Awakened

The Minor Fairies flew about. Dancing on the river as they neared their destination. The meeting of all green folk in preparation for spring. The Major Fairies, of human size, would be there already. The Pixies, those being in the smallest stature of the Fae stood three to five inches, would be on their way. More than likely the other green folk would be there discussing the end of winter's harsh touch.

One Minor Fairy could not help but doddle at seeing a girl with curly hair walking a black bear. No, not a bear, a dog. A very big dog. But of course, he was very small so the animal would look very large. The girl turned her head, almost catching a glimpse as he darted away. A human must never see him. He couldn't help wondering who she was as she continued to seek what she thought she saw. To Humans his fast flight would like as if the wind had moved, not a magical being. The Minor Fairy knew she must be one who could almost see. Curious, full of wonder, imagination, and the ambition to put it together. Quite dangerous indeed!

The Minor Fairy hurried after the others, arriving at what everyone had been called for. One of the Haven's had been found. The forest and the fields were destroyed. Touched by the hand of fire. Their enemy's way of ensuring that the magical beings would be afraid to rebuild, but they were not so easily intimidated.

As spring brought new life after winter so would they after the inferno.

In their deepest hearts, they mourned the beauty of the that was lost, but felt the hope of what could come. They could not bring back what was once there, but they could create new.

One Major Fairy touched the earth of darkened blades as new grass overtook what had passed. A Dryad planted a young sapling, encouraging its growth till it stood as strong as the oldest oak.

The Minor Fairy helped where he could, but he was too small for some tasks and too big for others. He watched as life began again. Seeing the Haven gaining restored purpose.

He noticed a charred piece of pottery that he could clear away, in that he could be helpful. Underneath was a small flower, slightly wilted, but no worse for wear. Now, this he could certainly do! The Minor Fairy tossed the pottery aside and focused on the flower.

It may have survived what destroyed the rest of the Haven.

Slowly it gained color, stood taller, and seemed stronger.

Over the next few days, the Haven was full of life.

The Minor Fairy did not leave his flower. As he cared for it, it seemed to have another blossom come up, and another, then another. Soon he had a garden of which he was very proud.

Others of the green folk came to see what he had grown. Shocked that something so fragile could have survived what had destroyed all. The garden was a reminder of the old that had existed. What was. And the Minor Fairy nurtured it back to life while the others inspired the growth of something new. The Minor Fairy loved all that had grown, but his favorite place was his flower garden.

He stopped and cared for what could have been looked over. Saw something that had meaning to the Haven and restored it.

Wilted, forgotten, almost lost. With time, effort, and love restored more than he could have hoped.

The Haven had others come back into the home they had lost.

Life was restored from what had seemed too destroyed to repair.

All gazed at the flowers, thankful some of what they knew would always be here.

The Minor Fairy had an idea and plucked one flower from the now, massive garden.

Flying swiftly he found the girl with her bear dog.

When she looked away he dropped the flower in her path. She leaned over, picking it up with care.

"Thank you." She whispered to the wind. "You do not know what this means to someone like me."

And in that moment, he could have swore, if it were not impossible, that he saw her slowly gain color, stand a little taller, and seem to grow stronger.

As she remembered what it was like to be alive.