The Traveler Chapter Seven

Chapter Seven

"Wow," MJ breathed.  "You look amazing,"
Luna twirled in front of the mirror in her emerald colored gown.  
"The councilman is a twat," she muttered.  MJ may have thought that Luna looked fantastic but she was annoyed with Riya's new taste in clothing for women.  It had been months since she had last been forced to have dinner with him how naïve she was even then, and before he placed in a somewhat respectable outfit.  Tonight, Luna was embarrassed that this emerald dress was so low cut in the front and had such a long slit going up both legs.  The dress was long and form fitting, and though she had to admit that the color worked so well with her amethyst hair she couldn't get over how revealing it was.  And worst of all, MJ was praising the dress as if it made her look amazing.  Couldn't MJ see how much Luna wanted to wear a dress like hers?  The councilman seemed to have much more respect for her because MJ was outfitted in was a shorter silver dress that was tight up top, but hung loosely below her tiny waist and flared out towards the end.  Her hair was pulled into a tight up do and MJ was wearing a silver headband much like the one Phora was wearing.  MJ's bust was completely covered up, and though her dress was short it seemed so much more tasteful than her own.  Luna stared at her feet with were now wearing amethyst sparkling flats and at least she had that, but MJ's had delicate flats as well in a brown that matched her hair with sparkles of silver mixed in to match her dress.
"Do I look okay?" MJ asked shyly.  
Luna stopped feeling jealous for MJ's innocence and smiled as gently as she could.
"The councilman still respects you because he gave you that outfit.  Remember that," she cautioned.
MJ nodded.  It was so hard for Luna to think of this tiny, fragile girl as a giant.  She felt as if MJ needed to be protected and taken back to Aldar.  She saw how her brother looked at her and she rarely got to see her brother look happy, and yet, when he looked at MJ he smiled and yelled at her in a way that no one else would have thought as being sweet.  Luna couldn't help herself, she leaned down and kissed MJ on her cheek and whispered, "And yes, you look beautiful.  I think I am jealous of you," and pulled away till touching her shoulder.  MJ looked up at her, surprised that such a beautiful being could be jealous of her.  She touched her cheek and looked up at the tall woman, trapped in a child's face.  
When the door opened again Luna and MJ jumped slightly but Luna would not remove her hand from MJ's shoulder as if protecting her.  With Luna's size, MJ could almost view her as a possessive boyfriend but she knew she was just looking out for a friend and for that, MJ was grateful.  Phora and Elamorn came in into the room then and even Elamorn could not hide his satisfaction with the two of them.  He nodded his head and went to take Luna's arm.
"The councilman waits," he said but Luna gently pulled away from his grasp.  
"I will be walking with MJ" she said in a clear voice.
"It's alright Luna," MJ began and started to pull away but Luna pulled her close.  
"No, I want to walk with you tonight.  The councilman will love to see us walking in together, will he not Elamorn?" she asked slyly.
Elamorn cleared his throat loudly "I don't think he would object to it but Phora will have no problems escorting the…"
"Then it's settled.  Let's go MJ," Luna declared pulling herself and MJ away from Elamorn.  Luna strode into the hallway then with the other two pixies grumbling behind them.  
MJ looked up at Luna's face "Why did you do that?" she whispered up at her.  "Do you even know where you are going?"
Luna gave her a sad smile, "I've been here before," and continued to walk.
The councilman's hallway was gorgeous and the red theme continued down the hall.  The hallways were colored a gorgeous ruby red with what looked like a golden chair railing on the ceiling and on the floor.  The carpet was red and golden also, but MJ picked up on the various shapes of amethyst mixed in.  Surely this couldn't be a coincidence that Luna's colors with amethyst as well?  As Luna led her down the hallway MJ picked up on more amethyst mixed in with the ruby and gold decorated house.  MJ fought off the temptation to ask Luna about it because she seemed so focused.  Luna seemed to have good intentions with MJ so she thought it best not to interfere.  She wanted so badly to go home to Aldar and be in his small cozy dwelling.  Riya's house seemed so large and ostentatious compared to their humble home, and though Riya had given MJ no reasons to fear him, the way Luna spoke of him made her nervous.
