Gabrielle - After Happy Ever After

“What is the meaning of this? Why were you doing spells, hidden in my garden? If you are trying in any way to harm…” Wendell began furiously.

“King Wendell! Your Majesty, you have it all wrong. I am trying to help you. I know that you don’t trust me. But I’m not the one who you should be worried about. I came to warn you. You are in great danger,” Maive said.

Wendell eyed her dubiously. He had believed her before, but that didn’t make her trustworthy. “And who should I be worried about?” Wendell demanded.

“Tony,” Maive said. Wendell turned away from her in disgust. Maive hurried after him. “I know you don’t believe me. You trust Tony. He’s your best friend as far as I know. But I’m telling the truth. Tell me he hasn’t seemed strange lately,” Maive challenged. “Tell me he hasn’t done anything he normally doesn’t do.”

Wendell stopped. He couldn’t. “Maybe Anthony has been a little off, but he is very tired. He said that you had taken off right after the witch was defeated. Why are you here now?” Wendell asked, more calmly.

“Because Tony lied. Marissa was not defeated. She put a spell on Tony. He’s her spy now, her servant. The guards are frozen in her cottage. You mustn’t do anything around Tony that could help Marissa. It is very important. Wolf has the rose. If he delivers it to her, she will come after you first. I’m going to try to reach Wolf and Virginia tonight. Your help would be much appreciated,” Maive finished slowly.

Wendell looked at Maive silently. She met his gaze bravely. She was telling the truth! She had nothing to hide from him.

“All right. I’m not sure if I believe you, but I will be careful. And you will have my help in whatever magic you are going to use to try to reach Wolf and Virginia. But if you are lying, witch, and I find out you have done anything to my friends, I assure you that you will pay dearly for it,” Wendell said with dead seriousness.

Maive bowed her head ever so slightly. She understood.

Cinnamon bounded ahead of Wolf and Virginia, giving them (and herself) some privacy. Wolf and Virginia kept glancing at each other and smiling. Wolf finally wrapped his arm around Virginia as they walked slowly after Cinnamon.

Virginia glanced up at Wolf again. “Her name is Cinnamon?” she asked quietly.

“Shush. My name is Wolf. Name’s aren’t important,” Wolf said.

“And I thought you had a funny name,” Virginia teased.

“You did, did you?” Wolf replied.

“At first. But now I think any other name wouldn’t fit you. You are Wolf,” Virginia said truthfully. Wolf made a soft whine and rubbed his face against hers. Virginia smiled and messed up his hair. “Where are we going now, anyway?” she asked.

Wolf looked around, “We’re headed back the way we came.”

“That’s good. I want to go home and relax. We come hear for our wedding and look what happens,” she said, waving an arm to encompass the entire Nine Kingdoms.

“Huff-puff, technically we never finished our honeymoon. Want to play hide-and-seek?” Wolf asked quickly.

“Wolf! Cinnamon’s right there. There’s goblins behind us somewhere. Who knows if that giant’s still wandering about,” Virginia began.

“Oh, fine,” Wolf relented. He sniffed at Virginia’s hair. “You have the best smell. So much better than those goblins. I don’t think I’ve ever sneezed that much in my life.”

“Thanks.”

“No, I mean it. I love your scent. From the very first time I smelled you, I…” Wolf started.

“Wolf,” Virginia interrupted, “I am never going to get used to they way you say that.”

Wolf looked at her, confused.

“What?”

“Nevermind,” Virginia said, shaking her head and laughing softly. “I’m just glad we’re together again.”

“Oh, huff! Me, too!” Wolf agreed.

Cinnamon paused at the sign that signaled the border of the kingdom. She had never left the Fifth Kingdom before. Oh, well. There was a first time for everything.

She had stayed away from Wolf and Virginia, barely uttering two words in the past couple days. She had slept a good distance away from them, giving them as much privacy as possible. She didn’t want to be too far, she knew the dangers of these woods better than either of them. She just wanted to be done with this and go back to her life. Her life of being alone in the deep woods, never hearing a word except for the gossip of passing hunters. A lone wolf.

