Fairy Dust

by Titania Woods

  .

  Chapter Eight

  Stars still shone in the sky as the school gathered at the pond, waiting for Queen Mab and her retinue to arrive. The ice ornaments that hung on the branches of Glitterwings moved gently in the wind, twinkling like hundreds of captured diamonds.

  The ice pole rose from the centre of the pond, as mysterious and beautiful as ever. From where Twink hovered with the rest of the first year, she could just see the jagged edge of the robin’s broken beak. She shivered, remembering how furious the sprite had been.

  Sooze looked pale and frightened. She, too, was staring at the broken beak – and from the expression on her face, Twink knew that she hadn’t worked out the secret to fairy dust yet.

  A shiver of dread ran through Twink. Miss Shimmery and the other teachers all looked so serious, so solemn. The students all had tiny pouches of fairy dust at their hips, and were dressed in their prettiest flower dresses, hushed and expectant as they waited for the Queen.

  And it was all going to go horribly, horribly wrong.

  Bimi nudged her. ‘This is awful!’ she whispered. ‘We can’t just hover here and not say anything, can we?’

  ‘We promised,’ Twink reluctantly whispered back. ‘I suppose we should give her a bit more time.’

  ‘But the Queen will be here any –’

  Bimi broke off as a pair of stately silver butterflies appeared over the hill. They circled low over the assembled fairies, dipping their wings.

  ‘The Queen’s coming!’ cried someone.

  Twink’s breath caught despite her worries. As one, the school drifted to the ground and rose up on their tiptoes, bowing their heads respectfully. Twink couldn’t help herself. She peeked out from under her pink hair, craning to see.

  A flock of the most beautiful fairies she had ever seen was approaching. Queen Mab’s counsellors were dressed in the most gorgeous, exotic flowers imaginable, in every colour of the rainbow. They sang a song of welcome as they came, their voices like shimmering silver chimes.

  And then – there was Queen Mab! Twink gasped. The beloved fairy queen was centuries old, but her face still glowed with beauty. Her blonde hair waved gently about her face as she flew, and her golden wings gleamed in the pale starlight.

  The Queen and her retinue landed on the icy lawn.

  Miss Shimmery flitted forward, holding out both hands. ‘Welcome to Glitterwings Academy, Your Majesty. We are honoured to have you.’

  The two fairy women kissed each other’s cheeks. Queen Mab’s white lily dress sparkled with seed pearls. A matching seed-pearl coronet rested on her shining blonde hair.

  Oh, Sooze, please work out the secret! thought Twink fervently. The lavender-haired fairy had her eyes closed, and looked like she was concentrating hard.

  Miss Shimmery escorted Queen Mab to the mushroom grandstand that Miss Petal and the older students had grown for her the day before. The mushrooms shone pure silver in the faint light, festooned with icy ribbons and bows.

  .

  .

  Queen Mab turned to face the students. ‘Doesn’t Glitterwings look beautiful!’ she exclaimed. Her voice was so low and lovely that thrills crept across Twink’s arms. ‘Thank you, girls. I know that you will do a wonderful job of seeing in the spring.’

  She sat on the highest mushroom, her golden wings fluttering. Her counsellors took their places around her.

  Miss Shimmery bowed her head with a smile. ‘I think we’re almost ready to begin.’

  Sooze! thought Twink. Don’t just stand there, SAY something!

  But Sooze didn’t speak. Twink, Bimi and Pix shared an agonised look as Miss Shimmery flew back to the students and hovered in front of them. ‘Dancers, take your positions. Those students who are not taking part, please sit quietly on the ground.’

  With a solemn rustle, the school spread its wings and started to fly forward. Twink didn’t move. She felt as if her wings had frozen together. Oh, wasn’t Sooze going to say anything?

  If Sooze wouldn’t, then she would have to. Twink licked dry lips, and opened her mouth to speak.

  ‘Wait!’ burst out Sooze suddenly. ‘WAIT! We can’t begin the dance yet.’

  Twink slumped in relief as Sooze skimmed quickly over to Miss Shimmery. The school hovered over the pond in surprise, watching as Sooze seemed to explain something, red-faced. Finally she reached her hand in her pocket and pulled out an object, which she showed to Miss Shimmery.

  The HeadFairy’s expression was grave. She said something to Sooze. Sooze shook her head, and looked close to tears.

