Book 2. The Book of Soul

Book 2
 
         
THE BOOK OF SOUL

CHAPTER 51
    
The Clouds
 
After Fairy and Playful Fluffy, being carried away by Silver Wings, vanished out of my sight, in a short while the happy triad was separated. Silver Wings got a call and had to leave the happy company for his family business. Disappointed though, the girls continued the carefree surfing of the tempting bluishness of the warm summer sky.
Playful-Fluffy and Fairy fitted each other nicely and liked traveling together. Playful-Fluffy introduced Fairy to her numerous kinfolk, the various tribes of clouds. Two of the kin, who were distant relatives, really fascinated Fairy: Aunt Glorious-Arrow the Lightning, a tall, fleshless moody woman of few words, and her husband, the Thunder, the short and stout Uncle Bong-Bung-Bang.
Uncle was an avid joke collector, which were brought to him by his niece and nephew clouds from various corners of the world. The times when he particularly liked a joke (and he loved all of them), Uncle Bong-Bung-Bang would recite the punch line numerous times, roaring with long loud laughter. The behavior of her husband irritated Aunt Glorious-Arrow the Lightning, as she did not like to watch the furniture moving around the house and she could not stand the trembling roof or to see her favorite dishes falling and cracking. The angry woman would pull out her lightning shards and hurl them at her husband. Uncle Bong-Bung-Bang, the Thunder, paid zero attention and was guffawing even over the top of his lungs.
Uncle’s rumbling shuddered clouds and they dropped down the water they had accumulated. People call it rain, and for some strange reason, are afraid of Uncle Bong Bung-Bang’s harmless laughter.
Fairy liked sliding to the earth riding the raindrop tracks. It was somewhat dangerous, but Fairy did it skillfully.
    
CHAPTER 52
 
Oh, That Cold Heart!
 
Getting tired, Fairy would turn into a dewdrop and spend time inside a cloud, a lake, a flower, or wherever she liked. Thus, riding or flying, surfing or sailing from a brook to a river, from a lake to a sea; soaring to the clouds and descending onto the fields and meadows, the Fairy of Dew wandered aimlessly around the earth, breaking hearts, shredding hopes, yet remaining passionless to the love and anguish of the world. Her heart resembled a dewdrop: clean, clear, beautiful, and… cold.
Eventually, she became acquainted with many sons and daughters of Mother Nature. All the praises to her beauty Fairy accepted as a given. When she was told that someone, like Feather-of-Dream the Swan, was dying from hopeless love for her, she would angrily shrug her shoulders and laugh snobbishly.
If she happened to see an entangled butterfly begging from a cobweb to help her out, Fairy would grow furious, and complain that the only purpose of all those unhappy pleas and admonitions was to take joy away from her life.
The incomparable singer, Twilight Charm the Nightingale, tried in vain to capture her attention with his heavenly songs, which he filled up with the glorifying love of his soul. For the failure he blamed only himself. In his last song he bitterly accused the art that he’d devoted his life to, that it was unable to raise his tunes to the height of his beloved’s beauty. Having lost any hope, he broke his voice; and no one ever saw him after that.
A great poet, Loving-Heart the Lark, avowed to her, “O dazzling Fairy, before having encountered your dreamlike eyes I was an almighty proud master of every word in my country, Poetry. Now, ashamed, I have to confess that there is no word in the vocabularies that would be able to match up to your incomparable beauty.” Seeking inspiration, he attempted to ask the sun. Ascending higher and higher he burned up his heart and breathless fell to the ground.
Crowned-Giant, the Mountain, acknowledged, “My celestial Fairy, the charm of charms; your glance, your voice, your gait, your every feature separately and all together have melted my stony heart. At my uncountable age I am still a youngster peak. During my life I have seen all kinds of beauty (at least, I had thought so), until your image enslaved my imagination. I do not believe anymore that there is a soul in the world who would dare to resist the power of your magnetizing beauty. Go, Fairy. One cannot stop beauty without love. Your departure sentences me to the immensity of my life without you, without any hope… Farewell, oh my heartless and glorious darling.”
A very bizarre opinion was expressed by Mr. Flying-Thought, the Owl, a world renowned philosopher, “Beauty exists to better the world. If that does not happen, we either have no beauty or use a wrong word.”
Every one picked up the phrase, but only few were able to explain it.
 
 
 
CHAPTER 53
 
A Brief Note From The Author
 
I know how impolite it is to talk about anyone behind his back, but I cannot help but let you know that there was a widespread rumor that Fairy’s indifference was explained by the lack of a soul.
When that gossip finally reached her, she frowned in dismay and said: “So what? Who knows what the soul is? If they say I don’t have it, fine. I feel great anyway.”
 
 CHAPTER 54
 
A Guard of a Few Words
 
One day, Playful-Fluffy and Fairy came across another mountain, which happened to be quite a curious one. The mountain was tall; tall enough that when our companions attempted to fly it over, they couldn’t make it. Then the girls attempted to find a roundabout way, as they ordinarily did under similar circumstances. However, this time, to their surprise, they returned back to the point where they had started. Wasn’t that funny? In front of them lay a giant stony ring.
“Can you think where we are?” asked Playful-Fluffy grinning skeptically at Fairy.
“I have no idea. Where are we?”
“This wall’s name is Mrs. Ring Lock, the Mountain,” said Playful-Fluffy. Doesn’t that ring a bell? Not yet? Ok, just you wait. You will see something...” She looked around and beckoned a strong wind, which was flying past, “Sir Space Spear, would you be so kind as to carry us inside this stony ring please.”
“You are not allowed inside,” said Mrs. Ring Lock sternly, frowning at Playful-Fluffy. “You are too cold.”
“Oh, I am sorry,” apologized Playful-Fluffy. “I know what you mean.” She shook thoroughly and off fell all the hail, snow, and ice that was stuck in her garment. “Am I ok now?” she asked.
Mrs. Ring Lock observed her suspiciously, yet she did not object.
“Thank you very much,” said Playful-Fluffy, and looking humbly at the mountain, asked again, “Now, Mr. Space Spear, carry us over the wall please.”
“I can do that,” agreed the wind; and so he did.
    
CHAPTER 55
 
The Flower Valley
 
Behind the wall Playful-Fluffy and the Fairy of Dew observed a spacious, sort of round-shaped valley. A translucent creek, similar to the one at the Glade of Fairy Tales, crossed one side of the valley. However, there was not a tree there. Instead, the flowers, each one more gorgeous than the other, grew and bloomed creating a colorful ocean of unbelievable beauty. Some of the flowers lived as high as the snow line on the chest of Mrs. Ring-Lock the Mountain.
“Now you know where we are my dear Dew, don’t you?” smiled Playful-Fluffy.
“No, I still don’t,” denied a perplexed Fairy, frowning.
“Well, my dear friend,” said Playful-Fluffy ceremonially, “let me announce: I welcome Your Divinity into the Flower Valley! Now, look down. Does not the picture resemble a city, where the citizens are flowers and every house is built from plants?”
“Oh yes, now I see! You are definitely right. How interesting it is—and so magnificent. I, to tell you the truth, have been yearning so long to get into the valley. I have heard so many fascinating things about this place,” confessed Fairy. “And now when I am here, I wonder… Somewhere there must be Prince, the Flower—the handsomest flower in the world. It is he whose heart I would like to conquer more than anybody’s. But wait, here he is. Look!”
 
