The Return to Innocence

A fanfiction by MushrooomsPTook

Disclaimer: I own nothing. You might as well say it owns me!

And the Mome Raths Outgrabe

If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there. -Lewis Carroll

She was in trouble, and in big trouble at that. It wasn't the first time, but it had been a long while since she'd done something this naughty. But she still didn't quite understand, for she didn't see her art on the walls as something naughty, but very artistic and beautiful. After all, it had been a gift to her two favorite people: Mommy and Daddy. But when they emerged from their night-time room, they were not at all happy. Alayna would never forget the look on their faces before the dreaded interrogation came. Of course, she recognized those questions without hesitation and what they was leading up to. First came the spanking, then the lecture, and then the dreaded chair in the corner of the living room. That was probably the worst, because she was never given anything to do. But what surprised her most about this particular punishment was that Daddy had been the one to spank her. He never spanked her. It was always Mommy, and this greatly upset the little girl. It wasn't too painful, but a real shock. She was very shy around him, probably because he was always away at work, and so Alayna's time was usually spent with Mommy. But today was Saturday, and that meant that Daddy would not be at work. Well, not really away at work, for there was now plenty to do at home.

Mommy and Daddy were busy scrubbing the walls for most of the morning, just after Alayna had received her punishment from Daddy. After her beautiful art had been stripped from the walls, Alayna was instructed to sit in the corner while Daddy supervised and Mommy took up some much needed rest.

While Alayna sat, she leaned to peak out through the window. It had been snowing all morning, and she knew Christmas would be around soon. But she was no longer the happy girl she'd been earlier that morning. Behind her, she could hear Daddy flipping through the pages of his morning paper, and that's when she started to feel guilty. She knew Daddy had to read the comics as soon as possible, especially right after breakfast, and because of her, he had to wait. She nearly began crying, hoping they were still there. She wondered if there was something she could do to make it up to him. Mommy always said if someone was really sorry, the best way to show it was to tell the person you were wrong. But Alayna was scared. Talking to Daddy was really hard. Would he listen?

At the other end of the room, Jack had finally completed his ritual of skimming through the main headlines and flipped to the last page of the newspaper. It was always such a wonderful feeling to end the morning on a humorous note, especially with all the news being so downcast these days. He took a sip of his coffee and read through one of his favorite ones. He giggled. He knew Miranda thought he could be so ridiculous and somewhat child-like. But then that's why she married him.

1A timid creak behind his newspaper alerted him of a new presence and he poked his head out to see the nervous form of his young daughter coiled up on the chair across from him. Miranda had instructed him to make sure she stayed in the corner for twenty minutes. He glanced at his watch. It had only been five. But honestly, he wasn't really the punishing type, and he tried to avoid it as much as he could. Most times he had been successful when Miranda called for him to "take care of his child"; he usually made a dash for the bathroom at the right moment. But today she'd caught him off guard when she had strategically stretched siran wrap across the door-frame of the bathroom. It had been a brilliant success, and he had no choice now but to oblige.

Jack looked at his troublesome burden quizzically before retreating his head behind the paper, hoping that if he ignored her long enough, she would return to her station. But he could feel her eyes on him and he was starting to feel the heat. He shifted the paper ever so slightly and saw that she had indeed not moved. Jack quickly put his paper back into its reading position, and bit his lip nervously, but he eventually found his eyes were steering right off the paper and onto the form across the chair. She shifted hesitantly in her seat and it was clear she had something on her mind.

Jack sighed. He knew there would be no getting anywhere with this paper and he surrendered it to the table top. Across from him, Alayna sighed and let her hands flop on the table as well. Jack raised his eyebrow, sniffed, and scratched his nose, while leaning back into the chair. Alayna sniffed, too, though not so loud, and also scratched her nose. Was she...copying him? Seriously? To test it out, he put his hand on his chin while the other lay flat on the table. Cautiously, but with a twinkle of mischief in her eyes, Alayna followed suit.

"Ahem," coughed Jack, and changed arms.

"A-hem," echoed Alayna. And she too switched her arms.

