Flash Fiction / writing prompts

Do you believe in faeries? ~ episode 7

Chris Hall51 Comments
Illustration from the Rose Fyleman Fairy Book

Previously

Bethany followed Hans and Greta, who scurried off through the woods, their short legs scuffing up the leaf litter in fountains of foliage. Their house, which Bethany had almost expected to be made of gingerbread, such was the similarity of the pair to the almost-namesakes of her daydreams, soon came into view.

Greta ushered Bethany inside, while Hans pulled the front door closed behind them, leaning back against it with an obvious sigh of relief, ‘you don’t think anyone saw us do you, sister?’ he said anxiously, glancing at Bethany, ‘if Captain Stinger and his patrol…’

‘Hush, brother,’ interrupted Greta; she turned to Bethany, ‘please sit down, my dear, while we decide what’s best to do next,’ she gave Hans a sideways glance, ‘rest assured we will not be handing you over to anyone.’

Hans, alerted by the sound of marching feet, rushed outside to greet the approaching patrol, allaying any suspicions with much bowing and scraping, while beyond the patrol’s line of sight, Greta and Bethany peered from the kitchen window: ‘I pity anyone who falls into the clutches of the Owl-King,’ whispered Greta, noticing the two prisoners.

Bethany gasped: ‘those two prisoners are my sister and our tutor!’

/….on to episode 8

Written in response to two challenges:

– Di of Pensitivity101‘s Wednesday’s Three Things Challenge – LITTER, PITY, DREAMS
– Denise Farley of GirlieOnTheEdge‘s Sunday’s Six Sentence Story Word Prompt – FOUNTAIN

Bryony, Bethany and Mr Eyre first appeared in my historical fantasy fiction novel, Following the Green Rabbit. They’ve been begging to go on another adventure and it looks like they’ve got their wish!

More stories here!

51 thoughts on “Do you believe in faeries? ~ episode 7”

  7. Excellent intersecting of storylines in service of raising the tension (for we Loyal Readers).

    On the ‘technical’ side, loved: “…please sit down, my dear, while we decide what’s best to do next”
    What a difference ‘here’ in stead of ‘there’ can result from word order.

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  13. No! But thankfully, Bethany now knows her sister and devoted tutor are nearby, albeit prisoners of the evil Owl-King.
    Greta’s maternal instincts, while subtle, shine in her strength, determination and confidence. I like her 🙂

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  17. Ha! Can it be 7 weeks since I last visited? Moving house kind of took over my life!
    Now I’m going to enjoy going back and catching up on the action after this tantalising episode.
    So well written, as ever.

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  20. This little phrase created a delightful image . “their short legs scuffing up the leaf litter in fountains of foliage”
    Let’s hope they are going to be able to get the prisoners released!

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  22. I was having snags with WP letting me like and leave a comment on this post, but it seems to be working now. Yay!
    “their short legs scuffing up the leaf litter in fountains of foliage” is such a great visual. It really pulled me into the story, and the rest kept me riveted!

    Liked by 1 person

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