The Faerie Door

EVER SO LONG AGO, high in the treetops of her hidden city, Edwina, Queen of the Faeries, held council with her court. Intent seriousness was etched upon the features of each wild and lovely face in her retinue. Radiance from faintly luminous leaves upon the overhanging boughs bathed everything in a soft, silvery light. A circular platform, situated high in the treetops above the tallest palace spire, served as her council chamber.
“I see dark forces with sinister intent reaching into the mortal world to wreak havoc and impose their designs of chaos and wickedness,” declared the Faerie Queen. “Were they to succeed, the course of human history would be profoundly and terribly altered, and light and happiness eclipsed.”
As if to punctuate her words, a fragrant wind sighed through the boughs above and about them, softly moving the leaves to and fro.
“And so, in ancient times interconnecting gates were fashioned-portals between our world and theirs-for a total separation shall never be permitted. Our fate is intertwined with theirs, after all, and any ill befalling them weakens us also in the end.”
The Faerie Queen unfolded a velvet cloth that lay on the table before her. Her court gasped to see the glitter of lovely rings, their gemstones sparkling with subtle crimson fire. “These rings have great magical power, and can open the portals between worlds. I shall dispatch troops of you into the mortal world to find a suitable hiding place for each ring.”
And so it was that faeries entered our world in nocturnal processions. They moved through wild moorlands, their silver and blue garments sparkling in the moonlight; they crept along the eaves of dark woods, their lanterns dimly aglow, danced through starlit pastures, and walked cloaked through snowy meadows. Most came quite close indeed to human habitation, while a few even moved silently through the hushed upstairs corridors of sleeping households. They kept at their task until they fulfilled their mission. Each and every ring was hidden to await the child who would find it in due time.
When they were finished their queen was pleased and said, “For each ring there is a child destined to find it in times of trouble. And the children who find the rings shall have their imagination take wing, for they shall cross between worlds. And so shall evil and darkness be diminished-for the heart of each child shall call out to us and we shall answer every call.”