Awakening

  Encounter

  They travelled at an easy pace for five days when they arrived at a rapidly flowing river which ended at a waterfall that looked like it had a steep drop. Fana indicated that the girls were to wait on the river bank whilst she investigated. Dagmar was learning to control her wings but still had not mastered putting them away, the wings at times caused the girl to lose her balance and that frustrated her immensely when she forgot and shrugged her shoulders slightly her wings would flutter erratically, causing her to stumble. They found a boulder and sat in the sun waiting for Fanas return.

  The girls saw the tiny figure of Fana in the distance first and then a moment later they saw several other figures. The small group reached the girls’ minutes later with Fana in the lead. Dagmar saw a two familiar faces among the four strangers and she jumped up to greet her language tutor Ripple and her friend Dusk. She stumbled a little as she moved her arms and her wings yet again fluttered and she lost balance “OOH I wish I could put them away already. I am SO SICK of falling over all the time” she grumbles as she reached her two friends reaching out to hug them both. “I see you are growing up little one.” said Dusk smiling and hugging her back, looking admiringly at the girls wings. Oh Dagmar we were so worried when we could not find you in the caverns AND then Moonbeam walked in as nice as can be and asked ‘what is everyone so worried about she is only a human pest’. Well that set everybody off, Sunna sent out every patrol she could and all the young ones were sent to look for you in every little corner.” Ripple said all this while hugging her friend tight and after having released her continued “I had a terrible feeling that Moonbeam had something to do with your disappearance. So I went looking for Moonbeam to confront her. I found her alright. She was going through you things and was ready to steal the lot if Dusk had not followed me and then walked in and scared the life out of her!” said Ripple with pride as she looked at her idol. “To make a long story short, Dagmar we found out that it was Moonbeam who pushed you and so we began searching the rivers and streams.” Finished Dusk impatiently, glancing at Ripple.

  They were interrupted by Fana and Sunna who walked to where the girls were standing. As they reached the cluster of girls Sunna reached out and took Dagmar into her arms “Oh you poor darling. To have been subjected to such meanness and cruelty by one of my children, oh how can we ever make it up to you sweetling?” she held the girl at arm’s length to scrutinise her “You look unharmed for the whole incident but Fana told me you had become very ill after they fished you out of the water.” Sunna told the girl. “But what happened to Moonbeam? Did she get into HEAPS of trouble?” asked Dagmar. Sunna looked a little shocked at the passion and force of the words “Yes sweetling she did get into a lot of trouble. She endangered a life, which on its own is punishable by exile. We did not take the matter THAT far though because of her tender age. She has been taken to a different river clan and will have to work very hard to be able to join us again as a trusted member. Is that good enough punishment sweetling?” asked Sunna. “Yes it is! Thank you.” replied the girl.

  Sunna turned to Fana, indicating to a male to join them and began walking toward the camp. Ripple and Dusk remained with the girls as they made themselves comfortable for a nice long catch up. “Fawn I would like to introduce my teacher of runes Ripple. We had such fun learning them and since then they have been very helpful. Ripple I have a question, something I have only just now remembered. What does ‘amin delotha lle’ mean? It only just now popped into my head and I want to know.” All three looked aghast, “Who said that to you Dagmar?” asked Dusk with a very serious face. “Those were the last words I heard before I went into the water. What does it MEAN?” demanded the girl. Dusk cleared her throat “It means ‘I hate you’ and it is something we DO NOT SAY, because it is such a cruel phrase” explained Dusk, still a little shaken by the words which had come out of Moonbeam. They remained silent for a long time, either wandering around or paddling their feet in the water.

  Sunna and Fana called them all to the camp and began by introducing the stranger “Girl I would like you to meet Ragnar who is joining us for the rest of the journey to the palace, where he is to meet up with his mother. Ragnar this is Fawn and Dagmar. Please make him feel welcome girls.” The boy smiled shyly “Merry Meet Fawn and Dagmar. It is very nice to meet you both. I heard that one of you has just had her gifting. I have also have just had my gifting.” “Oh that would be Dagmar!” said Fawn “What have you been gifted Ragnar?” she asked in return. The boy looked a little embarrassed “I have some minor gifts, that’s all.” he replied. Dusk, Fawn, Ripple and Dagmar looked at him expectantly “AND?” they all asked in unison. “I have the trackers sense, healing touch, the gift of empathy and communication with trees and animals and herbal knowledge, which we sort of worked out because it took me no time at all to learn all the herbs and then find new ones and stuff like that. What about you Dagmar? What are your gifts?” he asked as their sky blue eyes met and locked ‘she is pretty’ Dagmar jumped when she heard those words. “What did you just say?” “Ummm, nothing! Why?” “Because I am sure I just heard you say something. Didn’t you three hear him say anything?” she turned to her friends. They all shook their heads “His mouth didn’t open. We heard nothing. You must be over tired and hallucinating Dagmar” said Dusk, hoping to calm the girl down. Dagmar looked a little ashamed “Maybe I did imagine it. Anyway MY gifts are empathy and communication, just like you but I have it with animals, trees, humans and fae, as well as the trackers sense and healing touch. So we have nearly similar gifts. I have also just grown my wings and will learn to put them away soon.” Explained the girl, trying make up for her outburst, as in response to the mention of their existence, her wings fluttered and nearly sent the girl sprawling into Ragnars arms.

