"ABSOLUTELY NOT! NO! OUT OF THE QUESTION!" Sage's voice thundered, shaking the walls of Lavender's cottage.

Matilda was standing in the middle of them all, hands on hips, glaring at Sage. Her eyes shot arrows at him. Ferry leaned against the wall opposite to them. He couldn't sleep that night, with all the excitement that she would go with him to Akna. But now it was hard for him to keep his eyes open, and his head felt heavy.

"My decision is already made, Sage," she said firmly, not looking intimidated by his shouts. "I'm coming with you to Akna."

"You have no idea what that place is like, Matt," Sage continued to shout. "Akna hates humans. If they find out you're human, they'll lock you up or turn you into a slave or worse. What were you thinking?"

"You can't tell me what to do, Sage! You're not my father!" Matilda raised her voice as she stepped closer Sage, but without taking her eyes off him. "Actually, my parents agree with my decision."

"Then I'll have a word with your parents!" He then turned abruptly to Ferry. "It's all your fault," he shouted. "You convinced her to do it."

Ferry raised his hands in his defense. "I didn't do such thing, Sage," he sighed, too tired to argue. "You know how stubborn she is ..."

"I'm not doing it for him, Sage," Matilda protested. "I'm doing it for me."

Sage took Matilda aside. He gently put his hands on her small shoulders, which almost disappeared under his palms. "Matt, we've talked about this before. I thought you understood. I'm going to Akna. I'm going to help Ferry defeat the enemy. I'll put him on that throne, and then I'll come back," he added, and his voice softened.

But Matilda withdrew her shoulders from under his palms. "I'm coming and that's final," she said.

Sage punched the wall, screaming in exasperation. "Why do you have to be so stubborn?"

"You can't come," they could hear Oona's confident voice. "You're not a fairy," she said, rising from the divan where she was making a flower wreath.

Matilda didn't even look at her. Instead, she raises his palm to keep Oona away from her. Her palm was inches from Oona's face. "No one asked you, foxy," Matilda said calmly. "Why can she come and I can't?" she asked Sage.

Parsely and Rosemary retreated in a corner of the room, and Lavender did not move from her chair. Thyme was somewhere in the darkest corner of the room, cutting an apple with a battle knife, wrapped in his black cloak. He didn't seem to notice the shouts and fuss around him.

Oona protruded in front of Matilda. "I'm coming because they need me, girlie," she said, grimacing. "I know the enemy better than anyone. You would only stay in our way. You completely lack magic," she spat the words.

Matilda stepped closer. Her eyes glared. "Maybe I'm lacking magic," she said calmly, "but I have something thousand times more important. Something only people have."

"And what's that?" Oona asked in disgust.

"Human intuition," Matilda replied. "Do you even know what that is?"

Oona grimaced. "You're not even ready."

Matilda took a step closer. Oona did not walk away but continued to look at her with a defiant smile on her face.

"Oh, I'm ready," Matilda said menacingly. "Unlike you, I trained. I didn't stare at the stars and made flower wreaths."

Oona's hand turned into a claw that wanted to scratch Matilda, but Sage was faster and protruded between them. "Oona is right, Matt," he said, "you're not ready ..."

"None of us is ready, Sage," she said. "Maybe just Thyme ... But the idea is to be there for Ferry. Let's not let him down. I took an oath, like all of you ..."

"Thyme can release you from the oath, as he did with May," he protested.

Oona, who was not been intimidated by Sage's stature, began to mumble about how much trouble Matilda would bring them while Sage and Matilda continued to shout at each other.

Ferry felt the voices fading. His temples began to pulsate, and the room to spin with him.

"ENOUGH!" he heard Thyme's thunderous voice and his fist hitting the table. The feeling of dizziness disappeared. "It is not in my power to decide who comes and who stays. We shall decide this the night Lord Stephan arrives. We shall all vote."

Sage turned to Thyme, and his eyes glared daggers again. He said nothing more, but left the house with his fists clenched, slamming the door. There was silence behind him.

"Well, who wants some elderberry juice?" Parsley asked, trying to change the mood in the house.

No one answered. Ferry felt the air in the room become too dense and the feeling of dizziness overwhelmed him again. He went out into Lavender's garden and sat down on the bench, his head resting on the cherry tree in the back. He desperately needed sleep. He felt his mother's watch in his pocket and stroked its dial with his thumb. That made him feel a little better.

"Ferry, are you okay?" he recognized Matilda's voice.

He opened his eyes and tried to smile. "I'm fine, Matt. Don't worry about it."

She sat down on the bench next to him and frowned. "Of course I'm worried about you, Ferry. You're my best friend ..."