Above all else, Cinnamon hated being sorry for herself. She sometimes lapsed into self-pity and ended up furious with herself for doing so. She growled at herself now. She was starting into it again.

Cinnamon stuck her hands deep in her pockets. One hand touched something hard. Surprised, she drew it out of her pocket. It was a beautiful necklace, worth a small fortune most likely. She had forgotten about it. The way it sparkled made Cinnamon’s eyes reflect with a glint of their own. Cinnamon shoved it back in her pocket. No! She would not do that anymore. There was a lot about her that Wolf and Virginia didn’t know. Things that she wouldn’t tell them, things she was ashamed of, things she knew might make them turn against her. She was now in the Fourth Kingdom. Wendell’s kingdom. Where all wolves had been pardoned. Where they didn’t have to hide from the passing humans for fear of being shot on sight. What a wonderful thing to have happened! Cinnamon tried to imagine how different her life would be if she had been raised in a kingdom like that. It was beyond her.

Cinnamon concentrated instead on what she was going to do about the golden rose. Wolf seemed to have forgotten it. He had never mentioned it or asked for it. She still carried it inside her clothes, in her vest pocket. Wolf would never go near the witch’s place. Virginia would never let him. She would have to deliver it herself. She might as well leave now. Cinnamon stopped and turned. She waited patiently for Wolf and Virginia to catch up.

“I have to leave now,” she said.

“What? Why?” Virginia asked.

Cinnamon shook her head. She was so tired. Sleep just made her more tired. She needed this to be done. Needed it. “I just have to. You don’t need me anymore. I wish you well,” she said and turned to disappear into the woods off the path.

An arm snapped out and gripped her elbow, stopping her. Cinnamon followed it back to the owner. Wolf.

“What’s wrong with you, Cinnamon?” he asked, “I mean, huff-puff, you haven’t even said two words these past few days. Did we do something? Is it the spell?”

Cinnamon shook her head again. “No. I just…I’m fine. It’s just time I left. Let me go.”

Wolf let go. He looked at her oddly, cocking his head. Something wasn’t right with Cinnamon, no matter what she said. But maybe she needed to go off on her own. He had been there, after all. But sometimes that was the last thing that they should do. “Are you sure?” he asked.

“If you want to talk or anything…?” Virginia added from behind him.

“No. No. I just have to go. Goodbye,” Cinnamon said and ducked into the brush.

Wolf could hear her run off into the woods. He turned to Virginia with a worried expression on his face. “I’m worried about her. Something isn’t right. Even the way she smells is off,” he said.

Virginia nodded in agreement. “So what do we do? Do we follow her?” she asked.

Wolf paused. “I don’t know. I don’t think we should leave her on her own, but I don’t think we should make her stay in our sight like a little cub. Let’s follow her, but stay off a little ways,” he suggested finally.

“Okay,” Virginia agreed. The two waited for a good amount of time before following Cinnamon’s trail.

Cinnamon slowed when she caught the scent of the witch. She didn’t know how she knew the smell, but she knew it. It was the strange smell of an old woman mixed with many things that combined into a smell of bad magic. It made Cinnamon want to turn around and leave. But she couldn’t.

Cinnamon entered the clearing around the house slowly. She silently approached the door. Before she could even raise her hand to knock, it swung open. Cinnamon had somehow known that it would. Inside, hidden by the darkness, was the witch. Cinnamon could only see her outline and her eyes. It sent a shiver up and down her spine. “I…I have the rose,” she said.

“Bring it to me. And you will be free,” the witch croaked.

Cinnamon pulled the rose from her pocket. She shouldn’t do this. It couldn’t be right. This old woman was evil. She could tell from the way she smelled if not from anything else. But Cinnamon found herself stepping closer to the witch anyway. She handed her the rose from as far away as she could. The witch snatched it greedily, then began cackling with delight.

