Evelyn the Mermicorn Fairy

  Title Page

  Dedication

  Map

  Poem

  Believing in Yourself

  A Rainy Morning in Tippington

  A Fairy Without a Wand

  Whirlpool Magic

  All at Sea

  Topaz to the Rescue

  Speaking Your Mind

  Jack Frost’s Magical Snowflake

  A Speech in Goblin Grotto

  Magical Mice

  Green-Goo Distraction

  Back to the Ocean

  Helping Others

  Return to Mermicorn Island

  The Amazing Advisor

  Going Fishing

  Magical Bubbles

  Pearl’s Present

  Teaser

  Copyright

  Now Topaz makes each fairy pest

  Quite confident that they know best.

  But when I steal her gems so bright,

  Each fairy’s wisdom will take flight.

  I’ll make them fear and hesitate,

  Until they’re in an awful state.

  And when they cannot give advice,

  I’ll cover Fairyland in ice!

  Find the hidden letters in the stars throughout this book. Unscramble all ten letters to spell a special mermicorn word!

  A Rainy Morning in Tippington

  A Fairy Without a Wand

  Whirlpool Magic

  All at Sea

  Topaz to the Rescue

  “I love listening to the rain beating on the window,” said Rachel Walker. “Especially when it’s so cozy inside.”

  She snuggled deeper into her favorite armchair and gazed into the flickering flames of the fire. Her best friend, Kirsty Tate, put down the pattern she was stitching.

  “Me, too,” she said.

  Kirsty was spending the last week of the holidays at Rachel’s house in Tippington. Although they went to different schools, they saw each other as often as they could. They always had fun when they were together, and they often shared secret, magical adventures with their fairy friends.

  The living room door opened and Rachel’s dad popped his head around it.

  “Anyone for hot chocolate?” he asked.

  “Yes please,” said the girls together.

  “With whipped cream and sprinkles?” Rachel added.

  “Of course,” said Mr. Walker. “Maybe it’ll make up for not being able to go pebble collecting on the beach. What did you want the pebbles for?”

  “We were going to paint inspiring pictures and messages on them, and then put them back on the beach for other people to find,” Rachel explained.

  “But it’s OK,” said Kirsty. “We found something else crafty to do instead.”

  Rachel’s dad looked at the cross-stitch patterns they were holding. Kirsty was working on a turquoise mermaid with golden hair, and Rachel was stitching a snow-white unicorn.

  “Those look complicated,” he said.

  “Yes, but it’ll be a great feeling when they’re finished,” said Kirsty.

  Mr. Walker went to make the hot chocolate, and the girls continued stitching.

  “What’s your favorite, mermaids or unicorns?” asked Rachel.

  “I don’t think I can choose,” said Kirsty. “After all, we’ve met them both on our adventures, and each one was just as magical and inspiring as the other.”

  Just then, they heard a tiny, tinkling giggle. The girls exchanged a surprised glance.

  “That sounded exactly like a fairy,” said Rachel.

  There was another bell-like giggle, and the girls jumped to their feet.

  “Where are you?” Kirsty asked.

  Then Rachel noticed that Kirsty’s dark hair was sprinkled with sparkling fairy dust. Kirsty saw the same thing on Rachel’s hair. They both looked up at the same time and laughed out loud.

  A chestnut-haired fairy was waving at them from the top of the round glass light pendant. She slid down it with a whoop and turned somersaults through the air, landing on the sofa arm with a bounce. She was wearing a shimmering, glittery blue skirt and a matching denim jacket.

  “Hello,” she said. “I’m Evelyn the Mermicorn Fairy.”

  “Hello, Evelyn,” said Rachel, kneeling down in front of her. “What brings you to my living room?”

  “And what’s a mermicorn?” Kirsty added.

  “Exactly what it sounds like,” said Evelyn with a smile. “It’s the rarest, most magical creature in all of Fairyland—half-mermaid and half-unicorn.”

