Contrary and Cantankerous

Aurora started at the two fairies in disbelief. They were laughing so hard that tears were streaming from their eyes.

The feelings of anger at Reyan and relief that the fairies would help her were both pushed aside to make way for her extreme confusion. Why were the males, who had just seemed ready to come to blows, now acting like the best of friends?

"You are not so bad when you want to be," Bolemir commented as he gasped for air. He gave the older fairy a firm pat on the back.

"You are not so bad yourself, you old windbag," Reyan jokes as he shook the other fairy's forearm.

Prem shook her head and pulled her lips tight. She ushered Gede and Niko out of the room after sighing at her husband.

"What exactly happened?" Zan asked Aurora.

"I thought I knew," she answered, "but now I am not so sure…"

"Did the fairies agree to help or not?" Gandr queried. He was completely unsure how he should be feeling. He was not alone.

"Yes, they agreed, no thanks to Reyan…he tried to sink my efforts in front of the entire assembly." the indignation that Aurora had felt returned.

"Before you get too upset, Your Majesty, we must beg your forgiveness. I am afraid you are incorrect. It is because of Reyan's actions that you made it through that meeting with so much support." Despite his pleading tone, Bolemir's face was clearly amused.

"I do not understand," Aurora admitted, though in the back of her mind an idea of what had happened began to form.

"Everyone hates me. It is pure jealousy, of course, as I am the most charming fairy to ever live," Reyan said with a suave grin as he ran his hand through his long white hair.

"Reyan wanted to help, but he has spent his lifetime rubbing everyone the wrong way. If he suddenly joins your cause, the other fairies would have been immediately suspicious." Bolemir explained.

"So I decided to act how I would if I had not met you…by being ornery and contrary." Reyan admitted.

Bolemir took up the plot. "When the old fool told me his plan, I decided to put him in control the meeting. Then he could anger everyone from the front seat."

"Many of the fairies vote the opposite of me out of reflex. Might as well use that to my advantage. The rest was just theatrics to point out how important this fight actually was." Reyan plopped on the couch next to Gandr and took a bunch of grapes from the snacks on the table.

"So…you persuaded everyone to support me by not supporting me," Aurora felt a little bad for doubting the old fairy.

"Precisely. And I really was just being myself. Contrary and cantankerous. Easy as breathing." The strange fairy spun a grape on his finger before slipping it into his mouth.

"You blessed fools!" Aurora gave both Bolemir and Reyan a peck on the cheek. It was the second time she had done it, but two fairies drew a fatherly and grandfatherly affection from her soul. "Why did you not tell me what you were up to?" She asked as she pursed her lips in mock anger.

Bolemir touched his cheek and chuckled. "Your natural reactions were necessary. We did not want it to feel forced," he told her.

"Your respectful answers in spite of your anger highlighted that you are honest and at the same time reasonable. And I apologize for not giving you my questions in advance, but your mix of candid and prepared answers made you look like a master orator. I have never seen anything like it," Reyan praised her before scowling. "Not that you should be too proud. After all, you did lose your throne to a little boy and some filthy gnomes…"

"And a pirate!" Gandr added. Aurora looked at him sidelong. Was he trying to help or hurt?

"Oh I did not hear about the pirate! That changes everything!" Reyan responded sarcastically as he rolled his eyes. Then he looked at the Empress with a serious expression. "I have encouraged my people to follow you. Take care so that I do not regret my decision."

"I know it was not an easy choice. I will do my best to honor all of those who follow me," Aurora agreed. Reyan held out his forearm and the two made an agreement.

"You better. Because if you think I am grumpy now, I will be downright unlivable if I have to haunt you once I am dead." For once Reyan grinned fully, and Aurora felt a chill run down her spine. He was not kidding.

-------------------------------

It turned out that the fairies were more enthusiastic than the elves. Perhaps because they had seen far more of humanity (including how they fight), the fairies had many suggestions of what they could do to maximize their impact from the sidelines.