  A lot of giggling and embarrassed fidgeting resulted from that small incident. Dusk shook her head and went in search of Sunna and Fana, in the hope of finding something to separate the girls from poor Ragnar. She found the two women chatting as they prepared food for the hungry group, relieved that she was not disturbing them she walked over to where they were sitting under a tree “Excuse me gentle mothers, I was wondering if there was some task that Ragnar could possibly perform. He is in need of rescue from three girls.” said Dusk in a quiet voice. Sunna looked up at Dusk in disbelief and Fana began to chuckle “What is it they are doing to the poor boy?” asked Sunna. “Well Dagmar and Ragnar were telling each other what gifts they had just received and then Dagmar accused of saying something but he had not even moved his lips. It was all a little awkward and then her wings fluttered and she nearly ended up in his arms. All a bit funny BUT I am not comfortable with Niamh’s fosterling to mingle with girl at the moment. He is new to his gifts and he has similar gifts to what Dagmar has been given from what I gathered. This also concerns me because they would both be sensitive with their empathy.” stated Dusk flatly. The two women looked at each other and thought. Fana then had an idea “We need some fish! Could you go and ask Ragnar to come and see use please Dusk.” With a broad smile Dusk turned to do Fanas bidding. Sunna looked at Fana “We must see how strong these gifts are. Being able to empathise and communicate with humans and fae would mean that maybe Dagmar could have picked up on a thought of Ragnars. I am curious as to how strong our sweetling is.”

  Dusk wandered back to where the young ones were and announced that she and Ragnar, if he wanted to, were going to go and catch some fish for their evening meal. The boy looked at Dusk in delight and smiled from ear to ear. “We need to get a few things and then we can head off” said Dusk to the eager boy. They both walked back to the camp to gather the items needed for the task ahead. Ragnar accepted the basket offered by Fana and turned to go. Dusk, who was watching him, thought to herself that he looked as delighted as she felt about going fishing. They received a parcel each and a flask which went into the basket. The boy then stopped and c
hecked the small dagger which he had in a holster on his ankle and then its big brother that was at his belt. Satisfied that all was ready, he set off towards one of the arms of the river. With no further ado Dusk turned and also left the camp with a wave and a promise to return with some nice fish.

  Fawn suggested they go into the small meadow which they could see from their camp, so that Dagmar could practice controlling her wings. They had explained to her that once she learnt to control her wings she could then learn to put them away. The rest agreed and they all set off, as they walked Ripple and Fawn let THEIR wings out. Ripple had small wings, that were the length from her elbow to tip of her finger, and were a translucent blue and looked very delicate, yet strong enough to lift the girl and carry her a little way along. “Oh yours are so pretty Ripple!” said Fawn. All three began to do little fluttering jumps which as Ripple explained was how she learnt to control and strengthen her wings and it was fun as well because they turned it into a game of tag. Without realising it, Dagmar began to have control over her wings and could fly longer and further with every flutter. The other two girls had also noticed and had begun to fly further which made for much more fun as well. By the time Dusk and Ragnar returned from their fishing expedition Dagmar was able to perform small aerobatic manoeuvres with Fawn and Ripple.

