The Forgotten

  ( Newbie )

  The moment Queen Titania left, each Fairy Princess assembled a miniature mountain of food as if in competition. A chorus of crunching and happy hums followed, broken only by requests to pass platters.

  Even Sunshine exchanged her glare for a fork and attacked a mound of crispy spuds.

  Newbie's belly rumbled, yet she hesitated. Unlike the others, she hadn't earned such indulgence. She watched as Cherrychomp clambered atop the table. Claws raked food into swelling, hamster-like cheeks, before fangs gnashed it to gulpable mush.

  Puddingpuff somehow ate with perfect grace even whilst dodging every stray crumb and sticky splatter sent her way. Newbie was studying her etiquette when she noticed something odd. Every carefully cut portion raised to her lips shimmered with magic.

  Puddingpuff smiled politely. "Intrigued?"

  "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to stare," said Newbie.

  "Quite alright. It is only natural to be curious about such a niche talent. Behold." Puddingpuff sank her fork prongs into a neatly severed stalk of broccoli. The moment it made contact with her extended tongue, green fibres transformed into creamy sponge. A sugary miracle turned vegetable to cake.

  Newbie caught a whiff of rich vanilla. "Oh that's fun!"

  "The novelty is fleeting, I assure you," said Puddingpuff. "Over the years I have grown quite tired of dessert."

  "...You can't control it?" asked Newbie.

  "Regrettably not," said Puddingpuff. "Worse still, it only affects the edible. Not only vexing, but near useless. I do hope you have better fortune."

  Newbie didn't know what to say.

  That sounds more a curse than a blessing...

  "Cake it!" Cherrychomp brandished a bread roll at her neighbour.

  "How many times do I have to tell you? No," said Puddingpuff.

  Cherrychomp cast the crusty bap to the carpet and took up a shiny apple instead. "Cake it!"

  Puddingpuff scowled. "Hel will freeze before I share my saliva with you, Imp."

  An elbow bumped Newbie's side. "Not hungry?" asked Merrymint. "It's super scrumptious!"

  Newbie looked to her clean plate and untouched cutlery. "Sorry. I am. It's just... do you think Queen Titania liked me?"

  "Gosh, of course!" Merrymint took it upon herself to fill Newbie's plate.

  "I'm not so sure," said Newbie. "She didn't say anything. I thought she'd at least grant me a proper name."

  And the way she looked at me...

  "You'll get a name." Merrymint started cutting Newbie's food into bite-sized slices, like one might for an incapable child. "We just gotta manifest your magic first so we can choose something fitting."

  "Stop worrying," said Cutiehorn. "The Queen likes you. Trust me."

  Newbie nodded slowly.

  Perhaps I am overthinking it.

  She studied the straps and buckles holding the silver knight's armour together. "Is it comfortable?"

  Cutiehorn blinked cluelessly.

  "The armour," said Newbie. "I didn't expect to see you wearing it outside of battle."

  "Oh. Sure," said Cutiehorn. "Honestly, half the time I forget I'm even wearing it."

  Bubblebun leaned forward. "Yo, Merrymint! You still haven't told her the best part of being a Fairy Princess. What kinda Mentor are you?"

  "The best part?" asked Merrymint.

  "That you can stuff your face and never get fat!" said Bubblebun.

  "Good golly! Yeah, that's totally true!" said Merrymint.

  "Maintaining a fairy body takes tons of energy," said Cutiehorn.

  Newbie looked back to Puddingpuff. She'd claimed to have eaten naught but cake for years, and yet she appeared perfectly healthy. Fairy biology was a peculiar thing indeed.

  "Huh." Newbie licked her lips at the plate Merrymint had prepared for her. "Well, if I really have to…"

  Newbie clutched at her stuffed stomach as she waddled. Each time she'd polished her plate, Merrymint had piled it high once more. She should've protested, but gluttonous urges had gotten the better of her.

  The trio made their way through decadent halls. Cherrychomp had fallen asleep immediately after dinner, and was now snoring upon Merrymint's arched back, dampening her shoulder with drool.

  "You going to be ok, Newb'?" asked Merrymint.

  Newbie groaned pathetically.

  "Attagirl!" said Merrymint. "Tomorrow's gonna be great! We'll see if we can squeeze some of that magic out of you."

  Memories of foreboding frost returned to haunt Newbie. "Is it... difficult?"

