Olive - The Chosen One

by Daisy L. Bloom

  ‘‘Forget it’’ shouted the fairies ‘‘e molto freddo! We prefer staying in Santa’s hotel, where it is all warm and cosy.’’

  Then it was off on a tour to see the polar bears, the penguins and the Eskimos. What the group didn’t know was that Oak had managed to arrange a visit to see Javo the Eskimo fairy. This fairy was famous all over the world for his ice sculptures. It was way too cold to live in the North Pole as you would freeze to death, the inhabitants would live in surrounding areas like Alaska and Greenland but, not too close to the arctic weather.

  After this adventure, all the fairies had a renewed vigor for life. Each one brought back a momentum of a stuffed polar bear or penguin which they would treasure forever in the olive fields back in Salento. They also learnt a big lesson ‘appreciate your life, where you live and the sun of Salento!’

  CHAPTER 19

  OLIVE AND OAK TIE THE FAIRY KNOT

  Oak knew that Olive was ‘The one’ the first time he set eyes on her. She was kind, considerate of other people and was the most beautiful fairy he had ever laid eyes on. He arranged a secret break to Paris. The city of love….

  Before whisking Olive off to Paris for a 4-day break, Oak cooked her a lavish meal. He had already spoken to Cielo and Destiny and they had given him their blessing. He planned to get down on one knee at the bottom of the Eiffel Tower. He wanted to make it really romantic with a boat trip afterwards which would take them along the river Seine followed by a show ‘The Moulin Rouge’ which was currently running.

  Olive turned up to Oak’s little home wearing a stunning red dress, she looked more beautiful every time he saw her. The table was beautifully laid, red rose petals were scattered on the floor. Oak pulled out the chair for Olive to sit down. He was a little nervous and swallowed hard as he asked what she would like to drink.

  Olive could see that Oak was slightly flustered and couldn’t think why because they had been inseparable ever since their first date. He had cooked an Italian meal of aubergines cooked with meat followed by Lasagne and Spumone for desert which is ice-cream with small pieces of fruit inside. It was feast fit for a fairy princess.

  After dessert, Oak put an envelope on the table which contained a surprise for Olive along with a couple of heart chocolates.

  ‘‘What is this?’’ said Olive smiling. She opened the envelope and there were two tickets to Paris staying at the Paris Hilton for four days.

  ‘‘Mio Dio - OMG!’’ she shouted ‘‘really? You are taking me to Paris?’’

  She jumped up and hugged him thinking ‘I am one lucky fairy.’

  ‘‘Thanks so much (mille grazie). I love you so much.’’

  It just sort of popped out of her mouth before she could say fairy Jack Robinson!

  Oak swept her up in his arms and exclaimed that he loved her too, more than anything in the world! He had never felt like this before. She was his soul-mate.

  They were setting off for Paris that weekend. Olive packed a couple of beautiful dresses and knew that this was the start of something very powerful and good in her life.

  It was on the second night that Oak popped the question at the bottom of the Eiffel tower. It was a warm, sultry night, the stars were sparkling in the sky and the lights of the Eiffel Tower lit up the city of Paris. Olive looked stunning. She had chosen an olive green dress which accentuated her olive green eyes. She felt butterflies in the pit of her stomach, it was almost as if she knew that this was the night that Oak would at last put a ring on her finger and make his full intentions known.

  Oak got down on one knee and took a small velvet box out of his back pocket. He looked at olive and said ‘‘I knew you were the one the first moment I laid eyes on you, I just hoped and prayed that one day you would feel the same. Without you as my wife, my life will never be complete, will you do me the great honor by becoming my fairy wife?’’

  Olive smiled thinking ‘this is the best thing that has happened to me in my life since being given the wishes by Priscilla.’

  She held out her hand for him to place the ring on her finger saying ‘‘Si! Si! Si! Yes!! I love you with all my heart and cannot wait to start our lives together as husband and wife.’’

