Willa in Jewel Forest

by Poppy Collins

  “Can you wait outside the hall?” asked Willa. “We’ll call you back when we announce the chosen band members.”

  Pip nodded and jumped down from the stage. “Yes,” she said, her voice tiny again without the microphone.

  Next to audition was a tree squirrel who played an acorn guitar, followed by a flute-playing fairy. A cricket played a web-string harp, a trio of hummingbirds hummed, and two fairy twins played trumpet flowers. The queue went on and on. It felt like most of the forest had come to audition – even the sparrows who’d given Willa the idea.

  It was almost midday when the last fairy walked on stage. She carried an entire acorn-nut drum set with her and began setting it out. When she turned round, Willa saw it was Nutmeg, Primrose’s sister!

  “I didn’t know she played the drums,” said Catkin.

  “Nor did I,” Willa replied. “But I bet Primrose does – it must be noisy for her, as her bedroom’s right next door!”

  Catkin pulled a face. “Poor Primrose!”

  But when Nutmeg started playing, they both sat up straight and listened properly. Nutmeg’s drumming was lyrical and gentle, and she tapped a catchy rhythm with her maple-twig drumsticks as if she’d been playing for many years.

  “I take it back,” Catkin whispered to Willa. “She’s fantastic!”

  Nutmeg finished playing and rushed over to Willa and Catkin, her freckled cheeks flushed pink. “Was I OK? I really want to be in the fairy band at the wedding!”

  Catkin smiled. “We’re about to announce who will play in the band – so you’ll soon find out! Could you ask everyone else to come back in, please?”

  The enthusiastic little fairy ran out of the doorway, returning moments later with the rest of the forest fairies and animals in tow. They gathered on the stage in the Great Wood Hall, all nervously jumping about from foot to foot.

  “Thank you, everyone, for auditioning,” Willa began. “You were amazing.”

  “We’re just sorry we can’t put you all in the band,” added Catkin. “Willa will now read out the names of the band members.”

  Willa cleared her throat, looked down at their notes, and began.

  “The singer will be Pip.”

  The little fairy squealed with delight, and a few of the other fairies hugged her.

  “George the cricket will be on the harp, and the twins Juniper and Jasmine on trumpets. Backing vocals will be the sparrow sisters, and finally, on the drums … Nutmeg!”

  Nutmeg burst to the front of the stage, bouncing up and down. “Really – you’ve chosen me? Oh, thank you!” She leapt from the platform, fluttered over to Willa and Catkin and threw her arms around them.

  “We thought you played the drums beautifully,” said Catkin. “I can’t believe we haven’t heard you before.”

  Just then the hall door creaked open. “I’m sorry, but the auditions are over,” Willa called out.

  “I’m not here for the auditions,” said a giggling voice. “I’m here for my wedding!”

  Willa gasped. Topaz! She jumped up and zoomed over to her friend as the strawberry-blonde fairy flew through the doorway, her blue wings fluttering crazily.

  “Oh, I’m so excited!” she cried as she hugged Willa. “It looks like you’ve been very busy!” Topaz spun round, her face alight. As she moved, her pink heart-print silk dress floated about and her cute red peep-toe heels tapped on the floor. Topaz owned a clothes shop, Sparkle Sensations, in Sparkle City, so she always wore gorgeous outfits.

  “We have!” replied Willa, a beam stretching across her face. “But I couldn’t have done it without my friends.” She guided Topaz over to Catkin.

  “This is Catkin,” she said, introducing her friends. “We’ve just chosen the wedding band together!”

  “Oh wow – a band, how fabulous!” Topaz waved at the band members standing on the stage. “I can’t wait to hear them.”

  The band looked nervous at this – they hadn’t practised together at all yet! Catkin stepped forward. “We’ll save that as a surprise for tomorrow, if that’s OK, Topaz?”

  “Of course! I’m sure you’ll be wonderful!” she said to the band. Then she turned to Willa. “So where do you think we should have the wedding ceremony? Right here in the Great Wood Hall?”

  “Actually, I have another idea,” Willa said with a wink. “Let me show you…”

  Willa took Topaz’s hand and they flew out of the hall, while Catkin stayed behind to help the band practise for the following day.

