Odessa fluttered up to her rosy bedchamber. She laid herself down on her bed of soft petals. But she whimpered very softly. She had left her love again. And so, she cried herself to sleep. Her thoughts were all about her darling Hendrick.
Odessa was so overwhelmed with sadness that she could not stop crying. Her heart was breaking into millions of pieces. She felt so lost without her prince. But there had to be a way for them to be together.
She laid there, her wings wrapped tightly around her and she was unable to stop her tears. But she could no longer sleep. She then fluttered outside to the center of her kingdom, landing on the soft grass.
Odessa danced around on her toes, her beautiful wings fluttering dutifully. The moonlight was like a spotlight on her. She felt so light and free, but she could not stop thinking about Hendrick and the pain in her heart was unbearable. She danced effortlessly, her movements like the ripples of water, her pointe work making her as though she is floating on air. She was so lost in her rhythm that she didn’t notice how beautiful she looked under the moonlight.
The other faires watched from their hollows of their tree homes. She moved so delicately like a swan. Her wings were glowing in the moonlight and her skin was like porcelain. She was like a goddess under the moon.
Someone else was watching too. Prince Hendrick. The moment Odessa performed four fouettes on one pointed leg, she swayed her arms up and lifted her leg behind her, created a beautiful arc with her body. Odessa felt someone gently holding her hands, as if he or she was trying not to let her fall.
Hendrick stood there, holding her left arm with one hand, the other supporting her back and waist. Odessa pulled away and nuzzled in his arms.
“Hendrick, my majesty,” she said, softly, “What ails you to me? ‘Tis still an inch too late…”
Hendrick smiled and gently rubbed her cheek.
“Nothing ails me, except missing you. I couldn’t stay away anymore. I had to see you. You had left me. And you couldn’t carry out my request. You were so graceful, my dear. You know just how to take man’s breath away. Like me.”
Odessa whimpered and turned away, her cheeks turning red. Hendrick frowned and gently spun her towards him. He then cupped her cheeks in his hands.
“Listen to me when I say you are like a goddess. When I saw you dancing in the moonlight, I felt as though my body was in the Heavens. Believe me, my lady; you are the most graceful, most delicate creature I have ever seen and met.”
He gently kissed her forehead. But Odessa whimpered again. Her eyes began to water. She felt so lonely and depressed. Now her prince has come. So, they were not tears of sadness and anguish…they were of joy and love. Hendrick held her hand and knelt down, his eyes worried for the sake of her well-being.
“My precious creature…” he pleaded, “It pains me to see you saddened.”
“Oh, my Hendrick…!” Odessa wailed.
The thought of losing each other again had become horrifically unbearable for the two lovers. They then embraced each other softly, their arms wrapping around their waists. Odessa’s face was buried in his chest and Hendrick’s, in her hair.
“My love, so tender and graceful,” said Hendrick, “I want what my heart wants…and that is to share only one dance with you.”
“Under one condition, my prince…” Odessa said, with a serious tone.
Hendrick was baffled.
Her tone, so serious, he thought, I’ll believe the condition is so subtle…no one else is able to understand.
Odessa then smiled.
“My condition is to be with you for all eternity…then steal forth your palace by shall next we meet.”
“By the night moonrise shall I truly meet with you,” said Hendrick, “Then hears to our love!”
He then reached out to her, offering his hand. The young fairy then looked at his hand with a shy look.
“But why, my lord?” she asked.
Hendrick didn’t answer as she took his hand. They then began to dance together. He followed Odessa’s movements, matching her steps and her rhythm. They waltzed in perfect sync. They pirouetted together and they glided across each other.
He lifted her up in the air and held her close, like a bride. And the way Odessa twirled was like watching a butterfly in flight. She looked so graceful and elegent, like a regal queen. They then lifted their legs behind them, forming that same beautiful arc with their backs. Hendrick held her by the waist and knelt down, Odessa’s arabesque lowering even more, once her face was close enough to Hendrick’s.
They then stood up straight and Odessa yawned softly. Hendrick could tell their dance wore her out.
“I don’t wish to keep you up any longer.”
Odessa’s wings drooped and she fell into his arms.
“Oh, Hendrick,” she yawned again, “The hour is eleven. By this hour, I am asleep. However, I am up. By then, my rising shall be later than usual.”
Hendrick gently carried her up to her bedchamber and laid her down on her bed. He pulled the blankets up to her neck, between her chin. He held her hand gently until she was deep asleep. He then kissed her forehead.
“Pleasent dreams, my love.” he whispered.
He kissed her forehead again and quietly left the room.
.
.
.
