"Tell us a story, Gramps," the cherubic faced little girl begged.

"Yeah, tell us a story," echoed eight other small voices. The old man looked around the campfire at the nine faces watching him in anticipation. Each autumn, they would journey here to visit and each autumn, they'd hike deep into the woods to camp for several days. He wasn't sure how many more years he'd be able to accommodate this tradition. His body wasn't as young as it used to be. Running a hand through his white hair, he nodded at the children.

"Alright, alright. Just hold on. You know I never forget story time. Now... what story will it be this time?"

"The one about the boy and girl!"

"Yes, the boy!"

"Are you sure? Wouldn't you rather fee, fie, fo, fum?"

"No, the one with the boy and girl."

"Oh, please, Gramps." The old man smiled sadly. They chose the same story year after year.

"Fine, fine... now how did it begin?" he teased.

"Once upon a time..."

"Ah yes. Now I remember. Once upon a time there was a boy..."

~~~~~~~~~~

Leaves rained down from the trees, swirling through the air around him in a storm of autumn colors. They blurred together setting the forest ablaze with shades of orange, yellow and red. He felt them crunch under his boots in a steady rhythm which invited him to keep running. Tucker ducked and dodged limbs as he ran through the trees. He'd turned fourteen in the summer and began properly exploring the woods about the same time. It provided an escape from the endless chores.

Just as he whipped around a rather large tree, something caught his eye. A strange light shone in the middle of a thick copse of trees. The boy skidded to a stop, tilting his head in thought at the strange glow protruding from the trunk of a tree. The more he stared, the more curious he became. He found his feet trudging along of their own accord bringing him closer and closer to the light.

He wanted to reach out for the beautiful glow but wasn't sure he should. Momma always told me to look and not touch. Tucker pondered his mother's words a moment more before giving in to impulse. His hand trembled as he reached towards the warm glow sparkling from the oval that was as large as he was.

Warm tingles ran up his hand and through his arm, as he snatched it back quickly holding it close to his chest. He had never seen anything like it before. Where he expected to touch the bark of the tree, his hand had disappeared into the misty glow as if swallowed up. He walked step by step around the tree, curiosity growing as he reached the other side. There was no glowing hole on the opposite side.

With quick steps, he returned to the front, bracing both hands on the trunk, he stepped up into the bright light. His eyes watered as he moved forward in a slow shuffle, blocking the light with his arm as it grew brighter and brighter the deeper he went. He felt a tug pulling him forward as if the light was leading him. The realization came to him that he was now deep within the light filled tunnel, much deeper than that of the width of the tree. A shadowy figure appeared just ahead as the misty light dimmed. The size and shape was that of a person, a girl with long hair possibly but... he shook his head wondering if he were dreaming.

~~~~~~~~

Tucker took one last step, tumbling from the trunk into a strange new place. He thought the colors from the autumn tinted forest back home were beautiful. Looking up from a bed of soft springy moss he now lay in, he realized those colors paled in comparison to the vibrant hues of purples and pinks which these trees held. The moss beneath him was of a deep emerald green. He'd seen paintings back home of gemstones found in other parts of the world. It was the only comparison his mind could form at the strangeness of the new world around him.

A shuffling sound behind the tree caught his attention as he scrambled to his feet. That was when he saw her for the first time. Deep green eyes framed by golden lashes peeked at him from the other side of the tree he'd fallen out. He wasn't sure what he should do but standing there staring was definitely not the manners his momma had drilled in him. She'd always told him there were lots of excuses one could have in life, but there was no excuse for poor manners.

"Hi." He raised a hand in an awkward wave. The golden-haired girl continued to stare, her brows furrowed while she worried her bottom lip between her teeth. He brushed off the moss and bracken from his britches never taking his eyes off the girl who was still half hidden behind the tree.

