Grandpa Jeremy and his trees

Chapter 1 Tree Faeries

Candy was baking some pies when her grandson JJ came running in. He was about 4 and wanted to be just like his grandpa. He looked around the kitchen and asked:
"Gramma, where is grampa?" Candy smiled as she cut the apples for her apple pie and said:

"Well, I thought he said he was going to check on the trees with his brother Joshua! Why do you ask?"

"I want to go with him. I want to find out about the tree faeries?" Candy laughed at her grandson.

"Who told you about 'tree faeries"?" She asked still peeling the apples. He looked up at her and said:
"Uncle Jason!" Candy looked at JJ and said:

"Are you sure Uncle Jason was telling you something that was true?" JJ, looked at Grandma Candy and then looked down at his feet and said:
"I don't know?" Candy smiled and said:

"When Grandpa Jeremy comes back you can ask him. But for now, please stay near the cabin." She went back to peeling and cutting apples.

Katie came in to the kitchen and asked if she could help. Candy said sure and let her mix the pie crust.

"Remember what I told you about how to make a flaky pie crust?" Candy asked Katie, who smiled and said yes.

Jeremy and Jason and Joshua came into the house after washing up. Candy had just finished putting the pies in the oven and was cleaning the kitchen with Katie's help.

"Something smells good!" Jeremy said as he wrapped his arms around Candy and kissed her. She smiled and said:

"Are you boys done today?"

"Why would you think we were done?" Joshua asked his sister-in-law. Jason smiled and started to say something, saw JJ sitting on a chair in the kitchen and reading a book.

"Well, you know we had to get permission from the tree faeries!" JJ looked up and said:

"See Grandma Candy, he did they are real!" He jumped down from his chair and ran over to his great Uncle Jason. Jeremy looked at Jason and said:
"So, now I suppose I have to show him where to find the faeries?" Jason laughed so did Joshua.

"Well, what else are you going to do? Da showed us!" Jason said. JJ then ran to Grandpa Jeremy and looked up at him. Grandpa picked him up and said:
"Okay, we will go after dinner, the time between twilight and dark is the best time to see them!" JJ smiled and hugged his grandpa. Then he ran out of the room to go tell his sister Katie.

"Well, Jeremy, you have a job to do tonight!" Jason said to his brother. Jeremy just looked at Jason and then he said:

"I wanted to wait a few more years. He is only 5 you know!"

"But, that is when DA told you!" Joshua said.

"Yes, that is true, but that was also to get me to quiet down after momma died!" Both Jason and Joshua looked at each other and nodded. That was a bad time for all of them. If it weren't for the tree faeries, they were not sure Jeremy would have survived that time.

"So, what are you going to tell JJ? Are you going to tell him about Momma?" Joshua asked. Jeremy stood there a moment, still holding Candy and looked at her and said:
"Candy, do you mind if I tell JJ?" Candy looked at him and said:

"Not at all, if you tell it the same way you told me!" Jeremy looked at Candy and smiled and said:

"Well, I would have to leave quite a few things out…" His eyes twinkled and Jason and Joshua looked at him…

"What did you tell her that you can't tell JJ?" Jason asked.

"Nothing you need to know!" Candy answered and turned around to check the pies. The three of them looked at each other, then Joshua suddenly smiled and said nothing. Jason took a little longer then he realized the same thing as well.

"I was going to tell him just what you told me!" Jeremy said. Then he left the room to go to his room and the others remained in the kitchen.

"Jason, Joshua, why don't you get Allyn and Callie to come over and we can have a family dinner tonight, there are enough pies to go around.

Chapter 2

Twilight time

Jeremy walked with JJ to the Grove. While he walked he held his grandson's hand and told him the story of the Faeries. JJ listened and when they arrived, Jeremy sat JJ on a stump and they sat watching as the sun faded in the west.

"Grandpa?"

"Yes JJ!"

"Will we see a faery?"

"I don't know. They are very shy to show themselves, but I can tell you that if you sit very quietly and don't make any sudden moves, you will have a better chance at seeing one go by." Jeremy said to his grandson. They sat for what seemed a long time. JJ was getting sleepy but he did his best to stay awake. Jeremy was sitting on the stump as well. His thoughts took him back to a time when the forest here was still green and new, when he was younger than JJ. He had wandered through this grove and gotten lost. He had stopped and stayed in this very place. His DA had said that he should stay in one place when he was lost and he would be found. His father's words were true. He was found, not by his father or the others looking for him but a faery called "Ghillie Dhu" This faerie had stayed with him and in the morning had guided him back to his parents.

Jeremy told JJ all about the 'Ghillie Dhu' who helped him when he became lost in that grove of trees.

