Extra Credit 1 - Creative Work
Ariella MacManus
Ah! It was so good to be back home at last! For 7 long years I had awaited this day, the day that I would be reunited with my best friend, Lavinia. Now, don't get me wrong, mind you; my stay in the land of the fae had been nothing short of wonderful and I would be lying to say that I was treated with anything but the utmost of grace and courtesy by most of the land's inhabitants. There was that one snippity little fairy who seemed to resent my presence, but that is another story entirely. But as the old saying goes, "There is no place like home", and home is where I was once more. Taking my steaming cup of peppermint tea in hand, I settled myself down cross-legged on my favorite cushion, all tucked in and ready for one of our marathon gab sessions that I had missed so dearly.
Lavinia: Tell me everything, Ari! Don't you dare even leave one ittsy bittsy bit out, you hear me?!
Me: (laughing) Ok, Ok, Vin, calm down. Well, as you well know, I was bound and determined to find the Land of the Fae, come Hades or high water! I swear to Merlin, I must've walked a hole in my old boots and covered a hundred miles or more and...nothing, nada, zip! Oh sure, I'd get close, or so I thought, but every time I was wrong. You remember all those maps I drew up so carefully from all those old legends? Worthless, I tell you!!"
Lavinia: (bobs her head up and down for emphasis, wagging a finger) You should've just marched yourself right back here, Ari, instead of playing the fool and chasing dreams! You and that nice young man..whatever his name was..were going to get married and everything! Go on..
Me: Robert, his name was Robert Creighton. I tell you true, there were a couple of times that I almost did just that, Vin. If it hadn't been for Kellen coming to the rescue I just might have turned tail and ran back home, married Robert, had a brood of babies, and settled down and lived a nice and proper life. But that's neither here nor there, now is it? Anyway, where was I? Oh yes, Kellen. He is the most curious, funny, grumpiest sprite that you ever could imagine, Vin! He sure gave me what for the first time we met, all yelling and scolding and scowling because of the mess I had left everywhere I went. I tell you, Vin, those sprites are sure real particular about nature! You would have sworn each blade of grass was his first born child the way he carried on about things! After he finally ran out of breath from fussing, he declared that I should be reward for my persistence, but on the condition that I go no further without proper guidance. I sure wasn't about to argue with him, that was for sure!
Lavinia: That sounds positively dreadful, Vin!! I would have fainted right there on the spot!
Me: Well, I was a mite taken aback at first, but for all his gruffness, Kellen was quite harmless. It was the funniest thing, Vin..he backtracked over some of the same areas I had been through, and I swear he found paths that hadn't been there before when I was searching alone. If that isn't magic, well I don't know what is! Anyway, the further and further we went into the forest, the stiller and stiller it got and the air grew thick, almost watery, like if you were wading through a big bowl of pea soup. At times, I couldn't see my hand in front of my face, but Kellen never let me falter. I couldn't see the water, but I knew when we got near, because I could hear the sloshing of the waves and smell the salty brine. Kellen spoke in some strange language, which I later learned was that of his race, and a boat appeared. We got in, and I must have been more exhausted than I thought, because I fell fast asleep and slept soundly until we hit land.
Lavinia: Oh my!! You mean the Land of the Fae?!!!
Me: Yes Ma'am, I do indeed. I wish that I had thought to pack my brushes to paint it, Vin, because mere words won't do it justice. It was Paradise, plain and simple as that. Apple trees laden down with the biggest, juiciest apples I had ever seen, of every variety I could think of and more. And grapes, Vin!! The vines grew wild, everywhere!! My mouth watered just looking at them! I could hear singing..chanting really, and 9 women, dressed all in white, save for one lady dressed in a bright red gown came down to the shore to greet us. They thanked Kellen for bringing me, and they put a wreath of flowers on my head, saying how very glad they were to see me, and that the King would be very pleased that I had come. You can only imagine how surprised I was at that!!
Lavinia: How very romantic! Now I wish I had gone with you instead of staying here and taking care of Mama and Papa.
Me: You always were the responsible one, Vin, and thank the gods one of was. (laughs) Let me tell you, it gets better!! Such a feast; it makes me hungry even now to think of it. The sweetest nectar, wines and honeyed meade, and the best bounty that the land had to offer, all laid out on a banquet table covered in white lace so finely spun it looked like spiderwebs. They bid me eat and drink, and then 'he' came to meet me. Now brace yourself, Vin..you won't believe me, but I swear every word of it is true! (dramatic pause) It was Arthur himself, High King of Britain, just like in the legends we read about in school.
