Advent Story 2012: The Fae World: Willow: On Earth (part 6)

[k_a_webb]

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5

The more time Willow spent with George the more she liked him and she couldn’t help smiling at him again, even though she felt really guilty. “If our arrival wasn’t going to change the land I never would have come here,” she said, wanting to be honest with him. “The places of magic have been without a true magical race on this planet for so long that they’ve shrunk and it’s been easy for you to build on them, but now… I’m not entirely certain what’s going to happen myself. I just know that us being here is going to change everything.”

“Your arrival, while unexpected, isn’t necessarily a bad thing. We’re not perfect and having another race here, to remind us when we’re making mistakes, seems like it can only be an advantage, and I’m looking forward to getting to know you.” George gave Willow one of those looks that made her certain that he was thinking about telling her something she probably wasn’t going to be happy about. “I’m not certain how much you know about Earth or the UK, but you need to know that I’m not always going to be the Prime Minister. The next election is in four years time and it’s entirely possible my party may get voted out then.”

“Although I don’t know much about your world the one thing I did learn about very quickly was the way power worked in this country, because it was something I needed to know.”

“So you understand that it’s important for you to get along with the leaders of all the parties if you wish to make things work for your race.”

Nodding, Willow ran a hand through her hair. “It made sense to come to you first, because you are the Prime Minister, but I do want to meet the leaders of the other parties and get to know them.”

“I don’t doubt that there will be new parties created, a pro-fae party and an anti-fae party.” George smiled. “It will make a change from having to deal with the usual parties.”

“If my father wakes up then you’ll probably be dealing with him, rather than me, if he choose to take the same route that I’m going. Recent events have change my view of him and I’m not certain now that he will.” Willow sighed. “I worry that he might decide that war is our best option.”

George nodded. “What is the likelihood of your father waking up?”

“The healer, Finnian, said he didn’t think my father would ever come out of the coma he’s currently in, but I need you to be aware of every possibility, George.” She looked at him and decided it was time to voice her fear. “There is also a chance that someone may decide that I shouldn’t rule the fae and I don’t know what would happen after that. I am the last of my bloodline, so there wouldn’t be anyone truly royal taking my place, but one of the elders might, or possibly one of the older families might be asked to take the place.”

“Have to told the elder you trust about your worries?”

Willow shook her head. “No, because…” It was hard to put her feelings into words, especially when it came to Alder. “I trust him, but at the same time I don’t know if I should trust him. There’s so much happening right now, so many things to do, and I know I can’t do them all, so I’m grateful for all the help I can get, and he’s been wonderful. It just seems like he might be too good to be true.”

“What’s he doing right now?”

“The last time I saw him he was helping the new arrivals get settled in.”

“Go to him, now, and bring him here, Willow. I may only be a human, but I’ve always been a good judge of character, so if he is too good to be true then I’ll probably pick up on it.”

Glancing behind her Willow thought of the door she’d created. If she want back to get Alder she’d have to return to the Prime Minister’s office using another door. Making another seemed like a waste of magic, especially as she wasn’t entirely certain she was correct about the humans creating magic the fae could use, and yet she wanted to do it anyway.

“I don’t know,” she muttered, still staring at the door.

“Trust me.”

Nodding, Willow made her decision. She stepped through the door before she could change her mind and once again found herself in the busy camp. As the door faded she looked around, thankful when she realised no one had noticed her arrival, and then wandered back towards the door that led to their old world, hoping she’d bump into Alder so she wouldn’t have to go searching for him. The last thing she wanted to do was walk into one of the other elders, especially as she was alone and beginning to feel tired, but she doubted they’d try anything in a public place.

“Princess,” a male voice said from behind her, “I thought you were going to see the Prime Minister.”

Smiling, Willow turned to look at Alder. “I have been to see him. I came here to get you, because we could do with having another point of view and I always appreciate hearing yours.”

Alder looked at her, smiling, but the smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Wouldn’t you be better off taking one of the proper elders?”

It was easy to understand why Alder had asked the question and why his smile hadn’t been a true smile. “No, Alder, I wouldn’t.” Willow couldn’t help reaching out and touching his face with one of her hands. “I want you there. You’ve been a better adviser to me than any of them will ever be, even though you are much younger than them, and I wouldn’t feel comfortable with anyone else.”

This time Alder’s smile reached his eyes. “Willow…” He bit his lip, looking embarrassed. “Thank you, Princess, for your belief in me. I appreciate it.”

“You can call me Willow, Alder. I don’t mind.”

“Thank you.”

Reaching into her well of magic Willow created a second door, leading to the Prime Minister’s office, this time setting the limitations so it was a door that only she and Alder could use. She would close it when they didn’t need it any longer. Feeling a little more sure of herself she stepped through, hoping that Alder was following her.

Mirrored from K. A. Jones Writing.