Disclaimer:
I do not own The Land of Stories Series. This amazing and enchanting series is by Chris Colfer.
A/N:
Hello there!
Hope everyone is well and healthy.
Firstly, I'm very sorry about a significant error that I've made. I have been miss spelling the name of a very important character, Connor, which is meant to be Conner. I'm very sorry and I hope this doesn't spoil the story too much.
For consistency's sake, I'll be keeping to the spelling that I've started with.
Thank you so much, and apologies once again.
Happy reading!
Chapter Twelve: Trix
It was a great relief to finally arrive at the Fairy Kingdom. They had travelled the entire day, keeping their rest times to a minimum as they wanted to stay on the move in case of any soldiers who were looking for Cinderella's slipper lurking nearby. The infrequent rest was only one of the many complaints Queen Red had. To Connor and Emilia's dismay, Red had complained and moaned for the majority of their journey about the food not being fit for a queen, drinking out of streams and rivers, and most of all, not being able to change her dress every few hours. As if this wasn't enough, she also kept moaning that her makeup was running and that her feet were killing her. Connor and Emilia barely restrained themselves from pushing her into a river. But Froggy was patient with Red and listened to her eagerly, genuinely interested in what she had to say. Emilia and Connor did their best to tune her out and instead, they spent the hours swapping silly rhymes and stories from their childhood. Connor told Emilia every horror story he knew, and despite Connor's attempts, he couldn't help but be immensely impressed at her lack of terror and fright. In turn, Connor listened in wonderment as Emilia regaled him with tales of her adventures with her friend Rumpelstiltskin. To his surprise, Connor found their conversation liberating, and although she went out of her way to look annoyed every time Connor spoke to her, Connor had a feeling that deep down, Emilia enjoyed their conversation more than she would care to admit.
The Fairy Kingdom was even more beautiful than it looked on the map. Connor gaped awestruck at the splendid sight before him. Everything about the kingdom looked so warm and welcoming. All the gardens and hedges were perfectly trimmed and manicured. The flowers were vibrant and the blooms were lush and full. The gardens looked healthy and well cared for. At first, Connor thought it was all just an illusion, but everything around him seemed to sparkle and shimmer. As Cherry Blossom and Cornelius travelled further into the kingdom, the safer Connor seemed to feel. He couldn't figure out why, and although Connor knew that he'd never been to the Fairy Tale World, he felt like he was coming home after being on vacation. It was like the Fairy Kingdom had been waiting for him all along.
"Look over there!" Connor gasped, pointing to a shimmering stream below them as they passed.
Its water was clear and smooth as glass, rippling gently in the cool breeze. Now and then, the calm ripples were disturbed by tiny fish, gliding and dancing upon the crystal surface.
"That's Thumbelina Stream," Froggy said.
"It's very beautiful isn't it?"
"It looks so peaceful," Red said dreamily.
Emilia shrugged not even glancing at the stream. Her back was rigidly straight and her eyes were resolutely focused forward.
"Sorry, I guess the novelty wears off when you've looked at it all your life."
Deeper into the kingdom they travelled. Overhead, the sky was a brilliant blue, the clouds looked as fluffy and soft as marshmallows. There was not a hint of coming rain to be seen and Connor thought that the pleasant weather would make it difficult to find a downcast fairy. As they left Thumbelina Stream behind, and just as Connor was beginning to think nothing would surprise him, a most peculiar and fascinating event occurred. From between the tall evergreen trees around them, about a dozen majestic unicorns walked towards their group. Their pure white complexion gleamed brightly as it reflected the sun and they looked as radiant as ever as if their magic had been set on maximum level. To Connor, Red, and Froggy's surprise, the unicorns began to encircle their group. Connor felt a mixture of fear and wonder take over him. Somehow, he knew the unicorns would not harm them, but their strange behaviour made him cautious. Maybe they were being welcomed into the kingdom? As one, the unicorns bowed low, their heads sinking and rising in perfect unison.
"You guys, what's happening," Connor finally asked.
"Come on, lets go," Emilia said briskly steering Cornelius out of the circle of unicorns.
