It suddenly occurred to Brooke that perhaps Violet was a fairy that favored the flowers that she was named after. She wandered over to the sets of wild violets in the garden. She adjusted her lenses again, going back to the original set. The colors around her changed slightly and went out of focus. She had to seek the violets out again, worried that they were lost from her view. When she found them again, she wasn't disappointed. Brooke saw a delicate fairy dressed in a lovely silken dress with a purple flower in her hair. It had to be Violet!
Marigold's sister was seated on the petals of a lovely flower enjoying the sunshine. Brooke leaned down to greet the fairy.
“Hello, are you Violet, Marigold's sister?” The fairy was surprised that Brooke knew her name.
“How do you know my name, little girl?” The little fairy asked.
“My name is Brooke and your sister Marigold sent me to tell you to bring her more pixie dust.”
The fairy put her hand to her mouth and giggled.
“Oh, this is wonderful news! The harvest is going to be so bountiful this year!"
“Is there enough pixie dust?” Brooke asked her, remembering that Aurora was worried about the additional amount. With her long, lavender hair swept up in a ponytail on her head, Violet looked carefree as she giggled.
“There is always just enough! That's what's beautiful about pixie dust. I help keep the pixie dust balanced in Lismore Baile. Violet fairies are always balanced you know, just like the color purple mixed with warm and cool colors. Aurora thinks there's too much and Marigold worries there isn't enough. Who would keep those two in balance if it weren't for me?” Violet asked with pride. She looked at Brooke as if remembering something.
“Well, we've had just enough talk. You look tired. I think you need some sleep. Your work is done, the message is delivered! Go home Brooke, your parents are missing you.”
With that, Violet grabbed a golden bag of pixie dust and flew away to meet with her sister Marigold. With a whir, Brooke heard the whimsical fairy say goodbye as she flew into the air. In her hurry to go to Marigold, Violet accidentally dropped some pixie dust on Brooke's shoes. She tried to rub it away but it wouldn’t come off.
Amazingly, she began to float up in the air!
In mere moments, Brooke was hovering above the garden. It was a wonderful sensation. Her body was as weightless as a helium filled balloon. She became alarmed when she saw that the sun was setting on the horizon. It would be getting dark soon, and what would happen when the pixie dust evaporated? Would she come crashing to the ground? Brooke began to wave her arms and move her feet but it didn't do any good. She began to cry for help.
Suddenly she found herself looking at another fairy floating in the air. She had a deep blue shimmering gown, and long curling dark hair. She was accompanied by a shimmering bird with lovely curling feathers.
“Follow me home, Brooke.”
“I'm so tired, and I can't get down from here.” Brooke told her, afraid.
“All the more reason for you to be back in your room and in bed! I'm Celestia, and this is Starshine. We've heard all about what a great helper you've been to the little folk of Lismore Baile. We help everyone get a good night's rest so they can do the work on the farm, and I think it's time for you to get some sleep, little Brooke.”
“I know, but how do I get back?” Brooke asked.
“Just close your eyes and wish on it.” Celestia told her.
“I wish that I was in my bed.” Brooke said aloud. Before she knew it she was in sight of the house. In a whisper her bedroom window opened and she was under the covers of her bed, safe and snug. She heard Celestia's voice.
“You've seen a lot today, little one. Let Starshine sing a lullaby to ease your mind so that you can fall asleep.” Suddenly, she heard the gentlest melody, similar to a nightingale. Her mind eased as the singing relaxed her. She hugged her pillow contentedly, feeling warm and safe.
Just before she was completely asleep, she heard her bedroom door open followed by the voices of her parents. She heard her father thank Celestia for helping his little girl get home. She thought she heard the gentle sound of feathers and wings. Soon, she was dreaming about Lismore Baile, a lovely smile on her face and a healthy glow in her cheeks.
John and Stella Murphy smiled at their little girl, knowing she was safe as long as she was on the farm.
John put his arm around Stella and grinned.
“I remember the day I found my father's magical spectacles, what a day that was.” He looked nostalgic for a moment.
“You left those out on purpose, John Murphy!" Stella told him. He looked down at his wife and chuckled.
“Yup. Maybe I did at that.” He said. His wife nudged his arm with her elbow.
“You could have warned her!" She said sternly. John hunched his shoulders together in pain. After rubbing his arm, he coaxed his wife out of the room, saying gently, "That's not how it's done, Stella.” The farmer and his wife went to bed, ready to answer the many questions their daughter was sure to have in the morning.
A Map of Lismore Baile
About the Story and the Author
Brooke and the Magical Spectacles is one of the stories from A Fairy Good Year; a culmination of all four seasons within a year in the life of Brooke Murphy. Each season brings a new discovery about Lismore Baile, the colony of fairies that inhabit her family farm. Each story includes spring, summer, fall and winter.
Patricia Arnold has always been inspired by mythical beings, stories and legends. Patricia grew up in rural Michigan, so farming and small town life were a part of her childhood experience. She moved often during her teenage years, so she naturally developed her imagination to keep her company. When her daughter Lisa began sketching lovely pictures of fairies, merging her drawings of fairies with a story about living in the countryside became a natural combination.
She later added her own art and lengthened the story. In 2011, Patricia formed Marquette Press as a family publishing company to include the work of her daughters, Jessica Arnold and Lisa Arnold. Sequels to this story are being produced so that the Murphy Farm and the world of Lismore Baile will continue to flourish.
Other Books
Coming Soon: Dusty Rose, a Supernatural Thriller written during NaNoWriMo 2014
Children/Youth Fiction
Magical Murphy Farm Series:
Brooke and the Magical Spectacles
Brooke discovers glasses that allow her to see some amazing things!
Brooke and the Fairy Amazing Discovery
Brooke helps Lily find her missing sister.
Brooke and the Fairy Happy Birthday
Brooke finds out that the fairies have a unique birthday party planned for her!
Brooke and the Fairy Merry Christmas
Brooke needs to get a message to Santa and the Ice Queen.
A Fairy Good Year (Includes all of the stories)
All the stories in one volume.
More Children’s/Youth Fiction Titles written or illustrated by Patricia Arnold and Lisa Arnold
The Illuminiers
A novel of magic and mystery
Sassy Catt Acts Bad
Sassy has difficulty with her little brother
The Book of Dreamville
A girl finds a magic book that transports her to Dreamville
Punkin Jim
A pumpkin dreams of being a jack-o-lantern
Monster Land
A girl finds out that she really belongs in Monster Land
Christmas Stories and Poems
A collection of Christmas themed stories, essays and poetry that is updated every year!
Non-Fiction
Strictly G.I. The WWII Letters of Cpl. Wanda M. Renn
A WWII Memoir
About the Illustrations
Brooke and the Magical Spectacles, Brooke and the Amazing Discovery, Brooke and the Fairy Happy Birthday, A Fairy Merry Christmas and the entire anthology of the series, A Fairy Good Year were illustrated by Patricia Arnol
d and her daughter, Lisa Arnold. Three stories in the series were released a few years earlier. Another story, A Fairy Merry Christmas was completed in 2014, and plans for revised illustrations and new illustrations were realized in fall of 2014. Each illustration began on paper first, using pencil and watercolors.
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