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 Essie flew out of her prison and looked around. This might be her only chance to escape. But she couldn't just leave that poor man lying there if he was injured. She flew over and landed next to Jarvil's ear. “Sir? Sir? Are you okay?” The janitor's eyes blinked a few times. He began to sit up, moaning. “That was quite a fall you took. Easy...easy.” She hovered in front of Jarvil's face. “Does anything feel hurt?”

The man rubbed the top of his head and his lower back. His eyes finally focused on the princess and he let out a low whistle, 

“Wouldja look at that, Mr. Fingers. A really truly flyin' fairy. She glows and everything. That she does, Mr. Fingers. That she does.” He cocked his head to the side, “Why is you still here, miss? Most little ones that my master collects run away as soon as they gets the chance. But you stays. Why?”

“I had to see if you were hurt and try to help,” she said simply. “Why are you here?”

“If Jarvil and Mr. Fingers don't be doin their chores, master chains us up and don't feed us.” he said, just as simply.

Essie was shocked, “Why Jarvil, that is terrible! Why do you not leave?”

Jarvil shared a look with his hand, “We've tried, haven't we Mr. Fingers? Yes we have tried. The Master has an enchantment on his gate, the only way in or out of his mansion. There is a riddle to answer to get out and it is too hard for me...to hard even for Mr. Fingers.” He looked down sadly, “We've been stuck here a long time.”

The princess set her jaw and a determined gleam shone from her eyes, “Jarvil, it is time you were free of this place. Take me to this magic door and we will both get out of here.”

The man nodded and stood up. They both agreed that it would be safer for the fairy if she rode in his sleeve, so as not to be seen. In a few short minutes they arrived at the gate. It was large and black with the riddle engraved:

Fire and Water mixed together

Only appears after dismal weather

Jarvil read it out loud a few times, groaning. Essie just smiled. He squirmed and giggled as she flew up his sleeve to whisper into his ear. A great smile spread across his face as he bellowed, “RAINBOW!”

The gates creaked and cracked as they scraped open. The man held up his hand to his face, “After you, Mr. Fingers, sir.” Together Mr. Fingers and Jarvil and Essie walked, and flew, out of their captor's mansion and into the sunlight.

“Where will you go now?” the princess asked Jarvil. “We don't really know,” he said, “Have no family or friends to speak of.”

“Answer this riddle and you can come to the Fairy Meadow with me.

Quick to make. Slow to lose.

Close as Family, but you can choose.

Another smile came to Jarvil's face. “Friends.”

So the riddle was finally answered.