Chapter 4

The sound of her footfalls was hushed as she practically flew back to Thrae. She heard her first, crying, no, sobbing through the trees and then found her. She looked like a winter fairy sitting there, a vision of youthful beauty...if it weren't for the crimson spilling from her leg. The red headed girl came and knelt near her. Thrae seemed to continue to cry, but now in relief.

"I know nothing of bandaging a wound," she said, her hand hovering over the girl's shin uneasily. Didn't fay heal immediately? She bit her lip and met the other girl's eyes, they were pleading, red, wet, and incredibly blue. The fine curve of her eyebrows bled Lira's eyes down thin line of her nose to her small, but pull lips, they reminded her of flower petals, pink and soft. The perfect curve of her bottom lip, and the graceful shape of her mouth. It looked sweet, so sweet, she felt the inexplicable urge to taste it. Thrae's face, her round, but not plump, cheeks, the pale length of her neck, the curve of her chin, her long white-blond hair barely concealing the pinkest of nipples. It was then she noticed Thrae's face was red and her sobs had quieted to small "hick, sniff" sounds, and she was avoiding her gaze and trying to hide her body again. "Come," said Lira, standing and offering a hand, "We had best clean it at least."

The pale girl took the golden hand and stood, leaning against her for support. What had that been just now? The red-haired girl's eyes have become so...different. The way she was looking at her made her so self-conscious. Even now, Lira put Thrae's slender arm over her shoulder and secured a strong arm around her waist. The feeling of so much touch sent a rush down her spine that continued between her legs and made her gasp.

"I'm sorry," said Lira, "I didn't hurt you did I?"

"No," replied Thrae, "it just tinges a bit."

"Well come along," she began walking, tightening her grip on her waist. Thrae, resisted at first, but then leaned more against the taller girl and limped along side her. She looked up at Lira's profile. The mid-day sun seemed to fit her almost tawny skin, her chin was strong, and cheekbone's echoes this. She held her shoulders so still and straight and she kept her head up, proud and strong. It was like the way the nobles carried themselves. Her green eyes were to focused..until then looked down at her. Lira's gaze pierced her and her own eyes hit the ground quickly.

"How odd," started Lira, Thrae's gaze shot back up, but Lira was no longer looking at her, "I thought if we walked this way we'd come to the stream faster, but I can't even hear the water."

The shorter girl listened, indeed, there was no sound but that of the wind, "What's that?" She pointed through the trees at what appeared to be a stone wall. For a horrified moment, they both feared it was their castle. But their fear faded as they realized it was a cottage. A star was engraved into the door, and the windows were wide open. The scent of cinnamon came from within paired with cheerful humming. A woman, who was not yet hunched over with age, but who's face shown the wrinkle's of a full life worked within. Her eyes were hazel and sparkled and her mousy-colored was not quite blond nor brown and had gray streaks running through it.

Both girls felt they would die, the scent of the cakes and pies that baked within was torture, and worse, the woman turned around with a pitcher of what must have been sweet apple cider.

"She seems nice enough," whispered Thrae, "perhaps she might help."

Lira stared, and how would they present themselves? A couple of unclothed young women just looking for a bite?

The woman suddenly gasped as she noticed them by the window,

"Oh my dears, you gave me quite the fright!" Her voice had a thick Irish accent, "what are you doing out there? And in such a sorry state?" She tossed down the towel she had been holding and quickly emerged out the front, to gasp again, "Oh my! What happened to the poor lass's leg? Come inside dear children, come, come, "

Lira didn't like being called a child, but regardless gave the woman her trust and helped Thrae inside, glad the woman didn't seem to recognize either of them. The older woman was mumbling to herself, fretting, and walked off into another room then returned with two gowns, one brown, one green, and two aprons. "Put these on girls before you catch your deaths. How in the world did you..." placed the clothes down, studied them a moment, made a clucking sound and threw her hands up, and walking around the large wooden table, it was covered in flour and a rolling pin, fruits, the pitcher of cider, and several cakes. Behind it was a large washing tub and a window. the window was surrounded in vines and potted plants were all around. The woman pucked some of the finer greenery and pulled a pestle and mortar from the shelves on the opposite side of the window. Working quickly, she mixed them together, mashing them into a gooey mess and then hand her hand over the mix. She closed her eyes and muttered,

"By the powers of leaf and rain, make this lady well again." Then returned with the small bowl of her enchanted paste and a a wet cloth. Thrae leaned into Lira's hold (as her arms were still around her) as the woman cleaned and treated the cut. "My name is Gwendella, I'm a witch."