  Moments later, Willa and Topaz were on the skyway, just above the forest floor. Willa told Topaz to close her eyes as they got closer. “OK, just a little further,” said Willa, guiding her friend. “Now open!”

  Willa held her breath nervously. She so hoped Topaz would like it! Topaz blinked her eyes open. They were above a clearing on the forest floor that had been carpeted in thousands of pale pink rose petals. The clearing was edged with sparkling willow trees, their silvery drooping leaves shimmering like a giant curtain, lighting up the whole clearing. Topaz looked down and gasped – flower-shaped lanterns hung from golden spiders’ webs.

  “When the ceremony ends and the sun goes down, the lanterns will light up in all the colours of the rainbow!” Willa explained. “Oh look, there’s Conker. Let me introduce you to him.”

  The fairies zipped over to Conker, a pink tree squirrel who was hanging up wild-flower bunting at the other side of the clearing, his back to them. He finished hooking a stem of lavender over a willow branch and turned round. “Oh, hello, Willa.”

  “Hi, Conker – the clearing looks beautiful! A real wedding wonderland. I’d like to introduce you to Topaz, the fairy bride!”

  Topaz held out her hand, which was covered in gemstone rings. “Conker, it’s lovely to meet you. Thank you for all you’ve done – I couldn’t have dreamt of anything better.”

  Conker shook Topaz’s hand with a fluffy pink paw. “It’s a pleasure – a wedding in Jewel Forest is a very special event! We squirrels can’t wait for tomorrow.”

  “Well, thank you again, Conker – and I’m looking forward to saying thank you to everyone when I see them tomorrow.” Topaz turned to Willa. “You’ve done an amazing job of the preparations, Willa. I am so grateful! Now I can’t wait any longer to see my dress! Isn’t it beautiful? I had it made specially, using fabric woven with fairy dust!”

  Willa’s heart plummeted to her fairy feet. The wedding dress – it hadn’t arrived yet! She stood in front of Topaz, speechless.

  “What’s the matter, Willa? It is OK, isn’t it? Or do you hate it? I knew I shouldn’t have asked for so many jewels on it…”

  “It’s not that,” Willa began. “It’s just that … well … I haven’t seen it. Um, I mean, it hasn’t actually arrived…”

  “But it was meant to get here yesterday. I sent it by magic-express fairy mail! Are you sure? You wouldn’t miss it – it’s in a huge silver box with a pale pink bow…”

  Willa shook her head sadly. “I’m so sorry, Topaz. It must have got lost in the fairy mail.”

  Topaz slumped down on the petal carpet, pretty petals bouncing up around her. “Well, that’s it, then,” she sobbed, taking a lace-edged handkerchief from her pocket and dabbing at the fat drops of tears that rushed down her cheeks. “I can’t get married without a dress. We’ll have to –” She blew her nose loudly and let out another big sob – “cancel the wedding…”

  “What?! No, we can’t do that!” Willa said, shocked. She sat down cross-legged opposite Topaz and put her hands on her shoulders. “There’s got to be something we can do – and as your flower girl, I just won’t let the wedding be ruined that easily.”

  Topaz looked up at Willa and wiped away more tears. “Really?” she said, her blue eyes wide.

  “Yes, really,” Willa replied. “Just leave it with me!”

  All the way back to the G
reat Wood Hall, Willa’s head was buzzing like a beehive. She’d left Topaz with Conker and the other squirrels – she hoped they’d cheer her up while Willa worked out what to do about the dress. By the time she’d arrived at the hall, she’d thought of a plan – but she had no idea whether it would work in time!

  “Catkin!” she called as she burst through the doorway. “I need your help!”

  The band screeched to a halt mid-song, and Catkin spun round with a frown. “Willa, that was the best run-through yet! Whatever’s the matter?”

  “It’s Topaz’s dress – it hasn’t arrived, and she’s saying that she’ll have to cancel the wedding!”

  Catkin’s mouth fell open. “What? That’s terrible.”

  “But I have an idea. I just need your help. Meet me in the entrance hall of the palace? I need to go and tell the others.”

  Before Catkin could ask what Willa was planning, the determined fairy had already left the hall. “You’ll have to finish practising on your own,” Catkin told the band. “But don’t worry, you’re doing brilliantly!”

