Knocking on Fairie Door Part 30

I feel the tears of relief trickle down my face, I don’t even care. How happy my heart feels now that I have BP with me.

BP sits on my shoulder and says with a voice that is cold and stern “You cannot take your duties lightly and you must be very careful of these trolls”

“They have power over me, over all of us because they run the school’s hostel”

“We need to be clever, outsmart them at every turn”

“You’re staying with me BP?”

“Yes for now”

“Oh BP you don’t know how happy that makes me”

“There are other plans underfoot as well, but more about that later”

BP Continues “That was a close call today; you can never let those words leave your lips”

“I won’t, I promise”

BP gets more serious, if that was even possible.

“We need to spread the word that Fairies DO exist” and she continues “We cannot afford to be caught”

“How do I do that? I’m not allowed to mention Fairies as I may get into serious trouble with the Lawly”

We talk tactics until the sun creeps up into vision above the window sill. BP bids me farewell and I

Begin to get ready for the school day ahead.

With a spring in my step and a light heart I set about with my morning chores, making my bed and getting ready for school. I’m dressed and waiting when my dorm mates are only just beginning to stir.

As they ready themselves one by one, my mind goes over the plans that were laid out throughout the night and into the early hours. This is going to work. I know it is.

Once everyone is ready we leave for the dining hall, walking in single file as is the expectation.

We open the door and file in, immediately something feels wrong. Why are all the girls looking at us?

What have we done? We are not late are we? No we can’t be!

The air around me suddenly chills; I feel her presence before I see her.

A hush descends….

We all hold our collective breath, for what seems like an age. Then suddenly it comes.

“DORMITORY 13!”

Oh no!!! That’s us…. Does she know?

“Yes Mrs Lawly” we answer together in a sing song response, not one of us brave enough to turn and face the Troll woman. My nostrils fill with the stench of her and my tummy does a summersault. Knowing what is coming next made my stomach do flips and my legs begin to feel hollow, my head is light and I’m feeling faint. Holding it together I wait for the next outburst. My dorm mates are trembling too, do they fear her the way I do?

It appears so.

Then it came, the tirade from Mrs Lawly. “Who dare have their candles lit after lights out?”

Silence

“Answer me now!”

Silence again

“Who was it?”

Silence still

“I saw a light flashing at the window of Dormitory 13 last night and I want an answer now!”

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Knocking on Faerie Door Part 26

 

Before long it was suitcases on the bed, clothes strewn about in an orderly way of course, long lists to tick off. You guessed it, packing for boarding school.

The list is long and boring, just knows this; it takes a good 2 hours to make sure I have everything, Nanny helps check and recheck. We cannot just pop back home if something is forgotten.

Feeling excited yet apprehensive on the morning of my departure, I bid Mother, Father, Nanny and Mr Bowfinger farewell. The train is full of young people struggling with their heavy bags. Parents waving on the platforms, some staff are standing back from the platform, some with teary eyes and heavy hearts too.

As the train leaves the station I settle into my seat after waving goodbye from the window.

Suddenly next to me appears my very good friend Bethany Beaulie, a beautiful girl with very fine features and green eyes that seemed a little too large for her face, but somehow made her even more beautiful. Beth had locks of hair that cascaded over her slim shoulders. Beth is not aware of her beauty, which makes her that more attractive.

“Good afternoon Winifred”

“Hello Beth, it’s lovely to see you again, did you have a good summer?”

“Yes thank you, Winnie”                            

At this stage I am hoping that Beth does not ask me what I’ve done this holiday, oh goodness, whatever am I going to tell everyone. They will all be exchanging tales of their most wonderful experiences when we are all together in the dormitory.  I can hardly say “I met faeries and have been tasked by their Queen to keep them alive.”

Whatever will they think? Whatever shall I say? Subconsciously I tap the velvet pouch that is tucked away under my winter coat. My heart is beating so loudly I’m sure Beth can hear it.

Beating her to the question I ask “What have you been doing this summer, anything interesting?”

Beth hardly misses a beat and goes on in rather too fine a detail about her holiday, telling me an almost day to day account (as if she’d been rehearsing her answer, in anticipation of the question)  of her very busy and exciting holiday.

