Maplepunzel, Part 19

By the time they got to the throne room, the guests had all arrived. Maple never saw it so full in there! It was standing room only. The mirrors lining each side, with their gilt frames, reflected a glittering array of Berlanian nobles in their finest black, purple, red, and silver suits and gowns. The same corrupt priest who officiated Jeff and Pavla’s wedding stood behind the glowing double windows, showing a faint gold light as the sun dipped into the horizon.

Mackie pushed his way through the crowd. “Hey, people, move aside, father-in-law coming through here!” 

“Mackie,” Scott hissed, “could you be any louder? We don’t need to announce our arrival to everyone in a five mile radius!” 

“I’m nervous!” Mackie twisted his tie as his hands shook like leaves in the wind. “I haven’t been to a wedding this big since my own, and I barely remember that!”

Walter got closer to his papa. He didn’t like this crowd! People kept stepping on his paw, and he smelled a lot of strong perfumes and the oil the men used on their hair. Betty also stayed closer to Scott, but she was more curious than Walter. She might know some of these people from Hope Springs, and this would make wonderful inspiration for her plays!

The dirge continued to drone mournfully as Pavla walked in on the arm of one of the bird creatures. She sported a lavish black and red gown covered in lace, with a black lace train trailing half-way across the room that required three bridesmaids in black to carry. Her jagged crown studded with onyx and rubies sparkled dully in the last of the setting sun. She held dark red roses demurely, with a small smirk. Maple gasped as another bird creature led Victor on the leash, still thickly blindfolded and wearing the plain black uniform and that purple collar. His face was placid, even under the painted black and purple circles. 

Maple frowned as the ceremony got underway. Berlania weddings involved a lot of chanting, painting on faces, and exchanges of vows. She did know that there was also a moment when the room would be invited into the chant and approve of the bride, groom, and their love. She did NOT approve! The moment the chanting started, she ducked into the crowd. 

The priest had just begun to ask about anyone in the community objecting to their union when a screech drowned him out. “I object! And so does my fiancee!” Even bent over and moving slowly, Hilary still managed to look every inch a queen. “This man has no more desire to marry you than I do. He’s being forced into a union with this puffy black sour cherry pastry from Prague Castle! Or have I said too much?”

“Way too much.” Pavla turned around with a noisy hiss. “You are disturbing my wedding, old woman.” She nodded at three guards in red and black uniforms. “Boys, get her out of here!”

“I will not go!” Hilary stood firm as the guards reached for her arms. “This wedding is a sham and an insult to intelligent people! Oww!” She screeched as the first guard yanked her arm. “Must you be such a brute? Would you treat your own grandmother this way?”

That was when the doors flung open…and woodland animals of every description poured into the throne room! Maple had never seen so many. Rabbits, birds, bears, deer, elk, racoons, and skunks attacked the guests, tugging at skirts and pulling people onto the ground. Pavla screeched as Eugenia grabbed at her black lace veil with her little feet. A whole flock of birds tore at the filmy black lace on her sleeves and bosom or ate her red roses.

“Go!” Mackie pushed Maple towards Victor the moment the chaos erupted. “And here.” He handed her a rag. “Use this to wipe him off. You don’t need to get married looking like an explosion in a paint store.”

Maple rushed to Victor just as Betty dashed to the men holding Hilary. She bit the hand of the first one hard. He screeched and let her go. Mackie knocked out the second with one blow, though he held his hand and complained about the guy’s head being so damn hard afterwards. Walter gave the third guy such a big smack with his paws, he knocked him over. He then sat on him to make sure he didn’t try to hurt Grandmama Hilary again. That wasn’t very nice!

“NO!” Pavla glared at Hilary as Mackie and Betty helped her to her feet. She managed to swat the birds away, throwing Eugenia into one of the thrones. Foley let out a squeak and ran over to her, his whiskered nose twitching. “I will not let you destroy this wedding, like one in Wennaria! I want those iron works! If I marry Prince Victor, I will be able to manufacture weapons that will win war for us! We will be able to take over so many more kingdoms…”

Mackie glared at her. “So that’s your game. You don’t care about Victor, do you? You just want to go on playing war.” 

“Of course not. He’s a means to an end.” She snarled as purple light formed on her fingers. “I think I get rid of you. Or at least get you out of this room. I have had enough of playing these games!” Her eyes fell on Betty. “Perhaps, I get rid of little princess first. She has been thorn in my side since she came here.” 

Hilary screamed as Pavla threw her ball of light. Maple looked over her shoulder to see Scott stumble over, throwing his arms around Hilary and Betty. Mackie grabbed Walter and pulled both of them behind Scott. The purple light washed over Scott, opening a bloody wound in his back and making him gasp in pain. 