“It’s mine! It’s all mine! Oh, they won’t know what hit them. You have been a good pet, my little wolf. But I’ve left your leash too long. Down!” the witch cried, and Cinnamon felt herself forced to the ground. Cinnamon growled at the witch angrily, but something tightened, hurting her, and she had to stop. A whine escaped her as she tried to gasp in some air. “You thought you could be free of me, did you? You don’t know what you’re dealing with. Perhaps it is time for me to show you. You and the rulers, starting with Wendell.” Cinnamon whimpered again.

“That’s the witch’s cottage! What is she doing here?!” Wolf exclaimed.

Virginia watched silently as Cinnamon slowly entered the cottage. They needed to get closer if they wanted to see what was going on. “Come on,” she said to Wolf, then ran, staying low, up to the side of the house, near a window.

Wolf didn’t like it, but he followed her. “This is a bad idea, Virginia,” he whispered. “I think Cinnamon’s still under a spell.”

Virginia shushed him, then peeked in the window. Wolf looked with her. “The rose! She gave her the rose!” Wolf said in a tiny whisper. The two watched as the witch barked out something and Cinnamon was forced to the ground. They could see that there was magic controlling her. The witch turned from the window for a moment, doing something at the wooden table. When she turned again, the rose was gone from her hand, hidden somewhere. The witch said something else, then both she and Cinnamon disappeared.

Wolf jumped to his feet. “What do we do? What do we do?” he asked out loud.

Virginia straightened. “Could you hear any of what they said?” she asked.

“A little. Not too much. Something about the rulers…Wendell!” Wolf exclaimed, suddenly realizing what that meant.

“We have to get back to the castle,” Virginia said.

“Come on!” Wolf said, starting off into the woods. Virginia ran after him.

Maive was getting very, very impatient. Why was the day so long? She still had so long until the right time for her spell. Wolf and Virginia could be dead by now. Somehow she doubted that. If they were in immediate danger of dying, she trusted her premonitions to tell her. But that didn’t mean they couldn’t be in trouble right now. Maive paced along the cobble-stone walk in the garden for about the hundredth time. Why was time always so slow when you’re waiting?

Maive heard a shout from the guards on duty. It sounded like trouble. She hurried that way to see what it was. “No!” Maive cried. This couldn’t be happening. Not now! Not to her! Marissa was standing in the courtyard, only a few paces from Wendell, a girl cowering at her feet. Tony stood off to the side, waiting for instructions. The girl tried to speak, but couldn’t.

“Hello, Wendell,” the witch said. “You have ignored my threats. That was very foolish of you. Almost as foolish as sending two guards and this nincompoop. It is time to punish you for underestimating me.”

“Guards!” Wendell yelled.

“Oh, they can’t help you now,” Marissa said smoothly. And indeed the guards couldn’t get to Wendell. They were all frozen where they stood. They yelled in panic. “What is your worst fear, Wendell? What is the thing that deep down inside, scares you the most?” Marissa asked. She looked closely at Wendell. Then, she laughed. “Oh, the Evil Queen has marked you well,” she said.

“W…what? I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Wendell said, trying to back away.

“Your worst fear is to be turned into a dog, forgotten and abandoned. You fear that you will speak and no one will understand you. You fear what would have happened if not for your friends,” Marissa said. “Your fear is granted, Wendell.” The witch pointed a finger at Wendell and before he could even shout, he was engulfed in magic and changed into a golden retriever. He barked, panicked.

Maive shook her head furiously. This couldn’t be happening. She was nowhere near experienced enough to handle this. Wendell wasn’t the only one to have underestimated Marissa. The Coven had, as well. They should have sent a master witch. Not her.

“Tony, bring me the dog,” Marissa commanded.

Tony reached for Wendell, ready and willing to drag his friend to his death. Maive watched in horror. Wendell backed up, barking frantically. He could see Maive had been right; Anthony was under the witch’s control. Wendell tried to think of what he should do, but all he could think of amidst his panic was to do what he had done last time. So he ran, skidding down the halls until he came to the room with the magic mirror. Wendell jumped up on the mirror, scratching at the catch with his paws until it moved, turning the mirror on. Wendell paused, glancing over his shoulder. Tony appeared in the door. He called back down the hall, then started after him. Wendell jumped into the mirror.

