Ella's Fairytale: Chapter 5

The next evening Ella went to bed early. 1

She lay in bed fully dressed. She wanted her parents and grandmother to think she was fast asleep. But she wasn’t. She stayed awake and listened to the clock chimes.2

When she counted ten clock chimes, Ella got up. She quickly went to the front door, feeling around to make sure she did not trip over anything. The house was quieter than usual. Ella was not used to it. She grew uneasy. She hoped she would not lose her way.3

When Ella finally made her way out of the house, it was cold and silent. Ella could not feel the moonlight like she felt the sun. But at least she was not afraid of the dark. The dark was like a home to her now.4

Her feet sounded very loud on the steps as she walked. The path went down, and Ella followed. The Forest shouldn’t be far now.5

Suddenly Ella felt a hand on her shoulder.6

“Ella,” a voice said quietly. “It was Talon.” Ella relaxed.7

“Is the Forest ahead?” She whispered to him. She didn’t know why she whispered. Maybe because the night was so quiet she didn’t want to disturb it. 8

“Yes,” Talon whispered back. He also did not want to disturb the stillness of the night. “It isn’t far now. Just down this path…”9

He took her hand in his own. “Come with me,” he said gently. “Try not to be afraid.”10

Ella obediently followed. She walked carefully, holding Talon’s hand tightly. When he warned her of a bump in the path, Ella stepped out of the way. She trusted him with her life. That was how close their friendship had become.11

Ella could not see where they were going. Everything was black to her. But she could feel it getting even darker as she walked into the Forest. The air here smelt strange. It smelt magical and tight. Ella knew this was no ordinary Forest. It was an enchanted one.12

“Do Fairies really live here?” Ella asked suddenly. 13

“Yes,” Talon said. “The Fairies’ magic lives in the Forest. They are very powerful, and don’t much like humans.”14

Ella felt a little afraid. “Will they see us?”15

“They are not in this part of the Forest.” Talon replied in a low voice. He paused. “Are you afraid?”16

Ella was getting more and more scared. She was scared of the quiet. She was scared of the magic in the air. But she wanted to be brave like Talon so she said, “I am not afraid.” 17

Talon pulled her hand as they stepped over a fallen tree trunk. “It is good to be brave,” he said, “but if you are afraid just say so. I’ll take care of you. You’ll be safe with me.”18

Ella did feel safe with Talon. So she followed him deeper and deeper into the Forest. Finally, they stopped walking. 19

“Where are we?” asked Ella. “Where is this place?”20

“We are in a Portal Clearing,” answered Talon. “Where Fairyland meets our world. You can cross to Fairyland here.” He paused. “Do you really want to see again?”21

Ella nodded. She didn’t have to say anything. She already knew she did.22

Talon understood. “The Fairies can help you.” He said. “You will have to talk to them. Read the words on this stone.” He took Ella’s hand and placed it on a rock in front of her.23

Talk to Fairies? Ella was getting nervous. She felt over the rock. “I can’t read, Talon – I’m blind, remember?” She said. And then her fingers touched something. They felt like dots sticking out of the rock.24

Ella was excited. She knew what the dots were! They were words – in the language Ella learned as a blind person. She could read them!25

It was called Braille and blind children like her learnt it in school.26

Ella smiled joyfully. “Oh Talon,” she cried. “You were right! I can read this! Here – let me read this to you:27

Take me on your wings with you28

to Fairyland with no ado29

for I have wishes to achieve30

and if I stay there do not grieve.”31

Ella did not understand some hard words there. She read it correctly though. Talon listened quietly, but somehow Ella thought he already knew the words. That’s crazy, Ella thought. Talon can’t read Braille.32

After Ella finished reading, the Forest grew even quieter. Not even an owl hooted. Not a leaf rustled. Everything was frozen. 33

Ella shivered in the cold. Talon took her hand again. Together they waited for something to happen. 34