by E S Olsen
Why was I so stupid to believe in fairy tale endings? This was a nightmare. I sat with my knees pulled to my chest and tried to calm my breathing. Slowly the forest started to come to life again. First, was the sound of insects chirping or buzzing, then the song of a bird or rustle of some other creature in the underbrush. Sitting there in the cold and dark I felt a spark grow inside my chest. I hated Viveka for what she’d done to Valemon. I hated her for the peace she’d stolen from us. But mostly I hated her for stealing my babies. The fire blazed into an inferno. I gripped the spike that was embedded in the wolfs neck and tried to pull it out. I found I had to yank harder than expected. Holding it up in front of me, I watched it drip dark drips and I wanted to do the same thing to her.
I hiked for most of the day before coming to the sheer cliff face. The forest was much thinner here and I could see the castle on top of the cliff but there were no roads, no stairs. Everything was covered in a thin blanket of snow. It dawned on me that I must have entered the Winter land. I remembered seeing a waterfall from the distance, so I made my way toward it. Once there, I attached the spikes to my shoes and proceeded to climb the icy wall of water.
Climbing was a tedious process. My arms and legs burned and trembled from the exertion. I was nearing the top but it might as well have been miles away, I didn’t think I could go on. I closed my eyes while trying to catch my breath. My numb fingers making it hard to hang on to the sticks.
A rope hit me on the head. I opened my eyes. What luck! Grabbing the rope, I left my spikes stuck in the wall and climbed as someone pulled me to safety. Strong hands grabbed my arm and pulled me the rest of the way. I hunched over, hands on my knees while I tried to catch my breath.
“This is as far as you go,” the man said while he wound the rope from hand to elbow.
I desperately thought of what to say but as I looked up at him he dropped the rope. “Your majesty!” He bowed to me and introduced himself as Dag. “We need to hide you before the witch knows you’re here.”
I followed him toward the castle. There were a few huts just outside the castle walls but other than that the plateau was void of human presence. We entered his hut and I warmed myself by his fire.
“Thank you, Dag for helping me. I’ve come to rescue Valemon from the witch, if I can. I’m not too late am I? The witch didn’t marry him yet did she?”
“No, the wedding is set for three days from now,” Dag said.
“Three days!” I said in despair. “Where is he being held?”
Dag pointed, “In the west tower. Though he is free to walk through the castle, there isn’t a way to escape.”
I thought of the magic gifts I’d been given, I still had the scissors and cloth. Suddenly an idea came to me. “Where does the witch spend most of her time?”
“Oh, that’d be the east tower,” he pointed at the other end of the castle.
“Can you get me near to her? I have a plan.”
“Yes, but you’ll probably want a disguise.” He rubbed his chin. “Ah, take my hat. I bet you can tuck your hair into it.” He handed his hat over to me. “Let me get a pot of water so you can clean your wounds and your clothing.”
For the rest of the evening I washed clothes, ate and formulated my plan.
CHAPTER 8
The next morning, Dag led me to the base of the witches’ tower and left me there with his good wishes. I started kulning while I made cloth with my scissors. My song echoed hauntingly as it bounced on the castle walls and drifted over the plateau.
It had the desired effect quicker than I’d imagined.
“You there!” I looked up to see a woman leaning out of the window above. “What is it you are doing with those scissors?” She called.
I tried to disguise my voice like a man’s. “I’m making clothing.”
“Give them to me at once,” the witch ordered.
“I beg your pardon, but they only work for me,” I said.
She didn’t appear to be too pleased. “Very well, come up here, I have need for you.” Then she disappeared inside.
I smiled as I climbed the stairs into the east tower. When I got to her rooms I was surprised to see that she was a beautiful woman. I thought about all the stories I’d read of witches and assumed she’d be a hideous old hag. She had thick glossy black hair and smooth flawless skin. I felt a moment of self consciousness (Valemon chose me over this?). I swallowed hard and I tried to keep my head down.