  Oak placed a beautiful Emerald on her finger and swung her into the air. Fairies who were sitting in the gardens surrounding the Eiffel Tower began to clap shouting ‘‘Auguri, Auguri, congratulations!’’

  A carriage was waiting to whisk the newly engaged couple off for a romantic dinner on a boat which would take them along the River Seine, this would be followed by a fantastic show.

  Both the fairies were bowled over by the magic of Paris and knew that one day they would return.

  The couple wasted no time in planning their wedding, it was all they had ever wanted from the outset.

  Olive always dreamt of getting married on the exact same fairy beach where her mamma and papa met, it was their destiny and now she felt it was hers. She felt a pulling to this particular spiaggia. Olive had a great love for the sea, Oak felt that the sea was his life, so this was the perfect choice in more ways than one.

  Destiny and Cielo were happy to take care of everything, nothing was too much for their daughter.

  Fairy helicopters flew all over Italy displaying banners which read ‘The Chosen One is getting married, be there or be square.’ A picture of both Olive and Oak was displayed announcing the time, place and date stating it was a once in a life-time event, fairies came from all over Italy to watch this fairy get married. After all, she was ‘The Chosen One’ and it was an experience that they would never have again.

  On the morning of the wedding, fairy bells rang out all over the olive fields. Drums were played, the excitement was felt by everyone.

  Neither Olive nor Oak felt in the least bit nervous. This was the time that both of them had been waiting for all their lives and now the day had finally arrived when they would declare their love for each other publicly.

  The fairy priest Padre Raffaele held the service in the local fairy church. Olive wore a well fitted strapless dress which accentuated her fairy curves. Small diamantes were spotted throughout her veil. Willow was her bridesmaid whilst Luna and Dandy were the ushers. Oak dressed in white to match his fairy bride. The wedding reception was held in a simple but, elegant bar which was located right by the sea on the beach. Olive changed into a simple wedding dress of pure white for the beach reception, she wore diamantes in her hair and walked bare-foot through the sand. Oak wore some simple white trousers which were teamed with a casual open-necked shirt. He also walked bare-foot.

  Tables were set out on the beach, the waves of the sea echoed over the music, a fairy violinist sat in the corner playing soft music. After a selection of starters, Lobster was served along with plates of pasta. One course was served after the other until it was time for the group ‘The Fairy Wongs’ to perform who had been especially flown in from China.

  Both Olive and Oak wanted their wedding to be one of different cultures of the world and what better way to bring something different then to dance to ‘The Fairy Wongs.’ Olive and Oak believed that diversity in life helps to lift the spirit.

  ‘The Fairy Wongs’ played Chinese rock and roll. All the fairies rocked along the beach.

  Olive’s fairy God-mother Priscilla was there and she was one glitzy little fairy God-mother. She looked on in amazement and as usual was full of pride for Olive. She was ‘The Chosen One’ and always lived up to her name. She always acted with such grace and Priscilla could even feel the love in the air. It lifted every little fairy’s wings and hearts.

  The whole beach rocked until the early hours of the next day. History had been made and the chances were that no-one in their life-time would experience such a wedding again unless another Sky Fairy had a third child who again would become a ‘Chosen One.’

  Olive and Oak were officially married and neither of them felt more elated.

  CHAPTER 20

  THE ROOM OF RELAXATION

  Sunshine, Rain
bow and Sperenza offered their help free of charge. They wanted to help build a relaxation room in the new centre. A room of peace, love and joy. They put forward a plan.

  ‘Might as well let them have a go’ thought Oak and Willow. They seemed to relate well to the teenagers and thought a room with a Moroccan feel would be a different and uplifting experience for everyone. It was going to be full of Moroccan furniture and a throw back from the 60’s. Oh yes! This room was going to be very cool.

  They decided to paint the walls in a turquoise blue, that of calm and serenity and the colour of the sea of Salento. The main wall was going to be one big mural of flowers, peace signs and trees with a huge rainbow running through it. Sunshine had an artist friend and he had offered his services. It would take a while to complete but, it would be a room that everybody wanted to simply chill in.

