The trade-off

She turned towards the tower and, with a single high-pitched scream, completely shattered the stone block nearest to her.

The senior prince rubbed his neck nervously and added, "Good guardian, there must be some other way we can sort this situation. Perhaps if we negotiate-"

"What are you talking about? There will be no negotiations with that thing. Guards! Grab this forest home destroyer and throw her into the dungeon!" the king bellowed.

Around ten guards ran towards her. The fairy did not make a sound. She put her hands together and bowed her head. Her hair flew up to like snakes ready to attack their enemies. Instantly, a giant thick fence filled with sharp thorns was created. The startled king's guards stepped back barely escaping the entanglement. Some were not so lucky.

King's face turned pale. "Retreat!" he yelled running towards his horse. So did the others. As they hurried towards a safe ground, only sounds of destruction followed. A few months later, the king held a meeting in his old castle. Nervous, he paced from one side of the room to the other while his two brothers and wife watched.

"That thing is a nightmare. She just won't leave us be," the queen spoke first.

"Mhm..." mumbled the king.

"Everything that has been built so far, she tears down like it is made of clay," the senior prince stated.

"Mhm..."

"We tried everything to capture her. We even sent the army, which made her even more furious..." the youngest prince added.

"Mhmmm," the king muttered louder.

"Half of them have fallen into her forest traps and the other half is still recovering from her poison vines."

The king stopped and roared at the top of his voice, "I know! Why are you telling me things I already know!"

The brothers shrugged.

The queen slowly approached him and gently put her hand on his shoulder. "My dear husband, what shall we do? Should we build in a different spot?" The kings flinched as if someone poured hot water all over him. "Out of the question!" he yelled. Rubbing his face, he continued with a heavy sigh, "There is only one thing left to do. I am going to visit her personally and see if I can talk some sense into her.

His family fiercely protested, but he did not listen. Seeing no other solution, he rode that same night. As his majesty approached the construction sight. He saw the forest guardian grow five vines from her fingers. The vines grew quickly clinging to the smooth surface. With one clench of the hand, the wall fell turning into a pile of rubble.

The king used this opportunity to observe the fairy-like creature closer. Her jade skin shined under the moonlight. Her arms and legs were lean and elegant and her feet bare. She walked around slowly with footsteps light like a feather. Yet, her high forehead was wrinkled, and her soft lips distorted in the most unflattering way. He was amazed how such a beautiful creature could be made to look so ugly. He ceremoniously cleared his throat. "Good guardian," he said in an official tone.

She turned towards him and squinted. "What do you want?" she inquired irritated.

"I came so we can speak, man to man," he calmly responded.

"I am not a man."

The king stopped and then cautiously continued, "Alright, man to...a magical forest creature."

"That's better."

With a sigh of relief, he ceremoniously continued, "Oh woodland guardian of old, as the ruler of this land, I came to asks that you let me rebuild what was destroyed. Allow us to finish the castle and live in peace. In return, I, the king of this mighty land, will give you anything your heart desires."

"Hmm...anything my heart desires, you say?" she tilted her head with a smirk. Sitting down on a pile of bricks, she snickered, "What is it that you can possibly do that I cannot do myself with a move of my hand. Are you a powerful wizard by any chance?"

The king kept his composure. "There must be something you want," he uttered.

"Like what?"

The king glided his fingers through his bead. "Those bricks do not seem like a comfortable chair for such a majestic creature. I have not noticed any cottages or dens around the forest. Perhaps, a change of scenery would be a nice start."

The creature hummed and put her green finger on her cheek. "I suppose some redecorating would be nice. The nearby stream is a little boring. If it was redirected."

"Say no more. I shall make it a sight worthy of amazement. And maybe a waterfall added. With a spacious and beautiful garden surrounded by marble arks," he declared, almost excited.

"The tranquil sound of water will possibly help me fall asleep again," she uttered, intrigued.

The king carefully listened to her statement. "Consider it granted! I will make you a garden so splendorous that there will be none like it in the world.

"I did not finish!" she exclaimed.

"What more do you want?" he said slightly taken aback.

A menacing grin appeared on her gorgeous face. "I will also need...a human girl."

"Just one!" the king stated nonchalantly. "Ha! I can bring you a dozen servant girls. With one decree, I can find all the young woman you want from the nearby villages and-"

The fairy cackled. She stood up, slowly approaching him. "Oh I am looking for a specific young woman. To fulfill a specific task. Be assured that once you bring her to me, no one of your kind will ever see her, as she is, again."

The king gulps, uncomfortable by her closeness. Her bright and sharp eyes pierced with their gaze. "I want you to bring me the one that threw arrows at me."

"What are you saying, for Heaven's sake? What will you do with her?"