Chapter 13: The Rescue Party
Elsewhere, the fairies were avidly scouting for the young man that Lapis met in the forest. Unfortunately, the only physical trait they had to go on was his gorgeous black eyes, which the princess had described to Steven earlier when she came home. They searched everywhere from the market stalls to the flour mills, but alas there seemed to be no sign of a young man who matched this vague description anywhere.
"It's hopeless, we've been searching for the past half hour, and yet we still can't find this young man anywhere," said a tired Pearl. "It doesn't help that we don't even know his name."
"Let's not give up hope yet," retorted Peridot. "Rose is counting on us, so we must keep looking, no matter how long it takes us."
The other fairies agreed, to which they decided that the next place to look would be on the further outskirts of the kingdom. Once they made their way there, Steven spotted a stable nearby, where he could see two stable hands having a heated conversation. Thinking that they could help give them a possible lead, Steven suggested to the others that they should go down and investigate.
"Now, Steven," said Pearl strictly. "We don't have time to waste talking to strangers."
"That may be so," replied Amethyst. "But I've never come across that particular stable beforehand, must be a new one."
"In any case," added Garnet. "It's worth a look. Maybe those stable hands know where the young man could potentially be."
So as quickly as they could, the fairies headed towards the stable, with Steven leading the way. The stable hands in question were none other than Lars and Connie, who were both immensely concerned that Jamie had not returned in quite a while. However, before their conversation could continue, the fairies soon appeared before them.
"Good evening," said Garnet, as she and the others bowed before the two stable hands, who were left in astonishment by the mere sight of being greeted by real fairies.
"Wow!" Connie exclaimed. "Their wings look so beautiful."
"I know," Lars added. "My parents have told me stories about them as a little kid, but I have never seen them in the flesh until now."
The fairies were left quite charmed by these reactions, all before Steven went up to ask Lars and Connie a question.
"Excuse us," the fairy prince spoke politely. "But we were wondering what it is that you two were discussing?"
"Our friend Jamie had left to go into the forest to meet a girl he saw earlier today," explained Connie. "But he hasn't come back in the past hour."
"We're worried that something terrible has happened to him," added Lars. "We were planning on going into the forest ourselves to try and find him."
Steven thought for a moment, recalling back to what Lapis had told the others, about meeting the young man she met later in the evening. Suddenly, he was able to make a connection.
"That's it!" Steven exclaimed excitedly. "This Jamie guy could be the young man we're looking for, as Lapis promised on meeting him again after her party!"
The other fairies beamed with delight, for they finally had a possible lead as to who Lapis' true love could be. Connie and Lars on the other hand were both left bemused as to why the fairies were now in such a chipper mood.
"If you don't mind us asking?" questioned Lars. "Why do you all appear so happy about potentially finding Jamie?"
Garnet told the two stable hands about the situation regarding Lapis and the curse that White Diamond had placed upon her. This left Connie and Lars feeling quite saddened by what they were told.
"Oh dear, poor Lapis," Connie exclaimed unhappily. "Nobody deserves that kind of fate."
"That's why we came to you," added Peridot. "For only by a kiss of true love may Lapis awaken, to which your friend is the most likely candidate, having potentially met Lapis in the forest earlier today."
With Peridot's words in mind, the two stable hands were now more determined than ever in wanting to find Jamie, especially if the mysterious girl was none other than the kingdom's princess.
"In that case, may we assist you in your search?" requested Connie. "For we want to help the kingdom in any way we can, along with finding Jamie."
The fairies were silent on the matter at first, knowing the possible dangers that the stable hands could be facing, especially if White Diamond tried to hinder their efforts. However, Garnet soon responded to Connie's request, breaking the silence.
"This journey may be vigorous for those such as yourselves, although I admire your determination to help," the magenta fairy stated. "That and you two would know what Jamie looks like compared to us, so by that account, you may join us."
Connie and Lars were both overjoyed by Garnet's response, for they were now about to embark on a thrilling adventure to help find their missing friend.
"Now then," Pearl interrupted. "Do you two happen to know where Jamie was going to meet this 'girl'?"