Lavinia: Get out of here!! No way!! (laughs) I think you drank too much of that wine, my dear.
Me: It's true, Vin!!! Look..I can prove it to you! (thrusts out hand, showing a golden ring bearing the standard of the Pendragon) That very night, I was made an Initiate into the House of Women and taken under the care of Morgan, the Head Priestess there. Every day was a new adventure, Vin, and just like in the stories..Avalon was everything we always dreamed it would be. There was no sickness, no hunger, no strife, no war..and I am ashamed to say that for a time I forgot about any life save the one I knew there. Arthur and I grew very close, perhaps too close for her liking, but one day, Morgan came to me and told me that it was time for me to go. She said that it was not my destiny to remain there, but to come back and live among the mortals, using the healing spells and charms I had learned from the sisters and their fae friends to benefit mankind. It was then that the loneliness really started, and I counted every minute until I could come home again. Because I tell you true, Vin, as wonderful as Avalon was, it was never home..not like this is. When Kellen could be persuaded (he really hated to see me go, you see, after all the 'trouble' he had taken to get me there), he escorted me back to the edge of our world out of the mist and to the edge of the forest. When I turned around to bid him goodbye, the fog had lifted and Kellen had gone, as if it had been all a dream. If it were not for the ring and the changes in our own land, Vin, I would swear that it were.
Lavinia: (quietly) You were gone a long time, Ari.
Me: I know. Time passes differently there; I did not realize how very much until now, my friend. At any rate, I am home now..and it is good to be with you again. It is just as I dreamed it would be. Well..almost..This time there would be no answer, and my own voice would die down into silence as I laid my hand on the ancient moss-covered stone that marked the grave of my dearest friend in the world, the lettering all but illegible now. Time truly did pass differently in the mortal realm; for in 'fae time' I had been away a mere 7 years; by the markings of time with humankind it had been 300 years. All I had left was my memories of both worlds, both lost to me now, and I laid down my head and wept for a time. Then I dried my eyes and picked up my pack, heading into the forest once more. Perhaps Morgan would have pity on me and allow Kellen to return me to Avalon where I could be reunited with my love, my husband..my King. That is one story that will never be told, nor never read in any legend, but true nonetheless. If not, then I would find a way to survive somehow. For his sake, and for the sake of the child that I carried within me, I would be strong.
Lavinia: Tell me everything, Ari! Don't you dare even leave one ittsy bittsy bit out, you hear me?!
Me: (laughing) Ok, Ok, Vin, calm down. Well, as you well know, I was bound and determined to find the Land of the Fae, come Hades or high water! I swear to Merlin, I must've walked a hole in my old boots and covered a hundred miles or more and...nothing, nada, zip! Oh sure, I'd get close, or so I thought, but every time I was wrong. You remember all those maps I drew up so carefully from all those old legends? Worthless, I tell you!!"
Lavinia: (bobs her head up and down for emphasis, wagging a finger) You should've just marched yourself right back here, Ari, instead of playing the fool and chasing dreams! You and that nice young man..whatever his name was..were going to get married and everything! Go on..
Me: Robert, his name was Robert Creighton. I tell you true, there were a couple of times that I almost did just that, Vin. If it hadn't been for Kellen coming to the rescue I just might have turned tail and ran back home, married Robert, had a brood of babies, and settled down and lived a nice and proper life. But that's neither here nor there, now is it? Anyway, where was I? Oh yes, Kellen. He is the most curious, funny, grumpiest sprite that you ever could imagine, Vin! He sure gave me what for the first time we met, all yelling and scolding and scowling because of the mess I had left everywhere I went. I tell you, Vin, those sprites are sure real particular about nature! You would have sworn each blade of grass was his first born child the way he carried on about things! After he finally ran out of breath from fussing, he declared that I should be reward for my persistence, but on the condition that I go no further without proper guidance. I sure wasn't about to argue with him, that was for sure!
Lavinia: That sounds positively dreadful, Vin!! I would have fainted right there on the spot!
