by J M Bingham
a shrill whine came from the monsters in back of the tiny hag. Hortensia raised her arms in the air shouting spell after spell, but... it was no use.
“The girl is safe Hortensia”, came the woman of the wood's voice echoing through the trees, you have no place here any longer.”
The old witch glared up at the sky, with a sneer.
“You may have won this time Aria, but this far from being... over.” hissed the old woman, disappearing with her entire army into a dark cloud of black smoke.
The people of the forest appeared, small satyrs carrying small children in their arms, large giant green men, with long beards, and chests, from the smallest nymph to the largest beast gathered around the remnants of the palace eager to hear what they would do next.
“Do not fear my children came the woman of the wood's voice... the witch has no power over you as long as you stay in our realm.” “Go... and in time, things will be brought back to their proper place. “
As the creatures of the enchanted wood went back their homes, dark clouds emerged in the sky, covering the sun, the dark mist surrounding the realm of the witch growing thicker and thicker emanating from the forest into the countryside, covering everything in it's path in... darkness.
10 years later
A large man with a silver beard, covered in faded red streaks, cut through the thick thorns blocking the way to the castle on top of a dark hill.
“Come you dogs!!! before the sun sets. Barked the king.
Aethelred hadn't seen his son Rupert since the kingdom of Darkwood had disappeared off the map. Looking through the thick mist, the warlord was determined to find his son and bring him home, dead or alive.
“Do not step any further Aethelred, king of Wailcuth,
The large man looked in every direction not seeing anything in the dark mist. The men and horses began to stir.
“Who dares... address me like this!.” “ Show yourself!!.”
A dark shadow emerged from the mist, forming slowly into the shape of an old woman, an ugly woman with green warts all over her face and body. The old witch smiled maliciously, clicking her tongue as she walked closer to the great warlord's army.
“I think it is you O' king, hissed the witch that should watch themselves.” “I see you have come to seek your son... I am sorry to say... he is... well, detained at the moment.”
The old hag cackled loudly.
“Where is my son woman!!! barked the warlord.
“All in good time my lord, all in good time.” “You must be patient....”
With a click of her finger, a figure emerged from the fog, his face ghostly white, his red hair standing out vibrantly against the monotone black colors around. The prince Rupert walked as if in a trance, his eyes glazed over, his arms stretched out, his tongue hanging , drool seeping from his mouth.
“Rupert? Said the old king, tears filling his blue eyes,” my boy.”
The warlord rushed to the aid of his son, the young man looking up at his father as if he didn't know him.
“What have you done to him? Barked the warlord, “ What have you done... to my son!!!.”
Hortensia smiled, walking toward the horde of warriors.
“It isn't anything I've done my lord replied the witch.” “ Your son was just a part of it.” “You see, he was just... in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
“Heal him, I”ll give you anything pleaded the warlord.” “Just please, make him well again.”
“Anything you say?.” said the old witch grinning ear to ear.
ｱ
Putting up her dainty feet near a roaring fire, the old woman sat in the royal chambers of the King and Queen of Darkwood. The room was pitch black except the faint fire. The witch liked the darkness, she had grown acccustomed to it for some time now. She preferred that over the happy memories that still lingered in her mind. Memories, that made her cringe. Smiling to herself, Hortensia, closed her eyes relishing the power she had gained. The witch had everything she wanted, but one thing eluded her..... the girl.
But that was no problem the witch thought to herself, in time she would break the spell Aria had put on the forest, but until then, she would appreciate what she had now, a whole kingdom... at her fingertips.
The fire warmed the old witch's body, but not her heart, a heart that still felt, yearned, ached... for true happiness... happiness, that she once had... a long, long, time ago.
40 Years earlier
“Hortensia!!! yelled a small girl with blonde braids blowing in the wind, come with me... we can pick wildflowers.”
A little girl at the bottom a large green hill, made her way up towards the top, her thick hair getting in the way of her eyes. Grumbling as she went, Hortensia hated how it was always her chore to watch her little sister, whenever her mother and father went to town.
“Stay on the hill where I can see you Bridgette!!. barked Hortensia.” “You know there are wolves in the moors.
But the little girl didn't listen. Running as fast as her little legs could carry her, Bridgette ran down the other side of the steep hill jumping into a large bushel of bright yellow flowers. Gently picking one from among the others, Bridgette held it up to her dainty little nose, savoring the sweet scent, not seeing the danger behind her.
