Debbie Banna - Shattered Dreams, New Beginnings

Wolf felt the pounding of his heart within his chest and branches slapping at his face as he ran. He hardly noticed the stinging cuts inflicted by the buffeting limbs, so great was the pain within his heart and mind After fleeing from the castle at a full gallop and running as quickly as only a man who was part wolf could he made haste for the forest. There he knew he would find the world that had sheltered and nurtured him long before Virginia had assaulted his senses and caused his every thought to revolve around her. As long as he could keep running, he could avoid thinking. Deep in his heart, he knew that there was no keeping his thoughts at bay, but for now, he’d run as far and as fast as he could and, when he could run no more, he’d drop.

Steering clear of anywhere that would remind him of his journey with Virginia and Tony, Wolf took to the Hunter’s forest. He continued north until he crossed the border of the Eighth Kingdom sometime before dark. This was an area he had never explored in all of his previous wanderings. It was the perfect spot to get lost. Finally, as darkness fell in the forest, and when he could no longer keep one foot plodding in front of the other, he collapsed into a bed of leaves and curled up into a ball. That night, the forest in this section of the Eighth Kingdom resounded with the howls and cries of a wounded wolf, attempting to release the misery within.

After Tony stalked out of the war room, his mind, numb since learning the fate of his daughter, had begun to function again. The anger he felt at Matilde’s seeming lack of concern for his family spurred him on. How he could possibly stay in this place one more minute he couldn’t imagine. The memories were too fresh. The pain too raw. Tony climbed the stairs to his room and began to pack his things. There was nothing in his possession that had not been given to him since he had arrived at the castle but, feeling they owed him something for all of his trouble, he packed the best and richest of his clothing. Sensibly, he filled a pouch with gold wendells, reasoning that they’d be sure to provide for him a comfortable place to stay, wherever he might go. Then noticing the magic mirror-communicator he’d received form Matilde to help them to stay in touch when they were apart, he picked it up and threw it at the wall. The mirror broke as it hit the stones and crumbled into fragments. Tony smiled a vengeful smile and picked up the sack filled with his belongings. Without looking back, he walked out the door and slammed it behind him.

“Rose, my love,” King Wendell spoke to his wife. “What do you suggest that we do now? Would you want me to send my hunters to search for him?”

“No, darling. I think we must leave him for now. Wolf has suffered a terrible blow and he will need time to work it out for himself. I think he would only resent us if we interfered,” Rose counseled her beloved. “He can take care of himself,” she reminded him. Remember, he’s lived in the wild most of his life. We must be patient. I’m sure that, in time, he’ll be back. But in the mean time, we must deal with the arrangements that need to be made.”

“Yes. I’m sure Tony will help in deciding how we should memorialize Virginia. She has meant so much to us all though we’ve known her such a short while. We must do something very special for her. What ideas do you have, my Rose?”

Rose sat up in her chair, paused momentarily then, looking to Cinderella and Queen Riding Hood (both of whom had remained at the castle) for confirmation, she spoke with assuredness. “I think there is no greater honor than that which was given to Snow White at her death. And Virginia once shared with me how romantic it was when she and Wolf began to fall in love at Snow White’s glass coffin in Kissingtown. I think she would like to be remembered as a beautiful princess who forever waits for her love to return to save her. And if there is a way for her to be returned to life, I know that Wolf will move heaven and earth to find it,” she spoke emphatically. “We can’t bury her. We need to keep her memory and Wolf’s hope alive. If Tony agrees, let’s make a glass coffin for Virginia and let her be placed in the castle courtyard for all to see and honor.”

Wendell nodded thoughtfully and looked to Cinderella for advice. She was thoughtfully listening and considering, her hand still stroking her chin. “Yes,” she spoke. “I think this would be wise. I feel that there is more to this matter than we see at present and it would be best to keep her with us till more is known. If Tony is in agreement, this is what we will do.”

Wendell rose from his chair and crossed the room to grasp a golden bellrope. Within a moment, a servant appeared, gliding quietly into the room on velvet slippers. “Yes, Your Majesty?”

“Send someone to bring Princess Virginia’s father to me, immediately.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” the servant replied and was gone in an instant. Wendell walked to one of the large windows in the war room opening onto the gardens. In the last few weeks he had enjoyed many moments of pleasure gazing from this window on the enchanting form of his beloved bride walking in the gardens, her long red hair glistening in the sunshine. The view gave him no pleasure today however as he looked out with unseeing eyes. Instead, his mind pondered the future and the difficult tasks that awaited them. “Ah, my love, who knew such dark days lay ahead for us. And so soon. So far, happily ever after is not what I thought it would be.”

“Remember, my dear Wendell, that for me life has never been easy, “ she spoke softly. “In all of my life, the best days I have known have come since I have been here with my brother and you. I have tried to learn from this not to expect too much and to find my happiness as it comes. And I have learned to wait.”

Wendell turned to look at his bride. Even in such a moment, he could feel his love for her well up within him. He crossed the room to her and knelt at her feet. “Oh, my darling, I’d forgotten how much you have already been through. And I had also forgotten just how much wisdom you have gained through it all. That is one more reason why I love you as I do. You help me to see my world with eyes of compassion, hope and understanding . I’ve learned a thing or two since my days as a dog, but I guess I still need your gentle reminders now and then.”

A cough from Cinderella’s chair brought Wendell’s attention back to the fact that they were not alone and he quickly rose to his feet, a bit embarrassed at having been caught being so vulnerable. Cinderella stifled a smile and spoke. “It’s time, I think, for me to be going. Wendie, give me a hand.” Wendell stepped nearer to his grandmother and assisted her in rising. As she did, Riding Hood jumped to her feet and took Cinderella’s other arm.

At that moment, the servant sent to fetch Tony reappeared. “Sire?”

“Yes Hampstead? Have you found Tony?” the king questioned.

“He’s gone, sire. Some of his things are missing but we found this,” he said as he held out the fragments of the broken mirror-communicator. Wendell reached out to take the broken pieces and examined them thoughtfully.

“It seems we now have two runaways to arouse our concern, though this one is cause for greater distress. In our previous wanderings throughout the kingdoms, Tony has shown a penchant for getting into trouble.”

“Be that as it may, “ Rose reminded, “he’s a big boy and I’m sure he will look after himself if given the chance. Both of our runaways need time, I think, more than anything else we can offer them. All we can do is be here for them when they decide to return. In the mean time, it seems,” she said, summoning her strength, “that we have a funeral to arrange.” With that, she arose, and taking Cinderella’s arm from Wendell, she and Riding Hood helped her to the door. Wendell watched them exit, then returned to the window to begin to organize the plans in his head that needed to be carried out promptly.