by D A Rice
“Be at peace, child,” the queen said to Eason gently, her hand finding his shoulder in comfort. “Your concerns are not unwarranted. It is alright to feel fear, just do not let it control you. Rather, use it to fight that which you fear, that which tries to burrow its way into your mind. I will help you with this, but I will not force you to do anything you do not wish to do.”
Eason nodded as he gulped. “I appreciate that, it’s just hard for me to-- I don’t even know-- understand all this, I guess.” He paced, agitated. “Why me? Why am I even here? And I don’t mean here in this room,” he waved his hand around, “but here in this place? What makes me so special compared to the millions of other, probably more susceptible, guys in my world? How did she even reach me through worlds that are supposed to be sealed in the first place?”
Brie took a step forward, as if to interfere, but her mother stayed her with a lifted hand. Brie frowned again as she watched Eason pace, more agitated as time passed. Eason had a feeling these were questions Brie wanted to know answers to as well. His eyes met the queen’s. Would this woman know the answers? “Mother?” Brie questioned, as the queen simply stood watching Eason with compassion, “will you do nothing to help him?” she prompted again, an edge to her voice. The queen folded her hands in front of her, her focus shifting.
“He needs time, yet we have no time to ease him,” the queen said in a soft voice Eason could barely hear. The queen sighed. “I do think, however, that explanations are in order. Sit down child, lest you wear holes into my stone.”
They gathered around the wooden table as the queen turned back to her brew and stirred it one more time. With one gesture of her fingers to levitate it, she brought the pot to them. Eason sat in the one chair heavily, no longer able to react to the strangeness of this world. He had no energy left. Brie leaned back against the table near him, facing her mother. She glanced at Eason every once in a while to make sure he was okay. She had her arms crossed, her face thoughtful.
The queen regarded him with a long stare, her feet shuffling as she moved to stand across the table from him. “Where to begin…” she trailed off as her eyes unfocused. She was quiet for such a long time that Eason thought she had forgotten herself. He shifted uncomfortably, glancing to Brie, who simply shrugged, as if this was normal for the queen. Finally, her eyes snapped back into focus and pinned him with a stare so fierce it made him flinch. It was so like Brie’s own intensity, it was uncanny. “Let us begin with the Brothers Grimm.”
“The Brothers Grimm?” Eason asked, taken aback. He hadn’t expected that. He knew that Snow was a fairytale written by them, but how did they factor into this very real version of her? “I’m confused.”
“Of that I have no doubt,” Grimhilde smiled, eyes amused, “but it is the only thing that makes sense, that you would be of their blood.”
“But-- I’m still confused-- how could I be of their blood? My last name isn’t even Grimm. We have no Grimms in our bloodline. I’ve done ancestry studies; I know my family history.” Eason’s hands combed his hair as her wild implications hit him. Even if he shared the Grimm bloodline, why did that matter?
The queen watched him for a moment, “the Grimm line is the only line that can cross between worlds. No others can. They are sealed, which is why only a Grimm could reopen that door. They are the gatekeepers between worlds.” She glanced at her daughter here, whose eyes widened.
“But that means…” Brie glanced at Eason, who met her glance with his own, afraid of what she would say. “Eason, that means that your parents are likely not who you think they are, for if they were, you would have known about Enchantra.”
Eason started. “What? What’s that supposed to mean?”
The queen took a deep breath, the truth resonating with her next words. “Eason Grey, you are adopted. You are, in fact, Eason Grimm.”
Chapter 10
Eason shook his head violently. “No. You’re wrong. There’s no way!” he shouted the last part and jumped out of his seat, glaring at the queen in disbelief. “You’re lying. There’s no way you could possibly know that!”
Brie pushed off the table, her gaze fierce on Eason, “watch what you say, boy.” She growled in warning. He hadn’t meant to upset her, but his head was in a turmoil as she added, “or you will regret it.”
Eason shook his head, “no, this is too much. I get the whole crossing worlds and being hunted by Snow, but implying my parents aren’t actually my parents is going too far. There has to be another explanation.”
