Clara and the Magical Charms(5)

Rowan was so friendly, and Clara was so eager to talk about what was happening to her, that she found herself telling him all about her newfound magical powers. She even related the story of the grasshopper . . . and what Queen Mab had said so many years ago.

“‘A very great fairy,’” said Rowan. “Now that is an honor.”

“Maybe she says that to every fairy, just to build confidence.”

“But that wouldn’t be true. Not every fairy becomes a truly great fairy. So I don’t think it would be very queenly of her, would it?”

“I suppose not,” said Clara. “But how did you guess that my powers were coming? Does it show somehow?”

Rowan busied himself stirring the soup Clara had made, though it didn’t really need stirring. “You just look more grown-up than you did last year,” he said. “Even prettier.”

They heard a clatter behind them, and Rosy burst through the door. “Clara! Julia Jellicoe told me what went on with the banquet. Do you need some help?”

“We’re almost all set, Rosy. Rowan here has been helping out.” And guessing things about me I thought nobody knew. “If you two just finish up, I’ll decorate the banqueting hall.”

“There’s not a lot of time,” said Rosy. “Everyone will be arriving in a minute.”

“I’ve got a plan,” said Clara.

Clara flew into the banqueting hall. The pine tables were scrubbed, the napkins were pressed, and the tables were set for the welcoming banquet. It looked very simple and very plain.

“That’s all very well for a colony of gnomes,” said Clara to herself. “But for fairies . . . it lacks a certain sparkle.”

Then she recited her charm.


Turn thrice around.

Fling wide your arm.

Sparkle now!

Obey my charm!

She spun around carefully and opened her eyes, hoping for anything but soot. “Oh my!” she cried.

The sparkle charm was different in the palace than it had been on the hill, but the effect was just as beautiful. Where there had been bare floors and empty vases, there were carpets of flowers and pots of blossoms. The tables were covered with spun gold. Balloons and ribbons streamed from the ceiling, and tiny glowing fairy lights sparkled like stars.

“Oh, it’s gorgeous!” said Rosy when she flew in to see it. “How did you get all this done so quickly?”

“She works fast,” said Rowan. Then he smiled at Clara. “Though it looks a wee bit like magic to me.”





seven


“Tug! TUG! T—U—G!”

Alasdair’s team was winning the tug-of-war, and Goldie was almost out of her seat with excitement.

It was the morning after the welcoming banquet. Clara had saved the day.

“You were very smart to make us all some real food,” Julia Jellicoe had told her. “Sorry we didn’t bring the tomatoes.”

Clara smiled. The banquet had worked out perfectly, even if it did wear her out more than she thought it would. There was piping-hot food (helped along by Rosy and Rowan), and everybody was thrilled with all the desserts. The dining hall itself was as magnificent as it had ever been—thanks to Clara’s magic. Queen Mab had given Clara a warm smile when she saw the decorations. Maybe she knows? Clara thought.

Fairies and gnomes alike had enjoyed themselves enormously. They’d all had a good night’s rest, and now the Games were in full swing.

“Come on, Alasdair! Win it for me!” Goldie cried.



With an enormous last PULL, Alasdair’s team of gnomes yanked the other team across the centerline and won the contest. “Hooray!” Goldie cheered. Alasdair waved at Goldie in the stands. “I’m fainting!” said Goldie.

“You are such a goose!” said Sylva. “He doesn’t really care about you. Look—now he’s waving at Iris Flower.”

Poppy, in the seat next to Sylva, beamed. “I think he likes Iris too,” she said.

“Alasdair is a little show-offy,” said Rosy.

“He’s not show-offy. He’s just the best.”

“We’ll see about that, Goldie,” said Clara. “Alasdair is doing well, but the other gnomes are right behind him.” She looked at the scoreboard. Alasdair was in first place; Rowan was a distant fifth. Come on, Rowan, she thought. You can do it.





eight


All that day, gnomes and fairies played in the Valentine’s Games together. The fairies laughed and laughed as the gnomes tried to sprint against them (of course flying is faster than running!), but the gnomes got their own back when they competed in Tossing the Branch. Twelve gnomes and fairies each balanced a huge branch on the palms of their hands, and then tossed it as high and far as they could. Alasdair was the winner of that contest, too, but Rowan was a close second.