Chapter Nine: New Pride

Rosetta's home was so surrounded by gardens and enormous flowers that if one wasn't used to it, the perfumed air was difficult to breathe. A newly planted plot held towering pink chrysanthemums that dwarfed the house. Blossoming vines bordered every window and door frame. All the scents were so overpowering that butterflies were being drawn in from meadows away.

Normally, Vidia gave the place a wide berth; there were just too many flowers for her taste. "Ugh. Typical for a garden fairy." She mumbled.

"Why are we here again?" said Silvermist forgetfully. She and Fawn had joined Vidia on her journey here. The two were physically exhausted, not at all used to walking so far.

"Do I have to explain again?" Vidia sighed. "I have an idea for that dumb Festival and I need her help."

"But don't ideas have to be given to the Minister of Summer? She's the one in charge of it, not Rosetta."

"I'll tell you once we're inside, Sil."

The fairies kept walking closer to the front door. A bee took a sharp interest in them as they passed the chrysanthemums. Fawn had to shoo him off. "Rosetta is in for a shock. It's a rare day when Vidia asks for help."

Vidia scowled in annoyance. "It's not that strange!"

"Sure it is," said Sil. "When you asked Fawn for help training Ventus, I just about fainted! Where is he, anyway?"

"Hanging out with Iridessa. She's spending the day in the sunflower field and he wanted to go, too."

"And he wouldn't give you a ride to Rosetta's?" Fawn was appalled. "Oh, Vidia, your house is so far from here! That crazy hummingbird…he really has a mind of his own, doesn't he?"

"Well, I didn't want a ride today, anyway. I ran most of the way here before running into you two, didn't I? It wasn't long at all." She reached up to knock on Rosetta's door.

In the moments spent waiting, Sil became puzzled once again. She scratched her head. What was this grand idea, anyway? Vidia hadn't even given them a hint yet…or maybe she had and Sil just couldn't remember.

The door swung open. "Good morning! Oh, I declare, what a nice surprise. I sure wasn't expectin' visitors. C'mon in!" She ushered them into her flower-decorated living room, in an especially cheery mood this morning. "What brings you three to my neck of the Hollow?"

"Enough with the sugar-talk, Ro. I have a favor to ask." said Vidia, getting right to the point.

Ro was delighted. "Oh, honey, o' course! I've been dyin' to do something nice for you, after all that's happened this season. But you're so stubborn it'd be like arguin' with a wall."

"Well, this is different. The Arrival of Summer Festival is coming up soon—" Here, Fawn and Sil leaned in to hear better. They were both eager to know whatever was going on in her head. "—and I want to do something…daring, I guess is the best way to put it."

The others were confused.

"Sugar, whatever do you mean?"

"Listen, some of Pixie Hollow is still worried about me. A lot of fairies are still treating me as if I just came out of the hospital! With fresh wounds and everything. It's so annoying! Some are even avoiding me altogether."

"Now I get it!" Sil cried out. "You want to prove you're alright! What an idea. I love it!"

Fawn nodded. "So, by 'daring,' what are you thinking, Vidia?"

Vidia crossed her arms determinedly and went on with her plan before she could chicken out and change her mind. "Ro, this is going to sound crazy, but I think I'm ready to…show my scars." the others' mouths all fell open in shock and surprise. No one could speak. It was the most outrageous thing Vidia had said in a long while. Since they said not a word, she went on. "So, here's what I'm thinking, Ro…"

…

Festivals welcomed in each season with a joyous flair. They were always such happy occasions, full of music, games, food, and dancing both in the air and on the ground. Activities could go on for hours, well into the night. When it was dark enough, the light fairies always put on a spectacular fireworks display. Since it was a warm season's Festival, everyone was anticipating a show full of rich greens and blues, painting all sorts of summery visions in the sky.

Queen Clarion always gave a brief speech towards the end of a Festival to congratulate the fairies' hard work, and encourage them to keep it up all through the season. This year, however, there was a rumor that her speech would come earlier, because Lord Milori had invited her to the Festival being held in the Winter Woods. (Of course she had accepted. Watching the fireworks would be all the more wonderful with him holding her hand.)

This year, the Festival was taking place at the base of the Pixie Dust Tree. There was plenty of room in the giant, grassy space for the event. Any tables or game areas were spread out in a great circle. Branches from the Tree itself spread overhead, making perches for those who wanted to rest or simply chat and socialize. A newly-constructed orchestral stage was nestled between some roots—acoustically perfect. The music would be heard all throughout the clearing.

Decorations ended up being minimal. The trees were so lush and full that there was no need for decorations. Only a few garlands of vines hung around the orchestra stage and on some of the long tables where food would be served. When it was dark, the glow form the Pixie Dust Tree would be a perfect added touch.

It had been an entire season since the hawk attack.

