by Diane Story
Rowen had to practically pry Fern’s arms from around his waist. Whispering in her ear he managed to get her loose. “Come on love, we have no choice, we have to go.”
“Rowen, they’ll hang us for sure now.” Fern cried as she clung to Rowen’s arm.
“Not if I have anything to do with it. Right now, let’s just do as Jonathan says. I’ll come up with something, you’ll see.” Rowen held Fern’s hand tightly in his as they made their way out into the street. His insides were churning, would the children throw rocks the same way they did at Mary? But Jonathan didn’t announce they were being accused of witchcraft, and Sarah didn’t follow. They made it to the dungeon without anyone knowing what they were being accused of. In fact, none of the villagers even noticed they were under arrest.
The dungeon door screeched open, reminding Fern of the night she’d already spent here. She was lucky then, the cell she had had a cot. She wondered where they would be forced to stay this time. Some of the cells were only the size of a box no larger than a casket, and one could only stand. She prayed a feverish prayer that they would at least be together. Waking from the trance was, thank God, a blessing. She didn’t know what she would have done if she’d have actually killed Jonathan and Sarah.
Jonathan lit their way with a lantern until they came to an empty cell, opening the door he gestured for them both to go in. There wasn’t a cot, but it did have a pile of straw hay on the dirt floor with some worn out blankets tossed carelessly on top.
“In here, thou art to stay here until I return to free ye before dawn.” Jonathan locked the door behind him, and then attempted to reassure them with a smile. “I know’est who thou are. My child came to me, and told me to expect two strangers from the future. One who would resemble her dear mother, and one who would protect her with his love.”
Fern walked forward and placed her hands over Jonathan’s where his fingers circled the bars. “Thank you! I would never have killed you; it would not be of my own doing, anyway. It was Elizabeth who caused me to come to you, I’m truly sorry if I hurt you.” She watched him smile again and felt relieved. “When did Rose come to you?”
“More than once, and in many of my dreams. Now, I must go before we are heard and I am forced to join ye. I will have food brought, and water. It will not be much as it tis not allowed. Be ready for me at dawn.” Jonathan picked up one of her hands and kissed it before turning to leave. “I know’est thou would not have killed me.”
Rowen watched Jonathan leave, and as the light of his lantern disappeared down the narrow tunnel, he reached for Fern, pulling her into his arms.
* * * *
Mary heard the pop from the pistol and jumped up from the cot. She’d been waiting for Jonathan to join her in the woodshed all morning. When she didn’t have time to meet him at the cottage, they would meet here, taking a foolish chance that they would not be discovered.
She was anxious to feel his body as he took her yet again, but today she would be denied. As she watched him escort the man and woman from his house, she could only guess at what must have happened. Until, she heard Sarah’s accusations. Witch, she yelled. It seemed her entire Village was being accused of witchcraft nowadays.
But the woman, there was something about her. Stepping back, she gasped; holding her hand over her mouth she closed the door to the shed and got dressed. What was her mother up to now? If the village only knew her mother was the true witch in their midst, they would stop these senseless hangings.
Why did her mother bring the woman here? She is the only one that could have conjured up someone with such a likeness to herself. And what was she doing at Jonathan’s house? Oh mother, thou hast sent her here to kill Jonathan. The reality that her mother could do such a thing made her ill. Dressing quickly, she threw her cloak over her shoulders and left, oblivious to the dark figure of the woman watching her from the house.
Sarah stepped back from the window as Mary tiptoed past. Her mind was reeling, if Mary was here, in her woodshed, who was the woman that tried to kill her? She had to see the judge; she had to make sure she would be protected from such evil doings. Her child kicked forcefully against her ribs, irritating her. She would be glad to have the child free from her body. Maybe then her lover would come to her again, only then would she be truly happy. Jonathan could have his whore, but she wouldn’t allow her witchcraft to cause her, or her lover’s babe any harm.
* * * *
Fern sat curled next to Rowen on the stack of straw, her head resting on his lap. She’d finally managed to stop crying and now lay watching the moon moving across the night sky, or what she could see of it through the small hole above them. “Rowen!”
