sixteen

Clara had never been as happy as she was at the farewell banquet that night. She felt as healthy as she had ever felt in her life—lighter, and more full of life. Queen Mab took care of all the arrangements for the banquet this time, and the feast was sumptuous. There was a roaring fire in the hearth, and all the gnomes and fairies were dressed in their coziest winter sweaters. Everyone was delighted to be there, and the faces of the Fairy Bell sisters were suffused with joy. Tink sent Clara a get-well card that appeared in the middle of the feast by magic.

“Look!” said Rosy. “The postmark is Neverland!”

Inside there was a very special message:

       I know you’ll already be better when you get this, Clara. Queen Mab was right about you!
Hugs and kisses, Tink

Everything would have been perfect, except that Rowan was nowhere to be seen. His friends Cam and Hamish told Clara he’d get there after supper. “He’s working on a wee project,” said Cam. “He’ll be along presently.”

When supper was finished, the insect orchestra played a fanfare, and Queen Mab flew up to the palace stage.

“These have been some wonderful Valentine’s Games,” said Queen Mab. “Fairies and gnomes competed together in our annual contest. Sylva Bell broke a record in Fairy Flight.” She looked at Sylva, and Sylva beamed. “And another record was set in Tossing the Branch, thanks to Alasdair Gnome.” Alasdair flexed his muscles and flashed a grin at Iris Flower. “And as to the dramatic ending to the Games, and Clara Bell’s magnificent rescue”—Clara wished Rowan were there with her—“we will speak of that in a moment.

“Now,” said Queen Mab, “Lady Courtney will help me award the prizes to the top three winners. But before we do, let me say this to our gnomish friends: It is a great honor to have had you here on Sheepskerry. You all showed most impressive skills. We look forward to welcoming you back to next year’s Valentine’s Games!”

A great roar went up from the crowd.

Lady Courtney hovered next to Queen Mab. “May I begin?” she asked.

“Please do,” said the queen.

“In third place,” Lady Courtney announced, “is Ethelrood Gnome, with seventy-four points!” The fairies fluttered their wings, and the gnomes cheered loud and long.

“He’s awfully nice,” said Avery.

“Alasdair’s taller,” said Goldie.

“Ethelrood Gnome,” said Queen Mab. “You have acquitted yourself honorably and well. Please come forward and accept your prize.”

The Stitch sisters had made the prizes for the Games again this year. They had crafted a gorgeous brocade vest for third place, the color of a bronze bell. Ethelrood donned the vest with pride. “I dedicate my win to . . . Avery Pastel!” said Ethelrood.

Cheers and hoots came from the gnomes. Avery flew up to Ethelrood, who was smiling broadly. “Nice work, Ethelrood,” she said, with a shy smile.

“You can call me Roody,” said Ethelrood, with a grin. “And thanks for thinking I’m cute. I think you’re cute, too.”

“In second place,” said Lady Courtney, “is Sylva Bell, with eighty-five points!”

The cheers began again. Sylva flew up to the stage.

“Here is your prizewinner’s cape for second place,” she said. And she handed Sylva a forest-green cape shot with silver thread. “An extraordinary achievement for your very first competition.”

“Thank you, Queen Mab!” she said. “And I bet you know who I dedicate my Games to: my big sister Clara!” said Sylva.

Clara beamed with pride.

“And in first place,” said Lady Courtney in her loud, clear voice, “with ninety-six points . . .”

Iris Flower sighed aloud.

“Gnomes and fairies, please stand for Alasdair Gnome!”

“Hooray for Alasdair!” they cried. “Hooray for Alasdair Gnome!”

Alasdair mounted the podium. “Thank you, thank you,” he said. Then he asked, “Where’s my wee brother, Rowan? Where’s Rowan Gnome?”

“Hey, Rowan,” said Hamish. “Get up front!”

Rowan was all the way at the back of the banqueting hall. His friends pushed him forward.

“There you are, Rowan,” said Alasdair. “I wanted you to be here to hear me say . . . I dedicate my first-place win to my brother, Rowan. The bravest gnome in all the land!”

A huge cheer went up from the crowd. The Fairy Bell sisters cheered loudest of all.

Clara flew over to talk to Rowan.

“I’m sorry you gave up your chance of winning for me, Rowan,” she said. “You could have beaten Alasdair, you know.”

“That’s water under the bridge—or under the dolphin,” said Rowan, and he grinned. “Maybe next year.”

Queen Mab cleared her throat, and the crowd was quiet. “Which leads me to my final announcement,” she said. “All of you know of the daring and selfless rescue Clara Bell performed during the Round-the-Island Swim. What many of you do not know is that Clara Bell has come into her magical powers.”

There was a murmur of “ooh”s and “aah”s and some “I told you so”s throughout the crowd.

“Clara has powers that I did not realize she would have this early,” said Queen Mab. “She achieved something remarkable out on Sheepskerry Bay. It took some life from her, but she restored that life to herself. Rowan Gnome was a hero, too, for getting Clara back to Sheepskerry and safety. Rowan, please come up and take a bow.”

The crowd cheered again, and Cam and Andy whistled.

“And Clara Dawn Bell, please come take your place next to me. You are now a truly magical fairy.”