"I've never seen colors like these on trees before. Is this normal?" The girl still didn't answer. He looked around quickly before glancing back to see if she were still watching him. "My name is Tucker. What's yours?" When no answer was forth coming, Tucker's patience with the unusual girl ran out. He turned to leave, but heard movement behind him.

"Wait! Don't leave yet." Her soft voice floated through the air unlike anything he'd ever heard. It sounded like music, tinkling and soft. Tucker turned with a grin tugging at his lips only to have his smile wiped away in shock. He stepped back tripping over a hidden root, sprawling on the forest floor once again. The girl hovered in the air just above him. Silver wings fluttered behind her holding her dainty feet just above the mossy ground.

"You... you have wings!" Tucker knew it was impolite to point but he couldn't help it. His finger stretched out pointing directly towards the wings holding her up.

"You don't? Did you lose yours?" the girl asked as her head tilted to the side as if trying to figure out why he lay there wingless.

"No! I don't have wings."

"Why not?"

"Well... no one where I am from has wings," he said with a shrug as he stood up. The girl flew around him, a tinkling laugh escaping as she did.

"You're from... the beyond?" Her awed voice lowered to a whisper.

"Do you mean the other side of the tree?" Tucker pointed towards the soft glow. The winged girl nodded in reply. "Yeah, I guess I am. Where are we now?"

"We're in Bramble Glade of the Southern Fairy Kingdom." Tucker's mouth opened but no words came out. He realized he was no longer home. No longer in the Wihacha Valley where his family's little cabin sat nestled snug surrounded by the forest he roamed. "I know I'm not supposed to open the gate between the realms but I couldn't resist. I didn't know anyone would actually come through," she said with a soft giggle.

Tucker stared at the fairy in front of him. Part of him wondered if he'd fallen in the forest and was now laying there in the cool evening air dreaming. Even in his dreams, he couldn't have imagined such an enchanted place or person. The girl landed gracefully near him only coming up to his shoulders when she stood on the ground.

"I'm Ambryth Quilltree. Princess of the Southern Fairy Kingdom."

"I'm Tucker Wallace of Wihacha Valley." The girl reached forward grabbing Tucker's hand as if on impulse.

"Come with me, Tucker Wallace."

~~~~~~~~

Over the next hour, the girl showed him around the strange forest playing games of tag and hide'n'seek.

"I see you!" Ambryth laughed hovering over where Tucker knelt behind a thick bush. She laughed flying in a large loop before swooping down beside him.

"Wow. It must be wonderful to fly." Tucker's voice was wistful as he watched the fairy.

"Come here. I have an idea." Ambryth wrapped her arms around the older boy from behind lifting him off the ground for a few minutes before setting his feet back on solid ground.

"Thank you," Tucker said shyly, smiling at the fairy who now stood beside him smiling. When time came for him to leave, Ambryth threw her arms around his waist, squeezing him in a tight hug.

"You will come back?" she asked as her lips turned down in a slight pout. Something about her tugged at him. He felt as if he'd found the friend he'd been missing all his life. Smiling at the fairy now fluttering in the air in front of him, Tucker nodded slowly.

"I will. I'll come back."

And he did. Everyday he'd run off to the forest as soon as chores were done and scuttle through the glowing oval in the strange tree. She'd be waiting just on the other side hovering midair until he appeared. His days were spent with Ambryth exploring new sights in the fairy realm and playing games. He began thinking of her as his fairy and couldn't help the smile which appeared when he saw her.

Time passed, days turning to weeks and then months and not one day did he miss journeying to the fairy realm to see Ambryth even if only for a few minutes when he was too busy with chores. One day deep in the blast of winter's chill, Tucker trudged through the snow covered forest impatient to reach the warm glow of the tree. By the time he reached it, his hands were numb and teeth chattering but the moment he fell through to the other side warmth engulfed him.

In all the months he traveled to Ambryth's realm, the seasons hadn't changed. Each day was the same perfect temperature somewhere between not too hot and not too cold. She reached for his hands rubbing them between hers.

"Tell me again why it is so cold where you are from, Tucker?" Her tinkling voice sounded like music to his ears as he let her lead them deep into the fairy forest. She'd brought a picnic for them today and already had it set up by a babbling creek. Sitting down cross legged, he explained once more about the different seasons. She leaned in resting her elbows on her knees, golden curls falling around her face. Her complete attention was his which caused him to sit a bit straighter as he told her tales of his homeland.

She, in turn, told him of her realm. This became a daily occurrence, each learning all they could of the other's world. Tucker was a simple homesteader and she a royal princess, two beings which in a normal world would never cross paths but they had. And they grew closer for it. They were happy and lighthearted as children should be without a care about anything but the friendship they had formed.

