Away with the Fairies

*°•○Part Eight○•°*

Thanks to Rosalind's Mouse Guard friend, the little group managed to reach a clearing at the edge of the garden unnoticed by anyone.

It had gone completely dark while they moved stealthily in the shadows of the rose bushes. Now, when Hans finally caught a glimpse of the sky, he saw that it was pierced by millions of pulsating stars and the flickering lights of dozens of fireflies. The Night Guards on their way to work, most likely, he thought with a smile.

"It is them, Hans," Rosalind said, even as they were joined by Rolo and Roza, materialising out of the darkness from the opposite direction. "They'll replace the mice as soon as the dance is over. We might get caught if we don't hurry."

"Did everything go weeell?" Garrett croaked, looking at the elves.

"Sir Francis wasn't happy about your refusal, as you saw yourself, Princess Rosalind. When you left, he was quite furious so... " Rolo started to say, pacing on the spot nervously.

"So we had to use a couple of spells to help him forget about this evening, Princess. He is at home in his bed, and the two Frog Soldiers you sent with us will guard his door until sunrise, Captain Garrett." Roza finished his sentence.

"I guess it's the best thing you could do... " Rosalind sighed heavily. "Let us go now before anyone notices."

"We're coming with you, at least to the lake. That's where you're planning to spend the night, right?" Rosland asked. "In the morning, when you set off on your journey, Rosabea and I will return here."

"Thank you, Rosland, but you'll only get into trouble..."

"We can't come with you all the way to the sea, Rosalind. Even though we would love to, it would only draw more attention to your disappearance. Please let us come with you at least to the lake," Rosabea pleaded, embracing her cousin. "We will be sick with worry when you leave, but we will do our best to distract and confuse all those your father will send after you. Hopefully, you'll have enough time to find your Blue..."

"All right then. If you are convinced, let's go," Rosalind said, wiping away a couple of tears caused by her cousin's words.

"Shall I call Orangebeak?" Hans asked, looking for the bird whistle in his pouch.

"No, Hans. They do not like to fly after dark. And neither do we," Rosabea said, smiling at him. "Watch."

She walked over to him and the rest of their group, while Rolo stepped next to Rosalind. The Rose Elf and the fairy now stood alone, at a little distance from the others. While the elf brought one of his apparently infinite bird whistles to his lips, Rosalind looked towards the night sky. She brought her hands to her mouth, and her lips moved as if she was calling someone, but her words were as mute as the sound of Rolo's whistle.

Three large bats and an enormous owl landed in the grass nearby suddenly, making Louise squeal with surprise and a little bit of fear. Garrett's hat flew off in the sudden gust of wind all those flapping wings had caused, and the girls' dresses threatened to join it.

"Thank you," Rosalind said, curtsying to her winged friends.

"Anytime, Princess," the owl said in a deep, smooth voice, while the bats agreed mutely, by moving their heads and pronouncing words only Rosalind could hear.

"I know. We must hurry," she told them aloud, for the sake of those who did not speak Bat Talk. "Would you take my friends to the lake, please?"

While the bats nodded, she walked to the owl. "And you, Errol, can you carry me and Garrett, or are we too heavy for you?"

"Of course I can, no worries, Princess. Hop on!" the owl encouraged them.

The toad scooped the fairy in his arms, making her giggle and jumped on Errol's back. Immediately, the bird took off, hooting softly.