It was that most magical time of year in Gemstone Glade, Christmas. A tree with baubles that turned in to portals to other worlds stood resplendent in the centre of the glade, like a living dream, a silent prayer for something better.

Peacock Ore Patrick had opened the green portal and returned with a mother dragon and her babies, one of whom opened the orange bauble portal, and was gone.

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 “Follow baby Stormlight!” roared his Mum. The Gemstone Glade fairies looked at each other. An adventure lit in their hearts. Together, Morganite Meg, Selenite Sue, Calcite Craig and Iolite Ina flew to the orange bauble, and reopened the portal.

An orange desert confronted them, however in the distance an orange ocean was visible.

The baby Stormlight flew swiftly towards a tall turreted temple in the middle of the desert. It shone in the sun, like a beacon of hope.

The fairies followed, waving their wands like a little army, their wings glowing in the sun.

As Stormlight reached the crystalline temple, its high door opened like magic. Its orange walls sparkled in the sun. Inside, a small fountain giggled softly in the orange light. An orange winged fairy swam in its shining waters.

A tall orange crystalline angel walked towards Stormlight, wings fluttering with excitement, and a smile like a rising sun on her handsome face. Long curly auburn hair framed her head and a sequinned orange dress completed the vibrant look.

“Welcome to Carnelian Castle, dear young dragon,” she sang in a soft voice. “I am Carnelian Cate. I have been waiting for you. There is a prophecy of a dragon, a warrior soul who will one day be king of Crystal Cave Land. It is far away, over the ocean, a world of dragons at war with each other and in need of a wise ruler. One day, that will be you.”

Cate walked to a large carnelian treasure chest, and produced a stunning carnelian crown. She placed it on Stormlight’s head. It fit perfectly.

“Go back to your mother, learn from her and your brothers and sisters. Then when the time is right, return to us. By rubbing this crown you will reopen the portal to here.”

The fairies watched, transfixed. A small hand touched Morganite Meg’s shoulder. She turned to behold a carnelian crystal fairy, wings dripping water. It was the fountain fairy.

“Hello, I am Carnelian Cara. I have never met another fairy before, it is a lonely life here. I am so so pleased to meet you.”

So the story ends with the intrepid travellers returning to Gemstone Glade, one with a crown on their head and a new fairy in tow.

Carnelian Cara clapped her hands in delight when she saw Gemstone Glade. All the other glade fairies welcomed her, for all crystalline fairies are one large extended family.

Mother Dragon was delighted to learn of Stormlight’s adventures. Her son … a king one day!

So this Christmas story has a happy ending. The fairies invited the dragons to stay for a fairy party, and songs and stories turned the day in to a wondrous night that they all hoped would never end.

The magic of Christmas kissed the glade as it began to snow, drops of magic that turned in to tiny stars as they hit the fountain. The stars spun above the glade. It was a Gemstone Glade Christmas like no other.