A small speck of light floated out of the darkness and landed on his knee.  It sparkled cheerily and he laughed, picking it up and gently lifting it to his face.

“Pretty little fairy, come to brighten an old man’s night?”

The light danced about his face, touching down lightly on his cheeks and nose.  The old man smiled and closed his eyes. It had been years since he’d seen a fairy.  In his youth, they had always been around–teasing and flirting. But as he grew up, he had less time for youthful fancies and the fairies rarely came anymore.

The fire crackled and he opened his eyes. There were other lights flickering in the dark now.  They were gathering around him–a halo of twinkling magic. He stood up and they flowed around him, outlining his anciet frame.

“It’s time to go, isn’t it, my friends?” He gazed up at the sky, a shooting star raced to the west. “I’m glad you came.  I’ve missed you.”

The old man slumped to the ground, but his spirit stayed standing, surrounded by the fairies.  They rose into the sky together, escorting the old spirit home.

The fairies guarded the doorway. Everyone knew that. The doorway to the Other Realm was in the center of the clearing two miles from town, just before the waterfall. Every child old enough to walk knew where it was. But no one ever went there. Babes were taught from the cradle that the fey would steal their soul if they drew too close.

Gillean had always believed the stories, but now it did not matter. Her betrothed had been taken from her and she had no choice. It had been the most horrible day of her life.

They were picnicking not far away and decided to race to the waterfall. Jakob was faster than she, and had kept teasing her over his shoulder while they ran. She saw him entering the grove and tried to stop him, but he only ran faster. Right into the doorway and disappeared into the Other Realm. Gillean had stopped at the edge of the woods and stared in shock. She waited for him to come back, to reappear and come home. At dusk, she turned and fled back to the village.

That was a week ago. Her family had tried to comfort her. His family held a wake. Everyone believed he was gone and would never return. Everyone except the old midwife, who visited Gilllean the night before.

“He still lives, you know.” She had come after dark, when Gillean was nearly in bed.

“I know, but he is lost to me. They have him forever, now.”

“Maybe not. You could go to them. You could get him back.”

“I’ll be just as trapped as him if I go there.”

“Not if you go and petition for audience. You mustn’t go bumbling in like he did, but there are ways to go and return.”

“What do you know of it? Have you been there?”

“No, child, I am no fool, nor in such great need as you. But my mother went once, to save a child she had brought into this village. She was midwife before me.”

“What do I do?”

“You must take them an offering, money means nothing, but jewels catch their eye. You must wait at the doorway until you are invited in. They will test you , but if your heart and will are strong enough, you may succeed.”

“Thank you, mother.”

“You are welcome, child. Though I fear your mother will curse me soon enough. Good luck and keep your wits about you.”

So Gillean stared into the clearing, gathering her nerve. Childhood stories warring with need. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, then stepped out onto the grass. She walked to the fairy circle and knelt just outside the ring. She put her engagement ring and her mother’s sapphire pendant on the stone in front of her and sat back. It was here she would wait until she was invited in.