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#Owl spied a soft shape in the misty forest. A fawn, cold and alone. He wrapped one great wing around the small deer to still its shivers, hooting lowly of marvelous things he had seen in his flights. And so they stayed until the first light of dawn appeared in the east. #whistpr
The fawn arose, shaky but full of renewed hope in the sliver of warming sun that peeked through the thick canopy of trees.
I believe you saved my life, she said to Owl.
#Piffle! Stuff and nonsense. I only did what anyone would do.
But no one else did it. Only you.
#whistpr
I believe you saved my life, she said to Owl.
#Piffle! Stuff and nonsense. I only did what anyone would do.
But no one else did it. Only you.
#whistpr
How came you to be alone in the forest? asked Owl.
I was grazing in the fields with Mother when a great white dog chased us. She ran one way and I another. Before I knew it I was lost.
Sounds like Wolf. He is full of energy but has #quaint manners when you meet him.
#whistpr
I was grazing in the fields with Mother when a great white dog chased us. She ran one way and I another. Before I knew it I was lost.
Sounds like Wolf. He is full of energy but has #quaint manners when you meet him.
#whistpr
I'd just as soon not take the #risk of meeting Wolf, said Fawn. He looked too fierce!
Looks can be deceiving, said Owl.
A small toad landed on the fawn's head.
Very, very true, it said. I, for instance, am a faerie princess in disguise.
Hmph, said Owl. Likely story.
#whistpr
Looks can be deceiving, said Owl.
A small toad landed on the fawn's head.
Very, very true, it said. I, for instance, am a faerie princess in disguise.
Hmph, said Owl. Likely story.
#whistpr
It's quite true, said the small toad. My name is Princess #Serenity. My gift is to bring peace to all I draw near to. Don't you feel calm with me perched on your head?
I suppose so, Fawn replied doubtfully, rolling her eyes to try and catch a glimpse of her passenger.
#whistpr
I suppose so, Fawn replied doubtfully, rolling her eyes to try and catch a glimpse of her passenger.
#whistpr
Princess Serenity. That's quite a #title. Are you claiming to be royalty? Owl asked.
Oh, no, said the small toad. All of the Fae are named either Prince or Princess except for those who are neither one nor the other.
And what are they called, asked Fawn.
Delightful.
#whistpr
Oh, no, said the small toad. All of the Fae are named either Prince or Princess except for those who are neither one nor the other.
And what are they called, asked Fawn.
Delightful.
#whistpr
I'm afraid you'll have an #uphill battle convincing me you are Faerie, said Owl to the small toad. You'll have to change your form or do something else to prove it.
Why should I? I've no need to prove myself to you or any creature. I know who I am. That is sufficient.
#whistpr
Why should I? I've no need to prove myself to you or any creature. I know who I am. That is sufficient.
#whistpr
The #veil between worlds is thin, the small toad said. Tap any sparkle you see under a mushroom cap or in a tree hollow and you'll be transported.
I've no more time for this nonsense, scoffed Owl. I must find Fawn's mother. The forest is a dangerous place for a child.
#whistpr
I've no more time for this nonsense, scoffed Owl. I must find Fawn's mother. The forest is a dangerous place for a child.
#whistpr
How will you find her? Fawn cried. The world is an awfully big place.
I will take flight, Owl said. I have sharp eyes and a keen sense of smell.
I suppose that's one way to do it, said the small toad.
You have a better idea?
Might be faster to just ask the #wind.
#whistpr
I will take flight, Owl said. I have sharp eyes and a keen sense of smell.
I suppose that's one way to do it, said the small toad.
You have a better idea?
Might be faster to just ask the #wind.
#whistpr
Ask the wind? Owl scoffed. Might as well ask the earth or the sky.
Could do, said the small toad. But the wind is capricious and moves more freely. It goes everywhere and will not #yield to obstacles, only weave around them in a breathless embrace, ferreting out truth.
#whistpr
Could do, said the small toad. But the wind is capricious and moves more freely. It goes everywhere and will not #yield to obstacles, only weave around them in a breathless embrace, ferreting out truth.
#whistpr
Maybe it wouldn't hurt to try, Fawn said.
Very well, said Owl. Ask away, toad.
My proper name is Serenity but you may call me Ren.
First, we must #adorn ourselves with drops of the morning dew then sing softly of stolen wishes and bitter dreams to call the wind to us.
