Away With the Fairies
Fandom: Robin Hood
Timeline: AU, before Series 1
Summary: A 1500-word fic about Guy's first love interest
Disclaimer: Robin Hood and all recognizable characters belong to BBC and Tiger Aspect Productions. I am only borrowing them for entertainment, with no intent to profit.
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Guy opened his eyes, and pain shot through his head. He groaned and squeezed his eyes shut again.
"I think he's awake," a girl said, and Guy sat up.
"Yes," said a man, chuckling with amusement. "He's definitely awake."
Guy looked around. There was a girl sitting on a chair next to his bed, about his own age of fourteen, or perhaps a bit older, with golden hair brushed into two plaits, and a dress that fastened at neck and waist, but left her arms bare. By the door was a man, also with golden hair and bare arms. Something hung on the wall behind him that made it appear as though he had wings.
"Who are you and where am I?" Guy demanded, his head throbbing.
"I am Wilfred, and this is my daughter, Amabilia," the man said. "And who are you?"
"I am Guy of Gisborne, son of Guibert of Gisborne."
"Here, drink this." Amabilia said, handing Guy a goblet. There was already liquid inside it, shimmering golden in the light. Guy eyed it suspiciously.
"It will make you feel better." Amabilia, and Guy took a cautious sip. It tasted wonderful; light and sweet, and before he knew it, he'd drained the entire cup. Warmth spread through him, vanquishing pain wherever it went, and leaving him feeling tingly all over.
"Better?" Wilfred asked, and Guy nodded eagerly. "What is that?"
"We call it goldenmilk," Wilfred said. "You may not have more. It is a medicine, and too much could do you harm."
Disappointed, Guy looked around the room. It was light and airy, with large windows open to the day, and white hangings pulled to the sides. The walls were made of pale stone, smoother than anything he'd ever seen. He looked at Amabilia and realized she'd been watching him. She smiled, and he smiled back, but as she stood up, he noticed something surprising.
"You've got wings!" he blurted out.
"You don't!" Amabilia in the same tone of voice.
Guy stared at them, fascinated. They weren't feathery, like birds' wings, they consisted of a translucent material that shimmered in the light. "Are – are you a fairy?"
"I don't know that word. "Amabilia looked at her father, and Wilfred said, "That's what they call us."
"Fairy," Amabilia said. "Sounds like airy."
She laughed, and Guy thought it was the most melodious sound he had ever heard.
"Then, I'm in the fairy kingdom?"
"Yes," Wilfred said.
"But how did I get here? And how do I get back to England?" Even as Guy spoke, however, he wasn't sure he wanted to return to England. This place was more exciting than the area around York.
"There are gates between your world and ours," Wilfred said. "You fell through one by accident, but you can go back the same way. In fact, you must go back."
"Now?" Guy asked wistfully. He'd just barely got here and had seen nothing yet!
"By sunset," Wilfred said.
"May I show him around?" Amabilia asked. "Please, father, just a few hours!"
"As long as you don't parade him around like a two-headed cow," Wilfred teased. "But you must have him back at the gate before sunset."
"Sunset?" Guy asked.
"The gate closes and you would have to remain here overnight," Wilfred said. "I knew a man who fell into your world. He waited until the next morning to return. But when he came back here, a hundred years had passed and everybody he had known was dead."
Guy thought of losing his mother, and shuddered. Amabilia said, "I'll have him back before sundown, father, and with time to spare. Perhaps we could get there early, and I could go through the gate with him, just for a look? I'd come right back."
"No," Wilfred said. "Humans are not as civilized as we are, my daughter. You would not be greeted with goldenmilk and a grand tour, you would be taken captive. More than that, I cannot discuss in polite society."
Amabilia looked as horrified as though discovering that Guy and every other Englishman were barbaric savages.
"I would never hurt you, my lady!" Guy protested. Amabilia risked a hopeful glance at her father.
