A/N: As of now I have one review! That excites me and makes me all happy. Thank you so much Skyward Ending!

Do You Believe in Fairy Tales?

The beauty of the soft green hills,

the singing of the trees..

they left my soul more empty still,

I could not find peace,

I could not find peace...

The flight had gone over as well as those sort of things usually do, besides some "turbulence" or in other words, cloud farts. They'd landed around 2:20 p.m. and already she could feel the effects of jet lag as her body tried to catch up with the leap forward in time. Losing miserably. Again she yawned as her rusty red taxi pulled out of the airport and into the lush countryside. The small vehicle hummed a tune to her bones and the damp weather persuaded her into sleep.

"Time to wake up miss." Stirring in the seat she mumbled a couple incoherent words and sat up dazed confusingly staring at Jack the driver who was heavily accented. And maybe slightly impossible to understand.

"Excuse me?"

"Oi, we've arrived at the farmstead miss." Nodding his head out the window towards a cobbled stone house and smoking chimney.

"Oh... well thank you." Lethargically she managed to pull her sleeping limbs out from under her. Irritably swinging her bag out and slamming the door shut; she leaned down to explain herself to the driver.

"Um, I'm a little short on cash." Well she had cash, but of course she'd forgotten to exchange them for pounds or whatever this island country used. She'd read about how England owned the northern half perhaps? And the southern region was independent... maybe she shouldn't have slept in history.

"That's alright miss, its already been taken care of." Pointing to the house once again.

"Do you know anything about the people that live here?"

Surprised he stared her hard before answering. "Hm.. well folks say they're might foolish to be living so close to that place. But besides that nonsense they're sure to be nice."

Puzzled she waved him off and faced the direction he'd mentioned. A forest. A really old forest. It had an enchanting look to it with its heavy twisting limbs in graceful positions, caught eternally dancing. If someone had just enough imagination, they'd appear to have faces. Or if you looked at it from a certain side... there, something rustled just at the edge of the thick foliage. Shaking the rain drops from the leaves. Was it a bear? A fox? The hairs on her back had prickled up, reminding her it was cold, and staring at nothing was pointless. She was exhausted and her mind was playing tricks on her as she thought she hear light footsteps behind her. Quickly she made her way up the grey stoned path.

One thing she did like so far was that everything was green, alive. And she hadn't noticed anything that wasn't growing, or had something growing on it. And she liked it. Nothing to remind her of why she'd come there in the first place.

Reaching the top of the winding path she stared at the large wooden door. It was red. Lightly she rapped on its slick surface and waited patiently till a click was heard from inside. A small women with a tightly bound bun and a few escaped curls stood smiling. Her hair was red to. "Isabelle! You look so lovely dear. Hurry come inside before it starts raining again." She smiled back and entered the pretty home while the door closed behind her.

"Child you must be terribly pooped I'd imagine! There's a bed made up for you in the guest room third door on the left." Pointing down the hall.

"Thank you very much Mrs..?"

"Mrs. Copperweed, but call me Sarah. We want you to feel right at home after all thats happened to you, sweetheart." Her voice laced with tenderness.

"Its alright, death happens and I've accepted that. I don't know how I can thank you for going out of the way and housing me. I'll do my best to stay out of the way."

Blinking in surprise she laughed and put her hands on the teens shoulders. "Isabelle, you act just like your father. Do NOT think that you are a burden to us. Me and John never had a chance to have children and you are a blessing." Brushing a yellow strand out of her face, "Okay?"

"Okay." Slightly red now.

"Good, now off you go I'll wake you up for breakfast in the morning."

Sighing, Isabelle hugged Sarah and retreated to a promised bed. The room was small but was comfortably furnished with a dresser and lamp stand. After removing her bag and freeing her smashed toes she sank into the mattress and continued her broken nap from the cab.

2

The light was bright and warm peeking into the window at the young woman. Tempting her eyes awake until they fluttered groggily, brown focusing on the wallpapered wall. Where am I?

Sitting up and stretching Isabelle ran a finger through her disheveled hair. Time for a shower. The bed frame creaked as she stood but her nose turned toward the hallway. Was that bacon? (southern slang) Her stomach growled in response as she made her way down the corridor.