Ferry slowly nodded. So that's where they stand---back to where they started. And yet, knowing her there was enough for him.

"Do you think they'll let me come with you?" she asked.

He shrugged. "I don't know ... We just have to prove to Lord Stephan that I-- that we need you for this journey."

She said nothing. She just got up and picked some cherries. She handed him some, and he picked them up from her palms, stroking the back of her hand. He then ate them, spitting on the seeds to see which one reached further just as they did when they were children.

Ferry took a better look at her. She was ruffled, but her brown hair had grown now, and reached her shoulders. It got reddish hues when touched by the sun, and her freckles shone even brighter. She wore a large T-shirt, shorts, and dusty sneakers. And yet, he had never seen her more beautiful.

He rested his forehead on her shoulder, breathing in the scent of cherries on her lips. If she had stayed with him for a while, he would have finally found peace and could have rested. He remembered how well he slept in her bed, once. 

"You should get some rest," she whispered in his hair.

"I can't. I can't find sleep since-- Since the night of the Quest. I see him dying in front of me, again and again. Kian. Whatever I do, wherever I go, I can't rest ... it's like something is pressing on my chest ... "

"You need to let go, Ferry ..." she said. "There's a long journey ahead of you. You can't go on like this."

"I know..."

If he could put his head in her lap for a while, and just close his eyes ...

"Here you are, fairy-boy," they could hear Oona's cheerful voice. "I've been looking for you everywhere."

Matilda rolled her eyes. "I have to go," she said, getting up from the bench. She didn't even have the time to get up properly, as Oona took her place next to Ferry.

Before leaving, Matilda turned to him once more, "Thank you for supporting me and all..." she said and her eyes enveloped him in a warm look.

Ferry forced a smile. "Sure ... What are friends for?"

"You'd better hurry, human-girl," Oona interrupted. "Your wolf-man is looking for you. Uhhh, I can't stand this girl," she said after Matilda walked away. "She's so annoying."

Ferry sighed. "Listen, Oona, if Matt comes with us, you two will have to get along."

Oona snorted. "How could I? Miss-know-it-all," she said, sticking out her tongue. "She gets on my nervy-nerves. She always did."

"You have to promise me that you will at least try," Ferry insisted.

Oona pouted. "Alrighty. I'll try, she said, grimacing. Then she examined him, curious ... "You don't look too good."

"Thanks," Ferry said, closing his eyes. He could feel Oona's hand tighten on his arm. "I know what could make you feel better: a hot dandelion tea and a bed to nest in. Unfortunately, they don't have napping shelters in this world, but I'm sure I could come up with something, "she said in a soothing tone.

"Thank you, Oona, but it's not bedtime now," he sighed. "I must prepare for the meeting with Lord Stephan tonight."

"Yes, the meeting ..." she muttered. "Why does it have to take place? Anyway, Lord Stephan won't agree for her to come."

"And do you think he'll agree for you to come?" he asked, looking at her.

He saw her sly look and complicit smile. "Oh, I'm sure he will," she grinned. "As I told you, you need me on your side."

Ferry looked at her and felt the headache return. They were interrupted by Thyme who was approaching with determined steps.

"Oona, can you leave me and Garrett alone?" he asked. "And when I say alone, I mean just the two of us, without you turning unseen," he added.

Oona got up from the bench, snorting. "Fine. Everyone wants me away from serious talks ..." she muttered. "As if I were a child ..."

"I wonder if we can trust her," Thyme said as she walked away.

"I think we can ..." Ferry replied. "It's true, she betrayed us, but then she wasn't really herself. Besides, I think she wants revenge for what they forced her to endure. I think she needs us, too."

"Just like we need her," Thyme said thoughtfully. "But that's not why I'm here. I'm here to prepare you for tonight's meeting with Lord Stephan."

Ferry frowned. "Why would I need preparations?"

"Oh, believe me, with Lord Stephan there are rules to be followed. He is one of the first Amalghams. And he was for a long time, the right hand of the Queen and King of Akna, your parents. He was always devoted to them. He was the first. Amalgham with the title of Lord. "

"What rules?"

"Well, first of all, you have to bow to him. Never interrupt him. Never look him in the eye. And most importantly, never contradict him. He's been through a lot of hard times, through wars and riots. He is the wisest fairy in Akna. "

"What about the decision he's going to make? About Matt? Don't I have anything to say about that?"

"This decision will be made by all of us, Garrett. We will all vote on whether or not she'll come. We, your guardians, Lord Stephan and Lavender. And you, of course, although we all know how you will vote ..."

Ferry nodded slowly. "What will you vote for, Thyme?" he asked, looking him in the eye.