#whistpr
Very well, said Owl. Ask away, toad.
My proper name is Serenity but you may call me Ren.
First, we must #adorn ourselves with drops of the morning dew then sing softly of stolen wishes and bitter dreams to call the wind to us.
#whistpr
Are you willing to do this? said Ren.
Fawn nodded her head vigorously without thinking, sending her small passenger tumbling to the ground.
Oh, dear, exclaimed Owl. Are you hurt, Ren?
The small toad gazed up at them, a #blank look on its face.
Who is Ren? it asked.
#whistpr
Fawn nodded her head vigorously without thinking, sending her small passenger tumbling to the ground.
Oh, dear, exclaimed Owl. Are you hurt, Ren?
The small toad gazed up at them, a #blank look on its face.
Who is Ren? it asked.
#whistpr
You are Ren, Owl told the small toad.
No, I am Toad.
But you're also a Faerie princess in disguise, said Fawn.
Am I? That doesn't seem likely.
That's what I've been saying, Owl sighed.
You hit your head, Fawn said. Maybe you forgot.
Things are a bit #cloudy.
#whistpr
No, I am Toad.
But you're also a Faerie princess in disguise, said Fawn.
Am I? That doesn't seem likely.
That's what I've been saying, Owl sighed.
You hit your head, Fawn said. Maybe you forgot.
Things are a bit #cloudy.
#whistpr
Owl scooped Toad up with the tip of a feathered wing and placed her gently on the bright yellow bloom of a #dandelion.
Thank you, my friend, Toad said.
I would hardly call us friends, said Owl. We've only just met.
And yet you have already done me a service, friend.
#whistpr
Thank you, my friend, Toad said.
I would hardly call us friends, said Owl. We've only just met.
And yet you have already done me a service, friend.
#whistpr
So, asked Toad, what is happening?
Did your fall #erase your memories? said Owl.
Not all, but I can't seem to remember how I came to be here with an owl and a fawn in the deep woods. Are we on an adventure?
I'm looking for my mother, said Fawn
A quest! Even better!
#whistpr
Did your fall #erase your memories? said Owl.
Not all, but I can't seem to remember how I came to be here with an owl and a fawn in the deep woods. Are we on an adventure?
I'm looking for my mother, said Fawn
A quest! Even better!
#whistpr
A mole popped up its head:
A quest? I can travel swiftly underground and scout ahead.
A lean rabbit appeared from the forest ferns:
I am #fleet of foot to cover far distances in the blink of an eye.
A raven landed:
I can search by air.
That's my job, complained Owl.
#whistpr
A quest? I can travel swiftly underground and scout ahead.
A lean rabbit appeared from the forest ferns:
I am #fleet of foot to cover far distances in the blink of an eye.
A raven landed:
I can search by air.
That's my job, complained Owl.
#whistpr
Now we have 6 for the quest, but we need 7, said Toad.
Why? asked Fawn.
7 is the lucky number. All quests need 7. We need a seventh.
You sound like a #gramophone, said Rabbit.
What's that?
A creature humans keep. When it is angry, it repeats itself.
I'm not angry.
#whistpr
Why? asked Fawn.
7 is the lucky number. All quests need 7. We need a seventh.
You sound like a #gramophone, said Rabbit.
What's that?
A creature humans keep. When it is angry, it repeats itself.
I'm not angry.
#whistpr
A honeybee buzzed by:
I can be the seventh member of your quest!
You? What can you do? asked Raven.
I can lift morale. Here's a joke: What did the Queen say to the naughty drone? Bee- #hive!
Owl snorted:
I hardly see the humor in-
Fawn giggled:
Bee-hive! I get it!
#whistpr
I can be the seventh member of your quest!
You? What can you do? asked Raven.
I can lift morale. Here's a joke: What did the Queen say to the naughty drone? Bee- #hive!
Owl snorted:
I hardly see the humor in-
Fawn giggled:
Bee-hive! I get it!
#whistpr
Now our band of adventurers is complete, said Toad.
Which way shall we go first? asked Mole.
By Gaia's #ichor on the blade of the mighty sword Xbilta, we shall journey South, proclaimed Raven.
What on earth was that? said Owl.
A prophecy. It's my thing. I'm a raven.
#whistpr
Which way shall we go first? asked Mole.
