Invitation
The palace was a hive of activity by the time Falcon and Dagmar returned. “What is going on? What is all this activity for?” asked Falcon one of the busy faeries as she busily walked past them with her arms full of colourful material. “We are having another special feast tomorrow evening Gentle Father.” she replied. “And what is this feast in aid of?” he asked “I am not sure sir. We were all told this mid-morning that we were having a big celebration and we have been busy sorting and organising since then. That is all I know sir.” the faery answered. They decided to go in search of food and information in the one place both would be in abundance. As they entered they were bombarded by the hustle and bustle of the heart of the palace and then their nostrils were besieged with mouth-watering smells of all kinds. Feeorin spotted the pair and came to greet them “Oh sweetling, I am SO happy to see you! After you disappeared we were all so worried and upset. When we heard you were alright and safe, I must admit that a lot of us had a little party to celebrate such marvellous news.” “Merry Meet Feeorin, I am sorry to have caused so much worry. I would like to introduce you to Falcon the Wise One.” Feeorin turned to Falcon “Merry Meet gentle father, it is such an honour to meet you, sir” she said with awe in her voice and then performed a deep courtesy. “Merry Meet, Feeorin. Please don’t make a fuss; I am but a simple man. I see that our sweetling here has touched many hearts and that is good.” replied the man “we are looking for two things, the first is some food, if you have any to spare and the second is to find out what this celebration feast tomorrow evening is for.” Laughing heartily Feeorin replied “with the food I can surely help you both; the feast is a total mystery to me. I was asked to make my most wonderful recipes but what is actually happening? No idea, I was sort of hoping you could tell me.” she said with a wink and a smile.
“Let me see what tit bits I can find you. How hungry are you and what would you prefer? Fruit or something a little more substantial?” Feeorin asked. “I am thinking something a little more substantial would be good. We have been busy flying with bird and talking to worms. I am learning to use one of my gifts.” explained the girl. Feeorin looked at them and shook her head as she walked away as she mumbled “Flying with birds? Talking to worms?” Falcon and Dagmar found two stools and wanting to stay out of the way of all the busy kitchen staff they sat down and waited for the chief cook to return. A little while later Feeorin returned with a small basket with a colourful cloth tucked over the top “In here my lovelies you will find some nice fresh bread rolls, some cheese, a few pieces of fruit and two containers of fresh fruit juice. Do you think that will be enough?” “Oh Feeorin I do believe that will keep us going for a while. Thank you so much.” replied Falcon as he took the basket off her hands. As they left the kitchen many smiling faces watched them go.
After they left the kitchen they headed for a small secluded grassy area which had high green hedges which had many small colourful blossoms around three sides with the fourth side being the wall of the palace. A small arch opening gave them access to this area without having to having to walk through the palace proper. As they settled at one of the small round tables they uncovered the basket to see what the chief cook had given them. They were overwhelmed with Feeorins generosity as they kept pulling out more and more lovely food as well as a lovely cloth for their table. As they set their small picnic table they found that not only had she packed lovely fresh bread and cheese but also some sweet spread made from berries as well as some of the chief cooks speciality ‘Sun Blessing’ which was a yellow wobbly substance and very tasty, as Dagmar remembered from the picnic with Titania. “What is this yellow wobbly stuff?” the man asked Dagmar, who was feeling very pleased with herself because she had knowledge to impart instead of the other way around. “Feeorin invented this and she calls it ‘Sun Blessing’ and it is very yummy. We should leave that for the end because it is so special.” she suggested. They sat in silence and ate with the occasional delighted and appreciative sounds being made by them.
Just as Falcon and Dagmar were finishing off the ‘Sun Blessing’ as Rhiannon and Titania arrived. “I told you we would find them eating somewhere Titania. I know my darling husband too well.” Rhiannon said to Titania who laughed at that saying “Yes after being together for as long as you two have been, you are bound to know each other inside and out. Oberon and I are similar.” The two ladies slowly strolled toward the eating pair, as they neared, Falcon got up from his seat and greeted his wife affectionately and said “You, my darling know me better than I know myself.” with a chuckle. He then turned to Titania and bowed elegantly whilst he took her hand and kissing her palm gently “Would you two lovely ladies care to join us? Dagmar and I can tell you about the conversations with earth worms and other fascinating creatures.” he said with a wink directed at the girl, who grinned cheekily. The two ladies laughed “Earth worms!?” asked Titania. Falcon found two chairs and positioned them at the table and helped the women to their seats “Thank you Falcon” said Rhiannon and Titania together. “So what DID you do?” asked Titania looking at the girl. “Falcon helped me to learn to use my gift, to communicate with animals. It was hard and all I managed to find was a rabbit and an earth worm. Worms tickle inside your head when you talk to them.” they all laughed at that. “Falcon then suggested I go flying with the birds AND we DID! It was a little scary at first but Falcon was right there with me so I wasn’t frightened for long. It was amazing!” continued the girl. Falcon was looking very pleased with himself and grinned “I don’t manage to take many with me to go flying with the bird’s sweetling. Many who have this gift just can’t get past having their minds leave the ground and fly free. You are a very brave young soul and I am more than happy to take you flying again AND maybe one day you can take me.” re-joined the man.
They continued to chat for a while and then Titania became serious “Sweetling tomorrow evening we are having a celebration in yours and Ragnars honour. There will be many people who will be attending. I would like to invite you to come to my private garden this evening.” Dagmar looked at Titania and Rhiannon with a quizzical look “Yes certainly Titania. Is there something wrong? You look so serious at the moment that I feel as if I did something wrong and am about to get into trouble.” “Oh no my darling sweetling, you have done NOTHING wrong. There are some things I would like to share with you.” replied Titania in a calm voice. Rhiannon turned to Titania and asked Titania “Were we not meant to go and see how Feeorin is coping with all this extra cooking?” “Oh dear. Yes we were. Let us go and see if we can help. We will see you later.” The women got up with Rhiannon turning to her husband with a big smile on her face “Please don’t lead our sweetling astray my darling.” bent down and kissed his cheek.
After the women left the girl was still not sure about the evening’s invitation and Falcon saw the look of concern on her face “I would not worry too much darling little one. Titania is a good woman who does not let the grass grow under her feet, if there were trouble she would have spoken to you immediately.” he said in a soothing voice. They sat in silence for a while, both deep in thought. “Come sweetling, let us clean up our mess and then we can find something else to do.” Dagmar nodded in agreement and they set to the task. “I think I might go and have a little sleep. All that talking to animals and flying with birds is exhausting.” said the girl after they finished cleaning up “You do look a bit tired little one. Go and have asleep and I will come and wake you when it is near meal time.” answered the man with a gentle smile.