  Twink clutched Bimi’s hand. Neither fairy could speak. Oh, what was being said?

  Finally Miss Shimmery turned to the school, her rainbow wings gleaming as they opened and closed. ‘There is a problem,’ she announced. ‘The ice pole has been broken, and it must be mended by Sooze Birdsong, otherwise the dance cannot go ahead.’

  There was a stunned silence. Up on the grandstand, the Queen’s counsellors leaned together, whispering. Queen Mab herself sat very still and straight, watching the proceedings keenly.

  ‘But I can’t mend it,’ cried Sooze. ‘I don’t know how to use fairy dust!’

  ‘You must try again now,’ said Miss Shimmery gently. ‘We cannot do it for you, Sooze. I’ve no doubt that the sprites meant exactly what they said.’

  The school hovered silently in place – hundreds of brightly dressed fairies, all of them watching Sooze with anxious eyes. On the horizon, the stars were beginning to fade.

  ‘Quickly, Sooze!’ said Miss Shimmery. ‘It will be dawn soon.’

  Sooze hovered wretchedly, biting her lip. Watching her, Twink knew that she had no more idea than before how to use fairy dust.

  Suddenly Twink couldn’t bear it any more. Dropping Bimi’s hand, she darted into the air and flew to Sooze’s side. Surprised murmurs rippled through the crowd.

  ‘Oh, Opposite, what am I going to do?’ whispered Sooze, clutching her hand. ‘I can’t mend it!’

  ‘You can,’ said Twink firmly. ‘Sooze, look at everyone. Think about how hard they’ve all worked.’

  ‘I don’t –’ started Sooze.

  ‘Look at Glitterwings!’ broke in Twink desperately. ‘Each of those ice ornaments had to be made separately, and then hung by one of the students. Hundreds of them! Think about how much time that took.’

  Sooze turned and looked at the school, a frown creasing her forehead.

  ‘Think about Glitterwings,’ whispered Twink. ‘You love it, Sooze, I know you do. Think about how everyone would feel if the ceremony didn’t go ahead.’

  Twink started to say more, and then stopped, holding her breath. Sooze’s frown had cleared. Her violet eyes grew wide as she stared at Glitterwings, and then at the silent, hovering students.

  ‘I – I think I understand,’ said Sooze in wonder. ‘Oh, Twink, I think I get it!’

  Before Twink could answer, Sooze had jetted off, her pink wings fluttering as fast as they could. Flying straight to the ice pole, Sooze hovered near its top. Pressing the icy beak against the robin’s face, she closed her eyes and reached into her other pocket.

  As the school watched in hopeful silence, Sooze concentrated for a moment, clenching a pinch of dust. Then she flung it at the beak.

  A burst of pink and gold light lit the top of the pole. The beak was part of the robin once again, shining like new.

  ‘I did it!’ cried Sooze jubilantly. ‘Oh, I really did it!’

  ‘Well done!’ said Miss Shimmery warmly. ‘Now to your places, girls – quickly! Dawn will be breaking at any moment.’

  The school flew hurriedly into place. Twink joined the others, taking hold of one of the icy strands. As Madame Brightfoot had explained, this was not a dance that needed to be learned. The ice pole itself would lead
them; all they had to do was follow.

  Sure enough, Twink felt a faint pressure against her hand as her strand twitched into life. The ice pole began to slowly rotate, plaiting its strands into an intricate pattern.

  Oh! Twink felt a rush of pleasure as the strands wove about. Suddenly she felt like doing somersaults, like twirling and tumbling! She couldn’t resist. No one could. They spun and dipped and frolicked, whooping with joy. Below, Twink could just see the water sprites through the ice, dancing along with them.

  Laughter bubbled up in Twink’s throat. Bringing in the spring wasn’t solemn at all. It was the most glimmery fun in the world!

  Finally the strands slowed and stopped. It was time.

  Reaching into her pouch, Twink closed her eyes. For springtime, she thought. For all the creatures and plants and flowers in the world! And as she flung the dust at her strand, she thought, Goodbye, winter. We’ll see you again next year!

  As all the fairies did the same, pink and gold light burst over the ice pole. It shimmered like liquid fire. Twink held her breath.

  Slowly, so slowly that she almost didn’t notice at first, her strand began to turn green. First one small, curling tendril appeared, and then another. All at once, green flowed up the strand as it became a vine of ivy. Bright flowers appeared, weaving around the ivy’s heart-shaped leaves.

