“Beautiful Mother” said Della, “its no wonder you sit here in the evenings.”
“Yes,” said her Mother dreamily. “Your Father loved to sit here too, we would sit here together every evening waiting for the sun to set, before he…” their Mother's voice trailed off and she blew her nose tearfully in her hankie. A tear brimmed at the corner of her eyes slipping down her cheeks as she spoke. She mopped the tears with her hankie.
Della took her Mothers hand in hers to comfort her, “We miss him too Mother.” She kissed the back of her mother's hands reassuringly.
“Your Father was too young to die of a heart attack,” she said wistfully.
“Yes Mother, he was.” Kevin whispered his heart going out to his Mother. His parents had been soul mates and best friends; it was hard to imagine one without the other.
“Now Mother, about our plans for the summer,” said Kevin quickly changing the subject. “Della and I would like to stay here with you. We really haven't any plans to go traveling about the countryside on another car trip. We have been away at boarding school since Father passed on now we wish to spend time at home.”
Their Mother smiled at her son through her tears.
“That suits me just fine, Love. I have missed you both too, now run along and unpack your bags kids. We could all use an early night tonight; it has been a long day.”
Della sat on Kevin's bed chatting about the things she would like them to do together in the morning, while he put away his clothes. He pulled open the bottom drawer of his dresser to put the arm full of shirts away.
“Oh what's this?” He dropped the shirts on the floor and pulled out along tubular case from the drawer.
“What's that Kevin?” asked his sister excitedly.
“I can't remember,” said Kevin as he pulled off the cap at the top of the tube and looked inside, “Oh my goodness, it's the magic wand Bluebell gave us two years ago.”
“How could you forget about that Kevin?” said Della. All excited, they stood there together staring at the golden wand in awe.
“We never did get to use it,” said Kevin.
“I know Kevin. Because when we arrived home from the woodland that day, we were told Daddy was in hospital not expected to make it though the night. We were all so upset it's no wonder we forgot about our adventure, then there was the funeral to cope with. After that we were sent away to boarding school.” Della reflected sadly. “Bluebell must think we have forgotten about her.”
“Or did not believe in her,” said Kevin guiltily.
“Yes I do remember Kevin. We must go to the woodland tomorrow morning after Mother leaves for Inverness. She works until six o'clock on Mondays. It will give us plenty of time to get back before Mother gets home from work.
“We will leave for the forest as soon we have finished our breakfast”, said Della, “You do still believe in the fairies! Don't you Kevin?”
“Well um, no, I mean yes, I'm two years older now.” said Kevin, ”So maybe I should stay here while you go, Della.”
“ Never,” said Della, “ we started our adventure together two years ago tomorrow we will continue it together, so smarten up and don't be so silly, of course you will come with me What's your age got to with it?”
“Ok then, I will come with you tomorrow Della.”
“I'm going to bed now, so I will be up bright early in the morning. Good night Kevin.”
“Good night Della and I'm sorry I was so silly just now about being too old to go with you tomorrow. Love you Della.”
“I love you too my brother Sleep tight and don't let the bed bugs bite.”
Della's bedroom was on the south west side of the cottage over looking the lagoon. A smile touched her lips, adding a sparkle to her eyes, as she opened the door to her room. Looking around the bedroom at the scene before her, it warmed her heart to be home again. She walked over to the window and sat on the window- seat and looked out of the open window at the lagoon, and breathed in the salty air. It was so good to be home; she had missed her mother, her home and her bedroom. It was her favorite room in the house.
After their Father had passed away, their Grandfather had advised their mother to send her children to the boarding school their Father had attended; giving their Mother time to grieve and decide if they would stay on in Findhorn or return to the city of London to live. London was a beautiful city but not home to Della, Kevin or their Mother. They were so lucky to have grown up in this beautiful part of the world, and well pleased when their Mother had decided to stay on living in Findhorn. She turned glancing around her bedroom again. Once more a smile kissed her lips showing the pleasure she felt.
Her bedroom with its rich royal blue cushioned window-seat complimented the white French colonial bedroom furniture. Delicate yellow frilly muslin curtains decorated the windows, with a matching bedspread on the bed was of the palest’ yellow, giving the bedroom an appearance of sunny femininity. She loved spending time in her bedroom. It was her haven where she could think, relax and heal from the grief of losing her Father. She undressed slowly putting on her nightdress and robe.
She picked up the silver picture frame that sat on her dresser, a photograph of her beloved Father. She kissed the smiling face looking out at her.“ I love you Daddy,” she whispered, placing it back on the dresser and got into bed. She heard her Mothers foot steps on the stairs. She called out good night to her Mother.
“Good night Della, good night Kevin.” chorused their Mother.
Della awoke in the morning to the sound of the ocean waves gently slapping onto the shore, sunlight streaming in from the window, bringing light and warmth to her already cheerful room. She jumped out of bed went to the window just in time to see her Mother leaving for Inverness. She called out a goodbye to her Mother from her bedroom window, waving until her Mother was out of sight.
