<html>
<p><img src="http://i.imgsafe.org/7a695de23e.jpg" width="500" height="385"/></p>
<p>"What are you two whispering about?" </p>
<p>"Nothing!" The twins stand still trying to look innocent, not giving away any clues to the plans they have for the day. </p>
<p>"Hmmmm.... I hope you not up to anything today, you know I could do with a hand around here. These floors need scrubbing and your father could do with some help carrying the wood, if I have to come looking for you, there will be consequences. You can forget any stories before bed and you will not be allowed out on your own again. In fact I will make you stay at granny’s whilst I get my daily chores done!” Toby her son, an 8 year old twin, pulls a face. </p>
<p>“No... not granny’s, she smells funny!” </p>
<p>“Well you had better behave then!” </p>
<p>Moira stands blocking the door, her arm rested firmly on her hip. Toby quickly chirps up again with disappointment in his voice.</p>
<p>"We are off on an adventure down Beckets Lane, collecting Berries so you can make us some lovely pie...you said we could go yesterday!" Moira, the mother of 8 year old twins Lucy and Toby, places both hands on her hips, working out whether the children can be trusted to go to the lanes on their own. The last time they came home late and their tea was ruined. </p>
<p>"Ok ....very well....but..." </p>
<p>Lucy and Toby try to make a run for it to avoid questions from their overprotective mother. </p>
<p>"Wait you two!" Moira laughs as she kisses her 8 year old twins on the cheek. She pulls them in for a smothering hug then gently lets them go whilst she is knelt on her knees. She holds their outer hands as she spoke. Her tone turns gentle but is soft but firm. "Now then, remember what I have told you? No going in the woods. Do you hear me?" </p>
<p>They sigh simultaneously. </p>
<p>"Yes mother!" </p>
<p>“And remember, if you see Hermey he is full of tall tales and fantasy. I don't know why the King allows him over here anyway. He should be in the fables where he belongs, just like that Rumplestiltskin!" She shudders as she mentions his name. "The sheer mention of that horrible Imps name sends a shiver down my spine. You do know, don't you children, you do understand how rotten that Imp is? He will do anything for greed!" Moira stands up as she brushes down her apron. She looks at the innocent faces of her children and smiles a warm smile. " You are good children, I just worry that is all, as any mother would do. Now please be back for 4 for your tea my sweet little darlings." </p>
<p>As they try to run towards the door she pulls them back. Lucy squeezes her mothers’ hand. “It’s ok mother we will stay safe!” Moira smiles as she strokes her daughters face. </p>
<p>"I was going to say don’t forget your picnic.....there is bread and fruit and.....!" The children wriggle free from another embrace from their mother and grab their picnics that are sat in a sack on the kitchen table. </p>
<p>"Bye mother....!" They both shout in chorus as they quickly run out of the door giggling as they run up the lane, clearly not looking at what is ahead. </p>
<p>"Hey....slow down....what’s the rush?" Adam reaches down to pick up his daughter lucy who had just ran into him and knocked his collection of wood flying onto the ground. "You may be getting a bit big to swing around now but regardless of that, I'm going to put you over my shoulder and take you to see the BIG BAD WOLF..........ROOOOOOAAAARRRRRRR!" He places Lucy over his shoulders and runs forward towards the woods. </p>
<p>"No......!" they both scream and giggle at the same time. Adam laughs as he puts Lucy down onto the ground. </p>
<p>"So what adventures are you off on today?" The children look at the ground, suspiciously.</p>
<p>"Picking Berries" Toby mutters. Luckily their father did not pick up on their suspicious behaviour. </p>
<p>"Well children, behave and I’m sure your mother has told you where not to go. Be back for your tea or your mother will not be happy and I will have to deal with her until you get home.....!" Adam did not realise Moira was stood watching them. </p>
<p>"Ahem" </p>
<p>Adam jumps and turns to face his wife who is stood in front of him, arms folded in annoyance. He smiles cocking his head to one side opening his arms out in a welcoming gesture. </p>
<p>"Moira, how beautiful you look today!” She still doesn’t look impressed as she walks towards him. He starts to walk backwards. “Oh no....children run while you can before mother gets you.............there is no escape for me!" </p>
<p>She quickly catches up with him and taps him around the head. He grabs her and picks her up just like he did Lucy, her long chestnut hair dangling down his back as he carries her back into the house. Meanwhile the children continue on their journey, giggling as they run along. Lucy stops to get her breath. </p>
