The Alyta Trilogy: Handmaids, Heroes, and Hierarchy.

She lies on the soft moss and lets the nose-searcher talk to her.  �My name�s Alyta, what�s yours?�  She asks.  The little fairy backs up, as if deciding whether to let any information go.  �My name�s Elena,� she says, �and I�ve never seen a human before.  At least I think you�re human.  I�ve only heard of them in human-tales, you see,� she lets Alyta nods and continues, �but you look human.  Yes, I would take you for one.  Tall and slender with fair yellow skin, two eyes, round ears, big feet.  Uh-huh.  You�re human all right.  Can�t say that I�d want to be.  But � but may I touch your hair?�  She goes over and cautiously touches Alyta�s hair, acting as if it may get up and bite her any moment.  �Your hair is so nice.  It�s nothing like fairy hair.  Our hair is made of grass and dandelions, you know.  None of this fine stuff in the lot.  Though it�s a bit like a lion�s mane.  You aren�t a lion are you?� Elena asks, again quite scared.  Alyta shakes her head.  �I�m sorry if it looks like a lion�s mane right about now, but in my hurry to get out this morning I didn�t even brush my hair.�  �Oh, but we could do it for you!  For certain we could!�  The little fairy burst out, and others start nodding.  They gather together pine needles and tie them together with birch bark.  Each fairy sets out to brush a single lock of Alyta�s hair, which seems huge to them.  Reaching to her waist, her hair is almost fifteen times taller than they are!  But they�re persistent in their job, and soon they work merrily and sing tunes that Alyta would never forget, nor reproduce with her vocal range.  She laughs as she hears the lyrics to the different melodies, and decides that she loves spending time here.  When the fairies finish brushing, they form a tiny circle and whisper among themselves.  Quick as a wink, they disperse over the forest floor, and bring back handfuls of daisies.  Suspended in air, a chain of flowers begins to form, and soon there�s enough for a crown.  The crown seems to float through midair, the fairies were so small, and land right on her head. 

Elena clears her throat and tries to sound formal.  There is some muffled giggling but she continues: �Alyta of the Humans, I present you with the Crawmn id Daiesn, the official entrance to the realm of the fairies.  I will announce to every fairy kingdom that there is a new recipient, and you will see things no other human has, and be protected no matter where in the forest you wander.  Do not forget the kindness you have in your youth; may you never be a bitter and cold woman.  You have friends few other humans can claim.�

�Thank you, Elena of the Fairies.  I will treasure this gift always and never part from it.  If the fairies are ever in trouble and there is anything that a human can do, go with the name of Alyta of Atlantis or Jason of Corinth and all will be well with you.  Once again, I thank you humbly.�  Alyta curtsies and looks at Elena, who obviously cannot deal with formality for long.  �I do thank you, friend,� Alyta says in a whisper to her.  Elena smiles and signals for all the fairies to leave.  �I am pleased to know you, Alyta of Atlantis,� she says, smiling, and flies away.