When she reached the kitchen she found a note on the kitchen table from her Mother. Asking, if they would prepare the vegetables for dinner that night. The note went on to say to enjoy their first full day at home, love Mum.
Della prepared her breakfast and carried it out to the patio to eat. She was surprised to see Kevin already there eating a bowl of cereal.
“Good morning Kevin.”
“Good morning to you, Kevin mumbled between chews. What are our plans for the day Della?”
“Well Mother asked if we would prepare the veggies for tonight's dinner. Then the rest of the day is ours.” Della set her tray on the table.
“We can leave for the woodlands as soon as I have made some sandwiches for our lunch. Would you like a bottle of orange juice to drink with your lunch Kevin?”
“Yes please Della.”
“Can you remember the path we took to the fairy glade Kevin?”
“I think so once we reach the edge of the woodland it should jog my memory.”
“Good, I will go to make our sandwiches and pack them in the picnic basket. Then we are off on another adventure.
II- Midsummer Adventure-
The Enchanted Silver Lake
They left the cottage in high spirits chatting away about their new adventure in the woodlands. They crossed the sand dunes taking care not to walk through the sea oats, over the green fields on their way to the woodlands.
“This is the way we came before,” said Kevin. “I remember the old wooden poacher hut over there to our right.”
The early morning sun was warm the breeze was balmy, creating a good feeling. They knew that once they were inside the woods, the warmth would be gone. It would be very dark, cool and damp.
On they walked to the edge of the woodland to where the pathway began winding its way through the woods. The pathway was well worn from years of traveler's footsteps walking along this right of way though the woods to the town of Mac Duff. The atmosphere had changed; now it was dark and damp with the thick canopy of the trees shutting out the sun's rays. Here and there a shaft of light peeked in from above through the treetops, lighting up the trail befor
e them bringing them warmth and light.
“Look Della there ahead of us, a baby fawn and its mother.”
“Oh, whispered Della, “how striking they look.” They came to a halt to watch the deer's making their way across the path ahead of them. The doe looked at Della and Kevin, sniffed the air then ran into the under growth the fawn close behind her.
They walked on for another fifteen minutes until they came to a clearing. Here the sun shone brightly though the treetops, warming the air and the grass as the children looked about them. There were wild roses growing up tree trunks. Daisies and violet dotted in the grass. The fragrance of the flowers drifted towards them.
How lovely Della thought as she gazed around the clearing.
“This is not the clearing where we met Bluebell,” said Kevin.
“I know,” Della replied sighing dreamily.
“We have missed it somehow, but not to worry.” said Kevin.
“We can use the fairy wand Bluebell gave us, Della. Bluebell said to tap the wand on my hand three times and she would be with us.”
Kevin placed the picnic basket on the grass and opened the lid and took out the wand. With a grand flourishing gesture, tapped it on his hand three times, crying out “Bluebell.”
There was a very bright flash of light causing the children to cover their eyes. The air glowed with such brilliance, when they opened their eyes there was Bluebell, wings fluttering on top of the picnic basket.
“Good day.” she said. “How are you both?” Before they could answer, she said, “My goodness you have both grown so tall.”
“Yes, Kevin replied. “It has been two years since we last talked with you. In the last two years I have grown eight inches,” standing as straight and tall as he could to prove his point.
“In your time two years have passed,” said Bluebell amused. “Time passes slowly in my world. We do not get sick or old as you do in your world. It seems to me that we have only been apart for a day or two.”
“Cool,” said Kevin. “That would be great if our time passed like yours; I could stay on school holidays for years instead of weeks.”
“You wish.” said Della laughing.
“Be careful what you wish for when you have the wand in your hand,” said Bluebell. You could wish yourself into my world. Then what would you do Kevin? Your mother would be worried about you and not know where you were.”
“We would love to see your world but we would want to come back to our world. Could that be done Bluebell?” Kevin asked.
“Yes,” said Bluebell. “This is Midsummer's day; one of the most magical day's of the year in your world and mine. When you are ready, tap the wand three times, and then say ‘take us to the Magical Fairy Glen’.”
Kevin repeated Bluebells chant. Suddenly there was a strong breeze and flash of light. They were both twirling round and around as if in a whirling pool of water and bright illumination all around them, transporting them into the enchanted fairy world.
Then suddenly all was still. They were not twirling around anymore. Dazed, the children realized that they had been twirled around and down into a pool of silvery water. They were floating in a silvery sparkling lake, with a beautiful waterfall cascading into the lake from a cliff above.
“Good gracious.” said Della, swimming to the rocks of the closest shore. She pulled herself out of the water, with Kevin close behind. They stood looking at each other in awe; their clothes were perfectly dry yet they had been in water!
“There you are. Sorry it was such a wild journey for you but it is the only way for humans to enter the silver lake,” Bluebell said smiling sweetly. “Welcome to my magical world!”
“Thank you Bluebell,” said the children in unison.
“That was a remarkable experience Bluebell,” said Kevin.
“Follow me” Bluebell said as she flew ahead of them through the trees and dense under growth, which seemed to part magically for them to pass through. There before them was the Fairy town. There were little mushroom houses with little red roofs and yellow front doors, another house with the entrance in a tree's roots. Its front door was purple.
