.

“How are you, dear sister? And... your little daughter?” The fact that her sister had grown feathers seemed to not matter as much to her. Odd yes, but who was she to question the ways of the Sky King. Nuala had been blessed by him, to become a splitting image of his daughter. Why would they be angry? They should be grateful for him not leaving them. Her mind drifted again as she listened to her sisters reply, the soft smile growing just a little. She couldn't help it. Come spring... maybe... They had said it was like magic...

Nuala

“I’m fine, Nimue is fine and growing fast! I’m sorry I haven’t been to visit you sooner, the Guards will make up any excuse for why I can’t leave the Oak,” she grumbled, “You’re welcome to come and visit us when you’re feeling better. A few more days of rest and you’ll be right as rain,” she chirped, nuzzling her sister’s cheek.

Fenella

"That’s good...there...there have been enough sadness for our lifetime..." The last part she added a little more silent. What happened, with the fall of the old and rise of the new had turned most of what she knew upside down. With the new oak, things had become better. With the new things Drustan had come up with, she didn't really know what to think of them...but she knew he did the best for the herd, as always.

She smiled at her sister's affection and nuzzled her back. The scent of the Captain suddenly tickled her nose and made her draw back just a little. "...and...Captain Lonan...is well too I hope..." Her ears grew a little hot at her own words. The stag her sister had been betrothed to, Drustans brother... He had acted like a possessed stag, not like a Prince of Glenmore.

Nuala

“Lonán is fine too, and stop pulling that face, you look like mother,” she chided with a smile, “The idea takes a little getting used to, I know, but Áillte wouldn’t have saved me if it wasn’t meant to be. Kings and Princesses are together by law, but it’s no law of Óganach’s, and His is the law I follow.”

She flicked her feathered ears and glanced towards where the guards had gone. She would surely be dragged back to the Oak if they heard her talking like this, but thankfully it seemed they hadn’t heard.

Fenella

"I’m sorry...Nu...I...its...its just so new..." She wasn't sure what else to say and lowered her gaze. If things had been as they were, Nu too would have belonged to Drustan. Perhaps she would be grateful. Perhaps he would have cared even less about her if that had been the case...if it even was possible. The joy she had felt not that long ago temporary faded and gave into her old doubts. Those seemed to be ever present, like a small grain of sand between the cleft of your hoof, hardly visible but persistent and immovable. She looked up, her sister didn't seem mad about her comment.

Fenella glanced at her sister, pondering slightly as she took in the features that belonged to the daughter of the Sky King, how many did look at her like...she had done something bad... well she had...but... Lonán was at least Glenmore. It would have been worse if she had tainted the line with outside blood. The more she thought of it, the choice her sister had done, the more she felt confused. It was wrong, but then it was right, and then it all went back to wrong depending on how you looked at it. She had chosen a side, Drustans side, the Spirit of the law. Óganachs spirit...love. But what was love? Her ears went out slightly at that thought. "...I hope he treats you well..." she finally said, her voice soft and gentle feeling just a small tingle of something in the depths of her heart. Something a Princess shouldn’t feel. Especially not towards a beloved sister.

Nuala

With her new gifts, the most peculiar thing to get used to was being able to sense emotions in others. Fenella had been broadcasting something ever since she arrived, but it seemed to flare when she mentioned how Lonán treated her. Ears saddling, Nuala nosed the younger doe’s cheek. “He does,” she said softly. “Fenella is there something wrong? Does... does Drustan treat you well?”

The idea that Drustan could be like his chestnut brother was a hard one to swallow, and she hoped that Fenella’s upset was not caused by Lonán’s half-brother. She found that she felt angered at the idea, a surprise for the usually docile doe. Donnaghán had scared her, but if Drustan was treating Fenella in the same way Donnaghán had treated her, then she knew she was brave enough to face it now.

Fenella

Fenella swallowed hard and shielded herself slightly at the touch. Her ears flicked back for just a moment as she gathered herself. "Yes..." That was no lie. He treated her kindly, respectfully...those times he actually spoke to her. It would be different now, now when he had spent a whole night by her side. Now when she had proved she...she had value, now when she had helped to heal him...now when...maybe... Maybe now finally she could prove herself to her King...that she wasn't jinxed. She took a deep breath. "He...he is kind...to me..." She filled out her previous answer even if it wasnt by much. She gave the other doe a smile, a practiced smile, one that shielded the real feeling behind it. How many times hadn’t their mother drilled it into the three of them? Perhaps she had practiced it all even more. It wasn't just Fionnuala she wanted to be proud...it was her real mother too.