Jack had to admit that he had never felt as close to his daughter as he wished, but still, he had to fight hard to suppress the smirk that was developing on his face. To hide it, in fact, he held up both hands in front of his eyes. He waited, and then peeked through his fingers. Alayna had done the same. He put his hands down. Alayna cautiously peered over her fingertips, and seeing that Daddy's hands were no longer in front of his face, she put hers down. Jack's lips twitched and up went his hands again. Alayna was quick as she threw her hands up, and a tiny giggle escaped. Jack noticed and when he put his hands down again, there was a smile on his face. Alayna put her hands down, too, but just as she did, up went Daddy's again. This time there was a clear laugh from the girl as she mimicked him again. But he was getting quicker, so that Alayna struggled to keep up with his timing.

UP

DOWN

UP

DOWN

UP

DOWN
UP

DOWN

DOWN

Alayna had been taken quite by surprise when she had accidentally thrown her hands up in front of her face again when Daddy didn't. He cocked his eyebrow at her, clearly enjoying the game, and when Alayna let out a gasp, that's when he went for her. Alayna jumped off her chair in an instant and ran across the room, squealing as she headed straight for the best and only escape: the front door. Thankfully, Daddy was particularly slow and it gave her just enough time to swing the door open and dart out into the cool breeze. But once she was out, he was right on her heels. How did Daddy do that? First he was slow, and next he was right on top of her! Mommy had always been able to do the same thing whenever they played "tag" together.

In an instant, Jack caught Alayna up in his arms as he gave a ferocious growl, and she screamed and laughed. In his excitement, he fell down against the snow and allowed his daughter's weight to shift him onto his back, being extra careful to keep her high overhead. Together they let out their screams and laughter, while Daddy pulled Alayna into a tight bear hug. Alayna wasn't really sure how to respond to this unexpected act, but she knew she liked it very much, and kissed his cheek. Jack, quite surprised at the affection, smiled warmly.

"I sowwy," whispered Alayna.

Jack's brows furrowed. "Whatever for?"

"Fow dwawing pictows on da wah."

Daddy smiled brightly, but Alayna couldn't understand why. He did not reply, but deepened the embrace, holding her close against his chest. "You are precious to me, dear one."


My face felt cool as the air caressed my cheek. I stirred, not really sure if I was asleep or awake, for although there was no sound of rain, the flesh on my face felt drenched. Very nonchalantly, I used my shoulder as a towel and let out a heavy sigh as I settled back into my bedding. A few seconds later, I again felt the slimy, soppy wetness that had previously made its mark and I groaned, turning onto my stomach to evade the unwelcome morning kisses. The next thing I felt was something slithery and slimy slip into my ear. I shrieked and sat up, scrubbing at my ear desperately with my palm. And there she was, standing there in the doorway of the tent, tail swishing eagerly, and tongue moistening her lips, ready to show me more affection.

"Ugh," I groaned. "Nutmeg. You dumb animal, get off me!"

She let out a soft neigh and bobbed her head impatiently, but I only sat there stupidly, still drying my ear, and wondering why she was bothering me of all people. "I don't understand, Nutmeg. I can't speak horse."

I knew there would be no more sleep for me, especially with this pony around, and I began to pull myself off the ground. Unfortunately, the pain in my stiff legs made it a challenge enough and Marian and Alice were still asleep, so I had to do my best to maneuver around them quietly. Of course, Nutmeg made it a little difficult, considering she felt comfortable standing in the only exit out of the tent. But with a few choice words and an encouraging push, I managed to get her to back up.

Just outside, nestled between both tents, was Charming. His neck was curled up and bill tucked under a wing in sleep. He really did look adorable, and I wanted to pat him a bit, but doing so would wake him, so I distracted myself by stretching my aching limbs and trying to rub the soreness out of my legs. Behind me, Nutmeg huffed impatiently and snorted into my ear. I pushed her face away and walked over to Marian's pack. It had been left outside the tent and I knew she had some fresh fruit packed inside for the road. But I figured she wouldn't notice one missing. The four horses were standing in a group watching me. Their reigns had been tied to a large branch of one of the biggest trees the night before, but now they seemed to be getting restless, especially Strawberry. I pulled out an apple and showed it to Nutmeg, hoping that an extra treat would calm her down. After all, there had been plenty of grass. She sniffed the apple, but that was it. Strawberry began a great deal of noise and I did my best to shush him. I again showed Nutmeg the fruit, but she began to stamp her hooves in a rather playful manner.

Strawberry then neighed loudly and I rushed over to him, holding the apple straight in front of me. He sniffed it, and his interest was immediately drawn to the scent. In the meantime, my neck was itching from the chain that I bore around my neck. It usually did every couple days, especially when I wore it as often as I had this past week. I fervently scratched my skin and adjusted the ring around the chain, and it glimmered in the early morning sun.

