Page 55 - The Black Deer and Charlie Rabbit

The Black Deer and Charlie Rabbit 53
‘But Badger said ...’ She paused. ‘Very well, Edward. Bryony! I want you to invite the fairy kingdom into the residence. Please do so light-heartedly so as not to frighten them.’
Inside the circular reception room, Sophia stood to one side as the fairies, gnomes and elves filed inside. She looked around to make sure that the doors had been secured and the windows shut tight.
Her soft blue eyes scanned the figures in front of her. She had known and loved them dearly for a long time and this was the second occasion that she had to address them in terrible and troublesome circumstances.
The first was in the forest just before they fled to safety after a thunderbolt destroyed the Moonbeam Tree; their only source of fairy dust.
‘My life is in danger. Badger, myself and the animals who live in the wildlife garden believe that a fairy, possibly from another kingdom, is ready to take my crown.’
There were gasps all around. Sophia went on to tell them about the committee of animals that were monitoring Barns Wood, Coopers Wood, and the valley. The gnomes were to behave as usual and go about their business. The fairies and elves must rise and sleep as always and follow their routine of visiting the children in Kemps Heath village every evening unless told otherwise by Badger or herself.
On no account must they take instructions from anyone else. Tonight, Sophia said, she would be lying in her hammock in the enchanted garden, waiting for the fairies to return home.