"I shall vote for the right thing to do," Thyme said, looking away. "Even though many might not like it."

*

The fire crackled in the fireplace, and Lavender's small living room was shrouded in shadows and silence. Everyone was silent, waiting for Lord Stephan. It was late at night, and the sky had shaken itself from stars. Everyone had gathered, except Matilda and Oona. Matilda's situation was delicate, and Thyme had suggested a human at such an important meeting might jeopardize her departure. And Oona was sent to bed, although everyone expected her to hide somewhere and eavesdrop.

The night was deep and cool for that time of the year. It seemed like the night itself was waiting for something to happen. Everyone was trying to find an occupation so that the waiting would not seem so hard. Parsley and Rosemary were reading the Book of Fairies for the thousandth time, whispering and laughing above it like two children. Sage stared at a chair in front of him, but Ferry could tell his thoughts were far away. Lavender was knitting a shawl, occasionally examining the others from above the needles. Thyme watched the fire, wrapped in his feathered cape. Hoity Toity had been allowed to stay until the Pan arrived. He had not yet been paid for the helping hand he had given in the Tenalach, and now he was sitting on a stool, tossing in the air a golden coin that shone in the light of the fire.

 Ferry was trying hard to keep his eyes open. The meeting with Lord Stephan unsettled him. He hadn't met him in seven years, which meant much more to the fairy world.

When the lights in the room flickered, he knew Lord Stephan had arrived. He heard the sound of his hooves approaching, then the door opened and the Pan's shadow stole the fragile light that reigned inside. He had to bend over to come in.

The Pan glanced left and right with his demon eyes, then walked to Lavender's chair and knelt in front of it.

"Mylady, it's been so long," he said, his gaze bowed. "It's good to see you."

Lavender motioned for him to get up. "Lord Stephan, likewise."

The Pan then greeted the Guardians who were now all standing and headed for  Ferry. He took a small bow in front of him.

"Prince Garrett," he said in his thunderous voice. "My condolences on the death of your human mother."

Ferry nodded slowly.

"Forgive me for the delay," he said. "It's hard to find a safe door to take me here. But it seems that the one in Tenalach has become easier to cross. Much is changing in the world of the Fairies of the Sun. They are looking for a new leader after the dethronement of Saraid. The odds seem to be on the side of a man, imagine. One who was a human, too," he said in disgust. "But that it's not our concern."

Lord Stephan then glanced at Hoity who was kneading his hat in his small hands. He took a sack of coins from his long coat and tossed it to him. The little man caught it, then thanked him with a bow.

"Well, it looks like it's time for me to go," he said. "It was a great pleasure to work with you," he said, looking at Sage.

"You did well, dwarf," Sage smiled.

"You weren't too bad either, dog," Hoity grinned.

Then he came closer to Ferry and looked up at him. "Good luck on your journey, Master! You'll need it. You're lucky with such reliable Guardians," he added, winking at Sage. "I couldn't wish for better companions. May the wind watch over your path!"

Then he went out the door, whistling.

After his departure, the air in the room suddenly became heavier. Lord Stephan motioned for everyone to sit down, but he remained in the middle, standing.

"Unfortunately, the news I bring you from Akna is not good. The enemy has managed to penetrate to the highest circles. The Hollowers have spread throughout the land without the people of Akna even realizing it. They've taken our face and likeness, and it's not long until they take our land. And we must stop them. Prince Garrett will be the one to bring order back to Akna. And the Moonlanders will dwell over the lands kissed by the Moon. We must make sure that he is ready to defeat the enemy when the time comes."

They all nodded in silence.

"And we have another duty," he added, looking at Ferry, who avoided his gaze as Thyme advised him. "We have a duty to avenge the death of Prince Garrett's human mother. And to do what he began--to kill all the people of the Voids, the enemies of Akna."

Ferry felt the need to rise to his feet. This time, he looked Lord Stephan in the eye. "Kian of the Voids was never the enemy of Akna. Everything he did, he did for his people. And a son should not be judged for his parents' mistakes," he said loud and clear.

The Pan approached him, his hooves echoing loudly on the wooden floor. "And yet, the Spear demanded justice. His death was claimed. His death was necessary. And you did justice. Just as you will do with his parents, the enemies of Akna."

Ferry felt his breathing increase. "I didn't kill Kian. And if I did, I was just a tool in the hands of a man far more dangerous than Akna's enemies."

And with that, Ferry pulled from his pocket the missing pages of Mrs. Cobbs' diary and handed them to the Pan. He unfolded them, frowning. Ferry saw the confusion in Thyme's eyes.

"What are these?" the Pan asked after reading. "The pathetic thoughts of a woman was abandoned by her lover. So? How is this important to Akna?"

