Chapter Five: Catching a Hummingbird

"A hummingbird?" Fawn repeated incredulously.

Vidia looked in from the entrance to the badger's den. Inside, Fawn was tending to a sleeping mother badger with three babies. Springtime kept her very busy with all the newborns.

"You want me to train a hummingbird?"

"Will you do it?" Vidia came further in. The den was a very private place to talk. Soft leaves and moss lined the walls and floor and a root grew over the entrance. Outside was the very edge of the woods; not the one where Vidia was attacked, but a sunny, bustling playground of acorn trees. Fairies were flying around going about their day, so no one noticed the two talking far below.

Fawn hovered over the sleeping badger to detangle knots from her black and white fur. "It would be more along of lines of 'can' I do it."

"Don't tell me it's not even possible!"

"No animal talent bothers much with hummingbirds, Vidia. Think about it: they're hard to handle, very hyperactive, and far too fast an unpredictable."

"Yes! It would be perfect for me! I'd be back in the air, at least."

"But hummingbirds are more like insects then birds. They flit and buzz around like bees and their attention spans are so short! It's lucky if anyone can keep them focused for more than ten minutes."

Vidia put her hands on her hips, getting frustrated. "Has anyone even tried to tame one?"

"Well, no, not really." Fawn fluttered to the badger's other side. The tangles were very stubborn. There was no easy way to reach them without flying; she could almost feel the jealously emanating from Vidia as she flew around the den. She went on with the conversation. "If one was caught, I could try. But who knows what would happen? They never sit still. Even when sleeping, they flinch. Why not choose another bird?"

"Please help me out, Fawn," Vidia pleaded. "I've been stuck on the ground for weeks! Other birds are too big to deal with right now. Starting small would be better."

Fawn stopped combing and came over to the entrance of the den. She looked at the exposed scars on Vidia's face and arms. All she had been through would be traumatic for any fairy. It was impossible to imagine what a fast-flyer would feel. Being the very last one to see Vidia with wings made her want help in any way she could. It had had a profound effect on her.

At last, Fawn replied. "We'd need a net."

…

"Will y'all tell me why we're doing this?" Rosetta asked as she and Iridessa dragged the bouquet along. "This is my best vase. If it breaks—"

"Nothing is going to break, Ro. I doubt a hummingbird can even knock it over," said Fawn as she led the party into the clearing.

The vase in question was actually a salt-shaker, found washed up on the beach with some other lost things. Ro had filled the holes with the richest, sweetest-smelling flowers she could find. She even gave the petals a spritz of perfume. It was sure to attract both bees and an abundance of hummingbirds.

Vidia walked a few feet ahead and called over her shoulder. "Tink and Sil are bringing the nets, aren't they?"

"They are, sugar!" Rosetta answered cheerily. "They should be here by now. Probably got all caught up in one 'o Tink's ideas; she said something 'bout 'launching' the nets, or whatnot."

"Great. We'll be here all day." Vidia crossed her arms in vexation.

The colorful bouquet was set up near a particularly bright garden. It stood close enough to the foliage for the fairies to see, yet not too close to allow any birds to see them. The tufts of orange flowers would make for good hiding spots. Plenty of butterflies were around, drinking nectar. And already hummingbirds were being drawn in, too. Great jewels they were, shimmering with green, blue and red feathers. Their eyes shone pitch black, but the birds' movements were too quick to take a closer look.

"We're here!" Silvermist yelled from up above. The butterflies scattered as she and Tinkerbell came down from the trees. "Look what we brought! These are great for catching things."

Tink nodded. "I made them from spare parts in Tinker's Nook." She held up two hand-held bazooka-type cannons built from bamboo tubes, bobby pins and wire springs. "The nets are inside, ready to launch. Bobble and Clank wanted to come, but they're busy with another project. They wished us luck, though."

"It was fun testing these out on them," Silvermist struck a pose with her net-launcher. "So, how are we doing this?"

Fawn brought them all together under the orange flowers. "Simple. We just wait for a hummingbird, aim and fire. You'll have to be quick. The birds don't stay still for long, remember?"

Iridessa was nervous. "Won't the nets hurt them?"

"Nah. It'll be fine," said Tink confidently. "Now, let's focus on catching a large one. Vidia, what color would you prefer? Green or blue?"