Strawberry suddenly withdrew his snout and reared up, making an awful noise and kicking his legs in the air. Nutmeg, who had followed me over to the horses, became so spooked, that she darted off in a sprint that left me frazzled. I blinked at Strawberry, then glanced at the galloping pony, and then began chasing the runaway animal while shouting at her to come back. It did no good, however, for she wasn't one to ever respond to her name, let alone ever know that you were speaking to her. She took me for quite a loop, making me leap over fallen trees, and dodge stray boulders. But finally, I caught up with her when she'd been walled in by an extraordinary large tree that had been uprooted.

I stopped for a moment to catch my breath before staggering toward her. I was starting to see a pattern of unexpected workouts in the early mornings and I was beginning to dread what tomorrow had to offer me. At one point, while calling her name, I coughed when my legs when out from underneath me, and I stumbled down a small step in the earth only to take another step up moments later.

"Nutmeg! You...are a...bad pony!" I panted, shaking my finger at her, which she followed with interest as she sputtered out snorts of excitement. "Very bad pony! Now come here, and don't you even think about running off again!" I snatched her reigns irritatedly to demonstrate my fury and began to lead her back to the camp. "If you are doing this to get some form of attention, then congratulations, you're getting it." Behind me, Nutmeg butted her nose against my back, prompting me to nearly lose my footing. I froze there for a moment, eyes thrown back in a glare. "Okay, obviously, this is just a game to you—and I don't know why I'm still talking to you." Nutmeg nickered softly behind me and my eyes fell onto the large pattern in the ground that I'd crossed earlier.

...

"Charming, Charming!" I cried, entering our camp. The swan was awake but his head was buried under a wing, grooming it gingerly. "Charming!" I cried louder. Thankfully it got his attention, but the noise must have woken Marian as well, for she promptly came out from one of the tents, looking pale and distant.

"Alayna," she croaked, "why are you running? And why is Nutmeg with you?"

"I can explain that later, but right now, I need Charming to come with me!"

"Me?" asked Charming. "Now?"

"Yes, now is actually the ideal time." Marian wrapped a cloak around her and shivered, and she looked as though she wasn't comprehending the urgency. "Are you okay, Marian?"

She shivered again, although this time, it was more of an attempt to shake off what had just possessed her. "I'm fine, Alayna. This place, is it far?"

"Not too far. If you go through that path just between the trees, it opens up into a wide space. There will be some fallen trees and stones. What I need to show you, you can't miss."

"So it's walking distance?"

I nodded. "But we'll probably want to move out immediately."

She nodded and then turned her gaze on the swan. "Charming, why don't you and Alayna go on up ahead? I'll round up everyone and the horses, and we'll meet you there."

...

"Charming!" I called up. The swan looked down at me from within the tall trees and put a wing to his ear. "What do you think?"

"Ehhh... well, it's big."

I waited for the swan to continue, but nothing else came from the trees. "Yeah, that doesn't help...at all, really. Would you care to elaborate on that?"

Charming hesitated. "It's...big."

I rolled my eyes. "Hey, Charming? We've already got the size covered. What else about it?" The swan craned his neck forward, as if to get a closer look. He then put his wings together and then slowly spread them apart, while gliding across the branch. A twig snapped and Charming lost his footing, but quickly recovered by fluttering on a sturdier branch higher up. "Be careful!" I called.

"Alayna," he shouted. "I don't think this was made by any creature you or I have heard of. Look to your right—I mean left." I did. "That's the print you were worried about, right?"

"Correct!" I shouted back.

"Okay, now if you look about five paces north of it, you'll find some more tracks near the grass."

I bent down and looked closely at the markings Charming referred to. I found them, and this discovery was more startling than the previous one. If dinosaurs still walked the earth, I would have blamed these tracks on a smaller T-Rex, for there were large reptilian toe markings with claw prints on the tips of each. "Charming!" I called out. "These are footprints!"

"Yes!" the swan called back. "I think this larger print is where the creature spent the night."

"Spent the night—here? This is its body?"

"I think so," shouted Charming. "And whatever it is..."

"It's big," I finished, nodding.

