The Rings

By

GosselinGirl

(A Fairytale)

(Week #12- The Rings)

The mist was rising over the land of Arethusa creating a magical moisture in the air. This was a land known for a large population of fairies. It was also known as a land of marriage.


From the time Donella (the dark-haired fairy girl) was born she always knew that someday she would marry another fairy. It was the custom of all female fairies to marry upon the age of sixteen. All female fairies when born were given a set of two magical rings. Donella had never looked at the rings. It was forbidden as the elder fairies believed it would hinder the magical powers bestowed upon the rings. So, she knew she must wait until that day arrived to receive her special gift.



Growing up in the land of Arethusa was different. Very seldom did anyone actually walk. Most of the time you fluttered from one place to another. Homes were built in the tall Redwood trees and sparkled from all the fairy dust collected over the years.



Donella liked to flutter around the land and investigate all of the beauty it contained. It seemed like everywhere she looked, something was always awakening. The flowers stretched and yawned before her each morning. The birds sung songs all day long. There was much beauty throughout the land, and Donella was very happy to be apart of it.

Each new year brought great anticipation of beautiful weddings. Families labored daily and every detail had to be intricately planned for their daughters wedding in order to be accepted throughout the land. It was to be a grand affair when the rings were presented to the bride and groom. Only the highest fairy was allowed to perform the marriage ceremony. As you can imagine, it was a very big day.

After many years of waiting, Donella finally turned sixteen. She had not met her future husband, yet. She was worried that something was wrong with her. Getting advice from her parents, she was instructed to go and visit the wishing pond on the far side of the land. Hardly anyone had ever attempted to visit the magical pond due to rumors of it being an evil place. Donella knew she had no choice if she was going to honor the customs of her land. So, she set out one night on her unicorn and prayed a fairy prayer that she would make it safely.

Well, she made it safely to the far side of the land. Upon her arrival, her eyes could not believe all that lay before them. Something was definitely different about this place. As she fluttered from place to place, she heard sounds all around her. When she looked behind her, she noticed that a flower was talking to her. “Flowers can’t talk,” she said. “I can talk,” said the purple flower. Donella was amazed and decided to ask her first question. “Where can I find the magical pond?” she asked the flower. The flower replied, “Follow the golden fairy dust.” “I can’t see any golden fairy dust,” said Donella. “Close your eyes and think of your happiest moment and then you will see,” said the purple flower. So, Donella closed her eyes tightly and thought about a happy time in her life. When she opened her eyes, she could see a golden shimmer of fairy dust in the air. “Hey, that wasn’t there before,” she said to the purple flower. “Yes, I know,” said the flower. “It only appears when you think on a happy thought,” chuckled the flower. As Donella looked at the golden fairy dust in the air, she was instantly lifted off of the ground. Her wings began to flutter out of control and carry her further into the mist of the golden fairy dust. Eventually, she magically fell asleep while flying. When she finally woke up, she noticed a small pond in front of her. She couldn’t see much around her, so she decided to just rest until morning.

Donella did not know how long she had slept, but morning had arrived all around her. She had never seen such beauty before in all of her life. Everywhere she looked, beauty abounded. As she cooled off in the waters of the pond, she noticed a fluttering in the trees. Someone was coming toward her. She tried to hide, but she was not quick enough. Before her stood an old lady dressed in a golden lacey gown. Donella, did not know who this lady was or where she had come from. So, she sat down and waited for her to speak.

When the old lady finally decided to speak, it was in a different language. Donella had never heard this language before. “I don’t understand you,” said Donella. The old lady muttered some more words. “Please, I have traveled along ways to seek guidance from the waters in this pond. Can you please help me?” asked Donella. Finally, the old woman smiled. “ I am Queen Tana. You have been sent here by your family to find out why you haven’t met a mate to marry. I have waited for you along time and have often wondered what you looked like. I am your grandmother and I was sent here many years ago to guard your two golden rings,” replied the old woman. Donella did not know what to think. She was speechless.

As the two of them talked, Donella learned that she was chosen to inherit all of the land of Arethusa. The giving of the two golden rings had to be given at the right time…upon the birth of the third child and only when she turned sixteen. A groom had been chosen for her the same day as her birth. Soon, the groom would be arriving to lead her and Queen Tana back to prepare for the Royal Uniting of the Two Golden Rings. Donella, would become the Queen of Arethusa and the groom would become the King. Together, they would reign over all of the fairies and all of the land. Donella, was very excited and wondered why she had never heard this story before.

Soon, the groom arrived and together all three of them made their way back to Donella’s home amongst the Redwood trees. To her surprise, all of the tree homes had been decorated in anticipation of the wedding and Royal Uniting of the Two Golden Rings.

Upon their arrival, Donella was whisked away to get her ready for the wedding. She was adorned with the finest garments and upon her head was placed a golden crown. She still hadn’t seen the two golden rings, but knew that they must hold the answers to all of the magic in the land.

Finally, the wedding started and Donella was led by her fairy father to meet her future fairy husband. The music fairies played the wedding march and her father led her down the aisle. Together, the bride and groom joined hands and the highest fairy began the wedding ceremony.

The Vows

I, Donella, take you, Oberon, to be my lawfully wedded fairy husband, my constant friend, my faithful partner and my love from this day forward. In the presence of all the fairies in the land of Arethusa, our family and friends, I offer you my solemn vow to be your faithful partner in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, and in joy as well as in sorrow. I promise to love you unconditionally, to support you in your goals, to honor and respect you, to laugh with you and cry with you, and to cherish you for as long as we both shall live.

I Oberon, take you Donella to be my fairy wife, my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our union and love you more each day than I did the day before. I will trust you and respect you, laugh with you and cry with you, loving you faithfully through good times and bad, regardless of the obstacles we may face together. I give you my hand, my heart, and my love, from this day forward for as long as we both shall live.

Once the vows were said, the highest elder opened a golden box and showed Donella and Oberon their rings. The rings were of the finest gold the two of them had ever seen. When placed upon their fingers, butterflies appeared and began to flutter all around. The magic of the Royal Uniting of the Two Golden Rings had finally happened.




Oberon and Donella ruled the land till the end of time. Every time they held hands and looked upon their two rings, hearts filled the air.

There is always something magical about the rings that are given at any wedding. As for Oberon and Donella, their wedding rings would always carry them to a place of much happiness.

~The End~