Summer vacation had been half way through by now. Just another month and all surrounding hills of their town would be desolate again. With all campgrounds empty, life would be boring again for 18-year old Ron.

So, Ron had just persuaded Erin to take a stroll into the Fairyvalley. Erin was only 15, but there was something about her. He couldn’t pinpoint it exactly, but it was something mysterious. They were just chatting a bit when they took the path towards the valley. Erin found the situation quite exciting. She felt attracted towards Ron, so there was some eager expectation in the air.

“Look over there Erin” said Ron, “when you look towards the oaks, you can see the cornfields. The ears are almost mature and when they do, they will have the seem beautiful colour as your hair.”

This nice compliment made Erin blush. She looked in the direction that Ron was pointing out at her. The sunlight was quite intense, so she had to gaze towards the oaks. She saw sparkles by the oaks, so she looked away, rubbed her eyes and gazed back.

When she looked up, the little sparkles where everywhere and suddenly, she and Ron where standing right next to the oaks. Upon Erin’s shoulder, a tiny figure appeared out of nowhere.

“Don’t be afraid Erin, I’m Fersa, fairy of the corn. I would like to ask you for a favour.”

“Me ?” replied Erin, “But you’re the fairy, not me!”

“That’s right, but to make the corn ripe, I need a special ingredient for my magic. That’s what I need you for”

“And how can a girl like me help a fairy with a special ingredient ?”

“Every year, I’m looking for an beautiful maiden with golden curly locks of hair, like the colour of full-grown corn. I just need a few hairs.”

“Don’t hurt her you elf-women, or I will …”

Ron had been looking a bit foolish, but came into action, now that his first astonishment had passed.

“Easy young man” replied Fersa, “I only need a few hairs, to grind and to scatter them across the cornfields.

“Of course you can” responded Erin with enthusiasm.

Fersa chipped a few curly hairs, using her golden sickle. In between her fingers she grinded the hairs to golden dust. With a deep breathe, she blew the dust across the cornfields, leaving a nice golden shine across the ears.

Ron and Erin were watching in disbelief, when Fersa clapped her hands three times.

Erin looked in the direction that Ron was pointing out at her. The sunlight was quite intense, so she had to gaze towards the oaks. She saw sparkles by the oaks, so she looked away, rubbed her eyes and gazed back. Her hairs really looked like the colour of the cornfields. She looked at Ron and kissed him right on his lips. He gave her a warm-hearted smile and the started walking towards the valley.

Koen Verhoeven – I’m a 34 year old accountant from Belgium, father of an almost 5 year old twin. I love reading of course, but also mountainbike, running and fitness. My inspiration came from my daughter and an existing valley here in Belgium.

It’s my first story ever, so I hope you will enjoy it.

Jealousy a blood mystery story written by Jo Linsdell.