Message from Annabelle: The Dark Side of Fairyland

Fairies are elemental in nature. Their moods change as rapidly as Welsh weather and are quickly forgotten. To humans, this can make them seem unstable and immoral. It’s almost like they’re playing with emotions, trying them on and discarding them when they get bored. They have a secret life, close to the essence of things; but on the surface their lives are like a game, even when they appear to be arguing amongst themselves.

Goblins are particularly unstable – think problem children with homicidal tendencies. They have a sick sense of humour and love black comedy, but manic giggling can turn to spiteful aggression in a split second. A human who strays into goblin territory will be lucky to come out alive.

Most of the time this behaviour is accepted as normal in Fairyland, part of the way things are. However, goblin mischief can sometimes reach a tipping point and the Land must take action to preserve the Balance; otherwise negativity can spread like knotweed, blighting the whole of Fairyland and triggering a spate of natural disasters on Earth.

The problem is usually solved by exiling the ringleaders. The troublesome goblins are sent to bad homes on Earth, disguised as the children who live there, while the children are brought to Fairyland to live happy and productive lives. An exiled goblin must endure life on Earth with horrible parents, who in turn have to cope with their ‘child’s’ delinquent behaviour and poltergeist phenomena – a fitting punishment for all concerned.