A Unicorn on the Farm

Vivienne ran to the front door. She was so excited to stay with her grandparents. There was a new litter of kittens and the boy next door was pretty cute, too. She knocked on the door. When Granny answered, Vivienne gave her a big hug.

“Hi, granny!”

“Well, hello there!” Granny squeezed her in a bear hug. Though she was approaching 80, her work on the farm kept her fit and trim. “I sure could use an extra pair of hands ‘round here. Think you can help me out this summer?” Vivienne nodded earnestly. “Thank you, angel. I’m sure Mama Whiskers will appreciate some extra help too.”

“Thanks for watching her, mom.” Vivienne’s mother set a suitcase on the porch.

“You just focus on your classes. Lord only knows why that school of your is making you take them. You’ve been teaching just fine.”

“They want to hybridize our classes, which comes with new problems to solve.” She kissed her mom’s cheek then squeezed Vivienne’s cheeks and did the same. “I’d better get going. I want to reach the hotel before dark. You be careful. Bye, ma.”

As the days and weeks passed, Vivienne grew accustomed to working on the farm. Every morning she went out to the hen house to collect the eggs then milked the cows in the dilapidated old barn, sunlight filtering through weatherworn slats. How was it still standing?

A few weeks had passed since her mother left when she saw it. Her eyes sparkled with childlike wonder. A unicorn.

Miraculin let loose a whinny of surprise. The girl could see her. She impressed upon the girl's mind the need for secrecy. It was lucky it was a young maiden for they were often the purest of heart.

She imprinted her name on the girl's mind as well as her reason for being here. She was being hunted. The human king of her world had ordered every last Phredatope captured and enslaved, for the princess suffered a mysterious ailment and grew weaker by the day. The only tonic known to cure any illness was Phredatope tears freely given. When forced, they became a deadly poison.

Miraculin had created a Passage to a world where she could remain hidden. The Phredatopes that had come to this world before her had cast an enchantment that allowed only those who truly believed in the existence of their race to see them. The first Phredatope to come here had called himself Unicorn. The people of this world had mistaken his name as the name of their species.

“Fred-uh-tope?”

Yes, child, Miraculin thought into the mind of the young maiden.

The human child jumped in surprise at the sudden intrusion.

Did I startle you?

“I-I was just surprised. I never met an animal that could talk before. Would it be okay if I pet you?”

Miraculin lowered her head. Mind the point. Our horns are able to pierce the thickest dragon hide.

Days passed. Vivienne spent a great deal of her free time in the barn talking to Miraculin. The kittens and even the cute boy next-door were all but forgotten.

“Do you think you'll go home?”

I must. When the king’s men cease their quest, I must return and do what I can to free my brethren.

“Can I help?”

You do bear a striking resemblance to the princess. It is almost guaranteed the guards would not harm you. But I could not promise your return. None but the Phredatopes have passed between worlds.

“I look like the princess?”

Indeed. Though you appear to be free of her ailment.

“Then I have to go! If they think I'm the princess, they might free the Phredatopes!”

Are you certain? If you do this, you may never return. What of your family?

A flame of determination sparked in Vivienne’s eyes. “I'll write them a letter and pretend I’m at a slumber party.”

Very well. Write your letter and return here after supper tomorrow.

Vivienne wrote a letter that very night, detailing her friendship with Miraculin and what it was she needed to do. When morning came she completed her chores in record time and asked her grandparents if she could stay at a friend’s house for a few days.

“Alright, but I want you to call us when you get there and first thing when you wake up” Granny allowed.

“Thank you!” Vivienne exclaimed with a big hug.

“You call us know when you're ready and we'll come get you.”

“Thank you, Granny. Is Grandpa out in the field?”

Granny hesitated. “He's upstairs, resting. Truth be told, he's not doing too good. We didn’t tell you because you should be enjoying your summer, not worrying about old folk past their prime.”

Vivienne ran to the barn, tears trailing down her face. “Miraculin! Please! Help my grandpa! Please.”

Very well. The Phredatope willed her eyes to shed tears, purifying them with the magic in her horn. Brew petals of evening primrose in this and have him take three sips. Any more than that and he shall gain immortality. It is a terribly lonely existence.

“Thank you!”

As she ran back to the house, she heard Miraculin issue her warning again. 3 sips only.

Vivienne picked some evening primrose where Miraculin had indicated. The delicate blossoms were just beginning to open when she found them. She hurried back to the house and grabbed a teacup. Miraculin had warned that if heated, her tears would weaken. Vivienne dropped the primrose petals into the liquid and waited. When the liquid began to glow, she brought it upstairs and told her grandfather to take 3 sips. Upon taking the first sip he felt better than he had in decades.

“Say, what is this? Works like magic” he exclaimed.

“It’s something my friend told me about” Vivienne answered vaguely.

“Well, you must have a very clever friend.”

“Yeah. It’s me turn to help her now.”

“One good turn deserves another. Why don’t I give you a ride?”

“That’s okay, Grandpa. It’s not far.”

“Bye-bye, sweetheart.”