  "Magic? Well, figuring out your 'thing' can take a bit of time, but once you have the knack it'll feel as natural as walking," said Merrymint.

  I guess my little panic was just first-time nerves...

  "Did it take you long?" asked Newbie.

  "Nah. Mine is kinda basic though, right? I just throw my hands out and start blasting! But it's not always so simple. It took Cherry' weeks. She'd get grumpy and throw tantrums. You can imagine how much of a shock it was when she grabbed a handful of cherries at dinner one night! It was a whole explosion of mess!" Merrymint laughed.

  Newbie flexed her fingers inside winter mittens. "I sure hope I get the hang of mine fast."

  "You'll do awesome!" said Merrymint.

  "Thanks," said Newbie. "I really do want to be useful. I want to help."

  I must protect the Queen.

  "Soon," said Merrymint. "That's what your premium-grade Mentor is for!"

  They shared a smile.

  "Oh, and thank you," added Merrymint.

  "For what?" asked Newbie.

  "For the nudge. For the nod. For... y'know, giving me the courage to step up. I never would've otherwise, but I'm glad I did. Since me and Cherry' were there to find you, it kinda feels like we're responsible for you in a way. We're gonna have so much fun!"

  Newbie nodded. "Do you mind if I ask why you hesitated?"

  "Well, Sunny's been a Princess for way longer. Splishy too, and she's Queeny's Ace! Her number one! I never thought I'd even be considered."

  "Huh." Newbie thought back to the severe stare she'd received. "You think Sunshine's angry?"

  "Nah," said Merrymint. "...Well, maybe a little. She'll get over it though. She just takes the whole 'firstborn' thing very seriously, y'know?"

  They ascended a tower of coiling steps before arriving at the Dormitory - a lengthy passage with decorated doors on both sides. Just like at the dinner table, wings faced waves, unicorns faced rabbits and cakes faced leaves.

  When they reached the final pair of rooms, Merrymint nodded to a cherry-chiselled door. "Can you get that for me?"

  Newbie turned the handle before stumbling back. A cascade of stuffed toys tumbled into the hallway. Fluffy animals of all shapes and sizes, most of which were covered in bite marks or had chunks missing. So crammed was the collection that it was impossible to determine the size of the room or how far back the cuddly plushies stretched.

  "That's err..." started Newbie.

  "A lot, I know." Merrymint turned her back and reversed toward the door before letting Cherrychomp fall onto the soft mass of nibbled limbs and chewed ears. "So, worth mentioning. We get a phenomenal allowance! Like, probably more than you could ever spend. Most start by decorating their rooms. Cherry' uses hers for... whatever this is."

  Newbie helped squash the door to a close, leaving the snoozing red fairy suspended within the cushioned wonderland she'd assembled.

  "With that in mind, your room might seem a little basic now, but you can fix it up however you like!" said Merrymint.

  The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  Not quite sure what to expect, Newbie turned to the unadorned door and pushed it open. "Oh. Wow."

  The room stretched back at least a hundred paces. Floor-to-ceiling windows stood at the far end. Isolated and lost in the middle of the vast emptiness was a four-poster bed and a single wardrobe.

  "Ha. This takes me back!" Merrymint performed a series of twirls and spun her showman's stave. "So much potential! Any ideas on how you'll spruce it up?"

  Newbie's eyes traced the extensive walls from corner to corner. She hadn't a clue what she was supposed to do with so much space. It was definitely more than she needed.

  I can't really complain about a bedroom being too big, can I?

  "...I'll think on it," she said.

  "For sure," said Merrymint. "There's some crazy-gifted craftsmen up in Rainbow City. We'll go on a shopping spree sometime!"

  Together they began the long journey toward the distant windows. It was true what Merrymint had said back in the Nursery. The views from the palace at night really were breathtaking.

  Stargazers will be happy tonight!

  The heavens dazzled as if someone had scattered crushed diamonds over black velvet. Auroras streaked beneath, painting the spiralling forest in a shimmering array of colour. Fireflies danced through bioluminescent foliage. Cosy villages twinkled with warmth.

  Above, the rainbow's bright, self-sustained palette bled into the star-speckled sky. Without the sun's interference, signs of life could be seen through its translucent beams.

  "Pretty right?" asked Merrymint.

  "What's it like?" asked Newbie. "I mean, are the people up there friendly?"

  "Heck yeah! Didn't always used to be so nice, apparently, but these days it's fantastic! We even have fans up there!"

