by W Kangas
“Pick up Alisia and fly around the room,” said the father.
Peter was really happy for that request and grabbed Alisia around the waist and flew from corner to corner.
“I have never seen anything like that in all my life,” said the father, “but we don’t trade our loved ones in this house.”
“I don’t want her for keeps, just to help start a magic stream deep in the ground.”
“You mean you want me to go underground, like my grandmother did?”
“I do and I will send a fairy godmother with you for protection.”
“Daddy,” said Alisia, “I want you to have the coin, and I want to help Peter’s friends.”
“How long would you need her?”
“I’m thinking about two weeks would do, but it could be a little longer.”
“Peter Pan, she is my pride and joy and not replaceable. What do you say to that?”
“Everything you do has danger involved, and this is no exception, but if something happens to her, I will never see the light again and hundreds of my people will die,” said Peter.
“Do you still want to go, child?”
“I do, Daddy.”
“Fly and get the coins, Peter, and maybe I will choose one,” said the father.
“Keep my turnover warm, and I will be back soon.”
Peter was out of the door and waited ’til he was by himself before he disappeared straight up. He was going to his special hiding place where he couldn’t lose his prize possessions—a place he had thought about for years until he found it. It was deep in the French Alps on a sheer cliff that stayed ice-covered year-round. A cave with a small opening just large enough for Peter but not an adult man. A rocky outcrop above the cave would not allow a helicopter to get close to the entrance and the sheer ice-covered cliff at high altitude would not allow anyone to climb. That, along with not having changed in thousands of years, made the cave his hiding place. Not only did he have the coins but many other baubles of great value.
Now, hoarding baubles of great value is the mark of a leprechaun, along with moving at great speeds, but Peter was bigger than all leprechauns and therefore seldom categorized with them. Peter never answered the question whether he was a leprechaun or not, but the evidence was there. Now, humans would find it very difficult to reach the cave, much less go inside, but it would be fairly easy for a leprechaun, so being secretive was still very necessary.
Peter cruised through the cold air and knew his destination was close at hand. He saw the Matterhorn and knew this was his backyard. In the dark of night, he flew to the opening and alighted on the threshold. When he stepped inside to see his cache, he was happy it was all still there. He gave a sigh of relief to see his baubles again. He went into the boxes one at a time handling the gems. He really didn’t need money and jewels, but having this treasure made him able to help people, like the Joneses, and to get things done that would otherwise be impossible.
He went to a can that held the coins. They were still there, and he picked out the ones that he’d thought about before. The coin with King Arthur’s image, along with his whole name and date, was his favorite and would stir a huge controversy for many years to come, but it was real and he hated to part with it. But these were hard times with his friends on the edge of life, so he would give it up for Alisia’s help.
He grabbed the coins and flew through the opening in the cave back toward England. In a short while, he was again looking at the White Cliffs of Dover and could see the ocean at Land’s End. When he touched down at the market, he had been gone for less than thirty minutes, but that was enough time for Alisia’s father to become melancholy from wine and the possible loss of his beloved daughter.
Peter pulled his favorite coin from his pocket and placed it on the table in front of Alisia’s father. The downward mood was surely broken by the sight of the coin. “Is it real?”
“One hundred percent,” said Peter. “It is more than likely a one and only.”
The father gasped as he studied it. It was always thought that Cornwall was the place of Arthur’s reign and argued each way by many. When he turned the coin, there was the castle he recognized from the ruins by the sea in Cornwall. He was elated, but when he looked at his girl he gave the coin back to Peter. “I can’t do this.”
“You must, Papa; I want to go. Peter’s friends are in trouble, and I want to help them. It’s my chance to use what my grandmother gave me and save his friends. I do have the courage, Peter, and I must go, Papa.”
“I will blame myself for eternity if something happens to you, my dear child.”
“Father, it is me who wants to go. You are not selling me. You are getting this coin to save our family, and that is what I want—to save our family and Peter’s friends at the same time. It is a gift from heaven, so Papa please take the coin and kiss me for luck.”
He took the coin, with tears flowing, and put it in his pocket.
“Sir,” said Peter, “you must be very careful when you present this coin for sale so as not to be cheated. It is priceless. The one with Arthur’s bust will have many seekers and criminals looking for it.”
“I do understand, Peter. Thank you and please take care of my girl.”
“You know, I was going to give you all five coins, but it would cause you trouble and you would end up with no money and detectives casing your home constantly. Take my word for it, you’d do better with one coin that you found on the beach down deep in the sand,” said Peter winking. “And if you make a deal with the government you might be able to keep the coin mostly in your name. Like renting it for a fee. Believe me, you wouldn’t have it long if you went public with it then tried to bring it home here. Soon, your coin will be the most expensive in all the world.”
“You will wish us good luck then, Mr. Jones?” asked Peter.
“Good luck to you both, and do what you can to protect my baby, Peter.”
“I will, sir,” said Peter. They walked out the door and lifted off, as soon as he noticed the streets were clear of people, with Alisia holding on for safety.
Peter held on to Alisia tightly and flew into the dark sky. “Are you cold?” asked Peter, as she noticed her shivering.