It was no question about Hendrick’s love for the little fairy. But one thing was for certain. Their love could not be pursued. Two world were never to combine. And so, it would have brought shame to both lovers.
Odessa woke up the next day. But she wasn’t upset that Hendrick was gone. She did feel so lonely, though. She flapped her wings gently. As her soft white wings beated softly, she heard the sound of Hendrick’s violin. She realized he was in the garden.
She then fluttered out and followed the rest of the crowd. Among the rose bushes was the human prince, playing his violin, with his back turned. The fairies squeaked with love and happiness. It was clear that this prince was Odessa’s love. They were so touched that they were left speechless. They could feel such sorrow and the beauty in Hendrick’s playing and they were all entranced by it.
But then, his playing intensified. It was at that moment when the fairies began to cry. The melody was so beautiful and the sorrow in it was so real that they couldn’t help but feel emotional. Some of the female fairies couldn’t even bear to look at the prince, they were so overcome with emotion.
Odessa felt so safe and protected by Hendrick’s song that she slowly drifted off to sleep. She was surrounded by white roses, the petals covering her up like a warm blanket. Her subjects didn’t want to walk out on his performance. They were as still as statues. Hendrick then ended his piece with a double stop, and his violin gently fell to the ground.
The fairies squeaked and fluttered around him. He had made them happy with his music. They then noticed their fairy princess sleeping peacefully. Odessa’s wings were wrapped around her like a blanket. She was so beautiful…and innocent, she was like a little angel. Hendrick then lifted her up in his arms and sat down on a log. She was so delicate, she could break at any moment.
Her wings were soft and feathery against his skin. Hendrick then kissed her forehead, and then pressed their foreheads together. After a while, she began to stir. Hendrick was so caught off guard that he could have dropped her. But he caught her just in time. Her eyes were still closed and yet, she felt so light and peaceful in his arms. Suddenly, her eyes fluttered open.
“My prince…” she whimpered, “O, sweet lord…where are you? Wherefore the reason your arms cradle my soft body?”
Hendrick, who had been so joyous to see her awake, pulled her even closer, nuzzling her nose.
“Odessa, my love, I was mad about you. You were so frail and full of exhaust. I could not bear to see you in slumber alone. And so…I sat down next to you, so that your dreams would be so ever happily.”
“Happily?”
“Yes, my love. You scared me, my princess. You fell fast asleep the moment I played my violin, you withered and wilted like a delicate flower. And so, I have come to love you.”
He then saw sudden sadness in Odessa’s eyes, and it broke his heart. It was clear she was hiding something from him. He couldn’t bear to see her like this once more. He gently pulled her even closer to him.
“Sweet Odessa,” he whispered, “Whatever trembles you, my beauty? Speak of anything, and then I’ll listen to you. I care so much about you. Don’t dare hide away any sinful details. Please, I beg of you!”
Odessa whimpered. She had to tell him how she truly felt about him. And telling the truth wasn’t always the easiest. She then sighed tearfully…and cupped her hands on Hendrick’s cheeks.
“My comfortable liege…” said Odessa, tearfully, “The moment I saw you…I was captivated by your rich and beauteous nature. But then…you saw me. And love sealed the both of us. But after I had left, your soft and gentle face was kept in my mind…and at night, when I closed my eyes…there you were. Oh, how I yearn for you, my lord! But, then again, you are very busy. And yet…we are together…”
Hendrick the stood her up. The young prince could feel his love’s feelings. He heard the exact words from a young fairy. A fragile, delicate creature. He took her hands and held them tightly in his. His eyes were saddened, like Odessa.
“My love,” he said, “You shouldn’t have hidden your true feelings from me. I care for you deeply and would never have no time for you. I would rather dance and flutter with you, than to attend court meetings and lessons. I would much rather be…a graceful, delicate kind. Like you. But I beg of you…don’t ever shut me out. I am always here for you. And I want to be your love forever.”
Odessa felt so weak. She then knelt down and broke down, crying. Hendrick felt so…terrible…so guilty…so heart- broken. He gently wiped away her tears from her cheeks and kissed her forehead.
“Shhhhh…” he whispered.
Hendrick held her tightly as she cried. Her squeaks and weeps filled the forest. All of the creatures bowed their lowly heads, mourning the sadness of the young fairy queen. The prince caressed her back and shoulders gently as he comforted her. There had to be a way to make it all go away. He despised seeing her so sad and in distress.
“I long for a companion,” she wept, eventually calming down, “A king…yes…a gentle king.”
Hendrick’s heart broke again. He reached out his hand and gently touched her wing again. He then kissed her forehead and held her hands in his. His love was so precious and she deserved nothing but happiness.
