Chapter 4: The Fairy, the Mushroom and the Medicine Woman

The Fairy, the Mushroom and the Medicine Woman

by Marc Archambault

Copyright.  All rights reserved.  No copying without permission, etc. etc.

If you haven't yet the preceding chapters, here are the links:
Chapter 1: Home

Chapter 2: Surprise!

Chapter 3: Amends


Chapter 4: A Fairy's Name

"I ran into George at the farrier's." Gwen's father took a chair next to her at the table. "He says his mother is doing very well, thanks to your hard work last night. Chief Uther will be sending a gift over tomorrow as thanks. What are you up to?"
Gwen was diligently whittling away at a small piece of wood with a knife. "Making a housewarming gift for the fairy," she responded. "It's some furniture."
"It's very beautiful, Gwen. But isn't the fairy still angry with you? Do you think she'll want to see you again?"
"I think she was pretending to be angrier than she really was, Father. She acts tough, but I believe she is really a sweetheart."
"You've always been a good judge of character where people are concerned Gwen. I hope your skill is equally as effective with fairies." He patted her on the shoulder as he left.

As the moon rose into the sky, Celia sat contentedly atop her new mushroom home. It was better than the first one. It was a bit bigger than the other one and she had done a better job of carving it. It was already decorated with the things she had collected for the house. She had also discovered the source to the sound of the babbling water nearby. It was not just a creek, but a small section of rapids with a few little waterfalls. It was just beautiful. Celia was happy, but the house did seem a bit empty. She was also a bit lonely. Just a bit. She found herself wishing Gwen would return. Then she had an idea. Quickly she darted off like a hummingbird.

Gwen arrived at the fairy's new home shortly after the moon had risen. She knelt next to the mushroom and peered in. There was a door at the base and several windows around the stalk and in the top. It was really quite a beautiful little house.
"Fairy, are you there?" Gwen called. There was no answer.
"I'll just wait until she comes back," she said to herself. Gwen lay down on the soft moss to wait. But she was so tired from all of last night's work that she promptly fell asleep.

Celia flew back to her home slowly. The cup shaped flower she was carrying in her arms weighed her down. Inside a thick liquid sloshed about as she flew. She arrived to find a sleeping Gwen snoring gently in the moonlight. Being a fairy, she could not resist a little prank. So she gingerly set down the flower cup in a safe spot and fetched some berries.
Moments later, she stood on Gwen's chest with an impish grin on her face.
"Hey you!" she shouted. "Wake up! This isn't an inn, you know. My house is much too small for you to sleep in."
Gwen woke up and smiled. "Good evening dear fairy. Your new home is beautiful. I've brought you something."
Celia loved surprises. Well, she loved good surprises, like presents. Not surprises like having your new home stolen. "What did you bring me?" she asked, trying to sound angry.
"Gwen opened up her medicine pouch and brought out a set of small wooden furniture. There was a fairy-sized table, two chairs, a desk and a side table. They were a bit crude - Gwen was obviously not an accomplished artisan - but they were still beautiful to Celia. The young fairy's expression softened. She didn't bother to try acting angry anymore. "They're beautiful," she said. "Just what I needed. I have something for you too." She went and retrieved the flower cup.
"This is fairy nectar," she explained. "It is very powerful. A single drop will make any medicine very effective. Use it wisely and do not waste it."
"Thank you. Oh, thank you, dear fairy."
"Gwen."
"Yes, fairy?"
"Call me Celia."

Gwen returned to her cottage at bedtime with a big smile on her face. Her father gave her a puzzled look and asked, "Gwen, why is 'mushroom picker' written on your face in berry juice?"
Gwen stopped for a moment, her eyebrows drawn together, then she smiled and said, "just a joke between friends."