~ Chapter Seven ~

Daniel McDonald stopped at a trail map located outside of the forest ranger station. He pulled Ambrosia’s map from his back pocket and looked it over. It took him several minutes, but he was able to match her map to a similarly mapped area on the chart.

After locating the right trail, he headed out. He would find her and make her one sorry little girl.

* * * *

Ambrosia ran to Rom, who was slumped in front of a large hemlock tree. Majik came running from the other side of the forest.

“Rom, are you all right?” Ambrosia asked kneeling down in front of him.

Rom looked up at her with bloodshot eyes. “I am alive,” he said as he forced a smile.

“Can you walk?”

“No, my left leg is broken.”

Ambrosia looked down at his leg and nearly threw up. His bone was sticking out just below his knee.

“Ambrosia, I need you to get that stick over there,” Rom said barely able to lift his arm to point out the stick. Ambrosia got to her feet and retrieved the stick. “Now, you need to find something to tie the stick firmly to the outside of my leg. That will stop the bleeding and brace my leg so I can stand.”

Ambrosia thought for a moment before tearing off the sleeve of her shirt. “This is going to hurt,” she said as she reached over and picked up the thick stick. She placed the stick beside his leg then wrapped her sleeve tightly around it stabilizing it and stopping the bleeding all at once.

“I’m going to tighten it up just a little more is that all right?”

Rom nodded his head and Ambrosia pulled the sleeve as tightly as her small hands would allow.

Rom groaned.

“Is this the only place you are hurt?” Ambrosia asked as she finished knotting the sleeve.

“I think so. Nog broke my fall.”

“We found Nog dead a ways back,” Ambrosia said.

Rom was silent a moment letting the news sink in. “Our world will be at peace now,” he finally said. “Ambrosia would you get me something to drink?”

“Of course,” Ambrosia said returning to her feet. She opened Majik’s saddlebag and took out a gourd filled with water. She held it to his mouth while he drank greedily.

While Rom drank, Daniel McDonald entered the same grove of trees. Half way through he stopped. He was certain that he had heard voices.

“You can’t walk far, Rom, and even if you tried you might pass out from the pain. We have to find a way to get you up onto Majik’s back.”

“Ambrosia,” Daniel McDonald whispered. Quietly he made his way through the trees. Soon he spotted them. Ambrosia sat on the ground speaking to what appeared to be a deformed midget. A large black horse stood at her side. Where the heck did she get a horse and what is that she is talking to? he thought to himself.

He made his way closer using the large tree trunks as coverage. He got about thirty feet from them and stopped. He needed to figure out what to do next. Daniel McDonald sat down and listened.

“Once we clear this grove, Rom, it is only a little over a mile to the spot where we can climb back up the mountain. Once back on top we will be back in the boundaries of the Mystical Forest and Mirabella can heal you.”

“The Mystical Forest!” Daniel McDonald said in a whisper. How could it be possible? He thought things through. The dwarf-like creature was clearly injured and it would not be difficult for him to grab Ambrosia take the horse and make his way back to the car, but what if Ambrosia had found this Mystical Forest? If he could find it, would be a rich man.

From the tree, the watched Ambrosia help Rom to his feet. The horse paced nervously.

“Rom you are too heavy for me to help you far and I don’t think I am strong enough to push you up and onto Majik. We have to figure out how to...”

Before Ambrosia could finish her statement, Majik sat down beside them. Ambrosia smiled. “It looks like Majik has solved our problem for us.”

Ambrosia steadied Rom while he slowly lifted his injured leg and straddled Majik. Rom slumped forward exhausted and gripped a handful of Majik’s mane tightly in his hand.

Ambrosia kissed Majik softly on the head. “Thank you,” she said. “You need to hold on tight, Rom, while Majik gets to his feet.”

“I’m ready,” Rom said gripping Majik’s mane with all the energy he had left.