Nuala

Nuala shook her head and draped her neck over her adopted sister’s in a close embrace. She didn’t think Drustan was a cruel stag, but there should be a lot more to a mate than ‘he’s nice’. “But that doesn’t make you happy,” she guessed, “I know that face, Fenella. You don’t have to hide your feelings, not from me. Tell me what the matter is; is there someone else?”

Fenella

For a moment she had leaned into the embrace, accepting her sisters comfort but at those last words she pulled back like the almost mirrorlike doe had been a nettle, stinging her on the nose. "Someone else!?! I...I...no, no...NO, no absolutely not Nuala! I would never go against the promise I made to him, ever...I'm his, and noone elses til the Sky King calls me..." The mere thought of breaking the vow made her throat feel tight and it was like she could neither breathe or speak.

By now her eyes felt like they too had been victims of the stinging plant but she did her best to bite that feeling back. She had felt that many times by now. "...no matter what...I wouldn’t...do that..." she choked, wishing she could tell her older sister what happened since her betrothal, how alone, worried and scared she had felt over Drustans behavior. But if she had felt unable to tell Bò...why would she be able to talk to Nu about it?

Maybe because she is Áillte embodied? The thought came out of nowhere. Who else than Áillte could a doe really turn to...who else than Áillte could a Princess turn to, to a doe that was blessed with the same pelt and eyes, with her gift of healing light just like herself? There was just a little bit of pride and her foster mother's teachings that for a moment halted her. A Princess...shouldn’t complain over matters of the heart. A Princess should tend to her duties without complaint...because she was of Royal birth and because she was blessed.

Nuala

Fenella’s reaction to the questioned confirmed the issue clearly involved no other stag, but that still left her wondering what had her so upset. She clearly cared for the stag. Of all the royals she could have been betrothed to, Drustan was at least the best match. When they were young, all they had ever wanted was to be betrothed to a King or a Prince, and if Fenella was the same Princess she had always been, Nuala couldn’t fathom what could wind her into such a tangle. “Then what has he done to worry you, sister?”

Fenella

She bowed her head, shielding her face a little. A deep breath and a single tear soon found it's way down to her nose. “This is...this is the first time he spent the night at my side...” Her words was almost whispered. “...it's...it's probably my fault...” her heart stung “...the old oak you see...it...it was struck down on...the same day we became betrothed...”

Pulling away slightly she mentally tried brace herself of the storm of feelings in her chest. “I didn't mean to overdo it...I...felt the infection, the shadow in his wound...I just wanted to...find the good thoughts, the light thoughts in my mind...and chase it away... I only wanted to...help, to s-show him that...I wasn't jinxed and.. I thought of Bò...and your return... Then I thought of the day he asked...and, and then...he...touched me so tenderly...and...held me...” She took a gasping breath, fighting her tears. “I don't know what I have done wrong, Nu... if he just...could tell me and I change for him... I would... you know I w-would... I have tried so many things...”

A moment of silence and then like the final gust of wind after a storm she let out a deep breath, she suddenly felt calmer and she spoke softly “...if...if something come from this though...perhaps...I have proved myself...to him, to the herd...and to Glenmore...”

Nuala

“... oh...” It was Nuala’s turn to blush. Her ears reddened and her smile turned shy, “... oh. But... if this is the first time... that’s good, right? You don’t have to worry any more. And you don’t need to prove yourself, silly, you’re perfect just the way you are. Don’t blame yourself, and the whole Oak thing was just a coincidence! You’re not jinxed and you don’t need to change.” She huffed and nuzzled her cheek. “Drustan cares about you; when you collapsed, he sent for me right away and wouldn’t leave your side for a heartbeat. What you did for him - trying to heal him - it was silly but brave. You... must care about him a lot to be able to do that. Our magic... it needs somebody to love to be strong, and like love, you can’t force it. With a little time, practice, patience, and a lot of understanding, maybe your magic will be as strong as your feelings for him...”

Fenella

The words of her sister, the way she put it, what she told Drustan had done...it made it feel...a little better but she still couldn't shake the uneasy feeling off. It stayed on her back like a tick. "I...dont know..." she began, trying to dry her slightly runny nose against her knee without making it too obvious. "I don't know...what he is thinking, how could I possibly, but...sometimes...before, when he ever looked at me...he looked at me like I was...dirt almost...like...I had betrayed him, and the hurt in his eyes... I’ve tried to show him my loyalty...but...I don't know. Most of the time he has just seemed to want to avoid me."