“What are you gawking at?” She said. “I want you to make wedding clothing for me and my husband to be.”
“Of course,” I said quickly - too quickly - trying to recover I lowered my voice. “But I’ll need to measure him first.”
Her eyes narrowed then she gave me a sly smile. “This way,” she motioned for the door across the room.
I turned to the door and started for it when my hat was lifted from my head, my hair falling down around my shoulders. I stopped in my tracks.
Vivika glared at me, my hat in her hands. “You might have bested my wolves but you’re too late. There is nothing you can do to stop this,” she laughed. “I should kill you now.” She walked around me with an appraising glare. “No, I’ll let you live. Making you watch him marry his true love will be punishment enough. You really should have gone home when I warned you earlier. You’d have saved yourself so much pain and sorrow.” She marched out ahead of me, not waiting to see if I’d follow. “Come, measure him,” she called over her shoulder.
Now would be the perfect time to use those climbing sticks, I thought. Too bad they’re stuck in the ice.
I followed Vivika to the west tower. She told me to wait outside. Looking over the parapet I saw Dag hard at work and raising my gaze across the countryside, I could just make out the towers of Valemon’s castle. I wondered at how hard it must have been for Vivika to see what she longed for day after day and for it to be just out of her grasp. I laughed inwardly, knowing that Valemon loved me and she could never truly have him. Not without spells and charms.
The wind blew through my hair and my thoughts turned to my daughters. Were they being held here? Looking over the sprawling castle I saw that much of it was crumbling but there were parts that looked used. I could search for them, later, after I see Valemon.
“He’s ready for you,” Vivika cut into my thoughts.
My heart beat harder. What was I going to say to him? I entered the gloomy chamber and found him asleep on the bed. My heart leapt and broke at the same time. Vivika left us alone. I sat on the edge of the bed and took his hand. A tear moistened my lips and I sniffed. “Valemon, I’m so sorry, I love you so much.”
We didn’t have much time alone, not that I could talk with him, before the witch came back. She took me to one of the small huts, just outside the castle walls, and told me to work on the clothing. I had until tomorrow to get them done. It didn’t take me long, the scissors did all the work.
After carefully folding the clothing and placing it on the straw palette that served as my bed, I tucked the scissors back into my belt. I made my way around the west side of the castle as quietly as I could but it appeared to be deserted. I wondered why Vivika would not have more servants. Checking room after drafty room brought me no closer to finding my daughters. I walked through grand halls, decorated with paintings of various sizes. I peeked into small rooms that must have belonged to servants from ages past. Many of these rooms seemed to get little use, a thick layer of dust covering most objects and cobwebs hung like streamers.
The golden light of late afternoon illuminated the hall I walked through. Knowing the sun would set soon, I reluctantly headed back to my hut. After a whole afternoon of searching I doubted my daughters were being held here. Unless, they were in the same wing that Vivika inhabited. I strongly felt that wasn’t the case. From what I knew of her, she wouldn’t want them near her.
I slept fitfully on my bed of straw and awoke to birdsong. Rubbing my stiff limbs I walked outside to see the sunrise. Dag was already up, carryin
g a basket toward me and waved when he saw me. The welcoming smell of hot eggs and ham waft toward me.
I walked over to him. “Hello, Dag.” I had tried to sound optimistic but knew he could tell my heart was breaking.
He handed me the basket, took his hat off and held it in both hands. “Your majesty, I’m sorry I don’t have much, but here is some food.” he said with a bow of the head. “Where you able to see him, did you trick the witch?”
“She discovered me. Valemon was asleep when I saw him. I couldn’t wake him.”
“I bet it was a potion. I can warn him when I see him,” Dag said.
“Oh thank you Dag!”
Vivika came to my cell a couple of hours later. “Give me the clothing.”
“I need to try it on him, to make sure it fits right,” I said.
“Very well,” she snapped, her eyes narrowed.
This time when she had me wait outside I listened at the door.
“Good morning my love,” she said.
