The Last Fairy Tale (32 page)

 “Oh, Olivia, we haven’t really had the chance to speak with you since we’ve returned,” Holli said. She patted the unfamiliar gnome on the shoulder. “This is our little dearie, Ronald.”

 Ronald stepped forward and extended his hand toward Olivia. She bent down and shook his small hand with her thumb and forefinger, overjoyed that Rufus and Holli now had their son back, safe from harm. She noticed, however, that Ronald looked grey compared to his parents.

 “I don’t know how to thank you enough for what you’ve done for us,” Ronald said. “Back in that fortress I felt like I was in some sort of trance. I know I must have done horrible things, but I’d rather not think about it now. I’m just thankful to be alive and reunited with my family, even though it seems that all of us who were Taken have lost the ability to perform magic.”

 Olivia was taken aback by what Ronald had just told her. She couldn’t imagine all those that the Lich King had used being forced to live without magic.

 “I lived for quite a while without even knowing that magic existed,” Olivia said. “In a way, I understand what you’re going through. Please let me know if I can do anything for you, even if it’s just to listen.” She straightened back up, smiling at Ronald.

 “I certainly will,” Ronald said. “I can see why Ma and Da speak so highly of you, Olivia.” He removed his hat and bowed.

 Olivia thanked him, reached down, and patted his curly red hair. He looked up, blushing. She smiled as a bit of color returned to his face.

 She turned her gaze toward the Great Fairy’s tomb and saw Kai-Tu and Haunches standing near it. She waved at the family of gnomes before shuffling over to Kai-Tu. She noticed that he held a hat that looked identical to the ones Rufus and Holli wore, except that it was black. Olivia looked at the hat questioningly.

 “Rufus talked to my father,” Kai-Tu whispered. “He was amazed when he heard I wanted to study remedology. He even said that I can study with the gnomes under Stonehaven Lake.”

  “That’s wonderful!” Olivia whispered, patting him on the shoulder. “I’m glad you get to do something you enjoy. No more hiding who you truly are.”

 “Yeah,” Kai-Tu said. “I guess.” He cut his eyes at Olivia and they both laughed.

 Olivia then turned her gaze to the others. As she looked around at everyone, they nodded grimly, as if they understood exactly what she was feeling.

 From the moment Olivia had been bound to Lily, she had felt a strange sadness unlike any she had ever felt before, but she had also been flooded by a whole host of other emotions. Now, however, she felt a new strength with the sadness, guilt, and despair that revolved around the deaths of the Great Fairy, Locke, Morragin, and all the others who had lost their lives along the way. She felt as though the order of the world had been disrupted, as though their lives had been ripped from a tapestry and left behind gaping holes. Things that would have been because of their existence would never be, and the holes in the tapestry would have to be mended by new threads spooled from the memories of each person they influenced. Olivia began to cry softly as she looked down at the tombs.

It’ll all be okay, Olivia.
Lily’s voice came with a comforting feeling, like a warm blanket had been thrown over her anxious and suffering mind.

 “They said you were closer to Locke than anyone else,” came a gentle voice from behind Olivia. She quickly turned around, wiping her eyes. Three imps, two slightly taller than Olivia, and one slightly smaller stood before her. They reminded her strongly of Locke. They all carried flutes on their backs, and one of them carried a violin.

 “Oh…yes, he was a great friend,” Olivia said, sniffing. “We had many good times together. Are you…Locke’s family?”

 “Yes, Miss Wickworth, we are,” the tallest imp said. “I am Madocke, his father. This is Leesa, my wife.” He pointed to the imp next to him. “And this is Pucke, our younger son.” He pointed to the smallest imp, who gazed at Olivia in wonder.

 “It’s an honor to meet you,” said Olivia. “Locke told me many things about you on our journey. He even cooked your imp stew for me, I believe.” She smiled.

 “Oh, Locke…” said Leesa, putting a hand to her mouth. Tears formed in her eyes. “We came up with that recipe together. He was such a wonderful imp, so kind and...”

 Leesa threw her arms around Olivia. They cried, remembering the times they spent with Locke. Madocke and Pucke joined Leesa in embracing Olivia. Their tears were for their loss, but also for the joy they remembered Locke bringing them. As they grieved, Olivia felt the hole left behind by Locke’s death slowly being mended. It wasn’t filled, but it no longer caused her pain or sorrow.