The sound of approaching hooves caused me to stand up again. Melchior, Marian, and Alice were just arriving on their horses, with empty-saddled Snowdrop and Nutmeg following behind. As Melchior was the first to arrive onto the scene, he quickly showed a face of concern and dismounted his horse hastily, even before the black brute came to a full stop. He limped forward and knelt at the edge of the enlarged imprint within the ground. Behind him, Alice and Marian also dismounted and edged forward with caution.

"What is it?" asked Alice, peering over his shoulder.

Melchior stuck his finger in the ground and let it rest there for several moments. Then he retreated his finger and put it in his mouth. Alice threw me a disgusted glance, which I returned with a shrug.

"Is there more?" he asked me.

"Uh, over here," I gestured to the edge of the path. "Charming and I found these tracks. They're footprints of some kind."

Alice and Marian quickly followed Melchior and I, now drawn by curiosity. Alice peered down at the tracks, mouth agape. "Dinosaurs!" she gasped.

"No, deary. That is not a dinosaur." Melchior put a hand within his traveling cloak and withdrew a handkerchief, with which he dabbed his forehead nervously. "I've only seen these same tracks once."

"And?" I awaited, anxiously.

"And at roughly twenty-five feet long, this creature would gladly make a meal out of any one of us."

I swallowed. "Okay, that is big."

"And probably ugly, too," added Alice.

Melchior's horse whinnied nervously and he turned his head over his shoulder, saying, "It's okay, Casper." He then made eye contact with Marian. "These tracks are fresh. We need to go now."

He hurried to his feet and saddled his horse hastily. Alice and I were quick to follow, although it took me more than once to mount up Snowdrop's back. My legs were more sore than I had originally anticipated and the pain between my thighs caused me to wince. Charming fluttered down from the trees and joined me on Snowdrop. There was no delay as Melchior began to lead us, and I could tell he was anxious.

It wasn't long before our road began to widen and the trees spread out along with it. All four horses and Nutmeg came to a stop, and I had to lean over to my right to see what had caused the hold up. Marian guided Strawberry to stand next to Casper, and together they studied the dilemma. The path split into two, one veering off to the left, and one to the right. I gave Snowdrop a nudge with my knees, in hopes of prompting her to move up, but she did not budge.

"Which road do we take?" Marian asked. The man looked left and right, as if caught surprised by the incision. "Melchior?"

"Um," he stuttered. "I...don't..." I continued to beckon Snowdrop to walk, even going so far as shake the reigns desperately, but she stood there stubbornly.

Alice, leaned forward on Pepper and cocked her head. "Does anyone hear water?"

"Why, yes!" said Marian. "That must be the river. Surely, we must follow it."

Alice nodded in agreement. "That's what my dad always said when we went hiking together. He said you always follow a stream, especially if you're lost."

"Very well," Melchior answered. "We will go left. Let's move on."

The horses began to move on again, but as Snowdrop began walking forward, something shimmered in the ground under the sunlight. Without thinking, I dismounted the white horse and knelt down to retrieve the discovery.

"Alayna?" said Charming. "What are you doing?" He fluttered to the ground next to me. "What is it?"

I sighed. "A fork. It's a fork in the road." I looked up at the line of horses and then looked to my right, where the empty road stared back at me. "Stop. Stop!" I called out.

Ahead, the procession came to a halt and all three of my companions turned in their seats. "What is it now, Miss Porter?" asked Melchior. "We need to get out of these woods as soon as possible."

I licked my lips nervously under his hard gaze. "I think...I think we should follow the road to the right."

"What?" demanded Marian, trotting forward on Strawberry. "Alayna, the river runs this way. I think it would be wise to follow it."

I breathed cautiously. "And under normal circumstances, I would agree with you. But in this case, I think following this other path might be wiser."

"Oh really?" asked Melchior, haughtily. "And what makes you think the other path is the better choice?"

I rubbed the nape of my neck nervously. "Well, it's more of a feeling than a thought, I admit, but—"

"Feeling?" Melchior suddenly jumped down from Casper and came to stand in front of me. "Let me tell you about feelings, Miss Porter. You don't feel when you're in the wilderness like this. It's weak. Weak and ignorant. Feelings are for the inexperienced wanderers and the cowards. And you know what, after two days with you, despite all the tales and stories, I can see that you're no different." If I could have seen past Melchior's wart-ridden face, I would have noticed my cousin glaring furiously at the man, but I was too surprised and shocked to look anywhere else. "Now, put your feelings aside and tell me why you think we should follow your path."

I clenched my sweaty fists, trying to come up with a reasonably answer. "I...I don't know!"