By Gaia's #ichor on the blade of the mighty sword Xbilta, we shall journey South, proclaimed Raven.
What on earth was that? said Owl.
A prophecy. It's my thing. I'm a raven.
#whistpr
First things, first, said Toad. What does your mother look like, Fawn?
She's just Mother. Beautiful and soft. She smells of fresh #jasmine and holds the warmth of the summer sun in her eyes.
Yes, but how will we know her?
She will be crying for her lost child.
#whistpr
She's just Mother. Beautiful and soft. She smells of fresh #jasmine and holds the warmth of the summer sun in her eyes.
Yes, but how will we know her?
She will be crying for her lost child.
#whistpr
I saw a doe crying, said a tiny voice.
Who said that? the adventurers asked one another, craning their necks in every direction.
A fragile insect fluttered its #lace wings to call their attention: Tis I. I cannot join you but head south.
As I prophesied! cried Raven.
#whistpr
Who said that? the adventurers asked one another, craning their necks in every direction.
A fragile insect fluttered its #lace wings to call their attention: Tis I. I cannot join you but head south.
As I prophesied! cried Raven.
#whistpr
The insect flittered away before they could ask any questions.
I was right! said Raven.
Stop crowing, you silly bird, said Owl.
Well, isn't it good to know which way to go? Otherwise, we'd have to #meander around.
I meander, said Bee. You find more flowers that way.
#whistpr
I was right! said Raven.
Stop crowing, you silly bird, said Owl.
Well, isn't it good to know which way to go? Otherwise, we'd have to #meander around.
I meander, said Bee. You find more flowers that way.
#whistpr
I think you were all sent to #nettle me, said Owl. I was rescuing Fawn before you crowd showed up and we have gotten nothing done since.
The others protested but Owl had had enough: That's it, we're going!
Owl set off at a brisk march. The others followed in his wake.
#whistpr
The others protested but Owl had had enough: That's it, we're going!
Owl set off at a brisk march. The others followed in his wake.
#whistpr
Owl strode far ahead, leaving the others behind. When they caught up, he was bogged down in a #quagmire.
You should've let me scout ahead, said Mole. I'm an expert on all types of soils in the forest and I could have warned you.
Never mind the lecture, help me out!
#whistpr
You should've let me scout ahead, said Mole. I'm an expert on all types of soils in the forest and I could have warned you.
Never mind the lecture, help me out!
#whistpr
What a #thing to happen, cried Toad.
We are all doomed, said Bee, buzzing off.
With a howl of laughter, a great grey muzzle enveloped Owl's head, pulling him to safety.
A wolf! cried Fawn. Are you going to eat us?
And miss the best entertainment I've had in ages?
#whistpr
We are all doomed, said Bee, buzzing off.
With a howl of laughter, a great grey muzzle enveloped Owl's head, pulling him to safety.
A wolf! cried Fawn. Are you going to eat us?
And miss the best entertainment I've had in ages?
#whistpr
It seems a bit #uncanny that you were so close at hand, Raven said to Wolf as Owl bathed his muddy feathers in a nearby stream.
Not at all, answered Wolf. I've been following you. Hunters killed the rest of my pack and it is lonely now in the forest. Can I join yours?
#whistpr
Not at all, answered Wolf. I've been following you. Hunters killed the rest of my pack and it is lonely now in the forest. Can I join yours?
#whistpr
But then we would be eight, protested Toad.
No, said Rabbit. Bee ran away.
At least my beautiful feathers are clean, said Owl.
They're pretty but they aren't as #vibrant as mine, said Raven.
What? Yours are black.
Not in the sun. Look!
Oooh, everyone exclaimed.
#whistpr
No, said Rabbit. Bee ran away.
At least my beautiful feathers are clean, said Owl.
They're pretty but they aren't as #vibrant as mine, said Raven.
What? Yours are black.
Not in the sun. Look!
Oooh, everyone exclaimed.
#whistpr
As they all admired Raven's feathers flashing brilliant colors in the sunlight, Rabbit piped up:
First the prophecy and now this. Are you some kind of #wizard?
A wizard? What's that? asked Raven.
A magical being.
Aren't we all magical beings?
#whistpr
First the prophecy and now this. Are you some kind of #wizard?
A wizard? What's that? asked Raven.
A magical being.
Aren't we all magical beings?
#whistpr
Enough of this #yakking, said Owl. Time's a-wasting.