 “Miss Wickworth,” Madocke said, wiping his eyes. “Bren brought Locke’s violin back to us. We thought that, if you would like it, it would only be fitting that you have it.” He held the violin out to her.

 “Are you sure?” Olivia asked, hesitant to accept such a precious item.

 “Of course,” said Leesa. “We know how much you meant to one another.”

 “Thank you. Thank you so much.” Olivia cautiously took the violin from Madocke’s hands and held it close to her chest.

 “Everyone please gather around. We would like to commence the service,” said a loud voice near the tombs. It was Flaym.

 A ripple of excitement and confusion swept through the ever-growing crowd surrounding the tombs. Most of the creatures of Aeldyn had never seen the kami before.

 “We stand before you, deeply moved and greatly saddened by the reason we have gathered here,” said Flaym, surrounded by the other three kami. He floated over toward Olivia and looked down at her with his ominous glare. She felt, however, that he was smiling at her.

 “However, we are here to honor the great Aeldynians we have lost and to joyously recall their lives,” Flaym continued, turning to the crowd. “As many of you now know, a human girl named Olivia Wickworth was brought here from another realm, one that is called Earth by some. It is a land long forgotten by the people of Aeldyn. At this very moment, Earth is dying, and your world would have fallen to the same fate had it not been for Olivia Wickworth.

 “When she started her journey, Miss Wickworth met Locke, a young imp from the Elder Forest. They became the closest of companions despite the danger it posed to him. In the end, Locke stood by Miss Wickworth and stared into the face of evil itself to protect her. His name shall be forever honored as the bravest of all Aeldynians.

 “You are all aware that the one you called the Great Fairy has passed on. Even though Miss Wickworth’s quest to save Aeldyn resulted in the loss of a wonderful friend of ours and an old adviser of your people, he would not have wished you to grieve for him. His time should have come long ago, but he was bound to the human in the north, prolonging his life. It was he who brought Miss Wickworth into Aeldyn, allowing us all to live in peace once more.

 “Leave this place today recalling the wondrous lives of these two great Aeldynians. Always remember their sacrifices and celebrate their victories.”

 The kami bowed to the tombs and then toward Olivia. She bowed in return, thanking them silently for their part in bringing her into Aeldyn and allowing her to meet Locke and the Great Fairy. The kami then headed toward the Great Fairy’s Hollow to return to their own realm. After a moment, Olivia walked in front of the tombs and bowed her head, Lily perched on her shoulder and Locke’s violin pressed to her heart.

 “Thank you,” Olivia said. “Both of you.” She turned and walked away from the tombs, back toward the cavern under the Great Fairy Tree.

 “That was beautiful, wasn’t it Olivia?” Lily asked, holding onto Olivia’s ear for support.

 “Yes, it was very nice,” Olivia replied, smiling. “But I can’t quite put my finger on something...”

 “Is there something you were going to ask me?” Ink asked.

 Olivia spun around. He was behind her, floating lazily in the air as a goat.

 “Yes,” said Olivia. She had made up her mind that it was impossible for Ink not to startle her. But the sudden jolt reminded her of what she had been wondering about. “I was wondering what you–”

 “I know,” Ink said, smiling. “You were wondering what I had found out about helping the children. Correct?”

 “Yes, that’s it exactly,” Olivia said anxiously.

 “Well, here is the way I see it,” Ink said. “The Door is decaying faster with every moment that passes. As your world dies, so, too, does the rift between worlds. We finally determined that you would be able to open the Door to allow others through, but I would bet that you could only open it one last time.” He giggled in a low, raspy voice. “Convenient, yes?”

 “That’s great news! What are we waiting fo–”

 “Not so fast,” Ink said abruptly, floating around her head. “Who’s to say one of those children won’t become the next Lich King?”

 Olivia thought for a moment. She had never even considered the possibility of the other children posing a threat to Aeldyn or its people.

 “No,” Olivia said firmly. “If they are even still alive, they will be grateful for being brought here. They’ve lived a difficult life in the orphanage and may not know how to think for themselves right now, but they’re all good children and learn quickly. Besides, I’m recording the events of the journey in my father’s journal right now, so that everyone can know what happened and how it almost destroyed this place.”

 “Ah, I see,” said Ink. “I trust you know what you are doing by now, Olivia. When would you like to go?”

