Previously on "The Swimming Badge"...

It was now Monday. Frida was a little sad that she had to go back home, but also happy because she had a great time at Hilda's and knew that everything would be okay.

After school, Hilda walked Frida back to her house.

"Thank you for letting me spend the weekend with you. I had a blast."

"Don't mention it." Hilda smiled. "Do you feel better now?"

"Much better. I think therapy will help me a lot." Frida said. "You're going to come to my sessions, right?"

"Absolutely." Hilda promised with her hand on her heart. "Anything for my best pal."

Frida smiled and hugged Hilda. The blue-haired eleven-year-old chuckled and hugged back.

After the two hugged goodbye, Frida walked toward the door.

"Frida, wait!" Hilda took the photo book out from her pack and handed it to Frida. "Don't forget this."

"Oh, thanks!" Frida grabbed it. "Later, Hilda."

"See you later, buddy." Hilda waved goodbye as Frida went inside.

Hilda smiled and headed for home.


Thursday night. Hilda was in her bedroom drawing in her sketchbook, when Johanna knocked on her door.

"Come in!"

Johanna entered the room holding the telephone. "It's Frida. She has some exciting news." She handed the phone to Hilda.

"Hey, Frida!" Hilda answered.

"Hilda, you're not gonna believe it. My parents found a therapist!"

"That's great, buddy! When's your first appointment?"

"Tomorrow at four. Meet me after school and my parents will drive us there."

"Will do. See you then!"

"Good night, Hilda." Frida said.

"Night, bud." Hilda hung up and handed the phone back to Johanna.

"So, what did Frida say?"

"Her first therapy session is tomorrow after school." Hilda said. "I'll be back around dinner time if that's okay with you."

"Absolutely." Johanna said. "I'm glad Frida's getting treatment. You're just the friend she needs to get through this."

"Thanks, mum." Hilda smiled.

"Alright, you should probably get some sleep." Johanna looked at Alfur's clock, which read 9:45. "You've got a long day ahead of you."

"I'll say." Hilda yawned. "Good night, mum."

"Good night, sweetie." Johanna left the room.

As Hilda removed her sweater and scarf revealing her nightgown underneath, Alfur emerged from his clock.

"Was that Frida on the phone?" Alfur asked.

"Yep. Her first appointment is tomorrow after school." Hilda said as she took off her boots and socks.

"Ooh, can I come?"

"Sorry Alfur, but I think you should sit this one out." Hilda removed her beret. "It might get pretty personal and I think it's best to keep that stuff between her, the therapist and I. I'll let you know how it went afterwards though."

"I understand." The elf said. "Well, I hope it goes swimmingly, no pun intended."

Hilda giggled. "You're funny, Alfur."

"Us elves love to crack a good joke once in a while. Want to hear another one?"

"Thanks, but I'd best be getting to bed. Please do tell me your jokes tomorrow though."

Alfur stretched and yawned. "I'm getting pretty sleepy myself. Good night, Hilda."

"Night, Alfur." The blue-haired eleven-year-old waved to her little elf friend as he headed back into his clock.

Twig approached Hilda and rubbed his head against her leg.

"Alright, Twig. Let's get some rest." The girl and the deerfox climbed into bed and drifted off to sleep.


After school let out the next day, Hilda waited on the playground with Frida for her parents to pick them up. They played catch to pass the time.

"I'm so excited to meet my therapist." Frida tossed the ball to Hilda.

"Me too." Hilda caught the ball. "It'll feel so great to face your fears." She threw the ball back to Frida.

Frida caught it. "If he can actually help me, that is." She threw the ball to Hilda again.

"Of course he can." Hilda said as she caught the ball again. "He's a licensed professional. What can't licensed professionals do?" Hilda tossed the ball back to Frida again.

"Hm, good point."

Just then, a familiar car horn blared from outside the playground.

"Oh, that's my parents!" Frida said.

Hilda and Frida made a dash for the car and took their seats in the back.

"Hello, Hilda!" said Frida's mum, who was driving the car. "It's good to see you again. Frida told me you would be joining us."

"Yep!" Hilda smiled. "She asked that I come with her to therapy."

"Well, you're a very good and supportive friend to be willing to do that."

