Sparkling Firesprite Queen - ?

                                                                                       Jan

Fairies Telling Tales!

                                                                                               Jan

Raven’s Return

A pecking on my cheek roused me. The little house was quite dark and it was cold. I was so tired last night I had forgotten to bank the fire.I closed my eyes, hoping an hour more of sleep. Another peck, this time on my neck. I half-opened my eyes. The sun was lightening the sky and I could make out a shadow perched on my chest.

“What the heck?” I muttered, but in reply I heard a familiar caw and a few words “Wake up. We’re in trouble and we have to wake Joey. He ate the straw house last night and now the three little pigs are coming through the woods.”

“Raven, it’s you! You’re alive.”

“Of course. Sorry for the scare. I pecked a dream seed from when you were sleeping the night before, and held it in my mouth. Once you gave my body shelter and protection under the leaves and the rock cairn, I warmed enough to dream. Raven’s dreams are very powerful, and I needed only to visualize my heart for it to mend. My dream, of course, came true.”

“Oh, Raven. I’m so glad you’re here. Now tell me what Joey did? Did you say he ate the straw house?”

“Don’t worry. It wasn’t constructed well, anyhow. I’m sure the first pig can move into another, stronger house. But now we must quickly leave. We haven’t time to eat.”

I stumbled out of my bed, while Raven went to wake Joey and give him a full explanation.

Raven and Joey were in a heated conversation when I joined them. “You’ll have to fly, Joey, and of course I can fly. But Bo’s gossamer wings won’t hold her at such heights. You must carry her again.”

“What’s the hurry, Raven? The least I should do is rebuild this house.”

“I’m truly sorry, Joey, but there isn’t time. The King has discovered all the strangers in his land, and he has sounded the alarm trumpet to summon the Giant. We have no choice except to go. Look. My fellow ravens are already escorting your friends through the clouds.”

“Joey, we better go,” as I started to panic. “We’ll find a way to rebuild the pig’s house later. We’d better leave now!”

“Oh. Bo. Relax. I don’t see any danger.”

Suddenly the castle door opened and creatures of all sorts crossed the moat. The King led the procession of dragons, witches, bears and a Green Giant that looked not a bit too friendly.

‘Bo, jump on Joey’s back. Fly through that ring of clouds. Once we are away from the Land of Fairy Tales, we will be safe.”

We flew with terrifying speed toward the opening and disappeared just as the King and his cronies spotted us. “Halt,” commanded the King, but it was too late. Raven and Joey, with me on his back, flew halfway to the forest floor, then stopped to rest in a walnut tree. The walnuts were split open, so we downed a breakfast of walnuts and Joey’s wine.

“Doesn’t Unicorn Wine ever run out?’ I asked Joey.

Mmm. Don’t know. Never happened to me, Bo.”

“Harumph!” Raven cleared his throat. “I do have further news for you. I received a message from Enchanteur as I was rushing to reach you. It seems we have been commanded to return to the Calabar. She will set sail on the night of the full moon.”

“Oh, dear. I had rather a bad experience on that ship,” I said. “Do we have to go there?”

“And risk angering Enchanteur?’

I sighed, a deep and mournful sigh. “Of course not. I will do what Enchanteur asks. Let’s go on our way.”

“Good, Bo. We will be there by nightfall.”

“I just wonder what type of trouble we’re rushing towards. Ebony Wilder, the Calabar and I aren’t on the best of terms.”

“Don’t worry, Bo. Maybe it will work out better this time,” nudged Raven. And we flew just above the treetops, headind towards the sea and a new adventure. I was sure of that.

Up the Faraway Tree

I reach the little hut and see a woman gardening in her yard. She wears a scowl and I fear she will be angry to see me. I am right.

“I am Angry Pixie. What are you doing in my yard, young lady? Don’t get too close, and don’t get nosy at my windows. There’s nothing for you here. Go away.” She turned her back, grumbling. “This tree has become a thoroughfare for all manner of creature. They’re up and down constantly, and me not getting a wink of sleep.”

I take a big gulp of air, and pray she will help, even if she is in a foul mood. “My traveling partner is in a sad state at the bottom. He doesn’t know how to climb a tree. If you can assist me in getting my horse through the ring of clouds, I will happily trade for a large square of Turkish Taffy. The taffy will refresh you as it is magical and you will have a nice snooze in no time.”

