Hi. Just so you know: the Grimms are driving to the train station to see Henry, Veronica and Basil Jr. back to NYC, where they have decided to help Faerie rebuild itself. BTW, this is set in between the 8th and the 9th books. *Gangallah is a word I made up, it means a farewell party. Thanks to my friend Micsy for not laughing at it. I'm dedicating this story to you, Curlscat, for your AWESOME, AMAZING story, Never Gonna Happen Challenge. You are my new hero.
Rain was pouring down the window of the 'car'. Sabrina stared out of it, already bored and sad and, well, angry with the world. Daphne was sitting next to her, babbling to Red, Veronica, Jake and Granny about the latest episode of Merlin. The landscape outside the car seemed like it had been tinted gray. Gray hedges and plants, gray road, gray sky, gray houses, even a gray cow, munching on gray grass surrounded by gray cow pats. Miserably gray, just like her.
At the station, the goodbyes said made it sound like it was a funeral. Veronica cried over leaving, and Henry pretended to be impatient. He wasn't fooling anyone. Daphne was front and centre in saying goodbye to her parents and brother. Granny stood back, looking at her son and daughter-in-law who were about to leave for good. Sabrina hung back, not quite in the outskirts, but not in the centre of the gangallah*.
Puck wasn't there. He had announced the night before that anyone who wanted him to go and see off Henry, Veronica and Basil would have to bodily throw him from his room and tie him to the roof of the car in pixie-proof, titanium-strength duct-tape. Jake gave up after half a dozen attempts.
At last, the train was off. Veronica was crying and clutching Basil (who had no idea what were he was going, just that his sisters where not coming), waving his hands at the group who would stay in Ferryport Landing. Henry was crying openly now, shouting requests for Sabrina, Daphne, Granny and Jake to stay safe. Elvis howled like a wounded wolf. Daphne was running alongside the train, begging them not to leave, and Jack had sat down on a tree stump and held his head in his hands. Sabrina was leaning against a tree, just letting the tears fall.
When the train was out of sight, the company of relatively sombre family members walked back to the car. Daphne and Red were trying to console a wounded Elvis. Jake was holding his mother, who was crying into his shoulder. Sabrina was walking at the end of the line, reflecting on how this was similar to the occasion when she and Daphne had first arrived at Ferryport Landing. But, in a way, knowing her parents were alive and had willingly left her was worse that if they were dead.
As she was about to climb into the car, Sabrina noticed something that had not been there previously. The was a gold ring on the ground, glittering for all the world in a land seemingly without colour or life, a drop of gold in a sea of gray. Without conscious thought of what she was doing, Sabrina picked up the ring and put it in her pocket. And the ring itself almost seemed to speak to her.
Did you like it? Flames will be put out with a fire extinguisher I dented with a spoon. Marshmallows will be toasted. If you can guess which ring it is guess, I will review every single chapter of a story of your choice. That's making an effort, because I am not the world's most talented/regular reviewer. ADIOS!
- LittleMissRockerChick