The Hope Springs animals had gathered around the red and black satin heap laying under thousands of shards of glass. Maple stumbled over as Eugenia, fluttering crookedly, twittered and indicated the mass of shredded black lace and red satin. Three mirrors had been completely shattered and lay in shards around her feet. Only one long, jagged shard on the largest frame remained, sending the last waning rays of sunlight bouncing around the room in prisms of rainbow light.
“Don’t look at me.” Long, sharp fingernails pushed away the black bear and elk with long horns who poked at her prone body. “Don’t,” the familiar Prague accent cawed. “Don’t help. You can’t do anything for me. Your power…it can’t help me.”
Maple’s eyes widened as two of the elk used their horns to get the larger glass pieces off. Rabbits swept the smaller shards of glass with their cotton tails, and birds gently brushed them away with their wings. Bears and raccoons heaved the broken frames off Pavla’s body.
“Go away!” Pavla’s caw was more pronounced than ever. Maple winced at the bloody cuts and gashes criss-crossing her arms and legs under the shredded black lace and torn red satin. “I can’t be healed! Leave me! Go! You got what you wanted. Leave me with my kin.”
Victor and Mackie hurried over as Maple knelt on the bit of carpet the rabbits cleared of debris. She stroked Pavla’s hair, brushing the glass shards out. Even if she was a lousy guardian and frankly, a rotten person, she still didn’t deserve to die like this. She was a living, breathing creature, too.
Pavla screamed as Maple took her hand and concentrated. The same gold light, a bit more subdued, surrounded her. “NO!” She tried to pull her hand away, but Maple held it firmly, even as the cuts bled on her hand. “NO!” Her bird-like shrieks nearly ruptured Maple’s eardrums. The two men threw their hands over their ears. “Don’t you understand, you little fool? I am black magic! I can’t be healed! That’s why I never let you touch me with your magic. That’s why I wanted to corrupt it! I didn’t want you healing me! I don’t want your human pity!”
Everyone in the room but Maple backed away as the gold light consumed Pavla. Walter nudged the last big mirror with that one shard, so the lady could see that, even cut up, she was still kind of pretty. Maybe that would make her stop screaming so much and hurting his bear ears!
Pavla looked up at the large, jagged glass shard…just as the last ray of the sun reflected, bursting into a thousand faint rainbows. “NO!” She shrieked as her velvety brown eyes gazed into the mirror. “No! That’s not me! That’s not what I am! That’s not what I want!”
Every bird creature in the room swarmed around her. “I’m not you! You’re my kin,” she screamed, “but I’m not you!” Maple had to draw back, even as gold light continued to shoot from her hand. Pavla took one last look in the shard…and Maple happened to look at the same time.
Victor gasped as he and Mackie joined Maple. “You…you are one of them,” he stammered as he pushed the trembling Mackie back. “You’re the real monster. You’re not even human.” The others gasped at the image of an enormous crow with bits of black lace fluttering off its red and black wings reflected back at them.
For a moment, the gold light burst hot and strong. Pavla’s screams under the rusty feathers of her “kin” grew more and more like loud, screechy bird caws. When the light finally subsided, a flock of crows, screeching in the light of the moon, soared out the window. The largest crow had auburn feathers on top of its head and the tips of its wings. Tattered black lace and red satin streamed off its wings as it followed the rest of its flock, the lace giving it an almost eerily ethereal look.
As the moon rose, purple magic sizzled around the room. Animals stood on two legs as feathers and fur fell away. They stared into the shards…and saw human beings. Soon, the throne room was filled with not only shocked Berlania couriers, but men and women in what had once been fine clothes, now hanging off them in tatters. They still hugged each other, happy to be human and speaking once more.
Eugenia the golden bird landed on Foley the rabbit. They sat at the old piano on the side of the throne room, which had recently been the source of the dirge playing before the wedding. When the purple light flashed across them, a sweet blond woman in a golden dress and a little man with a mustache in a fine suit. She threw her arms around him, nearly knocking him off the piano bench.
