Believe (8 page)

The sun radiates warmth and light as does your smile.

A smile has the power to transform a life.

A good deed, such as a hug, is a tiny gesture,

But it creates little sparks of divine light

That glow like fairies and spread like wildflowers.

T
hey didn't get very far around the bend before Deliah stopped.

“Ostephen, something feels weird. The last few days I've had an uncomfortable feeling like we were being watched.”

Just then there was a rustling in the bushes, and she turned to see a Kahorgi–like foot slip beneath the bush.

“We
are
being watched, Deliah. The Dark King has Kahorgis stationed throughout the land. Your feeling is increasing because we are getting closer. I'm sure he didn't think you'd make it this far, so he is stepping up his defenses,” Ostephen whispered.

Deliah rubbed her stomach, feeling sick from all the nervous energy. Ostephen pointed to a small cave and suggested that they take a short break. Deliah welcomed anything that would stop her mind from reeling. While munching on fruit and staring into the fire they'd made using their tiki torch, Deliah remembered to tell Ostephen about a recurring vision she'd been having in her dreams.

“I keep seeing a rainbow,” she said.

Ostephen lit up and shouted, “Of course! Rainbow's Pass! That's the sign Merlin's been sending you! Why didn't I think of it? We must get to Rainbow's Pass at once!”

He snuffed out the fire at once and waved Deliah onto the path. She grabbed her torch and hurriedly followed her little blue friend.

“Rainbow's Pass only shines but once a year,” he explained urgently. “If we can connect with the rainbow before it disappears, we will have secured our trail from the Dark Ones for a solid twenty–two hours. This is the time we need to gather the entire realm and prepare before we reach Dark Corner.”

“Where the Dark King resides,” Deliah confirmed nervously.

“Yes, it's critical that we have the twenty two hours to gather with our realm without being seen.”

“How much farther to the rainbow?” Deliah asked. “Oh, dear!” she said in surprise as the crystal wand in her pocket began to shake and rattle. Looking into the wand, she saw Herbie. He had a message for them.

“Laflin asked me to contact you both. Congratulations on receiving the sign! He and the missus have been to Rainbow's Pass. The rainbow is already opened; you have less than three hours before it'll begin to fade. Ask Snilly for directions. He'll know how to reach it fastest, and he's great with calculations.”

The wand then flashed, showing them Snilly still sleeping soundly a few yards back, so they quickly turned and ran. Out of breath and with flushed cheeks, Ostephen knocked on Snilly's smooth burgundy shell, and Snilly slowly slipped his head out and yawned.

“Well, hello again, my friends.”

“Snilly, we need your help. What is the fastest way to connect with Rainbow's Pass?”

Snilly pulled a Tiki–Tal tour brochure out of nowhere.

“Ah! Rainbow's Pass, you say? Well, given the dimension and time of year…taking into consideration the weather and land mass….”

“Snilly, please!” Ostephen sputtered. “We must hurry!”

“Veer left and run. You are a few miles off; however, being in Tiki–Tal, you are closer than most other places. If you keep your pace, you will arrive in two hours, twenty–two minutes, and two seconds.”

“Very well! Thanks!” they shouted as they ran off.

“What's the rush?” Snilly sighed. “There's plenty of time.” And with that, he yawned and retreated back into his shell for another nap.

It began to rain heavily. Ostephen, completely focused, continued to fly hard. Deliah's pace slowed slightly as she struggled with her cloak, trying to shield herself from the downpour. Ostephen looked back and saw her struggle and began to laugh.

“What?” Deliah asked, seeing the look he gave her.

“Nothing. It's just your human side shining through,” he teased. “We fairies see the rain for the gift it is.”

He playfully flew down to splash in a puddle. Shaking his wings, droplets flew everywhere, and he threw back his head, letting the rain fall across his face.

Deliah watched and admired his zeal. She realized that she had it all wrong. She let her cloak fall off her head, splashed in a puddle, and felt free as the rain splattered across her face, drops landing on her tongue and sitting on her lashes. They both started laughing and enjoying the childlike abandon that fairies embrace and live so well.

They ran on, laughing and splashing all the way through the storm. The fun energy acted like an invisible force, pushing them forward even faster. When the sun reappeared, Deliah could see the rainbow in the distance. The majestic stretch of color shined across the land with its vibrant hues casting an arch of unspeakable beauty. Deliah noticed a group of butterflies fluttering alongside them and felt encouraged, so she removed her shoes and ran faster. Moments later, they reached the foot of Rainbow's Pass, and the butterflies hovered directly in front of them, signaling that they had made it.

