Not Just Fairy Tales

It’s been centuries since people believed in dragons and “fairy tale” beasts. But long ago, fairy tales weren’t just stories to entertain children, they were warnings. Cautionary tales to keep little ones from straying too far from the safe glow of the hearth and the watchful eyes of their families. Nowadays though, when their children are frightened of tales of witches and monsters their parents soothe them. “Don’t worry, it’s not real,” they say, “it’s just a story, make-believe,” they insist. Forgetting the old warnings and making simple stories of these warnings was the first big mistake modern humans made.

Their second big mistake, perhaps a direct consequence of the first, was sprawling into dark and ancient places. Like roots of a great tree, they spread, the edges of their cities and towns encroaching ever further into the wild and untamed. Humans disappear in the wilderness all the time, but there’s always a rational explanation. Sightings of the unexplainable are dismissed as fantasy and rumor, or the result of too much drink. And so, the Smith family, like many others, believed they had nothing to fear when they settled into a small house in a pretty meadow right on the edge of the woods.

It was just a short walk into the village, the air was sweet with wildflowers, and there always seemed to be a soft chorus of birdsong. “What more perfect place could there be to raise a family?” The Smiths wondered as they packed their bags.

Davey Smith was a sturdy little lad of four and his favorite activity in his new home was to play in the meadow. He loved to frolic among the bobbing heads of wildflowers with the flutter of butterflies and gentle droning of bees for company. He told himself stories and created imaginary friends to help him discover all the meadow’s secrets. Sometimes Davey was lonely, but his mother made up for it as best she could.

Amelia was the kind of mother who had a seemingly endless wealth of patience for Davey’s games and stories. She worked from home selling magazines over the phone. She dressed with purpose, and wore her mother’s pearls every day. When the work and chores were done she read, voraciously. Sometimes to herself, often to Davey who liked fantasy and adventure stories best. Sometimes they played in the meadow, but she liked to let him play on his own and develop his imagination, too. When he wandered too close to the edge of the forest, Amelia, always watching from the kitchen or the porch would call him back.

“Not without me, sweet pea!” She’d tell him, firmly. “But we can explore the woods together if you’d like!”

Making good on her promises, Amelia often took Davey on walks among the tall trees with ferns curled at their bases. Together they made their way over the forest floor and between low-hanging branches draped with long strands of lichen like old men’s beards. The forest yawned so big and dark that sometimes it felt like it would swallow Davey whole, but he felt safe with his plump hand securely in his mother’s. Her hand was always soft, and strong, and warm. He simply had to look up to meet her familiar brown eyes and the strange sounds and dark corners of the forest felt less scary. He began to see the beauty instead. He fell in love with the emerald carpet of moss dotted with dainty plants, and the thick tree trunks anchored to the ground by webs of roots. He grew to love the strange sounds of bird calls. He enjoyed searching for the impressions of animal prints in the moss. The trees felt like home as much as his meadow and warm little house. As Davey grew friendlier with the woods, venturing into them on his own began to tempt him more and more.

Perhaps all would have been well if Davey had kept a healthy fear of the woods and stayed close to home. But Davey was insatiably curious. Davey began to feel bored by the meadow. The mystery of the trees surrounding his home seemed to call to him; he often found himself venturing to the edge of the forest, peeking over his shoulder to see if Amelia noticed, before retreating back to the meadow.

It was a late summer afternoon, the sun hung low in the sky bathing the world in warm light like golden honey. Bees hummed lazily, loaded with nectar from a hard day’s work. Davey was playing in the meadow, pretending to be a knight like in his mother's stories. He ran around slaying imaginary monsters with a stick, shouting victoriously. But his triumph was interrupted by a strange sound like music, coming from the woods.

Davey approached the forest. The sound was louder closer to the tree line. Davey was certain it was music, a song sweet little Davey didn’t recognize. A new friend! He thought peeking over his shoulder. Amelia was in the kitchen; Davey faintly heard the clatter of her cooking. She looked up and met his eyes through the window. Davey smiled, taking a few steps back towards her. Amelia nodded approvingly and satisfied, turned to grab something from the refrigerator.

