Hi everyone :) Long time no type, I know. But I've been sitting on this fic for probably over a year now, and I finally got round to typing it up, and getting it proofread by the lovely Tabithatibi. Stylistically, this fic is not what I'm used to at all, so I'd really appreciate any feedback at all. ~ Em

At the start of the evening, the tree is almost desolate: only a single candle is lit, its flame burning bright white against the dark branches. This tree knows far more than its fair share of secrets, and, over time, it has granted far more than its fair share of wishes. The Wishing Tree, they call it. It is neither the most popular nor the most overlooked tent of Le Cirque des Rêves, but one might say that it is perhaps the most hopeful of the circus's many attractions. They say it can only be found when one is truly in need of it, and perhaps that is true. Perhaps it is because those who need it will understand what to do. The tent bears little in way of instruction, yet every night, whether the circus is open to those outside it or not, people appear to light a candle; to give voice to their deepest desires. It is a large tent - it would have to be, to encompass so many dreams - and on nights like these, when the majority of the evening has passed away with few to witness it, the darkness can be so thorough that one mightn't be able to discern whether one was truly alone.

Then again, some people mightn't have wondered this anyway. They might have been searching the Mortmain Mountains for months, and for their quarries for over a year. They might have spent every waking moment wondering if they were truly alone. But then they might have seen the Cirque, and, though it might have triggered some awful memories from a time many moons ago, some people might have entered. Entered, and looked around in awe, and forgotten, completely, all their fears and wishes. They might have spent a long time exploring the circus. And then, when dawn was just considering announcing its approach, they might have decided that there was only time for one more tent. Make it a good one, they might have whispered to themselves.

And they might have found the Wishing Tree. But they wouldn't have wondered if they were alone. The night had filled itself to the brim with wonders, and they needed no more.

But they might have thought they heard an echo, as they wondered aloud what they should do. And they might have seen a shadow move opposite, as they walked hand in hand towards the single glowing candle. And as they stepped into the tiny sliver of light, they might have forgotten all about their own wishes. And that might have been because the Wishing Tree had already collected it. And it might just have granted it. And the siblings might just have found the triplets, and the triplets might just have found the siblings. And they might have been reunited once more, never to be parted again.

But then again, they might not. After all - isn't it merely a tree?

Thanks for reading! I know it's short, but I hope you enjoyed it.

~ Em