“I can’t believe Tina asked me to throw something together with only a days notice!”

“Calm down Penelope. Everything looks magnificent.” Trixie’s pixie wings flutter as she points out the handmade lanterns hanging from tree limbs off vines. “Like how did you have time to make all of these?”

I wave her off. “Oh you know the sprites are good with light and are always willing to make anything a competition. I just told them I bet I could make better lanterns and off they went.”

She flutters to the branch woven canopies. “What about these? I know you wouldn’t be caught dead working a loom.”

“The nomes have nimble fingers and their Queen loves Tina and Ferhaire. She’s considered the canopies an engagement gift for them to keep in their bungalow.”

Trixie turns back to me, a sly smile painted across her face. “And I’ll bet you went to Granny’s for food?”

“Oh course! Only the best for the soon to be Prince and Princess of the Elvish lands.”

“See? You’ve got nothing to worry about. The forest is gorgeous, the decorations are perfect, and nothing beats Granny’s bread and stew.”

Forest fae from all over the lands show up early to get their gifts set and welcome the guests of honor.

Everything is perfect until Tina shows up.

She slams her hands on the table. A blinding white light flashes and everyone freezes. “The dinner is canceled! The wedding is Canceled! Everyone grab your gifts and LEAVE!”

Nobody moves.

“Are you deaf? NOW!”

I’m left alone. Shocked. Angry. But my friend has tears starting to pool in her eyes and this is not about me. She runs to one of the canopies and balls up inside. I sit outside, giving her the space she wants.

Ferhaire shows up a few minutes later. His head is hanging so low I can hardly see how red and puffy his eyes are. His feet drag through the forest floor.

He makes a motion for me to give them some privacy.

As I’m walking away I hear him say, “They can’t keep us apart that easy. I will fight for you until the end of time.”