Luna stopped in front of a set of double doors and released MJ.  The other two pixies stopped behind them, attempting to discreetly catch their breath.  
"I apologize, sometimes my long legs just don't realize how fast they're going," Luna said in an overtly sweet voice.
"Quite alright," Elamorn mumbled and Phora remained silent.  "Shall I announce your arrival?"
"Oh I think the beauty of MJ and I shall be more than enough an announcement, or do you not agree Elamorn?" Luna said bitterly turning to look at the shorter pixie.  Elamorn cleared his throat once again, a sound that MJ would soon never forget.
"Your beauty…" he began but Luna cut him off with a hand wave.
"Our beauty," she corrected him as she opened the door, making sure the councilman could hear his new loyal pet.
Elamorn scrunched up his face, "both of your beauty is enough" he mumbled, spun on his heel and marched down the hallway.
"Moron," Luna mumbled and motioned MJ to follow her into the room.
Inside the room was a large table filled with delicious foods, some which looked familiar and some that MJ wouldn't even be able to begin to guess what they were.  There were various types of meats, vegetables, fruits, and deserts and MJ's stomach growled appreciatively.  So far she had had some bread and water, but this was so much!  The table looked bigger and higher than most she had ever seen, but it was designed for Riya, who to MJ's standards stood over eight feet tall.  The table was even a little high for Luna and MJ tried to shake away the constant embarrassment that she felt despite knowing that she was a giant compared to these pixies in her normal body.  
"Welcome," Riya's voice rang out to them and he stood out his chair and walked up to the two women.  Luna of course, looked amazing to Riya standing their proud and strong in her very seduction-worthy dress that he had picked out her for her.  Her long legs poured out of the slits that he actually had a tailor make even higher and her amethyst hair dripped down the low cut back of the dress matching so much of the furnishings in his house.  Soon, he would make this Halfling his bride and birth the most beautiful pixies in the history of their land.  With her blood and breeding and his power, they would never have to worry about losing power ever again.  He must…but before he could finish his story his eyes fell on the tiny girl beside Luna.  
It was the sparkling headband that initially caught his attention but upon closer look he couldn't believe that Luna had caught his attention first this time.
"You look amazing human," he muttered and fell to one knee wanting to look at her even closer.  Riya could not understand how this girl, this human was captivating him so much when Luna stood next to her.  This girl should be a mouse, a runt, an unnoticeable next to Luna, but his heart skipped a beat when she raised her dark brown eyes to look at him.  She looked like a child, but her posture reminded him that she was no Elfling.  Phora had done her make-up well and her lips looked as if a bee had stung them, leaving them flushed and slightly swollen.  Her eyes were lined lightly with charcoal, giving her a smoldering look that even Luna couldn't hold a candle to.  His eyes fell over her tiny silver dress, covering up so much more than Luna but feeling so much more sexual.  He felt a sudden desire to simply snatch her up and take her to his chamber but he had promised Luna, the possibility of going home for both of them.  He reached out slowly to the small girl and she almost seemed to flinch at his oncoming hand so he pulled away and looked up to Luna standing there with her mouth hanging open.
"My apologies," he said and stood up almost feeling embarrassed for his own height towering over the tiny girl.  She may be a giantess but with the help of the elves she could be his forever.  "Please sit and he went to sit down in his own chair.  Luna crossed the room, with MJ following obediently behind her and pulled out her chair.  At the same time, both pixies noticed the difficulty that would follow for MJ to sit in a chair and before Luna could help, Riya jumped out of his chair and gently grabbed MJ by the waist and placed her down in the chair.  MJ looked surprised but remained silent as his large hands pulled away.  Not sure what else to do, Riya patted her on the head and took his own seat, looking that two women.
