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Audrey was lost. She was so busy foraging that she had lost her bearings. She wandered around the forest until she heard…laughter? Yes, she definitely heard laughter ahead of her. She started quickly walking towards the sound. Once she saw its source, she quickly ducked out of sight behind a tree, trying to calm her breathing.
It was a group gathered in a small clearing, having a party of some sort. What shocked Audrey were the pointed ears and strange markings on their skin. Most were sitting or lounging around the clearing, but some were floating in the air. They were fair folk, definitely. Audrey had to get out of here, fast. She had heard of what the fae did to humans and did not want a firsthand experience. She just had to sneak away without anyone seeing¬—
“Hello.”
Audrey gave a startled yelp at the voice behind her. She froze on the spot.
“Are you going to keep watching us from behind a tree or would you like to introduce yourself?”
Audrey let out a squeak. All eyes were on her now, and she was too scared to move. She felt like they were taking her apart with their gaze, trying to decide what to do with their new toy.
“It’s alright little mouse, no one’s going to hurt you. Come here, it’s alright.” The faerie took her hands in his own, leading her towards the clearing. “Won’t you join us? I’m sure you would enjoy yourself at our little get-together.”
“Um, I should really be finding my way home. I’m sorry, I got lost and—”
“You’re lost? Oh, you poor thing.” The faerie thought for a moment. “How about I help you. You can stay with us for a while, and at sunset, I can take you home. What do you say?”
“Um, well…”
“And don’t worry about the time. We’re still in the mortal realm, so you will be home the same day you left.”
“Um.” Audrey did want to get home, and he was offering to help. And she was honestly afraid of what would happen if she refused the offer. “Alright. I’ll stay.”
The faerie smiled. “Wonderful.” He kissed Audrey on the cheek, causing her to stiffen up in shock. He let out a small laugh. “Oh, your face. Come, let us get more comfortable.” He led her fully into the clearing, excitable murmurs coming from the group.
After getting over her shock, Audrey actually looked at the faerie leading her towards the others. He had a slim build and sharp features. An occasional braid was woven into the blond hair loosely draped around his face. He had kind, vibrant eyes and was wearing a gentle smile. She could see his markings more clearly now, and they looked like scars winding their way across his pale skin. Audrey looked around the clearing. She could now see there were six in total—well, seven now that she had joined. Besides the ears and the markings, they all looked strangely human.
The faerie led her to a sofa made out of vines and lay on it, propping himself up on the side. He patted his hip. “Come here Mouse, lay down.” Another one of the faeries—with tan skin and chestnut hair—spoke up, irritation laced through his voice. “Hey, why do you get to hold the human?”
“Because I’m the one that found them. You can ask them to have a turn when I’m done.”
Audrey was still standing, unsure of what to do. The blond fairy looked up at her with concern, “Are you alright, little Mouse? You look awfully tense. And, oh, you’re blushing! How cute. Are you still nervous?”
“Um, a little.”
“Whatever for? I don’t think we’ve done anything to scare you. Have we?”
“Um, no. It’s just…isn’t that a little close?”
He let out a small laugh, “Ah, I had forgotten. Humans don’t get close to strangers, do they?”
“No, not usually.”
“Will you try? I think you would enjoy it.” After some hesitation, she sat down on the couch. “Good. Now lie down.” She did so. “Good Mouse. Now relax.” Audrey was still stiff as she felt a hand in her hair. His hand was warm, and the markings were almost buzzing with energy. The faerie looked down at her and smiled, “It’s alright. You’re safe.” When she didn’t settle down, he looked at her with concern, “We do not have to stay like this if you do not wish to. I just thought that it would be comfortable for you.” He paused. “And I must confess, I like having you cuddled up to me.”
“It’s…fine. We can stay like this.” It was comfortable. The soft hand in her hair felt nice, and she relaxed after a minute. She took the time to get a proper look around the clearing. It looked like a nice party. There was food covering sheets of stone. Vines hung between the trees in a way that looked intentional. Strange lights floated throughout the clearing. It was a pretty sight.