As Vivienne ran out to the barn, she silently wished to come back soon in case he relapsed.

You’ve returned. Are you prepared for this? Vivienne nodded. Very well. Let us leave. The tip of Miraculin’s slender horn emitted a pure white light and a rift opened before them, revealing a serene meadow. Vivienne’s eyes widened, for flitting about the clearing were fairies! She approached the Passage as though in a trance. She paused when she noticed the night sounds she knew had been replaced. Miraculin had followed behind her and seemed relieved to hear the familiar sounds of her own world again: the sparkling sound of fairy wings, the powerful rush of dragon wings. Even the trees emitted a sound akin to tinkling bells and seemed to glow in the moonlight, and the wind sounded like ethereal laughter.

Welcome to Felnor, Vivienne. Night has fallen. This would be the ideal time to free my brethren. Will you come?

“Okay.”

They made their way to the castle grounds. The Phredatopes were being held in a stable, the doors locked, windows barred, and guards stationed both inside and out to ensure none escaped.

As Vivienne approached the stable, Miraculin projected an illusion of a fine gown over her clothing.

“Who’s there?!” the captain of the guard demanded. Vivienne stepped into the light. “Princess Vivian! You should be resting.”

Vivienne felt shocked upon hearing her own name. Even so she felt it was her duty to free the Phredatopes. “Please allow me to speak with the Phredatopes.”

“Your Highness, you need rest.”

“Silence! I am your princess. Obey me or I shall report you to my father.” She was shocked to find that her words and expression were not her own. “I have little time left for this world. If I could but talk to them, I know they would help.”

“Sorry, Highness. Not without the king’s approval. Wallace?”

“Sir!”

“Escort the princess to her chambers.”

Vivienne walked alongside the soldier, her head lowered in disappointment. As they came to a stairwell, the soldier knelt to lift her into his arms. Just how sick was this princess that she couldn’t climb stairs? At home Vivienne would have run all the way to the top. Here, she had a part to play. As they neared the princess’ bedchamber Vivienne grew nervous. What would happen when they realized she wasn’t the princess?

“I can walk from here.”

Sir Wallace hesitated. “Please allow me to carry you to your door, at least.”

“Why am I not allowed to do anything?”

“I’m sorry, Highness. We can’t risk you overexerting yourself.”

“I’m not made of glass!”

“Princess-“ Vivienne slammed the door in his face before he said another word. The loud noise woke the true princess who truly seemed weak.

“Sorry, princess” Vivienne whispered. “They think I’m you, so Wallace brought me here.”

“Come into the light.” Vivienne came closer so the princess could see her. “Amazing! It’s akin to seeing a portrait of myself. Perhaps father will know what this means. Illior surely will.”

“Illior?”

“The royal sorcerer” the princess explained. “You might as well sleep. You’ll only be returned to my chambers if you’re found wandering the halls.”

Vivienne awoke the next morning to the king berating Princess Vivian’s chambermaid, as well as Sir Wallace and the captain. How dare they allow a strange girl into his daughter’s bedchamber!

“Your Majesty, it wasn’t their fault” Vivienne spoke up.

“Not now, Vivian” he replied gently without turning to address her. As her words registered in his mind, he turned to see two identical girls sharing his daughter’s bed. “Vivian?”

Vivienne responded since the princess still slept. “Well, it does seem like we share the same name. The princess thought your sorcerer might know why we look alike.”

The king spluttered. How could this be? “Wallace! Bring Illior at once!”

When Illior saw the two girls, he was at a loss. In all his studies, he had never heard of such a thing. “You say you came from another world?” he asked Vivienne. She nodded. “How did you come to be here?”

Vivienne thought she might be able to help the Phredatopes if she answered well. She explained about finding a Phredatope in her grandparents’ barn, befriending her, how Miraculin had helped her grandfather, and how the two of them had planned to rescue the imprisoned Phredatopes. It was cruel to hold them prisoner, as they couldn’t be forced to heal someone.

Illior listened intently. When his line of questioning turned to Miraculin, Vivienne sensed he had ill intentions. “You say you befriended a Phredatope?”

“Why do you want to know about her?” Vivienne asked, suspicious of what he planned to do.

Malice seemed to emanate from him at her resistance. “Answer the question, girl. I can ensure that you never leave this world. Answer my questions, or I shall forever bar you from your home world and you will become an orphan begging on the streets.”

Vivienne wanted to go home, but not if Miraculin had to be enslaved to do so. She took a deep breath and did the only thing she could. “She’s not my friend anymore. I left her to come help the princess. She said I betrayed her and left,” she lied.

His menacing demeanor became begrudging. “A shame. None of the Phredatopes we’ve captured have been able to help the princess. I thought there might be something special about her and perhaps you could persuade her to assist us. I suppose we can find a place for you here at the palace since your friend won’t help you.”

Vivienne mourned the loss of her home, but she vowed to find a way back after she saved the Phredatopes and cured the princess. She also needed to put an end to whatever that sorcerer was up to. Sorry, everyone, she thought. Looks like I’ll be stuck here for a while.