Pleased at my keen interest on her doings over the holidays and keeping her chatter really animated, she drew in the other two students who joined us in our cabin. The newcomers to the cabin were also girls of similar age. The 1^st girl introduced herself as Patricia Harvey, she was very well spoken and from Dorset. She is slender athletic built girl with dark curly hair and beautiful brown eyes that were framed by ample lashes. Her mouth is full and generous, and she is easy to smile. The second girl is perhaps a year younger and doesn’t seem quite comfortable in her own skin yet. She introduces herself as Vanessa Townsend, she is pleasant. Her feet are larger than you’d expect from someone with such a small frame and her clothes seem slightly odd on her. Her mousey hair is tied up high on her head and appears slightly greasy, she has a few spots on her face and her shoes on those somewhat large feet are unpolished. She has grey-blue eyes, which are mostly downcast, and a shy smile. There is something about her I muse to myself.

Before we know it, we have arrived at the station and are transported to the schools boarding house. There has been rumour of a change of house mistress and house master over the summer break. I wonder what they may be like. I mostly hope they are kinder than the former disciplinarians who held those positions.

As I step down from the carriage, lugging my very heavy suitcase behind me, I happen to glance up. My heart turns to lead and drops.

NO!!! It’s impossible… It can’t be??? Can it??

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Knocking on Faerie Door Part 25

As my mind whirls around and around, my attention is drawn to a sudden flicker near my feet. Slowly edging forward blinking my eyes for clarity, my senses alert. As I near the figure I recognise it as Butterpetal… my heart lifts ever so slightly. I make my wish. The jelly feeling takes hold and I’m faerie size again. My troubles are still as mountains ahead of me.

Butterpetal seems concerned too; oh no! This does not bode well for me. Whatever has gone wrong? Ever had that feeling of dread was over you? Well that’s exactly what it feels like now, as if the hands of the grim reaper was slowly creeping their death knell dance over my skin. 

Not saying a word, waiting for my cue from BP, I wait for the axe to fall. That sick feeling in my stomach rises to my throat.

“Are you feeling unwell?” BP asks her voice full of genuine concern, which eases my stomach a little.

“I’m very worried” I confess my mouth dry from panic

“You need to tell me everything, so that I can help you”

Help? BP is offering me help? Oh joy just what is needed in the current crises.

This time when I follow BP through the door at the base of the old Oak tree, all those first sights and memories flood back, but taking my time I absorb everything around me. The sounds and smells and sights are all mine in this moment. What sheer delight! The nursery seems quiet; I put it to the back of my mind. Then it dawns on me once all the opulent trimmings have been taken in; that the whole cave seems quieter.

BP seems on edge and very serious. My mind again starts playing tricks on me. Is it something I have or haven’t done that has caused BP to be so serious?

After hours of discussion and some brilliant nectar (gee I really like that drink) BP walks me back to the door; I give her a grateful hug and wave as I step over the threshold back into my own world. As I step through I mutter the spell and my size is back to normal.

With plans in my head and reasons for my commitment reinforced, I am happier and once again full of excitement for my mission.

I have but a few days left before I head back to boarding school. With a renewed zest for my mission and a plan in hand, I head back up the lush green lawn towards the house. Walking slowly my mind is sorting all the information that BP has given me into neat compartments. I will have a lot of really great bits of advice to fall back onto once I go back to boarding school. All my fears about how I will keep in touch with my dearest Nanny and Mr.Bowfinger, how my progress will be relayed back to BP and the Queen. Oooh the Queen… even thinking about her makes me straighten my posture, realising what I’ve done, causes me to smile at myself.

The stairs stretch out in front of me like a huge sugar mountain.

Ascending the stairs, my heart and mind are both at ease, the storm within is calmed.

Boarding School, I’m ready, here I come !!!

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Knocking on Faerie Door Part 22

Pulling the dress over my head and sobbing uncontrollably, my head feels like busting and my chest is tight. The tears and snot are running freely. Nanny wipes the snot and tears with a tatty tissue that she takes from her bosom.  

