A Moment in the Garden

      A normally happy baby, I was not enamoured of leaving home. I cannot attest to what bothered me most: be it the temperate weather, the constant light, the magic in the air or just everything at once. At any rate, my parents suddenly had a fussy baby on their hands. Alarmed and at a loss as to how to help me (I being their first and only child), they turned to the faeries. Now, being nobles, my parents had been invited to stay in Faerie Castle, so they had access to the best faeries in Neopia.

      It was ruled out rather quickly that I was not ill (much to the relief of my parents). So, the faeries tried to help ease my beleaguered parents by trying to soothe me. They tried singing, playing musical instruments, reading and various enchanted toys. Despite everything they tried, nothing worked. I refused to be pacified.

      Feeling a bit smothered by all the attention being paid to her baby, my mother sought refuge with me in one of the many castle gardens. To her relief, it appeared empty, and she took a seat on the nearest bench. The cool stone reminded her-a little-of home. Though, nothing else certainly did, surrounded as she was by the colourful blooms and green grass underfoot. Their heady scents perfumed the air, and it was calm and quiet, other than the gentle trickle of a nearby stream.

      Until a distressed wail from me broke the peaceful atmosphere.

      My mother rocked me gently, trying to shush my unhappy cries. While her focus was on me, her sensitive ears picked up the heavy tread of someone approaching. A wave of surprise and embarrassment swept through her.

      “Oh, pardon me. I did not realize anyone else was here,” my mother said without looking up.

      A snort wafted a warm draft of sweet-smelling air that ruffled my almost non-existent mane.

      My mother looked up, up, up into the face of a faerie Minitheus. She gave a little jolt of surprise, clutching me instinctively close.

      Having never been around this kind of Petpet before, the Minitheus appeared massive, towering over my mother at nine or ten feet tall (though my parents found out later that faerie Minitheus are the smallest of the species). She had a flowing magenta mane, backwards curling horns, a broad pale pink nose, and big brown eyes. Despite her formidable appearance, it was immediately apparent that the massive Petpet meant no harm.

      My mother relaxed, realizing that here in the Faerie Queen’s personal gardens of all places she was hardly in any danger, no matter how big or intimidating this strange Petpet seemed. What was more astonishing was my reaction.

      I laughed.

      My mother looked down at me, mouth dropping open in shock. That had been my first laugh and it had been for a Petpet, of all things!

      My small hands reached out towards the Minitheus, undeterred by her massive size. The Minitheus did not move as I patted her broad nose.

      Absorbed in watching me delight in my new friend, my mother did not notice someone else approach.

      “Rosy is a gentle soul with a fondness for children. I am not surprised she was drawn to your daughter.”

      My mother looked up and received yet another shock. “Your Majesty!” my mother gasped, quickly rising to face Queen Fyora.

      The Faerie Queen raised a calming hand. “No need for formalities. Please, call me Fyora.” Her gaze shifted to me. “This must be the child my faeries have been working so hard to please.”

      “Yes, this is my daughter, Amorine,” my mother said. “She’s been having a difficult time adjusting until-” my mother cast a glance up at the Minitheus that stood quietly nearby.

      Queen Fyora smiled. “Yes, Rosy has a way about her. It is difficult to be upset with her around.”

      “Well, I am thankful for it. It was difficult seeing my Amor so unhappy.”

      “May the rest of your visit go smoothly from now on.” With a gentle nod, the Faerie Queen continued on her way through the garden.

      With the help of Rosy, I was now calm, and my mother hurried off, eager to tell my father about our garden encounter.

      As Queen Fyora had proclaimed, the remainder of my family’s visit to Faerieland went well. It was a memorable time for my parents as they, at last, got to enjoy everything the city in the sky had to offer. They no longer had to worry about dealing with their infant daughter causing a scene for Rosy had become my self-appointed guardian. If I so much as frowned, the faerie Minitheus appeared as if by magic and her presence instantly appeased me. My parents quickly accepted my new friend, relieved to have their happy baby back.

      My parents took their time, seeing all the sights and taking plenty of pictures. Looking back on the photo albums of my childhood, some of the earliest pictures are of my parents holding me with Rosy standing behind them in almost every picture at the biggest Faerieland attractions: the cloud races, the faerie castle, the healing springs, Wheel of Excitement and (so they said) the Hidden Tower. They stopped at lovely cafes and sat at the outdoor tables in the sunshine (such a foreign concept to my mountain parents). Both interested in the written word, they bought new books to add to their library back home. My mother also tried to -unsuccessfully- convince my father to have some faerie furniture shipped back home but reason (and heavy shipping costs) prevailed there.

      My mother did purchase some of the latest Faerieland fashions and they made their way into their luggage along with their new assortment of books. Though, above the pleasant atmosphere, delicious (if rather flighty) food, and souvenirs to buy, it was the company that my parents remembered most. The residents of Faerieland-both ‘pet and faerie alike-were a kindly bunch, friendly with the rather clueless tourists my parents were. They offered much-needed guidance and were amused by Rosy’s presence, accepting the faerie Minitheus as a part of our family unit before my parents ever did. My parents made some good friends on that trip that have lasted to this day.

      Alas, all good things must come to an end and our visit to Faerieland was no different. After a pleasant month, it was time for the Snow family to return home to Terror Mountain.

      As a parting gift, Queen Fyora gave Rosy to me. Unable to refuse the Faerie Queen (and not really wanting to), my parents graciously accepted my new pet. So, the Snows added a new member to our small family. As for how they got a giant, magical Petpet from Faerieland to Terror Mountain and everything that followed after are stories for another time.