  “Oh, it sounds wonderful,” said Kirsty in a whisper. “I wish I could see one.”

  “We only see them once a year,” said Evelyn. “We always celebrate their visit with the Mermicorn Festival. That’s why I’m here. Would you like to come and enjoy the festival with me?”

  Rachel and Kirsty squealed in excitement.

  “We’d love to,” said Kirsty.

  “Then it’s time to go to Fairyland!” said Evelyn.

  Evelyn opened her hand, and the girls saw that she was holding a little pile of sparkling fairy dust.

  “Don’t you have a wand?” asked Rachel.

  Evelyn smiled.

  “Not today,” she said.

  She blew the fairy dust toward the girls, and a pastel rainbow swirled around them. Everything shimmered in light shades of blue, yellow, green, and pink. Rachel and Kirsty reached for each other’s hand as their delicate wings unfolded.

  “Listen,” said Kirsty. “The rain sounds different.”

  “Yes, I can’t hear the raindrops spattering against the window anymore,” said Rachel. “It sounds more like … waves.”

  At that moment, the pastel-colored swirl of fairy dust vanished, and the girls found themselves sitting on a small stretch of golden sand.

  “It is waves,” said Kirsty in delight. “Yippee, we made it to the beach after all.”

  “This is a bit more magical than the one I was planning to visit,” said Rachel with a happy laugh.

  “Welcome to Mermicorn Island,” said Evelyn.

  “I’ve never seen such fine sand,” said Kirsty, letting it run through her fingers.

  “Or such blue sea,” Rachel added, cartwheeling down to the shore.

  The sun was sparkling on the water, and it looked as if tiny diamonds were dancing in the waves. As Rachel turned around to smile at her best friend, she saw a beautiful sight. At the edge of the beach was a row of candy-colored stalls gleaming with a pearly sheen. Fairies were walking barefoot from stall to stall, wearing shells braided into their hair and pearls threaded into necklaces and belts. The Music Fairies were playing an oceanic tune on driftwood instruments.

  “I can taste the salt in the air,” said Kirsty, taking a deep breath.

  “What happens at the Mermicorn Festival?” Rachel asked.

  “Music, dancing, good food, good fun,” said Evelyn, spinning around with her arms held wide. “It’s my favorite time of year.”

  Just then, Shannon the Ocean Fairy came dancing across the sand toward them.

  “Rachel and Kirsty!” she cried, giving them a hug. “It’s great to see you. Evelyn, when will the mermicorns get here? I can’t wait to see them.”

  “Very soon,” said Evelyn. “Let’s get everyone to come down to the shore.”

  “Why is everyone walking?” asked Rachel as they watched their fairy friends moving down to the shore.

  “Because even fairies like to feel the sand between our toes sometimes,” said Evelyn, smiling. “We all leave our wands at the palace when we come here. We agreed that Mermicorn Island should only be for mermicorn magic.”

  Just then, the music changed. It was as gentle and flowing as the waves. The shallow, clear water began to swirl around in a whi
rlpool.

  “Wow, the water’s changing color,” said Kirsty.

  The whirlpool had turned a lighter, more sparkling blue, and seemed to be lit by a light from below.

  “Something’s coming out of it,” said Rachel, tingling all over with excitement.

  Rachel and Kirsty watched as a spiral horn rose up through the swirling water. The head and neck of a beautiful unicorn appeared. Three colorful gemstones hung around her neck on a golden chain. Then a sparkling green mermaid tail flicked out of the water. The fairies cheered and waved, and the mermicorn bowed its head. Evelyn waded out to the whirlpool and reached out her hand.

  “This is Topaz,” said Evelyn.

  She let her hand rest on Topaz’s mane for a moment. Rachel and Kirsty followed Evelyn and did the same thing, and at once a strong feeling of confidence flooded through them. At the same time, the gems Topaz was wearing glowed even more brightly.

  “How funny,” said Kirsty. “I’ve been feeling worried about the homework project I chose to do for school, but all of a sudden I feel certain that I picked the right one.”

