It was the day! Christmas was here! Tinker Bell and her friends had been working all night long on the Queen's dress. Clarion had come home later that night to find her daughter and all her friends fast asleep. Thank goodness Tinker Bell had hidden the dress before she had fallen asleep! Clarion quietly went into her daughter's room and put a blanket on each of the young fairies. When she was about to leave, she saw some fluff poking out of a drawer to her left. Her curiosity got the best of her… She opened the drawer to find Tink's winter clothes and boots. She let out a small gasp, not loud enough to wake anyone up. There at the top of her winter bag was a small book. Clarion took the book and read its contents quickly. This is what she read:
I must find my father! I know he is out there somewhere! I have searched half of the Winter Woods with the help of my sister Periwinkle! I can't believe I have a sister! Well, I didn't know I had a mother just a few days ago so I guess this year is full of surprises!
Peri and I found one Sparrowman when we figured out we were sisters at Dewey's library, that's the Keeper of all fairy knowledge. Well, the Sparrowman's name was Lord Milori but he said "My heart will forever belong to 'Ree'" My mother's name is Clarion so Lord Milori can't be my father…
No luck today… but we built a snowman!
Clarion put the book back where she had found it and left the room…
"He still loves me…" Clarion sighed under her breath. Clarion sat down at her desk and began to write, as the sun came up over the horizon. Queen Clarion finished her letter, she called to a dove and gave it to her.
"You know what to do." The dove cooed and flew off toward the Winter Woods. Clarion sighed, a single tear running down her face. She then went to her bed and slept for what little time she had left before her duties as Queen called for her once again.
Tinker Bell awoke at noon, she and her friends had stayed up half the night making her mother's Christmas Ball gown. It was finally done and it was gorgeous! They had wrapped it in a golden box and hid it under Tink's bed.
"Morning everyone!" Tink screamed and woke up her friends. Scaring them all half to death!
"TINK!" They all screamed at her as she blushed.
"Sorry! I am excited! Today is the day!"
"What day?"
"Christmas Sil!"
"Oh, that day!"
"When are we going to get ready sugar plum? I need to get all dolled up for tonight."
"Right after I put my mom's present on her bed. She should be up by now. I will go and put it on her bed. Back in a flash!" Tinker Bell left her friends to clean up and get dressed. They would have to leave soon to get ready for tonight's events. Tink made her way into her mother's grand room. To her shock, there she was asleep in her bed! Tink raced back to her room and hid the present under her bed again.
"What's wrong Tinkerbell?"
"Dess! She is still asleep!"
"WHAT?!"
"Sh! Be quite everyone!" Tink whisper screamed at them. Vidia suddenly had an evil idea... As the smirk grew across her face she fluttered toward the door.
"Who wants to come with me to wake up Queeny?" Everyone looked over to Tink and Dess who didn't want anything to do with it till Tink caved in.
"Oh fine! Just because it's Christmas, let's go jump on her!"
Clarion was in a deep sleep until she faintly heard her door open. She thought it was nothing and kept her eyes closed. Moments later she heard voices, she thought she heard giggling? Am I dreaming? She thought to herself, just as she heard loud screams!
"WAKE UP! WAKE UP! WAKE UP!" She bolted awake as Tinker Bell and all her friends jumped on top of her and giggled at her startled look.
"AH!" Clarion screamed as she fell off her bed and onto the hard wooden floor. "Morning girls..." Clarion grumbled as she got off the floor and sat back on her bed with her darling fairies.
"It was Vidia's idea!"
"TINK!" Clarion rolled her eyes at her daughter and laughed.
"Next time I am going to jump on your bed! See how much you like it then."
"Queeny jumping on Tink? Oh, I have to see this!"
"Oh, Vidia do not fret I will jump on top of you as well."
"I like to see you try!" Clarion giggled at her, just as she looked out the window and saw what time it was.