“Sweet child you need to calm yourself” I hear Nanny’s soothing voice and feel her arm envelop my shoulders she continues “You must not let them know that you are aware of their plan.”

“Why Nanny” I ask but more to delay the inevitable than to get a reply.

Nanny replies “They will really turn on the pressure if they know that you’ve worked out that they’re trolls”

Sitting on the bed, Nanny is combing my hair. Nanny takes a length of pretty red ribbon and makes a picture perfect bow in my hair. It does look lovely and I’m pleased, because I must make it all seem normal when I go down to breakfast.

I’m fidgeting with the embossed paper full of its swirling looping script, the words etched in my mind, I feel the sting return to my eyes and blink it away feverishly.

I steel myself and once my socks and shoes are on, I head down the passage to the landing and down the stairwell towards my doom. My heart is heavy yet I can feel it pounding in my throat. How am I going to get out of this situation? I am really worried; I think maybe I should feign illness, no, that won’t work.  I simply must think of some way to get out of this mess. Those trolls have most certainly used a clever ruse. I hope I can outwit them.

I am closer to the dining hall the cooking smells reach me and suddenly I’m ravenous.

I take a deep breath, and confidently open the door and stride into the expansive room.

All heads turn and look at me, I suddenly feel a lot less confident.

“Thank you Mrs Lawly, for the beautiful dress” I manage to utter. I hear a slight quaver in my voice and pray that the guests did not.

Mrs Lawly seems very pleased with herself; mother and father both thank her for her ever so generous gift.

The breakfast passes with a lot more small talk and chatter politics. I was able to eat quietly and try being inconspicuous.

My mind was on other things, like when will BB see me again? Do I have anything at my disposal to help with my situation? My wand!!! Of course…. I’m sure this is a good enough reason to use it!

“Mother, please may I be excused from the table, I have forgotten something in my room?”

“Of course my dear, but do come back quickly”

“Yes mother” I reply

I get up from the table and walk briskly to the door, and as soon as I’m through it I run as fast as I can reaching the stairs in record time, racing up the stairs two at a time and across the landing and down the passage I enter my room.

Before you could count to three, my wand was firmly in my hand.

My mood lifted me now skip back to the dining hall, and enter it with even more confidence than before.

“Oh you’re back dear, what did you forget?”

“The poem Mrs Lawly would like for me to read out to you all this morning mother” I reply, supressing a strong urge to giggle.

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Knocking on Faerie Door Part 19

Slowly I feel myself drifting back and see that I’m surrounded by adults, all looking rather puzzled as to how I came to be lying on the floor, when just minutes earlier I was perfectly fine.

Matilda, the apprentice cook, lifts me to my feet and hastily takes me from the room. Matilda was clearly embarrassed at being in such “elegant” company. As we make to leave the room, mother’s voice reaches me “Rest now my little one”. I love when mother speaks to me. We are just about to reach the door, when it dawns on me…. My orb!! Where is my orb?

My eyes dart about the room like a fly against a window pane, I glimpse it just as we turn the corner, it’s rolled into the middle of the room, under the huge dining table. How the relief swept over me. For two reasons; one thing I knew my orb would be safe and the other thing I knew was that I’d averted that very direct question about believing in faeries.

Lying on my bed, my mind wandered all over the place. Why had Nanny and Mr Bowfinger not returned to serve the dinner guests? What were the guests doing at my home? Did the subject of believing in faeries come up by chance or on purpose? Will my orb be safe?

There was a knock at my door, Nanny walked in. “Are you feeling better now, Winifred?” she asked kindly as she sat on the edge of my bed and stroked my hair.

“I’m fine now, thank- you Nanny” I replied. I noticed how much older and frailer she looked, almost as if something, some inner spark or glow had been put out.

“Nanny, I asked are you feeling alright, why is it that you and Mr Bowfinger never returned to serve the rest of the dinner?”

“Mr Bowfinger and I both started feeling very unwell” she replied

“We both became rather faint and felt like the very life was being drained from us”

I jumped to my feet excitedly exclaiming “Nanny I know why!”

“You know why?” Nanny looked perplexed.