 CHAPTER 56
 
First Acquaintances
 
Fairy left her friend and descended towards a large luxurious flower, proudly rocking in the center of the Flower Valley. The flower’s eyelids were half-way down, as if he was dozing.
“Good morning,” said Fairy softly. “How do you do?”
The flower did not move his head; only his lips twisted slightly. Was it a kind response or an expression of discontent? It was impossible to say.
Many flowers were observing the scene, grinning in a friendly way.
“So, my icy beauty, have you fallen in love already?” observed an old daisy, Mrs. White Sun.
“Ha-ha, nonsense,” Fairy said angrily.
“Isn’t he handsome?” questioned Mrs. White Sun raising her eyebrows.
“Yes, Madam, definitely. Never in my life have I seen a flower more voluptuous,” agreed Fairy.
“Well. You have just acknowledged that you are in love with him, and good for you. It is the end of your infamous jumps around the globe, ruining hearts,” gloated Mrs. Soft Smile, coldly, a middle-aged Hydrangea. She proudly looked around, seeking support.
“No, Mrs. Hydrangea,” responded Fairy, “you’ve got it all wrong. Firstly and truthfully, I do not know what love is. Secondly, this unfamiliar flower is highly splendid, indeed… But, look at him. He is an accomplished snob! His pompousness is so grotesque. Plus, he is such a bore. Not a word all this time. What’s wrong with him? You tell him, Madam, that his indifference is arrogant. His silence speaks louder than his tongue: ‘nobody is worthy of my attention. I am the best.’ He never looked at me. Pooh, what a snooty creature. Is he your famous Prince, the Flower? I do not know. I would never fall in love with such an egotist. I do not even want to be introduced to him.”
“No, my dear, you are mistaken again and again. What kind of a prince is he?” quietly smiled Mr. Tender Touch, the Lilac. “He is many times the champion of our annual beauty contest. So Prince offered him this honorable place. Our dearest Prince the Flower lives o-o-over there. Can you see the steep rock? You know what, girls? Why don’t you follow us, please? Myself and Mrs. Scarlet Splash the Peony, will see you to the palace where Madam Scarlet Splash, a court dame, will introduce you both to the court. If Prince is not very busy, he will accept you today. You are going to admire him, you will see. It is just impossible not to love him. To us he is the most admirable flower on the earth. So hurry up. I am sure that the court has heard of your arrival and is already waiting for new guests.”
 
 CHAPTER 57
 
The First Reception
 
From far away, in the least hospitable corner of the Flower Valley, Fairy and Playful-Fluffy spotted a fascinating construction. Having come closer, they realized that it was a palace and an unusual one at that. The elegant building was constructed purely from petals and smelled amazingly.
At the time of Fairy and Playful-Fluffy’s arrival there was an open cabinet meeting. Prince glanced at the newcomers, nodded respectfully, and by a gesture invited Fairy and Playful-Fluffy to join the public.
After Fairy saw Prince the Flower, she felt disillusioned: such an unimpressive and mediocre person he appeared to her. Of course, as she had heard, he was tall, robust, and well developed physically. What else? He was obviously elegant and courteous. He was dressed very becomingly as well.
During the discussion she found out how he was clever and knowledgeable. As Playful-Fluffy pointed out later, he exhibited graceful manners and good humor; a sharp, but not abusive wit.
They both agreed that from the very beginning it was obvious to everyone that kindness was his prime quality. He radiated it, literally. But was he handsome? Definitely not. The champion they had met in the morning was much better looking.
The following introduction disappointed Fairy.
To start with, it happened to be short—too short. In spite of this, later on Fairy could not but admit that Prince was polite and courteous. Nevertheless, to all Fairy’s surprise, without any obvious reason whatsoever, in the depths of her icy heart appeared a small crack.
So, what was it about the reception? Upon their approaching, Prince rose from his throne to meet the new guests at the half-way point, greeting them warmly and graciously. Prince offered them chairs, asked some common and proper questions. He admitted the Fairy’s beauty and the gracefulness of Playful-Fluffy, and… and the next moment His Majesty was called away to handle some emerged problems. Excusing himself, Prince promised to be back shortly. However, he didn’t return; instead, his secretary, Sir Clear Sense, the Dahlia, came out to apologize on behalf of Prince for his busyness and to say goodbye. He offered the girls invitations to the next official reception and ball.
 
 CHAPTER 58
 
Fairy is Angry
 
That night, before the two girls parted, they stopped on the bank of Mrs. Singing Splash the Creek. Do you think that Fairy was infuriated? You bet!
“Do not argue with me,” she told Playful-Fluffy, although the cloud said no word and even did not intend to. “Tomorrow we are leaving, forever. It was humiliating. He showed no respect. He was the first male on the earth to pay no attention to me.” Playful-Fluffy smiled benevolently. “What are you grinning about?” Fairy asked, grumpily.
“Sorry, I don’t agree with you,” replied Fluffy. “After observing his eyes and the expression of his face, and seeing his gaze following your every gesture, I have a lot to say, but I will wait…”
“Tomorrow there will be nothing to wait for,” said Fairy decisively, lying down to sleep inside of the hospitable water lily, Mrs. Floating Dream. “Goodnight!”
“Goodnight,” nodded Playful-Fluffy. She paused, and then added, “I want you to think it over, what Prince said at the parting.”
“Never,” threw back Fairy, angrily.
   
 CHAPTER 59
 
A Sleepless Night
 
Never… It is easier said than done. Too many unanswered questions were knocking on the Fairy’s heart persistently. Something unpredictable had happened. Why was it? What was it? All the endless night Fairy was indeed trying to re-enact every detail of the brief meeting to find a word, a gesture—any minute detail, which had escaped her attention. What did it all mean?
“Was it like that?” she was asking herself.
“Here… He is coming. Closer. A step more. I can see his face now clear. His lips are pale. His tense face is colorless. He looks nervous or afraid of… what? Beads of feverish sweat are upon his forehead and his upper lip. Why? Is he timid… shy… unaware? But what’s going on with me? My heart is pounding like a hammer. Here, he elevates his eyes. Oh, his eyes… those tender inquisitors. They look at me and they are overfilled with such open … sheer… such… What unfamiliar sensation is this!? Never in my life have I felt so embarrassed. Prince bows his head; he stretches towards me his trembling arm and invites me…
“What’s going on… Oh my God, I cannot understand what he is talking about, but I am ready to follow him whenever he would ask me. I lay my hand into his. Oh my goodness, why am I trembling!? What’s happening to me? A host of new feelings have awakened suddenly in my heart. They are cold and they are hot, they are fast and powerful, they are scary and… desirable, I don’t understand. Am I sick?
“Now, Prince holds my hand. He holds it as a fragile masterpiece. He is carrying my hand to his lips. Suddenly he pauses, just for a fleeting moment. Did anyone else notice it!? It appears as a struggle between desire and etiquette, and I’m able to read it in his eyes. ‘Put her hand against your heart,’ asks the desire; ‘No,’ protests etiquette, ‘It is against the rules.’ Finally, Prince kisses my hand, and I hear his low and warm voice: ‘If a Beauty possesses a soul, it would be my fortune to be a humble slave of the Beauty.’
“The next minute an adjutant approaches us. He whispers to Prince, then the Prince apologizes. He takes leave of us and hurries somewhere. Could it be what people call love? No, I don’t think so. How strange it all was anyway. Very strange…”
Unwillingly, Fairy voiced the latter words. Several fish approached the lily, checking for a cause of the middle night disturbance. Having found nothing wrong, they swam back discussing the day’s reception.
“Could the Fairy fall in love with our Prince?” “Maybe.” “Unfortunately, Fairy doesn’t know what love is.”
(“Silly fish.” It is my, the author’s voice, you hear now, “and poor Fairy.” Of course, there is only one word in the world for such feeling. However, the word was not uttered. Fairy had not known it yet, and Prince, in his admiration… Prince seemed to forget all words at all. I am sorry, my dear reader, for interrupting the Fairy’s memory. Let’s follow it again.)
“So, actually, it is what it is—nothing more. No matter what Fluffy speculates there is nothing to think about. That boor dared to insinuate that I have no so-called soul, which is either a lie, or means that I am not a beauty. And that is enough.”
Having come to such a conclusion, Fairy still couldn’t fall asleep. Something else of higher significance was hidden in Prince’s words; she could not help but sense it, but had not been ready to recognize it.
The next morning neither of the girlfriends mentioned a word about the Fairy’s decision yesterday to leave. It was as if it had never been expressed.
 
