The Literate Loaf Barkshop

Our story starts where most stories do these days, with a book, a dog and bedtime. Crickett, the tri-colored Corgi, and her parents own a wonderful little bookshop on a quiet street in a small town. They bought the bookshop and the rest of the building, which includes living quarters upstairs about two years ago. Crickett is always excited to start the day in the bookshop. She loves walking around greeting the people who come inside. There are many shelves of books as well as many comfy chairs for the patrons to lounge in while they read. Before they opened their doors the first day they needed to name their shop and it was decided to call their bookshop “The Literate Loaf Barkshop”. They even created the sign for their shop with Crickett in a monocle and top hat.

At the moment Crickett is upstairs with her parents getting ready for bed. For as long as she can remember her parents enjoy reading in bed but not just to themselves. They enjoy reading short stories out loud so everyone can enjoy them. The short story they chose to read tonight is another one about a Corgi, who for some reason is always named Crickett. In all the short stories that Crickett has heard the pup in them seems to be very sweet and very brave. “I wonder if I’m like that?” Crickett wonders as she lies between her parents. Then adds laughingly, “Naw. My parents say I’m chaos on four stubby little legs and if there was a picture of chaos in the dictionary it would be of me.” She smiles her puppy smile and looks first at each of her parents before squirming a little to find just the right spot to listen to the story.

Once they are all ready Mommy opens the book of short stories and looks for one to read. Crickett’s not sure exactly how many stories are in the book but she knows that they have already read several and the book still looks half unread.

After checking the story list, Crickett's mommy announces they are going to be reading ”Crickett and the Search for the Missing Fairy”. Crickett loves the stories about the fairies and the other creatures that live in Crickett's neighborhood. She wishes those creatures lived in her neighborhood too. Naturally there are squirrels, bunnies and birds but they always give her a wide berth when they see her coming.

What Crickett doesn’t know is the stories her parents are reading to her are their stories and she is the Crickett in the stories. That’s also the reason there are always stories to be read, her parents are writing new ones all the time. Crickett’s mommy flips the pages to find the story, then they snuggle even more ready for the story to start.

Crickett’s mommy begins by saying the title again then begins the story. The story is as follows, at least until they all fall asleep. Which they always do and that’s just fine.

“Crickett, the tri-colored Corgi, wakes up early one morning rather impatient to check on her fairy friends. She had a bad dream the night before that one of her friends was missing and she is very worried. Crickett met the neighborhood fairies a few years ago during the first spring at her new home. Princess Awen was the first fairy she met, followed by her brother Prince Gren, then King Fjord and Queen Elowen. She even met some dark fairies as well. She met Queen Levana then her children Prince Nyx and the twin Princesses Branwen and Gehenna and finally just recently she met King Rizolvis. Over the years she met many more fairies and became close to them all. She has gone on many adventures with her friends as well. During the last one she helped Nyx, the dark fairy prince, find his long lost father.

When Crickett has eaten her breakfast, gone potty and done a few laps with her daddy around the block she and her mommy head over to the field behind her house. Her mommy loves to write on a big blanket in the sunshine while Crickett runs around and plays. This morning when she finds her friends sitting under their favorite tree there seems to be one less fairy waiting for her and this makes her even more worried than she had been before.

After she greets her friends she asks them, “Where is Gehenna?” then taking in their sadness at the mention of the fairy’s name she continues, “Has something happened? Is everything ok?” She is afraid of what could possibly have happened to her friend but is ready to help in any way she can, after all the fairies are more than just her friends, they are her family.

Branwen, the dark fairy princess, tries to speak but she collapses into her brother's arms crying. Gren is the one who answers her questions although he is as devastated as the others he is the only one that seems to be able to speak. Before he does though he takes a deep breath closing his eyes to collect himself. After a moment or two he begins speaking and she can tell he has been crying and can still hear the tears he’s fighting to hold back in his voice as he speaks, “When Branwen woke this morning she found that Gehenna was not in her bed. They share a room so when Branwen rolls over she can see Gehenna’s bed. At first she was not concerned, she just thought her sister was already up and down stairs eating breakfast. However when she went down a little later for her own breakfast and Gehenna was not there she began to worry. Then as she was finishing up breakfast she heard Queen Levana scream. There was a note. The Trolls have taken her.” Saying it out loud seemed to make it more real for all of them. They all break down crying. Needing comfort in their sadness and worry they embrace each other tight, afraid to let go.

