Chapter 5

A feeling of apprehension overwhelmed Fawn as she fluttered behind Rosetta into Springtime Square. Clutching her journal in one hand, she tugged awkwardly at her gown's decorative petals with the other, wishing she was back in her worn but comfortable orange tunic. Thanks to Rosetta, a portion of her hair was wrapped in a braided crown on her head while the rest spilled past her hips in a mass of curls. It was going back to a single braid first thing tomorrow!

Rosetta, garbed in an equally fancy gown of dew-sprinkled rose petals, looked perfectly at ease.

The festival was now in full swing and Fawn had to admit the place looked amazing. Colorful floral streamers were strewn everywhere. Translucent seashells, filled with glowing orbs curtesy of the light talents, lit the branches of the Pixie Dust Tree. Overhead floated an enormous banner draped with leaves. Fawn frowned as she briefly glanced up at it. What an odd decoration! She wondered if it concealed something that would be unveiled later.

Tables covered with scrumptious foods, cakes of every kind, amber bottles filled with nectar wine, and bowls of berry juice stood in the Square's center. Toadstool dining tables were scattered about. The cooking and baking talents had certainly outdone themselves. Fawn's mouth watered and her stomach grumbled as she breathed in the tantalizing aromas. When had she last eaten? She hardly remembered.

She made a mental note to fix herself a huge plate as soon as she had a chance. But she first had to find Queen Clarion and give her the journal. Where was she? Fawn scanned the crowd. Swarms of fairies and sparrow men, dressed in their finest clothes, filled the place. The Winter fairies had returned and mingled with the crowd.

"Sled!" Rosetta suddenly darted over to the handsome, dark-haired sparrow man.

Joy for her friend filled Fawn when Sled swept her into his arms and spun her around. She turned her head as they kissed.

Tink and Peri were seated at one of the toadstool tables, eating and chatting. Their identical wings flashed a blinding array of impossible colors. Queen Clarion, resplendent in her sparkling pixie dust gown, stood with Lord Milori on the Arrival platform at the base of the Pixie Dust Tree. His arm was around her and she rested her head against his muscular shoulder.

Fawn gulped and clutched the book tighter. I can't interrupt them! She bit her lip, tasting the berry-flavored lipstick Rosetta had insisted she wear. Not after they'd been away from each other for so long…again. I should give this to her another time.

"Fawn!" The sound of Tink calling her name pulled her from her musings.

She was instantly surrounded by Tink, Rosetta, Iridessa, Vidia, Silvermist, and Zarina, all gorgeous in their glittery, flower-petal attire and fancy hairstyles. Fawn felt a little less awkward. Peri, Sled, Spike, Gliss, Clank, Bobble, Terence, and Nyx with her scouts had gathered behind them.

"Fawn, you look amazing!" gasped Iridessa.

"Yeah," said Silvermist. "So much better than when we saw you this morning."

Fawn blushed and hugged the journal to her chest. She was surprised when Zarina approached. It had been a while since they'd spoken, even before Gruff had arrived.

"I'm so sorry about Gruff." Zarina placed a hand on Fawn's shoulder. Fawn swallowed and peered into her eyes. They glistened with tears.

"Uh…thanks," Fawn said as her own eyes misted.

"Who's Gruff?" asked Peri, gliding forward.

An impish grin stretched across Tink's face. "You'll see. It's a gift from us to you, Fawn, and it will also show the Winter fairies." She turned toward the others. "Girls, are you ready to unveil our masterpiece?"

"Ready, Tink," they all chimed.

Fawn watched as the six of them fluttered up to the enormous, floating banner. A huge crowd gathered. Several fireflies, including Tink's buddy Blaze, focused their glows on the leaf-curtain.

She held her breath as her friends drew it aside. Gruff's face, as large as it had been in real life, was smiling down at her, sparkling with pixie dust. Gasps rose from the crowd. Joyous warmth filled her. He looked so real: every detail of his fur and nose was perfect. Even his eyes, glowing as if they were filled with emerald flames, seemed to stare straight at her.

"Jingles!" Peri placed a hand over her heart.

"He looks scary!" whispered Gliss.

"I kind of like him." Spike grinned.

"What…how…?" were the only words Fawn could form.

"We made him for you," said Tink. "To cheer you up but to also share with the Winter fairies."

The warmth in Fawn's chest rose to her eyes, making them water uncontrollably. She blinked hard in an effort to clear her vision, only to have the tears overflow, spilling onto her cheeks. "Guys…," she barely managed to choke as she dashed toward them. "It's like he's back. Thank you so much."

They all surrounded her, pulling her into a tight group hug. Fawn clutched the journal to her chest with one arm while the other wrapped Zarina's shoulders. Her happiness was so great she felt she'd explode in a puff of pixie dust.

"That is an impressive likeness of Gruff, girls," said Queen Clarion's voice.

They drew apart. The queen hovered before them, her wings and gown glittering.

"Queen Clarion." Fawn drifted closer and held out the book. "I kept this journal while I was with Gruff, recording everything about him. I'd like you to have it and eventually pass it on to Pixie Hollow's next queen." Clarion gingerly took the book as if it were a precious artifact. "That way all the future fairies and sparrow men will know what to expect. I'd like Gruff to wake up surrounded by friends."

The queen smiled. "It would be an honor, Fawn." She looked down at the surrounding crowd. The Winter fairies stood out with their striking hair and ice-colored garments. "There's an entire season of fairies and sparrow men who were away during your little adventure. Perhaps they'd like to hear the story."

Excitement flooded Fawn. She whooped and turned a flip in the air, almost forgetting about her too-frilly gown.

"Now that's the Fawn I remember," she heard Rosetta laugh.

"Peri!" called Tink. "Round up all the Winter fairies."

Shouts and names were called through crowd. "Slush! Rosefrost! Neva! Qana! Get over here. You have to hear this!"

In seconds Fawn was surrounded by a crowd of shimmering whites, silvers, and icy blues. Her friends were mixed in amongst them. Queen Clarion nestled into Lord Milori's arms. Even his snowy owl stood in the audience, his great yellow eyes focused on Fawn in anticipation.

Fawn, glancing up at Gruff's likeness floating above, cleared her throat and began her story.

The End