“Yes, just a little, but it was a shiver of anticipation at not knowing what lies ahead for me. I’m okay now’ it was just a passing thought. The air is cool, but I can stand it when I can look down on the whole country of France.”
They traveled with great speed along the coastline to keep their bearings and before they know it, there were the Himalayan Mountains reaching to the sky ahead of them. The little valley was almost impossible to find by air, but Peter had flown this route many times. They flew between mountains and turned at a right angle to the left of a big mountain as they slowed, and there it was in front of them. Peter had the courtyard in his sights as he touched down next to his friend.
Humpty’s eyes rolled, and Peter knew he was still alive. “Peter, help us,” mumbled the mayor not being able to concentrate very well.
Alisia’s eyes were wide and she said, “There are strange beings here, aren’t there, Peter?”
Peter shook his head yes to Alisia and then addressed Humpty.
“Humpty, I have Alice’s granddaughter with me. What are my directions?” But before he got his answer, Peter started feeling the life go out of him. He was one of them, and the energy drain hit Peter all at once. He was almost on the ground, when he called for the fairies. Humpty rolled his eyes again and then closed them.
“The fountain is empty,” said Star to Peter. “What will we do?”
“Do whatever you can; I am losing my strength, and it will be up to you to keep everyone alive, Star.”
Star held a meeting by calling her friends together around her. “We’ve got to come up with an idea.”
“What am I to do?” asked Alisia, interrupting the actresses. “Peter didn’t tell me much before he felt the energy drain. He said he was going to get a fairy to help me. Maybe one of the fairies
still has energy and can help me figure out how to start my part.”
“I do know where the cave is that leads to the stream,” said Star. “I only know that under the mountain is where to go, because I’ve heard them talking. You would have to go into the mountain and get the water running again so it will fill the fountain. The water is a magical stream that restores vital life, and I wouldn’t mind a drink right now myself. I feel like you are a person of destiny, Alisia, and the one needed here,” said Star to a confused young girl thrown into a situation she didn’t really understand fully.
“Can you show me the cave and these fairies that Peter talked about?”
“I haven’t seen the fairies, but maybe we can come up with an answer by asking someone who can still answer.”
“What is your plan?” asked Alisia of Star. “I’ve been thrown in here without knowing a thing.”
“What do you think we should do?” asked Star to her girls who were standing and listening.
Fashion said, “I think we should dig up the fountain and see if there’s any water pooled underneath. We could save some lives if by some chance there is water still left. All we need are some shovels.”
“I think some of us should go and try to find the fairies. I’m not sure where fairies hang out, but maybe we should get Mona to yodel for them. I don’t see how they could miss her calls,” said Sister wanting to help.
“That is the plan,” said Star. “Mona, would you go back where the echoes are the strongest and see if you can call the fairies?”
“I can do that,” said Mona, leaving for the collapsed cave.
“Fashion, will you look for shovels to dig up the fountain?”
“Aye, aye, Star,” said Fashion.
“Alisia, I realize you are in the dark here, but I think you should follow Mona and start your journey as soon as you find the fairy to help.”
“In the dark really doesn’t describe how I feel. I came here to help, and I guess I’m going to have to figure things out myself. I’m going to follow Mona and hope I can make a difference. These strange people, or whatever you call them, are in trouble. Do you think you could come with me? I think I need a guide.”
“I’ve kept myself in shape, Alisia, all my life, but if I bend over for any length of time I would have a massive crick in my neck or back, most likely in both. If I get on my knees, you will have to help me get to my feet and, above all, I can’t run anymore, not to mention I was trapped in a small, dark place when I was a kid and get terrific claustrophobia. If I were younger and free spirited like you, I would be right with you.”
“So, wish me luck then,” said Alisia.
“You don’t know how much we need you. I’m talking about all of us, including those of us who are helping. So, go and see just what you can do, and know that we are with you in spirit. I wish you the best of luck, Alisia.”
Alisia said thanks and headed out, following Mona who was still in sight climbing the high meadow.
Fashion came back from the garden center with a couple of shovels. “I don’t think I can shovel long,” said Fashion, “so, girls, we should take turns to shovel and quickly rotate. How does that sound, Star?” Star once again had become the boss, but she was good at it.
“Okay, there are four of us,” said Star, “and we have two shovels. If we have a competition to see who can dig the biggest hole, we can keep up the spirit that must win out here. We need to choose two teams and get on with it.”
They had a plan, but they all felt kind of hopeless. It was their only chance, so they had to try with all their energy.
Soon they could hear Mona yodeling as clear as if she were right next to them. It came to them as an echo on top of an echo, but it sounded nice.
Yodel lee yodel, whodle doodle fairies.
Yodel lee fairies true come and see us; we’s feelin so yodel lee blue.
Yodel see boadel hoadel see moadel; come to me, fairies, bogle see mogle.
Yodel lee ha ha who fairies. Come to me, he me he you who who who fairies.
There were soon fairies buzzing around the dark-headed singer. She thought they looked like big bugs, but one of the them alighted on her shoulder, and she could see they were tiny humanoid figures and quite attractive, as they were well kept. A white-clad fairy alighted on a rock beside her and asked, “How can we help you?”
