Flash Fiction: Watching A Dream

Watching A Dream

Warren watched from his perch on the tree limb. He had followed his King and Queen to this woods tonight, curious, but of course Oberon and Titania were making fools of themselves again, not attending a meeting with the gnomes as he had hoped. They needed to form a treaty soon, before the restlessness developed into war. He was tired of the monarchs’ petty squabbling, their indifference to the daily lives of the fairies. Titania was so wrapped up with her worshippers, those silly women who dedicated their lives to her. Oberon was little better, attempting to maintain control over minute details, while not seeing the big picture, fooling around in mortals’ lives for amusement, barely noting that the lesser fairies were growing anxious.

Warren saw that fool, the one who had come to the woods with a band of friends and had to smile. Leave it to Puck to give the man the head of a donkey and then send him off to Titania’s bower, not that Titania didn’t spend each night with an ass anyway. At least this man seemed basically decent, respectful of the younger fairies, quite a contrast to Oberon’s dismissive attitude and condescending nature.

Of course, the humans out this night were little better. Both the men first declaring their love for the pretty girl, then with just a touch of potion, becoming madly devoted to the dull girl. Warren knew that, unlike the fairies, these mortals believed in being faithful to one partner, but their feelings couldn’t have been too strong to be swayed so easily. It was quite an enjoyable show, though, seeing the men swagger and boast, willing to duel to the death over a girl neither had cared about at the beginning of the evening, while the lovely one cried, alone.

Warren stood, stretching his arms and wings.  He drifted to where Puck was laughing at the scene and whispered in his ear. Puck pouted slightly, but nodded. Warren couldn’t trust that Oberon would care enough by the end of the night to return the mortals to their true selves.

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Dottie at Tink’s Place has a Monday Morning Flash Fiction challenge that I’m enjoying. Each Monday a new picture prompt will be posted and if you choose to participate you post your story on Friday – 350 words, give or take.