  The basket which Dusk and the boy took with them was overflowing with different kinds of fish and there were also some herbs and berries in a separate reed basket that Dusk had made. The three girls arrived just in time to hear how Ragnar was catching fish without line or bait but his bare hands. “So you are telling us that you saw him do this Dusk?” Fana was asking incredulously looking with amazement at the boy. Dusk nodded saying “Yes! He put his hands in the water and stand very still and then BAM” clapping her hands together very hard “he would jump and pull out a fish. It was amazing to watch.” Sunna was inspecting the fish and saw that they were not as many as she first thought and after closely inspecting the five very large fish she turned to the boy “I see you only brought males and only large adults. Why is that?” “I have spent every waking moment out of doors since I can remember and have spent nearly as much time with the trackers and hunters. They have taught me how to fish without bait, they call in ‘noodling’ and to identify the fishes breed and gender, only take what you will eat that day, unless storing for the cold season and they also taught me how to clean, gut and fillet.” explained the boy. Sunna looked very impressed with his answer and began to prepare an area for the cooking fire.

  Fana set the three girls and Dusk the task to finding wood for the fire and Ragnar to digging a small pit for the fire and surround it with medium size rocks. In no time they had a fire pit with a lovely fire in it and slowly the smell of fish cooking wrapped in large leaves buried in the hot coals was drawing everybody to the fire. Fana had produced a kettle and was boiling water for some nice hot tea to have with their meal whilst Sunna was making small bread rolls in a large heavy pot with a tight fitting lid that somehow came out of the bag which Sunna had brought with her. She had called it her portable oven and soup pot and handled it with loving pride. The girls had worn themselves out with the afternoon’s activities and were sitting, leaning against a large tree trunk. Fawn and Ripple had shown how Dagmar could put her wings away once she had total control over them and now for the first time in days the girl could totally relax.

  Dagmar could feel her eye lids drooping as she sat and listened to the mumble of conversation and all the other activities in the camp. It was very peaceful and with the sound of the river in the back ground there was nothing more for the girl to do then to let her eyes close and be done with it. A male voice was chattering away in a language the girl could not understand and thought as much ‘Oh you can hear me! I was wondering if you were going to be ignorant or if you could truly not hear me’ ‘Who are you and where are you?’ asked Dagmar. ‘I am your back rest’ said the voice with a chuckle ‘My what? Oh! You are the tree spirit from the tree I am leaning against’ ‘Phew! Yes I am and I am glad you worked it out so quickly. Well done! Now then. Merry Meet I am Carad Findl, you may call me Cara, and who might you be?’ Dagmar sat quietly and thought about what she was hearing and then thought ‘Merry Meet Cara, I am Dagmar.’ The girl introduced herself enjoying the fact she was having a silent conversation with a very nice tree. ‘I am so pleased to make your acquaintance Dagmar. It has been a long time since I have had visitors. Not may remember who we are, then again not many of us remember who we once were.’ ‘Oh that sounds sad. Not remembering who you once were. How could you forget?’ asked the girl ‘Well we don’t get many visitors and so we don’t have much opportunity to introduce ourselves and then there is the BECOMING A TREE. Something a lot of the ancient ones have chosen to do. All these trees around here used to be some body and now they are just trees and I am the only one left. I wonder, should I do the same?’ Dagmar was horrified at the thought of Cara just disappearing and becoming a silent tree ‘Oh no Cara don’t do that. The Four Falls clan live close by, what if I tell one of my friends from there that has the same gift, to come and visit with you.’ the tree was silent ‘Maybe they remember Red Hair! Oh that would be nice. Yes go and ask them and I will be happy to converse with them.’ with that the tree remained silent for the rest of Dagmars snooze.

  “Come and have your meal girls! Come on girls what are you all doing? Oh I see! Sleeping! Come on you lot.” said a laughing Fana, who found all three, fast asleep leaning against the tree. They all jumped with fright as they woke up “Oh Fana. You scared us!” said a grumpy Fawn, rubbing her eyes and having a big stretch. The others followed suit and stretched, yawned and rubbed sleepy eyes. Then the smell of the evening meal drifted their way and the girls sniffed the lovely aroma and leapt to their feet. “Oh that smells just wonderful. I am so hungry!” said Fawn as she stood up and offered her two friends a hand each to help them up. They all stood and sniffed the air and began walking as if in a trance towards to food.

