Placing it on her cheek, Viniria closed her eyes. All of a sudden, she shrunk to the size of a hummingbird, with large transparent wings growing out of her back. Chirp observed her stunned as the small creature glowed with golden light, while pink, radiant powder spread from her wings. "Let's go," the beautiful being squeaked, disappearing in a blink of an eye.
"Chirp!" the tiny creature cried, frantically looking for his companion. "Forest guardian! Forest guardian! Don't leave me here alone?" he added in a panicked tone.
The leg of the little shiny creature quickly stepped out. Smiling she pointed at the door only visible to those who knew what they were looking for. She then proceeded to tap her forehead and grunt. "I forgot to hide my bag," she said pulling the strap with her tiny delicate hands.
"Why? Don't you need those things?" the bird inquired.
"Yes, but I don't think it will go through this small opening," she said in a cute, high-pitched voice. Mini Viniria took out and checked the portal wire, which was now twice her size. Neatly closing the bag, she elegantly moved her fingers, making vines cover it.
"Alright, we can go now," she squeaked, making her glossy wings flutter. Chirp followed, not finding any problem flying through the invisible force field.
Meanwhile, in the pink castle. "No, please. I could not take another bite," Aidan uttered, persevering.
"Do not be so shy, dear guest. We have barely gotten to the second course," a regally dressed woman declared, smiling. She was in her 40s, still very beautiful, with a crown and dress made of the finest materials. The interior matched his hostess perfectly, beaming with such elegance and splendor. Aidan had seen grand displays of wealth before, especially in the dragon's castle, but it was never so tastefully arranged.
Next to her was an equally well-dressed man. He was the king of this distant land. "So tell me, young man. When is your wife due?"
"I do not know. By the size of her belly, I would say, the baby will come in a month or so."
The queen clapped excited. "Wonderful! Our twins will be back by then. You will have enough time to retreat the apples and sail on their ship back home."
Aidan grinned with his heart full of joy. He placed a hand on his chest. "Thank you, your Majesty."
"Please, call me, Linda," she said, flattered.
"It is the lest we could do for such a worthy cause," the king said wholeheartedly.
His wife leaned over and whispered something to her husband. He listened attentively and nodded. The elegant lady stood up. "Would our young guest kindly join me in a tour of the castle."
Aidan bowed obligingly. As they walked up and down the corridors, she told him all about the history of their kingdom.
"The fairies' protection permitted this kingdom to be spared from all human threats. Consequently, it was the only place in the world where magic has remained," she explained.
"And here I thought our forest guardian caused it to awaken," Aidan joked.
"Oh no. You will see. King Valiant wants to take you hunting tomorrow. He will show you where the fairies take care of the golden tree."
Aidan sighed, optimistic. He turned to his hostess. "I cannot express how grateful I am for this kind welcome and your generous aid," he said sincerely.
"Nonsense, my dear child," she smiled, showing her pearly white teeth. "We love having guests... Still, there is one tiny thing I have to warn you about king Valiant."
"And what is that?"
Slightly uneasy, the queen uttered. "He can be a real prankster sometimes. An everyday nuisance for those who know him, but a potential shock for anyone outside the circle."
"Ha! That should not be a problem. I enjoy a good laugh as well."
Smiling awkwardly, the stunning queen added. "That is good news. Still, please be mindful not to take his words seriously. It may cause an inconvenience for all involved."
"I will do as you command, your Majes... I mean, dear Linda," he said as they slowly returned to the dinning area.
Night came and all the inhabitants of the pink castle went to bed. Everything was dark, with only a shimmering light flying from window to window.
"Chirp! Have you spotted him yet? Chirp," the small tired bird asked his companion.
"Calm yourself! There are over a thousand rooms among these towers," Viniria said, frowning.
The little bird listened carefully, flying around. A familiar snored reached his tiny ear holes. Alarmed, he chirped. "He's here!"
The small fairy followed, with the loud snoring becoming clearer. "Poor Zora," she muttered with empathy.
Aidan was sound asleep in a spacious room. One that could put the guest rooms in his kingdom to shame. Chirp pinched his ear lobe, making the sleeping royal jump up.
The prince grinned, seeing his old friend. "Chirp! What are you doing here? How did you find me?"
"You'd be surprised what a bird's ear can hear," the tiny creature teased. "We are here to help you?"
"We?" Aidan said confused.
"Yes," Viniria flew near him, in her small gold and pink form. The lying royal was stunned. Chuckling, he teased, "Oh I see how this is. I am gone for a day and you already found yourself a girlfriend."
