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Trouble in Fairyland

  By

  Beth Sadler

  Copyright Beth Sadler 2014

  This book is written in Australian English.

  Cover Copyright Beth Sadler 2014

  This book is dedicated to my granddaughter, Rydah Finney

  Prologue

  Princess Rydah Finney was a very, very fun loving fairy. In fact she was so full of fun and laughter that she quivered, all the way from the top of her glistening, gold hair, to the tips of her velvet, rosy red slippers. Her iridescent wings vibrated with multi-coloured energy; ready to whoosh her up into the tree tops or down a rabbit burrow the very minute that the thought entered her head.

  It has to be said though, that although she was an extremely loving and kind fairy, her parents despaired of her every staying out of trouble.

  Only last week she had spotted a young owl in the enchanted forest and challenged it to a race. It was all in the name of good fun but, somehow Rydah had sped off-course and ended up caught in the branches of Old Man Oak. A very lucky place to be caught as it happened. Oak had spent hundreds of years keeping young fairies and goblins out of trouble.

  Spreading his silky leaves quickly into a thick bed he had managed to avert disaster by softening her landing. Rydah had untangled her wings from the middle of the foliage, and giggling merrily had declared she was the winner of the race. Old Man Oak simply sighed and released her into the magical fairyland day, there to play more havoc among the residents.

  With a snappy rustle, he majestically returned his branches and leaves to the perfect position for catching the brilliant island sunlight----and of course the odd fairy or two.

  ******

  It probably would help the reader to know a little of the island, and its inhabitants, before telling the rest of this story. So, all you who have now entered these pages of Fairyland; please be welcome to share our lives and history for a little while.

  Chapter 1

  Long ago, in the distant mists of time, it was said that the fairy population had escaped from the mainland to protect their secrets from ordinary people; mortals who were bent on stealing their magic. A few unwise marriages between fairies and mortals had led to secrets being revealed to unscrupulous males; men who had wooed beautiful fairies, only to steal their powers.

  Now, Magic Mudlo Island was their secret fortress, protected by a powerful goblin spell that barred outsiders from seeing the fairy population. A place ruled by magic, and invisible to humans unless they had the purest of hearts.

  The forests and meadows were populated with pixies and goblins. Fairies hovered in the trees and all were safe from discovery by their human neighbours, thanks to the powerful goblin spell.

  Humans went about their business with frantic haste, rushing off to catch ferries to work and shop on the mainland. Busily painting their homes and mowing their lawns. To the human population of Magic Mudlo Island, a computer, telephone and internet was all the magic they knew.

  Little did they know that they shared their lives and land with real magic? They never guessed that their island homes weren’t exactly as they saw them. So, it caused no more than a stir of interest when they felt a flutter in their hair, or a tug on their ties----just the wind they thought---never realising that a fairy had just tidied them up for their trip to work.

  Magic Mudlo had very strict rules that no one had ever broken for fear of the consequences. No one knew what the consequences were, but all magical inhabitants lived in fear of breaking them just the same.

  The average fairy lived for 150 years, therefore it was fairly obvious that the rulers had to think long term, if they were to keep order and protect the magic.

  Rydah Finney was a third generation Island Fairy. She came from a long line of royal blood that hadn’t inter- married with humans for over 500 years; a very royal and distinguished line.

  Unfortunately Rydah was the next in-line----- not a fun position at all.

  Chapter 2

  Our story today begins on a beautiful sunny day in the magical forest on Mudlo. It was a forest hidden from the human inhabitant’s eyes by a very strong spell. A spell that was separate from the goblin spell that guarded the whole island.

  Tropical flowers sweetly scented the cooling breeze on its way through the lush meadows to the emerald sea. Exotic flowers bloomed that had no names, only a beauty to take your breath away. This was the world of magic and enchantment that Rydah and her family and friends inhabited.