“Oh, how silly of me. I haven’t given you something to call me by. You may call me—” He thought for a moment. “Birch. May I keep calling you Mouse? I think it suits you.”
“Yes, that’s fine.” Audrey knew better than to give a faerie her true name.
“Alright then.” This started a chain reaction of the faeries choosing names for Audrey to use. The faerie from earlier decided on Reed. Another, Clover. And then Willow, Lily, and Fern.
Birch kept playing with her hair, occasionally twirling a curl around his finger. Clover floated up to them and sat down in front of the couch, facing Audrey. “Hello. If you don’t mind, may I touch your ears? They are very interesting.”
“Uh, sure.” Audrey felt a finger trace over her ear. Clover was a little darker than Birch, with mahogany brown hair tied back in a braid. She leaned on Birch’s leg as she inspected Audrey’s ear.
“So cute.” Clover said it so softly Audrey barely heard it.
The three of them stayed like that for a while, the faeries talking with the others about…something. Audrey had no context for what they were saying, so she just lay there, trying to keep up with the conversation. Sometime later, Audrey’s stomach let out a growl.
Reed spoke with an offended tone to his voice. “Birch, have you not offered our little Mouse some food? Listen to them. They’re hungry.”
“Oh, how rude of me. Mouse, please, help yourself.” Birch gestured to the stones adorned with different fruits. Audrey did not even recognize some of them.
“Um, I’m ok. Thank you though.”
“Little Mouse, I know you are hungry. Please, eat something.”
“Um, well I, um…”
“Wait, I think I know what’s going on.” Clover looked at Audrey. “You think if you eat our food, you have to stay with us forever. Is that right?” Audrey nodded.
They all laughed. Birch turned to her. “Oh, little Mouse, that is complete nonsense. I wouldn’t try to trick you like that. The food is just like your own. Now will you eat something?”
Audrey tentatively sat up and looked at the food. Her stomach gave another growl. She carefully picked up a grape. She had never tasted one before. She popped it in her mouth and chewed. It was the best thing she had ever tasted. Sweet and tangy, it almost exploded in her mouth when she bit down on it. “There you go. Would you like some more? There is plenty here.”
She grabbed a bunch of them. “May I?”
“Yes, please, help yourself,” Birch said. Audrey started eating in earnest and the others joined her. “Honestly, the rumors humans spread. You are adorable, little Mouse, but I wouldn’t want to keep you against your will.”
“Um, thank you?” This caused everyone to laugh again.
“Oh, you’re so sweet.” He pulled Audrey in for a hug, kissing her forehead as he did so. This caused Audrey to blush again, much to his delight. Reed spoke up again.
“Alright, I think you’ve had enough, Birch. Let the rest of us give the human some attention. Only if it’s alright with you, Mouse.”
“It’s alright.” Birch pouted at her decision but gave Audrey another kiss on the cheek before Reed helped her to stand. He brought her over to a chair before sitting down, leading her to sit in his lap.
“Is this comfortable for you?”
“Mm-hm, it’s alright.” Audrey leaned her head on Reed’s shoulder, trying to hide her blush.
“Aww, such a cute little mouse.” He started running a hand through her hair, occasionally tracing the outline of her ear as he did so. She had mixed emotions about the situation. It was a little demeaning being passed around like some object to be admired, but it was nice to get so much positive attention.
Clover came up to her again, leaning on the arm of the chair. “So, Mouse, tell us, what is your life like?”
“You want to know about me?”
“Well of course. It isn’t every day that we come across a human. Especially one willing to join us for a party.”
“Um, well. I live with my parents and my little sister. I have an older brother, but he is married. I live in a village next to the woods.”
“That’s nice. What do you do for fun?”
“I like embroidery.”
“Oh, how pretty,” Lily cooed. “What do you like to embroider?”
“Um, I mostly do handkerchiefs and hems on dresses. Flowers are what I usually do for other people, but I like to put animals in my designs.”
“You must bring some of your work with you if you ever come back. I would love to see it.” Willow said.