Ambrosia moved to Majik’s side and placed both her hands on Rom’s good leg to help steady him. “Okay, Majik”

As carefully as he could Majik returned to his feet. Rom was tossed about a bit, but he held on.

The threesome headed back toward Troll Mountain. Daniel McDonald moved around the tree and kept out of sight. Once they had passed him, he began to follow them at a safe distance. They’d lead him to the Mystical Forest, where he would grab Ambrosia and become a rich man by revealing the forest’s existence to the world! He rubbed his hands greedily together as he watched them enter the sunlight as they exited the protection of the tree grove.

“Are you doing all right?” Ambrosia asked Rom placing her hand gently on his leg.

“Don’t worry about me, Ambrosia, I’ll be fine.”

Ambrosia left Rom’s side. “He looks like he could pass out any time,” she whispered to Majik. He neighed softly. He picked up his pace slightly, but feared going any faster would make Rom too uncomfortable or worse yet cause him to fall off.

Leaving the shelter of the trees, Daniel McDonald had to move quickly to keep up, yet remain hidden. There were plenty of rocks large enough for him to hide behind, but they were spread out across the open meadow.

As they drew closer to the mountain, Majik slowed slightly. They were approaching the still body of Nog. Nog had caused nothing but pain. His whole life he lived only to torment those around him. Rom hated Nog deeply, but felt a twinge of sadness as he looked down at the still body of the Troll King. He had once been the controlling force in his life, now as they passed him he became a fading memory.

Majik, Ambrosia and Rom reached the base of the mountain and began to follow the trail that would lead them home.

Daniel McDonald had reached Nog’s body. Looking down at the stiffening figure, he poked him with his foot. “What the heck are you?” he asked aloud. In death, the Troll King had lost all of his intimidation. The smell of the dead creature made Daniel McDonald sick to his stomach. As badly as he wanted to investigate the creature further, he could not stand the smell and could not chance losing sight of Ambrosia. He got up from his knees and made his way to the next rock.

There were no rocks along the trail large enough for him to hide behind so he followed them from a great distance.

* * * *

“Here we are,” Ambrosia said. “From here it is all up. Do you need something to drink before we start up?” she asked Rom.

“Yes, please,” Rom said.

Ambrosia pulled another gourd of water from the saddlebag. Rom drank a few sips then handed it back to her. Ambrosia took a deep swallow. The large gourd was almost half-full. She broke off the top of the gourd and brought the water to Majik. He drank up the last of the water neighing his appreciation.

The three friends began the climb back up the mountain as Daniel McDonald watched them from the safety of a large boulder. They had to move slowly because of the injured thing on the horse so he was not worried about keeping up with them.

It took them about twenty minutes to make the climb and Rom had used up all most all of his energy hanging on to Majik’s neck to keep from sliding off as they got to the steep part of the journey.

They all sighed with relief as they crossed back into the safety of the Mystical Forest.

“Let’s get to the shade of the forest up ahead and Rom can rest in the coolness of the trees while you go for Mirabella,” Ambrosia told Majik.

An aura of blue suddenly surrounded Majik as his horn reappeared. They were home and safe...so they thought.

Daniel McDonald quickly climbed the mountainside. As he reached the top, he looked across the mountaintop. He saw no sign of Ambrosia so quickly he climbed up. He ran to the closest tree and pressed his back to it. The climb was a steep one and with one being injured, they would need to rest. They could not be far ahead.

As Daniel McDonald made his way toward the forest Majik took off in search of Mirabella. Ambrosia sat with Rom in the shade of a big oak tree. She held his hand tightly in hers.

“You saved my life Ambrosia.”

“Majik did all the work I just came along to keep him company.” She smiled at him and he squeezed her hand.

Rom was having a hard time staying awake, but ambrosia feared letting him sleep in case he had a concussion. Every time he nodded off, she would gently take his face in her hands and wake him back up.

“Mirabella will be here soon, Rom. I need you to stay awake until she gets here.”

While Ambrosia kept Rom from falling asleep Daniel McDonald located them and watched them from a safe distance.

