Chapter 14

Patting his pocket carefully, Richard turned around and closed the door behind him. He did it quickly, so as not to take another peek at Calypso's island. A great weight came off his shoulders when he shut it, feeling a deep sense of accomplishment in escaping the seductive nymph, and that he was in the final stage of his journey. So great was his determined relief that he immediately turned around, and without any thought at all, stepped forth and started to walk. It took him a second or two to realize he wasn't even sure of where he was.

All he could say, was there were a whole lot of winding gravel paths, and stone walls covered with vines. It was kind of gloomy, except for the blazing spring sky, and the little robin that was hopping from wall to wall, tweeting its sweet tune.

Richard only took note of all this for another moment, before he began walking down the path, his eyes wide and alert. Escape had given him an extra boost of energy, knowing what he had to now do, and felt he could somehow navigate through these paths, despite how endless they seemed.

He scarcely walked five steps before a little brown bird with a red breast clicked its feet on the gravel, and flicked its beak up at him. Richard blinked quickly to register the little creature, but he grinned lopsidedly in recognizing it.

"Hey there," he said. "You've been expecting me or something?"

The robin didn't move briefly, but then, it flicked its beak again, and started to chirp a choppy note. It turned on its heel and flapped its wings to the nearest wall. Sitting comfortably on top, ruffling its feathers, it looked back at Richard with sparkling eyes.

"You want to show me something?" Richard said, gesturing towards himself.

The robin tweeted shortly before taking off again, flying behind a wall, and starting to sing another song.

"Whoa," Richard exclaimed, starting to speed-walk after the little bird. His footsteps crunching in the gravel, he increased his speed, moving past a continuing cycle of stone walls and vine curtains. Richard felt like he was moving through a movie reel, because almost every wall looked identical, feeling like they held the same thing behind their doors. The further the robin led him into the labyrinth, the less he felt he could trust its direction.

Finally, just when Richard opened his mouth to question the robin, it perched itself on top of a wall. This one was particularly covered in vines, thick enough that maybe there was no stone underneath. Richard saw no sign of a door, so he just shrugged at the robin, which tweeted loudly, pointing its beak down into the garden.

"What do you want me to do?" Richard asked simply, stepping closer to the wall. The robin tweeted louder as he did so, hopping up and down excitedly.

Unsure, Richard raised his hand to feel the wall. His fingers bumped up and down while they grazed the vines, the leaves waving as he touched them. When he stepped just a bit closer, his touch dug deeper beneath the growth. But, he probably went too far, because he stroked wood, catching on a thorn-like point that jabbed his finger.

"Ah!" Richard yelped softly, suppressing a curse while he pulled his finger from under the vines. The sting stuck, but there was no blood, so he quickly put his hand down, and looked back at the robin, which still stared with its glassy eyes.

"What?" Richard repeated, raising his hands questioningly. "Show me!"

The bird was stagnant, singing in a softer tone as though muttering to itself, and finally flapped down to the ground, thumping in the grass. Richard followed it with his eyes, and then, bent down to where the robin stood. It pointed with its beak into the grass by the door, and sung one note.

Richard gave the bird another lopsided expression, but still focused on that point. "Okay," he whispered, still a little uncertain. "I can take that hint, I guess."

With another happier-sounding note, the robin hopped away and took to the skies, leaving Richard at the foot of the great door, almost half hidden by the tall weeds and tangled grass.

Richard eyed the grass where the robin once was. "Why bring me to the bottom of this one door?" he wondered aloud. "It's just…overgrown"- his eyes started to light up- "but…maybe so…"

Guesses whizzing through his head, Richard ran his hands over the grass, pulling apart the blades and lowering his head for a better look. It was no easy task, keeping his head low in the tickly grass, but then, his eyes spotted something buried in the dirt.

In the bright spring sun, a speck of shine shimmered like gold, catching the light for just a second, but Richard instantly knew what the robin had been trying to show him.

His mind racing, Richard pulled aside handful after handful of dry dirt, and uncovered just what he had thought it would be.

In his dirt-streaked palm, Richard cradled a rusted, old-fashioned key, dented in some places, but still enough in shape to unlock a door.

This door…

Richard made a dumbfounded sound with his teeth, the revelation streaking his brain like a shooting star. "Of course!" he said, grinning. "Why didn't I see this?" He looked down at the key, and then at the door, the vines already seeming to fall away from the everlastingly-shut door. "The garden- the secret garden."