“Oh, I actually have some.” Audrey showed the hem of her dress, adorned with songbirds and trees. They all looked with fascination. She then brought out her handkerchief, showing a little scene of a fawn laying in a meadow in one corner.
“You have a talent, little Mouse.” Reed said. They all voiced their agreement.
“Thank you.” She was blushing again.
“Reed, I think you should let someone else have a turn. I want to hold them for a moment.” Willow made grabby hands towards Audrey.
“Oh, alright.” Reed let out a huff. He kissed Audrey on the cheek before Willow helped her to stand. She led Audrey back to the couch and shooed Birch off of it. Willow sat down and motioned for Audrey to sit beside her. Once she did, Fern came up to sit on the other side. Effectively sandwiched between two faeries fussing over her, Audrey became flustered again. Lily decided to kneel in front of the three, laying her head in Audrey’s lap.
Audrey took interest in the markings again, running her hands over Willow’s arm. “What are these for?”
“The marks? Oh, that’s just what happens after using magic for so long.”
“Magic?”
“Yes, would you like to see some?”
Audrey nodded. Willow held out her hand. Her marks began to glow a brilliant purple as a ball of light formed in her hand. The ball of light started to contort. After a few seconds, it had taken the shape of a bird. The newly formed light-bird started to chirp and hop around on Willow’s hand. She handed the bird to Audrey, who looked at it in awe. The bird flew out of her hand and exploded in an array of light, startling Audrey.
“Oh, Mouse, it’s alright.” Fern was quick to console her. “It wasn’t a real bird. Only an illusion. It was never alive.”
“Oh, that was amazing!”
“Thank you, Mouse.” Willow leaned in to give Audrey a kiss on her temple. After a few minutes, Birch noticed the time.
“Oh, goodness, it’s sunset already. Come on, little Mouse, time to get you home.” He offered his hand to Audrey. The other faeries were quick to voice their disapproval.
“Why do they have to go now?” Fern protested.
“Can’t they stay a little longer?” Lily added.
“Hey, I promised Mouse I would take them home at sunset. I don’t want to break my promise, now.” The others grumbled but gave in, Fern and Willow each giving Audrey a kiss on the cheek before she stood. “Are you ready to leave, little Mouse?”
“Yes, please.”
“Alright.” She yelped as he picked her up. “Hold on tight.” He flew above the tree line with her in his arms. “Now, which way is home?”
“Um, oh my goodness.” Audrey was looking down, her heart pounding in her ears as she gripped the back of Birch’s neck tightly.
“It’s alright, little Mouse, I won’t drop you. Deep breaths.” She slowed her breathing. “There you go. Just like that.” He squeezed her for a second, giving her small kisses on her cheek and temple. He stopped once she had calmed down. “Now, can you tell me which way to go?”
“Um, that way. Please.” She pointed to smoke plumes rising in the south.
“Alright, away we go!” He flew towards the smoke.
Audrey looked around at the clouds, lighting up in an array of oranges and purples as the sun started to dip below the horizon. Birch followed her gaze.
“Would you like to touch one?” When she nodded, he flew up even higher to one of the clouds and she reached out to touch it. It felt cold and misty against her hand.
“Wow.”
He landed in the woods—not close enough to be seen, but close enough so that Audrey would not get lost again. Birch set her down. “And there we go. All safe and at home. It was truly a pleasure.” He bowed and kissed the back of her hand. “Oh, I almost forgot.” He held out his hand. In it appeared a necklace. “If you ever get lost again, or if you would just like to see me, all you need do is call for me.”
“Thank you.”
He handed her the necklace. It gave off that same buzzing sensation she felt with the markings. It was a beautiful shade of silver with a birch tree engraved into the pendant, purple gems dotted throughout the branches.
“Goodbye little Mouse, I hope to see you again sometime.”
“Goodbye. Thank you for taking me home.”
“Oh, of course. Anytime.” He flew back up over the tree line. Audrey waved goodbye before she started to walk back to her village.