Chapter 3: The Queen's Idea

Tinker Bell and her friends went inside the Pixie Dust Tree and looked about the corridors, searching for the Queen. Eventually, they came to the Council Chamber of the tree, where the Queen of Pixie Hollow was busily engaged in discussion for spring preparations with Fairy Mary. When Queen Clarion saw Tink and her friends, the six younger fairies were quite nervous for fear that they had interrupted something important. But the Queen was smiling.

"Good day, Tinker Bell," she said warmly. Then she addressed Tink's friends. "Girls."

The six friends bowed in respect and then Tinker Bell said in her best humble-subject voice, "Queen Clarion, we come with a heavy burden."

"We've spoken recently with Zarina, and we have learned of a great sadness," Silvermist continued.

"Zarina's depressed," Fawn immediately finished, feeling the need to cut to the chase. "Ever since she came back to Pixie Hollow, she's still feeling like she doesn't belong with the rest of us. Like she has to prove we can trust her simply to earn the right to stay."

Queen Clarion was surprised to say the least, and she said, "Are you sure of this, dears?"

Tinker Bell and the others nodded sadly, and then the Queen was set to thinking. What could be done to let Zarina know that she belonged? Then after a few minutes, she said, "Come with me, girls. I have a plan."

Intrigued, Tinker Bell and her friends followed her toward the very top of the Pixie Dust Tree, where Queen Clarion and the Ministers of the Seasons went when they sought refuge from their entanglement in duties and regulations. The girls were amazed as receiving this honor from the Queen was granted only to a handful of fairies. Then Queen Clarion whispered her idea into their ears, and Tinker Bell's face lit up when she finished. Now Tink and her friends were told that they had to work fast, but the effort put in would be worth it.

A few more days passed as springtime drew near. Amid the preparations, Tinker Bell and her friends had been setting up something very special to surprise Zarina. Then only three days before the spring equinox, Queen Clarion called every fairy in Pixie Hollow to the Pixie Dust Tree, even the autumn and winter fairies. When everyone was gathered in the branches, the Queen addressed them and said, "Good fairies and sparrow-men of Pixie Hollow, you have been called here tonight for a special purpose. Each of you brings something special to Pixie Hollow, no matter what talent guild you belong to. But all fairies are equal in one way: they are all worthy to live in this Never Land. In that regard, it takes a great deal of courage to acknowledge one's faults, but far more courage to face up to them. Therefore, I have seen fit that tonight, we celebrate the return of Zarina, our once and future dust-keeper."

Queen Clarion gestured to Zarina, who fluttered up to her with a wondering expression. Then the Queen signaled Tinker Bell, who then unfurled a banner bearing a message in acorns that read WELCOME HOME, ZARINA. Then Rosetta crowned her with a wreath of flowers and Silvermist added water beads to it as though they were jewels. Then Tink pulled off the finale when she signaled Iridessa, and the practical light fairy used a diamond to form makeshift fireworks with her powers. Fawn came to Zarina with Tinker Bell's mouse friend Cheese, who used his sign language to tell Zarina to climb onto his back. Then everyone journeyed to Havendish Stream with Zarina riding Cheese as though she had been named the next queen of Pixie Hollow.

When they arrived, Zarina could hardly believe her eyes. The banner Tink had made was now set up near several acorn tables, and food and drink was being prepared. Then Zarina realized what this was all about: Tinker Bell and her friends had spoken to Queen Clarion on her behalf and were giving her a party to welcome her back into the fold.

They did all this for me? she thought warmly.

Tink and the others came to her, and Tinker Bell asked, "Do you like it, Zarina?"

"Like it?" she replied. "Tink, I love it!"

Zarina threw her arms around Tinker Bell, and Rosetta, Silvermist, Iridessa, Fawn, and Vidia all huddled around them as Zarina cried gladly, "You're all the best friends in this and any other Never Land!"

Periwinkle came up with a gentle "Room for one more?" and Tinker Bell added her sister to the biggest group hug in Pixie Hollow while Queen Clarion, Fairy Mary, and the Ministers of the Seasons watched proudly. Then the eight friends joined the rest of their fellow fairies for Zarina's welcoming party. Fine food was served and the music fairies played delightful songs accompanied by a few rounds of dancing, and Zarina was seated with the Queen herself at the High Table. The party was long and merry and every fairy went to their homes happy, but none more so than Zarina. And as she fell asleep that night, Zarina was glad to know Pixie Hollow was where she belonged.


A/N: How's this for a happy ending? Please let me know if you feel so.