The moon had spoken to her.

The moon had spoken to her.

The MOON had SPOKEN to her! they'd had a conversation.

But how could she give her captor a chance? That, that was just madness! Pure insanity. Christina fumed, staring hopelessly at the ceiling. Shaggy was sleeping in a chair beside the bed still. If she moved so much as an inch he was likely to wake up, asking if she needed something. The only thing she needed was to go home! was that so hard to understand? Instead, she was condemned to this ethereal twilight realm of the dead. Unable to go back to sleep, Christina fumed, glaring holes into the ceiling.

"Christina?"

Shaggy's sudden voice made her jolt, "Ow," she whimpered.

"Sorry," he whispered, "You can't sleep?"

"No"

"I'll keep you company"

"Some company"

"Like, I know you don't think much of me, Christina and I'm like, sorry about that but what's done is done and can't be undone so please, please, I beg you, give me a chance?"

There was no telling what possed her to say what she said next:

"Alright, one chance"

But, there was also no denying that her heart melted just the tiniest bit at his smile.

…...

after a few days, Christina was declared well enough to get out of bed. Liliana arrived instantly at the door, dress already in hand, she radiated a happiness that Christina couldn't wrap her head around. Nonetheless, she smiled weakly and went about the motions, having her bath and dressing in the gown given to her. This one a purple so dark it could almost be black, the thick fabric cutting out the constant chill.

Christina watched Liliana's reflection in the vanity mirror. The way she moved from one task to the other so quickly reminded her of the flighty always busy pixies that staffed her mother's castle.

Mom the thought a knife to her heart. One concealed. Hidden deep inside, a lingering shadow.

"Don't," Christina ordered softly when Liliana moved to place the crown on her head, "I don't want to wear it"

"Of course, Your Highness, my apologies" Liliana placed the crown back in its box, closing the lid.

"You don't have to apologize, Liliana"

"But I must"

"No, it's nothing to apologize over, Liliana"

Christina could tell Liliana still thought otherwise but she didn't argue. Once finished, Liliana exited swiftly as she'd come leaving Christina to stare at the stranger in the mirror. Her hair left to tumble about her shoulders, down her back. Her purple-black dress had long sleeves that fell to her wrists and a twisting rose design on the skirt. Turning from the mirror she stood only to sit back down. There was nothing to do, nothing that would pass the time.

It was so boring here. Hopelessly boring.

"Good morning, Christina"

Shaggy stood just inside the doorway with that same smile on his face.

"Hello"

"How about breakfast?" he lifted a tray into view.

She glared.

"I like, promise it came from above"

"You can believe him," chimed a voice Christina only vaguely recalled from her days in bed.

In the blink of an eye, Shaggy was joined by a girl dressed in hunter's clothes, a bow, and a quiver full of arrows slung across her back, green eyes glittering under the crimson hood she wore.

"-Because he roped me into being his errand rat," she swatted Shaggy's arm saying to him, "You owe me a perfect date"

"I do not"

"Oh, yes you do! You had me cancel on one of the most perfect guys to ever walk the earth! If I don't get a picnic under the stars to make up for it-"

"Like, I get it, I get it, enough with the bees!"

"Hmph"

"Melissa!"

"Bye"

Christina couldn't help laughing. The two were acting like squabbling siblings.

"Like, don't mind Melissa, she's just a little-"

"Mad at you?" Christina turned from the mirror questioningly.

"Yes, she's mad at me, she'll be over it in a day or so,"

"DON'T COUNT ON THAT!"

"Okay, like, maybe it will take a little bit longer," Shaggy brought the tray over, "Like, won't you please eat something, Christina? If you don't I'll never hear the end of it!"

Christina looked from Shaggy's pleading eyes to the tray of food held then back to him. She really shouldn't. She knew she shouldn't but she was starving! Although she'd probably regret it later, Christina took the offered tray devouring the food in the most ladylike manner she could.

