eighteen

Goldie heard the voice of the queen’s lady-in-waiting. “Fawn Deere is the last fairy to compete in the fancy-dress party,” she said, checking her list, “as Amanda Townley has informed me that Golden Bell will not be—”

Goldie burst out of her hiding place. “Here I am!” she cried, this time with her eyes wide open. “Golden Crystal Bell, Princess of the Night, flying for Sheepskerry Island and Queen Mab!”

Gone was the hideous witch the fairies were expecting. Before them flew a glorious princess in deepest shades of midnight, with a cape festooned with autumn leaves and a coronet of pure white baby’s breath.

Goldie fluttered before Queen Titania’s throne. “Golden Bell of Sheepskerry,” said the queen in her deep voice. “Is this your idea of a princess?”

“It is, Your Majesty.” Goldie rubbed her nose with her sleeve, hoping she’d taken off all the green makeup. “I am a dark princess, and a good princess.”

“That is quite an original idea,” said Queen Titania. She leaned close to Goldie. “You may not know this, but I was a princess of the night myself. A dark princess. And a good princess. Like you.” Then she added in a whisper, “Ask Queen Mab about it. We grew up together, you know.”

Goldie beamed.

“Fairies,” said Queen Titania, “who will our costume winner be tonight?”

Avery was the first to cheer. “Goldie!” she cried. “It should be Golden Bell!”

The fairy princesses were quiet for a moment. Then Fawn Deere’s applause joined Avery’s. Soon all the fairies were cheering. “Hooray! Hooray for Goldie!”

“Stop it!” cried Claudine Townley.

“Stop it at once!” shouted Amanda. But no one paid them any attention.

“Gold-ie!” the fairies cried. “Gold-ie! GOLD-IE! GOLD-IE!” All the fairies—with the exception of two—were calling Goldie’s name.

Goldie curtsied low before Queen Titania (and she noticed, out of the corner of her eye, that Queen Titania did not have so much as a stitch of pink in her sumptuous gown). The fairies continued their cheers.

“Golden Bell of Sheepskerry,” said Queen Titania, “the fairies have declared you the clear winner. And not even a queen would disagree with them.”

Queen Titania’s enchanted black cat brought in the prize—a golden medal on a ribbon of purple velvet, which matched Goldie’s outfit perfectly.

“I like your mussel shells,” said Queen Titania in a whisper. Then she declared, “This is for you, Golden Bell, and for all of Sheepskerry. Take it with my blessing.” She turned to the other fairies. “And now, fairy princesses, it is time to celebrate all your achievements at our fancy-dress party.”

“May the festivities commence!” cried the queen’s lady-in-waiting.

The party lasted deep into the night, and Golden was the belle of the ball.