  Amongst all of this beauty, Rydah sat on a giant toadstool, miserable and very much in trouble. For sitting on the opposite stools were her parents and grandparents; the present rulers of Magic Mudlo. For once her wings weren’t vibrating with energy, as she listened with her head drooping, to her father’s chastisement.

  She knew of course that he was right---that she shouldn’t have had the owl race and ended up flustering Master Oak. Or, that when she had tried to join the rabbit for a carrot lunch that she shouldn’t have got stuck in his burrow. Sometimes she just didn’t get the shrinking spell right and of course, she had been in too big a hurry for lunch with Bertie to make sure.

  She definitely should have checked that she was small enough before zooming down the tunnel and getting stuck. Rydah had made one quick right turn, and then come to a sudden halt as she’d stuck tight to the sides of the burrow. Bertie Rabbit had thought it a hilarious joke, and so too had Rydah. They laughed so hard that she just couldn’t concentrate on the shrinking spell, and kept getting bigger and bigger. Not a good thing to happen to Bertie’s burrow.

  Luckily—or not---just about then her father, Prince Ethan, had passed by and seeing her problem had quickly waved his wand and shrunk her; then pulled her backwoods out of the burrow by her rosy red shoes. That little incident was why she was now sad and drooping as she listened to her father’s lecture.

  “Rydah Finney, you are a scatterbrained, impulsive fairy.” Prince Ethan sighed with impatience as he continued his lecture. “One day you will be the ruler of this island and all of our subjects will be depending on you. You will have to make wise decisions and look after them.”

  Wringing his hands together he gave her a final stern instruction. “You must learn to think before you act in future or I will be forced to discipline you.”

  Hearing these words Rydah’s mother looked shocked and worried.

  “Ethan dear,” she whispered. “We have never smacked Ry, don’t you think that is a bit harsh?”

  Ethan worried over her words in silence for several minutes while all of the forest waited for his reply.

  “No Princess Lisa, if she doesn’t make an effort to mend her ways then I will be forced to administer a sharp smack to her bottom.”

  The whole forest gasped. Sighs of disbelief echoed through the tree-tops. Burrows shook and toadstools shivered. Prince Ethan was obviously serious. Waving a regal hand to quiet the forest, he spoke more gently to Rydah.

  “You know that I would never willingly hurt you. However, you are my heir and you must start to accept your responsibilities. Our people depend on us for care and protection.”

  Smiling over at Princess Lisa to firstly reassure her, he then continued speaking to Rydah. “Do not be too unhappy my daughter. We all must grow up eventually and happiness can come in many forms. You will find that caring for our island brings its own kind of fun.”

  Studying Ry’s face carefully, he then dropped his bombshell. “Your grandparents, mother and I must leave the island tomorrow for a few days.”

  Rydah choked on a gasp.

  “What did you say father? You didn’t say you were all going away and leaving me in charge did you? Please say you didn’t—I’m not ready to be in charge yet,” she wailed.

  “Y
es you are, you just don’t realise that you are a very clever fairy and all grown up. It’s time to let you take charge occasionally. Anyway we need you.”

  Rydah looked mournfully around at the forest, and knew she had all of the inhabitant’s silent sympathy.

  “Why do you need me now? Grandma and Grandpa are the rulers and you help them all the time.” She wailed even louder. “You don’t need me.”

  Prince Ethan frowned down on her bent head before speaking again.

  “Your grandparents, King Eric and Queen Elizabeth have decided to retire and leave me to rule Magic Mudlo with your mother. They are joining the Great Council that protects and rules all the fairylands in the world.”

  With a long slender finger he pointed to the forest around them before continuing with his lecture.

  “Tomorrow we will all leave on the morning ferry disguised as humans. You are in charge until your mother and I return. I know you will take good care of everything.”

  With this final admonishment to Rydah he dismissed her and left with the others to make plans for the great transition of power.

  Chapter 3

  Early the next morning a very subdued Rydah stood at the Ferry landing saying a sad farewell to her very doting grandparents and parents. Many squeezes and hugs were exchanged, as it would be many months before she saw her grandparents again. They would be very busy travelling the world doing their new job.

