Author's Note: I want to thank NerdiGirl for offering to beta this story for me. I look forward to working with you from Chapter 10 on.
Afreeda was bursting with excitement as she zipped back and forth through the trees, chattering all the while. "Our Queen wants to see you! It's a great honor that few fairies even get when Queen Marion requests their presence!"
"But why would she want to see a stranger like me?" Lilly asked.
Cautiously looking all around, Afreeda flew down in front of Lilly's face. "Because. . . you could be the one we've been waiting for." With a burst of giggles she zoomed off around a tree again, not able to contain her excitement.
Despite being in utter surprise, Lilly was extremely curious. "What do you mean?"
"Come on, everyone's waiting for us! I'll explain more when we get there!"
It only took a few more minutes to reach the impassable wall. "Uh, Afreeda? Don't you remeber?" Lilly asked. "I can't fly."
The tiny fairy nodded. "I know, and I told Queen Marion about that too. She had an idea about it. Wait here." With that, she flew up and over the wall.
A few minutes later, Afreeda was back, and she was not alone. She was followed by a small host of fist-sized bright lights. Coming closer, they transformed into an entire flock of fairies! Some took hold of her hands, and some the back of her dress. Very carefully, they pulled until they were lifting her up off the ground. Despite their small size, fairies are very strong, and so the job was easily done. In a slow parade, the girl was lifted up higher and higher until she was over the wall, then let back down to the ground.
She looked up to see an amazing sight. A huge oak tree shimmered with what Afreeda had called "pixie dust." All around were fairies flying in every direction, and windchime-like laughter filled the air. It was. . . magical. A cooing sound caught Lilly's ear, and she looked up to see a large white dove nesting in one of the highest branches of the tree.
"That's Mother Dove," Afreeda whispered in Lilly's ear. She pointed her finger in the direction of a small parade coming toward them. "And that," Afreeda said proudly, "is Queen Marion!" Though small by human standards, the parade was very elaborate, with dancers and flag wavers, and a chorus of tiny brass trumpets. Lilly felt very honored to be the guest of this beautiful procession.
The Queen flew up near Lilly with a smile. "Welcome to Pixie Hollow, my dear," she greeted warmly. For a moment, Lilly was struck in awe of her complete beauty.
"Th-thank you. . . your Highness. . ." Lilly stuttered, not knowing what else to say. She was led over to a quieter corner of the tree, and asked to sit down.
"Now, what brings you to our island?" Queen Marion asked, taking her seat on a throne held up in mid-air by four male fairies.
"To tell you the truth, I'm not quite sure," Lilly answered hesitantly, looking down at the ground. "I was in my forest home, when I found was seemed to be a long and narrow cave. There was a little light at the back of it. I walked through the tunnel, and the light was so bright I had to close my eyes. I felt like something was pulling me very fast, and yet I was standing still! The next thing I knew I felt sand between my toes, and when I opened my eyes I was on the beach of this island."
Queen Marion looked deep in thought for a few moments, then gave a small, comforting smile to the girl. "Well, however you got here, you must stay here tonight. We will think of tomorrow when it comes." She then flew off with her escorts, leaving Lilly blushing and not knowing what to do next.
"Wanna see the rest of the island?" Afreeda asked, noticing Lilly's embarrassment.
Lilly nodded. She had to admit she was very curious about this new place she was in. She could hardly wait to explore it, even if she was a little afraid too. Another small group of fairies lifted Lilly over the wall and set her gently on the ground on the other side.
"Let's go!" Afreeda shouted, and with that, the pair walked off to find their adventure.