Chapter seven, Dungura Castle. Wooo, we made it. Zararah watched as
Jenny brushed the crumbs off her dress, opened up a checked rug and laid
out two flasks, one of mushroom soup, one of tea, some plates,
mugs, a pile of scones, sandwiches, biscuits, and a large
squashed pavlova with berries. Right, let's have our picnic here and get our
energy back. We can't go near Dungura Castle until all the staff and tourists
have left. They do the medieval banquet here every night. Good work,
fairies, said King Agda. Now to find Princess Moppet and get the princess's
tears. They looked up at Dungora Castle looming high above them. Eat up,
Sarara, said Queen Maeve, handing her a sandwich. Sararah had gobbled
a mountain of pavlova, followed by a biscuit. She didn't really have any
room for soup and sandwiches. She helped them pack up the picnic and store
everything carefully in the boat. They dragged Shork up the grassy bank towards Dungura
Castle and tied her to a white horned bush. So she wouldn't be washed
away by a high tide. Line up, fairies, I want to give
you all your equipment, said Queen Maeve, handing out matching rucksacks woven out
of grass, each containing a rose hip seed pod water container. Everyone apart
from King Dagda, put them on. He was carrying a coil of string
and a rope ladder. Queen Mave marched up and down the row, admiring
them. Now you look like a team. I wish I had made matching
outfits. The sun had gone down and a full moon was emerging out of
the Black Sea, turning its silver and casting just enough light for them to
see by. Dungura Castle was closing for the night, and a lady slammed
the big gate in the courtyard wall and turned the ancient key. The fairies
squeezed through the gate. They tiptoed across the cobbles to the back of the
tower under Princess Moppett's window. Sarara set off up the ivy, a long
piece of twine hanging down behind her. Her practice climbing trees came in useful,
and she zipped up to the window in no time. She quietly climbed
in and peeked into the room. Princess Moppett was jumping up and down on
her bed, watching TV and doing somersaults. Music blared, Z Factor was
on. Zarara turned back to the window and hauled on the twine. The
rope ladder snaked up the tower walls. She hooked it onto the window latch
and waved down to the others. Jenny was the first to climb up.
Zarara watched her climb a few rungs, shaking with panic. King Dagda encouraged
her up slowly. The others followed until they were all in Princess Moppett's bedroom.
The ads came on. Princess Moppett turned around and then froze. When
she saw the fairies. Her mouth fell open. Yes, my wish came
true. This is the best birthday ever. Sararah looked at the others guiltily.
This made things even more awkward. They were here to make her cry,
and it was her birthday. There were cards strung up across the ceiling
and a huge pile of sweets and presents on her bed. Have you brought
me a present? A present from the fairies? I can't wait to see
what is it? What is it? She said? The fairies whispered amongst
themselves, and then took off their rucksacks in anticipation. We didn't bring you
a present, Queen Mave announced. Princess Muppet held her breath. Is she
about to burst into tears? Thought Sarara. This was too easy. The
fairies hopped onto the bed and opened up their little rucksacks, but Princess Muppet
let out her breath. Oh well, I got all these presents. Look,
Princess Muppett danced around the bed pointing things out. And I got a
new dress, and I'm going to go to Disneyland with all my friends.
I have had the best birthday. This is the happiest day of my life.
She rabbited on. Zarara kicked off her shoes, and all the fairies
lay back on the bed, listening and licking enormous lollies. They loved a party.