 
 CHAPTER 60
 
First Disagreement
 
In no time Fairy and Playful-Fluffy got accustomed to the life of the Flower Valley. Fairy visited the palace often. The better she knew Prince, the more she was attracted by his straightforward attitude, gifted mind, and wise candidness. The more time she spent around Prince, the more she was getting conquered by the shrewdness and nobility of his frank character.
The thoughts and the attention that Fairy devoted to Prince, disturbed her. She could even swear that she was thinking and acting against her will. That was a sign of her weakness, and this realization inflicted a pang of pain into her proud heart. Nevertheless, Fairy was changing and she couldn’t seem to resist. Moreover, there came a time when she wondered if she even wanted to avoid the new feelings. It appeared as if rays of this, unknown before, power, radiated by Prince, entered her heart and started to warm up that icy crystal. She neither understood what was going on, nor could she explain. She still believed that she was able to leave the Valley at any time.
In spite of finding Prince not handsome, the more closely she examined him, the more irretrievably her heart fell in dependency on the gallant simplicity of Prince’s behavior and the exquisite features of his noble countenance, filled with dignity and modesty.
However, what emerged as unexpected was that the more they learned of each other, the more they argued.
One day Fairy asked him, “Is it true you think I am not beautiful?”
“No, it is not true,” Prince replied hurriedly. “Who could tell you such a… wrong thing?”
“I do not remember...” Fairy felt embarrassed. “But unlike others, you’ve never talked to me about it.”
“Oh my charming, difficult opponent,” smiled Prince dreamingly, “to say merely that you are beautiful means nothing, I…” he paused as if an artist in front of the easel, “Like a mountain spring I am imbued with fresh feelings. Never before had I thought that it would be so difficult to express what’s going on inside my heart, Fairy. Several years back, when my parents were alive, I remember thinking, ‘what if I met my love, what would I tell her, how…’ I was angry that I was not an artist to sing of my love in mystique colors; I was saddened that I was not a musician to depict my beloved in the enchanting notes; I was disappointed that I was not a poet to incrust my desire into immortal lines. But not anymore… Since I have met you, my life has been changed, changed forever. I know why I live. My life now makes sense. And each moment of that life I would like to devote, my darling, to…” Prince hesitated. He was looking at Fairy and the gaze was stern.
“What,” insisted Fairy, “what about your life? Devote to whom? Tell me, Prince.”
“This, Fairy, is what I wish to tell you. Unfortunately, beauty is not everything. For us flowers, beauty is a blessed means…”
“Beauty is merely a means?” interrupted Fairy.
“My beautiful opponent let me share with you my faith. I am afraid it will not be easy for you to recognize it, but try hard, please. My schoolteacher, the Goddess of Happiness, taught us that the way love enters a human life is through beautification of one’s soul. We, flowers, are chosen to carry out the task by means of our appearance. She required that even a dead flower must be beautiful. While carrying beauty is the essence of our existence, our aim is to bring Love into everyday life. Love is our religion. Love filled with compassion and sacrifice. It’s why we believe that beauty without soul is worthless,” Prince paused and looked at Fairy, as if challenging her.
“I am tired, Your Majesty, of listening to this topic. I agree with you, yet partially. Look around you, there are many beautiful things without any evidence of a soul!”
“Please, Fairy, do not call me ‘Your Majesty’,” asked Prince. “We are friends, aren’t we?”
“I believe so—yes, Your Majesty,” nodded Fairy. “Sorry, Prince. But, why cannot beauty exist without soul?”
“Beauty is a quality that everyone wishes to possess because of its ability to make the good appear better, and unfortunately, to disguise the bad. Without soul it is so easy to use beauty for a bad cause. I remember my father saying: ‘In a dark heart everything is beautiful, everything is significant, until the flame of soul is brought into it’. It is the soul that distinguishes the good from the evil in beauty. The union of beauty and soul unmasks the vice and adorns the virtue. My Mama told me an old legend, which I’d like to share with you. May I?” Fairy nodded her very beautiful head. “Thank you,” said Prince, and began.
 
 
 CHAPTER 61
 
The Tale of Two Chains
 
“For the master exam a young poor jeweler’s apprentice made two necklaces. Carved and engraved from an inexpensive alloy and designed to adorn his bride, the first one was a genius’ work of art, into which the young man imbued his love. Nevertheless, the people praised the other necklace, which, made from solid gold, was massive and bejeweled richly. However, soon after having seen the first chain gracing the lovely maiden’s neck, connoisseurs could not hold their rapture and adoration. After them, the other people, who previously had disregarded it, now realized that it was a masterpiece.”
“And the other chain?” asked Fairy.
“Well. The other one was ordered by a tycoon-merchant, who used it as a lash to steal the freedom of his favorite slave. Deprived of a soul, that chain became shameful and ugly.”
 
 CHAPTER 62
 
About Love
 
“My respectful Prince, I would gladly find the parable convincing, unless… Look at the people, Prince. By your standards, I must concede that most of them have no soul at all, yet they look quite happy. So what are they missing without a soul? Nothing.”
“No, Fairy. Knowing no love, they squander their lives with no purpose, and without purpose there can be no happiness. Why don’t you understand it, Fairy?”
“Who? The people? Prince, dear, you must be blind. Look around you. Who is not an expert in love?!”
“Did you ask them, Fairy? Go and ask them if they are in love, happy, and satisfied. Is not the golden chain of slavery what they call love? They mistakenly take sex for Love. What is sex? A physical pleasure? Yes. A call of Nature? Definitely: each animal enjoys it. The pleasure of sex is a temptation used by Nature to keep the change of generations. But there is no love in this action if there is no soul.
“Existing without soul, deceived by this limited physical pleasure, people are unable to either give or accept Love when they encounter it.”
“You are, Prince, making this topic too complex. Every human being knows what love is,” objected Fairy, persistently.
“Do they? Why then are they not happy? Why are they constantly looking for more and another of what they call love? What are they missing? Has not it crossed your mind that they are looking for what they are unable to find? Love is granted to everyone, yet only once, like the life itself. So, is it not totally wrong to have love and to continue to look for another love? There’s more to it, and, you know Fairy, this I’ve wanted to tell you for a long time… actually to ask you…” Prince paused as if he was looking for the right words and was unable to find them.
“Go ahead. What is it that Your Majesty wants to ask me?”
“I apologize, Fairy, I don’t think I’ll dare…”
“You will not dare? So I will. I know what you think of me: that I am a pretty toy without what you mysteriously call a soul, whatever that is. I know who I am, and I’m proud to be what I am. No one can have something that does not exist. Like everybody else, I have a heart; and let me tell you it is a good and healthy heart. I do not believe in this soul of yours. Prove that I’m wrong. I am strong and independent. To be happy I need no one.”
 
