Fairy Rescue

Fairy Rescue
by Lori Van Doren 4.6.08
song lyrics copyright Gary Stadler from the song Fairy Nightsongs.

The gentle breeze blew wisps of hair across Phoebe’s face as she snuggled down into her favorite chair. The low chiming coming from the wind chimes hanging in the tree, the gurgling water in the fountain, and the rustling of the leaves all combined into a soft harmony of nature that soothed her into an almost dream state.

This was her favorite time of day - when she could relax and enjoy the world around her, letting go of the day’s stresses. Tonight she was especially pleased to see fireflies flitting around the yard in a beautiful dance of light. She smiled as she watched them zip around, trying to follow them with her eyes.

This is the perfect ending to a good day, she thought. As she leaned back and closed her eyes, she thought she heard a tiny voice. Her eyes flew open and she looked around but the scene hadn’t changed. It was only her and the fireflies.

She settled back and moments later she heard the tiny voice again. Not moving a muscle, Phoebe strained to listen.

“We don’t have a choice. We need her help.” The voice sounded full of desperation.

“We don’t need her help, Roland. She’s a human. She’s not of our kind. We can take care of our own without the help of outsiders,” said a haughty voice, full of disdain.

Phoebe sat perfectly still, listening to this strange conversation, thinking she must have fallen asleep. After all, there was no one there but her. How could she be hearing someone arguing over needing someone’s help?

“You there. Human girl.” Phoebe slowly opened her eyes and looked around.

“Yes, I’m talking to you. Over here.” She looked to her right and there were two fireflies hovering near her face. She could have sworn one was talking to her. She shook her head at the silliness of the notion and laughed.

“I must be more tired than I thought,” she said to herself. “Thinking fireflies are talking to me,” she giggled.

“Fireflies indeed!” she heard the haughty voice say. “Humph!” Then one of them flew away. The other, however, stayed right were it was, hovering next to her.

“We may look like fireflies to you Phoebe, but I assure you, we’re much more than that.” The one she assumed was Roland shimmered, a dusting of glowing powder fell from him and he transformed. He was a fairy!

He appeared to be about three inches tall with four wings that glowed with a greenish gold light. In fact, his whole body glowed and pulsed with that light, like an aura you could see. He had green hair, gold eyes, and his skin had a gold tint to it. Now here was a magical creature, Phoebe thought.

She couldn’t stop staring; not quite believing what she was seeing and hearing. Now that she was tuned to them, however, she could sense a pattern in the lights and dimly hear the most enchanting song she’d ever heard.

She turned to Roland. “What do you want from me?”

His small face looked sad as he told her of their princess, Alessia, and how she’d been kidnapped by the June Bugs. They thought if they could control her, they could take over the Fairy Kingdom.

“Oh I hate June Bugs!” Phoebe said. “I’ll help you, but I’m not sure how.”

“With your permission Phoebe, we can use our fairy magic to turn you into one of us for a night. May we?” Roland asked.

Phoebe breathed in deeply. This was very exciting. “Yes,” she replied at once.

He flew above her head and started sprinkling that same glowing dust on her. The song she heard earlier grew louder. Roland explained it was part of the spell to transform her into a fairy. He joined in the singing.

“Our hearts full of love and our arms open wide.
We hold the key to the fairies delight.
Songs in our heart belong in the air.
The words of our wisdom we bring forth to share.
Sounds of the forest in sweet harmony.
We give the gift of our song to the fairy.
Dancing a spiral we sing unaware.
The fairy night wings our song fill the air.”

Phoebe felt herself grow light as air and could see a pinkish gold glow emit from all around her. She waved her wings a few cautious times, but it was as if she was born to fly. Joy thrilled though her as she zoomed around a few times before calming down and settling on a leaf next to Roland, who was himself smiling broadly.

“Ok, let’s make a plan to rescue Princess Alessia,” he said.

“Do you know where they’re holding her?” Phoebe asked.

“Yes. In a dark grove of trees over that hill.” He pointed to the west. “We need a way to lure them out so we can sneak in and get her.” He frowned. “We just can’t think of a way to lure enough of them away. That’s what we’re hoping you can help us with.”

Phoebe sat cross-legged on the leaf and rested her cheek in her palm, thinking. A minute later she looked up at him.

“What about light? June Bugs are attracted to it. It’s irresistible to them. What if we build a huge bonfire? Surely that would draw them out,” she said confidently.

Roland looked surprised. “Why didn’t we think of that? Yes! It has to work. Thank you Phoebe!” He grabbed her and spun her around in the air in a huge hug leaving swirls of fairy dust encircling them, drifting slowly to the ground. She heard a faint twinkling sound as their wings moved through the air.

He took her by the hand and they flew to the other fairies who were anxiously awaiting Roland’s word. He filled them in on the plan and there were twitters of agreement and excitement as they set to work.

After a short time, the bonfire was built and Roland turned to Phoebe. “Would you have the honor of lighting it since it was your idea in the first place?”

Phoebe smiled and nodded. She gathered all the magic she could focus in her hands and directed it at the stack of kindling. Moments later, the fire caught and the entire pile was engulfed in flames several feet high. The fairies drew back from the intense heat and retreated to the shadows, dousing their own fairy light so as to hide best they could.

Soon they heard the distinctive buzz of the June Bugs. It was working! Roland grabbed Phoebe’s hand and they were off again, zipping into the dark where the princess was being held.

Ahead they saw a faint glimmer of light. It was Alessia. Quietly they circled around behind the guards and got Alessia’s attention. Slowly they backed away until it was safe enough to fly as fast as they could back to the open air.

Phoebe saw the June Bugs were diving into the flames and bursting in big green flashes. She hadn’t counted on that happening, but knew the Fairy Kingdom was now safe.

Roland, Phoebe, and Alessia returned to Phoebe’s house and she knew her time was almost up. She was sad, but was still very happy that she’d had such a wonderful adventure.

Alessia turned to her and hugged her, thanking her for her bravery and ingenuity. Then she left to be with her kind. Roland also hugged Phoebe and kissed her on the cheek, which tingled a bit.

“Words cannot express our gratitude Phoebe. Thank you for everything. But I’m afraid it’s time for you to return to being a human.”

Phoebe nodded. “I know. I just wanted to thank you for the wonderful experience you’ve given me. I’ll never forget it.”

Roland again dusted her with the fairy dust and she felt tingling all over. Then she was human again, sitting in her chair looking at the fairy who’d given her such a magical gift.

Once again she heard the faint unearthly song, but it was fading. Phoebe looked around at her surroundings. The fountain still gurgled, the wind chimes still chimed in the breeze. But it would never be quite the same, she knew. And if she ever saw another firefly, she’d know better. She’d smile, give a warm friendly wave and wish them well, remembering that hauntingly beautiful song of the fairies.

“Dancing a spiral we sing unaware.
On fairy night wings our songs fill the air.
Making a circle of magic and light.
Watched silently by the Fay of the night.
Our hearts full of love and our arms open wide…”