Morgan rose from his seat. ‘I’ll go. I’ll take Chico and bring Buttercup back.’
Queen Tulip stared at him horrified. ‘No! You will not. It’s far too dangerous. Who knows what trouble you’d encounter? The humans – oh!’ She put her hand up to her mouth and turned teary eyes upon the king, ‘Rufus, you can’t let him.’
‘And indeed I won’t, my dear,’ he declared firmly. King Rufus rose to his feet. ‘Morgan, this is preposterous, I will not let you take such a risk.’
‘You have no choice, Father,’ said the prince, striding towards the door, his lips pulled into a grim line.
Chapter 12
PRINCE MORGAN
‘Show me which way she went,’ Prince Morgan demanded, putting a hand on Goodwin’s shoulder.
Goodwin turned sharply and raised his eyebrows in surprise. He hadn’t heard the prince approach.
‘Head down Brandydook stream,’ said Goodwin, ‘until you reach the river. After that, Your Highness, your guess is as good as mine.’
The prince summoned his faithful companion with one clear whistle. Chico, the dragon fly, unaffected by the harsh winter environment joined his master immediately and waited for his command.
‘Come my friend, fly as fast as you can.’ Morgan swung his leg over the dragonfly’s back. He buttoned his blue velvet coat and gave a small kick to the insect’s side. Then he was off soaring into the sky, skimming the hills and tree tops.
The prince had no idea what he was going to do once he left the kingdom. No one had ever prepared him for this and he felt out of his depth. But he had to find Buttercup for his parents’ sake and for Brandydook. His own feelings didn’t count. Anger spurred him on until he located the stream Goodwin mentioned.
The wind ripped through his body despite the layers he wore. Down below, Brandydook river tossed and turned in a sea of chaos. It looked treacherous indeed. ‘Come Chico, on we go.’
The stream twisted like a snake over rocks and banks until it reached the mouth of the river. Morgan heard the water getting louder and zipped down to take a look. His eyes widened at the sight of the waterfall and the shell wedged in a clump of rushes. A piece of Buttercup’s tunic was still attached to the jagged edge. Fear cut him in two. What if Goodwin was right and something dreadful had happened to her? With a knot in his chest, the prince coaxed the dragonfly down along the waterfall, keeping a good distance from its charging rapids. He closed his eyes, not knowing what to expect at the other side of the waterfall. When he opened them again, he spotted no sign of Buttercup.
The river had levelled off to a calm stream. Along one side stood trees and big green fields, on the other side, not too far away, towered monstrous buildings, along with loud, horrid screeching sounds and danger. High above, falcons circled the cloudless sky, searching for prey. He scratched his head. ‘Where to go next? This is crazy,’ he thought. What am I thinking? Buttercup could be anywhere. Conscious that time was ticking, the prince urged the dragonfly onward unaware of a set of keen eyes watching his every move.
Soon Chico started to tire. He flapped his wings once, then twice, but wrung out from the trip thus far, he began to descend slowly to the ground.
‘Oh, you’re exhausted Chico,’ he murmured, giving him a pat on the neck, ‘let’s rest here awhile.
The insect buzzed unhappily.
Morgan jumped off and flexed his arms and legs, taking the opportunity to look around him. They were in a clearing in the middle of a large clump of trees, trees that looked healthy and were full of leaves and life. Unlike Brandydook. He sat down on a small branch that had fallen from the tree. He rested his head in his hands. He wasn’t sure of what to do next, when out of nowhere a monstrous bird swooped down and plucked the dragonfly from the ground.
Morgan ran for cover behind a rock. Fear pounding in his veins, he was afraid to look behind it in case the bird was still there. A sob caught in his throat for poor Chico, his loyal friend. Then, tired and dusty, he sank to the ground and waited until he felt it was safe to come out.
‘Cheer up. It can’t be that bad.’
Morgan’s head shot up. He stared at the rabbit directly in front of him crunching a carrot. It had two big ears, large feet, a dickey bow and its nose twitched over and over.
‘It’s rude to stare, you know,’ said the rabbit.
‘Pardon me,’ the prince apologised, ‘you just took me by surprise, that’s all.’
