Seven hundred sixty-six years ago.

Caedmon was perched precariously in a tree, holding his breath, not making a single sound. He heard the snapping of twigs as the blonde haired faery child appeared in the glade. Caedmon shrunk further into the leaves as the other boy searched everywhere for him.

Caedmon took a slow breath in as the boy got closer. He leapt out tackling the blonde boy to the ground.

“Caed!” Arlo cried. “You’re supposed to let me find you. His purple eyes stared up at Caedmon who now had the young blonde boy pinned to the grass below them.

“Where’s the fun in that?” Caed responded rolling off the young boy, letting his head fall into the grass.

“That’s how the game is meant to be played.” Arlo grumbled sitting up. He fluttered his translucent wings getting himself to standing. Caed blushed and scrambled to his feet. He tried to hide his jealousy that Arlo had already gotten his wings.

There was a lot to be jealous of Arlo for. He had big wide purple eyes, which was rare even for faeries, his hair fell around him in perfect wisps. He had that ability to float around even when just walking. Let alone he was the youngest faery of their age to get his wings. Caed wanted nothing more than to be like Arlo, but Caed was clunky, and never looked like he was floating about. His hair was black and hung around him like straw, and he had not gotten his wings yet.

“Okay, your turn to hide Arlo.”

Arlo nodded and began running away, his wings carrying him off the ground a bit as he disappeared. Caedmon watched him leave, his golden hair catching the sunlight.