Tale 69- The Circus Fairy

 After yet another sleepless night, the Traveler found herself hungry, remembering how Sarafelle had identified the safe berries, and began to pick some nearby blackberries, trying to avoid her hands becoming stained in the process. The taste reminded her of those days with Sarafelle, and how much she missed travelling with a companion. Despite everything, the fact she was forced to be alone and how scared she would feel around strangers, she still missed her partner and remembered the promise she kept in her heart. Even with whispers and glares, the Traveler would never stop trying to run toward that future of a life with Sarafelle, and would do her best to achieve it. Now that her fingers were covered in blackberry juice, she headed over to a spring and washed her hands, before noticing a stranger watching her and becoming slightly tense. The man approached her, he had an air of confidence but also an aura of gentleness, so she had no reason to be afraid. “Are you in need of assistance?” he asked, the Traveler gently shaking her head and giving a smile. “I’m just travelling…” she replied, the man being surprised by how young she sounded and then realizing how small she really was. Despite her answer, he offered his hand. “I could walk you to the next town along this path? It’s where I live along with my wife, and it can be a little hard to find among these woods.” he explained, the Traveler then nodding and accepting, the man holding her hand a little firmly, but it wasn’t a cruel firmness like Marcielle’s grip. The man offered to tell her a story about his wife whilst they walked, the Traveler nodding and planning to write it down when she reached the town, the man telling the tale of ‘the Circus Fairy.’

‘Once, there was a talented ringmaster who inherited a large circus, one popular with children and adults alike, and filled with the most incredible attractions. Men would turn into crocodiles at will, women would sing the most alluring songs, and children could bend into impossible positions. But the most sought-after and famous attraction was that of the fairy, whose gossamer wings reflected the stage lights and voice rang clear throughout the ring. She would fly through the air for crowds, stealing hats and wallets for jokes, and would dance with an incredible grace and beauty. When the ringmaster watched her perform, though, he noticed a sadness run through her veins, as if she was being held against her will. Indeed, his father had captured many of his attractions and taken them prisoner, refusing to remove his iron grip on their autonomy. The younger ringmaster, however, was nowhere near as cruel, and set about learning each of the performers’ names and if they wished to stay within the walls of the circus or would rather be free. As the fairy grew to trust the new ringmaster, they found themselves falling in love, and the ringmaster decided he’d rather let everyone go free and choose their own lives, and also that he wished to get married to the fairy. Managing to release everyone from the contracts of his father, he eloped with his new wife and now they live far, far away from any danger or sorrow.’

They finally reached the town, the Traveler deciding to look for new people to tell her tales, and she thanked the man, who tipped his hat slightly and headed into his home, where his wife awaited him.