They set off along the forest path. It was just as well that Willow was sure-footed because the ground soon changed from being soft and squidgy to stony and slippery. One minute Willow was trotting through piles of crisp leaves that reached her feathery fetlocks and the next she was picking her way through sticky mud.
Arwen was relieved she could fly over this rough terrain and Sparkles was very glad that he didn’t have to walk through it, especially the mud!
When they came to some fallen branches Willow refused to jump even a small one. Evie knew something was not right.
“What’s wrong, Willow?” whispered Evie as she turned Willow to take the jump again, and then Evie realised.
“You’re limping,” she gasped. Evie dismounted straight away. When she looked into Willow’s eyes, she could see her pony was in pain.
“What if it’s something serious?” Evie’s heart was pounding, but she had to control her feeling of panic.
“It’s her front right leg,” said Arwen. The little fairy held Willow’s reins and talked quietly to her, to reassure her and keep her calm.
“I can’t see any cuts or scratches,” said Evie, looking closely at her pony’s leg.
Gently, she ran her hand over Willow’s shoulder and leg to check for swelling or heat. Willow didn’t flinch. Next Evie carefully picked up her pony’s hoof.
“No wonder you’re limping, Willow,” gasped Evie. “You’ve got a sharp stone lodged in your hoof.”
It was near the heart-shaped pad at the centre of the hoof, called the frog. Luckily, Evie kept her hoof pick in her rucksack but she knew she would have to be extra careful as Willow’s hoof would be more sensitive than usual.
“You’re going to have to be a very brave pony,” she said as she carefully removed the forest debris around the stone. “Let’s hope it hasn’t damaged your hoof.”
They were lucky, the stone fell out from Willow’s hoof and Evie saw that, although her sole wasn’t punctured, there was a nasty purple bruise. Evie knew that this would be very painful for quite some time.
“The best treatment is to rest for a few days,” said Evie.
“But you can’t stay here in the middle of the forest,” said Arwen.
A golden feather floated down. There, above the girls was the shimmering phoenix.
“Can you help us, the phoenix?” asked Evie.
The golden bird flew down and landed on Arwen’s shoulder.
“Together we can heal Willow,” she said. “Follow me, Arwen.”
And with that, they disappeared into the forest. Evie turned to her pony and blinked back her tears.
She knew she had to be brave for Willow’s sake, but she could see her pony was in a lot of pain and began to wonder if it was her fault. As Evie stroked Willow she could feel her pony relax and lean into her.
“We’ll look after you,” she whispered in her ear, “just you see.”
After a few minutes, Arwen returned with a handful of magic herbs and the phoenix wasn’t far behind her, with some moss in her beak.
“These will heal Willow’s hoof,” said Arwen.
She mixed the herbs, moss and some clay from the ground and made a poultice. She placed the dressing gently onto Willow’s bruise. Then the phoenix rested her magical golden wings on the injured hoof and, as she did this, Arwen lifted her wand and tiny green sparks floated from the tip. Willow closed her eyes as the magic began to glow and Arwen and the phoenix worked together to heal her hoof.
“I think that’s done the trick,” said Arwen, as she gently took the poultice away. “Yes, your bruise has vanished.”
“Thank you,” smiled Evie. Tears welled up in her eyes again, but this time they were tears of happiness! She was so relieved to see that her pony’s injury was healed. Willow tossed her long mane and stamped her foot as if she was raring to go!
“Before you go,” said the phoenix, “look closely at this tree.”
“It’s hollow!” said Evie.
“It’s a fairy tree,” explained the golden bird.
Arwen took a peek inside the hollow trunk.
“It’s full of treasure!” she gasped.
Inside was a pile of little sycamore leaves made from real gold and glittering amongst them were jewels that looked just like shining blackberries.
“Our crowns will be magnificent,” said Evie. “Thank you, phoenix.”
The phoenix bowed her head majestically and with that she disappeared into the golden canopy of the forest.
“Let me help you, Evie,” said Arwen.
The girls threaded the precious leaves and berries into their forest crowns and even laced a few into Willow’s mane. When they had finished, there were still some golden leaves and jewels left.
“Let’s take these back for the others,” Evie suggested.
“Good idea, Evie!”
Willow’s hoof was so much better that she was able to trot along the forest path, taking Evie and Sparkles back to the dell. Arwen fluttered along after them, carefully carrying her basket of treasure.
As they got closer to the Magic Dell, they could see wisps of smoke and the air was full of blackbirds’ song and fairies’ laughter. It sounded like everyone had enjoyed their first day.