<p>"Toby.....are you sure about this? If mother finds out we are in big trouble AND we have to stay at granny’s!” </p>
<p>"Do you want to see the unicorns?" </p>
<p>"Yes.....but mother said....." "Mother always says things like that. If we take gold to the elf then he will take us to the field of fables. Lucy he said that we get to see everything in your wildest dreams. Everything we have ever heard of...we can see it. Imagine that...imagine seeing all those things Lucy!” </p>
<p>"If we get caught...." </p>
<p>"We won’t get caught. Stupid people get caught, we're not stupid. Look how I got the gold. I sneaked up on him like a ninja. He didn't see." As Toby jumps about in excitement flinging his arms and legs into the air, Lucy is looking a little less impressed. </p>
<p>"If he had caught you Toby, you would be in cage in his smelly house, being fed rat droppings! He might not have seen you but he will know the gold has gone and he will be looking for whoever took it!"</p>
<p>"Well he didn't catch me did he, and he won’t think it’s a child like me. He will expect it to be an adult. Rumpelstiltskin is stupid anyway, he's got yellow teeth and a knotted beard." </p>
<p>"That doesn't make him stupid....stupid." </p>
<p>"Shut up Lucy...what do you know?" </p>
<p>He stopped dead in his tracks as he stretches his arm out as a barracade, pushing Lucy backwards. She regains her balance as she almost falls over the pebbled path. As she straightens herself up she hits him on the arm. "Oi.... pack it in....!" </p>
<p>"Shhhhh....Lucy he's there....the elf....Hermey!" In the distance they could see a little man dressed in green darting around some rocks. His mop of dishevelled blonde hair hops around on his head as he is trying to get their attention. "Let's go home Toby....I'm scared." </p>
<p>"It’s only Hermey...you never seen an Elf before?” </p>
<p>“You know I haven’t. You were coming back from granny’s when you saw him. He looks funny!” “He looks like he does in the books Lucy! Go home if you want... I'm going to see the cyclopes." </p>
<p>"But what if they get us? I mean mother always says how dangerous the fables are and how not to listen to Hermey. I mean what if it's not safe. What if the Cyclops eat us? That's what they do, they eat humans!" </p>
<p>"They won’t....Hermey says he makes us invisible, so they cannot see us." </p>
<p>"That's silly how can they make us invisible? No one is invisible." </p>
<p>"I don’t know Lucy they just do. It's all magical in the Fables they have magic and potions and....it may be fairy dust." He runs off in front. Lucy looks around, panicked, not knowing what to do next before following him into the woods to meet the elf. As they approach the set of rocks in where they saw the elf, they slowed down in anticipation, their little hearts beating hard inside their chests. As they tip toe forward they grab hold of each other. </p>
<p>"Surprise!" The elf jumps out from behind the rock. Toby Laughed.</p>
<p>"We knew you were there Hermey, we saw you from way back there!" Hermey shakes his head.</p>
<p> "Nothing gets past you does it my little friend. Ahhh this must be your pretty little twin. Lucy isn't it ?" Lucy stands still trying to way up Hermey. </p>
<p>"Cat's got your tongue has it my little darling" He stands closer. "I don’t bite and you are perfectly safe here. It's nice to meet you!" He looks around quickly and quizzingly, his mannerisms depicts that of a field rat and his speech is squeaky and fast but clear. </p>
<p>"Where's the gold you little darlings!" He stands rubbing his hands looking at the bag Toby was carrying. He face was tiny but his big brown eyes stood out behind his rather big nose. Toby eagerly opens his satchel. </p>
<p>"It's all there Hermey, all of it!" He stands there nervously smiling at the elf, hoping it would be enough. Hermey looks up at Toby. His expression blank. Lucy and Toby look at each other. Lucy clears her throat nervously. </p>
<p>"Well...is this enough?" </p>
<p>"Is it enough? Is it enough?" He looks at the straw gold and looks back up. "Its bloomin' marvellous!" He giggles loudly as he dances on the spot. “Oh my cousins will be very happy with me. For you.... my little ray of sunshine's.....as a token of my appreciation, I'm going to give you the gold experience." They both look at each other and grin from ear to ear, all Lucy's apprehension seems to disappear. “In the fables we offer 3 packages, bronze, silver and gold. In this one you get to see everything...if you’re lucky, and you get to travel in style. Follow me, me lovelies!" He skips through the woods and the twins follow him, oblivious to any danger that lies ahead. Soon enough they came to a huge gate that towers over them, making them look like little ants from the sky. Suddenly they hear loud thumping sounds. The twins huddle together. </p>