Another deep sigh, thinking about the possible reasons behind Drustan’s actions made her worry and sad, and perhaps most of all she got scared. She couldn’t show the herd she was scared. "Enough about that...you know I took mothers pre-...teachings to heart...but...I don't wish to make a fool of myself again..like this...would you mind help me practice my magic? The way it felt when I helped Dru-....how it felt this time...it’s never felt like this before...before it’d only been grasslike tickles...and this...it felt like it knocked me off my hooves and there was nothing I could do to keep me upright..." She thought of her sisters words of love for their magic to work. Was it that she felt for Drustan? Love? She didn't know. She only knew she cared about him with all her heart.

Nuala

She huffed, “Mother’s preachings are nothing more than force-fed traditions. Of course I love mother dearly, but everything she taught us about love and Kings is wrong. Love isn’t something you feel for a stag just because he is your betrothed. If Drustan doesn’t treat you like you’re the centre of his universe, if he looks at you with anything less than eyes full of starlight, then it’s not love.”

She realised she was being harsh, and softened her voice, “I’m sorry Fenella, that was unfair. I’m sure there’s more to it than that. There are two sides to every relationship; you should ask him what he’s thinking, and tell him how you feel, it’s the only way to find out the truth,” though she doubted if Fenella would take that advice to heart, she was her mother’s daughter. “The important thing is that you’re happy, and that we make sure you don’t pass out next time you try overextending your magic,” she reprimanded softly. “Why don’t I come back in a few days when you have your energy back, and we can practice together?”

Fenella

A jumble of thoughts and emotions buzzed inside like a trapped swarm of underground wasps. If that was love, the way her sister described it...then he didnt...and for her own sake...how did she look upon her King? She wasn't sure...she had faced the herd at his side, she had acted like a Princess betrothed to the King should, stood at his side at official matters even if she didnt do more than just standing nearby. And now...she had almost successfully healed his wound. Almost. Perhaps almost wasn't good enough? She hadn't been able to control it and in her fear she had let go. She bowed her head as she felt the tears burn again, felt the slight metallic taste of blood as she bit her cheek in an attempt to stop them. A few still managed to escape.

Her eyes glittered still as she looked up when Nu spoke, this time her voice was much softer than the tone she had used previously. "How could I ask him, Nu...how could I ever...ever let him know...I...I don't know...what you call love...I..we haven't been...can’t..." the words tripped over themselves and she wasn't sure how to explain in a better way. Nu knew all too well how their mother had drilled them, constantly...and the older they got... She had left the homeden last...even if she was the same age as Bó. Therefore...Fionnuala had focused on her when the others had left. Fen was sure she would be able to recite most of what the older Princess had taught them. About everything and ways a proper Princess should do and act, about many of the good and old ties with other Royal families, perhaps even some of the old lores of past kings. The only thing she wasn't good at was singing, not that it was much need for that. Not for her at least. Just...being able to be silent was a very good quality.

She tried to smile and topped her ears at her sister proposal, she wasn't sure if she could feel happy if she thought of how Drustan had looked at her before, and how he seemed rather uninterested of her even if he had requested her to follow him. But he had spent the night by her side, there had been...small hills around them, hills that was not created by those funny looking animals with big pink paws. Magic. They said it felt...magical. If she could just do this last thing, then...then she would be happy...if she only could give her King this last...thing.

“Yes...yes that would be good if you had the chance...or I could visit the oak, I haven't been introduced to your daughter yet...” At that her smile became more sincere.

Nuala

Standing with a tight smile, Nuala gave her adopted sister a farewell nuzzle, “Definitely, come and see Nimue any time, she would love to have someone else to play with,” she paused and looked the younger doe over. Nuala got the distinct impression that Fenella was no less conflicted by whatever troubled her about Drustan than when she’d arrived.

She supposed she wasn’t well equipped to give advice on Kings, since she’d ran before she was ever officially betrothed to one. Perhaps BóAnn would be the better one to counsel her on the matter. She sighed and gently embraced her sister. “Give it time, but remember that no amount of time is a substitute for honest conversation. You’ll never know if you don’t ask,” she finished, stepping back and fixing her younger sister with a firm eye and before she turned to leave, she added one last piece of advice that she did feel qualified enough to impart. “Our magic is founded in love, love is founded in trust, and trust is founded in truth. Start with truth, and the rest will follow.”

Autumn, Year 759 of the New Age
Glenmore, The Glenwood


Featuring Princess Fenella and Princess Nuala

Another of the RPs with fab TigressDesign - go and dress her up as a baconchristmastree! She deserves it and much more!!!


Wordcount
Fenella (blabbermouth and thinker): 2846
Nuala: 1291

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© 2014 - 2024 decors
Comments14
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Dream-Lark's avatar
Oh goodness, this was so adorable! I just love these two, totally my favorite Princessess.

Fen, you are such a sweetie. Your love will light the way~ She deserves a fairytale!