“They're all waiting on the other side. You may pass. Go on,” the butterflies urged them.

Ostephen and Deliah walked through the rainbow's fine veil of mist and came out at Rainbow's End to find all their friends waiting to meet them. The entire elemental kingdom had gathered to help. Deliah stood awestruck.

Merlin came forward, put his hand on her shoulder, and whispered, “Believe indeed. Believe you do, for when you believe, life unfolds to you.”

With an outstretched arm, he gestured across the valley
full of elementals before taking a seat with Maury, who dipped his mushroom cap in acknowledgment of her. Her heart was pounding, and her eyes were tearing up because she had never seen so many gather for a cause with so much unity and so much love.

Deliah assumed there would be talk of a great battle, and she stood ready to hear the plans of how they would fight, how they would conquer all, and how victory would be claimed. But as she looked from one beautiful creature of the earth to another, she saw no traces of fear, no anger, no bitterness. She saw and felt only love. There were no battle plans or sneaky attacks to plot; there were only creatures immersed in pure love.

One by one, the fairies, gnomes, unicorns, foxes, dragonflies, frogs, trees, and all the friends of the kingdom stepped forward into a circle. Ostephen sat on her shoulder, and he was the last to step forward. One by one, all the creatures slowly closed their eyes and began to pray silently. Deliah glanced around at the circle full of thousands of lights—all shining, all trusting, all loving.

“This must be what magic feels like,” Deliah said to herself as she closed her eyes.

She began to pray for Papa, for her friends, for Faye; soon she could swear she felt her heart open. It was as if someone had taken a key and unlocked it. She wasn't sure where she was or what created this enveloping divine energy; she only knew that she never wanted it to leave. It never occurred to Deliah that a battle could be fought with prayer or love for that matter.

It was then that she saw Papa appear, and she heard him say, “What is won with war? It is more appropriate to ask what is lost? No matter what the situation, turn to love. If you ever feel lost or attacked, you will not find justice or resolution in fighting back. No, you will find it in love. For those who have ill intentions toward you, love them deeply.”

Papa disappeared, and the circle remained intact for hours as they spread their message and united their power. Deliah practiced the gift of foresight, which the elementals had taught her in Greenland. She almost felt as though she was out of her body and looking down on the whole experience. She knew that no matter how bad things got, she could come back to this moment and find this sense of security.

Slowly, one by one, someone would bow or give a token of blessing to the center of the circle and then leave. Eventually, only Deliah, Ostephen, and Merlin remained. Merlin waved his hand over all the gifted blessings, which included feathers, coins, flowers, letters, necklaces, pictures, fairy dust, and more. As he did so, the items transformed into snow–white doves that flew into the sky above and formed the shape of a heart. Deliah and Ostephen looked on in awe before bowing before Merlin whose form instantly shifted into an eagle. As an eagle, Merlin led the doves as they flew east. Deliah and Ostephen sat together in silence, unable to move, unwilling to let the experience go.

Deliah felt like she had gained a whole new perspective. She felt safer knowing she could control her fear to a certain extent, slow her breathing, and find concentration when she needed it. Rainbow's Pass had taught her to trust her feelings and to focus on what she wanted to have happen instead of believing everything was beyond her control.

It had been a day since Rainbow's End, and Deliah and Ostephen had continued on their journey, following a flock of white doves for the better part of the day when they heard a low chant and moved in its direction. They were curious what it may be.

Come one, come all when the fairies call.

Forget all your worries, troubles, and cares.

Dance in the forest with the bears.

See that tiny sparkling light?

'Tis your fairy guiding you through the night.

D
eliah turned to see a wild–looking creature with an abundance of messy, twig–like hair; a large nose; and a grass skirt.

“Good heavens!” she said to Ostephen, “What on earth was that?”

“Shh!” Ostephen whispered. “They're forest Nimbles. Listen closely, and you'll hear their song.”

They both fell silent. Sure enough, as the Nimbles danced around a ring of fire, Deliah heard a low chant.

“Nimblee–ee–ee. Nimblee–oo–oo. Ee–ee–ee–ee. Oo–oo–oo–oo.”