The queen calmly let him talk as she studied his reaction. “I understand how this would upset you. But, understand also, there is no other explanation of how you are able to cross worlds,” the queen reasoned calmly, her eyes sympathetic. “Only the Grimms have this capability. They were the protectors of the worlds, the gatekeepers. We thought they’d disappeared. They had in their possession a book, not just an ordinary book, but one that allowed them to go from story to story, world to world.” She paused briefly as she recognized the look that crossed Eason’s face. She took a step forward. “You have seen it.”
Eason’s eyes widened fractionally. “There was a book, one that kind of-- appeared out of nowhere-- I guess,” stumbling over his words, he bumped into the wall, before sliding down it to sit on the floor. It was too much of a coincidence, even he knew that, but he was having a hard time processing so much at once. His hands raked down his face. He gave a heavy sigh as he tilted his head back, hitting it lightly against the brick at his back.
The queen came forward, kneeling before him. “I understand this is a lot, but you must know the truth if you want to battle against Snow and the lies she will present to you.”
Brie watched the scene before her with an uncertain look, as if not sure what to say or do. Even from where he sat though, Eason could see the trust Brie gave her mother to help him understand his past. “What do we do now?” She asked the queen in a quiet voice. She’d relaxed her posture even as her concern etched her face, drawing it tight.
“We will help him as best we can until we defeat Snow.” The queen said as she pressed a hand to Eason’s cheek in comfort before standing and facing her daughter. “I believe that-- during this, daughter-- you should probably be absent.”
Brie’s face turned serious as she nodded. “I will leave.” She knelt before Eason, her hands finding his arms as he met her gaze. He could see her quiet understanding of the emotions crowding for room in his head. She smiled at him in encouragement. “Remember that you are strong. I have faith that you will conquer, not only your bloodline and the mysteries it presents to you, but Snow as well.” Her forehead met his once again, and then she was gone, closing the door behind her as she vacated her mother’s workshop.
Grimhilde knelt before Eason next, offering him her hand. “I am sorry, Eason. I had not expected this to be such a shock to you. I knew the Grimm brothers once. You have a likeness to them you are undoubtedly not aware of. They were also courageous and strong. You will find your place among them.”
Eason nodded, and with a deep breath, took the queen’s hand. She helped him rise as he asked, “what exactly do gatekeepers do?” He could feel the truth in what she was telling him settle within him. He had a lot of questions to ask his parents when he got home, but he knew that Grimhilde would tell him what she could. His panic subsided; he had the book, he was in another world. What other proof did he need? Whatever had happened with his real parents, he couldn’t figure it out now. He had bigger problems.
The queen smiled as she moved to the other side of the table facing Eason, an eyebrow raised as he took the chair once again. “They guard the book, Eason. They keep it safe and keep stories that should be separated apart from each other.” She took up the ladle to the pot she’d placed on the table and dipped it into the brew. She took a sip before nodding. “Now, this potion is a drought that will help you stay in a relaxed state of mind as we work. It has a mixture of herbs in it, all measured out in even doses. It should k
eep Snow from taking over completely, but also allow me an open door inside of your mind. Do not fear me, boy; for if you do, it will give Snow the strength she needs to kick me out. Do you understand?” As she spoke, Grimhilde pushed the pot closer to Eason.
He eyed the mixture warily, “so… no eyeballs and toes and stuff?”
The queen laughed, “no, Eason Grimm, not today.” She dipped the ladle into the mixture once again and offered it to him, “take only a small sip,” she added. Eason nodded before, reluctantly, leaning forward and accepting a taste of the herbal brew before him. He swallowed, pleasantly surprised.
“It tastes like chamomile and honey from my world!” He’d barely gotten the words out before his mind began to go sluggish, his eyes losing focus on the queen before him, who stepped back.
“Do not fight it, Eason,” he heard her say, even as he heard the singing fill up an empty space in his heart. He reached out a hand before he knew what he was doing, a soft groan escaping him.
