twelve

Goldie could barely concentrate as she went upstairs to breakfast. The other fairies were talking in high-pitched, excited voices and flitting about the breakfast table. They were chattering so loudly that they didn’t notice how quiet Goldie was.

The single topic of conversation was what this year’s fancy-dress theme would be.

“I bet it will be Famous Fairies from History,” said Fawn. “If it is, I’ll go as Tinker Bell!”

Goldie knew she should say something about her famous sister, but she was too lost in thought to say a word.

“I hope it’s Magic Animals,” said a fairy named Arabella. She was a mainland fairy, and seemed much kinder than the Townley sisters. “I would be a magical unicorn.”

The other fairies chimed in.

“And I’d be a dragon!”

“And I’d be a phoenix with rainbow wings!”

“It’s no use guessing,” said Claudine. “We won’t know what the theme is until Queen Titania’s decree arrives.”

Goldie’s mind was still on Avery. “The unfairness of it all!” she said aloud.

The fairies were silent.

“Golden Bell?” said Amanda. “Are you saying our queen is unfair?”

“Your queen?” said Goldie. She was embarrassed that she had not been following the conversation.

“Queen Titania sends us a decree on the morning of the party. The decree contains the costume theme.” Amanda spoke to Goldie as if she were a simpleton. “Then we observe a code of fairy silence till all the costumes are made.”

“That’s the way it has always been done,” said Claudine. “And the way we’ll do it this year—even with you island fairies here. There’s nothing unfair about it.”

“Oh, I didn’t mean—”

There was a sharp rap at the front door.

“Queen Titania’s page!”

A young fairy in smart gold brocade arrived on the doorstep of Amanda and Claudine’s house. She presented Amanda with a scroll.

All the fairies gathered around the decree with great excitement.

“Remember! Silence from now on,” said Amanda. She unrolled the scroll and hung it up on the wall behind her.

Goldie just hoped that the costume theme would be something perfect for her. But whatever it is, she thought, I’ll do my best for Sheepskerry.

When she looked at the scroll, her face fell. It was in very fancy handwriting. It must have been written by Queen Titania herself!

All the fairies gathered around Queen Titania’s decree. None of them made a sound. Golden looked up at the wall of words and did what Faith told her to do. She took a deep breath and focused her eyes on the swirling words, one at a time. But still the letters pushed together, and the words floated around the page. She could only make out a word here and there.

Where was Clara, who read to her every night? Or Rosy, who would have whispered every word written on the scroll? Where was Sylva, who’d say the code of silence was silly and everyone should help one another?

Goldie’s wings were shaking, and she was sure her face was pale as birch bark. What if she did not know what kind of costume she was to wear to the party?

The fairies began to float away, one by one, all with great grins on their faces. Soon only Claudine was left. Golden took a break from trying to read the scroll. She looked over at Claudine for a moment.

“Whatever’s the matter, Golden Bell?” Claudine whispered.

Goldie shook her head. She did not want to break the code of silence!

“Queen Titania won’t mind if we talk a little now,” said Claudine. “The competition doesn’t start officially till the Magical Treasure Chest arrives.”

“Truly?” asked Golden.

“Truly,” said Claudine. “Honest.”

“It’s just that—”

“You have trouble reading, don’t you, Golden?” said Claudine.

It was the first time it felt hard to reply to that question. “Yes,” she said. “I do.”

If Goldie had not been looking down at her sweet little red boots, she might have seen a very small smile cross Claudine’s face. “Not to worry,” Claudine told Golden. “Here. Let me read it to you.”

Claudine turned to face the scroll on the wall. This is what she told Goldie it said:

“Titania, queen of the mainland, does hereby announce and decree that each fairy attending the FANCY-DRESS PARTY shall create her own costume (in silence, with no help from others), using seven items from QUEEN TITANIA’S MAGICAL COSTUME TRUNK and elements from nature. Each fairy shall dress in the manner of a W I T C H.”

Claudine paused. “Got that, Goldie?” she asked.

“Got it,” said Goldie. “Thank you, Claudine! Thank you so much. I’ll make the best witch costume ever.”

Claudine smiled. “You do that, Golden Bell,” she said. “And may the best fairy win.”