Nuff: A Fairy Story

By Darrell Line

Nuff is having a really bad day! Not only is she overweight, with skin problems and a tendency to 'bottom burp' in stressful situations, but she has lost the ability to fly, and that is not a good thing if you are a fairy.

To make matters worse, the Solstice parade is in jeopardy. To redeem herself and find favour with the council she embarks on a quest to find a certain unicorn that has gone AWOL.

En route, she encounters many strange and wonderful characters, some with disabilities, and some with language and cultural differences. She learns the truth about fairy dust and more importantly, learns who her true friends are and what she is really capable of.

Including a touch of cannibalism and attempted murder thrown in, this is a fairy story not for the faint hearted.

WARNING: Includes Scary bits!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Legend Press
• Release date: Dec 14, 2015
• ISBN: 9781785074608

Book preview

Epilogue.

Chapter 1

June 15th

The council meeting.

Nuff was a fairy. Not your usual sort of fairy. She wasn’t tall, nor attractive. If truth be known she was rather too short as fairies go, she was also overweight, had very untidy hair, dry skin on her hands and feet, and just as you start to think that things couldn’t get any worse, her wing maintenance was non-existent, so much so that her negligence had, over a long period of time, rendered them completely useless for what they were intended. One other small problem, she was also prone to ‘bottom burps’ but we don’t want to dwell on that point. It was for negligence of her wings that she was summoned to meet with the council of fairies that evening.

So far the description of Nuff is not very favourable, and some people who have their own ideas of what fairies should look, and behave like, may be compelled to close the book at this early stage. But although appearances were not high on the agenda her other attributes certainly outweighed any shortcomings. She was, without doubt, a very popular fairy. She had a unique gift of making others feel good and positive about themselves, especially when they felt very low. Unfortunately, she could not always apply that to herself.

Nuff looked up to the other fairies, admiring their beauty so much she would spend most nights peeking through at their grooming sessions. If truth be known everyone was encouraged to watch, it gave them a great sense of importance to have an audience, but Nuff was rather embarrassed. She remained under cover, away back in the undergrowth, watching as they brushed their hair together, gliding gracefully down from great heights, and then opening their wings in a very dramatic and colourful display to impress the onlookers.

They would apply all sorts of lotions to their skin from upturned foxgloves and acorn shells, dance, spin and swoop over pools of water to examine themselves in full flight. Their clothes were gossamer thin and of the brightest colours. They would laugh and sing, and after the grooming session was over, the other creatures of the forest were encouraged to join them to show their admiration.

Nuff never joined in. She would look at herself, and run her fingers through her sticky wings, occasionally pulling some dry leaves or nettles away. She would turn and slink even further into the darkness twiddling her hair around her finger, then, when she was far from ear-shot, would let off the loudest bottom burp she could muster.

But tonight was particularly difficult as there was nowhere to hide, there would be no peeking at their antics, no gasping with admiration, no poor attempts at ‘take-off’ with her heavily soiled wings, which by now were acting more as a brush, and an indication of her whereabouts rather than a serious means of propulsion.

Tonight she had been summoned, and she knew why.

Previously her appearance and ‘behaviour’ had been discussed in an informal manner, ‘just a chat’ or ‘just a little word in your ear Nuff’, rather like that, quite friendly and matter of fact. ‘I just saw you passing and thought’………….

Sometimes it was more ‘girlie talk’ and a few hints dropped on moisturising, or say, the latest in fashions from ‘silk worm’ clothing, or should hair be ‘straight or curly’ this month? That kind of approach.

Of course Nuff never paid any heed to it, thinking they were just being friendly and trying to make her feel good about herself as she does so frequently to others, but behind her back the discussions were more heated, a slightly serious edge to them, ‘she’s a disgrace’, ‘yes, something should be done’. Eventually something was, and that led to a formal warning.

It read thus:

Dear Miss Nuff,

In accordance with Fairy law 385942/7 section 3 regarding wing maintenance and non-assisted flight, you have been found guilty of poor maintenance resulting in a serious lack of ‘fairy’ activities, namely:

1 - No spreading of fairy dust when required.

2 - No midnight frolics in the forest.

3 - No joining in with your council members & ‘friends’.

You are formally invited to attend the council meeting tonight where these items will be discussed. Please confirm that you are able to attend.

Yours truly.

Samphire.

(Chair Fairy)

Nuff took delivery of the letter from Milkwort and Groundsel, two of the sprites. They had no idea what it was about, nor the serious content that it contained.

As usual they were pulling and wrestling each other and were joined in a flash by Ragwort, Heartsease, Wormwood and Umbel who had leaped cunningly from behind a great Cedar tree, its branches sweeping the forest floor providing the perfect hiding place and opportunity for an ambush. As the battle ensued, Milkwort managed to break free.

‘So, what’s it about?’ he puffed.

There was no answer, at least not immediately. She read the letter not once, not twice but four times. Each time her heart sank a little deeper into her chest, each time she began to shake a little more and each time she could feel the tears welling up in her eyes.

‘So’ asked Milkwort again, ‘what’s it about, eh, what’s the script?’