"I'd do anything for Frida." Hilda put her hand on Frida's back. "She's the best friend I've ever had."

"Thanks, Hilda." Frida smiled.

"Frida's said a lot of great things about you. She's always telling us about how nice and funny you are, and that she takes you and David out on fun adventures." said Frida's dad, who was in the front seat.

"Well, that's one of the benefits of being an adventurer." Hilda said with pride. "Everyone thinks I'm cool."

Hilda, Frida and her parents all laughed.


"Here we are." Frida's mum parked outside Trolberg Therapy Center.

"Do you want us to come in?" Frida's dad asked his daughter as she and Hilda got out of the car.

"No thanks. I only feel comfortable talking about this with Hilda and the therapist."

"Okay, kids. We'll be waiting right here. Have a good session!"

Hilda and Frida entered the building and checked in with the receptionist.

"Hello, we have an appointment for Frida." Hilda said.

"Hm, let's see here." The receptionist went through the day's appointment list on her computer and found Frida in the 4 PM slot.

"Ah yes, Frida. Take a seat in the waiting room." The receptionist pointed to the next room over. "Dr. Lambert will be right with you."

Hilda and Frida went into the waiting room and sat down next to each other.

"Well, this is it." Frida said. "The road to recovery."

"I'm so proud of you, Frida." Hilda smiled. "You're going to do great. Soon, you'll wonder why you were ever afraid of swimming in the first place."

"I wouldn't be able to do it without you." Frida smiled back.

"Well, that's what friends do." Hilda said. "They help each other."

"Like when David and I helped you overcome your fear of riding a bike. And when you saved me from being eaten by Jellybean."

"Or when we helped David get rid of that Marra." Hilda added.

"Or that time you tried to get my book back." Frida added, looking a little downcast. "And then you found my book in Nowhere Space and put it on my bed."

Hilda noticed Frida's melancholy expression. "Frida?"

"Hilda...I apologize again for what I said. I wish I could just go back in time to undo that, but now I have to live with it forever."

"Frida, it's okay." Hilda comforted. "It's in the past now. I know you didn't mean it. You were mad and lashed out. It's completely natural."

"I know, it's just..." Frida sighed before continuing, "...I feel like I owe you so much for being such an amazing friend."

"You don't owe me anything." Hilda assured. "It doesn't matter anymore. You apologized, we made up, and things are better now."

"You're right." Frida said. "I know I've said this before, but you're the best friend someone could ever ask for. And I mean it."

Hilda smiled. "You too, buddy."

Hilda and Frida shared a brief hug until they heard the door in front of them open.

Standing before them was Dr. Lambert, a tall, friendly-looking man with horn-rimmed glasses.

"Ah, you must be Frida. I'm Dr. Lambert." He reached out his hand for a handshake, which Frida accepted.

"I'm so happy to meet you." Frida said. "You're my last hope. I hope you can help me."

"I'm a licensed professional. What can't we do?" Dr. Lambert chuckled.

"Told you." Hilda said to Frida.

"And who's your little friend?" Dr. Lambert asked.

"I'm Hilda." The blue-haired eleven-year-old introduced herself and put her arm around Frida's neck. "Frida's best buddy."

"Very well." Dr. Lambert nodded. "I see you two are still in your school uniforms."

"Yeah, sorry about that." Frida said. "Now that we're in year 7, we get out of school later."

"I see. Well, come on in." Dr. Lambert held the door open for Hilda and Frida, before entering the office and shutting the door.


"Sit anywhere you'd like." Dr. Lambert motioned to the three couches in the room: a brown leather couch on the left corner, a plain white fabric couch on the right corner, and a ridiculously comfy-looking faux-fur sofa in the center.

Obviously, Hilda and Frida chose to sit on the faux-fur soda. "So cozy!" Frida chirped.

Dr. Lambert grabbed out a file containing Frida's patient information from his desk and sat down in his rocking chair. He adjusted his glasses and went over it briefly.

"So you're eleven, is that right, Frida?"

"Yes." Frida nodded. "I'll be twelve in February."

"Hm..." Dr. Lambert continued scanning the file. "It seems you're very successful academically."