“Trolls” I blurted out, “The dinner guests were trolls, Nanny” I explained

“But how do you know this Winifred?” asked Nanny

“I was given an orb by Butterpetal Bloom, it allows me to see the truth” I continued to explain how I’d hidden behind the vase and from my deductions and spying I surmised that we were entertaining trolls, every one of them except Mr & Mrs Steele.

“You must have felt the trolls’ presence in the room and that’s why your inner lights grew dim, and you both became ill” I confidently concluded.

“That must be it, but why are they here? What do they want with your parents?”

“I’m not certain, but I think they wanted me to say that I don’t believe in faeries, fortunately I became faint and did not have to answer”

Nanny said “That’s it! You must be on your guard at all times now, they must know about your mission to save us.” “They are going to do their best to get you to say you don’t believe in faeries, and if you ever do, your mission will be over and all fairies lights will fade away”

I knew this meant that it’s up to me to keep the faeries alive!veronicastewar4.blogspot.com

Knocking on Faerie Door Part 18

The dinner bell rings, hastily I make my way to the dining hall. It’s such a grand room especially when it’s dressed to impress. Today we have really pulled out all the stops. The linen table cloths and napkins are bright white. Silverware is laid out and shining proudly on the tablecloth. When the silver domed cloches come out they will be perfectly complimented. The centrepiece on the table was a silver filigreed candelabra, which spreads light really well across the long highly polished walnut table. There are bouquets of flowers set on tables in the corners of the room.

Nervously yet hurriedly I enter the room, my orb clasped firmly in my down-turned fist.  After been introduced around to the trolls and humans I took my place, to the right of mother. Mother and father made a truly handsome couple in their finery. Mother wore her diamonds. I do so long to own diamonds myself one day.

To the right of father sat Mr and Mrs Gruntly who appeared as perfectly respectful and dignified guests however, I knew their secret! The overpowering perfume emitting from Mrs Gruntly bears witness to the fact that she was covering her own hideous odour. Of this I am convinced. To the right of them was the human couple Mr & Mrs Steele, Americans whose drawl was rather difficult to understand. Mr Steele was in construction the irony of which did not fail me. The couple sat to their right were Mr & Mrs Agnostica, a name which I thought sounded very exotic, perhaps even Italian. Mother was at the other head of the table on the side farthest from the door through which Nanny and Mr Bowfinger would come to serve the food. I was sat next to mother as I’ve mentioned and to my right yet more trolls. Yes Mr & Mrs Oldhorn; and from what I saw through the orb it describes his crooked bent back and twisted fingers and gnarled looking face perfectly. The last couple who sat to the right of them and the left of my father were introduced as Mr & Mrs Lawly, he was a solicitor. I remind myself to ask nanny what that means, his wife was very proud to be an educated lady and a teacher in the local school.

Conversation begins to flow, all about things that are of little or no consequence to me. Nanny appears through the door and is closely followed by Mr Bowfinger, both are carrying trays filled with breads and meats. Nanny’s eyes dart from guest to guest as she puts down dish after dish, Mr bowfinger follows suit.

Before my eyes Nanny seems to grow ever paler. Bob Bowfinger appears to be getting slower and slower. The next course of food and all the subsequent courses are brought through by some of the kitchen staff. Mother looks dismayed, but says nothing of her confusion as to why Nanny & Mr Bowfinger have not reappeared. The cloches are looking magnificent and as they are lifted the platters of game meats and fowl are revealed. Many an ooh and and an aah is heard around the table as the wonderful smell fills the air.

Mother seems to have forgotten her confusion regards the disappearance of Nanny & Mr Bowfinger, I however have not. My ears prick up, the conversation has turned from politics of the day to FAERIES!!! Yes these distinguished “people” are discussing Faeries!!

Mrs Lawly states “ It’s simply preposterous to think that these little flying creatures are miniature people”  “they are mere fantasy and all children who believe in such nonsense should be disciplined” “ It’s taking the children away from learning real life”

Mr Lawly interjects “Indeed, it’s all codswallop”

“Surely it’s harmless fun?” says the kindly Mrs Steele

“Oh No Mrs Steele, once these children believe in faerie folk; all reality seems to be dismissed” retorts Mr Gruntly

Listening intently and not wanting to give away anything I slide a little lower down in my chair, hoping that none of the guests would choose this time to ask me anything.