  Furniture was imported from Morocco. Big lush leather settees with huge cushions on them adorned the room. Big Moroccan bean-bags were scattered around the room along with huge wooden candle holders. Comfortable leather pouffes were in every spare space. Moroccan wall lights were fitted to the walls which threw colour all over the room when switched on. Large Moroccan light-fittings hung from the ceiling. They managed to get hold of a beautiful, ornate wooden door which was fitted to the entrance, it was inlaid with cut-out patterns in dark wood, it was amazing and unique.

  There was to be no television in this room, it would just spoil the ambience of it all. However, there would be an old fashioned record player in the corner with a selection of vinyl from the 60’s. It was strictly a no-smoking area! The way to chill in this room was simply to chat, listen to old skool music, maybe play a bongo or two, strum a guitar, play games and to discuss times old and new.

  There was to be a coffee machine so that the visitors could have a coffee, latte or cappuccino whilst discussing the day’s events. It would be a place where people could escape to if they felt lost or alone, a place where there would always be someone to talk to if anyone felt the need. Nobody need ever feel that they had no-where to go ever again.

  It was funny really because as soon as this room was ready, fairies would say ‘‘meet you in the peace room!’’ It became a room where friendships were built and ghosts laid to rest. Either Sunshine, Rainbow or Speranza tried to be there at all times. There would always be a welcoming smile when someone arrived. It became a ritual to say ‘‘peace man’’ as they walked in and to give the pace sign. There was a sign above the door saying ‘leave your troubles at the door-way, enter and feel the peace.’

  Relationships were built in this room, relationships were repaired in this room and new friends were formed. It was certainly a room full of love.

  People would sit around in circles making scrap-books, discussing the North Pole adventure, planning walks, just loving the life that had now been bestowed upon them. It was this room that became the main hub of the new centre and everyone was very proud of it.

  It is true that Sunshine started to bring her tarot cards in and gave free readings which everyone loved. Speranza brought some bingo and Rainbow brought the game ‘Stairs and Rainbows.’ Fun was had by all.

  One dreary day a young fairy of about 17 years old came to visit the relaxation room. He seemed to have a big chip on his shoulder, he was full of moans and groans, stating that no-one understood him. Speranza decided that he was going to take this young fairy chap under his fairy wing, he had been helped by these fairies and now it was his turn to give, he wanted to help someone who was in a bad way.

  At first, he felt it very hard to get the fairy boy to open up as he was very closed and felt that he could trust no-one. Sperenza felt that the way to get someone’s real trust was to be open about their own lives and to discuss their own experiences. The boy was called Matteo and was known as Matty probably because his hair was always matted up but, Speranza felt that there was more to this young fairy chappy, he gave off an air of bravado! An air of ‘I know more than you, I am always right, I don’t care what you think’ but, Speranza felt that beneath it all, there lay a very vulnerable fairy.

  One morning Speranza said to Matty ‘‘how about a game of chess? But, this will be a special game because every piece you lose, you have to open up and tell me something about yourself and I will do the same.’’

  ‘‘Whatever!’’ said Matty.

  Speranza chuckled to himself and thought ‘this is going to be hard work, this fairy is full of enthusiasm!’

  Speranza lost the first move deliberately as he wanted to give Matty a sense of winning.

  ‘‘So!’’ said Matty ‘‘what are you going to share with me?’’

  ‘‘Well up until very recently I was homeless, I lived in the olive fields homeless for years.’’

  Matty was stunned and smiled thinking ‘I hope he loses the next move so I can find out why.’

  Matty lost the next move, he swallowed hard before saying ‘everyone hates me, I am an outcast!’

  ‘That was not a lot of information’ thought Speranza but, couldn’t help saying ‘‘I am sure that is not true. We all sometimes feel outcast but, there is always someone who cares, always.’’

