Changeling

CAITLIN

As the sun began to set, I finally stumbled upon signs of civilization. The scent of smoke filled my nostrils as I cautiously approached. My stomach growled loudly, reminding me of how hungry I was. I carefully made my way through the trees until I reached the back of a house. It reminded me of the small village where I grew up, but everything looked cleaner and more organized. In front of the house, there were several houses lining a quaint road, and a cow could be heard mooing nearby. Laughter and murmured conversations drifted through the trees around me. At the back of the house stood a small garden, filled with an assortment of herbs and vegetables. A few chickens scurried about, while clothes hung on a line to dry.

As a child, I had been warned about the Fae. They were said to be savage and ferocious, capable of consuming men whole. But as I stood before their village now, with my newly acquired wings, I couldn’t help but wonder if they would see me as one of their own or simply a human intruder. My heart was filled with fear and uncertainty as I pressed myself against the rough bark of a nearby tree, glancing nervously at my glittering wings behind me.

My entire life was already a lie.

“Can I help you?” A voice as smooth and sweet as honey called out to me. I stood up straight and turned my head towards the source. A strong and feminine figure with long, blue hair emerged from the trees beside me. Her dress was loose and showed off her bare shoulders, while a shallow basket filled with mushrooms rested against her hips. My gaze drifted to her swollen belly; she was close to giving birth. She raised a delicate eyebrow at me before finally sucking on her tongue thoughtfully. “That little white slip is nothing more than a rag. And it will do you nothing for the storm coming tonight. Come on, let us see what I got.” She sighed and moved to pass me.

She filled me with fear. I couldn’t even begin to guess what she was, but when she circled around me, her wings caught my attention. They were similar to mine, yet different in some way. As she glanced back at me, my knees locked up in terror. I gathered the courage to follow after her. I couldn’t help but stare at her hair, which seemed just as unnaturally out of place as her twitching wings. It was as if they could sense my curious gaze. All I wanted was to curl up into a ball and wake up from this nightmare.

The interior of her home was just as natural and rustic as the exterior. The walls were adorned with potted plants and herbs that required less sunlight than those outside. In the center of the main room, there was a fire pit surrounded by comfortable seating. The ceiling extended upward, ending at a small opening that let in natural light. She gestured for me to come inside and placed the mushrooms she had gathered on a nearby table before disappearing into another room.

I couldn’t help but wonder, my thoughts racing with questions. How did she manage to have blue hair? Before I could process anything, she returned and handed me a bundle of colorful fabrics.

“Here, let’s see you change into these.” I hesitated before accepting the outfit. The fabric was surprisingly soft. “Go on now,” she motioned for me to turn around, and I hesitantly obliged. I could sense her gaze on me as I removed my gown. Suddenly, a cold sensation gripped my wings and I flinched. The girl had stepped closer and was examining them closely, prodding them with her fingers. The feeling was unlike anything I had ever experienced before, and I couldn’t help but inwardly wince at each poke. “Your wings have such a unique glimmer to them. I haven’t seen anything like it.”

“R-really?” I squeaked. Her eyes shot up and narrowed.

“I am not sure where you came from or why you were lurking behind my house in your under garments, but I will give you a few suggestions.” She stepped back and perched herself on a stack of soft pillows, tossing her hair over her shoulder. I turned to face her, only halfway through getting undressed. She gave me an even gaze, not bothered by my partial state of undress. “You reek of human. I wasn’t going to, but I will let you bathe. I think that would be a good decision. Your accent is Scottish, which is a human nationality and not many, although some here, do carry it. You could find an excuse as to why, but I would recommend just to be quiet. And try to wear a cloak or cape as much as possible. Your wings, I can’t put my finger on it. But they’re different.” She tapped her finger on her chin and her eyes unfocused. “They’re... just not from around here? Hmm...”

“To be fair, I don’t even know where here is. It is true, I was raised among humans. I came through a toadstool ring.”

