A loud rapping on the door signaled the start of the day.

Lacey ignored it.

Until it was repeated more firmly as a voice from the hall called, "Princess Belle? Will you and Lady Ariel be taking lunch in your room or the parlor?"

Lacey rolled over to her side to glare unhappily at the door. Ariel stirred from her own bathtub stupor as she peered one eye open in response. Lacey let out a large yawn as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes. "We have a parlor?"

Ariel shrugged, mystified as she mumbled, "What's a parlor?"

"Why do I even bother-" Lacey groaned as she tumbled out of bed. She grabbed a dressing gown on the way to the door as she motioned for Ariel to stay silent.

As she opened the door a crack, she found herself face to face with an annoyed maid carrying a large tray. Two more maids behind her were carrying day dresses. At the sight of Lacey's pale face, they all pushed forward to enter. They were all clearly disgruntled by the bolted door that had kept them from doing their jobs.

"Lady Ariel is still sleeping," Lacey lied. She brushed her bed head matted hair out of her face. "The parlor will be fine."

The head maid blinked at her. She turned her head toward the two behind her before looking back to Lacey. "Your Royal Highness," she said as if speaking to a small child. "The parlor is attached to the bedroom."

Lacey moved her head backward to glance over at Ariel who raised her hands helplessly in response. "Well," Lacey turned back to the maids with a frosty smile. "Isn't there another entrance from the hall?"

"Yes…" the maid answered hesitatingly. "But-"

"I'll meet you in there," Lacey dictated, closing the door firmly in their faces. She slid the bolt home before making her way quickly to the door she assumed to be the parlor.

"Go back to sleep," she told Ariel. The teen nodded sleepily as she sank back down into the depths of the tub. Lacey quickly closed the bedroom door behind her as she entered the parlor. The maids were already entering the adjacent parlor. Before the first maid even placed the lunch tray down, Lacey reached for it. The familiar aroma of chicken caused her stomach to growl loudly which seemed to amuse the maids enough to forgive her for her initial abruptness. Lacey settled down at the parlor table to eat as the maids arranged themselves along the back wall. The food was just as tantalizing as the meal last night. Lacey had already devoured the fruits and half the chicken before one maid stepped forward shyly.

"Princess Belle," She held up a tan walking suit. "Perhaps it'd be best to get dressed?"

Lacey slowly put the chicken down with a sigh. She looked forlornly at the crust of bread she hadn't gotten to but nodded in agreement. The two younger maids made short work of the removal of her nightgown. After throwing on her slip, they began to expertly lace up her corset. She caught a glimpse of the head maid's face as she picked up the demolished tray and she swore it was smugger than necessary.

"Leave that," Lacey wheezed as someone tugged her corset tight. She glanced over her shoulder in reproof but the little maids ignored her. "Lady Ariel may get hungry when she wakes."

"But-"

Lacey shot her iciest glare, which was impressive considering she was half dressed and at half lung capacity. "Thank you but that'll be all."

The head maid stared back at her for a frosty moment before she nodded. She let herself out with a hard click of the door. Lacey assumed that was the closest to slamming the door a servant could do with royalty.

Through the large mirror across the room, Lacey noticed the younger maids giggling silently behind her. They stilled guilty when they realized she could see them. Lacey tossed them a wry grin as she shrugged her shoulders in response. The young one looked away with a deep blush, but the older one caught her eye for a minute longer with an answering mischievous grin on her face.

"Do you have names?" Lacey asked as she tried to distract herself from the painful tug of the corset around her ribs.

The young one giggled again and Lacey was forcibly reminded of Ariel. The older one stayed silent a moment before she answered quietly, "Priscilla, Your Royal Highness. And this giggle box over here is Charlotte."

Charlotte glanced up with a bright smile before she looked back down as she tried to stop giggling. Lacey let out a laugh of her own but it was cut short as Priscilla tightened the corset further.

"How do you like working for the Royal Family?" Priscilla walked around to gather the walking suit from its hanger. Charlotte came around to adjust the corset. Her dark hair peeked out from underneath her maid's cap and fell into her brown eyes.