“You…” Pavla’s eyes widened. “Why did you do that? Why do you care?”

“I told you yesterday, Pavla.” Scott breathed hard, his face ashen as he clutched Betty to his chest. “I love her. I love Betty more than I have loved any person in my entire life. I don’t care what she looks like right now. She means more to me than life itself.” 

Scott gazed over Pavla’s shoulder and nodded quickly at Victor, who stumbled around the front of the thrones, trying to find Pavla. The priest was being dragged away by his cassock by two raccoons and a shaggy brown bear who resembled Walter’s older cousin. Now was the time to get to Victor! She nodded, dodging the animals clawing, pawing, and sitting on guards.

“Maple?” Victor’s deep voice still came out as a mere breath. “Maple, where are you? What’s going on? I hear some kind of chaos, but…”

She’d never been so happy to see him in her life! She threw her arms around him, hugging him for all she was worth. “Maple?” He ran his hands over her cheeks. “Is that you? What happened? I thought I heard Woodsman Sherwood. He…loves Betty?” He sighed. “I think I’ve been aware of his feelings for a long time. Betty…she’s a sweet girl, but I don’t feel the way about her that I do about you.”

All as Victor prattled, Maple took out the rag Mackie gave her, sat Victor on the throne, and slowly, gently wiped the black and purple circular marks off his skin. “Maple? What’s going on? I thought we were becoming man and wife. Is that really you?”

She nodded as he reached to touch her. His rough hand, with those long, slender fingers, ran across her scarred cheek. “You…you seem different,” he whispered. “Not so…harsh, perhaps. Softer. More…like someone I knew, once…”

He didn’t recognize her! He had to! She couldn’t help herself. Her tears flowed as she silently sobbed over him, holding him for all she was worth. As the salty water dripped onto his eyes, they were surrounded by a soft golden glow. The more tears dropped, the stronger the glow became. Maple pulled back, surprised at the intensity. 

When the light subsided, Victor still sat on the throne…but his whiskey-brown eyes were now clear and unblemished. The light flowed over the scars, making them scab, then vanish all together. “Maple,” he said, his voice now deep and resonant as the tears and gold light flowed down his neck, “my visual faculties have been restored. I can see you! And you…” He touched her chin-length hair and gave her that little peach smile that made her heart skip a beat. “You are the most beautiful woman in this or any kingdom.”

He nearly fell off the throne as she launched herself into his arms, kissing him for all he was worth. “Maple, what happened?” She nibbled along his jawline. “All I remember was Pavla dragging me into her room after she tossed me onto the griffin like a sack of potatoes. She chanted…something, I’m not sure what…and then, I woke up here, in your arms, suddenly able to see your glorious eyes and face again.” 

He traced his finger across the scar on her left cheek, frowning. “Did Pavla do this?” She nodded vehemently, narrowing her eyes in pure fury. “I believe I was able to feel them earlier at Wennaria as well. She had no desire for me to recognize you and put two and two together.” He ran her fingers through the chin-length red curls. “Did I mention that I truly admire you with your hair this length? I think it looks extremely attractive on you.” She blushed almost as red as her hair.

They were about to kiss again when Maple heard Pavla’s deep, purring Prague accent increase into a near-caw in the middle of the throne room. She and Scott were still in a stand-off. Mackie had helped Hilary to one of the abandoned chairs. Betty and Walter stood at Scott’s side, keeping him from collapsing completely. 

“What will you do,” Pavla hissed as she generated a huge, sizzling ball of purple energy, “if you’re not alive to enjoy your precious princess? You must possess incredible energy to keep going like this. I think I’ll take it!”

Maple gasped and let out a silent scream as Pavla shot the light directly into Scott’s chest. Scott shoved himself in front of Betty and Walter, protecting them even as he sagged. The silver creeping across his temples accelerated, took over the black until there was nothing left but pure silver. His skin sagged and wrinkled, even as his fingers curled and his body bent over. She was sure Scott was in his early 40’s, but by the time he collapsed next Betty, he was as wrinkled and gaunt as a man of 80. 

“Oh my god.” Victor’s whiskey-brown orbs widened in horror. “Did she just…I heard she could drain youth and vigor, but…I never truly believed it until I witnessed it with my own eyes…”

She grabbed Victor’s hand and dragged him over to where Betty and Walter leaned over Scott. Scott’s breath was shallow and raspy, but his fingers still stroked Betty’s ears. Betty leaned into his fingers, tears running down her muzzle. Walter’s growls mingled with sobs as he leaned on his papa’s chest. Why did that mean lady in the fancy black dress hurt his papa? He didn’t look right at all, and he wasn’t breathing good, either! 

