Total pages in book: 208
Estimated words: 209645 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1048(@200wpm)___ 839(@250wpm)___ 699(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 209645 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1048(@200wpm)___ 839(@250wpm)___ 699(@300wpm)
He’d have a word with them when he and Farah made the Lights.
For now, he had to concentrate on not getting angry that his mother had apparently not invited representatives of gnome bands, sprite clans, pixie families or any fairies Baldrick was speaking to (for all the fairies leaned toward arrogance, and because of that, feuds often broke out, particularly with the gnomes).
“You’ve now been invited, and I’ll send a bird to the Thicket on the morrow to demand moves are made to make that official,” True declared. “Wodell will be represented at my wedding, Baldrick, all of it.”
Baldrick held his gaze and dipped his chin.
True sensed approach and turned his attention that way, seeing Farah, her shining black hair twisted and braided around blooms of ginger, gold and rust, moving to them.
“Sadly, it’s time for us to go,” True murmured, pushing up from the bench.
“Stay longer next time, True, and be sure to bring her,” Baldrick invited.
He looked down to the gnome. “If we can, we will.”
Baldrick lifted his chin.
Farah made it to them with a smile Baldrick’s way.
She transferred it to True and turned her head side to side.
“Is it as beautiful as it felt when they did it?” she asked.
Everything about her was stunning.
“Yes,” he answered.
Her smile brightened.
“We must be away, my sweet,” he told her.
Her face fell.
He hated to take her away, for she did not hide she felt peace and comfort here, something he’d hoped she’d find.
But there was more Wodell to show her and not much time to do it.
Not to mention, the gnomes of The Doors had no beds that were long enough for them.
“Night comes. You need a warm meal and a soft bed,” he went on.
“All right, True,” she agreed quietly and looked down to Baldrick before bending to him and offering her hand. “It’s been a pleasure. Thank you for having me.”
He took her hand in both of his, turned it palm down and patted the back. “It was our pleasure, indeed.”
Farah straightened from the Grand Fell and True bent to him. “Until we meet again.”
“Yes, True, would that time is short,” Baldrick replied.
They shook, and after True righted himself, he tucked Farah’s hand in the bend of his arm, guiding her toward where his men were waiting.
She went, waving, smiling and calling farewells.
True did the same.
It was unknown to them that all around watched with happiness and hope, for the only thing better than benevolent rulers was budding love.
Not to mention, Prince True and his lady Farah were an exceptionally striking couple.
They were away from The Doors, and Farah had lifted her skirts, but even held close to his side, she watched where her feet fell as they made their way through the forest back to their horses.
“Can we go there again someday, True?” she requested.
“Absolutely,” he granted.
She shot him a luminous smile.
That one could hold a mountain high, and would, if she felt it would make it easier for you to pass through.
That was his duty.
But he could not deny he felt warmth deep in his chest at thinking she might feel the same.
“Thank you for taking me there, it was even better than you described,” she told him.
He lifted her hand from his elbow, bending to it and kissing her knuckles before he tucked it back to where it was, all the while he kept their gait slow, but steady, toward their mounts.
When he again looked forward, Farah dropped her head to his shoulder.
“And thank you for the loveliest day I’ve had in a very long time,” she went on softly.
With that, True turned his head to kiss her hair.
He heard her gentle sigh.
It was not holding a mountain high for her to pass under.
But she was happy.
Which meant, so was he.
Baldrick, Grand Fell of the Gnomes of The Doors
The Doors, South Center of the Great Thicket Forest
WODELL
“Expect a summons. From True.”
Glenda, Empress of the Pixies, nodded while looking unsurprised.
As she wouldn’t.
They all suspected, upon True’s return, if he heard they had not been included in the royal nuptials, this would happen.
“Is she as marvelous as tales are telling?” she asked.
“Better.”
Her little pixie eyebrows rose into the pink markings at her forehead. “Better?”
“Their love will move mountains.”
“And defeat Beasts?” Glenda inquired.
Baldrick held her eyes. “I felt fear, Your Grace. Now I have only hope.”
“Then she is better than marvelous.”
“We will still need to be ready,” he warned.
“As ever, Baldrick, of course,” she drawled.
With that, and without another word, as was her wont, she buzzed away, only to turn back to look at him from the distance.
“Does she make him happy?” she called.
“He does not know it quite yet, but she is his world.”
“It’s about time he got one,” she replied.
She then swooped a loop in the air on a trail of taffy-pink pixie dust and darted out of sight, glittering dust drifting to the earth in her wake.