April 9, 1780?
At least, that is the last date I remember from the old world.
My name is Felicity Merriman, and I have been instructed by our fearless leader Queen Isabelle to state why I am here in Hollow Tree. In truth, I am having a hard time remembering all the details, because I have tried my very best to forget the life I once knew in Williamsburg. I remember my family; I love them still. My mother, who understood me, but who could not change the way our world worked. My father, whose name--it pains me to say--I have dishonored greatly. My sister, sweet little Nan, will do well on that path of gentlewoman-hood that I could not follow. William, who is lucky enough to be a male, has the freedom to do what he chooses. Baby Polly, I cannot yet guess.
When I turned 15, and my parents informed me that I was to start receiving suitors soon, I simply couldn't stand it. I always knew that was supposed to be my fate; to marry well, manage the household, and bring up the children. But I had enjoyed the heightened freedom that war time had allowed me! I loved helping to manage Father's store while he and Ben were away, and my heart had become set on my someday inheriting the business.
When news of Ben's death came to us, my heart broke. I hadn't realized it clearly before, but I really, truly had loved him. I think I always imagined us someday working side by side in our own store. Somehow, the idea of marriage was more bearable to me if Ben was a part of it. He was already my dearest friend. Aside from Penny, of course.
Penny, my love. I learned not too shortly afterwards that I would never see her again, either. She was stolen by the Redcoats, captured when my father was wounded in the Battle of Camden.
Suddenly, I found my life bleak and empty. Nothing, and no one, could comfort me. My thoughts often ran restlessly. One sleepless night, whilst the rest of my family was abed, I dressed in the breeches I still had from Ben's younger days, threw my cloak around my shoulders, and drifted out hopelessly into the cold rain. I weaved my way through the town, and somehow ended up at the old Nye property. I disappeared into a copse of trees overlooking the overgrown horse pasture, thinking about how I used to hide in here and make sure it was safe before visiting my Penny, so long ago. I tripped on a root in the blackness...
And then, I think I might remember falling, and a light...
I was on the ground, and it was early morning. The grass was so green and lush, wet with dew. And there was a fairy staring me in the face. Then another!
"Is she a pirate?" They whispered excitedly to each other. A pirate? I thought, but then remembered I was in breeches, after all. The next thought I had was that I had died. Were there fairies in Heaven?
They then beckoned me to follow them, so after taking a second to rise unsteadily to my feet, I did so. The land I found myself was more beautiful than any I had ever seen. Palms and ferns and huge trees with trucks as wide as houses were everywhere, and lovely little springs flowed here and there between them. Presently, the fairies stopped in front of the biggest oak I had ever seen, and suddenly, a girl around my age emerged from the great hollow in the tree's trunk.
That is how I met Her Majesty, Queen Isabelle, and that is how I became a Lost Girl.
Here, I am free to be just Felicity!
-Felicity Merriman
