Playtime in the Pines: Chapter 3

“Wake, children!” called the powerful, feminine voice. “You have rested long enough.”

Carol marveled at the golden glow that surrounded her as her eyes slowly focused. Slowly, she realized she felt utterly refreshed, albeit a bit too warm. What she didn't immediately understand was why. As her sleepy vision cleared, she found herself surrounded by her equally bewildered friends, each clad in a snow suit, as was she. That explained the warmth, at least.

Questions swarmed her mind as she found the zipper pull and wriggled out of the now stuffy winter garb. Her friends did the same. Oddly, given the situation, there was no panic in the air, only intense curiosity. As if sensing the questions, the voice rang out again.

“Fear not. You are no longer in danger and all will be answered soon.”

On cue, the memory of what had happened in the meadow returned in a flash. Carol recalled the community snowball fight and the spectacle in the sky created by the fairies of the forest. The dancing, multicolored lights had mesmerized their parents while the fairies dragged her and the other children into the forest. The children had been betrayed by the fairies they'd considered trusted friends.

Anger and resentment swelled in Carol's chest. As the voice “spoke” again, Carol realized she wasn't hearing it from an outside source, but somewhere deep inside her mind, like a thought, but not her own.

“You are all angry and rightfully so, but hear me out. There is much you do not know, and it falls to me to tell you the entire story. Please, make yourselves comfortable and stay calm, while I explain.” Carol's relaxation was involuntary, but not unwelcome. As it washed over her, she leaned back and observed the others doing the same. At the same time, she realized she had the support of a tree at her back and the ground she sat on was warm, dry and covered in a soft blanket of grass and leaves.

“Before I start, an introduction is in order. I am the keeper of this forest and its oldest resident. I am a Dryad, and I live within the Great Oak you see before you.” Carol's eyes were drawn to a massive live oak tree, obviously the source of the warm glow around them all. “You may call me Cyllia.”

“Everything that lives within these woods answers to me, including the trees that guarded each of you as you slept. That also applies to the fairies that have inhabited the forest since long before your community was built.

“I am also quite happily tasked with recording the history of the forest. What you need to know from the start is that your abduction was attempted by a very small faction of the fae. I'll explain more about that soon.

“This forest and I were watchful when the community your grandparents built came to be – Paradise in the Pines, I believe you call it. You must understand that many of the resources necessary to build such a place come directly from the woods.

“Imagine how delighted we were to find the families that came to live within the community were mindful and respectful. From the day the first cabin was built, what has been taken from these woods has been only what was needed.

“Yes, that has meant sacrifices. The forest understands that providing for your species is one of the reasons it exists. Nothing on Earth exists for its own sake, including your own human race. Your grandparents knew that and have passed it down to your parents, who now teach you.

“Over the years, an important relationship has existed between the community and the forest and I have been pleased to observe it. In exchange for resources, the humans have protected the woods by thinning clogged groves, collecting deadfall for fuel and leaving plenty of the edible growth to sustain the creatures of the forest and the earth, herself.

“Your parents are rare humans and they are raising you to follow in their footsteps. The spirits of this forest – and there are many – are happy to share this world with them. The forest and the community have thrived, not in spite of, but because of each other.”

Wide-eyed, silent children hung on every word as Cyllia smiled to herself within the Great Oak. These young ones would be the next generation to share symbiosis with the forest. They would fill that role perfectly. The entire forest vibrated with delight.

“That brings us to what happened in the meadow we've kept for your community all these years. Long ago, a seed of hatred was planted in the heart of a fae named Glym, by a demigod whose name I won't speak.

“Glym polluted the hearts of a handful of other fairies, who traveled the edges of the forest and plotted “the demise of man.” They formed a 'council' that organized foolish raids of campsites and picnic areas. Most of their actions resulted in mere annoyance for their would-be victims. The blackness within them even changed their appearance, as you've witnessed.

“Their arrogance and misdeeds eventually tried the spirits of the forest to the point that they were captured and their wings were removed as punishment. Mind you, punishment was a new concept in the realm of magical creatures and it only made the problem worse. I am sorry to say it culminated in the travesty that brought you into the woods.”

But how... The thought came to the minds of several children and didn't need to be completed. Cyllia allowed all them to feel the overwhelming love in her heart as she answered, “I intervened.”

“As the fae dragged you through the forest, I simply put you all to sleep. You were brought to this grove by the gentle creatures that live here.”

Carol spoke aloud this time, “But what about the bad fairies? What happened to them?”

The response was calm and gentle. “Oh, there are no bad fairies, little one. They were brought here, too. We do no harm. I personally cleaned their hearts of hate and their wings have been restored. What's more, there are others watching. Many others.”

As Cyllia finished speaking, a small group of tiny, beautiful creatures with brilliantly colored, translucent wings appeared under the oak. The fairies took flight and cautiously approached the children, tiny voices whispering a thousand heartfelt apologies to their minds. Alighting in front of the children, each fairy gently touched the hand of one child. A small, bright spark snapped painlessly before each touch.

“Look into the trees, children.” Cyllia's smile could be felt in her words. “You have been given a gift.”

The trees surrounding the Great Oak were filled with hundreds of pairs of wings. A multitude of fairies gently floated in to surround the children, laughing playfully. Their laughter ceased expectantly and Cyllia's voice came through clearly:

“It was my power that allowed you to see the fairies who came to you first. You know who they are. The gift they gave was the permanent ability to see all the fairies of the forest. They have just presented your parents with the same gift, and they are on their way here now. The ability is being bestowed on everyone in your community and is hereditary.

“From this day forward, the forest and all its magic will be shared openly and equally with all the generations that inhabit Paradise in the Pines. For all my power, I could offer you no greater gift in return for the care your families have shown. May it usher in a new era for all the creatures of this world.”