They were casting their hands in unison toward the fire, causing it to grow larger and larger with each movement. They were stomping loudly and moving in a clockwise circle. Their medium–sized bodies were pale in comparison to their outlandish hair.

“Strange things the Nimbles are,” Ostephen said with a shrug.

“Should we maybe approach them and say hello?” Deliah wondered.

“No! You don't talk to a Nimble unless invited, and you
don't question a Nimble either. Those are the rules.”

Just then, the Nimbles all grew silent as their flame reached its highest point; inside the flame, they shared a vision of a little girl.

Deliah stepped on a twig, which made an inconvenient snapping sound. The Nimbles stopped and turned. When they recognized her as the girl from the fire, they sent their chief to invite her to join their ceremony. Intimidated yet intrigued, Deliah agreed, much to Ostephen's dismay.

As she followed the chief to the fire ring, he said, “We honor you.”

“Oh, that's not necessary. Really, I'm just….”

Deliah was cut off by the chief who didn't look impressed. “We honor you,” he said again. “You open arms to receive honor. Yes?”

“Yes?” Deliah said, smiling nervously, opening her arms wide. Ostephen sat beside her and—after receiving a few nudges — did the same, smirking all the while. At first she felt a little silly, but as the Nimbles continued their chant, she felt a wave of energy envelop her, and she felt amazingly powerful yet remarkably humble. She was really enjoying this experience.

“Nimblee–ee–ee. Nimblee–oo–oo.”

She snuck a peek to the side and smiled when she saw Ostephen chanting “Ee–ee–ee–ee. Oo–oo–oo–oo” along with them. After the fire dance ended, the Nimbles bowed graciously before Deliah. All raised their hands toward the fire, which revealed another vision.

“You go here,” Chief Nimble said. Deliah looked into the fire and saw a rocky terrain very close to the water. “Waverly Water's Edge,” Chief Nimble explained. “You go. Must hurry. Must save.”

Deliah thanked the Nimbles, and they all stood stomping and chanting as they urged her on.

“Nimblee–ee–ee. Nimblee–oo–oo.”

A fairy will dance; a fairy will play.

A fairy will find the joy in each day.

A laugh, a smile, a giggle or two.

Call on a fairy if you're feeling blue.

“W
hat's one little fairy going to do? Leave him be!” they shouted and laughed as the Dark Ones tossed him aimlessly aside to lie weak and hidden among the jagged rocks.

“The tide will soon wash him away! Leave him to his death!” a Kahorgi shouted as they all guffawed and charged on.

• • •

The bewitching black raven soared through the sky seeking Ostephen and Deliah with the utmost urgency. He couldn't believe what he had just seen: Kristoff being cast aside by the Dark Ones! He knew Kristoff didn't have much time and was set on finding Deliah and Ostephen for his survival. Several other birds had heard his call for help and were in turn guiding the raven to Deliah and Ostephen's location. He was gaining hope that he would find them in time when he felt an intense pain in his right wing. He flapped even faster to keep from falling to the ground. His right wing was ablaze with flames; his fabulous feathers were on fire.

The Dark Ones laughed, “Try and find them now! What's the matter, raven? Can't fly? Fireball got ya? Stupid bird!”

The raven lay on the ground helpless and fighting for his life. He hung on despite the pain, knowing his friend's life depended on it.

• • •

The water crashed against the surface of the rocky shore with a force no one cared to challenge. It became apparent to Deliah that the closer to the Dark Corner they got, the more beauty seemed to be lost. The rocks were jagged and plenty, so you had to tread very carefully.

“I sure wish I could fly right now,” Deliah said to Ostephen.

They had reached Waverly Water's Edge, but they still weren't sure why the Nimbles had sent them there. They'd been traveling awhile now with no sightings or information. The land seemed cold and eerily quiet.

What waited in Waverly?
The question bounced back and forth in Deliah's mind.

Ostephen decided to lighten up the mood and began whistling a fairy song he'd been teaching her. Deliah smiled appreciatively and began humming along. They wandered up and down the rocky terrain, singing merrily as they went. Suddenly she saw a beautiful black raven with a broken wing, and she stopped in horror. A single tear rolled down her cheek at the sight of this ravishing raven in pain.

“Is there anything I can do?”