Vidia groaned. "One big enough to carry me will be fine." She snapped. Her height would pose a problem; bigger birds were the ideal choice. But she couldn't face an owl, like the one Lord Milori rode. Those huge talons brought back terrifying memories. Her scars were permanent reminders of how dangerous a large bird could be.

The friends got into place. Fawn and Vidia hid on the ground, under some tall grass to watch the vase. Sil and Tink perched up in the flowering bushes, armed and ready. Dess and Ro were backups with extra nets, just in case something went wrong with the launchers. It only took a few minutes of silence until a hummingbird came to investigate Rosetta's vase.

Vidia gave the signal and the nets were let loose with a small 'Twang!'

"Got one! C'mon!" Fawn ran out of the shadows.

Their quarry was a dull-blue, speckled thing, all tangled up and flitting around madly. "Easy, easy. Calm down…" Fawn laid her hands on its head. "We won't hurt you…" The bird's wings were pinned to its sides by the net. It was a female bird, pecking at Fawn in defense. The fairy was persistent and patient. But after several minutes of trying, the bird stopped twitching around. Instead it gazed with wonder at the surrounding fairies. Her breath remained fast-past even at rest; they could all see its breast rising and falling with such speed that Vidia felt sure this was a strong little flyer.

"Sorry Vidia. This one won't do," Fawn finished evaluating the bird. "She's full grown, but way too small. You'd weigh her down."

Indeed, the captive was a full two heads shorter than Vidia. So they detangled the bird and let her go. She was gone in a blink, just like a mosquito.

"Back to start, then. Oh, hold on just a moment, y'all," Rosetta pulled out her perfume bottle and spritzed the bouquet a few more times. "That outta lure in the big ones!" As an afterthought, she sprayed some perfume on herself as well.

The next victim was a tiny, green juvenile. Barely up to a fairy's knee, so the net-launchers had no trouble catching him. "No good. Sorry about the trouble, little guy." Fawn told him as he was released.

A third one was caught. A female streaked with natural brown feathers. "She seems like a healthy one," Tink observed. "She's big enough to carry you, Vidia."

"Be that as it may, she's not strong enough. Look at these wings," Fawn pulled out a brown wing from the net. "Too narrow and too short. What we need is a big male bird."

Iridessa perked up. "Oh! That's perfect! The males have much brighter colors."

"Color is not important, Dess," Vidia, getting annoyed, yanked the net loose.

"Of course it's important! What fun would it be if it wasn't colorful?"

"Exactly, sugar," said Ro. "You're gonna be flyin' 'round Pixie Hollow sooner than you think. May as well look good while doin' it."

Vidia tried to smile, but it came out very sad, instead. The thought of being in the air again was happy, but she couldn't help thinking it still wouldn't be the same. Fawn noticed her expression and put a hand on her shoulder, reassuringly. She said quietly, "It's OK. You'll fly again…let's catch the next one."

Another hummingbird was netted and let out a tiny squawk. It was a male, jewel-toned in purple feathers. This was a panicky one…nearly ten minutes passed until he could be examined without anyone getting knocked over. The fact that he was in the fast-flyer's favorite color was a bonus, but his overall nature was unacceptable. The jitteriness was very overbearing.

Fawn couldn't control him. "Get down!" she shouted as the crazy bird escaped on his own and zoomed off into the trees. Other passing fairies scattered in clouds of pixie dust. They shouted out in surprise.

"Whew! This is hard!" Silvermist wiped her forehead. "Can we break for lunch after the next one?"

"Good plan, Sil. I think the birds are catching on, anyway," Fawn had noticed the waits were lengthening after each capture. "Let's try once more and come back later."

This time, patience paid off. Both Tink and Sil's net-launchers were needed to bring down the next victim. It was a huge beast, even for a hummingbird. Ro and Dess flew in to pin him down hurriedly.

"Wow. He's a beauty!" proclaimed Ro.

The bird was an emerald green male, with a crimson throat and breast. His wings flickered with strength. Each muscle in them twitched nervously, but Fawn was able to calm him easily enough. His black eyes looked at them all with interest.

"Not bad at all," she observed. "I think he'll do nicely. He's definitely not as panicky as that last one. Make sure he can't get loose, everybody. No matter how relaxed, he'll make a break for it the first chance he gets! Vidia, come closer. You're the one he needs to get used to, after all."