Now’s my chance! Davey thought, turning on his heel and dashing into the trees as quickly as his little legs could carry him. The song is clearer now, getting louder with each step Davey takes. His short legs bumble over moss-covered rocks and fallen trees. His tiny feet sink into deeper parts of the moss, but he struggles along, intent to discover the source of the music. The further he follows the sound; the less light penetrates the tree cover. The smell of decay fell over Davey like a curtain. A dampness and chill in the trees’ shade, made Davey shiver.

Meanwhile, Amelia has noticed Davey is missing. She looked up after she turned back around, and Davey was gone. She ran to the edge of the woods and called for him but heard no answer. Amelia pulled the phone from its cradle and called her husband, Paul. He rushes home and they search high and low. After combing the woods surrounding the home, Paul and Amelia return home and call the police. The Department sends an officer who asks a few unhelpful questions, but at Amelia’s frantic urging, agrees to muster a search party. Paul joins them, Amelia reluctantly agrees to remain at the house in case Davey comes back. She finds herself in the kitchen staring out the window to the forest. I know he’s in there. She thinks. Nervously twisting her wedding ring around her finger.

Poor Davey has wandered deeper into the forest than he’s ever been, even with the company of his mother. His legs hurt from walking, and he’s just starting to feel as if he can’t go any further when he sees a clearing in the trees. It’s almost sunset, the sky is a dusky purple with fluffy, cotton candy clouds overhead. His eyes travel back down, scanning his surroundings. The clearing is lit by tiny glowing bugs that float above a verdant cushion of moss. Upon a pale, mossy rock, sits a creature that looks almost human but for the bluish hue of its skin and the tapered point of its ears. It holds a flute made from gleaming white bone to its lips. The flute is covered with impossibly intricate carvings of vines and flowers. The song continues to call Davey forward, its sweet notes ringing in his ears. Davey approaches, wide-eyed.

“Hello!” Davey shouts in his friendliest voice as the last notes of the song fade. The Creature looks up and gives Davey a demure, closed-mouth smile.

“Hello child!” The Creature replies. “What brings you to my forest?”

“I heard your song! It was really nice. Do you wanna be friends?” Davey chirps hopefully.

“Perhaps, little human.” The creature replies. “Now, tell me your name.”

“I’m Davey, Davey Smith. What’s your name?” Davey offers his chubby hand to The Creature. It leans down, its pale eyes peering into Davey’s. It regards him for a moment before gently grasping Davey’s hand. The Creature’s touch is cold, and Davey can feel the strength in its grip despite its restraint.

“Nice to meet you, Davey.” The Creature says with another demure smile. “You look exhausted.” It adds, with a pitying expression.

“I walked a long way,” Davey admits, looking down at his sore feet.

“Well, no wonder you’re tired.” The Creature says amiably. “I have something that’ll do just the trick.” The Creature reaches into the pouch at its waist and pulls out something wrapped in a large leaf secured with twine. The Creature pulls gently on the twine to reveal a deep purple fruit, resembling a peach or a plum.

“Here, child. It’ll restore your strength.” The Creature says, holding the fruit out to Davey. Davey knew better than to take food from strangers, but this was no ordinary stranger, and he was tired and hungry and lost. Gingerly, he took the fruit from The Creature. It pulled its hand back slowly as if swift movements would spook the little human. Davey took a bite, and his mouth was flooded with sweet juice. Almost instantly his legs felt renewed with vigorous energy, and his belly felt full.

“Thank you!” He said gratefully as he wiped his sticky mouth on his sleeve.

“No. Thank you.” The Creature said. Its voice changed and it smiled revealing sharp teeth. Davey tried to run, but he froze. “Children used to have the sense not to tell me their names, but these days, it’s just so easy.” The creature grinned. “Follow me, Davey Smith.”

Davey felt his feet take a step towards it. The creature waved its hand and a shimmering portal appeared between the trees. Gnarled branches encircled it, and it held their reflections like a mirror.

“Come along.” the creature said, striding forward, and Davey followed the creature through the mirror.

