The Changeling

By Florie Parker

Could you face your biggest fear? Sometimes you don’t have a choice.

Whilst ancient fairy magic protects the Changeling, Margot learns that she must set out on a mission to save him. She faces some terrifying obstacles and with Daisy’s help, must summon all her inner strength to be successful.

An unexpected twist leads to the discovery of a long-held secret, which the pair realise is essential for their survival. They must use this new-found opportunity to help create a more harmonious world.

Will the power unleashed by the Changeling be enough to fulfil the destiny of the fairy world?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: Mar 31, 2023
• ISBN: 9781035801640

Florie Parker

Florie Parker is an orthopaedic trauma surgeon and mother to four children. She enjoys spending time walking the dog, running and cooking. Florie has enjoyed bringing the adventures of Daisy and Margot, the tooth fairy she dreams of, to life. Her hope is that you enjoy reading the finale to the trilogy, as much as she did writing it!

Book preview

About the Author

Florie Parker is an orthopaedic trauma surgeon and mother to four children. She enjoys spending time walking the dog, running and cooking. Florie has enjoyed bringing the adventures of Daisy and Margot, the tooth fairy she dreams of, to life. Her hope is that you enjoy reading the finale to the trilogy, as much as she did writing it!

Dedication

Dedicated to victims of major trauma and those

who care for them.

In recognition of Day One Trauma Support:

A charity created ‘By Patients, For Patients’.

Copyright Information ©

Florie Parker 2023

The right of Florie Parker to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by the author in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.

Any person who commits any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.

ISBN 9781035801626 (Paperback)

ISBN.9781035801633 (Hardback)

ISBN 9781035801640 (ePub e-book)

www.austinmacauley.com

First Published 2023

Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd®

1 Canada Square

Canary Wharf

London

E14 5AA

Acknowledgement

Thank you to all who have supported me on this journey.

Daisy

What on earth! Daisy thought.

She rolled over and snuggled deeper under her duvet. There was no way she wanted to wake up yet. Margot, the tooth fairy she dreamed of had just shown her something which could only be described as, well…Remarkable! Incredible! Unbelievable!

If the dream was to be believed, Oliver, the new boy in her class, had turned into a fairy! Evidently this was the consequence of trapping and holding hostage Oberex, a rather infamous one of their kind. She had read about this in her fairy book and knew he was now considered to be a Changeling.

As she slept on, she watched as Queen Margot, astride her elegant windhover, rose into the sky to join the other Defenders.

It is time, Dicken proclaimed, confidently pointing into the distance.

Margot turned to see what had caught his attention and watched in amazement as the magpies came into view. Daisy’s sleepy mind trawled its depths knowing this had some kind of significance. Like a bolt of lightning the memory of meeting Edith, who had been likened with Ada the previous fairy queen, popped into her head.

The Magpies are the sign; That is what she had said.

Daisy wasn’t sure what it meant and slowly counted the birds, as they weaved around each other, recalling an old nursery rhyme about them:

One for sorrow,

Two for joy,

Three for a girl,

Four for a boy,

Five for silver,

Six for gold,

Seven for a secret never to be told.

Seven. She counted them again. There were definitely seven. What else had Edith said? She tried desperately to remember.

Just keep believing. I have only had to help with one mission and am sworn to secrecy, so can’t tell you the details.

That was it! That is what she had said.

Her mind reeled.

Seven Magpies.

A secret.

This must be the start of her mission!

She continued to dream, hearing Dicken shout, We must return to Dorland and plan the reclaim.

The Defenders immediately congregated in the sky, looking powerful and intimidating as they began flying back towards Dorland. The magpies stayed, ducking and diving around each other outside Oliver’s bedroom window. Daisy wondered what the ‘reclaim’ was and how she was going to help.

In the depths of her mind, she could hear her mum shouting for her to get up and come for breakfast. She buried her head under the pillow and continued dozing, desperate to know what was going to happen next.

Margot

Margot sat with her back straight and her head held high, as her windhover led the group back to Dorland, keen to portray a confidence she didn’t feel. She could barely believe what she had just seen but knew now was the time to be strong and ensure this disastrous fate was reversed as soon as possible. She knew nothing of the reclaim process, although assumed it meant rescuing Oberex, and would therefore need to rely on her Lead Council to guide her.

They flew over the newly erected tall fence and the fields of snowdrops surrounding their new city, before circling it and landing on the large platform in the centre. Once the Defenders had dismounted, the windhovers flew up and away.

We need a Lead Council meeting immediately, Margot commanded.

Dicken nodded and said, I will summon them and meet you in the chamber.

Margot smiled and thanked the Defenders, before turning and making her way to the new palace. She was still trying to get used to the idea that she was now Queen and that this new palace, intricately constructed by the Pixies with some help from Kesler’s ingenuity, was now hers.