Me: Well, I was a mite taken aback at first, but for all his gruffness, Kellen was quite harmless. It was the funniest thing, Vin..he backtracked over some of the same areas I had been through, and I swear he found paths that hadn't been there before when I was searching alone. If that isn't magic, well I don't know what is! Anyway, the further and further we went into the forest, the stiller and stiller it got and the air grew thick, almost watery, like if you were wading through a big bowl of pea soup. At times, I couldn't see my hand in front of my face, but Kellen never let me falter. I couldn't see the water, but I knew when we got near, because I could hear the sloshing of the waves and smell the salty brine. Kellen spoke in some strange language, which I later learned was that of his race, and a boat appeared. We got in, and I must have been more exhausted than I thought, because I fell fast asleep and slept soundly until we hit land.
Lavinia: Oh my!! You mean the Land of the Fae?!!!
Me: Yes Ma'am, I do indeed. I wish that I had thought to pack my brushes to paint it, Vin, because mere words won't do it justice. It was Paradise, plain and simple as that. Apple trees laden down with the biggest, juiciest apples I had ever seen, of every variety I could think of and more. And grapes, Vin!! The vines grew wild, everywhere!! My mouth watered just looking at them! I could hear singing..chanting really, and 9 women, dressed all in white, save for one lady dressed in a bright red gown came down to the shore to greet us. They thanked Kellen for bringing me, and they put a wreath of flowers on my head, saying how very glad they were to see me, and that the King would be very pleased that I had come. You can only imagine how surprised I was at that!!
Lavinia: How very romantic! Now I wish I had gone with you instead of staying here and taking care of Mama and Papa.
Me: You always were the responsible one, Vin, and thank the gods one of was. (laughs) Let me tell you, it gets better!! Such a feast; it makes me hungry even now to think of it. The sweetest nectar, wines and honeyed meade, and the best bounty that the land had to offer, all laid out on a banquet table covered in white lace so finely spun it looked like spiderwebs. They bid me eat and drink, and then 'he' came to meet me. Now brace yourself, Vin..you won't believe me, but I swear every word of it is true! (dramatic pause) It was Arthur himself, High King of Britain, just like in the legends we read about in school.
Lavinia: Get out of here!! No way!! (laughs) I think you drank too much of that wine, my dear.
Me: It's true, Vin!!! Look..I can prove it to you! (thrusts out hand, showing a golden ring bearing the standard of the Pendragon) That very night, I was made an Initiate into the House of Women and taken under the care of Morgan, the Head Priestess there. Every day was a new adventure, Vin, and just like in the stories..Avalon was everything we always dreamed it would be. There was no sickness, no hunger, no strife, no war..and I am ashamed to say that for a time I forgot about any life save the one I knew there. Arthur and I grew very close, perhaps too close for her liking, but one day, Morgan came to me and told me that it was time for me to go. She said that it was not my destiny to remain there, but to come back and live among the mortals, using the healing spells and charms I had learned from the sisters and their fae friends to benefit mankind. It was then that the loneliness really started, and I counted every minute until I could come home again. Because I tell you true, Vin, as wonderful as Avalon was, it was never home..not like this is. When Kellen could be persuaded (he really hated to see me go, you see, after all the 'trouble' he had taken to get me there), he escorted me back to the edge of our world out of the mist and to the edge of the forest. When I turned around to bid him goodbye, the fog had lifted and Kellen had gone, as if it had been all a dream. If it were not for the ring and the changes in our own land, Vin, I would swear that it were.
Lavinia: (quietly) You were gone a long time, Ari.
Me: I know. Time passes differently there; I did not realize how very much until now, my friend. At any rate, I am home now..and it is good to be with you again. It is just as I dreamed it would be. Well..almost..This time there would be no answer, and my own voice would die down into silence as I laid my hand on the ancient moss-covered stone that marked the grave of my dearest friend in the world, the lettering all but illegible now. Time truly did pass differently in the mortal realm; for in 'fae time' I had been away a mere 7 years; by the markings of time with humankind it had been 300 years. All I had left was my memories of both worlds, both lost to me now, and I laid down my head and wept for a time. Then I dried my eyes and picked up my pack, heading into the forest once more. Perhaps Morgan would have pity on me and allow Kellen to return me to Avalon where I could be reunited with my love, my husband..my King. That is one story that will never be told, nor never read in any legend, but true nonetheless. If not, then I would find a way to survive somehow. For his sake, and for the sake of the child that I carried within me, I would be strong.
