LITMIR.BIZ

      Delphie’s thoughts raced. Kidnapped elves, a missing tree, invitations that hadn’t been delivered …

      “Of course we have to rescue the elves, but first things first – we ought to try and get these invitations delivered,” she said thoughtfully. “Then at least there can be a Christmas feast even if there aren’t any presents and there isn’t a tree.”

      “Delphie’s right.” Sugar nodded. “Presents and Christmas trees are lovely, but even without them we can have a really good time just dancing and having fun!”

      “That’s true,” said Queen Isabella. “But how are we going to deliver the invitations in time? They have to go all over Enchantia.”

      “I could try to deliver them,” suggested Sugar. “But even flying I won’t be able to deliver all of them by this evening.” She looked at the huge pile on the table.

      Delphie frowned. “Isn’t there anyone who could help you, Sugar?” She asked. “Other fairies maybe …” A picture of the stage back at home flashed into her mind. “What about the four fairies from Cinderella?” she said. “Do they live in Enchantia? Couldn’t they be brought in?”

      “Of course!” said Sugar. “Why didn’t I think of that myself? They’re all friends of mine so I’m sure they’ll help. That’s a brilliant idea, Delphie. I’ll summon them straightaway.”

      Delphie knew that to summon characters in Enchantia you had to perform some of the dance that they did in the ballet they were from. Sugar lifted her wand and the music from Cinderella began to play. She stood for a moment, her right leg turned out, her left leg crossed behind her, and her eyes looking down. As the music speeded up she suddenly stepped forward, full of lightness and energy. She spun around, her arms held above her head, then she jumped straight up and crossed her feet over before landing perfectly in balance. Dancing forward, she took three light leaps.

      Delphie recognised the dance – it was that of the spring fairy and was full of light and life. Sugar spun and leaped, her feet crossing over and over until suddenly there was a flash of green light and a fairy appeared twirling round on her pointes, hands touching lightly above her head. She was wearing a knee length moss-green dress and had delicate gauzy wings. A circlet of leaves sat in her dark hair. She jumped gaily in the air too and did a side-stepping cat leap.