The Surprise

          Before I could give them any more instruction the whole group scuttled over to cling to me. As I walked out from under the trees, they trailed me like shadow. I sighed, tried once more to send them back, but it did no good. Soon we were all standing, or I was standing in front and they were all crouched behind me, under the open sky watching, round eyed and shivering, as a very colossal glowing shape slowly drifted toward us.

          As the shape loomed above us, I was not sure anyone was breathing as not a sound came forth, not even Wart who had turned coward and was hiding under my robe. At first, the floating thing did appear to be a foul wicked demon with his brains roiling about inside the glowing membrane of his head, but that changed. Within seconds, as the fog shifted, a new impression formed. It appeared more like a giant pumpkin, yes, it was a giant glowing pumpkin with shadows and lights moving inside it.

Mouse over for a surprise!

          Then the fog magically slithered away and all was clear and such a surprise we all laughed. This giant pumpkin was full of fairies. One waved and called to us, “Hallo, dear Phee, are you hunting monsters?” We could hear tittering and giggling inside the pumpkin and then more fairies leaned out, calling and teasing. “It’s about time we found you, are you coming to the party, Phee?” “Where are your costumes?”

          The floating pumpkin was slowly drifting away from us, but one last fairy called to us, “Come along and follow us. We are going to join the Royal Court to dance the night away”.

          “Oh my,” said I. The Royal Fairy Court was meeting, probably in the Twilight Circle of Qwynwiren, for a Halloween celebration. I was beginning to think somebody really had been pulling my leg! We quickly picked up our camp and chased after the floating pumpkin. Before long we could see through the great trees many sparkling lights and shapes. The air was humming with energy and glowing with magic. The Royal Court! How beautiful they were, in their grand costumes aglitter with jewels.

          Diafonys and Nessa came up close to my ear, their eyes big and lustrous with excitement. “How can we go to something so brilliant, Grandmother Phee?” asked Nessa. I smiled at her and laid my finger beside my nose. “Easy!” said I, for was I not the Fairy Godmother? I opened my inexhaustible satchel and lo and behold, the wonders that came forth! Beautiful court dresses and uniforms trimmed with jewels and lace and embroidery. When we were all dressed we joined, no we disappeared into the throng, the lively laughter, the wondrous lights and movements, our identities hidden by masks made of satin and silver, trimmed with feathers and fine gems. This would be a Halloween we would remember forever.

I hope you had fun!
Your friend, Phee McFaddell

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