Ch. 12 In Which There is Much Ado About the Witch's Slipper

Prince Jax bowed gracefully to her as they paused in the entryway of the inn's common room. "I asked around and discovered this inn to be the better of the two for dancing and food the last time I was in this town, I found the reccomendations to be well deserved."

Gildy smiled at the assortment of villagers, merchants and guards, as they maneuvered through the tables. The Prince led her to an empty table and pulled out the small bench "Allow me," he said, pulling it out with a broad grin. Before she had even started to sit he was collapsing into the one across from it. Scooting the little bench back close to the table was a bit awkward with her long skirts so she moved it only a little closer. She smiled wryly at Jax's relaxed, confident posture, and reminded herself that he was after all, a Prince.

"Well now, there are minstrels here tonight with a few dancers. Would you like to dance with me first or dine first, lovely young Witch?"

She looked around the room again considering. While it was lively, it wasn't as full as it had first seemed. Patron's who were leaning across tables to speak with neighbors, and circulating the room had given space a fuller feel. Many of the patrons seemed to share the same kind of pleasant bouyance she was feeling. There was two couples dancing. A young couple and a gray haired man coaching a little girl as she concentrated on keeping her small feet on top of his, her small fists holding to his fingers.

"I think for the moment at least, I would like to sit and watch. It would be more pleasant to dance before dining I think , after I have rested my feet."

"Quite so! Forgive me, I forgot you had spent much of the day walking before we were discovered." A tired but cheerful woman bustled up to them and the Prince gave her a charming smile. "For the time being we would be pleased to have some cool cider, if you have some from the orchard I saw near the town?"

"Yes we do, young Prince, although it is quickly consumed the trees are very fruitful and the supply will last. Do you want bread and soup, maybe some cheese also, to enjoy with the cider?" She smiled at the Prince, then Gildy. Suddenly she was staring in astonishment at Gildy's hat. The woman's expression became guarded even as Gildy smiled broadly back.

"Tsk tsk," The noblewoman's voice rose from the Witch's hat, "you appear to be working quite hard, mistress! Do not fear, this young Witch is quite the good sort you know. She doesn't curse the undeserving. You seem to have little help here, do you not have a husband running the inn? He ought to find you more help."

The woman lowered her eyes and looked at Gildy and the Prince uncertainly. The Princes loose curls shifted and the pixie jumped up. "Boo!"

"Oh!" The poor woman jumped as the pixie giggled and Prince Jax chuckled.

"I'm sorry they have startled you, they meant no harm." Gildy lifted her eyes to look at the underside of her hat brim at the carving's voice again, clearly heard as the minstrels finished a song.

"My you are talkative, aren't you?" She reached up and carefully picked up the carved woman from her hat brim and set her on the table. The little woman smiled up at the server. Gildy looked also and saw tear's in the woman's eyes. Startled, she invited the woman to sit.

"Thank you, kind Witch but I can't, I have work to do," her face was red as she responded.

"Surely you have some help here though? Why don't you sit for a moment and rest?" With wooden hands placed on carved hips the noblewoman firmly pointed to a bench while the Prince and Witch watched in amusement.

"No I cannot, there is just myself and the cook running this inn right now since my husband was killed in a hunting accident, and she has her hands quite full. Now then, I'll bring you that cool cider in but a moment." There was a moment's hesitation as she looked from the carvings to the humans. "How…how many ciders should I bring?"

The Prince spoke up for the first time, "I'm sorry to hear of your loss mistress, I remember your husband well from the last time I visited your inn. For the present two ciders will suffice, we will dine here after some dancing as the young Witch wishes."

"Thank you, your highness, I will be back shortly with the cider." She curtsied and bustled away.

They alternately watched the dancers on the floor and their wooden carvings dancing on the table for a short time. The small wooden animals cavorted more than danced and Gildy couldn't help thinking it was good that Creeper seemed to be off hunting.

