Taffy Trouble

by Helen Perelman

  Contents

  Dedication

  CHAPTER 1 Nillie’s Call

  CHAPTER 2 Salt-Crystal Orb

  CHAPTER 3 Rocky Start

  CHAPTER 4 Water Wings

  CHAPTER 5 The Plan

  CHAPTER 6 Coral Adventure

  CHAPTER 7 Sticky Trouble

  CHAPTER 8 Chocolate Cave

  CHAPTER 9 Sneaky Snack

  CHAPTER 10 Chocolate Treasures

  About Helen Perelman

  For Sigal and Lisa Goldstein, the sweetest friends and fans

  Nillie’s Call

  Cocoa the Chocolate Fairy was in a hurry. She had just read a sugar fly message from Candy Castle. The note was from Princess Lolli, the ruling fairy princess of Candy Kingdom. Cocoa didn’t waste a second and flew straight to the castle. She hoped everything was all right. It wasn’t every day that she got a sugar fly message from Princess Lolli!

  When Cocoa arrived at Candy Castle, she was very nervous. Her Caramel Fairy friend Melli was usually the one to worry. But this time Cocoa’s stomach was fluttering as fast as her wings!

  The castle guard told Cocoa to go to the throne room. There, Cocoa was happy to see three of her good friends: Raina the Gummy Fairy, Melli the Caramel Fairy, and Dash the Mint Fairy.

  “Princess Lolli will be with you in one moment,” the guard told them. Cocoa looked at her friends. They all shared the same worried expression.

  “Is Berry all right?” Cocoa asked. She saw that her Fruit Fairy friend was not in the throne room.

  “She’s on her way,” Dash said. “She’s late as usual.”

  Just then Berry flew into the room. She was panting. “I got here as fast as I could,” she said. “Did I miss anything?”

  Cocoa could tell that Berry was worried something was wrong. Berry was late to everything because she always had to look her best. She usually arrived in a stylish outfit, with matching sparkling fruit chews in her hair. Cocoa saw that Berry had not bothered to change out of her gardening clothes. She had come straight from her work in Fruit Chew Meadow.

  “We’re waiting for Princess Lolli,” Raina said to Berry. “We were told she would be here any minute.”

  Melli bit her lip. “This doesn’t feel right. Something is wrong.”

  Cocoa agreed. Something about this meeting made her feel uneasy.

  “Hello, my sweets,” Princess Lolli said as she entered the room. “Thank you all for coming so quickly.” Her expression changed as she sat down on her throne. “I have gotten sad news from Nillie,” she said.

  Cocoa gasped. Nillie was the gentle sea horse who watched over the Vanilla Sea. Cocoa and her friends had met the sea horse when they were traveling across the Vanilla Sea to solve the gooey goblin mystery. At first the Candy Fairies had been scared of her. They had all heard stories about the sea monsters in the Vanilla Sea and thought Nillie was one of them. It turned out that Nillie was a kind and beautiful sea horse. Cocoa and her friends had learned that Nillie herself had made up those sea monster stories to keep the waters safe for the animals and creatures living there.

  “Is Nillie hurt?” Raina asked.

  “No,” Princess Lolli said. “Thank goodness, she is fine. But she is very concerned about what is going on in the North Sea.”

  “Oh, hot caramel,” Melli said.

  “Nillie needs our help,” Princess Lolli went on. “She has asked me to send the five Candy Fairies she met in the Vanilla Sea.”

  “She asked for us?” Cocoa asked. She could hardly believe her ears.

  Princess Lolli nodded. “You all made a very good impression on her.”

  “What can we do for her?” Dash asked. She flew closer to Princess Lolli.

  Princess Lolli put her arm around Dash. “Nillie says that the caramel turtles have reported trouble in the North Sea. It seems there is a troll named Gargo hunting the Sea Fairies’ candy. He is taking the chocolate clams and salted caramel coral.”

  “Sour sugars!” Raina exclaimed.

  “That can’t be good,” Berry added.

  Princess Lolli lowered her head. “No, it is not good. When the troll steals the chocolate clams and the salted caramel coral, he ruins the balance of the salt in the water. Not only is it bad for the troll to be stealing the candy, but he is also making the water unsafe for the Sea Fairies.”