Connor looked back to see the unicorns trotting off in different directions. Shrugging, he tried to brush off the strange event he'd just witnessed.
"Lets stop here so we can read the journal," Emilia said steering Cornelius to a nearby willow.
"Why don't we go for a little walk?" Froggy asked Red. "Lets try and find the Fairy Council. We'll come back when you guys whistle for Cherry Blossom."
Connor was certain that Emilia was equally rattled by the unicorns' behaviour as he was, but he let it go, remembering that his goal was to find the objects and get home as soon as possible.
—
Since fairies for the most part are very happy beings, it will be hard to find one so overcome with grief that it is brought to tears. However you manage, hopefully under moral conditions, you can use the vial hidden inside this journal's spine to contain the tear.
Connor tilted the book on its side and a small glass vial fell out of it.
"Sweet! Now all we need is the tear."
As if on cue, the two stopped and looked at each other. They could hear, in the distance, the faint but unmistakable sounds of crying.
"No," Connor said plainly. "It can't be. It can't be this easy. Nothing is ever this easy."
"Well, there's no other way to find out than checking it out."
Sure that their ears were deceiving them and that this was simply the result of wishful thinking, Connor and Emilia followed the sound further into the kingdom. The sobbing noises steadily grew louder and there, sitting atop a pine tree, was a fairy. And she was crying.
"Hey fairy!" Connor called.
"Come down from there!"
Startled, the fairy looked up, her big dark eyes shimmering with tears.
"What's your name?" Emilia asked.
"I'm Trix," the fairy sniffled.
"What's wrong Trix?" Emilia asked.
"Can we do anything to help?"
Connor glared at Emilia. Wasn't she the one who just wanted to get this over with? Why now was she trying to help the fairy?
"We just need a tear remember," Connor said through gritted teeth.
"Whatever Connor," Emilia said, her gaze never leaving the distraught fairy.
Trix left her perch and flew down to the ground in front of them. She was only a few inches tall, barely level with their knees. Her wings were big and brilliant blue as the sky. Her dark hair was long and tied with a red ribbon. The purple dress she wore was made out of leaves and her shoes out of flower buds.
"What's wrong Trix?" Emilia asked again.
"Can we do anything to help?"
"Oh, I don't think anyone can help but the Fairy Godmother and she's missing."
At this, Trix let out a high strangled wail that echoed throughout the vast hills.
"There there," Emilia soothed, allowing Trix to wipe her face on her dress.
"We've heard about the Fairy Godmother's disappearance and we very much agree that it is very distressing news."
"We've also heard about Queen Red's castle and the Red Riding Hood Kingdom wall. Oh yeah, and Cinderella's glass slipper."
"And Rapunzel's tower!" Trix sobbed, burying her face in her hands.
"Rapunzel's tower? What do you mean?"
"Say what?"
"Rapunzel's tower was found in ruins this morning. It was surrounded by long vines."
Connor and Emilia stood in stunned silence, taking in the new information. Trix continued to cry and seeing that Emilia was distracted, Connor leant forward, took the vial and allowed a tear from Trix's face to fall into the container. Emilia gave him a filthy look as he handed the vial back, but Connor just shrugged.
"I'm so scared. I'm afraid of what the evil enchantress will do," Trix said quietly.
"We're all afraid Trix," Emilia said. "We don't know what the enchantress has in store, but lets try to stay optimistic."
"Says the queen of optimism," Connor muttered under his breath.
"Hello children."
Connor, Emilia and Trix whipped around. Standing behind them was Red and Froggy looking completely at ease, as if nothing was wrong in the world.
"Your majesty!" Trix cried giving Red a deep curtsey.
"How wonderful it is to see you safe!"
"Of Course it is," Red replied. "Now, do you know where we may find the Fairy Council?"
"They are having a meeting in the fairy palace very soon. I can take you there if you like. Sometimes, my friends and I sneak into the meetings to eavesdrop."
Trix blushed at this confession and kept her gaze steadily on the ground.
"Thank you Trix," Emilia said, smiling. "That's very kind of you. We'd love that."
