Chapter 4 -

''Oh yes, Your Highness, I'm certain that the blue sunset will be just glorious this year.'' The Minister of Summer was assuring Queen Clarion that everything would be in order for their latest festival, the Midsummer Night. It was the annual celebration in Pixie Hollow to celebrate the official start of summer, which started when the moon turned blue at its setting, providing Pixie Hollow with its longest, and most magical night. Ancient fairy lore even had it that magical and mysterious things would happen on this most glorious occasion.

As the Minister of Summer ticked off different items and preparations for the Midsummer Night on her clipboard, she couldn't help but notice that the Queen seemed, at best, a bit distracted. Queen Clarion's normally calm and serene face seemed a bit stoic, expressionless, almost indifference. At a closer glance, the Minister could see her eyes were almost…sad.

''Don't you think so, Your Majesty?'' Queen Clarion stirred from her thoughts, and looked straight at the Minister, who looked genuinely concerned for her. She shook off her thoughts and re-joined the Minister in the task at hand.

''Oh, my apologies. Yes, I agree, the blue sunset does look quite promising this year. I have no doubt the Midsummer Night will be an undeniable success.''

''Your Majesty,'' the Minister started. Worry had replaced the cheer in her normally rosy cheeks, and she wasn't sure how to continue. She placed her clipboard on a nearby table, and approached the Queen, still a respectful distance away.

''Is there anything wrong?''

Queen Clarion sat on the nearest chair, with the Minister of Summer just in front of her. For a moment, the Minister swore she could see - was that a -tear - in the Queen's eye? Perhaps, but Clarion quickly blinked it away, and regained her royal composure. Still, all she could manage to say was, ''The memory burns still.''

Now the Minister of Summer was overcome with worry and concern. She reached out to touch the Queen's hand, patting it gently. Queen Clarion nodded her thanks, still playing the part. Clearly, her head - and heart - were not with Midsummer Night.

''If it pleases you, Highness, we can always do this later, there is still plenty of time before the blue sunset, an-''

''Nonsense,'' Clarion said, gently yet firmly. ''I'm anxious to hear of the hard work my fairies have been doing,''

Instantly, Clarion's face, and voice, cheered a little - still, it was merely a shadow of what her level of serenity and inner peace was like.

''Well,'' the Minister said, clearing her throat, ''there are of course, the fireworks, the first Midsummer play by the story teller fairies, and of course, who could forget the -''

''Mornin' Your Highness!'' Terence whizzed by the western window of the Queen's Quarters, waving and bowing to her, and nodding to the Minister of Summer.

''Agh!'' Terence's greeting caught the Minister of Summer off guard, and caused her to fall backwards, knocking her clipboard over. Queen Clarion lightly giggled as she helped the Minister up, and waved back to the young sparrow man.

''Good morning, Terence,'' she chimed, a giggle in her voice. Before she could ask him where he was in such a hurry to, he was gone, in the blink of an eye. Without really having to ask though, she looked after him, giving him an all-knowing smile, and finally turning her attention back to the Minister.

''That Terence,'' the Minister said with a hearty chuckle. ''Why is he always in such a hurry?''

Once again, that same smile crept across the Queen's face, ''My guess would be that it has something to do with -''

''Tinkerbell,'' they said simultaneously, laughing.

''Yes, '' said the Queen. She handed the Minister of Summer he clipboard - back to business. ''Now then, about the story teller talents…''

…...

''Well,'' said April, a little apprehensive, ''A fairy is - well, it's like a person, but with wings.''

''And they're really tiny!'' added Millie. ''Like this,'' she demonstrated with her index finger and thumb.

Christopher's eyes must have been the size of ping pong balls - just widened in amazement! Never before had he heard of such creatures, and he had what must have been a million and one questions for his sisters -who were, as far as he was concerned, the uppermost authorities on the magnificent creatures.

''Really?'' Was all that he could seem to get out.

''Oh yes, '' Millie said, ''And they have magic powers - they work with nature and such. And they're real, you know. Mother says so.'' April merely nodded in agreement.

''Then why haven't I seen one?'' Christopher asked. He looked back and forth between Millie and April, searching for an answer in their faces. Surely, they wouldn't lie to him - would they?''

''Well, because they're so tiny,'' April explained matter -of-factly. ''And because Mother says fairies are afraid of humans. She even says that they even haves tories about us called,'' she giggled, ''Human Tales.''

Christopher scratched his head. ''Oh.'' As if he understood. This was just so much for him to absorb. Tiny people with wings, who didn't like to be seen and were afraid of humans? No way! There was no way it was possible…was there? Better ask some more questions, he thought.

''Then where do they live? The fairies, I mean?'' The young boy looked more perplexed yet more intrigued by the second.

''Oh that's easy,'' April explained. They live in Neverland, just like in the stories. Just past the second star to the right, and straight on 'til morning.'' The two young girls smiled at each other, and then at Christopher. For some reason, slowly but surely, it was all starting to make sense to him.

''Well then, do you suppose we could go to Neverland one day and see one?'' He held onto one of each of his sister's hands, looking for approval and affection. Each sister lifted him back onto the bed as they sat.

''I don't see why not,'' Millie said. She stroked Christopher's sleek hair and patted his small head. ''I'd very much like to see a fairy one day!''

