This is based off the story of Hansel and Gretel, but changed in quite a few ways. All the characters are mine except Hansel and Gretel themselves. (this is my first attempt at fanfiction, please review if you would like to read more :) )
"Gretel Underwood, please report to Mrs Henrings at once" called Liza, the nursery maid. I had been in the middle of scrubbing the gigantic bathroom floor with Hester, who had been complaining non stop since we started an hour before, so I got up immediately and left it to her. Whatever the housekeeper wanted, it had to be more interesting than Hesters drab personality.
"what does she want?" I hissed to Liza, who was standing outside the wide doorframe.
"I don't know, she didn't say!" said little Liza, eyes wide. She looked so fragile and delicate, with her tiny hands and curly blonde hair pulled up into a messy bun on top of her head, but once you got to know her, Liza was the loudest one of us. No wonder the kids listened to her, I certainly wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of her!
"good luck," she whispered as I darted down the hallway. Mrs Henrings was the housekeeper of Elverdean House, and according to her, she ran the place. She was known as the Dragon among all of us servants, because of her unforgiving rages. But I always tried to stay on the right side of her, she was my employer after all, and a great friend of my grandmother.
As I eased the door to her chamber open, I saw the tight ball of hair at the nape of her neck, and her sharp, pointed nose. She was looking into a draw intently, like she had lost something. I was nervous but tried to hide it as I blurted out a muffled "Ma'am?"
she turned around instantly, her trained ears sharp as they always have been.
"Ah Gretel, please sit down." she said curtly, obviously in one of her good moods. My heart lifted. She didn't seem too angry.
"now Gretel, we seem to have a problem," My heart sank again. "but don't worry, it's not about you."
I sighed slightly in relief. A problem at Elverdean House normally meant you were going to be sacked. Mrs Henrings noticed and smiled knowingly.
" as you may be aware, our young master Hansel Elvedean, is approaching his 21st Birthday. It is family tradition for any young man to pass into adulthood on this birthday, after completing a full day hunting trip alone, without a professional guide."
"But still with a servant of the house" I finished for her. I did know this, it was common knowledge throughout the house, and some people were getting very excited about it.
"exactly. Normally the young master picks a familiar servant to accompany him, someone he has known for a long time."
I knew this too. But Hansel Elvedean had already picked George the butler, whom he had always been friendly with, throughout his life. So I didn't see what any of this had to do with me. I asked Mrs Henrings.
" I was just getting to that. Unfortunately, Hansel has been caught with his friends drinking his fathers supply of fine wine. As punishment, his hunting trial will be postponed until next month. George is not available on this date, so Hansels father Lord Elvedean has tasked me with the job to find someone to accompany Hansel."
None of this surprised me. He was a reckless man, and had no care for anyone else in the world. I disliked him very much, sick of hearing of more stories of how he had disappointed his father. I imagined myself leaving this job, and returning years later with lots of money, just to tell him exactly what I think of him.
" Gretel, you have been to the woods before, haven't you?"
My employer asked, pulling me away From my fantasy.
"uh...yes, yes of course. I've gone to collect berries often" I replied.
"good," she said offhandedly. "because I don't want you to be completely out if your comfort zone."
That stopped me in my tracks. Before that moment I hadn't realised what she had meant, that she wanted ME to accompany Hansel Elvedean. She caught my look of panic and touched my arm.
"I know you can do it, Gretel, we can trust you. You just have to trust yourself."
Right then, a massive clatter came crashing from below us, and the nice smile on Mrs Henrings face had vanished, replaced by the angry face of the strict housekeeper.
"excuse me." she spoke through her teeth. She was infuriated by everything anyone did wrong, whether she was present or not. It could make working at Elvedean House extremely difficult to cope with. Added to the irritating Hansel controlling our lives, time here was not the more fun places to be.