The Cunning Traveler

The Cunning Traveler is a story told in Eladrin society.

 have been from it; however, since there is not, suffice it to say, this traveler was not from here.

This traveler was cunning, the best sort of traveler. One who got by on one’s own wits – resourceful, insightful, and most of all, magical.
 Now, this cunning magical traveler who was from elsewhere ended up in
the realm of the Autumn Queen, through fate, as we all know that chance
is but an illusion invented by outsiders.

The
 cunning and unfortunate traveler came upon the Autumn Queen in her
grove, collecting fallen leaves, as the Queen is wont to do upon
occasion. The Queen, her interest piqued by the
one-who-is-not-from-here, spoke to the cunning traveler.

“Traveler,”
 she said. “You have found yourself in my lair. I am the Autumn Queen,
Queen of all dying. It is fate that you have ended up here, in the
center of all that dies – I believe that I must kill you now.”

The
 traveler was scared, but yet still cunning. “Wait, My Queen,” he said,
bowing. “Perhaps it is fate which has brought us together – but perhaps
for a higher purpose than the measly death of one weary traveler.”

“Go on,” the Queen said, still unconvinced. “But do so quickly, as I am still convinced that your demise is necessary.”

The
 cunning traveler, being cunning, noticed that the Autumn Queen had
around her many servants and guards; also being cunning, this traveler
had gathered certain items and powers along the way. The traveler began.

“Perhaps, My Queen, we have come together to make history. Or perhaps I have come to save you,” he said.

“Oh?” the Queen asked, interest piqued. “And what danger am I in?” She turned around. “This is my lair. These are my servants, who are bound to me. None can harm me here.”

The
 cunning traveler saw that the Queen’s weakness was arrogance. Knowing
this, the traveler looked upon one of her guards – looked at the servant
 with charming eyes, eyes which dominated the weak-minded guard. The
guard turned to the Queen – and attacked!

The
 Queen, arrogant as she is, is also powerful, ruthless, and unforgiving.
 Without question, she turned to her servant and ripped him limb from
limb, eating upon his flesh. When she finished, she turned to the
cunning traveler.

The
 traveler, being cunning, had used the distraction and stolen the crown
from upon the Autumn Queen’s head. The Queen, being arrogant and not a little vain, screamed out, “GIVE IT BACK!”

“I will,” said the traveler. “But only if you make a deal with me.”

Greater Fae love dealmaking.
 The Queen was interested. “Speak, mortal, for you have shamed me, and
if you did not have a possession of mine I would kill you outright.”

“If
 I give you this crown, you must agree to let me go free. You will not
attempt to kill me from this point on. You will treat me as if I was
your most trusted servant and guard. I will walk out of this grove
alive,” he said.

The Queen thought over this agreement. For as much as she loved herself, she also loved death.

“Agreed, traveler,” she said finally. The cunning traveler handed over the crown and left the grove.

At
 the end of the grove, the traveler encountered the Autumn Queen again.
“Hello, My Queen,” he said. “To what do I owe this pleasure?” At this,
the Queen tore the traveler limb from limb, feasting on his flesh.

You see, the cunning traveler was not cunning enough –
 none are. For when the Queen kills, there is no attempt, there is only
success, and it is in this distinction that the Greater Fae stand above all.