* Chapter 4: Mr. Bombardo Lily settled herself on a stump. “So, Juniper,” she said, “did you like my plan?” “Yes,” admitted Juniper, “it was nice.” Just then Lily remembered Juniper’s scream. She asked about it. “Because I saw—” But her explanation was interrupted because Lily screamed. The reason of that scream was because Lily suddenly felt a firm hand on her shoulder. She looked around. “Because I saw him,” said Juniper, smiling. It was Mr. Bombardo. “Mr. Bombardo!” Lily shouted with joy, “it’s so nice to see you! But— what— why— how did you get here?” “I’m so sorry,” said Mr. Bombardo. “Why?” asked Juniper. “Well,” he replied, “it’s a long story. It goes like this: when you two were discussing your plans in the restricted section, I noticed you left the book sticking out of the shelf I was going to push it back, when something caught my eye. It was the Bell of Chances! I guessed your plans, but I needed more proof. Yes, Miss Spindle, Miss Elwood, I know it’s quite awful. I overheard you going over your plan in Miss Elwood’s room—” “Call me Lily, for the thousandth time!” “In Miss Elwoods room—” “LILY! I AM LILY!” “In Miss Woodland Princess Lily Hope Elwood’s room! I overheard your plan in Miss Woodland Princess Lily Hope Elwood’s room! Back to the story… There was my proof. Soon the ball had arrived. I saw you two go out with Wolf, and when he came back, he said you had left him in the dirt. I told him all your plans, and he said he thought you were acting suspiciously. I foolishly allowed him to go searching for you with me. The next day, we set of together. We slept on the ground, and while I was sleeping, the Gathumps snatched me and put me in their sack. Poor Wolf was left alone, and I assume that he is in these woods at this very moment, looking for you.” Lily gasped and said, “Mr. Bombardo! We have to find him! He has to be ahead of us by now…” “Yes, I would think he is,” continued Mr. Bombardo, “Miss Elwood, Miss Spindle… I am so very sorry for this series of events. It is my fault. I should never have let you on this journey in the first place.” “You’re forgiven,” said Juniper after a long silence, “but now what? Me and Lily, of course, will continue on our journey… but what about you? Will you just go back to the castle and keep working as a librarian?” “I would think so,” he said, “but, sadly, I believe that if I were in your father’s place, Miss Elwood, I would not allow a librarian who has run of to continue working in my palace.” “You mean you got… fired?” “I have no doubt, Miss Elwood.” “NO!" said Lily, “There must be something you can do! You need to earn a living! I can write a note to my father or something!” “I’m afraid that would not be of use,” said Mr. Bombardo, “But…” he pulled something out of his vest, “I think this might be of use to you two!” And out came— “Our bag!” Juniper cried, “you brought our bag! When Lily forgot it I thought—” “Excuse me!” said Lily, “YOU were the one who for—” “Now, now,” said Mr. Bombardo. He waited until they were embarrassingly silent, and then handed the bag to Lily. “Thank you, Mr. Bombardo,” the two girls said in unison. Lily gave an exited smile at Juniper, and whispered, “Junie! We have all our stuff! I’m starved. Let’s have a bit to eat.” The two girls, not having eaten since the ball, each gobbled a sandwich, a piece of fruit, and a drink of berry juice. Mr. Bombardo awkwardly stared at them through his thick glasses while they relieved themselves of their aching hunger. “It’s getting dark,” said Juniper, “maybe we should set up camp, and you,” she pointed at Mr. Bombardo, “you can leave in the morning.” “Um,” said Mr. Bombardo, “leave for where? I don’t have anywhere to go, and… um, well… what would you say if I accompanied you on your journey?” Lily exchanged a worried glance with Juniper. “Um,” Lily felt like puking. “I’m not so sure that would be…. safe for… you…?” Mr. Bombardo nodded his head slowly. “I suppose,” he said, “but where am I to go? My family all fled to the Fairy Realm…” “How about you travel with us as far as the Fairy Realm, and then we can drop you off!” Juniper suggested. Lily’s smile lit up. “That’s a brilliant idea!” she said. “I know,” said Juniper. “Let’s go with that plan,” Mr. Bombardo agreed. So Lily, Juniper, and Mr. Bombardo set off searching for the path they had left earlier to find the Gathumps. About two hours later, they reached the spot. The only difference was that there was no longer any smoke. “This looks like a nice spot to rest until morning!” said Juniper. Mr. Bombardo nodded his head. Lily yawned and they laid down. They all fell asleep as soon as their heads hit the ground. So there they were, on a nest of leaves, sleeping peacefully, unaware of the dangers they would endure tomorrow.
Sneak peak at the next chapter: * Chapter 5: Next Stop, The Fairy Realm! After a terrible night’s rest, Lily, Juniper and Mr. Bombardo set off again on the journey. “Next stop, The Fairy Realm!” Lily said for the four-hundred-ninety-sixth time. Juniper was counting. “How much longer till the Fairy Realm?” Juniper moaned to Mr. Bombardo. “Only about four days or so,” he responded, to Juniper’s annoyance. “Yay,” she said, “next stop, The Fairy Realm. Oh, except after four nights. Never mind.” “Cheer up, Junie!” Lily skipped past her, “There’s only four Realms. It’s not like we have to travel across the whole entire galaxy!” Lily hummed a tune to herself, which somehow caught Juniper’s attention. “What song is that?” said Juniper. “Oh, just A Faraway Land…my mother used to sing it to me at night.” “Me too,” said Juniper. Nobody spoke for a few minutes until Mr. Bombardo broke the silence. “Me too,” he said. “Well, why don’t we sing it to pass the time?” suggested Lily. “Sure,” said Juniper, “might as well…” So the three broke into a calm, light song: Traveling to a faraway land, Under seas and through the land, Seeking peace we never had, And making friends along the path, We will know when we arrive, For the land is lush and quite alive, The mountains and the waterfalls Seem to sing a lovely song The flowers bloom and birdies chirp At that faraway land.
