Secrets Beyond Willow Grove: Chapter 1: The Promise

"Long ago there was once a village, a magnificent place where fairies and humans lived in harmony. The fairies were caretakers of the animals, plants, and waters, using their magic to help plants grow, keep lakes and rivers clean and flowing, and heal not only the animals but also other fairies and humans. Humans protected the fairies, harvested the crops, and watched over the land while the fairies rested in the winter. They lived in peace for many years and all other beings from near and far would come to see the town and the beautiful garden it grew in the summer. The village grew more and more with every passing year and peace seemed to be everlasting, that was until the humans began to grow jealous of the fairy's magic, they too wanted the powers of nature and began to lust for control over fae magic. They betrayed the fairies and started the war that divided the five kingdoms, destroyed the magical garden, and forced every race to choose a side, join the humans and their conquest for power, or the fairies and their battle for peace. The war lasted for days, and both sides were not able to make any ground, that was until the humans bribed three wizards to help end the fairy's opposition.

The three wizards agreed to enchant armor and weapons of pure, untainted, silver giving the humans the resistance to fae magic and magic-forged weapons. The humans forced the fairies into hiding and still hunt for the fairies to this day!"

Azalea looks up from the book she holds in her hands before taking a deep breath, snapping the book closed, and saying "The end." a few young fae children sit in front of her, some of them smiling and awe-struck, a few others with looks of concern and horror.

"Are the humans ever going to find us!?" One child asks frightened, "Do they still want our magic?" Another asks a bit shaken.

Azalea smiles lightly, explaining "Don't worry guys, the meadow is perfectly safe, no human has stepped foot in these lands in all of history."

A boy then stands up and crosses his arms, "I hope humans do trample into the meadow one day so I can show them what a real fairy can do."

The other kids all begin giggling amongst themselves, trying to hold back laughter so they do not get scolded by Azalea. The boy scoffed sharply and exclaimed, "Go ahead and laugh all you want, my father is a royal guard, I train just like them, and one day I'll guard the palace and probably the queen herself!" This only makes matters worse and the kids all bust out laughing.

Azalea chuckles softly before standing up and putting the book back on a shelf, "Okay everyone" she says turning back towards the kids, "unfortunately I only have time for one story today." The kids all let out a disappointed sigh as their laughter shifted to disappointed groans. "Don't worry guys, I promise that once I'm done with the festival I will make it up to you all, okay?" The kids all ran up and hugged Azalea before they all began to leave.

"You are so great with the kids. They all adore you." Says a voice from behind Azalea. "Are you sure you don't want to take the job of story time, it pays well."

Azalea sighs before turning around and facing the teacher who is speaking to her. "I wish I could, but I can barely commit to once a week, and with so many events coming up and with my sister's birthday celebration tomorrow night I don't know if I could fit it in every single day, I'm sorry, I really wish I could."

Mrs. Brook smiles and rolls her eyes. "I figured that was going to be the answer, but if you ever change your mind-" Azalea gasps and cuts off Brook before she can finish what she was about to say. "I still have not found a gift for my own little sister's birthday!"

Azalea turns and picks up her bag and says to Brook as she sprints to the door "Sorry to rush out on you" Brook laughs slightly waving at Azalea saying "Don't worry about it dear, don't work yourself too hard now." Azalea now out of sight fully out the door yells "No promises"