"Thank you," Shaggy breathed a sigh of relief, taking the empty tray from her, "Like, I was thinking we could do something today if you wanted to?"

Now, Christina was puzzled. What could they possibly do in this frigid realm other than watch the time pass?

"What did you have in mind?" she asked, cautiously.

"Come with me," Shaggy smiled mysteriously.

He led her to the door, stopping just long enough to drape a warm cloak over her shoulders, this one a bright purple with a silver lining, before taking her hand in his once more leading her through the halls which were now filled with many, many rugs and blazing fireplaces. Outside they went to a stable she hadn't seen before. Hidden away behind the castle. The stable doors creaked open allowing her to see the pitch-black horses with shadowy manes. She would have expected them to be imposing, angry creatures instead they were seemingly gentle, barely making a noise.

"I have a surprise for you Christina," Shaggy said drawing her attention from the surroundings, " Here she is,"

"Oh," Christina gasped softly.

In the last stall was a beautiful black Pegasus with a white star on its face similar to the stars in its mane and tail.

"Hello," Christina greeted the beautiful creature.

The Pegasus bowed its head so she could pet it. Somewhat shocked, Christina pet it, running her hand along its silky fur, "Where did you find her? They're wild"

"She was a gift," Shaggy explained, "Never did like me much though, what are you going to name her?"

"Stardust, I'll name her Stardust"

"Let's go for a ride"

"A ride?"

"Yes, we can go above"

"Above?"

"You've never been out of your own kingdom have you?"

"No," Christina admitted quietly.

"Let's change that"

…...

Please, please, please don't run away from me Shaggy silently begged Christina who rode alongside him. When they broke the surface of the earth Shaggy froze. Christina looked magical in the sunlight. Shaking his head, Shaggy broke out of his thoughts. Christina wouldn't run. Wouldn't magic herself home, three countries away. There was still a tug on his heart, a link between them. Christina had to feel it too. After all, the Moon was never wrong.

"Where are we?" Christina asked, looking in amazement at their surroundings.

"Um, I never could keep the names of kingdoms and countries straight," Shaggy bashfully admitted, "I like, do know that this is a great forest to explore. There are lots of hidden things to find"

"Like what?"

"We won't know until we find it, it'll be fun, trust me"

"We'll see"

…...

The forest was cool, damp, sunlight streaking through the trees while mist trailed the ground. To be surrounded by nature, living things with the sunlight on her face was pure bliss. She couldn't help but smile. There was no push for conversation, no unpleasant small talk. Only birdsong.

So when the birds went silent that was cause for alarm. Now, there was no noise. Confused the pair stopped, waiting.

"Christina maybe we should-"

"Shh, dragons,"

There they were, slinking through the trees, huge full-grown dragons with glimmering green and blue scales.

Shaggy was ready to go on the defensive. To protect Christina if things went sour. He'd seen dragon attacks, they were grisly things, things you couldn't unsee. Christina, however, didn't appear to be bothered by their sudden arrival.

"We should go"

"It's alright," Christina whispered, "They're just headed back to their den, see that cave over there?" she pointed to a cave half hidden in shadows.

Once the dragons were inside the cave the life returned to the eerily silent forest.

"How did you know that was their den?" Shaggy asked surprised.

"My mother raises dragons, I've spent my whole life around them"

"I've only ever seen a bad side to dragons"

"Dragons are actually gentle beings, preferring to stay out of the way. It's the people who attack, capture, and twist them"

"You have great respect for dragons"

"All animals big or small really"

"Do you want to see what else we can find?"

"I would like that"

…..

Alissa paced the castle. The only sound to be heard was her soft footfalls. The queen was ready to snap. Nothing, no spell she'd tried had found her daughter. That left her with only one option. Seek her mother's help. As much as she didn't want to, as much she wanted to do this herself maleficent loved Christina as much as she did.

Please, get here soon, mother!

…...

Christina turned out to know many things about animals., pointing out tracks showing him what to look for. Slowly Shaggy was realizing that maybe he had been lonely. Though, he'd never admit to it out loud.