"Well then Gildy, would you do me the pleasure of dancing with me now?" The Prince rose and held out a hand has the minstrels struck up another lively song, punctuated by the door opening and closing yet again. More patrons and dancers had been arriving as the sunlight rapidly faded outdoors.

"Thank you, I think I am ready to enjoy dancing now!" Gildy accepted the Prince's hand and carefully moved away from the bench without a tangle of skirts, but rather than leading her to the floor he simply stood holding her hand and considering her thoughtfully for a moment. "What is it?"

"I wonder if I might make a selfish request of you, young Witch, without drawing your ire…"

Curious, Gildy arched a brow in question, "What request might that be?"

He raised his eyes from her dark black and violet dress to her head, then lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed it lightly, "Might I have the pleasure of dancing with the lovely young Witch Gildy as just Gildy the lovely girl? For just a little while, would you be willing to put aside the Witch?"

He smiled into her eyes and she was sure he could see her blush. Still, she hesitated. A Witch, well that's who she was. For the past several years at least, but as he held her hand and smiled like that, she wanted to remember what it was like to just be a girl. She could feel the excitement like a fresh warm energy lightly dancing through her muscles and making her heart pound. Just a girl again, dancing with the Prince. Gildy smiled and slid her free hand into her pocket.

Prince Jax nearly dropped her hand in surprise as the coloring of her dress changed to one of fresh spring and autumn greens, and her walking boots to matching dancing slippers. She removed her hand from the pocket and set the tall Witch's hat on the table.

"Well done young Gildy, those greens are very becoming on you! I will watch over your hat and these rascals." Gildy broke eye contact with the Prince in embarrassment and nodded gratefully to the little wooden figurine surrounded by animals before Jax tugged on her hand to pull her to the dance floor. She answered the Prince's broad grin with one of her own as they joined the couples on the floor in a lively country dance, laughing as they learned the simple dance from the locals.

From the table, the little noblewoman smiled in satisfaction and led the little animals in a dancing line around the table, playing a counter melody on her lute. The pixie flew over and joined them, having abandoned the bobbing post of before. The door opened and closed again and was followed by a few sounds of surprise lost in the sounds of music and dancing feet striking the boards of the floor. Suddenly a lithe black form leapt on to the table and lunged at the pixie. The little wooden figurines scattered in panic, while the pixie simply flew up out of reach and laughed shakily at the kitten.

"Ha! Thought you had us didn't you! Too bad your hunting skills are so undeveloped, little kit!

The innkeeper-for so she must be since her husband died-turned in surprise to see the commotion. "Oh dear! How did a cat get in? I'm terribly sorry! Come here you rascal, come kitty!" The woman moved coaxingly toward Creeper. The black kitten looked and her and started bathing himself.

"Oh! Well I believe his is the young Witch's kitten, although we haven't met him yet. I noticed some black fur on her hat." The noble woman peered out from behind Gildy's hat, the little animals cowering behind her.

"I see," the innkeeper pushed a few tendrils of hair back from her forehead and looked at the kitten, "but if he's going to cause trouble…"

"I wonder if you might carry us and the hat to the fireplace mantle over there by the dancers, wouldn't we be out of his reach? In fact, with that chimney dividing us so neatly you could put us on one side and him on the other."

"Mantle?" She looked thoughtfully at it, only glimpses permitted by the movement of the dancers. "Yes I think that should work, but I hope he won't jump down and be hurt by the dancers."

"I think it may be high enough and busy enough to prevent such, and also we will all be able to watch our Witch and the Prince dance safely."

"Yes, then it's decided."

When she had placed the figurines with the hat, and Creeper on opposite sides of the mantle safely, she rushed back to her duties. Gildy had seen and smiled her thanks after briefly petting Creeper, who now seemed content to watch from his warm vantage point.