“Hmm. Might could be a bargain I’ll accept. Taffy is my favorite. Say, how heavy is this creature? Will he fit in my laundry basket?”

As Pixie and I look down at the ground, we eye Joey’s size. He appears smaller to me than I recall. “I believe he’ll fit quite nicely and my basket is woven tightly so it will hold him,” judges Pixie. “Let me call the others for back-up help.”

Before I can whistle a happy tune, an odd crowd surrounds the Angry Pixie who isn’t angry any longer. Unusual humans and creatures all appear and ask how they can help.

Pixie pondered the problem. “First we’ll tie the ropes to the basket and lower it to the ground. Saucepan, you better tighten the knots down there. You’re a marvel at tying yourself to cookware. You should be able to tie a horse to a basket.”

The basket bumps onto the floor of the forest and Saucepan checks things over. Joey surmises the next step and steps a little too haughtily into the basket. He thinks himself above this plan, but has nothing better to offer. He is clearly terrified.

“Okay Mr. Horse, hang on the the rope and guide yourself up the trunk. We’ll lift you. With all this help, we may get you through the clouds. You’ll be okay once you’re up there?”

“Certainly,” replies Joey. “I know how to walk on clouds. I simply can’t climb trees.”

“Grand. Now I’ll take that Turkish Candy, and then up he goes.” The trade was made.

The Faraway Tree people could not have been kinder or worked harder. Within a few hours, Joey and I wave from the clouds.

“Thank you. Thank you,” says Joey. “I’ll do you a favor if ever you need one.”

I echo his excitement. “I’ll bring you more Turkish Taffy when we come back,” I holler to Pixie.

We arrive in the Land of Fairy Tales and we are surprised. I expected everything to be be white and fluffy. I am very wrong. There is a small town laid out, with brick paths leading to individual dwellings of all shapes, sizes and repair. The largest building is a five story castle with a glittery glow illuminating the edges of a window. There appears to be gold twinkling from the uppermost window. The sign in front of the castle says ‘King’s Castle.’

“Rather obvious, don’t you think? Of course it’s for a king,” says Joey. He shakes his head at the folly of some humans, especially human kings.

“Hush, Joey. The king is watching us. We’d better use our silent language. No one will hear us.”

“Uh, Bo. I don’t think it works very well at this height. We can do our best, but we’ll miss words here and there.” I nod in understanding.

On the west side of town, a cliff climbs vertically high, rising above even more layers of clouds. There is evidence of a cave carved into the stone. “See the old woman climbing up the wild path. She is searching for something. Perhaps she is haunted. Maybe I’ll stay away from there until I develop my cloud feet,” I say, my words stumbling from my mouth.

“Don’t forget my cloud hooves, too,” answers Joey. “My legs are quite shaky. I’m not going anywhere without you.”

“You’ll be fine. See that tall tower in the distance. What a truly odd building! No door. Only a small window near the roof. And there’s an old hag walking to the tower. What must she want?” Joey and I are puzzled.

“We are to meet a guide here who will lead us. See anyone looking about?”

Joey is unsteady walking on the uneven bricks. “I’m too tired to look. I’m rather exhausted from my journey up the Faraway Tree, Bo. Can we find a spot to rest?”

“Sure, Joey. There’s a set of three little houses tucked in the woods back there. A straw one, a wood one, and a brick one. I wonder what that is all about. Let’s ask if we can rest there.”

Joey and I trudge through the woods until we reach the little houses. I knock and knock, but there is no one home. “I suppose we can rest until someone comes home.” I feel a little doubtful. “Then we can ask permission.”

Joey surveys the layout. “I’ll stay in the straw house. You take the wooden one, Bo. It’s closer to me.”

We follow his plan without further consideration. I relax as soon as I lie down on the cushioned bed. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I hear a crunchy and gulping sounds, but I can’t figure out what is making the strange noise.

“Chomp, chomp, chomp.” Perhaps there a wild animal outside my door? I am too nervous to peek out the window. Before I can puzzle this through, I close my eyes and drop into a deep, dark dreams.

Bo
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