Believe

by Allyson Giles

  The candles seemed to sense their presence and followed them down Luminous Lane, happy to provide extra light. As they approached the end of the lane and the beginning of the Irish countryside, they turned around to say goodbye. The candle flames all flickered at once as if to reply and wish them well. Looking out at the never-ending trees and clear blue sky, they began to hum and whistle their way onward to Greenland, praying that encounters with Kahorgis would be far off or nonexistent.

  • • •

  About half a mile up, Ostephen stopped abruptly, gripping Deliah’s right arm tightly. She could tell something was wrong and followed his gaze to a little yellow fairy surrounded by two Dark Ones. The fairy was stealing an abundance of berries from a nearby bush, kicking pinecones, and throwing rocks at the trees. He was being very unkind toward the forest. Ostephen’s blue lips started to quiver as he looked Deliah in the eye.

  “No,” Deliah said, “it can’t be.…”

  “Kristoff!” Ostephen whispered ashamed.

  Kristoff flew across the path, a small trail of flames behind him. He laughed as he set fire to a pile of leaves. Deliah grabbed Ostephen and hid behind a bush so that they would not be spotted. She patted Ostephen’s leg, knowing how hard it must be to see his brother be so unkind. She silently wished she could do something to stop them, but she and Ostephen were outnumbered, so all they could do was hide. As the three vandals made their way through the forest, they continued to burn various bushes, leaving a horrid burnt smell behind them.

  Still crouched behind the bush, she saw the two Dark Ones get knocked by a few large pinecones and put her hand to her mouth to stifle a gasp. The pinecones hit the ground and caught fire. The Dark Ones buzzed even louder, trying to intimidate the unseen enemy, but a cascade of pinecones continued to rain down upon them. With a flash of flame, Kristoff and the Dark Ones retreated, knowing they were momentarily outnumbered.

  Deliah looked up, wondering where the pinecones had come from.

  “Oh my!” she exclaimed as she saw what appeared to be small green creatures about a foot and a half in height with flat noses, squishy faces, and live grass for hair.

  Their arms and legs were stout and stumpy but adorably round. They moved quite methodically, their grassy hair flowing with the breeze. She noticed that they made a squishy sound when they moved and that they jumped from tree to tree. She followed the squishy sound and saw one land on the path in front of her followed by a few others.

  “We’re bush people, friends of the forest,” he announced, “and friends of yours.”

  Ostephen came out from behind the bush, shoulders hung sadly, looking to the earth.

  “We’re sorry, Ostephen,” the bush people said. “We’re watching Kristoff for you; we know it’s not really him. He knows not what he does. He’s always been a dear friend of the forest. You both have.”

  “Thanks,” Ostephen mumbled. He was grateful that they had gone out of their way to miss Kristoff in their defense of the forest.

  “We’re everywhere,” they said, “and we’ll always keep an eye out for ya. The sun is beginning to set. Let us provide you with a lantern or a compass of sorts.”

  Suddenly, a little dragonfly buzzed over. It was encased in a rectangle of twigs, which formed a triangle roof. He hovered happily in the middle above a single lily. The bush people explained that all Deliah needed to do was request light, and it would be provided. The dragonfly seemed to smile back at her, happy to help. She looked at the bush people and wondered how it worked as a compass.

  “See the lily? Well, the closer you get to your destination, the more the flower blooms; the farther you get, the closer to doom.”

  “Wow! That’s extraordinary!” Deliah exclaimed. “Thanks!”

  The bush people jumped back up into the trees and waved goodbye with their squat, stubby arms. Deliah was very grateful for their loyalty and their protection on the journey. She waved back, picked up Ostephen, and set him on her shoulder. Then she picked up the dragonfly lantern and eagerly continued down the path.

  Deliah looked down at the lily and saw it slowly blooming beneath the dragonfly’s golden light. Ostephen hadn’t spoken much at all; his sadness over seeing Kristoff with the Dark Ones was really taking its toll. He hadn’t moved from Deliah’s shoulder. He just remained glum with his head hung low. Deliah had tried to make the odd joke or point out something funny to distract him, but he had yet to crack a smile. Struggling to find her way with her silent companion, she had decided to keep steady on the same path. She began to grow sleepy from all the walking and yawned. The sun had set, and she was grateful for the lantern.