"Is that why Great Grandpa Jonahtan made it so we could not cut these trees down?" JJ asked as he looked and saw the stars coming out. Jeremy smiled and said:

"Yes, JJ, that is true. One more reason is that when I was about 9 my brothers took me to get a dog. We found a dog and it was just a pup. Well, the pup I named him 'King' and we went for a walk and got lost. But we were not near this grove. I found a hollow tree and fell asleep. The dog was sleeping next to me and my mother came to me and kept me safe and warm.

"You saw your mother after she died?" JJ asked Jeremy smiled and said yes.

"Is she a faery also?" JJ asked and Jeremy smiled and said:

"I like to think so. Da always said she must have been one of the faerie folk when she was alive!" Jeremy said and both stared at the stars coming out. They looked for quite some time and JJ said:

"Grandpa Jeremy, we haven't seen any faeries!" JJ said disappointedly as he looked around. Jeremy was looking and he saw something, a little flickery light just out of his peripheral vision. He sat very still and held JJ close to him. He pointed to the light and soon JJ saw it as well. JJ did not make a sound and was just content to look at the light. Jeremy looked at the light as well and saw someone he recognized. Then the light flitted away and JJ looked up at his grandpa Jeremy and saw tears in his eyes.

"Come along now, it is dark, we best be getting home!" He said as he stood up and picked up JJ who was still looking for a little flicker of light. JJ saw it and waved goodbye. The flicker of light waved as well and sent a faery kiss to both JJ and Jeremy. JJ smiled as he felt something soft brush against his cheek. Jeremy stopped for a moment and looked back. He had a strange feeling about that encounter but he said nothing and went home.

Chapter 3

A Storm passes by

Two days later, Jeremy and his brothers stopped working, a large storm was brewing and the they stopped work so that everyone could be home safe. Jeremy walked into the home and saw Candy sitting on the chair in the parlor. She was finishing sewing his work pants. She looked up and saw him.

"Jeremy, darling, I am glad you are home!" Who did you bring with you?" Candy asked him as she stood up ready to welcome the visitor standing next to Jeremy. Jeremy looked at her and said:

"I did not bring anyone home? Are you okay Candy?" Candy looked at Jeremy and then at the visitor and said:
"But there is someone next to you?" Jeremy looked over his right shoulder but saw nothing, then out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a flicker of light. Then he heard something which sent a chill down his spine.

"Candy, stop looking at the light, look at me!" Jeremy said. Candy looked at him and into his deep blue eyes. She stared right at Jeremy and then the image was gone. Jeremy went over to her quickly and held her in front of him and kept her eyes focused on him.

"My dear sweet Candy, please talk to me?" She had been staring into his eyes for what seemed like a long time. She suddenly flinched and was back in the parlor and was being held by Jeremy.

"Jeremy, it was awful, I could not find you? I could talk to you, but I could not find you?" Candy said resting her head against his chest. He held her for a little while longer and then he said:

"Candy, the storm is coming and we need to go to Jake's and spend the time with the grandchildren. How soon can we have some clothes packed?" Jeremy asked as he backed away from her embrace. She looked at him and said:

"Well of course, that is easy. I have a bag we packed several weeks ago in case we need to leave!" She said and he smiled; he went to the room and gathered some toiletries and a special box. She went to the kitchen and gathered some of the bread she had baked as well. They got into the wagon and headed to their son's home.

The wind was really blowing strong by the time they arrived. This house was big. It had been built from the original cabin and had been enlarged to accommodate all three families and then some. Everyone arrived with food and supplies. They went inside the house, a mansion by some people's standards and closed the doors. The small children were taken to the play room. The older children were in the library and the adults would take turns in both the library and playroom watching the children.

"Grandpa Jeremy said that his momma was a faerie!" JJ said to his cousins.

"She is not! Jason said his mother was a very pretty woman!" said Louisa who was Molly's daughter and was 8 and a half and 'knew everything'. But then Joshua's son Michael said:

"Uncle Jason tried to tell you that she wasn't a faery but she was just a very pretty woman!" Michael was now 12 and was working at the lumber yard and decided that he was almost an adult.

Chrisopher's daughter Susan who was now 6 said:

"No, no, she was a faery, that is what Grandpa Jeremy told us!" The children were all arguing when Grandpa and Grandma Bolt came in.

"Children, please what are arguing about?" Grandma Candy asked.

"Grandma Candy,…" JJ asked,

" Isn't it true that Grandpa Jeremy's mama is a faery?" Cand looked at her grandchildren and all the cousins and sat down on the rocker and said:

"Well, now, what is the truth? Do any of you know?" All the children stared at her and Jeremy stood next to her waiting.