  They all had a plate with a large piece of fish with a nice herb sauce, a large bread roll and some green leaves and small roasted roots. Dagmar bit with relish into the roots and discovered that they were potatoes but they had a gently sweet flavour to them, she asked “What do you call these?” Sunna replied “We call it ‘Sweet root’ or ‘Lisse Thond’ sweetling. Do you like it?” “Yes Sunna, it has such a gentle yet sweet flavour and it goes nicely with the fish.” replied the girl. Everyone had second helping and they still had a small amount of fish left after everybody’s hunger was sated. The left over fish was placed on a bowl shaped leaf as were all the other left over foods in separate leaves and then they were taken a little way from camp and reverently placed on a large flat rock. “Why did Sunna, Fana and Dusk just take all the leftover food and place it over there?” “We give the leftover food from a feast such as this to the Taura Vakha, Forest Guardians as a tribute and in thanks.” answered Ragnar glancing sideways at the girl with a quizzical look on his face. Ripple saw this look and answered his unspoken question “Dagmar only arrived her a while ago from the human realm. It is all a mystery as to how BUT we know the why. She had her gifting because she has strong fae blood in her. There are still many things she is learning and she is a fast learner. In less than a day she learnt how to read rune writing and since leaving Four Falls she has learnt to speak the fae tongue.” The boy nodded in comprehension but they could all see that he had many more questions, which he kept to himself. After everyone helped clean up they all went to bed so that an early start could be had.

  The next morning they all woke before dawn and decided to have a small breaking of the fast and then continued their journey. Everyone was in a very good mood and laughed and joked until Fana called a break so they could have their mid-day meal. All were surprised at how much time had elapsed and then all agreed that they were indeed hungry and began making preparations for a feast of bread, which was
left Sunna baked before she went to bed the night before and cheese and berries. After all had eaten and things were packed away they set off again. Dusk made a comment that they should not be too far away from the palace now as they topped a low hill and saw the palace at their feet.

  Return

  They made their way down the other side of the hill and saw that their arrival had already been noted and a large group was gathering at the gates. As they neared Dagmar could make out Titania and Niamh, with the Queen in the lead nearly running towards them. Dagmar let her wings out and flew the rest of the way. Both Niamh and Titania stopped in mid stride and gaped as Dagmar made her way toward them. As the girl landed, not yet very gracefully but she did not fall, both women ran to her asking many questions all at once. They both stopped suddenly and looked more closely at the girl who stood in front of them. “By the Goddess, I can see you have had the gifting BUT you have certainly changed since I have last seen you my sweetling.” said Titania as she reached out and gave Dagmar a big hug. Niamh then took her place also giving her a big hug, spotting Ragnar over the girls shoulder she gently pushed Dagmar way and went to embrace her son.

  There was much hugging and greeting of friends not seen in a long time but slowly they made their way to through the gates and into the palace garden. Tables were being set as they entered, in preparation of the welcome feast that evening. Niamh took her son and went to their home chambers to catch up. Titania took Dagmars hand and led her with the rest of the group following close behind and led them to their respective rooms, having left Dagmars for last they arrived at a round door. When Titania flung open the door the girl let out a gasp. The room was dominated by a round bed with a massive canopy, a beautiful little table with a dainty mirror were set to one side and a large wardrobe dominated another wall with a pretty screen sectioning off another area next to the closet. All were in shades of blue and green and gave the room a peaceful and calm atmosphere which Dagmar noticed immediately. “When did you come into your gifts sweetling?” asked Titania “It was about five or six days ago when I had my gifting ceremony with the Wise Ones, Rhiannon and Falcon and about three or four days ago that my wings grew out. I had no idea that all this was part of me. I wonder if Oma and Opa knew about this?” replied the girl. “Ah! Yes! Your wings. By the Goddess you DID surprise us when you flew over. You have done well considering you frightened me half to death.” finished Titania in a slightly choked voice. Dagmar felt terrible and went over to hug the woman “I did not mean to have all this happen. I went for a little walk then I saw what I thought was a fish and it turned out to be Moonbeam. She then dragged me to Four Falls and then pushed me into the water and I nearly drowned until Fana found me and made me better and brought me back.” gushed the girl trying to appease Titania. The woman listened and smiled at the girl “Oh sweetling all is well now that you are safe and back here.”

