Chapter 14: Backstory - Eleanor's Lineage

Elizabeth sat quietly on the porch, her gaze drifting over the moonlit garden where jasmine blossoms swayed gently in the night breeze. The fragrance of the flowers carried memories of a distant past, evoking echoes of battles fought and lives lost in a struggle that had shaped her people's fate for centuries.

The weight of history bore heavily on her heart. She often found herself pondering the choices that had led to their losses, the sacrifices made in the name of survival. The clash of swords and cries of war seemed to reverberate through the tranquil night, a reminder of the fierce conflicts that had defined their existence.

A soft creak broke the stillness, and Elizabeth turned to see Eleanor stepping onto the porch, a blanket wrapped snugly around her shoulders.

"Mom? Can't sleep again?" Eleanor's voice was filled with concern as she approached.

Elizabeth managed a gentle smile, though her eyes reflected the weariness of a leader burdened by the weight of her people's legacy. "Come sit with me," she invited, patting the space beside her on the weathered steps.

Eleanor settled beside her mother, the warmth of their closeness a comforting presence in the cool night air. They sat together in silence, Elizabeth taking solace in her daughter's company, knowing the time had come to reveal the truths that had long been concealed.

"Mom?" Eleanor's voice broke the quiet, tentative yet curious. "Will you tell me more about our family history? Where we come from?"

Elizabeth hesitated, her mind grappling with the weight of what she was about to disclose. For years, she had sheltered Eleanor from the complexities of their lineage, shielding her from the dangers and secrets that lurked in their past. But now, as Eleanor grew older and more curious, the truth could no longer remain buried.

"Our family's roots run deep," Elizabeth began softly, her voice carrying a hint of reverence. "We are descendants of ancient fairies, gifted with the magic of light."

Eleanor's eyes widened in awe, the realization dawning on her like a long-awaited revelation. "Fairies? Like in the stories?"

"Yes," Elizabeth confirmed, her tone solemn yet tinged with a hint of sorrow. "But our history is not merely a tale of enchantment and wonder. There was a time when our kind thrived in a great kingdom within the fairy realm. Yet, that prosperity was shattered by a devastating war..."

As Elizabeth recounted the poignant chapters of their family's saga, Eleanor listened with a mixture of fascination and sorrow. The stories she had once imagined as myths and legends now unfolded before her, painting a vivid picture of their ancestral struggles and the sacrifices made to preserve their heritage.

Unbeknownst to them, in the shadows beyond their serene haven, Lady Isabella harbored a deep-seated resentment. Her heart seethed with bitterness and envy, her ambitions thwarted by the decisions of Elizabeth and the twists of fate that had denied her the throne she believed rightfully hers. As she listened to the voices drift from the porch, her resolve hardened—she would reclaim what she perceived as stolen from her, no matter the cost.

With each word Elizabeth spoke, the bond between mother and daughter deepened, strengthened by the shared knowledge of their legacy. Eleanor marveled at the resilience of her ancestors and the courage that had defined their existence through eras of strife and upheaval. Yet, beneath the surface of their newfound understanding lay the shadow of impending conflict—a conflict fueled by Lady Isabella's simmering vendetta and the secrets that threatened to unravel the fragile peace Elizabeth had fought so hard to maintain.

"do not tell your father about this, he only thanks I am a girl from the countryside. It is better this way". Eleanor nodded quickly and swore to keep it confidential.

" Mom do I have fairy powers " Eleanor asked." Sadly I don't think you do. You would have shown the signs by now, but who knows time has a way of unveiling the most beautiful things"

"Here, take this, it's a family amulet passed down to me by my mother when I was about your age and now I'm giving it to you. Don't worry, you would understand soon enough" Elizabeth said.

As the night wore on, Elizabeth and Eleanor remained on the porch, their voices mingling with the rustling leaves and the distant hoot of an owl. In that quiet moment, surrounded by the timeless beauty of the garden bathed in moonlight, they found solace in their shared history and the unbreakable bond that anchored them amidst the uncertainties of the future not knowing it would be their last. The following morning, Eleanor woke up only to devastated by the news that her mom has disappeared without a trace