She blinked at me. “A Changeling? That would explain a lot. Well, welcome home cousin.” She offered me a kinder smile that was as quick to go as it had come. “Don’t openly share that information with many, it could come to bite you in the ass when you least expect it. Let me boil some water for you, unfortunately I am not blessed with fire magic.” She got up in a huff and went to grab the pail by the door.

“I would very much like to do it, if that’s okay with you? I’m sorry but I can’t overlook your condition.” I stepped toward the pail and met her gaze. She smirked at me before sitting back down and nodding.

“You speak well, for someone raised over there. I imagine you had some education. That will be good, go on now. Get washed up. I’ll get some grub together.”

I silently mouthed my gratitude before getting to work on boiling the water and filling up the tub. As I sank into the warm, herb-infused waters, the smell of food wafted in from the main room. The stone bowl was just the right size for me to fully submerge myself, with only the tip of my nose peeking out above the surface.

How was any of this possible? I didn’t understand. I wasn’t dumb, this was real. As I leaned back in the tub and let the warm water envelop my body, I couldn’t help but replay the events of the day in my mind. The moss-colored water mixed with my black hair, making it appear even darker. My wings remained tucked against my body, spreading out towards the edges of the bathtub. Despite my overactive imagination conjuring up worst-case scenarios, I didn’t have to worry about bending or breaking them.

After a few moments, my stomach couldn’t take it any longer and I stood up to leave. My wings unfurled with a sudden buzz, propelling me out of the tub as my toes left the smooth surface. I instinctively grabbed onto the railing for support. My wings twitched back into place as I landed firmly on my feet once more.

There was no way I’d ever get used to this.

Nope.

“Are you well? I heard a commotion.” The woman waddled into the bathroom and blinked at the soapy, muddy mess my wings had sprayed on the walls. I inwardly cringed.

“I’ll clean it, I swear. It’s just... I don’t know how they work yet.”

She laughed lightly and shook her head. “I don’t mean to laugh, it’s just I’ve never been in this situation before. I can only imagine how it will be once the young one is learning. I’ll help you.” She took some towels next to the door and stepped into the room, her eyes making one more sweep of the mess before darting to my shoulder.

“Is there something on me?” I asked quickly as I finished tucking in the towel. I pushed my hair back and looked down, expecting the worst.

Soft, silver threads brushed onto my skin, their gentle movements creating a mesmerizing dance. As they moved and intertwined with each other, the patterns they created began to solidify before my eyes. I reached out to touch them, marveling at how they fell into line like a delicate tattoo inked onto my skin. Like my iridescent wings, the silver lines shimmered in the light, adding an otherworldly beauty to my appearance.

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The other fairy opened and closed her mouth before finding her voice. “The gods have matched you.”

I said farewell to the blue-haired women the following day. I had changed into black leggings and a red tunic, with a brown cloak draped over my shoulders and a hood lined with fur. The ensemble was comfortable and didn’t bother me at all. The well wishes and emotions from my new companion left a pleasant taste in my mouth. With thoughts of her stories still swirling in my head, I kept my hood up and my hair covering the mark that snaked up my neck. We had spent most of the night talking, and while I felt that what she told me was true, I couldn’t deny that I still had some doubts.

According to what I had been told, being matched by the gods was a rare occurrence, though not unheard of. There were many rumors and superstitions surrounding it. However, it was considered a blessing for any children that would be born from such a union. At least, that was certain. Hazel, the blue-haired fairy, had told me that all the heroes in this land were significant historical figures born of mated pairs.

The thought of being betrothed to someone I didn’t even know was already weighing heavily on my mind. But the idea that it was all orchestrated by the gods themselves? And that there were not just one, but multiple deities involved in this twisted game? The thought sent shivers down my spine.

Trying to push aside these unsettling thoughts, I grabbed my bag containing some bread, cheese, and a bottle of wine. With a determined grip, I began my journey towards the northern peaks where the capital city lay. Maybe there, amidst the hustle and bustle of city life, I could find some answers or at least decide what path to take now.

But could I even go back to living among humans with wings sprouting from my back? Did I even want to return to that world filled with expectations and limitations? My mind was torn between staying true to myself and conforming to the norms of society.