In a tranquil village nestled between rolling hills and lush forests, resided a young girl named Elara. Her ways were modest, filled with cultivating her garden and aiding her neighbors. Yet, what truly set Elara apart was the ornate locket she wore around her neckāa family heirloom believed to hold a dormant, mysterious power that was given to her by her mother on her 11th birthday. When given to her, her mother ushered these words; "This locket will help guide you in your future endeavors and will shape your very future. So keep it well and safe, my dear, for it is a special locket."
The locket, a delicate silver creation adorned with intricate engravings, seemed to flicker under the sun's gaze. Elara had been raised on the stories surrounding itāthe tales of its link to the realm of the fae, a hidden doorway to the mystical creatures who existed beyond the sight of ordinary mortals.
Elara often found herself captivated by the idea of the fae, envisioning them as elegant beings adorned with shimmering wings and enigmatic smiles. She whiled away hours in the meadow, gazing at the stars and daydreaming about the endless adventures that could transpire within their realm. Still, despite her vivid imagination, the locket remained silent, its enigmatic magic untouched. To her, it was nothing more than a fun fairy tale told to her by her mother.
Two years passed. Elara was content with her life, helping her Neighbours, meeting new people, and tending to her garden. By then, she had slowly begun to forget the tales of the fae. She began to get bored with this life. Maybe run away from it all and start something new. Somewhere else. "Maybe I could go to the world of the faes," she joked. It put another thought into her head, though. something like, "What if those tales really were real? What would a real fae look like? Would they be truly kind creatures like I was told?"
But of course, those weren't real; they were just silly stories. Right? Then, one crisp autumn night, Elara took a nightly stroll through the village. The light from the moon reflected on the locket, giving it a glowing orange-like colour. She continued to have thoughts about the fae and their imaginary world. Suddenly, a dense mist descended upon the village, blanketing it in an air of enchantment. The locket's surface grew warm against her skin, making Elara's heart race as she felt it. Clutching it tightly, her eyes widened in awe. In a brilliant flash of light, she found herself standing at the edge of an otherworldly forest where the trees radiated a soft, iridescent glow.
The world that greeted her was a breathtaking panorama of colours and sounds that defied description. Laughter, like tinkling bells, floated through the air, and delicate petals of shimmering light danced in the breeze. All so familiar in a sense. Elara's heart swelled with joy as she took a tentative step forward, her thoughts conjuring together to figure out where she was, although a part of her already knew.
Deeper into the forest she ventured until she stumbled upon a clearing where beings engaged in a lively dance. Their wings sparkled like stained glass, casting a vivid kaleidoscope of hues on the ground. Mesmerized, Elara watched as they twirled and spun, their laughter weaving a symphony of pure delight. They were fae. Real living fae
Yet, among the dancers, one figure stood outāan ethereal creature with a crown of moonlight and eyes that shimmered like twin stars. The fae approached, his smile radiant but his gaze holding a depth of mystery. "Welcome, dear Elara," he chimed, his voice a melody that resonated within her very soul.
Elara's face turned into one of shock as the fae said her name.
"Who are you? How do you know my name?"
"My name is Lyrian, a guardian of the enchanted realm."
He revealed that the locket had indeed opened a doorway between their worlds, granting her passage into the domain of the fae. Lyrian offered to show her around. Filled with intrigue and exhilaration, Elara eagerly accepted Lyrian's invitation.
Days seamlessly turned into nights as Elara discovered the wonders of the fae realm. She soared on the back of a shimmering dragonfly, swam in lakes of liquid moonlight, and shared stories with wise old tree spirits. Encountered mystical creatures she could have never even dreamed of in the human world. With each encounter, she felt a growing sense of belonging and purpose that had eluded her in the human world.
There were all types of new, unique flowers and plants in this world. Elara wanted to grow and cultivate her own plants and flowers in this mystical world in her own garden and see these 'fae realm' plants next to the human ones.
As time unfolded, a quiet longing began to stir within Elara. She yearned for the familiarity of her villageāthe comfort of her garden and the warmth of familiar faces. Lyrian, ever attuned to her emotions, sensed her growing sadness. He offered her a choiceāto remain in the fae realm or to return home. Her heart heavy, Elara chose to bid farewell to the realm of enchantment.
Lyrian nodded, placed his finger on the locket, and chanted something in a language lost to time. The locket glowed a bright orange-like color as it had earlier, with the surrounding area getting shrouded in a thick mist. A bright flash occurred, and she was back in her village; the mist that had whisked her away dissipated. Elara clutched the locket, tears glistening in her eyes, as she whispered her farewells to the mystical realm and the friends she had come to cherish. The locket grew cool against her skin, and it became clear that the magic was not just in the realm she had left behind but also in the transformative journey it had ignited within her. Elara stared at her hands and saw a seed in a plant from the enchanted realm. She held it tight to her chest and smiled. She couldn't wait to plant it in her garden.
Years flowed like a river, and Elara's garden flourished with vibrant blooms that seemed to radiate a touch of fae magic. She shared her tales of the fae realm with the villagers, inspiring them to open their eyes to the beauty and enchantment that surrounded them. While the locket's magic never transported her back to the realm of the fae, its power irrevocably shifted the course of her life.
Elara's narrative wove itself into the fabric of legend, a tapestry that generations would pass down. The tale of the enchanted locket and the young woman who straddled two worlds served as a poignant reminder that magic existed not only in realms beyond sight but also within the tapestry of the heart and the realm of dreams.
You might be wondering, what is the name of the flower that came from the world of the Fae?
Unfortunately, Elara did not know the flower's original Fae name, so she called it an enchanted Lyrian flower. And thanks to it being in the human world, she was able to mix it with several other plants and create a beautiful garden out of this world, exploding with colors and emotion.
Years and decades have passed, and Elara's son has reached his 11th birthday. And as did her mother, Elara took off her locket, placed it around her son's neck, and told him the very words her mother told her when she was his age.
"This locket will help guide you in your future endeavors and will shape your very future. So keep it well and safe, my dear, for it is a special- no, an enchanted locket."