 CHAPTER 63
 
Your Inner Light
 
“I am sorry, Fairy, for having caused your anger. Anyway, I cannot and I don’t want to prove anything. Dear Fairy, the things I am talking about are the essence of my existence. It is what I am living with and for. How can one prove his belief if not with his life? The sole thing I’d like to do now, Fairy, is, with your permission of course, to introduce to you the flowers’ philosophy.”
Fairy shrugged with indifference.
“Thank you, my kind listener, for the opportunity. My schoolteacher of the Beauty class, Blossoming Hope, the Star from the constellation of Love, taught us that it doesn’t matter how long you live, you will be judged by your deeds. Develop your soul, learn hard to know the past, work tirelessly to enhance the future, and when you are ready your love will find you. Love walks into a heart, asking no permission. It settles in like a tiny star, which lights one’s life up to the last day. Lit up by this inner happiness, a former creature turns into a human being. Those lit by love become themselves a source of human light.
“Unfortunately, people are careless about their souls: their concern is health. You know, my ray-like Fairy, it may sound na;ve, but I am afraid of flowers with these notorious ‘healthy hearts.’ It is so easy for them to pass by a crying child; not to pick up a nestling, fallen out from the nest. They never share bread with the hungry, and hand out a cup of water to the thirsty. What is worse, Fairy, such attitude is a contagious disease. And each day more of these ‘healthy hearts’ walk by us, and finally, walk over us.”
 
 CHAPTER 64
 
Wounded Heart
 
Prince glanced at Fairy attentively, “Does this bother you? May I continue? Thank you, my patient listener. I believe a flower must carry a ‘wounded’ heart. Such heart, charged with goodness and modesty, fills up one’s life with mercy and compassion. It is a blessing when a man feels pain breaking a flower and the flower cannot but respond with love.”
“You speak so strangely, Prince. I have never heard anything like that: ‘a wounded heart,’ ‘an inner light.’ Yet still, you know... if it is true as your philosophy implies then most people don’t know what love is and will never know. How could that be true?”
“Unfortunately, it is true, and it is what we flowers are partially in this world for. It is the saint mission of our lives: to nourish beauty and propagate its power into people’s deeds and feelings. As to the Goddess of Love, most people have no idea that physical pleasure is only a part of Love. They sense, unconsciously, that the splash of a physiological satisfaction, which they call love, is too dull… that there must be more to it: a supreme light, a divine flame, which is brighter than a zillion suns and higher than the stars in the sky.
“People blame their partners. They try to change everyone and everything, but to no avail. Love comes only to those who are able to accept and nourish it. Love endows us with happiness and makes our souls immortal. Without love people let their souls starve inside their rotting, ever envying hearts. ‘Love,’ my father said, ‘is an immense responsibility. Love’s beautiful pain is the highest reward that one can get in his life. It is given to the chosen, but everyone is given a chance to be a chosen one.’”
 
 CHAPTER 65
 
The World of Love
 
“Your words are so weird and so magnetizing: the beautiful pain is like a reward,” echoed Fairy. “I have never heard words like these. Is it possible to know what love is? Did you ask the Goddess, Prince?”
“Yes, my darling, as a matter of fact, I did. ‘Love,’ she responded, ‘is your yoke and your crown. Love is a commitment. Love is an obligation. Love is an honor to devote your life to your beloved. If you are in love, the only way for you to be happy is to see your beloved happy. Only Love is able to bring together his and her hearts and entwine them forever as a husband and a wife. These two form a new universe around them. Lit and warmed up by mutual respect and devotion, inside their world the two need no one else. Embraced and beautified by mutual care and tenderness, they become irreplaceable parts of each other.’ It is why we flowers believe that there is no plain or unsightly flower on the earth. Every human being, each flower is beautiful, living in love.” Prince was looking into Fairy’s eyes, as though asking.
Fairy did not know what to say. She was overwhelmed. This was all so new to her. It contradicted all of her previous thoughts and feelings.
 
 CHAPTER 66
 
Unexpected Acknowledgment
 
Next time Fairy asked, “Prince, I’m confused. Say, you are in love, yet the one you are in love with loves another man. Would you help the woman to be with that man?”
“Why do you ask me such a question? You have brought pain into my heart. I have thought about that, and my answer is ‘yes.’ I do realize, Fairy, how often our promises stray away from our fulfillments. So I pray to the merciful God to help me live up to my beliefs and do everything on my part to see my beloved happy. Isn’t that the essence of love?”
Such arguments were occurring more often. Each discussion led to a new one. Some were embarrassing to Fairy. She did not avoid them—on the contrary—she raised them even more frequently than Prince would like to. Many times the discussions would cut short due to Fairy’s inability to find a reliable argument. That irritated her.
Later on, having returned to her favorite place by Singing Splash, the Creek, Fairy would find an appropriate response, but it was too late.
The next day, armed with a fresh decisiveness, Fairy would come to continue yesterday’s dispute, but each day it was getting more difficult: The demands on Prince were growing: the summer was almost over, and the upcoming autumn problems demanded all his attention.
 
 CHAPTER 67
 
Playful-Fluffy Flies Away
 
Finally, there came a time when Playful-Fluffy became bored.
“Fairy,” she suggested, “it’s getting cold here. I’ve heard of a warm lake with an amusing waterfall; we have never been there. Let’s fly.”
“Oh, Playful-Fluffy, what a great idea, I would like it so much… Yet… why couldn’t we wait till the week ends? Please?”
At the end of the week, facing another request, Fairy offered, “Well, Playful-Fluffy, I am ready, still… let’s wait to the end of the summer. Please?”
On the named day Fairy replied, “Dear Playful-Fluffy, let me tell you... You are right; it’s time to move further, however…”
“Stop, please,” interrupted her Fluffy. “I do not want any more excuses. Yes or no; whatever. I don’t care. Tomorrow I go.”
“Let’s go,” nodded Fairy sadly, lowering her head unhappily.
Tomorrow came, and Fairy, unexpectedly even to herself, refused to leave. “It is impolite to leave without saying goodbye to Prince and our friends.”
“We have done it, Fairy, several times already. But you… As to my knowledge, you have used every device to keep Prince out of our plans. I bet he still knows nothing about our departure. Am I wrong? Say something.”
There came an awkward silence. Fairy was caught unaware and avoided looking at Fluffy.
Fluffy continued, “Ok, you stay. I see why. You will never say goodbye to Prince. It is obvious. You love him. Don’t even dare to deny it. Everyone sees that you cannot live without him anymore. Everyone except you, admits it. Your egotism does not let you acknowledge it, and the frozen crystal of your heart is unable to accept it.”
“No, you are wrong,” denied Fairy pitifully.
“I know what is wrong,” responded Playful-Fluffy. “It is the flowers’ philosophy effect. All these notorious seeds of love, wounded hearts, and unburgeoned souls… I thought that it was too funny to be true. And I was wrong. It has worked perfectly on you. You are not the fairy I brought here. You are merely an egotistical woman unable to respond to the love that Prince is pouring in your healthy non-burgeoned heart. Poor, poor, poor Prince. Goodbye, my dear.”
 