"A witch?" breathed Thrae, excited, witches were practically fay themselves. They were magic users, and keepers of magical creatures, healers.Wonderful people, she was instantly dazzled."

"Yes and so are you two tonight," the woman smiled, showing a full mouth of teeth, "for tonight is Beltane, and I won't let any young girl wander about tonight. The satyrs will be about and out for virgin flesh." Thrae clung even harder to Lira, "Now get dressed, i can have my husband coming home to a couple of fare and unclothed maidens, lest he lost his fancy for me!" the woman laughed, "Now stand up," she said this to Thrae who stood up and away from Lira's arms. Lira felt ignored and watched begrudgingly as the woman picked up the green dress-the one Lira wanted, and slipped it over Lira's head, then turned her to button up the back. With a glare, Lira put the brown dress on herself.

The dresses must have belonged to the older woman, who was shorter than both of them, for the dresses only came to just past their knees. And as Gwendella helped Thrae put on one apron, Lira put the other on herself.

"Now just a moment, I've got to take the pie out of the oven," and she walked away.

"Oh look at you," said Thrae, buttoning up the back of Lira's dress and retying her apron, "There,"

The fabric was plain and scratchy, nothing like the fine silks they were used to. Thrae was content, but Lira hated it, she'd rather be nude than in such peasant wear, but Thrae looked good, even though the dress hung slack around her modest breasts. Lira then remember the pink nipples that were now hidden under the rough fabric.

"What's Beltane?" asked Thrae, already walking over to aid the witch.

"My dear, where are you from? Everyone in these woods knows it's the celebration of the first day of spring and also celebrates love...and fertility," she said with a wink.

Lira curled her lip, the last thing she wanted to picture was this woman being pleasured. Or the man pleasuring her, or any man, in fact, she didn't want to think about sex in the least. Not after the run with those hunters earlier. She noticed even after dismissing the thought, that she was still angry. She found herself looking longingly at Thrae who was now rolling out dough and smiling, happily obeying Gwedella's firm instruction.

The red haired girl crossed her arms and sat back resentfully. Hours passed and it grew dark outside as she watched Thrae learn about different plants and their healing powers or blessing powers, learn songs about the elements and the forest. Then the witch began to teach her simple spells, and mentioned the fay,

"It's usually good to invite them to to help with spells, and they like to watch. I usually leave some milk and honey out for them in thanks."

"Do they like milk and honey?" asked Thrae,

"Oh yes dear, and honey cakes too. not to mention wine and ale."

Lira's eyes narrowed in thought, wouldn't Thrae, being fay herself know such things? Wouldn't she have known it all? The plants and songs? Her thoughts danced over Thrae not being a fairy, but she must be. She had been a unicorn, hadn't she? She had made a pond from dirt, and had bewitched a pack of wolves. She must be fay, this must be an act.

Suddenly the door bust open and in came a handsome older man with his long blond hair tied back carrying a string of pheasants followed by an even older man with a string of fish.

"The goddess has blessed us today!" trumpeted the older man, as he oped his arms to hug Gwendella, who Lira guessed was his wife, he kissed her, and his eyes glanced over the two young women, "And who be these fare maidens?" he bowed politely. The blond man set the pheasants down on the table and stared at Thrae, who blushed. Lira instantly hated him.

"A few lassies from the wood, I haven't a clue where they're from. Forgive me dears," she said turning her attention to the girls, "what were your names?""