Hilary looked into that last, large shard of mirror and smiled at what she saw. “It’s…it’s me.” She grinned. “But better.” She touched the shard, letting the purple light swirl around her. Coarse white hair softened into auburn curls, wrinkles disappeared, bent fingers straightened.
When the light subsided, a beautiful woman in her late 30’s gazed into the shard. “Oh, thank heavens!” She frowned at the sight of her purple gown, which like the rest of her court, was in tatters. “I should have that bird queen taken to court for what she did to my wardrobe!” She looked up at the shard again…and smiled at the familiar, handsome face with the dark curly hair. “Jeffrey…”
Her slender fingers touched the shard…and slid into the shard. Jeff took her hand and let her pull him out of the remains of the mirror. “Jeffery!” Hilary threw her waiting arms around him. “I’ve missed you so much! I’ve never been so happy to touch anyone in my life!”
His wide grin and gorgeous high cheekbones nearly made her melt. “I’ve missed you, Mittens. You don’t know how many times I wanted to touch you…to talk to you…”
“Pumpkin!” She kissed all along his neck. “God, I’ve missed you so much!”
Even as Hilary and Jeff kissed, Betty tip-taped over to the shard and gazed into it. Her reflection showed a beautiful young woman in a pink and white gown, bent over her writing. Scott bent over her and took her in his arms. The little deer smiled and touched the shard. The purple light gathered around her, just as Scott, Maple, Victor, and Walter ran over.
“Scott!” When the light subsided, it revealed a beautiful young woman with shoulder-length dark hair and wide, dark eyes. Her pink and white lace gown was in shreds, hanging off her in ribbons, but she didn’t even notice as she ran into his arms. “Scott, thank you so much for…well, for everything. For saving me. For being there. When Pavla drained you and I thought we were going to lose you, I…”
“Shh.” Scott gently put a finger on his lips. “I understand, Betty, Betty, Betty. I did what I had to do. I love you.”
Her smile lit up the increasingly dark, dim throne room. “I love you too, Scott Sherwood. I love you more than anyone else on this planet…” She frowned, looking up at Victor with a sheepish expression. “Victor! I…well, hello there…”
“It’s all right, Betty.” Victor gave her his small peach smile before leaning over and kissing her cheek. “I understand more than you’ll ever know. We both found what we were looking for.”
Hilary tapped Scott’s shoulder, smiling at him. “Hey there, Scott. Welcome to the family. Maybe it won’t be so bad having a woodsman for a son-in-law. At least I know Betty and Hope Springs will be well-protected.” She leaned over and patted Walter on the head. “You too, Walter. You’re a good cub. I’ll get you the biggest pot of honey I can find when we get back to Hope Springs.”
“Thanks, Hildy.” Scott smirked as Betty nudged him. “I knew you’d come around.”
Jeff chuckled as Hilary fumed. “It’s Hilary! It’s always been Hilary! Don’t make me regret changing my mind.”
Scott smiled and hugged Betty. “Hilary.”
Maple was the last to look in the shard. She saw…herself. Herself, the way she was now, but in a nicer peasant gown. As she touched the shard, gold light flowed into her fingertips. Another gold light jumped to her throat, then touched her hair. Her thick flame-colored curls flowed to her shoulders now.
“V…victor?” Her long white fingers went to her throat. “I…I can…I can talk…” She flung herself into his arms. “She took my voice…she wanted you to think she was me…my throat is so sore…”
“Maple, I understand.” Victor wrapped his arms around her and hugged her hard as he could manage. “I need to wash these circular markings off my skin. When my parents arrive, we’ll take you to Wennaria Castle and have Miss Mary brew tea with honey and lemon for your throat.”
She grinned up at him. “As long as it ain’t coffee! I ain’t never drinkin’ coffee again after what Brumpton n’ Abernathy did to the coffee at the castle.”
Victor chuckled. “Mother and Father ordered the contaminated coffee destroyed the night before the aborted wedding. The Valerian and remaining decaffeinated coffee is in the hands of our police force as evidence.”
That was when the doors flung open. “Victor!” Queen Gertrude grinned at her son, her husband by her side. “You’re all right!” They were followed by men wearing simple shirts and trousers and carrying bayonets while jabbing at Pavla’s own army in black and red. An army of bunnies, kittens, birds, and butterflies followed them.