"Do you hear that?" Christina brought him out of his thoughts, "I think it's a waterfall"

"Let's find it"

Heading deeper into the forest caused the sound to grow louder, rough, roaring, powerful. There was no telling exactly how far they went before the waterfall rose before them. Crystal clear water, tumbling over steep black rocks into a gurgling river.

"Wow," Christina gasped beside him.

"Agreed," Shaggy nodded.

"It almost reminds me of the waterfall in the Moors," Christina sighed wistfully.

"The fairy country, right?"

"Yes, my grandmother's country, I've only seen it a few times but it's beautiful, fae creatures of all types live there, even the darkest beings have a purpose"

shaggy glanced at Christina, her eyes were still on the waterfall, a wistful smile on her face. A genuine smile.

"You like it out here?"

"Very much"

They stayed for hours by the waterfall, snacking on berries, trading stories. Not until the moon was climbing did Shaggy decide it was time to return.

"Must we?" Christina questioned sadly.

"I promise, we'll like, come back as often as I can get away"

Don't run. Don't run.

"You promise?"

"I swear it"

"Alright"

…...

leaving the world of the sun behind, descending into the twilight cast underworld was saddening. But, Christina did so nonetheless hoping she wasn't going mad in the process. After stabling the horses, she allowed Shaggy to escort her back to the castle where they found Melissa in the cavernous entry hall with a knapsack full of food for her.

"Delivery," the teen snarked.

"Still angry with me?"

"No, what gave you that idea?"

"I did say I was sorry, right?"

"Hm, only about five-hundred times, you'll be apologizing for the next century, trust me"

"Melissa-"

"I'm going home now"

she was gone in the blink of an eye.

"I'm going to be apologizing forever," Shaggy sighed sadly.

"Maybe she'll come around?" Christina offered a weak smile.

"Maybe," Shaggy smiled back, gathering up the sack of food Melissa had left, "Are you hungry now or do you want to save this for breakfast tomorrow?"

"Is it really that late?"

"Yes, later than you'd think"

"I'm okay"

"I'll make sure this is saved for your breakfast"

"Thank you"

…...

"You seem to be in a good mood tonight'

Shaggy jumped sky high, whirling he found Twyla watching him.

"Like, what are you thinking, scaring me again?"

"How did the date go?"

"It wasn't a date, Twyla," Shaggy sighed, sitting on the bed.

"Wasn't it?" Twyla softly challenged, "You spent the entire day with her"

"Yeah"

"You're hopeless," Twyla rolled her eyes, slipping back into the shadows.

…...

as late as it was, Christina found her hands were restless. She wasn't tired, not yet. Alone, in desperate need of conversation. Something to distract her mind, still, her hands which moved about the comforter bunching and unbunching the blanket.

"You look like you could use some company"

Christina flinched with surprise at the sudden voice, Melissa reappearing before her.

"I thought you left?"

"I did but I'm a night owl," Melissa shrugged, pushing her hood away from her face, causing her hair to fall over one side, "And I was bored"

"So?"

"So I came to chat," Melissa sat on the edge of the bed, "It took me a while you know but I remember seeing you before, in that meadow making flower crowns"

"Really?" Christina blinked with surprise.

"Yes"

"How can you be sure it was me?"

"You're a hybrid, Christina, hybrids are few and far between," Melissa shrugged, "I like traveling, I can "do so unseen I sat on the edge of the meadow and just watched you for a while I wondered why you were unaccompanied and how you could entertain yourself with just flowers"

"I love flowers, I love growing them, drawing them, everything," Christina smiled, "Mom and I used to picnic in the meadow before she got very busy"

"Busy?"

"She is Queen, I was an only child so the castle could be a lonely place, so many halls, silent servants would scarcely say a word beyond 'yes, Princess'"

"I'm sure it wasn't that bad"

: Loneliness eats you from the inside out," Christina shook her head, "But, enough about me tell me about you and your travels"

…...

