Anya the Cuddly Creatures Fairy (3 page)

“Calm down, Duchess,” Jean was saying. “I'm just trying to help you look your best.”

“Hello, Jean!” said Rachel. “We wanted to show Charlie the stables.”

“I love ponies,” said Charlie, running into the stall.

“Be careful!” warned Jean. “Duchess is in a very weird mood today.”

Just then, Duchess gave a loud snort and broke away from Jean. She dashed past Charlie, knocking him into a pile of straw, and charged out into the courtyard.

“Duchess, stop!” Jean cried.

But Duchess was in a bad mood, and she wasn't listening. She kicked over the feed sacks that were stacked against the wall, and grain, corn, and oats poured out onto the cobblestones in the yard.

“Oh, Duchess!” exclaimed Jean.

Charlie hid nervously behind Kirsty while Jean coaxed Duchess back into her stall and Rachel picked up the overturned sacks. At last, Jean came out and closed the stall door behind her.

“I don't know what's wrong with Duchess,” she said. “She's usually such a friendly little pony. Today's camp activity is taking place in the barn — I hope she's in a better mood by then.”

Rachel and Kirsty exchanged glances, both thinking the same thing. So many animals had been acting strangely this morning — could it have something to do with the Princess Fairies' missing tiaras?

Jean scooped some feed into a bucket and smiled at Charlie, who looked upset.

“Are you OK after your tumble in the straw?” Jean said, ruffling Charlie's hair. “I'm sorry about Duchess. Would you like to come and help me feed some of the other animals?”

“Yes, please!” Charlie cried excitedly.

“Maybe you can try to get the guinea pigs to come down from the henhouse,” Jean added. “They've been up there all morning.”

Charlie rushed ahead with Jean following him. Rachel and Kirsty were about to join them when they heard a gentle whinny. They looked around and saw a tall white stallion looking out from a nearby stall.

“What a beautiful horse!” Rachel exclaimed.

The horse whinnied again, and nodded his head a couple times. “It's almost as if he's trying to get our attention,” said Kirsty. “Come on, let's go and say hello to him.”

The nameplate on the horse's stall said
MERLIN
.

“Hello, Merlin,” said Rachel, reaching up and petting his soft nose.

Then she noticed something strange. “Look, Kirsty!” Rachel said, pointing to the top of Merlin's head. As the girls watched, a tiny sparkling light gradually grew brighter. Then Princess Anya the Cuddly Creatures Fairy peeked through Merlin's silvery mane!

“Princess Anya!” cried Kirsty in delight.

“Hello, Kirsty! Hello, Rachel,” said the Princess Fairy, flashing a dazzling smile as she flipped her braid over her shoulder.

She was wearing an orange dress with animal-print trim. “I've come to check on the animals! I'm happy to see that my friend Merlin seems fine. Have you seen any of the other animals?”

“Yes, we have,” said Rachel. “Princess Anya, I think Jack Frost's horrible plan is working! A peacock tried to peck Kirsty's mom's purse, the rabbits didn't want any food, the hens haven't laid any eggs, and the guinea pigs are on top of the henhouse!”

“And Duchess the pony is in a very bad mood,” added Kirsty. “We wondered if it had anything to do with the missing tiaras.”

“I'm afraid it does.” Anya sighed sadly. “Without my tiara, I can't watch over the special friendships that exist between animals and humans. That's why the animals have been behaving so strangely. I even had to leave my own little Bengal kitten in Fairyland, in case she's affected.”

“We have to find that tiara,” said Kirsty in a determined voice.

But Rachel was confused. “Why is Merlin still in a good mood?” she asked Anya.

The fairy's eyes sparkled as she smiled. “He's my special animal friend,” she explained. “He's descended from the very first horses that lived at the Golden Palace hundreds of years ago. They carried knights in armor, and Merlin remembers all the stories that have been passed down through his family.”

Rachel patted Merlin's warm neck and stroked his silky mane. He gently nuzzled her shoulder.

“It seems like Merlin is the only animal who still has a special bond with people,” Anya said. “Will you take me to see the other animals, girls?”

“Of course,” said Kirsty. “You'd better hide, though, Princess Anya.”

Rachel held open her jacket pocket so that Anya could fly into it. The girls said good-bye to Merlin and walked toward the petting zoo.