The kitchen was very vintage looking, decked out in old utensils and complete with an iron stove. The woman who had greeted her the day before was busily flipping flap jacks and stirring eggs. Unaware of her presence.

"Good morning Mrs Copperweed." She called out as the woman jumped surprised. "Isabelle! Well I thought you'd not be up for another hour or so. Glad to see you sunshine, have a seat and let this old girl finish up 'ere in a bit."

Complying she sat at the table and was looking back at the cook. She hadn't changed since yesterday, still the same bun and wool button down. She wasn't that tall coming only to her shoulders if she remembered correctly. Which was saying something to the 5' 3'' girl. Small smile lines and crows feet gave away her age, probably late forties. She watched as Sarah moved about in a familiar pattern.

Tasting the eggs and applying a little bit more salt. Oh yes. Isabelle drenched her food in the lovely spice.

There was a sound of a car purring outside and the engine being cut off. Followed by heavy footsteps until the front door opened. Walking in with a black beard and neatly combed hair was who she assumed was John. He had a glowing ting to him and looked rather 'jolly'. Hanging up his coat on the rack he moved across the room.

"What a beautiful day it is Sarah! The sun hasn't peeked his head out in quite awhile. But the frost still bites don't be fooled!" Plopping down right across from her, the chair strained under his weight after kissing his wife.

"You must be Isabelle! Why stand up let me get a good look at you!"

"My friends call me Izzy but mom and dad called me Belle, but its whatever."

Standing she turned around as directed and sat back down. "Well IZZYbelle," Showing his teeth to her. "What a pretty lass you are, your have your mothers beauty! Oh, I'm John by the way if Sarah hasn't already introduced me yet."Sticking out a thick hand she shook it gingerly. He smelled like fresh grass and cow manure. Farmers.

"Now John, don't be getting her embarrassed and dirty before she's to eat breakfast." Sarah scowled while she carried a trey of food to the table. Turning to Isabelle she lightened. "Would you like some milk? I assure you it's the best goat milk you've ever tasted!"

"Goat? As in billy bob?"

"And the troul under the bridge? Goodness no! Besides billy bobs don't give milk Isabelle."

"I guess it would be rather difficult." But not imossible.

"I've never had goats milk before but if its as lovely as eveything else in Ireland than who am I to say no?"

"Thats the spirit Belle!" John cheered his voice booming, she thought she saw the table shake.

"Alright dear, let me go get the rest of the food and then we can eat, your sure to be hungy after such a long flight." Before she could respond her traitores belly groaned demandingly.

John laughed again and told her when your hungry your hungry. He gazed at her thin arms and scowled. "Your a skinny thing arn't you? Must put some meat on those bones, a girl needs shape." Winking as he flicked his eyes at Sarah. Hiding a smile Isabelle waited for the food to be served. "How many pancakes do you like?" Questioned Sarah.

"Oh just one please, and some bacon if that's alright with you."

Rolling her eyes Sarah plopped a thick piece of dough onto her plate accompanied by three shreds of pork. "Of course its alright. See what I mean John? She's to sweet for her own good. Remember your part of this family as well so feel free to be rude. In fact, I encourage it."

"Haha, well I'll keep that in mind. I hear young hooligans like me don't shy from that sort of thing." Awkwardly she laughed unsure of how to be rude.

"I'm sure we won't be having that sort of trouble from a bright young lady as yourself! What I mean is don't worry about leaving the dishes dirty or things like that. But be creative every now and then! Throw your socks against the wall even. And what a beautiful smile! Shame to hide it dear. Well here we go I slaved on this so you better eat."

"Oh really Sarah, we both know your an 'ol stove and love it!" They both laughed full heartedly and began to eat. The food was delicious and found a place in her belly. Finishing she stood and was about to clean her mess up when Sarah frowned so she left it be. Sarah rolled her eyes and drank some orang juice.

"I'm going to take a shower, I feel gritty."

Making her way to the bathroom she stripped and started the faucet. Everything happened at once. Ice water stung her skin. She jumped out. And flew stark naked to the ground when the door was ripped open. Sarah screamed and slammed the door leaving one very bright and red Belle. Continually repeating how sorry she was. In the background she heard John fall and laugh so hard his face was ripe as a cherry! "The water's a little chilled but it'll come 'round soon enough!!" Rippling off again into more laughter.