On the other side of the mirror, Davey regarded the forest with awe. The trees were even bigger here seeming to stretch almost infinitely upwards. Tiny, Bioluminescent creatures swirled around in the air emitting a soft glow. Mushrooms unfurl around the roots of trees in all shapes and colors. The silhouettes of strange creatures moving among the trees are almost hidden by a cool mist swirling along the ground. The spark of magic hangs in the air as heady as the cool, green smell of the forest. Davey senses the immensity of the magic around him, but he’s too young to possess the vocabulary to describe the vastness of his amazement, or the depth of his fear. He feels smaller than he’s ever felt as his legs take one unbidden step after another, following The Creature even deeper into this strange world. He glances over his shoulder and watches with dread as the portal closes and disappears behind them. Panic washes over Davey as he realizes that his only known way home has vanished into thin air. Against his better judgment, Davey cries out for his mother. The Creature stops in its tracks and spins to face him, a cruel smile again revealing its teeth.

“She won’t hear you here. No human can.” The Creature grinned toothily. “Now come along,” It said, turning back to the direction it had been leading Davey. Davey balled his little hands into fists and scrunched his eyes closed, doing his best to muster the willpower to escape.

With a grunt, Davey managed to take a step back, his fear overpowering the hold the creature has on him. Davey opens his eyes, almost surprised to have had any effect at all. With all the strength his tiny body can summon, he takes another step and another. Davey’s eyes remain locked on The Creature, the poor lad doesn’t see a tree root twisting up from the ground until it’s too late and he’s tumbling. Davey lands hard on some rocks camouflaged by moss. Bruising his palms.

The Creature advances, its face appears less human, its eyes are filled with hunger, and saliva drips from its fangs. Davey closes his eyes and flings his hands up to protect himself, bracing for it all to be over.

A huge bellowing roar splits the air! Davey peeks between his fingers, The Creature isn’t looking at him, but at the sky as another roar rumbles like thunder. The Creature turns and gives Davey one last hungry look before vanishing into the darkness.

Davey, scrambles to his feet, looking for somewhere to hide. His eyes settle on the web of roots under a large tree. The tree has grown over top of a huge boulder, creating a little alcove just big enough for a little boy to squeeze into. Davey scurries into the hole beneath the tree. He tucks his arms and legs as tightly around himself as he can, hoping neither The Creature or whatever scared it away will find him. The night is settling quickly. Some of the mushrooms begin to glow, their light casting eerie shadows on the trees. Davey starts to cry.

“Why didn’t I listen to my mother? Now I’m lost and I’ll n-never get h-home!” He sobs, covering his mouth with his hand to try to keep his voice from drawing attention.

As his sobs quiet, Davey realizes he hears what he can only describe as peculiarly rhythmic gusts of wind. They seem to be getting louder. The trees rustle around him. Davey peeks up through the roots and sees what appears to be a huge, green lizard descending towards him. It beats the air with massive, emerald wings. As it approaches the ground small branches caught in its range crack and break under its wings. Davey shrinks back into the roots, pressing his back against the cool rock and trying to make himself invisible. The lizard hits the ground with a controlled thud!

Mighty claws on scaly green hands wrap around the roots inches from Davey’s face, their sharp tips leave impressions in the bark.

“I know you’re there, human,” a deep voice like tumbling rocks whispers. “I could smell you for miles.” The claws disappear and Davey breathes a sigh of relief for a moment until he finds himself staring into the dragon’s enormous yellow eye which is now pressed up against his hiding spot. “Come out, human. Let me get a look at you.” The beast pulls its head back away from the roots, and the claws return to their resting place above Davey’s head. “Don’t make me pull you out myself!” It adds, menacingly.

Reluctantly, Davey emerges from his hiding spot. He stares up at the creature before him. It has a smooth, scale-studded body like a snake or a lizard, but its head is shaped sharp and aerodynamically like a spear. Steam rises from its nostrils as it huffs curiously at Davey. Huge, intelligent eyes sparkle as nimble-clawed hands reach to turn Davey this way and that to inspect him. Davey is terrified, but he’s also entranced by the beauty of The Dragon’s glimmering shades of iridescent green.