  Ostephen had fallen asleep, and Deliah had considered stopping and waiting for him to wake up, but she wanted to reach Greenland as soon as possible if for no other reason than to get Ostephen back to his usual self. He’d mentioned Greenland to her before. The gnomes lived there, including his good friend Herbie. His face had lit up every time he mentioned it.

  An hour or so had passed, and Deliah paused to catch her breath. Leaning on a tree trunk, she searched her surroundings for some kind of sign to help her on her way. The lily had stopped blooming, and Deliah knew she should wake Ostephen, but her stubborn, independent side wanted to prove she could find her way alone. She spotted a wooden sign post that read Greenland – this way with an arrow. It seemed odd to her that she hadn’t noticed a sign like that before, but she reasoned it was probably a fairy or forest friend helping her out. She had been receiving guidance and help from several forest friends, so she reasoned that the sign must be okay and marched onward following the sign.

  A mile or so later, the dragonfly continued to try to get Deliah’s attention, hovering lower above the lily which was now closing, but Deliah was lost in her own world, practically sleepwalking. She felt sticky beads of sweat dripping down her forehead and wiped them away with her sleeve. She thought to herself that she’d made good progress, having followed three more signs with arrows. Deliah now felt so weak and tired from the increasing heat that she gave in to a final yawn and settled under a sugar tree that sparkled with white twinkling lights made even more beautiful by the moonlight. Like cherry and orange trees, sugar trees had been around forever in Faye. If you found a sugar tree, you could pick your favorite fresh sweet: cupcakes, cookies, tarts, and candies galore.

  As Deliah got even sleepier, she thought, I’ll have to pick one of those cupcakes and put a chocolate in my pock–….

  Thrilled that their signs had worked and had led Deliah down the wrong path, the group of Dark Ones crept closer in the night. Surrounded by their glowing flames, they smiled sinfully as they pictured how proud the Dark King would be when they captured Deliah and brought her back to the castle. The six of them continued to creep toward her and were just about to cast the capture spell on her when they were pushed back several yards by a mighty rush of water and fell to the ground. They angrily got up and armed themselves for a fight but were again stunned senseless by another wave of water and saw Edwin the unicorn’s horn beaming through the forest at them. He stood protectively in front of Deliah, rubbing his hooves in the dirt as though he were about to charge at them. Unicorns were a symbol of power and purity, and even a Dark One would not dare attempt an attack on a unicorn. Many Dark Ones had tried and failed. Gasping in the water for air and struggling to fly out with their wet, withered wings, they buzzed bitterly. Edwin stood his ground with a grace even a swan would admire. Sensing his victory, Edwin at last stopped the flow of water and watched as the six drenched Dark Ones, sore and sullen, stumbled away.

  Having woke up to the sound of waves of water and miserable shrieks, Ostephen and Deliah sat huddled behind Edwin and wondered what on earth had just happened.

  Edwin bowed his long neck and mane slightly in acknowledgement before saying, “I urge you to be more careful, dear child. You needn’t try to figure things out on your own. If you are lost or unsure, know that it takes more courage to ask for help than it does to deny it.” />
  Feeling quite embarrassed at her own stubbornness, Deliah nodded quietly and thanked him. Ostephen opened the door of the lantern and looked at the now closed, wilted lily. The dragonfly who still hovered above it gave him a look of “Hey, I tried” before buzzing out of the lantern and flying away.

  Edwin offered to help Deliah and Ostephen get to Greenland, which would make up for any lost time. They eagerly accepted and climbed on his back. They were staring at the sun setting over the rolling green hills and brilliant bright flowers of Greenland in what seemed like mere seconds. The land was filled with tulips and colorful flowers in bloom. Woodpeckers and birds of all kinds nested in the trees, and the sky was bluer than anything Deliah had ever seen. It seemed Greenland was graced with a little extra cast of color.

  Chapter 7

  To dewdrops and rainbows and sparkles anew,

  To fairies, elves, and unicorns, too,

  To all the great creatures that roam through Faye,

  To the many wonders that surround us each day.

