The next morning slowly fluttering her eyes open, she stretched rising just before the dawn. She dressed quickly whizzing her was out of the oak tree and on her way through the forest she called home. For once in her young existence she had something fantastic to tell the magical humans and they hadn't stopped by her tree in over a week. She would go to them instead. Fluttering past the old elm trees aligned perfectly with the path east from her hallowed oak tree she inhaled deeply overcome with an internal love of the forest.

 She watched bees flying past busy working for their queen, she slowed down her wing speed to admire a toadstool to the left of her. She was still so full of sweet child like innocence. Lily enjoyed all of the forest magic from the big mountains down to the smallest willow tree termite. It fascinated her young mind. She did whatever she could to help the forest, she was kind to all of the other creatures, ready to help in any way she could. There wasn't anything out of the ordinary in the forest that morning, the entire woodlands seemed to be filled with life around every corner. It had been a quiet morning as Lily looked for any sign of the light witch, but so far nothing. It didn't discourage her, the forest was huge and she  a tiny young fay. It was going to take her a while to find anyone out here, human or creature.

This was much further into the forest than father would allow her to go, but she had wonderful news to share and the excitement to tell Gwen and her new friend was really getting to the fairy. She feared bursting into pieces at any given moment now. Traveling just over an hour, the sun had risen, shining through the forest trees and plants, like a spotlight on opening night. Lily had little experience in the forest alone, usually her father or brothers were with her. Soaking up the feel of adventure, she picked up her pace a little.

                                 Far in the distance she saw a large stream running south. To her it looked more like a small ocean than a stream. She walked along the side of the bank, watching the purple dragon flies whizzing around, the frogs were croaking their own tune. She just knew it was going to be a perfect day for her. Over the next half mile she could hear something in the distance, quickly she flew behind a rock, just in case they weren't friendly. Waiting curiously, she listened for the sound to draw closer to her before she dared to come out from her hiding place. She listened intently until she could hear footsteps, two sets of large footprints, and a conversation taking place. Then she swore that she knew those voices. Once she peeked  from behind a large rock pile, she could see them. She flew straight towards them with a bright smile upon her sparkling little face.

"There you two are, I have been looking for you."

"Why is that?" She asked the fairy.

"I have some good news and I didn't want to wait to share it with you and Trinity."

"What is it?" Trinity asked with excitement.

"Yes, please tell us." Gwen chimed in, watching the fairy smile even brighter than before.

"I have just been accepted to start working as a keeper, a very big honor among the faries."

"What does a keeper do?" Trinity asked with curiosity.

"Oh, I forgot, you're from the human dimension. A keeper is responsible for guarding fairy dust, which helps spread magic through the forest."

Gwen smiled and bowed to the fairy.

 "What a great honor it is to call you friend."

Trinity just observed this interaction between them, she found it to be rather interesting but strange at the same time.

She watched as the little fairy hugged her friend tightly by the left cheek and then flew over and kissed her on the right cheek.

"Thank you, I'm happy for you. When does your training begin for the job?"

"I leave for Tangian Hallow in two weeks. I'll miss getting to know you more, and Gwen of course." Lily spoke almost choking on the words. She would miss the witches more than anything.

"How long will you be there?" Asked Gwen softly.

"A full cycle, but I will return."

"So a month?" Trinity guessed.

"No a full cycle is one year." Gwen corrected her.

"That is quite some time, but it's okay. We'll visit with you before you go and be here waiting for your return." Trinity consoled the little winged creature.

Lily simply nodded to her friends.

"Would you like us to walk with you back to your tree?"

"Yes, I'd like that very much."

Gwen held out her left hand for Lily to sit as the witches walked her home, happy to be with her friends for a little while before she had to get everything arranged for her transition to being one of the keepers. The three of them walked a slow but steady pace back through the forest, listening to Lily tell them all about fairy dust, the seceret formula dating back further than anyone really knew. The two listened as the little creature talked the entire way back to the oak tree. It had made lily so happy, putting a sparkle in those big eyes of hers. 

Gwen loved to see Lily so filled with joy and hope. She hated to admit it but she was going to miss the little fairy on her walks in the forest. It was nice just knowing that Lily was there. To magical creatures a year really wasn't that long, but to Gwen it seemed like forever and then some. She knew her friend the little fairy or tree sprite as she liked to be called would be back again, but one year seemed a lifetime to any teenager in any realm.

Once the three of them had made it back to the oak tree they sat under it, spending a little more time visiting with their young winged friend before heading back home. Even though Gwen was sad to know that one of her good friends would be leaving soon, she was happy for her. She and Trinity both hugged the tree sprite goodbye. The two walked on, heading through the forest and then to the village to the short cut home. 

Trinity knew they should talk about the dark sorceress who instantly seemed to change her personality over night. She knew Gwen only saw the good in people, but Trinity wasn't so easily fooled. She wondered if Gwen felt the same way, but didn't want to start a confrontation over it. She just walked alongside Gwen, enjoying the fresh mid morning air, the chirping of several different birds at once almost in a mystical harmony. Trinity loved moments like this, times where you took a mental picture of a random moment in time. She didn't want to spoil it with a conversation about the dark witch or what her real intentions might be.

Once they made it to the village there were a few of their friends walking through the square, Gwen waved to Sarah, who was more than glad to see them.

"Hey, where have you two been lately?" Sarah asked beaming a huge smile.

"We were out for an early morning nature walk." Trinity answered her softly.

"What are you doing out today?" Gwen asked being polite as always.

"Tom will be here soon, we have a lunch date in about a half hour." Sarah answered her, blushing slightly.

"That sounds nice, are you getting serious with him?"

"I hope so, I can't tell yet, it's only been a few months so I'm letting him decide that. I do love to spend time with him."

"That's great, have a good time but we had better get back home, my mom will start to wonder if we'll ever make it back." Gwen informed her younger friend.

Trinity followed behind Gwen as they strolled through the village until they reached the large hill and both of then ran up  to the family cottage, ready for a rest from their long walk home.