“We’ll have to get closer so we can take a better look,” Rachel replied. “But it’ll be tricky with all those goblins around.”
“Don’t forget to keep an eye out for interfering fairies,” one of the goblins said to his friends just then. “Jack Frost gave me strict instructions not to let any of them near our snowflake!”
Gabriella bristled in indignation. “Our snowflake?” she said angrily. “What nerve!”
“Maybe if we had some kind of disguise, we could sneak up on them,” Kirsty suggested. “It would have to be something white, of course, with all this snow around.”
Rachel grinned. “We could be snowmen!” she said. “Gabriella, can you use your magic to make us look like snowmen?”
“Yes, of course — what a great idea!” Gabriella exclaimed. “But snowmen don’t usually walk, so my magic will only make you look like snowmen when you’re very still.”
“OK,” Kirsty said. “We’ll just have to inch forward a tiny bit at a time.” She propped her skis and Rachel’s snowboard by a tree. “And we’ll freeze whenever a goblin looks our way.”
“Speaking of freezing …” Gabriella waved her wand. A swirl of blue and red fairy dust shaped like tiny snowballs streamed around the girls. Soon they looked like round, white snowmen, complete with hats, scarves, and carrot noses.
“Fantastic!” Rachel laughed, and clapped her hands together. But as she moved, her own arms became visible and the snowman illusion vanished. It was only when she was perfectly still again that her disguise returned. “This is going to be hard,” she said. “But we have to try.”
“Good luck!” Gabriella whispered. The girls slowly inched forward. They stopped every time they thought one of the goblins was going to look their way. It was nerve-wracking! Kirsty’s heart thumped as she and Rachel shuffled closer and closer. They were almost close enough to hear the goblins muttering to one another. Only a few more steps, and they’d be able to listen in on everything!
But just then, one of the goblins spun around and saw them. “Hey!” he shouted to his friends. “Look over there!”
Rachel and Kirsty were so scared they could barely breathe. Had they been discovered?
“Look at those snowmen!” the goblin said to his friends. “Cool!”
A pointy-nosed goblin stared. “Who built them?” he wondered. “I didn’t notice them before.” He got up as if he were about to take a closer look, and Rachel and Kirsty were both filled with dread. If he came too close, he’d surely realize they weren’t real snowmen!
Luckily, a goblin with big ears pulled the pointy-nosed goblin back down to where he’d been sitting on a log.
“There’s no more time for playing around,” he said sternly. “We have to start getting ready for Jack Frost’s party.”
Kirsty and Rachel both held their breath as they listened to the goblins’ conversation.
Jack Frost was having a big winter party at his Ice Castle in Fairyland. He wanted the snow around his castle to be perfect so everyone would have fun playing in it. That was why he’d stolen the magic snowflake! “Of course, he’s even happier now that the rest of the snow has been ruined for the fairies and the humans!” chortled the big-eared goblin.
Meanwhile, Gabriella had fluttered to hide behind Kirsty so that she could also listen in on the goblins. Kirsty could feel Gabriella’s wings quiver with irritation as she heard what the goblins were saying.
Then Rachel spotted something. Two goblins were throwing a white and sparkly object to one another like a Frisbee. “Gabriella!” she hissed. “Is that your snowflake?”
Gabriella peeked over Kirsty’s snowman hat. “Yes!” she squeaked. “There it is!”
The snowflake certainly seemed very magical. Whenever one of the goblins missed a catch, the snowflake hit the ground with a huge puff of sparkling white snow. The goblins had to dig it out of a mini-snowdrift each time they dropped it.
Just as the girls were wondering how they would be able to get the snowflake back, the nearest goblin missed his catch again. Gabriella’s magic snowflake landed not far from the girls. On impulse, both Kirsty and Rachel dashed toward it, intending to dig the snowflake out of its snowdrift. But of course, the snowman illusion vanished — the girls were suddenly very visible to the goblins!
“Hey!” cried a goblin. “Those snowmen just turned into girls!”
Kirsty and Rachel dug frantically in the snow. Where was that snowflake?