"It's about that man," Ferry said, feeling his left temple begin to twitch.

Thyme came to him. "Garrett, what do you think you're doing?" he asked in a low voice.

"What I've always tried," Ferry said, not caring that he was doing it in front of Lord Stephan. "I've always tried to tell you that there are fairies in this town. Andrew, Lily Jones ... And who knows how many others. But you wouldn't listen. You never listen!"

"And what do these fairies have to do with Akna, Prince Garrett?" the Pan's voice thundered. "Looks like you don't know your priorities. You're leaving this little place tomorrow, anyway. You shouldn't care anymore."

"Not care anymore?" cried Ferry. "Everything I know is here! All my friends, all those I care about are here! And this man, Albert Pride, if that's his name, has something to do with this place. He's strong. And he's dangerous. Not just for this place. His desire for power grows. And he won't just stop in this world. It has to do with the fairies of Tenalah. And the Hollowers ..."

"The fairies of Tenalach are none of our business. Isn't it enough that we agreed for one of them to join us? I received whispers from Thyme. Even if I don't do it with a light heart, Oona's presence with us is necessary. She's a good spy. She knows the land of the Voids and its inhabitants. What I don't agree with is the human girl, "he said bluntly. "She would only stay in our way and jeopardize our mission."

"I think her presence will help us," Ferry said without looking away.

"And why do you think that, my Prince? Isn't it because her presence will be good for you?"

"I don't care what you think," Ferry said with clenched fists. "I want her to come."

Lord Stephan turned his back on him. The cape that covered his beastly body fluttered, spreading a scent of ancient times.

"I'm afraid that's not your decision, Prince Garrett. Our little gathering will decide that. And I can say I'm against it by now," he said calmly.

"Me too," Sage hurried to add.

The Pan nodded. "Very well, then. Shall we vote?"

"I'm for Matilda to come," Parsley said. "She's brave and trustworthy," he added, smilings at Ferry.

"I think she should come, too," Rosemary said.

Ferry smiled at them both. "I think you all know what I think," he said.

"Hurry not, young prince," said the Pan. Ferry saw his jaw clenched. "The vote isn't over yet. Milady?" he said, looking at Lavender, and his voice softened as he spoke to her.

Ferry looked at Lavender, but she avoided his look. He could feel his heart begin to pound."I vote against," Lavender said firmly.

Ferry couldn't believe his ears. He didn't expect Lavender to be against Matilda's coming. She had always been dear to her. He looked at her questioningly, but she stared at the ground. There was only Thyme left. And Ferry knew what Thyme thought of human girls. He could feel a lump in his throat. His head began to ache again, and his gaze turned blurry.

"It seems the vote is up to you, Thyme," Lord Stephan said confidently. "Let's put an end to this charade for once."

Thyme looked up. "I've known Matilda since she was a little girl. I'm sure she won't stay in our way. On the contrary. She's bold and disciplined. She's brave and generous. And she knows how to fight a sword better than many of us."

"But?" Pan asked.

"But that's not what I'm afraid of," Thyme added, looking first at Ferry, then at Sage. "I'm afraid of the passions she can create around her. And that could distract some of us from our mission ..." Thyme said softly.

Ferry felt the room spin with him again. He felt weak. He simply no longer had the strength to resist ...

"But I agree for her to come," Thyme said after a moment that seemed to Ferry an eternity.

Pan's fists clenched. "Very well," his voice thundered. "So we have decided--the human girl shall come with us. I just hope that your decision, Thyme, was made with the mind and not with the heart," he added, looking at him in a certain way.

Ferry sought for Thyme's gaze, but he looked away. The headache disappeared like a charm.

Sage took a step forward. "With all due respect, Lord Stephan," he growled, "but I think it's a hasty decision on Thyme's part ..."

"Know your place, Sage!" the Pan cut his short. "The decision has been made. Now, with your permission, I will retire," he said, bowing to Lavender. "It's been a long journey."

"And the Moon's Tear?" dared Rosemary.

Lord Stephan turned on his way. "What about the Moon's Tear?"

"Its powers have increased. It was enhanced with noble blood touched by true love. Shouldn't it be better guarded? It's a thousand times stronger."

"It's well guarded as it is," he said without looking at Rosemary. "As it has been until now. Only the burden of the Keeper has become heavier," added Lord Stephan, then left the room.