  There was a buffet of food, drink, music, and dancing as various fairies, leprechauns, elves, foxes, and elemental friends waved them over and invited them to join the fun. They knew of Deliah and her journey, and they were happy to provide some food and respite. Deliah asked the fairies and friends what the celebration was about, and they all fell over laughing and wondered why humans always needed a cause for a celebration.

  “You guys are certainly social,” Deliah said to Ostephen, feeling embarrassed.

  “Oh, indeed,” Ostephen said with a nod.

  A song started up, and he placed his right hand to his heart and began reciting the national anthem of Faye.

  “Run through the grass with reckless abandon. Let down your hair in true fairy fashion. We live for the joy, the games, and the laughter, for, you see, these are your keys to happily ever after,” he crooned, smiling proudly.

  Suddenly, Ostephen spotted Rosella and flew over to give her a big hug. She was just as happy to see him and set down the cap she had been knitting him. She urged him to sit down and rest, while she gathered food and drink for him.

  “Deliah!” Ostephen called, waving Deliah over.

  Deliah was happy to see Rosella again. And after Ostephen got pulled away and into the crowd by a gnome, the two ladies easily fell into conversation. Deliah watched Rosella’s eyes follow Ostephen into the crowd.

  “He’s lucky to have such a good friend,” Deliah said.

  With a knowing smile, Rosella looked to Deliah and said, “He loves me. He just doesn’t know it yet.” Deliah nodded, and the two giggled.

  The group of elementals began to gather around Deliah, and they informed her that there was actually another reason for their meeting up with her.

  “We are here to teach you the skill of foresight,” they explained. “We will help you practice your breathing and concentration. You will need it when you reach the Dark Corner.”

  With that, they all settled in. As a group, they taught Deliah how to ignore distractions and listen to her own voice. They showed her how to slow her breathing and focus when she was faced with fear and how to find calm in any moment. It was frustrating for Deliah at first; she found it hard to quiet her mind and concentrate, but they all assured her that she was a natural and that the more she practiced, the easier it would become. The more fear the Dark Ones can sense, the stronger they feel. This is why it is best to breathe and concentrate on what you want to happen, not what you fear will happen. Deliah petted the fox beside her and thanked the group for their help. She felt good knowing she had a skill to rely on when she reached the Dark Corner.

  Hours later, they were still mingling and having fun with their allies and friends. One fairy, dressed as a ballerina, danced over to Deliah. While winking and twirling, the fairy handed her a piece of chocolate cake.

  “I’m Ballencia. Dance and sing; be merry for our sake. Enjoy life, for it is a piece of cake!”

  She laughed and spun as Deliah accepted the cake. Ballencia was so graceful that she never walked; she always danced, and if she didn’t dance, she glided. Her little pink tutu and ballet slippers were sparkly and drew attention, but there was nothing about Ballencia that was insincere or needy. She was just full of life—a reminder to the other fairies of the beauty and fun in every step of every moment.

  I think I may take up ballet when I get home, Deliah thought, suddenly inspired. If I ever get home…, she heard a voice in her head threaten. She suddenly envisioned Grandma still sleeping soundly by the fire. I’ll be back, Grandma, she vowed silently. I won’t leave you.

  Deliah suddenly froze as she held a vision of the Dark Ones buzzing toward her grandmother’s house. Within a few feet of the door, she saw them slam against an invisible wall and angrily retreat. She breathed a sigh of relief, seeing that Tatum was inside laughing and reading a book next to Grandma. Coming out of her vision, Deliah took a big bite of the yummy cake and looked around at all the frolicking fairies.

  I wonder where Ostephen has gone? she mused.

  Ostephen slumped down on a smooth, flat bedrock. Resting his chin in his hands, he thought glumly, Here we go again. Every time he would gain confidence and prepare to make his move, something or someone would swoop in and nullify all his efforts.