Connie and Lars told the ivory fairy that Jamie was intent on heading towards the great oak tree in the forest.
"Then that's where we're headed next," Garnet responded. "Come on everybody, we've got a stable boy to find."
So, without hesitation, both the fairies and stable hands made their way to the great oak tree, as quickly as they could. Along the way, Connie and Lars asked several optimistic questions about the fairies themselves, to which they happily answered. Unfortunately, Peridot had gotten so caught up in a conversation she was having with Connie, that she didn't see where she was going and ended up colliding face-first into a tree.
"Ouch!" the green fairy cried, to which the others immediately halted to see if she was alright.
"Are you okay Peridot?" asked Bismuth worryingly.
"Yes, I'm fine," Peridot replied. "If only this stupid tree hadn't been in my way."
But just as Connie helped to lift Peridot back to her feet, the others looked up in awe as the tree she bumped into was none other than the great oak itself.
"We've made it, this is the place where Jamie said he'd be waiting!" Connie cried excitedly. "Thanks, Peridot."
"Oh, it was nothing really," Peridot replied jokingly, before playfully bragging about how she meant to hit the tree on purpose, which made the other fairies laugh, albeit sarcastically. However, this joy was short-lived as once everyone looked around the area, there was no sign of Jamie anywhere.
"He has to be close by," Lars said worryingly. "Let's all call out for him."
So, everyone began crying out Jamie's name, but no matter how loud they shouted, there was no reply to be heard. Suddenly, Amethyst spotted a small gold trinket lying idly close to the great oak.
"Hey everyone!" the lavender fairy shouted. "Come and take a look at what I've found!"
The others came quickly to inspect, only for both Connie and Lars to be shocked by what Amethyst had discovered.
"That's Jamie's locket!" the stable girl cried. "He always has it with him and would never leave it behind on purpose."
Amethyst handed Connie the locket, who opened it up to reveal a small painted portrait of her, Jamie, and Lars outside the stable, as a token of their friendship. The other fairies were starting to get concerned, as given the misplaced locket along with the lack of a reply from before, meant that something must have happened to Jamie. Suddenly, Amethyst remembered what she yelled to White Diamond beforehand and what the wicked fairy said in return before she left.
"Um, guys," the lavender fairy said grimly. "I think I might know where Jamie is."
Everyone looked to Amethyst, who speculated that White Diamond had kidnapped Jamie and imprisoned him within her castle dungeon, to ensure that Lapis remained permanently asleep. The other fairies were left shaken, as White Diamond's castle was a place that no fairy dared to venture. This left Amethyst racked with guilt as if she was to blame for Jamie's disappearance.
"I'm so sorry," she said sadly to Connie and Lars. "Had I not spoken about Rose's spell amendment to White Diamond earlier, she probably wouldn't have gone out to capture him."
"Don't be too hard on yourself Amethyst," Connie replied. "You were obviously upset with her about what she had done to Lapis."
"Besides," added Lars. "Your outburst might have helped us, as we now know where Jamie possibly is."
Whilst Amethyst was reassured by these words, she and the other fairies were still feeling quite anxious. They didn't want to travel to White Diamond's castle but knew they had to go there if they wanted to save Jamie and in turn, Lapis. Steven, however, remembering his promise to the princess, decided to try and give the others confidence.
"Look, everyone," he said bravely. "As much as I don't want to go to White Diamond's castle myself, I made a promise to Lapis, in that I would find her true love no matter what."
The others soon turned around to hear Steven speak, with Connie and Lars being fascinated by his poise.
"Therefore," the fairy prince continued, "I intend to keep that promise, even if the situation looks dire."
"Steven's right!" exclaimed Garnet, who was moved by his words. "Lapis wouldn't want us to give up, so we'll ensure that we won't. For Lapis!"
"For Lapis!" the others shouted boldly, for they now had the confidence to stand against White Diamond and her villainous ways.
"Alright, everyone!" Pearl shouted courageously. "We've got no more time to waste, it's off to White Diamond's castle we go!"
So, without another moment's delay, the fairies and the stable hands began to make their way to the wicked fairy's castle, for their search party had now become a rescue party.