fifteen

I don’t want to keep you in suspense about Clara for too long. I’d like to say that she recovered her strength in the Royal Balloon. Or that she was better once she landed on Sheepskerry soil. Or even when she first arrived at Queen Mab’s palace.

But none of that would be true.

Instead, Clara could barely lift her head to thank the birds who flew so fast. She could not manage to smile at Lady Courtney, who carried her through Queen Mab’s palace toward one of the inner chambers. She could not even summon the strength to squeeze her sisters’ hands when they clustered around her, hoping she might show some sign of recovery. And she did not see Rowan, who forfeited the swimming race and paced back and forth in the Great Hall of the palace, waiting for news.

“Shall we send for Tink?” Rosy asked Queen Mab.

“Tink cannot do anything for Clara now,” said Queen Mab. “Clara will have to draw strength from within to heal herself. I will do my utmost to help her.” Then she added gently, “Sing her a song so she knows you’re outside.” And she turned toward Clara’s chamber.

Rosy, Goldie, and Sylva lifted their voices in song, and Squeakie swayed in rhythm:

Let the circle be unbroken,

As we wait here, by her side.

Let the circle be unbroken,

We’ll abide here, we’ll abide.

Queen Mab flew silently into the chamber.

“Dear Clara Bell, you used too much magic, too soon, to help another creature in need. Now you are the one who must heal.”

Clara was able to lift her head, just a little. “Do you think I can do it?” she asked.

“I know you can,” said Queen Mab. “You will be a very great fairy someday.”

Clara turned her head away.

“Or have you forgotten my words?” said Queen Mab.

Clara managed a very small smile. “Never, my queen. Never.”

“Then draw from your strength within, Clara Bell. And heal.”

Queen Mab raised her arms, and the room was filled with light. She knelt down at Clara’s bedside. Then, slowly and carefully, in a deep strong voice, she said:

Harm and hurt

And pain no more.

Strength be with you,

From your core.

For you, Clara,

Do I kneel.

May your magic

Make you heal!

Clara’s eyes blinked. Her cheeks flushed with color.

“Come, fairies!” called Queen Mab to the Fairy Bell sisters. “Come help your sister.”

Rosy, Goldie, Sylva, and Squeak rushed into the bedchamber.

“You can do it, Clara!”

“You’re getting better—I can see it!”

“Coomada, coomada!”

“We love you, Clara! We love you!”

Outside the palace, the fairies and gnomes waiting for news heard a magnificent cheer. Then the windows to the bedchamber were flung open.

“She’s all better!” cried Rosy.

“She’s smiling!” cried Goldie.

“She did it!” cried Sylva.

“A-blay!” cried Squeak.

And down in the Great Hall, Rowan Gnome rubbed his eyes and blew his nose into his gnomish handkerchief. He would tell anyone who asked that his allergies were acting up, but if you ask me, I’d say there might be another reason why his eyes had welled with tears.