Lavinia Rookwood
Dear Father,
I'm happy to tell you that I have finally found the way to Annwn. I know for so long, you thought it was nothing more then shiftless chasing of myths, but I finally have proof that would convince even you. Can you believe it has taken me four years to find it?
Well, I didn't find it all by myself, if I'm to be truthful. The ugliest of creatures startled me when I was in the woods, though it seemed startled as well. It looked to be one of the Bendith Y Mamu, though I saw no children in her arms, for which I'm grateful.I do remember that she stomped about and shook her fist at me for a good long while. I was trying to look all around, to see if I had inadvertenly ridden over somethings of hers, but I could see nothing, and she wasn't speaking in a human tongue. I got off of m horse to attempt to walk over to her, but she took off running. For something that looked so old, she was surprisingly quick on her feet. Even on Delwyn, I had trouble catching up to her again. I chased her for the rest of the day, and it was about sunset when she stopped and looked at me, much calmer this time, for which I was grateful. I was worried that her previous yelling was her cursing me for life or some other worse fate.
This time, she spoke in a way I could understand, and demanded to know why I was following her, as she had done me no wrong. I tried to explain that I was hoping she could escort me to Annwn, but before I could explain, she ratcheted up into a feverish pitch again. Apparently, I had insulted her, by suggesting she be no more then a mere guide for me I tried to apologize, even offered the gold I was carrying, but she just shook her head at me. I offfered her the pocketwatch without even thinking, and I'm sorry, but she took that in a flash. I'm afraid I won't be able to bring it back home. Anyhow, she was all smiles, which did actually improve her looks somewhat, and told me to keep up. She didn't go so fast this time, for which Delwyn was grateful. We also didn't get too far before we left the woods, looking at the strangest path I had ever seen. It would have looked like any stone path but for two things, for one thing, it was laid across water as wide as an ocean, and it seemed to glow from within. She hopped from stone to stone with the ease of a child and me and Delwyn followed right behind her. Delwyn did not jumped like a foal across the stones.
The path way seemed safe enough until we were half way across. I'm willing to bet that this was where the boder between our world and theirs existed. Our guide was still moving with the ease of a child, but me and Delwyn were struggling to keep our own balance. For you see, the wind which had been nonexistent, was suddenly rushing past and around us at unbelievable speeds, which made the waves crash against us. Several times I feared losing my life to the waters, but every time I did slip off the stones, our guide dragged me up. It took a very long time to make our way through this horrible weather, and the only thing I could be grateful was the stones had not lost their glow, so I could measure our progress some sort of way, though time seemed to lose some meaning with the dark skys and our slow progress.
Then just as suddenly the weather cleared into the bluest skies that I had every seen. Just in front of us was a white shore, unmarred by rock or dirt. The Virgin Mother herself would weep at the beauty. Beyond that, was green pastures dotted with all colors of flowers, a few trees scattered as if to offer shade from the brillant sun. Despite the sun shining down, it was not unbearable heat, but an almost coolness to the air. Our guide barely gave us enough time to take this in, before grabbing the horse's reins, dragging us along. In a short amount of time, we stopped before a grand palace, the home of King Arawn.
Here, words fail me. How to describe the way that the whole place shone with brillant light, not enough to blind one's eyes, but enough that one never need a candle? How to describe the garlands wrapped every column, perfuming the air with the sweetest scent? The king was a host that anyone would beg for a chance to visit. He was so welcoming, bringing me to the dining hall, seating me in the place of honor at his side. Across from me, was the most beautiful and gentle woman I had ever met, her hair more golden then the sun beaming down just outside. And oh father, the food, the wine! Do not tell mother, but this feast was better then anything she ever cooked. And no matter how much sweet wine I drank, it was never enough to make me lose my senses. Or so I thought.
I will be home soon Father, it has only been a few months since I've been gone. Tell mother not to worry and my little sister that I will bring her gifts. And father, you'll never believe it, but the fair lady I've spoke of? The one that sat across from me? She's agreed to be my wife!
