Believe (4 page)

Looking back across the expansive bridge, she couldn't help but feel a little nervous. They were stepping farther and farther away from home, but she knew there was no turning back; she wanted to help the fairies—she just
had
to. Edwin disappeared as quickly as he had come, but Ostephen assured Deliah that they hadn't seen the last of him.

They began walking through the forest when they heard an awful noise not far in the distance. Ostephen plugged his ears, and the two of them moved cautiously forward to see what was causing the horrible racket. As they got closer, they could hear machinery and could make out large shadowy figures with saws strewn about the forest. Still hidden in the trees, Deliah moved slightly closer and noticed several large, creepy creatures that looked somewhat like wolves but larger and meaner. Whatever they were, they were intimidating and looked very scary. Deliah quickly moved back and was startled to hear a low wail, a sad tormented cry. A horrible crashing thud made her jump, and peeking through a bunch of thick branches, she saw a perfect pine tree fall to the ground.

“Kahorgis, loyal followers of the Dark Ones,” Ostephen whispered in hushed tones.

The Kahorgis were guffawing proudly as they cut down trees all over the forest. She felt so bad about the trees that she started to cry and was about to run out and make the Kahorgis
stop, but Ostephen grabbed her.

“No, Deliah! We are no match for them! There's nothing we can do right now; it's too late for this forest.”

His shoulders sank, and his ears shuddered at the sound of the crying trees. They watched in horror as several Kahorgis grabbed torches and set the felled pine on fire. They could hear the tree screaming in horror.

“Why? Why can't they see them? Why can't they hear them crying like I can?” Deliah asked, wiping her eyes.

Ostephen grabbed Deliah as they escaped the horrid scene. They knew they would never forget what they saw. She ran and ran until her legs went numb, and she fell to the ground with a thud. She was breathing hard, desperately trying to calm her nerves when she felt something envelop her body in a very secure and comforting hug. She instantly felt relief and calm. She didn't care who or what was hugging her; she was safe—something she hadn't felt for awhile. Rubbing her eyes, she looked up and saw that she was in the steady arms of an elm tree. She was so thankful to be safe that she turned around and smiled, and without a second thought, she wrapped her little arms as far as she could around its trunk and hugged it back. Two big eyes slowly blinked from beneath the bark. Among all the green leaves, she made out the well-camouflaged face of Green Man. It had been so long since she had received such a healing touch, it reminded her of Papa and how he used to pick her up and twirl her around before giving her a big hug every time he saw her.

Deliah sat wrapped in the arms of the elm, talking to Green Man for what seemed like hours, letting him absorb all her worries and fears. At times she felt guilty about unloading on one of nature's beautiful creations, but Green Man assured her that he was delighted to help and that it did not harm him in any way. Deliah shook her head, remembering the horrible sounds of crying trees.

“Why couldn't they hear them? Why couldn't they see their faces?” she asked.

“Dear Deliah, not all lights shine as bright as yours, I'm afraid.”

“To think they could just cut them down like that, hurt them, and watch them die! Trees are just as alive as any other creature,
are they not?” Deliah asked.

Green Man nodded his head in affirmation, sending a shower of leaves to the ground.

“Yes, they are very much alive. Every flower, every blade of grass is as alive as you and I. The thing you must focus on, Deliah, is that those trees did not die completely in vain. Although their life and beauty were cut short, they serve as a lesson that we can only hope others will one day learn. That we are all one; there is no one thing more worthy or alive than another. We are all family, all light, all love.”

Feeling more relaxed, Deliah wiped away the last of her tears and hugged Green Man again. He smiled, knowing she was a true friend of the forest.

Raising her hand to her heart, she thanked Green Man for everything.

As he slowly closed his bark–covered eyes, he whispered, “The Silver Star. You must find the Silver Star.”

When you're in touch with nature

All shall become clear.

We promise you'll find nothing but love and truth here.

Come back and visit; we'll share with you.

