Snowpepper’s dance jerked suddenly, a sharp, stumbling motion like a puppet on strings whose puppeteer has tripped. The anomalous gracelessness of the faerie’s movement brought Quickfoot out of his reverie.

“Snowpepper, dear,” he called, “Are you all right?”

“Yeah, I think so…” She shook her head, confused. “Something happened just now, I’m not sure what. I almost thought I felt Sy.. my otherside self back again. Just for a second, but it was so clear.”

“Oh, my,” Quickfoot said, “I do hope Mother Maples comes soon. So many things want her attention. I feel dreadfully inadequate. Is there anything you remember, dear Snowfoot?”

“Kind of, I guess,” she began, when the door opened and Mother Maples emerged. “Oh! There she is!” Snowpepper became animated with pleasure. “Mother Maples, we have lots to tell you, we’ve been waiting and waiting!”

Mother Maples’ rich brown had washed out slightly, as though milk had been mixed into the chocolate. She looked older, and very tired. “All right, little one, let’s go inside now, and we’ll talk there. I have news for you, as well.” Her sharp eyes spotted Winkling, still asleep on the grass. “And it appears we have company, is that right?”

“Oh! Yes, Mother Maples, it’s Winkling. She came from the Queen, she has a message. Winkling!” she cried, “Wake up, she’s here!”

The black faerie stirred, then rose to her feet in an awkward movement, her ragged wings unable to give her the lift she was used to. “Oh!” she said, “I’m so sorry to be caught napping, Mother Maples, please don’t tell the Queen! She would definitely turn me into a toad, or even a toadstool!”

The brown witch laughed softly. “Don’t worry, Winkling, child, I’m not inclined to bring my sister’s wrath down on your head. Your lapse is safe with me, and quite acceptable as well. If you’re tired, it’s only to be expected. Please, do come in, and we’ll have a chat. And your wings will need healing, that must be seen to soon.”

They all trooped indoors, where Mother Maples led them to a polished dark wood table, large enough to accommodate a banquet. Snowpepper didn’t recall having seen the table before. The house looked different to her. Nothing was arranged as it had been before they went outdoors. Perhaps things could change only when there was no one around to witness the change.

“Would anyone care for tea?” the witch asked. “I have a lovely variety of hexmint, quite memorable, I think you’ll enjoy it.” At their unanimous assent, she beckoned, and a teapot and several cups floated through the air to land with a clatter on the table. She poured them each a cup of the steaming infusion, and as they took their first tentative sips (it was very hot), she turned to Winkling.

“Now, little faerie, please. What is my sister’s message?”

“I do beg your pardon, Faerie Godwitch,” Winkling said hesitantly, glancing at the other two, “But I’m to give the message to you alone, if that’s not too much trouble. The Queen was very specific in her instructions.”

“Oh, dear,” Mother Maples sighed. “I do hate to do this when I’m already so tired, but it seems there’s no help for it. There’s no time to spare, I’m afraid. I must hear your message as soon as possible, knowing my sister; and then I must heal your wings, if they are to mend properly. I must also speak with Snowpepper; it’s quite urgent, in fact. So, I shall have to split myself and take care of it all at once.”

The rabbit and the two faeries goggled at one another. The Faerie Godwitch drew a thin crystalline rod from the bosom of her dress, gave it a quick flourish, and then she was alone with Snowpepper and Quickfoot.

“Where’d Winkling go?” Snowpepper asked, wide-eyed.

“She’s still here, dear, and I am talking with her, but we are split along parallel realities, very close together, yet still separate. Now, Snowpepper, you’ve something to tell me, something about your otherside self, is that right?”

“Why, yes, I do, how did you know, Mother Maples?”

“Let’s not bother with how I know for now, child, if you please; time is of the essence. What happened to you out there just before I came?”

“I was dancing, and just being, it was feeling so good,” Snowpepper said. “Then, I felt her, my otherside self, just for a minute, and I could see where she was.”

“And where was she?”

“She was on a beach, and there was a jungle, lots of funny looking trees like palm trees and that, and there was a talking bird, like a parrot, only red and blue. That’s all I could see, but I knew it was her seeing it and I was seeing through her eyes, just like she sees through mine… when she’s here.” Snowpepper looked sad. “I miss her, Mother Maples. I think about her all the time. Please help me get her back!”

“I shall do my best, little faerie. That’s all I can promise, I’m afraid.” The brown witch looked pensive for a moment. “Still, I have made some progress, I’m happy to report. I did find her, but I wasn’t able to get hold of her. I did, however, help her move from the dark place where she had been trapped. At least now she is in motion, which can only be an improvement. The more she moves around, the more likely she is to stir something in the dreamscape that will help me to get a fix on her.”

“Oh, good!” Snowpepper beamed. Then she frowned. “That is good, right?”

“Yes, dear faerie, it is good. It isn’t wonderful, but it’s an improvement.” Mother Maples sipped her tea with a distant expression. “There is some danger, however. It would be best to reunite the two of you as soon as possible. If you are willing, perhaps we may reach her together.”

“Yes, I’ll help,” Snowpepper said. “Of course I will. Thank you.”

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