  Catkin fluttered out of the Great Wood Hall and into the hollow trunk of the Tree Palace. The sun shone down right from the very top of the tree, lighting up the inside. She wound her way down the staircase carved into the trunk, passing beautiful engravings of forest fairy scenes on the walls. When she arrived at the grand entrance hall, Willa was already there, talking to Primrose.

  “Of course you can use my room,” said Primrose, “but can I help, too?”

  “Absolutely – I’m going to need all the help I can get!” Willa turned to Catkin. “Oh, Catkin, thank you for coming so quickly! I have a plan, but we need to get started right away. Let’s go to Primrose’s bedroom – everyone can meet us there.”

  Primrose fluttered over to the smooth wall of the tree trunk, running her hands over the wood. She found the pointy, forest-fairy-ear-shaped knot she was looking for, put her mouth close and whispered something. A wooden panel in the wall suddenly slid back and revealed a secret staircase inside. “This will take us straight to my room!”

  Willa grinned – she loved the magic of the Tree Palace. The three fairies stepped inside the secret passageway. The stairs were lit with gleaming pink diamond nuts, so it was easy to find their way. Soon they stepped out into Primrose’s bedroom.

  If you could call it a bedroom! The circular room was almost as big as the Great Wood Hall – which was why Willa had asked if they could use it. Primrose’s large oak desk next to the leaf-shaped windows would be perfect.

  Willa explained her plan. “I’ve asked some magpies and hummingbirds to collect the nicest leaves from the forest, and the moth family to bring some jewel-moth silk. I also asked Poppy and Orla and Daisy to pick some jewels from the trees, and when Blossom’s finished icing the last layer of the wedding cake, she’s going to help us decorate.”

  “Decorate what?” asked Catkin, looking confused.

  “Topaz’s new wedding dress!” Willa grabbed a cherry-blossom notepad from Primrose’s desk. “That’s what all those things are for.”

  “Oh, Willa, you are clever,” said Primrose. “But do you think we’ll get it made it time?”

  At that moment, Blossom appeared through the doorway. “When Willa’s this determined,” she said, “she can get anything done!”

  But Primrose is right to be worried, Willa thought, looking at Primrose’s pink cuckoo clock on the wall. They only had the afternoon – not long at all!

  Soon, Primrose’s huge room was full of fairies and creatures bringing materials for the new dress. Everyone rushed about, and Catkin thought it was rather chaotic – but, Willa seemed to know what she was doing!

  Willa stood at Primrose’s desk, directing the mice to weave together the beautiful mulberry and laurel leaves. The hummingbirds held the leaves in place with their beaks as the mice did the sewing. Then Poppy, Orla and Daisy arrived with bamboo baskets full of glistening gems.

  “Perfect!” Willa cried. She began sorting through the gems and arranging them into piles. “These are for the train of the dress,” she explained to Primrose, “and these are for the neckline and sleeves. Oh, and look at these beautiful topaz gems – they have to go on the veil!”

  “That’s a lovely idea,” said Primrose. She helped Willa pick out the gems, and Blossom soon got to work, embroidering the dress with jewels just like she decorated her cakes.

  Meanwhile, Willa made a diamond-daisy necklace and an emerald-nut tiara with the leftover jewels. As she fastened the last emerald nut, she noticed that the sun pouring through the leaf-shaped windows had begun to dim, turning a dusky red colour. Willa realized she’d been so focused she hadn’t heard Primrose’s cuckoo clock all afternoon. She glanced at the time – it was almost sunset, which meant that the creatures and fairies would need to leave soon.

  “Willa, Willa!” called Blossom. “Look…”

  Willa swung back round to see the magpies very carefully picking the dress up in their beaks. Oh my fairyness! It was better than she could have ever hoped for! The dress was made up of shimmering leaves in beautiful green colours, and the jewel-moth silk made each leaf glisten as it moved in the dusky light. A gold-leaf ribbon wrapped about the waist, and the heart-shaped neckline was edged in silver-star lace. A pair of hummingbirds held out the train, which reached halfway across Primrose’s bedroom, and was covered in gorgeous white and yellow diamonds.