Then his head fell forward as darkness took over, and the haunting song in the back of his head consumed him.
~
“You know, princess, there is a library in the castle, yes?” Will’s voice said from the mirror propped on the nightstand next to Eason’s bed. Brie nodded absently as she leafed through the book in her lap. “Why are we in here, then?”
Brie glanced to the face in the mirror with an eyebrow raised. “There are plenty of books and scrolls in the library, yes, but the ones I need are in this room.” She turned back to the text, her finger slowly gliding down the page as she read. “There must be something in these books on the Grimm brothers of which Mother spoke. If I can find something to help, then my time is not wasted worrying.”
A soft chuckle from the mirror had Brie sending a glare in its direction. “If I didn't know better, Princess Brielle of Cylentra, I would think that you are developing feelings for this boy.”
Brie slammed the book closed. “Then it is a good thing that you do know better, you wretched mirror!” She stood, contemplating the bookshelf with her fingers on her lips, “the whole history of Cylentra is in here; there must be something.” She tugged a new book free and paused, ice seeping into her chest. “What is this?” She tugged free the distinctive red ribbon which had been crammed in the back of the shelf, letting it dangle from her fingers.
“Is that--?” Will asked, voice going soft.
Brie shook her head, “it cannot be. She could never get within the palace, and Eason could not have gotten out without my knowing.”
“And yet, there it is,” Will stated. “Would you like me to find out what happened, princess?” He was no longer teasing her, she knew, but she couldn’t stop her mind from reeling.
“How can this be here?” she could feel her hand shaking as she stared at the ribbon in horror. Was Snow getting stronger faster then they thought? If Eason had known this was here, why hadn’t he told her? She turned to Will, finally letting her arm fall to her side, face determined, “yes, Will. We need to know.”
She could almost see Will nod. “Say the words, princess.”
Brie picked up the mirror, sitting on the bed. “Mirror, mirror, in my hand. Show me the past. This is my command,” and as the images of the night before played out before her, Brie had to stop herself from dropping her friend. She looked up, suppressing the tears in her eyes, “Oh, Eason. You fight so hard, yet you’re so very foolish to not tell me. For how am I to help you if I don’t know?” She glanced to the ribbon in her hand.
“What will you do?” Will asked her, his face returning.
She stood and returned the ribbon to its hiding place, “I will hope that mother has an answer to all of this.” She glanced down at the mirror. “Or we are all doomed.”
~
Eason, my love, my heart.
Eason was surrounded by darkness and shadows. “Ah, the forests of Enchantra,” came a smooth voice next to him he recognized but could not place right away. He could see the shadows solidifying into trees as one voice in his head spoke, the other sang. He shook his head, finding it hard to concentrate on either. “Forgive the fog on your mind, Eason, it was necessary. You will find that our presence in your mind is on equal footing now.”
Eason looked up, meeting the eyes of the queen, whose face was composed in a calm manner as she took in her surroundings. Eason nodded. They were in the forest from his dreams, he realized. Snow’s forest. “No,” he managed, responding to Grimhilde’s earlier comment. “No, it’s ok.”
“It would seem she has become quite the presence in your head, boy,” the queen commented as a figure took shape before them, a small mischievous smile playing on her red lips.
Hello Stepmother. Snow’s voice swept across their minds, causing Eason to shiver. Grimhilde, however, did not react, minus the rise of her thin eyebrow. She clasped her hands before her, her black dress flowing down her regal figure. Her gold crown glinted on her head as she took in Snow before her with the slightest head tilt.
“My dear,” the queen started. “My, have you seen better days!”
Snow’s grin turned feral as she all but hissed in reply. Eason cringed as his mind felt the impact of her aggravation. You are trespassing here; this boy belongs to me.
“I think you will find, my dear Snow, that this boy has more fortitude than you gave him credit for.” Grimhilde waved a hand towards Eason and smiled at him. “Harness your mind, focus on what is real.” She spoke to him now. “Your mind is still yours. Use that.”