The song ended with a flourish and the dancers cheered as they moved off the floor. Gildy paused in front of the minstrels and thanked them for the music. The lute player smiled at her and said, "Lady, you are kind. I'm happy to bring joy to these folk, I lack the talent to perform in the courts. With fine dancers like yourself and the Prince I can imagine I am perhaps better than truth. Thank you for that." He stood and bowed as they set their instruments next to their stools.

Flushed from dancing and a little out of breath, Gildy and the Prince chose the closest vacant table to the fire. The minstrel's were taking a brief rest and the innkeeper was starting a fire. A girl near Gildy's age hesitantly approached the woman, and after they spoke a moment, the woman indicated their table. The girl approached and Gildy saw with surprise it was one of the girl's that had been teased earlier in the day. The girl had asked the innkeeper if she could work for her. She also confided that the handsome stable boy who had defended them worked at the inn as well. He had told her help was badly needed that night.

"I've been working at the newer inn at the edge of town, but he-he isn't a very nice boss, and those twins were his niece and nephew, so when they said it was my fault they were cursed…" Her eyes teared slightly but she lifted her chin defiantly, "I could tell he was going to fire me because he was being really mean, so I quit. I don't care if he pays more, Donna is much nicer."

The young Witch frowned, "So those twins are still causing trouble for you? And the other innkeeper is mean?" Gildy scowled in the direction of the other inn and moved back her bench.

"No, wait!" The girl flushed and lowered her head. "I'm really grateful for your help, but you can't curse everyone who deserves it, and the problem is solved because I left and-well, Donna said she is really happy to have me help, so even if he started being a better boss this still worked out better, for Donna too!"

Gildy blinked at the rush of words and the Prince chuckled, "She's probably right you know, her help will be more appreciated here." Jax addressed the girl, "When I was here about a year ago and-Donna's?-husband was still running the inn, I remember there being only one inn. The other one must have been built and started rather quickly."

"Yes it was," the girl bobbed a curtsy, "When her husband died, mistress became really depressed. The cook tried to do as much as she could by herself, and mistress still did a lot but…When we could come here, it wasn't that happy feeling anymore, it was sad, and quiet. When it lasted more than a couple weeks everyone started coming less. They felt bad, but they wanted a pleasant place to eat and dance at after working all day. So Nimz decided it was a good time to make his own inn. He got some friends and relatives to turn a stable into an inn, and served outside on blankets at first, but it was a happier place and he had good food so everyone started going."

"He didn't charge much at first so they didn't mind the blankets and all, and once they finished making the stable an inn and made a big sign, all the travelling merchants would stop at his place first, and he would buy up all the meat and spices and drink he could from them. So he had better food to offer then too."

"I see, and Donna?" Prince Jax watched Donna bustling out from the kitchen to a patron's table with a smile, the tired look seemingly gone.

"Well she was worried I think, because she had hardly any customers, but she stopped being depressed and started working a lot more again. When she was her self again more people were realizing she was much nicer than Nimz and the minstrels who used to always come here before didn't get along with him so they said they will only play here. Oh! Here she comes! I'm sorry I talked so much! Do you need anything?"

"Yes, would you like more cider? And are you ready to dine now?" Donna beamed at them and gave the girl a one armed hug.

"Mistress, I'm sorry I took so long talking!" The girl lowered here head.

"That's all right Emma, this young Witch is the one whole helped you earlier, isn't she? Of course you should talk to her and thank her. Young Witch, Your Highness, would you care for some soup, bread, and cheese with more cool cider now? I'm afraid the soup doesn't have any meat, we have run out, but it is good and very filling if you'll try it?"

"Because Nimz bought up all the good meat!"

"Emma! Mind your tongue! Please go and see if that table in the corner needs anything." She patted and gently pushed at the girl's shoulder. The girl left with another flushed thank you and curtsy. "Now then, what would you like?"

