Clara and the Magical Charms(8)

“You can talk to deer?” asked Clara in wonder.

“Och, it’s not much of a skill. All of us gnomes can talk to woodland creatures,” said Rowan. He cradled the deer’s neck in his arms, very gently, and whispered in her ear. The doe bounded off again. “She’ll tell Queen Mab. Your sisters will be fine.”

“Let’s hope so,” said Clara. “I worry about them.” And she started to fly away.

“Wait, Clara,” said Rowan. “Your wings might get bogged down in this squall. Come on the toboggan with me. It’ll be the quickest way.”

Much as she wanted to fly, Clara knew Rowan was right. She climbed onto the long, slender sled behind him. Suddenly cold, she shivered.

“Here,” said Rowan. “Take my scarf.”



Clara was too chilled to turn him down. He knotted his old brown plaid knit scarf around her neck.

“Thanks, Rowan,” she said.

“Och,” he said, “it’s nothing.” He paused for a moment. “Will you be all right?” he asked.

“I’ll be fine,” she said.

“Then hold on tight!” he said. “Let’s go!”





ten


Swiftly, they raced down Sunrise Hill. Clara laughed as they bumped and slipped and slid their way down the hill. “I’ve never gone this fast on land before!” she called, her eyes bright. She would have enjoyed the ride even more if she hadn’t been so worried about her sisters. When they reached the deep snow at the bottom of the hill, Clara said a hasty good-bye to Rowan. Then she flew toward home.

Under the cover of trees, Clara did not need to worry about snow on her wings. She flew straight to the Bell fairy house. All the way home, she fretted about what she would find there: Rosy overwhelmed, Goldie in tears, Sylva frozen in a snowbank, and Squeak crying her eyes out, frightened and alone. Why couldn’t she fly any faster?

Finally, panting and out of breath, she arrived at her beloved fairy house. She burst through the door. “Oh, sisters, sisters, where are you? Are you safe? Are you all right?”

She looked around. She didn’t see anyone. Not even Rosy. Not even Squeak!

“Goldie, Sylva—where are you?” she cried. “Rosy! Squeakie! Have I lost you forever?” Then Clara heard a very familiar sound.

“No lolo!”

In front of the fire, in a cozy heap, were Rosy, Goldie, Sylva, and Squeak. Three mugs of steaming hot chocolate were on the toadstool table (plus a special bottle of warm milk for you-know-who). Fluffy white marshmallows were roasting on sticks. The smell of popcorn was in the air. The great room was as warm as toast.

“You’re all right?” Clara said. “You knew what to do without me?”

“Of course we’re all right,” said Rosy. “We’ve had so much fun! This house was built to last.”

“Doesn’t Sheepskerry look pretty?” asked Goldie. “Everything’s white and fresh.”

“Queen Mab herself flew over to see us,” said Sylva. “She got a message from a deer!”

“Where were you all this time?” asked Goldie.

Clara hesitated a little. Then she said, “I was up on the top of Sunrise Hill with Alasdair’s brother. Rowan.”

“Rowan!” said Sylva. “What were you doing all that time with a gnome?”

“Chatting about the Games, I’m sure,” said Rosy. She noticed the new scarf around Clara’s neck. “He seems like a nice gnome,” she said to her big sister.

“He is,” said Clara. “I really think he is.”





eleven


“The Round-the-Island Swim begins . . . now!”

All the fairies cheered as Alasdair, Rowan, Hamish, Cam, Andy, Ethelrood, and the other gnomes dived off the dock and splashed into Sheepskerry Bay early the next morning. The fairies didn’t generally participate in this race—it wasn’t wise to take off their wings for such a long time.

“It must be freezing in that water!” said Sylva. “How do they do it?”

“Queen Mab enchanted the bay,” said Rosy. “She made the water as warm as it is in summertime.”

“Even then it’s too cold for me,” said Goldie, with a shiver.

“Still, I’d like to try a Round-the-Island Swim sometime. I could do it so fast my wings wouldn’t even notice they were off my shoulders,” said Sylva. “Maybe next year!”

“It’s all riding on this!” Lady Courtney announced with gusto. “If Alasdair wins, he takes first prize. But since this event is such a high-scoring one, Rowan or Ethelrood could snatch the trophy away from him. What will be the outcome? Who will win the Valentine’s Games?”