She approached the front door and couldn’t help but gasp as it opened revealing the large atrium which was completely unsuspected from outside.

The miracle of the Maximiser! she thought, smiling to herself and wondering if she would ever get used to it.

Walking up the staircase on the left, she reached the small balcony before entering yet another large space with numerous walkways and doors. She continued up the central passage and opened a substantial, beautifully carved door which led to the chamber. The room was dominated by a large table surrounded by sturdy armed chairs. She sat at the head of the table, nervously twiddling her long silver blonde hair through her fingers, whilst awaiting the arrival of the Lead Council.

Kit, her loyal Fairy Godmother friend, was the first to arrive.

I can’t believe this is happening! she started excitedly. Do you feel ready?

Before Margot could answer, the door opened and Dicken, the tall handsome Brownie, entered with Roman, a Pixie, hovering by his side.

Your Majesty, they greeted her, before taking their seats.

Silver, an elegant Tooth Fairy, and Frances, a talented Fairylock, followed quickly behind.

Well, isn’t this going to be fun! exclaimed Micky, a Sock Fairy, with a giant grin on his face as he bounded into the room.

Margot smiled at his perpetually cheerful demeanour, despite the palpable tension in the room.

Once they were all seated, she stood and addressed her trusted team, The fate is sealed. The Changeling is being protected by the magpies but I assume we must find and rescue Oberex to reverse this terrible destiny?

She sat back down and looked around the table, hoping one of them would enlighten her on what needed to happen next.

Your mission is the only way, Dicken said gently. You will only be successful with the help of your likening, Daisy.

Before she could ask for more detail, Kit, her wings fluttering excitedly, began to speak, This is so awesome! We were taught about this in Fairy Godmother school and I can’t believe I am going to see it happen!

Dicken coughed into his hand and raising his eyebrows whilst looking at her, said softly, I understand your excitement, Kit, but we need to keep level heads to ensure this quest is successful.

Of course! she replied, settling back into the chair, as her cheeks began to glow bright red with embarrassment.

Back to the mission, Margot suggested. What do I need to do?

It is different every time, Kit blurted out giddily, unable to suppress the grin on her face.

Margot felt rather bemused about her obvious amusement at what was a rather unhelpful statement.

Dicken shook his head and trying to be more helpful to their queen, said, You must go into the tunnels beneath the Sacred Rowan tree and your powers will guide you.

Margot tried hard not to sigh and resisted the urge to slump her shoulders as her mind raced. She hadn’t realised there were tunnels under the tree and was still trying to understand her so-called powers. This was an important mission and she couldn’t fail. The Galnite crystal throbbed comfortingly against her chest as she willed herself to be strong, knowing Daisy wouldn’t let her down.

The Missions

We will leave you with Kit, who will help get you ready, Dicken said, as he and the other Lead Council members began withdrawing from the chamber.

Before leaving the room, he turned and continued, I know you will succeed. I will ensure all is well here whilst you are gone.

Margot was grateful for his words of encouragement and tried to dispel her anxiety, before replying, Thank you Dicken. I will do my best to get Oberex back as soon as I can.

Once the door closed behind him, she turned to look at her friend, whose wings were fluttering rapidly, making her hover above the ground. Her excitement was almost palpable.

Don’t be afraid, Margot, she enthused. Our chosen one’s have faced these missions for centuries and with the help of their likening have always triumphed!

Margot raised an eyebrow and glanced at her, wondering if she could tell how doubtful she felt.

As if she read her mind, Kit continued, The chosen one has always felt unworthy until they complete their mission, which is designed to prove their supremacy. Yours is evidently to ensure the Changeling becomes human again, which I have to say I am not sure I can remember ever actually happening.

As Kit sat down with a thoughtful look on her face, Margot put her head in her hands trying to gather her strength.

So, how do I find the tunnels under the Sacred Rowan Tree? the queen asked.

Urm…well… Kit stuttered.

You don’t know, do you?

Kit gulped and fluttering her wings to move closer, sat down beside Margot, That is the first test. All I know is that Daisy will help you.

And what then? How I am supposed to know what I have to do if I ever actually find the tunnels?

Kit sat quietly, fidgeting uncomfortably in her seat, clearly not having an answer to the questions.

OK! Margot exclaimed, noticing her friends’ discomfort, and deciding to try a different tack. Tell me what you do know about these missions.

Well, Kit started, visibly relaxing, the chosen one’s aren’t already prepared with the knowledge of the Old Ways and the secrets of our kind. They must learn this through a series of challenges with the help of their likening. Your mission is clearly to rescue Oberex and reverse the fate of his captor. Other ones we were taught, include restoring faith and finding a way to protect humans from danger.

Good grief! Margot replied in astonishment.

Oh yes! Some of the missions have been really cool, she enthused. "One was to help bring confidence to the population of a small town beset by tragedy. The fairy queen and her likening formed bare patches of vegetation which the