twenty-two

Other than being wing-weary from all that flying, and a tiny bit footsore from all that dancing, Sylva woke up the next morning feeling happier than she’d ever been in her life. If she hadn’t seen her magnificent forest green gown in a corner of her room, she might have thought it had all been a dream.

“Wake up, sleepyhead!” Sylva heard Clara’s voice calling her from downstairs. “We have a surprise for you.”

Sylva sprang out of bed. Of course! It was her birthday. She pulled on her fairy slippers and hurried downstairs.

“Happy birthday!” cried her sisters.

They stood in front of a table with a most delicious fairy breakfast laid out before them. Not only were there chocolate scones and buttercup muffins, fruit and flowers, juice and jams and jellies—there was also a towering cake, eight layers high.

“Blueberry layer cake,” said Clara.

“Made Sylva-style,” said Goldie.

“One layer for each fairy year!” said Rosy.

There was a knock at the door. It was Poppy.

“Happy birthday, Sylva!” she cried. The two best friends shared a big hug. “Now we all get to go to the Fairy Ball this winter, thanks to you!”

“Sylva!” cried Golden. “Here’s a note from Tink.”

Happy birthday, darling Sylva!

News of your bravery has already reached us in Neverland.

Even Peter Pan is impressed!

See you soon, I hope.

xox

Tink

Sylva could not have been happier. Or so she thought.

A messenger dragonfly appeared at the window. It was bearing a tiny gift.

“Look!” said Golden. “This is a present from Queen Mab herself!”

Sylva looked at the tiny box, which was beautifully wrapped in creamy water-silk with ribbons of deep-blue satin. The message on the card was simple and elegant:

For Sylva, for taking a risk.

Sylva slowly opened the box.

“What can it be?” asked Rosy. Even Goldie was in awe.

Sylva unfolded the soft velvet. Inside was a necklace with a golden chain. And at the end of the chain was—

“The Narwhal’s Tusk!”

It was a tiny replica of the magical tusk she had saved last night.

“Queen Mab means you to wear this on special occasions,” said Clara. “It is a high, high honor.”

Rosy put the necklace around Sylva’s slender neck.

“It looks beautiful,” said Goldie. “But more than that, you deserve it.”

“Oh, thank you, Queen Mab! And thank you, Goldie and Rosy and Clara and Squeak and Poppy! You are the best sisters and best friend a fairy could ever have.”

“Bo-bo!” said Squeak.

“Yes, let’s eat!” said Sylva. They all sat down to a glorious birthday breakfast, and laughed and talked and laughed some more about how Sylva saved the Fairy Ball.