* * * *

As Majik entered the village, he found Mirabella awaiting his arrival. She spun happily in the air as Majik told her Rom was within the boundaries of the Mystical Forest hurt, but very much alive.

Mirabella quickly gathered everything she would need to heal him and followed Majik with a happy heart.

* * * *

“Rom,” Mirabella cried out at the sight of him. She fluttered over to him landing gently on his shoulder. She kissed his cheek softly.

“His leg is broken Mirabella,” Ambrosia said.

“But he is home and alive thanks to you and Majik, Ambrosia!” Mirabella smiled up at her and Ambrosia smiled proudly back. “We will discuss everything once we have Rom back on his feet and safely back in the village.”

Mirabella flew down and looked at Rom’s leg. “Ambrosia I need you to cut the material holding the stick to Rom’s leg for me.”

Ambrosia tried to untie the sleeve, but it was too tight.

“I have a knife in the pocket of my shirt,” Rom said.

Ambrosia got the handmade knife and cut the sleeve. Slowly and gently, she removed the stick.

“Good, Ambrosia. Now I need you to tear Rom’s pant leg so the whole wound is exposed.”

Ambrosia felt nausea’s as she tore the material and exposed the large hole in Rom’s leg and the protruding bone.

Once the whole wound was revealed, Mirabella asked Rom to straighten his leg the best that he could. Rom groaned with pain as he shifted his leg.

Mirabella removed a small container from her pouch. She took the lid off and sprinkled its contents all over Rom’s wound. Then she opened a second container full of a glittery powder and dipped her small wand into the container.

Hovering just above his wound she spiraled around in slow circles chanting these words: “Healing light surround me now.

With love sincere, I chant this prayer.

In the divine name of the Goddess who breathes life into us all I ask that you charge this spell with might.

Mystic moon and brilliant sun send your power here this way.

Gracious Lady, bless this charge that I lay.

Powers that are, powers that will be gather around this spell.

I ask that you empower my working three times three sending fourth to see it last!

So shall it be!

Mirabella and Ambrosia watched as the wound that was causing Rom such pain began to heal itself. It took several minutes, but the wound was now gone.

“Your wound has healed my friend, but your body still needs rest. Your spirit has been greatly stressed. Majik will now take you home and I will watch over you through the night. Tomorrow you will be strong again.”

“Thank you, Mirabella.”

“I should thank you my dear friend for your pain was caused by the act of bravery you did to save me. Now save your energy let’s get you to bed and we will discuss everything tomorrow.”

* * * *

Daniel McDonald sat in disbelief. He had just seen a unicorn, troll and a fairy. He had watched as the red haired fairy had healed the troll. His mind was in a frenzy trying to absorb all that he had just witnessed.

As the unicorn with the troll upon its back followed Ambrosia and the fairy deeper into the forest he began to follow. With every step he took he began plotting an evil plan he was certain would enrich him beyond his wildest dreams.

* * * *

Mirabella watched Rom’s steady breathing. Thanks to Ambrosia and Majik he was home safe where he belonged. Tomorrow he would awaken his old self and they would all move forward without looking over their shoulders anymore for Nog was gone and they could forever live in peace.

They had so much to be thankful for, so much to celebrate, but yet something caused her to feel a sense of darkness near. As hard as she concentrated, she could not get a grasp on what her senses were trying to warn her about. For tonight, she would concentrate on Rom and tomorrow they would deal with them.

Ambrosia slept peacefully in her hut. She snored softly. Her father watched her sleep through the hut’s window. He could easily take her now, but he decided it would be best to be patient. He knew if he were to profit from all of this he would need proof, which meant he would need to capture one of the magical beings and bring them back with him. He needed to think it all through; one mistake and he could end up empty handed and he refused to allow that to happen.

Once he made his fortune from the Mystical Forest, he could cut Ambrosia free and live the high life. He headed back into the woods found a dark rock cave and slept soundly on a bed of moss dreaming of the riches to come.