Then as I’d wriggled down and thought myself safe, the worst imaginable thing happened….

“Winifred” said Mrs Agnostica ,“ What do you think of faeries?” “Do you believe in Faeries?”

My face pales I can feel the blood draining from head……

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Knocking on Faerie Door Part 17

As I reach the bottom of the staircase, the sounds of voices from the entrance hall reach me.

My plan is hatching fast; there is a vase as tall as me standing to the side of the staircase. It’s a special vase, Nanny said it was Ming or Ning or something of the sort. I’m not sure but it sure is huge and conceals me perfectly as I hide behind it. The orb is nestled in my palms and I hold it up to eye level, eager to view the first of the important people.

My heart is pounding and my palms are sweating (or glowing, as girls don’t sweat, according to Nanny) my breath is short and shallow. Here they come! I crouch a little and spy around the vase. The lady is wearing a mink coat, which is dragging on the floor. She looks like she’s floating as I can’t see her shoes. Her hair is so pretty. Her dark locks apart from a fringe are drawn back off her face, and make a cascade of ringlets down her head and to just between her shoulders. This shows off her diamond earrings and necklaces perfectly. Wow, she looks just lovely. Secretly I hope I look like that when I am a grown up lady.

Perfect! I hear the gentleman speaking in hushed tones to father, I was so in awe of the lovely lady I’d forgotten to use my orb! Silly me! I most certainly won’t allow this opportunity to pass.  This elegant gentleman is wearing what is expected, a starched white collared shirt, a black waistcoat with kerchief in the pocket, and top hat with black tail coat. His kerchief is definitely made of silk, I can recognise silk anywhere.

Watching the gentleman and father engrossed in conversation, slowly I lift the orb level with my eye. Expecting to see nothing other than father and the gentleman, I look through the orb, much in the same way mother looks through her racing glasses or father through his monocle.

Uurgghhh!! I quickly put my free hand over my mouth and swiftly move behind the vase to be completely concealed. Knowing my voice had echoed through the vast entrance hall and walkway, I slide slowly down to crouching position. Realising that the hushed discussion had momentarily ceased, I hold my breath. Ten to fifteen seconds pass, Oh good!! they have started conversing again; I release my breath in a slow steady way. I now sit cross legged on the floor behind that vase.

What I have just seen, takes a short while to manifest in my mind. That tall elegant gentleman is nothing other than a slimy, green, skulking TROLL!!! Oh my!! What am I to do? Should I tell Nanny & Mr Bowfinger? I come to my senses, there are to be more visitors. Four more couples. I make up my mind to use my orb on each and every one of them.

Holding my breath and my orb, I see each couple as they come in, I see their true colours. It appears that only one couple are human and the rest are all trolls. As I’ve not used my orb on the 1^st guest I’m just guessing she too was troll.

What were they doing here? Do they know what my mission is? Are they here to try and stop me from helping the faerie folk?

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Knocking at Faerie Door Part 16

With my resolve firmly set in my mind, I go and wash ready for dinner. Nanny has said that mother and father want to see me tonight at dinner, as they have guests joining them. I devise a plan immediately. I need to find the whereabouts of my orb and then, it shall accompany me to the dinner. Hopefully I will be able to try it out on all these important people.

It will be grand to have dinner with mother and father again, I know Nanny will be serving in her stark white, freshly starched pinafore. I love seeing Nanny in charge with the silverware shining (I always find my reflection in the cloches very funny) and the crystal glasses sparkling under the silver candle lit chandeliers

Emerging from my bathtub, all pink again, I realise that I must’ve been deep in thought as I had not noticed that Nanny had been in and laid out my clothes for the dinner party. I know how privileged I am to have the fabulous dresses I have. Father has really spoilt me this time around. The dress is lilac, my very favourite colour!  It is a sweetheart neckline with short puff sleeves, and a bask waist, the hem is at calf length and fringed with pretty handmade lace. Oh the feel of satin against my skin, it’s just divine. As soon as the dress is over my head, I hear the familiar footsteps of Nanny. My head is now through and I see Nanny sitting on the edge of my bed, her hands are folded over a white box. Curios I ask “Nanny what is in that box?”