‘I don’t believe we’ve met. My name is Dodger, and you are?’ said the rabbit raising his left brow.
‘Morgan.’
‘What are you doing out here? Fairies don’t normally come to these parts.’
‘That’s because I am not a fairy.’
‘Well, if you’re not a fairy, and not a rabbit what are you then?’ the rabbit tapped his feet.
‘A pixie.’
The rabbit rolled his eyes. ‘Never heard of them.’ Before Morgan could respond, he said, ‘Oh, where are my manners – would you like some carrot?’
‘No, thank you. Pixies don’t eat carrots.’
‘Fine. Suit yourself.’ The rabbit spun on his heel.
‘Wait. Could you tell me how to get to that kingdom over there, beyond the trees?’
Dodger stopped in his tracks. He looked back and shook his head. ‘Oh, you don’t want to go over there mate. Those humans will eat you for supper.’
‘But I’ve got to. Buttercup may be in trouble.’
‘Who’s – never mind, come I’ll show you. Do you see those trees over yonder?’ Morgan nodded. ‘Well you take the path on the left then – ’ Suddenly a thunderous crash sounded from the bushes. The rabbit turned. ‘Fox, fox!’ His eyes flashed wide in fear. ‘Run, run for your life!’
The prince didn’t need to be told a second time. The look on the rabbit’s face was enough to put the skids under him.
‘This way!’ Dodger yelled, pulling him along. Morgan had never run from anything before. His wings always did the job but outside the kingdom they were useless. His legs ached from trying to keep up with his friend. Behind them the fox snarled and snapped at their heels. Through bushes, tall grass, briars and brambles, over stones and thistles they fled until he could no longer keep up.
Morgan bent over gasping. ‘You go. I can’t run anymore.’
Dodger caught the sleeve of Morgan’s coat and panting hard, dragged him down into a hole, down through a long, dark tunnel, out of sight and out of danger.
Chapter 13
Buttercup stared out from her glass prison, horrified. The smell of butter cooking overpowering. She saw no way out. The human had pulled across the lid, making it hard to breathe. Oh, how I wish I was at home. I’d be Prince Morgan’s wife now. Would that really have been so bad? She sniffed. Guess I’ll never find out. When the king and queen hear what I’ve done they’ll never accept me back. Goodwin won’t be able to keep it a secret forever and I’ll be cast out. Banished. Tears ran down her pale cheeks.
There was a rush of footsteps followed by the loud creaking of timber. The human was coming back. Buttercup curled into a ball and hoped the little tormentor would leave her alone long enough to hatch her escape. Wendy threw open the door, raced up to the shelf and brought the jar down to her desk. She was unscrewing the lid when her father shouted to her from downstairs.
‘Come on, love. We’re gonna be late for the party!’ Wendy had told her parents about the fairy in her jar. Her mum had said, ‘Not now, pet. Show me tomorrow eh,’ and as for her daddy, he had just grunted and kept reading his newspaper. She’d tell her friends at school. Then soon everybody would believe her.
‘Coming, Daddy.’ Wendy grabbed her bag and spun around. She almost collided straight into the dog. ‘Out of the way, Bruno!’ she shouted. She gave the dog a swift kick and then left her bedroom door wide open before she clattered down the stairs. Bruno whined and with drooping ears scuttled out of the way.
Buttercup let out the breath she’d been holding and looked up. The lid was open.
Just a little. But maybe just wide enough to make her escape. Heart pumping, she listened for sounds of the human returning. The house was still. The pixie gathered herself together and examined her surroundings. She counted nine cookies in total. Not that many but it might be enough to help her reach the top. She started to climb. Outside the window, below in the driveway, a car door slammed, followed by running footsteps. After a moment, the car spluttered to life once again. Buttercup paused and waited for danger to pass, then resumed climbing. First one biscuit, and then another.
Just when she got to the last one however, the cookie started to crumble in her hands. Buttercup lost her grip for an instant, eyes wide with fright, legs flailing in desperation. She peered down to the bottom of the jar. It was so far down. Half of the cookie still remained. She could still do it but she had no moment to lose. Buttercup swung herself up on to the biscuit. She was so close now she could touch the top of the jar and feel the fresh air. Freedom at last.