  Luckily Mother and Father would only be away for a few days, but she felt miserable at the parting. She had never been alone before. Of course all of the pixies, goblins and other fairies would keep her company, not to mention the animals. However, it was a frightening new stage in her life. Yuck!! This was responsibility in a big way.

  All of the magic land inhabitants were there to see the royal party leave ---this was a special occasion. The powerful goblin spell had been lifted just long enough to allow the fairy rulers to leave the island. It would be lifted again when they returned. This was a dangerous time for the inhabitants, for when the spell was lifted enemies could sneak onto the island.

  It had to be done very quickly and carefully.

  With a toot from the ferry signalling its departure, the royals were galvanised into a hasty boarding.

  “Bye, bye,” waved the King and Queen.

  “Bye, bye,” waved Prince Ethan and Princess Lisa.

  “Bye,” sniffed a forlorn Rydah.

  With a swish and a bump the ferry swiftly departed, bouncing over the waves and vanishing towards the distant mainland.

  This was it then----Rydah was in charge of Magic Mudlo.

  ******

  Rydah left the beach, dragging her feet as she headed for the forest and home. If she hadn’t been so sad, she might have noticed the rather ugly man with the long floppy ears who got off of the arriving ferry. However, she didn’t notice, and now had no warning, as danger followed her on silent, invisible feet into the forest.

  Trouble had just arrived on Magic Mudlo, taking advantage of the temporarily lifted spell.

  Chapter 4

  Rydah sighed for the hundredth time since she had returned home from the ferry. She sat slumped in her grandfather’s big recliner chair that he had used for his throne. She felt that if she had to make a decision, then surely, there must be some deeply buried knowledge attached to the chair that would help her. It seemed to her that she would be well advised not to stray too far from its comforting presence, at least for the next few days.

  Time passed swiftly and before too long she was feeling a little peckish.

  “Time for lunch,” she murmured to herself as, she made her way into the cosy kitchen.

  Magic utensils and crockery whizzed around her head waiting for her orders. Tapping thoughtful fingers on the counter-top she considered her empty tummy.

  “I do believe I will feel better if I have a cheese sandwich,” she announced to the knife and plate.

  No sooner had she spoken, than there was the most delicious looking sandwich, sitting on a plate at the table.

  “Oh! Thank you very much,” she spoke delightedly to the utensils. “I do believe that I shall enjoy being the boss while the grown-ups are away.” She laughed out loud, once again happy with her world.

  “After all house,” she addressed the room at large. “The time will pass quickly and then I’ll be free to play with my friends again. Just think, it’s already lunchtime and I haven’t had to do anything special yet.”

  With a laugh she stuck her feet up on the windowsill and eagerly munched her sandwich.

  The day passed quickly and all too soon it was time for bed. Rydah had never been eager for bed before but, tonight she thought that the quicker she went to sleep the sooner the next day would arrive; and that meant that she would be one more day closer to seeing her family again. So, off she shot to her floating bed and snuggled under the cloud covers. It had to be cloud covers, as fairies couldn’t have anything over them that would crush their precious wings.

  I must go and visit all of our people tomorrow, she thought, as she drifted off to sleep. “I promised to take care of our island and I won’t let Father down.”

  Little did Rydah know that while she slept, trouble, was already brewing in the forest. The ugly man, who had followed her from the ferry, was really a trog in disguise. Trogs were part human and part naughty goblin. Unfortunately they knew lots of spells and were very, very naughty. This was Tibor Trog and he was bent on taking over the island for himself. Tibor had decided that whilst the older Royals were away, it was the perfect time for him to invade the magic land.

  With his invisibility cloak pulled tight around his pudgy little body he ventured deep into the magic forest, swiftly putting its inhabitants, one by one, into a deep sleep with his spells.

  Only a pixie who was out late picking moonbeams, escaped his scattering of sleep dust.