  Above the dress, a second pair of hummingbirds dangled the veil, which was spun out of the most delicate caterpillar-silk and sparkled with topaz gems.

  “It’s incredible!” Willa said, as everyone in the room oohed and aahed. “I just hope that Topaz likes it!”

  Willa woke up early the next morning – before the birds had even begun their dawn chorus! Her head buzzed with excitement about the wedding. She jumped up out of her palm-leaf hammock and rushed over to her wardrobe, where Topaz’s dress hung. She grinned – it looked even more beautiful than it did last night, sparkling in the light from the fireflies.

  As Willa fluttered along the fairy skyway towards the Tree Palace, birds began waking up and tweeting their dawn songs. Nerves bubbled up in Willa’s stomach. Although she thought the dress was wonderful, she still felt nervous about showing it to Topaz. Maybe nothing would compare with the wedding dress that she’d lost. Willa tried to shake the feeling away, and focused instead on carrying the dress as she flew. Willa usually liked to zip about the forest quickly, but today she was being extra careful!

  The towering turrets of the jewel-covered palace were soon in sight. Willa slowed down as she crossed one of the oak-leaf drawbridges that connected the palace to the fairy skyway and fluttered into the entrance hall. Topaz was staying in the guest wing of the palace, so Willa flitted over to a knot in the wall and whispered into the wood. She didn’t want to disturb the fairy royalty by stomping up all the staircases! She flew up the secret passage, taking care not to bash the dress against the wall. She soon arrived at Topaz’s door.

  Tap, tap. Willa knocked on the door gently – it was still very early. Topaz might not even be up yet! But the doorway was flung open right away. “Willa, it’s you! I’m so glad you’re here – I’ve barely slept a fairy wink. I can’t stop thinking about the wedding. I even asked one of the fairy-helpers to make me some daisy-milk tea, but that didn’t help!”

  Willa fluttered in through the doorway, the dress in her arms.

  Topaz gasped, her blue eyes widening. “Is that what I think it is? You really found me a dress?”

  “I did even better than that,” said Willa. “The whole forest made you one!”

  “Oh, oh, oh!” Topaz cried, staring at the glittering dress that Willa held up.

  “You don’t like it?” Willa asked her speechless friend.

  Topaz was now opening and closing her mouth like a goldfish.

  “Topaz, say something, please! If
you really hate it, maybe I can make some adjustments…”

  The strawberry-blonde fairy gently picked up the leaf fabric of the dress and stroked it. “There’s no need to do that. Willa, I LOVE IT.”

  “Are you sure?” Willa asked.

  Topaz nodded like a woodpecker, and a huge smile lit up her face as she opened the jewellery box Willa handed to her with the necklace and tiara inside. “Willa, you’re amazing,” Topaz murmured.

  “It wasn’t just me – everyone helped make it,” Willa explained. “I could never have done it by myself.”

  Topaz took Willa’s hand. “That’s so generous of everyone. How will I thank them all?”

  “That’s easy – by giving them the best wedding party ever!” Willa pulled a sparkly container from the pocket of her velvet green dress. “Now we should start getting ready! I’ve brought shimmer-wing-dust and some fairy-magic varnish to paint your nails.”

  For the rest of the morning, Willa and Topaz prepared for the wedding. Topaz took a long soak in a blueberry-fizz bubble bath while Willa tried on the flower girl outfit Topaz had brought for her. She couldn’t stop twirling in the pink satin knee-length dress. She shone like a beautiful jewel! The net skirts underneath made it float out even when she wasn’t spinning, and she adored the white lace shawl – for when it got chilly after sunset.

  One of the fairy-helpers – tiny four-winged fairies who helped at the palace – brought in sparkling heather juice and sandwiches filled with juniper jam. When Topaz emerged from the fairy bathroom wrapped in her fluffy pink dandelion-seed bathrobe, the two fairies tucked in hungrily. “Ooh, yum!” said Topaz as she wiped crumbs from her face.

  The two fairies chatted as Willa carefully painted Topaz’s toenails and fingernails. Topaz told Willa about the lovely customers who visited her shop, Sparkle Sensations, and how they were all coming for her wedding today. “They’ll be arriving about now,” she said. “Eek!”