Agreed, said Toad. I can't keep up with the rest of you as I am only very small so go ahead without me.
Nonsense, said Wolf. Climb up here and hang on tight to one of my ears. We will race the wind.
Oh, thank you!
#whistpr
Agreed, said Toad. I can't keep up with the rest of you as I am only very small so go ahead without me.
Nonsense, said Wolf. Climb up here and hang on tight to one of my ears. We will race the wind.
Oh, thank you!
#whistpr
#Anchor yourself well, said Wolf. I wouldn't want you to fall off and have to find your own way.
Me neither, said Toad. I am already as far from home as I ever dreamed of being in my life.
That is what adventure is all about.
But am I brave enough?
Let's find out!
#whistpr
Me neither, said Toad. I am already as far from home as I ever dreamed of being in my life.
That is what adventure is all about.
But am I brave enough?
Let's find out!
#whistpr
How are you doing up there? called Wolf as he bounded through the forest.
Toad giggled and laughed:
This is pure #bliss! It feels like I'm flying!
You call that flying? This is flying, said Raven, dive-bombing the pair before soaring back up into the skies.
Show-off.
#whistpr
Toad giggled and laughed:
This is pure #bliss! It feels like I'm flying!
You call that flying? This is flying, said Raven, dive-bombing the pair before soaring back up into the skies.
Show-off.
#whistpr
Best stop and wait for the rest, said Wolf.
Fawn arrived with Owl, who huffed and puffed:
Give us a moment to #collect ourselves!
Why don't you fly instead of walk? asked Toad.
Someone responsible must look after Fawn.
I can do it, said Wolf.
I said responsible.
#whistpr
Fawn arrived with Owl, who huffed and puffed:
Give us a moment to #collect ourselves!
Why don't you fly instead of walk? asked Toad.
Someone responsible must look after Fawn.
I can do it, said Wolf.
I said responsible.
#whistpr
What a #drab life you lead, said Wolf to Owl. Always fussing about responsibility and telling others what to do.
Someone has to take charge or there would be chaos.
Chaos can be fun!
For you, maybe, but spare a thought for those around you.
I do! That's why I share.
#whistpr
Someone has to take charge or there would be chaos.
Chaos can be fun!
For you, maybe, but spare a thought for those around you.
I do! That's why I share.
#whistpr
It is the #eternal question, isn't it? piped up Mole. Is our primary responsibility to our own idea of contentment or is it to concentrate on the well-being of others? Many a philosopher has pondered this very-
I'm hungry, said Fawn.
Shush, child, I was speaking!
#whistpr
I'm hungry, said Fawn.
Shush, child, I was speaking!
#whistpr
See, said Owl. This is exactly what I mean. From the time Fawn and I saw the first orange #flame of the sun this morning until now, there has been nothing but chaos and now she is starving and we are no closer to finding her mother than ever and none of you are helping!
#whistpr
#whistpr
I was in the human's garden when the sun came up, said Rabbit. The light glinted off the #glass of their windows.
What are windows? asked Toad.
Holes they cut in their warren so they can look out into the world.
Why don't they just go outside?
Humans are funny.
#whistpr
What are windows? asked Toad.
Holes they cut in their warren so they can look out into the world.
Why don't they just go outside?
Humans are funny.
#whistpr
Argh! screamed Owl in frustration.
I'm sorry, said Rabbit. I only brought it up because it occurs to me the human who lives there seems very kind. She has #hair as silver as the moon and many tame animals. Perhaps she would help us.
You can't trust humans, said Wolf.
#whistpr
I'm sorry, said Rabbit. I only brought it up because it occurs to me the human who lives there seems very kind. She has #hair as silver as the moon and many tame animals. Perhaps she would help us.
You can't trust humans, said Wolf.
#whistpr
That is true as a rule, said Rabbit. But this one lets me steal all I want from her garden and just watches and croons a sweet tune to me.
Anything would be better than this #incessant talking, said Owl. Is it far?
No. We've been going around in circles, you know.
#whistpr
Anything would be better than this #incessant talking, said Owl. Is it far?
No. We've been going around in circles, you know.
#whistpr
Here she is, said Rabbit after they had walked a little way.
A human at a fence, feeding a rowdy commotion of goats.
How shall we #judge if we can trust her? asked Wolf.
See how kind and patient she is with goats. Everyone knows what pests they are, Rabbit answered.