Marissa was tired of being old. She waved a hand over herself. There was a flash of magic and her old self was replaced by an elegant young woman. She heard a gasp from the corner. Marissa spun on Maive. She grabbed her by the hair and dragged her out of hiding before she could react. Marissa was so loving being young again. “Th…that’s not supposed to be possible,” Maive stuttered.

“Not for you, it’s not,” Marissa replied. “I know you, don’t I? You’re a witch. Did the Coven send you?” Maive didn’t respond. “They did. The fools. I can sense your magic. You are just an amateur. You are nothing.”

Marissa threw Maive from her, sending her sprawling on the floor. Maive stared at Marissa, still astounded. “Cinnamon. Tony. You two will fetch Wendell. And please don’t fall in love and screw everything up like Wolf did. You will work together. Tony, you know the city. Cinnamon, you can catch the dog. Now, go!” Marissa ordered.

Cinnamon whined in submission and scrambled to her feet. She followed Tony down the hall, and through the mirror into the 10th Kingdom.

Wolf paused as they reached the castle. Virginia skidded to a stop behind him. “I am not swimming in the moat again,” she announced immediately.

Wolf glanced at her, then at the castle again. “I can get us in. You won’t have to. Follow me and don’t make a sound,” he said.

Virginia nodded and followed as he set out for the castle. The two ran to the wall, then edged around towards the servants' door at the back of the castle. They snuck in and to a balcony overlooking the courtyard, ducking the guards that passed. Wolf signaled to Virginia to remain silent and stay where she was, hidden in the shadows by a suit of armor. He crept closer for a better view. He saw a young woman in the courtyard. She was seated in an elegant chair. A younger girl stood before her, her hands tied, guards on either side of her. The scent of magic was all over the courtyard. Wolf returned to Virginia’s side.

“I don’t see Wendell or Cinnamon. There’s a woman down there that smells like the witch, but she’s much younger. She smells of magic. I think the witch did a spell on herself to make her young again. That’s all I can think of. Even a daughter would smell different,” Wolf reported.

“So what do we do?” Virginia whispered back.

Wolf thought, turning over all the possibilities in his mind before answering. “There’s another girl down there, tied up. I think she might be able to help us. She might at least know where Wendell and Cinnamon are. But she’s surrounded by guards. We should hide out until they put her in the dungeon or something. Then, we can get to her without too much trouble,” Wolf suggested.

“Right. Where can we hide? Not our room.”

“No,” Wolf agreed. “I know! Follow me.” Wolf set off again with Virginia right behind him. He led her down to the kitchens. They had to wait until the servants down there were busy, then ducked into a room in the back. Wolf closed the door behind them as quietly as possible.

Virginia looked around. There was food all over. The dark, damp room went back pretty far. She wondered how Wolf had known about it. “What is this? A storage room?” she asked.

“The larder. I came in here when I was getting ingredients for the poison the Evil Queen wanted. This thing goes on forever. I’m willing to bet that you can get into the dungeon from here. It would make sense. That way they could take food to the prisoners. I figured we could wait in here,” Wolf said.

“I think you’re just hungry,” Virginia replied, as she explored the place.

“Huff-puff, that, too,” Wolf agreed, picking up a piece of seasoned meat and tearing into it.

Virginia had to look away. Sometimes Wolf’s eating habits made her turn a little green. He was much better about it now, but every once in a while he forgot.

Virginia picked up an apple, checked it carefully for anything bad (she didn’t really trust apples anymore), then bit into it. She chewed extra carefully, then swallowed. Seeing as she hadn’t choked or fallen down dead, she sat down and took another bite. The two settled in for a possibly long wait.

Wendell knew that the witch wouldn’t let him get away, just as his step-mother had not. He doubted he would be lucky enough to run into someone like Virginia again. He had only himself to rely on this time. He considered hiding in the park until Anthony passed, but realized it would never work. He could tell by the girl’s whimpering that she was at least part wolf. No doubt the witch would send her after him, possibly with Anthony. She could sniff him out. He needed to get away from this place. There had to be someone who could help him or somewhere he could hide. Wendell took off into the park.