—
The fairy palace was made of golden pillars and archways. Flowers of all sorts bloomed in the vibrant tropical gardens. The palace was an open structure with no more than two walls lining each room, and the windows had no glass allowing the radiant rays of sunlight to shine through, emphasizing the palace's beauty.
"This is beautiful," Emilia whispered.
"I know," Trix chirped. "I wish I lived here."
"Well, it's very bright," Red said. "My castle was still better."
Trix led the group up spiralling golden staircases. They stopped outside a vast hall with marble tiles. In the very front of the room, stood nine podiums of different colours. Behind the red podium was a plump fairy with rosy cheeks. Behind the orange podium was a petite fairy wearing a honeycomb dress. Swarms of bees fluttered around her body, and hair. It seemed as though they were under her command. Behind the yellow podium was a male fairy with flaming hair that reached his shoulders. He hovered several inches from the ground and looked like he was very much on edge. A tall fairy with emerald hair, emerald eyes, and wearing an emerald green dress stood behind the podium of the same colour. A fairy wearing a sky blue dress with ocean blue eyes stood next to the green fairy. The youngest of the Council was a pink fairy. She wore a pink dress decorated with pink pearls. The oldest of the Council wore a deep purple dress. She had deep wrinkles etched into her cheeks and her eyes were a watery grey.
"Is this the Fairy Council?" Connor asked his eyes wide.
"Yes it is. That's Rosette, Tangerina, Xanthous, Emerelda, Skylene, Coral and Violetta," Trix said, pointing at each fairy in turn.
"Who sits there?" Connor asked, pointing at two vacant chairs on either end of the line.
"Well, The Fairy Godmother sits on the gold chair, and Mother Goose sits in the other chair. They're usually travelling helping all over the kingdom so Emerelda's usually in charge. But I suppose this is a special circumstance."
"Shouldn't we hide?" Froggy asked glancing anxiously at the Council.
"I've already cast the invisibility enchantment," Emilia said.
Connor couldn't help but be impressed by her quick spel-work.
"Ooh, I think they're starting," Trix squealed.
Hidden within the enchantment, the group watched in anticipation as Emerelda stood, faced her peers and began to address them.
"I know this is a very distressing time for us all," she began, her voice laced with confident authority.
"But as The Fairy Council, we must stay strong. We must not let our hope wither, because if we lose hope, there is no hope for anyone."
"Shouldn't we wait for Mother Goose?" Tangerina interrupted.
"She'll be here soon," Skylene said. "She's always late."
"With the recent events that have occurred, I truly believe that unfortunately, Ezmia is on the loose wreaking havoc on all the kingdoms. Ezmia will not wait for the Fairy Council to have a meeting. We can not afford to lose valuable time waiting for Mother Goose."
The Council fell silent following Emerelda's firm words. She exuded confidence with her entire being, and her imposing, but kind demeanour, gave Connor the impression that she would be an asset to have on your side during an altercation.
"Now," Emerelda continued.
"Lets decide on how we can begin to repair the damages Ezmia has inflicted. Then, we shall discuss strategy on building solid and durable defences to every kingdom. In order to do this, we must anticipate-"
Whoosh!
A gust of strong wind blew past Connor and the others, and looking round, he spotted a large bird with a plump woman on it's back clinging on for dear life.
"Slow down Lester! Slow down boy!" she cried.
"Mother Goose, where have you been?" Emerelda asked.
"Cut me some slack Em," Mother Goose said in her raspy voice.
Everyone watched as Lester lowered Mother Goose not too gently to the ground. There was a loud thud as Lester landed, swaying violently as he stood. Giddily, Mother Goose dismounted, took out a flask, sipped from it, and at last, joined her fellow Council members, who looked very disgruntled.
"I've searched Hagatha's cottage and the prison Ezmia used for her slaves," Mother Goose said.
"Those were the Fairy Godmother's orders before she vanished like a bubble."
"What did you find?" Rosette asked.
"Nothing. Absolutely nothing. I found the thorn bush still growing in front of Hagatha's hut, and the prison was crumbling from the inside out. Rust and dust everywhere on everything."