Keeping the key and the door in his vision, Richard quickly put himself against the wood, placing his hands on it, groping for the doorknob. He knew that robin wouldn't bring him here for nothing.

…

Chloe and Ryland stood poised a few yards from the door. She was ready with her hair tucked behind her ears, and Ryland beside her.

"All right then. On the count of three, we're going to run for the door, and I will bust it open using some good pushes of telekinetic energy. It may take a while, but…we'll do it!"

"Tallyho, my lady!" Ryland shouted out.

Chloe then patted her faithful frog friend and took a deep, deep breath.

"Okay, I'm coming. I am going to find you, Richard, if it takes me all time! We will end this war, right now!"

She cracked her knuckles and took the first step, preparing her mind to make the push…

….

Richard gasped suddenly.

"Hey," he said, looking at the door in awe. "Someone's in there. And…I think I know that voice…"

She was trapped there, waiting. Now it could only be up to him, and him alone, to free her. Nearly instantly, he felt the creamy softness of her skin in his hand, as though she were close enough to touch…

….just had to unlock the door.

With a deep breath of final resolution, Richard clenched the key so tightly he could feel its shape embedding deep in his skin. He readied himself to open the door, ready to see that radiant face and the flames of swirling hair.

"Okay now. No more fooling around! I'm coming in!"

Richard thrust the key from his hand and into the lock. He twisted it quickly, and threw the door open with a last pump of energy.

….

Chloe's tension was building by the second, and she couldn't quite bring herself to run for the door. But as she forced herself to step forward, she suddenly was met with a miracle- as though an angel had stepped through the opening, come to wrap her away in joyous arms and take her…

The door had opened by itself, the vines holding it to the wall tearing away easily as wet paper. The world opened up beyond the wall; it seemed the flowers were waking up, wavering like they were alive. And in the doorway, was where Chloe's heart just about stopped with overwhelming joy.

Richard stood tall, his clothes dirty and slightly tattered from his travels, sword in scabbard, and shield strapped around his back. His physical appearance was haggard and rough, but above all, his eyes still sparkled with colorful radiance, the determination showed through the weariness.

Everything else but him and her was gone in an instant; the sun almost began to redirect its rays onto him, like a spotlight. She felt as though she had just stepped up from victory, like she had just been reborn; given another chance; even the urge to sing, or cry, or laugh. There was no better feeling she'd ever had than right there, for in his eyes, she noticed a reflection of her own- determination, hope, and love.

"Oh my god!" Chloe's energy renewed, she broke into a run for Richard, throwing herself at him like he was a comfy mattress full of books at the end of a hard day.

He met her with a tight hold, bracing her against him like a stuffed animal. He pressed his hand down on her back, feeling the silk in her hair, while the other kept itself on the small of her back, where he was sure she would stay close.

"What kept you?" Chloe asked, breathless in her excitement.

"Hey, you know I could never stay away from you forever," Richard said with a chuckle. "You're the most powerful Proverb, so, it's not like there's a good fight without you."

"Well, not without you either," Chloe added. "Our powers combined can go beyond anything evil sorcerers have ever attempted."

Richard shook his head and pulled Chloe closer, and she gasped with the suddenness. "Thank god you were here of all places," he said, pushing some hair from her face with his hand. "The adventure section is more dangerous than I remember"- he chuckled uncomfortably- "if not the worst."

Chloe smiled. "But you made it through, didn't you? And now, we are here at last!"

There was a brief silence, before, tenderly, Richard put a hand on Chloe's cheek. He stroked it with his thumb, his insides fluttering furiously with this new intimacy. But suddenly, all the toils and hardships of the journey evaporated into thin air with just a glance into those green eyes, glittering with the sunlight and a reflection of strong love.

Chloe's hands began to take on a life of their own, slowly reaching up through Richard's arms and around his neck, where they stayed. She rested her head on his shoulder, taking in the comfort of his arms' embrace, making up for all the lost times they were apart. She wanted to stay there for good; to feel so completely safe and warm- to keep him in her reach.

Then Richard took Chloe by her shoulders and pulled her away so that they were facing each other again.

"Stay very still," he told her.

Holding her, he began, bit by bit, to lean his face closer to hers. Chloe flinched backward as she realized what was happening, but, upon that epiphany, beat Richard to it. She pressed her lips to his, but gently, like touching butterfly's wings. All over, she felt light as air itself, breathless, as the sun warmed the two of them, surrounded in a little haven where there was only them. Richard felt the radiation of Chloe's magic, the warmth turning her into an angel that could wrap him in her cozy spell forevermore. Chloe could feel, beneath her own, Richard's heart skip many beats in their dual magic, while she held his face in her hands, tracing the tiny wounds beneath her fingertips.