~~~~~~~~

Time passed turning months to years. While both grew and the duties they had in their worlds increased, they spent every day together even still. Tucker was now more man than child having turned nineteen a few weeks before. His mother wondered where he disappeared to every afternoon but the smile on his face was enough to hold most of her questions at bay, unlike his father who disagreed that his son should be settling down on his own by now. But Tucker forgot those words the longer he stayed in the magical realm with Ambryth.

There was a small cottage near the tree, nestled in a glade. It had long ago been abandoned by which ever magical being once called it home. Tucker began fixing it up while Ambryth watched and helped with whatever she could. Within a couple months of turning nineteen, he was calling Bramble Glade home more than he was his human realm, choosing to stay days at a time in the cottage.

Ambryth came to see him daily where they'd picnic and lounge by the cool waters of the nearby creek. She had grown up during these past few years as well. Being a year younger than he, she wasn't quite eighteen yet, but her birthday loomed just ahead. One beautiful fairy day where the weather was mild and the forest peaceful, Tucker lay on his back after having devoured the delicious food she'd brought from her home, the palace.

"You act as if you haven't eaten in days. It's a good thing I'm the eighth daughter and no one cares if I sneak through the kitchens or not on my way out," Ambryth laughed tossing a piece of fruit at the boy. Tucker reached up and caught the fruit with ease without having to do more than raise his hand.

"It's their loss and my gain. I never can get enough of the delicious food you bring me. The food from home is bland in comparison." Tucker shrugged as he spoke not really able to explain his growing love of all things fairy. Over the years, he'd learned to love the strange land, food and even the fairy princess sitting beside him, although he'd never said as much aloud. If he had to guess by her actions, she cared for him as well, but they'd never spoke of their feelings for each other.

Tucker watched as she leaned forward wiping something from his chin with one dainty finger. Strengthened by his recent thoughts, he tucked a loose strand of golden hair behind her ear letting his hand linger on the back of her neck. Slowly he pulled the fairy princess forward, placing a gentle kiss on her full lips. Much to the boy's surprise, Ambryth returned his kiss although somewhat shyly. She lowered her eyes, tucking her bottom lip between her teeth upon his release of her.

"You're beautiful," Tucker whispered. "I've thought so since the first day I tumbled through the tree." A flush covered the fairy's cheeks as she looked up at the human boy in front of her.