"Jeremy darling can you get me a drink of water please?" Candy asked. Jeremy nodded and went to get the water. Candy sat in the chair and said:

"Well, as I hear tell it, Grandpa Jeremy and his brothers all thought their mother was like a faerie, but if she was, then she would have not been human, isn't that so?" Candy asked.

"But Grandpa's Jason, Joshua and Jeremy all said their Da thought she was a faerie?" Louisa asked.

"Yes, they said that but they knew it wasn't really true. If it was, why is there a grave for her in the cemetery next to Great Grandpa Bolt?" Candy asked. Jeremy came in and gave her the glass of water. The children all sat quietly and Michael said:

"Because she was a real person. But why do they want her to be an unreal person?" Michael asked.

"We want to think good thoughts about people who have died. So, we sometimes say that they have gone to heaven, or they are an angel or a faery!" Jeremy answered. Then he said:

"My momma and I were very close. It helped me to think of her as a faery, a wood faerie so to speak because I felt like she was watching over me. Michael, don't you feel the same way about your momma's parents? They are dead but you sometimes feel like they are right near you?" Jeremy asked Michael. Michael nodded and the others seemed to understand as well.

Suddenly there was a flash of lightning and a round of thunder, all of the children scrambled to get near Candy or Jeremy. JJ clung to Candy as if she could save him. He really liked his grandma Candy.

The night wore on, soon the children were asleep. Everyone was asleep except for JJ. He was wondering about the faeries in the grove and he wondered as well about those people who had died here. He got up and went down stairs and went to get a drink of water. The storm seemed to have gone by and JJ took a look out of the window.

Something tall and white was looking like it was beckoning him to come out. He watched and then decided to go out to find out what it was. He left the door open, in case he wanted to run back in. But instead, it seemed to have a pull on him.

Candy woke up and went to look out the window, she too saw the white figure beckoning her to come out of the house as well. She resisted but when she saw JJ, she knew she had to go get him. She put on her robe and went downstairs quietly. She was out of the door, again, leaving it open, and saw JJ walking towards something, she followed and soon she too was walking towards the ghostly figure beckoning to her.

Jeremy woke with a start. He looked for Candy but she was not in the bed beside him. He put on his pants and went downstairs. When he got there, the door was open and Candy was no longer in sight. The lighting and storm had started again. He woke up his brothers and son and nephew. They got dressed and went outside to look for Candy and JJ.

Chapter 4

The time has come

Candy followed and reached JJ quickly. She stopped him and had him look into her eyes and said:

"JJ, what are you doing out here?"

"I don't know, but I wanted to see a faery and I thought they were calling to me?" JJ said innocently. He had no idea what was really happening. For that matter, neither did Candy. The rain came down even harder but they were surrounded by faeries who kept them dry. Someone, came up to them and said:

"Well, we meet now! I am Ghillie, I will watch over the lad and help him get home again!" The Ghillie Dhu said to Candy. She protested and said:

"I am his grandmother and I can take care of him!" The Ghillie Dhu looked at her and without a word engulfed JJ in leaves and trees, hiding him from her sight. Candy looked confused and angry. Then a wood faery came by and took her hand, she could feel warmth and peace and followed the wood faery.

"Where are you taking me?" Candy asked, the wood faery would not tell her at that moment. A light from a fire was in the center of the faery grove. There was dancing and music. The faeries were having a party and everyone was invited. JJ was fascinated because all the woodland animals, the small and the tall ones were there having a wonderful time.

"Wait, it isn't raining here?" JJ said to Ghillie Dhu. The Ghillie Dhu nodded and smiled.

"We are celebrating the return of our queen!" said a rather large faery, he was a bear by day and was smiling as only a bear could smile. JJ laughed and asked:

"Who is your queen?" The Ghillie Dhu looked at the bear and the bear said to JJ:
"You will find out soon enough little one." The bear said as he went back towards the center of the fire.

Candy came into the center of the circle. She was dressed in a beautiful white gown with a crown of green leaves adorning her hair. It was not up as it usually was but down, laying curled on her shoulders. Her usual green eyes sparkled like green velvet moss. She stood at the center and The old father king of the faeries placed a crown on her head. Then everyone burst into joyous song. JJ saw that it was Grandma Candy, but she looked different. He left the Ghillie dhu and went to get close to her. But he was prevented from getting close to her. She looked at him and smiled at him.

