Disclaimer: Twilight universe belongs to Stephanie Meyer. I only play with their names. The story is mine.

Thanks to Ericastelo for doing such an awesome banner!

My in-laws are of Irish descent and live in Atlantic Canada, and they have a wealth of stories about fairies. But the tales of Queen Mab, and how she was the one delivering presents to Irish, British and Scottish children at Christmas many years ago, intrigued me. So, I researched a little and wove this story. I'm not sure how much of it is true and how much are forgotten tales passed down through generations.

CHAPTER 1

Once upon a time, in a realm where the veil that divide the mortal world and the realm of the fairies was thin. There lived a queen like none other, the Queen Renee, but the mortals known her as Queen Mab. Her kingdom was not a grand castle made of stone, but a place woven from the very fabric of dreams. It was a realm that sparkled with the moonlight, where flowers bloomed in an eternal dance of colors, and the stars themselves bowed to her gentle commands.

Queen Renee was no ordinary fairy. Unlike her kin, who were often known for their mischief and trickery, she possessed a heart full of kindness. While others of her kind might play pranks on humans or remain hidden from their sight, Queen Mab felt a deep connection to the world of mortals. She believed that magic could be a force of good, a way to heal and protect, rather than to confuse or harm. Her special love was reserved for children, for they were the purest and innocent of all beings, untouched by the worries and bitterness that sometimes clouded the hearts of grownups.

Every night, as the world of humans slipped into slumber, Queen Renee would visit their dreams. She had the power to slip silently into the minds of the young, guiding them through their darkest fears and brightest imaginings. With her gentle touch, she would weave dreams that comforted the troubled and filled them with joy. No nightmare could ever take hold of a child who had been touched by Renee's kindness. Her dreams were peaceful and full of wonder—fields of soft flowers where the wind played gentle lullabies, and skies filled with glittering stars, all carefully arranged to soothe and inspire.

But Queen Renee was not just a dream-weaver. She was a protector, watching over children in ways that no one else could and she showed how much she cares when the Earth was in a dark time. It was a time of strict rulers, where joy was suppressed, and even the merry songs of the season were silenced. A royal decree had been issued, outlawing the celebration of Christmas. The people could no longer gather in festive cheer, could no longer decorate their homes with holly or hang stockings by the hearth. The very mention of Santa Claus, that jolly man in red, was now considered an offense.

The children had a difficult time, without the joy that Christmas bring, so when they felt alone and afraid, Renee would appear, invisible yet ever-present. She would guide their hearts toward bravery and joy, and her presence would be felt as a soft warmth, like a mother's hug and slip a toy into their empty socks.

"That should be St. Nick's job" said one of her maids while she made a tiny doll.

But she loves children and was her deepest and secret desire of her heart to be able to bare one on her own, but that was something that the fates have denied her for many centuries.

Though her fairy court was made up of many other fairies—some who were mischievous and some who preferred to remain in hiding—Queen Renee held a deep belief in the power of compassion. She often spoke to her court about the beauty of helping, of offering a hand to those who needed it, and of using their magic for good. While others in the fairy realm might create chaos by hiding things or playing pranks on humans, Renee always sought to bring peace, laughter, and light.

And so, the legend of Queen Renee grew. She became known far and wide as the Fairy Queen who cared for children, the one who whispered into their dreams and helped them see the world through a lens of kindness and wonder. Even though she lived in the dream world, Queen Renee's influence stretched far beyond the borders of her fairy kingdom, touching the hearts of all who believed in the power of love and magic.

That's how a *Thesmophoria dawn around 1820 in the heart of an enchanted forest, where the trees towered like ancient guardians and the mist swirled around like whispers from another world, a small, lost child wandered aimlessly. Her wide eyes were filled with an unsettling blend of innocence and something darker—a subtle flicker of mischief that no one would notice unless they looked closely. The child wore a simple dress, its once-vibrant color now dulled by the dirt of the forest floor. Her hair was tangled, falling in dark strands across her face, but there was something ethereal about her presence, as though she didn't quite belong.

The child's steps faltered as she approached a clearing where a gentle, golden light poured through the trees. There, in the center of the clearing, stood a delicate figure—glowing softly with the light of the raisin sun, surrounded by an aura of peace and serenity. The fairy, with her translucent wings that shimmered in the light, was tending to the flowers, humming a melody that seemed to make the forest itself come alive with color.

The child hesitated for a moment, her dark eyes narrowing. Was this Queen of the fairies truly as kind and pure as the stories said? Or was there a darkness lurking behind that gentle glow? The witch, cloaked in her disguise, knew that this was her chance to test the fairy's heart and ee if she was worthy of her gift.

"Excuse me," the child's voice rang out, fragile and uncertain, as if lost and afraid. "I... I don't know where I am. Can you help me find my way home?"

The fairy turned slowly wary of the child who seems to posses the sight, her luminous face breaking into a warm, welcoming smile despite her reservations. Her motherly hearth making her act nevertheless "Oh, poor child. You are lost? Come, come closer, and I will help you. No one should be lost in this forest."

The child took a cautious step forward, her gaze steady. "But... how do I know you are truly good? How do I know you won't trick me? People say fairies can be... deceiving and stir trouble both to the left and to the right, in great abundance"

The fairy's wings fluttered slightly, her expression a mix of surprise and concern. "Deceiving? My dear, I am a guardian of the children's dreams. I help all the children because they only know kindness and love. Why would you doubt that?"

The witch-child tilted her head, her voice soft but with an edge of cunning. "I've heard stories of fairies who claim to help, but only lead others into traps. How can I trust that you are not one of those fairies? Prove to me that your heart is truly pure. That you are the Queen of all fairies"

The fairy stood still for a moment, as if considering the strange the request. The air grew still, the soft hum of the forest quieting around them. She knelt, reaching out to gently cup a small flower in her hand, letting it glow brighter with her magic. "I will not harm you, little one. My magic is for the good of all. I will help you find your way home and make sure this odyssey is nothing more that a dream. Trust that you'll be in your bed and with your parents before the sun before the sun finishes rising."

But the witch-child's gaze remained skeptical, her lips curling slightly as she stepped closer. "Maybe you should show me more than just a flower. Maybe you should prove you would help anyone... even those you cannot see. Would you help a creature of the night? A creature of the shadows, like me?"

The fairy hesitated, then looked deeply into the child's eyes, sensing something strange behind her plea. She finally spoke, her voice soft but firm. "I help all who come to me with an open heart, no matter who or what they are. Darkness does not scare me, for it is part of the world as much as light."

The witch-child smiled, her golden eyes gleaming with approval.

The child smiled faintly, the innocence in her face never quite reaching her eyes. "Very well, fairy. I will trust you... I have heard of your kindness for all the children in the world and because of that I'll grant you your deepest desire"

And with that, the witch-child began to fade into the mist. Her true nature was revealed. She was the one who now called herself Alice, but to those who had been in this world as long as Renee, she was Hecate.

Alice's departure left the fairy wondering if this was truly a test, a jest... or the beginning of something beautiful.

The Thesmophoria was an ancient Greek festival of fertility that took place in the month of Pyanepsion, which corresponds to late October in the Gregorian calendar. It celebrate Demeter and Persephone. I took a little poetic liberty; Queen Mab is from the Scottish and Irish's cultures, but Fairies originated in Greek mythology as nymphs.

Let me know your thoughts.

"Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!"