LIFE IN THE FAIRY KINGDOM
Natural features in the Kingdom tend to have magical elements in them, on them or alongside them. Rivers often have speaking trees on their banks. These trees are to be treated with respect - they’re not usually used as transporters but tend to act as guardians for the river dwelling life forms. It is felt they need something or someone that understands the needs of the natural world to speak up for them. These trees pass messages on branch to branch until they reach the nearest village where it is expected the villagers will deal with whatever the problem is or summon someone who can. This approach did not work with the Chief Witch. She burned the talking trees and the villages and the villagers.
The younger generation of the differing species tend to get on reasonably well with each other, much to the disapproval of their parents and elders generally. This is due to, at best, frosty relations and, at worst, outright hostility are the norm. The Queen, by contrast, does approve and encourage this by holding shows where these kids take part in her presence. She hopes the younger generation’s better attitude might eventually rub off on their elders and, if not, their persistent “rebellion” against their elders here will ensure they don’t engage in futile wars. This can only bode well for the Kingdom. This is an area where Eileen agrees with the monarch. The Chief Witch doesn’t approve. Stirring things up between species helps her only too well...
The Queen bestows bonus magical gifts on those who she feels have earned them and, to her credit, does not discriminate which section of the community such worthies come from. This is more than what the Council would do - they would ensure no sprite could ever receive any award. There are no formal investitures or anything like that. The Queen announces via FNN when she’ll have her gift bestowing days. They are filmed (though the Queen insists these are not broadcast live in case the recipient of an award objects and FNN are expected not to show that bit - so far all is well as nobody has turned down the prospect of being on FNN!). The Queen is quite generous on this - in most years there are around a dozen Gift Bestowing Days.
Travellers (unless obviously of an evil disposition - and everyone in the Kingdom thinks they can tell) are usually made welcome. The Kingdom is well aware of the Christian story on Earth and want to make sure they don’t turn anyone away they should be in awe of. Sadly this does not apply to members of other magical worlds as the Kingdom has fought the lot in its history (though often the fairy world has been the defender). It is felt friendly magical beings would make it clear they had a good disposition nor would they try to rob the realm of its magical plants and creatures (never considered an act of good will). Gwendolyn was the Kingdom’s most experienced traveller but given the havoc this caused because of the things/people she brought back with her and tried to impose on her own people, it is felt the majority of the Kingdom should be jolly well content to stay at home. Only those on active service for the Queen should be sent anywhere.
The younger generation of the differing species tend to get on reasonably well with each other, much to the disapproval of their parents and elders generally. This is due to, at best, frosty relations and, at worst, outright hostility are the norm. The Queen, by contrast, does approve and encourage this by holding shows where these kids take part in her presence. She hopes the younger generation’s better attitude might eventually rub off on their elders and, if not, their persistent “rebellion” against their elders here will ensure they don’t engage in futile wars. This can only bode well for the Kingdom. This is an area where Eileen agrees with the monarch. The Chief Witch doesn’t approve. Stirring things up between species helps her only too well...
The Queen bestows bonus magical gifts on those who she feels have earned them and, to her credit, does not discriminate which section of the community such worthies come from. This is more than what the Council would do - they would ensure no sprite could ever receive any award. There are no formal investitures or anything like that. The Queen announces via FNN when she’ll have her gift bestowing days. They are filmed (though the Queen insists these are not broadcast live in case the recipient of an award objects and FNN are expected not to show that bit - so far all is well as nobody has turned down the prospect of being on FNN!). The Queen is quite generous on this - in most years there are around a dozen Gift Bestowing Days.
Travellers (unless obviously of an evil disposition - and everyone in the Kingdom thinks they can tell) are usually made welcome. The Kingdom is well aware of the Christian story on Earth and want to make sure they don’t turn anyone away they should be in awe of. Sadly this does not apply to members of other magical worlds as the Kingdom has fought the lot in its history (though often the fairy world has been the defender). It is felt friendly magical beings would make it clear they had a good disposition nor would they try to rob the realm of its magical plants and creatures (never considered an act of good will). Gwendolyn was the Kingdom’s most experienced traveller but given the havoc this caused because of the things/people she brought back with her and tried to impose on her own people, it is felt the majority of the Kingdom should be jolly well content to stay at home. Only those on active service for the Queen should be sent anywhere.