  “Not to mention what will happen to the saltwater taffy,” Dash added.

  “Dash!” Cocoa scolded.

  Princess Lolli patted Dash on the back. “Dash is right. This is a big concern. If the troll keeps this up, there also won’t be the right amount of salt in the water to make the taffy.”

  “Why did Nillie think of us?” Cocoa asked.

  Princess Lolli stood up. “Because you were the ones who solved the gooey goblin mystery,” she said. “And because she knows you know the secret to tricking a troll.”

  Cocoa stood a little taller. She knew Princess Lolli was talking to her. After all, she was the one who had been brave enough to go to Black Licorice Swamp with Princess Lolli when Mogu the troll was stealing her chocolate eggs.

  “I know you fairies can help Nillie,” Princess Lolli said. “This job will require a different kind of magic.” She paused. “You will have to go underwater to help the Sea Fairies.”

  “Like mermaids?” Dash blurted out.

  “Sea Fairies are not mermaids,” Raina told Dash. She gave her a stern look.

  No one knew the Fairy Code Book better than Raina, and Cocoa was certain that her friend was about to tell them a fact about Sea Fairies.

  “Sea Fairies aren’t mermaids, because they don’t have tails,” Raina went on. “They have special water wings.”

  “Yes, that’s right, Raina,” Princess Lolli said. “Nillie’s sea-salt magic will turn your wings to water wings. But you have to be very careful when using the sea-salt magic. Your wings will only be water wings while the sea-salt magic lasts.” She looked each fairy straight in the eye. “You must promise me that you will each listen and obey Nillie’s words. Sea-salt magic is very powerful.”

  “Sure as sugar, you can count on us.” Cocoa spoke for all her friends. She knew that they had to get to the North Sea and stop Gargo!

  Salt-Crystal Orb

  There is more I need to tell you,” Princess Lolli said. She waved to the fairies to come closer.

  Cocoa flew up to Princess Lolli’s throne. All the fairies stood in a tight circle. Cocoa could feel how nervous they all were. As she watched Princess Lolli she had the feeling this trip was more important than they realized.

  “We can handle trolls,” Cocoa told Princess Lolli. “We aren’t afraid.”

  “Maybe some of us are,” Melli muttered.

  Cocoa nudged Melli. “Nillie has asked us for help. She helped us when we needed it in the Vanilla Sea. We will be there for her, too.”

  “I suppose,” Melli said. “I will try to be brave.”

  We all need to be brave, Cocoa thought. She wasn’t sure how the sea-salt magic would work or how it would feel to be underwater. She fluttered her wings. She always had to be so careful not to get her wings wet. When a Candy Fairy’s wings were wet, the water weighed the wings down and it was difficult for the fairy to fly. Being underwater would be a very strange feeling.

  Princess Lolli squeezed Melli’s hand. “I am counting on all of you,” she said. “This is not an easy task.”

  “But we can do it!” Berry burst out.

  “Sure as sugar!” Dash added.

  Cocoa was so proud of her friends. She knew they were all going to be helpful and brave.

  “I have something for you,” Princess Lolli said. She flew over to a chest in the corner of the room and lifted out a small sugar box. Then she reached into the box and pulled out a necklac
e. “Raina, do you know what this is?”

  Cocoa eyed the orb hanging from the licorice-braided necklace. The beautiful white crystal was glowing and sparkling. She had never seen anything quite like it.

  “So mint!” Dash exclaimed.

  “Sweeter than chocolate,” Cocoa mumbled.

  “That is the most scrumptious jewel I have ever seen,” Berry said.

  Raina moved closest to Princess Lolli. “Is that a salt-crystal orb from Ice Cream Isles?” she asked. “Those are very rare and very special.” She moved one step closer. “I’ve only read about them. I’ve never seen one.”

  “It is sugar-tastic,” Melli cooed. “Is that Prince Scoop’s?”

  Prince Scoop was Princess Lolli’s husband. He was from Ice Cream Isles and had recently married Princess Lolli. All the Candy Fairies liked him very much.

  “Yes, this is Scoop’s,” Princess Lolli replied. “He wanted me to give this to you. This jewel has special powers and will help keep all of you safe.”

  “I’ve read that salt crystals have helped many fairies in some sour situations,” Raina said.

