Maria and Robin whirled around to face the voice and Maria's first thought was that something else must have been going wrong with her eyes. For there, standing on the branch, was a creature no bigger than her thumb. The creature had billowing brown hair that cascaded into her full-length dress comprised of leaves. On her back flitted delicate, iridescent wings. Her green eyes looked up at the duo expectantly and her small mouth smiled faintly. Maria glanced at Robin to see if this was only happening to her but, judging by his bulging eyes, he could see the creature too. Maria shook her head and grabbed the acorn and held it out to the creature. The creature widened her smile, took the acorn in her arms, and chimed,
"Thank you!" Maria and Robin watched as she flew to the side of the tree and abruptly smashed the top of the acorn across it. The top promptly fell off and the creature smiled once again surveying her work. She flew into a nearby knot in the tree and then exited again with her arms free of the acorn. She flew back down towards Maria and Robin and landed on a branch that was at their eye-level.
"I needed new a bowl and when I saw that acorn, I knew it would be absolutely perfect! I'm Safiyya by the way. Who are you?" said the creature cheerfully.
"I'm Maria," Maria said slowly, "and this is Robin." Robin bobbed his head in acknowledgment. "If you don't mind me asking, Safiyya, what exactly are you?" Safiyya smiled and said,
"Of course! You're humans, I should've known that you probably haven't seen someone like me before. I'm a sprite."
"A sprite?" Robin asked, breaking his silence.
"Yes," Safiyya said, turning her head in his direction.
"I've heard about sprites in some of my books on mythology and legends," Maria said, thoughtfully, "Miss Heliotrope always took them away from me, though. She said they were filled with lies. I didn't think of them as much more than stories anyway. Well, that is until I came here."
"Who's this Miss Heliotrope? She doesn't sound like much fun."
"She's looked after me ever since I was little. I wouldn't necessarily describe her as fun, but her heart is in the right place."
"Why are you here, Safiyya?" interjected Robin. Maria was surprised by his candor.
"Haven't you heard?" Safiyya said excitedly, "Magic has returned to Moonacre Valley!"
"Oh trust me, we know," Robin replied and he and Maria exchanged a knowing look.
"Well, Moonacre Valley is the ancestral place of all magic. There was a terrible curse put on the valley long ago and ever since all the magical creatures that dwelt here were forced to reside in the shadows of the world. My family passed down stories of what this place used to be like and I always hoped I'd be lucky enough to come here and now I have and so far I love it!"
"Do you think more will come back to the valley like you have?" Robin asked.
"I'm sure more will come, but some have a long ways to travel." Maria and Robin looked at each other and knew that they were already thinking the same thing.
"Safiyya, you're a very nice sprite, but are there others who perhaps aren't as friendly?" Maria asked. Safiyya thought for a moment and then replied,
"I haven't met many sprites outside of my family, but the ones I have met are pretty nice although they can be a bit mischievous at times."
"And what about other magical creatures?"
"I'm sorry to say that I don't really know much because there are so many different types of creatures. But I'd say there's a fair mix of friendly and not so friendly."
"Why would all types of magical creatures come back here if they've spent so many years living in other places?"
"Well, magic exists freely here and we can be ourselves without having to worry about the consequences of revealing ourselves to those who don't understand magic in the outside world. I'd be rather surprised if any magical creature didn't come to Moonacre." Maria's head was beginning to spin. She wasn't sure how much more information she could take in. As was becoming the standard, Robin once again sensed this. He spoke,
"Maria and I better go before our families start to wonder where we've gone to. Is there a way we could see you again, Safiyya?"
"Oh yes!" she said brightly, "Just call out my name in the forest and I'll be there as quickly as I can. I might be small, but I have excellent hearing." Robin looked dubious but Maria spoke before he had a chance to form a question,
"It was nice to meet you, Safiyya. I hope we get to see each other again soon and that you enjoy your new bowl."
"It was nice to meet you too! Goodbye for now!" Safiyya fluttered her wings and ascended to the knot in the tree and disappeared from sight. After a moment, Robin descended to a lower branch and poked his head out through the foliage. He pulled his head back inside the tree and nodded to Maria that it was safe and swiftly jumped out of the tree. Maria was surprised by how gracefully he landed. In spite of herself, she allowed a small smile to come to her face as she thought about how Robin wouldn't appreciate any of his movements being described as "graceful." Maria stepped down to a lower branch and Robin reached up his arms to help her. She stared down at him with a crooked grin on her face,
"Do you think that I can't get down on my own, de Noir?"
"I'm just here to help The Princess, princess."
"Such chivalry," Maria said in a mocking voice. She was surprised when Robin looked more annoyed than amused.
"Maria, we really do need to get back. You know they'll all be worried." Maria's face fell and she nodded. Maria took hold of his hands and started to jump off, but her heel caught on the branch and she fell on top of Robin as they both went crashing to the ground. Maria opened her eyes and felt heat rushing to her cheeks as she saw that her face was mere inches away from Robin's.
"Are you okay?" Maria said as she quickly rolled off of him and struggled to sit up. Robin blinked a few times then slowly sat up as well.
"Yeah, I'm fine, I think. I just had the wind knocked out of me. Remind me to start carrying a ladder if I'm going to keep performing chivalrous acts." Maria playfully shoved him and she saw him give a small smile. Robin got to his feet and held out his hands to help Maria up. This time his assistance was successful. Robin turned and started back in the direction of Moonacre Manor. The two walked in silence for a time until Maria could no longer contain a thought that had been bouncing around in her brain.
"Hey, Robin?"
"Yes, princess?"
"You know how Safiyya said that they're magical creatures that aren't friendly?"
"Yes I heard." Maria bit the inside of her lip. She noticed that Robin was still staring fixedly at her.
"Then that means we've got yet another problem to figure out, doesn't it?"
"I'm afraid so, princess." Maria sighed and the pair stayed silent for the remainder of the walk back to Moonacre Manor.