“I am not your love.” When I heard Valemon’s voice I leaned closer.
“I have something for you. You need to keep up your strength. The wedding is tomorrow.”
There was a creak like someone sitting on a bed. Then footsteps. I quickly backed away from the door.
Vivika came out; a smug smile marred her pretty face. “He’s ready for you.” She walked away.
Pushing the door open as I entered, I saw Valemon lying on the bed. He appeared to be sleeping like before. I closed the door behind me. “Valemon,” I called tentatively as I walked up to the bed. I picked his hand up in mine. His fingers tightened around mine and he opened his eyes.
He sat up enfolding me in his arms. I let out a shuddering breath and held him. “Maria, Maria my love,” his breath tickled my neck. He stroked my hair. “I heard you singing yesterday, I knew it was you.” He kissed my neck, my jaw, my cheek, and then his hungry lips found mine. It took all my strength to pull away.
“We don’t have much time, I have so much to tell you.” I told him about my journey and the gifts I was given. I left out the wolf attack, that I would tell later when we were safe away from here. And I told about how I’d used the scissors to try and trick the witch into letting me see him. “My plan is to use the cloth to create a feast for the wedding but I still don’t know how to stop her. What are we going to do?”
His brow furrowed, and then he looked at me excitedly. “She has a laboratory where she mixes potions. Perhaps you could find something to stop her.”
“I’ll do what I can.” We heard her approach. I gave Valemon a quick kiss and he lay down and closed his eyes.
The door opened with a bang. “Well?” She asked.
“I just need to make a few adjustments.” I lied.
She harrumphed and stalked away. For the rest of the morning I clandestinely made my way around Vivika’s side of the castle searching for her lab. I found it, but she was there murmuring to herself as she mixed potions.
“I mustn’t use too much of that, just a dash.” There was a poof of violet smoke. “What else… ah, exactly one vial of this, more or less would be disastrous.” She poured some grey liquid into the pot and there was a loud pop.
She poured the dark red liquid into a large flask. “This should be a wonderful addition to our wedding feast.” She placed the flask on a shelf and left the room.
I waited for several minutes. It felt like forever but I was too nervous to leave my hiding spot before that. The laboratory wasn’t very large but it was filled to the brim. There were vials and flasks filled with every color. Jars lined the shelves with all sorts of powders. I quickly moved to the cauldron and grabbed the potions I watched her use. “Here goes,” I said to myself. “Lots of this.” There was a flash of light; I hid my eyes behind my hands. “Whoa… and plenty of that.” I poured three vials of grey liquid into the pot and quickly ducked down. There were several popping noises and the potion I created bubbled up and over the side of the pot before settling down. I poured out the flask the witch had filled and carefully scooped the dark red liquid I made into it. Placing it on the shelf again, I was struck with and idea.
I grabbed an assortment of vials, all different colors and consistencies, liquids and powders. Then I dumped everything into the pot. I quickly hid behind a large case as the pot rocked violently. Sparks flew out of the pot two of which started little fires. Then a loud bang sounded. I bit my lip painfully, surely she heard that. After stamping the fires out I filled a small vial with the dark grey liquid I’d made. Not sure how to use this against her, I decided I’d throw it at her. I doubted I could get her to drink it, hoping rather, the liquid would melt her.
Before I had time to slip out of the room the door opened with a crash. Vivika’s tall ridgid form stood framed in the bright afternoon light. I couldn’t see her face but I didn’t need to in order to tell she was angry. The vial crashed open at her feet before I realized I’d thrown it. Her hem started in fire.
She gasped. “What do you think you’re doing!” Vivika smoothed her hands down her dress into and through the fire. The fire disappeared and left no trace behind that her dress was ever on fire.
“I have been very tolerant of you. I have allowed you to live, eat my food, make my wedding clothes, roam freely about my castle.” Her voice was dangerously low. “Do you wish to die?” She took a few slow deliberate steps toward me.
My mouth felt dry. I hated this woman with every fiber of my being but felt helpless, she was so powerful. Was there a way to defeat her?