  Princess Lolli nodded. “This jewel can save lives, so please don’t lose it! One of you must be wearing it at all times during your journey.” She handed the necklace to Cocoa. “Do you want to wear it?”

  Cocoa blushed and took the necklace.

  “When you wear this crystal, I will be able to watch you,” Princess Lolli explained. “Just in case of an emergency.”

  Melli’s eyes widened. “An emergency? Sweet sugars, I hope we don’t have any emergencies!”

  Cocoa smiled and gave Melli a hug. She slipped the necklace on. It began to glow.

  “Please take good care of this necklace . . . and of one another,” Princess Lolli said.

  Cocoa held the crystal in her hand. It was smooth and glowed with a soft white light. “Thank you,” she whispered. “We will take special care of this . . . and of one another.”

  “How do we reach Nillie?” Raina asked. She looked out at the window, toward the north. “It’s too far for us to fly.”

  Cocoa remembered the last time the fairies had seen Nillie. They had journeyed there by boat…and that was a lot of work!

  “Butterscotch will fly you out to Rock Candy Isle in the Vanilla Sea. Nillie will meet you and then take you up to the North Sea.” Princess Lolli hugged the fairies.

  “Supersweet,” Dash said.

  “Meet back here in the castle in one hour,” Princess Lolli said. “You don’t need to bring a thing. Nillie has taken care of everything.”

  Cocoa smiled to herself. She knew that Princess Lolli was talking to Berry. Berry was definitely not a light packer!

  “And one more thing,” Princess Lolli added. “This is top-sugar-secret. Not many fairies know about who Nillie really is, and we’d like to keep it that way.”

  “Especially when there is a troll hunting for treasures in the North Sea!” Cocoa exclaimed.

  “Sure as sugar, the Candy Fairies will stick together and not say a word!” Dash cried.

  Princess Lolli smiled. “I know you will,” she said. “Also, we don’t want Gargo knowing that we’re onto his scheming and stealing.”

  “Better to catch a troll by surprise,” Cocoa said, thinking out loud.

  “Exactly,” Princess Lolli said. She winked at Cocoa.

  Cocoa felt very proud—and more determined than ever to help Nillie. Gargo was likely as selfish and messy as Mogu. And she hoped he was just as easy to trick!

  The fairies flew out of the throne room. Before she left, Cocoa peeked over her shoulder. She noticed a very worried look in Princess Lolli’s eyes. Going to the North Sea was exciting, but Cocoa was certain there were dangers in those waters. She waved to Princess Lolli and forced herself to smile.

  “We’ll be fine,” she called.

  “I know you will be,” Princess Lolli said. “But I can still worry!”

  Cocoa smiled. Nillie and Princess Lolli were counting on them, and she wasn’t going to disappoint either one!

  Rocky Start

  Cocoa returned home feeling very excited and a little nervous. She watered her chocolate roses and straightened up her room. The whole time, she kept thinking about Sea Fairies and water . . . and wet wings!

  “Cocoa!” Melli called. “Can we fly together to Candy Castle?”

  “Sure,” Cocoa said. She was so happy to see her friend in her garden. “Are you feeling as nervous as I am?”

  “Hot caramel!” Melli exclaimed. “I can’t stop fluttering my wings. I want to help, but I’ve never been swimming before. I’ve never gotten my wings wet!”

  “I know,” Cocoa said. “At least we are all going together.”

  “What if Gargo is saltier than Mogu?” Melli said, shuddering.

  Cocoa waved that thought away. “We can handle some salty water troll,” she said. “Come on, we’d better get going. We don’t want to make Butterscotch wait for us.”

  “He’ll probably have to wait for Berry!” Melli cried as she shot up in the air.

  When Cocoa and Melli arrived at the Royal Gardens, Cocoa was surprised to see Berry, Dash, and Raina already there.

  “I know,” Berry said. “You thought I would be late again. But I know how important it is to get to Rock Candy Isle as fast as . . .”

  Dash interrupted her. “I see Butterscotch!” she shouted. She pointed up to the sky.

  The large royal unicorn swept down into the gardens. Her beautiful wings flapped to a stop. Princess Lolli walked out onto her terrace. Butterscotch bowed her head, and the princess stroked the white spot on her nose.

  “Take care of them, Butterscotch,” the princess told her.