  The other strands were bursting into life as well. Twink caught Sooze’s eye, and the two fairies grinned at each other. Sooze looked happier than Twink had ever seen her – not mischievous, or eagerly plotting a prank, but just happy.

  The ice pole melted away into warm, living colours as the carved creatures came to life. A badger sat up, blinking its eyes and twitching its black nose. Several field mice scampered down the pole and ran across the ice, squeaking joyfully.

  Just as the first ray of spring sunshine shone on to the pole, the robin at its top opened its beak and began to sing.

  .

  .

  ‘The ice pole is now a green pole,’ announced Miss Shimmery. Her smile was as warm as the new sunshine. ‘Thank you, girls. Welcome to the spring!’

  There was a party afterwards, with the fairies all mingling on the lawn, sipping fizzy dew and eating honey cake. Already, the morning felt warmer than before, with new leaves and flowers bursting up everywhere they looked. Twink and her friends sat in the sunshine beside the pond. The ice had already melted, but the pole remained, covered in bright flowers.

  ‘Isn’t it glimmery!’ sighed Bimi, leaning back against a dandelion. ‘Oh, Sooze, I’m so glad you got the secret!’

  ‘It was down to Twink, really,’ said Sooze shyly. ‘I never would have got it on my own.’ She glanced at Twink. ‘Thanks, Opposite.’

  Before Twink could answer, a familiar green head popped up through the water. ‘And just in time!’ snapped the sprite. ‘We thought we’d have to take the pole away after all.’

  ‘You wouldn’t have really done it, would you?’ asked Twink. ‘I mean, not really?’

  The sprite stared haughtily at her. ‘We always keep our word, even where silly young fairies are concerned. Goodbye, young fairy – I hope we don’t meet again!’ And with that, the sprite bowed solemnly to Sooze, and flipped back into the pond.

  The friends looked at each other, and suddenly burst into laughter. ‘That’s you told, Sooze,’ giggled Bimi.

  ‘Oh, flap off!’ Sooze’s cheeks were red as she grinned. ‘Anyway, I suppose I can’t blame it.’

  Twink laughed with the others, but her smile became wistful as she glanced across at Queen Mab and her retinue, preparing to leave. Athough the Queen had mingled with the students after the ceremony, Twink had been far too shy to approach her.

  She sighed, and sipped her fizzy dew glumly. She’d probably never have another chance, now. Why should an ordinary fairy like her meet the Queen?

  ‘Hello, girls,’ said a voice.

  The fairies jumped to their feet as Miss Shimmery landed beside them. ‘Well done, Sooze,’ said the HeadFairy. ‘I knew you could do it!’

  ‘Thank you, Miss Shimmery,’ said Sooze in a small voice. ‘Er – am I going to be punished?’

  Miss Shimmery laughed. ‘Well, I think you know now that playing pranks near the ice pole wasn’t the wisest idea in the world! I daresay you’ve been punished enough already – you must have gone through quite a worrying time.’

  ‘Oh, yes, Miss Shimmery,’ nodded Sooze fervently. ‘I really have. It’s been awful!’

  Miss Shimmery’s rainbow wings gleamed in the sunshine. ‘And just to make sure you don’t forget the lesson, I think I’ll put you in charge of tending the green pole once the new term begins. You’ll need to transplant all the ivy and flowers somewhere else, where they can really thrive.’

  Twink knew that Sooze would once have moaned at the prospect of so much hard work. Now she fluttered her wings eagerly, eyes shining. ‘Yes, Miss Shimmery. I’d really like to!’

  ‘Good,’ smiled Miss Shimmery. ‘Now then, Twink – Queen Mab would like a word with you before she flies off.’

  Twink started, and dropped her acorn cup. Her friends gaped at her. ‘Me?’ she gasped.

  ‘Yes, you.’ Miss Shimmery lifted off the ground and hovered, motioning to Twink. ‘Come along, my dear – she has to leave soon.’

  In a daze, Twink flew along beside Miss Shimmery. As they approached Queen Mab and her retinue, she saw Mariella and Lola sidle up next to the Queen. They tiptoed respectfully, and Mariella said something.

  As Twink landed, she heard Queen Mab reply, ‘Why, of course I remember your grandmother!’