Love, your only son,
Garreth
It was two years before the letter come back along the sea shore, alongside the corpse of his horse, Delwyn. It's been ten years since the letter was sent. Sometimes I think I'm waiting for a myth. Every one else believes that Garreth died and his body never recovered. Sometimes, I wish I could believe it too, so I could quit waiting for the only brother I had.
I'm happy to tell you that I have finally found the way to Annwn. I know for so long, you thought it was nothing more then shiftless chasing of myths, but I finally have proof that would convince even you. Can you believe it has taken me four years to find it?
Well, I didn't find it all by myself, if I'm to be truthful. The ugliest of creatures startled me when I was in the woods, though it seemed startled as well. It looked to be one of the Bendith Y Mamu, though I saw no children in her arms, for which I'm grateful.I do remember that she stomped about and shook her fist at me for a good long while. I was trying to look all around, to see if I had inadvertenly ridden over somethings of hers, but I could see nothing, and she wasn't speaking in a human tongue. I got off of m horse to attempt to walk over to her, but she took off running. For something that looked so old, she was surprisingly quick on her feet. Even on Delwyn, I had trouble catching up to her again. I chased her for the rest of the day, and it was about sunset when she stopped and looked at me, much calmer this time, for which I was grateful. I was worried that her previous yelling was her cursing me for life or some other worse fate.
This time, she spoke in a way I could understand, and demanded to know why I was following her, as she had done me no wrong. I tried to explain that I was hoping she could escort me to Annwn, but before I could explain, she ratcheted up into a feverish pitch again. Apparently, I had insulted her, by suggesting she be no more then a mere guide for me I tried to apologize, even offered the gold I was carrying, but she just shook her head at me. I offfered her the pocketwatch without even thinking, and I'm sorry, but she took that in a flash. I'm afraid I won't be able to bring it back home. Anyhow, she was all smiles, which did actually improve her looks somewhat, and told me to keep up. She didn't go so fast this time, for which Delwyn was grateful. We also didn't get too far before we left the woods, looking at the strangest path I had ever seen. It would have looked like any stone path but for two things, for one thing, it was laid across water as wide as an ocean, and it seemed to glow from within. She hopped from stone to stone with the ease of a child and me and Delwyn followed right behind her. Delwyn did not jumped like a foal across the stones.
The path way seemed safe enough until we were half way across. I'm willing to bet that this was where the boder between our world and theirs existed. Our guide was still moving with the ease of a child, but me and Delwyn were struggling to keep our own balance. For you see, the wind which had been nonexistent, was suddenly rushing past and around us at unbelievable speeds, which made the waves crash against us. Several times I feared losing my life to the waters, but every time I did slip off the stones, our guide dragged me up. It took a very long time to make our way through this horrible weather, and the only thing I could be grateful was the stones had not lost their glow, so I could measure our progress some sort of way, though time seemed to lose some meaning with the dark skys and our slow progress.
Then just as suddenly the weather cleared into the bluest skies that I had every seen. Just in front of us was a white shore, unmarred by rock or dirt. The Virgin Mother herself would weep at the beauty. Beyond that, was green pastures dotted with all colors of flowers, a few trees scattered as if to offer shade from the brillant sun. Despite the sun shining down, it was not unbearable heat, but an almost coolness to the air. Our guide barely gave us enough time to take this in, before grabbing the horse's reins, dragging us along. In a short amount of time, we stopped before a grand palace, the home of King Arawn.
Here, words fail me. How to describe the way that the whole place shone with brillant light, not enough to blind one's eyes, but enough that one never need a candle? How to describe the garlands wrapped every column, perfuming the air with the sweetest scent? The king was a host that anyone would beg for a chance to visit. He was so welcoming, bringing me to the dining hall, seating me in the place of honor at his side. Across from me, was the most beautiful and gentle woman I had ever met, her hair more golden then the sun beaming down just outside. And oh father, the food, the wine! Do not tell mother, but this feast was better then anything she ever cooked. And no matter how much sweet wine I drank, it was never enough to make me lose my senses. Or so I thought.
I will be home soon Father, it has only been a few months since I've been gone. Tell mother not to worry and my little sister that I will bring her gifts. And father, you'll never believe it, but the fair lady I've spoke of? The one that sat across from me? She's agreed to be my wife!