Mackie held his hand as Maple and Victor knelt next to him. “It doesn’t look good, guys.” He gave Victor a wan smile. “Nice to see you, Your Highness. This is probably the wrong time to tell you this, but I’m going to be your father-in-law when we get back to Wennaria and you two get hitched.” 

Victor shook his hand. “I’m glad, Mackie. You’re a loyal butler. Maple couldn’t have a better parent.” He turned to Maple and squeezed her hand, his face grim. “Maple, if you can restore my sight, perhaps you could give similar aid to poor Sherwood. He doesn’t deserve to expire before his time. He…” His voice cracked softly. “He loves Betty. He truly loves her. And I believe,” he nodded at the little deer joining the bear cub sobbing over Scott’s sunken chest, “she genuinely cares for him too.”

Maple nodded and took his hand and Mackie’s, squeezing both. She would need their energy to help her focus. Walter put his paw in Grandpapa Mackie’s hand. Anything to help his papa! Victor looked up in surprise as Betty threw her hoof into Victor’s hand, then placed it on Scott’s chest. 

“You little meddling…” Pavla screeched, turning her ball of purple energy on Maple. “I should turn you all into animals, like I did to the princess and people in Hope Springs! And who let those creatures in? I will turn them into fur coats!” 

Just as she was about to launch the ball of light at Maple’s circle around Scott, Hilary stumbled in front of her. “Jeffery!” she screamed. “Help me here!”

Jeff raised his sword and slammed it hard as he could against the mirror! The vibrations sent the sizzling ball of light flying right back at Pavla! It slammed into her hard, throwing her into the largest of her mirrors as she screeched and cawed at the top of her lungs. Not only did the mirror shatter, but the force shattered two more mirrors, sending shards of glass everywhere. 

Maple opened one eye as Hilary knelt next to Betty. “Can you use two more hands?” She took Betty’s other front hoof with one hand and held the mirror’s handle with the other. Jeff put out his hands as if he was holding Hilary’s. 

She focused as hard as she could, trying to draw energy from them. It wasn’t like Pavla’s dark magic, though. It was…soft. Warm. It smelled like plum blossoms, warm summer evenings, laundry drying in the sun. It was earthy, fresh. The last golden rays of the waning sun hit her as the light spilled over Scott’s severely aged body on the floor, his sunken chest barely moving. She sent him Victor’s gentleness…Mackie’s kindness…Betty’s intelligence and spunk…Walter’s innocence…Hilary’s regal strength…Jeff’s devotion. And love. Her own love, and theirs.

Nothing happened for a few minutes. Scott’s breaths became smaller, raspier. His sharp fingers curled around Maple’s, giving it the smallest squeeze. Betty leaned over and licked his cheek as lovingly as she could…just as the golden sunlight spread across his body. It became so intense, everyone had to move back for a few minutes. 

When it subsided and Maple could open her eyes again, Scott, his hair black with silver flecks and his body strong and whole again, lay before them. His back was unblemished, looking exactly the way it did before Pavla attacked him. “M…Maple?” His long black eyelashes fluttered. “Betty? What…why do I feel like hell?” Betty threw her long legs around him, leaning into him and licking him for all she was worth. “Yeah, Betty, Betty, Betty,” he wheezed, “I love you, too.” 

Maple had never felt so spent in her life. She sagged into Victor’s arms, breathing hard. “Maple? Are you all right? Even I, who possess no magic, could feel the tremendous amount of energy you just put out.” 

“Give her a moment, son.” Mackie squeezed Maple’s hand as she gave him a wan smile. “Let her get her breath. Totally healing someone like that takes a lot out of you!” 

Hilary sighed and patted Scott on his shoulder. “You really and truly care about each other, don’t you?”

Betty nodded as Scott took her hoof. “With my whole heart, Hilary. She’s the only woman I ever want, no matter what she looks like.”

“Then…” Hilary sighed as Jeff glared at her, nodding at Betty and Scott. “All right, Jeffrey, all right! Yes, when we return to Wennaria, you two can get married. Perhaps it wouldn’t be so bad to have a woodsman for a king.” 

Scott chuckled as Betty nuzzled him. “Thanks, Hildy.”

“It’s Hilary!” She glared as Jeff silently chuckled in the mirror. “It’s always been Hilary.” 

Scott grinned. “Hilary.” Betty giggled under her muzzle.