“Mother!” Victor hurried to Gertrude for a strong embrace. “I’m elated you were finally able to arrive. Where’s Father?”
“Look who I found trying to escape!” King Thomas followed the butterflies in, shoving Rollie Pruitt in what remained of his finest black silk suit after he was trampled by escaping wedding guests. Two Wennaria guards flanked him, poking their guns at his arms. “Naughty naughty, Lord Pruitt!” The king shook an aged finger in the man’s jowly, scowling face. “It isn’t nice to run out on a wedding before it’s done! It’s bad manners.”
“I left the moment I saw the bride turn into a crow.” Pruitt tried to pull away. “Besides, I’m innocent. I had nothing to do with kidnapping your son. In fact, I thought it was a bad idea. Especially since she never delivered the bride she promised me.”
Maple stomped right up to the fat, ugly man’s face. “I was the bride she promised you!” she snapped angrily. “I wouldn’t marry you for all the money in the entire Seven Kingdoms and beyond! You’re mean, you’re ugly, and you tried to get my best guy friend thrown out!”
“She’s right.” Hilary followed her, glaring at Pruitt. “I’ll take charge of this man, Tom.” She put an arm around Jeff. “Thanks to my fiancee, I’ve learned he was conspiring with Queen Pavla against me and Hope Springs.”
Pruitt tried to give her a rather flabby smile. “Now, Your Majesty, I’m your financial advisor! Why would I do that?”
“Because,” Jeff snapped, “my brother and I have heard of you, too. You work for Berlania, weasling your way into the royal family, claiming to be an advisor, but really turning the royal family against one another and preparing them for invasion.”
“Now Your Majesty,” Pruitt simpered, “surely, there’s no way the boy could know that…”
King Thomas patted Jeff’s arm. “Pruitt, I believe my son before I believe you. You’re not very nice. Gentlemen,” he nodded at two members of the Wennaria Army, “please take this man to be put on trial in Hope Springs next week. Queen Hilary and her court will deal with him there.” They dragged Pruitt out of the throne room, still insisting he was innocent and he had nothing to do with Pavla.
Gertie grinned at Hilary. “We passed through part of Hope Springs on our way here. That’s why we were late. Hilary, it’s fine. The houses, the theaters…they’re all there.”
“Good.” Hilary grinned. “There’s going to be two weddings at the Our Lady of the Star Church in about a month.” She gave Jeff a squeeze, then looked at Betty and Scott sitting on the thrones, kissing each other for all they were worth.
“Miss Maple?” The plump, sweet-faced woman sitting at the piano waved at her. She wore a yellow gown, her hair in a hat trimmed with flowers and golden feathers. “Thank you for hearing my songs, even when I was a bird.” She hugged the little man with the thin brown mustache and twitchy nose in the wrinkled suit next to her. “Foley and I are, or wore, or are again, I guess, the court musicians at Hope Springs. He just agreed to marry me! We’re going to have our wedding next week. You’re all invited, including you, Queen Hilary!”
Maple gave Eugenia and Foley a hug. “That’s great, you two! And,” she went on with a smile, “thanks for all the help you gave us, keeping me cheered up in the tower and leading us to Hilary and Betty and out of the swamp.”
“Of course!” Eugenia gave Maple her sweet smile. “I’d love to show you more Hope Springs ballads I know. We really need to play a duet sometime, now that I have hands to play with.”
“You bet.” Maple looked up at Victor. “And I wouldn’t want no one else to play at our wedding.”
Victor smiled at her. “We’d be honored, Miss Eugenia. Thank you for leading me to my wife-to-be.”
“You’re welcome!” Eugenia beamed and Mr. Foley squeezed her hand. “We were both honored to help out. Foley told me…well, twitched to me…that you were looking for your brother. I thought Maple could help. You’re such a pretty, smart girl, you deserve so much more than rotting away in some tower!”
Mackie grinned and put his arm around Maple and Victor. “Isn’t my daughter something else, Your Highness?” Walter trotted over too, nuzzling his mama’s side. “She’s just as amazing as her mother.”
