Images flashed through my mind’s eye, consuming my every thought. A splitting headache left me unable to move to catch myself as a fell to the floor. This was my gift, a gift of sight I did not know of. The visions were the same as always…

The Prince of Caynyan (pronounced kay-n-yian), one of three countries, would soon rise to be King as his coming of age neared. He would take the title from his father on his twentieth year, while his father would take the role of advisor to the new young King. As he, this Prince, went for a ride out into the forest, he’ll meet a fair young maiden; who, unlike him – a human – would change the course of history with one not so innocent, innocent act… And the Prince, not knowing who this maiden was, would only find out too late to stop the effects that his thoughtless actions had caused. Something new is about to be born… Something thought only to have been a legend…

These images flashed by like telling me the synopses to a tall-tale about to be unfolded in a book I had yet to read. Curious about the events to come from this reckless act of a prince and unknown maiden, in my mind I can feel myself touching the scene to show me more, yet afraid of the effects it would have on me.

“Do I dare?” I found myself question my sanity. Am I so desprite to finish this story I’d continue to risk my health? Yes of course! This is all I have! I’d risk everything to live my greatest work of art, see it all happen as if I was the characters themselves!

I will my subconscious self to step forward to allow the story to unfurl before me where it left off…

Riding fast and hard the Prince soon found the forest, outside of the city to the west, opening up into a clearing. A spring with icy waters ran gently at the edge of the clearing. He could hear the caressing breeze on his flushed skin. He could feel his black stallion’s heart racing in rhythm of his own heart. He could hear nightingales sing high up in the trees. All this was soon be his kingdom to rule!

But all of this beauty did not match what he saw.

Lying in a patch of sun that filtered through the towering trees, was a maiden, her skin fair and her figure fragile in appearance; her thin, soft, earthy brown hair flared around her, and still most of her features remained hidden. Her hands were beneath her head, supporting her head as a pillow would. His breath caught in his throat, surprised by her beauty, not once suspicious of who the lady might be. He steeled his thoughts and approached her slowly as not to startle her.

“Excuse me?” He spoke with a charm to his voice that had been long practiced, since the day he spoke his first words. The maiden’s eyes opened to stare at him, taking in his features; black hair, brown eyes, sturdy build and tanned skin. She noticed his ears… Bit her lip and then spoke with such a smooth voice that it sounded to his ears that could a rose speak, its voice would match hers.

“I did not mean to trespass on your grounds!” She said hastily, fear etched in her eyes. But before he could see her eyes’ peculiarity she darted to stare at the soil.

“No. you didn’t trespass.” He replayed immediately, noting her quick motion to get up, perhaps to leave.

“I was just wondering why a lady would enter these forests unprotected? See, bandits often hide here.” He asked, truly curious to way she was here. Sure he could protect himself, but not a maiden that was as fragile as she.

“I… I’m here out of chance! I seemed to have lost my way, I wondered too far off from my traveling Caravan.” She gave a half truthful replay.

“You’re a Gypsy?” He seemed excited at the thought, knowing that some Gypsies were one of the ethnic groups that could use magic, not all, but some of them. Being able to use Magic in these days were a rare sight. He had only seen a band of traveling Gypsies once. His father had invited them to the Palace grounds where they performed for the Court, one particular Gypsy was a Fire Caster and had displayed such passion - dancing with fire… And it just so happen that it was that time of year again for the Gypsies to pass through.

“Sort of…” She lied again, staring now at her feet, not wanting him to notice her eyes, her hair always covering her ears…

“Sort of? Am I correct then in assuming you mean you’re just a traveler?” He asked with such formality.

“You are correct.” She smiled, but still avoided looking him in the eyes and now fiddled with her blue dress’ waist belt, behind her back.

“You are a terrible liar.” The Prince smirked. He stepped closer and lifted her chin with his right hand and for the first time noticed her silvery-blue eyes.

“Who are you?” He demanded, knowing that only the Fae race was blessed with silver in their eyes, but still this fact didn't dawn on him; too taken with her beauty to think.

“I’m from a small village far to the east, I don’t mean any harm!” She said with such conviction, doing her best to avoid the true meaning of the question, only she was thinking about. He couldn’t find out, he mustn’t…

“That’s better. You shouldn’t lie; it doesn’t fit your beauty.” He bought it, his sweet smile confirmed it. She sighed in relieve. Not realising that in fact the Prince didn’t seem to care if she ‘might’ have been blessed by the fair folk.

“Also, you needn’t think of me to believe you are here with ill intentions. After all someone as fair as you, and as open to read, can’t possibly be a threat…”

“Am I truly that easy to see through?” She stopped him mid-sentence.

“You are as open as a book!” He teased gently.

“And you still don’t wish harm to me?” She said it as if he would have killed her.

“Of course not!” He said, but a look of confusion willed into his eyes and even his tone with which he spoke.

“You are the first not frightened by me.” Again she said it as if she was hideous.

“Why would anyone be afraid of someone as lovely as you? You’re blessed by nature itself!” His voice sounded with such sweetness. She could hear a bell ring in the distance.

“I must head back. Come with me.” He suggested.

“I mustn’t… I… I can’t!” She stuttered.

“You are strange, I must admit. Would you meet me again tomorrow? Here, same time?” He asked, and with a nod of her approval, his smile widened!

The next day he hurried in a rush to the clearing, hoping that the beauty he met would come to meet him again.

And as sure as the sun that would rise and fall, she was there!

“You came.” He said surprised.

“Of course I came! I never back out of my word!” She said with gleeful joy.

“I never got your name?” Realization dawned on him.

“I never told you.” She said teasingly.

“I’m Leon.”

“And you my call me Cetcily.” She said with a prideful tone as she lifted her head up high. Her hair tied in such a manner as to ensure her ears wouldn’t show.

“A strange name. What does it mean?” He asked noting her pride in her name.

“It means…” She seemed to stall as she considered whether or not to tell him.

“It means ‘creator of hope’. My parents gave me the name believing I would bring hope to this world.” She smiled deftly.

“It almost sounds like a Fae name, if the Fae's names could be spoken so easily.” He noted curiously, and noticed a shiver run down her spine as the same fear as the day before flashed in her eyes.

"Is it?" He asked cautiously.

“Yes…"

"How did your parents came by such a name? Don't fret I won't judge! I promise!" He took her hand begging her to tell him.

"A Fae, a sprite, graced my mother while pregnant with me because she had unknowingly protected a patch of land from being built upon where that little sprite and others lived.” She weaved the tale that her parents had told her many times before.

“And this blessing is why you have silver laced in your eyes… I’ve only heard of Elves being so close to the Fae Races, it’s rare for humans to ever even see any of the Fae People, You truly are blessed by nature!” He teased.

“Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me!” He said it so reassuringly that Cetcily felt obliged to believe him!

They continued to talk and meet as the days went pass, Leon leaving when the Bell tolled far in the distance. The Prince falling in love with her and she with him.