The night air was cool as a large ensemble of fairies flew by the greenery. It was the first day of autumn, and the fairies were giving everything its orangey-red tint. In the middle of the group of fairies sat the King and Queen, waving to any passers-by.
Queen Tabitha glanced back, only to falter a bit. Her son was missing. "Oh, dear…" she groaned. She looked over at her husband. "Don't look now, dear husband, but our son is missing again!" she whispered to him.
King Colbert glanced back at his son's empty sit atop a white butterfly. "So he is… I think he feels a bit silly, riding that white butterfly we gave him." He said, trying to give his son some reason for leaving.
"Why should he feel silly?" Tabitha asked as Colbert reached over to grab her a leaf to fan herself with. She took it gently from his grasp.
"It doesn't quite make the right impression on the ladies."
"What about the impression on the Court?!" She countered. She kept a smile plastered on her face, trying to keep the other fairies from alarm. "Colbert, my love. It is the autumn today, and we've begun the Golding of the Leafs. He should be here!" she added sharply at the end of her sentence.
"Tabitha-"
"He'll hurt himself. I just hope he's not buzzing the Vale on that wretched bee! He is the crown prince, for heaven's sake!"
Colbert chuckled. "Tabitha, dear. Have you forgotten what it's like to be 16? Besides, he has Darren there with him." He told his wife, referring to Cornelius' personal guard.
Tabitha huffed slightly. "And, he's just as bad as Cornelius."
Meanwhile, a bumblebee flew by some dandelions. His rider, Prince Cornelius, glanced around nervously. His guard was really cranking down on leaving him behind, mostly because of his mother's strict rules. Just then, he heard faint singing and brought his bumble back to a slightly opened window. "Whoa, whoa."
They landed, and Cornelius watched as Thumbelina danced. "What a beautiful voice…"
"Cornelius!" A deep voice sounded from behind the prince, startling him. Darren laughed, throwing his head back. He ran a hand over his dark brown hair, trying to calm down. "Well, next time, you should wait for me. What are you doing he—"
Darren stopped mid-sentence as his eyes landed on Seraphina, who was too busy dancing and humming with her sister to notice the fairies outside their window. Darren felt his breath catch in his throat and nearly fell over. "Who is that?"
"I don't know. Let's go find out." Cornelius flew quickly behind the book page Thumbelina was in front of, while Darren stayed on the window sill. Not wanting to scare the rare beauty in front of him, he ended up shadow-dancing behind her, staying out of her line of vision.
Cornelius cut an opening in the picture where the window was and stuck his head through. "Hahaha, may I cut in?"
Thumbelina gasped in fear and ran over to hide in the teacup. While Cornelius ran over to her, Seraphina faltered in her dancing, causing Darren to bump into her. She backed away from him in fear, nearly falling off the window sill. Luckily, Darren caught her before she plummeted downward. "A-are you alright?" he asked as he set her upright.
Cornelius looked down into the teacup and waited patiently for Thumbelina to come out. He flew over and landed on the spout once Thumbelina was out. Seeing her glance at him strangely, he became self-conscious. "W-what are you staring at?" When Thumbelina turned away from him, he added, "Well, say something, will you?"
Seraphina ran over to her sister and pointed to the storybook picture. "Look! They're like them!"
"U-uh, beg pardon?" Cornelius said, not understanding.
"Like who?" Darren asked.
Thumbelina smiled and giggled a little. "We thought we were the only ones our size in the whole world!"
At that moment, Hero woke up. He saw the 2 intruders and growled at them. Both men instinctively pulled out their swords to protect the girls. Thumbelina and Seraphina stepped in front of them.
"No, no, Hero! They're friends, look!" Seraphina bowed to Darren. "Uh, how do you do, sir? My name is Seraphina."
"And, I'm Thumbelina. Thank you for coming to visit." Thumbelina motioned with her hand for them to play along.
Luckily, the boys caught on. "Oh, no-no trouble at all."
"The pleasure is ours." Darren said as he bowed and re-sheathed his sword. Hero settled down and went back to sleep.
"Sorry about that." Thumbelina said.
"Thumbelina… Oh, it's a lovely name!" Cornelius sighed, spinning in place. Thumbelina thanked him. "I-Im Cornelius."
"Cornelius." Thumbelina tested the name. She giggled, and spun around. "Well, that's a funny name." Realizing her blunder, she gushed, "Oh! I-I mean, it's perfect!"
Darren smiled at Seraphina. "Seraphina… That's a beautiful name."
Seraphina ducked her head and blushed. "T-thank you. What's your name?"
"Darren."
Sera smiled. "Your name is beautiful, too." She made a face. "Wait, I meant, handsome. No, I mean… I don't know what I meant." She sighed in defeat.
Darren laughed. "It's alright. I know what you were trying to say." Then, Darren looked around to see Thumbelina pulling Cornelius outside. He and Seraphina followed them.
"Oh, why, he… He's amazing!" Thumbelina said.
"Hey, would you like to... go for a spin?" Cornelius offered. As Thumbelina hopped on, he added. "Come on, it'll be fun!"
Darren stepped in front of Buzzby, Cornelius' bumble. "Cornelius, don't get carried away."
Cornelius smirked at him. "Same to you." With that, they flew off.
While they were taking off, Thumbelina said, "Oh, I wish I had wings."
"Maybe, someday you will." Cornelius said. "Hold on tight! Whoa!" Buzzby flew faster, sending Cornelius back a bit. He and Thumbelina laughed as they flew over to the bridge.