  "Fans? Really?"

  "For sure! Give it time, make a few appearances and I'm sure you'll be mega popular too."

  "I don't know about that. I'm not sure I have the courage to be centre of attention."

  They took some time to enjoy the moment. Even though she must have seen it a thousand times before, Merrymint seemed almost as mesmerised as Newbie.

  "Well, we better get some rest." Merrymint turned to make her way out.

  "I'll try," said Newbie.

  "Oh golly, I almost forgot!" Merrymint plucked the top hat from her head and flipped it upside down.

  Vibrant violet radiated from within. It was the very same glow Newbie had seen flicker from the door of the Queen's Study when they'd first tried to meet with the monarch.

  Merrymint pulled one of two small vials free from a stitched pocket and handed it over. A butterfly of fuchsia flame tinked and tonked within the glass.

  "This must be faefire, right?" asked Newbie.

  "Sure is!" said Merrymint. "You'll get your own soon, but for now you can borrow one of mine. Y'know, just in case."

  "Thank you. It's very cute." Newbie examined the bottle, pondering its purpose. "So, uhm, what do I do with it?"

  "Faefire? It's for stopping ichor!"

  Newbie's lungs shuddered as if a blade had pressed to her throat. Skin prickled and vision flittered. Her heart felt constricted, like a vice was tightening with every beat. Just hearing the word had exhumed an instinctual fear. One that she'd long forgotten was buried within.

  "I mean, it doesn't get any safer than here in the palace," continued Merrymint. "But it doesn't hurt to be cautious!"

  Newbie swallowed hard and tried to sound calm. "Sure..."

  "Well, good night, Newb'! I'll see you bright and early for brekkie!" And with that, Merrymint was gone.

  As soon as the door closed, Newbie clutched her heaving chest. She was alone. The shadows of the room had deepened. Even the stars beyond her window, which had been beautiful just moments ago, now resembled the glinting eyes of nocturnal predators.

  She clutched at the tiny vial. Its glow seemed like a dying ember in the surrounding dark.

  Ichor...

  She'd spent the day ignorant of the word, but its very mention had uncovered a terror without context. In the absence of knowledge, her mind conjured up stomach-churning imaginings of a cyclopean swarm.

  Without all of the whimsy and noise of her new sisters, Newbie was left to contemplate what else she may have forgotten during the metamorphosis.

  Interlude I

  ( Cecilia )

  Cecilia tip-toed around stray sticks and tested dead leaves for crispiness on approach. Her unkempt friend was taking cover beside a felled trunk, beckoning enthusiastically. Deep, rumbling grunts sounded from beyond.

  Of course that idiot isn't afraid...

  Together they peeked from their hiding place. Rummaging between the trees ahead was a tusked pig as big as a carriage, host to dozens of spore-spreading shrooms. If its strength matched its size, it could snap the log they were hiding behind like a twig.

  "What the heck is that thing?" whispered Cecilia.

  "It's a shroomhide hog," whispered Yowlf. "Isn't it cool?"

  Cecilia sighed. "Is it dangerous?"

  "Only if it sees us. Or hears us. Or smells us," whispered Yowlf.

  Cecilia felt like slapping him. She couldn't afford to get hurt or killed right now.

  She dipped back down behind the tree and pulled her shirt to her nostrils. There didn't seem to be any notable scent. She considered sniffing the boy beside her, but the thought only made her face warm.

  "Do you think the boar's in charge, or the mushrooms?" asked Yowlf.

  "I don't care. We're supposed to be finding food! Mama told me to pick apples." Cecilia looked down to her empty bucket. The local orchard had been stripped bare, except for a single worm-ridden fruit.

  "This is why there were no apples left," said Yowlf. "Think! Shroomhide hogs love food. All we have to do is follow!"

  "Brilliant," said Cecilia, "and what happens when we get there? How do we get the food before the biggy piggy eats it?"

  Yowlf frowned. He blinked several times without a word.

  "See! This is why you're stupid!" whispered Cecilia.

  "I'm not stupid! You're stupid!" Yowlf pushed her.

  She stumbled a step. Her temper flared. When she shoved back, she did so with more force than intended, causing her friend to fall with a rustly crunch.

  An enraged squeal ripped through the trees.

  "Run!" shouted Yowlf.

  Cecilia pulled him up and together they burst into a sprint. An instant later, the trunk behind them exploded into a shower of fragments. Every obstacle they leapt over or ducked under, the pig simply smashed through.