As the sun dipped lower and fairies started filling up the clearing, it was clear that this Festival was different. A subtle, somber air could be felt. It was indeed true that much of Pixie Hollow was thinking of Vidia, the fast-flyer without wings. This was the first big event since the attack, the first event where everyone was supposed to be happy. No one was sure if Vidia would even show up.

Some fairies snuck a few bites of food while waiting for Queen Clarion to arrive. Some walked about the clearing, or sat patiently on nearby toadstools. A good number were sitting in the overhead branches, chatting. Hundreds had come to the gathering this evening, yet not one of them was flying. The music played, but only a few were seen dancing on the grass. No air dancers at all…

It was such a sensitive subject when a wingless fast-flyer may be here. No one quite knew how she would react, or if she even planned on coming.

But she did come.

"C'mon, honey, hurry up!" Rosetta called, moving closer to the sea of chattering voices. "My, the crowd has sure swelled. This is the perfect opportunity!"

Vidia lingered back in the shadows of the rose bush. She was having second thoughts. "Maybe I wasn't thinking straight…"

"Don't tell me you're turning chicken now." Ro put her hands on her hips.

"Chicken?! I am no coward, Rosetta!"

"Then come on out! All that work and sewing had better be worth it."

Still, Vidia hesitated. She was positive this idea of hers would put Pixie Hollow's mind at ease, but that didn't mean she was completely comfortable. Dresses were practically foreign territory.

Outside the shade of the rose bush was Rosetta, tapping her foot. "Well? Do I have to drag you?"

"Ugh…Fine." Anything was better than being bossed around. "You know, when I asked for you to make something simple, I didn't really ask for this."

"You stubborn thing; it really is like arguin' with a wall!"

Vidia finally came out from the shadows. For the first time since being nursed back to health, she was showing her scars. The dress Ro had made had no back; sewn of comforting violet petals, it tied around the neck and end in a long feather skirt. Her back, shoulders and arms were bare. With her hair loose and pinned over to one side, every one of the deep scars could be seen. Vidia fought the urge to shrug. Until Ro had made her put this stupid thing on, only Fawn had ever seen the scars. Soon all of the Festival would, too.

She and Rosetta began walking up to the clearing. The garden fairy herself was overly done up in a red petal creation; Festivals were not officially formal events, but this was just like her. "Relax, sugar. You look wonderful. I declare, I've never seen you so nervous!"

Vidia tried to come up with a comment, but failed. She looked down at the ground, but only to keep from tripping over the long feathers. The dim sunlight somehow emphasized the huge scars. Never had she been so self-conscious. Not even when she walked away from the hospital! But she was sure she wanted to do this.

"Vidia!" greeted Tinkerbell. She was waiting up ahead with Iridessa, Fawn and Silvermist. They all came scurrying over, saying inspiring words.

"This is such a brave thing to do." Fawn reassured the fast-flyer.

"It's only to get everyone off my back and stop pitying. Nothing more." Vidia insisted.

"And to prove you're as strong as ever. Don't forget that."

Vidia forgot to be spiteful and was instead a bundle of worries as they walked further into the mob of fairies. This was hard…It was like revealing a deep dark secret, showing all of these scars. But she resisted handing her head. With her friends near, the crowd was bearable, at least. In the branches, she spied a happy Clank waving enthusiastically and Bobble wearing an anxious expression. Ignoring them, she walking on, hearing a few voices die as they looked at her exposed back. Having all these eyes turned on her was a strange feeling. She wasn't quite used to so much attention, and every set of eyes bored into her like hot tongs.

What was the crowd thinking? More and more fairies noticed the scars. Terrence and a few other dust talents stopped talking altogether at the sight. She passed the other fast-flyers, who all had the sorriest looks on their faces. Some voices lowered abruptly to only a whisper.

VIdia came to a halt and said to the others, "Maybe this was a stupid idea. Everybody is staring."

"Just relax," Sil said beside her. "You're only noticing the bad stares. Look over there," she pointed to some other water talents, who smiled in admiration. "They told me today they were hoping you'd come to the Festival. You've really impressed them with all the swimming."

"Thanks, I guess." She wished the night would get a move on and be over with. All I wanted to do was prove I'm no weakling! She crossed her arms out of habit and scowled.

The whispers died instantly when soft golden movements came from up in the Pixie Dust Tree. The glow belonged to Queen Clarion and her radiant wings. She floated into view amongst the waterfalls of pixie dust. A warm smile spread on her face as she admired the large crowd. It was a splendid turnout for this year's Arrival of Summer Festival. A few attendants came with her as she glided down to the base of the Tree, but they flew off to the side so she could everybody.

Cheers and applause broke out as the Queen approached. Many who were perched in the branches dropped down and hovered to have a better view as Clarion landed gracefully. She was on a raised ledge in the Tree's trunk, above the orchestral stage and facing the entire clearing. Every face was turned up excitedly; they were ready for the traditional speech.

