The farm girl quickly shook her head to silence this thought as she lead her horse through the gate and towards the awaiting home. After working to defy the odds and go beyond what was even thought possible to win the hand of the fair maiden Jacquelyn, she would be foolish to now entertain her adoration for the fairy. After asking so much of the fairy, Aleida believed it would be nothing but an insult to fail in completing her quest.

  Jacquelyn opened the door before she could knock and whispered, “You are ready?”

  The maiden gently touched the autumn leaf on Arthur’s lapel, adjusting it affectionately as Aleida subtly turned her ring inward, concealing it from Jacquelyn’s gaze.

  “I await only your desire,” replied Arthur’s nurturing tone. He took Jacquelyn’s hand, letting her mount the horse and take the path with ease.

  Jacquelyn’s graceful gaze drifted to the forest as she sighed, “I wish we could go in the day. The night frightens me.”

  Arthur hid his smile as he sensed Jacquelyn’s coquetry, “You have no beast, monster or man to fear. I endeavor to hold your hand in the red light of the sunset beneath the Linden tree.”

  Jacquelyn appeared at ease without need of more assurance. She was sure of Arthur and believed in him wholly, and would not fear any predator of the forest after the way Arthur had proved himself.

  The ride to the forest was quiet and serene. The horse ensured that Jacquelyn’s delicate frame would be carried along at precisely the pace Aleida intended to reach the shade of the tree during the sunset.

  One kiss, where Linden’s magic still had her strength, would make the spell permanent. Aleida would no longer be the farm girl she had grown up as. She would forever be Arthur, the man that Jacquelyn had tested and proven worthy of her affection. Aleida’s wish could come true.

  oOo

  Linden shivered in her little tree burrow. The icy cold was beyond what she could endure and the little red leaves she’d gathered did nothing to insulate her home. Instead they reminded her of how lonely she was without her golden and auburn family.

  Linden did not pity herself even in these frigid moments. She was certain of her resolve as she had been when she declared to her family that she would remain behind, at any cost, to help the human, Aleida.

  The tender flame of love that burned in her heart was perhaps all that kept the ice from claiming her delicate fingertips and toes. She pressed her hands close to her chest as though to warm them by that enduring warmth. Her meditation and strength was holding out until Aleida could come to the tree and seal the spell with her kiss. Linden smiled without bitterness or resentment, true love gracing her lips with the understanding that she would grace this girl with happiness before she perished to winter.

  Mischievous laughter distracted Linden from her meditation and her smile faded. She lifted her head and listened, before peering out of her small burrow.

  Winter fairies danced along the branches, venturing free from their homes under the ice and snow while the sun set. Their cold touch strangled the life out of the red leaves they touched, causing them to shudder and fall to the forest floor.

  “Please stop!” Gasped Linden.

  The winter fairies laughed and hid behind some leaves, waiting for the autumn fairy to chase them and dance with them between the branches. When they heard nothing further, the icy little imps peered from their hiding places to see Linden’s fatigued form stretched partially from the hole in the tree.

  One of the winter fairies declared, “Winter has come! What are you doing here? You can’t survive the winter alone!”

  Linden withdrew her frail limbs into the burrow once more as a cold breeze from the lips of the fairy forced her to retreat. She answered, “I know. I have overstayed my season’s welcome. But I beg you, leave me be for one more night; after that my work will be done. The forest will be yours.”

  The fairies exchanged concerned and suspicious glances. However mischievous they may have been, they were not malicious and did not seek the autumn fairy’s ruin or demise. “We will consult the Winter Court and ask our King. He is wise; he will know what to do.”

  Another reminded Linden, “But whatever he may judge, he cannot change circumstance. A fairy out of season cannot survive the duration alone.” With that said, the fairies retreated in search of their own kind for support and guidance on this matter.

  Linden sent a pleading gaze to the sky with clouds stained red with fleeting sunlight. Her passing strength threatened to not hold until Aleida’s return and the guilt of failing her in this final moment seized her with pain.