"Well," said Melchior. "I think that's reason enough to continue our current path, is it not?"

I curled my lip. "No."

"Come again?"

"I don't know how, but that other road is dangerous. If we follow it, sooner or later we're going to come into trouble."

Melchior smirked. "Very well, deary. How about we settle it with a vote?" He turned to the others. "All those in favor of staying to the left, raise your hands." To my surprise, everyone except Charming rose their arms, including Alice. I gave her a shocked look.

"I'm sorry, Alayna," she apologized sheepishly. "But I have to agree with Melchior on this. Following a river is always a good idea, and...well, you've just been having a hard time adjusting to the outdoors...I...I just think—"

"No, no. I get it," I growled. "You've all made it quite clear, all except you, Charming. I'm glad to know I have at least some support." Charming opened his mouth, but closed it hesitantly.

"Well, I think that settles it, don't you, Miss Porter?" Melchior asked, remounting Casper. "You can go your own path if you'd like, but you'll be without the protection of the company."

"That's all right," I said confidently, getting up on Snowdrop's back once more. "I actually want to be there when you all see that I was right. You might even need saving yourselves!"

Melchior gave me a doubtful smirk while Alice and Marian shared wary glances. As the horses started up again, I tossed the fork where I had found it, and adjusted my armor so that I had ready access to my sword.


We had been riding for about an hour with Melchior leading the way and Charming and I bringing up the rear. It seemed that we were going faster than the morning, for Melchior was anxious to get out of the woods. For a while, I was starting to believe that I had been wrong about the path we'd been following, and in a way, I'd been hoping we would have come across something terrible by now. But the sun was steadily shining without so much as a cloud passing over us that I became irritable and moody. Even the trees were full of life and springing forth songs of wildlife and insects.

Melchior cast a glance at me from up ahead. "What do you think of your feelings now, Miss Porter?"

I said nothing, but looked away. When I looked back, Alice was staring at me, her apologetic eyes full of pity. But I didn't want her pity, nor did I want an apology. Instead deep down, something dark in me wanted her to feel sorry, and I relished in it, going so far as to remain emotionless, and I broke eye contact immediately.

After a time, we came into a deeper part of the woods, where the trees began to crowd around us. The path narrowed immensely, so that single file was necessary. The sunlight went in and out between the trees until after a time, it was cut off from the mass of leaves above us. The air now felt chilly and as the path descended down a slope, so did the last ray of sunshine. The songs within the forest, too, had mellowed, and were eventually lost when we entered a cloud of fog.

By and by, our journey became slower, for the further in we went, the more difficult the pass. Even Melchior did not hold the confidence that he so aired earlier, and as the guide, it began to affect all of us. The horses were restless and began to neigh anxiously, but none more than Strawberry. He seemed to have a sixth sense and the way he snorted and carried on made me wonder if he was shouting a warning.

After a time, Melchior pulled us to a stop beside an extraordinarily large tree. He did not make eye contact with anyone, but turned his head left and right, peering warily through the heavy fog.

"What is it?" asked Marian.

"I...I don't know. We should be out of these woods by now. It's almost as if we've been going in circles."

"Maybe we are," said Alice.

Charming craned his neck and whispered into my ear. "Are we lost?"

I shrugged, sighing and shaking my head. "I don't know, but I get the distinct feeling that we're not alone." Even if we were lost, the last person anyone would look for advice was me, and I was getting used to it quickly.

While Melchior and Marian studied their map in lowered voices, the rest of us sat in uncomfortable silence. The morning was disappearing quickly, and only the sounds of flies buzzing around was heard. It seemed the longer we lingered in the woods, the cooler and darker it became, and soon I was struggling with my pack to pull out the traveling cloak Marian had lent me. Alice had done the same and she cradled herself in the warm fabric, looking around anxiously.

"Jub-Jub!"

Marian and Melchior stopped talking and now joined Alice and I as we turned our heads frantically at the sound.

"Jub-Jub!"

High in the branches of the large tree perched a bird that looked very similarly to a vulture, only its neck was longer and its beak larger. It was staring at us through great big eyes as it bobbed its head in a circular motion. "Jub-Jub!" it cried.

I leaned into Charming while keeping both eyes firmly planted on the bird. "Cousin of yours?"

"N-None that I've ever met," the swan replied.

