Built along the banks of the Mystic River of cob, sticks, branches and stones, the Village simply as it was known, bubbled with the colorful arrival of spring. This year held a special occasion for the creatures of the deep forest. An orchestra of songbirds kicked off the pastel sunrise of pale pink, purple, and orange hues. Morning dew flew off unravelling petals, a slide for wee sprites, as elders used mullein leaf towelettes to catch the splash midair and wash their sleep away. Darting about flapping their four-folded transparent wings, the morning mailers passed out the days scheduled events. Everyone from Whisperings Woods is invited to the hatching of the new batch of babies every year. This year the 7-year festival feast welcomed not only the baby birds, baby bunnies, turtles, deer, foxes, frogs, trolls, goats, mice, grasshoppers, moths, but the water sprites who guarded the river.
Bonfires were set ablaze. Flames danced to the fairy’s drumbeat flying through the trees. They were followed by sprites with trumpets and toads with trombones sat near the water’s edge. Dutch ovens were filled to the brim with rosemary thyme and sage along with quail eggs and sausage. Custards were sweetened with milk from the sweet pea plant and crusted with nuts from the previous year’s harvest, uncovered from the cherry wine storage.
As distant sprites gathered from the far reaches of the forest, Lily Noodle, Lily Poodle, and Lily Bee excitedly buzzed about for the arrival of another baby sister. All of them named after their mother’s, Lily Song, favorite things. Her name would be Lily Moon.
Flying high shouting through tall pines and towering waterfalls wee sprites flew to give the news. Friends and family whispery repeated it along the quiet underbrush careful not to disturb those still rustling in the dark. Brilliant leafy greens emerged which were collecting to add to mushroom stew. Fresh onion sprouts were plucked and star shaped spices collected for cider. Creatures big and small travelled bearing gifts of flowers and goods. The freshly baked bread loaves left a trail of comforting scent. When the white Stag started his march, pointed antlers leading the way, quiet the forest grew. The paws and claws of cats, lions, and tigers following in patient steps, to honor the importance of the event. Even the moles without sight made their way carrying crickets in saddles on their backs steering them left and right. Surrounding the Village, trees were decorated with ribbons and bells. Seven years, seven eggs, seven sprites to the most blessed families.
Last minute, Cottage sprites with their big golden wings wearing aprons decorated with butterflies decorated the birthday cakes and gathered the presents along the shore. Young elves danced with elder fairies; young couples flew from flower-to-flower necking behind the firework displays of new blooms. Spinner sprites flew away from this season’s bachelor’s while teasing them with fresh flower perfume. When the first ringing bell interrupted the party all the dwellers and creatures stopped to gather around the unveiling of the first egg.
Swaying side to side, something knocked from the inside. Then a lightening shape crack zigzagged it’s way around the egg splitting it in half. Like the lightning-the little sprite burst through flying towards the ceiling of the sky like a bolt, until seconds later she fizzled out. Struggling to flap her wings she sank towards the Mystic River. The onlookers gasped as a second egg broke drawing their attention. The flame-colored sprite burst out of his shell, looking around he saw everyone look up. Following their gaze, his wings like fire, fluttered up to meet the sprite falling to earth. Her wings flickering like dangling lightbulbs in the breeze. These new fairies had spunk and the crowd applauded. Five more eggs to go! The new sprites weeded out their awaiting families to be greeted and named.
The fourth egg began to quiver and little tapping’s could be heard. Then it silent for a moment- shook again -followed by three little taps again as if asking to be let out. Or let in!
“Into the world you must come little one,” Lily Noodle said. Fluttering about it in a circle facing the egg the three sisters enticed her out, for they were certain it was their sister. As the pieces broke away pushed out by little hands, out flopped a tiny mermaid instead. No bigger than the wee sprite she had no legs and no wings but lime green and pink scales all the way down to the fish tail. The creatures of the woodlands gasped, almost unaware the rest of the eggs hatched into dazzling sprites. Not so dramatic as the first two. No one could take their eyes off the mermaid. Stepping forward to engage the crowd the Wizard King Wolf announced her birth most certainly meant the end of the war between the depths of the ocean and surface dwellers, an offering had been made. Cheer erupted between everyone and it was time to eat. Except the three sister sprites. Saddened they were by the thought of their sister being replaced by an offering, that needed returned to the sea to confirm the peace and progress made. Only the elderly water sprites could take that journey, acclimated by age to breathing lengths underwater. Her name, was Mariana.
For the Village, this meant it could be moved back to the estuary where the forest meets the sea. Since the war between the two worlds, ocean creatures moved up the river, forcing the fairy creatures to retreat for during war, they not all were meant to be seen.
For the wee sprites it meant playing with their shoreside friends again. The clams and seagulls, seals and water dragons.
Before the festival could end, before the elder sprites prepared for their journey, the Wizard King Wolf had one more announcement. The offering could not be returned without a blessing. With the swoosh of his big bushy tail, the mermaid sprouted wings. Little wings everywhere along her tail and big wings on her back. He said this is for Lily Song’s sacrifice as well, so Mariana the mermaid sprite can have the ability to come back and play with Lily Noodle, Lily Poodle, and Lily Bee.
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