The house had so many visitors at one point that Prem actually made them form a line outside to keep her house from being overrun. Bolemir, Zan, Gandr and Aurora drew up plans based on the others' input and combined them with what they had already formed with the elves.

"It is looking like a solid battle plan, Your Majesty," Zan said while he stroked his chin.

Having served with previous Emperors and Empresses as they battled to control the world, Zan by far had the most experience in planning a war. He was a good tactician, and was happy to put his skills to use.

"Just a few more pieces to get on the board and I think we stand a very good chance of winning," Aurora agreed, hoping that she had not messed herself up by speaking the thought aloud.

"I have never seen races join forces like this," Bolemir commented. "Humans, elves, fairies, nymphs…It is almost too fantastic to believe! And you say you are not done yet?"

"I am done for now. I have another task to complete, and it must be completed soon." Aurora had pushed all other thoughts from her head as she had to focus on one task at a time, but it was now time to change her aim.

"What could be so important that it would interrupt your battle plans?" Bolemir wondered.

"It is the most important part of the plan, actually," Aurora argued. "I must get water from Dew Mountain as it flows from the Mystic Spires. Only then can I cleanse Alaron of his magic and make him whole again. I believe saving him is the only way we will be successful."

"You really should just let him die," Reyan claimed as he portaled into the room unannounced.

"And you really should learn to knock," Bolemir rejoined.

Reyan ignored him and sat down on the nearest chair, careful to move his long white hair out of the way of his rear. Bolemir inhaled deeply. He liked it better when the hermit stayed home.

"I will not let my son kill himself if I can save him," Aurora affirmed with conviction. "And I will not let those who pretend to be his friends kill him either."

"For one so young, the prince has gotten himself in a mess of trouble," Reyan observed.

Aurora nodded. "It runs in the family I am afraid," she answered with a weak smile.

"I got into all sorts of scrapes when I was young too," Reyan reminisced. "Why once, I had a pack of wyverns, griffons and unicorns all chasing me. They would have caught me too if I were not so clever."

Bolemir pretended to be interested. He placed his chin in his palms and smiled childishly. "When was this? Was this back when our world was still one with the humans?"

Reyan bristled. "I am not that old and you know it. If you do not want my company, just say so."

"I do not want your company," Bolemir said calmly. "A fistful of needles is less prickly than you."

"Ha, too bad! A fistful of needles is also easier to get rid of, but you will not throw me out." Reyan put his hands behind his head and stuck out his feet comfortably.

"Do not be so sure," Bolemir warned. Then he shrugged and allowed the old fool to remain.

"I do not suppose you know a fast way to reach Dew Mountain?" Zan asked in order to redirect them. The last time the Guardian had been there was in Wai's arms, and he did not want to use that method again if he could avoid it.

"I can portal you a few times to get you closer, and you can see if the unicorns will take you further." Bolemir stroked his chin. "Beyond that, you will have to go the old fashioned way."

"I could go with you," Reyan offered.

"Thank you for your help," Aurora said genuinely, "but I cannot put you in danger like that." The old fairy was a tad unpredictable, and the Empress was also not sure of the Reyan's stamina.

Reyan realized he might be a burden and backed down. He furrowed his brow. "I do not want to go on your stinky adventure anyway. I was only offering to be polite. You will probably all kill yourselves anyway."

Gandr tilted his head and raised his eyebrows. "….so much for being polite."

—————

Three unicorns including Utku volunteered to go on the journey with the intrepid heroes.

"Can you see where to go next?" Aurora asked after Bolemir dropped them off.

"It would be easier if I could see the next landmark," Zan answered.

"I think I have one of those spyglasses that Renat invented in my bag!" Aurora opened her pack to look for it and gasped.

"What is it?" Gandr asked as he pulled his unicorn up quickly beside her. The Empress's face was unreadable at first, but then it broke into a big smile.

Aurora pulled out the glowing magical mirror and handed it to the halfling. "If I am not mistaken, the message is for you."