Richard pulled his lips away, but kept his hands on the small of Chloe's back. She seemed disappointed that the kiss couldn't go on longer, but she smiled nonetheless.

"Wow," Chloe said, giggling shortly.

Richard merely looked at her, a tad dazed. He felt his heart slamming his chest, just staring inside the green of Chloe's eyes. In all honesty, he never thought that he would feel something so wonderful- nor tasting the lips of a girl he felt so deeply connected to. Something inside of him was shouting for him to kiss her again, but he didn't lean his face towards her; it was probably better to just keep her own dazed expression in sight. She seemed to think the same thing.

But then, just behind Chloe's face, he spotted something shiny and green, hopping through the grass with gentle, steady movements. Large, colorful eyes looked up at him, a tiny croak escaping the creature's throat.

"Oh, hey," Richard said, moving to bend towards the little frog on the ground. "You Chloe's little friend?"

The frog blinked up at Richard, and then proceeded to stand on his hind legs just like a human. He moved his arm in a flourish while he bowed to the grass. "A little friend, naturally, but now, I find myself in the presence of her precious one. Prince Ryland- at your service."

"Richard Tyler," Richard said, reaching out his hand to Ryland, who lifted his own webby hand for a shake.

All the while, Richard found his eyes wandering around the garden. He took in the poor conditions of the flowers and trees speckling the perimeter, but was surprised to see a patch of green trees, with flowers behind them.

Then, when he looked to Chloe's side, another realization came to him.

"Chloe, what happened to Alice?" he asked, pointing to the empty space beside her.

Chloe averted her gaze to Richard, and she released a sharp gasp, her eyes enlarging in her skull. "Oh, no," she whispered, "I lost her when we boarded the ferry. Just after you fell off the gangplank, I let go of her, and, well, I didn't see her afterwards." She shuddered, remembering the pandemonium and terror on the ferry, and now shame that she didn't try harder to find Alice. Their poor little friend was probably lost anywhere in the library by now, and all alone. Remembering how much Alice had come to depend on them, Chloe felt her eyes sting, and her shoulders slumping.

For a moment, Richard could feel Chloe's inner deflation, and then, inside of himself. He didn't like thinking that he and Chloe could be responsible for anything bad that could happen to Alice, and especially that she was without protection.

"I promised her…" Richard found himself whispering.

With an unexpected grunt, Chloe quickly straightened herself, sweeping her fallen hair from her eyes. "Well, we cannot expect Alice to straighten out her own story. We'll just have to get to the rotunda, and settle it there with the villains!"

The power of Chloe's statement brought butterflies to Richard's stomach. This was it. It was finally time to return to the center of the library, and end it.

"Then what are we just standing here for?" Ryland said, hopping excitedly into Chloe's open hand. "We should journey there this instant!"

"I know what to do," Richard said, pointing at an empty space by the trees. "The Wizard of Oz books, the magic flying Gump!"

In a second, there materialized a strange contraption, one that made Ryland gasp with awe, and almost fall from Chloe's hand. Two old fashioned couches were tied together, making a large enclosed seat, where, on either side, two great and thick palm leaves sprouted. At the head of the contraption, was an elk's head, his face speckled with billy goat-like whiskers. From behind the two couches, a broom waved, its twigs snapping gently, moving about just like a tail. The elk, who had previously been like a stuffed bust, opened its eyes, and looked at the group with astonishment.

"Hello," it said, its voice squeaky. "What a surprise to see you all here."

"And another surprise to see you," Ryland replied, pointing his webbed hand at the Gump.

"Can you fly us somewhere, if we can tell you where?" Chloe asked, stepping forth.

The Gump nodded its head. "Of course. I know who you are; I'd know that red hair anywhere. You're the Proverbs!"

"Yes," Chloe answered, climbing into the seat; she gestured for Richard to climb aboard as well. "Has the word been spreading about us?"

"More than you can hope to believe," the Gump said. "All the good people of the Pagemaster's kingdom are gathering to support you all against the bad and evil. I hope you appreciate that."

Chloe nodded. "Yes. Come on, we don't have much time to lose. Let's go!"

Then, the palm leaves of the Gump started to flap furiously, stirring the grass and weeds, slowly taking to the sky. Chloe removed her magic compass from her pocket, and, following the needle's point, directed the Gump to fly as they all disappeared from sight of the secret gardens.