Free The Last Fairy Tale by E. S. Lowell

the northern region of the Elder Forest, which is in the southern parts of a land called Aeldyn,” said Locke. He picked his bowl up and tipped it, pouring the rest of his stew into his mouth. “Does that answer your question?”
     “Yes, I guess,” said Olivia, unsure. He had answered her question, but he had created so many more in the process. “And you were sent to retrieve me from the Old Oak? By the Great Fairy?”
     “Yep! Exactly,” said Locke. He stood up and walked over to a cabinet that held pots and pans where he grabbed a small pot and took it to the fire in the center of the room. “Would you like tea?” he asked.
     “Yes, please,” she said. “I’ve never had tea before.”
     Locke straightened up quickly, bumping his head on the hearth. He slowly turned around, wincing and rubbing the top of his head. “You’ve never had tea? Oh my. Oh wow…” He returned to the fire. “Well, you’re about to have tea, and you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.”
     Olivia giggled. She felt much better after eating the stew and drinking the water. However, she was still having trouble convincing herself it was real. “So, who is this Great Fairy?” she asked.
     “Well, from what I can tell,” Locke started. He stood up and carried two wooden mugs of tea over to the table. He then continued, “he’s sort of like our village elder, Old Sequoiak, except he’s a lot older. Everyone sort of looks up to him, because he’s old and wise. He gives the people of Aeldyn advice when they seek it.” He sat the mugs down and slid one over to Olivia.
     “Is he your leader then? Like a king?” Olivia asked.
     “What? Wait, this must be another human concept. There isn’t a leader of Aeldyn.”
     “There isn’t? Then who is in charge of keeping order here?” Olivia asked incredulously.
     “Keeping order? Keeping order of what? What are you even talking about?”
     “Oh, well, never mind, I suppose. So, you’ve never met the Great Fairy?” Olivia took the warm mug in her hands and smelled the tea’s strong, comforting scent. She held the mug close as she let it cool.
     “No, but I’ve always wanted to,” Locke said. He sipped his tea. “I’d like to ask him some questions. You know, because he’s so old, he must know pretty much everything, right?” He chuckled.
     “Well, how did you get orders from him if you’ve never met him?”
     “Oh, his messenger told me,” Locke said. “Your tea is probably cool enough to drink. Why don’t you try it?”
     Olivia slowly brought the mug to her lips, the steam warming her face. When the tea touched her lips, it burned, but only for a second. As she swallowed it, it warmed her whole body. The taste was exactly as she had expected, sweet, cozy, and relaxing.
     “It’s wonderful.” Olivia smiled at Locke.
     “I knew you’d love it!” Locke laughed. “I can teach you how to make it if you’d like. Anyway, do you have any more questions? It’s almost time for us to hit the hammock. Gotta get up pretty early.”
     “If this is real, and I’m almost convinced that it is, then will I ever get to go back to my own world? There are people there that I care for.” Olivia said, gazing into her mug. She was thinking about Nachton and the other children.
     “I can’t really answer that one,” Locke said with a frown. “But perhaps the Great Fairy can answer it!” He looked at her, his mouth spreading into a wide smile, but Olivia was still staring into her mug. “I know that this is all too much for you to take in, Olivia,” he said gently, “but it’s a lot for me to believe, too. You’re a great person, and you’re fun to have around, so I’m glad you’re here. Besides, the Great Fairy wouldn’t have sent for you if you weren’t special. I’m sure that he has his reasons.” Locke paused and looked into his own mug. “And I’m sure he’d tell you how to get back if you asked. You know, if you wanted