“Where is your house Bluebell?” asked Della.
“Over there.” Bluebell as she pointed to a hillside covered with buttercups and daisies. The little house had a blue door and windows set in the side of the hill. “Come in, we can have a cup of tea.”
“We will never fit through your front door,” said the children. “We are too big.”
“Not now,” Bluebell said with a twinkle in her eye, tapping them with her wand. “If you take a good look at one another you will see you are now the same size as me.”
“Oh dear,” said Della, “we are, how magical! Where are all the people who live here?”
“They are sleeping. It is early morning here but they will all be awake within the next little while.”
Bluebell showed them into her house. Once inside, they were amazed how roomy and bright it was. They sat and drank tea and ate hot buttered toast and chatted about their last two years. Bluebell nodded and listened quietly with a very knowing look on her face.
“I must tell you that the fairy kingdom heard about your family's sadness.”
“You did?” chimed the children, amazed.
“Yes, “Bluebell continued. “We all know your mother she is a special friend to us. Did you not know that your Mother is a white witch?”
“Mother a white witch? But we were never told,” said Della, “but it does explain how Mother knows where we have been and what we have done without us telling her!”
“Yes it does.” said Kevin thoughtfully.
“Your Mother knows you are here today, so do not worry about being late in getting home.”
Suddenly they heard voices calling out for Bluebell. They looked out the window and there in the village square were fairies and pixies dressed in all the colors of the rainbow.
“What a beautiful sight,” said Della clapping her hands with glee.
“Let's go out to meet them,” said Bluebell. They followed her out to greet and be greeted cheerfully by everyone. Then a trumpet sounded in a triumphant trill. The fairies and pixies parted clearing a pathway. They bowed their heads in respect as the King and Queen walked between all assembled there. Making their way, they came to a stop in front of the children. What Della and Kevin did not realize was that Bluebell had tucked herself behind them, hiding herself from the King and Queen's view.
“Welcome to my Kingdom.” greeted the King smiling. The children bowed their heads as they had seen the fairies do.
“Thank you your Majesty,” chorused Kevin and Della.
“I see my youngest daughter is here with you! She is our only daughter and very mischievous. She has a mind of her own but we love her dearly. She certainly keeps us on our toes, does she not my dear?” He turned to the Queen.
“Yes, my husband, she does cause a lot of excitement in one's day.” She smiled sweetly at Della and Kevin.
“Come out from behind the children Bluebell,” said the King.
“Bluebell!” said the children together. “But we didn't know. I mean she did not say!” They both looked at each other in surprise. Bluebell came and stood before her parents; her head held high showing her defiance.
“Hello mother, Hello father I would like you to meet my friends Della and Kevin from the earthly world.”
“Thank you daughter, we are very pleased and honored to meet your friends. I do believe they were present at your brother's wedding in the Fairy Glade.”
“Yes, we were,” said Della taking hold of Bluebell's hands. “She was very kind to us that day.”
“We were very surprised to see you all in the forest.” continued Kevin. “Well I was, as I did not believe in…! I mean, Della has always believed in fairies and pixies, but you see, she's a girl.” The King smiled sympathetically at Kevin.
“Come children we will go to the palace where it is more comfortable for us all.” The King summo
ned the carriage asked them to be seated.
III-The Crystal Palace
Once the carriage topped the hill they could see the Crystal Palace. There was a silver drawbridge encrusted with sparkling gems that covered the shimmering silver waters of the moat that surrounded the palace walls.
The carriage drew to a halt in front of a crystal stairway leading up to large silver doors of the castle. The door of the carriage was opened by a footman who ushered them up the stairway and in to the palace.
“The Princess Bluebell will show you to your quarters and see to your safe return home. You will be returned in my Royal coach; a more genteel return I might add.” He winked at Kevin in a knowing way.
“Good bye I know that the next time you return your dear Mother will be with you. The Queen and I shall retire for a much needed rest it has been a long day for us.”
“Thank you very much for a wonderful day,” replied the children.
“Good-bye your majesty,” said Kevin. They bowed gracefully as the King and Queen turned and went up the spiral staircase to their rooms on the upper gallery.
“Come follow me I will show you through the Palace,” said Bluebell.
“Thank you, we are thrilled to be there with you, aren't we Kevin?”
As they walked from room to room Bluebell explained the history of each room. Every room had curtain of gold. The walls were of silver-crystal, the furniture of royal red, carpets a snowy white. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceilings lighting up the rooms.
“Your home is very beautiful Bluebell, I have never seen such splendor,” said Della.
“We will go to the upper gallery to my bedroom once there you can rest and refresh your selves,” explained Bluebell. Bluebells bedroom was as impressive as the rooms below. The furnishings were of the softest blues and greens blended together though out the room. Her silver canopy bed was draped with warm mauve quilt; sat in the center of the room. A matching silver dresser with a curved mirror and gleaming crystal bench set of the furnishings of the room.
Fairy Glade and Other Enchanting Tales Page 3