“Yes love.” Rowen brushed a strand of hair from her forehead.
“Do you think we actually made love last night? I mean, we came back through time, to a date before we made love. So in reality, I should still be a virgin.” She smiled when she felt him laugh.
“Undoubtedly, we made love. Our bodies may or may not have gone back to the way they were before. But our hearts and our minds remember Fern. I’ll tell you what, when we get out of this mess, I’ll prove it. OK?” He traced her bottom lip with his thumb and sighed when she took the tip into her mouth and kissed it.
“I don’t doubt it either, Rowen, I’ll never doubt it.” Reaching up, she placed a soft kiss on his lips.
“Do you remember what else happened last night? Do you remember telling me you love me? I remember everything. But in case you don’t I’ll say it again. I love you. I do Rowen, with all my heart.”
Picking Fern up until she sat in his lap, Rowen kissed her. A deep, penetrating kiss meant to show her how much her feelings were returned. Pulling slowly away, he held her close to his chest. “You hear that, Fern? That’s my heart, telling you how much I love you too.”
They cuddled in each other’s arms, long into the night. The sounds of the other prisoners’ moans of agony sometimes became more than Fern could bear and she would clasp her hands over her ears. Rowen always came to her rescue, pulling her hands away, telling her stories about his childhood, his family and his business. Anything to help them, her, get through this. So when they finally heard the key clang in the lock, Rowen breathed a sigh of relief.
“Sister Fern? Brother Rowen?” Jonathan found them sitting against the wall with his lantern. “We must hurry, there is little time. Rose told me to take ye to Mary’s house. She said ye would know where to go from there.”
“Yes, yes we do. We also know the way from here Jonathan, there is no need to escort us.” Rowen pulled Fern to her feet then escorted her through the door. “And, there is no need in putting yourself in any further danger. You are to be a father soon, stay here.”
“Sarah’s child is not of my blood, I thought you knew this.” Jonathan led them back up the stairs until they were outside. Then he snuffed out the lantern to keep them from being seen.
“Yes, we know. But we didn’t know you knew. We thought you wouldn’t know for a few more days, until the birth of the child,” Fern replied.
“Rose told me many things,” Jonathan said. “I am thankful that she told me.”
Fern wanted to ask more but somehow knew it wouldn’t do her any good. Jonathan seemed content to leave it alone. “Well then, thank you for helping us. We’d better run now, I can see the sun starting to come up now.” After hugging him, she turned to Rowen and took his hand. “Good-bye, Jonathan.”
“Aye, farewell then, and good journey.” Jonathan watched them until they disappeared. He’d have to go home now and face his wife, and demand an answer to the one question little Rose refused to answer for him. Who is the father?
The sun was just piercing the top of Elizabeth’s house by the time Fern and Rowen got there. The soft glow of a candle was burning in the room upstairs, the same room that held the wardrobe. Rowen knew they couldn’t wait any longer. They had to go. “No matter what, we won’t stop, Fern. We’ll run straight up the stairs then through the wardrobe
. I don’t trust Elizabeth; even though Mary is safe, she might still try to stop us.”
“Just don’t let go of my hand Rowen, promise!” Fern was nervous. The thought of having to deal with Elizabeth again made her skin crawl. “I’m ready, let’s get the hell out of here.”
“That’s my girl, ok, hold on.” Rowen pulled her with him until they made it to the back door. He could feel her hand shaking and knew she was scared. Picking her hand up, he kissed every finger, until he felt her stop shaking. “Better?”
“You always make me better. Come on, I want to go home.” Fern reached out and turned the knob then let the door swing silently open. The kitchen was dark and quiet. She followed Rowen until they came to the base of the stairs, and then tiptoed with him until they stood facing Mary’s bedroom door. Before she could grasp its handle, the door clicked and opened on its own.
A candle sat in its holder next to Mary’s bed lighting the room in a yellowish glow. They both breathed a sigh of relief when they saw the room was empty. Peering across the room, both hearts skipped a beat when they realized the wardrobe was gone.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
“Oh my God Rowen! We’re here for good, aren’t we?” Fern buried her head in Rowen’s chest and tried not to scream.
