Young werewolves suffered far more than the older more experienced wolves during the moon time, and he took solace in the fact that one day he would gain control, to an extent that is. Even that knowledge did little to comfort him as he tossed and turned struggling to control the beast inside. Helpless, he felt helpless. And a werewolf hates to feel helpless.
He hoped the vampire was worthy of his trust.
~~*~~
“Are all humans this inconsiderate, or is unique to the two of you?” Manuel drawled as he stepped out from the trees at the entrance of The Lonesome Forest.
Snow felt herself bristle at the characteristically surly nature of the vampire’s greeting.
“Excuse me?” She questioned, not in the mood for Manuel’s dramatics. She’d had more than enough with Cindy that morning and resented the fact that the smug vampire believed he could simply ‘summon’ the girls with his pigeon delivered message earlier that evening. Cindy, bless her little soul, stuck her tongue out at the arrogant vampire; which of course Manuel completely ignored.
“I asked if you were unique among your species but a careful look has assured me that you are not.”
“Want to know what I think?” She asked finally.
“Not even a little; but I’m sure you’re dying to tell me, so go ahead with your earth shaking revelation.” He shuddered delicately, rolling his eyes skyward.
“I think that you feel that you have to insult us every time you see us so we won’t realise how much you actually like us.”
Slowly he closed his eyes and shook his head. “You’ve kept me waiting long enough, make haste, we must collect Rapunzel, who has assured me she at least shall be ready, and even so we might not make it in time. Humans.” He bit off the last word as if it were a curse.
Cindy had just about enough of Manuel’s cryptic theatrics. “You summoned, we came, stop wasting time insulting us and tell us what’s so important!”
“I will do better than that, I will show you!” And with a truly stage worthy flourish, he re-entered the forest leaving nothing left but for the girls to follow him.
Which of course they did.
~~*~~
The vampire had the girls keep a very quick pace, and the lovely Rapunzel was indeed dressed and ready when they arrived. Flushed with excitement she descended her ladder and took Manuel’s graciously offered arm.
Cindy and Snow exchanged knowing looks, and then had to race to catch up again. Manuel took them through the forest, quickly and efficiently with an honest to goodness air of excitement; every once in a while looking back to flash an electric smile. Whatever the vampire had to share with them had to be very special indeed. In fact, you could almost find yourself liking the abrasive vampire when he acted like this. Almost.
The forest ground took on a hazy appearance as enchantment smoke floated up over to them causing Snow to gasp instinctively in fear. She held her breath trying not to panic as she reminded herself that tonight they traveled with Manuel, who above all was a strong and fearsome vampire; her heart pounded out an increasingly rapid rhythm none the less.
Manuel stopped as he noticed her apparent alarm, he looked back at her quizzically. Perhaps it was his nearness to Rapunzel but, with more sensitivity than they had thought him capable of, he reached out and took Snow’s trembling hand in his own.
“Relax, little human, not all enchantments are for evil. This mist is merely to discourage all who are not invited. A great good, a moment of long awaited beauty is arriving.” And then with a quick wink of his beautiful black eye he added. “There is nothing to fear when you travel with me.”
And so they continued through unknown parts of the forest until finally they reached a clearing.
The mists abruptly ended in great billowy clouds, leaving open a perfectly green jewel of an outcropping, with an immense and magical waterfall as a backdrop. Stars twinkled in the sky, fairly giddy with joy and the moon, hanging full and high in that same sky, sent magical beams down illuminating the clearing with silver light. Instantly the girls were filled with a sense of awe and joy.
For in the centre of the clearing, bathed in the silvery moonlight, a mother unicorn, white and perfect as freshly fallen snowflakes, tenderly nudged her new born foal. The foal turned soft brown eyes to the newcomers, his tiny horn rubbing against his mother. Snow was sure that she had never laid eyes on anything so perfect in her life.
For a moment they stood there, saying nothing, in awe of the new born foal.