"Grandma Candy, Grandma Candy!" He cried out her name. The fire dimmed, the trees in the forest loomed large and dark. The rain started to pelt him. He stood there frightened. Jeremy who was looking and shouting Candy's name and JJ's name heard him. He ran to the tree nearby. JJ stood there almost soaking wet.

"Grandpa Jeremy, please, help Grandma Candy, she is kidnapped!" JJ said to Jeremy. Jason had come up on them at the same time and asked:

"JJ do you know who kidnapped her?" JJ Nodded yes and said:

"The faeries, the faeries they have her, they made her a queen!" JJ started to cry and clung to Jeremy tightly. Joshua got there and hearing about the faeries and queen thing said to Jeremy:

"I told you not to tell those stories!" Jason looked at Joshua then at Jeremy and said:

"I fear that he is right! I will take him back to the house, you keep looking for Candy!" JJ did not let go of Jeremy and refused to leave.
"JJ you have to go with Jason. I will find Grandma Candy!"

"No, you need me, I am the only one who knows where they are!" JJ said. At that moment, a flash of light lit the sky. The fire was seen by Jeremy and he took off with JJ in his arms running to the fire. Jason and Joshua did not see the fire. They only saw trees and blackness along with a heavy rainstorm.

"Jeremy, Jeremy! Come back here! Where are you going!?" Joshua and Jason shouted. The rest of the search party came running when they heard Jason calling for Jeremy.

They went back to the house and went inside. Melanie, Molly, Callie and Dr. Allyn were waiting and ready. They helped to dry the men's clothing and made hot coffee and tea for the rest of them.

"Where are dad and JJ?" Melanie asked. Jason looked at Joshua. There was silence. Melanie was so like her mother that if they told her that Jeremy ran to find Candy, she might run out of the house to find them.

"Melanie, we don't know!" Was all that Jason could say. Allyn saw that he was at a loss for words, which was unusual for Jason.

"Melanie, let's concentrate on something else right now. It seems that Jeremy is looking for Candy and he will find her!" Allyn said to Melanie who wasn't too sure but decided that the two people looking for each other would find each other.

Chapter 5

Candy is found

Jeremy held onto JJ. They walked toward the fire. The rain had stopped and they were perfectly dry.

"Grandpa, she looked very beautiful but she did not know who I am?" Jeremy looked at the center and saw Candy. He agreed she was very beautiful but he also realized that she was in another place.

"JJ, I need you to do me a favor." Jeremy said to his grandson who nodded.

"I need you to be a distraction for me." JJ looked at his grandfather and nodded again.

"I want you to walk back to the center and stand and hold grandma Candy's hand. Can you do that for me?"

"Yes, grandpa!"

"Good, I am going to do something but you are going to have to remain still and quiet, holding onto grandma's hand okay? Do not watch, do not look at grandma, until I tell you to. Do you understand me?" JJ nodded again.

"Can you repeat what I said?" Jeremy asked him.

"I am to go hold Grandma Candy's hand, then I can't look at anyone or anything, not even Grandma until you tell me to!" JJ repeated to Jeremy. Jeremy nodded and said:

"One final instruction, I am going to say the word 'NOW' you look up at Grandma, say 'I love you Grandma Candy!' and then I will be there to collect you and your grandma. Is that understood?" JJ Nodded yes. Jeremy waited a moment and then sent JJ into the center. JJ walked up to his grandma and took her hand. None of the other faeries noticed.

Jeremy then went in with a fishing hook and a thimble Candy had given him. He walked straight up to her, looked her in the eyes, his blue eyes looked into her green eyes and suddenly, she saw him and smiled. The rain started to come down and they were back in the forest again, except there was one little light that stood in front of them. Candy had fainted, and Jeremy was carrying her out of the forest, JJ, had a hold of Jeremy's shirt tail when that little light that flickered stopped and became a faerie. A wood faerie at that.

"Jeremy, my son, my most favorite, why are you taking our queen?" He looked sideways at the light, he did not want to look into the eyes. He knew the voice and he knew that if he did, he himself would not make it back to the real world.

"I am taking her back, mother, it is not her time to go!" He said looking into the blackness. He looked down at JJ and said:

"Look at grandma's dress, do not look at the faerie in front of us!" JJ did as he was told.

"My son, it will be her time soon, don't you want her to be your queen?" Jeremy did his best, and looking into the blackness he said:

"Mother, if you are my mother, leave me, I need to take her home!" The faerie stood there a moment and then said:

"She will be gone soon!" then the faerie left. There was silence and blackness. But he found his way to the house and brought Candy and JJ in.

"She is soaking wet, quick get her out of these clothes and warm her up!" Allyn cried. Melanie torn between her mother and her son. Saw that her mother was being well taken care of and went to take care of her son.