“They’re trying to steal our magic snowflake!” another goblin realized. “Quick — stop them!”
Immediately, the goblins all rushed to the snowdrift and began speedily scooping away at the snow. They were desperate to get to the snowflake before the girls did.
Rachel and Kirsty dug just as quickly, but snow was now flying everywhere. It was getting very hard to see!
“Got it!” cried a goblin triumphantly, leaping to his feet with the sparkly white magic snowflake in his hand.
“Run!” another goblin bellowed. He kicked a pile of snow into the girls’ faces, and then he and the other goblins ran to grab their sleds and snowboards. Within seconds, they were all speeding away into the distance.
Kirsty and Rachel wiped the snow from their eyes. “Let’s grab our skis and snowboard. We can’t let them escape!” Kirsty cried.
“Let me help,” Gabriella said. She waved her wand and fairy dust spiraled from its tip. The snowboard and skis rose up from where the girls had left them propped against the tree and flew through the air in a cloud of glittering blue sparkles. The snowboard landed right at Rachel’s feet. The skis arranged themselves in front of Kirsty and the poles flew into her hands. The girls’ snowmen disguises vanished for good.
“Thanks, Gabriella,” Kirsty said, as she fastened her skis. “Let’s go!”
The goblins were off in the distance by now, so the girls and Gabriella gave chase. Fresh snow from the magic snowflake fell and blurred their view, but the goblins were yelling and making so much noise that they were easy to track.
The goblins disappeared over the side of a mountain slope, and when Kirsty, Rachel, and Gabriella reached the edge, they saw that the goblins were zooming down at top speed.
Rachel held her breath as she and Kirsty began racing down the slope. She hadn’t had much practice on a snowboard, and this was a steep mountain — she really hoped she’d be able to keep her balance. Kirsty also felt nervous on her skis. She’d only ever tried them out on the bunny slopes before. But both girls knew Gabriella’s fairy magic would help them keep up with the goblins — it was their only hope of getting the magic snowflake back!
“You’re doing really well,” Gabriella called out. “I think we’re gaining on them. Keep going!”
It was true. The girls were getting closer and closer to the goblins. Kirsty could see that the goblin with the snowflake wasn’t far away, and she hunched a little lower on her skis, trying to catch up with him. Just as she was about to reach him, however, another goblin pulled up alongside them on a snowboard. Deftly, he plucked the snowflake out of the first goblin’s hands.
Luckily, Rachel was near the goblin who now had the snowflake. As she zoomed past on her snowboard, she flung out a hand and grabbed the snowflake from the surprised goblin.
Rachel gasped in shock — partly because she’d actually saved Gabriella’s magic snowflake, but also because it was very cold to the touch, even through her gloves! It numbed her fingers, and she couldn’t get a good grip on it.
“Oh no!” Rachel cried helplessly, as it fell from her grasp. Her frozen fingers just couldn’t hold on anymore. She tried desperately to stop her snowboard, but she was going too fast. Rachel could only turn and watch as the snowflake floated through the air behind her.
“Ha, ha!” A goblin sliding along on a sled grabbed the magic snowflake and cheered with glee.
Rachel finally managed to stop her snowboard, and Kirsty pulled up beside her.
“Sorry,” Rachel groaned, disappointed with herself. �
�I wasn’t expecting the magic snowflake to be so cold.”
“Don’t worry,” Kirsty said. “I’ve got an idea. Gabriella, do you think you could use your magic to create a huge snowdrift at the bottom of the mountain? We could catch all the goblins in it!”
“Sure,” Gabriella replied. “Let’s see …” She pointed her wand down and chanted some magic words. Blue and red sparkles crackled from her wand, and an enormous pile of snow appeared at the foot of the mountain. The goblins, who were all careening down the slope, plunged straight into it!
Gabriella giggled. “It’s a nice, soft landing for them, at least,” she said, as muffled shouts came from the snowdrift. Goblin arms and legs stuck out everywhere, but none of the goblins seemed able to get out.