"It's a pleasure," Priscilla answered robotically as she moved back towards the two. Lacey noticed her hair was perfectly in place, but her glasses were smudged from soot, and her fingers had ink smeared at the tips.

"Does the castle have a library?" Lacey asked casually. She noticed Charlotte look guiltily over at Priscilla. Priscilla frowned slightly and with a shake of her head prompted Charlotte to stay silent.

"Yes, Your Royal Highness. The King's collection is very grand," Priscilla held up a silken blouse for Lacey to slip her arms through.

"Does it have anything on the Land of Believers?" Lacey continued. Charlotte began on the tiny row of pearl buttons as Priscilla went back to gather the walking outfit's skirt.

"I wouldn't know, Your Royal Highness," Priscilla responded after a moment's pause. "Servants aren't allowed in His Majesty's Royal Library."

Lacey pulled a face before stepping into the puddle of fabric of the skirt. Priscilla went to pull it up as Charlotte moved to gather the jacket. "That's ridiculous," Lacey scoffed. "How are you-"

Both maids stilled as they glanced at each other worriedly. Lacey shook her head in annoyance before she exhaled noisily. "Well, I'll speak to Her Majesty about that. Having servants who can read seems like something they should be encouraging…."

Neither of them responded, but Charlotte gave her a small, pleased smile the next time she caught her eye, and Priscilla was gentle as she combed out Lacey's curls.

As Charlotte laced up her walking boots, Lacey managed to sneak two more bites of the cold chicken before another knock came to the door.

Grimsby pulled it open. Entering without hesitation, he bowed low to her as the maids moved to depart.

"Thank you, ladies," Lacey called out. Grimsby frowned in puzzlement at the unanticipated gratitude, but she saw both young women smile warmly back as they gently closed the door behind her.

"Good afternoon, Your Royal Highness," he greeted. "Are you ready for your audience with the Queen?"

"One second," Lacey took another quick bite of the chicken before she picked up the tray. "Wait here, I won't be a moment."

She fumbled for the door handle and barely managed to swing the bedroom door open without spilling the food. Ariel had gone back to sleep, her head half submerged underwater. Tiny bubbles floated to the surface of the bath water. Lacey closed the door firmly behind her so Grimsby didn't peek in and placed the tray where Ariel could reach it.

She grabbed her tiara from where Ariel had left it the night before and pinned it in her hair. She double-checked that the bedroom door was bolted before she left back through the parlor door to where Grimsby waited.

"See to it that no one enters in my absence," she commanded before she breezed past him to the door. "Lady Ariel is worn and weary and needs her rest. I do not want to hear of anyone in our quarters until I call for them."

She turned at the door, "Is that understood?"

"Of course, Your Royal Highness,' Grimsby agreed without hesitation. Apparently, he was used to royals being particular. "I will see to it. Now, if you'll follow me…"

He took her down the long hall. In the sunlight from the windows, Lacey could see the ornate detailing of the wall décor and the beautiful patterns of the rugs strewn across the stone floors. When they came to the staircase that led to the Grand Foyer, he walked past it and headed towards the other wing of the second story. She followed behind him. The narrow skirt of her walking suit did not allow her to take long strides and the heeled boots pinched her ankles. The walk with the Queen was going to be a chore.

They arrived at an open door where two guards stood imposingly outside of it. Grimsby walked past them, and Lacey followed him into what appeared to be the Queen's day room.

"Ah, there you are." The Queen sat in a pale blue chair with golden legs and arms curled into waves at the feet. She waved Lacey in and dismissed Grimsby with her thanks as he closed the door behind him.

The Queen wore a light grey walking suit, full skirts with a beautiful tailored jacket over a white lace blouse. Her dark hair had been piled artfully in a bun with her crown as her only piece of jewelry. She looked young and fresh. The late night's celebrations did not show at all on her classic features.

Lacey tried not to hate her for that. Charlotte had dabbed some rouge on her cheeks and lips, but she knew perfectly well the dark circles under her eyes weren't fooling anyone.

The Queen turned to Lacey and took her hands in her gloved ones. The Queen squeezed their joined hands gently over the small white table where flowers in a porcelain vase were quaintly set. "How are you enjoying your stay, my dear?"