“Her mother…” Victor looked between the two of them in surprise. “Mackie, you…you found your daughter? I know how long you’ve been searching for her…”
Mackie grinned wider. “She’s the spitting image of her mother.” He squeezed her hand. “Maple…Anna…I’m proud of you. I’m going to talk to the King and Queen about the wedding. You crazy kids have fun.” He patted Maple on the back. “Don’t do anything I would do.”
“Don’t worry, Papa.” Maple smirked. “We won’t!” Victor chuckled as Mackie walked off. Walter’s growl almost sounded like laughter. She turned to Victor. “Yeah, apparently, my real name is Anna. It’s gonna take some gettin’ used ta.”
“Anna. Anna.” Victor thoughtfully turned the name over in his mind before giving her that small peach smile. “I like it. It suits you.” He gave her a hug. “I love you, Maple Anna Rapunzel.”
Maple grinned at him. “I love you, too. More n’ anything.” Walter licked at her hand. “I love you too, boy…whoa!” Walter leaned so hard into his mother, he knocked her over. “Down, Walter!” She laughed as he licked her cheek. “Walt, you silly idiot! Aw, you want kisses, too? Could you get off me? Victor? Betty? Victor…”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Moonlight poured in her room as she heard the knock on her door. She yawned and slowly sat up, itching her back and pushing Walter aside. “Walt, you don’t need to get so close to my cheek, boy.” She hugged her beloved old teddy bear. “Yeah, I love you, too.”
At least I feel better, she thought as she grabbed her robe and went to the front door. I ain’t hot an’ shaky anymore, and I’m not as tired. Guess I’m finally gettin’ over this. “Yeah, yeah,” she said to the front door, “I’m comin’!” She heard Scott and Betty’s voices on the radio in the background, performing what sounded like Wee Mary MacGregor, Veterinarian. I forgot to turn the darn thing off! She switched it off as the pounding on the door got louder.
“I’m comin’! Sheesh!’ She finally stumbled over and yanked her front door open. “Yeah, what do you…” Her eyes widened as she saw the peach smile and gentle whiskey brown eyes of Victor Comstock. “Victor? I thought you went to Washington DC.”
He handed her a bag. “My train was delayed. I thought I’d bring you a gift to make you feel better. You deserve it, after helping me with Abernathy and Brumpton earlier.”
“For me?” She grinned. “Aw, you shouldn’t have, Victor!” She peered in the slightly greasy bag. “Oooh, a burger and fries. I must be feeling better. I can smell them through the paper.” She nodded inside. “Hey, why don’t you come in an’ share this with me? We can listen to the radio, and you can meet my bear Walter an’ see my place.”
“I’m afraid we’ll have to take a rain check on that. I don't have the time. I must catch that train.” He gave her a kiss on her cheek, turning red as a beet. “Thank you again for aiding me this morning. I truly hope you’re back on your feet shortly. You’re a fine actress and singer, and I look forward to hearing you on our programming again.”
Maple grinned, turning the same color as her hair. “Aw, thanks, Victor. You ain’t such a bad guy. I enjoyed the date we had a few weeks ago. I’d love to have another one. Maybe when you get back?”
“We’ll see, Miss LaMarsh.” He tipped his hat to her, still red. “Enjoy your repast! I’ll see you at the station when I return next week.”
“See you then!” Maple waved to him as he left, then went to the window of her apartment tower and waved to him as he strolled down the road. “Bye, Victor! Don’t be a stranger!”
Her heart skipped a beat as he looked over his shoulder at her, tipping his hat with that peach smile. “Never with you, Miss LaMarsh.”
Maple grinned, waving at him until he disappeared down the road. She hurried to her bedroom and gave Walter a big hug. “He likes me, Walter! He likes me, no matter what I look like! Someday,” she picked up Walter and went to the window, “someday, Walter…he’s gonna see me. An’ then…then I’ll say what I wanna say.” She smiled at the bear with the embroidered grin on her lap. “For now, let’s go eat. I could eat six of those burgers!”
THE END
No comments:
Post a Comment