Chapter Sixteen – The Fairy Of Iglis Tells us Her Story

It was growing dark as we began on our way back down the path, Kya kept asking me if we could stop and go to bed for the night, and I kept telling her to wait a minute. And before we knew it, we were back at the start of the path. We turned onto the path we were supposed to, our hearts light. We had found the Great Iglis Tree, and now we were on our way back – back to the Magician, and soon we would be back in America. And we continued down the path; even at four in the morning, I did not care that we were still travelling, although Kya did care.
By ten in the morning, we could see the Fairy's house at last. Just if you were wondering, we did not walk non-stop. We did take rests!
“Finally! We have made it at last..” Kya shouted when she spotted the house.
“Not all the way, Kya. We still have to travel to the Magician.” I corrected her,
“We will stay for a day or two, Jess?” Kya asked.
“Of course!” I answered her just as we reached the door step. I was about to knock on the door when it was opened by the fairy.
“My children are finally back! I am so glad to see you again, come in, come in.” And we followed her inside.
“I saw my little children coming while I was looking out the window.” She said.
She prepared some food for us and while we ate, we told her all of what had happened; she was very surprised that Prince Hextor had lived so long. Then we showed her the fruit,
“I shall admit that a fruit from that tree is something that I have always desired in my heart..” she sighed dreamily.
“But I suppose that the tree is no longer there.” she sighed and then leaned in closer to us;
“I have a story that I want to tell you. I have never told anyone else.” she said, and I smiled and nodded my head.
When she made sure that she had our full attention, she began,
“Many years ago, when I was a young lass, a fairy, I lived in the valley of lillies. I had everything there, a family who loved me, friends and elder fairy's who instructed me,” a tear came to her eye as she said this.
“But I was foolish, and against the Elder Fairy's warnings, I travelled into the world of men. They told me that I could never see them again if I left, but I desired to see the world, and so an elder fairy made me into the size of a human. I could have seen all the world if I wanted to – when I grew into an elder fairy and had all my powers, but I was young and foolish.”
At this she stopped, for she could hardly contain herself.
“When I went into the world of men, I saw a lonely young man, and I fell in love. He acted like he loved me, too. He even asked me to marry him, and a few days later when I went back to tell him I accepted, he was gone. And I never saw him after that, so I tried going back to the valley of lillies, but however loud I called, I could not get the answer of a fairy, and so I lived a miserable little fairy for a long time until I journeyed to the Great Magician Sirrion. He trained me to be a fairy, and I would not be such a great fairy, but for him. He was like a father to me, and he died, leaving me with all his powers. But I long to go back to the valley of lillies.”
And Kya and I felt very sorry for her. Then Kya said,
“I wish I had known about your wish sooner, grandmother, for they granted me a wish, and I would have wished you to be back. If only I had known.”
“Perhaps your powers are great enough now to make yourself the right size.” I suggested. But she nodded her head,
“No my child. I have tried everything, nothing works. I shall remain a poor, lonely old fairy for the rest of my days.”
“Then perhaps Renidren, the Magician of Iglis can help you.” Kya suggested. And the Fairy brightened at her suggestion.
“What a wonderful idea, my child! I shall go with you, perhaps he can help me. Perhaps.” the Fairy was in good spirits the rest of the day, and I hoped that her hopes were not too high.
We left for the Magician's house the next day, and on our way back, near where we had met Alice, I stopped and stooped over.
“What is it?” Kya asked; I stood up, holding my cellphone for her to see.
“Ah. I am quite sure it will not work...” Kya said as I pressed the power button.
“Agh. Stupid thing!” I said, pressing it again, but to no avail.
“Oh well, mom can buy me a new one.” I said, matter-of-factly.
Before midnight, the Magician's great house came into view. Kya jumped up and down and then hugged the Fairy and me very tightly.
“We have made it, Jess! We have made it, grandmother!” She shouted excitedly. Our quest was ended. We had done the Magician's “Annoying” bidding.