* * * *

When Rom exited his hut that morning, everyone gathered around him. The children rushed him attaching themselves to his legs.

“I am glad to see you too,” he said encircling them with his large arms.

Mirabella sat on Ambrosia’s shoulder. “All of that is because of you, Ambrosia. Rom is home and safe. Without you he may have died alone in a world he did not belong to.”

“Majik did all the work. He carried Rom all the way home and found you to heal him,” Ambrosia said as she watched Rom with the children.

“Majik did not stop Rom’s bleeding nor did he splint his leg to prevent further damage and pain. You were very brave Ambrosia and you should be very proud of yourself.”

Tears silently ran down Ambrosia’s cheek. “I hope that those are tears of joy,” Mirabella said.

“No one has told me they were proud of me since my mother died.”

“Oh, sweet Ambrosia, you are a very special girl and your mother would be so proud of the young lady that you have become.”

Ambrosia smiled through her tears. Rom joined them. He tried to form the words he needed to tell Ambrosia how grateful he was, but they would not come. Instead, he wrapped his arms around her and hugged her to him. Ambrosia put her head on his shoulder and she felt true love for the first time since she lost her mother.

Daniel McDonald watched from behind a tree. “Patience,” he whispered to himself. Soon he would put his plan into action and begin his planned journey to riches.

Ambrosia he would get while she slept tonight and after he had secured her in the cave, he would come back for the red haired fairy. She would be easy to transport and once the world sees her they will pay him millions maybe even billions to reveal the whereabouts of the Mystical Forest.

As Daniel McDonald formed his evil plan, Ambrosia and her new family gathered in prayer giving thanks for the safe return of their beloved Rom.

* * * *

As darkness fell, Daniel McDonald watched from the forest as the village wound down for the night. One by one, lighted windows went dark.

He sat in the darkness just outside the village giving its inhabitants plenty of time to go to sleep. He had planned out the safest route to Ambrosia’s hut and Mirabella’s mushroom. He needed to get in and out as quickly as possible and get beyond the boundaries of the forest before daylight.

He had made a rope from a thick vine he discovered dangling from a tree. He carried that rope on his hip. He would secure Ambrosia with it then return for the fairy.

He made his way through the woods taking cover behind the trees. The moon was full and if someone would awaken, he could easily be spotted.

Reaching Ambrosia’s hut he checked around him, nothing stirred. He considered entering through the door, but he feared it would make enough noise to wake Ambrosia from her slumber. Instead, he carefully entered through the window. When his feet hit the hut’s dirt floor Ambrosia stirred, but did not waken.

Once beside her he knelt down and clasped his hand over her mouth. She awoke seeing her stepfather’s face and immediately began to struggle for her freedom.

“Stop struggling, Ambrosia, or I will hurt you and your little friends too.”

Ambrosia immediately stopped fighting him knowing in her heart he would do exactly what he threatened.

“I need to take my hand from your mouth now. If you scream I will hurt you and the others, do you understand?

She nodded yes.

He removed his hand from her mouth and began tying her hands in front of her. “Now come quietly with me, Ambrosia, or your new friends will pay for your actions.”

Daniel McDonald tied her feet together then hoisted her over his shoulder like a sack. He carried her back to the cave. When he put her down, he was breathing heavily.

He tore off a piece of his shirt and stuffed it into her mouth. “Now you sit here like a good girl while I visit that red haired fairy friend of yours.”

Ambrosia’s panicked. “Mirabella!” her mind screamed. Again, she called out to Mirabella in her mind.

* * * *

Mirabella awoke suddenly. Without question, she knew danger was near and that Ambrosia needed her. She left her mushroom and went directly to Bean’s awakening him. “Shh...” she whispered into his ear. “Something is wrong. Ambrosia is in danger as are we all.”

Bean did not question her. He rose from his bed quickly wiping the sleep from his eyes. “What can I do?”