  Aleida, however, would not be delayed. With her path clearly set, and the maiden Jacquelyn on mount, they arrived before Linden lost hope. As Aleida guided the horse under the tree and took Jacquelyn from the horse’s saddle, Linden peered from her burrow.

  Linden studied Jacquelyn’s appearance for the first time and drank it in with joy. The fairy found no fault in the appearance of the woman that Aleida spoke of so highly. Arthur’s large and masculine body complimented Jacquelyn’s well, and the golden haired maiden seemed perfectly at ease in the hands of her male suitor. From what Linden observed, she believed that Aleida would be happy, and she believed thusly that her magic had been well spent.

  oOo

  Aleida’s mouth was dry as she recalled the words she intended to speak to Jacquelyn, taking every formality so this first kiss would be the strongest foundation of their future.

  “My dear Jacquelyn,” Aleida took Jacquelyn’s hands inside her own and spoke, “It is no secret that my admiration for you knows no limits. I fearlessly meet challenges of bravery, diligence, and tenderness.”

  Aleida’s eyes wandered to the tree, searching for Linden where she expected to see quietly fluttering red wings, keen eyes, and a delighted smile.

  Jacquelyn answered, “Arthur, you have met my challenges with courage and you have shown persistence. I know I cannot deny you any more than I can deny what I feel for you. You will not be turned away from me.”

  Aleida brought her eyes back to Jacquelyn’s to meet her gaze and study her demeanor, so full of want and affection.

  “I have anticipated this moment,” Aleida stated, with less emotion than Jacquelyn expected. Aleida could not deny she felt guilt and anxiety growing, drowning out the excitement and souring the mood.

  Jacquelyn brought herself closer to the strong body before her, “Ask whatever you desire, and I shall readily grant it.”

  Linden struggled to keep her eyes open as her strength drained. When she could no longer hold her head up, or keep her eyes open, she listened to hear that her work was complete. Jacquelyn’s words reached her ears and she understood the invitation to complete the spell upon a kiss.

  Her work done, Linden released a breath she had been holding and relaxed her limp body further. The sigh coursed gently through the tree and touched the leaves, letting them shimmer one final time.

  Jacquelyn tilted her chin up and lidded her eyes, letting her lips seek out Aleida’s. Alas, Aleida did not return the display of affection. Instead, her attention was drawn to the limbs of the Linden tree, noticing when the first leaf broke free and drifted to the forest floor.

  She watched with curiosity as a second leaf came down, followed by a third and another after that. The leaves fell in a steady rhythm, covering the two figures sheltered under the fairy magic. Aleida’s concern grew as their entire surrounding became a quivering world or red and orange leaves dropping away.

  “Linden?” Aleida voiced in concern.

  Jacquelyn found the view of the shedding tree to be magical and inspiring of awe, but showed worry when Aleida expressed it. “Do you know what is happening?”

  Aleida looked into Jacquelyn’s curious eyes and found that the sensation of excitement was entirely gone. Remorse and apprehension were all that remained in Aleida’s knotted chest. She quickly lifted Jacquelyn and placed her on the horse. “Go, quickly. Follow the path in the snow and return to the village.”

  Jacquelyn took the reins but became more worried and confused, “Are you not coming? What will I say to any who asks why I return alone?”

  Aleida pushed the horse along a few steps, “I’ll be fine. I’ll return to the village. Go on, now.” And she slapped the horse’s flank to encourage it to take off.

  She did not wait for Jacquelyn to be out of sight before she struggled to climb the tree as her male form left her. “Linden? Linden are you still here? Please say something.” She called with hope that her mind had made the worst of something innocent. Aleida found Linden’s burrow and carefully brushed away the fallen leaves to find Linden’s small body hanging in the opening.

  The farm girl tenderly gathered the small body in her hand before jumping down to the forest floor carpeted with red leaves. Linden stirred at the jarring movement and raised her eyebrows, “Ali-... Arthur? Is it done?” Her eyes opened and found Aleida’s face, the same as she’d always known it. “Aleida... it didn’t work?” The little fairy was distraught.

