When I was finished rolling around from the shocks, I looked up and saw a gaping hole in the middle of the floor. It looked so familiar... it was a few moments before I remembered everything and knew what that hole signified. I shrank back from it, and, out of the corner of my eye, saw all my sisters doing the same. Jonathan and Father were obviously concerned, and started toward the gaping maw to investigate.
Suddenly, head rose up from the hole, and they both fell back. It was easily the ugliest head I had seen, and when I looked closely, realized it was female. Behind her, closely, came twelve pale heads, all dressed in black. The first was Daniel. I suppressed a shiver... seeing them here, in the upper world, was wrong. It was as wrong as if water had begun flowing uphill.... this was not meant to happen.....
The woman was obviously very upset. she cried, turning to her sons abruptly. So! You thought they wouldn't find out, eh?? You thought they'd be too full of sunlight and green things to see the truth! How wrong you were! Then she turned to us. You ungrateful wretches! How could you allow this man- she spat out the word like a curse- this common, mortal man to find out our secret?! I thought you were happy in our world, without the touch of the sun, that hateful thing, all hot and burning, and without the green, for who wouldn't prefer good, solid jewels?! Well, now they've found out the secret, gesturing to Father and Jonathan, and we're just going to have to take you back. So say goodbye to your father, and we'll just get you married sooner rather than later!
With that, she reached to hold my wrist, but I pulled back just in time. Daniel's mother (for that was who she had to be) stepped forward. Now, you can't fool me, silly girl! Come on!
Suddenly, I realized Jonathan had his hands on my shoulders. What makes you think they want to go?
Th woman looked shocked. Why wouldn't they?? They'll get everything they love where they're going!
What's there to love in your world? Jonathan demanded. I was grateful for him- he was wording the demands I'd raged for the past years, as well as his hands gave me the strength I needed to stay upright and look angry.
Well, for one thing, there are my sons! The woman drew herself up and stared down at this audacious being- not an audacious being, I wanted to cry- he's a good man, better than you could ever hope to be, you old hag!
Your sons don't even know these girls' names! I've been speaking with them for 3 days and I know their names! And something about their personalities, which I think your sons could never manage! How can a person love something that doesn't even know who you are??? He was really upset now... and not just at the old woman. His cries were more introspective than simply directed at the mother of Daniel. For the millionth time, I wondered what he'd done before he'd come here. He must have done something, besides soldiering, in the years of his life.
Who would not want my sons? she yelled back. They are the epitomy of human beauty (a fact that should blind these silly girls to all other facts) and are everything a girl could want!
Jonathan glanced at me, and again I felt myself weightless. I found the strength to assert myself, and did, immediately.
What makes you think we only want superficial beauty in our life? I said softly, surprising the woman. Personally, I'd rather love for personality than for looks. Looks don't last forever, but your personality does.
My sons are everything a girl would want! You don't know what you're saying!
But I do! And I'll say it now, before I cannot any longer! Four and a half years ago, you devised this cruel plan to get wives for your twelve sons! The twelve most beautiful maids were chosen, one for each demon, and made to come down and dance every night until our shoes were completely worn through! We were under a curse by day, that would prevent us from speaking even a single word in explanation or defense! And in all those years, not once did any of your sons ask us our names. I doubt even Daniel- I spat out the name- knows my name now! You are a wicked, evil woman to submit us to this torture! How do you know my mind?? I know what I want in life, and your son is not it! I want the sun, I want to live- I don't want to be suffocated in your dismal world forever!
Not knowing exactly what I was doing, only knowing that the strength I had came from Jonathan's eyes, I grasped the wine goblet, spit in it, and dashed the contents in the face of the demon woman. I don't know exactly what I was expecting... all fairy tales I'd read as a child pointed to her melting in horror, but she didn't. She disappeared in a clap of thunder, leaving a heavy red smoke behind. Her sons, who had not said a word, just stood there the entire time quietly, looking exactly as my sisters did, numb, looked blankly at the smoke. Then Daniel made a swift gesture with his hand, and they quietly left down the hole, back to where they'd came. The floor closed smoothly behind them.
I sighed, and turned to Jonathan. Thank you, I said quietly.
What for? he returned, just as softly. I glanced up, surprised. You didn't know? I asked.
Didn't know what? he smiled briefly, and I wondered if he was teasing me.
Didn't know that your glance removed the curse?
It didn't! That was all you, Fiona, and you shouldn't put the credit on me.
But.. every time you looked at me, Jonathan, I felt light in a way I hadn't felt in four long years... whenever you stopped, I could feel the curse upon me once more.
I think you were confused. Don't worry. It was all you.
I still wasn't convinced, but was too happy to argue about it right now.
I suddenly realized that I could think again. I looked at my sisters. All were wearing wide grins. The curse had finally left us. I laughed aloud, astonished at the sound. I was so unused to being happy, to being carefree. I wondered if I would ever truly feel free again, but put it aside to be pondered later. I was too happy right now to depress myself. I jumped up and hugged all my sisters in turn. I found myself with tears on my face, Nathie laughing brightly through her tears behind me. I stopped for a moment to think of the sacrifice of the four years lost to her. The best years of one's life, many say. I was sure that this was worth it to her- to have her life back to her. Five minutes later, the rejoicings were over. We went back to our places and looked at my father, eyes shining.
Hope you enjoyed! Please R&R!!!