When the innkeeper left to give the cook their order they looked after her thoughtfully. Prince Jax sighed and leaned back against the wall with a smile. "I am certainly ready for dinner now, dancing always stirs up the appetite. She said it would be a short while to bring us our dinner because the bread and soup are still cooking, would you care to dance a bit more?"

The young Witch smiled at him, and shook her head. "Not yet, I need to rest my feet a bit longer first. But there are a few girls over there who haven't danced yet I think, I'm sure they would be happy to oblige. Then perhaps when my feet are rested you will be a little more tired and I will have an easier time keeping up with you!"

"Keeping up with me indeed! Your steps were quite light and quick I thought, but did I ask too much? Surely you jest?"

Gildy laughed, "Yes, you've caught me, but please do oblige those girls, the minstrels are playing again and their eyes on the floor is like a puppy's eyes at meal time." Prince Jax looked at her for a moment with a small smile, then stood and skirted the dance floor to bow to the girls. Gildy watched the spirited country dances and closed her eyes to savor the pleasant environment and day. She hadn't had so much fun for years, and perhaps since both parents were still alive for dancing. She opened her eyes again and looked at the patrons. It was such a good feeling to be around good people, it was because of them she was able to enjoy just being a girl for a while. Who would have thought it would be a Prince who would have made the whole day so much more fun? She looked up at the wooden figures on the mantle. The little animals were curled up around the noblewoman's skirts as she played her loot along with the minstrels.

The little figurine turned to look at Gildy, her hand stilling on the instrument. "Gildelaine, doesn't a feeling like the one you have now make you want to thank these people? This hardworking innkeeper? Doesn't it make you want to give them something to increase their joy?"

Gildy felt suspended by the wooden figure's gaze, as though the words passed not through her ears, but were absorbed like the warmth from the fireplace. She felt a warm energy flood through her and stood as a dance ended, breaking her gaze with the figurine. Gildelaine, doesn't a feeling like the one you have now make you want to thank these people? Her eyes fell on the Witch's hat behind the wooden figurines, and she remembered the kinds of people who had inspired her to wear it, to claim wickedness. Somehow, instead of darkening her mood, it made that joy all the more powerful, a bittersweet warmth. Because the joy she felt here now with these people was far greater than the joy she had before all the darkness. Because of the darkness. Gildy's eyes moved through the dancers to rest on the minstrels, and it was as though she could see their dreams.

Gildy slid her hand into her pocket as her emotions soared, and looked intently at the musicians. You who give and receive so much joy for the simple folk will discover the talent you crave and build it so long as you play to give joy for all folk, and your skill will not be found lacking in even a King's court. The minstrels had just picked their instruments back up, and the first chord they struck was so pure, so perfect, that the room went silent. Dancers who had been moving to the floor halted where they stood to listen as a light, slow song began. Gildy saw, across the empty dance floor, Donna and Emma even had stopped, and turned to listen.

Prince Jax stood at their table, watching her with a smile in his eyes. Gildy felt her heart flip as the emotions became so potent she felt she would cry with joy. Just as she turned to the empty dance floor and tears pooled in her eyes, A bittersweet counter melody was added to the song by the little figurine on her lute. She smiled gently at the young Witch and nodded to the empty dance floor.

Gildy closed her eyes and stepped out, in her mind went a few years into the past, she stepped again with the pattern of joy in her heart. She savored the lifting and movement of the music, lifting herself on her toes when it rose and feeling her muscles in perfect agreement. Smiles of the past and the present drifted through her memory behind the closed eyes. She savored the feel of her dancing slippers whispering their own lyrics across the floor, of the gentle breath of her skirts as they added a graceful afterthought to her every movement. She saw her mother's flushed face as she smiled and danced with Gildy across the polished floor before guests arrived. Tears pricked her eyes at the bittersweet memory. Stepping, in simple patterns, then complex as the harmony and melody expanded. Matching the music when it simplified with her feet and arms moving in a precision that strengthened the feeling of the music. Swirling with the powerful rising of the notes.