"Please," he said motioning at the food, "help yourselves."
"Councilman?" MJ asked quietly both surprising Luna and Riya.  Riya focused his large red eyes on the tiny girl and tried to put on his most gentle expression.
"My dear?"
"Would it upset you if I stood in your chair?  I can't reach even the closest things to me," and Luna smirked that councilman daring him to respond.
Riya resisted the temptation to slap his own forehead.  How could he have forgotten how small the girl was in pixie form?  She certainly was no Elf, she could hardly pass for a pixie and he cursed himself for forgetting.  He found himself wanting to please the tiny girl, because it was obvious how hard it was to ask this question.  Riya stood up from his chair and walked over to where MJ was seated.
"Just tell me what you want, and I will put it on the plate for you."
"I couldn't ask that…" MJ began.
"Nonsense, please point out anything and I will get it for your.  I am the host am I not, so please let me act like one."
MJ looked at the tall red haired man and couldn't suppress a small giggle causing Riya to grin ear-to-ear.  What was with him?  He was not easily charmed by anyone anymore; it had been one his first requests to the Elves, so why was this woman making him act like such an idiot?  Luna was even more shocked.  In all the years she had heard about the councilman, she never once heard of him waiting on another being, man or woman, pixie or elf.  And yet, here she was watching the councilman walk around the table scooping up anything and everything that MJ's heart desired.  She had passed the test; she couldn't have the Elves ability to charm like she did if she wasn't an Elf in the first place.  So how was this possible?  Luna was relieved that the councilman's attentions were not on her but she couldn't fight back the feeling of bitterness that washed over her.  This, this was why Luna told her to be more confident.  She had something over the councilman, her tininess and her cuteness must spark something in pixies.  They all wanted to care for and protect her.  Luna smiled and lowered her head and began to pick at the food on the table while Riya made a complete obedient fool out of himself.
"Anything else my dear?" Riya asked as he set a full plate in front of MJ who was now grinning.
MJ shook her head and thanked Riya and told him that she was good now.  Riya smiled back and sat back down in his chair and began to pick out food for himself.  Maybe Luna was wrong about the councilman he seemed so kind and caring towards her that it was strange to imagine him not accepting her request to return home at dinner.  He acted as if he would do anything for her.  MJ began to dig into her dinner but she could not help stealing glances at Riya as he started to eat as well.  
Riya, like almost every other pixie MJ had seen thus far was gorgeous.  However, she couldn't deny that there was something different about as Luna had pointed out.  Sitting in his plush chair, MJ took in his red hair, the color of rubies and almost the entire furnishing of this house and watched as his bangs swept into his eyes as he lowered his head to take a bite of anything.  It was in a beautiful shag cut, something that Shyla truly would have appreciated.  His eyebrows and his eyes were exactly the same color, giving him an almost unworldly appearance and around his neck he wore a thick silver necklace that glittered when the light hit it very similar, MJ noticed, to the headband that was worn by his helper Phora and herself.  His clothes were almost very different than anything she had seen Aldar wear, his style seemed so simple compared to the obvious sense of style that Riya had.  He wore fitted black pants and a red v-neck sweater over a white button down shirt and dark brown shoes.  If MJ was alone, she might have sighed, having such a deep appreciation for fashion and men who attempted to look good.  Instead, she smiled carefully to herself and continued eating.
The entire dinner started off very silent and awkward for all three of them, for all were each deep in their own minds.  Luna, was preparing on how to convince Riya to let them leave for the night, but Riya found himself torn between keeping MJ to himself or selling her to the elves for more magical profit.  When he had first heard about a strange creature in his territory that was neither elf nor pixie, he knew that he was well on his way to becoming one of the most powerful creatures in the forest.  He had his doubts, but after giving MJ the trials he couldn't believe his luck.  It was true; this girl was what she said she was neither pixie nor elf.  Once or twice heard the babblings of that she was a 'human' or whatever, but Riya could hardly care less.  At least he didn't care very much at the time.  It puzzled and angered him that after shrinking her down he found himself so very much attracted to her, even he could recognize that her beauty was no match for Luna.  Luna was a fine example of a woman, no matter how much elf blood he saw flowing beneath her skin; her elf lineage would only make her an even more perfect partner for eternity.  Still, he raised his eyes to look at the strange 'human' girl he could not deny that MJ was definitely interesting to him.  At what cost would he be willing to keep her?  Would the elves, who were now aware of her existence, stay away for much longer?