It was long after nightfall but Maleficent had yet to arrive. Confused, nervous, and fretting, Alissa locked herself inside her rooms to weep.

"Don't cry, Your Majesty"

Startled, Alissa wiped furiously at her face. Did she miss a servant before locking the door?

"Who's there?" Alissa demanded, glancing around suspiciously.

In a blink, the moon disappeared from the sky a woman now standing before her, pale, ethereal with all the stars of the sky within her eyes.

Alissa stumbled backward with surprise.

"You're the-the-the"

"Indeed, your daughter had the same reaction"

"My daughter?" Alissa gasped, "You know where Christina is? Tell me, I beg of you!"

"I cannot but I assure you, she's safe,"

"She needs to come home," Alissa choked back a sob, "I can't be alone, she's all I have left, please bring her home to me"

"You'll be reunited with her soon, right now, however, she's undergoing a personal journey"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You'll learn soon enough"

"I won't stop searching for her"

"I wouldn't expect you to, trust that everything will work out"

"How can I?"

"You just have to believe"

The moon faded away, reappearing in the sky.

Alissa slid to the floor at once overcome with sobs. How could she trust when her daughter was gods knew where? A personal journey? That was as vague as answers could be.

"Please be okay, Butterfly, please"

…...

Melissa talked to Christina until the hybrid drifted to sleep. Once that had happened Shaggy stepped in to monitor her dreams, fending off nightmares before they could really begin their dastardly work wreaking havoc on Christina's mind. Tonight her dreams were calm, calmer than they had been since Christina's arrival.

She was just sitting in her tree, watching flowers sway in the breeze.

"Mommy, when can we come back?"

The tiny voice startled him, looking around he found the source. A four-year-old Christina, transparent, smiling was walking through the meadow hand in hand with an older fairy,

"Soon, Butterfly I promise"

"Is soon tomorrow?"

"No Butterfly"

"What are we doing tomorrow?"

"I have duties to tend to"

"May I help?"

"Maybe but wouldn't you rather paint instead?"

"Yes, Mommy"

"I thought so"

The phantoms of the past faded into the velvety sky forcing Shaggy to turn his attention back to Christina who gripped the tree tightly.

"Do we have to leave now?"

"I'm sorry, Butterfly"

"But Mommy-"

One after the other the phantoms came and faded until it was only Christina among the flowers. When the last phantom faded Christina-still perched in her tree-was silent. There were no tears or screams of fright in this dream but that didn't make it any less of a nightmare, Shaggy figured. Before he moved to intervene, however, the scene changed.

Now, he stood within the smooth stone walls of what he figured was a castle. There was a large arched window, framed in ebony before him, sunlight spilling across a warm rug on which another phantom lay, a sketchbook open before her with a small paint palette to her side. This phantom was small, cherub cheeked.

"How's my little one today?"

"DADDY"

The paint and sketchbook lay forgotten on the floor, the tiny Christina stumbling to her feet, her blush-colored dress swishing about her legs, the matching bow, hanging limply from her curls only to fall away completely when she was caught up in the arms of the smiling vampire.

"You saw the sea?"

"I did, Christina, it vas beautiful"

"May I see it one day?"

"Perhaps, what were you vorking on over there?"

"OH!" Christina retrieved the book, careful to mind the paint, "It's for you!"

Curious, Shaggy stepped toward the phantoms, wanting to see what was on the page.

"Don't"

Shaggy tore his gaze away from the giggling phantom to find the present-day Christina sitting on the purple canopy bed.

"You-"

"Know that you got into my dreams? Yes"

"Listen, I-"

Christina put her hand up to stop him, "I also know why"

"So you aren't like, mad?"

"Miffed but not angry"

"I'll go-"

"No, stay"

"Stay?"

"Stay"

"You're certain you want me to stay?"

"Yes"

Who was he to turn her down?

Christina was finally warming up to him.

…...

Yes, I'm getting somewhere! yes yes yes!