A low growl interrupted the girl's glee. Frightened, but not daring to look, Bridgette slowly rose
to her feet. The growling became louder. Bridgette's first instinct was to run, but she spied her
sister Hortensia on the top of the hill, her face pale.
“No... Hortensia said under her breath, as she watched a pack of four or five wolves running and pouncing on her poor helpless sister. Her cries echoing from below.
Closing her eyes, Hortensia fought the urge to use the strange gift she had been given by the village Magi. But... her sister's life was in the balance. Raising her arm in the sky, she looked down at the pack of wolves and pointing her finger towards them, flung the wolves off a nearby cliff.
Running quickly down the hill, Hortensia tripped, rolling until she reached the bottom. Seeing her sister's lifeless body on the ground, Hortensia picked up her sister and dragged her back to the little village on the other side of the hill. Men in the fields heard the little girl's cries running to the village square, seeing Bridgette's lifeless body hanging like a rag doll.
A large woman, with red rosy cheeks and silver hair pushed through the crowd, tears filling her big blue eyes.
“Hortensia!!, what in the world happened!! you stupid, impudent girl!!. you were supposed... to watch her!.”
The large woman grabbed Hortensia by the shoulders shaking her and embarassing the girl in front of the crowd .
“I'm... sorry aunt!! cried the girl, tears running down her cheeks... it wasn't my fault!.”
Hortensia's aunt grew even angrier, her face growing more and more crimson by the second. Pulling Hortensia into a small house along the street, the large woman threw Hortensia into a room locking the door behind her. In the darkness, Hortensia wept bitterly, before her parent's died she had promised her mother that she would take care of her sister no matter what, and now... she had failed them both.
The next days, news traveled fast that little Bridgette didn't live through the night. When Hortensia heard the news, she was inconsolable for weeks, going time and time again to the large hill looking over the windswept plain, picturing her little sister's braids blowing in the wind, her happy laughter echoing with the wind as she ran among the flowers. A gentle hand touched her shoulder.
“You mustn't be so hard on yourself child, chided the kind voice.”It was not.. your fault after all.”
Hortensia looked over to see the village Magi, looking down at her, his brown eyes and kind smile making her feel better.
“But it was... my fault, Hortensia said tears choking her throat, if I had just....
“Shhh... soothed the Magi, you mustn't blame yourself anymore Hortensia, no matter what anyone says... you were innocent
.” “It was an accident and that is all.”
Hot tears ran down Hortensia's face, as she ran towards the Magi hugging his middle. The Magi had been the first person in weeks that had even said a kind word to her since her sister's passing, and unfortunately, the last.
Hortensia tried to stop the tears from coming as she remembered the horrible events that happened next. It had been 10 years after Bridgette's death, and the Magi and she had grown very close, too close in fact, friendship had blossomed, into love.
“What is your name?” Teased Hortensia, as she played with the older man's twisted beard, “why do you always change the subject when I ask you?.”
The older man smiled, a blue hood over his salt and pepper head.
“Because, my sweet, explained the Magi, I do not... have one.”
Hortensia cackled.
“What do you mean you don't have one?.” “Everyone has a name.” “You're name surely isn't Magi?.”
The older man became sad, looking away from Hortensia, he looked through the trees of the quiet forest, and towards the golden sun setting in the distance.
“Hortensia, began the Magi, “ I know that I promised you that I would be honest in our dealings with each other... The truth is...
But before the Magi could finish, knights in blazing silver armor appeared from amidst the trees, unshealthing their swords.
“ Akbar the Magi! Barked one knight gruffly, “You're under arrest.”
Hortensia ran to Akbar's aid, kicking and hitting the knight as hard as she could, the knight pushing her to the ground like she weighed nothing.
“No!!! stop!!!.” “You mustn't!!!” screamed Hortensia, but the knights ignored her pleas.
The old woman's skin began to ooze and bubble making sizzling sounds as hot tears touched her
skin. She remembered vividly the day Akbar the only man that had loved her for who she was,
was killed by the superstitious villagers, leaving her alone once again, without, love.
“My lady? Came a voice from the door. “
Hortensia with a wave of her hand changed her skin back to normal.
“My lady, continued the voice, the horses are ready, the men are prepared to travel to the wood.
Hortensia quickly tried to forgot the haunting memories, and with a wicked grin, conjured her broom, her cackles echoing through the moonlight sky, as she flew through the brisk air.