Nanny says with a sly smile “It’s a surprise young lady”  

“Please tell me Nanny!”  I just love surprises and Nanny knows this. She teases me further by stroking the box them drumming her fingers on it and rolling her eyes skyward.

“Nanny” “Don’t tease me! Please, please tell me now” my voice has a whine to it. Nanny doesn’t like whining I know this.

Patting the bed Nanny motions me to sit beside her, I immediately do so, and my stomach is turning summersaults; I need to breathe. What could possibly top my lilac dress?  

Nanny was slowly lifting the lid of the box and peeking inside, then dropping it down again, and shrugging her shoulders at me.

“Please, please, please!” Nanny I begged with a mock smile and clasped hands. I was bouncing up and down with what was a mixture of pure delight at the prospect of what lay within the box and absolute anguish at not being able to get at its contents.

Finally Nanny slid the lid off the box one agonizing centimetre after one agonizing centimetre. There in that cold white box I saw tissue paper, there was a hint of something peeking out beneath. What can it be? Nanny opens the tissue paper and nestled in it lay the most wonderful pair of shoes I had ever been privileged enough to set my eyes on.

White patent leather!!! Sooooo excited.  Nanny says “that’s not all!” “Not all?” I am so overwhelmed by the gifts of the dress and the shoes that my eyes are welling up. Surely there can’t be any more. Nanny puts her hands in her pinafore pocket. And slips out a little packet she opens it for me, out of her hands roll a pair of hose!

“Mummy and Daddy have decided that you are now old enough for your first pair of hose” Nanny informs me. Tears stream down my face; I am so blessed to have all this luxury given to me. “Dry your tears sweet girl” and get your silk gloves from the drawer, Let me show you how to put these on without putting ladders in them.”

Nanny with gloved hand pushed he fingers to the tip of the hose, and then pushed the hose down her arm, and holding onto the roll that this formed Nanny instructed me to put one foot after the other in, her gloved hands then unfurled the hose up my legs and around my bottom and snapped it against my waist. They feel so smooth against my legs. I feel all grown up. Nanny ties my hair up in a pretty ribbon before leaving my room.

Momentarily I had forgotten my plan, but before I leave it dawns on me.

Quietly I stand in the centre of my room and think “Orb, I need you.” And within seconds there is a weight in my hand; instinctively I know my orb has arrived.

I skip off down the corridor towards the staircase, orb in hand and plan afoot. This should be so much fun.

Knocking on Faerie Door Part 15

“Winifred, Winifred!!” I hear Nanny’s voice; slowly I begin to focus on my surrounding. My mind rushes back to Goblins and Trolls oh my word! At the same time I chastise myself for always fainting when my mind goes into overdrive.

“Yes Nanny” answering timidly, not sure what else I’m about to hear, and seriously beginning to curse my inquisitive nature.

“There, there dear, I know that it’s all overwhelming” “Let me tell you all about it” Nanny continues. “You see many years ago there was peace and harmony among the fairies, goblins and trolls. Until the Goblins and Trolls started to take advantage of us fairies” “It all started with little things like us helping them with their laundry and looking after their babies and helping with all sorts of things really” “Then they started expecting us to do it for them, and started treating us badly” “Our Queen, whom I believe you’ve met, began taking umbrage to the way her subjects were being treated, and when our queen made her feeling known the trolls and the goblins became very angry and said that they’d put out all our lights if we didn’t continue working for them!” “Our queen tried to explain that we’d only been doing them a favour and that it wasn’t our job to work for them, they however would hear nothing of it. They are very lazy and very unkempt you see, and they knew that if we stopped looking after them they would be in their caves surrounded by garbage and smelling the same.”

“They then set about infiltrating the humans’ homes and school rooms and started spreading nasty rumours that fairies don’t exist. They know that as long as children believe in us, our lights will shine and we can live our naturally long lives.”

“So that is why you must be very careful, they are deceitful and sly. They will stop at nothing to get their revenge on us, even though all we ever did was helping them and being kind to them.”