Eason closed his eyes as Snow’s presence solidified. You are mine; there is no escaping your fate. Her voice echoed in his head as she began to hum, filling his mind with her paralyzing power. He shook his head and tried again, focusing on the queen before him.
“Focus on something that has meaning for you, Eason, not just on whatever’s at hand,” Grimhilde corrected gently. “If it has no meaning, it will be worthless to you.”
Snow’s attention shifted. That did not work for your huntsman, witch.
Grimhilde’s eyes narrowed and she took a step forward. Eason could feel the tension as both presences in his mind built up power, facing off. “Time to go, boy. Focus and push her out.”
Eason took a deep breath, cringing beneath the forces crushing him between them. He turned his focus to Brie, to all she’d done for him. Snow’s head snapped back to him, but before she could react, the scene before him was swirling away, imploding in on itself. He could hear the screech of Snow’s frustration as he jerked awake in Grimhilde’s crypt, his eyes snapping open. The queen put a steady hand on his shoulder. “Good, Eason, that was very good. Now we will need only to strengthen your mind, for as she grows stronger, she will be better prepared.”
Eason was shaking. He didn’t respond to her right away. He’d barely been able to push Snow out, and he knew it. She was definitely getting stronger. It was on the tip of his tongue to tell the queen about how Snow had visited him in his room, but he couldn’t bring himself to do it. He was so afraid of what Grimhilde might do to protect her own.
He let his head fall onto his folded arms on the table. How was he ever going to push Snow out completely? Especially if the queen was not around to help him? He could feel the hopelessness tug at him as he took in a steadying breath. He would not give up, but he was sure, now more than ever, that he could not resist Snow much longer.
Chapter 11
Fallon met Eason outside of the crypt doors as his escort through the labyrinthine halls of the underground. Judging by the look on his face, Fallon was about as pleased about this as Eason felt. Grimhilde nodded a greeting to the guard before turning to Eason. “There is something I must look up in the books down here. A way, perhaps, to get you back to your world without Snow’s influence. In the meantime, my daughter can hone your swordsmanship.”
Fallon didn’t say anything, but Eason could see in the guard’s eyes what he thought of the queen’s suggestion. Eason was too tired to care, so he nodded before Grimhild
e shut the door behind him, an encouraging smile on her lips. He followed behind Fallon as they walked back through the maze of hallways and stairs back to the main castle. Fallon remained silent. Eason, knowing the guard did not like him, was quiet as well, lost in his own thoughts.
He was still shaken from his experience with the queen and what he’d learned about his bloodline. He had no idea how to process any of this information. Did his adopted parents know about his real ones? He shivered as a feeling of betrayal mixed with anger went through him. His parents knew he was adopted and had said nothing. Did they plan on telling him at all? Eason was so lost in his thoughts that he nearly ran into a wall. He jerked to a stop and stumbled back in surprise, the realization dawning that he was alone. He looked around, spinning as he looked for Fallon. Returning back down the hall he’d come down, Eason ran around a corner, nearly colliding with the guard, who’d obviously been looking for him as well.
“I thought I lost you.” Eason said as he blew out a heavy breath and placed a hand on his chest. His heart was pounding, something about being lost down here didn’t settle well with him. He may never be able to find his way back out.
Fallon grabbed Eason’s shoulder, steadying him as he gave Eason a cursory glance to make sure he was okay. The guard turned away, satisfied, as he resumed his casual stride. “Maybe if you weren’t so lost in your thoughts, you would not have lost me,” Fallon replied, scolding him with annoyance in his voice. His broad back straightened as he led the way up another set of stairs.
Eason followed as his own shoulders buckled under the heavy weight that had settled upon them.
“You have a lot on your mind.” Fallon spoke suddenly as the silence between them deepened. His voice echoed against the stone.
Eason’s head snapped up as he regarded the other with a look of surprise. The older man shrugged without looking back. “I can all but hear your thoughts as they storm inside your head. The queen must have had a lot to say to you.”