Mona told the fairies there was a promise made by Peter, and the pledge stated that a fairy would accompany Alisia, Alice’s granddaughter, deep into the mountain to fix the magical stream. This fairy should be the most powerful of the bunch, because so many lives depended on the water from this stream.
“I can’t go,” said the fairy dressed in blue.
“I surely can’t go,” said the fairy dressed in red. “I’m almost out of energy myself.”
The fairy dressed in green said, “I used the last of my energy to fly here.”
By this time, Alisia walked up to Mona and heard the conversation. “What am I to do?” she asked, feeling frustrated that she would have to go on an expedition deep into a mountain in the dark with no telling how many creatures lurking to do her harm.
“Oh, you poor girl, they gave you the responsibility of fixing the stream and haven’t given you any help or directions and you being such a young girl,” said the white fairy.
“I am frustrated,” said Alisia, “but I see everyone falling from lack of energy, and I would like to help. Can you help me, white fairy?”
“Alas, I am also hindered by lack of energy, but if I don’t go, I don’t think it will happen and everyone dies. Yes, I will go and give my life to the renewal of the magical stream. Do you feel an energy drain, Alisia?”
“No, but I am hungry. Where could I find something to eat, and what is your name if you are coming with me?”
“You can call me Bella, and we can go find some food for you in town. If you let me ride on your head, I can save some energy that might be useful doing other things. I am the most powerful of all the fairies here and have enough energy for a couple of spells.”
“I love your name, Bella, and, yes, I will pick you up and put you on my head.”
Alisia did so and started walking back to the small town with Mona. “There is some hope now,” said Alisia, who could soon see the townspeople lying all over the walks and grassy lanes.
“Where can I find some food, Bella?”
“Go to the coffee shop. I think they might have some sweet rolls there. We could put some in a bag for you and then head to the cave that goes deep into the mountain.”
“I’m feeling better about this now that you are coming with me, Bella. Thank you so very much.”
“You are the one who should be thanked, Alisia. You didn’t have to come, because you aren’t affected by the stream not flowing. But you want to help from the goodness of your heart and that deserves a very good thank you, Alisia.”
Alisia did find a cookie at the coffee shop, and they were soon off to the foot of the high mountain.
Bella sat on Alisia’s head and gave her directions for the quickest way to the stream. They were close to the entrance, and Alisia took a deep breath of anticipation as they were preparing to enter the cave. She almost knocked Bella to the ground with a quick movement.
“I’m sorry,” said Alisia. “I thought you were holding on to my hair.”
“Will it hurt you if I hold on to your hair?”
“I don’t want to lose you, so I’ll accept any pain just to have you with me.”
They went into a dark chamber and Bella said, “I can tell you which way to go, but I shouldn’t burn my fairy light for I wouldn’t last long.”
“Just guide me, and I can take the dark. Oh, something just jumped on my leg. More are jumping on me now. They aren’t hurting me, but I don’t want them to be spiders and for some reason they feel like spiders.”
“I see them on your legs and more are working their way up your body. They aren’t spiders, though but I’m not sure what they are.”
Alisia felt one go up her blouse, and she quickly knocked it to the ground.
“Why did you hit one of my sisters?” came a voice.
“I don’t want bugs up my shirt,” replied Alisia.
“We are not bugs, and all we want is the warmth of your skin. We will not hurt you in any way, and if you let us cover you, we will keep your somewhat warm.”
“I am a bit cold, but keep off my face and don’t get on my fairy.”
“Then will you help us?”
“Sure, if it doesn’t hurt.”
“There has been a very cold breeze coming through the cave this last day and some of my friends have taken very sick. If you will help, you might save the slippers from freezing.”
“Is that what you are called?”
“We are the fuzzy slippers and we know something happened to the cave, but we’re not sure what. It is much colder than yesterday.”
“The magical stream has stopped flowing, and it might continue to get colder if we don’t find out what’s wrong with it,” said Bella.
Alisia pushed a slipper off her face and said, “Remember, not on my face or on my fairy; is that understood? I don’t care if you get on the rest of my body, because I do feel much warmer.”
After walking for a bit, Alisia asked, “Do you know what is ahead of us?”
“There are some almost empty rooms, except for the bugs that we eat, but we don’t go past a certain point because of the glowing lizards. If you are going into their room, we will have to jump off because they ferociously gobble us. You are way too big for them to eat, but they could snatch us right off your skin with their tongues. Do you think you can start the magical stream once more?”
“That is the only purpose for us being here, so we are going to try our best,” said Bella in a soft, wee voice.
“Keep walking as you are, but duck your head in three more steps,” said Bella to Alisia.
They went through two more vaults, and the slippers started jumping off Alisia’s body.
“We can’t go any farther,” said the slipper speaker, “but we wish we could help in some way. This cold air will soon take all of our lives, I fear. We have no goods and can’t give you any directions but we will wish you well and hope you succeed. One thing we do know is that there have been some terrible screams coming through the cave lately. You will have to be strong and alert.”