"Riya, do you plan on keeping us here for the night?" Luna's sweet voice asked him.  "You know my brother throws a fit when you keep me here."
Riya waved a hand at Luna, which MJ noticed, featured blood red painted fingernails.  "I have no worries about anything that concerns your brother Luna, you know that.  If I want you to stay, than I am afraid that you have no choice in the matter."  After dismissing Luna, Riya hesitantly looked to see how MJ would react.  "Unless your young human companion is also looking forward to seeing the Searcher again" he said quietly hardly believing the words that were coming out of his mouth.
MJ looked and smiled at the beautiful man who sat in front of her.  Could it be true?  He was giving them an option and she could be the one who decides?
"Riya," she almost whispered and Riya suddenly looked pained.  As his red eyes bore into her brown ones he whispered back harshly
"Do not be frightened of me.  I cannot tell you how much it perturbs me."
MJ sat up straighter, "I do think it would be nice if Luna and I could home for the night.  They have already set me up with a nice sleeping area and I haven't seen Aldar since this morning."
"I have wonderful sleeping quarters set up for you here.  I could give you anything you want if you were to stay," Riya offered.
MJ decided to take a chance and try bargaining with Riya instead, "Let me go home with Luna tonight, and I will be back tomorrow at high sun again."
Luna shot MJ a worried look, but wondered if this was the only way to get out of here for the night.  There was something much more comforting about coming back during the day, than staying the night.
"That will be fine.  Though, I must warn you we will be having other visitors in our town tomorrow that are very interested in meeting you," Riya spoke carefully putting down his fork and pushing his chair out from under him.  He crossed the table and knelt down next to MJ reaching out to rest his hand on hers.  For the first time she did not flinch away which was much to Riya's delight.  Perhaps…he would keep her himself.
"The High Elves.  You've invited the High Elves to meet her?" Luna interrupted skeptically.
"Damn you and your charming stay out of my brain," Riya growled at her and MJ pulled her hand out from under his giving him a scared look.  "No, no don't be scared," he tried to coo at her but she was now scared of him all over again.  Riya backed away and stood up.
"You may go now.  I will see you at the time of the high sun," he said and dismissed them.
As if on cue, Phora and Elamorn came into the dining room to escort the two ladies out.  Elamorn looked relief, probably because of the 'human's' dismissal but he couldn't hide the fact that he was upset that Luna was going with her.  No pixie could resist looking at her tall and toned body and the councilman had once again done a fabulous job picking out an outfit suited for her sexiness.  Luna stood up and began to walk to the door, furious with Riya's outburst and the idea of Elves coming to their town again.  Forgetting all about MJ, Luna and Riya watched in horror as she slid out of the chair and stumbled crashing onto the hard floor with a loud THUD.  MJ stood up and attempted to bite back her tears of shame and embarrassment as the two larger pixies attempted to console her.
"MJ, I'm so sorry I forgot all about you." Luna began at the same time Riya protested
"My goodness, are you alright?"
MJ brushed them both off.  She was getting pretty sick and tired of being the small, hopeless, delicate damsel in distress.  She pushed her now mussed up hair out of her eyes and glared at Riya with a look that could have melted ice, if she were a magic being.
"Un-shrink me," she demanded.
"I beg your pardon?" Riya asked in a surprised tone.
"Un-shrink me.  I can't stand this anymore.  I am not a pixie and I refuse to be treated as such anymore.  You people have done nothing but made me feel like a short, ugly idiot and I just can't stand this anymore.  Please un-shrink me," she pleaded to Riya.
