This was no exaggeration. Following the orchestra of birdsong, a group of fairies danced with fluttering silk scarves in hand and jingling golden bells around their ankles. After them, a single fairy sang a ballad while playing her lyre. Acrobats followed, then a poet. Throughout the performances, fairies ate, drank, and celebrated without a care in the world. Some watched, but most chatted or danced and sang among themselves.
Remembering last time, Rhiannon stuck close to Taliesin and politely refused the wine various pixies offered her. Only when Bellflower came with a pair of goblets did she accept, and finding it contained a sweet and floral tea, Rhiannon thanked her for the mild refreshment.
Late into the evening after many performances, Taliesin’s turn to entertain the gathered Fae finally arrived. A gaggle of giggling young fairies took his hands and pulled him into the center of the clearing with his violin. He smiled apologetically at Rhiannon. “It seems I must leave you for a bit. Will you be all right on your own?”
“I’ll be fine. Bellflower is here with me.” The fairy in question nodded and shooed her employer away.
When Taliesin sang, the entire clearing stilled. All eyes and ears stayed fixed on the bard and his instrument. The tale he sang of a lone princess on the moon seeking her lost lover among the stars swirled around them. Fireflies danced around him, charmed by his voice as much as his audience was.
Gracefully sinking beside Rhiannon, the queen commented quietly, “He is quite talented, is he not?”
Rhiannon jumped. She’d been as wrapped up in the music as anyone. “He is.”
The Seelie Queen watched him a few moments longer, then asked, “Might we ask a personal question?”
“It depends on what it is, I suppose.”
“Are you in love with Taliesin?”
Her face warmed. After a long silence filled only with Taliesin’s song, she said, “I am.”
“Then might we involve ourselves with a little light mischief?”
Rhiannon scrutinized the queen’s childlike face. Finding no malice, she inquired, “What were you thinking of?”
Beaming, the queen unclasped a pendant from around her neck and placed it around Rhiannon’s. “O Maiden of the Moon,” she recited with a teasing lilt and a sly grin, “tonight, you shall choose your consort.”
Before Rhiannon could process just what the queen had said, Her Majesty stood and pulled Rhiannon up with her. She gestured for Taliesin to stop. He did so with a flourish and a bow. The queen stepped forth, arm in arm with Rhiannon, and addressed those gathered.
“We have divined our Maiden of the Moon,” she announced to the crowd. “The human princess Rhiannon shall do us the honor of choosing this year’s consort.” Grinning ear to ear, she nudged Rhiannon to take center stage. “Now then, O Moon Maiden,” the queen teased, “choose your consort wisely.”
“Consort?” Rhiannon squeaked.
“’Tis but a tradition,” the queen explained in a low voice. “The maiden spends the night with her chosen consort under the light of the moon. It may be as innocent as you and your consort desire it to be.”
Cheeks burning hotter than the sun and at a loss as to what to do, Rhiannon looked to Taliesin for assistance. The bard sighed. “Your Majesty...”
The queen placed a silver-painted finger upon Taliesin’s lips. “We have made our choice,” she said merrily. “So then, Rhiannon, who shall be the Moon Maiden’s consort this fine evening? Hmm? Hmmmmm?”
As if she didn’t know the answer to that question. Blushing to the tips of her ears, Rhiannon murmured, “Taliesin.”
“A wonderful choice,” purred Her Majesty. She turned back to the gathered Fae and announced for all to hear, “Our Moon Maiden has chosen Bard Warlock Taliesin, dragon of the Storm Bearer’s Peak, son of Dragon Witch Gertrude and Spinel of the Dragon Cauldron.” She then accepted a goblet from the ever-silent Bellflower and lifted it up to the heavens. “We drink to their health and good fortune!”
A cheer rose from their audience as more and more joined in the toast. So many well-wishes left Rhiannon stunned and her ears burning. She almost missed when Bellflower pressed another goblet into her hands.
Taliesin whispered, “We need to link our arms when we drink,” and gently lifted her elbow into position.
Rhiannon uncertainly followed his lead and raised the goblet to her lips. Before she could partake of the blush-colored wine, Taliesin’s hand suddenly covered the goblet’s mouth. His narrowed eyes watched the Seelie Queen’s placid smile.
Deftly, he plucked the goblet from her and tasted a sip. “heart beet juice,” he sighed. “Your Majesty...”
The queen flashed a coy grin at the pair. “We never said a word about the ceremonial wine,” she reminded him. “Oh, very well.” She sighed and gestured to her court. “Bring a fresh drink. Something our friends will not object to.”
Bellflower approached with a pair of crystal goblets filled with an effervescent peach-colored juice. These she offered to Rhiannon and Taliesin with a reassuring smile and gentle pat on Rhiannon’s shoulder. Taliesin quirked an eyebrow in silent question, and Bellflower touched a finger to her own nose.
Taliesin offered his arm once again. Quietly, he told Rhiannon, “Bellflower says she prepared it herself. There shouldn’t be any more problems.” Linking her arm with his, Rhiannon took a sip. Bubbles tickled her nose, and the refreshing tart taste of tropical fruit fizzled across her tongue.
She took another, larger swallow, and when they both lowered their arms, she leaned forward to press her lips to Taliesin’s. A roar of hoots and hollers arose among the assembled Fae. The Seelie Queen hid a giggle behind her hand.