#whistpr
A human at a fence, feeding a rowdy commotion of goats.
How shall we #judge if we can trust her? asked Wolf.
See how kind and patient she is with goats. Everyone knows what pests they are, Rabbit answered.
#whistpr
Whatcha doing? a small voice asked.
The others made way as an orange #kitten pranced through the crowd.
Who are you? asked Owl.
I'm Ruby.
What's a ruby? asked Mole.
Me! It's my name. What's your name?
Mole.
That's what you are but what's your name?
I don't know.
#whistpr
The others made way as an orange #kitten pranced through the crowd.
Who are you? asked Owl.
I'm Ruby.
What's a ruby? asked Mole.
Me! It's my name. What's your name?
Mole.
That's what you are but what's your name?
I don't know.
#whistpr
How sad not to know your own name, said Ruby to Mole. I shall call you Beatrice.
Why on earth? asked Owl.
She looks like one. A beautiful dark creature of mystery.
Mole's voice rang out in silver #laughter:
Bee-a-triss. I love it!
Ooh, name me next, cried Toad.
#whistpr
Why on earth? asked Owl.
She looks like one. A beautiful dark creature of mystery.
Mole's voice rang out in silver #laughter:
Bee-a-triss. I love it!
Ooh, name me next, cried Toad.
#whistpr
I'll name you Pearl, said Ruby to Toad. For your shining skin.
And me? asked Rabbit.
Velvet, for your luxurious fur. And the owl shall be Merlin, after a very wise human.
Raven stepped up: Only a #macabre name will do for me for I am the night.
How about Rob?
#whistpr
And me? asked Rabbit.
Velvet, for your luxurious fur. And the owl shall be Merlin, after a very wise human.
Raven stepped up: Only a #macabre name will do for me for I am the night.
How about Rob?
#whistpr
Rob? scoffed Raven.
Yes, said Ruby. Don't ravens steal shiny things?
Don't be insulting. That's magpies.
I'm sorry. I wasn't looking down my #nose at you. How about Sylvester? Nehemiah? or Quintilian? Quint for short.
Squint, laughed Wolf. For your one beady eye.
#whistpr
Yes, said Ruby. Don't ravens steal shiny things?
Don't be insulting. That's magpies.
I'm sorry. I wasn't looking down my #nose at you. How about Sylvester? Nehemiah? or Quintilian? Quint for short.
Squint, laughed Wolf. For your one beady eye.
#whistpr
#Once again, said Owl, you've all lost the plot. We must find Fawn's mother.
Ruby exclaimed: I had no idea! My human will help. She is the most powerful being in all the world!
Have you seen the whole world? asked Wolf.
You mean there's more than this?
Much more.
#whistpr
Ruby exclaimed: I had no idea! My human will help. She is the most powerful being in all the world!
Have you seen the whole world? asked Wolf.
You mean there's more than this?
Much more.
#whistpr
I'm hungry, cried Fawn, her head held low.
Ruby's tiny #pink nose touched Fawn's:
Come with me. My human will feed you. You may all come if you like.
We'll wait here, said Owl. Some of us have good reason not to trust a human. We will wait and see.
Suit yourselves!
#whistpr
Ruby's tiny #pink nose touched Fawn's:
Come with me. My human will feed you. You may all come if you like.
We'll wait here, said Owl. Some of us have good reason not to trust a human. We will wait and see.
Suit yourselves!
#whistpr
The kitten led the fawn away. The human smiled as she saw them approach and sat on the ground, holding out a hand for Fawn to sniff.
She seems nice, said Toad. The #question is what do we do now?
Some stay here to keep watch. The rest will pursue our search, said Owl.
#whistpr
She seems nice, said Toad. The #question is what do we do now?
Some stay here to keep watch. The rest will pursue our search, said Owl.
#whistpr
Who'll go and who'll stay? asked Mole.
Raven and I will take to the skies, one each side of the #river. Wolf's a swift runner with a keen nose. He'll cover the ground. The rest of you are too small to travel quickly. Stay and keep an eye on Fawn.
Harrumph, said Toad.
#whistpr
Raven and I will take to the skies, one each side of the #river. Wolf's a swift runner with a keen nose. He'll cover the ground. The rest of you are too small to travel quickly. Stay and keep an eye on Fawn.
Harrumph, said Toad.
#whistpr
