Faster than expected it was back: winter!
First sleet covered the ground and even a few flakes had already fallen! Khione had to be aware of her powers again and maybe even have fun with it.
Inconveniently, not all had been prepared for it. Because some animals could wring food from the hard ground only with difficulty and some flowers stood even still in bloom!
Probably it was due to the fact that the summer winds were more and more on the advance – anxious to serve their mistress, the sun, and to enlarge their realm, the sultanate of summer. The Lords of Winter found it increasingly difficult to maintain their domain and often had to use their power suddenly and relentlessly.
Smee was largely powerless against it, she was only a small fairy – but she helped where she could. For days now she had been busy feeding the birds, covering flowers, knitting warm scarves for bugs and worms, or felting caps for mice, squirrels and other friends.
So busy that one cold day she suddenly realized what day it was. It was the day of Yule celebration! And she had been so busy that she didn’t have a present for any of her friends!
Not for Khione, not for Pogo and not even for her best friend Dim Dschazifa!
The little fairy’s heart grew heavy. Where was she going to get presents today?
Sunbeams were a difficult gift because of the political situation. Food was scarce anyway, so giving any of it would be wasteful. Glow-in-the-dark mushrooms? Glowed only briefly at this time of year when cut. Wind seeds? Might be difficult to find.
While she was still thinking about it, her little feet were walking almost by themselves (she was too cold to fly. That hurts always at her filigree wings!).
Deep in thought, she took one step after the other, undecided where to turn to look for something pretty.
She was still pondering when she finally looked up and found herself in a forest of thorns. Thick as strong branches, they grew here and there, making it difficult to get through. And what was even worse, Smee had no idea where she was! She was pretty sure she had never seen or even entered this thorn forest before.
In other words, she was lost!
Close to tears, she tried to concentrate on the most important thing first, and that was to leave this place again.
She squeezed through here, tried to avoid a sharp thorn there and climbed under and over it…until a new picture opened up in front of her.
A magic kingdom!
Stones sprouted here like plants from the ground, overgrown by knotty roots and dark moss.
The light fell through cracks and crevices and made the environment a true winter wonderland.
Smee listened and peeked as she moved slowly and suddenly froze as she heard a clacking sound ahead.
Once and again…until two hooves stepped out of the shadows. Horn scuffed on stone and Smee was completely frozen in the first moment!
Above the hooves followed rusty brown, bushy fur. Above it a body dressed in moss and leather and finally a head with powerful horns and with stern looking eyes.
“DON’T HURT ME! I AM SMALL!”
Smee suddenly shouted, trying to freeze even further in panic!
At this the satyr laughed surprinsingly warm so that her red curly mane bobbed and immediately everything became lighter and friendlier. Also in Smee’s heart.
“Why should I do anything to you? I am a herbivore and I respect all living creatures on this earth. My name is Gona. The Peaceful One.”
She plucked the fairy from the ground like a flower and lifted her high on one of the roots so they could be at eye level.
“And you are?”
Smee rubbed her little hands together, “I’m Smee. And I’m looking for a Yule gift for my friends.”
Somewhat meekly, she added, “And I got lost in the process.”
Gona sat down next to her and reflected, “I’ve heard of this tradition of giving something to those you care about on a certain day. I don’t think much of it myself. I give gifts when my heart tells me to. Not because the calendar says so.”
Despite her words, she smiled, “But I like to give one to you. To take away your fear and give you hope!” with these words she took a flute from her belt and put it to her lips.
“And after that I will take you home.”
With this promise she began to play and Smee’s worries melted away like ice in spring.
Gona’s melody told of the harmony of things. Of balance, peace and joy. And above all about one thing: friendship.
Smee sank into the sweet tones and dreamed herself away to places and events, to wishes and promises, and above all to one thing: home!
And that’s exactly where they set off to when Gona’s song ended.
Over hill and dale, through thorns and under trees, Smee was carried back, wondering how far she had walked.
And at last they were in sight again: through the bare branches of their forest, Smee could already see Dim’s red dress glowing as she and Khione called her name, while Pogo sniffed the ground for their small pixie friend.
And as they got closer, she could also make out their worried faces.
“Smee!” yelled Dim Dschazifa in relief, “We’ve been looking everywhere for you! We were so worried!”
She accepted the little fairy from Gona’s hands and hugged her tightly to her chest, “What are you doing?”
“I was looking for presents for you!” whispered the little fairy, barely audible. “I forgot all about that!…and now it’s too late! Yule day is already here and the sun is almost setting.”
To that Dim Dschazifa smiled mildly. And suddenly she gave her a kiss on the chee whispering back with shining eyes: “But don’t you know that the greatest gift is to have you here with us?
And you even brought us another gift that couldn’t be more beautiful: a new friend!”
She now warmly embraced Gona, whom she did not know yet, but to whom she was so grateful.
“Welcome, dear one! And happy Yule!”
Credits
Smee: doll from Bjd doll Chibihana Harz , the Outfit is completely selfmade
Gona: repainted Barbie Signature Looks doll, the clothes are selfmade, so are the furry legs and hooves
Dim Dschazifa: repainted MtM Yoga Barbie, the clothes are selfmade
Khione: repainted and rerooted Barbie Signature Looks doll, the clothes are selfmade
Pogo: completely selmade from felt and polymer clay