nine

The Fairy Bell sisters flew through the crisp winter wind to the fairy schoolhouse. They were so happy to glide into the toasty room, decorated so cheerily for Christmas. This particular Christmas, Avery and Faith had made the schoolhouse especially beautiful. They put away anything that made the place look like a schoolroom, scooping up all the books and maps and charts and hiding them in the cupboards. Then they pushed the desks into the center of the room and covered them with cloths of gold, silver, and deepest scarlet. The rafters they strung with lights, the windows they brightened with candles, and in the corner was their Christmas tree—decorated with paper chains and a popcorn garland that the fairy school students had made.

“Can we help?” asked Rosy.

“I think we’re just about finished,” said Faith. “Avery made the wreath on the door—did you see it?”

“I should have known,” said Goldie. “It has that Avery touch!”

At that moment, a great cloud of fairies flew through the door, bringing the cold in with them. Some of them had more items to add to the neatly organized tables. Some were swooping around to see if there were any bargains. All were full of the spirit of the season.

“Can I put my Christmas cookies here?”

“Is there a scarves and mittens table?”

“Where do you want us to put ornaments?”

“Ooh! Look at the jewelry display!”

Faith was so good at organizing and sorting that the fair was ready to begin. “But I think I’m forgetting something. What can it be?”

“You’re forgetting Queen Mab!” Sylva said, laughing. “But here she is.”

Queen Mab flew in through the schoolhouse doors. There was something more than magical about her, something serene and aglow from inside. All the fairies wanted to grow up to be just like Queen Mab.

“I love what she’s wearing!” said Goldie.

Queen Mab was dressed in winter white—not a formal trailing gown but a much more comfortable outfit that would have been just right for ice-skating on Lupine Pond.

“She’s really got style,” Goldie added.

“My dear fairies,” Queen Mab said in her lovely clear voice, and the crowd hushed. “Welcome, all, to the Christmas Fair.” She smiled at all the fairies. “You have done a beautiful job making gifts that express your own skills.” She looked around at the jams and jellies from the Jellicoe sisters; the shawls and wraps from the Cobweb sisters; the samplers and pillows from the Stitch sisters; the dried sea lavender from the Flower sisters; and the wind chimes from Clara, Rosy, Goldie, and Sylva.

Queen Mab flew high above them all. “Now Lady Courtney will give you each a dozen pieces of tourmaline from my own treasure chest, which you can use to buy gifts for family and friends. Lady Courtney, are you ready?”

Indeed she was. The fairies lined up, all of them in high spirits, laughing and chattering. It took just a few moments for Lady Courtney to distribute the beautiful polished stones to the fairies (everyone helped). Each group of twelve gemstones came in its own small purse.

“They’re red this year!” Goldie cried when Avery opened hers. “First time!”

“Shall we begin?” asked Queen Mab.

The fairies did not have to be asked twice. Up and down the aisles they flew, looking for the exact right gift for each fairy on their Christmas list.