“Wake the others. Keep them quiet. Gather them all together in Basil’s kitchen. I need to check on Ambrosia.” Side by side, they left Bean’s home; once in the still night air, they parted ways.

While Bean went about getting everyone to Basil and Ogre’s kitchen Mirabella had discovered Ambrosia was missing from her bed.

Nog was dead the other trolls had moved on so what or who could be threatening them? She searched her senses for Ambrosia and realized she was not far from the village and she could hear her heart beat quickened by fear.

Mirabella joined the others in the kitchen just as Daniel McDonald stepped from the forest and entered the small clearing in front of the village.

“What is going on, Mirabella?” Rom asked as she entered the kitchen.

“Someone has taken Ambrosia.”

“Who would do such a thing?” Bean asked.

“I am uncertain, but I sense danger near,” Mirabella said. “It is close and after more than just Ambrosia. We are all in danger.”

“It is not trolls,” Rom said. “I would know if they were near.”

“This danger is foreign,” Mirabella said. “I can sense it, but I cannot identify it. We must stay together and...” The snapping of a twig not far away ended the conversation.

Mirabella blew out the two candles that were lit and moved toward the window. In the moon’s light, she could see something moving just beyond the village. It moved closer like a predator stalking its prey.

It was hunched over and moving cautiously. As it passed by Ambrosia’s hut, the night’s moon shone brightly on the intruders face.

“No...how can it be?” Mirabella said.

“What is it Mirabella?” Raz asked moving toward the window.

Remembering his face from her encounter with Ambrosia she said, “It is Ambrosia’s stepfather.”

“How did he find us?” Serena asked.

“I don’t know, but now we must find a way to deal with him. We cannot let him take Ambrosia back with him. She will not be safe with him.”

“Tell us what we need to do Mirabella. Ambrosia is one of us now and we will all work together to protect her,” Bean said just above a whisper.

“I’m not sure yet,” Mirabella said. “Right now everyone should stay here and stay very quiet. I am going to go outside and keep an eye on him.” Mirabella turned to leave.

“I’m going with you,” Rom said stepping in front of her. She was going to protest, but the look in his eyes told her it would be useless.

The two friends entered the night together and hid in the shadows. The watched Daniel McDonald as he crept through the village. He knelt down in front of Mirabella’s mushroom. Finding it empty, he was enraged. He moved from house to house finding them all empty. In his rage, he began to crush the mushroom homes with his foot.

“Rom! He’ll reach the kitchen soon! Get them all moved into the woods. Do it quickly!” Mirabella flew high up into a tree, rested on a branch far from Daniel McDonald’s reach, and watched him.

Daniel McDonald had entered the village silently, but now he was enraged at finding it empty. He continued his path of destruction. “Where are you?” he shouted.

Mirabella watched from high above. After several minutes, he sat down in the middle of the village exhausted by his tantrum. Patiently Mirabella waited. She hoped to follow him to where ever he had hidden Ambrosia.

Rising to his feet, anger still clear on his barely visible face Daniel McDonald began to walk back to the woods defeated. Mirabella followed from a safe distance. As soon as he cleared the meadow and headed toward the mountainside Mirabella was certain he was headed for the old black bear cave.

Closing her eyes, she used her fairy magic to wish herself to the cave. She had only a few minutes before Daniel McDonald reached the cave so she quickly entered in search of Ambrosia. She was rewarded with the sight of her tied up on a bed of moss.

“He is close, Ambrosia.” Mirabella landed on the ground in front of her and it took all her might to pull the rag from Ambrosia’s mouth.

“Are you hurt?”

“No,” Ambrosia said trying to sit up.

“Stay still,” Mirabella pulled on the vine tying Ambrosia’s legs together. It took all of her energy, but she was able to loosen it enough to unwrap it from Ambrosia’s legs. “We do not have time to untie your hands. As soon as we are free of the cave, Ambrosia, I want you to run as fast as your legs will carry you. Run into the forest behind the village and find a place to hide.”