Before she shut her door she heard Sarah box John and him pleading "oh now come on love I'm only just teasing." She dressed quickly and brushed her tangled hair out. That was extremely unlucky. Not to mention awkward. Things like that seemed to fall into her lap recently. Stepping out she made her way to the living room and sat on the small brown couch. No sooner had she done this did Sarah come leaping onto her from behind offering her cookies for forgiveness.

"Belle! Oh I'm so sorry please forgive me I can't believe how stupid I was, don't know what I was thinking! HERE HAVE A COOKIE!"

She'd stuffed the thing in her mouth and nearly choked Belle getting it down. Which only started another dramatic knee groviling repentance. After that she'd decided to avoid the sensitive woman for the day. She couldn't stay in the house because it was simply too small. Not enough room to escape someone so intent on seeking approval.

Anyways she managed to climb out her window because the only door leading out was the front one. And she didn't want to hurt Sarah's feeling anymore or do anything to upset her. So out she went with a jacket in hand. Good thing to because it wasn't just a bit cold. It had to have been around 65 degrees!

But somehow the grass still retained its color not dying or fading in anyway except for some dirt paths. She followed one out that lead to a barn. Animals were obviously present, she could tell by the smell. And maybe some fresh poo she'd stepped in. Rounding the corner she noticed one of those cute european trucks parked to the side. Not a recent model but it had class. Acutally, now that she thought about it everything seemed old here. This place must have been up before the civil war! She hadn't slept through everything in history.

The door was open so she welcomed herself in. On the other side of the stables-horses all about-was John forking hay into a ben. His back was to her and there was no way he'd heard her come it. But all the same he called out across the neighing and chirping of chickens to her.

"Hey Izzy! Sarah run you out did she?" Still forking that stuff on.

"More like I ran myself out."

"Sarah has a way of doing that, but don't let her bother you." Shrugging while he placed the giant utensil against the wall.

"I'm not bothered I just wish she'd calm down so she doesn't have an aneurism!"

The deep throaty laugh filled the room and bounced across the hollow wood. "Now that's a thought! And you decided to keep me company eh?"

"Well, honesty I'm just sort of wandering around. Didn't mean to interrupt the feeding thing." Looking at the large horses. A large brown one with a spot across its right eye trotted to side and hung his head over the side looking at Belle. " So um, yeah there really big and pretty. It's amazing being able to take care of them. Must be a lot of work."

"That it is! But now I have a stable girl to give a helping hand. If that's fine with you." Smiling Belle nodded her head while patting the cranium of the big cow. Or horse, something like that.

"Loser seems to like you! Usually he's the shy one of the bunch. But you've caught his eye."

"His names Loser?"

"Not because he is of course that be mite mean, no its just that little spot he has around his eye, looks like a bruise so me and Sarah say he lost a fight over Daisy," pointing to a white and grey mare. "with the big brown one over there, Muddy. And he never ever wins!"

"But he's curious to who you are. It's time Daisy got a little competition, I think it's going to her head!"

"Oh she won't have to worry about me!" Teasing along with John.

She let Loser smell her hand and continued to massage behind his ears." By the way-" Speaking to John now. "How exactly are we related? I was told it was something ridiculously long or branched off."

"Well, lets see..your Michael's little girl, and he's Authors little boy, and he's..." This continued for some minutes and she patiently waiting. Until he begun from his end of things and that took even longer. "Well, I'm not exactly sure Belle, but your parents have been close friends of the family for awhile so maybe that has something to do with it?"

"Maybe, but its just odd, me not ever knowing of yall until a couple days ago."

"Things work like that around here, its the fairies you know, or pixies. They've both been acting up lately.."

"Did you just fairies? As in with wings and pointed ears and fly around?" She asked a little shocked not sure if she'd heard right.

"Of course, what other fairies would there be?" He said reasonable not skipping a beat.

"Oh right, fairies. Yeah they must be up to there shenanigans again. A net should fix that." She thought he was joking of course, not knowing he was as serious as he could get. He looked sort of funny actually with the look he gave her.

"Belle, you don't believe in fairies?"