"Where will you sleep?" he asked.
"I don’t care.  I'll sleep under a tree if it means I get to be my normal size again.  I don't care if you (pointing at Luna) look like a supermodel and you (pointing at Riya) look like some hot band member, but I can't stand being so small.  I'm not a child damnit and I will not be treated as such!  I can't even imagine what the Elves will think of me if you keep me trapped in this tiny body so please, un-shrink me right now."
Riya and Luna simultaneously rolled their eyes but could understand her upset.  Riya and Luna knew the horrible feeling of meeting the elves.  They were tall, much taller than MJ and always made the pixies feel as if they were stupid beings just because of their size.  Riya reached down to take MJ's hand and dropped a small bad into it.  MJ opened the sack and found that it was filled with tiny balls, almost the size of marbles.  Some were brown and some were green.  MJ stood up and Riya stood up as well, trying not to kneel causing her to feel like a child again.  Surely being on one knee was better than him staring down at her like this.
"What are these?" MJ asked.
"Growth marbles.  The brown ones will turn you back into your 'human' self and the red ones will make you pixie sized again.  Keep them, and if you ever need more you need only ask me."
"Why red and brown?" Luna asked, already knowing the answer.
"Well," Riya said and gently touched MJ's hair, "her hair will remind her that they represent her and the red…well."
"The red represents you," MJ finished and looked up at him with a shy smile.
"Exactly."
"I beg your pardon councilman, but you asked me to escort the ladies out?" Elamorn's voice interrupted.
"Yes, yes." Riya said and the two ladies began to walk out the door.
"MJ," Riya exclaimed and she turned back to look at him.
"You will come at the high sun correct?"
MJ nodded as Luna grabbed her shoulder and turned her around.
Riya had no idea how to think or feel after the two ladies left with Phora and Elamorn.  He pressed a hand to his face and shook his head, for so long he had been working to get power, power to protect his people.  With every great find by his Searchers he was getting more strength.  And now, with the find of a century he found himself torn between decisions.  The best decision for his people was simply to turn over the human and let them deal with her.  They had trading pixies for magic for centuries and Riya was reaping the most benefits for this.  Not one pixie could stand up to him now, and no one ever would because since he came to power over the pixies, pixie deaths were at all time low.  Sure, there were the occasional kidnappings, but Riya had agreed that this was better than Elf raids which had plagued the race of the pixies for too long.
Sacrificing a few to save the thousands was a motto that Riya had been living with for many decades now.  Thanks to his treaties with the elves, not only would he never have to worry about them raiding his territory but he was being given magic that rivaled some of the weak elves and reacten elves in the area.  Who knows what they would give to him in exchange for MJ.  He longed so much for the power of Charmers, the ability to read minds and he also had his mind set on getting the very rare power of a Seer, one who could view the future.  Oh the possibilities!  With MJ gone, he would be able to continue his focus on Luna and making her his wife.  With MJ around he couldn't believed that he had actually growled at her!  But…
As Riya walked to the window he watched Luna and MJ outside with his two most trustworthy loyals he smiled not sure what else to do.  He saw MJ take a ball out of her pouch and swallow it immediately and with amazement Riya watched her shoot upward until she was almost as high as the window he was looking out of.  Riya watched the now giantess's massive shoulders rise and fall as if sighing in relief.  She really was having a hard time being a pixie.  He watched her look down at the three pixies and laugh as Luna flew up and landed on her shoulder.  Surprisingly, she turned around and looked right into the window where Riya was standing.  Rather than back away, Riya stood his ground as Riya smiled at him as MJ began to walk away waving her arms around as if telling Luna a story.  
"Where will that girl sleep tonight?" he muttered to himself and turned away from the window.  "No matter, I must think of what will happen tomorrow when she meets the High Elves and how I am going to react.  I don't think I am quite ready to part with that one yet."