"Why do you want our help?" Bolemir quizzed the Empress before the Assembly meeting that afternoon. The fatherly fairy had been throwing every question that he could think of to Aurora so she could prepare an answer.
Aurora responded easily. "We must work together. The gnomes are dangerous. They must be stopped for humanity's sake."
"Very good," Bolemir responded. "Whatever happens in there, do not get flustered. The fairy world is full of all types, just like humans. And unlike other magical creatures, we see the human world once a year to change the season based on a our powers. Many of the families will have made up their mind before coming to the Assembly. It will be an unholy battle to change their minds."
"Thank you for the advice. Do you have any more questions for me?" Aurora wanted to know. She had many of the answers memorized.
"That is all that Reyan and I wrote down. I think you are ready," Bolemir confirmed.
The Empress's stomach suddenly knotted. As long as they were working, she was able to focus on something to distract her from what was coming. Now all she could do was wait, and it made her feel queasy.
Prem entered holding a tray of food with little Niko, who had the day off from his lessons, following behind. The mother fairy set down the food in front of those who had been rehearsing.
"Would you like something to eat before we go," she offered brightly.
Aurora scooted back as her stomach revolted. "No thank you, Prem. I think anything I tried to eat just not would not remain where I put it."
——————
The Fairy Assembly met outdoors in a circular clearing of soft purple grass. There were many knolls. As each fairy family arrived, they occupied one of the small hills by bringing stools on which to sit or using the ground as their chair.
Reyan sat alone on his mound on the same stool he had used when Aurora had first met him. It seemed that he had never married or had children.
The other mounds were different levels of full, but most had at least two or three occupying the space. One had twenty children with a mother and father. Aurora was in awe of such a dedicated mother.
It was too bad that Zan and Gandr were prohibited from attending. They would have also found this fascinating. But a special exception had been made for Aurora to attend the place only fairies could tread. Any more guests would have been offensive.
Prem, Gede and Niko were on their mound along with Bolemir to give support to the dark-haired woman. While everyone was settling, The Empress could hear snippets of conversation around her.
"I wonder who Bolemir will pick to conduct the assembly meeting on his behalf."
"Surely he will choose Senna. They are best friends."
"But no one will take him seriously. He is too silly. What about Yosei?"
"Far too quiet. No one could hear him. Bolemir will lose before he has started."
"Vila is an excellent orator, but I do not think she likes Bolemir enough to fight for him."
"He needs to choose carefully. I know many did not even want to entertain this idea at all…"
The chattering went on, but Aurora forced herself to ignore it. The Empress had learned that morning that Bolemir would need to choose someone to conduct the meeting on his behalf, but he had assured Aurora it was not a big deal. It seemed they may have made a huge calculation error.
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There was no time to change their tactic as Bolemir stood. The Fairy Assembly quieted as he began to speak.
"I have come seeking your aid not on behalf of myself, but help for the human race. Empress Aurora has been driven from her home by the gnomes-Cafer and King Baak. They have placed the human Prince Alaron on the throne. I have called you here to help the Empress restore order and save humanity." Bolemir reached out his hand and helped Aurora to stand beside him.
The Empress curtsied but maintained a forward, confident gaze. She could not appear weak. The fairies seemed to regard her with interest. A few remembered her from many years before.
"Who will speak for you?" Vila asked from her mound.
The grassy area was so quiet that you could hear the wing beats of the nearby butterflies. Bolemir inhaled deeply.
"Reyan!" he boomed. "Reyan will lead the meeting."
Exclaimarions of confusion erupted among the fairies, most of all from Reyan himself. "Pick someone else," he grumbled. "I don't want the 'esteemed' position!"
"I have chosen you, and I will not take it back." Bolemir stuck out his chin defiantly.
"Then do not blame me for its outcome," Reyan warned with a dangerous gleam. "Let us begin."
Reyan took one of the two mounds in the center of the very large area. He motioned for Aurora to take the second.
"Since Empress Aurora is the one who seeks our help, she will be the one answering questions." Reyan announced. His long white hair fluttered slightly in the breeze. "I will go first. What aid do you seek?"
"I seek military aid to regain control of Valiant from Cafer, King Baak, and my son Alaron." Aurora answered calmly.
"But we are not good fighters, except for my mother-in-law." Senna called from the back amid chuckles. "What help can we be?"
