Ralph and the Pixie

‘Thane of the Elves . . .’ she stammered, and stopped. Biting down on her fear, her face pale, she began once more. ‘Thane of the Elves, in recognising my sovereignty as a person this day, you have also recognised the sovereignty of all Faerie peoples.’

The moment she spoke these words, the hall became utterly silent with what could only be described as stunned disbelief.

‘Yet I know not what to say. If I mention crimes against my people, or plead their case, or rail against past injustice, such words would merely be in accordance with those of you who are friends to Faeriekind, and anger those of you who are not.

‘There are many of you who believe that we of Faeriekind are stupid and ignorant. But we know that Elvenkind is well aware of its own actions, and that Elvenkind is beset with its own problems; that the injustices inflicted upon my people are only one small part of the concerns of your people; that your own people suffer as well.

‘Yet, though you think us ignorant, in truth, there are few of you who know anything about us; about our ways, our habits, the reasons we live as we do.

‘However, we of Faeriekind understand Elvenkind well enough in our way, for our very survival depends upon learning the habits and ways of certain of your people, so that we may avoid abuse, murder, torture, enslavement, and other acts of unspeakable barbarity.