"Guy might not, but others would," Wilfred stated. Amabilia frowned as he went on. "But I have no objections if you want to show him our hospitality for an hour or two."
"Then come," Amabilia said, standing up and reaching out her hand. Guy stood up from the bed and took it gingerly, expecting her flesh to be as thin and ethereal as her wings. But it was a normal human hand, and he couldn’t tell if he were disappointed or relieved. She led him out of the room and up onto the roof, where Guy had a perfect view of their surroundings. He was fascinated by the flat-roofed buildings interspersed with large expanses of open ground, fields and flower beds, so that everything made pleasing patterns meant to be seen from above. He also saw other fairies, flying in all directions so that the air was almost as busy as York on a marketday.
"You have no roads!" Guy realized.
"What are roads?" Amabilia asked.
"A track," he said. "A path, a place to walk or ride."
Amabilia laughed. "Why would we need extra places to walk when we can fly?"
Guy stared at her, open-mouthed, until he realized she was right, and felt silly for mentioning it.
"Could I see your back?" Amabilia asked suddenly.
"What?"
"Your back, where you don't have wings."
A little shyly, Guy turned around and removed his tunic. He realized he'd never been so aware of the opposite sex before, and wondered if she could see him blushing from behind.
"Can I touch?" she asked, and he shrugged.
The feel of her fingers on either side of his spine made him shiver, and she pulled back. "It's so strange. You don't have anything there at all, just ribs."
"Can I see yours?" he asked, pulling his tunic back on. Amabilia blushed and turned so that he could see where her wings grew. He couldn't resist running one finger down the joint, and Amabilia giggled. "That tickles!"
He brushed her wing, very carefully, and she twitched away.
"It feels like rose petals," he breathed.
"But stronger." She extended her wings, then folded them again. "You must feel crippled, not being able to fly."
"I can ride a horse," Guy offered. "Galloping is almost like flying." At least, he'd always thought so, but now he wasn't so sure.
"What's a horse?"
"It's an animal, like a cow, except different."
"You ride cows?" Amabilia laughed again, and Guy joined in at the thought. "No, I told you, horses are different."
"I would like to see your world," Amabilia said, staring at him. "People riding cow-like animals …"
Guy didn't say anything, just stared back. After a long moment, they both looked away at the same time.
"I suppose we will have to walk to the gate, as you can't fly and I can't carry you by myself," Amabilia remarked. "Or should I fetch my father to help?"
"We can walk," Guy said, and reached for her hand again. The gate was a circle of stones on the top of a nearby hill, and by the time they had climbed it, Amabilia was panting with exertion. "My feet hurt and my legs are shaking. Flying is so much easier!"
Guy's heart was beating faster, too, but not from the climb. Amabilia was so beautiful, with her iridescent wings, that all he could do was gaze at her. She gazed back, and they smiled at each other. Kneeling down, Guy reached for her hand and kissed it. "My lady!"
She looked at him in surprise, but didn't have a chance to answer. Wilfred landed not far away, folded his wings, and strolled towards them. Turning slightly but not getting up, Guy said, "My lord, I would like to stay here forever."
"No," said Wilfred. "You might think you're in love, Guy, but you're only infatuated, especially with our wings. You'd always be on the outskirts of our society, you'd be unhappy, and you wouldn't even be able to return to the world you know. You must go now. I'm sorry."
Guy got to his feet, then leaned forward and gave Amabilia a quick kiss on the lips. "I won't forget you, my lady."
"I won't forget you, Guy," she replied, kissing him back. Wilfred coughed meaningfully, and she retreated. Fixing his eyes on her gentle smile, Guy walked backwards through the gate, and everything went black.
The next thing he knew, someone was shaking him, sending spikes of pain through his head. "Guy?"
It was Aelfric, his mother's groom. Guy opened his eyes briefly, but couldn't answer.
"Is he awake?" That was his mother.
"Still away with the fairies, m'lady," Aelfric reported.
No, I'm not, Guy thought, and wanted to cry. No, I'm not.
