Chapter 2: Journey

Even as the summer faded into fall and the leaves began to dry out and fall from the trees, the little family was just as happy as ever.

Though they were poor, they still had enough to sustain them through the winter. They holed themselves up in their little home with a warm fire, hot cups of tea, and lots of books.

Petunia would amuse herself with the loom, on which she would make numerous scarves, blankets and sweaters for all of them. Julian would read, and, if the sun emerged, Lily would play in the snow, just happy to be outside.

But…

One day near the beginning of January, Petunia fell ill. She would cough and cough, but insist that she was absolutely fine and go about her chores. As she got steadily sicker, her family became more and more worried.

Finally, their father made a decision.

When Petunia fell into another fitful sleep, he called Lily and Julian over to him. Taking their hands in his, he told them what he was going to do.

"I am going to go to London," he said to them, "that's where all the best doctors are. The ones who can heal Petunia..."

"But father," Lily said, "London is so far!"

"How will you get there?" Julian asked.

"I'll manage, somehow," he said, smiling. "You two just need to worry about keeping Petunia together until I get back."

"You're right father," Lily sighed sadly, "She needs help."

"I'll be back as soon as I can." He said, hugging them both tightly, "now, Julian, would you help me pack some my things? I'd like to leave in the morning."


He set out the next day, helping Julian saddle Belle in the chill of the early morning. Once all was ready, he turned to his eldest child, his son.

"Take good care of your sisters Julian. Keep them warm and safe."

Julian straightened to his fullest height and said, "I will father. Petunia is going to be fine."

"Good man," He said, "Kiss them for me. Please?" he pressed his lips to his son's head and climbed into the saddle, stealing one last glance at his home before nudging the horse and beginning his journey.


He had not traveled for over a day when snow began to fall. Soon, all was dusted in brilliant white, and the wind became cold and bitter. He wrapped his cloak tighter around his shoulders and tried to block the fierce wind.

After days of traveling through the harsh weather, he came to the conclusion that he had become lost. He had been riding through dark woods, pushing himself and the horse to keep going even when they were at the brink of exhaustion. The already terrible cold had developed into a blizzard, or so it seemed to him. He was so tired that he had become delirious…

At last, a light in the distance caught his eye. He urged the horse forward, a feeling of excitement and relief spreading through him. Soon, he came upon a tall cast-iron gate and his hopes all flew away with the icy wind. This was no village.

It was a castle.

A tall, dark bastion stood before him, his only chance of shelter for days. He had to choice but to enter.

He dismounted and as he approached the gate it swung open of its own accord. He cautiously led Belle though and the gate closed with a barely heard clang. As they moved towards the enormous double-doors they too swung open by some unseen force. He tethered Belle just outside the doors and stepped inside.

He wandered through the entrance hall and through a tall archway into a dark, warm room lit by a roaring fire. A magnificent feast was laid before two colossal wing-backed armchairs on a dark wood table.

Far too tired to feel at all suspicious of the perfect meal, he took a seat in the armchair and ate until his hunger was sated. As he ate, he faced the empty chair opposite him and wondered when his host would arrive, if he would. Soon he began to feel sleepy and rose to find a place to sleep.

As he again walked into the entrance where his horse had been tied, he found that she was gone. He was frantic until he found a small note pinned to the tether that read:

Your horse has been taken to the stables. She will be taken care of.

The note was not signed, but he took no heed of this. His exhaustion had hindered his common sense and he dismissed it.

He wandered down a hallway until he reached a bedchamber that seemed freshly prepared. He washed his face in the wash-bin and fell into the soft bed, slipping into a peaceful, dreamless sleep.

Upon awakening he was startled by his surroundings. He slowly began to remember the previous night, and relaxed. He slipped out of the bed and walked to the window, unsurprised to see the grounds of the castle completely covered by snow. He frowned, however, when his sights fell upon a peculiar area that looked untouched. He left the window.

He dressed quickly and left his room in search of the castle's occupant. He was unsuccessful; it seemed his host did not want to make an appearance.

Not wanting to waste any more time, he hastened to the grand entrance hall where he found his horse, well fed and looking content. He untied her and before leading her outside, he called into the empty castle, "Thank you for your hospitality!"

He mounted his horse and as she trotted through the fresh snow he remembered the area of the castle grounds that had appeared untouched by the snow. He decided to try and find it, either to thank his host who might be there, or to find something for his ailing daughter. He urged Belle in the direction he thought it was.

He soon reached the edge of what looked like a wild forest. He noticed that the snow was thinner within the trees, and although it was probably a result of the thick canopy of the trees, he plunged forward. Soon he had to dismount and lead Belle through the trees, occasionally stopping to untangle his cloak from the brambles below the trees.

Without warning the trees suddenly ended and he found himself in an enormous clearing filled to the brim with flowers. There were blossoms of every kind imaginable here, from daisies to irises. A whole half of the garden was devoted to roses of every color; yellow, white, pink, purple, orange…

At the very center of this beautiful arrangement grew a single bush of blood red roses. They were the most exquisite flowers he had ever seen in his life, and he was mesmerized by them. He carefully made his way to the bush, never taking his eyes off it.

Upon reaching it, he again came to his senses. This must be a magical plant! He thought, maybe it can help Petunia. I'm sure my host won't mind if I take just one… and with a tremulous hand, he reached out and plucked the nearest blossom.

A terrible roar suddenly filled the clearing and he stumbled to the ground in shock. An enormous lion leapt from the shadow of the trees and crouched before him. It was as tall as a horse, its fur the color of dark amber. A wild mane surrounded a menacing face with the black eyes of an animal. And yet somehow, the eyes held a spark of humanity in them.

It roared again and bared its massive teeth.

"How DARE you?" it demanded in a deep rumbling snarl, shocking him with its ability to speak, "I treat you hospitably, give you food and a place to sleep, and this is how you repay me?"

"I'm so sorry!" he cried, holding his hands before his face as the beast stalked towards him.

"Apologies cannot grow a flower," the beast rumbled angrily, "You will pay the price for your greed."

"No!" he begged, "I just wanted a flower to bring to my daughters!"

The lion paused

"Please, hospitable creature," he pleaded, "my family is poor, and my eldest daughter is ailing, I set out to find help for her. I merely hoped that this magical flower, still blooming in the dead of winter, might be able to save her."

The beast raised its magnificent head. "I am merciful, but not to such an extent as to let you leave without repaying me. I will allow you to return home with three chests of gold and jewels to give to your family. In a two week's time, I will come for your payment." The lion turned suddenly and disappeared into the dark trees.

He sat trembling on the floor of the garden for another ten minutes, trying to collect himself. Three chests of gold and jewels...that will surely save my children. But…. Payment? What could the lion want? Surely… suddenly, a bout of terror racked his body, He intends to kill me. Well… if it will save my children… So be it. He locked his jaw resignedly.

Having come to terms with his fate, he rose steadily to his feet. He found Belle standing near the edge of the garden, chewing contentedly on some grass. It seemed that the lion had not frightened her in the slightest.

He rode her out of the forest and when he again reached the expansive grounds of the castle, he glanced towards the large oak doors. He saw a stack of three large chests, which he assumed were meant for him to take. He did not know how one horse would be able to carry them all until he tried to lift one and found it light enough for him to lift with a single hand. He strapped them onto the horse's back and walked alongside her leaving the castle behind without a backward glance.


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