The Fest
Part Four
Disclaimer: Mulder, Skinner, Scully and anyone else from
the X files don't belong to me, I just play with them a bit, the
Danville people are not mine either, and didn't even break
them, much, the RenFest items, shop names and events
are semi accurate, and taken from a visit to the 2000
Michigan Renaissance Festival who did such a wonderful
job that inspired this flight of fancy. I own nothing but my
computer and two kids, and I do this all for free.
Note: Many of the events in the story actually happened,
including but not limited to meeting the Queen, winning the
contest, and riding the ponies, but of course, some things
were changed to protect the innocent or something like that.
Thanks to Joey and Claire for Betaing.
Twenty minutes later, sated on the delicious corn and still picking
the errant hull or two out of his teeth, Fox followed along as the little
troupe walked up the dirt and gravel path. One hand rested easily
on his sword hilt, the other on Gram's elbow to assist her over the
rough patches. Fox looked every bit the dashing young rogue, he
marveled at his dad. Walter seemed to be a different person, he
swaggered and roared with laughter, he was gallant and made a
very dashing figure as he bowed to the ladies and other courtiers.
Fox could almost believe he was from this era.
Three shops and 45 minutes later Fox was getting a bit bored of
looking at the leather items, He didn't show it of course it was just
nice to be with the family. He had just stepped out of the shop when
Haley ran over up to him. She looked so lovely in her maroon and
cream dress, the gold trim set off her eyes, and her hair was pulled
back and fitted with a net. To top it off, she wore a hat of the same
flowered maroon material as her overdress. "Isn't it fun?" she asked
her eyes bright with the excitement and a child's wonder of all the
strange things around them.
Fox caught up the little princess, "Yes, it is very exciting M'Lady."
Haley giggled and dipped a little curtsey, Fox looked over the little
girls head to her mother Eileen and gave her a wave as she
stepped into the shop. Eileen waved back with a warm smile.
"Let's go ride the ponies." Haley said, "its just right over there."
Fox looked where the child pointed. It was close, and he could see
the others when they came out of the shop. He agreed and soon
Haley was on top a fine trusty steed of a Shetland Pony. While Fox
walked beside her in the circle. When the ride was over Haley
dashed over to the sand art table a ways away. "Please can I have
one, Please?" Haley begged.
"Real fairy dust M'Lord," the young man who was tending the booth
said, "M'Lady can make her own vial of her special colors to wish
on."
The look in Haley's eyes as they lit up was more than Fox could
stand as they lifted up to his.
"All right," Fox said with a smile as he handed over the three dollars
for small bottle with a string that Haley could wear around her neck
when she was finished. The vendor placed a funnel in the bottle and
set it by the star pattern of colored sand on the table, each one with
a tiny scoop thrust in it. Haley selected her first color and then for
the next several minutes they had a wonderful time as Haley
created her magic wishing sand art/fairy dust bottle. When she was
finished the vendor tapped the bottle down to settle the dust, then
had Haley top it off. He picked it up with his finger over the top to
shake off the excess when the bottle slipped and sand went ever
which way, only a third of it was left in the bottle and that was
swirled together.
"M'Lord, I am so sorry." the young man apologized profusely.
Haley's eyes lit up as she squealed in delight at the swirled pattern
she had. "It's beautiful!"
"No harm done." Fox said as he watched the little girl happily set to
work to recreate her bottle of magic.
Meanwhile Eileen stepped out to see where Haley was, she
remembered Fox had been with her daughter talking. She stepped
out of the shop to find them. The space in the front of the shop was
empty. They were gone. "Walter." Eileen called to her brother-in-
law, "did Fox say which way he was going?"
"He's not here?" Walter asked as he looked around.
"Haley was with him, I thought at least she was when I stepped in
the shop."
Walter scanned the area to see if they had just stepped off as Andy
joined them with Brian in tow and Griffin in a backpack carrier. "Fox
is very responsible when it comes to the kids, they must have gone
in another ship." Andy said as he set off to look in the shops on the
right. Walter went to the ones on the left.
Five minutes later they met back at the first shop and filled in the
others who had gathered after hearing the pair were missing. "I
wouldn't worry if I just knew that Haley was with Fox." Eileen said
as she scanned the crowd. "She was talking to him when I went in
the ship, He waved, I presumed she was with him but...."
"We'll find them." Joe assured his sister-in-law with a smile as he
exchanged glances with Walter and Andy. Walter's eyes were dark
with concern. Andy's were no less so.
"Lets fan out and search the area, we will meet back here in 15
minutes," Walter decided firmly. He was not pleased that Fox would
just take off with out letting anyone know even though he hoped
Haley was with him and not wandering around on her own, or worse.
Haley finished her bottle for the second time in the last 20 minutes.
This time the vendor was able to cork it without mishap. He broke
the cork off below the lip of the bottle so it couldn't easily be
removed. Then he gave it to Haley with a smile and a bow. Haley
immediately put it around her neck and raised the bottle to her lips,
she looked so sweet as she fervently whispered her wish. Then
with a grin she held the bottle up to Fox. "Do you want to make a
wish?"
"I would suggest wishing for a miracle." A voice said right behind Fox.
"Uncle Joe!" Haley cried happily as she threw herself into his arms and hugged him tightly. Joe lifted the little mite in his arms.
Fox flushed and hoped Walter was not as angry as Joe looked. "I'm sorry, We only went for a pony ride, it was right in plain sight then we got distracted."
"And just who did you tell that you were taking Haley for a pony ride?" Joe snapped.
"No one," Fox mumbled.
"Didn't you think it would have been a good idea to let Eileen and Andy know you were taking off with their daughter?" Joe's voice had risen dramatically.
Fox had the good sense to blush and look contrite. "We thought we
were only going to be gone for a minute," was the stammered
answer.
"WE??" Joe roared, "You let a three year old make decisions for
you Fox William?" Joe turned on his heel and carried Haley back to
the shop. Fox swallowed as his stomach dropped, he followed the
older man.
By the time that Walter got back to the shop Fox had been scolded
several times and looked shame faced and contrite. He had
apologized to Andy and Eileen several times.
"I am so sorry I worried you. I didn't think we would be gone that
long but that's no excuse for not telling someone especially one of
you where we were going," Fox said as Walter stalked up.
"We trust you with the kids, Fox." Andy said, "We just didn't know if
Haley was with you or if she had wandered off. That is why we
always have to know if you take of them with you."
"Yes sir, I'm sorry." Fox said again, tears pricked at the back of his
eyes as he thought of what could have happened if they thought
Haley was with him and she wasn't. "It won't happen again, ever."
"I know it won't Fox." Eileen said kindly.
Walter took hold of Fox's arm. "We will catch up with everyone later
for lunch." He said firmly and with that he ushered Fox away from
the shop and the family.
To be continued.