Love, your only son,
Garreth
It was two years before the letter come back along the sea shore, alongside the corpse of his horse, Delwyn. It's been ten years since the letter was sent. Sometimes I think I'm waiting for a myth. Every one else believes that Garreth died and his body never recovered. Sometimes, I wish I could believe it too, so I could quit waiting for the only brother I had.
Lucy Brooks
I entered this interesting world through a forest path,
A place of silent, and unmoving world,
Dolphins turned to statues just before a jump,
Up the weird stairs a Seal paused as it played with a ball,
The path that crosses the yellow river are overlapped,
The stone paths are crack and could fall at any moment,
I saw a spray of water stopped in its tracks,
After I crossed one of the many giant bamboo bridges,
A long day pass and I stumble upon a bridge,
I crossed it and soon came to the end of the forest,
A building was in my sight, for which I chose to enter,
Two creepy live-like cats stand unmoving at the entrance,
The was even an elvish cat on top the door,
A little butterfly on the handle that I touched,
Made the door open into a dark hallway,
That doorway somehow lead back to my world,
Although till today I can't return to that world.
A place of silent, and unmoving world,
Dolphins turned to statues just before a jump,
Up the weird stairs a Seal paused as it played with a ball,
The path that crosses the yellow river are overlapped,
The stone paths are crack and could fall at any moment,
I saw a spray of water stopped in its tracks,
After I crossed one of the many giant bamboo bridges,
A long day pass and I stumble upon a bridge,
I crossed it and soon came to the end of the forest,
A building was in my sight, for which I chose to enter,
Two creepy live-like cats stand unmoving at the entrance,
The was even an elvish cat on top the door,
A little butterfly on the handle that I touched,
Made the door open into a dark hallway,
That doorway somehow lead back to my world,
Although till today I can't return to that world.
Scarlett Lacarnum
Dear Violet,
My lucky number must be 19. I say this because it has taken me that many times to get the world of the Fey. The Summer Country to be exact. Just three days ago I was wandering through the forest again when a sprite named Jubilee said he was tired of seeing me defacing their land. He said he has been watching me for three weeks now and decided to take me into Fey if I promised to stop “trapezing” through the forest. (Really I don’t think he knows what that word means. He wasn’t the most pleasant of creatures as it was.) Anyway, the point is I GOT TO SEE THE SUMMER COUNTRY! Yes, it is as beautiful as you could imagine. It’s more beautiful even.
Jubilee took me deep into the forest, an area I had seen before but was never able to examine in depth. Let’s face it, there’s just too much forest. I’m sure I would have gotten to it one day but it could have taken months. There is a small section of trees where the leaves extend farther down along the base than the others around it. If you stand at a 45 degree angle from the left you can see a sort of V opening in this cluster of trees. Jubilee instructed me to climb to the top of the first tree and cross through the V. Before he took off I asked him how would I get back into this world and you know what he said –the same way I entered. I was not about to turn around so I started to climb the first tree. I promised Jubilee I would be careful leaving the forest and I would try not to damage any more of it in the future. Climbing was easy and once I got to the Fey opening I just jumped from the tree and when I landed on the ground I was in the Summer Country. I knew it because I could see golden boats at the nearby dock.
Remembering what Jubilee said I turned around and saw the same trees, only not in forest formation anymore. I headed towards the boats. There were five of them, all lined up on the shore and even some silver boats on the opposite side. I wanted to take it all in. I want to be able to write it all down here so I don’t forget it but I know that no matter how much I write I’ll never be able to do it justice. It was as if everything that makes life beautiful was there: crystal blue water, a castle, flowers blooming, faeries flying around, cumulus clouds, the temperature was perfect (not too hot or too cold) and the sky even had a golden-orange tint to it.
I can’t tell you how long I was standing there when a small faery spoke to me. She asked me how I got here and so I told her about Jubilee showing me the way. The faery, whose name was Gloria, said she knew I was new to the land but said I was welcome to stay because I would not cause any trouble. She also said she was familiar with Jubilee but he could not come here because he causes too much strife.
We walked for about a mile. I kept staring at everything like some kind of tourist and trying to commit the scenery to memory. I told Gloria she did not have to follow me around if she did not want to. She said it was no trouble. She was happy to have something new to do. Gloria explained that Summer Country residents can get bored easily because they are all immortal and often run out of new activities to do. It was all so magical. I could go on and on but really it was all a bunch of me wandering around, wanting to stay longer and explore everything I saw. I was unsure about how time in this world would translate to time in the real world so I told Gloria I had better head back now.