<p>"What is that?" They scream terrifyingly as they see a giant come towards them. He towers over them at around 20 ft. A small giant in comparison to many that the children had heard about, but still he was big. </p>
<p>"Don't worry me dears. This is Borris. Just a simpleton who looks after the enclosure. No harm will come to you whilst Borris is here, he will look after you he’s very gentle....look. He giggles as he runs up to Borris and kicks his big Toe. Borris looks down at Hermey and flicks him out of the way. He turns to the children and bows in front of them, his smart suit and bow tie tightly wrapping around his large frame. </p>
<p>"Good morning, Sir...Madam. I'm Borris. Lovely to meet your acquaintance!" Toby stands staring with his mouth wide open. Lucy nudges him before acknowledging the gentle Giant. She curtseys before him. "Nice to meet you Borris. I'm Lucy this is my brother Toby!" Toby was still standing with his mouth open. </p>
<p>"A pleasure, I'm sure. Are you both ready to begin your journey?" They look at each other as they hold hands tightly. "Yes, yes we are!" </p>
<p>"We will explain the rules as we go along, but children you must listen to myself and Hermey. The Fables are not safe if you do not listen to us or follow our instructions. You do understand that don’t you?” </p>
<p>The children nod their heads in agreement.</p>
<p>Hermey stands up dazed as he rubs his head. Borris opens the large gate and waits for the twins to walk through. Hermey hurries along behind them as Borris swiftly closes the gate. Inside the grounds stands nothing but a beautiful array of fields, split down the middle by a brightly coloured orange path. At each side there are rows upon rows of purple flower, that appear to go on for miles. </p>
<p>"I can smell lavender, is that lavender Borris?" </p>
<p>"Yes my lady. Only lavender in these fields. Beautiful isn't it?" </p>
<p>"Are the fairies hiding in the lavender?" </p>
<p>"Oh no dear child. We are not actually in the fields of fable yet...nothing magical at this point. All the magic happens past this point." The children look confused. </p>
<p>"What point? It doesn’t stop....it goes on for miles! How long will it take to get there? We have to be back for tea.” The children look disappointed, believing that they will have to travel for miles to get to see the fables. </p>
<p>"Remember children where there is magic, there is illusion, and remember the field of fables are timeless. When you arrive back into the kingdom, it will be like you have never been away. Come with me... you'll see.” Barry smiles warmly at the children, who instantly feel more relaxed and comfortable. </p>
<p>"Ok!" They each stand at the side of Borris and grab a finger to hold. Borris looks uncomfortable with the gesture but smiles adoringly as he looks down at the children. They walk forward a few yards until Borris stops. </p>
<p>"Can you see that orange line?" </p>
<p>The children look ahead and nodd.</p>
<p>" Once you step past that line you are a few metres away from the fables. Step over the line with me and I will show you.... ok?" </p>
<p>They speak together in agreement "Ok!" They walk forward and as they step over the line a gush of air breezes past them and the sound of running water fills the air. They look ahead at the beautiful gold encrusted carriage that stands before them. Behind the carriage is a gold shimmering screen of rainbow, glistening with every colour you can imagine. The children stand there in utter amazement, until Lucy speaks. </p>
<p><img src="http://i.imgsafe.org/7a77ab0402.jpg" width="800" height="534"/></p>
<p>"Wow.....Borris what is that sound?.......and is this a rainbow.......are we below the rainbow?" </p>
<p>"The sound is the lake that runs through the fables...and the rainbow.....are we below the rainbow?"He laughs as he shakes his head. Borris again looks at the children his eyes wide open in excitement. </p>
<p>"No dear children, we are not below the rainbow, once we pass through, we will be in it. The rainbow is the beginning of the fables. The start of the rainbow is where it all begins. This is where all the magic starts." </p>
<p>Hermey follows them and walks towards the carriage opening the door. As Hermey jumps around dancing on the spot., he asks the children. "Are you ready children?" Toby squeals in excitement. </p>
<p>“Yes, yes we are ready...Lucy...what’s wrong?” </p>
<p>“I’m not sure Toby... I'm frightened." Hermey starts to get impatient. </p>
<p>“There is nothing to be frightened of, now come along children!” </p>
<p><a href="https://steemit.com/fiction/@aubreyfox/fields-of-fable-and-rooms-of-time-rewrites-draft-2">Click her to see my writing process</a></p>
<p><a href="https://steemit.com/fiction/@aubreyfox/the-fields-of-fable-gold-for-the-elf">Click here to see chapter 1- first draft</a></p>
<p> <a href="https://illustration%20by%20e.%20stuart%20hardy/">Image source</a> elves</p>
<p><br></p>
<p><br></p>
</html>