Faded Light

ELOWEN

“Urgh!” I groaned, stumbling onto the training grounds.

Thalen glanced my way, a teasing smirk playing on his lips. “You always make an entrance, Elowen—just never on time.”

I blinked, surprised and relieved. “Finally—someone remembers it’s Elowen.” My smile faltered, and I grumbled, “If one more fairy calls me Anwen instead of my actual name, I’m going to blast them off the balcony.”

“As much as I love the energy, how about we save some of that feistiness for practice.” 

I narrowed my eyes at him, fighting a grin. “Watch it, Captain. Keep talking, and I’ll be blasting you off the balcony.”

He laughed, low and warm. “Promises, promises.”

Then he tossed me a practice blade. “Let’s see what you’ve got, Elowen.”

His bright eyes gleamed, and there was a hint of something unfamiliar in his gaze. 

“Sword up,” He commanded before I could entirely decipher his stare. 

“Wait. Where's Anwen?” I asked, looking around. Anwen was my identical twin sister. She was my best friend. Always calm and kind, she never faltered in anything. I was more outgoing than Anwen, with a bit of a wild streak. We were complete opposites in everything except looks, but we had long ago decided that we would rule Veloria together. We couldn't separate the crown anymore than we could separate our hearts.

“Your sister's excused from training this morning. By order of the Queen.” He raised up his sword again, but I paused, confused. 

“What's she doing with Mother?” My brow furrowed, and I couldn't shake the feeling that I was missing something. 

“They're preparing for the Giant delegation that's arriving tonight. Now, come on, let's get started.” He got into his fighting stance, but I just looked at him with my mouth agape. I didn't mean to react. Afterall, a princess should know how to temper her expressions. But that had never been my strong suit. 

“Elowen?” Thalen lowered his sword, taking a tentative step towards me. 

“I'm sorry, Thalen. I'm fine, let's get started.” 

“Oh, come on, Elowen, I didn't make my way up to Captain by being obtuse. It's not hard to see you aren't fine.” 

I closed my eyes, feeling the tears prickling behind my eyelids. I hated crying, especially in front of other people. “It's just…Mother. She's always leaving me out of things. Anwen and I have already agreed that we'll rule Veloria together.”

“Well, it's no secret that Queen Gloriana favors your sister. She may not see how wonder you are, but there's plenty of us who do.” 

"You say that, but people are constantly calling me Anwen. It's like I don't exist."

I made my way over to a bench, sighing loudly as I sat down. “Everyone likes that Anwen is sweet. My mother says a queen must be contemplative and think before speaking. She says I'm too loud, too bubbly, too…much.”

“She's missing out then.” Thalen sat beside me, tucking a finger just underneath my chin and facing me towards him. His green eyes glimmered with mischief. He was one of my closest friends. He was just a few years older, but we'd grown up together and a few years in fairy time was nothing. His parents were warriors for our kingdom, and Thalen had worked his way up in our army. He was the only one my parents trusted to train their daughters. They knew he was loyal to a fault.

“The two of you might have the same face, but each of you is needed for our kingdom. Light is about more than just warmth. It's radiant and bold and relentless…just like you.” Thalen’s eyes never left mine as he wiped his thumb over the rogue tear that had fallen. 

“Come on, let's skip the sword play for today. I think we could use some flight practice.” 

“Flying? But, I thought you weren't allowed to take us flying?” 

“Well…they didn't outright say I couldn’t,” he shrugged. “I'm supposed to stick with agility, weapons, and hand-to-hand combat. But we're fairies, so sometimes that means we fight in the air.” 

“Thalen…but that's crazy. What if they come looking for us?” 

“Really?” He tilted his head, standing up and reaching out to pull me with him. “Everyone's going to be too busy with the Giant delegation to realize you're even missing. We’ll be back with plenty of time to get ready for dinner this evening. What's the harm?” 

What was the harm? Thalen was right. My parents didn't want me at their morning meeting, so I might as well do what I wanted. They wouldn't notice anyway.

“Let's go…I'll race you!” I let my wings out, and shot into the sky before he could say anything. It was a clear, cloudless morning, and I enjoyed how the sun warmed my face. We were well into spring, so the breeze kissed my face as I fluttered about, waiting for Thalen to catch up. 

“Come on, Elowen. At least stay close. Even though you're safe in Veloria that doesn't mean you shouldn’t stay by my side. I can't protect you if you're too far.”

“Oh, and who says I need protecting?” I flipped in the air. “I'm one of the strongest fairies in the kingdom, even amongst all of my cousins…and you know there are many. I think I can handle myself.”

“I don't deny that, Princess. But it’s never a bad idea to be on your guard.” He smirked as he bumped my shoulder. Thalen was handsome with his brown hair and vibrant eyes. He had all the litheness and grace of a light fairy, with the added muscular build of a warrior. The other women of the kingdom fawned all over him, and if I hadn't grown up with Thalen, I might have done the same. I wasn't blind to his good looks, but he had always been more of a friend and brother to me.

“Fine, let's go now. Do you think we can make it to Mirrorheart?” I asked. Mirrorheart was what we called the sacred confluence where the rivers Solenrae and Narethil meet.

Veloria, the capital city of Lumineth and home of the Light Fairies, sat nestled between the two rivers. My grandparents once ruled all of Lumineth as one, back when fairy magic was simple.

But that all changed when they realized their children were special. The sons and daughters they had borne were gifted with magic unlike anything they had ever seen– powerful, distinct, elemental. 