The bird suddenly spread its large wings, stretched its neck, and let out several loud squawks that echoed throughout the forest. The horses began to whinny as they stamped their hooves restlessly. A wind picked up and began to swirl around us, stirring up leaves, twigs, and dirt. As it became violent, the horses began panicking, and even Marian couldn't calm Strawberry's wild cries. Above, the large fowl continued its frightful display.

"Swords drawn everyone!" shouted Melchior, and to my surprise, he gripped his cane, twisted and pulled, and out of it came a long, thin blade. "There is some evil at work in these woods."

The rest of us followed Melchior and readied our weapons, but no sooner had I unsheathed my sword than the forest suddenly stilled itself. The wind died, dropping all the leaves with it, and the bird overhead went quiet, tucking its wings back the way they had been.

"What was that about?" asked Charming.

Alice sighed, putting her sword away. "I don't know, but I'm glad it's over."

Behind us, the sound of a leaf stirred. Melchior, turned in his seat, looking over his shoulder. I followed him and looked behind me. More leaves began to rustle, but this time there was no wind. This time, it was something far worse, and my gut told me to run.

"It's not over yet," said Melchior.

There was now a fluid stream of sound coming from the leaves, and they danced on the ground floor, as if something was marching over them. And as it grew closer, it became apparent that whatever was causing this noise was an army, an army of legs.

Alice peered at the approaching danger. "Is that a..."

2Out of the fog, the nemesis army scurried towards us in numbers beyond count. It was a black swarm of spiders, each the size of a baseball, and each line followed by another.

"Stampede," finished Marian. "Run!"

Nutmeg did not need further encouragement, and she was the first to dart ahead of the company. The rest of the horses, full of an energy of anxiety, pursued after the pony. The fog refused to lift, and so it was a blind chase, and I was thankful that Snowdrop could see well enough to dodge the oncoming obstacles. I looked behind me several times, each time discouraged to see the army of spiders keeping up with our speed.

On and on we were blindly chased, deeper into the fog and into the unknown. Snowdrop's speed was driven by fear, and I soon realized that her panic had not drawn her closer to the company, but had caused her to run in any direction that provided an opportunity for a way out. I squinted my eyes, peering through the fog to look for any sign of my companions. But in my effort, I neglected to see the oncoming branch and before I knew it, I had been knocked to the ground, and Snowdrop had carried on without me. I did my best to pull myself up under the weight of the throbbing pain. But I was disoriented and I could only scurry backwards when I saw the approaching army. They immediately began to surround me, stopping once to size me up, before closing in. I curled myself into a ball and wrapped the cloak around me protectively.

All of the sudden, there was a blast and it sent the closest group of spiders into the air. The others screeched and danced to avoid the area that had damaged part of their troops, but it did not deter them completely. Instead, they grew angry and charged furiously at me. But another blast, bigger and more colorful, caused the army to panic. A white streak flew over the army and unleashed a series of droppings onto the frantic spiders, immobilizing them. It was Charming. A third and final blast caused the earth to split, and the few spiders that did not retreat fell into the crack. I almost went with them, but an arm came out of the fog and pulled me up.

"You'd best be more careful, Miss Porter!" said Melchior. He was holding onto Snowdrop's reigns. "I can't be expected to protect you all the time." He handed me the reigns just as Charming flew to the ground alongside more of the trees.

"Well," he said, fluffing his feathers, "that should see off the rest of that nasty lot." He shuddered. "I've never quite liked the idea of spiders."

Alice chuckled. "I don't think they like the idea of you either, Charming, or your breakfast."

There was a moment of laughter among the companions, before the uncomfortable silence hit again. Melchior glanced nervously up at the trees. "I think it's about time we get out of these woods."

"And I think it's about time we apologize to Alayna," said Marian. "She warned us, but we didn't listen."

I shrugged, getting up on Snowdrop's saddle. "It's all right. I just want to be done with this place. Everything about it is unsettling, the creatures, the sounds, the smells."

Alice scrunched up her nose. "Yes, what is that smell?"

Marian sniffed the air. "I smell it, too. Is that you, Charming? I mean, you did leave an awful mess behind."

The swan shook his head fervently. "No, that isn't me. Smells like...like dragon breath."

Just behind the swan, high in the trees, a great glob of goo slowly trickled its way down and coated Charming's left wing. He ruffled his feathers and then looked down to see the goo spread around him. He shrieked and flapped his wings in an attempt to shake off the unearthly substance.