"Thrae," her voice was like song, Lira felt soothed by it until she found the eyes on her. She glared at the blonde man,

"Lira." she tried to make her name sound like a poison arrow, aimed straight at the man who wouldn't take his brown eyes off her friend. Her little flower. Her Thrae.

"Well then," said Gwen, clapping her hands to break the tension, "Rafe, put a fire on, we'll celebrate indoors tonight. For the maiden's sake. I prepare the meat. Girl's this is my husband Will."

The blond man, Rafe, went outside to gather wood.

"it seems my son's taken a liking to ya lass!" boomed Will, slapping Thrae on the back and then hugging her hard enough to make her cough. His brown eyes sparkled over a brown and wiry beard.

"Let the girl go Will, you'll crush her. Now, come help me." scolded Gwen.

Later on, it was finally time to eat. Lira and Thrae could barely wait through the Beltane blessing and story before they both dug in. They ate pheasant and fish, apples and pie and washed it all down with so much cider, they thought they might burst.

"You can sleep in Rafe's room tonight," said Gwen, squeezing Will's hand,"he'll be fine on the floor in our room."

Lira frowned, she wanted out of this house and wanted to get Thrae as far away from Rafe as she could. And more-so she did not was Thrae in his room, though she supposed that as long as she was there and Rafe was not, then this would be fine. So she then decided she wanted nothing more than to get her out of Rafe's sight.

The blond man must have been in his mid thirties and he stared at Thrae, Lira found it disturbing, yet Thrae continued to blush and pick her food.

"We had best turn in," said Lira, surprised at how harsh she sounded, Thrae looked at her questioningly, but agreed.

"Yes, excuse us." She stood and Lira stood too, glaring at Rafe, who ignored her; Gwen and Will didn't seem to notice either .

"I'll show you the way," said Rafe.

Lira felt her muscles tense, but let him lead.

"Thank you," cooed Thrae, Lira remained silent, promptly shutting the door in his face.

She sighed and went to the bed.

"What's the matter?" asked Thrae, concerned.

"I just don't like the way he looks at you."

Thrae blinked, then blushed, "I...I have not been looked upon in such a way before, he flatters me."

I should like to flatter you, thought Lira, remembering Thrae's defenseless face in the forest.

"You should get some rest, how's your leg?" asked Lira.

"My leg? Oh I almost forgot about it," Thrae tested it, "Seems fine, now, isn't witchery wonderful?"

"Yes..."replied Lira, then quickly looked to change the subject, "they left us no bedclothes, must we be forced to sleep in such shodden, insulting clothing?"

Thrae looked at her sideways, "Have you slept in better?"

Lira sidestepped the question, "I'd rather sleep in nothing, help me undo this thing."

Thrae blushed again and reached to oblige, undoing the apron, then the buttons, slowly revealing a lean muscled back. Lira turned around and Thrae-beat red, turned as well, and shyly asked for help removing her clothing.

The taller girl did so, almost eagerly and inwardly called herself perverse. When the dress fell away, she forced herself not to eye those strikingly distracting nipples and the small curve of her breasts. So she promptly crawled into bed, then Thrae followed, snuggling up close tot the other girl, her scent was woodsy, her skin soft, and their bodies seemed to fit together. The red haired girl held her, the motion was east, just hugging her loosely an arm around her shoulders. She smelled sweet, and Lira wanted to kiss her forehead, but resisted. She settled for stroking her hair, and began to fall asleep.

In the night a noise woke Lira, who shot up again,

"Princess?" came a voice from the window, it was Rafe. He knew? He knew! Lira's eyes were wide. "Princess are you awake? My lady, I should like to ask you a few things."

"Go away!" hissed Lira,

"I was talking to the Lady," replied the man, rather rudely thought Lira.

"She sleeps, leave us be."

"Mmn, Rafe?" groaned Thrae,

"Princess, may I come in?"

Thrae too froze, he knew her? And in front of Lira! They both watched the window in horror. It was unlocked, and opening.