Lacey smiled back, "Your Majesty has been very kind. Lady Ariel and I have wanted for nothing. I am in your debt for taking two shipwrecked souls in during such an eventful time."

"Nonsense," Queen Christiana laughed.

Lacey glanced over at the window. The sun poured into the pale blue chamber and illuminated the walls with their delicate wallpaper in a myriad of color. She could see the gardens stretching out towards the town. The green shrubbery reached upwards in hedges and waves. They were beautiful from a distance. Lacey didn't look forward to being up close to them though. She had never been a nature person.

"I must apologize," the Queen continued. "I was hoping to walk with you in our gardens today, but unfortunately a delicate matter of state has arisen and I need to see to it. I had asked my son to accompany you around the grounds, but he begs leave as he is rather tired of the gardens."

Lacey smiled in understanding. "I believe he may just be weary of female companionship. I take no offense to his wanting some time to himself."

The Queen nodded towards Lacey in grateful pardon. "You will forgive a mother her whims, but I did tell him that as a visiting princess you had a right to an audience with him. He proposed to take you down to the town, but I told him you would not be interested in seeing the town marketplace when you could relax in our private gardens."

"Your Majesty," Lacey said, struck by a rather cunning idea. "As you know, I washed up on shore not far from your town market." The Queen raised her hand to her chest in concern, startled by the frank addressing of such a traumatic memory. "I was confused, lost, and barely conscious when a young boy and his father found me on the beach. I would like very much to pay a visit to them to repay their kindness."

"My dear," the Queen leaned over and cupped Lacey's face in her hand. "I am so grateful for such a woman to come into our lives and to have you here… Well, it brings a great joy to my old heart."

The Queen stood and called out towards the closed door, "Guards."

The door swung open to admit a guard who strode in at attention. His eyes were fixed on the space between the Queen and herself. Lacey turned to look to where his gaze fell before she stopped herself. She settled her face in a calm, regal repose and tried not to rejoice at her own cleverness.

"Your Majesty."

"Please bring Prince Eric at once," she turned to wink at Lacey. "He has a promise to keep."


Early afternoon found Lacey in an open carriage. A reticent Prince held the reins to the impressive black horses which pulled the royal carriage straight past the gardens and out of the castle's main gate.

Lacey sat up a bit in interest as she looked backward to catch a glimpse of the iron-wrought gate. It was the first of its kind she had seen since the gate between worlds. She was curious to see if it bore any resemblance, but it was soon hidden by white columns as they headed out towards the town.

Settling back in her seat, Lacey adjusted her tan skirt. The black lace panel in the front gleamed in the sunlight. She adjusted her matching jacket. The hot tweed and the stiff stomach panel were already making her uncomfortable despite the pleasant breeze from their quick pace.

"Am I going too fast?" Eric broke the silence. Lacey noticed he didn't slow down despite his apparent concern for her.

"Can it go faster?" She leaned back into the padded seat. He shot a surprised look over at her. When their eyes met, she offered him a devilish grin and jerked her head at the horses.

He grinned back as he accepted the dare. He whipped the reins and yelled a command to the horses who took up the challenge with eagerness. They strained at their bits as they rushed over the uneven surface of the dirt road.

Lacey's loose hair whipped around her face, but she found herself laughing in carefree delight at the adrenaline rush. She leaned forward as the carriage hit dips in the road and whooped with un-ladylike joy as Eric took a sharp corner which almost spilled them both out the open sides. They finally slowed as they neared the town, both breathless with laughter.

"I have to get me one of these," she laughed as she patted the open cart in affection. Eric nodded to a passing farm cart heading out of town. The children in the carriage leaned over the wooden sides and waved in glee at the crown prince.

"It's not the carriage or the driver," Eric said, more to himself than to her. "It's the horses."

She smiled at the way he carefully led the horses into a trot to ease their strained muscles after the whirlwind. "So, Prince Eric," she turned to face him more squarely in the open seat. He tensed a bit, and she patted him reassuringly on his broad shoulder. "Oh relax, I'm not here for your hand in marriage."