“Deliah,” the bird said wearily, “I've been looking for you.” His little eyes fluttered up and down, fighting to stay open. “The Dark Ones let Kristoff go, but they left him on the rocks at water's edge to die. You must help him; he is weakened from their spell. If someone doesn't find him, the tide will rise, and Kristoff will die.”

The bird slowly succumbed and closed his eyes. Grateful that he was willing to risk his life for a friend, Deliah said a prayer for him. Then she ran to the water's edge where Ostephen had been visiting with the sea sprites.

“Ostephen! Ostephen!” she shouted.

By the time she reached the water's edge, she was completely out of breath and desperate to deliver the news. Exasperated, she grabbed the wand and yelled, “Show him!” The wand flashed to Kristoff who was miles away, lying hidden in the rocks at water's edge, weak and lifeless. “He's free, but he hasn't got much time,” she managed.

Ostephen was speechless and started to fly off at once, but
she stopped him.

“We won't make it on foot.”

She closed her eyes and with all the intention she could muster, called on Edwin. Deliah and Ostephen looked around but failed to see him. Suddenly, a pure white unicorn with a rose crest on his head rose out from the trees and skidded to a halt beside them. They jumped on, and without question, Edwin dashed off.

Ostephen was an absolute wreck, wringing his hands in desperation to get there.

“Why would they free him? Is it a trap? Maybe Kristoff's good determination and will proved too strong for them, and as the spell began to weaken, he remembered his truth and began to rebel against them?”

• • •

They reached the water's edge and searched desperately among the rocks. Ostephen could see a dim yellow light fading in and out, fighting hard for survival.

“Kristoff! Kristoff!” he shouted as he wrapped his arms around his brother's weak body.

Kristoff blinked, trying to regain clear vision. Upon making out the face, he mumbled bleakly, “Oste—” before his eyes closed. His body went limp. Ostephen buried his face in his brother's chest and sobbed.

“Noooo! Noooo!” he screamed. “Hold on! Hold on!”

Deliah was fighting back tears, trying to maintain a brave face for Ostephen. Except for the crashing of the unforgiving waves against the boulders and rocks, everything was silent. Deliah could see tears streaming down Ostephen's face. She made her way over to him and reached out a hand to comfort him, but he brushed it away despondent.

Suddenly inspired, Deliah reached into her cloak and grabbed the box of Merlin's potions. The pink potion was glowing brightly. She parted Kristoff's lips and gently poured the vile of it into his mouth, then sat in uncomfortable silence for what seemed like ages.

A pink light began to glow around his chest and then, like an arrow, Kristoff's body abruptly shot out of Ostephen's arms, went high into the sky, and disappeared. A few moments later, a bright yellow glow filled the area as he slowly came back down
and hovered in front of them.

Ostephen was astonished. He flew up to meet the little yellow fairy. Looking into his eyes, he said, “It's you!” They glowed and buzzed happily around in circles and kept embracing each other.

“I'm sorry,” Kristoff said, “I just wasn't myself. I would never…. ”

“I know. We all know.” Then Ostephen remembered Deliah and said, “I'd like you to meet my dearest friend, Deliah.”

Kristoff kissed her on the cheek, and the three began to sing and dance and had a little fairy party right there. Even Edwin joined in and neighed in joyful delight, adding a brilliant sparkle with his rose crest and horn.

• • •

The Dark King looked deep into his goblet and saw the three fairies reunited and joyful.

“What's this?” he screamed. “What's this madness?”

The gathered Kahorgis and Dark Ones standing nearby stumbled in front of the king.

One of them stammered, “Well, the spell was wearing off, you see, and he wasn't a harm. I mean, he was just one little fairy. Besides, we didn't think anyone would find him.” The other Kahorgis all laughed.

The Dark King threw the goblet to the floor, splattering its dark, murky contents across their faces.

“No one! And I mean no one is to be released! Do you understand?”

“Uh, yes, sir. Yes, sir,” they all mumbled apologetically.

The Dark King let out an unmerciful bellow, “Fools! Fools you are! You will stand guard out front because that is all you're capable of! Go!”

They retreated and stood by the main doors, shivering in the brisk night air. The Dark King sat back down.

“They do have a point. What is one teensy weensy fairy going to do? Blast it! It's nothing.” He glared at a nearby Dark One and shouted, “Don't just stand there, fool! Get me a new drink!”

“Yes, sir!” the Dark One replied and buzzed off at once, a small trail of flames in his wake.