“No we aren’t, love. I’ll find that dammed wardrobe and we’ll go home, I promise.” Rowen held her as she cried. What now? Without the wardrobe they couldn’t leave. He would think of a way, somehow. A door slammed down below, causing them both to jump. “Elizabeth is home, Fern. We have to get out of here.”
Fern wiped her tears away and tried not to shake as she felt her fear start to build. Whispering, she answered. “How do…do we get out without her seeing us, Rowen? The stairs are the only way out.”
Rowen scanned the room then made his way quickly to the window with Fern in tow. “See that tree Fern, do you think you can climb down it if I help you?”
“Sure, I was a tomboy once,” Fern replied.
“Shhh, I hear footsteps. Don’t make a sound.” They stood as still as they could until the sound of Elizabeth’s cane stopped briefly outside the door.
“Mary? Are you sleeping child?” Elizabeth’s voice rumbled against the door.
Fern breathed a sigh of relief when her footsteps continued on down the hall. They waited until they heard her bedroom door close before Rowen climbed through the window. After helping Fern out, they both slid down the sharp peak of the gable nearest to the tree. “You go first, Rowen,” she whispered.
“Alright, reach out to me and I’ll help you out on the limb after I get across.” Rowen leapt from the roof as quietly as he could. The branches creaked with his weight, but held him without breaking. “Alright, your turn.” Reaching out he held her hand as she jumped across to join him on the tree.
“Beat you to the ground.” Fern tried not to giggle, but the whole thing was way too funny. It had gone past the absurd stage hours ago.
“I’m glad you think this is funny, Fern. I’m still having trouble finding anything remotely humorous about it.” Rowen watched her in disbelief. She was giggling so hard that she had to put her hand over her mouth.
“I’m sorry, you’re right Rowen. There couldn’t possibly be anything to laugh about. After all, we are just two adults standing in a tree, trying to escape a crazed witch. Nothing at all funny or weird about that, is there?” She watched as Rowen started to smile and felt ready to give in to a new bout of giggles.
“Come on you silly nut, let’s get out of this tree before someone sees us.” Rowen jumped to the ground first then helped her down. “Let’s go back to the cottage, with any luck we’ll be able to stay there until we find the wardrobe.”
Taking Rowen’s hand Fern ran with him to the cover of the forest. Neither one of them noticed the wrinkled face watching them from the dark window above.
Elizabeth seethed, how did the girl get away? She’d hidden the wardrobe knowing this might happen. A good thing, now she would have time to make sure she didn’t get away again. Mary had escaped being accused, but it wouldn’t be long before Sarah would try to accuse her, and then she would make sure the girl was here to take Mary’s place on the gallows. No doubt, the sisterhood would protect the girl named Fern. Turning away from the window she reached for her book of spells. This time she would mix a potion, one so strong that even the sisters wouldn’t be able to stop it. Cackling, she began a mental list of the supplies she would need.
* * * *
Jonathan snuffed out his lamp before opening the door; he didn’t want to wake Sarah. As he reached for the door handle, the rustle of the bush at the corner of the house stopped him. “Who goes there?” he squinted in the dark as he tried to make out the form standing there.
“It is I, Mary.” She stepped out and beckoned him to follow her to the woodshed.
Jonathan followed at a distance until he made sure they hadn’t been seen, and then hurried in after her. “My love, where hast thou been? I have missed ye.” He reached for her but she avoided him.
“I saw that woman Jonathan, who is she and why did she try to kill ye? She looked like me, ‘twas like looking in a mirror.” She turned and sat down on the cot Jonathan kept there. He used it when he needed to get away from Sarah. “I can’t help but feel she has something to do with me, with us. I heard Sarah accuse her of witchcraft, is it true?”
Jonathan sat down next to her on the cot and took her hands in his. He could never resist Mary; she was his worst temptation. “She is nobody, just a crazed woman.” His kisses traveled up her arm to devour her neck. He didn’t know how to tell her about Rowen and Fern, so he would avoid it. She was all that he wanted on his mind right now anyway.
