Chapter Text
The forest was Obi's second home.
Hidden amongst nature and sheltered in the trees. He thrived amongst the babbling brooks, fish shimmering in the water as they joined a large river that led out to the endless expanse of the sea. Leaves danced amongst the breeze, cradling flowers in their branches. Soft blues, bright yellows, vivid reds and purples. A technicolour dance of the ages, streaking the land with endless colour. The canopy of spindly wooden hands hid him from view, shielded him away from prying eyes.
He lived side by side with the ones who resided in the forest. Walking with the ancient stags, hulking masses of bone and fur, imprinting their hooves into soft moss and claiming the place as their own. He avoided the tricks of the foxes, jeering laughs and ever present grins, taunting him to play, to join. He paused when the wolf packs passed, a walker more than likely amongst them donned in the form of a wolf, human body safe in the confines of their den.
But a hunt thrilled him. Chasing down beasts that terrorised the locals. Strange creatures that shifted with shadows, attempting to wear the appearance of a human, bodies altering and twisting. However, that was only on the occasion. A strange event wherein they accidently slipped through the veil of the two worlds and it was his job to prevent that. That and to live in peace with the ones who were there before him.
He sat against an aged stump, moss cushioning his back as he sharpened his dagger, in slow, careful movements. His bag sat by his side, a pouch of coins tucked away safely, gifts of honey, milk and butter from the locals were carefully hidden from the prying eyes of the Others. His short sword was thankfully cleaned for once, stains of scarlet red and oozing drips of liquid void finally erased from the metal.
He popped a blackberry in his mouth, sinking deeper amongst the grass, daisies shifting with his sudden movement. The day was perfectly calm. The sky an endless blue, the clouds thin tendrils of white from above. Birds darted in blurs of blacks and browns, tunes bleating and songs plentiful. It was perfect bar the pookas.
The pookas stood around in their hare forms, ushering each other to hurry, a sense of urgency in their tones, feet stomping into the grass. They tittered rumors faster than winds in a storm. Troublesome gossipers. Giving only half truths and covering it up with wide grins.
“Did you hear the news?,” one of them whispered.
"Something has stepped onto the land," one said, ear twitching.
"A strange thing. Tall. Strong," another added. "Forbidden."
"The rumor," a third joined, "they seek someone."
Obi's attention slowly diverted to them, his sharpening only slowing as their frantic whispers turned to loud chatter. Arguments plentiful as they all attempted to put their findings as truth.
"And what do they seek?," Obi mused.
"Oh look, the warrior is interested," they jeered. They shifted to playful goats, hooves stomping with excitement, eyes bright with his sudden interest.
An assassin turned warrior was a strange case. Something that didn't happen very often nor at all. The locals had merely assumed he was one and had claimed him as such ever since he stepped into the land, occupying the forest and guarding the borders between the town and here.
“I’m simply curious,” he corrected.
“Curious you say?” Their eyes were shallow glows of light, ever present taunts as amusement shone from them. Wanting to pry, wanting to tease. “How is it that you do not know yet? Do you not guard this forest?”
“In case you haven’t noticed, this forest is quite large,” Obi noted, slowly regretting talking to them in the first place. “I can’t keep note of everything.”
“I suppose so,” one sighed. Their leader, perhaps. She settled back into a hare. Fur sleek and dark as ink as she rested on the grass, counting the petals of a primrose before giving a sharp toothed smile. "Well, do you really want to know?"
He wouldn't be asking if he didn't want to know but alas, he couldn't afford to anger them. "It would be an honour to know."
"Well." She settled amongst the blades of green, mouth stretching to a grin as the others tittered laughs. "A fear céile."
Obi's flow faltered, eyes widening as he slowly placed his dagger to one side. "A...a husband?"
"Indeed," she nodded. "A human one."
Obi swallowed thickly, hands trembling as he reached for another dagger that had yet to be sharpened. "I...Is that so? Any clues as to whom it may be? I'm sure there are many viable suitors in...town."
They collectively bellowed out in laughter, awfully broken sounds of metal shattering. Loud and raucous, grating on the ears.
"You think she's aiming for town? ," one squawked, nose snuffing air. “No, no….she’s looking for a human in this forest.”
“And there’s only one human here,” another stated, “and that would be–” Her tiny paw pointed at Obi. “– you.”
“I don’t understand why though,” he started, “Why would she–”
“You can’t win against this one, warrior,” the leader stated, long ears twitching with annoyance, “Not against that.”
“Wait, what do you mea–”
“It’s time for us to go,” the leader announced. And without a single bout of protest, the little group of pookas shifted to their horse forms. Tall and sleek, manes fluid as they waited patiently for the order to leave. "But I will say this. Éist go cúramach, laoch."
“Feallmharfóir,” another corrected which was met with an eye roll.
"It's best to keep your wits about you," she warned, "It would be a shame for you to be taken so soon….”