As they comfort each other they hear the sound of small horses and tiny feet approaching them. They release each other enough to look towards where the sound is coming from. They see an army of fairies coming towards them and at the head of the army are King Fjord and Queen Elowen, Awen and Gren’s parents and King Rizolvis and Queen Levana, Nyx, Branwen and Gehnna’s parents.

Fjord and Rizolvis dismount their horses a little ways from Crickett and the others then walk the rest of the way to the small group. After a moment King Fjord speaks, “Crickett we are so happy to find you here. I’m sure you have heard by now that Princess Gehenna has been taken. We need your help to bring her home.” If Crickett hadn’t known before how serious the situation was, the fact that the Kings were asking for her help would have told her right away.

Crickett stands before the kings more than ready to help them find Princess Gehenna. With her head held high and her chest pushed out she replies, “I would be honored to help you rescue the Princess. When do I leave?” The kings exchange a glance that is equal parts proud of Crickett, worried for her and sad as well.

King Rizolvis replies, “Right now would be ideal but we know that you can only travel to the fairy realms when you sleep at night so as not to worry your parents. With that in mind we are in the process of gathering a few fairies to begin the search during the daylight hours. When you sleep tonight they will be waiting for you. Since you will be tracking the trolls in their territory, the others will not be able to go into their territory meaning you will have to continue on your own. If you come across any trolls in your search for the princess remember no matter what, always be yourself. They respect strength and a good heart and having both in abundance you will be fine.” Rizolvis then closes the distance between them and gives Crickett a hug and whispers in her ear, so that only she can hear, “Thank you my brave friend. You have done so much for us already. If you need me just call and I will come no matter the location, situation or repercussions." Then with a pat on her head he moves back to stand with Fjord.

Proud but a little embarrassed Crickett nods in understanding then says to the group, “I will be ready as soon as possible once I fall asleep. Will those starting the search be fairies I have met?” It won’t affect her going to look for Gehenna but she would like to know so that she knows who to expect and if introductions will need to be made when she meets up with them. King Fjord smiles at Crickett. He knows she likes to be prepared and proper so in truth the question was expected.

“We will make sure to include only fairies you have met so proper introductions will not be needed, just the usual greetings. We need you to get in and out as quickly and quietly as possible and be very careful.” Fjord said with a smile. To the fairies Fjord says, “You guys need to come home with us where it is safest. Once we know it is safe you can return.” Crickett’s fairy friends, still looking sad, give Crickett lots of hugs before bidding her goodbye.

As Crickett watches the fairies go she can’t help but worry for them all. “If the trolls got into fairyland and took Gehenna, are any of them truly safe?” She wonders but doesn’t want to know the answer just in case it is not a good one.”

That’s as far as they get that night. Crickett fell asleep first followed closely by her daddy and then her mommy fell asleep last still holding the book, which fell against her chest. They are all cuddled up and snuggly sleeping the night away and hopefully dreaming of fairies.

The next morning when they wake the book is still lying across Crickett’s mommy’s chest and open to the last pages they’d read. As she lays in bed Crickett feels her mommy begin to move but she isn’t ready to wake up yet because she did in fact dream of fairies and doesn’t want the dream to end. Unfortunately the dream is already fading because no matter how much she wishes otherwise she is indeed waking up. Accepting this she stands up, takes a big stretch then promptly falls off the bed. Luckily the bed isn’t far off the ground so she isn’t hurt, just a little shocked. She hadn’t realized she was that close to the edge.

When Crickett’s parents see her get back to her feet they ask her if she is ok while trying to stifle their giggles and failing. Crickett yips letting them know she is fine..Then heads into the kitchen to await her breakfast and hopefully put what happened behind her. However she hears her parents burst out laughing because they think she is out of ear shot, truthfully she very rarely ever is. Crickett doesn’t stop; she simply shakes her head at their silliness and continues her walk into the kitchen.

After breakfast is eaten their day starts. The day is a good day with lots of new people for Crickett to meet and even more regulars for Crickett to catch up with. Crickett has a little bed that looks like a big fluffy bear paw with even the toes visible, that sits right inside the showcase window. Everyone that walks by the window is instantly drawn inside especially if she happens to be napping in her favorite position, on her back twisted this way and that without a care in the world.

