The Importance of Names (fiction)

 

This story directly follows The Gateway.

 

The Importance of Names

 

Cindy looked down at the small figure of Babradon.

“I don’t mean to be rude, but what are you?” She asked him. He looked at her surprised.

“What do you mean?” He asked.

“Well I’m human, but I don’t think you are.” Cindy stated. Babradon laughed.

“I keep forgetting in your world humans are mostly the only sentient race there. You’re probably not used to seeing other races like me. I’m what you would call a gnome.” He informed her.

” I see. What do you mean we’re mostly the only sentient race?” Cindy asked curiously.

“It’s not important. There are others like us still living in the fringes of your world, if you know where to look. And being near a gateway means you get a few peoples going back and forth.”

“So what other races live here in Faerie?”

“Well aside from gnomes, there are also elves, dwarves, trolls, goblins, pixies, boggarts, to name a few.” Babradon said.

“A few?”

“There are all manner of strange creatures here, possibly countless numbers of them.” He revealed. Cindy gazed in wonder at the vibrant green landscape before her.

“How far does it go on?” She asked.

“Probably forever.” He told her. “This is your first time here isn’t it?”

“Yes.” Cindy admitted.

“There are some basic rules to Faerie you will need to know. Firstly don’t be so trusting with anyone you meet here and don’t accept everything you see at face value. Always look deeper. And be careful who you give your name out to. Give everyone your nickname or something similar.”

“Why?” Cindy asked him.

“Because if you give out your true name to someone, you give them power over you.”

“Okay.” Cindy replied. “What do you mean by true name?”

“What’s the name you give yourself?” He asked.

“Me.” Cindy replied. Babradon looked away for a moment.

“I mean what name do you think defines you? What name do you think is you?” He asked carefully.

“Well everyone calls me Cindy, and that’s the name I think of myself as.” She answered.

“Then don’t give that name to people here. Are there any other names people call you?”

“I was christened Cynthia, and a lot of people call me Cinders, and when I was at school some people used to call me Cinderella, but that was to annoy me.”

“Maybe use the name Cinders?” Babradon suggested.

“Okay.” Cindy replied. “So I guess Babradon isn’t your true name then?”

“No it’s my use name. My true name I keep to myself.” Babradon revealed.

“So do you live out here?” Cindy asked.

“I have a small house nearby. I help keep an eye on the gateway you came through.”

“It’s so lovely here.” Cindy said as she sat down on the ground with the sun on her.

“You’re very much like your grandmother. Did you know that?” Babradon told her. Cindy gave out a short laugh.

“Yeah some people have said that to me before. I think we have a similar temperament.”

“I’m sorry to hear she has died. I’ll miss her.”

“I miss her too. Me and Jess now have her farm.” Cindy revealed.

“Who is Jess? Tell me more Cindy” He asked.

“My girlfriend.” Cindy answered. “Does it bother you I’m in a same-sex relationship?”

“Following your heart and being with your True Love is what’s important, no matter who they are.” Babradon responded.

“We had to clear all the farmland as everything had become overgrown, and we also had to fix the farmstead, but now we are living there together and I’m very happy.” Cindy told him.

“That’s good to hear.”

“I’ve recently found out that Jess slept with a mutual friend when I was still living in the city. We weren’t together again at that point, but for some reason it’s made me feel very jealous. I just want Jess all to myself and I get very possessive over her, which I know isn’t a good thing. I worry she might have feelings for our friend.” Cindy told him.

“I’m not an expert when it comes to love, but if you fixed the farm together and now live there with each other, surely you’re the one she wants to be with.” Babradon advised her. Cindy sighed loudly.

“I know. It’s not like we both didn’t have affairs when we were apart, but for some reason I feel really threatened by this other person. I was really horrid to her at a friend’s funeral recently.”

“Jealousy is not an attractive trait in anyone. If you continue to be jealous your partner may always feel under pressure when socialising with others and that may end up pushing her away. Always remember if she is with you, she wants to be there. Trust in that.”

“Thanks for the advice.” Cindy replied. “Sorry about unloading my problems on you. I’m not sure why I told you all this.” Babradon shrugged his shoulders.

“When you’re the Warden of a gateway, people tell you all sorts of things.” he said.

Cindy looked at the path that led away and went beyond the trees.

“So where does that path go?” She asked.

“It goes on through the forest and eventually leads to towns and great cities. Just beyond those trees there I think there is a marketplace at the moment. That could be well worth a look, though I would advise you to be careful with everything you say or do there .” Babradon informed her.

“Ooh a marketplace! I would love to check that out! Maybe I’ll have a quick look at it.” Cindy enthused.

“Yes you’ll find it rather eye-opening I’m sure. Just be careful there! Faerie can be quite perilous. And remember what I told you about names.” Babradon warned.

“I will.” Cindy told him.

Cindy stood up and wandered down the path. As she looked behind her she saw Babradon had sat down again and was relighting his pipe. She turned around again and faced the trees. She took a deep breath and walked into the forest.

 

Joanne Fisher

 

I’m quite enjoying writing these Jess and Cindy stories.

 

 

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©2019 Joanne Fisher

 

 

 

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