Welcome

A horse-like form pushed the brush aside, its teeth nibbling on the tender shoots from the ground before the air filled with a contented sigh.

“Ah, these tender leaves do taste wondrous. I am happy that nixie knew where to find these.” The unicorn thought aloud before munching on the sweet grass. It took only moments before the area was bare. “Too bad he was not able to tell me more.”

The unicorn looked through the trees, and his eyes widened with delight, spying an apple tree. “Ah, those would be a tasty treat.”

The creature hurried along, its hooves nearly trampling a forest brownie as he did. The brownie raising its voice in protest, only to have the unicorn turn and stare straight at her. Within seconds the small woman’s eyes glazed over, her jaw hanging with a simple smile, her words now silent.

“Simple, dirty creature. You dare to offend me?” the unicorn murmured.

The brownie continued to stare into the dark glass-like eyes of the unicorn. But, as the brownie was about to agree with the unicorn, she shook her head—the woman feeling her wits distant but within grasp. The unicorn noticed, and its eyes glowed around the edges.

“Simple creature, you are not strong enough to resist me. None can.” The unicorn said with a confident trill.

But, unknown to the unicorn, there was more than one brownie out in the daylight this day. Nearby, one stood. He was trying to get the attention of the brownie the unicorn had entranced. Although, he had no luck. And could hear the unicorn give its order to the other brownie.

“You look strong enough to climb, my dear. Climb to the top of that apple tree and cut down those delicious ones at the top. The sunlight makes them sweet, and I wish them for me.”

Without hesitation, the brownie on the ground rushed toward the apple tree, much to the dismay of the other brownie lurking nearby.

“I do not dare enter its gaze. I’d be entranced. We need someone strong, old to the forest to usurp this creature.” The little man mumbled as not to be heard.

He then touched the ground and concentrated. His mind’s ear was working through the earth and roots. There was a multitude of voices from all the plants and trees, and the brownie smiled when it heard, “A fairy is near.”

Recognizing the tree he heard, the brownie hopped quickly through the brush. His movements, noticed by the unicorn, who said aloud, “I missed an opportunity for another servant. Oh well, perhaps they were not worthy to serve me.”

* * *

The brownie hopped along the trees and vines. Its small form visible in only a glimpse of flicker within the sunlight. Brownies keep to the shadows mostly, but he was willing to take the chance with a purpose and need for aid. When he arrived, he searched high and low for the fairy only to find no one. He placed his hand on the roots of the nearby tree and listened.

“The fairy is near, can you not, see?”

The brownie looked around in frustration, “No.”

Then the small man looked up and closed his eyes in realization before mumbling, “you see much further when you tall.”

The man grabbed onto the tree, and the nails on his hands and feet grew longer. He planted his foot, and they dug into the outer bark. The brownie scurried up the tree, and if you saw it, you would have thought a squirrel scurried skyward. When he reached the top, he circled the trunk looking over the forest below. As his eyes came to the nearby creek, he could see the familiar glow of the being he sought.

“There she is.” The brownie muttered and jumped to the branch of the next nears tree, his small form floating on air like a glider.

It took only a minute before the brownie jumped from the tree, landing in a slide on the small bank of the creek, startling the nixie and made Roween spin quickly around.

“Lo, my friends, I bid you a word.” The brownie spoke.

His arrival was met with little fare but much apprehension. Roween and the nixie knowing well the manners of brownies and their tendency only to show themselves when danger is dire.

Fastel stood rigid, his manner, unlike the element he originated from, making the brownie give a nod before turning to Roween.

“I am Bastia. I guard the apple tree near the oaks. Unfortunately, we have an unwanted guest.” Bastia said.

The brownie’s words were understood, but Fastel seemed to look at him with concern. So then, making the nixie say, “we’ve had many “guests” recently. And which would that be specifically?”

Bastia smiled with a huff, “sorry, my friend, you are right, I should say.” The brownie looked to the ground noticing the hoof mark nearby. “The same that made this, a unicorn.”

Roween flew nearer, “I know of many apple trees within this place. Among the maples, they make their space.”

Bastia nodded, “The apple tree near the fairy ring. You may know the place?”

Roween’s eyes became angry. There were places fairies danced. Their spins and taps bringing mushrooms in a ring and swirling the grass. It was where she could find others of her kind if they chose. The forest was the responsibility of all fairies, and they would protect all of it in force if needed.

“I know the place that you speak. We make haste before it eats.” Roween said, making the brownie realize how dire their situation was.

Within seconds Roween was off, and the brownie followed. “she’s right. We need to hurry. If a unicorn eats apples within a fairy ring, it will become much stronger.” His words were lost to the air around him as he jumped along the trees. “I do hope we make it back before. I do not wish to know what would happen if a unicorn gets control of a fairy.”