Until then, we'll frolic as fairies are wont to do.

D
eliah and Ostephen were meandering their way through the forest when they saw a flowery fairy flying in their direction.

“Yoo-hoo! Yoo-hoo!” she was calling and waving excitedly in their direction.

“Mayweather, hello!” they greeted her warmly.

“Ah, I thought I saw you two. I was just helping a friend nearby with some of her roses. Poor things got sprayed by human pesticide and nearly died! She's been trying to give the human signs for months, but they don't seem to be getting it. Why she even hid their can of the awful chemicals, and they just bought a new one! Imagine that!” She shook her head in total disbelief. “Well, word is your heading for the Silver Star. You'll get there faster if you pass through Froglany. If it's all right with you, I thought you might let this old fairy tag along for some fun?”

“We'd love to have you join us,” they both said in unison. As they marched onward, Deliah wasn't scared anymore; she was just plain determined. She began walking heavily and slamming her feet into the ground as though it were a Kahorgi, her worst enemy. She took another forceful step when she heard a weeping sound. “Did you hear that?” she asked.

“Oh, yeah. That's just Weepin' Willy,” they replied nonchalantly. “You get used to him after awhile.”

They pointed toward a Caragana willow tree, and Deliah realized she was stomping on one of his roots.

“Oh, dear! I'm terribly sorry,” Deliah blurted apologetically.

“Oh, it's not you. Don't wo…worry,” he said in between sobs. Deliah looked to the fairies, confused, but they just shrugged.

“They call him Weepin' Willy because all he ever does is weep,” Ostephen explained.

The weeping Caragana reached out a branch to greet Deliah and with eyes full of sympathy, she looked into Weepin' Willy's wet, tired eyes.

“Is there anything I can do?” she asked earnestly.

“No,” he said in a wobbly voice, “I just c…can't stop cr…crying‥ ”

“Watch out, me dear,” Mayweather pointed down, warning Deliah of stepping in a nearby puddle of Willy's tears. Deliah stepped back, slightly unsure of what to do. She just couldn't leave him; he was so sad!

“Go on n…now,” Weepin' Willy said. “Don't you wo… worry about me. I'll be fine. We all appreciate what y…you're doing for the k…kingdom.”

Deliah smiled sincerely, and she could tell Willy wanted to tell her something, but he stopped himself.

“Move along, sweet ch…ch…child. Bless ya,” he said.

Deliah found it odd that such a vibrant, well-grown tree was so terribly sad.

“Bye, Weepin' Willy,” Deliah said regretfully as she took off to catch up with the fairies. “I'll come back and visit when all this is over!” she called out before silently saying a little prayer for Willy.

“People try and guess why he cries,” Ostephen said. “Some think he cries for the trees they've lost, some think it is for his parents who were cut down, and others think he simply likes the attention.”

“Didn't seem like that to me,” Deliah said defensively. “I'm pretty sure he'd feel grand if he could stop weeping.”

She couldn't explain it, but something about him had
touched her heart. He wasn't needy or grieving; he seemed under some kind of spell, and she was going to help him out of it. But now was not the time. She had to get to the Silver Star, and the first stop would be Froglany to talk to the frog prince. Mayweather had assured them that Froglany would provide the quickest access to the Silver Star and that it was much too fun not to visit.

A few miles later, Ostephen whispered with a little blush in his voice, “Oh, look! We've reached Lovers' Lilies!”

Deliah looked out at the moonlit water full of heart-shaped lily pads floating atop with couples side by side. Some were cuddling; some were kissing; and others had their legs outstretched and their arms behind their heads, staring at the stars.

Deliah giggled and said, “Oh, my! I had no idea frogs were so romantic.”

Mayweather sighed jealously and said, “Oh, they are, dear. Lovers' Lilies is one of the most romantic spots in Faye.” Deliah heard a frog singing tenor and pushing his lily pad along as though it were a gondola floating down a canal in Venice. “Let's just sit and rest for a minute, shall we?” Mayweather asked already seated. “It's such a gorgeous view! We shan't let it go to waste,” she said, trying to mask her longing.

