The Cloud Castle

The Story Of Ariette

Will, Colette, Pam and Paulina did not speak for a few moments. They stared at the fairy in the tower room, enchanted by her beauty and sadness. She was the one who spoke first.
   "I am happy to see you strangers," she said in a voice that was as sweet as the sound of a flute or the song of a spring bird. "We heard your cries, and we couldn't ignore them," Will said gallantly.
   "Yes," said Colette. "We want to help you." The fairy nodded. "You were very courageous to climb all the way up here." Then she gave a little bow. "I should introduce myself. My name is Ariette and I am a Weaver Fairy."
   "A Weaver Fairy? Does that mean you can make clouds?" asked Pam, remembering what they had learned back at the unit headquarters. 
   "Yes," said Ariette. "At least, I used to be able to make clouds." She sighed and sat down.
   "Why can't you now? What happened?" Will asked. 
   "It is a very sad story," she replied. "Would you like to hear it?" 
"Certainly," said Will. "Once we hear it, we can figure out how to help you."
 

"Thank you, you are truly kind," said Ariette. "But I don't know your names."
   "Of course! I'm sorry," Will said. "My name is Will Mystery and I'm a  researcher."
"And we're Colette, Pam, and Paulina," Colette said, pointing to her friends. "We're colleagues of Will's, and we go to Mouseford Academy."
   "I'm afraid I've never heard of it," Ariette said. "It's located in the REAL WORLD," Paulina explained. "Very far from here." Ariette's eyes Lit Up. "I know of the real world," she said. "Please tell me, what do you research?"
   "We study the worlds of fanstasy and solve mysteries there," Will replied. "And is that why you are here in the Land Of Clouds?" the fairy asked.
   Colette nodded. "We know that the Weaver Fairies have stopped making clouds. We're here to find out what happened."
   A SHADOW crossed Ariette's face. "That is why I've been locked up in this tower."
   "What do you mean?" Will asked.
   "Well, it is believed that the reason the Weaver Fairies don't weave anymore is that they no longer dream," Ariette replied. 
   Will nodded. "Yes, we read that the silver threads that make the clouds are produced when Weaver Fairies dream," he said. "But why aren't you dreaming anymore?"
   "The others blame me," Ariette said sadly. 
   "They say that I disturbed the sleep of my fairy friends by telling them about the WORLD BELOW."
   "The World Below?" Paulina asked.

"That is what all Clouds Fairies call the world that exists BELOW THE SKY--- the real world, as you call it," Ariette explained. 
   Pam was confused. "What did you tell the other fairies about the real world that STOPPED them from dreaming?"
   "I told them nothing that would have disturbed their dreams," Ariette insisted. "I only told them about the many wonders of your world. But I broke our RULE that Weaver Fairies may never know about the World Below."
   "Why not?" Colette asked.
   "So that we can concentrate on our work," the fairy explained. "Weaver Fairies must only focus on weaving the clouds. And we cannot pass beyond the boundaries of the Land of Clouds."
   Paulina nodded. "So you must have been very curious about the World Below."
      "Yes, very curious," Ariette said. "That's why I was punished and IMPRISIONED in this tower."
   "Who imprisoned you?" Will asked.
   "Queen Nephele," Ariette replied. "She is very worried. If the fairies don't start weaving clouds soon, the Land of Clouds will disappear!"

Paulina frowned. "But if you are not the reason why the Weaver Fairies are not dreaming, then what is?"
   "I am not sure," Ariette admitted. "But I think I know a way to FIND OUT."
   "How?" Pam asked.
    "I am the only fairy who can SEE the dreams of the other weavers," Ariette explained. "If I manage to find out what created this situation."
   "And then you could also prove your innocence!" said colette.
   "Yes, but to do that..... " Paulina began.
   "I have to get out of here!" Ariette cried.