The Tale of a girl who grew up
Chapter One
Farid was still looking at her. Then he abruptly took her hand. 'Excuse us,' he told Doria, and led Meggie into the nearest house entrance with him. 'Does Silvertongue know how you look at him?'
'Look at who?'
'Who!' He passed his finger over his forehead as if tracing Doria's scar. 'Listen,' he said, stroking her hair back. 'Why don't you come with me? We could go from village to village together. The way we did when we and Dustfinger were following your mother and father. Do you remember?'
How could he ask her that?
Meggie looked over her shoulder. Doria was standing beside Fenoglio and Elinor. Fenoglio was looking at the aeroplane model Doria had built her.
'I'm sorry, Farid,' she said, gently removing his hand from her shoulder. 'But I don't want to leave.'
'Why not?' He tried to kiss her, but Meggie turned her face away. Even though she felt tears coming to her eyes. Do you remember? 'I wish you luck,' she said, kissing him on the cheek. He still had the most beautiful eyes of any boy she'd ever seen. But now her heart beat so much faster for someone else.
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Eight Months Later
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Tiny sticky hands pried at Meggie's fingers and eyes just as miniature goggled up at her from the podgy face that belonged to her little brother. She smiled lovingly and nuzzled the three month old baby, letting her golden hair tickle his nose.
Although she and the child were sixteen years apart Meggie felt just as close to the little boy as the rest of her family. She was sure he felt the same.
The baby gurgled and Resa entered the room, cooing softly. 'How's our gorgeous little Mattia this afternoon? Is it time for him to go to bed?'
Meggie continued to smile, passing Mattia into the arms of their mother and dusting off her skirt.
Due to the new arrival Meggie had been sleeping in tents at the robber's camp to escape the shrill noises that came from her brother's mouth each night. Without fail. What she didn't care to mention was that she spent most of these nights dancing with the minstrels and helping a certain brown haired blue eyed boy with his mechanical creations. Though she didn't really think Mo and Resa would mind too much if they did know.
Tucking her wooden stool under the cottage kitchen table Meggie upheld the gaze on her mother and brother. Resa swooped Mattia in circles, somehow managing to tidy up the living area as she worn her son out, the happy gurgles echoing around the room.
Smiling tenderly once more at the woman and child Meggie retreated into the yard where a couple of geese greeted her with delighted honks. Scattering some bread crumbs into the dirt she advanced toward the workhouse that she knew her father was hiding in.
'Mo, Resa is taking Mati to bed now. Are you going to help?'
Dark worn out yet still sparkling eyes met Meggie's; a pair of thin framed glasses a barrier between father and daughter. Mortimer grinned.
'Afternoon Meggie. What brings a beautiful girl like you down here? Shouldn't you be cavorting with the motley crew?'
'That sounds almost like you don't want me here. Would you prefer me dancing till my shoes wore out?'
'Well it's not like Battista couldn't make you a new pair.'
Meggie pouted and rolled her eyes. Since the Adderhead was defeated and Orpheus fled to the mountain those precious few months ago her father had returned. The Bluejay had been knocked down a few rungs to let the joy in her father's eyes return. Although the death still lingered. 'I will be back tomorrow morning to give you and Resa some more free time,' she whispered, hugging Mo tightly before backing away.
'Looking forward to seeing you as always. We miss you Meggie.'
After all that had happened in the last four years, most of it being Mo disappearing and almost losing him and on occasions actually losing him only to have him come back once more, Meggie felt very protective over her father. Most people believed it was natural for her to linger at her father's doorway each time they separated. Then once she had left return once more to check he was still there. Maybe once a few years had passed the nervousness would wear away. The same way her love for Farid had when the boy began to almost forget her existence.
Scuffing her shoes in the sand where the woods met the farmhouse cottage Meggie regretted thinking about Farid. The only times he noticed her were when Doria was with her. Jealously and neglect had torn them apart. But Meggie didn't feel entirely apprehensive with the whole romantic ordeal. Farid had been right to be jealous of Doria.
The Inkworld was coming to life now that the sun was setting. Fire imps buzzed irritably in nearby trees and rogue glassmen peered out at the lone girl creeping through the woods. The fairies were settling down in their nests high above every danger. Yes, night was certainly when the Inkworld showed its true colours.
Even though this place had put Meggie through so much turmoil and pain, she could help but love it just the way she had loved the book in which it had once existed. That day she had arrived in the Wayless Woods had been one of the most breathtaking moments in her life. And she was surprised that life was still intact.
A few more trees to the left she could see the robbers setting up bonfires and pitching up some extra tents. The sights and smells of the camp always plunged Meggie's heart into a dance of jubilance, making her want to move her own feet to the fast paced music and song tales that rang through the trees and tents.
Meggie quickly scampered from the woods. It was strange how fast darkness crept up upon this land. But then she couldn't well remember the sunsets and rises back in her home world.
Weaving between the brightly coloured tents belonging to different members of the motley crew and their families she finally found what she was searching for. The boy who made her heart beat just that fast. The one whom she chose over her first love. The one that made her feel like a great princess, and he would always be more of a prince than that wretched Jacopo.
'Doria!'
Sky blue eyes more piercing than her own followed Meggie's voice before situating warmly into her gaze. Eight months may have passed since she'd said goodbye to Farid, but Meggie was no closer to telling Doria how she felt than she had been that day. Being female was difficult.