Suddenly the clearing was filled with a rush of rainbow light, and a dozen glowing fairies each bathed in a different color descended in a circle around the mother and child. The forest floor came alive as hundreds of four inch pixies, wings alight with iridescent sparkles marched in to congregate in the clearing as well.
In a reverent whisper Manuel spoke. “The fairies and the pixies come to greet and celebrate the arrival of the new prince. Such has not happened in many years.”
The fairies and pixies joined voices in a song that spoke of such beauty and such love, that when they were finished, not a dry eye remained, not even that of Manuel. The sound had filled the clearing, echoing off the forest and left in their hearts a feeling of lightness. As the last note of the song faded, it was taken up again but this time with a wilder, more ancient tone.
Snow gasped as dozens of willowy, tall women slowly glided towards them, dressed in white robes with arms outstretched, their long hair trailing behind. They swayed back and forth with the song, eventually forming a circle. These were the dryads Snow had longed so to see; and they were every bit as beautiful as she had imagined. Crystal voices joined the dryads as three translucent and ethereal water nyads rose from the waterfall and joined the dryads in their song of welcome.
The mists also rose, creating great, white walls surrounding the clearing and the sky above reflected the fairy and pixie light across the moonbeams, creating an iridescent rainbow sky.
Manuel leaned closer to the girls. “All are represented here. The dryads for earth, the nyads for water, fairies for air, pixies for fire and myself for night.”
Rapunzel turned to him, and asked in the faintest of whispers. “And to what do we owe the honour of witnessing such an event?”
“Beautiful Rapunzel, you represent day. Now watch, no human has witnessed this in nearly a century.”
In awe the girls silently gazed upon the mother unicorn and her new prince. As the last note of the last song slowly trailed off, one by one the fairies knelt in a circle around the unicorns.
“They each give their blessing as fairy godmothers to the new prince.” Manuel explained quietly. And they watched as each fairy rose and kissed the unicorn’s horn before returning to her place. All the while, the mother looked on with majestic and gentle eyes. Neither Cindy nor Snow had ever seen a unicorn before; they were spoken of often in legend and referred to as the most magical of magical beings. But no one had laid eyes on one in so many years they were believed to be myth.
“Oh crap!” Cindy breathed as the last fairy, the littlest one swathed in pale blue slipped on the damp grass and fell over backwards, her wand rolling towards the edge. Quicker than a cat, Cindy dove after it, rescuing the wand, but not before nearly falling over the edge herself. Now, the wand in question was never actually in peril, as one of the nyads could easily have caught it herself; but that did not diminish Cindy’s quick thinking selfless action. The little pale blue fairy found herself touched by Cindy’s courage.
“Human child,” She tinkled in the sweetest, youngest of voices. “You risked yourself for my wand; and at great risk to yourself. What is your name?”
“Cind, ah Cinderella Vanholston...Great Lady.” Cindy stumbled over her words as the young fairy smiled sweetly at the tongue tied girl.
“Cinderella Vanholston, I am called Lailie, I will be your fairy godmother as well; should you truly need me, I will come to your aide.” And the little blue fairy touched Cindy with her wand ever so lightly on the fo
rehead. Unsure what to do, Cindy curtsied as a smile of bliss lit her face; and Lailie the fairy stepped forward to bless the unicorn child.
“Quite an honour little human, quite an honour.” Manuel whispered beside her.
Snow reached over, eyes shining and clasped Cindy’s hand tightly. Rapunzel clasped her other hand, both of them so happy for their friend. It is a rare human who can truly say that they have a fairy godmother.
The magical crowd began to sing again together, fairies, pixies, dryads and nyads as well. The song was so beautiful, Snow felt herself swaying side to side with the dryads. A chorus of voices filled the rainbow skies. As the song faded, all of the magical beings retreated back in to the mist, with the nyads disappearing in the foam of the waterfall. Manuel silently led them through the mist, across the forest and home. No one spoke a word all the way home, but each wore the softest, most contented smile of peace.
Even Manuel.