  The five Candy Fairies all flew up and onto the royal unicorn’s back.

  As Butterscotch was about to take off, Melli heard someone calling her name. “Melli! Where are you off to?” It was Cara, Melli’s younger sister, delivering caramel to the castle. She flew up to Butterscotch.

  “We are off to run an errand for Princess Lolli,” Melli told her.

  Cocoa knew Melli wanted to tell her sister where she was going, but she had to be true to her promise not to tell anyone about Nillie and Gargo.

  “Have fun!” Cara called cheerfully as she flew toward home.

  “Thank you for not saying a word,” Princess Lolli said to Melli. “Once this is over, everyone will know about your bravery.”

  “And, I hope, how we stopped Gargo,” Cocoa added.

  “Yes. That, too,” Princess Lolli said. “Be safe and stick together!”

  The fairies waved as Butterscotch took off, heading to Rock Candy Isle.

  When they were above the ground, Raina leaned closer to Cocoa and Dash. “Remember how long it took us to sail to Rock Candy Isle from Candy Kingdom?” she asked.

  “This unicorn flying is the best,” Dash said. “And fastest!”

  In the distance Cocoa saw the small island in the Vanilla Sea. She wondered how Butterscotch would be able to land on the rocky candy beach. Then she realized he would only get low enough for them to fly off. They would have to make their way to the island themselves.

  “Come on,” Cocoa said to her friends. “We can fly to the ground from here.” She turned and nodded to Butterscotch. “Thank you for the ride!”

  The fairies followed Cocoa to the pebbled beach of Rock Candy Isle.

  Dash scooped up a handful of rock candy. “Mmm, traveling always makes me hungry,” she said. She nibbled on the fresh, tasty treat.

  “Everything makes you hungry,” Berry said, laughing.

  Melli looked around. “What do we do now? Just wait?”

  “I’m sure Nillie will be here soon,” Cocoa said. But she hoped it would be sooner rather than later.

  Just then two tiny heads surfaced in the water. It was Sprinkle and Bean!

  “Hey, those are Nillie’s twins!” Cocoa cried. “Remember them? They helped us out last time we were on the Vanilla Sea!” Cocoa ran over to the
water’s edge and waved at the twin sea horses. “Who’s that behind them?” She squinted to get a better look.

  “I think that might be a Sea Fairy!” Raina said.

  Cocoa’s mouth dropped open when she saw the shiny webbed wings on the fairy on Bean’s back.

  “I’ve read about Sea Fairies, but I have never actually seen one,” Raina said.

  “Is she green?” Melli asked. She squinted.

  “Sea Fairies are aquamarine,” Raina told her. “They are the color of the sea.”

  “Check out her wings,” Dash said.

  “Don’t point!” Berry scolded.

  The Sea Fairy moved closer. “You must be the Candy Fairies,” she said. “I am Shelly, and this is Rocky.” She pointed to Sprinkle. Then she looked again. “Well, Rocky was there.” She giggled. “She’s a little shy.”

  “Me too,” Melli said.

  “We are all a little nervous to meet you,” Cocoa said bravely.

  Shelly flew to the beach. “It’s very nice to meet you, and we’re so thankful you came to help. We need to stop Gargo.”

  “Well, that’s why we’re here!” Berry said boldly.

  Cocoa, Raina, and Dash couldn’t take their eyes off Shelly’s sugar-tacular wings.

  “I know you are not a mermaid,” Dash said, “but you sure seem like one!”

  Shelly laughed sweetly. “No! See? No tail!” She flew up in the air and kicked her legs. “But I do have webbed wings.” She turned around so the fairies could get a better look at her wings.

  “So mint!” Dash exclaimed. “I bet you swim superfast.”

  “Sometimes,” Shelly said, smiling. She turned back to the water. “Rocky, come out. The Candy Fairies are really nice!”

  Cocoa watched the water and saw a small pale blue fairy pop up on the surface. “Hi! I’m Cocoa, and these are my friends, ” Cocoa said. She slowly introduced everyone, hoping that Rocky wouldn’t be afraid.

  Rocky flew up to the beach and stood next to Shelly. She bowed her head. “Hello,” she said.

  “Oh, you don’t need to bow to us,” Cocoa said. “We’re not royalty.”