  Evelyn smiled.

  “Topaz’s magic is working,” she said. “You see, the gems that she wears have the power to make everyone around them feel confident. Her blue gem gives you confidence in your own choices and ideas. Her pink gem gives you confidence to speak your mind, and helps you be brave enough to stand up for the things you believe in. And the green gem gives you the confidence to help others.”

  Just then, several other mermicorns broke through the foaming waters, each with a different-colored tail. The other fairies were all in the water now, and they started to play with the mermicorns, stroking their manes, laughing, and singing. The mermicorns were leaping through the foamy waves, flicking their tails. Topaz nuzzled close to Evelyn, with love in her big, shining eyes.

  “What an amazing sight,” said Rachel, looking around in wonder at the fairies and mermicorns.

  “This festival gives us confidence and energy every year,” said Evelyn. “And the mermicorns love spending time with the fairies. We’ve planned a feast on the beach for later and a dance under the moonlight. This is going to be the best festival yet.”

  “WRONG!” yelled a raspy voice.

  There was a loud roar, and something came hurtling through the water toward the fairies and the mermicorns.

  “A speedboat!” cried Rachel.

  The boat turned hard in the waves, sending a wall of water crashing over the fairies. There were three goblins in the back of the boat, and everyone recognized the driver.

  “Jack Frost,” said Kirsty. “We should have guessed.”

  “Get her!” shouted Jack Frost.

  Cackling with laughter, the goblins threw an ice-blue net over Topaz.

  “You can’t catch a magical mermicorn with a fishing net,” said Evelyn, fluttering her wings. “It can’t hold her.”

  “This isn’t an ordinary net,” said Jack Frost with a sneer. “Besides, it’s not your silly mermicorn I want. I heard a rumor that her gems make you feel confident. Now I know why you pesky fairies are always thinking you know best. Without the gems, you’ll never be confident enough to stand up to me!”

  “Stop!” cried Kirsty. “You wouldn’t dare take them when you’re surrounded by fairies.”

  “Fairies without their wands,” scoffed Jack Frost. “You can’t stop me!”

  He tugged on the net, and it snapped back into his hand. The little mermicorn let out a cry of shock. Then Jack Frost held up the three gems.

  “My magical net catches whatever I want,” he gloated. “And I want these.”

  There was a flash of blue light and a crack of thunder, and the speedboat disappeared, taking Jack Frost and the magical gems with it.

  The mermicorns gathered around Topaz, looking frightened and unhappy. Evelyn put her arms out to try to pet them all.

  “What are we going to do?” she asked.

  Some of the other fairies made a circle around the mermicorns.

  “I think we should go and get our wands,” said Shannon.

  “First we should tell the king and queen what’s happened,” said Victoria the Violin Fairy.

  They exchanged a worried glance.

  “Maybe you’re right,” said Shannon in a shaky voice.

  “No, maybe your idea is better,” said Victoria.

  Rachel and Kirsty looked around. All the fairies started talking at once, sharing their ideas. But no one felt sure which idea was best. At last, Evelyn rose out of the water and fluttered above everyone.

  “It’s hard to have the confidence to decide, because Topaz’s gems are missing,” she said. “We have to get them back.”

  “Maybe we should ask the king and queen what to do,” said Shannon.

  The fairies murmured and nodded, and then shrugged their shoulders and stared at one another. No one felt confident enough to make a choice.

  Kirsty felt unsure, too. But then she remembered that her best friend always made her feel stronger. She took Rachel’s hand, and a little bit of confidence flickered inside her.

  “Let me and Rachel try to rescue the gems,” she said.

  “Not without me,” said Evelyn.

  “Should the rest of us go back to the Fairyland Palace?” asked Victoria.

  She didn’t sound very sure, but Rachel and Kirsty nodded, and the fairies hugged them good-bye and flew away.

