The Cloud Castle

QUEEN NEPHELE'S STORY

Back at the Cloud Castle, NIGHT had fallen.
   "The fairies will all go to sleep now,"
Galatea whispered. "They retire early in hopes of having good dreams. Even if they aren't dreaming anymore."
   "You look PALE," Violet noticed. "Are you feeling okay?"
   "I'm a bit tired because I'm not wearing my crystal," Galatea admitted.
   "Maybe you should rest," Violet suggested.
   "No, I'll be fine."

Galatea said. "Thank you. But I am worried about the rest of you. If Queen Nephele realizes that your friends have left the castle, there will be trouble."
   "I think the fact that we stayed behind should confuse everyone, at least for a little while,"  I said. "And I am sure they will be here with Ariette soon. Then we can help them safely get to the quarters of the Weaver Fairies to figure out what is happening."
   Galatea nodded. "Ariette should have the DREAM KEY with her. Unless . . . of course! When she was imprisioned, they would have taken the key from her."
   "What is the dream key?" I asked.
   "It opens the door to the wing of the castle where the Weaver Fairies sleep," Galatea answered.

"Is there any other to get a key to the Weaver Fairies' wing" Pam asked.
   Galatea nodded. "The queen keeps an extra key to each wing in her treasure chest inside a secret room in the Royal Wing."
   "Can you take us there?" I asked.
   "It won't be easy," Galatea said. "There is a hidden passageway that leads to the Treasure Room, but it's very difficult to find. And the chest is guarded by the CRYSTAL EAGLES."
   Violet shivered. "They sound beautiful but SCARY."
   "They are both of those things," said Galatea. "They are TRANSPARENT creatures, capable of hiding anywhere."
   "What do they do to intruders?" Pam asked.
   "If you try to get past them, they will appear out of nowhere," Galatea said.

"Anyone who looks into their icy eyes will suffer a terrible fate. The eagles will steal their dreams so that they stop dreaming forever!"
   Violet shivered. "That sounds AWFUL!"
   Pam looked at me. "Should we try to get the key?"
   "I think we must," I replied. "Without it, Ariette cannot get to the Weaver Fairies. But we must be very CARFEUL."
   "Yes, the Crystal Eagles must be taken SERIOUSLY," Galatea said. "There is a legend about them, but I'll tell you on the way. We must hurry."
   She led us down a long hallway full of windows facing the palace courtyard. It was dark outside, but the palace was shining, illuminated by BRILLIANT CRYSTALS.
   Galatea began the story in a low voice:

"Long ago, when Queen Nephele was just a baby, her parents were abducted by an EVIL wizard. The princess was so sad that she cried for days and days. From her tears were born two TRANSPARENT Crystal Eagles. From then on, these MAJESTIC birds have watched over her and are always ready to protect her with their powers."

"What a sad story," said Violet.
   "But it's also full of hope," I said. "At least something was born from her sadness."
    "Maybe, but it would be better if the queen's parents could return one day," Violet said.
   Galatea nodded. "Yes, Violet. We Fairies hope for that each day, but unfortunately, nobody knows what happened to them."
   "Maybe that's the reason the queen has such a stern personality," Pam guessed.
   I thought Pam was right. "Often, a hard shell hides the sadness of a tender heart," I said.
   Meanwhile, we had reached the end of the hallway. In front of us was a LONG STAIRCASE that led to the rooms of the fairies of the Grand Council. One floor above them were the queen's quarters.