Chapter 11
The creatures gathered at the front of the forest, armed and ready to battle with the witch's large army. Giants taller than the trees stood in front, their long red beards blowing in the slight breeze. Nymphs, trolls, pixies, satyrs, and others in the front.
“Well, well , well,” came a haunting voice from the air. “ if it isn't the miscreants of the witch of the wood.
The creatures looked up at the foul old woman floating in the air on a broom, her black hair blowing in the wind. Hortensia made a sign with her hand, her terrible army moving forward, of zombies, and large shadow creatures, with hollow black eyes and mouths, moaning and bellowing.
“Better run now!! cackled the witch, for I shall show you no mercy!!!.”
The army of the woman of the wood stood their ground. As the witch's army came closer and closer, a large green vine erupted from the ground quickly making it's way, multiplying by the second into several vines, heading into different directions, wrapping themselves around the witch's zombies. The poor creatures yelping on the ground trying to free themselves.
The witch looked around, the woman of the wood nowhere in sight. With a disgusted look on her ugly face, the witch formed a fire ball in her hand.
“Aria!!! screeched the witch. “show yourself now, or your forest.... burns!.”
A face appeared amidst the trees, as if it were a part of them, the face composed of the greenery, branches and leaves.
“You're plan is in vain Hortensia” replied the woman of the wood,
“I will not let the girl fall into your hands.”
The witch cackled a horrible laugh.
“I will... get my way Aria”, replied Hortensia, no matter what it may take... I will... have the girl.. “ and not you... or your little friends can stop me!!!.”
Hortensia tipped her head back and laughed catapulting the fire ball straight towards the forest.
The trees quickly caught on fire, the fire spreading rapidly through the whole dark forest, the woman of the wood's army fleeing the scene. The vines that held the zombies lashed out from around them and shriveled up and died. The zombies, helped each other up, as they moaned towards the burning inferno in front of them, Hortensia leading the way, her shrill voice barking orders.
The ground started to shake violently, a large figure appearing, her dirty blue hair now covered in soot and ash. The woman of the wood looked angry, her beautiful face in a grimace, her teeth clenched.
“Stop this at once!!!!.” barked the woman of the wood, “you have gone far enough.”
The old witch ignored the woman of the wood, and flew right into the burning forest. Stretching out her hand, the woman of the wood parted the trees, finding Hortensia, flying as fast as she could, dodging falling branches. The woman of the woods large arm grew like a growing seedling catching Hortensia's broom. Hortensia looked back in horror. The woman of the wood tossed the witch upon the ground as if she were a child's toy.
“Now Aria, said Hortensia, “Let's not be hasty, you know I didn't mean any harm, now don't you?.”
The woman of the wood's face remained unchanged. Lifting her large foot, it's roots hanging down, dripping dirt on the ground, the woman of the wood grabbed the tiny little witch, pulling her close to her face.
“It is not your fate... for me to destroy you Hortensia”, said the woman of the wood in a deep voice.”
“That is up to someone else, I warn you now... that if you do not stray from the path you have chosen, your fate will... be sealed. “
The old hag looked petrified, but then a smile formed on her green lips.
“That's what you think!, cackled the little witch.
The woman of the wood felt her body harden. Looking in horror, as her body was slowly turning to stone. Hortensia smiled wickedly at her foe, not extending any mercy. The woman of the wood quickly became still. Sliding her large bottom from out of the grasp of the large stone edifice, Hortensia plummeted to the ground, calling her broom, barely missing the ground.
Leaving the woman of the wood behind, Hortensia flew deep inside the forest the fire still blazing. Finally after some time, the witch reached Aria's sealed palace. Making a smooth landing the witch conjured her broom against a tree. Eagerly, the old hag walked up to the closed off entrance.
“Now Aria, said the witch with a wicked smile, now ye shall see my real power. “
A blue light emerged in both of the old witch's green hands the lights growing brighter and brighter. Aiming the light at the enchanted palace, the blue stream hit the vines and foliage around the palace head on. Suddenly the vines began to wither, and slowly but surely, the entrance of the palace emerged.
The witch clapped her hands with glee and disappeared inside the dark entrance. Hortensia conjured a flame in her hand, the flame illuminating the old palace. Roots covered the floor, old leaves crunched underneath the witch's feet as she gazed on a stone coffin, sitting in the middle of the throne room. The box was also covered with vines, and old leaves. A blue light glowing around it.