Today is a very important day. Today Mother breaks our finest China glasses. Today I hear the news of my father's disappearance. Today my mother locks herself in her room and stays there for a very long time. Today Fowl Enterprises loses its Head Representative. Today I lose both my parents. Today I feel more alone in the world than I have ever felt before. Today is when I vow to take revenge on whomever is responsible for stealing my father- and indirectly stealing my mother from me. Today I start my search. Today I have a plan to fund this search. Today is my eleventh birthday.

"My boy!" said Uncle Alan as he hoisted me onto his filthy lap, "I know you're upset about your father, but for chrissakes, lad! You can't go moping around like a wee lady-child. Let me tell you a story."

Artemis scowled at his father's brother, "I don't want to sit on you, Alan."

"Why ever not, child?"

Artemis stared at his dirty lap (that he was actually seated on TOP of) and back up at Uncle Alan. Artemis was about to say something about the pile of filth festering on his uncle, but decided against it- he loved him too much. "Erm…nothing, Alan," Artemis said adjusting himself, "…nothing at all."

Uncle Alan mumbled to himself which sounded partly like "Where…was…what…was I saying something…?" to Artemis. "Ah." Alan said finding his train of thought, "that story."

"Really…I insist…it isn't necessary."

"Oh! But I do!" Uncle Alan said cheerfully- despite the circumstances. "My, what a beautiful boy you will turn out to be" Alan said petting Artemis.

"…The Story, Alan" Artemis said slightly frustrated.

"Yes, yes, of course. The story." Alan thought carefully and Artemis slightly prayed that this man wasn't developing Alzheimer's…or worse a crush on young Artemis, because for 

whatever reasons Alan was always commenting on how pretty he was growing up to be. Artemis is not pretty, the boy thought to himself as he ran a hand through his hair, he is handsome.

"So pretty, you are" Uncle Alan mumbled. "Ah, okay. Here we go. Fairies."

"Fairies?"

"Fairies."

"What about them."

"Do you believe in them?"

Artemis stared wide-eyed. "It's possible. Not probable, though."

Alan stared wondering what the latter meant, but was not in the mood to be asking an eleven year old child the definition of what he figured was probably basic vocabulary.

"You better, son" Alan said seriously for once. He looked around the manor nervously, "They can hear so watch your mouth."

"Are they nice?" Artemis asked, only sounding like an eleven year old boy because he was curious.

Alan laughed. "Sometimes. But that isn't the point. One day, when my nephew was about a year old-"

"I am your nephew"

Alan put a finger to his lips and widened his eyes to a very disturbing size. "Don't interrupt" he hissed. "he was sitting in his booster chair that was strapped to a kitchen chair. Somehow, he managed to tip the chair over (he's very strong). My brother, his father, saw what happened and ran to catch him, but would in no way get to him in time. And he knew it. The fairies, who I happen to be very good friends with and who happen to play with my nephew, knew this as well and they held the chair, suspended at an amazing 90 degree angle, until my brother could reach it and put it back on solid ground."



Artemis was interested. Partially because it mentioned his father and mostly because it mentioned him.

"…But, Are they nice, Uncle Alan?"

"Only sometimes, love" Uncle Alan repeated. "It is commonly believed fairies steal new born babies and replace them with a fairy child that sickens and dies. For this reason, newborns and new mothers are never left alone and certain protections are placed around the room and home. They steal a lot."

"Do they help. Ever?"

"You have to be very careful with them, Artemis. If you do invite the fae folk to join in ritual or a magickal working, be sure to leave them some little gift or libation as a thank you. You will insult them if you don't. But, never say "thank you" to fairies. Apparently, they consider this rude." Uncle Alan stopped and thought as if he was speaking from experience. "Fairies do not forgive and forget. Don't you ever forget that, Arty. Once insulted, they will never work with you again. At least, that is what I've been told."

Artemis was very angry with Uncle Alan. With his Father. And with the Fairies. Why would Alan even bother to mention this? Is he insinuating his father's disappearance had something to do with the fairies? …Since they were so fond of taking things that didn't belong to them. A thought struck Artemis. Perhaps he would have to become acquainted with this borrowing process. Artemis fumed, silently vowing that whatever they had stolen from his family would be returned immediately. Be it by will, force- or otherwise.

Uncle Alan placed a hand on the shoulder of a thoughtful Artemis. "I can see I helped," Alan said winking.

Artemis struggled off of his uncle's lap and made way to his study. "Yes, Alan," Artemis mumbled, "Yes you did."