 “Now,” Olivia insisted.

 “Very well,” said Ink. “I have a plan. How about you gather your old companions and begin traveling to the Door. While you are doing that, I will gather the children. Is that a deal?”

 “So, you’ll bring them to the Door on the other side?” Olivia asked.

“Yes, but we will have to act quickly and synchronously,” Ink said. “Those
things
 roaming around outside your old home are still there. We’ll need to both be at the Door at the same time.”

  “I’ll go get the others and we’ll leave right away.”

 Ink disappeared, and Olivia turned to find her friends who were all standing in a group inside the Great Fairy’s Hollow. They appeared to be getting ready to go back to their homes. When Olivia approached them with an anxious expression on her face, they all turned to her.

 “Olivia, what is it?” Kai-Tu asked.

 “I came to ask…” Olivia said, pausing to calm herself, “if any of you would like to help me on one last quest.”

  Everyone nodded without hesitation.

 “Of course we will, dear Olive,” said Haunches. “We would persist on any quest you may ever have to remark on.”

 “Will always go…” said Grimwitch excitedly.

 “With Olivia!” finished Gauntlet.

 Olivia smiled, thanking everyone profusely. “But I promise, this one will be short and easy,” she said with a laugh.

* * * * *

 Olivia and the rest of the group stood before the Door in the Elder Forest. The black, twisted tree looked out of place next to the lively green ones. She hoped fervently that it would still open this one last time.

“Don’t lose hope, Olivia!” said Lily, thrusting her fist into the air enthusiastically.
They’re all okay. I know it
!

 With her staff and her father’s journal in hand, Olivia waited in front of the Door for Ink to give her the signal. Bren and Jin stood nearby, ready to help the children when they arrived. Grimwitch and Gauntlet waited a little behind Olivia, jumping in anticipation of meeting more humans. Kai-Tu, Haunches, Holli, Rufus, and Ronald stood next to a large pile of bright red apples. Thunc and Kili waited behind the others, Kili chirping a happy melody and Thunc dancing.

 “Olivia,” Ink’s voice called suddenly in Olivia’s mind. “Get ready, child! They are running to the Door now!”

 “I’m opening it now!” said Olivia, running up to the tree. She pricked her finger on the clasp of her father’s journal as she had done before and placed the bloody finger to the keyhole on the tree.

 Just as before, Olivia felt her finger latch onto the tree and  her heart stop beating, and her lungs seize up. Then, after a moment that felt like an eternity, her heart resumed beating, she drew in a deep breath, and she fell away from the tree. She collapsed to her knees and heard Bren and Jin rushing to help her. She quickly held up her hand.

 “Wait,” Olivia whispered. She slowly stood and backed away from the tree as the Door began to etch itself into the rotting bark. Only the lower half of the Door appeared, however. The rest of it had died with the decaying tree. To Olivia’s relief, the knob remained. She quickly grasped the knob, turned it sharply, and yanked the Door open.

 Cold, black air rushed in, and everyone gasped, taking a step back. For a while, they only heard the sound of the air blowing through and the distant wail of a siren. But then, Olivia and the group heard heavy breathing and pounding footsteps drawing near. Everyone watched the Door eagerly.

 Suddenly, a head appeared through the rift. It peered around, an expression of fear and awe on its face. When its gaze turned to Olivia, the rest of the person scrambled through.

 “Olivia…” cried Rosie Walton. “Wha–”

 “Hold on, I’ll explain everything later,” said Olivia quickly. “Are the others coming?”

 “Yes!” Rosie said, struggling to catch her breath. “That Ink thing led everyone out of the orphanage and told us to run here!”

 Rosie turned about fearfully as she noticed the other creatures around her. Olivia noticed that Rosie, who was typically a bit overweight, was looking as though she hadn’t had a meal in many days. Rosie nervously scooted over to stand next to Olivia.

 Everyone watched as more children scrambled through the Door. Olivia recognized all of them, even though they all looked starved and sickly. After nearly all of the children had entered, Olivia bent down and looked through the Door.

 “Where’s Nachton?” she asked the other children urgently.

 “He’s been doing really bad,” said one of the children. “All of us have, really. Ever since Ms. Kobayashi and Mr. Schafer died, we haven’t been able to get any food. Mr. Gloome locked it and himself up in his office.”