  “Don’t mind that. Tell me what is happening, Linden. The leaves are falling, you’re cold as ice. Are you sick?” Aleida’s words blurred as she spoke quickly.

  Linden’s eyes drifted from Aleida’s face as she admitted, “I’m at my end, dear Aleida. I’ve stayed as long as I could, and I’ve done so gladly to grant your wish, so you could love Jacquelyn. But winter is no time for me.”

  Aleida throat clenched as tears burned behind her eyelids. “I didn’t know-”

  “Aleida, please.” Linden cut her off, closing her eyes again to rest, “I want your happiness, so please don’t cry. I will die with a broken heart if my first and last time seeing you were with tears in your eyes.”

  “I didn’t know what you were giving up for me! I didn’t want this!” Aleida insisted with a voice that grew steadily louder in desperation. Tears broke free, “I would rather endure the other seasons entirely alone to see you once more in the fall.”

  Linden opened her eyes with a pained expression from what she heard. “Aleida, I won’t come back in the fall. I’m too weak to find my family, I’ll never get far enough to reach them, and I can’t endure any more of this winter.”

  Aleida closed a hand over Linden, trying to shield her from the cold winter night, “Linden, I’ll miss you.”

  The fairy rested a small hand on the larger hand that intended to shelter her, “Please, be happy. Share your love with Jacquelyn.” Pain coursed through the fairy’s small frame at the failure in giving the human happiness.

  The maiden shook her head, “I cannot be happy with Jacquelyn, not any more. I have faced challenges on her behalf and from that I have learned, I don’t want to prove my worth to the woman I admire. I want to be cherished and I want to love openly and shamelessly as I would my dearest friend.”

  Linden’s pain deepened with the revelation. She had all too readily sacrificed herself for another’s happiness, and had succeeded in sacrificing herself for her beloved’s misery. “No more, you wound me in my final hour to inform me I am leaving you sad and lonely when I had wished only love and happiness on you.”

  Aleida said with resolution, “I love you, Linden. I love you deeply, sincerely, and with all my heart. I cannot love another, when you have loved me as generously as you have.”

  The fairy’s small hand clutched Aleida’s in the duration of a long silence. Linden’s hand brushed over the bronze ring turned inward toward her. Her small hands traced the delicate design, “You still wear this gift I made for you.”

  The maiden smiled gracefully despite her breaking heart. She recognized the fairy’s decision to reflect on better memories, and she acquiesced, “I have not once taken it off. I have worn it wherever I go.”

  “And my other gifts?” The fairy asked, “When I brought you sweets, that little treat of berries I gathered, did you eat them?”

  “Yes, yes of course. I was delighted, and I savored them all.”

  The fairy opened her eyes, “Aleida, if I make you a fairy, you will succumb to the winter with me. But the remainder of our short lives tonight will be spent together. Will you then be happy?”

  Aleida nodded, “Yes, yes. I will be entirely happy and I will have no reason to cry. Please, tell me how to become a fairy and I will become one all too gladly and hold you at last in my arms.”

  Linden sighed, “You must eat a fairy’s food, and wear her clothes.”

  Aleida held her breath, wondering how long the fairy had planned this. Had always been the fairy’s intention to make her hers?

  “Tell me your name, Aleida. And let me kiss you.”

  The girl smiled graciously as the tears in her eyes renewed. Though the pain that she would lose the fairy stung her deeply, the joy that she would join her soon caused these fresh tears.

  Aleida raised the fairy and adjusted the petite form in her hands to bring their heads together. She closed her eyes and let Linden stretch forward to allow their lips to meet.

  “Aleida Bauer,” the human declared.

  “Aleida Bauer.” The fairy whispered as she placed her lips on her human.

  Instantly, a rush of energy coursed through Aleida’s frame and her skin trembled in response, similar to how her body underwent changes from female to male under the touch of the magic. Although now, magic did not course through her in the manner of shaping her on the outside, magic coursed through her as part of her blood and soul.