Obi blinked once, twice, mouth opening and closing like a fish, words lodged in his throat. "I'll...keep that in mind."
He was being watched. He was certain of it.
His spear pierced through a salmon from the river, water rushing towards the sea as he slowly took it out. Movements slow, calculated.
Just at the edge of the clearing he could feel it. He could feel that gaze being pierced into his skull.
Carefully, he maneuvered himself away from the muddy edges of the water, the salmon giving a final flop of its tail before stilling. He tossed it amongst the small pile he had caught. Swallowing thickly he crouched amongst the grass, idly descaling one of the fish he had accumulated.
If he ignored it surely it would go away. Eventually. Right?
Wrong.
Twenty minutes later and the presence was still there. Unfaltering glare aimed at his back, watching every little shift of movement.
With a deep, shuddering breath he turned once, pinpointing a figure lurking in the shadows. Eyes a glowing emerald, pupils unseen, her hair floated around her like a slow building fire, strands shifting like slow licks of flames while a clawed hand rested on the trunk of a tree. She was…. tall, half hidden by the dappled shadows created by the canopy of leaves.
A fae.
Shit.
Their eyes meet, assessing one another for a few moments before she blinked once. Moving into the depths of the forest, the plants and trees parted to give her way, hidden from human eyes once more.
His heart hammered in his chest, hands trembling as he dropped his dagger to one side, taking a careful breath willing himself to calm. "What on earth?"
He questioned the Gods as to just how badly he screwed up in life to deserve a fae following his shadows.
"Really, Gods?," he muttered, furiously getting rid of the scales. "Just had to be me, huh?"
Rustling dragged him away from his frustrated mulling as a cat sidhe swiftly made its way out of the bushes. His muscles instantly relaxed and he soon stood to his full height, wiping his hands of fish guts and blood.
"And where exactly are you going?," Obi questioned.
The cat sidhe slowed it's trot, green eyes gleaming at him as she idly made her way towards him, tail swaying slowly from side to side. "That fae is the problem."
“O-Oh." Ah, problems are already rising… "I see… but you never answered the question."
"I'll be staying in the town," she said frankly, "for a few weeks until she leaves. It's too near our territory and she seems rather…. unpersuasive as of now."
"You know the rules though–"
"I am quite aware." Her tail flicked in annoyance, nose huffing with frustration. "But we know better than to start a conflict we know we won't be able to finish, warrior."
"Of course," Obi sighed, "but why not go to the otherworld?
"Gods no!," she cringed, "Too much nonsense going on there…"
"I see…."
"You've been here for too long," she stated, "it's best you stay in town. The locals like you."
"Harsh," Obi muttered.
"You've been here ever since you were a wee one."
"I wasn't wee," he countered, "I was twelve."
"Nothing more than a leanabh beag in our eyes." She gave a wistful smile, ear twitching for a moment. "I'm saying this for your own protection," she advised, "us creatures can look after ourselves. You on the other hand may face…. problems."
She began to move again in a slow walk, hopping along the damp stones that stood amongst the slow flowing river. "If I were you I'd leave before things start getting….out of hand…."
"I...I'll think about it," Obi promised, "But it would be best if I stick around for a while longer."
"Always so stubborn," she tutted, "but really do think about it. W...We care about you here, ok?"
Obi paused, blinking once, twice, eyes softening. “I know…”
“Good,” she sniffed, making her way to the other side.
"I'll make sure you and yours get over safely," he assured, "just make sure to stay out of trouble."
"But of course," she agreed, "just for you." She turned back once, a paw half off the ground. “Listen to my advice.”
“I will, I promise….”
The presence never left Obi.
The fae trailed him almost every single day for a week. He couldn't escape her and always missed her when he turned, a rustle of leaves in her wake.
Obi sighed for the fifth time of the day, carefully placing another blackberry in his near full pouch.
Careful, measured steps made his way towards him, making him jolt. Gods he’s been too paranoid these days. Every little sound made him want to bolt. To find a safe place hidden away from prying eyes.
Obi stepped aside, a great stag soon standing by his side as he observed the berries and leaves available. His horns twisted like old, weathered branches, eyes a subtle, golden glow. His fur was a perfect, sleek brown that shimmered in the dappled rays.
“Your Highness,” Obi bowed.
“Warrior,” the stag acknowledged. He huffed from his snout, eyes settling on him. "I pray that you will be wise and stay clear of the fae.”
"Of course, Highness."
He picked his way through the leaves, eating the ones that were most satisfactory for him. “The forest has been in disarray ever since it has stepped foot in here.”
“So I’ve heard.”
“She ventures more everyday. Some of us are even considering going back to the Otherworld…”
“I thought that the situation there was-”
“Unfavourable?,” he finished, “Oh it is but alas….to get away from a fae is better than being put under their will.”