She felt as though the music was teaching her, aiding her to speak, of the joy that could almost overwhelm her. She could feel that joy escaping through her feet, and yet not decreasing in the least. She turned, swayed, lifted and stepped. These people would return to their work the next day, and she would return to being a Witch on a quest. They would all face things that would smother or drain joy even as they created more cause for it. But joy wouldn't die, it would just sleep, become stronger with the struggle until something would revive it fully again. Gildelaine felt the music quieting, slowing. The memories of her mother when she was healthy and happy faded. The harmony gently joined the melody and she turned and swayed her body with the simple sounds until, with her feet, it settled gently back to earth. The joy ebbed away like a dream that leaves only an impression on the consciousness, and she opened her eyes.

Looking around her, finding all eyes on her, she realized the joy wasn't gone It was just distributed to all those in the room. She could see it in their eyes and smiles. Blushing self consciously, Gildy lowered her eyes, and blinked at the dancing floor, then stared. What had been a plain and slightly rough woodened plank floor, had become a smooth surface with large circular design. The vibrance and brilliance of new colored glass shone in the firelight, with a design of vines and flowers and sky. It's glow was still fading, but the design, color, and vibrance would remain. Gildy looked up again and stepped off the glass dance floor, to see Donna with her hands clutched to her bosom and tears running down her face.

At a loss, Gildy slid a hand into her pocket and shifted her weight from one foot to another. "Uhm…This floor, will not break or be marred, will not fade or wear. And, err, it will never cause injury to dancers."

Her eyes flew over to the Prince, who was watching her with wide eyes, and she turned and escaped out the door as she felt her face turn red. Suddenly she felt vunerable and exposed without her Witch's hat and dark robes. Quickly Gildy darted between the stable and a neighboring house and hid behind the corner with wide eyes. She felt Creeper hop up onto her shoulder, purring.

"Shhh…not too loud." She heard the door opening and covered her mouth.

"Gildy? Are you out here? Is everything all right? Gildy?" The Prince called out and she moved a step further away hoping she wouldn't be seen.

"Give her a few minutes, young Prince, then she'll come back in." She recognized the noble figurine's voice and waited until they went back in.

"Oh Creeper, what have I done? What came over me?" She looked down at her dress, fit for a court ball, and raised a hand to her bare head, clutching at her hair. Definitely not very Witch like. Creeper meowed softly.

"I know, you're right, it will probably be fine. None of these people would know." She took a deep breath. "Just need to go back and act normal." She pulled Creeper down from her shoulder and hugged him as she headed back to the inn. She paused to take another deep breath when rapid hoofbeats approached then suddenly halted.

"Gildy! You're safe? Are you alright? What's wrong? Where is that worthless Prince? Why are you alone?" Sir Roland nudged her with his head and she stumbled, clutching and the stallion's head to keep from falling. She stared at the fiery eyes casting an eerie glow in the dark, and felt a guilty dismay.

"Sir Roland! I…we…"

The door burst open and Prince Jax strode out abruptly, "…I don't care, she's had a few minutes and it's dark out here, so I-Gildy! There you are! Are you all right now? You should come back inside, your dinner is waiting for you and…"

Jax blinked as his eyes adjusted and he saw the Stallion's glowing eyes. "Creepy." Suddenly his eyes widened at Sir Roland and he whispered, "Uh…oops, even creepier." They stared at each other.

"And where," The knight bit off, "have you two been this whole time?" He pulled his head out of Gildy's grasp and looked at her. "Where is your hat? What are you wearing?"

Prince Jax jumped down the steps and grabbed Gildy's hand, standing next to her defiantly. Sir Roland's nostrils flared. "What have you been doing? While I looked all over town and the dragon watched the wizard? Do you know what it's like for a dark enchanted horse to get information about missing Princesses-or Witches?"

Gildy's heart sank.