Daisy Meadows - Evie the Mist Fairy

Wake up, sleepyhead! cried Kirsty Tate, as she jumped out of bed and started to get dressed.

Her friend, Rachel Walker, was asleep in the extra bed in Kirstys room. She was staying with Kirsty and her parents in Wetherbury. Sleepily, she rolled over and opened her eyes. I was dreaming that we were back in Fairyland, she told Kirsty. The weather was mixed up sunny and snowing all at the same time and Doodle was trying to fix it. Doodle, the magic weather rooster, had been on Rachels mind a lot lately, because she and Kirsty were on an important mission with the Weather Fairies!

Every day in Fairyland, the Weather Fairies used Doodles magic tail feathers to make the weather. Each of the seven feathers controlled a different kind of weather, and each of the seven Weather Fairies was responsible for working with one specific feather. The system was perfect until mean Jack Frost sent his goblins to steal Doodles magic feathers.

The goblins took the feathers into the human world, and when poor Doodle followed them out of Fairyland, he found himself transformed into a rusty weather vane. Since Rachel and Kirsty had found the Rainbow Fairies together, the Queen of the Fairies had asked them to help find and return Doodles magic feathers, also.

In the meantime, Fairylands weather was all mixed upand the goblins had been using the feathers to cause trouble in the human world, too.

Poor Doodle, Kirsty said, looking out the window at the weather vane on top of the old barn. Her dad had found Doodle lying in the park, and brought him home for their barn roof. Hopefully well find another magic feathertoday, Kirsty continued. We already have four of the stolen feathers. We just need to find the other three. Then Doodle will get his magic back!

Yes, Rachel agreed, brightening at the thought. But I have to go home in three days, so we dont have very long! As she gazed out at the blue sky, a wisp of silvery mist caught her eye. Lookthat cloud is shaped just like a feather! she said.

Kirsty looked up, too. I cant see anything.

Rachel looked again, but the wispy shape had disappeared. Maybe I imagined it, she said, sighing.

The memory of the dream fizzed in her tummy like bubbles. It felt like a magical start to the day.

Rachel loved sharing fairy adventures with Kirsty. The girls had met on vacation in Rainspell Island with their parents. That was when they had first helped the fairies. That time, Jack Frost had cast a nasty spell to send the Rainbow Fairies away from Fairyland, and the girls had helped all seven of them get home safely.

Now, Rachel and Kirsty hurried down to the kitchen. Mr. Tate was sitting at the table. He looked up and smiled at the girls. Good morning! Did you sleep well?

Yes, thanks, Rachel replied. When she sat down, she saw a bright green flier on the kitchen table. It read: Grand Fun Run, Green Wood Forest, Wetherbury. Everyone welcome. She looked at the date. Thats today.

Yes. My moms running in it, said Kirsty.

Most of the village will be racing. Why dont you two go and watch? suggested Mr. Tate. You could cheer Mom on.

OK, Rachel and Kirsty agreed happily.

Maybe we could look for goblins on the way, thought Rachel. She felt excited, and a little bit nervous. Goblins were mean creatures, and Jack Frost had cast a spell to make them bigger than normal. Luckily, the laws in Fairyland say that nothing can be taller than the King and Queens fairy castle, so the goblins couldnt get too big. But they were still almost as tall as Rachel and Kirstys shoulders.

Mr. Tate finished his cup of coffee and stood up. Im going to pick up Gran and take her to watch the race. Well look for you there, he told the girls.

OK, Dad. Bye! Kirsty said with a wave.

Just then, Mrs. Tate hurried into the kitchen, wearing running shorts, a T-shirt, and sneakers. She smiled at Kirsty and Rachel. Sorry, I cant stop, girls. Its almost race time!

Thats all right, Mom. Were right behind you, Kirsty said.

Were coming to cheer you on, Rachel explained.

See you at the woods, then! Mrs. Tate called cheerfully as she headed out the door.

A few minutes later, Kirsty and Rachel left for Green Wood Forest, too.

Lets take the path by the river, Kirsty suggested. Its a little longer, but its much prettier.

Oh, yes! Maybe well see some ducklings, Rachel agreed.

As the girls walked up Twisty Lane, sunlight poured through the dancing tree branches. Spots of light speckled the road like golden coins. Soon Rachel and Kirsty reached the river. It was very pretty down by the water, where buttercups dotted the grass and cows grazed happily.

Rachel spotted little puffs of mist rising from the water. Look! Do you think that could be fairy mist? she asked.

Im not sure, Kirsty replied. Theres usually mist near water, isnt there?

Oh, yes, especially in the morning and at night, Rachel remembered. She felt a little disappointed, but brightened when she saw two swans gliding by. Dragonflies perched in the reeds beside the sparkling river. Its a perfect day! she said, smiling.

Kirsty nodded. Up ahead, she could see the edge of the forest. Something was shimmering on one of the tree branches. It looked like a silvery scarf, sparkling softly in the sunlight. Whats that? she asked Rachel.