Melchior peered suspiciously at the trees and froze. "Everyone, don't move."

3I slowly raised my head in the direction of Melchior's gaze. A large, round snout appeared through the leaves, and a snarling mouth came into view, bearing two fine rows of long dagger-like teeth. As it pushed itself out of the branches, the creature digested the scene through red fiery eyes. Still on the ground, Charming lifted his head and, seeing the giant monster behind him, panicked. He immediately flew into the air, unfortunately catching the creature's attention. It opened its jaws and snapped at the swan, who managed to escape just in time.

"Can we move now?" I shouted as the horses went into panic mode.

"GO!" Melchior ordered.

The horses immediately set out again, faster than before, and I looked over my shoulder to see a dark dragon-like creature emerge from the trees and give chase. The thing's massive arms and legs flattened everything in its path as it roared after us, and suddenly it withdrew one of its arms and threw it towards us, releasing a series of claws, one of which just missed Snowdrop's ear. I watched as a new set of claws formed, and frustrated by its failure, the monster began to use its wings to help it further ahead.

"It's gaining on us!" Alice cried.

"Keep moving!" came Melchior's response from up ahead. "We'll use the brute's size against it!"

Melchior led us through an obstacle of foliage and brush, and even though it was difficult enough to navigate, it was nothing to the massive beast, and it was drawing ever closer. It was close enough to me already that I could see its air breathing out of its nostrils. It opened its jaws and a loud snarl escaped, making me cringe.

Ahead, Melchior turned in his saddle and threw a powdery substance at the ground just behind me. There was an explosion that caused the surrounding trees to become uprooted. They fell just before the beast, blocking the passage. The creature roared in frustration as it tried to find away around the barrier. But this allowed me enough to regroup with the others and get ahead.

As we continued in haste, our path took us up a gradual slope, but when we turned a sharp corner, it came to an abrupt end. We collided together, horses and all, and everyone began to look for an exit, but the only one in sight was barred by a hill. But although it wasn't large, it was very steep and would take more energy to get over than any of the horses could handle. That didn't stop us from trying, though, and while each person attempted to pass over the steep slope, Charming once again took to the skies in an effort to catch a glimpse at the area around us. A distant cry was heard and it was evident that the beast had made its way around the obstacle.

"Now may be an appropriate time to panic!" bellowed Charming.

The footsteps of the dark beast shook the earth as it approached, and just started to come into view before Marian started to claw at the forest wall. "There's no way out!" cried Marian. "We're trapped. Melchior, do something!"

Obediently, Melchior leapt off of Casper, bending down to the ground to scoop up a handful of dirt. He rubbed it together rapidly before tossing it at the creature. Nothing happened.

Desperate, I also began to try to climb over, but I fell back to the earth. It was then that I noticed the fog was beginning to lift. I looked up through the trees, and could see the faint color of blue skies overhead. "Aslan..." I cried softly. "Help us."

The giant dragon-like monster was nearly upon us now, and as I turned back to look at the approaching beast, a bright blue butterfly, outlined in a shade of gold and brown danced before my eyes. It fluttered past me but I was so suddenly captivated by its beauty that I followed after it. It continued to dance, leading me up a part of the slope no one thought to try. Behind me, Snowdrop obediently followed, prompting the others to be led up over the slope as well. And suddenly, we were out, out of the forest, the darkness, and into the welcoming sunlight. The great beast had followed us, too, but when it got a view of the sunlight, it gave an agonizing cry and retreated back into the trees.

Dazed, I collapsed onto the dry ground, clutching the ring around my neck. The others also took a moment to catch their breaths after the darkness had passed.

"What was that thing? Was it a dragon?" Alice asked.

Melchior stared at the forest grimly. "No. That is no dragon. It's the Jabberwocky." He looked at the back of his hands and turned them over to examine the palms, and then rubbed his wrist.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"My powers," he replied. "They're leaving me." He gave me a concerned look, but looked away shortly after. "Come. We need to move on. The Jabberwocky will be back, and we still have a long journey ahead of us."


A/N – I hope this wasn't too long of a chapter. I didn't know whether to separate it into two chapters or not, but here it is anyway. Hope everything turned out all right.

1Soundtrack How to Train Your Dragon (John Powell) - "Forbidden Friendship"

2Soundtrack The Mummy Returns (Alan Silvestri) - "Pygmy Attack"

3Soundtrack The Village (James Newton Howard) - "Those We Don't Speak Of"