Buttercup gauged the size of the gap between the top of the jar and the lid. It appeared wide enough. She would have no problem getting out. The pixie poked her head out through the opening and breathed in the scents of furniture polish, chocolate wrappers and dirty socks then she attempted to wriggle through the hole in the jar, but almost half way out she got stuck. Buttercup blinked back tears of frustration. She couldn’t believe her bad luck. The hole was far too small. She twisted and wriggled but couldn’t budge any further. Buttercup shifted her weight to move the jar, hoping to topple it over. But she was too light and it had no impact. Panic set in. What am I going to do? If the human found her trying to escape, who knows what punishment she’d receive? She had no other choice but to slide back down to the bottom. With a sob at all her efforts for nothing, she sucked in her breath, wriggled back through the jar and slipped back down. Buttercup curled up behind the biscuits, hung her head and wept. She didn’t see the dog watching her from the open doorway, his head angled to one side in silent contemplation.
Chapter 14
PRINCE MORGAN
Dodger rammed at the door with his knuckles. ‘Mummy, Daddy, let me in!’
The door creaked open a fraction and a rabbit with glasses peered around it anxiously. When he realised who it was, he pulled them in, glanced left and right sharply and then slammed the door shut.
‘What’s the meaning of all this racket?’ demanded the rabbit in a green and cream tweed coat and pants. He sat down, folded his newspaper and stared at the small pixie, obviously not quite sure what to make of him.
‘Bernard,’ Dodger panted, collapsing on to a chair, ‘he almost caught me.’
‘What, again?’ scolded his mother who had just emerged from the back of the room. She held a basin of carrots in her hands and waved a wooden fork in his face. ‘How many times did I tell you not to go near that vegetable patch – that fox will get you one of these days, mark my words.’
Morgan stared around him in delight; at the tree roots crisscrossed overhead, low wooden table, pine dresser with its array of colourful porcelain chipped cups and plates, the long, red velvet rug on the earthen floor and the little window overhead with its blue and white flowery curtains.
‘Well if you ask me you’re too fat and that’s why old Bernie lies in wait each time,’ piped a little rabbit in the corner munching a piece of lettuce. ‘He knows he’s got a good chance of catching you.’ She wore a pink and white ribbon between her ears and a parsnip peeped out from a deep pocket in her yellow dress.
‘Well, no one asked you Pippa,’ Dodger snarled.
‘Now, now no fighting we’ve got guests,’ rumbled his father. He stared in curiosity at the pixie hovering behind his son.
Dodger gave one last glare at his sister then said, ‘Everybody, this is Morgan. He’s a pixie from a place called Brandydook.’ He gestured to his family. ‘My pa, professor Bobtail, Daisy my ma and this little pain in the neck is my sister Pippa.’
Pippa stuck out her tongue at her brother.
‘How do you do?’ said Morgan to the family before he turned to Dodger. ‘Thank you very much for rescuing me from that awful creature but if you could show me a safe way out, I’ll be getting on my way.’
‘Getting on where?’ asked the professor. He brought out a clay pipe from his pocket to clean it. ‘There isn’t much you can do in the dark.’
‘And it’s not safe,’ added Daisy hurriedly, her paw on the back of her husband’s chair.
‘But I can’t wait,’ the prince exclaimed, ‘my kingdom is in danger. Everyone is depending on me.’
‘Give it until morning,’ Daisy said kindly, ‘you won’t be much use to anyone if Bernard catches you,’ she shuddered, ‘not to mention those horrid humans. They have traps everywhere.’
Morgan sighed. She was right. He didn’t know anything about this strange land and it made sense to look for Buttercup in daylight.
‘Okay, but I have to leave first thing in the morning. I won’t be any trouble, I promise. I’ll sleep on the floor.’
‘Please, can he sleep on my bed, Mum?’ Dodger begged. ‘He’s so tiny he won’t take up any space.’
‘Of course,’ she smiled. ‘Now come share our supper and then tell us all about Brandydook.’
‘Thank you. It’ll be my pleasure.’
Daisy set a place for him by the table. A reel of thread served as a chair and two small pieces of bark; one set vertically and the other placed on top horizontally served as a table. Morgan demolished every last morsel of lettuce and berry, declining the carrot. He then began his tale, finishing with what happened to Buttercup.