He glanced over at that. Confusion and uncertainty were easily readable upon his face. He would make a terrible poker player.

"Princess Belle," his hand went to rub the back of his neck.

"No, it's fine," She shook her head and watched a horse graze in the field nearby. "I know your mother is pushing me at you. I just wanted to get some time with you out of the castle to let you know that I do not share her intentions."

"I understand." His eyes fixed on the road ahead. "I appreciate your candor."

"Please don't be too heartbroken," she teased as she lifted her hand to her heart in fake distress. He looked abashed for a moment before he glanced over and realized she was joking.

He laughed as he finally relaxed. It was a warm, sharp bark complete with a head toss. A young man's laughter, free of heartbreak or sorrow.

"You remind me of the Princess Emma," Eric shared. "The Fourth Kingdom has some very independent princesses. I wonder at the quality of your princes."

"Terrified mostly," Lacey quipped which earned her another laugh from the young prince. "I do know Emma." She unwittingly touched her tiara. "She's a strong woman."

"She takes after her mother." Eric waved a hand in greeting to a walking woman who stopped and waved enthusiastically in return.

"They all love you here," Lacey marveled. She watched as children came tumbling down a field behind them to hurry after the carriage.

"I've served with most of the men in the village out at sea." Eric shrugged. "I spend time down here when I can, with the people. Listen to them, hear what they have to say. I find it a better system than listening to a bunch of old men tell me what the people are saying."

She sat back to watch as another man stopped his work in the field to wave at them as they approached the town's more busy streets. The young prince next to her continued to wave, smile, and greet his people like the lost son returned. He seemed more comfortable here with the people than he did at the castle.

"So, why not pull an Emma and run off into the sunset?" Lacey proposed. She watched his face closely as he took a moment to formulate his response.

He shook his head ruefully. "I don't want to leave my people without a king. My father has been raising me to rule since I was old enough to understand the game of chess."

"You have chess here?" Lacey asked in excitement. He gave her an odd look in return.

"All the kingdoms have chess, Belle," he replied.

"Well, just checking," she mumbled. She went back to picking at the elegant folds of her bodice.

"Your Royal Highness!" someone called, and both Eric and Lacey looked over to an older man. He waved happily at them. A young boy perched on his shoulders.

"Good to see you, Gil!" Eric waved back. "I have business at the market today, but I'll stop by next week."

"You'll be married by next week!" Gil called back with a bawdy gesture at Lacey before he turned away laughing.

Eric colored a bit and ducked his head down into his shoulders as they entered the busy area of the town. There were plenty more horses and carriages crowding the road. Lacey leaned out to look her fill. Her previous ride from town had been in a closed carriage, and she barely remembered anything other than the ball of nerves in her chest.

It was a quaint town. Most buildings had two or three stories. Each was brightly colored with unique engravings over the doors. Here and there she saw a flock of ravens, a dolphin leaping underneath a sun and even a mermaid. There were no house numbers. "What are the engravings?" Lacey finally asked as they passed by a house with a donkey and a rabbit cavorting.

"That," He explained, pointing back at the donkey and the rabbit. "Is the Ass and the Hart on Rue Mer. A young widow lives there with her… sister."

Lacey was delighted with that, twisting in her seat to see if she could get a better look at the house. "And that one?" She asked as they passed by a house that boasted a snake with its tongue in its mouth.

"The Serpent's Circle," Eric replied without looking. "The alchemist lives there."

Lacey remained fascinated the entire time. People opened windows and waved down at them as they passed. A few young women called out to Eric in familiar voices, and Lacey enjoyed watching him squirm each time a pretty girl pouted up at him.

"Fans?" she teased, just to watch the blush creep down his neck.

"The market is just up ahead." He coughed as he pointed at an inn where a stable was open. Horses were being brought in and out from the dark barn. "We'll leave our horses at the Fisherman's Rest."

He helped her down from the carriage when they arrived. Eric spoke a few words to the stable boy and pressed a gold coin in his hand. She noticed Eric's calloused fingers and short fingernails. He reminded her of the firemen that drank at an old neighborhood bar of hers, all business and honor but with burns and bruises. They lived fast and hard and enjoyed every second of it.