  Aleida’s hands shrunk but held fast to Linden’s body. Her arms found their way around the delicate frame of the nymph until she fit perfectly in her arms. When Aleida parted from the kiss she found herself standing naked in the forest, atop a pile of men’s clothing with an autumn leaf pinned on the lapel.

  Linden’s arms wrapped tenderly around Aleida’s neck and the human’s arms wound protectively around the fairy’s body. There was no warmth in the bare embrace. Winter cut through their tender flesh and seized their lungs and hearts.

  Linden sighed, “Aleida, lay me down now. Let me hold you in my arms and play with your hair until I fall asleep.”

  Aleida sank down onto the perfect leaf she had so carefully attached that morning and laid down with Linden clutched in her arms. Linden’s eyes remained shut as her delicate fingertips traced the outline of Aleida’s new body, finding her nimble and folded wings, her tapered ears, and long thick tresses of wood colored hair. Aleida returned this affection with chaste and fleeting kisses on Linden’s graceful neck and jaw line.

  After some time, Linden’s hands stopped moving and remained limp on Aleida’s waist. In turn, Aleida’s own attentions slowed and then quitted when she leaned her forehead to Linden’s to succumb to rest.

  oOo

  Fresh snow fell through the naked branches of the tree, sprinkling a light cover over the last two autumn fairies. The light downfall preceded the visit of the Winter Court that came to see in person, the autumn fairy that had endured.

  The Winter King touched the ground and ice immediately spread across the fallen leaves surrounding where he descended. Long white eyelashes fluttered on snow white skin as he stated, “I wasn’t aware there were two.”

  A fairy that had gone to find him swooped near and replied, “I didn’t see two when I was here earlier. I don’t think the other was here before, the clothes are a new addition.”

  The King touched his lips thoughtfully, “A human turned fairy... Perhaps it was for this reason she begged that you wait.”

  “What sacrifice for such a short life,” murmured a watching fairy.

  “Perhaps not,” pondered the King. “They are quite near frozen and quite near perished no doubt, but I believe we can help them persevere.”

  “But how? They will continue to deteriorate-”

  “Under normal circumstances, perhaps. A fairy certainly can’t survive outside the season alone. But with my help...” The King raised a graceful white hand, “I can freeze them as they are now, and they will suffer no more loss or drain.” He left the ground to take flight, hovering over the resting forms. The flutter of his wings produced small particles of frost and snow that drifted down around the bodies he inspected.

  The King appeared to make up his mind when he drew in a breath and released it. Frost formed around Aleida and Linden and encased them within a prismatic diamond of ice. The winter fairies aided their King by taking the edges of the ice prism and lifting it. With care and consideration they carried the ice to the burrow within the tree, where they had initially found the autumn fairy.

  They left the two fairies now encased in ice so pure, having come from the breath of the Winter King himself, that it would not melt even through the warmest seasons.

  ELEVEN

  Jacquelyn reached the town without hazard and once upon the main road, her first order of business was to address Arthur’s family. She was fortunate to find them at home among the hearth, “Arthur is in the forest. He sent me away so I would not be lost in the dark, but I fear danger may have found him! Please, gather torches, enter the woods, and find him so he may come home safe.”

  Aleida’s father gazed upon Jacquelyn quizzically, “Arthur? He’s at the hearth with my wife, I’m certain he has not taken to the forest, he scarcely walks, the dear babe. This is my daughter’s horse, in fact. Where is Aleida?”

  Jacquelyn shook her head in frustration, “I haven’t seen Aleida in a great while, but I am certain of Arthur. He is a man, not a boy, and he has courted me with devotion this season.”

  The father opened his door further and looked to his sons, confirming that all his children were present. “My son, Arthur, is here. But Aleida is not, and you say you had her horse in the forest.” He took his coat from the wall and summoned his oldest sons. “Boys, please, gather torches, and one of you return Jacquelyn to her home. We’ll follow her tracks in the forest to search for what troubles the girl and see if Aleida has been playing a trick.”

 

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