Just as they stepped out of the cave’s darkness Mirabella saw Daniel McDonald just a few feet away. “Run Ambrosia. Run and do not look back.”

Ambrosia ran as fast as she could, her balance off a bit due to her hands being tied together. Daniel McDonald turned as though he was going to give chase, but didn’t. Instead, he turned to face Mirabella.

He took one-step forward. “I’m not going to hurt you.” He slowly took a few more steps. Mirabella hovered just a few feet from his face. With one quick move, he lunged forward and tried to snatch her from the air.

Mirabella had flown higher up just in time and looked down at him from high above his reach.

“Get down here!” he shouted up at her as he got back to his feet and dusted wet leaves from his jeans.

“Ambrosia lives with us now. It would be best for you to return to the human world and leave us alone.”

“Oh. I’ll be returning to my world with Ambrosia and you little fairy.”

“I can’t let you do that.”

“You have no option. Now get down here!”

When Mirabella stayed where she was Daniel McDonald grew angrier. He picked up a handful of rocks and began throwing them at her.

Mirabella was able to dart out of the way. “We will not let you take Ambrosia.” Mirabella flew off and he turned and began chasing her, but he could not keep up.

He had to stop to catch his breath. His chest ached from exertion. “This is not over!” he shouted.

* * * *

Mirabella found Ambrosia tucked away in a hollow log. “It’s safe Ambrosia come out.”

Ambrosia’s eyes were red and swollen with tears. “I’m so sorry.”

“You have nothing to be sorry for.”

“All of this is my fault. Everyone is in danger because of me.”

“Your stepfather is an evil man, Ambrosia. That in no way is your fault. I wish we had the time to discuss this further, but we must find the others and find a safe place to hide.”

As they headed into the woods in silence Mirabella’s thoughts raced. She had to find a way to protect them all.

They found Rom and the others hidden in the May apple patch protected by the plants’ big leaves.

“We need to find a safe place to hide for a few days. We need time to figure out how to deal with this problem.”

Before Mirabella could finish the thundering voice of Daniel McDonald filled the air. “You can hide, but I’ll find you. I’ll find you all. You’re going to make me rich!”

They moved quickly deeper into the woods. As time passed, Daniel McDonald grew frustrated. He pulled a bottle of whiskey from his backpack and began to drink. It did not take long for him to become drunk.

As he continued his search for Ambrosia and her new friends, his rage grew. “You think you have out smarted me, but you are wrong!” he shouted angrily.

As he continued staggering through the trees an evil thought came to him. He pulled a lighter from his jeans pocket and began to laugh. He bent over to pick up a dried stick, but lost his balance and fell. “I’ll smoke you out!” he shouted from the ground.

Still on the ground, he lit the lighter to some leaves and sticks and began to laugh. As dawn arrived, the fire grew.

* * * *

As the sun lit the world, it was added in its duty by the flickering flames of what was now a major forest fire. They could not return to the village because soon it would be engulfed in flames.

“What do we do?” Ellie asked tears streaming down her face. “Our home will soon be gone.”

Mirabella looked around her to see the faces of everyone she loved. Many of them were crying and all of them looked at her with eyes filled with fear.

Before she could say anything Jollah, Nadia and Majik emerged from the trees. They paced back and forth nervously. Jollah neighed loudly.

“They want us to follow them. Everyone, stay close together,” Mirabella said.

Rom took Ambrosia’s hand and they led the others in the direction the unicorns had gone. When their journey was over Mirabella understood.

“The Rainbow Waterfall. You’ve saved us my friends!” Mirabella kissed each unicorn on the nose. “There is a huge opening behind the waterfall,” Mirabella told Ambrosia.

“I know. It’s in my book,” Ambrosia said.

Mirabella smiled, “Of course it is. The rocks are very slippery so everyone be very careful.” As they lined up and made their way through the waterfall, Mirabella looked back. The fire grew closer and the air was growing hot. Soon it would surround the waterfall and everything they knew as home would be gone.