 CHAPTER 68
 
These Difficult Doubts
 
Playful-Fluffy flew away alone. Fairy was saddened.
This night was sleepless again, “Prince is pouring love in my heart. Isn’t it a kind of joke?! He’s never ever uttered a word which people usually say to their darlings. Why? Is he afraid of… what?”
From the history of her bumpy relations with Prince, Fairy was reviving every minute detail; she pondered and thought them over.
Fairy couldn’t help but recognize that Prince was more courteous to her than to others. She acknowledged, as well, that the attention he paid to her was in many ways different than he showed to others. So what?! It was acceptable yesterday, yes; but today it had become so insufficient. She couldn’t tolerate anymore the attention Prince gave to other lady-flowers; and the question why? why? why? like a heavy pendulum was pounding into her heart, demanding an answer, which she could not find, or (might it be?) she was afraid to reveal.
Fairy knew that Prince asked about her every day. Being around Prince, she felt how persistently he was gazing at her. And indeed, raising her eyes she encountered his piercing and examining look, which he tried clumsily to hide from her and others. So what! It was still not enough for Fairy.
Moreover, just recently she started to feel some changes going on inside her inner world. She felt that her heart overflowed with new thoughts and feelings and was turning into a swollen bud, ready to open widely towards a new life and unfamiliar expectations. With mixed feelings Fairy felt how this disobedient heart was falling in a captivated dependence of Prince’s fate, willing to share every minute of his life—no matter how sweet or bitter it could be.
Yet, her stubborn mind resisted: “Aren’t you an independent person, free to like or dislike anyone you choose?”
She desired passionately, that Prince’s every word, each move, and his life in its entirety would belong to her; solely to her. Sometimes her fantasies grew almost insane. She dreamed that there were only two on the earth: he and she... and the stars in the sky… maybe.
 
 CHAPTER 69
 
First Time Ashamed
 
A real winter—with snow, frost, and blizzards—never entered the valley. Nevertheless, even a slight cool-off of air usually caused a lot of ailments. The approaching winter was expected to be a harsh one. Plus, like in any other country, there were a number of other problems in the Valley.
By that time Fairy had become accustomed to being involved in the court’s affairs. It could happen that Fairy, having spent a day at the palace, would not have a chance to exchange even a word with Prince.
Each new day Fairy discovered a new facet of Prince’s personality. His knowledge was profound and thorough. He was a respectful poet and an amateur artist. He liked singing and many found his voice lovely. At leisure time, if he had it, Prince composed music, played the piano, violin, read a lot.
The flowers loved him dearly. For his subjects, Prince was a man of many faces: a judge, a doctor, a counselor, an advisor. To the elder flowers he was a son; with the peers he was a friend; to the youngsters he was an elder brother. As to the girls… Of course, each girl-flower was in love with Prince, yet hardly any one could boast of its return.
The flowers held no secrets from their ruler and trusted him with their lives. In return for such confidence and trust, Prince gave himself tirelessly.
One day Fairy lost her patience. “You are a prince! Yet you are working every day, hard, like no one else in your country. You don’t belong to yourself. Even during the night some saucy flowers dare to wake you up.”
“You mean yesterday’s episode, don’t you? It was an old Mrs. Dainty, the Alpine-Snowdrop. She wasn’t saucy at all. She was seeking help. Her son broke his stem and was dying. They called me only after the doctors had done everything they could.”
“So what was the use, Prince? You could do nothing either.”
“You know, Fairy, every so often I feel a pity for your tremendously healthy heart; and sometimes I ask myself if you possess one.”
“What is all this about my heart again?”
“Excuse me, Fairy, but that is not what I mean. I still can hear my Mother telling me: ‘Son, our destiny is to carry beauty through the time, generation by generation. So if our efforts are not supported by our nobility, they are futile. It is dignity I’m talking about, of which compassion is an indispensable component. It is a talent to share someone’s pain by taking a part of the burden upon your shoulder. It must be done sincerely, without humiliation.’ My beloved Father used to add: ‘Son, it is only a luck to be a prince by birth, to be a prince by merit is honor.’ So how could I blame Mrs. Dainty Alpine, who trusted me her mother’s hope in exchange for a part of my sleep?”
It was the first time in her life that Fairy felt ashamed.
 
 CHAPTER 70
 
Lazy Drifter
 
The autumn had come earlier than usual that year. At the beginning of September a cloud-drifter hung on above the Valley of Flowers. Her name was Mrs. Lump-Chunk Wad, the Cumulus Cloud. Relatively young, she already had a black heart. She got it while hanging around with the Stratus cloud tribe, the angry dark guys, saturated with hail, snow, icy rains, and violent gusts.
Weeks came and went, but the cloud was still above the valley. It seemed as if she was not going to leave the place at all. Each day Mrs. Lump-Chunk Wad the Cumulus Cloud was growing wider, thicker, and stronger. Soon the day came when her obese body hooded over the valley, letting not even a single sunray inside.
Without sunlight life became hard. There were more rains, and they were unbearably cold. The humidity glazed the slopes of Mrs. Stony-Lock, the Mountain, with ice for the first time in the Valley’s history. The days were just a little bit brighter than nights. Many flowers got sick. Some of them were wilting.
Prince was extremely busy. A haunting shadow of melancholy occupied Fairy’s brain and she did not feel well. She was not sick, yet she did not feel like visiting the palace without seeing Prince. For hours she now rested inside her hostess, Mrs. Floating Star, the Water lily. Mr. Singing Splash, the Creek, supplied her with fresh news from the outside world. At times she played hide-and-seek with the fish.
She devoted a lot of time thinking over the philosophy of another life, a life of hardship and sacrifice which she had encountered in the valley. The most tormenting was that, while her heart, overcoming its stubbornness, little-by-little accepted Prince’s righteousness, her mind still refused to give in. Nothing was clear in her unburgeoned soul.
And nothing was clear in the flower world, as well. It had been already three months since a ray of sunshine was able to fall into the Valley.
 
 CHAPTER 71
 
To Find a Wind
 
On the eve of the New Year a page, Mr. Yellow Romance, the Narcissi, arrived to invite Fairy to the court reception. Fairy was immensely relieved: it was impossible for her not to see Prince any longer. However, when Fairy arrived, the Prime Minister Sir Faithful Heart, the Rose, brought to her an apology on Prince’s behalf: Prince was busy at the hospital: a number of young flowers having no appropriate experience, had burned their petals by night frosts.
Sir Faithful Heart, the Rose, informed Fairy that all the best efforts to convince Mrs. Lump-Chunk Wad, the Cumulus Cloud, to move had failed without a response. Prince asked if it would be possible if Fairy invited a strong wind to push the nasty cloud away from the Valley. Fairy agreed immediately.
She asked Miss Rainbow Scale, the Trout, her friend from the Singing Splash, the Creek. Miss Rainbow Scale swam as far as Mr. Mighty Spirit, the Ocean, and asked the Sea-Waves to spread around the world the Prince’s appeal. The family was well known for their friendship with all kinds of winds. The waves nodded with their foamy heads and rushed into various directions.
 