They sat in the long grass surrounded by bulrushes, all huddled close together as if they were on their own giant lily pad on the shore, hoping to one day float down Lovers' Lilies as happy as the rest of the couples. After a few moments and sighs from Mayweather, they dusted themselves off and started toward the encroaching music.

“The band's startin'!” Ostephen said gleefully. “Best mariachi band in the land! If there's one thing frogs know how to do, it's throw a party!” Deliah heard Mexican music overtaking the frog's tenor voice as lights and laughter filled the cool night air.

“Ay yay yay!” a frog shouted from the stage, tapping his webbed foot to the beat.

“It's magnificent!” Deliah gushed as she twirled around, arms out, taking in the festivities and colors.

The mariachi band was the cutest thing she'd ever seen, and it was obvious that they were the rock stars of Froglany. Lady frogs crowded the stage with roses in hand, blowing kisses and winking at the band. There was an endless number of dragonflies
lighting up the night sky with their beautiful red, blue, orange, purple, and yellow hues.

Just as she was about to take a seat on a nearby log, Deliah heard a deep throaty voice ask, “May I?”

Someone politely took her by the hand, and she flinched at the unexpected wet and slimy feel. She looked down to see the green, webbed hand of a frog; she looked up to see a brilliant, golden crown.

“The frog prince!” she exclaimed.

“Yes, ma'am,” he said as he bowed and kissed her on the hand. “You've arrived just in time for the festivities, I see.”

Before Deliah had a chance to respond, he took her other hand and spun her into his arms, whisking her off into the middle of the dance floor.

Ostephen looked for Mayweather who seemed to have disappeared altogether. He found her sulking on a nearby bench as she watched Deliah dance with the frog prince.

“Don't tell me you're jealous of Deliah dancing with a frog,” he said accusingly.

“Oh, hush up!” she mumbled as she waved her hand, brushing him off. “Not at all,” she continued while dabbing at her eye with a broad leaf.

Ostephen gave an exaggerated bow before her and with teasing eyes and mocking tones said, “Mayweather, you look exceptional this evening. Might you do me the honor?”

“Oh, Ostephen, you bet your little blue butt I will!”

Mayweather dropped her leaf on the log. And with that, they were off to join Deliah and the frog prince.

“Ay yay yay!” the singer shouted again. Everyone was shaking and dancing, hands in the air, swaying from side to side. After all, if there's one thing the frogs are known for, it's their parties.

“So are you like the frog prince from fairy tales?” Deliah asks tentatively.

“Are you wondering if I'll turn into a human prince if you kiss me?”

“Well, no, just if you were ever human?”

“No, I'm forever a frog prince—born of royal frog parents in Froglany, I'm afraid. However, if you'd like to kiss me, it couldn't
hurt to try,” he said, puckering up.

The song ended much to Deliah's relief, and she nervously thanked him for the dance and eagerly turned her attention to the band, clapping continually. The frog prince, who was not shy and who enjoyed a challenge, shrugged and laughed to himself, knowing that he had clearly made her uncomfortable.

“He's one smooth frog, that one,” Mayweather said, directing Ostephen's eyes to the prince.

“Yeah, well, Deliah would never fall for a frog. That much I know,” Ostephen scoffed.

The frog prince left to get Deliah a drink and then headed back toward her with a coconut cup garnished with a vibrant red flower. Before he could reach her, Ostephen buzzed in front of him, sat on the side of the cup, and leaned in to take a large slurp. Disgusted, the frog prince tossed the drink aside.

Ostephen flew in front of his face and asked scoffingly, “So, prince…charming, is it?”