  “Here sweetling, a nice bath and then after a light meal we can talk.” Titania led the girl to the screen and walked behind it to reveal a large bath shaped like a water lily. The water was steaming and looked very inviting. Without another word the girl striped and climbed into the hot water with a heartfelt sigh escaping her lip. Titania made herself busy finding the soap and lathering up the girls back noticing the tiny extra bump on the shoulder blades, then as she rinsed the lather off Dagmars back she saw that the white tattoo design had continued onto her shoulders and down her back. The design was very beautiful with gentle spirals and also gentle curves which had a leaf shaped ending that inter locked with other curves and if she squinted Titania could see runes underneath all that in various places which could also be seen faintly on Dagmar’s arms and hands. The tattoo ended at the base of her spine and was not on her chest or legs. “What do you think of your lovely decoration sweetling?” asked the woman “I think it is pretty but why has it appeared? Do I have any on my back? I have not been able to look and we have been busy getting my wings under control.” asked the girl. Titania looked at the girl “We will have to remedy that after you have finished bathing. Yes you do have it on your back. the design on your arms and face is continued and ends at the base of your spine. It is of the same shading and depth of colour, or should I say lack, it is subtle and beautiful none the less. On your face it draws attention to your lovely eyes although the design on your face has more leafy curves and spirals then there is on your back. There are more spirals on your back. But you will see all that very soon. Now let us get your hair washed. “said Titania as she reached for a small jar of sweet smelling cream scooped some into her palm, then she wet the girls hair and began rubbing until the cream turned into a jasmine and rose smelling lather. Then she helped the girl rinse it all out and as Dagmar stood, Titania held a large fluffy and soft sheet for the girl to wrap herself in and the woman then began rubbing the girls legs and back vigorously drying it in the process. After having dried off a soft long cape was placed around Dagmars shoulders by Titania who then led the girl to the wardrobe and opened both large doors, revealing two large mirrors that folded out from the doors. “When you angle them right you can see both the front and back of one side. Come and stand here and I will angle them. Ah here we go, nearly got it. There can you see sweetling?” asked Titania. Dagmar nodded; as she caught sight of her back her lips formed a silent ‘OH’, she stood and stared at her back and then moved around and closely scrutinised her shoulders. “Oh it is beautiful! I absolutely love it! Why did I get them though?” replied the girl as she met Titanias eyes in the mirror “I honestly have no idea why some have the marks and yet most don’t get them. Possibly the Goddess has marked you for something special.” suggested the woman with a little chuckle. “I will leave you for a little while my sweetling. There is a wonderful gown for you to wear for the feast tonight, it is already hanging behind the screen. Could I ask you to have your wings out tonight please, we will all let our wings out. The dress is made for wings so I can’t see you having a problem BUT if you do please call someone to help you. I understand that this is all very new to you so PLEASE, do not hesitate to ask for assistance.” with that comment Titania was out the door, closing it gently behind her.

  Dagmar adjusted the fluffy floor length cape luxuriating in the feel on her skin. Looking into the wardrobe after noticing earlier that there were items hanging neatly in a row, she found some absolutely divine gowns of varying colours. A deep blue gown with a silver sheen and long silver sleeves caught her eye first, then a forest green one with also with long sleeves which were a deep warm brown with gold woven though the material also there was one that changed colour with every movement of the material. Dagmar stood mesmerised by the ever changing colours as she moved her hand slightly and the light touched the dress at a different angle and the colour went from deep mauve to a blackish green and then to an indigo blue. Having had enough of the gowns she then looked at the floor of the wardrobe and saw that there were matching slippers for each dress. She then walked over to the small table with the dainty mirror discovering as she got closer that there were several items neatly laid out as well as several small jars and tiny bottles. Dagmar picked up the brush and felt the bristles and then proceeded to brush her long golden ringlets, which relaxed her so much she decided to explore the rest of the room after she had a little nap. She put down the brush and went over to the massive bed, crawled into the centre, snuggled into the pillows and fell asleep.

  Dagmar woke up as the light in the room became a little too dark to read by but still able to see everything clearly. She yawned and stretched then climbed off the bed and washed her face in a small bowl which had a jug full of cold water next to it. Dagmar decided it must be time to get dressed for the feast, with that thought in mind she went to the wardrobe but then remembered there was another gown waiting for her behind the screen, she turned and peeped behind the screen. What she saw made her eyes bulge with shock. There hung the most exquisite gown she had ever
seen in her life. It was a cloud of gossamer silk which upon closer inspection was silver spider web silk, she wished Illona or Adella were there to explain it all to her. It was white but glistened in all the colours of the rainbow as it moved. The sleeves were that long they dragged on the ground and they were embroidered at the hem with sparkling little crystals and when the girl looked at the bodice she saw that it was also embroidered with delicately small crystals that sparkled and glistened. The under dress was just as splendid as the dress itself and it was also made of white spider silk. She dropped the cape and stepped into the under dress, slipped her arms into the holes and then ever so carefully she stepped into the gown putting her arms into the long sleeves she then realised that this dress had a very low back. She wriggled a little bit to adjust the dress and then looked on the floor and saw delicate little slippers which had long ribbons to tie around the ankle and leg, matching the dress perfectly. After putting them on and tying them up she went to brush her hair and remembered the small jars and decided to have a look in them. She opened a small jar and found it to have a kind of cream that also had glitter in it, she dipped her fingertip into the jar and then rubbed a little on the back of her hand and found that all she could see was a faint shimmer as she moved her hand. Another jar had a very pretty jasmine and rose smell to it and another smelled of lavender, a very small jar had a powder in it which Dagmar had no idea where it would be used. The girl decided to put a little of the glimmer cream on her cheeks and a little on her eye lids, looking at her reflection in the small mirror she saw that it had a very nice effect.