He was young too. She was reminded every time he blushed or shrugged. In the her world, he would be a college kid, fresh to campus with his daddy's money and buckets of charm. No wonder Ariel found him irresistible.

Eric came and joined her. "Did you want to go see the carpenter now?" he asked.

With a quiet noise of disinterest, she looked up at him before she realized he had asked her a question. "Sorry, I was thinking. What did you say?"

"Did you want to go see your carpenter now or go to market first?" he repeated.

"The market," she replied easily. She had actually no real intention of going to see Gepetto. She had simply wanted a reasonable excuse to go to the town with the prince to avoid spending the day with his mother or locked in a room with a mermaid. "We'll have plenty of time to stop by on our way out of town."

He escorted her down the street. More and more people stopped to bow or curtsey. All pressed for a closer look at Lacey.

"They'll have us married off by the time we reach market," Eric whispered down at her with laughter in his voice as he waved to another family on the other side of the road.

"Is it my crown?" she teased back as she sidestepped a horse's droppings in the street. "Because I'm not that kind of girl."

She found that she enjoyed needling the young prince. It was an unsuspected pleasure. "So, tell me more about your realm," she found herself saying, curious despite herself.

"Well, since most of the kingdom lies on the coast, our family and the other three major royal families of the Seventh Realm all have castles on the sea. Our family is more interested in trade with the other kingdoms. That's how I know Princess Emma. Her family has a summer castle on the sea, and we met as children."

Lacey stopped to buy a fish cake from a vendor when the heavy aromas reminded her she hadn't eaten since lunch. Eric paid despite the vendor's protests that no money was necessary for the princess. "And the other families? What do they specialize in?" she asked him.

"There are four in total. The kingdom to the west specialize in fishing. They provide most of the fish to the interior of the kingdom as well as to the Sixth Kingdom's palaces, which enjoy year-long fish. The other northern families are ship builders. They have a closer supply to lumber in the north. Most of the ships in all the realms come from there."

"And why does the Crown Prince Eric go to sea?" she asked. When Eric didn't respond right away, they stopped briefly at a ribbon vendor's cart. Lacey refused his offer of yellow ribbon for her hair but finally gave in when he tried to follow them away from the booth. Eric slipped him a silver coin. He shook his head when the merchant tried to return it and led Lacey away.

"I suppose," he continued as they drifted away. "I felt like I couldn't ask these men to put their lives on the line without understanding how their lives worked. I traveled for years with different crews to different realms, learning the cultures that make up our world, and building relationships to improve our trade."

Lacey stopped short to stare up at him. "You'll make a wonderful king, Eric. Even I can see that. So, why are you running from it?"

Eric looked over his shoulder at the throng of people in the marketplace. He watched as a young woman tried to quiet her squalling child. Lacey wrinkled her face at the noise. He glanced over at her as she squeezed her face in pain as the child continued to wail.

"You aren't like most princesses, Belle." He folded his arms and looked down his long nose at her.

"I get that a lot," she said grimly. Lacey flipped her hair back over her shoulders and continued on. "But you didn't answer my question."

They had reached the end of the first row of stalls. They stood and looked over the busy dock. Ships were raising their sails as they prepared to launch into the golden afternoon, while others loaded. People yelled directions at each other, their voice mixed neatly with the calls of the seagulls overhead.

He avoided the question with one of his own. "Well, why don't you want to be queen?"

"Is that a crack at my age?" Lacey replied deftly in return.

"No! I was just-"

She shook her head, not interested in watching him squirm good-naturedly. "I just managed to survive something that should have killed me," she shared. Lacey found a kernel of truth in her lie, which bothered her. "I'm not interested in finding someone right now. I'm too busy trying to figure out what my life means to me. What I'm going to do with my life, and if that means just trying to survive one day after the other… that's what it means."

He kept his gaze straight out to the water beyond the dock, the sun starting its slow descent down the eastern sky.

"My mother and father were a love match," he said quietly. "Most are. Were your parents?"