  When its slathering jaws opened to loose a second squeal, Cecilia flung her bucket. Wooden planks turned to splinters, but bronze banding and rusty nails dug into soft gums. The creature slowed to spit the mangled metal from its maw.

  "What do we do?" asked Cecilia amidst frantic gasps for breath.

  All you talk about is animals. Please tell me you know something useful!

  "Sunlight!" shouted Yowlf. "Head for the clearing!"

  The pair skidded with an abrupt turn. They rushed through the thicket, using arms to shield faces until bushes parted and morning brightness bathed their skin. They stopped to look back.

  Cecilia clenched her fists in hope, yet the humongous hog took the golden rays upon its caps without so much as flinching. "It's still following us! Why isn't it working?"

  "They're mushrooms, not vampvoles," said Yowlf. "It'll take a few hours for them to dry out."

  Cecilia was about to call him an idiot for the dozenth time that day, but it wasn't worth the breath. Instead she swore to herself that she'd never follow Yowlf anywhere again.

  Next time, I'll lead the way.

  Yet as they fled anew through the grassy clearing, she started to doubt they'd even survive. The pig was approaching faster than the trees ahead. There was nowhere to run. Nowhere to hide. They'd be trampled to death in seconds.

  Yowlf thrust his hands into the air and screamed whilst diverting from Cecilia's path, drawing the charging beast's attention away.

  "No!" she cried.

  What's that idiot doing? Is dying really the best plan he can think of?

  There was nothing Cecilia could do. She was but a weak, pathetic little girl. She wasn't even fleeing anymore. Her feet were suddenly glued to the spot, despite her legs trembling like jelly.

  Then, divine intervention. Radiant righteousness crashed down, quaking the earth underfoot. Cleansing flame scorched the ground clean of grass.

  Fire reflected in porcine eyes. Territorial aggression melted and self preservation took its place. The beast turned tail.

  When the blessed inferno dissipated, Cecilia was left breathless. Their saviour was the most beautiful lady she'd ever seen. Regal. Elegant. Indomitable. Everything Cecilia wasn't.

  Titania, ruler of Titan and Fairy Queen!

  If only Cecilia could have such strength she would never have to fear losing those close to her again. Not Yowlf. Not Mama. Not anyone. She dropped to her knees. Undeserving of such a miracle, all she could do was weep.

  Cecilia ran all the way home. She raced down the rooty streets of Tuberly at breakneck speed, weaving through rows of hollowed carrots and parsnips, until she reached a red radish and dived through the door.

  "Mama! Mama!" she cried.

  The cottages of Tuberly, whilst colossal compared to regular vegetables, made for rather small dwellings. Theirs held a single space that served as bedroom, kitchen and living room combined.

  "Cecilia?" Mama jumped to a sitting position. "Are you ok? Whatever is the matter?"

  Cecilia leapt onto the bed and threw her arms around Mama. "There was a big pig! And it was angry! It chased us! But then Queen Titania saved us!"

  Mama's pale face creased. "What? What pig? You were only supposed to go to the orchard. You didn't let that Yowlf-boy get you into trouble again, did you? I've told you before, that whole neck-craning family is nothing but trouble."

  "Yes. No. I mean..." Cecilia shook her head to straighten her thoughts. "Look, forget Yowlf and the pig and the apples! Guess what she said! Guess what Queen Titania told us!"

  Mama sighed and reached out to pinch at Cecilia's cheek. The touch was weak and unsteady, not like it used to be. "I have no idea, sweetie. What did the Queen say?"

  "There's going to be trials! Try-outs to choose new fairies! And it's just a few months away!"

  Cecilia thought Mama might be excited. Maybe not as giddy as her, but she still expected a positive reaction. Yet Mama looked sad.

  "Cecilia, sweetie.. I don't think that's something we'll be able to do."

  "Why not? If I can win, I'll become a Fairy Princess! I'll be able to find you medicine! In fact, I'll bet Queen Titania can even fix up a cure herself! You'll feel better again! Everything will be just like it used to!"

  Mama took Cecilia's hands. Fingers cradled and thumbs traced knuckles. "Slow down, sweetie."

  But slowing down was the last thing on Cecilia's mind. "I'm going to do it, Mama. I'm going to get stronger and smarter starting right now. I'm going to be ready! I won't let you down!"