  Dixie was a special pixie friend of Rydah’s and they often raced through the meadows at night, picking moonbeams together. They liked to deliver the baskets of moonbeams to their rabbit friends, to help light their burrows.

  It was because Pixie was on the way to Rydah’s house, to ask for her help with the harvesting, that she escaped the trog’s sleep dust.

  She was passing under Old Man Oak when the trog walked by her, spreading his spell- laden dust. Old Man Oak quickly spread his branches over Dixie, giving her his protection. He had lived for hundreds of years and even an invisible trog couldn’t hide from him. No evil dust would get past his thick leaves, he vowed.

  Waiting until Tibor Trog was well past hearing range, he whispered in his rustling voice.

  “Quietly now, young Dixie, you must go to Rydah and warn her of the trouble that has come to the forest. Hide in the Royal House until daylight for it is protected by an unbreakable spell. Then, you and Rydah return here secretly at noon. Trogs always have to sleep at noon for two hours. That’s when we will plan how to get rid of him. Go quickly now and keep quiet.” Dixie was very frightened but nodded her head in agreement and respect. Old Man Oak was very wise so she obeyed him instantly, running swiftly through the meadows to Rydah’s house.

  Chapter 5

  A loud banging rattled through Rydah’s head. She wished the house would settle down, she wanted to sleep but the house seemed to want to party. The picture above her bed was wailing and groaning, and the doors all seemed to slam and bang at once, added to that the chimney was blowing smoke all through her room.

  What on earth was the matter with it? House was usually the most peaceful and restful of places to live.

  Over all the noise Rydah heard a voice frantically calling her name. What was this new problem knocking at the door?

  Rushing to see what was wrong, she threw it open and was just in time to catch a breathlessly running Dixie in her outstretched arms.

  “What’s the matter Dix?” asked a curiously puzzled Rydah.

  “Oh help! Ry. We have big trouble in the forest. Wait until I tell you everything that I lea
rned tonight. Old Man Oak says that we must meet tomorrow at noon and make plans to get help.”

  Dixie then spent the rest of the night drinking warm buttercup milk with Rydah and telling her everything that she knew.

  Oh dear! They were in serious trouble, with no help to be had from anyone.

  Rydah and Dixie passed the morning in the now silent house, trying to come up with a plan to get rid of the trog. They thought of first one crazy idea, and then another, however, all of the plans seemed impossible to do.

  “We must go to Old Man Oak as he suggested. We need his knowledge to make any of these plans work.” Rydah gave up on wringing her hands in despair, and with a firm nod, finally made up her mind. “Yes! I’m positive we cannot finalise a plan without his experience to guide us. He knew that I would need his help. Let’s go Dix it’s nearly noon.”

  “I’m with you Ry,” laughed a slightly hysterical Dixie. “Let me hang onto your belt and we can fly there faster than I can run”

  With slightly wobbly laughter they tried to keep their spirits up. They zoomed faster than a dragonfly across the tree tops, Deeper and deeper into the forest, ready to do battle with the invading trog.

  Rydah and Dixie landed softly and stealthily in the outstretched branches of Oak’s waiting arms.

  “Shush now, girls,” whispered the wonderful old tree. “Listen carefully and you can hear the trog’s snores. As long as we can hear him you are safe.”

  Ryder and Dixie nodded in understanding. The trog was making the most awful noise, burbling and snorting with the most disgusting sounds. It wouldn’t be hard to keep track of him.

  “We made some plans to rescue the forest and our people, dear Tree,” whispered Rydah. “But, I need help to work out all of the pesky details. I’m good with ideas, but no good at planning I’m afraid. Please help me.”

  “Of course I will Princess,” rumbled the tree. “I always help the island fairies; that’s why trees live so long. Our centuries of knowledge are yours to command, and our great roots help to chain the magic to the forest floor.” With a gentle swish he settled the girls more comfortably amongst his branches. “Now, settle back and tell me your plan.”