fables

“ Don't be scared, Doc. Commander Arrow has carried passengers many times before and never dropped a one of them, right, commander? „
― Cinderella to Robert Smallish and Commander Arrow, Fables #51 — "Big and Small"


Commander Arrow is a Fable falcon who lives at the Farm and first appears in Fables #18 — "Barleycorn Brides." He is part of the Farm Air Control, and helped John Barleycorn retrieve a jar of magic barleycorns from the Homelands. He has furthermore contributed vital assistance to Cinderella and Rose Red.

History

The Homelands

Arrow was a falcon who occupied the role of commander in the Farm Air Control unit. During the 18th century, he volunteered to go with Johnny Bullhorn to retrieve the Fairy Witch's jar of magic barleycorns from the Homelands, because in Smalltown, the Lilliputians found themselves in need of women, and the barleycorns could serve as a means to literally grown them. Bullhorn and Commander Arrow traversed into the Homelands through the Oak Hollows gate, still unsealed by the Adversary, and experienced a wealth of adventures along their path, including narrow escapes, severe weather, and a variety of other difficulties. Along the way, they avoided contact with the Adversary's occupational forces. One day, Arrow was able to catch a rabbit for their lunch, while Bullhorn warded off a diminutive dragon by threatening it with his sword.[1]

After a two-year expedition, they arrived at the deserted cottage of the Fairy Witch, which was devoid of any inhabitants, save for a solitary mustard pot. A tiny voice from within the pot alerted the two travelers that the Adversary's soldiers had cleared out the cottage. Suddenly, a small insect appeared from within the pot and introduced himself as Mustard Pot Pete. He informed them that the kernels had been moved to a fortress in the high hills. Johnny and Arrow persuaded Pete to join them on their adventure and return with them to the Farm. Riding on Commander Arrow's back, Johnny and Pete flew swiftly to the fortress and successfully located the precious barleycorns. They found the bear Mister Grandours guarding the tower, but he disliked the Adversary so he agreed to help them. With assistance from Mister Grandours, who borrowed Arrow's wings for flight, they safely brought the jar of kernels back to the mundane world.[1]

Helping Cinderella

A few centuries later, Commander Arrow flies the Lilliputian Robert Smallish and Cinderella, transformed into a mouse, up the beanstalk and into the Cloud Kingdoms. Cinderella is thrilled to be airborne, as the flight duration is merely one hour, compared to a two-day climb. Although Robert feels apprehensive throughout the journey, both Cinderella and Arrow provide reassurance by highlighting his remarkable safety track record, noting that Arrow had safely carried passengers on multiple occasions without any incidents of dropping a single one.[2]

Helping Rose Red

Commander Arrow is summoned by Rose Red for an important meeting, where she requests that Arrow convene the leaders of the Air Patrol and other bird Fables who have ventured beyond the mundane world by flying up the beanstalk and exploring the various isolated Fable worlds. Arrow complies with her directive and takes flight to execute this important mission. Rose Red meets with the birds, instructing them to spread the news of her formation of a new order of the Knights of the Round Table, and inviting the greatest heroes to apply.[3]

Appearances

Fables

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 Fables #18 — "Barleycorn Brides"
  2. ↑ Fables #51 — "Big and Small"
  3. ↑ Fables #132 — "Bird Calls: Part Two of Camelot"