"By the second star! I overslept!" Clarion flew out of bed and went flying into her bathroom to change. "I will see you later girls!" Clarion cried from the bathroom, Tink and her friends left for Rosetta's house to get ready. As Tink left she placed her mother's dress on her bed.
As soon as Clarion was ready she rushed out of her room. She didn't see the golden box on her bed as she fluttered out of her chambers. Queen Clarion made her way down to Fairy Mary, who was in charge of decorating, she was amazed at how well she had done.
"Ah, there you are the sleepy head!"
"I am sorry Mary. I had a late night..."
"No matter, I just need you to go over a few things with me. Although the Ministers are a train wreck without you. Looks like you have some work this afternoon."
"Alright, what can I help you with?" Clarion worked her butt off all afternoon while Tink and her friends got dressed up for the party. Tonight would be a night to remember!
Clarion made it back to her room and fell onto her pillows. Exhausted from the constant demands, but that was what it meant to be Queen. Her hands rested on her face, she moved her fingers and glanced at the window.
"Sundown…" Clarion murmured to herself, the Christmas Ball was soon to begin. Clarion moved her hands from her face down to rest on her bed. Her delicate fingers brushed against something. Clarion sat up, there was a golden box on the end of her bed. On the box lay a letter, Clarion picked it up and read:
Dear, Queen Clarion
I am so sorry about yesterday. I made this for you to wear tonight! I hope you like it… I love you, mommy!
Love, Tinker Bell
"Oh, Tinker Bell…" Clarion let a tear fall down her delicate cheek. She opened her present, removing the golden wrappings. She gasped, there in the box lay a beautiful red dress. The dress was red with Pixie Dust around the bottom, it reached her feet. Around the edges was cotton fluff, and the sleeves draped around her shoulders. It was truly beautiful. Just like Tinker Bell's sweetheart.
Down in the Ballroom the party had started. The Ballroom was decorated in reds and greens. Holly and mistletoe hung from the ceiling. The Pixie Dust in the walls of the room shone brighter than ever! Tinker Bell and her friends wore red and green dresses, all sparkling in the glowing lights. Everyone was having so much fun, but Tinker Bell looked around. She was worried that her Mother was not at the party yet. She feared she wouldn't attend. As she was about to give up Viola blew her horn. The room fell silent.
"Announcing, Her Majesty Queen Clarion!" Queen Clarion materialized at the top of the grand staircase. The entire room gasped, she wore Tinker Bell's dress. Her hair was down and curled, and Holly was placed in her hair. She wore her golden crown atop her head.
"Tink! She's wearing it!" Fawn in her green dress jumped up and down in excitement. Tinker Bell made her way over to her Mother as she herself made her way down the stairs.
"You look beautiful, Tinker Bell." Queen Clarion hugged her daughter as they reached the bottom of the stairs.
"No, you look beautiful." Clarion blushed, her cheeks matching her red dress.
"Thank you, darling." Before Tinker Bell could say anything Fairy Mary came flying up to her Mother.
"Oh, Ree! You look gorgeous!"
"Oh thank you, Mary!" The friends hugged, but Tink was about to have a heart attack!
"Wait, who is 'Ree'?!"
"Oh darling, I am sorry. 'Ree' is my nickname, Mary gave it to me many seasons ago. Now if you will excuse me I have a surprise for you." Clarion turned and made her way to the stage. You already gave me a surprise mom! I found him… I FOUND MY DAD! Tink thought to herself.
"Fairies and Sparrowmen, thank you all for coming to our Christmas Ball. As it is Christmas I have a present for all of you!" Clarion raised her hand and shot red and green magic toward the ceiling. Presents then fell from the sky and floated to each and every Fairy. "Please enjoy your Christmas. I have one last present for you." Clarion was then joined by the music fairies and the Ministers of the seasons. Then… Queen Clarion began to sing.