Mary groaned softly when his teeth bit into her ear lobe. “Sarah accused her of being a witch, is it true?” She lay back on the cot with his help.
“No more talk, let me love you, woman.” His mouth covered hers, making her forget her questions about the strange woman and the man who had stopped her from killing him.
* * * *
Rowen and Fern silently made their way to the door of the cottage. The sun was all the way up now and since they didn’t know if anyone was there they decided to approach it cautiously. Fern stood just behind Rowen, mostly out of fear. Plus, she wanted to be able to run in case someone other than Jonathan or Mary was there, someone like Elizabeth.
Jumping, Fern glanced back behind them when she heard sticks breaking in the distance. When a deer ran through the trees then down to the river, she breathed a sigh of relief. Holding on to Rowen’s sleeve, she followed him into the cottage when nobody answered his knock on the door. “You know what, Rowen? This is the first time we’ve ever been here.”
Rowen chuckled in front of her. “I guess you’re right. We came here a few days from now, didn’t we, and I suppose we’ll come here again in a few more days. Think we’ll run into ourselves?”
“This is way too strange for me, let’s talk about something else.” Fern pushed past him to the kitchen to see if there was anything to eat. As she passed, she felt his arms circle her waist. Laying her head back, she savored the feel of his lips as they traced the curve of her jaw.
“I can think of one thing I wouldn’t mind talking about right now.” Rowen continued his trail down her supple neck to nuzzle the crook of her shoulder. “Why don’t you get undressed, and I’ll start a fire to boil some water. Wouldn’t you love a hot bath? I’m sure you’re exhausted after our night.”
Fern arched her back against him. “I don’t think you have sleeping on your mind, and neither do I. How about we both gather the water and then we can take a hot bath, together.” She squealed with pleasure when he turned her in his arms and cupped her bottom in his strong hands.
“Sounds good to me, I think we should both fit in the tub.” Dipping his head, he kissed her lips softly, and then urgently when she met his tongue in a mating dance that drove him to the edge. Groaning, he pulled away. “Come on, let’s go before I for
get the bath.”
They both grabbed a bucket and headed toward the river. It was quiet except for the birds chirping above them in the trees. The forest didn’t scare Fern anymore, it seemed almost like home to her now. She listened to Rowen humming and nibbled on a piece of Hydrilla grass as they walked. She supposed she would be content to be with Rowen anywhere, no matter what the circumstances were. Her life had been so empty before she’d met him, now she couldn’t ever imagine being without him. When and if they ever got back to their own time, she would stay with him as long as he would have her.
A thought struck her then; stopping she looked at Rowen. “I just thought of something, Rowen. Since I didn’t kill Jonathan and Sarah, and Mary didn’t get accused of witchcraft, why does Elizabeth want us to stay? I mean, there is no reason, right? Why would she hide the wardrobe now?”
Rowen frowned then looked away. He knew the answer. How could he tell her it was always the plan for her to die? And, that he was supposed to make sure she did. “I hear the water, come on, let’s hurry.” He tried to reach for her hand but she pulled away.
Fern stood her ground. Deep in her heart dread started to build. Rowen knew something he wasn’t telling her. What more could there be to this horrible nightmare? By the look on his face, she wasn’t sure if she really wanted to know. “I’m staying right here until you tell me what you know, Rowen.” Stepping a few feet away she stared into his eyes. “Oh, why do I have a terrible feeling about this?”
“Damn, I’d hoped I wouldn’t have to tell you. Come on, let’s sit down by the river, Fern.” She didn’t pull away this time when he took her hand. Silently, they found a place to sit down. Rowen held her hand as he prepared to tell her the truth. She deserved to know it all, even if it meant losing her. “Everything I’ve told you is the truth Fern. The curse, the trance and the witchcraft, it’s all true.”
“Yes, I know Rowen. I’ve seen all of that. But there is more, I can see it in your eyes. What are you hiding from me? ” Fern wiped a tear from her cheek, she knew she wasn’t going to like what he was about to tell her.