*

Ferry couldn't sleep that night, either. He was happy, worried, optimistic, disappointed, all at the same time. All those feelings had driven the sleep away from him. He got out of bed and began packing for the journey. Thyme told him they needed only one set of clothes. Upon arrival in Akna, someone would wait for them with new clothes, suitable for those lands. So he took only a few things to remind him of home. A blanket of colored patches made by his mother. Ben's Survival Guide. His mother's watch, which he put in his breast pocket to make him feel it was ticking at the same time with his heart. He found May's necklace in the box of small items under the bed. He opened it and her gentle face smiled at him. He remembered when she had given it to him; it was as if a thousand years had passed since then. It was as if everything, memories, and emotions were shrouded in fog as if it had come from another life. He closed the locket and placed the necklace on the shelf.

Outside, the dawn was breaking. Ferry went down to the kitchen and made a chamomile tea which he drank from his mother's cup. He heard his father's footsteps upstairs and poured a cup of tea for him.

"Why don't you sleep some more, son?" he asked, coming down the stairs. "A long road awaits you."

"I couldn't and-- I'd like to stay here a little longer ..."

His father sat quietly next to him at the kitchen table. He looked at him with tired eyes. It seemed to Ferry that he had aged ten years since his mother died.

"Listen, Ferry, I know you have to go. I know you're important to people other than us. I know you're one of them ..." he said in a low voice. "But you're one of us, too. And that will never change, no matter how far away you are from this place," he added, placing his hand on his shoulder. "When it's hard for you, remember this is your home. And you can come back here anytime."

Ferry saw the tears in his father's eyes and felt a heaviness in his chest again.

"Don't forget me, son," he said, and his voice broke. "Please ... Don't forget about me ..."

*

Ben and Celia came to see him that afternoon to say goodbye. But also because they wanted to see each other, away from prying eyes. Ben had caught Steph around his house a few times. They all went out into the backyard. The sheets Ferry's mother had last washed were still hanging on the ropes, swelling in the wind. Their freshness was long gone, and now they were stained with leaves, dust, and rain, and looked like old maps of a forbidden treasure.

Celia swayed in Ferry's swing while Ben explained an older theory of his about portals. From time to time, Celia would pull him by his shirt toward her and kissed him, causing Ben to lose his ideas and words for a while. Watching them, Ferry thought about his kiss with May on the swing and how bad he had treated her then. If there was one thing he regretted before leaving, it was that he hadn't apologized properly. It was too late, anyway because May already left with her mother to her aunt in the Big City, the day before. Celia knew all this from Billy who went to see her before she left. And he had learned that May would not return until early autumn. 

"Why don't you write her a letter to apologize?" Celia suggested.

"Yeah, Ferr, that's a good idea," Ben encouraged him.

"A letter? Celia, you know I'm not good at writing," Ferry protested.

"You don't have to be. Tell her how you feel and that you're sorry for the way you behaved. She'll understand. Writing helps me a lot when I have something on my mind. You'll feel better, you'll see."

"But I don't know her aunt's address."

"You can give May's father the letter. And he'll send it."

Ferry thought a little. It was a good idea. In the evening, after Ben and Celia said goodbye, he retired to his room in the attic and began to write. Outside, the sky began to darken, and be strewn with scattered lightning. And soon, large splashes began to flow from the sky hitting the window and dripping like heavy tears.

Celia was right: putting his thoughts on paper really made him feel better. He told May all his thoughts and feelings before the great journey into the unknown, how insecure and fearful he was. He apologized for the way he had behaved and promised her that no matter what happened, the two of them would always be friends. Then, he put the letter in an envelope and headed for May's house.

The rain stopped. Only a few claps of thunder could be heard somewhere in the distance and bolts of lightning still pierced the sky on the horizon. But the trees were still laden with heavy drops that fell at the first gust of wind, soaking his hair and face.

When he reached the front of May's house, he stopped. At first, he thought he had the wrong address. The house was dark, but that didn't surprise him the most. Something was missing. He looked at May's now-abandoned balcony. He didn't see any flowers climbing up there. As if they had never existed.

Ferry walked to the front door which was actually the entrance to the flower shop. He found it locked. He looked inside, but couldn't see the flower vases or pots. His heart flinched. He knocked but received no answer. He checked the letter in the inside pocket of the jacket. It was still dry.

He took a few steps back, then stopped. Someone was behind him, he could feel it. Watching him. He turned and found Basil Flower, May's father. He was wet to the skin, and looked at him without saying a word. Then, Ferry realized how young he was. He hadn't noticed this before, just as he hadn't noticed anyone else when May was around. He knew he was younger than his parents, but now he looked more like May's brother than her father. Ferry felt chills down his spine.

"Mr. Flower," he mumbled, "I was looking for you ..."

He didn't answer. He passed by Ferry, and headed for the backyard. Towards the greenhouse. Ferry followed him, hesitantly. He hadn't been to that place since ... since his mother died. And yet, he went in.