They all huddled together along the rock wall inside the waterfall clinging to each other for comfort. Several of the smaller children clung tightly to Rom. He looked down into their scared eyes and it pained his heart.

Patting each of their heads Rom asked them to sit. He sat down beside them and they formed a small semi-circle around him. “Would you like a story?” he asked.

Even inside the waterfall, they could smell the smoke. The roaring of the waterfall did spare them the crackling and popping the fire made as it destroyed their beloved Mystical Forest.

Rom had to speak loudly to be heard over the waterfall’s roar. A long time ago a mighty black dragon once reigned over the Mystical Forest. Merth was the last of his kind and his heart was black as coal. Each day Merth would wake up ravished with hunger. He would take to the sky in search of food. He would swoop over the village and pick someone to eat.

The Great Fairy knew that unless they were able to stop Merth soon there would be no mystical creatures left in the world. Merth was gobbling them up one at a time. So the Great Fairy made the long journey to the edge of the Mystical Forest where the Goddess of Nature lived within the soul of the Tree of Life.

The Great Fairy asked the Goddess how they could stop Merth. In a voice that was, but the whispering wind the Goddess explained that the only way to stop Merth was to seal him inside the Tree of Life with her so should could forever ensure he could not escape and wreak havoc upon the world.”

Despite the devastation going on everyone lost themselves in Rom’s story grateful for the distraction. For the next half hour, Rom told them of how Merth came to be sealed in the Tree of Life by the Great Fairy and how everyone lived happily for hundreds of years until Nog.

* * * *

They spent the night inside the waterfall. They laid close together taking comfort in each other’s presence. When they rose in the morning they knew that they had to leave their shelter and see what remained if anything of home.

Carefully they left the waterfall. The air was still smoky and it took a moment for their eyes to readjust to the light. No words were spoken; no words could ever describe the devastating loss they felt. Their world was gone. Nothing remained except ashes over blackness.

“I’m sorry,” Ambrosia said.

Rom put his arm around Ambrosia and she rested her head on his shoulder finding comfort in her friend’s arms.

“None of this is your fault Ambrosia.” Ambrosia was about to speak, but Mirabella stopped her. “Don’t you dare say that if you hadn’t come here none of this would have happened. If you had not come here Rom would be dead. Things happen for a reason, Ambrosia. We will start anew. The fire could not have crossed the river so we will find a way across and build a new village.”

“Do you think my father survived?”

“I am unsure, but if he did he may be injured so we should search the area where this all started for him.”

“I’ll take my pixies and search,” Serena offered.

“Thank you, Serena. Please be careful and stay on guard. He may have come out of this unharmed and still be a great danger to us.”

Serena and the pixies took to the air. Their hearts felt heavy as they looked down at the burnt remains of what had been home for so long.

When they reached the fire’s point of origin there was no need for them to search further. Ambrosia’s father lay on the ground just inside the fire line. His face and body were covered in a layer of black ash.

Serena got just low enough to see that he was still breathing, but very shallowly. His heartbeat was weak and she knew that without immediate help he would not survive.

“Stay here and keep an eye on him,” Serena told her pixies as she hurried back to fetch Mirabella.

* * * *

Mirabella, Ambrosia, Rom, Ellie and Bean returned with Serena. Mirabella landed on top of Daniel McDonald's stomach. She placed her hand on his chest. He has an awful lot of smoke in his lungs. He is very weak, but I think I can help him.”

Despite his years of cruelty Ambrosia could not help, but want him to live.

“Ambrosia, I will use my powers to heal him. It will take several hours to work. As soon as I do the healing spell, we will place him upon Jollah’s back. Ellie can use a spell to erase his memory. Jollah will leave him just inside the human world and when he awakens, he will have no memory of any of this. He will have no memory of you.”

“I understand,” Ambrosia said. “I wish I was the one who could forget him. Please, Mirabella, just help him.”