~~*~~
The door at the top of the stairs flung open. The old woman scanned the room anxiously. The sleeping girl in the tower slept on uninterrupted. Finding nothing, she closed the door.
The Mother Goethal had felt the change in Rapunzel. Outwardly she appeared the tall, pale reclusive young woman she had been raised to be. But her eyes, it was in her eyes that The Goethal saw something growing. Awakening. The eyes long referred to as the window to the soul; Rapunzel’s eyes shone with a light The Mother Goethal recognised but could not yet identify. The Mother saw it, and hated it.
As she shuffled her way back down the stairs she vowed to keep a closer eye on the girl. Rapunzel’s change had started soon after the girls from town had begun bringing the lessons. The Vanholston girl, and Dr. Rutherford’s charge. Something about that girl scratched at the old woman’s mind, something familiar. The eyes again, something in the eyes.
Maybe it was time to contact “Her”.
~~*~~
Dinner with the Vanholstons and the Del Grotta’s was not something Snow was particularly looking forward to, but a promise is a promise, and so she showed up at the Vanholston mansion at precisely five o’clock. Chalking it up to ‘after effects’ of the unicorn blessing, she found herself feeling rather peaceful and benevolent. So much so that she even went as far as to allow Cindy to outfit her for the evening.
That might have been a mistake.
Cindy had shrieked with outright glee at the first indication of a yes. Immediately she began to swath Snow in yards of red and white gossamer silk; finally creating a simple floor length gown that crossed over both of her shoulders and swirled around her feet with each step. That would have been just fine with Snow, but when Cindy had attempted to weave white feathers and beads into Snow’s already mile high black satin hair do...well Snow lost that particular battle. At least she was more comfortable than if she had been wearing Cindy’s high necked bare backed purple concoction; although she did somewhat envy the simple gold chain that draped across her friend’s forehead disappearing in her upswept golden curls. At last Cindy deemed them ready.
Caspian Vanholston waited patiently for the teenagers to descend the spiral staircase in the front foyer of his home. Running his hand through his own dark gold curls, his dashing smile reached all the way to his jade green eyes, making the resemblance between him and his daughter unmistakable. The laugh lines around his eyes did nothing to distract from his swashbuckling good looks, and Caspian was and always would be the ultimate gentleman. His smile widened as he watched the two lovely teens slowly descend his long and winding staircase. Like a true gentleman he bowed slightly as they reached the bottom, and offered them each an arm.
With an arm around each young lady, he gracefully steered them to the waiting carriage out by his gardens. Believing himself the luckiest man alive to be escorting two such beautiful young ladies to dinner, he carefully assisted both of the girls in to the stylish carriage.
The Crystal Candelabra was the most elegant restaurant in Turin. Modeled after The Crystal Cerise in Crystallise, the restaurant presented a veritable feast in its opulent private dining rooms. Rich red velvet with gold trimmings, gleaming wood and, yes crystal chandeliers, glassware and candelabras all played their part in creating a truly sumptuous environment.
This was the venue Caspian Vanholston chose to formally introduce The Madame and her two daughters, to his own young daughter; Snow notated that important detail, filing it away to be examined later. Neutral ground, she realised, giving none of them the tactical advantage; good plan she decided as she was convinced this would indeed be a battle. She glanced down at her young friend who appeared to be completely engrossed in a magazine; Snow knew better. Cindy was terrified, emotional and near hysterics. The meeting of the families was considered the ‘first step’ before announcing a formal engagement. Not knowing what she could say to ease her friend’s suffering, she said nothing, instead she reached down and squeezed her friend’s little hand, which was exactly the right thing.
As their carriage pulled up alongside the elegant restaurant, Snow noticed the same tall dark haired boy she had noticed outside the school, lounging against the fence.