"Uh...i've never had reason to, it's not like I know a lot about them. Why, do you?" He just looked at her and then walked out the barn. Leaving her with the horses. "Did I say something wrong?" she asked Loser. He stared at her as if he didn't need to tell her wasn't it obvious enough?

John peeked his head and shouted if she was coming or not. Scrambling she narrowly missed another pile of poo as she hopped inside his truck. Careful not to move around, she was afraid it migh fall apart!

"Sorry about that, I got...distracted." '

Something in his voice revealed that it wasn't good. But she ignored it and let him continue. "But it does surprise me Belle that you've not heard any stories. Tonight though, will fix that."

3

The coals in the fire sparked in response to Belles constant stabbing with the poker. Dinner was digesting nice and slowly in her stomach while she lay on the floor looking into the puffing flames. Sarah was sitting on the couch and John on a leathered arm chair.

"So Belle tells me she's never heard tales of the Faires, and if she hasn't heard about those little buggas then I reck'n she hasn't heard of much else." Leaving out she didn't believe in them of course.

"You don't say! Then your in for a treat Belle John is the BEST story teller!"

Sighing Belle tuned out the murmurs of the woman and focused in on the heated picture before her. To be honest she didn't exactly want to hear any folk lore or any of that nonsense. It was just noise. Only kids believed things like magic and true love existed, and her life had been no fairy tale.

"... it."

"Sarah, can't you see Belle isn't interested in what you have to say. I feel sorry for the poor thing. Now its my turn to talk and yours to listen, eh?" This effectively quieted the chattering woman who also wrapped herself in a blanket like a cocoon and got comfortable.

"Lets start out with a history lesson to what you DO know, shall we?"

"History, my favorite subject." Missing the sarcasm completely in her voice.

"Good, now you may not know any stories yet but I'm sure your familiar with leprechauns and fairies, am I right?"

"Greedy green men with pots of gold and little people, then yeah."

"Thats a start, but leprechauns don't actually have their own gold. They became self-appointed guardians of ancient treasure that were left by the Danes when they marauded through Ireland, burying it in crocks or pots. So in short its not really theirs. But they are greedy and sly, always looking to cheat each other of their stolen goods."

"Right, but if you catch one he has to lead you to where his 'stash' is at right?"

"In so many words but its really rather impossible, the only time something like that does happen is when they are foolish and do not hide before the sun comes out, which turns them to stone. Or if there sober, they're terrible at drinking."

"So...when there waisted they can hide and stuff? That doesn't make any since at all."

"Things work different with that sort, they aren't from this world so naturally things that make since here don't there."

"There, like from asia or canada?"

"No Belle, I mean a different world. The Fae are creatures that should not and are not from earth, they are here by mistake when they should be back home."

"Then how is it they get from point a to point b if its how you say."

"Magic of course! But only at certain times, the conditions have to be right. One of which have to do with Fairies. They are the only ones with the ability to create a portal, or bridge."

"And how do they do that."

A strange gleam came into his eyes and the only sound to be heard was the demands of the hungry fire for wood as it's flames began to die. Sarah had dozed off puckered out from the day; her arm was now asleep and she shook it to regain some feeling in the limb. Johns voice had taken on a tone of one devoted to something they cherished and strongly believed. The words were soft though and she barley heard them as he whispered across the room.

"Fairy rings, Belle. Fairy rings."

Her heart stopped.

There had been something she couldn't remember. A train of thought lost in the swells of her mind since arriving. But now it came back demanding her attention. It was not avoidably and burned its image inside. A forgotten dream flashed into her head, a memory of a place long forgotten, something well hidden. A promise forever kept in silence.

"I...thank you John but I don't fell so well." Belle shaking stood and wobbled down the hallway to her room and shut the door behind her collapsing onto the bed. Her head was throbbing. She needed her medicine, that always stopped the pain, and the hurt. To a numbness.

Reaching over into her bag her hand clasped onto something smooth, what is this? Yanking it out the thing she held in her palm was not her pill bottle, but a blue lump, with a twisting strange writing on its surface. The confusion in her mind suddenly cleared the pieces falling into place. A forgotten dream flashed into her head, a memory of a place long forgotten, something well hidden. A promise forever kept in silence.