I realized I shouldn’t leave without some kind of offering, some way to show thanks. I had a small bottle of honey I kept on me in case I ever did make it to the world of Fey. Somehow I did not think this was enough so I told Gloria I did not have enough for everyone. She told me it was okay and that it was thoughtful of me to leave anything. She then said I could show off a talent if I didn’t think the honey was enough. Here’s the problem, sis, and you know this all too well. I do not have a talent, not one I can share anyway. No singing, no dancing, no stories to tell….I was at a loss until I remembered the gymnastics classes we used to take. I found an old log lying around and used this as a makeshift balance beam where I performed our level 7 routine. Gloria and the small audience that had gathered were excited and told me how wonderful that was. I said it was a small favor I could do for them for sharing their world with me. Gloria said I was welcome to come back again.
Now I must ask you to not share this with anyone else, especially the part about how to enter the Summer Country. Everyone there is so nice and kind and I would hate to cause them any trouble. I trust that you will keep this a secret and I hope that you are able to join me on my next adventure.
Miss you,
Scarlett
My lucky number must be 19. I say this because it has taken me that many times to get the world of the Fey. The Summer Country to be exact. Just three days ago I was wandering through the forest again when a sprite named Jubilee said he was tired of seeing me defacing their land. He said he has been watching me for three weeks now and decided to take me into Fey if I promised to stop “trapezing” through the forest. (Really I don’t think he knows what that word means. He wasn’t the most pleasant of creatures as it was.) Anyway, the point is I GOT TO SEE THE SUMMER COUNTRY! Yes, it is as beautiful as you could imagine. It’s more beautiful even.
Jubilee took me deep into the forest, an area I had seen before but was never able to examine in depth. Let’s face it, there’s just too much forest. I’m sure I would have gotten to it one day but it could have taken months. There is a small section of trees where the leaves extend farther down along the base than the others around it. If you stand at a 45 degree angle from the left you can see a sort of V opening in this cluster of trees. Jubilee instructed me to climb to the top of the first tree and cross through the V. Before he took off I asked him how would I get back into this world and you know what he said –the same way I entered. I was not about to turn around so I started to climb the first tree. I promised Jubilee I would be careful leaving the forest and I would try not to damage any more of it in the future. Climbing was easy and once I got to the Fey opening I just jumped from the tree and when I landed on the ground I was in the Summer Country. I knew it because I could see golden boats at the nearby dock.
Remembering what Jubilee said I turned around and saw the same trees, only not in forest formation anymore. I headed towards the boats. There were five of them, all lined up on the shore and even some silver boats on the opposite side. I wanted to take it all in. I want to be able to write it all down here so I don’t forget it but I know that no matter how much I write I’ll never be able to do it justice. It was as if everything that makes life beautiful was there: crystal blue water, a castle, flowers blooming, faeries flying around, cumulus clouds, the temperature was perfect (not too hot or too cold) and the sky even had a golden-orange tint to it.
I can’t tell you how long I was standing there when a small faery spoke to me. She asked me how I got here and so I told her about Jubilee showing me the way. The faery, whose name was Gloria, said she knew I was new to the land but said I was welcome to stay because I would not cause any trouble. She also said she was familiar with Jubilee but he could not come here because he causes too much strife.
We walked for about a mile. I kept staring at everything like some kind of tourist and trying to commit the scenery to memory. I told Gloria she did not have to follow me around if she did not want to. She said it was no trouble. She was happy to have something new to do. Gloria explained that Summer Country residents can get bored easily because they are all immortal and often run out of new activities to do. It was all so magical. I could go on and on but really it was all a bunch of me wandering around, wanting to stay longer and explore everything I saw. I was unsure about how time in this world would translate to time in the real world so I told Gloria I had better head back now.