He found May's father collapsed in a chair, his head resting on one of the working tables. The greenhouse was almost empty. There were only a few tools and wooden boxes left in which flowers had once been planted. The ground was scattered everywhere and the greenhouse looked like it hadn't been cleaned for weeks. In the semi-darkness, Ferry saw Basil's figure bent over the table as if he was a wounded animal. Through the dirty, lichen-filled windows, a shadow of light shone from outside.

"Why does life give you the best things, and then take them away from you?" he heard his tormented voice, shaken by a sigh.

"Mr. Flower, are you okay?"

He didn't answer this time, either.

"I came to give you this," Ferry dared, taking the letter from his pocket. "It's for May. I thought you could send it on my behalf ..."

And Ferry put the letter on the table. He wanted to leave, but Basil Flower's voice stopped him, "I always thought that if you did well, you would get well back. My poor father always told me that. He was a simple man. He hadn't attended any school, but life was his teacher. He told me to be gentle and loving, and life will be gentle and loving to me. He was gentle and kind, too. And what good was it? Life has not given him even half as much as he deserved ... "

Ferry heard in town that Basil Flower was in financial trouble. He thought that might be the reason for his condition.

"Mr. Flower, if I can help you with anything ..."

But he began to cry all of a sudden, his whole body shook with sobs. The moon came out of the clouds and entered the greenhouse through the glass roof. Its cold, white light invaded the room, hurting his eyes that could not be detached from the figure that sobbed in front of him. 

Ferry slowly stepped closer. He could feel his soul torn in front of Basil's pain which felt almost palpable, touching him as well. Ferry put his hand on his shoulder and had the most painful and frightening feeling he had ever had. He could feel something inside him struggling to come to the surface, overwhelming him. A feeling that seemed to come from long-forgotten times he had once experienced, but which he did not remember ever experiencing. The feeling that he had already tried that emotion, although he was sure he never experienced it before. A feeling of longing for something he could not define which had long since disappeared from his life. A longing mixed with fear, pain, loneliness, and despair that made him feel small and helpless.

When he touched his shoulder, Basil Flower raised his head and looked at him. And then Ferry saw the stars and the moon adorning his forehead.

He took a few steps back, then stumble over some flower pots, and fell. He almost crawled out of the greenhouse. He took flight without caring that anyone might see him. Behind him, a whirlwind formed, catching in its spiral drops of rain, branches, leaves, and pieces of paper that follow him in flight, up to the skies to the highest layers of the air. On one piece, he thought he recognized his own handwriting: Dear May.

He stopped only when he reached the forest. He collapsed to the ground and cried. He cried for the things he couldn't understand, and for the things he thought he understood. He cried for those he would never see again. He cried because he was afraid of what was to come, and he cried because he was impatient for what was to come. He cried some more because he felt broken and alone, even though there were so many who wanted to be with him.

When he had no more tears to cry, he got up and looked at the forest. Fireflies no longer rose from the grass. The trees no longer whispered. But the forest where it all began still called him, always alluring, even now, when it was all over.

He heard a flutter of wings behind him, and discovered Thyme. How long has he been there? He walked over to him and hugged him. Thyme covered him with his huge wings, without saying a word. What else was there to say, anyway?

"Come on," he said in a soft voice Ferry had never heard before. "There's someone who wants to talk to you."

Thyme took flight, and Ferry followed him just as a baby bird followed its mother. He led him to Lavender's house. The old fairy was waiting for him on the bench next to the cherry tree. Thyme withdrew with a small bow.

Ferry dropped out of the flight and headed for her. All the upset and disappointment he still had because she didn't want Matilda to come, disappeared. He buried her face in her lavender-scented clothes and a deep sigh shook his body.

"What is it, dear?" she said softly. "Talk to me..."

"I'm afraid," he sighed. "I'm so afraid ..."

"It's good to be afraid," she said. "In order to be brave, you have to be afraid first. But don't turn fear into your companion. If it nests in your life, fear can make you waste it."

She lifted his chin with her finger, and looked into his eyes. "Now tell me ... What troubled you so much?"

"May's father," he said softly. "I think-- I think he's a fairy. And if he's a fairy, it means May-- But that could not be true. May never showed that she had fairy powers. And more, she appeared in all the school photos. Unless the fairy abilities jumped a generation ...

Lavender shook her head, "May's not a fairy, dear. We would have known by now. She's just a girl."