By the end of the day Crickett met a lot of new people and was able to catch up with many regulars that stopped by. When closing time comes she is tired and more than ready for bedtime. After they eat supper and relax a little it’s finally time for bed. When they are all comfortable in bed her daddy picks up the book to finish the story from just before he had fallen asleep the night before. There’s only a little back tracking before he gets to a new part none of them had heard before.

“That night Crickett fights to get to sleep as early as her parents would let her but it proves harder than usual. While she is definitely tired and more than ready to sleep she is way too pumped up to actually fall asleep. After some tossing and turning she is finally able to fall asleep. An instant later she finds herself with the search party before it even feels like she has fully closed her eyes.

“Crickett I’m so happy to see you have arrived.” Arden, one of King Fjord’s soldiers, says happily then continues, “There will just be five of us and you know us all. How are you this fine night?” Crickett is very happy to see her friends before her and smiles brightly.

”Hello my friends. I am doing well. How are you guys doing?” She replies almost giddy to see friends she hasn't seen for awhile. When every fairy has replied that they are all doing well Crickett is ready to begin the search for Princess Gehenna. They have to find her as soon as possible so they can return before dawn comes and she risks waking.

The fairies tracked Gehenna to the edge of the Troll Realm and had been waiting for Crickett’s arrival. Now that she is here they form a tight group and walk to the old bridge that runs over the creek. The bridge is unfamiliar and Crickett realizes it isn't close to her home or her neighborhood. She doesn’t recognize the area at all and the old iron bridge looks scary in the misty moonlight making Crickett instantly afraid of what could dwell under the bridge.

At the very edge of the bridge the fairies have to stop. “We can not go any further Crickett. You must do this part on your own. We will be here when you get back.” Arden says regretfully. Crickett wishes they could come but knows that she is more than capable of doing this on her own.

With one last look at her friends she places her left paw over the threshold of the bridge and instantly the world around her changes from darkness to a kind of twilight. She has no problem seeing her surroundings but she doesn’t believe what she is seeing. Everything is massive and the sky is muted grays and bruised mauves making things look bigger and scarier. Taking a deep breath she continues walking.

She doesn’t have to walk far before comes to a vibrantly lit and colored valley and it’s here she finds the Princess. Crickett is a little surprised there are no trolls near the Gehenna and she doesn’t appear to be in any distress. Crickett walks up to Princess Gehenna and greets her. “Gehnna are you ok? Your family is very worried. We must leave as soon as possible and get you back home.” Crickett whispers to Gehenna who only looks confused.

Princess Gehenna is very confused indeed and replies, “Why is my family worried? I am perfectly safe here.” As she talks she looks around to see if she can see the danger that has Crickett so worried but she only sees a beautiful valley surrounded by massive mountains. Gehenna isn’t sure how she got here but she doesn’t feel threatened in any way.

Now it’s Crickett who is confused and looking around she doesn’t see any danger either. That does not mean it’s not there, the danger could be hidden. “We must go. The trolls left a note that they took you. We have to go now.” Crickett pleaded with her friend. Seeing Crickett so worried, Gehenna agreed and they left. When they get to the bridge they run back across as fast as they can.

As soon as the pair crossed the bridge the world changed back. Crickett tells the waiting fairies to get on her back and hold on. When everyone is settled Crickett runs as fast as she can back home, back to safety. The journey is longer than Crickett had thought but she doesn’t stop running until they enter their neighborhood. When they make it back to Grover, the Tree Giant, they all collapse in exhaustion.

Crickett wakes in the morning with a jolt then yips to go outside so she could check on her friend. To her delight when she makes her way to the end of their block all of her friends are sitting under their favorite tree including the Kings and Queens. She smiles brightly and gives them a slight nod as she and her daddy pass letting them know she will return shortly.

After everyone’s breakfast is eaten and her daddy is at work Crickett and her mommy go to the field across the street behind their house. Seeing her mommy settled Crickett then takes off to see her friends. When she arrives and thank yous are given everyone rests under the branches of the tree to relax after such an eventful few days.”

With the last word read Crickett’s daddy closes the book, they all snuggle up closer then promptly fall asleep to dream about fairies and their brave little Corgi named Crickett.