Lacey thought of her parents but the memory stung. She shut it back away in the dark part of her mind. "I suppose," she answered gruffly. She plucked at the heavy cuffs that were suddenly too tight.

"Well, I don't just want to marry some girl because of her birth or what her kingdom can do for mine. I've been all over the world and I've yet to meet her. And now with my father's health starting to fail and his memory lapses, Mother wants him to hand the crown down. And if I take the throne unwed, I may never meet her."

Lacey turned to look at the young prince. The sun shone off his black hair with his strong chin and highbrow. Ariel's unquestioning love seemed to fit his idealistic nature and Lacey found herself speaking before she realized the words were out of her mouth.

"You didn't meet the Lady Ariel last night, did you, Eric?" He thought for a moment before he shook his head. "She was one of my party from the Fourth Realm and who I thought was lost to me forever in the shipwreck. "

His eyes flickered in concern as she continued, "But she was washed up on shore at your cove the day I arrived. It was a miracle. The sea returned her to me but now… Now, I think perhaps the sea wasn't delivering her to me."

He attempted a confused smile, one corner of his lip rising slightly before falling back down in disappointment. "Belle, I-"

"I'm not matchmaking," she lied as she smoothed her hair down. She turned back to the market place, curious to see the other side of the wares and stalls before they began to close, and they headed back to the castle for the night. "Besides, I call first dance tonight."

He bowed to hide his laughter. "You have it, Your Royal Highness."

"Excellent. Is that pie over there?" she said suddenly before she hurried towards the enticing smell, Eric's laughter at her back.

The sun sank deeper into the sky towards the ocean's horizon.

"We should be heading back," Lacey noted with a sigh.

"Especially if we want to stop by and see your rescuers," Eric agreed. "Didn't you say they lived off the beach? I know there's an old carpenter on the dunes, but he doesn't have a son."

"No," she shook her head. "Pinocchio is the one who found me. but I'm not sure if he's technically his son. But there's no need to see them. We should probably head back."

"Nonsense," Eric protested. He headed towards the dunes to the west of the market. "It'll just take a moment, and I'm curious. I like to think I know most of the people in this town. "

She rolled her eyes in resignation and followed after him. She waved to a few people who were staring openly at her tiara.

After a few blocks, they arrived on the sandy dunes. Gepetto's cottage was still dark in the fading daylight. A frenzy of clocks signaling the hour greeted them as the sun sank behind them. Eric's face lit up in open curiosity. Lacey had to resist sighing as she thought of the mermaid back in her chambers and her unbridled passion for all new things.

"He makes clocks," she said under her breath as she raised her hand to knock. Eric turned to glance behind them as someone yelled greetings to them. Lacey went to turn as well when she noticed a familiar white light glow from underneath the door. She stared at it transfixed, hand poised to knock.

"Did you forget how to knock?" Eric laughed. He reached over and rapped the door with his knuckles. The sound echoed in the small hut as the clock noise died down, and Eric repeated his knock. "Hello! Anyone home?"

The door swung abruptly open. Both adults looked down at the little boy who opened the door, frown on his face.

"I'm not supposed to open the door when Papa is out," Pinocchio said matter-of-factly, arms crossed over his bony chest. Ah, so he was his son…

"You're doing a great job," Lacey muttered at him, which earned her a stunned look from Eric and a dirty one from Pinocchio. "Will your father be back soon?"

"I guess," Pinocchio said sullenly, kicking at the dirt floor. "He just leaves me alone here all day to sell things at the market."

"Well," Eric scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. "You must be the young man who saved Princess Belle from the sea?"

Pinocchio glanced up at her, a sly smirk sliding across his face. She gave him a sharp warning look but he ignored her.

"Actually," he started. "She-"

"Your Royal Highnesses!"

They turned to find Gepetto had arrived. He was attempting to bow with a large sack on his back, almost the same size as he was. Eric hurried forward to relieve him of the bag before he carried it into the hut, while Lacey helped Gepetto straighten.

"What did I tell you about bowing," she admonished. She noticed he looked much more tired than he had the other night. "Are you getting sleep, Gepetto?" She asked as she helped him into the house past a now sulky Pinocchio. She looked around for Jiminy, but she didn't see the man or cricket anywhere.

