Chapter 3
Brooke promised Marigold she would pass along the message without knowing who Violet was or what she looked like. Marigold warned Brooke to be careful along the path because there were magical creatures around every corner, and it was always best not to surprise them all at once. She told Brooke that she would always be safe just as long as she remembered everyone's name and was always gracious.
“All good little people liked to be appreciated. In this you must always be consistent. And what does consistent mean, young Brooke?” The fairy asked gently.
“It means I have to say thank you and mind my manners all of the time.” Brooke replied. Marigold clapped and danced, impressed with Brooke's ability to remember.
“That's right. Above all, just because you're human doesn't mean you can't help from time to time, but you already knew that didn't you?”
“Yes I do, Miss, I mean Marigold.”
“Wonderful. I bid you welcome to the inner web of Lismore Baile, our world.”
“Lismore Baile?” Brooke repeated, struggling to pronounce it. The fairy shook her head, and said it slowly to Brooke sounding out each syllable. Lismore seemed easy to say, but the other word sounded strange to Brooke, a little like bale-ya.
“Lismore means bountiful and Baile means home. This may be Murphy Land, but it is our home just as it is yours.” Marigold tilted her head as if in thought, trying to remember something.
“The agreement was made long ago with the Murphy Clan back in Ireland, yes, that's what happened. The good little people and their kind friends are always welcome on Murphy Land. It's always been so.”
“I see.” Brooke told her, unsure if she understood, but wanting to be polite. She found it wondrous that Marigold and her friends had been there since the family's origins in Ireland!
“Well I am very happy to have made your acquaintance at last, young Brooke, but I must go about my work. The pumpkins are missing me, they need cheering up!” Brooke decided to practice showing her gratitude, so she made a small curtsy. Marigold nodded her auburn head once in approval and lifted her gown on both sides and curtsied in return.
“Farewell for now, kind child.” With that, Marigold flew away in search of the pumpkins, her gossamer wings propelling her quickly over the tall whispering grass. Brooke heard Marigold's parting reminder in the air.
“Don't forget my message to Violet!"
Brooke called out to Marigold that she would do her best. She smiled, satisfied with herself. She was pleased that she was making a good impression so far. She continued to walk, ready to find Violet and give her Marigold's message.
Brooke went a little further into the garden, near her mother's roses. She heard some rustling from one of the rose bushes. She moved in, ever ready to see another amazing being. She didn't see anything, but she heard a little voice nearby.
“Come now, Fireglide, it's time we warmed things up for the evening!" On an impulse, Brooke moved the green lenses over her spectacles. A fairy holding a tiny torch came into view. She was flying above a small orange dragon, trying to coax him to her.
Knowing that she'd been seen, the fairy turned and saw Brooke. The dragon began to stomp, not knowing how to react.
“Gentle, Fireglide, she's just a girl, and a Murphy child at that!" I can tell by the freckles. Tell me, little girl, what is your name and who have you met?”
“My name is Brooke, and I've met Marigold so far. She told me to deliver a message to her sister Violet.” The fairy smiled, her wings moving with a barely perceptible sound as she hovered in front of Brooke's face. Her fine silk dress glimmered against her delicate frame.
“I see, Marigold probably wants more magical ingredients, right? Well, she must know that Violet takes her time in all things.” She said.
“Yes, she asked for pixie dust.” The fairy looked concerned at Brooke's reply.
“The way she's going, Fireglide and I will have so much more to do! Goodness, this farm is already unique, much more and we'll be attracting all kinds of attention!” Brooke smiled as she listened to the fairy's concerns. Suddenly, the fairy noticed that Fireglide had hidden himself.
“Oh crickets! Where was I? Where has that dragon got to?” Brooke looked around, trying to help.
Brooke knew the dragon's name, but not the fairy's. She decided there was no harm in asking.
“May I ask your name?” Brooke asked in her most polite voice.
“You may, but don't forget it, our names are how we are connected in Lismore Baile! I'm Aurora. Fireglide and I like to warm things up now and then. Oh I hope he hasn't gone too far! Fireglide! Where are you?” In response to his name, Fireglide crept out from behind the leaves of the rosebush. Aurora offered her torch to Fireglide, and the dragon opened his mouth and consumed the flame. A plume of smoke came out of his nostrils and then he burped. A tiny fireball came out. All at once, Brooke felt a blast of warmth.
“Whoa!" Brooke exclaimed, moving back. Aurora praised the dragon.
“Perfect, Fireglide! Dragon heat is hot enough to change the temperature. We have four dragons here in Lismore Baile, but only one like Fireglide. A fifth dragon will be born this summer to Moondance, and there's a slight chance it could be a volcano dragon.” Brooke's eyes widened. She was amazed that not only were there dragons on the farm, but a baby dragon on the way!
“Incredible! I want to meet them all!" Brooke giggled. Aurora smiled warmly and looked at Fireglide who appeared to be heating up. His belly was expanding, and she could see an orange, luminous glow. Aurora looked concerned.
“We have to go. You'll have to excuse us, Brooke. Fireglide's heat is bound to increase.” With that, Aurora and Fireglide flew away to add some warmth to the afternoon. Brooke smiled as another mystery was answered. Whenever Aurora and Fireglide were at work, the Murphy Farm was a little warmer. The farm was more wondrous than she had ever imagined.
“Genius!" Brooke said, amazed at the magical creatures she had met and seen thus far. She couldn't wait to meet someone new!
“If only mother knew who helps with the garden!" Brooke said to herself. She continued her journey down the winding garden path, excited for what she would see next. Within moments, she was able to see the glass from her mother's enclosed pond.
As she reached the center of the garden, she heard a splash in her mother's pond and remembered her plan to feed her mother's fish. Certain the koi were hungry, she opened the glass door of the surrounding gazebo and stepped inside. It looked as dazzling as ever.
It's quite true that her mother's pond was amazingly crafted. It had a cascading fountain that filtered and moved the water. Though the glass gazebo that surrounded it was quite large, Brooke's mother kept it perfectly heated in the colder months. It never got below sixty-eight degrees inside. Beautiful aquatic lilies and vines surrounded the clear pool of water, growing up the sides of the gazebo. The pond itself was crafted out of natural stone and she could see beautiful polished stones and sand at the bottom.
One side of it was at least four feet deep. Brooke's mother kept her prized butterfly koi inside, and it was one of her favorite havens.