Suddenly she grabbed a fist full of my hair and dragged me behind her. Pain shot into my scalp and all I could do was hold onto her wrist while I stumbled behind her. My eyes closed tight against the pain, the only sound heard was the harsh clacking from her shoes against the stone floor.
Vivika flung me to the floor. I sat up and rubbed my throbbing shoulder.
“Perhaps a night in here, and you’ll begin to understand how helpless your situation really is.” Vivka glared down at me, spun on a heel and slammed the bar door shut with a clang.
I looked around my new, much smaller cell. Cold dark stone lined the floor, the walls, the ceiling. A small barred window was set high up in one wall, affording me a view of clouds and an occasional bird. I could just reach the bars, wrapping my fingers around them, I gave a firm tug but they were set tight.
Clenching my fists I brought them up to my temples and paced the room. How could I have been so stupid? I reacted too quickly. I should have formulated a plan. What an idiot. All hopes of saving Valemon were lost. I slid down the wall and pulled my knees up to my chest. Just one more day, then I’d be forced to watch Valemon marry Vivika. And then? Then she’d be free to banish me, kill me, whatever she wanted.
After sitting, watching the sunlight move across the floor, I started wondering why Vivika hadn't killed me yet. She said it was to force me to watch the wedding, but wouldn’t it be easier for her to get me out of the way beforehand? Maybe the curse wouldn’t allow it. She had lied to me before. A spark of hope began to grow within me.
I jumped up at the window, it didn’t afford me much better view. Grabbing the bars, I strained to pull myself up for a better look. A glimpse of the hut roofs was all I could see. Maybe Dag would be able to see me. Not daring to call to him I waved my hand out the window. I waved and waved until my arms ached.
Then I curled up into a ball and cried.
CHAPTER 9
I awoke to darkness. There was a shuffling sound at my door.
“Who’s there!” I called.
“Shh, its me Dag. Don’t get us caught.” A key turned in the lock with a click. “Come on, let’s get out of here.”
Following Dag through the darkness, we entered his hut. He had me sit by the fire and gave me something to eat.
“I saw you signaling for me from the window, but dared not come for you until now.” He puttered about his hut, stirring the stew and moving something he was working on to another place
. “The witch came to your hut and took the clothing away. What happened to get you put in that cell?”
I told him about my wanderings around the castle, of finding Vivika in her lab and my mishap with the potion.
“Did she discover the potion you switched?”
Realization dawned on me, that all hope was not lost. “No! I don’t think she did.” I smiled for the first time in a long time. “We still have hope.”
The rest of the night I discussed all my options with Dag.
*
I got up with the sun and watched all morning for sign of activity. It seemed Vivika was preparing the great hall. I decided that she wasn’t letting me live, it was that she couldn’t kill me before the curse was complete. So, I walked boldly into the hall.
“How did you get out of that cell?” She looked down on me with her dark dangerous eyes.
“I see you are preparing for your wedding. I thought you might like a proper feast,” I offered.
“What!” She said with disdain.
“Please allow me to show you.” I rolled out the cloth across the table and clapped my hands. A roasted chicken appeared.
The witch’s expression turned greedy. “Give it to me.” She held out her hand.
“But only I can use it.” I said.
Her smile faded. “Of course only you can use it.” She flipped her hair over her shoulder. “Be here when the guests arrive and dazzle them with your feast. Now go.”
I smiled. Then tucking the cloth back into my belt I walked slowly, head held high, out of the hall.
Later that day I watched from my window as witches and warlocks arrived. Some came on foot, others by air. One rode a giant bat. Another appeared with a pop. I headed to the large hall. They had begun seating themselves around a long table. Valemon was sitting by Vivika. I made my way through the crowded room with my head bowed. After they were all seated, the room fell silent as they looked at me, a mixture of surprise, disgust, interest. After flinging the cloth across the table I clapped my hands and the table filled from end to end with the most fabulous feast.