Vidia approached the bird. This wasn't so bad; his head was at eye-level, and stroking it felt strange. The feathers were very, very smooth and streamlined, perfect for fast flight. She kept her body back a fair distance as she did this. After a minute, she took another step closer, avoiding the long beak. The bird's eerie black eyes followed her every move. "That's a little creepy," she murmured.

"Let's put him more at ease," said Fawn. She instructed Vidia, "Try stroking just above his wings. I find it works well with other birds. Kind of like a shoulder message."

Vidia raised an eyebrow, but trusted that Fawn knew what she was talking about. So she did so and instantly, the bird became less tense. The friends actually saw his strong wing muscles loosen and his eyes really weren't so eerie when he wasn't afraid. He was a remarkably beautiful specimen. He green feathers seemed to glitter just like real emeralds, and his scarlet throat was the perfect accent. A darker green pattern of splotches ran down his tail and wings. Vidia went on stroking him, trying to picture him as a mount.

"OK. Let's fasten the rope to his feet," Fawn told them. "If he's going to be Vidia's hummingbird, we've got to be careful and lose him."

Towing the feathery insect through Pixie Hollow didn't quite go as planned—the fairies were being towed instead. The bird took to the air the second the nets were detangled. It took the entire group to keep him on course, with the exception of Vidia, who ran below until her legs felt like jelly.

"Guys! My tree is back this way!" she shouted. "Can't you keep him under control? I mean, there are five of you and one of him!"

The hummingbird swooped in wild circles and loop-de-loops. His wings beat too fast to even see. His whole body was a blur of green, only a mere streak of color passing through the meadow. The fairies held onto the rope and did their best to pull him in the right direction. It was not easy.

Vidia watched with one of her rare smiles. "At least he's strong…maybe this won't be so bad." She stretched out the aches in her legs and moved on towards the plum tree. Further training for the bird would take place there.

She found a surprise upon reaching the tree. Bobble and Clank were up there, putting some finishing touches on a sphere-shaped pen of woven twigs. Assorted feathers decorated the outside walls. The whole thing looked like a giant ball, about as big as a beach ball, secured snugly in the branches. Another elevator had been constructed—this time using a matchbox attached to the pulley system—in order to reach the sphere's door.

"Hey! What are you doing?!" Vidia demanded from the ground. They shouldn't be building who-knows-what here in her home! So this was what Tink meant when she said they were busy.

"Keep reinforcing those connectors, Clank," Bobble advised. "A wee bit more spider web should do the trick. "He jumped off the branch and glided down to Vidia. With animated arms, he gestured up at the twig sphere. "Isn't it lovely, Miss Vidia? Clank and I got to work the minute Tinkerbell told us about the hummingbird idea. It's a pen for it, once one is caught, anyway. Those birds will take time to train, you know. Did you lasses manage to catch one?"

"Yes. It's up there," she pointed at the bird high above the treetops. By now, the other girls were screaming as he towed them along at top speed. "If you plan on making additions to my house, will you ask me first? I don't need my personal space invaded!"

"Oh," Bobble's face fell. "Sorry, lass. It was sort of a surprise. But…the pen will come in handy, though. Don't you agree?"

"Well…yes, I suppose. But that doesn't mean you can come and go tinker-crazy anytime you want. Got it?"

"Understood, Miss Vidia. Come up and see it! We made another elevator, too. Much more secure, this time."

She climbed into the matchbox and released the catch. Weighted marbles on the opposite end of the cable slowly dropped. Bobble rode in the box as well, as it steadily rose into the branches. Until now, Vidia had only taken the winding staircase. She had to admit, this new elevator was a nice touch. She watched the receding grass as they went up higher.

"Until your hummingbird is fully tame, he can stay in here," Bobble was explaining. "And we'll dismantle it once it's no longer needed. Tinker's honor!"

Clank hung off the sphere's side, reinforcing a loose twig. "That right! But I hate making a cage. Who would wanna stay in here, anyways? There's really not much room."

"Aye, lad. 'Tis a shame to have to cage up an animal. But it's necessary, and not for forever. Fawn is a good animal talent. I'm sure she'll have you flyin' around Pixie Hollow in no time."

Vidia nodded meekly.

"Look, we found lots 'o feathers for you! Thought they'd cheer you up." Clank waved a new bunch of feathers to show her.

