I clambered into my four wheeled motor carriage at 8.00am this morning. I definitely still had sleep in my eyes, but woke up sharply when I reached the road to the bridge leading to Brigantia. The elfen traffic was banked up nose to nose and moving very slowly. I took my place in the queue,decided to keep smiling, and all would be well. It took one hour to reach the other side of the bridge, but I had left myself lots of time, so calmly followed the road towards the gleaming spires of the amazing town of Brigantia. There were still a few places in the motor carriage waiting arena, quite near to my Hair Management Technician's Room.I had to climb the hill to the very top, but that was enjoyable, as the day was bracing rather than cold, and touches of a warm blue were starting to show in the sky. Next door to the Hair Room is a bakery and tearoom called The Faeries' Fantasy ",and I made a note to visit there before my technical hair appointment. I visited the Brigantia Elven Mail Post first,then collected some much needed parchment supplies ,and requested some extra geld from the local Currency Centre.Armed and ready, I arrived back at the "Faeries' Fantasy" with half an hour to spare.I ordered a whole pot of nettle tea and a brown cobble ,all to myself.I had just consumed my wholemeal bun and was pouring my second cup of nettle brew, when I was hailed from a table further down by a former colleague at Dingley Dell Academy, Majoria Mistlethrush, a Marjoram Faery. She looked rather older, and more careworn than I remember her. Faeries are forever youthful inside, even if the outside epiderm has lost some of its elasticity and lustre. We exchanged good wishes and updated each other on our more recent ploys. We wished each other much happiness and joy, and she waved farewell. Just in time, for as I glanced up at the "Fantasy Cuckoo" he was clocking the new hour and I had only five minutes to make my appointment before I was deemed late.
Melissander, my regular Hair Weaver, smiled as I pushed open the door, showed me to my seat of operation, and brought me yet another cup of tea. It takes two hours to complete my hair restoration. Beautiful streams of burgundy colour are washed into my hair, before Melissander's careful trimming and snipping brings my faery bob back to its former glory. I always leave rejoicing,knowing that Pendragon will be full of compliments this evening. He loves me to take care of myself. My new found freedom from servitude at the educational treadmill, should be a time of leisure and pleasure,he says. He acknowledges that I still want to work , but wants me to apply my talents to the creative pursuits I love. I am presently awaiting a call on the Woodland Telecom from the Director of a Community Theatre in the Metropolis. I hope to work with them in the long weeks of Midsummer. Next week, for five days, I am working with Dingley Dell Heritage Group as a storyteller,recalling tales of the Ancients who lived and loved in Dingley Dell Castle.I will be dressed as a faery of Medieval Times, in black and silver robes, with a garland of white flowers in my hair. The skirt is long and full,but filmy in substance,and it is impossible not to feel the most beautiful of creatures in such splendid vestments.Tiny silver slippers will adorn my feet. I will be seated in a corner of the Great Castle Hall, and will receive visitors all day,who want to hear the epic tales of mystery and magic from days of yore, when the elven folk had greater mastery of the air and sea and land.Many tiny sprites are coming to see all the displays. I hope to see some of my old friends from Dingley Dell Academy, who have promised to come by. There will be others dressing in the robes of the time,to give a flavour of the events as they happened all those years ago.
I think this will be a year of dressing up, as I prepare for my betrothal as well. It will soon be time to see the Betrothal Seamstress,to be measured for my gown, and to choose fabrics and flowers. Pendragon has also told me that he is having a very special ring forged by the platinum smith, but I will not see it till the day of our betrothal. Just to think,of all those tiny dwarves working day and night,to produce such a special gift for me ,for my new life, is very exciting. I have much to thank so many people for.- for their caring,their love, their help,their encouragement,their belief in me, in my life so far. The best reward I can offer them is not to forget, and to pass all those fine things on to others who may come into my life. So, all that I have ,I hope you may also have ,my friends, and may it be bestowed in good measure. Much Love and good company, from Amarantha Willow, the Rainbow Faery.