I realized I shouldn’t leave without some kind of offering, some way to show thanks. I had a small bottle of honey I kept on me in case I ever did make it to the world of Fey. Somehow I did not think this was enough so I told Gloria I did not have enough for everyone. She told me it was okay and that it was thoughtful of me to leave anything. She then said I could show off a talent if I didn’t think the honey was enough. Here’s the problem, sis, and you know this all too well. I do not have a talent, not one I can share anyway. No singing, no dancing, no stories to tell….I was at a loss until I remembered the gymnastics classes we used to take. I found an old log lying around and used this as a makeshift balance beam where I performed our level 7 routine. Gloria and the small audience that had gathered were excited and told me how wonderful that was. I said it was a small favor I could do for them for sharing their world with me. Gloria said I was welcome to come back again.
Now I must ask you to not share this with anyone else, especially the part about how to enter the Summer Country. Everyone there is so nice and kind and I would hate to cause them any trouble. I trust that you will keep this a secret and I hope that you are able to join me on my next adventure.
Miss you,
Scarlett
Zoki Phantom
The Hufflepuff: An Expected Journey
It was the blackest night I’ve seen yet
And I was petrified from fear, you could bet,
With no one by my side on this fable quest
I sure thought I am cursed rather than blessed.
Just as I thought I found myself stuck in the middle of nowhere
A dark figure appeared with a hollow breath-taking stare
She spoke in such a deep and angry voice to me
I felt like I got hit with an arrow in the knee.
Tired of my stupidity and disorientation she was
And ready to provide aid for my honorably cause,
Giving me a map and making a magic trail to lead me the way,
Telling me that I should not waste even a single day.
I did no such thing of course and headed there straight
As I was excited about this like I was on my first date
When I met this witch with blond hair but heads four,
Large yellow fingernails, dirty skin, and a horrible odor.
Though not to get ahead of myself, that’s a story of another time,
Because this one felt like doing an unforgivable and dangerous crime
Going through secret tunnels, climbing hills, and passing river streams
While I tried to keep away that first date away from my dreams.
Once I reached the waterfall they called the Aquatic Death
I cast a few protection spells and tried to pass while holding my breath
Knowing that if I drink even a single little drop of water
I can consider myself to be a forgotten matter.
It was only when I reached the other end of the waterfall that I saw
I was at the final stage, which was defeating the beast called Claw,
A fierce creature of the darkest tales, made of solid dark rock
With claws of iron sharp enough to leave even Simon Cowell in shock.
But even though my jaw was trembling from fear,
I gathered all my force and stroked at him with my shiny spear.
It was after a dozen clashes and hits that the beast grew weak and tired
And soon he fell to the ground defeated without even a last blow required.
Finally I had met the island that the fairytales spoke of so often,
And though my strength from the battle was soften,
I thought I could explode from the excitement inside me
Knowing I reached the world of the Fey without an arrow in the knee.
It was the blackest night I’ve seen yet
And I was petrified from fear, you could bet,
With no one by my side on this fable quest
I sure thought I am cursed rather than blessed.
Just as I thought I found myself stuck in the middle of nowhere
A dark figure appeared with a hollow breath-taking stare
She spoke in such a deep and angry voice to me
I felt like I got hit with an arrow in the knee.
Tired of my stupidity and disorientation she was
And ready to provide aid for my honorably cause,
Giving me a map and making a magic trail to lead me the way,
Telling me that I should not waste even a single day.
I did no such thing of course and headed there straight
As I was excited about this like I was on my first date
When I met this witch with blond hair but heads four,
Large yellow fingernails, dirty skin, and a horrible odor.
Though not to get ahead of myself, that’s a story of another time,
Because this one felt like doing an unforgivable and dangerous crime
Going through secret tunnels, climbing hills, and passing river streams
While I tried to keep away that first date away from my dreams.
Once I reached the waterfall they called the Aquatic Death
I cast a few protection spells and tried to pass while holding my breath
Knowing that if I drink even a single little drop of water
I can consider myself to be a forgotten matter.
It was only when I reached the other end of the waterfall that I saw
I was at the final stage, which was defeating the beast called Claw,
A fierce creature of the darkest tales, made of solid dark rock
With claws of iron sharp enough to leave even Simon Cowell in shock.
But even though my jaw was trembling from fear,
I gathered all my force and stroked at him with my shiny spear.
It was after a dozen clashes and hits that the beast grew weak and tired
And soon he fell to the ground defeated without even a last blow required.
Finally I had met the island that the fairytales spoke of so often,
And though my strength from the battle was soften,
I thought I could explode from the excitement inside me
Knowing I reached the world of the Fey without an arrow in the knee.