"Then why did the Fairy Godmother ask you to look there?" Xanthous asked.
"Trust me Xany, if I had the slightest idea, I would've told you."
"Well, lets move on to repairing the kingdoms and creating defences," Emerelda said confidently.
"Skylene and Violetta, please attend to the Corner Kingdom and Rapunzel's tower."
Both fairies left the room at once, leaving a sparkling cloud in their wake.
"Xanthous and Rosette, please go to the Charming Kingdom and do what you can to ease the panic among the people."
Again, the two fairies left.
"Tangerina, Mother Goose and I will work on defences for the Northern, Sleeping and Fairy Kingdom."
"How about me?" Coral asked.
"Of course! Coral go to the Red Riding Hood Kingdom and do what you can there."
The remaining fairies left, except for Coral who seemed to be looking for something.
"Fisher! Fisher!" she called, walking around the room.
"Fisher! Come here Fisher! Where are you Fisher!"
Just then, to Connor's utter astonishment, a small fish walked towards Coral, it's slender legs nimble and agile.
"There you are!" Coral cried, and quickly picked him up.
"Where did you get your fish?" Connor asked, forgetting he was invisible.
"Oh, well, one day, I dropped my wand in the water. Fisher kindly retrieved it for me so I gave him legs in return. He wanted to play with a boy from the village you see, but sadly the boy drowned. Are you invisible fairies there?"
"Yes," Trix replied.
"Sorry for eavesdropping."
"That's okay," Coral said gently.
"I used to do that too before I was a member. Anyway, I better be going. Take care."
And with a flutter of her bubblegum wings, Coral flew off into the bright sky.
—
That night, the group spent the night at Trix's home. She had generously given them a meal of fresh bread and butter, fruits, and slices of cream cake. Trix lived in a small and humble hut made of pine and willow branches. As Trix slept by hovering in the air, there were no beds. This meant that they had to sleep on the hut floor cushioned with the pillows and mattresses Emilia conjured. The four lay side by side beneath the open sky, gazing up at the pale moon and the cluster of stars twinkling and glowing overhead.
"So,," Connor finally said.
"What's the plan?"
"What plan?" Red asked.
"Well, tomorrow, after we leave you with the Fairy Council, we're going," Emilia said bluntly.
"What? You're leaving me? But where on earth are you going? It's very dangerous out there!"
"We know," Connor said.
"But we have stuff to do."
"What stuff?" Red persisted, sitting up.
"It's none of your business," Emilia said sharply.
"I'm a queen," Red said quite calmly, gazing steadily at Emilia.
"And I would like to know."
"Well, we're not your subjects so you have no right to give us orders," Emilia retorted as she too sat up.
"Why can't we tell her?" Froggy said quietly.
"Froggy, come on! No! She'll just slow us down. You heard how much she complained today."
"Excuse me, I'm right here you know."
"Yes, I know perfectly well."
"Well, I guess everyone deserves a second chance," Connor said, glancing at Emilia and Red in turn.
"What? Connor, how can you say that?"
"I'm just saying, everyone makes mistakes. We're all human, and we're not perfect. Not even close."
"Cheers to that!" Froggy exclaimed, winking at Connor.
"But-"
"Oh come on!" Red cut in, gazing at Emilia full on, her big blue eyes blazing.
"Haven't you ever wanted to prove yourself before? I just want to prove to myself that I'm capable of being a queen and that I can be happy and independent without a man in my life."
Silence fell following Red's outburst. Connor and Froggy looked taken aback and even Emilia looked uncomfortable.
"Okay, fine, but an adventure isn't the only way to prove yourself," Emilia rebutted.
"But Emilia, not only did I agree to help Connor because he's my friend, but I also agreed because I needed to prove to myself that I could go out into the world and make a difference despite my appearance."
"Yes! Exactly! And look at what he's accomplished! He saved me!" Red said, clapping her hands.
"Is that an accomplishment?" Emilia muttered.
"And, don't forget, I'm over one third of the way home because of Froggy."