Mirabella hovered inches above Daniel McDonald's body. She closed her eyes, spun slowly in a circle and recited a healing spell:

Oh Goddess of Nature

Goddess of Light

Give unto me the power to make this right.

I give the gift of health and life.

Mirabella stopped spinning and twirled her wand in a complete set of circles. Fairy dust fell down onto Daniel McDonald. Within moments, his breathing returned to normal and his heartbeat strengthened.

Rom and Ambrosia struggled to get him onto Jollah’s back. There were several failed attempts, but they were finally able to get him situated.

Ellie stepped forward wand in hand. She placed the glowing wand upon his forehead and said these words:

As I erase one letter away

You’ll forget the secret of the Mystical Forest and forget you have a daughter today

And when the last letter is erased and burned

Our secret to you will never return.

“It is done.”

“Thank you, Ellie. Majik, please lead Jollah to the path that leads into the human world. Once there please leave him somewhere he can easily be discovered,” Mirabella asked of her friend.

Ambrosia watched them go. Despite the ruin that surrounded her, she felt hopeful. All the darkness in her life was getting further away with every step Jollah took.

“Goodbye Daniel,” Ambrosia whispered before she turned away from him for the final time.

* * * *

As Mirabella and the others prepared to move toward their new life, something dark arose from the ashes of the Tree of Life. A giant shadow fell across the charred remains of the land.

Merth breathed in his first taste of air in decades, tainted with smoke and ashes.

Landing on the darkened ground, he looked around him. The world that he remembered was gone.

After stretching the soreness from his wings, he went in search of his lair. Merth was well over 30 feet long. Most black dragons were of average intelligence, but Merth was much smarter making him much more dangerous.

His stomach growled with hunger. Soon he would need to find food to sustain him.

Merth was the last of the black dragons and his soul was as dark as his scales. As he approached his lair Merth's dark eyes glistened. Unlike most dragons, there was no goodess within Merth. Before Merth's birth dragons lived in peace with the inhabitants of the Mystical Forest.

Legend has it that at the moment of Merth's first breath the sky turned black and the air grew heavy. The hearts of those who called the Mystical forest home filled with fear. Until the day that he was sealed up in the Tree of Life by the Great Fairy, he had brought only terror and bloodshed.

The Tree of Life's branches connected the Mystical Forest to the powers of the earth. Many believed that it was in some way also connected to the heavens. The Tree of Life's history spanned through the Stone Ages. Its history was intertwined with divinity and immortality.

Merth's stomach growled loudly demanding it not be ignored. Leaving the darkness of the cave, he took to the air. Nothing stirred. He saw nothing move, nothing that showed any signs of life. He landed on the smoldering grass and began to sniff the air. It was difficult to smell anything but smoke, but Merth caught the scent of singed flesh. Following his snout, he found a small herd of deer. The deer had been trapped by the fire and had died a painful death.

Merth scooped the largest deer into his mouth and began to chew hungrily. Moments later, he spit bones onto the ground and scooped up the next one.

Once he'd finished eating, his belly satisfied, he took to the air in search of the living

* * * *

Mirabella, her fairies, the pixies and sprites could easily fly across the river, but the others were busy finding well-shaped acorn tops in which to make the trip. They found small twigs to use as oars.

“Ambrosia, you will need to ride upon Majik across the river and Rom will ride Nadia. Jollah will lead the way.”

“How will we protect the village like Mystical Forest was protected?” Ambrosia asked.

“The Mystical Forest is wherever we are, Ambrosia. We are what makes it magical. As soon as we find a place to call home, we will cast a protection spell. They last for hundreds of years.”

Bean and the others began to put their acorn shells into the water and climb in. Luckily, the water was shallow and calm.

As they set sail Mirabella looked back one last time at the place she had called home for over one hundred years. She felt a twinge of sadness, but knew that their future lay ahead.

Looking down at her loved ones as they paddled across the great river she could not help, but smile. As long as they had each other, everything would be all right.

A new beginning awaited them ... as did a darkness like they had never known.