To honor that, each child was given their own piece of Lumineth to rule.

The eldest, my mother Gloriana, was blessed with the gift of light. She and my father now ruled over Veloria and the Light Fairies.

My grandparents believed in balance. If one child received a city, so would the rest.

Uncle Silas, with his deep connection to the land and plants, ruled the Earth Fairies in Briar Hollow.

Uncle Zephyr, master of the skies and winds, ruled the Air Fairies in Caelira—a city that felt like walking among the clouds, all sky bridges and wind towers. I loved it there.

Aunt Twyla came next. She ruled the Fire Fairies of Embermere, a city as bold as she was. My mother always said I had Aunt Twyla’s fiery spirit—a mix of stubbornness and passion.

And finally, there was Aunt Ceridwen, the youngest. Her magic flowed like the rivers she cherished, and she ruled the Water Fairies in Ondala, a city built right on the lake.

Lumineth was the perfect place. A paradise of shimmering magic, endless gardens, and skies so clear they looked painted by light itself.

Thalen and I flew on in silence, letting the fresh air fill our lungs as we made our way toward Mirrorheart.

“Let’s head down now. The river’s just there.”

He pointed ahead, and I followed his descent. With a playful twirl, he dove gracefully, wings slicing the air like silver ribbons.

As he neared the water, he stretched out a hand, letting his fingers skim the glassy surface. Ripples shimmered outward, scattering the perfect reflection of the sky. 

He continued on before kicking off his boots with practiced ease, as if this had been the plan all along. His feet sank into the cool mud at the edge, and without a word, he stepped into the shallows. The water welcomed him, swirling around his ankles, then his knees, until he dove in fully with a graceful sweep of his arms. He surfaced a moment later, shaking the water from his hair and laughing under his breath.

“Come in, Elowen, the water's perfect.”

I didn’t need convincing. I tugged off my boots and stepped in after him, the cold hitting like a rush of shooting stars. We met in the middle of the pool, treading water and grinning like we’d gotten away with something forbidden.

He splashed me once. It was light and teasing, but I retaliated with a wave that nearly dunked him. Soon we were both breathless with laughter. As time passed, the world narrowed to the warm afternoon sun, and the forest stood still around us, watching.

Thalen swam to the edge of the river, settling himself on a flat rock and waved me over. 

“I've always loved it here.” 

“Me, too,” Thalen said reverently. “There's something about the quiet that always calms me. Maybe it's how the water is so still when left alone.”

I adjusted myself on the rock so that I was laying on my stomach, letting the sun dry my back. I reached into the water, staring at my perfect reflection before my finger caused the water to ripple. 

“Do you think the stories are true?” I turned, looking up at Thalen as I leaned my head on my arm. 

“I always believed them as a child. My mother would bring me here and tell me about Mirrorheart, the place where your reflection always shows truth.” He leaned forward looking at his reflection. “I've only ever seen my self though. My mother says it's because I already show my true self to the world.” 

I turned back towards the water, rippling the surface with my hand again. “I've also only ever seen myself.”

“Then my mother was right because I know you've only ever been your true self. It's the only things you can be, Elowen.” He gave me another smirk, and I thought I felt my heart skip a beat as I looked into his eyes. But that couldn't be, this was Thalen. He wasn't at all the man my heart beat for.

“Did you hear that the warriors we sent out on the raid managed to push back the shadowbeasts?” 

“No, I hadn't. When was this?” I sat up, giving Thalen my full attention. 

“A scout arrived just last night. The rest of the men should be back within the next few days. Evander did well. My father believes he will be promoted and inducted into the Luminous Order.” 

My heart skipped another beat at the mention of Evander. This time, I let it. Evander was another of our Captains. He had risen in rank along with Thalen, but whereas Thalen was assigned as a Royal Guard, protecting my family directly. Evander was a Light Warden, assigned to patrol our borders and keep not just Veloria, but all of Lumineth safe. 

“The Luminous Order? That's wonderful. We haven't had anyone new in such a long time.” I smiled, practically clapping. I had known Evander nearly as long as I had known Thalen. I always secretly hoped Evander would take notice of me. But he was always so focused on rising in rank and being a good warrior. It seemed his hard work had finally paid off, though. 

“He's done well for himself. And the realm is indebted to him. The shadowbeasts weren't going to back down without a good fight. The scout said he used blue light to defeat them, so if it weren't for him, they'd still be fighting the beasts.”

“I didn't know he could make blue light.” I said in wonder. Blue light was a high level skill. As Light Fairies, we could all make light. Even the weakest of us could beighten up a pitch black room. But blue light was special, it involved not only light but heat and force. Even I hadn't quite mastered blue light yet. I was close…but not quite there. Perhaps Evander could help me progress now that he was coming home.

“Alright, Princess. Have you gotten your fill of Mirrorheart?” Thalen said as he put on his boots.

“Not quite, but I know it's time to return.” I sighed, running my hand along the water one last time. 

“Cheer up, we’ll plan a longer trip next time. Spontaneity is fun, but it doesn't always leave room for everything.” He leaned forward, bopping my nose with his forefinger, and for a second I saw that strange gleam he kept giving me. I quickly turned away, brushing the dust off of my clothes as I stood. Thalen was wonderful, but I couldn't entertain him having feelings for me.

“Ok," I said typing the last strap on my boot. "I'm ready, let's go home.”