The End
written 2008
Timeline: AU, before Series 1
Summary: A 1500-word fic about Guy's first love interest
Disclaimer: Robin Hood and all recognizable characters belong to BBC and Tiger Aspect Productions. I am only borrowing them for entertainment, with no intent to profit.
+++++
Guy opened his eyes, and pain shot through his head. He groaned and squeezed his eyes shut again.
"I think he's awake," a girl said, and Guy sat up.
"Yes," said a man, chuckling with amusement. "He's definitely awake."
Guy looked around. There was a girl sitting on a chair next to his bed, about his own age of fourteen, or perhaps a bit older, with golden hair brushed into two plaits, and a dress that fastened at neck and waist, but left her arms bare. By the door was a man, also with golden hair and bare arms. Something hung on the wall behind him that made it appear as though he had wings.
"Who are you and where am I?" Guy demanded, his head throbbing.
"I am Wilfred, and this is my daughter, Amabilia," the man said. "And who are you?"
"I am Guy of Gisborne, son of Guibert of Gisborne."
"Here, drink this." Amabilia said, handing Guy a goblet. There was already liquid inside it, shimmering golden in the light. Guy eyed it suspiciously.
"It will make you feel better." Amabilia, and Guy took a cautious sip. It tasted wonderful; light and sweet, and before he knew it, he'd drained the entire cup. Warmth spread through him, vanquishing pain wherever it went, and leaving him feeling tingly all over.
"Better?" Wilfred asked, and Guy nodded eagerly. "What is that?"
"We call it goldenmilk," Wilfred said. "You may not have more. It is a medicine, and too much could do you harm."
Disappointed, Guy looked around the room. It was light and airy, with large windows open to the day, and white hangings pulled to the sides. The walls were made of pale stone, smoother than anything he'd ever seen. He looked at Amabilia and realized she'd been watching him. She smiled, and he smiled back, but as she stood up, he noticed something surprising.
"You've got wings!" he blurted out.
"You don't!" Amabilia in the same tone of voice.
Guy stared at them, fascinated. They weren't feathery, like birds' wings, they consisted of a translucent material that shimmered in the light. "Are – are you a fairy?"
"I don't know that word. "Amabilia looked at her father, and Wilfred said, "That's what they call us."
"Fairy," Amabilia said. "Sounds like airy."
She laughed, and Guy thought it was the most melodious sound he had ever heard.
"Then, I'm in the fairy kingdom?"
"Yes," Wilfred said.
"But how did I get here? And how do I get back to England?" Even as Guy spoke, however, he wasn't sure he wanted to return to England. This place was more exciting than the area around York.
"There are gates between your world and ours," Wilfred said. "You fell through one by accident, but you can go back the same way. In fact, you must go back."
"Now?" Guy asked wistfully. He'd just barely got here and had seen nothing yet!
"By sunset," Wilfred said.
"May I show him around?" Amabilia asked. "Please, father, just a few hours!"
"As long as you don't parade him around like a two-headed cow," Wilfred teased. "But you must have him back at the gate before sunset."
"Sunset?" Guy asked.
"The gate closes and you would have to remain here overnight," Wilfred said. "I knew a man who fell into your world. He waited until the next morning to return. But when he came back here, a hundred years had passed and everybody he had known was dead."
Guy thought of losing his mother, and shuddered. Amabilia said, "I'll have him back before sundown, father, and with time to spare. Perhaps we could get there early, and I could go through the gate with him, just for a look? I'd come right back."
"No," Wilfred said. "Humans are not as civilized as we are, my daughter. You would not be greeted with goldenmilk and a grand tour, you would be taken captive. More than that, I cannot discuss in polite society."
Amabilia looked as horrified as though discovering that Guy and every other Englishman were barbaric savages.
"I would never hurt you, my lady!" Guy protested. Amabilia risked a hopeful glance at her father.
"Guy might not, but others would," Wilfred stated. Amabilia frowned as he went on. "But I have no objections if you want to show him our hospitality for an hour or two."