''Oh, me too!'' squealed April. ''I bet they are the prettiest things.'' She had a dreamy look in her eye as she said this.

''Pretty!'' Christopher exclaimed. He sat up straight on the bed, arms folded and furious glances at both the girls. ''You mean all the fairies are GIRLS? Aren't there any boy fairies?''

The girls erupted in laughter at their brother's enthusiasm. Once they saw their laughter was only prolonging his annoyance, they explained.

''Of course,'' Millie said. ''Of course there are boy fairies -they're called sparrow men.''

Christopher's brow was not unknit. Now, confusion settled in. ''What? Why are they called 'sparrow men?'

The girls looked at each other, hoping the other would know - but neither of them did. They both looked at him, shrugging their shoulders.

''We don't know. They just are, I guess.'' Luckily, this explanation seemed to suit him for now. He contemplatively placed a finger atop his lips. ''Hmmmm.''

…...

''I can't eat, or sleep, or concentrate or…anything! It's like, I feel paralyzed, so I can't do anything, but when I'm with her I feel like I can do absolutely anything. And, and, and, I feel like I just can't catch my breath when I'm around her! But, she makes me so happy, and she-she inspires me, you know? I feel like when I'm around her, I can really be myself, just me. Not the simple dust keeper guy that everyone thinks I am, but I can be the self that I really feel like, I can be. Does that make any sense?''

''Perfect sense,'' Fairy Gary said, his Scottish accent every thick. He was perched on a nearby thimble to listen to Terence's tale. Fortunately, Fairy Gary was attentive and perceptive to know just what was ''wrong'' here.

''She makes you happy, doesn't she, lad? Makes you feel special?''

''Well..yeah!'' Terence perked up at this. He felt like for the first time since this conversation started, he himself was making some sense. ''So, what should I do?'''

''Well,'' Fairy Gary started, stoking his fingers about his moustache. ''You have to tell Tinkerbell how you feel, lad.''

''What?'' Terence shot up in surprise. As he did, he hit the roof, and bumped his head. Fairy Gary tried his best to stifle a laugh, but to little avail. As Terence recovered from the conversation with the roof, he adjusted his hat on his head, saying, ''But Fairy Gary, I didn't say it was Tink -''

''Oh Terence please, I'm not THAT old,'' the dust keeper chuckled. He gave Terence an affectionate slap on the back, making him chuckle.

''That obvious huh?'' Terence questioned. Just the mere question of it brought a red tint to his cheeks. He half smiled at Fairy Gary.

''Oh, just about as the day is long. And if I may say so, lad, it's not exactly a secret around these parts. Can you honestly tell me it would be so awful to let her know? Believe me, you'll feel much better in the end if you do.''

''Well, I guess if you put it that way,'' Terence cooed. His eyes now displayed a certain gleam in them - a gleam of hope.

''But do you honestly think I have a shot with Tink?''

''Oh, I'm willing to be my kilt on it,'' Fairy Gary said this with a smile, while Terence had a certain look of - well-disgust on his face.

''Why am I not willing to take that bet?'' he said, a hint of teasing in his voice. This earned yet another hearty chuckle from Fairy Gary.

''Oh all right then, let's just say I'm certain she'll have you, Terence. All you have to do is tell her.'' Every word that sprang forth from Fairy Gary's mouth catapulted Terence further and further onto cloud nine, and he inadvertently flew higher and higher above the ground.

''Yeah..yeah! You're absolutely right! I have to tell her! Wow! Thanks, Fairy Gary!'' Terence gave him a strong slap on the shoulder, nearly knocking Fairy Gary backwards. Terence quickly flew back in the depot, only to say, ''You know, you're even wiser than Mr. Owl!'' And with a loud, ''Woooohooo!'' Terence was off once again, the power of love serving as his speed and his guide.

Fair Gary regained his balance, shook his head, and heaved a heavy sigh. ''Kids.''

…...

''Yeah! Why didn't I think of it before! It was stupid of me to try and hide it all this time; I should just tell her! And I'm going to tell her right now! Man, I can't wait!'' Once again in his dreamy reverie, Terence flew over the beach where the Lost Things washed up on shore. With the mood he was in, he wasn't planning on stopping, not for anything in the world, but today was different.

As he was about to pass the beach, a bright golden light hit him square in the eye, and very nearly threw off his flight pattern. He covered his right eye with his hand in an attempt to adjust it back to normal as he looked down.

''Hey, what the-'' He flew down to where he thought he might find the source of the shiny thing. He landed softly on the sand, looking every which way. Finally - his eyes landed on an object partially buried in the sand. He bent down on his knees to get a closer look at it - it looked like -pages. Pages with words, and they were all stuck together. The edges of the pages were gold, which is what made that blinding reflection in Terence's eyes. Terence deduced that it must have been a book. He had heard the story teller fairies talk about books, but he had never seen one himself. What was even more interesting was the picture on the cover. It was a beautiful girl, tiny just like him, and she struck a stunning resemblance to..Tinkerbell.

''Hmm…what is this?'' Terence wondered aloud. Suddenly, his concentration was broken by a thunderous and blood curdling shout:

''BLAST YOU, PETER PAN!''