  Speranza lost the next move. He shared his story with the young fairy of how he lost all his family in an awful storm. Of how they were washed away by the extreme currents and how he just gave up for a good few years. He felt he had nothing to live for.

  Matty swallowed hard and patted Speranza’s hand in a gruff way saying ‘‘I am sorry to hear of your mis-fortune.’’

  He had a little tear in his eye but, roughly brushed it away and said ‘‘I have had enough of this game, let’s play darts!’’

  Speranza got up and got out the dart set. Yes, he had made a start, it would take time for Matty to open up to him but, he felt a bond was beginning to form with the fairy boy. Maybe he could be in his life now, he would show him that there are good fairies and decent people in this world.

  Speranza was a better dart player than Matty but, he hoped in time Matty would learn to hit the board!

  After the game Matty said ‘‘I had better go home.’’

  Speranza said ‘‘you are welcome to come and see my home if you wish, don’t spend time alone dwelling on things.’’

  Matty gave a half smile.

  ‘‘Really, are you cooking dinner?’’

  Speranza laughed and said ‘‘yes, what do you fancy?’’

  ‘‘A big juicy burger would be nice’’ said Matty.

  Matty smiled a little to himself. He felt his heart skip a little happy beat as he followed Speranza home.

  Mio Dio - OMG!

  Speranza’s house was so cool. The first thing Matty spotted was a picture of a really beautiful fairy alongside two lovely little fairy children.

  Speranza saw him looking and said ‘‘yes, that’s my family, they will always be in here!’’

  With that said he tapped his heart. Matty understood and felt a connection with Speranza like none other. Speranza had lost his son and Matty wanted a father figure. Even though they didn’t know each other too well, they both felt that a strong family connection was beginning to form. A little seed had been planted as after all a family does not have to be blood, it can be someone you choose to love, someone you can look up to and respect. Matty was feeling this for Speranza.

  Matty’s story was one that was quite similar to lots of other fairies in the world. He felt he was unloved by his parents, totally mis-understood and felt like he was the black sheep of the family. He used to try so hard to fit in but, now he had accepted things for what they were. It was their problem not his and he had learned to accept certain things in his life were what they were. Both his mother and father were forever putting him down! He was ugly! He had big sticky out ears! He was not clever enough! He would go no-where in life! The list went on and on! In the end it made him loose the will to even try but, then he met Speranza who was such a great fairy. He was a teacher, he seemed to bring out the best in Matty and he saw
things in Matty that his parents just couldn’t see. He gave him the strength and belief that he could be whoever he wanted to be. Matty had even started College to learn a new trade. He wanted to be a mechanic and Speranza had given him the confidence to do just that. Nobody should be outcast, everybody in this world has something to offer and everyone has their worth!!! These were the words that Speranza taught him.

  Matty had always been good with his hands. He liked to fiddle with cars and bikes so he had a natural talent for becoming a mechanic. He also learnt that he had green fingers, he was a lover of plants. Together along with Speranza, they made an allotment. They started to grow their own vegetables. They donated a lot of it to the ‘Pace Centre’ for the under-privileged. Fairies would always be able to have a hot meal if they fell on hard times.

  It was through things like this that Speranza felt that he was giving back. He had been bestowed such an amount of understanding and love, he had been accepted into a new community without any conditions and he was willing to the same for Matty.

  Matty was like a different person, where before he was withdrawn, he now had a sense of humor. He was actually quite funny, he could have been a comedian so the other fairies christened him ‘The Laughing Mechanic.’ All around the olive fields he became known as this.

  It was strange because one day his father came by. He had a problem with his car and had heard about the laughing mechanic and decided to give him a visit. He didn’t know that it was his son just that he was a happy chappy and did the work quickly and for a reasonable price. When his father arrived, Matty was under a car in the pit whistling happily away to the radio. He shouted ‘‘I will be with you in a minute!’’ His father waited patiently and when Matty showed his face, he was literally stunned into silence and started stuttering.