“I’ve never seen a human as small as you in my forest. How did you come to be here?” The Dagon booms. Marveling at the little creature standing before her with its round cheeks and huge eyes and mop of dark curls.

“I followed a song, and then a creature tricked me and took me through a mirror” Davey replies in his tiny voice. “But I don’t know how to get home,” he whimpers.

“Yes, you’re not the first to be spirited away by The Fae. Be grateful I was around to scare him away or you’d have made a quick meal!” The Dragon warned.

“Thank you!” Davey said, in a shaky little voice. His mom had always taught him to be polite when someone helps him.

“You’re welcome.” The dragon said, extending its long neck and moving its head back to get a better look at Davey. “Tell me, child, did you give it your name?” The Dragon raised the ridge of scales above one of its eyes inquisitively. Davey nodded sheepishly.

“Well, that’s no good, tiny human. You can’t just go around giving creatures your true name, you get into all sorts of trouble.” The Dragon wagged its finger disapprovingly in an almost human gesture.

“I was told it’s polite to say your name when you introduce yourself.” Davey cried, parroting his mother and preschool teacher.

“Maybe in the human world. Your kind used to have stories that warned about this, but most of you stopped taking them seriously.” The Dragon scoffed.

Davey began to cry again.

“There, there Small Human.” The Dragon rumbled softly “I can help you get home.”

Davey looked up excitedly, he opened his mouth to speak, but the Dragon held up a hand.

“Listen Little One, there are rules. I’ll take you home, but you must make a deal with me.” The Dragon said gravely. “So, what can you give me, Little Human?”

Davey paused. He hadn’t brought anything into the forest with him.

“I don’t have anything!” Davey cried. The Dragon gave him a considering look and after a moment, offered a solution.

“Here’s what we’ll do. Since you’re such a little human lost in such a big forest, I’ll help you return home. When we arrive, you’ll give me that which is most dear to you to add to my collection. Do we have a deal?” The Dragon asked, extending its reptilian hand.

“What does ‘most dear’ mean?” Davey asked, hesitantly.

“It’s whatever brings you the most joy, something you feel as though you couldn’t do without.” The dragon replies. Davey considers The Dragon’s words. A parade of favorite toys and possessions march through his mind. Stuffed animals he’s had as long as he can remember, souvenirs from his father’s trips that Davey keeps on a little shelf, and his favorite storybooks stacked on his nightstand.

“So little human, is a return trip worth giving up something precious?” The Dragon asks.

“I’d give anything up to return home to my mother,” Davey says taking The Dragon’s hand, her cool scales remind him of The Creature’s icy touch.

“So, we have a deal?” The Dragon asks. Davey nods solemnly. “Excellent, but I need you to say it aloud, child.”

“We have a deal. I’ll give you what is most dear to me if you help me go home.” He tried to sound resolute, but his voice wobbled.

“Very well.” The Dragon replied, scooping the child onto her shoulders. “Hold tight, we need some help getting you home.” Davey wrapped his arms around The Dragon’s neck, wondering if he’d have to offer anything else.

Davey peeked over The Dragon’s shoulder as the treetops shrank beneath them and looked up at the clear sky full of strange stars spread above them in the violet twilight. The Dragon’s scales shimmered in the moonlight, glinting like stars themselves. After a seeming-eternity, but also no time at all, The Dragon circled a large mountain peak with a cavern tunneling deep into its face. Davey braced for impact, but they landed with surprising smoothness.

The walls of the cavern were piled with treasures. Stacks of colorful gems overflowed from large chests and cups of gold and silver were stuffed to the brim with strings of pearls and chains weighted with ornate pendants. Resplendent paintings in gold frames were wedged prominently among the piles along with statues and sculptures as if The Dragon had curated a display.

The Dragon busied herself digging in a large wooden chest at the back of her lair. Davey tried to ignore a large pile of bones, gathering dust in the corner. A few skeletal hands still clung to swords that had done little to spare them their fates. Davey gulped but waited patiently, clasping his hands behind his back, and rocking on his heels as he inspected The Dragon’s towering heaps of loot.

