CHAPTER 5

Sabrina set out toward the forest. How would she ask her father about the children? He could be stubborn sometimes. She had to come up with a plan.

Sabrina reached the forest, as if on cue, the trees moved aside to welcome her into their domain. "Good afternoon Mr. Tree. Isn't it a lovely day? Did you know there are children at my castle?"

There was a rustling in the trees, as the trees spoke to her. Sabrina smiled and waved as she passed them, heading farther into the forest.

At the center of the forest was a clearing this was her destination. Sabrina hung her cloak on a nearby tree limb and ran into the middle of the clearing.

"Sabrina's here! Sabrina's here!" Excited voices rang out from all over the clearing. In the blink of an eye the clearing was filled with faeries. Tiny faeries. Actually, they were normal size for faeries; Sabrina was the one that was different.

"My daughter has returned safely to us once again." Proclaimed King Greagoir.

"Oh father, I am so excited. There are human children at my castle!” squealed Sabrina.

There was a murmur among the faeries, "Children."

"We know my daughter.” "Queen Leanna smiled. “Are they being nice to you?"

"I haven't met them yet." Sabrina said dejectedly. "But I gave them my protection." She replied proudly. Sabrina had never given anyone her protection before.

"You did? Does The McGregor know about this?" inquired King Greagoir.

"Yes, I told him very first thing." Sabrina's confidence now started to waver. "Father, I was wondering if it would be all right if the children came to the festival?" The words were out before she could stop herself from speaking.

A hush fell over the clearing. All the faeries stopped in mid flight to hear what King Greagoir would say. Sabrina did not breathe as she waited for the response from her father. What would she do if he said no?

"Is this what you really want?" King Greagoir asked sternly.

"Yes father. I truly want them to come.” Hesitantly she added, “And maybe you could make them small and they could fly with us too?"

King Greagoir looked to his wife. In all her life, his daughter had never asked such a thing. Could he tell her no? How could he deny her when she had such a pleading look on her face? Fate had dealt her such a terrible blow, how could he tell her no?

The tension in the air was thick, everyone waiting; Sabrina's heart was pounding so hard in her chest she thought everyone could hear. He just couldn't tell her no….could he?

The King looked from Sabrina and then again, back to his wife. Queen Leanna nodded her head slightly. So slightly, no one but the King saw.

"Sabrina, this festival is for the wee folk of our forest. We have never allowed strangers to attend."

Sabrina's heart started to break. Tears formed in her eyes, she bowed her head waiting for the final word from her father. Tears began to trickle down her face, which she quickly wiped away before anyone could see. But her mother did see.

"Greagoir, do not tease our daughter."

Sabrina's head snapped up. What had her mother said? Did she hear correctly? Were they going to allow the children to attend the festival?

"Sabrina, these children must be very special for you to give them your protection and for you to make such a request. Because they are that special to you, then they have our permission to attend the festival and fly with you."

Sabrina soared over their heads turning and spinning. She was overjoyed. The children could come to her festival. She couldn't wait to tell them.

King Greagoir took his wife's hand as they watched their only daughter flying through the trees. Never before had they seen her so energized.

"You have made her so happy my husband. Thank you." Queen Leanna kissed her husband on the cheek and they smiled at each other and continued to watch Sabrina twist and turn above their heads.

Despite her size Sabrina was the most graceful of faeries. She presented a beautiful sight in her long lavender gown and her wings of lavender and blue.

Sabrina spent the day with her friends, darting in and out of the trees playing games, and talking about the upcoming festival.

The moon came out and Sabrina knew it was getting late.

"Father, I am going home early tonight."

"Why Sabrina?” Worry in her father’s voice. “Did I not give you what you wanted? I said the children could attend the festival”.

"Oh yes, it is exactly what I wanted. Now, I want to tell the children. They have been with their parents all day. I so want to see them."

"Go back to your castle my daughter. Go see the children and invite them to the festival. You can come back tomorrow and tell me of their excitement."

Sabrina kissed her mother and father good-bye, waved to her friends and gathering her cloak, left the forest.

"Good evening, Mr. Tree. My father said the children could come to the festival. Isn't that wonderful?"

The trees rustled again, as it answered her question. Sabrina smiled, said good-bye to the trees and hurried back home.

The closer she got to the castle the quicker she walked. The McGregor had made her promise never to fly when she was outside where people might see her. It might be bad if people knew she could fly. Sabrina was always very careful. Tonight is was so hard not to fly. She wanted to see the children so badly.

She arrived at the castle and hurried in the front door.

"Lady Kathryn? Are the children back?" Sabrina called out.

In anticipation of her arrival, Lady Kathryn was waiting near the foyer. "No my dear, the children are not back yet. But they should be here soon. Why don't you wait in the library? You can see them when they come in."

Sabrina waited in the library, pacing back and forth. 'Where are the children? What is taking so long?' Sabrina was getting very impatient. Faeries are not known for their patience and Sabrina was at the end of hers.