 CHAPTER 72
 
The Three Brothers
 
As a result of such unusual diplomacy, three winds appeared.
The first to arrive was Sir Icy Beardstrem, the Norwegian, a powerful fair-haired giant. With all his might he pushed away. The cloud shuddered like a hunk of jelly, dropped down a cold rain, and that was it. Sir Icy Beardstrem hit it again and again…and many times more. When he finally ceased, exhausted and ashamed, Mrs. Lump-Chunk Wad didn’t even wake up.
The next to get busy was Don Great Blast Williwaw, the Chilean, a slender and fast se;or. He charged differently. By cutting along one side, he tore off a large gob of cloud. Then he came from the opposite side to do the same. The weakness of the strategy became obvious too soon. While Don Great Blast Williwaw managed to slice off a sequential piece, the previous one moved back into its place with no problem at all. Don Great Blast Williwaw had to start all over again and again. Eventually he gave up, and Mrs. Lump-Chunk Wad did not even open an eye.
Then, Sheik Sandy Devil, the Arabian, an angry and frantic Bedouin, took his turn. Considering the brothers’ failure, he tore off a piece of the cloud, pulled it far away, where he meticulously shredded it.
Success? Alas! That plan did not work either. While he was destroying one slice, the cloud grew up even a larger piece on the same spot.
The defeat of the three knight-brothers filled the Valley of Flowers with hopelessness. A new spring now was taking over the reins of the outer world, but inside the Valley the winter never seemed to be over.
Prince invited Fairy to the palace to talk. During the short meeting Prince suggested Fairy ask the help of Mr. Silver Wings. Although every member of the State Council was surprised, there was not a word of objection: nobody was able to present another solution.
Doubting Prince’s decision as well, Fairy, nevertheless, asked Mr. Singing Splash, the Creek, to call for the youngster. She thought that it should not be difficult for the creek, while crossing the Glade of Fairy Tales, to find that prankster somewhere around his favorite abode.
 
 CHAPTER 73
 
The Colorful Brood
 
Silver Wings the Wind was in the Valley of Flowers in no time. He grasped Prince’s idea instantaneously and with ardor. The lad disappeared and in a short while returned, leading a host of his friends. That was a noisy bundle of hundreds of young mischievous winds of various colors. The teenagers—boys and girls—called themselves the Rainbow Brotherhood of the Cheerful Brood.
Showering Mrs. Lump-Chunk Wad the Cumulus Cloud with jokes and jeers that colorful regiment assailed the nasty cloud from all sides at once. One wind was unable to grab off a large slab at a time, but who could stop him from getting away with a small one? So, while Sparkle Green, the Wind, was pulling away her take, Purple Laughter, the Squall, took over her place, and Blue Melody, the Breeze, was already behind him. Even the little one, Golden Song, the Zephyr, scooped away his affordable share.
And… lo and behold… in a short while the fat body started growing smaller, and Mrs. Lump-Chunk Wad finally opened her eyes. She was taken by surprise that a horde of youngsters dared to disturb her. Defending herself, Mrs. Lump-Chunk Wad fought hard. She attempted to drive the winds away, to push them, to scare, or to catch some, even to swallow… No way. Nothing worked for her.
Against that motley carousel of swift (I almost said “like wind”) warriors, she was hopeless. In an hour there was not a trace of Mrs. Lump-Chunk Wad the Cumulus Cloud in the blue sky, and the life-carrying sunlight plummeted down, mixing with the joy of the flowers.
 
 CHAPTER 74
 
Sick Prince
 
Unfortunately, during the last commotion Prince got fever. Upon learning that, a worried Fairy hurried to the palace.
Prince was not in bed. He looked tired and was pale, but Doctor Cure Potion, the Aloe, had found out that Prince’s life was out of danger. He insisted on Prince taking a vacation from state affairs. Prince nodded politely and made a gesture to leave him alone with Fairy.
Fairy began by reprimanding Prince angrily. “Why do you, a prince, live like any ordinary flower, in the dumpiest and coolest lot of the Valley? There is so little sunlight under that gloomy rock, where cold air slides unhindered down the steep mountainside. Your place is in the center; in the sun. You are better, worthier than the others.”
“Worthier, you say,” doubted Prince. “I’m afraid not. Stronger, you can say that: in many instances it might be true. You know, it’s funny; in some sense you are correct. Long ago, back in time our family did live in the middle of the Valley, until one of my ancestors moved to this spot. Why? I have never given it a thought. I guess he was a noble and honest flower. Plus, our species is known for good health and resistance to most of the herbal illnesses. Since then, the spot in the middle we offer to the most beautiful flower of year. To me it is quite natural.”
 
 CHAPTER 75
 
A Prince’s Dream
 
“If the flowers claim they respect you,” continued Fairy, “why don’t they give the honor to you?”
“Why should they? They know that such a so called honor would humiliate me and, between us, I hate sycophants. Yet, don’t get me wrong, Fairy. I’m fully aware of my virtues, which I’m happy with. Since my childhood, I have been striving to better myself. The smell of newly printed books is the most desirable perfume. I’ve always longed to obtain as much of knowledge as possible. I am somewhat proud of my achievements and do not want anyone else’s. I want to be remembered for what I am, not what I’d like to be.”
“But, Prince, darling,” reminded Fairy warmly, “you do not belong to yourself at all. This minute you are appeasing a squabbling couple of Mallows; the next moment you are listening to an offended Bindweed; then you see a sick one, and on, and on…”
“I know, Fairy, their fate depends heavily on me,” smiled Prince. “Even at night I keep thinking of my flowers’ welfare: the colors for their petals, the quality of soil, water… There is so much we need.”
“You see,” picked up Fairy. “Does it do you any good? How long will you be able to carry such burden? You are going to break yourself.”
“No, it is not a burden at all, my charming disputer. My desire to help stems from my free will, which is a component of the ‘the milk of wisdom’ I was fed by my parents and teachers during my upbringing. Of course, I have some ability and greater opportunity. I am obliged to God for the first, and grateful to my parents for the latter. I am afraid that by refusing to share someone’s pain would make me cruel and unjust. And the day I encounter my love, my heart wouldn’t be able to recognize her and respond. The Goddess of Love’s warning confuses me: what if love is unreachable by me? It is why I cannot afford to have a ‘healthy’ heart. How can I explain better?”
“You know, Prince, I’ve been thinking recently, and they are alarming thoughts. Something terrible is going on with me. I have started to see things differently. It’s not a problem for me now, to fathom your logic, but to live up to it…  I feel like I’m giving away a part of myself. How can I?” replied Fairy.
“Sometimes it is hard,” agreed Prince, “but so rewarding afterwards. Have you ever tried? No?” smiled Prince and added, “Our charming guest, on behalf of the Valley of Flowers let me thank you heartily for the help you’ve given to cleanse our sky. It is our fortune that you stayed with us.”
Prince frowned. “But I have to caution you, Fairy, this year is going to be an uneasy one. Two more calamities are supposed to intrude into our Valley. I’ll tell you more when I am certain. Enough about business. Tomorrow, magnificent Fairy, I invite you and the victorious windy Brotherhood to a ball in honor of our victory. Let me use the advantage of my position and ask you humbly, my divine friend, to grant me the opening dance.”
“All of them,” answered Fairy hurriedly and blushed.
 