"Oh, yes!" Frida said. "I've made the honor roll for five consecutive semesters. And I get at least a 90% in every subject."

"Sounds like you're a very bright little girl, then." Dr. Lambert said and read more of Frida's information.

"Frida's the smartest kid I know." Hilda said matter-of-factly. "She's always at the very top of our class."

"Nice." Dr. Lambert kept reading. "So..." he adjusted his glasses again. "...the reason you came to me is because you're afraid of learning how to swim, is that so?"

"Yes." Frida nodded. "You see, Hilda and I are members of the Sparrow Scouts. Recently, we were introduced to a new badge called the Swimming Badge. The Raven Leader is holding a competition at the end of the month, and to earn the badge, I have to master all six of the required swimming positions. But that's where we run into our problem."

"Mhmm." Dr. Lambert wrote all of this down on his clipboard. "Tell me, Frida. Why are you so afraid of learning how to swim?"

Frida sighed. Hilda put a comforting hand on her shoulder, which made it a little easier to share her story with the doctor.

"One day, when I was six years old, I went to the beach with my family." Frida began.

"Yes?" Dr. Lambert kept writing down what Frida was telling him.

"I went into the water and tried to perform a doggy paddle. Unfortunately, I tried too hard - I moved my hands too quickly and lost my balance. I tried desperately to pull myself back up but the waves were so choppy that I couldn't."

"Please continue."

"I screamed at the top of my lungs for help. The lifeguard came to the rescue and pulled me back on land. He tried to do CPR, but my lungs were too full of water. I was taken to the hospital and they thought I was going to die."

Frida paused to wipe tears from her eyes before continuing.

"I was given an oxygen tube and luckily I survived. But they had to give me oxygen therapy until I made a full recovery. So I had to stay at the hospital for six weeks." Frida wiped away some more tears. "And that's why I'm scared to learn how to swim, Dr. Lambert."

Hilda handed Frida the box of tissues that was sitting on a nearby table. As Frida took a tissue and blew her nose, Hilda rubbed her back comfortingly.

"I'm very sorry you went through that, Frida." Dr. Lambert said solemnly. "Especially at such a young age."

A tearful Frida took a few seconds to regain composure. "And last week, Hilda, our friend David and I went to the beach to practice for the Swimming Badge. Hilda helped me perform the swimming positions, but when I looked down at the ocean, I panicked and fell."

Hilda retold the rest of the incident. "I swam into the water and saved Frida. I gave her CPR."

"If Hilda hadn't saved my life..." Frida put a hand on Hilda's back. "...I probably would have died."

"Wow." Dr. Lambert was surprised. "You're very lucky to have a friend like Hilda."

"Indeed." Frida said. "Hilda is the most kind, most supportive, most loyal and most caring friend someone could ever have." Frida looked at Hilda and smiled. "Without her, I wouldn't be who I am today."

"Well, I'm glad you have her by your side." Dr. Lambert flipped the page on his clipboard and adjusted his glasses. "Now, Frida, I'm going to ask you some questions. I want you to answer them truthfully."

"Okay." Frida nodded her head.

"Since your unpleasant experience at age six, have you ever been in a large body of water? Such as a river or lake?"

"Only once." Frida said. "A few months ago, me, Hilda and our friend David traveled across the ocean on a Water Spirit to an island to collect the Blue Nettle for our Sparrow Scouts botany badge. The only reason I wasn't scared was because we didn't have to swim there, but rather the Water Spirit rode us to the island."

"Very...interesting." Dr. Lambert wrote down what Frida said, adding quotation marks around "Water Spirit".

"The Water Spirit was quite friendly and trustworthy." Frida stated. "So it wasn't an issue."

"I see." Dr. Lambert said and continued surveying Frida. "Does your fear of swimming interfere with your daily life?"

"To an extent, yes." Frida admitted. "I only take showers. I avoid taking baths in fear of drowning. I also avoid water-based activities like boating and fishing."

"Has your fear had an impact on friendships or relationships?"

"Well, when I was in year 4, a friend in my class invited me to a pool party for her birthday. And obviously, because of my fear of swimming, I had to decline." Frida explained. "My dad also goes fishing once a month and always asks me to come with him, but my fear holds me back every time." She sighed.