"You may not be mighty in physical strength, but that does not mean you would not be useful in battle. The gnomes have magical powers as does Prince Alaron. I, obviously, do not. I believe your nature powers would be helpful to combat that advantage. While you would be in the battle, I do not think any hand-to-hand combat would be required on your part." The Empress shook her head to punctuate her point.
She felt that she had given a good answer until Reyan gave a snort. "Ha! Are you sure you do not just want to use us as bait to keep your soldiers from taking the brunt of the gnomes' force?"
This was not a question Aurora had been prepared for, and her look of shock and disgust was evident. "Even one life lost is too many. I would never use others in that despicable manner. Anyone who joins me deserves honor and respect." She glared at Reyan for blindsiding her, but he seemed unperturbed.
"Who else has a question for the Empress?" He moved on as if nothing had happened.
Each question was similarly asked and answered, only to have Reyan scoff at her words and give a rebuff. Aurora remained outwardly calm, but she inwardly thought about strangling the old fairy for antagonizing her in this public forum.
Finally the questions wound down and it seemed like the time of voting would commence. She waited for Reyan to conclude the inquiry and call for the vote.
"Before we end, I have one final question. Your son deposed you. Why should we get involved in your family affair?" Reyan narrowed his gaze.
"You are just trying to anger Her Majesty!" Bolemir accused as he rose to his feet.
"I am simply asking the question on everyone's mind. You wanted me to conduct the Assembly and I am. Know your place." Reyan countered. "I repeat: why should we be a part of your family squabble, Your Majesty?"
This was another question that the fairy had not given her ahead of time. He seemed determined to thwart her. But Aurora would not cave under his pressure. "It is alright, Bolemir. Reyan makes a valid point. If it were as simple as my son taking my throne, I would happily step aside. Unfortunately, choosing the passive route will not work in this case. Cafer has taught Alaron magic. Humans should not use magic." The Empress paused.
"So?" Reyan asked.
"I believe Cafer and Baak mean to murder Alaron with his magic use and then take his throne. They will not hesitate to remove anyone who opposes him. When the gnomes have complete control of the humans, their army will be unstoppable. What do you think will be their next move? Do you think they will quietly settle down? Unlikely. I have no doubt that they will turn and conquer the land of magic."
"Even if that were true, we are not attached to this land. The fairies have the advantage of traveling the world once every year. We would find somewhere else to be." Reyan crossed his arms defiantly, but it was clear that some of the other fairies were uncomfortable with his words.
Aurora took advantage of the change in mood. "And your females? You are ok with them getting silently abducted in the night to become wives and slaves of the gnomes. As the gnomes' number grows, so will their need for magical mates. I doubt they will only settle for humans."
"I have never married. Your threats mean nothing to me." Reyan shrugged.
Other fairies looked at their wives or daughters with indescribable expressions.
"If you turn me away, then you have handed the gnomes a great gift," Aurora warned.
"Fighting may help the other fairies, but it certainly does not help me. I will stay in my hovel, and the world can burn for all I care. You have not convinced me," Reyan growled.
His eyes were hard and unfeeling, and the Empress wondered how she ever had affection for the angry fairy. Before Aurora could argue, the old fairy called for the vote.
"I am opposed to this proposal. Who is with me?!" Reyan raised his hand in the air. His was the only hand in the air. The old fairy shrugged. Perhaps everyone else would abstain from the vote and he would still come out on top. "All who support the Empress, please indicate your approval now."
There was no need for a recount. Every hand of every fairy in the Assembly was raised. It was nearly unanimous.
"Well, Bolemir. These fools all support you," Reyan announced. "Your request for support is granted, and you have retained your right to request help in the future despite my best efforts."
"I accept the Assembly's decision," Bolemir said formally. "I release the Assembly until a plan is formed. And Reyan? I would like a word…in private."
Upon hearing his words, the rest of the fairies quickly portaled away. They did not want to be present for the storm about to break between the two fairies.
Battles between fairies with nature powers often caused serious weather changes. The last thing most of them saw before disappearing was Reyan's defiant glare.
Bolemir opened a portal to his home and motioned for Reyan to go through. The fairy family, old hermit, and Aurora filed into the living area where Zan and Gandr were anxiously waiting. The Guardian and gnome viewed the gloomy faces and their hearts sunk.
"How did it go?" The two males asked in unison.
Bolemir and Reyan scowled at one another.
Then they burst out laughing.