“Aha, here it is!” The Dragon rumbled, turning to reveal a smooth, silvery stone clasped in its clawed fingers. “Now, be careful with this, I’ve only got one of these.” The Dragon warned, offering Davey the stone and a small burlap shoulder bag. The handle of the bag hung down almost to Davey’s ankles. The Dragon chuckled and tied a small knot in the fabric to shorten it.

The Dragon scooped Davey back up onto her shoulders patiently waiting for him to wrap his little arms around her. Davey patted the bag to ensure that the stone was securely tucked away, pressed between his torso and The Dragon’s scales. The Dragon awkwardly lumbered to the entrance of the cave and leaped over the edge of the cliff. Her mighty wings unfurled with a snap like the sails on the ships Davey’s father had shown him once, and they took flight.

Back at the cottage, Amelia paced back and forth, worrying about Davey. Her whole world had shrunk to the all-consuming fear that she’d never see her little boy again. She stared at a framed photo of Davey smiling on his first day of preschool.

“I’ll do anything to bring you home.” She whispered, touching the pearls around her neck as if they could grant wishes.

The Dragon flew Davey to another clearing in the forest. Moss sprawled beneath her feet and trailed up the sides of massive, ancient trees. A crystalline pool of water burbles at the center of the clearing, reflecting the glow of luminescent mushrooms and tiny flitting creatures contrasted against the distant ring of sky above. Hiding among the trees, peeking out at Davey and The Dragon are delicately pointed faces with tapered ears. Davey starts to panic, wrapping his arms tighter around The Dragon.

“Don’t be frightened, Little One,” The Dragon says reassuringly, reaching up and gently lifting Davey from its shoulders and setting him softly on the ground. He realizes the creatures before him are a soft hue of green, rather than the bluish tone of The Creature. When they smile, their teeth are smooth and flat like his.

“Don’t worry, not all of us hunt children.” A smiling green face comforted. “What brings you here?”

The Dragon reaches out a hand and gently pushes Davey forward, his little feet sliding along the densely grown moss with ease.

“Tell them what you want.” She whispers encouragingly.

“I w-want to go home.” Davey squeaks. He takes a breath, “I need to go home!” He repeats, louder and with all the authority a small child can conjure.

“As you wish. We’ll help you. Place the stone in the water, please.” Davey nods and steps forward, gently placing the stone in the water. It sinks and disappears. With a flash of light, vines erupt from the ground encircling a portal that raises between Davey and the pool of water. The portal shimmers in front of him like the surface of the water but reflects Davey and the fearsome green dragon behind him.

“Do I just walk through?” Davey asks. The Green Ones nod.

Davey proceeds carefully through the portal, taking slow and deliberate steps as if wading into a pool. On the other side, the trees return to normal, there’s no longer a magical charge in the air. Davey finds himself in near darkness, the pale light of the moon blotted out by the imposing crowd of trees. Davey can almost hear voices calling his name, I must be imagining it. The Dragon comes through after him, her neck extending forward to fit through the human-sized doorway of the portal. Once The Dragon emerges she lifts Davey onto her shoulders, and with several strong flaps of her wings, they drift up towards the luminous moon and familiar stars shining above the trees. The Dragon inhales deeply and flicks its tongue, tasting the air. Her wings are buffeted by the wind as she soars upwards.

“I’ve found your scent; it’ll lead back to your home.” The Dragon says. Davey braces against her to hide from the icy night wind. Soon she begins to circle and relief washes over Davey as he spies his familiar meadow and the cottage. As they fly closer, Davey sees his mother’s silhouette hunched at the kitchen table, he feels a pang of guilt. She must be so worried.

Davey and the Dragon land in the meadow. Amelia looks up and stares open-mouthed realizing she is not imagining her tiny son on that enormous thing. Amelia jumps to her feet and sprints outside. She grabs the broom she keeps by the door to sweep the patio and thrusts it out like a sword. The Dragon laughs and lifts Davey up and places him softly on the ground.