"There is more to this time of year
Than sleigh bells and holly
Mistletoe and snow
Those things come and go
Much deeper than snow
Stronger than the strongest love we'll know
We'll ever know
As long as there's Christmas I truly believe
That hope is the greatest of the gifts we'll receive
As long as there's Christmas we'll all be just fine
A star shines above us
Lighting your
way and mine" Minister of Spring then joined in as the music began to pick up.
"Just as long as there's Christmas
There'll be Christmas pud
Tons of turkey…" The Minister of Summer took her turn and sung her part. After she finished her part The Minister of Autumn joined in the song!
"And cranberry sauce
And mince pies if we're good"
"Loads of logs on the fire" The music fairies joined in and after little Prilla joined in. She was the only fairy that was the human age of eight years old.
"Lots of gifts on the tree
All wrapped up in red ribbons…"
"Wonder if there's one for me?!"
"We're due for a party
Where on earth do we start?" Minister of Spring sung as The Minister of Winter sang along.
"I may wear my tiara
You bought me in the market"
"All the silver will sparkle"
"And the China will gleam!"
"And we'll all be as shiny
As a brand-new centime" Ministers Spring, Summer and Autumn sang back to back. As Prilla chimed in once more.
"After dinner, we'll play games!"
"'Till the morning, right through" Minister of Summer was after Prilla as Redleaf sung again followed by little Prilla.
"Then we'll meet in the garden
This is what we shall do!"
"We will build us a snowman
That will reach to the sky!" Queen Clarion began to sing once more. Her beautiful voice filled the Ballroom with love and joy.
"It will stay up until July" Clarion and everyone on stage sang in harmony. Then Clarion finished the melody.
"As long as there's Christmas I truly believe
That hope is the greatest of the gifts we'll receive"
"As long as our guiding star shines above
As long as there's Christmas
We'll all be just fine
There'll always be Christmas
So there always will be a time
When the world is filled with peace and love"
Lord Milori paced around his ice bedroom. He walked out to his balcony that overlooked all of the Winter Woods. As the skies cleared he could see the one place he wished he was, The Pixie Dust Tree loomed in the distance.
"Oh Ree…" Milori longed to be back with the one he loved. He longed to hold her close like he had done so long ago. He was taken from his thoughts with a knock on the door. "Enter." He said in his English masculine voice, his doors opened and a fairy entered his room.
"Good evening, Lord Milori."
"Good Evening, Robyn. What can I help you with?" Robyn was a special Winter Fairy indeed; she has bright purple eyes with the whitest hair. She wore a light purple dress mixed with winter blue. Her dress reached to her knees, and she was the kindest fairy in the Winter Woods.
"This came for you, Lord Milori. It is dressed to you from the Queen."
"Thank you, Robyn." She gave him the letter and bowed. "My lord." Robyn bowed once again as she closed the door behind her. Milori held the piece of green leaf in his hands… He was afraid to open the letter. He slowly turned it over and opened it. He read:
Milori... I know we can never be together, but altho we are apart I will forever love you. If you don't feel the same for me after all these seasons have passed, I understand. I have been given a beautiful gift this past season... A daughter... Our daughter... I found her winter clothes, she must have passed over the border. Please if you see her send her back, I fear the worst... Her name is Tinker Bell; she has found out she has a sister... Her name is Periwinkle. You and I both know why they can't be together... Please keep Periwinkle safe... Let us keep this between us... for now at least.
Merry Christmas Darling.
~ Love, Clarion ~
"I love you Clarion…" Milori let the tears fall down his handsome face. The pain was just too great, if only they could find a way for their two worlds to live as one. Then it all hit him. "I'm a father!" He screamed! He jumped to his feet and ran to the door, then he realized… Wait I am the Lord of Winter I can't run around like a crazy person with his pants on fire! Milori composed himself and set out to find Periwinkle, he was not about to let his own daughter be alone on Christmas! He set off on his owl to find her, although he had to keep his and Clarion's secret he was going to be a friend to her till the day comes that their secret can come to the light.