After Dr. Lambert finished writing down what Frida told her, he set the clipboard down.

"Frida, I need you to know that everything will be alright. This is a solvable issue. And I will help you overcome your fear." Dr. Lambert spoke with sincerity. "It may be an arduous process, and it will require doing things that are probably outside of your comfort zone."

Frida nodded slowly as she listened to the doctor.

"But it will happen." Dr. Lambert assured. "I'll help you through this. Okay?"

"Okay." Frida said reluctantly.

Hilda decided to give Frida some words of encouragement. "You're doing great, Frida." She said with her hand on her friend's back. "I'm very proud of you. And I know you can do this."

That raised Frida's spirits tremendously. "Okay!" She said more enthusiastically.

Dr. Lambert looked at the clock. "We still have thirty minutes left in today's session. How about we go outside and take our first steps?"

"What are we doing?" Frida asked.

"We have a pond in the garden." Dr. Lambert explained. "We're going to stand in the water for a little while and meditate."

Frida gulped. "How deep is the water?"

"Oh, not to worry. Our pond is very shallow. There will be no swimming." The doctor reassured.

"I'll do it with you." Hilda smiled.

"Okay, let's do it." Frida said.

"Very well." Dr. Lambert said. "Let's go."

Hilda, Frida, and Dr. Lambert left the office and headed out into the garden.


Upon exiting through the back of the building, Dr. Lambert introduced Hilda and Frida to the garden. "Here it is! Our lovely luxury garden."

"Woah!" The two eleven-year-olds marveled in unison at the absolute beauty before their eyes. They were surrounded by a quarter-mile of pretty flowers and plants, ornate decorations, and beautiful birdsongs, all enclosed by tall hedges.

The garden reminded Hilda of her life in the wilderness; the flora, the birds, the nature...it brought a single tear to her eye, though she wiped it away before Frida or Dr. Lambert could notice.

"Follow me." Dr. Lambert walked down the stone path that circled around the garden, with Hilda and Frida following closely behind.

As the two girls followed the trail, they continued to be amazed by the scenery. There were all kinds of beautiful flowers - roses, lilies, bluebells, honeysuckles, and the stone path was complemented with long stretches of lovely shrubbery on either side.

After a few minutes of walking and gazing at the garden's features, they reached the pond.

"Well, here's our pond." Dr. Lambert said.

The pond was about 100 yards wide, speckled with lily pads and cattails.

"Well, I don't want to get my boots wet." Hilda removed her red boots and socks and set them on the ground.

"And my parents would kill me if I ruined these shoes." Frida removed her tennis shoes and socks as well, leaving them beside Hilda's footwear.

"Dr. Lambert, aren't you going to take off your shoes?" Hilda asked.

"I'm alright, child. I'm quite used to getting my shoes wet." The doctor assured.

"Suit yourself." Hilda shrugged and turned to Frida. "Are you ready, buddy?"

"Dr. Lambert, that water looks deep. Are you sure this pond is shallow?" asked a visibly nervous Frida.

"Absolutely." Dr. Lambert said. "It just looks deep because it's such a large pond."

"If you say so..." Frida hesitated.

"You can hold my hand." Hilda offered with a smile.

"I'd like that." Frida smiled back and held Hilda's hand.

"Want me to take your other end?" Dr. Lambert offered.

"Sure." Frida locked her other hand with the doctor's.

Hilda, Frida and Dr. Lambert slowly entered the pond.


"Wow, you were right!" Frida said. "This water really is shallow."

"I told you." Dr. Lambert chuckled.

"See, Frida? There's nothing to worry about. It's just a pond." Hilda said.

"You're right." Frida smiled. "I think I can do this."

"I know you can." Dr. Lambert said. "Now, what we're going to do is meditate. We're going to close our eyes and take deep breaths for a few minutes." The doctor elaborated. "We'll take in our surroundings and become one with the water."

"Sounds simple enough." Frida nodded.

"On the count of three..." Dr. Lambert counted down. "Three...two...one...". Hilda, Frida and the doctor all shut their eyes.

"Breathe in..." Dr. Lambert instructed. "...breathe out. Breathe in...breathe out." Hilda and Frida did as directed.