“Slow down there.” The Dragon warns, backing away from Davey. Amelia barrels toward Davey and snatches him up in her arms, scurrying away from The Dragon.

"Davey, why didn’t you listen to me? I told you it isn’t safe in to go in there alone!” She yelled between sobs clutching at him and inspecting him to ensure he wasn’t hurt. “Your poor hands.” She gasped, holding his scraped and bruised palms up to the light. The Dragon cleared her throat, steam rising from her nostrils. Amelia looked up.

“So, here’s the thing, I made a deal with your kid-” The Dragon began.

“What do you mean 'deal?’” Amelia asked, straightening and stepping towards The Dragon. “What kind of deal did you make with my four-year-old?” She asked, placing her hands on her hips, furiously staring The Dragon down.

“I bring the kid home, I take what’s most precious to him...which is you.” The Dragon says matter-of-factly pointing at Amelia.

“Well, that’s very sweet, but I’m not going with you,” Amelia says firmly.

“A deal’s a deal. I either take you, or I take the kid.” Amelia goes pale, but then the expression on her face changes. Davey starts to protest.

“Give me a moment to think and talk this over with me son.” Amelia insists. The Dragon rolls her eyes, but assents.

“I can wait.” She rumbles.

“Okay, my love, don’t worry. I’m not going to let it take you.” Amelia says, tousling Davey’s dark brown ringlets.

“You c-can’t let it take you either!” Davey cries, his eyes filled with terror.

“What exactly did it promise you?” Amelia asks.

“That she’d take me home to you,” Davey said.

“Okay. And is this a dragon like in the stories who likes treasure?” she asked, a plan slowly beginning to form. Davey nods.

“Okay Dragon, come back,” Amelia says in her most businesslike voice. “Let’s make a deal.”

The dragon raises a scaled brow. “You sure you wanna deal with me?”

“Yes. If you can deal with my four-year-old, you can deal with me.” Amelia says sternly.

“Fine. But there’s no deal that won’t involve you coming with me.” The Dragon smirks, but when she makes eye contact with Davey, guilt flashes in her eyes. “Don’t worry kid, I’ll take good care of her. I just need someone to polish my treasures.”

“What could I trade for time with my son?” Amelia asks. The Dragon looks her up and down.

“I supposed I could take that necklace, and that ring around your finger, as long as the gold and pearls are real.” The Dragon offers, the reflection of the pearls glinting in her eye.

“How much time will they buy me?” Amelia unclasps the necklace.

“Let me see them.” The Dragon says holding out a hand. Amelia works the ring off her finger, gently setting it and the pearls in The Dragon’s palm. The Dragon brings its enormous eye level with the jewelry. The Dragon rumbles to itself in a mysterious language that must be its native speech. She looks back up at Amelia. “These are nice, I can sense they’re sentimental. I’ll give you until his 18th birthday before you see me again. That’s my offer.”

Davey is immediately relieved, to a four-year-old, his 18th birthday feels as if it could be centuries away.

“Do we have a deal?” The Dragon asks.

“We have a deal.” Amelia answers. The Dragon smiles and flies abruptly away into the night.

Davey had a normal life for the next fourteen years. Little Davey was so young when The Dragon found him that he started to think it was just a dream, or his vivid imagination creating a friend when he was lost in the woods. Just in case though, he rarely ventured past the edge of the meadow, and he never told strangers his full name.

The night of Davey’s 18th birthday, he went to sleep in his bedroom after a party with his friends and family. As he drifted off, he wasn’t thinking of The Dragon at all. But in his dreams, he heard the song from when he was a boy and the rhythmic gusts of wind approaching. Davey sat up in bed, his eyes adjusting to the greyish predawn light. The hairs on the back of his neck stood upright, something was wrong. Davey climbed out of bed and sprinted towards his parents’ room. His dad snored soundly, an arm flung over his eyes to block out the light, but the space in the bed next to him was empty. Davey fell to his knees. This can't be real, it was just a fairy tale. What will I tell him? Davey thought frantically as he stared out the open window.