Becoming overgrown in the span of a few short hours, the trees and bushes now rose like a wall far above her head. The obvious path barred from her, Aribelle glanced around with mounting concern. Left with no other option but to progress deeper into the forest, she cautiously continued forward.
Advancing slowly, Aribelle noticed a distinct change in the flora around her. Their branches no longer bare from eminent arrival of winter, there were vibrant green leaves adorning the trees and blossoms beginning to spring up from the ground. Becoming lush as she wandered further, the chill in the air melted away. The temperature changing along with her surroundings, it was as balmy and airy as the most perfect summer's day one could imagine. Made uncomfortably warm by the mysterious seasonal shift, Aribelle shed her cloak as she entered into a grassy clearing.
Light streaming through the canopy of foliage, it created a kaleidoscope of colors at her feet as they swayed in the gentle breeze. The blades of grass decorated with diverse wildflowers, they grew peacefully, undisturbed by man or beast. Standing in wonderment at the dreamlike scene, Aribelle recognized now that she must have mistakenly stumbled across a fairy hill.
According to legend, travelers who had unwittingly wondered onto a fairy hill could cross into the Otherworld. The doorways into the realm of the fairies only open to the human world during narrow windows of time. Some who had crossed over into otherworld had been unable to find their way back, lost to it forever. Whereas others, might return years later or decades later even, completely unchanged by the passage of time. Aribelle's mystification towards the landscape subsiding, it was soon replaced by fears towards her return. Futilely looking back from where she had just come, she searched for a glimmer of Myrdor to appear.
Still daunted by the revelation, Aribelle heard a rustle from across the clearing. Turning on it startled, she was met with the ethereal countenance of a woman. Donning only a thin mantle, the graceful curves of her slender body were clearly visible. The long strands of her caramel hair trailing behind her, they were interwoven with garlands of fresh flowers. Her existence seemingly natural to the forest, the woman's serene movements did not stir even the smallest petal as she glided towards Aribelle.
Smiling gently, the woman placed a tender hand on Aribelle's face. Staring at her compassionately, a few delicate tears slid down the smooth curve of her cheeks. Although confused by her actions, Aribelle reached to touch the hand on her face softly. Distressed by the mysterious reason behind the woman's tears, a small crease formed between Aribelle's eyebrows as she regarded her. The questions on her face, prompting a soft sob from her. The women finally spoke quietly, "My daughter, when did you grow to be such a woman." Perplexed by her words, Aribelle merely gazed into her sorrowful eyes longer.
Then, as the weight of her statement began to sink in, Aribelle stepped back. Her hand retreating, Aribelle distanced herself from the woman. Although, she could not fathom any reason for the woman to lie to her, Aribelle's disbelief at what she was implying compelled her to exercise caution. Having been misled once by a magical creature already, Aribelle considered her words carefully.
"My heart aches for every moment we were apart." The woman continued.
"You're my mother?" Aribelle asked, still unsure of her authenticity.
"That's right, my dear sweet Aribelle." She replied hopefull. The woman extending her hand towards Aribelle again, she withdrew further from her reach.
"Why should I believe you?" Aribelle questioned guardedly.
Hurt by Aribelle's suspicions of her, the woman retracted her hand. Clasping it over her heart as though the remark had caused her some kind of physical pain. The woman observed softly, "I see my concealment was dispelled." Her smile saddened; she did not attempt to approach Aribelle again. Pausing to look at her longingly from the small distanced between them, she confirmed, "Your powers have awakened then I suppose?" Giving an affirmative nod in response, Aribelle could see thin lines of concern form on her tranquil face before she continued.
"That's a pity, I had hoped you would lead out a peaceful human life like the one I had with your father." She said, her eyes becoming downcast. Distressed by the mention of her deceased father, Aribelle recalled clearly how he had mourned her departure. There was not a single day within the four years they had together that she had not discerned some evidence of his anguish towards the loss of his much beloved wife. Gradually eating away at him, until he had become so greatly diminished to pass away from illness. Aribelle could not help but feel somewhat resentful towards the woman as she replied, "Why did you leave?"
Aribelle's grief conveyed by her simple question, the woman swayed forward. Clasping on to each of Aribelle's arms, she pleaded her case, "Please, believe me Ari. I wanted to return to the two of you with every fiber of my being."
"So, why didn't you?" Aribelle asked, curling in to hug the cloak folded in her arms more closely to her chest.
"I couldn't, Ari." She said hopelessly, another tear rolling from her eyes, "I can't leave this place."
"You did before." Aribelle stated, the coldness not yet dissipating from her voice. Looking away from her, the woman sighed gloomily. Appearing to already be defeated before she could even admit it, her mother wilted before explaining.
"My Father, did not approve of me falling in love with a human." She started, despairing at the admission, "Shortly after you were born, he dragged me back here and forbade me from leaving." Her slim fingers still clinging onto Aribelle desperately, her mother again met her eyes. Her tone made somber at the mention of her own father, she said, "He is the Lord of this realm, there is no way for me to leave if he commands against it."
Aribelle could not forgive her mother entirely for being absent from her life, however she felt wise enough now to move past it as she listened. "If he discovers you've inherited my abilities, I'm afraid he will demand you return as well." Her mother cautioned. Her hands trembling fearing this event should come to pass, they cupped her face. Committing each detail of its features to memory, the woman remarked regrettably "I imagine that there would be quite a few people who would be upset by your being spirited away." Dismayed at having to part from her daughter so soon after being reunited, she hugged Aribelle.
Wrapped in her warm embrace for a long time, Aribelle could tell that her mother was having difficulty letting her go once more. Grappling with the thought of being separated from her daughter for a second time she stroked Aribelle's hair calmly. "I suppose we should return you now before he tears apart anymore of the forest looking for you." She remarked, reluctantly pulling away from her. Puzzled by this comment, Aribelle again looked at her baffled, before asking "He who exactly?"