Dream 7: To the Castle

The Fairy Who Was Imprisoned In His Own Forest Said He’s Going to Tag Along With Me

…

Blue smiled as he watched Hail run to the wide plain, yelling. He laughed when he saw him tripped. “He really doesn’t change, huh?” he muttered with a  smile on his lips.

“Hey!” Hail called and turned then waved at Blue. “How long are you going to sulk there?” he asked in a loud voice. “You are now free, you know!” he added.

Blue smiled. “I’m not sulking!” He answered as he pouted his lips. Then, he laughed. He smiled and flew towards Hail.

Hail gasped when he saw the flowers grow as Blue passed by them. “Oh.” He muttered when he saw the specks of lights coming from Blue’s wings fell to the flowers, making the colors of the petals of the flowers more vibrant. He chuckled and watched them bloom.

“Oh? Now you’re enjoying it.” Blue spoke and chuckled when he saw Hail humming as he watched the flowers slowly open their closed petals one by one.

Hail just frowned at him. Then, suddenly, Blue’s eyes went wide and his cheeks went red when Hail suddenly reached his hand out to him and patted his head.

“Smiling suits you better, you know?” Hail told him and rose from the ground before he resumed roaming around the plain.

Blue watched his back and his face went redder. “Hail…” he muttered as he touch his head where Hail touches him earlier. “You really never changed, did you?” he asked and smiled as he followed him.

“Hm?” Hail muttered and turned to Blue when Blue flew beside him. “You… Why are you following me again?” he asked.

Blue smiled. “You’re the one who freed me, so you have to bear the responsibility.” He told him.

“What!” Hail exclaimed in shock. He put his palm on his face and shook his head. “Now I regret – “ he muttered.

Blue laughed as he soared in the air. I will follow him, since that’s what I have been doing ever since we met. He thought as he looked at Hail’s figure with bright eyes that looked sparkling when the sunlight hit his pupils.

…

"So you can change form..." Hail said as he looked at Blue when he saw that Blue’s body is not glowing anymore and his wings are hidden on his back.

He is also wearing simple clothes. Blue now looked like just any other human.

"So, why should I disguise, too?" Hail asked and looked at the hat and eyeglasses Blue made him wear. Not to mention that he is also wearing a cloak. "Anyway, why did you disguise, too?" he asked as he adjusted his hat and eyeglasses.

Blue just smiled. "You look cooler like that." He answered as he looked at Hail up and down.

Hail frowned. "Or just weird – " he said and looked at the people around them. They are looking at him with weird gazes.

Of course, they would be. He thought and grimaced as he adjusted his cloak. He looked like some mysteriothemold man hunting beasts. He grimaced at the thought. Blue said that they are now in the Capital of the East Kingdom. It is near to the castle that he saw when he first woke up in this dream – in this world. They immediately went there when Blue told him earlier that he wanted to see the royal family.

"Ah. But, Hail." Blue called as they walked towards the village next to the plain.

"What is it?" he asked.

"Before I follow you – " Blue said and looked at him.

Hail’s forehead knotted when he saw his expression.

" – can you accompany me to the castle?" Blue asked with a serious face and voice.

"Huh? Why?" he asked, puzzled.

Although he woke up in this world, it is not as if he doesn’t know his place as a commoner to just suddenly request an audience with the king and queen. Not to mention that he treats this world as just a dream of his, he doesn’t see the need for him to meet the king and queen.

"And anyway, you personally know the king and queen?" he added as he stared at Blue in surprise.

Blue pressed his lips tight and nodded. "Yeah." He answered. His voice is low. "That's why I have to go and see them right now, since – " he said and lowered his head. 

Hm? What is it? Hail thought when Blue didn't continue.

"Anyway!" Blue suddenly said in a loud voice.

Hail’s eyes went wide and he stepped back when he was startled.

"I have to speak with the king and queen." Blue said and pulled his arm. "I bet that evil witch is – " he muttered.

Hail sighed when he didn't understand a thing that Blue said. They continue to pave their way towards the castle.

And before they reached the Capital, Blue told me to disguise myself. Hail thought and grimaced when his eyeglasses slipped on the bridge of his nose. "Hey, Blue." He called. "You still haven't told me the reason why you were imprisoned, and who imprisoned you." He told him as they walked down the street. He  watched as the carriages passed by the busy street full of bustling people. "Blue… hm?" he called when he suddenly saw that Blue was not beside him.

He turned and looked around. He saw him just standing in the middle of the street while the people bump him as they pass by but he is not budging on his spot. He was just looking at him. His eyes are dead serious. 

What is his problem? Hail thought in puzzlement.

"Hail." Blue called.

Hail felt like everything went in slow motion around them.

"Do you seriously not remember what happened to you?" Blue asked.

Hail stared at him. His eyes are blank. "What do you mean by that?" he asked back. The voices of the vendors and people around them sounded warped and ringing in his ears.

Blue looked at him straight in my eyes. "You told me back in the forest that this is just your dream, and that you came from a different world." He spoke.

The papers flying around them fell slowly.

"Then, Hail– " Blue said and stared straight in his eyes. Blue’s eyes are the color of the forest that is piercing Hail’s soul. " – how about this life? Your dream? Do you – " he said and lowered his head. " – not remember this all?" he asked. His voice is low.

Hail felt his heart stop beating for a moment, and the surrounding moved so fast as fast as a bullet train. His hair fluttered together with the papers when a carriage went past them. He just looks at Blue. Blue is hanging his head. A moment of silence fell on them.

"I am glad..." he said after a while.

Blue looked at him.

"That you believe me I'm not of this world." Hail told him and smiled. He felt his heart was crushed when he saw Blue’s tears fall. He lowered his head. He is right on what he's thinking... he thought as he resumed walking. 

'He doesn't remember at all.'

After a while, Blue followed him. We walked in silence after that.

…

Hail looked at the castle, full of awe. Amazing... he thought as he watched the water under the bridge surrounding the castle flow. So clear... he saw some fishes swimming underneath it. So the castle is surrounded by a moat... he thought and looked at the bridges around the castle, each bridge is well-guarded.

The bridges are connected to the Capital, and the castle is at the heart of the Capital. Blue and Hail walked towards the gate of the bridge nearest to them.

"What is your purpose?" the guard asked as they all looked at them warily.

Hail yawned and shrugged.

"I would like to see the king and queen." Blue told them.

The leader of the guard frowned. "The king and queen have no time for a commoner like you.” he told Blue.

Hail grimaced. Such a nasty attitude for a guard. He  thought and frowned.

"I know them personally!" Blue told them. "Tell them 'Blue' is looking for them – " he told them.

The guard's eyes narrowed. "I just told you that they don't have time for you!" he yelled.

Hail frowned. Hey, you are overreacting to a guard – he thought. He was about to walk towards Blue when he caught something in the corner of his eye. Was it my imagination? He thought and turned when the sun was setting.

"The king and queen are busy – " the guard added.

"Just tell them I called them and they'd see me, for sure!" Blue insisted. "Please! I really need to see them.” he begged. His eyes were tearful..

Hail’s face went serious. This is getting unsightly. He thought as he looked at the people around looking at them. "Hey." He called Blue. "Stop that. We could just go here again tom – " he said and paused when he saw something glistened behind a woman carrying a baby. " – orrow!" he continued and immediately pulled Blue towards him when an arrow was going their way!