“I suppose it is,” Obi nodded, closing his pouch. “Well, I think I’m pretty much set for my hunt today. There’s a Dullahan getting too close to the town….border….”
Obi paused, watching the stag as it stood deathly still. S nout huffing and ears twitching. Alert. Worried. His hoof stomped the ground once, ripples of light carried across the grass. A warning. "Run, Obi."
Without a second to process they were off, Obi struggling to keep up for a moment before finding a steady pace. The forest was a blur to his eyes. Browns merging with greens, flowers nothing more than blobs of colour while the river seemed to go only faster as he went.
“You must keep going, Obi. Do not stop.”
“I-I won’t!,” he gasped, “But where are you go-”
The stag jumped mid air, body rippling before shifting to dust, particles darting to the depths of the forest.
“Are you kidding me?!,” Obi cursed, “Leaving me alone!”
The running got closer, hooves stomping into the ground, echoing in his ears as it narrowed in. The snuffling was heavy, determined, energy steady as it chased after Obi. The hunter became the hunted. Something he wasn’t used to.
He took a sharp right and the horse whined in protest. Angry by the small space it was unable to pass through. Obi didn’t bother to look back, focus set in front of him as he made his way to a clearing up ahead. A small meadow littered with wildflowers swaying on the gentle breeze and encased by ancient oaks.
He paused, gasping for breath. Everything was still. Quiet. A little ….too quiet. He...he was certain he had lost her. Almost certain. He just had to keep moving and-
Oh.
Oh shit.
A white horse stood in his way, the fae looking down at him with interest.
And Gods she….she was beautiful.
Her hair fell down to her shoulders, the colour resembling shifting flames of deep oranges and dark reds, strands floating ever so slightly. Her emerald eyes glowed, a glimmering sight when the sun rays hit and her smile, Gods her smile . Obi was certain he lost his breath for a moment. The skirt of her dress rippled like lapping waves with any slight movement and her pointed ears twitched at every sound before her attention settled back on him.
“You,” she spoke, “You are the one that is to come with me.”
Obi swallowed thickly, mouth turning dry. Her voice was clear like a bell, a gentle lilt in her tone. “M...Me?”
“Yes you,” she nodded.
“Why me?,” he questioned, hands turning clammy. “Surely there are many more people that’ll suit your interest.”
“I came seeking the strongest warrior,” she stated “and that would be you, Obi.”
He shivered at how she said his name. How perfectly it seemed to sound from her mouth. So careful, so caring….
“Ho..How did you know my name….”
“Your feats have even reached the Otherworld,” she said, “You’ve garnered quite the attention.”
“Oh. Oh.”
“Oh, indeed,” she laughed. And when she did it was soft and light like a birdsong on the wind.
“May I at least get a name?," Obi questioned.
“Shirayuki,” she smiled, her teeth a little too sharp for comfort, “Of the Mountain Lions.”
"Is that so…."
"It is." She settled her horse who slowly grew impatient. "So, Obi, will you come with me?"
“I...I-” His mind was muddled, eyes settling on her. “I….but this place…”
“Will be fine,” she assured, “Come with me to the land of the young, the land of the free.”
With a tilt of her head, hair glimmering like the sun's rays caught in rippling water and emerald eyes that would put the gem to shame, how could he not go?
He could feel himself being dragged closer to her as she ushered him to follow.
“Hop on,” she said and he did.
Obi was enamoured by her. Enchanted by her honeyed words and endless promises, he was caught by its embrace.
His trust was hard to earn but when given, it was given wholeheartedly. But with her, with Shirayuki , it was different. Putting his trust in her came easy to him. Placing his life in her hands, he didn't once give it a second thought.
“It’s best you hold on tight,” she advised.
“I-”
Without so much as a warning they were off into the forest. And it was fast. So fast. Obi nervously held onto her waist, eyes squinting against the wind. The trees parted at her will, the forest creating a new path. Trunks curving, bushes shuffling back, stones hiding underground. It was a perfectly smooth ride and-
“The sea?,” Obi questioned.
Her mare stopped to a slow trot on the soft sand. The sea was an endless expanse in front of them, a rippling surface that reflected the clouds and soon to be setting sun in a distorted manner.
“Yes,” she said simply, “The sea.”
“Is...are you sure this is...um...safe?,”Obi asked. Shifting ever so slightly on the saddle.
“It is,” she promised, urging her mare to go forward. “Trust me.”
Her horse tested the water with one hoof, then another, stepping onto the shifting surface. Soon enough it was slowly trotting along the waves, fish nearing the surface for an investigation of who was disturbing their humble abode.
“It...it’s walking on water,” Obi gasped, his grip tightening ever so slightly.
Shirayuki couldn’t help but grin at his awe, holding onto the reins as she slowly brought up the pace.
“It’s best you keep holding on,” she said, “we have quite the journey ahead of us.”