‘Oh, that’s so romantic,’ Pippa sighed dreamily. ‘Wish I could marry a prince.’
‘Who’d want to marry you?’ Dodger teased.
‘Mum, he’s being mean again.’
Daisy looked sternly at her son and said, ‘Leave your sister alone and clear up this table now.’
‘But Mum!’
‘I said now, Dodger.’
Pippa flashed him a wicked smile.
‘You too, little miss.’ The young rabbit didn’t seem to hear her mother. A piece of lettuce dangled from her mouth as she stared, lost in the pixie’s eyes, her mind on far away places. ‘Pippa!’
The rabbit jumped. She gave a sheepish smile and swung her legs out from under the table. ‘Alright, but I’m doing the washing.’
‘Think I’ll go and clean my pipe,’ said the professor standing up.
‘But you just did that, dear!’
‘Figure this is going be one of your infamous heart to hearts, so I shall leave you to it.’ He gave a nod to Morgan. ‘Don’t leave tomorrow without saying goodbye, son will you?’
The prince smiled. ‘Of course not, professor, and thank you once again for your kind hospitality.’ The rabbit gave a nod of acknowledgement, then disappeared down another tunnel.
‘So how do you feel about this Buttercup now?’ asked Daisy after a moment. ‘Are you still angry with her?’
Morgan shrugged. ‘Nothing’s changed. She’s caused a lot of trouble for my family and for the kingdom. I don’t want any harm to come to her but I can’t forgive her for what she did.’
‘But surely once you bring her back – ’
The prince replied fiercely. ‘All I need is the stone. She can do what she likes.’
‘Well, don’t be too harsh on her. She is young and sounds to me very confused. Just like you. Perhaps you should hear what she has to say before you make your decision.’
Morgan considered what the kind rabbit was suggesting but cold anger sliced through his heart every time he pictured his mother’s pale, tired face and the kingdom falling apart. His mouth set firmly. No there’ll be no wedding. Not to Miss Hickleberry anyway. I will bring back the stone needed to rebuild Brandydook and Buttercup Hickleberry can fly to the moon.
‘Oh excuse me,’ said Daisy with a yawn.
Morgan stood up. ‘You go to bed. I will see you in the morning.’ He placed a small hand on the anima
l’s paw. ‘You have been most kind, Mrs Bobtail.’
She smiled. ‘You’ve a good heart. I know you will do the right thing. Here’s some lettuce for your journey.’
‘Thank you, Mrs Bobtail.’
‘Goodnight, little one.’
Chapter 15
CHICO
Over by Brandydook river, Alfred the falcon, and his comrade Norris were squabbling at the prospect of a tasty morsel of dragonfly. Neither one could make up his mind which part of the insect they wanted, as each part was just as juicy. Stuck between Norris’s claws, Chico watched the two birds argue, and waited for one of them to pounce. He was hungry, terrified and miserable. The dragonfly thought he’d end his days in Brandydook, not high up on a tree as meat for these two savages. He heaved a sigh of tortured anguish and wished for a way out when suddenly a plan formed in his mind.
‘Excuse me,’ he squeaked. The birds kept squabbling. Chico cleared his throat and said again, louder this time, ‘Excuse me.’
They stopped squawking and peered down at their victim, surprise etched across their faces.
‘I may have the solution to your problem.’
‘You?’ laughed Norris.
Alfred touched his comrade lightly with his feather to silence him. ‘Why would you want to help us, dragonfly?’
Chico pretended to consider what the falcon was asking, then said after a moment, ‘I just want to get this over with. It’s going to happen sooner or later.’
‘Out with it then,’ snapped Norris.
‘Let him speak,’ Alfred cautioned. His eyes shone, looking forward to the meal.
‘I suggest you eat the bottom half of my body. It is far more succulent.’
‘Alright that’s settled it then,’ Norris heartily agreed, ready to tuck in.
‘But then the other half is far healthier,’ added Chico.
Alfred looked at the dragonfly. ‘How’s that going to help us choose?’
Chico shrugged. ‘That’s all I can tell you.’
Escaping the Prince (Bedlam in Brandydook Book 1) Page 6