"Then come," Amabilia said, standing up and reaching out her hand. Guy stood up from the bed and took it gingerly, expecting her flesh to be as thin and ethereal as her wings. But it was a normal human hand, and he couldn’t tell if he were disappointed or relieved. She led him out of the room and up onto the roof, where Guy had a perfect view of their surroundings. He was fascinated by the flat-roofed buildings interspersed with large expanses of open ground, fields and flower beds, so that everything made pleasing patterns meant to be seen from above. He also saw other fairies, flying in all directions so that the air was almost as busy as York on a marketday.
"You have no roads!" Guy realized.
"What are roads?" Amabilia asked.
"A track," he said. "A path, a place to walk or ride."
Amabilia laughed. "Why would we need extra places to walk when we can fly?"
Guy stared at her, open-mouthed, until he realized she was right, and felt silly for mentioning it.
"Could I see your back?" Amabilia asked suddenly.
"What?"
"Your back, where you don't have wings."
A little shyly, Guy turned around and removed his tunic. He realized he'd never been so aware of the opposite sex before, and wondered if she could see him blushing from behind.
"Can I touch?" she asked, and he shrugged.
The feel of her fingers on either side of his spine made him shiver, and she pulled back. "It's so strange. You don't have anything there at all, just ribs."
"Can I see yours?" he asked, pulling his tunic back on. Amabilia blushed and turned so that he could see where her wings grew. He couldn't resist running one finger down the joint, and Amabilia giggled. "That tickles!"
He brushed her wing, very carefully, and she twitched away.
"It feels like rose petals," he breathed.
"But stronger." She extended her wings, then folded them again. "You must feel crippled, not being able to fly."
"I can ride a horse," Guy offered. "Galloping is almost like flying." At least, he'd always thought so, but now he wasn't so sure.
"What's a horse?"
"It's an animal, like a cow, except different."
"You ride cows?" Amabilia laughed again, and Guy joined in at the thought. "No, I told you, horses are different."
"I would like to see your world," Amabilia said, staring at him. "People riding cow-like animals …"
Guy didn't say anything, just stared back. After a long moment, they both looked away at the same time.
"I suppose we will have to walk to the gate, as you can't fly and I can't carry you by myself," Amabilia remarked. "Or should I fetch my father to help?"
"We can walk," Guy said, and reached for her hand again. The gate was a circle of stones on the top of a nearby hill, and by the time they had climbed it, Amabilia was panting with exertion. "My feet hurt and my legs are shaking. Flying is so much easier!"
Guy's heart was beating faster, too, but not from the climb. Amabilia was so beautiful, with her iridescent wings, that all he could do was gaze at her. She gazed back, and they smiled at each other. Kneeling down, Guy reached for her hand and kissed it. "My lady!"
She looked at him in surprise, but didn't have a chance to answer. Wilfred landed not far away, folded his wings, and strolled towards them. Turning slightly but not getting up, Guy said, "My lord, I would like to stay here forever."
"No," said Wilfred. "You might think you're in love, Guy, but you're only infatuated, especially with our wings. You'd always be on the outskirts of our society, you'd be unhappy, and you wouldn't even be able to return to the world you know. You must go now. I'm sorry."
Guy got to his feet, then leaned forward and gave Amabilia a quick kiss on the lips. "I won't forget you, my lady."
"I won't forget you, Guy," she replied, kissing him back. Wilfred coughed meaningfully, and she retreated. Fixing his eyes on her gentle smile, Guy walked backwards through the gate, and everything went black.
The next thing he knew, someone was shaking him, sending spikes of pain through his head. "Guy?"
It was Aelfric, his mother's groom. Guy opened his eyes briefly, but couldn't answer.
"Is he awake?" That was his mother.
"Still away with the fairies, m'lady," Aelfric reported.
No, I'm not, Guy thought, and wanted to cry. No, I'm not.
The End
written 2008