"Plenty," he answered. He reached out for Pinocchio who sidestepped his father's hand and stayed stubbornly out of reach. "I've just had a long day at the market..."

Eric put the bag down and clasped a hand on the shoulder of the green vested Pinocchio. The boy glanced up at him, startled. "With this fine young man here at home? He's old enough to start selling wares down at the wharf, sir. You should bring him down tomorrow; show him how it's done."

Gepetto shook his head wearily. Lacey noticed Pinocchio had looked eager for a moment but was now openly scowling again.

"He should be going to school," Gepetto insisted as he tried to stand. "Not down at the wharfs."

"Perhaps I can help," Eric said, brightening. "For your services to the Princess Belle, I would be happy to help make sure he could attend the local school. Pay for his books and anything he may need, get a proper education and perhaps a job at the castle-"

"I don't want to go to school!" Pinocchio interrupted with a slam of his foot. "I want to go to sea with the boats!"

Gepetto blinked sadly at his son. He raised a trembling hand to his face in weariness to block the pain from the royals' eyes. Lacey looked out the window at the moons rising before she turned to Eric.

"We should be going. I just wanted to stop in and thank you again… Is Jiminy at home? I wanted to thank him as well…"

Gepetto shot a worried look towards Eric who in return was gazing at Lacey in confusion. She ignored both of them as she smiled politely at Gepetto.

"You are most welcome, your Royal Highness," Gepetto stalled. "And I'm afraid Jiminy is out. He's meeting with a friend… I don't expect him back before the end of the week." Lacey nodded. She had assumed the flash of light from earlier had been Jiminy turning back into his cricket form, just as a flash of light had accompanied Ariel's transformation. But if Jiminy wasn't at home…

She was distracted by her thoughts when Gepetto took her hand and raised it to his lips in a courtier's kiss. Pinocchio turned his back on them all, arms crossed in irritation. "You'll excuse my boy, Your Royal Highness," he said to Eric who shook his head.

"I was that age once," Eric said with a warm smile, but he shot a concerned look at the surly boy as they left. Lacey frowned in sheer irritation at the little brat as the door snapped close behind them. The glowing light still bothered her, and she wondered idly where Jiminy had disappeared.

"Didn't realize Gepetto had a son," Eric said, a frown on his face. "His wife passed almost fifteen years ago in childbirth. He must have adopted the boy from one of the girls on the docks."

"Yeah," Lacey said absently. She turned back to look at the cottage as they headed towards the inn. "I suppose you're right."

She didn't say much on the ride to the castle. Her thoughts were on the old man and the young boy and the glowing light of enchantment as the sun set.


Author's Note

Big news- ladies and gents- The Gate has a BETA.

And not just any Beta- a Fairy Godmother Beta. I would like to take this moment to enthuse my undying gratitude for the fabulous Ramloth.

I sent her this chapter last night and she sent it back to me this morning. Just stellar. She- unlike myself- paid attention in English Class and she really made this chapter top notch.

Curious about the fashion and the location of Eric's kingdom? Here are some inspiration/ research photos:
post/109799987622/the-gate-inspirations-chapter-twelve

In other news, as many of you know- I am over on Tumblr as theplasticview. Last Sunday, I had a prompt-a-thon and a few lovely Anons prompted Gate ficlets which I have posted over here as Beyond The Gate. So, if any of you are interested in checking those out, they are available on Ao3.

If you are on tumblr, come find me and follow for the next prompt-a-thon. I loved The Gate prompts because it let me delve into other characters beside Lacey and show you a bit more of the world.

I hope you all enjoyed getting to see Lacey and Eric bond a bit as well as get to see our favorite surly boy and his adorable papa. Ariel and a certain someone who shall remain... nameless... will return next chapter.

If you are loving The Gate, please let me know! This is such a labor of love for me and every comment, kudo, Tumblr message really makes my day and inspires me to come back here to continue crafting this story. I love sharing it with all of you and I love hearing your thoughts on it- this has been a great community and as Prissygirl and the completebookworm could tell you after this chapter- I will probably put you in here as a token of affection.