“Come on,” Kirsty said with a grin. “Let’s see if we can find the snowflake now that all the goblins are trapped.”
She and Rachel went down to the bottom of the mountain, stopping just before they reached the goblin snow heap. “There it is,” Rachel said happily. A green hand poked out from the snow, its knobbly fingers curled around the magic snowflake.
“Hooray!” cried Gabriella, flying over. She touched the snowflake with her wand, and it immediately glowed bright red with fairy magic and shrank down to its Fairyland size.
The fairy looked delighted. “Thank you, girls,” she said. “Now I can put the magic snowflake back where it should be — on the Fairyland Christmas tree. This time, I’ll tie it on with some magic tinsel to keep anyone from stealing it!” She kissed Kirsty and Rachel happily. “That way, all the snow in Fairyland and in your world will be perfect — just what you need for winter vacation fun!”
Rachel and Kirsty beamed at the little fairy and said good-bye. With that, Gabriella vanished in a cloud of blue sparkles. The girls turned to see that the goblins had climbed out of the snowdrift, and were stomping off with their heads down.
“That was fun,” Rachel said. “I loved racing down the mountain like that.”
“Me, too,” said Kirsty. “It’s turning out to be another fantastic fairy adventure … and it’s only getting started!”
The next morning was bright and sunny. After their exciting adventure the day before, Kirsty and Rachel couldn’t wait to get back on the slopes.
“The snow looks perfect,” Rachel said happily, as she and Kirsty tramped along. “Gabriella must have gotten the magic snowflake back to Fairyland.”
“I love the way the snow feels under my boots,” Kirsty said. “It’s so deep and soft — just right.”
Rachel gazed around, appreciating the glittering white blanket of snow that covered everything. But then she noticed something strange. “Nobody seems very happy,” she murmured to Kirsty. “I wonder why?”
Kirsty followed her friend’s gaze. Rachel was right. The other people out on the slope looked mopey and bored. Nobody seemed to be in a holiday mood at all!
“That’s weird,” Kirsty said, puzzled. “The sun’s shining, the sky’s blue, and the snow’s perfect. What could be the problem?”
“I don’t know,” Rachel said. “But I’ve got a funny feeling something’s not right.”
It started to snow just then, and the air was full of beautiful sparkling snowflakes swirling in little whirlwinds. Suddenly, Kirsty noticed one extra-sparkly snowflake that landed on the branch of a nearby tree. Curious, she went for a closer look. There, behind it, was Gabriella the Snow Kingdom Fairy!
“Rachel!” Kirsty called. “Over here!” She hurried to see what their new fairy friend was doing back in the human world.
“Hello, Gabriella!” Kirsty smiled. Then her face fell as she realized that Gabriella didn’t look happy. “Is everything all right?” she asked as Rachel joined her by the tree.
“It’s Jack Frost again,” Gabriella told them. “This time he’s stolen the magic chest full of festive spirit!”
“Festive spirit?” Kirsty echoed. “What’s that?”
“It’s a magic potion,” Gabriella explained. “It’s kept inside a silver chest in the Fairyland palace. While it’s there, it ensures that parties and special occasions are fun for all humans and fairies. Whenever there’s a special event, like tomorrow’s festival, I release the festive spirit from the chest, and the celebrations become even more wonderful.”
Rachel remembered all the gloomy-looking people they’d seen that morning and something clicked in her mind. “Now that Jack Frost has the festive spirit, does that mean people won’t be in a party mood?” she guessed.
“That’s right,” said Gabriella. “I was hoping to make the village festival really great tomorrow, but if no one feels happy, it’ll be ruined!”
“How did Jack Frost manage to steal the potion?” Kirsty asked.
“He dressed up as a caroler,” Gabriella explained. “Then he snuck into the Fairyland palace and stole the silver chest. He’s taken it to his castle.”
“We’ll help you get it back,” Rachel said at once.
An anxious expression crossed Gabriella’s face. “That’s very nice of you,” she said, “but I’m afraid there’s only one way we’ll be able to do that.” She swallowed and looked nervous. “We’ll have to go into Jack Frost’s castle ourselves!”
