One-Shot:

The Enchanted Book

Time moved forward, as it always does. Gwen was nine years old and sleeping in was a luxury. Although, she couldn't help getting into some mischief every now and then, which included knocking over a few baskets, much to the annoyance of her owners. Her parents were ten years old. Already, they were up before she was and wandering about the house.

She sat up. Something didn't feel right. She turned to her mourning dove friend, Sparrow, hoping to wake him up. No effort. Sparrow was sound asleep and breathing evenly.

She would have to explore the house for herself. She stretched her legs and moved into the kitchen. She hissed, jumping back and forth a bit. There was no response from her owners. She scanned the area, in hopes of finding the culprit. All she found was the kitchen window wide open. How odd. Not as odd as this. Were they moving? No. They reeked of death, a horrid moist stench she never wanted to witness again.

"Come on, Gwen!" Astra called to her. "It's time to go!"

"No!" She cried, shocked. "Are they – are they dead?"

"Yes." Astra nodded. "Yes, they are." She admitted, trembling, "I tried waking them, but no response. We're two years into the plague and this happens." She faced Gwen with keen eyes. "Come on. Your father's rounding up Sparrow. We have to move or we'll be caught by the plague, too."

Gwen huffed. "Where will we go?"

"You'll see." Astra shouted, "Bengal, hurry along now!"

"You know – it's not – easy – getting Sparrow – up." Bengal panted, dragging the mourning dove to the kitchen. He bellowed, startling Sparrow. "GET UP, SPARROW!"

"Whaaa!" Sparrow landed on his backside, alarmed. "What did I do?"

"What you always do. Annoy us." Bengal told him, not pleased. "Come on! Middle-earth awaits!"

"If we ever find it." Gwen doubted.

Bengal laughed. "We will, dear one. We will."

Gwen huffed a second time. There was nothing for it except to follow her family and her best friend outside the hut. She reached the kitchen window and looked back. This had been her childhood home and now she was leaving it for a land she hardly knew. So much for her mischievous streak. Now, she really would have to rely on her instincts, in order to get out of this mess. She stared at the hut one last time, before departing with her family away from the hut and into the first town they saw.

.

A bluebird flew through the gentle breezes. It was so still, what with all the rats invading Europe. Surely, this little bluebird could survive the trip… too late! Gwen snatched it and ate the bird whole.

She was starving. It had been a week since her parents and Sparrow left their owners' home. Already, the very thought of dying from starvation was not something the grey tabby cat had in mind. Not from her or her family. But times were hard and she needed to keep an open mind on finding a new home.

"Now, why did you do that for?" Sparrow complained. "He was perfectly alright without you hurting him!"

"He didn't talk." Gwen told him, stunned. "Look, don't panic. Everything's going to be fine." She added, "Father's on a breakthrough. He says we're close to uncovering that textbook he's been looking for."

"It's called an enchanted book." Bengal rushed by her side. He too was thin. "Also, I found it."

"You did!" Gwen cried out in excitement. "Where?"

"Shush!" Bengal quieted her down. "We found it, but we have to move quickly. The portal will stay open for as long as needed. We have to leave. Now."

Gwen, not knowing what else to do, followed Sparrow and her father. They made a breakthrough. They just didn't count on entering a tavern called The Enchanted Rose. Getting into the dining room was easy. Gwen's family gathered around in one corner of the room, as if waiting for something to happen. She craned her head the moment the innkeeper approached her mother, carrying a book.

He set the book down on the floor, tilted against the back of the desk. Quietly, he told the cats and the bird, "Good luck," and walked away.

Gwen's brow furrowed in confusion. Was that really supposed to happen? "Who is he? Why did he just let us use his book?" She turned her attention to her mother, who flipped through the book's pages. "What are you doing?"

"I have to find the right page." Astra said, concern dwelling on her face.

"Find it quickly, before someone suspects what we're doing." Bengal said in haste.

"Huh?" Gwen asked, more confused.

After eight years of living in the Late Middle Ages, Gwen hadn't expected this. What was she doing? Going away from home? Then again, the plague took away her owners. She was punished for eating a non-talking bird – no offense to her bird friend – and now this! When did the Dark Ages ever do her favors? Nothing. Now she was going to travel to a new home that she hardly knew, but heard about.

Could things get better or worse? Maybe her mischievous streak would return someday. As of this moment, her mother found the right page and dived into the book's light. Her father and Sparrow followed, leaving her alone. She took one last look around the inn. It was now or never.

Gathering her wits, Gwen moved towards the book and touched its pages with her paw. A spout of golden-brown light enveloped her. The light was so bright she couldn't tell night from day.

Then there was silence.

*.*.*

Thanks for reading. :)