Friday's Child

Friday awoke excited. She took her favourite key (the bronze one with green verdigris and gold detailing) from the original bunch Owl had dropped on her pillow and made haste to the lock. Ignoring all the warnings her mother had ever given her - things about curiosity, cats and halflings - and with no further ado she inserted the key into the Lock (who appeared to have fallen asleep and was snoring gently). After some clunking and whirring the lock sprang to life looking startled, he then made a big click and bellowed at Friday to shut her eyes and spin three times deosil. Friday thought it rather strange but followed his directions. The next thing she knew was a honey sweet voice saying; 'Friday at last, we have waited so long for you, come, there is no time to loose.' Halfling opened her eyes to see the biggest, most beautiful Queen Bee she had ever seen. She was a giantess and all dressed up in her evening gown of the deepest bitter chocolate brown striped with golds and bronze. She wore a diamond necklace and her crown glowed golden in her pink aura. She gave a slight shake and a million sparkles of magic pollen dust surrounded them in a golden cloud. It took Friday's breath away. The Queen (called Melissa) had such a kind voice and looked every bit as regal as a Queen should. Friday was overawed. She said 'excuse me Ma'am. I think you've made a mistake - I've just come through the lock, no one was expecting me.' 'Oh no' insisted the Queen, `you are the one. I can tell by your ears.' Fridays ears flushed then went pale. 'I'm only a halfling' she said, I just pop up here and there, no one ever expects me.' `But you are here to help us restore the kingdom and rescue Princess Bea' said the queen, beginning to sound more and more imperious. 'What, why, when… the kingdom….the princess?' Halfling was starting to quiver now, as her dress turned Bee coloured. She had a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach. 'Enough of your silly questions' said the Queen, becoming agitated. `Come now, I will show you our few remaining rose gardens on the way.' Friday was almost in tears. She knew there must have been a mistake and she wanted to go home back to her lovely garden, back to the safety of her friends; Owl and Fox and Crow. The Story of the Chalice Garden Melissa softened when she saw how scared poor Friday had become and gently offered a soft white linen handkerchief monogrammed with Friday's initials, another subtle clue that her arrival had been anticipated for some time. After much snuffling, sniffing and stifled sobs, Friday pulled herself together as Queen Bee led her firmly by the hand deep into the heart of the sacred Chalice Garden. They arrived in the inner sanctum, a gorgeous courtyard ringed with lemon, fig and orange trees and heavy with the scent of roses and jasmine. Wisteria scrambled up the walls in its divine lavender glory and the mellow stone of the wall was laden with lush viridian green moss. A proud lion head spouted the magical red, iron rich waters into a pool as a flock of nine geese wandered by. Melissa handed Friday a chalice filled with the healing waters. `Drink!' She said, `the water sprites will infuse you with the strength and wisdom you will need for your mission'. Friday shivered… mission, what mission, my mission? She certainly didn't like the way this was going, but nevertheless sipped the strange tasting water and as she sipped she listened to the gentle hum of the bee priestesses, Melissa told her this story ….. `Once upon a time in Chalice Country the Goddess walked upon the earth, the land and people were in harmony and peace and prosperity were the order of the day. The guardians of the garden, the fairy folk, worked side by side with the bee priestesses and worker bees tending the plants and flowers which thrived on their care. They whispered gently to them gratefully working with the Elementals and Diva Kingdom to collect pollen, make the purest of honey and distil wonderful healing balsams, heavenly perfumes, resins and essences. These were dispatched to the people of your world Friday, as our gift to aid their strains and stresses and help them reach their full potential.` Then the time of the Great Shadow came upon us. A wicked spell was put on the elementals by an evil sorcerer. Under his influence they left the garden and the Genius Loci, the spirit of the place, became sick. The Bee priestesses remained and continued as best they could, but were discouraged especially by the theft of their honeycombs which left them without enough food for winter. Rapidly the harmonious balance was destroyed and Chalice Country was becoming a wasteland. 'The worst thing is Friday,' said Queen Bee, 'this affects your world as well because no healing remedies can be made or sent between the worlds anymore so It's only a matter of time before both worlds'…. Queen bee was so sad, her words tailed off and she left the outcome to Friday's imagination.... a few dandelion seeds drifted past at that moment.