"But I saw the marks on his forehead in the moonlight. They were there. Just like mine. You said there were a few descendants of the Great Fairies left. Me, you and your children. It's possible that one of our parents to have had-- "

"A love child?" Lavender continued his thoughts. "No. Our parents were in love. It wasn't an arranged marriage as is customary among high-ranking people in our lands. Our parents chose each other. Are you sure that's what you saw?"

"I'm sure."

"That's odd," she said. "Basil Flower never caught my eye. He always behaved like a man. And I think May would have told us if she knew her father was a fairy."

"Maybe she didn't know either. Maybe he was hiding from her and all of us. You know what Mrs. Cobbs said-- people in this town have always had a connection with fairies."

"Or maybe it was just the opposite," Lavender said, lost in thought. "Perhaps the fairies were the ones who chose this town. If they find out that he is indeed a descendant of the Great Fairies of the Moon, Basil Flower's life will change forever. The blood flowing through his veins will demand him to have a role in all this ... "

"That's why I don't want to have children," Ferry interrupted her.

"Ferry, don't say that ..."

"It's true," he said, frowning. "To know that others have already set your destiny, what to do, what to think, or what to choose only for the blood that flows through your veins ... I don't want my children to be haunted all their lives by the choices others made for them. I want them to be the ones to choose their own lives."

"Children are a blessing, Ferry. Some would give anything to hug their children one last time ..." she said softly.

Ferry scolded himself for his words. He had forgotten about Lavender's children. "You'll see your children again, Miss Lavender. I promise you. And I'm going to keep my promise."

She smiled at him. "I know you will, dear."

"Now, it doesn't matter who Basil Flower is," Ferry sighed. "That's a mystery I can't solve anyway, now that I'm leaving ..."

For a moment, there was silence. Lavender stroked his hair with her hand that smelled of wildflowers.

"Why did you do it?" Ferry asked softly. "Why did you choose Matt not to come?"

Lavender sighed. "I wanted to spare you from the pain of loving a human. But I think it's already too late. Fairies only love once ... Now, her absence would tear your heart. Just like her presence will do the same. "

Ferry rested his cheek on her clothes again. "I can't help it ... I can't control how I feel. And if she doesn't feel the same--"

"Whether she feels the same or not, you two, together, are impossible ..."

Ferry couldn't stop but sighing.

"But the world is changing," Lavender continued. "This world and the worlds beyond. Times have become harder and the quests that humans and fairies face are more difficult. There will come a time when humans and fairies will have to join forces and work together as they once did. And they'll need a leader to lead them on the right path. Will you be that leader, Ferry, the lost son of fairies? You'll have to prove it. And the challenge won't be easy ... " she said in a prophetic voice that made Ferry shiver. "And there will come a time when you will have to choose. Will you make the right choice? Because many lives will depend on your choice."

Ferry said nothing. But he felt the burden on his shoulders grow with every hour he had to spend in Goodharts.

Lavender lifted his chin, and looked to the depths of his soul. "You have a good heart, Ferry. Don't let the seed of revenge that has already planted in your heart grow. Always remember the goodness in you."

*

It was after midnight. Ferry looked at the backyard of his house with a heavy heart. The sheets still wrapped around the ropes like the sails of a ship. The ever-blooming jasmine bush still spread the fresh scent in the night's air. The swing of his childhood was still moving in the wind. And the moon still poured its soft light over the garden. And yet, he knew that nothing would ever be the same again.

Ferry took his bag on his back. "We're leaving, Mum," he said, taking one last look at his much-beloved garden.

They had arranged to meet near the train station, then board the empty train coming from the sawmill. To get to Akna, they had to use a door in the human world, and the road was to be long and full of perils. He met his friends at the turn on the outskirts of the town, near the railway. Several silhouettes emerged from the shadows, heading for him. They were all there. His Guardians, Oona and Lord Stephan. And Matilda. In the light of the lantern shedding a flickering light that Parsley was holding, Ferry could read the excitement in her eyes. The girl was talking to Parsley and Rosemary. From time to time, the night resounded with her laughter, fuller and louder than that of the others.

He heard the train approaching, appearing on the horizon. They all jumped into one of the empty wooden wagons that crackled and squeaked from all joints. Parsely put the lantern in the middle, and each looked for a place to sit. Everyone needed rest before reaching Akna. And Ferry, more than anyone. He was looking for a place to be closer to Matilda who already made a soft bed from Sage's cloak. The wolf-man sat down beside her, their shoulders touching from time to time in the ever-moving wagon. Parsley and Rosemary had retreated to a corner farther away than the others. Rosemary pulled out her book of plants, and now they were both reading it, their foreheads glued together. Lord Stephan and Thyme were somewhere in the shadows, where Ferry could not see them very well. Fragments of whispers came from time to time, from the shadows. And Oona sat down next to Ferry, chatting about what she was going to do when they got to Akna, though she had no idea of ​​that great and mysterious place they were heading to. Ferry gave up listening to her at one point, looking at Matilda who was a few steps away from him. If he stretched out his leg, he would touch her dusty tennis sneakers. But the girl didn't even look at him, keeping her eyes down.