Rachel and Kirsty felt a little frightened at the idea of going into Jack Frost’s castle. They’d been there before with Holly the Christmas Fairy, and both girls knew what a cold, scary place it was.
“We’ve got to do it,” Kirsty said after a moment. She did her best to sound brave and confident.
Rachel had a determined look in her eyes. “We managed it once, so we can do it again,” she agreed. “We can’t let Jack Frost ruin the festival!”
Gabriella smiled. “I was hoping you’d say that,” she told them. “I’ll take you to Fairyland right now!” She waved her wand and lots of snowball-shaped sparkles streamed around the girls. Kirsty and Rachel felt as if they were spinning into a whirlwind. All they could see were blue and red stars.
When the mist cleared, they were lowered to the ground again. The three of them were standing near a holly bush covered in berries.
“We’re fairies!” Kirsty cheered. She peeked over one shoulder to examine her delicate fairy wings. They shimmered in the winter sunshine. She couldn’t resist giving them a gentle flutter so that she lifted off the ground. She loved being able to fly!
Rachel fluttered into the air, too — but as she rose up, she saw what was on the other side of the holly bush. Jack Frost’s Ice Castle! Rachel gulped. In the excitement of becoming a fairy, she’d almost forgotten why they were here.
The castle was built from sheets of gleaming ice and had four towers with ice-blue turrets. The last time the girls had been here, they had thought that it looked lonely — today, however, it seemed much livelier.
Rachel motioned to her friends. “Have you seen what the goblins are doing?” she whispered.
Gabriella and Kirsty flew up to take a look. The castle was swarming with Jack Frost’s goblins, who were working busily to prepare for the party. Some goblins were hanging icicle streamers, while others were blowing up ice-blue balloons.
One goblin stood on the highest tower, hanging up a large flag with Jack Frost’s picture on it.
“We’ll never be able to get into the castle with all those goblins around,” Kirsty said in dismay.
Rachel remembered what Gabriella had said about Jack Frost sneaking into the Fairyland palace by pretending to be a caroler. “Maybe if we disguise ourselves, we’ll be able to get past the goblins,” she suggested. “How about if we’re dressed as delivery people who have an urgent package for Jack Frost? That way they’ll have to let us in!”
“Let’s see if my fairy magic can make something special,” Gabriella said as she waved her wand.
Glittering blue fairy dust danced in the air and a fabulous three-layer cake covered in thick, white frosting appeared. All around the outside of the cake, from top to bottom, ran a miniature twisty slide.
“Look who�
��s on the slide!” Kirsty cried in excitement. “A tiny model of Jack Frost, on a candy sled!”
“And here are the goblins!” Rachel laughed, pointing out the miniature green figures, who were throwing snowballs at one another, skiing, and sledding. Jack Frost’s beloved snow geese rested on a silvery icing pond. The word “Celebrate” was written on the bottom layer in glitter.
“It’s fantastic!” Rachel said, smiling at Gabriella.
“Thank you,” Gabriella replied, blushing modestly. “Now I’d better give us all something to wear!”
She waved her wand again and blue sparkles tumbled around the three of them. Kirsty and Rachel looked down at themselves to see that they were now wearing red delivery jumpsuits that covered their wings, purple tops, and red baseball caps.
Gabriella was also in a delivery uniform. She quickly tucked her wand into the pocket of her jumpsuit.
“We’re all ready,” she said. “Let’s go!”
Kirsty, Rachel, and Gabriella set off for the castle with the cake. “Delivery!” they called out as they approached the huge double doors, which were guarded by a pair of goblins. It was so cold, icicles hung above their heads.
“Special delivery for a …” Rachel pretended to be reading a label on the cake stand. “A Mr. Jack Frost!”
The goblin guards were very interested in the cake when they saw it. “Ooh, cake!” said one goblin with greedy eyes. “Can we eat it now?”
The Rainbow Magic Holiday Collection Page 8