"Take in your surroundings." Dr. Lambert said after a minute.

As Frida acknowledged her surroundings, she began to feel very calm. The lovely smell of the flora, the cool autumn breeze, and the serene environment of the garden was the perfect combination for soothing her frayed nerves.

"Be one with the water." The doctor said after another minute. "One with the water." He repeated hypnotically.

"One with the water..." Frida chanted. "One with the water..."

Frida didn't know exactly what being "one with the water" meant, but after several minutes of deep breathing and meditative humming, she was pulling it off.

After Hilda, Frida and Dr. Lambert continued this process for fifteen minutes, the doctor decided that it was time to stop.

"Okay, time's up." Dr. Lambert said. "How do you feel, Frida?"

Frida opened her eyes. "I...I feel great!"

"Did you become one with the water?"

"I did!" Frida said with amazement. "And it felt wonderful!"

"I knew you could do it!" Hilda cheered and hugged Frida.

"You did a great job today, Frida." Dr. Lambert nodded. "We're making progress."

"When's our next appointment?" Frida asked as she, Hilda and the doctor left the pond.

"Monday, I believe. Same time." Dr. Lambert said as he grabbed out a cloth from his pocket and knelt down to dry his shoes with it. "Next time, we're going to be taking bigger steps."

"Oh? How big?" Frida asked.

"We'll be going to the swimming center and using their pool. Again, we will not be swimming but rather standing in the water and using our meditation techniques."

"Alright." Frida nodded hesitantly.

"We can do it, Frida." Dr. Lambert reassured. "Anything is possible."

"Well, if you say so." Frida said.

"I know so." The doctor said and checked his watch. "Alright, our session ended two minutes ago. Best get going so I can talk with my next client."

Hilda and Frida put their footwear back on and followed Dr. Lambert back inside.


"Great work today. See you next Monday at four." Dr. Lambert shook Frida's hand and gave her a paper summarizing what she and him did in today's session.

"See you next Monday!" Frida took it and waved goodbye to the doctor as she and Hilda left the building.

"I'm really proud, Frida." Hilda said. "You did great back there. You'll overcome your fear before the competition, I know it."

"Thanks, Hilda." Frida smiled. "We only have two weeks. Hopefully that's enough time."

"Absolutely." Hilda nodded. "Just keep being awesome and eventually, this whole thing will be behind us."

"I will." Frida said.

Frida found her parent's car and she and Hilda took their seats in the back.

"How did it go, sweetie?" Frida's dad asked.

"Great! We're making a lot of progress. I told Dr. Lambert everything, and he took us out to his beautiful garden where we meditated in the pond."

"Sounds lovely." Frida's mum said. "Do you feel better?"

"Much." Frida nodded. "On Monday, we'll be going to the swimming pool."

"We're very proud of you, honey." Frida's dad said. "I can't wait to see you earn that badge."

"Oh, and I have a paper recapping today's session that you can read when we get home." Frida said.

"Got it." Frida's mum said. "Hilda, would you like me to drop you off at your house, or will you be walking home from Frida's?"

"I suppose I can hoof it." Hilda said. "Dinner won't be ready for another hour."


After the car arrived at Frida's house, she and Hilda bid farewell.

"Are you coming to my next appointment Monday?"

"Of course." Hilda said. "You were amazing today, Frida. Keep up the great work. You'll face your fears before you know it."

"Thanks, pal." Frida smiled.

"Heh, any time." Hilda pulled Frida in for a goodbye hug. After a few seconds, they let go and Hilda headed for home.

"See you later, bud!" Hilda waved goodbye.

"Later!" Frida waved back at Hilda until she was out of her view.

Frida sighed happily and headed inside.


Well, that was chapter nine. I hope it was worth the wait, because that's the last chapter until autumn. That's right, I'm taking a break for the summer.

To compensate, this chapter was the longest yet, at over 4,000 words. Hopefully the long, emotional rollercoaster that is "Frida Gets Help" is enough to tide you over for the next few months.

See you in September!...Or October, depending on how motivated I am.

I really hope you are all enjoying this story so far, and I'd love to hear your thoughts in the reviews. Ta-ta!