Vidia applauded out of forced politeness, but did not cheer or even try to appear glad. Her heart was starting to thump so loudly it was a wonder it couldn't be heard. A lot of fairies had bustled closer to the stage, subsequently trapping her and getting too close for comfort. It's only the nerves acting up. Thank goodness all attention isn't on me…now, when's a good time to get out of here?

"Settle down, settle down," Queen Clarion laughed. She raised her hands for quiet. "Thank you for coming to this year's Festival to celebrate the Arrival of Summer. The preparations have been well-kept on schedule and will help make this summer a memorable one! You have all worked so hard and I congratulate you and appreciate all you have done."

More cheers spread through the audience. Anyone hovering did a loop-de-loop for joy.

"As you know, summers are often spent on the Mainland. The troupes will be meeting on the northernmost beach to start the journey. Anyone who still wishes to go must make haste, for the troupes will be taking off at noon tomorrow. Summers on the Mainland are true adventures, and I encourage it tremendously. Of course, if this year is not calling you, please stay. Pixie Hollow is always and forever a wonderful summer home, as well."

Excited chatter was heard from those who were travelling this year. Vidia had decided to stay in Neverland this year. It would mean more time to practice flying maneuvers with Ventus, or training to build up more speed in her running. She noticed the familiar green and red feathers of her hummingbird peeking out from the bushes. He must have decided to follow, ignoring her order to stay at the plum tree this evening. For once, she was glad he had a mind of his own. With the Queen's speech well underway, now was a good time to sneak off.

She made eye contact with Ventus. He could tell she wanted to go and used his beak to beckon her over. It would be tricky getting to him; the crowd was so thick! Vidia decided to risk it and began nudging other fairies roughly, but quietly, out of her way.

Just as she reached for Ventus' harness, Queen Clarion's speech took a new turn which made her freeze.

"…and this spring has certainly been an eventful one. Some may even call it a rough, rigid spring, full of emotion and hardships. I am not only speaking of daily tasks to keep up the season, but also of individual trials."

Here, the audience became very solemn.

Vidia, beautifully clad in her backless dress, exposing every single scar, froze and looked straight up at the Queen.

"You all know of the frightful hawk attack some months ago. This was the very first time a fairy has ever survived—both triumph and devastation have come from the accident…a fast-flyer without wings could not be a more tragic result. Over these months, she has shown such grace, such courage and such dignity that I cannot think of any way to praise her enough. Through sheer determination, she has grown in strength and learned how to live once again. The will to live runs unbroken within her; all those close to her have kept on encouraging without stop. She has faced so many challenges and hardships that many would find hard to even comprehend! Yet she has tackled them and triumphed."

Vidia stared at these words, mystified. She was vaguely aware of surrounding fairies watching her in admiration. Suddenly she didn't feel like taking off anymore.

"Losing a set of wings is no easy loss…Vidia," Clarion found the fast-flyer in the crowd and addressed her. "You have faced so much…I truly believe you have earned those battle scars. They are something to be proud of. It takes such will to overcome the obstacles you have faced. I, for one, admire your bravery and applaud you."

The Queen of Pixie Hollow began to clap.

Soon more fairies joined in, even Tinkerbell and the others. Some in the crowd whooped out cheers of delight.

All were cheering for her, without a scrap of pity.

Vidia felt a feathery nudge and discovered Ventus had nuzzled in closer. She rubbed his head and listened to the hundreds of clapping hands. She was a bit lost for words.

Her surrounding group of friends came in a bit closer. All had at least one happy tear in their eye.

Oh please, hold it together, everyone. Vidia thought privately. She felt a rough hand on her shoulder, and saw that Bobble had come down from the branches to join the crowd. The bespectacled inventor was smiling shyly at her, relieved that she had not fled the grounds. "I told you things would work out, lass."

Vidia beamed and listened to the applause grow. She straightened her scarred back and held her head up with pride. It seemed the holes in her life had finally healed over.

The wingless fast-flyer didn't feel ripped apart in the least.

The End.

Yay! Finished! There you have it. The very first story I ever shared with anyone, fully posted once again.

This was so much fun to write and I want to send out 'Thank yous' to all the readers out there. (Again, an extra thank you to Xandra for such positive, encouraging messages. You have a heart of gold!)

The idea for this story came around the time 'Secret of the Wings' came out. When the idea of breaking or losing a wing was introduced, I started thinking 'What if that happened to a fairy like Vidia?' That one sentence grew and became this story of how she copes, recovers and fully heals. It turned into my very first fanfic and I am so happy it is back out there for everyone to read. I hope everyone enjoyed this inspirational tale of courage and never giving up.

Love, P.D. :)