Cornelius
"Let me be your wings
Let me be your only love
Let me take you far beyond the stars…"
A group of small bugs carried a flower necklace over to Thumbelina and put in around her neck. She gently touched the tip of her finger against the water underneath them, sending ripples through the river that seemed to shine.
Cornelius and Thumbelina started dancing over the water.
Cornelius
"Let me be your wings
Let me lift you high above
Everything we're dreaming of will soon be ours…"
"Anything that you desire,
anything at all…
Everyday, I'll take you higher
and, I'll never let you fall…"
"Let me be your wings
Leave behind the world you know
For another world of wondrous things…
We'll see the universe, and dance on Saturn's rings…
Fly with me, and I will be your wings!"
As they flew by, one of the little bugs from earlier pointed after them. "She's gonna marry the fairy prince, huh, Mama?"
"Well, perhaps." Her mother said.
Cornelius
"Anything that you desire,
Anything at all…
Thumbelina
"Anything at all…"
Cornelius
"Everyday, I'll take you higher, and I'll never let you fall!"
Just as he sang this, Cornelius released his hold on Thumbelina, causing her to fall downward. Thumbelina, none the wiser, continued to sing. Luckily, Cornelius caught her.
Thumbelina [Cornelius]
"You will be my wings [Let me be your wings]
You will be my only love [Get ready for another world of wondrous things…]
Wondrous things are sure to happen!
Both
"We'll see the universe, and dance on Saturn's rings!"
Cornelius/Thumbelina
"Heaven isn't too far/ Heaven is where you are
Both
"Stay with me, and let [you/me] be [my/your] wings!"
They flew off into the sky. Meanwhile, a toad, who was watching them, sighed dreamily as his mother came out. She exclaimed something in Spanish, and added, "This voice is fantastica!"
Her son, Grundel, said, "Mama… I love her." Mrs. Toad smiled toward the sky, thinking up a plan.
[During Let Me Be Your Wings]
Seraphina and Darren watched as Thumbelina and Cornelius flew off. Sera turned to Darren. "Do you have a bumblebee?"
Darren shook his head. "No. I prefer to fly with my own wings. That way, they'll get stronger. Why do you ask?"
Seraphina looked down. "O-oh, well… I was wondering if you would be able to take me on a flight, too. But, I wouldn't want you to have to carry me. That would be too much work for you, flying and carrying someone."
Darren scooped her up into his arms and smiled. "It's not trouble at all. Hold on." He lifted them easily from the window sill and through the sky.
While they were flying, they passed by a group of bugs start were dancing and singing. Seraphina pointed to them and asked, "Oh, Darren, can we go dancing with them? It looks like fun!"
"Of course." Darren said, smiling at her. They landed and smiled at all the happy couples dancing with each other. Seraphina smiled as she took hold of Darren's hands and started waltzing with him. He glanced around as a new song started playing just in time for them to join along.
Darren
"I bring you a song
And, I sing as I go
For, I want you to know
That I'm looking for romance…"
Seraphina blushed as Darren sang to her.
Seraphina
"I bring you a song
In the hope that you'll see
When you're looking at me,
That I'm looking for love…"
All the other couples made room as Darren and Seraphina twirled and danced into the middle, where everyone could see.
Others
"I'm seeking that glow
Only found when you're young and it's May
Only found on that wonderful day
When all longing is through…"
"I'm seeking that glow
Only found when a thrill is complete
Only found when two hearts gently beat
To the strains of a waltz that's both tender and new…"
Darren started flying with Seraphina above the others, still dancing.
Darren
"I bring you a song,
For I'm seeking romance…"
Others
"You're by my side
There's a moon up above
It shines with a light, that's both mellow and bright
It's easy to see
That tonight, we shall fall in love…"
All
"I bring you a song…
For, I'm seeking romance…"
As they flew back to Seraphina's house, they saw Thumbelina and Cornelius on the window sill. Suddenly, they rushed inside. Cornelius motioned for them to hurry inside. They all crouched down, hiding.
"Cornelius, who are those people?" Thumbelina asked, referring to the voice he heard.
"That's the Queen of the Fairies. My mother."
"Your mother?" Seraphina questioned. Cornelius nodded.
"Look, we have to go, but... can we come back tomorrow?" Darren asked.
"Yo-your mother? But-but, you ar-are the... Tomorrow?" Thumbelina was so flustered, she apparently forgot how to speak.
Cornelius grasped her hands. "Yes, tomorrow. Yes, I'm the Prince. Look... will you meet my parents?"
"I... I will." Thumbelina giggled. "I will, Prince Cornelius, yes!"
Seraphina glanced at Darren curiously. "Are you a prince, too?"
Darren looked down for a moment. "No... I'm Cornelius's personal guard..." He trailed off sadly. He would understand if she wanted to be with a prince. She deserved it.
Sera hugged Darren, seeing the sad look on his face. "You can come back tomorrow. We'll be waiting on you!"
At that point, the Queen and King were both calling out for Cornelius and Darren. They rushed outside to Buzzby. Thumbelina and Seraphina followed them.
"You won't forget to come back... will you?" Thumbelina asked the prince.
"I promise." He answered. Then, he leaned forward to kiss her, as he'd tried to do many times before. But, Buzzby took off before their lips could touch. Cornelius and Darren waved good-bye to the girls as they flew off.
Thumbelina sighed. "Oh, Cornelius..." She smiled, thinking of her loved one.
As the 2 girls went back inside, Seraphina climbed into Thumbelina's bed, which was closer. "What are you doing?" Sera murmured something about being too sleepy to go over to her own bed. Lina chuckled softly at her sister. She decided to just climb into the bed and go to sleep.