  “Let’s fly toward the Ice Castle,” said Kirsty, still holding tightly to Rachel’s hand. “Maybe we will have a better idea on the way.”

  Evelyn came over and the three friends held hands. Instantly they all felt a little bit more confident.

  “Topaz, go home to Mermicorn City,” said Evelyn. “You’ll be safe there until we can find your gems.”

  Topaz turned to the other mermicorns and made a few gentle whinnying sounds. At once, the mermicorns dove under the waves with a flick of their bright tails. But Topaz did not join them. She looked at Evelyn and shook her head.

  “She won’t go home without her gems,” said Evelyn. “All right, Topaz, I understand. Maybe you can help us search.”

  Feeling unsure of where to start looking, the fairies rose up and started to fly. Topaz swam below them, leaping through the waves. They had not gone far before the mermicorn let out a high-pitched whinny and speeded up.

  “She’s seen something,” said Evelyn. “Come on!”

  Topaz was already ahead of them. She was streaking through the water toward a little boat in the distance.

  “Is that the speedboat?” asked Evelyn.

  “No,” said Kirsty. “It looks like a rowboat.”

  “There are two people in it,” said Rachel in an excited voice. “I think they’re green.”

  The three fairies reached the little red boat bobbing on the water and hovered above it. Sure enough, two grumpy-faced goblins were squatting inside.

  “What should we do?” asked Evelyn. “I can’t decide.”

  Topaz was swimming around the boat, and the goblins were yelling at her.

  “Go away!”

  “Leave us alone, you big goldfish!”

  Rachel zoomed down and perched on the side of the boat. Kirsty and Evelyn landed beside her. At once, Topaz’s velvety head rose out of the water. She was glaring at the bigger goblin, and Evelyn gasped.

  “Look at his hand,” she said.

  The goblin had something clutched in his fist. He was trying to hide it, but a bright blue light was shining through his closed fingers.

  “The blue gem,” said Rachel. “We’ve found it!”

  “Give Topaz’s gem back,” said Kirsty.

  But the goblin just blew a raspberry at her and dropped the gem back in his pocket.

  “What are we going to do?” asked Evelyn. “I don’t have my wand, so we can’t use magic to help us.”

  Kirsty had an idea.

  “Goblins, do you enjoy being out here on the boat by yourselves?” she asked.

  The
goblins shook their heads.

  “It’s boring,” said one.

  “I’m hungry,” said the other.

  “If you give us the gem, you’ll be able to go home,” said Kirsty. “You won’t need to guard anything.”

  “We’d need to guard ourselves against Jack Frost,” said the bigger goblin. “Go away and leave us alone.”

  He waved an arm at them and accidentally hit the smaller goblin in the face.

  “Watch out,” said the smaller goblin.

  The bigger goblin poked his shoulder with one long, bony finger. The smaller goblin gave him a shove.

  “Stop squabbling,” said Rachel.

  But the goblins took no notice. They stood up and jostled each other. The bigger goblin stamped on the smaller goblin’s toes.

  “YOWCH!” he yelled, hopping around on one leg.

  He lost his balance and fell sideways. SPLASH! He sent the bigger goblin straight over the side of the boat and into the water!

  “Help!” gurgled the bigger goblin. “Help! I can’t swim!”

  Evelyn was about to help, but Kirsty stopped her.

  “Wait,” she said. “Look. Maybe this time, we need to give the mermicorn magic a chance.”

  Topaz dove under the goblin, and suddenly he was riding a mermicorn! A happy smile spread over his face. He leaned forward and pressed his face into Topaz’s mane. He cuddled her and stroked her soft skin. Then he reached into his pocket and gave back the blue gem.

  “Thank you for saving me,” he whispered.

  Rachel and Kirsty were astonished. They had never seen a goblin be so gentle.

  “Perhaps it’s the mermicorn magic,” said Kirsty in a whisper. “It made me feel wonderful when I stroked Topaz before. Maybe it’s making the goblin feel like doing the right thing.”