Caged

about 540 words

I crouched in the darkness of a tapestry, nibbling on a piece of bread I’d snatched from the kitchen. A sudden burst of silver and pink glitter told me I’d been discovered.

“Eldrin, what are you doing?” I sighed and turned slowly until I found her. All of the fairies sent off glittering sparks when they used magic. The colors varied by spell of course, not that everyone knows that, but anyone in my shoes would. Starlitte was the one who’d discovered me. Her gossamer wings glowed a dim violet as her four foot form hovered to the left of me.

“I thought I’d take a break,” I tried to sound casual. She twisted a deep brown curl between her two fingers and glared at me.

“Then you could have taken it in the break room.” She was right. The problem with the break room was that it was full of fairies. There were ninety-seven of them to be exact. Have you ever taken care of ninety-seven fairies? I thought not. You might be able to imagine what it’s like to try.

“I know. I just needed a little privacy.” It didn’t really matter if she believed me. It was the Queen I needed to worry about. Just in case you ever get stuck being the attendant for all of the young fairy maidens, let me give you a little advice. Whatever you do, don’t allow one of them to report you to the Queen. Every time I got in trouble my duties were extended another 5 years.

“I need you to do my hair. I’m attending a birth tonight with the Queen.” She pursed her lips and pouted at me. I tucked the remaining bread into my mouth, chewed and swallowed it before I spoke again.

“If, and only if, you promise to tell her I’m doing a wonderful job, I’ll spend the rest of the day preparing you. I’ll help you decide what to wear, do your hair, nails, you name it.” She grinned at me. It would have seemed like such an innocent grin, if only fairies didn’t have those tiny pointed teeth.

“I promise, I’ll do my very best for you Eldrin!” I’d like to give you another little piece of advice. I might be bitter, but I think it should be said. Never trust fairies to be honest. Honesty has never been their strong point. Five hours later I was bowing before the fairy Queen. Her long silver hair was piled atop her head in ringlets. Her face glowed a healthy gold and her wings fluctuated in colorful pastels. She signaled for the fairies and I to rise.

“Tell me Starlitte, how has Eldrin been treating you?” Starlitte flashed me a wicked grin.

“He’s been hiding every chance he gets. I’d say he’s hardly served any of his time at all.” I groaned, turning my eyes on the Queen, falling to the floor before her.

“Please, I’m begging you. I’ve been doing my best. All I did was trip through a magical portal. I didn’t do it on purpose.”

“Five more years,” the Queen intoned elegantly. “Don’t worry Eldrin, that’s just two hundred and fifteen to go.”