Zilphia: The Fairy Who Hid Herself

Episode 1 of the Zilphia Series

Every fairy has a story. This is Zilphia's.

Sometimes children can be surrounded by family, classmates, and activity yet still feel alone. They may struggle to explain what they're feeling, or even understand those feelings themselves. What others see as quietness, distraction, or daydreaming may be a child carrying something deeper inside.

As Zilphia begins her journey through Glimmerwood, she discovers that some mysteries are easier to face than the ones hidden within our own hearts.

Even the calming sound of Glimmerwood Stream echoing through the forest couldn’t settle the anxiety within Zilphia as she flew hastily to school. She was late again. She didn’t hear her mother calling her to get up, and the day started just as most of them did. She never seemed to have everything together. She was almost out the door when her little sister tackled her, knocking her to the floor. Papers flew everywhere. She hoped she picked them all up because she didn’t have time to make sure all of her homework was back in her bag.

Zilphia heard the eagle squawk as she flew closer. Ohhh… no! I’m late again. She thought to herself. A slow panic rose inside her before she entered the room. The other fairies watched her and began whispering to one another as she stood at the door.

“There’s clumsy Zilphia.”

“Look at her, she’s late again!”

Zilphia walked in slowly and took her seat. She felt the weight of everyone’s eyes on her. They looked at her with indifference, as if she didn’t even exist. Zilphia sank deeply in her seat, hiding behind her desk. It was on the last row… in the corner… next to a window. She picked it on purpose because she hoped no one would notice her there.

Zilphia sat quietly and laid her head on her arms, barely watching her teacher. She glanced at the other fairies who were still snickering and occasionally staring back at her.

As the day continued, the eagle squawked again… it was time to play outside. Zilphia slowly flew out behind the others.

“Zilphia, is your head stuck in a book again? Come play with us!”  a little fairy shouted from across the field.

The mid-day breeze whistled through the trees as the gleeful sound of fairies playing rose in the air. Zilphia didn’t look up. She sat under a tree and slowly pulled her knees closer while turning the page.

“Zilphia!” called the little fairy as she flew over and shook her shoulder. “Are you ignoring me?”

“Huh… no. What is it?”

“Why are you always reading a book? You never play with the rest of us.”

“Leave her alone. You know she’s strange. Just look at her,” smirked a little boy fairy standing behind them. “Have you ever seen a little fairy look so… weird? She always wears her hair up in a bun like my granny. That raggedy old dress is hideous. And she wears it every day!”

Zilphia struggled to hold back her tears as their teacher called for them to come in. She flew slowly behind the others and was the last one to take her seat.

The weight of their stares, made her want to disappear. They all heard the confrontation and looked at her with pity. She felt so humiliated as she rubbed her fingers across her hair. This time she didn’t look at her teacher when she laid her head on her arms. Instead, she hid her face and wished she could be somewhere else… anywhere else.

The afternoon sun began to glow outside the window and a group of birds chirped loudly, but Zilphia didn’t notice. She was still trying to make herself appear invisible.

“Zilphia,” said a gentle voice.  “It’s time to go home dear. All the others have already gone. Are you okay?”

“Yes ma’am. I was just distracted.” Zilphia hurried to gather her things and flew out the door. She whispered goodbye as she flew away.

Zilphia didn’t go straight home. She flew to Glimmerwood Stream. The rushing water was beautiful. She sat on a rock and held her book close to her heart watching the water flow, and the beautiful colors of the sun’s rays on its surface. She began reading and became engulfed in the story.

The afternoon light dimmed as the sun began to set. Zilphia gathered her things quickly, and rushed home. Her home was chaotic. Zilphia’s mother was busy with her little sister and baby brother who were both screaming. She could hear them both before she made it to the door.

“Zilphia, what took you so long? I was starting to worry about you.”

“I stopped by the stream and lost track of time. Mom, something happened today…”

“Stop Millie! You’re going to spill your brother’s milk.”

Zilphia’s mom laid her little brother across her lap to feed him, while Millie pulled at her leg. Her mother was so agitated. She kept moving her leg awkwardly trying to make the little fairy stop.

Zilphia watched them for a moment, realizing her mother didn’t really have time for her. She flew to her room and closed the door. She sat quietly on her bed looking out the window.  The brisk night air was cool as it rushed in through the trees. And the moonlight made long, swaying shadows in the middle of her floor as the light seeped under the tree limb on her desk that held a magical reflection of her fairy godmother. She stared at the shadows; they seemed longer than usual.

Zilphia felt lonely. She was around fairies all day… her family and at school… but somehow, she still felt lonely. And she didn’t know why. She looked at her book on the bed and rubbed her fingers across it. She looked down at her worn dress and held it up.

It was raggedy, but it was hers. It was the last thing her father gave her before he went off to war three years ago. She was so proud of him. He looked so handsome in his uniform before he left for the Fairy Guard. She swore to herself she wouldn’t take it off until he returned because she could feel him holding her each time she wore it.

“Zilphia.”

“Yes ma’am.”

“You didn’t come eat dinner, sweetheart. Is everything okay?” Her mother slowly opened the door and looked in.

“I’m fine, mom. It was just a busy day at school and I’m not very hungry tonight.”

“Are you sure, sweetie? You’ve been missing several meals lately. Are you sure nothing is wrong?”

“Waah! Waah!”

Zilphia’s mom turned abruptly towards the other room where her son was lying. As she flew away, she murmured. “Sweetheart, don’t forget to leave your dress so I can wash it for you.”

Zilphia watched the door close. A dark shadow crept across the floor and crawled eerily up the wall and covered the door, growing larger with every frightening motion. Zilphia froze. The moonlight was hidden by the darkness making it almost impossible to see. But the eerie shadow was darker, and she watched it as it clung to her door. The brisk breeze was now cold, and chill bumps covered her arms.

 Zilphia slowly backed away from the shadow that stared at her. It didn’t have eyes, but she knew it was watching her as she climbed onto the middle of her bed. She closed her eyes and tried to scream, but nothing came out. She knocked over her godmother’s reflection as she backed away.

A blinding light flooded her room. When she uncovered her eyes, the light was gone, and so was the shadow. It had disappeared and the moon was shining again.

“What was that?” Zilphia whispered. She could barely speak.

She was still too scared to move, so she just stared at her door. She wanted to talk to her mom, but she didn’t know what to say. She didn’t know how to explain what had happened or what she was feeling.

Zilphia lay in bed with her eyes focused on the moon. Her shaking hands subconsciously rubbed the top of her book as she held it close to her chest. A small tear slipped from the corner of her eye. She felt numb… and she didn't know why, as she curled up to go to sleep.

 

The Fairy Who Hid Herself is the first episode in the Zilphia Series, an enchanting fantasy adventure set within the magical world of Glimmerwood.

Follow Zilphia as she discovers hidden truths, unexpected friendships, and the courage to embrace who she truly is.

— Written with care by W. L. Shaw, creator of Fanciful Tales