“You have a kind and gentle king right here, my love,” he cooed, “At least, until I do become the king. But please… don’t be sad. You are my rich wench. And I can’t bear to see you upset.”
Eventually, Odessa’s cries had subsided. Hendrick’s heart would have burst with emotions if they were to continue. He gently cupped her face in his hands and his voice whispered to her as if she was a helpless infant.
“My dear…” he whispered.
He then pulled her in for another kiss. A kiss of eternity. Their lips traced and puckered, and the love they shared was all around them now. The world seemed to stop and all Hendrick could see was Odessa’s beautiful face.
The young prince then pulled away…and looked into her eyes. He saw more than just a fairy and her beauty. He saw a kind and caring soul and he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. He knelt down on his knees, taking her hands in his.
“O, my dearest heart…” he said, lovingly, “Do me the honor of becoming my forever wife!”
“But…” Odessa whimpered, “We are so young…we’ve too much to live for…I couldn’t possibly…”
“I beg my love! O, please, my fair lady. I want to spend my life with you! I want our kingdoms to unite! I want to hold you when you are scared and lonely! I want more than just affection…I want our beautiful love to grow and grow until death do us part!”
Elated, Odessa nodded. She didn’t even care that her entire kingdom was hearing the news! But Hendrick could not believe his ears. His love had said yes and all was filled with joy. The fairies were squeaking with so much happiness, their homage to their beautiful fairy queen and their gentle and kind prince.
“My dear…you have just made me the happiest man alive! I am so honored and privileged to be able to call you my forever love. From this day forward, we shall never be apart and we shall always be together.”
.
.
.
At night, when all of the fairies fluttered to their homes, Odessa laid on a lily pad, her wings drooping as they rested, and her eyes closed. She then thought of her prince. Her sweet Hendrick. She fluttered to her feet, and she glided across the green water pad on the tips of her toes.
Her small footsteps were silen; they made no sound at all. Odessa moved with grace and elegance, her steps precise and delicate, like a ballerina gliding across the stage. The roses seemed to bowed down towards her, as if they were respecting her.
Her dance was as fragile as the petals of a rose. Her pointe work made her seem as if she was floating in the air. And her wings gently flapped as she twirled. The prince made his return. He couldn’t keep apart from his future queen. But Hendrick could see she was in need of his companionship. And so, he played his violin, hoping that her mood would be brighter.
But his piece had a more tragic turn. Odessa couldn’t recognize the music. She was much familiar with more cheerful and exciting music.
Hendrick realized that his music was becoming melancholic, reflecting Odessa’s feelings. He wanted her to be happy, but he also wanted her to be sensitive to her sadness. He played the same piece again, this time slowing down the tempo of the melody, playing more softly, hoping to comfort her with his music. But it didn’t work either.
Odessa darted to his arms, her arms wrapping around her prince. Hendrick gently set down his violin, embracing her as well.
“I’m frightened, love,” Odessa cried, “What if they never approve of us? What if no one lets us be together, as king and queen? I fear that…you would be executed once they find out!”
“Please, do not fret.” Hendrick said, “For I shall be with you. My only wish is to love you…and rule my dull kingdom with you.”
But Odessa burst into tears. Hendrick felt a sense of dread washing over him, shattering his porcelain heart. Odessa’s cries were like cries from an angel. A very saddened angel. Hendrick gently pulled her hands away from her face and holds them in his.
“My love…fate may forsake us. But I, your sweetest liege, shall venture a solution for our eternal love. Even if they say we shan’t be together, then ‘tis they're lost. My own family is worried because I had lost my faithful friend that I had known for eighteen years now, until his untimely death. But I won’t lose you either. You mean so dearly to me. Oh, my darling! How could I, the happiest man alive, be so sad when my beauteous love is at her darkest hour?”
The tears in Hendrick’s eyes broke Odessa’s heart. And although she was a fairy and he was a human…it didn’t mean that they couldn’t be together.
“Let us be married in secrecy!” said Hendrick, “I have a humble friar from our local cathedral. We will be in holy matrimony without saying a word to anyone”
“I adore it!” Odessa exclaimed, “But where may I find this holy father?”
“He lives in a dorm inside the cathedral in the city. He is so kind he will be so glad to meet you. In fact, he would be so glad to meet anyone, even those that are of a different religion or that have no beliefs at all. Oh, my darling! I apologize for all that you had to suffer before me. I loathe the thought of the wickedness and cruelty of other humans and descendants of mine. But I shall keep you safe…and protect you from their cruelty.”