  Mariella tossed her hair and smirked at Lola. ‘See, I told you,’ she mouthed. Lola looked on, wide-eyed with awe.

  ‘She was one of the best cleaning fairies I’ve ever had,’ continued the Queen.

  Mariella looked like she had swallowed a hot chilli seed. ‘A – a cleaning fairy?’ she spluttered.

  Queen Mab nodded. ‘Yes, that’s right. A charming fairy; we were great friends. There is nothing wrong with being a cleaning fairy, my girl. You had better not be so snobbish, or you won’t find many friends.’

  A smile lit her lovely face as she caught sight of Twink. ‘Ah! Twink Flutterby. I’ve heard so much about you.’ The Queen clasped Twink’s hand as Twink gave a hasty tiptoe.

  ‘Me?’ whispered Twink. ‘But all I did was to have a word with Sooze. She’s the one who got the secret.’ Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Mariella flounce off with a scowl.

  The Queen’s eyes were bright blue, and seemed to look right into Twink’s very soul. Twink trembled, wondering what she was going to say.

  Queen Mab smiled. ‘I must go now, Twink, but we’ll meet again, I’m sure of it. And I shall look forward to it very much. You’re a very special young fairy, my dear.’ Stooping, she kissed Twink lightly on both cheeks.

  ‘Thank you, Your Majesty,’ murmured Twink in a dream.

  She stood in silent wonder as the Queen bid farewell to Miss Shimmery, and then lifted off into the air with her counsellors. The seed pearls on the Queen’s lily dress sparkled in the sunlight as they flew away, the silver butterflies following close behind.

  Miss Shimmery rested a hand on her shoulder. ‘Well done, my dear.’

  ‘But – but I don’t understand,’ said Twink in bewilderment. ‘Why did she want to meet me?’

  The HeadFairy smiled gently at her. ‘You haven’t worked it out, then? The reason why Queen Mab decided that Glitterwings should host the Spring Ceremony?’

  Twink shook her head mutely.

  ‘It was because of you, Twink,’ said Miss Shimmery. ‘Because of how you helped Stripe last term. The Queen wanted to meet the fairy who made friends with a wasp – and it inspired her to mend the bridges between the fairies and the water sprites, as well.’ She la
ughed suddenly. ‘Of course, that almost didn’t go as planned because of Sooze’s prank . . . but we got there in the end!’

  Twink’s thoughts spun as she watched the Queen and her retinue disappear from view. Queen Mab had wanted to meet her. Her – Twink Flutterby! It was too incredible to be true.

  Yet it had happened. It really had.

  ‘My father was right,’ said Twink. ‘This is one term I’ll never, ever forget!’

  ‘Me neither,’ said Bimi. The two friends smiled at each other.

  The Daffodil Branch fairies were busy packing their things, getting ready to go home for the spring holiday. Sooze grinned as she tied her oak-leaf bag shut. ‘And the best thing is we’ll be Second Years next term! We’ll be able to use fairy dust all we like! Oh – just think of the pranks we can play –’

  .

  .

  ‘Sooze!’ cried the rest of the Branch.

  ‘You’re not thinking of playing more pranks!’ gasped Twink, half-laughing.

  Sooze tossed her hair back. ‘Well, why not?’ she said with a cheeky smile. ‘You can’t be good all the time. I’ll just take care that there aren’t any ice poles around!’

  Twink laughed. Sooze would never change, not really – and deep down, Twink was glad of it.

  ‘Well, I don’t think it’s fair at all,’ snapped Mariella. ‘And you even got to dance in the ceremony, when I didn’t! Why, you should have been expelled! When I tell my mother what happened, I bet –’

  ‘Oh, please do!’ broke in Sooze. ‘Maybe she’ll finally send you somewhere else. If we all wrote to her and begged, d’you think she might?’ She clasped her hands under her chin pleadingly.

  Mariella glared and flounced away as the branch erupted into laughter. Twink grinned to herself. Mariella would never change either, that was clear!

  Finally the packing was done. After a flurry of goodbye hugs and cries of ‘See you next term!’ Twink picked up her bag and flitted to the doorway. Her parents were probably waiting outside by now, eager to hear all about the ceremony. She could hardly wait to tell them everything – but even so, she paused and looked back at comfortable, cosy Daffodil Branch, where she had spent so many hours and had grown so much.