Now, all eyes were on Emilia. Connor felt for the young queen. He too on many occasions had wanted to prove to his mom that he was quite capable of taking care of himself. Looking back now, this adventure had certainly boosted his confidence that he could protect himself. Didn't he just fight off a team of soldiers and lived to tell the tale?
Sure he got injured in the process, but he was alive, and that was enough for him.
As they looked imploringly at Emilia, the regular breathing and squeaking snores of Trix floated towards them from above.
"Okay, fine," Emilia sighed, finally relenting.
"You can come, but we'll tell you what we're doing tomorrow. I'm exhausted."
"Perfect!" Red exclaimed.
"I'm excited! I've never been on an adventure before! Can't you just tell me a little?"
"No," Emilia said, lying down again.
"We're on a quest to help me," Connor said yawning.
"But that's all I've got the energy to tell you. Goodnight."
And following Emilia's lead, Connor too lay down, and before long, both were fast asleep.
Red turned to Froggy, and all of a sudden, she was overcome with shyness.
"Froggy, will you tell me?"
"I'd love to, but this is not my story to tell alone. We've all played a part in it and I promise we'll tell you the entire thrilling tale in the morning."
"Alright then, sounds good."
The two sat there for a long while. The seconds turned into minutes, until Froggy asked,
"Where are your parents Red?"
"They passed away a few months after I was born."
"I'm deeply sorry to hear that," Froggy said, touching his webbed hand briefly to hers.
Froggy's hand was cold to the touch, but to both their surprise, neither pulled away.
"Oh, it's quite alright. I don't remember them much or what happened. Granny says it was a terrible accident. My mother was baking and my father, tired from working, was sound asleep. I started crying so mother came to tend to me. Before they knew it, the house was engulfed in smoke and the walls were collapsing all around. The neighbours called for Granny and she managed to get me out. The fairies from the Fairy Kingdom tried to heal my parents, but it was too late."
Red was astonished. She'd never told this story to anyone before, and yet here she was, sitting with a frog-man she barely knew, telling him her family history.
"It must have been a terrible ordeal," Froggy said, giving her hand a quick squeeze before letting go.
As soon as his touch was gone, she found herself missing it instantly. Instead, Red placed her hands on her lap, lacing her fingers together.
"Yes, I dream about it sometimes. I have several portraits of my parents. They looked very happy and I feel that they loved each other and me very much."
"I'm sure they did," Froggy replied.
"And I'm sure they'd be very proud of you."
Red blushed. No one had ever said that to her before.
"Well, I suppose the time is long overdue for me to step up and take my position as queen seriously."
"I will help you in any way I can."
"Thank you Froggy. I hope this adventure teaches me the lessons I need to learn."
"Don't worry, we're all learning together."
Red shifted slightly, the wooden floor of the hut giving a slight sigh. Froggy's glossy eyes were bright in the darkness of the night, and to Red, they were like orbs of radiant light, piercing into the depths of her very soul.
Owls hooted in the still night air, and the two sat in a peaceful silence as they watched the moon in the sky.
Now that night was well underway, the stars shone, if possible, more brightly and more radiantly than a few hours ago.
"Are you making a wish?" Red asked timidly.
"Well, yes," Froggy replied smiling.
Red's long hair fell over her shoulders, framing her face in a graceful curtain of yellow silk.
Froggy stared. The sight seemed to take his breath away.
"How about you?" he asked.
"Definitely," she breathed.
They sat there for a while, just watching and being contented within each other's company.
Secretly, Red wished it would last forever. She had never felt warm and comfortable like this before. She realized, that for the first time in her life, she could make millions of mistakes, and it would be okay because she wouldn't be alone. Even though her heart felt heavy with sadness, and the wounds of Jack's unrequited love was still fresh and raw, a glimmer of hope now mingled with the hurt and longing.
"It's getting late," Froggy said, attempting to conceal a yawn.
"We should get some rest."
"Yes, you're right," Red said lying down.
"Goodnight Froggy. Thank you for everything."
"You're very welcome. Goodnight Red. Sleep well."
None of them knew what dangerous obstacles lay ahead, but for now, it was enough that they had each other's friendship.
It was enough for now, but for how long?