Nuff remained in silence with her head down. Ragwort and Umbel broke away from the melee and looked at Nuff. Grounsel was just about to poke his fingers into Heartsease’ eyes when Milkwort yelled. ‘STOP IT AT ONCE, RIGHT NOW’. And as they did, suspended in various poses of combat, Milkwort moved closer.

‘Take a look’, sniffed Nuff to Milkwort.

They closed ranks and moved forward as he read the letter, (which was just as well as he was the only one able to read.) Nuff had taught him. The others were far too busy with ‘stuff’, or so they claimed. As each word was carefully pronounced, the other five stared open mouthed in astonishment. There was an embarrassing silence as Milkwort finished and handed the letter back. Nuff’s head hung even lower than before. Tears began to drip onto the ground slowly filling a curled leaf, the silence was so intense that they began to make a drip! Drip! Sploshing sound. Drip! Drip! Drip! Splosh! And as the leaf filled with tears it tipped slightly, the precious liquid ran deep down into the undergrowth soaking an unsuspecting earthworm, who suddenly turned a bright Lavender, sprouted six pairs of wings, and shot into the air. ‘WOW!’ they all gasped, except Nuff who remained in the same position, but at least it broke the silence. ‘WHOOOPEEE’ screamed the earthworm as it circled above. Nuff then let slip an unsuspecting bottom burp and immediately turned the earthworm to its original form.

‘AWWW!’ It gasped, hitting the ground, and slithering off in disgust.

‘So, what’s to happen then Nuff?’ Enquired Umbel, who was one of Nuffs’ favourite sprites.

‘I don’t have an option really. I don’t want to go, but I’ve been summoned’. She held the letter out again for everyone to see, (even those who could not read).

By this time a larger crowd had gathered. After hearing the commotion they were joined by Bugloss, Bogbean, Mayweed, and Burdock, and from high up in the trees those fairies not selected for council, included Violet, Daisy, Buttercup, Pennywort, Poppy and Meadowsweet, who was particularly fond of Nuff. They all gathered around her offering support and words of encouragement until Milkwort, without really thinking what he was saying, stated that:

‘This is the first time in Fairy history that someone has been summoned’, which didn’t exactly console Nuff.

But then an odd thing happened.

‘That’s not strictly true.’ It was Meadowsweet, just hovering above everyone else. They turned to look as she shot off into the trees leaving a light dusting over Bugloss and Bogbean. ‘OOOOHHH, I love it when she does that’ sighed Bogbean as the two of them were drawn up to their tip toes, their arms swept back, chins jutting forward as if they were about to leap into the air, both glowing a very pale blue.

Immediately the moment passed they fell to the ground cracking their heads together with the sound of two empty nut shells.

‘We will all help you Nuff’. They all said, rallying around her in support. The smaller ones held her hands, others placed theirs on her shoulders. She felt comforted, but only for a brief moment as the realisation that the meeting was but a moment away. There was little time to prepare.

Poppy and Daisy offered to help her.

The three of them left the clearing, leaving those behind to continue with their fun. Round 2 was far too vicious to go into any great detail, but eyes were poked, ears bitten and noses tweaked. The clearing echoing with screams, laughter and battle cries that only a sprite could enjoy.

‘They’re young Nuff. They don’t understand how you feel’. Consoled Poppy, resting here arm on her shoulder.

‘I know’. She sniffed. ‘I don’t expect them to understand, they just want to play all the time and that’s good isn’t it? I’ve always encouraged them to play.’

She looked left at Poppy, and right at Daisy, who both gave her a smile and a nod.

‘But what did Meadowsweet mean when she said, ‘That’s not exactly true? Meaning I wasn’t the only one?’

Poppy leant back slightly, so did Daisy, Poppy shook her head to Daisy without Nuff noticing and said.

‘I wouldn’t worry too much about it Nuff, let’s concentrate on the council shall we’.

Considerable time and effort went into preparing her for the meeting. A clean yellow dress was found, hair was brushed, (untangled). Items removed from her hair included a dead gnat. The wings were a major challenge. You see, fairy wings are delicate. You can’t go around pulling scraping and brushing them, they require, ‘regular maintenance’, and this was the problem.

Poppy and daisy stood behind Nuff and looked, and pondered, and looked again with hands on their chins, then their hips, then they looked at each other, then Nuff looked over her shoulder at them, they both smiled, well, not so much a smile exactly. ‘Where do we start’? Whispered Daisy, now hovering just above. Poppy leaned forward and attempted to pull a twig from the wings but the twig held fast.

‘Can you move them at all Nuff?’ asked Daisy.

‘Don’t think so’ shrugged Nuff.

‘Hmmm, we may have a little difficulty.’ Daisy and Poppy shot up into the trees.

‘There is no way we can clean them, they’re disgusting, have you seen the muck in those wings?’ Whispered Poppy, ‘You can see why they’re complaining can’t you?’

Daisy was getting slightly flustered, Poppy was starting to lose focus and began to fly erratically.

Nuff looked up from the spot where she was supposedly being groomed and began to despair, leaves were falling, wings were fluttering, the whole process was going pear shaped. But then, just as Nuff was thinking of leaving, a pale blue light appeared deep within the forest, growing larger and brighter. Meadowsweet had returned.