"I've waited for that kiss from almost that same day," she replied with a giggle. Tucker couldn't help but return her infectious laugh. That was a turning moment for the young couple.

~~~~~~~~

Day after day, they'd talk of the future, Ambryth promising to introduce him to her father when the time was right. Tucker rarely returned home, feeling guilty when he thought about his parents but the lovely girl who held his heart eased that guilt when she came to see him every afternoon.

"Marry me, Ambryth." Tucker's words hung between them as they walked in the flower filled glade surrounding his little cottage. "I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I love you."

"I love you too, Tucker!" Ambryth threw her arms around his neck as he held her close. When she pulled back, he saw her radiant smile beaming up at him.

"Is that a yes?"

"Yes! Yes, of course I'll marry you!" Ambryth laughed as happy tears formed in her eyes. "I'll have to tell my father. But once he meets you, I'm sure he'll love you as much as I do!"

"I can't wait to meet your parents. I know I don't have a lot to offer but I'll love you and cherish you until my dying day," Tucker promised. Ambryth left soon after to break the news to her family and although he had argued to go with her, she thought it best he wait for her.

Days passed without her return. He'd never been away from his fairy princess this long before and after the fourth day, Tucker's heart began to ache. He worried her family had talked her out of their wedding or worse forbid her to ever see him again. He was ready to pack his meager belongings and set off to find the fairy palace Ambryth had told him so many stories of, but late on the fifth day she appeared.

Opening the door with shaking hands, Tucker was surprised to find an excited princess hovering just beyond. She threw herself into his arms, giving him a long embrace to make up for the time she'd been gone.

"I was getting worried."

"I know and I am so sorry. But Father needed to hear our entire story several times before finally giving me his blessing just today. I hurried here as fast as I could to tell you. He wants to meet both you and your family. Can you return to your realm and bring them here?" The words poured from her mouth in her excitement to share everything.

"I'll have to explain to them. I've never told them I come here but they know something with how long I stay gone. I'll leave now and be back tomorrow with my family. The sooner I get back, the sooner we will never have to be apart again."

"Oh, hurry. I can't bear the thought of being apart any longer," Ambryth agreed with his plan.

They walked hand and hand to the tree he hadn't traveled through for several months now. Ambyth had explained many years ago how only a handful of the magical trees existed in all the realm. She was very lucky to have found this one so close to her home when she did all those years ago. He didn't want to imagine what his life would be like today if he hadn't explored the woods near his childhood home that day.

"I'll be back soon, My Love." Tucker placed one final kiss on her lips before she summoned the portal in the tree to return him to his world. He waved back at her just before entering the glowing tunnel. Her face had turned ashen just as the light crept around him. He heard her scream out as an older man stepped up to her. But he was already being tugged back to the other side by the strange light.

~~~~~~~~

Jumping out of the tunnel into a cool autumn afternoon much like the first time he'd found it, Tucker turned around planning to return immediately. Something was wrong and he'd left Ambryth alone with the strange man. Just as he stepped towards the tree, the strange magical glow began to fade. He hurried reaching out for it but instead scraped his knuckles on the rough bark of the twisted tree.

"No!" he cried out to the quiet forest surrounding him. Stepping back, Tucker ran his hands through his dark hair. He ran around the tree but nothing happened. The portal to his beloved was still gone. He took a couple steps backwards looking the tree up and down. He wondered if the man was her father and his worse fears from a few days ago had been realized. What happened next sent his heart beating faster and giving proof to his thoughts.

The tree he'd used for the past few years disappeared in a puff of smoke. One moment it was there and the next gone. When the vapor disappeared, all that was left was an empty patch of forest floor as if it had never existed.

Tucker screamed, running through the forest as fast as he could. Anguish clutched at him while desperation gnawed away inside. He needed to find another portal, another magic tree. He stumbled, his feet growing numb as the cool night sat in. Ambryth's pain filled face burned in his memory. As tears ran down his cheeks, he continued his search.

He looked for weeks for another tree like the one his beloved opened by magic, but he never found a way to the beyond. His family finally found him sitting outside their cabin, beat, scratched and starving. No one but he knew the real reason he showed up after months away from home looking as if he were about to die.

He never told his family of his love. To this day, the children sitting before him, sons and daughters of the orphans he'd opened his ranch to many years after he'd returned a broken man, were the only ones who had ever heard this sad tale. And to them it was no more than a story, much like the fee, fie, fo, fum story they often asked for as well.

Wiping a tear from his eye before the children saw him, he pasted a smile on his wrinkled face remembering a beautiful fairy who still held his heart, the only one who ever had. And who he still searched for every day for the past fifty years in the same forest he'd first saw the glowing tree.

The End