4. Fairies in Danger

Fairies in Danger Kirsty stared down at Ruby, sitting sadly on Rachel's hand. "Of course we'll help you!" she said. "Just tell us how," added Rachel. Ruby wiped the tears from her eyes. "Thank you!" she said. "But first I must show you the terrible thing that has happened. Follow me — as quickly as you can!" She flew into the air, her wings shimmering in the sunshine.

危险中的仙女科斯蒂低头看着鲁比，悲伤地坐在瑞秋的手上。 “我们当然会帮助你!”她说。 “告诉我们怎么做吧，”雷切尔补充说。 鲁比擦去眼里的泪水。 “谢谢你!”她说。“但首先我必须让你看看发生了什么可怕的事情。 跟我来——越快越好!”她飞向空中，她的翅膀在阳光下闪闪发光。

Rachel and Kirsty followed Ruby across the clearing. The fairy danced ahead of them, glowing like a crimson flame. She stopped at a small pond under a weeping willow tree. "Look! I can show you what happened yesterday," she said. Ruby flew over the pond and scattered another shower of sparkling fairy dust with her tiny, red wand. All at once, the water lit up with a strange, silver light. It bubbled and fizzed, and then became still. With wide eyes, Rachel and Kirsty watched as a picture appeared in the water. It was like looking through a window into another land! "Oh, Rachel, look!" said Kirsty.

瑞秋和科斯蒂跟着鲁比穿过空地。 仙女在他们前面跳舞，像深红色的火焰一样发光。 她在一棵垂柳下的小池塘边停了下来。 “看!我可以告诉你昨天发生了什么，”她说。 鲁比飞过池塘，用她那小小的红魔杖又撒了一场闪闪发光的仙尘。 突然间，水面发出一种奇怪的银光。 它冒着气泡，嘶嘶作响，然后静止了。 雷切尔和科斯蒂睁大眼睛，看着一幅画出现在水里。 就像透过窗户看到了另一个世界!“哦，瑞秋，看!”柯斯蒂说。

A river of the brightest blue ran swiftly past hills of the greenest green. Scattered on the hillsides were red-and-white toadstool houses. And on top of the highest hill stood a silver palace with four pink towers. The towers were so high, their points were almost hidden by the fluffy white clouds that floated past.

一条碧蓝的河流，飞快地流过碧绿的山丘。 红白相间的毒菌屋散布在山坡上。 在最高的山顶上矗立着一座银色的宫殿，有四个粉红色的塔。 塔是那么高，它们的尖顶几乎被飘过的蓬松的白云遮住了。

Hundreds of fairies were making their way toward the palace. Some were walking and others were flying. Rachel and Kirsty could see goblins, elves, and pixies, too. Everyone seemed very excited. "Yesterday was the day of the Fairyland Midsummer Ball," Ruby explained. She flew over the pond and pointed with her wand at a spot in the middle of the scene. "There I am, with my Rainbow sisters."

成百上千的仙女正朝宫殿走去。 有的在走，有的在飞。 瑞秋和科斯蒂还能看到地精、精灵和小妖精。 每个人似乎都很兴奋。 “昨天是仙境仲夏舞会的日子，”鲁比解释说。 她飞过池塘，用魔杖指了指中间的一个地方。 “我和我的彩虹姐妹们在一起。”

Kirsty and Rachel looked closely at where Ruby was pointing. They saw seven fairies, each dressed prettily in her own rainbow color. Wherever they flew, they left a trail of fairy dust behind them. "The Midsummer Ball is very special," Ruby went on. "And my sisters and I are always in charge of sending out invitations." The front doors of the palace slowly opened to the sound of tinkling music. "Here come King Oberon and Queen Titania," said Ruby. "The Fairy King and Queen. They are about to begin the ball." Kirsty and Rachel watched as the king and queen stepped through the doors. The king wore a splendid golden coat and crown. His queen wore a

科斯蒂和瑞秋仔细看了看鲁比指的地方。 他们看到了七个仙女，每个都穿着自己彩虹色的漂亮衣服。 无论他们飞到哪里，身后都会留下一串仙尘。 “仲夏舞会很特别，”鲁比接着说。 “我和我的姐妹们总是负责发出邀请。” 宫殿的前门在叮叮当当的音乐声中缓缓打开。 “奥伯伦国王和泰坦尼亚王后来了，”鲁比说。 “仙王和仙后。 他们马上就要开始舞会了。” 柯斯蒂和瑞秋看着国王和王后跨进大门。 国王穿着一件华丽的金外套，头戴王冠。 他的王后戴着

silver dress and a tiara that sparkled with diamonds. Everyone cheered loudly. After a while, the king signaled for quiet. "Fairies and friends," he began. "We are very glad to see you all here. Welcome to the Midsummer Ball!" The fairies clapped their hands and cheered again. A band of green frogs in purple suits started to play their instruments, and the dancing began. Suddenly, a gray mist filled the room. Kirsty and Rachel watched in alarm as all the fairies started to shiver. Then a loud, chilly voice shouted out, "Stop the music!" The band fell silent. Everyone looked scared. A tall, bony figure was pushing his way through the crowd. He was dressed all in white, and there

银色的裙子和闪闪发光的钻石头饰。 每个人都大声欢呼。过了一会儿，国王示意大家安静。 “精灵们和朋友们，”他开始说。 “我们很高兴在这里见到大家。 欢迎来到仲夏舞会!”仙女们又拍手欢呼起来。 一群穿紫色衣服的绿青蛙开始演奏乐器，舞蹈开始了。 突然间，一层灰色的雾弥漫了整个房间。 科斯蒂和瑞秋惊恐地看着所有的仙女开始发抖。 然后一个响亮而冰冷的声音喊道:“停止音乐!”乐队安静了下来。 每个人看起来都很害怕。一个瘦骨嶙峋的高个子正从人群中挤过去。 他一身白衣，就在那儿