“Nanny” I replied “I’m sure that I will easily be able to recognise a goblin or a troll”

“Don’t be so sure, they are masters of trickery and disguise, they shape shift to look just like humans!”

“How then Nanny, am I supposed to recognise them?”

“Use your orb, my sweet” “All you do is look through the crystal orb and the person’s true identity will be revealed”  “Thus driving the message home”

Another piece of the puzzle falls into place, my quest ever clearer. My resolve to help the fairies is concrete.

“Thank you Nanny, I will do my best” I replied to Nanny; incensed by the audacity of those goblins and trolls. “I will make them sorry and help the fairies lights glow brightly once more”

The Fairies in the New Forest

The forest was changing from her beautiful lime greens, emerald greens and hunter’s greens to explosions of yellows, oranges and browns. It’s my favourite times of year.

The air was crisp as I skipped along and the mist hung over the land like a blanket of organza floating a foot off the ground. The air is moist on my face. I feel invigorated. You know when you are excited about something? When your tummy feels all giddy, and you have a feeling of expectation?

The brook was babbling, and the water was clear when we arrived at our favourite spot near Puttles Bridge, there is a little waterfall about half a meter high, with a lot of shrubbery and towering trees framing its picturesque presence.

The sun had started to burn the early morning mist away. We settled next to the stream with our picnic blanket and our picnic fare.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a glint again. My curiosity sparked, I made my way closer to the little waterfall. Going down on my tummy to get as low as I can, my hand reaches into the water, it pushes past my fingers. I thrill at being so close to nature.

Again the glint catches my eye; there were a lot of these glittering bits floating in the air. Closer I creep, thinking they may be May flies or Dragon flies. Closer still, I separate some foliage; ever so gently I creep closer.

I blink, and again. Dragon flies? May flies? Can it be?

Do my eyes deceive me? The mist has almost gone. After rubbing my eyes I look again, there in front of me are the most beautiful creatures I have ever seen.

Fairies; they really do exist!!!

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Knocking on Faerie Door part 2

Now I'm lying here between my starched white sheets, wishing the night away so I can go explore again! This is turning out to be a most exciting holiday away from the boarding school. Although I miss my friends and all the jolly good fun we make in the dormitory after lessons, I would much rather be at home with Nanny, mother and father.

I hear the house grow slowly quiet, the last of the lanterns extinguished and Nanny and the new Butler, Bob Bowfinger's footsteps slowly fade away downstairs.

My eyelids are starting to feel heavy. Suddenly I hear a soft tap tap tapping at the window. I turn my head to the right and across my room I see a tiny little light flashing. Curious I get up and my toes touch the thick plush carpet underfoot, I slowly creep towards the window, making sure not to cause the floorboards to creek. If they did Nanny would surely be up to scold me for being out of bed. trust me that was certainly Not something I want, not again....

As I draw closer to the window, I rub my eyes, I blink . Now I stretch my eyes wide open, I go closer still. What it that? I hear the tap tap tapping getting ever louder, I see the flashing light, it is brighter now. Why is this light flashing so sporadically?

I must be dreaming.... that's it, I must have drifted off to sleep, for surely what I see before me is a figment of my imagination. I am so enthralled by what I see, my heart starts racing, my mouth goes dry, I feel light headed, I don't care....

She is simply devine, so beautiful, her features porcelein perfection, her gossimer wings perfect in every detail, her hair so thick and curly and golden. Her dress is silky and sequined. I am in awe.

I am brought back by the tap tap tapping ever louder on the window, I'm here, I see her, I hear her, surely I'm awake. She gestures to me to open the window. I am but a puppet to her command. I do as I am bid, quietly I open the window . The cool autumn air feels fresh on my face.

She gestures again... I must follow her, again helpless to her command I need to follow. She must have me under her spell, but how? I need to find a way down from my room, I am on the 1st floor, so too high to jump. This ethereal creaure must have read my thoughts, for before me a road of diamond dust appears, straight from the ledge of my window. Instantly I know I will be safe, I know I have to clinb out of my window and follow the shiny diamond dust road.

Where will it take me?..... soon I will know