  Just as Dagmar was putting the finishing touched to her hair and she was slowly letting her wings out there was a gentle knock on the door. “Come in” called the girl and Titania opened the door and stepped into the room. The woman wore a midnight blue gown with clusters of small glittering crystals in spiral patterns and a small silver crown set in her auburn hair setting off her high lights even more. She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw the girl, her mouth slightly agape Titania walked over to where Dagmar stood and touched a small knob on the wall, light sprung from hidden crevices all over the room. In front of Titania stood a very beautiful faery with long golden ringlets which ended a little past her waist with gold shimmering wings in a white shimmering gown. “By the Goddess my child you have grown since our last feast. And I don’t just mean in height but in many other ways apart from the obvious wings as well. I can't put my finger on it but you have changed, all in a good way sweetling!” said Titania when she finished walking around the girl inspecting every detail. “I feel like I am in a dream wearing this dress and having wings! Titania how will I explain this to Oma and Opa?” “Oh sweetling I am very sure that they will be much more understanding then you give them credit for. When you disappeared as you have already been told I had everybody searching everywhere, I also made the decision to go and see your grandparents. I saw them and spoke to them about what had happened, they had suspected as much and were very relieved that you were in safe hands, well a safe place, we all prayed. I have known your grandparents for a very long time my sweetling and I know in my heart of hearts that they are very proud of you.” explained Titania hoping she was putting the girls mind at ease. Dagmar looked at the woman incredulously “You went through the curtain? But you said it was too thick at the moment and we had to wait. How did you do that and not do that for me when I first arrived?” asked the girl a little sharply. Titania looked a little surprised but understood that the girl was angry had her reason, calmly and patiently she explained “Sweetling it is too dangerous because only those of very pure fae blood can travel through the curtain even at its thickest but any others will perish. We had no idea how much fae blood runs in your veins and did not want to risk your safety or health, it was an easy decision to make sweetling believe me. When I decided to visit your grandparents it was because I needed to know who you were and how much fae blood you have. After visiting with your lovely Oma and your very wonderful Opa it all became very clear. To you it is still all very confusing because I am not making much sense. All will be explained during the course of the evening. Be patient my love.”

  What else could the girl do, Titania was not going to give her any more information until she was ready, so Dagmar decided to do a twirl in her dress for the woman to admire. Titania clapped her hands in glee and then reached into her long sleeve and brought out a long slim package and handed it to the girl “Here sweetling. I was going to wait until later but I think you should wear it as we enter the feast. This is my gifting gift, which I know sounds silly but we give small gifts to newly gifted young ones.” She handed it to the girl, who began unwrapping immediately. After the first layer of coloured leaves cushioned in spider silk was a delicate little tiara which Titania immediately took and set it in Dagmar’s hair. She moved the girl to the big wardrobe mirror by the shoulders and stood behind the girl to adjust it to her liking. All that the girl could see was a beautiful girl with a glittering tiara in a gown that is out of a dream. Not a word came out of her mouth as she stared at her reflection. “Come sweetling. The feast awaits! Let us go and join the rest of this merry crowd.” She then let out her wings and took the girls hand and flew slowly out of the window.

  There was an immense cheer, as they appeared on the fringe of the crowd, was deafening and startled the girl a little and she nearly forgot to keep fluttering her wings. Titania waved to the crowd, which parted, as they flew lower to land near the platform, both landed at the same time with the cheering was still going on. They walked up the steps still holding hands, they were met by a large man with a shock of blond curls held down by a thick silver band and a broad smile on his face. He held out his large hands, one for Titania and the other for Dagmar and as they grasped his hand he pulled them up the rest of the way and against his barrel chest into a massive embrace. “Ah wife it is good to see you. But then any separation from you feels an eternity until we are together again.” He said whilst kissing Titanias delicate little hand which rested in the man’s massive one. “Oh Oberon, you silly man. I love you my treasure. Please behave yourself. I would like to introduce you to Dagmar, if you don’t mind.” with those words she gently pushed the girl forward slightly.