  Forget it, he said to himself, This is what it is and what it will always be. He sipped the last of his berry juice, his only comfort at the moment. Looking around at all the other couples dancing, singing, and drinking merrily, his heart heaved with an undeserved heaviness, a loneliness that had been eating away at him for far too long. As always, his gaze slowly drifted back to Ballencia. Her long blonde hair cascaded over her shoulders like silk. Her laugh haunted him as did the flirtatious glimmer in her icy blue eyes. She caught him staring and waved him over, never one to shy away from a moment’s admiration. Suddenly released from his sullen state, Ostephen set his mug down in the grass and was about to hop to when he swooped in, took her by the hand, and twirled her around the dance floor.

  Slumping back down onto his rock, Ostephen rolled his big blue eyes, sighed wearily, and muttered an infuriated, “Nad!”

  He hated to admit it, but he was jealous of Nad. Nad had no problems getting attention from the lady fairies; they all swooned. His orange glow was hard to compete with, and he was always working out—or showing off, as Ostephen chose to see it—but there was no denying that Nad was definitely one fit fairy. Ostephen once thought of joining Nad for a workout or asking him for some advice, but he couldn’t bring himself to do it. Ostephen wished he had it in him to get up and steal Ballencia away from Nad. Ostephen could take Nad on if it came to that— at least Ostephen hoped he could. It didn’t matter. Ostephen shrugged because he knew he never would.

  He looked up as a group of fairies challenged Nad to break his jumping record. A bunch of fairies were all piled atop one another’s shoulders, creating a line that reached six feet high.

  They were all cheering loudly, “Nad, Nad, Nad, Nad…!”

  Oh, come on! Ostephen thought.

  “He’ll never make it!” someone at the bottom of the pile shouted.

  “Remember, no wings!” Ballencia yelled.

  Nad was ready; knees bent, crouched, and focused.

  He’ll make it, Ostephen said to himself. He always does.

  Sure enough, with no wings, Nad managed to jump up and over, making it look effortless. The fairies all fell over one another, laughing and cheering hysterically. This was one of their favorite games at every fairy party.

  Ostephen sighed. “Yeah, great job!” he muttered sarcastically. “Real impressive orange glow.”

  Then he froze as he spotted a swoosh of long blonde hair and saw his beautiful fairy lean in and kiss Nad adoringly on the cheek. Ostephen’s light dimmed to almost nothing. He was loved and adored by the rest of the realm, commonly referred to as “the good one.” No one had ever met a gentler, generous soul. He was fairly happy, had a great family and good friends, bu
t none of that mattered because the love he so yearned for still escaped him. Hiding his tenderhearted face, he dragged himself through the forest, ignorant of its simple pleasures: the sweet smell of the pine trees and the crunching of their needles beneath his pointy-toed feet. Ostephen needed to rest; a new day would soon dawn.

  It was sunrise when Deliah awoke to find Ostephen missing. As she was looking about in a panic, a little bluebird chirped her a good morning and filled her in on his whereabouts.

  “I saw him this morning as I was gathering worms for the youngins. He’s okay. He came back late, and he’s sleeping right by that cherry tree over there.”

  Deliah followed the bluebird and found Ostephen sleeping slumped against the cherry tree, murmuring of Ballencia and then Kristoff. She assumed that he must have been dreaming and felt it best to leave him for awhile longer and allow him some extra slumber. She decided to go for a walk and pick some fruit from a nearby cove to bring along for the next part of their journey. As she stretched on her tiptoes trying to knock down a pear from an orchard, she noticed a thin red puff of smoke float by her. She suddenly fell to the ground limp and unconscious.

  Sidney, the squirrel who had been gathering nuts nearby, witnessed the whole event and scurried off to get help.

  “Poison! Poison! The little girl’s been poisoned!” his tiny voice shrieked as he ran through the forest. Ostephen opened his eyes to see what all the racket was as Sidney skidded to a halt in front of him. “She…sh…sh…poi….She was….”

  “Spit it out,” Ostephen said. Sometimes he got annoyed with the squirrels; they were very anxious and scattered.

  “Deliah! She got…Dark One…poison!”

  Ostephen flew up immediately and followed Sidney, flying as fast as his little wings would allow. He arrived at the base of the pear tree and saw Deliah’s lifeless body.

  “Help!” he shouted. “Help!”

  He buzzed from one direction to the other, frantically searching for someone or something. Just then, he saw a group of gnomes making their way over the hill on their way back from the pond and recognized his friend Herbie.