"No, you snickering simpleton. It's me. Viniria," she protested.
"Viniria, is that really you? I must say, this form is a surprise. It fits you much better," the handsome king.
The small fairy grumbled, rolling her eyes. "Do not tease me. We are here to take you home."
"But I cannot go. Not without the golden apple."
"The what?" Viniria blinked. "Why would you need that? Is someone dying?"
He told her what happened that night he disappeared. He spoke about the clairvoyant orb and the trip he took to get here. Finally, he explained his plan to obtain the mentioned apples.
"So you see, king Valiant promised to take me to the far away land of fairies," he concluded.
Viniria listened attentively. "I see. And after that, how were you supposed to get home?"
"Well, the king and queen mentioned a ship, but since you got here so easily. I suppose I can return with the magical portal sooner," Aidan said.
"Excellent. I will come with you to fetch them!" Chirp declared right away.
Miniature Viniria sighed, crossing her delicate shiny arms. "I suppose my assistance will be needed also. Although I must warn you that the fairy queen is not very fond of me."
"Wait. If you both come with me, who will take care of Zora," the prince asked. "Who is with her now?"
"Do not worry yourself. Her father's guard, Theodor, gladly accepted to do that in our place," the fairy said.
The prince did not seem very pleased. "That one-minded obelisk!" Aidan scowled, upset. "Viniria, what were you thinking, leaving a pregnant woman alone with a person like that!"
"If you only knew the rest," she mumbled. "And besides, if she did not have a problem being left with him, I don't see why should you?"
"What?"
"Never mind. Look, I promised that I will bring you back home safely, so you will have to get used to us. Let us just finish this quickly-"
"Absolutely not. Look, dear Viniria. I know we didn't always see eye to eye, but you have to agree that Zora's health is more important. Chirp is all the help I need. Please return and keep her safe for me."
The small creature pouted, pondering. With a deep sigh, she said, "Fine. I guess you're right."
"Wonderful," he said with a happy grin. "Now, let me rest. I need to be fresh for the hunt tomorrow. Chirp, you can sleep next to my bed."
"Chirp! Alright!"
"Viniria. Tell Zora I love her and that I will be back soon."
The fairy hummed something that could have been interpreted as a yes, floating graciously towards the window. As the disguised creature ascended down, she looked in the direction of her hidden bag and frowned. "Sorry Aidan. But a promise is a promise," she said, heading towards the forest.
The next morning, the king's hunting party assembled outside the castle walls. Their young guest pranced around on a white steed, a gift from the generous king.
The hunters rode deep into the forest, enjoying the sport, good food as well as good company. The king was an extremely funny man, making everyone laugh with his whimsical tales and hilarious jokes.
Still, Aidan felt nervous, thinking only about his important task.
"You are worried, are you not?" the knig noticed at one point.
"Forgive me your Majesty. If the situation was any different."
"It is alright, young man. I understand completely," the king said calmly. "In fact, we are very close to our goal."
The king and his guest separated from the group, taking a barely noticable path through the thick trees. "I must say, my dear friend. I am amazed how much freedom your magical creatures allow you. In my kingdom, the forest guardian would throw a tantrum if we came home with more than two dead animals."
"Haha! Our fairies are not nitpicky at all. Our kingdom was in the range of their protective field, and we sort of stayed in it. For centuries I believe. Nothing ever changing, or happening. Things sort of always staying the same," the king declared in a slower tone.
Aidan did not think much of his words, following Chirp as he hopped from one branch to another.
"There it is. Just across that meadow. Just pass that silver path and knock on their gate. Once they allow you entry, you will be taken to the golden apple tree," king Valiant explained.
Aidan grinned with glee. "That is wonderful. You have no idea how my heart sings right now."
"I can imagine. I was young and in love once," the king said with an ambiguous facial expression.
"Once?" the visitor uttered.
King Valiant grew silent. "My wife is a captivating woman, is she not?" he said after an awkward moment.
Slightly stunned by the question, Aidan puffed. "Indeed, she is an excellent hostess and a wonderful representative of your kingdom. She and my wife would get along well."
The king became quiet again. "Indeed. Aidan, my wide-eyed friend. Aidan, we have become friends, are we not?"
"What are you saying? Of course, we are!" he replied.
"Good, good. I was hoping you would say that," the king uttered, slowly approaching his guest's horse. "Because, as a friend, I would like to ask you a small favor. Would you mind killing my wife for me?"