[ P ] The Faery Princess and The Knight

C

urling up to her bundles of joy, Clover tucked them in close to her, settling them with tender nudges of her nose. Both of their eyes were open now and they stared up at her with wonder as she hummed softly. Journey's eyelids were already drooping heavily with sleep while Summit remained attentive and lively. She just might have enough time to get a story in as they drifted into dream.

"I know the bestest tale to share with you, my little loves." She gave each of them a gentle kiss upon their foreheads, earning her some squeaks of delight and she smiled warmly down at them. Glancing up to find Cian, she beckoned him over with a tilt of her head. "Come join the cuddle puddle! This is gonna be a good one." She scooted over slightly to allow her mate some room to at least curl around her as she curled around their pups. Whenever they were all settled, she began the story:

"Once upon a time...there was a Faery Princess! She was a fair, kind-hearted girl, one born of flower and clover." She glanced over at Cian with the hint of a smile. "The Princess loved her forest and all who lived in it. She made friends with squirrels and nuthatches alike and she ran about discovering how vast her world was, wanting to explore more of it every day. She also had dreams at night...vivid, wild dreams that were so real to her...she knew that they had to be connected to her life when she was awake. The Faery Princess would dream of flying through the sky joined by another smiling face...a boy that she had never met. She knew he was so very important to her, for her heart would flutter like butterfly wings whenever whenever she woke."

"Then one day...she met a boy, a very interesting, quiet boy. He looked so familiar to her, but she could not recall why. They became fast friends, although they did not see much of each other. They would part ways, but then would bump into each other by chance many times for many seasons. They would watch each other grow over time, the Princess becoming more beautiful with every passing day and the boy grow taller and would become a strong, brave Knight."

"There finally came a day to pass where the Faery Princess and the Knight met again as fate had planned, led to one another by the Will O' The Wisps in the deep forests of the mountains. There they made plans to explore the entire world together, never again to part. They became inseparable, where one was you would find the other, until they were so close that their hearts became one and an even more amazing thing happened!"

Summit wriggled around in the comfortable nook of her forearms, excitedly listening to the tale his mother told. Clover blew a little raspberry against his cheek and belly earning a few squeals that nearly woke Journey back up. "Oh, oops!" Clover glanced over at Cian with an apologetic smile and coaxed her daughter back into a light slumber before she continued telling the story.

"The love of the Faery Princess and the Knight was so incredibly strong and powerful that it had created something extraordinary! The funniest part was...they didn't even know it for a little while." Clover laughed to herself and bit her lip with a smile aimed in Cian's direction before shaking her head and turning back to her baby boy. "They discovered that the Faery Princess now held two very special stars inside of her. Over time, they grew, and grew and became small, sweet little pups that joined them in this world. Oh, what adventures they would have and the wonders the would explore! The Faery Princess, the Brave Knight, and their two Star Children lived happily ever after! The End!"


@Cian

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

T

he soft sound of Clover’s hum had nearly lulled the new father to sleep, fiery eyes closed gently as he took in the sweet lullaby. He sat near the mouth of their cozy den, breathing in the scents – of the Lowlands’ unique flora, of his beautiful family within. He was not surprised that his mate had taken to motherhood so naturally, the love evident in all that she did for the pups

Clover’s gentle voice offered a story, and Cian glanced over his shoulder with a grin as he recalled the tales she had told to him before. "Come join the cuddle puddle! This is gonna be a good one." His smile grew as Clover made space for him, and he did not hesitate to settle in beside her in a semi-circle, his much larger body curled around her lovingly. ”Ready when you are, Mama!”

Attentive, Cian listened quietly, realizing right away that Clove’s story was not entirely fictional. He would return each of Clover’s clandestine grins with a knowing expression. Much like their son, Cian was enraptured by the story, recalling all the details of real life that now transformed into a fairytale.

Clover continued, speaking of the two stars created in love, and Cian’s chin began to tremble with joyful emotion. ”The funniest part was...they didn't even know it for a little while." Cian’s gaze met Clover’s as she cast him a knowing grin. She spoke of impending adventures, being together. The new father couldn’t wait. What could be more perfect than that?

It was remarkable, just how far they had come already – simply being there, all together as a family, after a birth fraught with danger, they had all survived. Cian was deeply thankful. From shocked and fearful, to this – feeling light as air, always smiling. Soon, the pups would be talking and running around, laughing and playing. Every day seemed to get better and better, and the pups grew bigger, stronger. It was exciting to discover each new little personality as they developed.

Summit’s energy had subsided considerably by the story’s end, and a noisy, squeaky yawn escaped as he settled in beside Journey against their mother’s side. Cian knew he would do anything to care for the toddling pups, do whatever was necessary to protect them. As Summit began to drift into slumber, Cian whispered in Clover’s ear, ”I can’t wait to show them the world with you. So many places…” His baritone voice was interrupted by a yawn. His chin still resting on Clover’s shoulder, he added quietly, ”Love you, Clove Forever and always.”



@Clover

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck