"Can I add to my list of tasks?" Dewdrop asked. For the first time, she was genuinely curious about something of Fairydom.
"No, not until you have earned your wings. It is a rite of passage every Fairy must complete. Do you . . . do you wish to at least earn your wings?" Cornelius asked. Gaining her wings would soothe his love's soul, that he knew, and would make the Dark more difficult to overtake her. More than anything, it pained him that she was having such a difficult time and would hardly accept his help.
"No, I told you, I want answers, first."
"Answers to what?"
"To . . to become human again!"
Cornelius sighed. How could he . . . and then he had an idea. "MY love, whe . . ."
"Please don't call me that."
The fairy nodded, "Dewdrop, when you were born, did you not cry? Would you not have given anything to be back inside the safety of the womb? And when you first went to school, did you cry to stay home? Change can be hard. And it can be unexpected. But it is not the end. Please, allow yourself to be happy. When I was cursed to be a doll, I was frightened for myself and sad for my friends and family. But then, after some time, I was played with. I was played with by your mother, once upon a time, then the son Adam, and then I was passed on to Alice. I had fun during those times of play. I was happy. I still wanted to become a fairy again. Yearned for my love who would rescue me." He smiled softly and took hold of Dewdrop's small, dainty hand. "Being happy is not a betrayal to your family. It is not an admission of defeat. It keeps you strong, and safe, and sane."
Dewdrop softened. "I have been Debbie Downer lately, haven't I?"
Cornelius nodded.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Anything, Dearheart."
Dewdrop frowned, but let the compliment slide, and slide it did, landing directly in her heart where it warmed her and tamped down the darkness forming there.
"How were you cursed?"
"Oh! That is a story, Dewdrop! An Epic Tale of Galiant Warriors and a Crazed Witch named Abagail Parson. It beg . . ."
"Wait, Abagail Parson?"
Cornelius nodded. "Do you know her?"
"She's my grandmother . . ."