Vidia finally forced a grin. These two were going to such lengths to help. Se were the girls, as they dragged the confused hummingbird into the woven sphere. He drank from the flowers that were already inside, his green body clashing with all the colors. Tink and the others collapsed in exhaustion on the branch. "Can you really train that thing, Fawn?" Tink breathed.

"I'll try. Give me a few days."

"That reminds me, Miss Vidia," Bobble rushed over to a toolbox and retrieved something. "Here. I fixed up a harness, fully adjustable. Those things are fast; you need to hang on to something! Put it to good use, now."

Vidia took the harness. It was made of lost things from the beach: golden thread from a spool, and shining jewelry trinkets.

This was really happening, then. She gazed through the woven wall at the fluttering bird. She really was going to spread the rest of her days riding the beasts, instead of using her own power. She would never feel the strength of her own wings…this she realized in an instant, as the complicated harness was passed from Bobble's hand to hers.

He noticed the bittersweet tear forming in her eye.

…

Learning to ride a hummingbird was something never done before in Pixie Hollow. She and Fawn worked with the handsome bird three times a day. At first, she was stubborn. He refused to let the harness touch him. Through coaxing, persuasion with sweet nectar, and Vidia's overall no-nonsense attitude, he began to listen.

Vidia was becoming quite fond of him. She like the way he zipped around the sphere and noticed his habit of spinning in place before landing. It must be a trick of his which he enjoyed, like the wild aerial stunts she used to perform.

By the third day, he came when called. This had been done by bribing him with honeysuckle flowers; now bribery was no longer needed. Coming up with a name had been fun. In the end, she decided on Ventus. It seemed to suit him.

Fawn used multiple training techniques. Her way with animals certainly made things easier. Ventus was excitable, even five days into the lessons. By now, he would accept the harness over his beak, but did not allow Vidia to climb onto his back. Every time she tried, he dashed forward and threw her off onto the pen's floor.

Day six finally led to a breakthrough. Ventus let Vidia stay seated as he flew around. He was stubborn, but so was she. She wasn't about to give up.

On day eight, Fawn was ready at the door to the woven cage, ready to swing it open all the way. Ventus was perched on a twig with Vidia mounted and ready, too. Her body was forward at an angle, with feet positioned just above his wing joints. She held fast onto the gleaming gold harness. Anticipation had been building up ever since the lessons started. Now that it was time for the first flight outside the pen, everyone was a tad nervous.

"OK, this is it," announced Fawn. "What a week! Don't ever ask me to do this again, Vidia. I think one hummingbird is enough for me."

"Not me!" said Vidia. "If this doesn't work, I'm trying again with another one." She took a deep breath, prepared for anything. Getting back in the air meant so much to her…"No matter what happens next, Fawn, thank you for helping."

Fawn's mouth dropped. She never thought she'd hear an honest 'thank you' from Vidia, of all fairies. This was something to tell the others later. "Here it goes. Now, don't crash! I'll be flying nearby, just in case. That is, if I don't lose sight of you." She released the cage door.

Ventus took off in glee. Vidia felt his muscles flex and move as they soared high into open air. His wings beat like an insect's as they flapped fast enough to create a buzzing sound.

Training this unpredictable bird may be worth it, in the end. Vidia smiled in the sunshine and almost let out the laugh she had been holding in. At the same time, a sad little tear rolled out. Relying on someone else to fly wasn't quite the same…

She pulled herself together. I'll have to make the best of it. Holding onto the reins, she steered her bird into the trees. It was time to start practicing for real.

So, Vidia's idea for getting back in the air is a start, even though it isn't quite the same thing. I tried my best to make sure everyone stays in character; turned out pretty decent, I hope. Just to clarify, Bobble has a crush on Vidia in this story, but don't worry, it's just a few hints here and there that I thought would be cute. Nothing more. :) Stay tuned for the next chapter!

Random fact: The name she choose for her hummingbird, Ventus, is the Latin word for 'wind.'

I'd like to give an extra-special thank you to Xandra for the latest review. Wow! I've never had such a kind, encouraging message before! With my social anxiety, and confidence issues, it can be hard when people are too over-analytical or too negative. It doesn't bother me as much as it did in the past, but things are getting much better day by day. This story is all about healing and never giving up, and I'm very proud of what I've done. Your words were so wonderful to read that it made my day! Thank you so much! :)