Soon, all that could be heard was the hurried wheels of the train. Oona sang until she fell asleep, resting her head on Ferry's shoulder. Parsley and Rosemary slept with their heads resting on each other. Probably Lord Stephan and Thyme were also sleeping because the whispers no longer came from the shadows. Sage had fallen asleep at Matilda's feet like a worshiper cherishing his goddess. Apart from him, Matilda was the only one who didn't sleep. The girl kept her knees close to her chest and her chin resting on them, blinking fast, her forehead slightly frowning.

Ferry could no longer touch her leg because Sage was an obstacle between them, as usual. He felt so tired. He had forgotten since he last slept. He was convinced that if he did not fall asleep soon, he would die of exhaustion before their journey even began. Everyone had advised him to rest. But how could he, after all that happened? How could he, when the longing for home overwhelmed him with every mile the train made at its mad run towards the unknown?

Instead, he watched Matilda. Just by looking at her beautiful, slightly frowned face made him feel better. He could have looked at her forever. The girl felt his gaze upon her. She raised her head, and finally looked at him. Ferry smiled without saying a word. She smiled, too, and wrapped  him in the warmest look she had always covered him with, but which he was too blind to see for so long; the look he needed so much, now. And under her pretty eyes, he was finally able to fall asleep. For he knew that as long as she was with him, he was at home.

END OF BOOK 2 IN FERRY'S TALE SERIES

You always said that you see my books as movies. So if this were a movie, this is how the soundtrack would sound like, in my head. 

And as you listen this beautiful track, I want to mention here my beautiful, beautiful readers without whom this book would not be possible. If I missed any of you, please forgive me. Just put your name in the comment section, and I shall add you. 

Also, a big thank you for my silent readers. Some of you reached out to me privately which made me very happy. This is because of you, too.

Thank you all for joining me in this beautiful journey! What a ride it has been!

https://youtu.be/zwMHXgusVzk

Credits

@give_me_a_tissue@_-_Slytherin_Girl_-_ @exquisite_sarcasm @Da_MysteriousSmartEg@Seasons4life@thecloudchaser-@Pearl_RS674@NikkySnow2@memey6@laetitia_l_m@tomyei@Tiyara2407@smurfblues123@Ileana225@_aditiiiii_29@fann___004@annie12_@Harry_Potter2007@VincentNtheero@Nomad102@Lazypotatoidiot@Pink_Sugar17@JakeParrish7@Vhrilx@rogunu@EpiphanyTheFirst@heenaqureshi7@prxncxssxngxl@theAcaciatree@AdyIsAGoodGirl@thatMOONBiRD@Okutepacharity@mienaihoshii@ashen_007@Jookiehive@JOJOJORDAN28@ImReallyNotQualified@buzooo@Rustic_Raspberry@TOSZelos@RedricBlue@KannaiMari@Toinpre@Pretty_Purple88@empire29@EvaT06@NikkySnow2@bananahoexx@newt_is_cewt@TylerCroose5@BookCaseSpace7@QRANNIE@LadyDalgliesh@talhanafi89@9943_l@Arjun_s@handmadelove7@lexie8654@RWeasleyRules@SunshineHues_sahla@SurabhiTheBoss@MariamShifa@ladyphoenix001@Devesh_Soni@Helium70@Silverflower_77@Nico1942@NurBetty8@trulyoursKen@Lovbirdy@debrlynn@CaptainSaraLance@RhianneAyuson@SaudaKalino@Dquill36@KannaiMari@Rammi123@YourFriendlyZombie@Izac_damz@maysangels@ashen_007@ThatLeviosaKid@euemme@--WillHerondale--@QuellyMargaux@MerakiQuill@SunshineHues_sahla@AdyIsAGoodGirl@chrissandra_herroncv@Jookiehive@Julianaaa1234@JYN_MII@ashley_ash_me@fairylbells@KateyJordanAbrahams@YourRoyalWeirdness_@civilised_troll@MoonlitMortician@icewolfrocker_248@SaudaKalino@AfnanKhan10@Dquill36

@WinterCircles@Nina8540 @_imrania_@pumpkinnspikes@babekesh@kamsie_@shivanisaraiys

Special thanks to @ThomasAinslie for all his support through my insecurities, bad moods, plagiarism situations, excitement and doubts of my writing, and basically being there for me every time I needed it.