 CHAPTER 76
 
The Ball
 
The ball was fabulous. There were hundreds of guests there. Prince still was not doing well. Nevertheless, he joined the company, and he chatted, played the violin, and danced. Yet, the remnants of fever precluded him from singing.
Some young girl-flowers, observing Prince’s and Fairy’s disturbed relations, drew a conclusion that the rift between Prince and Fairy improved their chances, allowing them to compete for the Prince’s heart. So, later on, Prince and Fairy learned that the Ceremony-Master, Sir Tender Tune, the Carnation, without consulting with Prince, had booked up all the Prince’s dances to other craving guests, leaving for Fairy just the opening waltz. Fairy was furious. Prince said nothing, but was obviously aggrieved.
“You see,” said Fairy during the dance, “due to your boundless kindness, no one is afraid of you.”
“My beautiful and sweet little Dew, what are you talking about? Why be afraid? I am not a ruler of wild animals. I want no one to fear me. I am the Prince of Flowers. Our tools are love and honesty. I sincerely like my dear subjects. I am striving hard to care for all of them together and every one individually; each of my flowers I wish good luck and success. And… just between us, Fairy, sometimes I do tell myself, that I am also loved by them and such dream makes me foolishly happy.”
The dance was over, and Price saw Fairy to his table.
“Don’t you think, Prince, and I have to mention this again, that here in the Valley, you all are rather too far from the real life outside that you so often refer so to? People, they treat love just as another commodity: to get profit and pleasure. And they do get it all, don’t they? So simply and easily.”
“And I will insist again and again, my respectful and stubborn friend, they don’t and will not get what they are looking for, neither profit nor pleasure. Fairy, I have tried hard not to touch this topic, but now we have to clear it up. Please, I beg you with all my heart; make every effort to follow me. It is something of great value to us… for me.
“I have been watching you, beautiful Fairy, and I have concluded that it is not a sin of yours, it is rather a misfortune of your origin. God, having endowed you generously with a sublime beauty, left your heart free of earthy feelings.” Fairy angrily bit her lip, but Prince continued. “It is why you are unable to see that love is a hard labor and a lifelong sacrifice.
“Love does not know the word ‘why.’ Love asks nothing in exchange. In love I wish to give and I’m happy if I am allowed to do it. Love is irrational. The man says: ‘Here is my life. Take it, my beloved, and let me prove that it belongs to you up to the last breath.’ And the woman says: ‘and you take mine, my beloved, since only together we are the essence of this world.’ I realize how hard it is to trust in this philosophy. Yet I believe that one day She’ll come and I shall meet Her; She, whose heart will be filled over with the same divine passion as mine, so only death will separate us.”
 
 CHAPTER 77
 
The Divine Pain
 
Fairy returned home as a wounded bird. She could not stop reiterating obstinately, “He does not love me, he will never love me!” She started crying…for the first time in her life. She sensed how grief constricted her heart, and a warm trickle of empathy was oozing into it. How could he be so insensitive? She desperately needed a friend into whose shoulder she could tuck her face. But she was alone.
For several days Fairy did not see Prince. Saddened, she was wandering along Singing Splash, the Creek, listening more than talking, and the world was turning to her its other side, without balls and parades. Fairy discovered that even that happy world was full of abuse, diseases, and injustice.
She was asking herself, “What is going on between me and Prince? What do I feel for him? Is it the Love? What does it mean to love? I feel happy with him, it is true. I want to be beside him more than beside anyone else on the earth. I yearn for him to be only with me. But what about him? The flowers say that Prince is in love with me. Why don’t I see that? Could it be true about my heart, which is unable to respond to love? No. NO! It is a lie!” She felt suddenly the painful weight of her heart, and as it was getting heavier, the pain was becoming unbearable.
An unknown force took possession over her essence. Was it a good power or an evil one? Fairy did not know. A violent and tempestuous desire permeated into her heart setting it on fire of such a purifying and immortal pain, which she would never give away for all the riches of the world.
The next day, on the way to the palace, she spotted a falling gillyflower and stopped to prop it up. She also released a marjoram suffocating in a cobweb. Then, she found it necessary to comfort a little cowbell bullied by elder teenagers. Fairy took the girl in her arms and the little minx didn’t want to let her go.
Later, it was a crocus’ turn, a damask rose’, some shepherds’ purses, then a sweet william, a violet and a columbine, a lady’s smock and a fleur-de-lis, after that… As a result, that day Fairy got no chance to come even close to the palace. And nonetheless she felt satisfied. It had been a long while since she had felt such happiness.
The following day was just as busy, just as happy. And the next, and again… Thus, day by day, deed by deed, Fairy immersed into the every day life of the Valley. The more experience she gathered, the better she understood Prince.
 
 CHAPTER 78
 
New Menace
 
The quiet spring in the valley was interrupted by a new menace. The Edelweiss, living above the Valley on the mountain slope, informed Prince that a crack in the stony wall, leading into the Valley from the outside world, had been found. According to the Valley’s history, from time to time, when the old Mrs. Stony Ring, the Mountain, got bronchitis, her coughing could cause such damage, and it presented an extreme danger to the Valley.
A gang of insects, who had long wished to feed on flowers, was looking forward to conquering the Valley. Their scouts were constantly on the lookout for an appropriate chance. Soon, there came reports that the enemy’s reconnaissance parties were encountered at the breach and chased away. Such skirmishes were getting more frequent and grew heavier. The intelligence gathered by the flower scouts, informed Prince that the insects had mobilized a huge army outside the mountain. Now, their vanguard, losing an enormous amount of casualties, tried to establish a stronghold on the inner slope and the rest of the troops were ready to intrude.
 
 
 CHAPTER 79
 
State of War
 
At the outset, in spite of undaunted courage of the flowers’ forefront, the enemies were able to seize a foothold on the valley side, and their number grew rapidly.
Prince declared a state of war and drafted an army. Sons from the families of warriors such as the Prickly Pears and the Mammitharias, the Arrowheads and the Reeds, the Venus Fly Traps and the Buckbeans and many others, carrying thorns, bristles, prickles, needles, leaves with cutting edges. The flowers feeding on insects formed the core. The flowers excreting poison were conscripted as well. The blend of their poison mixed with sand would be used to fill up the vulnerable cracks in the old body of Mrs. Stony Ring, the Mountain, whose health was, unfortunately, not so perfect. Upon drying, the filler solidified like a rock, and due to the poison the insects couldn’t bite it out.
Meantime, the development of the events was leading up to a large and decisive battle.
On the eve of the battle, without an invitation, Fairy came to see Prince. Having seen her arrive, Prince hurried to meet her at the entrance of the hall.
“It is so kind of you to come today,” bowed Prince. “I am missing you. It seems to me I haven’t seen you for years. Where have you been? You know, Fairy, tomorrow is the battle, and I need to tell you something that is of utmost importance to me… to us…” Prince was nervous and spoke with difficulty. “I think it is the most important step in my life. Would you please sit down, Fairy?”
They sat at a table in the corner where, for the first time since their acquaintance, they had relative solitude. There was a long and embarrassing silence. Fairy looked at Prince. To her wonder, that strong man and powerful ruler looked like a shy and guilty teenager.
“You know, Fairy,” Prince spoke with great effort, “it is so hard to find those unique words to which I could entrust my desire… Actually, I want to ask you what I have been carrying in my heart from the very moment I saw you. Nothing since has been so important to me. It is about the great hope of my life. Fairy, I have the honor…”
 