He was maybe six foot four and dressed entirely in black: black trousers, black shirt, and black vest. He had broad shoulders suggesting impressive muscles, shaggy, longish dark hair and those beautifully unusual eyes. He was very, very attractive in a strong and rugged way, with just a hint of danger. He sniffed the air and looked up, returning Snow’s curious gaze, slowly he nodded and a small smile graced his face. She smiled back in return and felt that blush rising up in her cheeks again. When would she ever learn to control it? The blush was still prominently written all over her face, when much to her embarrassment, the great mahogany doors of the opulent restaurant opened and Red Adair and her family walked out. The infamous red head and her cascades of magnificent hair, threw Snow a small smile of recognition before climbing in to her waiting carriage, assisted by a dapper footman. Red was really beautiful. Snow looked back towards the boy to check his reaction to the town beauty, but he seemed to have disappeared again.
Trouble, that’s what he was; trouble with a capital T. She hated blushing.
“Huh.” Came Cindy’s voice from directly behind her. “I wouldn’t mind knowing him. Who.” She pretended to fan herself. “Are you sure he wasn’t looking at us? I mean, we look divine.”
Snow laughed. No, he wasn’t looking at them, but Snow now had a pretty good idea of whom he might have been waiting for.
~~*~~
For some reason she felt restless that night, and after tossing and turning in her bed, Rapunzel rose and went to the window.
The gentle breeze caressed her face and she inhaled deeply, willing the fresh forest air to bring peace and hopefully sleep. She deliberately replayed the songs from the night before in her head as she leaned out of her cold tower window.
It was getting harder to stay in the tower.
Now that she had began to actually taste life, the half life she had been forced to live all of these years seemed almost cruel; her life a sham, her tower a prison. She was overwhelmed by thoughts and emotions she was too afraid to examine.
She opened her eyes. Standing in the moonlight, gazing back at her, was a lone figure in an embroidered black waist coat.
He lifted his hand in a silent greeting. Instantly she felt better. She was no longer alone.
~~*~~
Alas, not even a six course feast complete with chocolate strawberries, Snow’s unwavering loyalty, and the one glass of sparkling white wine Caspian had allowed his sorrowful daughter could have saved the disastrous evening at The Crystal Candelabra that evening.
Round one: the Madame comments on the importance of structure and adherence to rules when raising young woman; Caspian counters with a declaration about spontaneity and creativity allowing for more well rounded, adaptable young women. The tension becomes inescapable. Snow knows it’s bad when the otherwise doting and impossibly polite wait staff begi
n dropping plates off and running. Even the Violinist manages to overlook their private room.
The Madame purses stained red lips.
Round two; the Madame comments on modesty and age appropriate attire; Caspian celebrates Cindy’s artistic talent in the realm of fashion. Snow feels her dinner begin to churn in her stomach.
It must be said for the record that Cindy tried her very hardest that evening, even issuing a friendly greeting to the impassive Madame Morgada and her disdainful daughters. Unfortunately the well meant greeting was not exactly reciprocated, and the dynamic duo found themselves being scrutinized like circus anomalies. To be fair, the dashing Caspian did not fare much better with the twins, but since the Madame was pleased as punch by his presence, as any woman would be, he shrugged the slight off.
Cindy, well Cindy didn’t even try after that, and Snow could hardly blame her. Sighing inwardly she berated herself for ever having agreed to bear witness to this disastrous event. Outwardly sighing when she had to rescue Cindy from a tight situation involving the ladies room window, during a highly unsuccessful escape attempt.
The shining point of the evening being when Caspian, fed up with The Morgada’s not so veiled attacks on his parenting, Cindy’s attire ad nauseum, slapped a wad of bills on the table, and with the girls in tow, strode out of the restaurant to his waiting carriage.
Snow supposed that would be considered the end of round three; knock out.
Cindy danced her way out of the restaurant, convinced that her life was finally looking up. In fact her cloud nine mood held firm all night only bursting when Caspian, contrite and shamed, rushed out of his mansion in the early morning hours to surprise The Madame with several bouquets of priceless flowers in hopes of begging her forgiveness. Snow, having slept over the night before, ran out of the house after her friend when Cindy announced her intention to drown herself in her father’s lake. The fact that the lake was more of a pond, and was in fact about three feet deep made no difference, Cindy’s intent was clear.