She flew directly to Poppy and daisy who by now had totally lost focus. They noticed her immediately and swooped. ‘Don’t you dare tell her’! Gasped Poppy.

‘No, don’t you dare, it will really upset her, and it’s just not fair is it Poppy?’ Daisy gasped.

‘No, Its’ just not fair, picking on poor Nuff, sending her a letter like that, she’s one of us, like family, if her mother was here she would….’ Daisy stopped in her tracks and looked down at Nuff, hoping upon hopes that she hadn’t heard a word.

The three of them remained high in the trees but now, very still, wings fluttering furiously. Meadowsweet moved in closer. ‘Do you think I’m stupid, telling her now? Though one day she will have to be told won’t she? And who do you think will have the pleasure of that? You Poppy? Daisy? Nuff might not be the brightest star in the sky and her wings are a definite disgrace’. Meadowsweet sighed.

‘But she’s a lovely child, and the sprites adore her. She needs support, she needs comforting, and she certainly doesn’t need any further bad news, now does she?’

The two of them shook their heads.

‘But you almost let it slip, remember, ‘she’s not the only one’ you said’,

Poppy was nodding her head at Meadowsweet as she reminded her of her earlier outburst.

‘I was angry, and emotional. Anyway, she hasn’t a clue. Hopefully the right time will come to explain past events, but not tonight. I think tonight she requires some help, don’t you?’

She swooped down leaving Poppy and Daisy to drift off back into the forest.

‘Don’t despair Nuff, let’s see what we can do for you’. Meadowsweet raised Nuff’s face in her own hands and observed the lines on her grubby face that the tears had left. ‘Please don’t you worry, we’ll get through this together.

I promise to stay very close through the whole nasty business, then after it is all finished we’ll go down to the hollow and have fun with the sprites, how’s that sound?’

Nuff conjured up a smile, albeit short lived, her head dropped once again. ‘OK, let’s have a look at those wings shall we?’

Meadowsweet clapped her hands and lightly sprinkled her wings with fine pale blue dust. They shuddered slightly. Thankfully the twig fastening the upper and lower wings together fell to the ground. Not much else happened, but by golly already they looked so much better.

Meadowsweet picked some flowers, placed them in Nuff’s hair, wiped her face clean, and led her over to the pond. ‘Take a look at yourself Nuff, see!’

Nuff bent over, she looked at her hair; she looked at her wings. A large smile spread across her face. She swept the remaining tears away from her eyes with the back of her hand. It had been so long since she had seen her wings or felt them move.

‘You will not be able to fly Nuff but they look so much better. Now just remember, don’t get excited, try not to cry, and most importantly don’t…….well, erm! You know, don’t……well…….NO BOTTOM BURPS’.

‘OK, I’ll try, and thank you Meadowsweet. Will you help me? I won’t know what to say, and I get so embarrassed, and I…..’ Nuff paused.

Meadowsweet held her by the chin, lifting her little round face, then looked deep into her eyes.

‘For goodness sake stop worrying, it’s only a meeting with the council, I mean, what on earth can they do?’

She suddenly realised what she had said and brought Nuff close to her chest in a motherly hug. Gazing up at the stars, she recalled a similar meeting with the council many years ago, and a promise made to another Fairy, but a very different promise to the one she was making tonight. ‘Just……….Just, tell the truth Nuff, be polite, and no……well, just be yourself. That’s the best you can do.’ Meadowsweet looked at Nuff to ensure she had got the message. ‘Now off you go, put some buttermilk on your hands and feet, that will……..oh never mind the feet’. Which were so dirty it was pointless starting, and time was definitely not on their side.

‘I will sit directly opposite, and if you feel uncomfortable looking at Samphire or any of the council, just look at me.

Try to read my lips, I’ll direct you if I can.’

Nuff nodded, gave a brief smile, and then started to make tracks for the council meeting. Meadowsweet shot off into the trees again briefly looking back at Nuff.

Stillness had fallen on the forest. Nuff listened to every step she made. The evening breeze, gently rustling the leaves above, the sound of evening birdsong as the sun set warned her of approaching nightfall, heralding a very long night indeed.

She had reached the glade on time expecting just the members of the council and Meadowsweet to be in attendance but oh dear no! Everyone, and I mean ‘everyone’ was present, in fact the Glade was packed!

The council members were huddled in a group. Samphire was in deep conversation with Bryony, Rosebay, Celandine and Eyebright. Valerian was fussing with Heather’s hair, (as usual)! Poppy and Daisy were joined by Pennywort who all waved from the Lilac tree and attempted to fly forward to greet Nuff, but a sideward glance from Bryony stopped them in their tracks. Violet was preoccupied with the sprites who were using a Marsh Thistle as a weapon, Milkwort already had received two blows to his rear end and Groundsel was doing his best to remove the offending needles. Ragwort held the weapon in his tiny hands and chased the others around the Foxgloves until Burdock slipped. ‘Thwack!’ another painful blow.

‘Aaaahhh’ he yelled, but laughing