The prince smiled, well aware of his own charm. He replied, “No, no, little guy. Just prince.” Then he waved Ostephen away. The frog prince dusted off his formal jacket and straightened his collar as he smoothly sent glances to all the ladies. When Ostephen saw Mayweather waving back to the prince like a smitten kitten, he decided it may be time to move on from Froglany.

“So, prince, are you going to help us? Or should we just move along?”

“Help?” the prince asked confused.

“Yes, I'm sure you're aware of the blueprint. Deliah is the one guided here to help. We need to reach the Silver Star.”

The frog prince now stood even taller as though he were king of a great land about to address his public. He cleared his throat dramatically, and a frog barely half the prince's size signaled for the band to stop. A hush fell over the crowd.

“My dear and loyal friends and visitors of Froglany, I would like to introduce to you Deliah, the savior.” All the frogs clapped and cheered for her. Looking at Deliah, he continued, “Rest assured, all of Froglany will be at your side if ever you need us.”

Deliah made her way through the crowd of frogs toward the frog prince, curtsied politely before him, and thanked him for his help. Looking at Ostephen, who had followed her, she could
tell it was time to go.

“Thank you so much for your hospitality and fun. I won't forget it, but I'm afraid we have run out of time and must continue our journey.”

The frog prince put an arm around Deliah's shoulder and revealed Froglany's hidden canals to Deliah in hushed tones. “You will reach the Silver Star much faster and safer this way. I wish you to use them.”

“Thank you so much,” Deliah replied. “I'd be honored.”

“Now I should warn you, Deliah, that the Silver Star is more important than you realize. It is a portal and will help further your journey. You will come to a point when you see nothing but dark, starlit sky. You must trust your intuition and find the destined Silver Star. When you've found it, you must jump immediately. Don't hesitate, or you could lose your opportunity. Just jump toward the star, Deliah, and you will arrive at your destination.”

Starting to feel nervous again but thankful for the information, Deliah shook the hand of the frog prince. He immediately grabbed her and enveloped her in a hug. After what felt like ages, he unwrapped his wet and slimy arms from the hug, bowed graciously, and assigned one of his servants to lead her to the hidden canal.

The swamp was dark and squishy and would be easy to get lost in, but they marched onward. The dark canal seemed to go on forever without many distinctions.

Ostephen started to complain that his wings were getting tired when the prince's servant announced, “This is as far as I go. Go forward three more miles, stop, turn five times, and then take four steps backward and seven steps forward. Good luck.” He bowed, placing a tiny webbed foot before the other.

Deliah looked from Mayweather to Ostephen, hoping someone caught all that. She saw Mayweather's lips moving: “three…five…four…seven…” Deliah stifled a giggle.

“Does everything have to be a riddle, Ostephen?” Deliah asked.

“It's not about riddles; it's about games, mystery, and— yes—some mischief, too.”

Mayweather added, “You'll soon see that often what seems like a riddle here is actually more straightforward and logical
than anything in the human realm.”

As they approached the third-mile mark, they came into a clearing, and Deliah began to walk slower, not on purpose but because she was entranced by the stars. There was nothing but dark sky and shining silver stars for miles. After Papa passed away, Deliah used to lie in the grass out back and stare up at the stars. For some reason, it made her feel better. They had the same effect on her now, and she suddenly surrendered any worries she had about finding the destined Silver Star. She felt connected to the stars, and she knew Papa would help her.

Papa, she said to herself, I'm going to need your help. I'm going to need you. I don't want to let my friends down…or you.

At the end of the three–mile walk, they all stopped, looked at one another, and began to turn five times, Mayweather still mouthing the numbers to herself. They stopped turning and slowly took four steps back. One cautious foot in front of another, they took seven carefully planted steps forward. There they were: the backs of two little fairies and one little girl against a dark, starlit sky and the most unlikely of trios ready to take on the universe. Ostephen and Mayweather bowed their heads in silent prayer, knowing that events were out of their hands. It was up to Deliah to find the Silver Star. Her gift of intuition was much stronger, and it was her destiny.