4

"What is it dad? A smaller Izzy asked her farther looking curiously at the stone.

"Its a rock silly girl."

"I knows its a rock daddy! I mean is it a special rock?"

Smiling he looked down at his inquisitive daughter. Oh how they grow.. "Yes it is, Belle. My grandfather gave it to me when I was your age. He found it while he lived in Ireland."

"Its so prettyyyy! Can I hold it, huh? Canicanicanicancani!! Jumping up and down she pleaded desperately.

"Of course sweetie, but first you have to know its secret, its story."

That had only made things worse. "Secret? What secret I love secrets! I won't tell nobody I swear. Tommy says I tell but I won't!"

Oh dear, her hunger for knowledge is insatiable. Maybe she's to young to under-

"Pah-LEASSEEEEE!!" The battle was lost, and he wouldn't win this war. After her doe eyes locked with his it was over. Sighing he wandered if he was getting soft, or maybe he just couldn't deny his angel anything. Even if it could kill her. Or worse, take her away from him forever.

"I know I can trust you Belle. But you have to settle down because like this stone-" Lifting it up "- It's very special, and old..much older than things that are now. It's a bit left of what once was. Of a place that tingled with magic..."

Belle was totally mesmerized by his words. They wrapped her into a calmness as she lay attentively drinking in everything he said.

"...one day your great great granda Murry, got lost in the woods searching for a hair he'd chased. He hadn't noticed how the evening came and swept him up in darkness. The forest around him was unfamiliar, something that frightened him. Because there were two parts of the forest. The one he knew-and the one he didn't. Also called the deep forest..."

The sun had begun to set in the distance, throwing reds and oranges across the darkening sky. Their shadows flickered against the fire light. A romantic fare well of a burning lover as he gently kissed the earth goodnight.

"...his father had warned him of the dark forest. Things happened there that shouldn't. People came in and not out, but the few that did. They were changed. Speaking of wonders that could only exist in a story such as this."

"What kind of things dad?" She whispered.

"I'm getting there Belle, be patient. So he found himself in the deep forest, lost, hungry, and afraid. He prayed to Aibell a fairygoddess of the woods to help him. And that's exactly what she did."

The inches slowly shortened and the sun had almost reaches his purpose.

"Off in the distance he saw a light. Quickly he grew closer to it and heard music, the most beautiful to ever be heard. Voices singing the melody of the moon in a tongue he did not understand."

"What's a tongue?"

"The little pink thing that makes you speak, see." Opening his mouth he stuck his red tongue out at her and she laughed. "You look like a snake daddy ahehehe!"

"I don't think so Belle, but when I start growing scales I'll be the first to tell you." He laughed.

"Now if you don't stop interupting I won't be able to finish before the moon comes up!"

"Whats wrong with the moon?"

"Just listen alright I'm getting ahead of myself! Now...As he drifted closer to the sounds the light grew brighter. When finally he had found the source. There beneath the ancient trees lay a fairy ring. Made up of seven brightly glowing rocks with the language of the old days."

"Glowing! Rocks don't glow do they daddy? I've never seen one glow."

"Well they do Belle, just look and see..."

The sun had completely melted into the softness of the welcoming earth as he finished his telling. The stars now lighting up the night-sky against the large round moon. In his hands a soft glow of blue came gently spreading warmth and radiating feelings of delight and happiness.

"This... is a fairy stone Belle."

A lonely tear sprung up and down her cheek, dad wasn't going to tell her anymore stories. Where did this come from! Why did it have to appear now and ruin everything, make her remember! She wanted to chunk the thing across the room and out of her life forever. But she couldn't do that, no...but was it real what he said? Did Fairies really exist?

One thing for sure though was that her head no longer pounded, trying to suppress the thought of her farther. Her eyes wandered back to the bag and down at her prescription. And scowled, something wasn't right. She snatched it up and ran across the hall and flushed them down the toilet. Running back to her room when she was done.

Now what? Looking down at the blue lump she wandered...would it glow? She stepped to the window and out to the sky. No big moon and no cow jumping over it. But there were to many clouds out to see it anyways. Looking down she saw the large forest, and for a moment or to imagined a glimmer of light coming from within.