ten

Swiftly, they raced down Sunrise Hill. Clara laughed as they bumped and slipped and slid their way down the hill. “I’ve never gone this fast on land before!” she called, her eyes bright. She would have enjoyed the ride even more if she hadn’t been so worried about her sisters. When they reached the deep snow at the bottom of the hill, Clara said a hasty good-bye to Rowan. Then she flew toward home.

Under the cover of trees, Clara did not need to worry about snow on her wings. She flew straight to the Bell fairy house. All the way home, she fretted about what she would find there: Rosy overwhelmed, Goldie in tears, Sylva frozen in a snowbank, and Squeak crying her eyes out, frightened and alone. Why couldn’t she fly any faster?

Finally, panting and out of breath, she arrived at her beloved fairy house. She burst through the door. “Oh, sisters, sisters, where are you? Are you safe? Are you all right?”

She looked around. She didn’t see anyone. Not even Rosy. Not even Squeak!

“Goldie, Sylva—where are you?” she cried. “Rosy! Squeakie! Have I lost you forever?” Then Clara heard a very familiar sound.

“No lolo!”

In front of the fire, in a cozy heap, were Rosy, Goldie, Sylva, and Squeak. Three mugs of steaming hot chocolate were on the toadstool table (plus a special bottle of warm milk for you-know-who). Fluffy white marshmallows were roasting on sticks. The smell of popcorn was in the air. The great room was as warm as toast.

“You’re all right?” Clara said. “You knew what to do without me?”

“Of course we’re all right,” said Rosy. “We’ve had so much fun! This house was built to last.”

“Doesn’t Sheepskerry look pretty?” asked Goldie. “Everything’s white and fresh.”

“Queen Mab herself flew over to see us,” said Sylva. “She got a message from a deer!”

“Where were you all this time?” asked Goldie.

Clara hesitated a little. Then she said, “I was up on the top of Sunrise Hill with Alasdair’s brother. Rowan.”

“Rowan!” said Sylva. “What were you doing all that time with a gnome?”

“Chatting about the Games, I’m sure,” said Rosy. She noticed the new scarf around Clara’s neck. “He seems like a nice gnome,” she said to her big sister.

“He is,” said Clara. “I really think he is.”