 CHAPTER 80
 
Before the Battle
 
At that moment, an adjutant entered the hall and announced that Prince, as the Commander-in-Chief, is being waited for by the State Council in the Hall of War. Prince sighed, nodded and stood up.
“My magnificent, my dearest Fairy, it is much easier for me to go into a deadly battle, than to ask you the question that I was about to ask. If everything is ok… I mean, if I return… I shall put into your trust the most important decision of my life. Now, I have to go.”
Fairy put her hand on his arm. “Prince, I have come as well to share with you something that has become a part of my fate and occupies my desires… but the time is against us. Yet, Prince, would you do a favor for me?”
“Oh Fairy, anything, I give you my word.”
“Prince, be careful. I have seen many battles, and I know that the place of the Commanders-in-Chief is on a hill behind the troops commanding the actions. However, knowing you and your temper, I beg you; do not risk your life. And remember, Your Majesty, you’ve just given me your word of honor.”
“Sorry, Fairy, I should not have done it, it is something that I cannot promise.”
“Well, I knew it,” cried Fairy, “I knew it. You do not respect my feelings.”
“Oh, Fairy, how terribly mistaken you are! There is always something intimate in loving relations which cannot be expressed by words. Had your crystal heart felt a tiny bit of compassion, you wouldn’t want to see me deprived of honesty and dignity. You are correct. It might be the right place for a commander to rule in battle, but not this one.
“There is no room for stratagems tomorrow. Our task is as simple as heart. We must meet the enemy face to face and destroy him. Failure is not an option; we have nothing for another attempt. It is easier to say than accomplish. Everything is a matter of bravery. In this case, to be ahead is the only place for a commander. I regret I cannot explain it better. I know that if I followed your advice, you would be the first to show contempt for me tomorrow. Now, forgive me my divine Fairy, there is the bugle, it calls for me.”
“Go. God bless you. I want you to know: my mind agrees with you, but all my experience tells me something different. I will wait for you. Come back alive.”
Prince’s face brightened up at her words. “Thank you, oh my joy. What have I done to deserve this promise? It is more than I’ve ever expected. Your words bring light into the darkness of my hope. Please trust your heart.”
 
 CHAPTER 81
 
The Battle Starts
 
The battle started with the sunrise. The first line of flowers, led by Prince, attacked the enemies, whose rows appeared formidable, armed with the snouts, trunks, spouts, pincers, and fangs. Nevertheless, the thrust brought some success.
The insects stepped back yet were able to hold up the crack through which fresh troops were penetrating. The insects regrouped and counter-attacked the flowers. That drive caused a lot of damage. To save the flower army from defeat, Prince ordered a fighting retreat.
Such an unlucky turn of events had been considered by Prince in advance: behind the storming lines, he had placed lines of the thistle species. Their countless yet short thorns were not especially effective attacking, but in defense they were second to none. When the wave of enemies came across the wall of the thistles, bristling with zillions of sharp swords and javelins, the insects were overwhelmed. Whatever they tried, nothing worked. They lost the best fighters and moved ahead not even a step. The insects were somewhat lucky destroying few thistles, yet even dead, the soldiers remained at their positions, letting no enemy through.
 
 CHAPTER 82
 
Fighting for Motherland
 
In the meantime, Prince organized a counter-attack, and the flowers’ forces began pushing the insects back again. The insects’ commander sent the flying species to break up the flowers’ resistance from above. The maneuver proved to be a failure. The insects miscalculated the ability of thorny plants to fight in all directions simultaneously.
In such manner, the fight, with success bouncing from one side to the other, had lasted the entire day. On the one hand, the flowers couldn’t destroy the insects that constantly were getting a flow of fresh fighters. On the other hand, the insects couldn’t even dream about a victory, because the number of soldiers they could gather at the small foothold was not enough to overcome the flower warriors.
The number of fatalities had grown tremendously. Both sides were on the verge of exhaustion, yet no one considered a defeat. Before dusk, there came an offer from the enemy’s side: to decide the fate of the battle in a duel between the best warriors of both sides. They presented a knight called Sir Hoodlum M. Osquito de Scorpio.
The flowers’ War Council held a short meeting, where Prince picked up the challenge for himself with no hesitation. However, the rest of the Council opposed that idea: Prince was advised that it was unreasonable that he, armed with a thorn-saber and a shield, would face the giant Sir Hoodlum M. Osquito, equipped with a long sharp snout and several claws. Prince had listened to everyone patiently.
His response was polite but brief, “It is an order.”
 
 CHAPTER 83
 
The Duel
 
When the fighters stepped in the middle of the chosen place, Prince appeared like a fledgling youngster against Mr. Hoodlum M. Osquito. Despair grabbed the hearts of the flower-soldiers.
Let me, my reader, offer for your attention an article printed in the Colorful News the following day.
David and Goliath
Intellect beats power
In the terms of time the duel was relatively short. At the very beginning Prince sharply assaulted Sir Hoodlum M. Osquito. With his sword flying like lightning, Prince forced his formidable enemy into a corner, where Sir Hoodlum M. Osquito had limited usage of his long legs and arms. The giant insect was overwhelmed by a powerful squall from the much smaller opponent. Only after having lost several claw-limbs did the Knight find a moment to respond.
He was a skillful and experienced warrior, and the loss of some limbs, although limiting his potentiality, couldn’t discourage him. Sir Hoodlum M. Osquito parried Prince’s thrusts with a couple of effective passes and rushed at Prince, forcing him out from the corner. Backing down, Prince slipped on a wet rock and fell onto his back, dropping his sword. Sir Hoodlum M. Osquito jumped at Prince to thrust his notched venomous beak straight into his heart. At that time everyone believed that Prince was going to die. However, Prince managed to do what no one expected. Instead of dodging the lunge, for what there was neither time nor room, Prince set up his shield against the sharp blow, making sure that if the weapon penetrated the shield, it would go through the muscles and bones of his arm, which is exactly what happened.
It was a hell of pain, but Prince’s maneuver slowed down the riposte and eventually stopped the move. The beak pierced the shield, flesh, and the bone and stuck in an inch from the Prince’s heart. While Sir Hoodlum M. Osquito tried desperately to move his beak back or forward, Prince fumbled for the dagger, and stabbed the Knight in the heart. The battle was over. Glory to our Prince!
Mrs. Thistle-Whistle Rumorspread, the Campanula.
This just in: After the Prince’s breathless body was rushed to the hospital, the doctors have let us know that Prince suffered from several wounds, loss of blood, and poisoning. He is in a stable, but critical condition.. We will keep you informed with the latest developments.”
 
 CHAPTER 84
 
A Hard Victory
 
The battle and the war itself were over. Inspired by Prince’s victory the flower army rushed at the enemies’ formations, exterminating part and chasing away the rest.
The insects, devastated by the Sir Hoodlum M. Osquito ’s death, ran away, seeking refuge outside the Valley. It took a night and a day of hard, nonstop labor to clog the crack with a poisoned mixture to avert future attacks.