Authoress's Note: Whew! It's great to be back...sorry it's been so long...school has been soooooooooooooooooo busy...you just have NO idea...but i'm back, with an update even!!! yipee!
All righty...i promise that i wont hav a looooooooooooong authoress note this time (well, at least compared to the last one...btw, did anyone other than faeriegurl read it? anyway)...but i DO have to thank: *ahem* cheler (love snl...heeheehee), Rampant^_^ (i'm glad you thought it was sweet), Lady Jace (sorry it took me so long to update!), Stancy McKatt (merci), Sailor Zel (of course we love corny lines), and Faeriegurl (awwwwwwwwwwwwww...you're so sweet...and i absolutely LOVE anniya (did i say that last chapter?) anyhow, i do! now, please read this, review, then go update anniya...and if you kill west, i might just have to kill myself! j/k)
well, thanx to all...and dont ferget, kids...if you review, then you too can get a special thank you! mwah!
on with the show!
~Jenny the (french speaking) chica~
Chapter Fifteen: In which Celia's road takes a strange turn...
Like all wonderful things, sleep cannot last forever, but at least Celia was privileged enough to wake to the soothing sounds of someone working in the kitchen. As she leisurely slid out of bed, she was sharply reminiscent of her family's cook.
Celia had only known her until she was six, but before that, before the hard times, they had been soulmates. Celia had often run away from the taunts of the rest of her family and the nonexistent love from her mother when her father left town. She would scurry to the kitchen and hide her dirty, tear-streaked face in the apron of their cook, always there to listen to the innocent babblings of a little girl like Celia.
A scalding tear slipped down Celia's face, but it was alone. She shrugged the remaining away and hurriedly slipped into her ragged clothes and walked downstairs to the small nook of a kitchen.
The woman was hurrying around there, serene and peaceful, yet in haste, preparing for the upcoming day. Celia contentedly leaned on the doorpost and watched, missing her mother and shaken by the realization that she herself was not ready to *be* a mother in a few months.
The woman looked up at that moment, and her entire face lit up with a warm, comforting smile. Celia smiled back.
"Good morning," the woman said.
"Good morning."
"I trust you slept well?"
"As well as could be expected."
The woman laughed merrily, "I know how you feel. How about some breakfast, then you can tell me what you came here for."
Celia meekly obeyed, too weak to put up any kind of fight or argument. After the pair was done eating, the woman paused, waiting for Celia to bring up the dropped subject.
Celia explained her story, ending with, "And so, now I have to find him. Do you know of this castle, lying east of the sun and west of the moon? I must get to it, and quickly."
The woman pursed her lips in thought, "Yes. Yes, I know of it, but all that I know is that it lies east of the sun and west of the moon, and that the road is long and hard, and few find it. And those who do will not find a welcome within."
Celia nodded slowly, numb with despair. "Oh."
The woman hurried on, "But my neighbor, the East Wind, he knows much more about places than I, so perhaps you can go to him and he can show you the way there."
Celia's hope was renewed, and she found that she was able to smile once more.
The woman noticed this and decided to press the matter a little more. "Why do you want to go there? It's a terrible place. It's not the wisest choice to travel there, either."
Celia sadly smiled, but said quietly, "Yes. I know that. But my husband was taken there, to marry a troll princess or something, and I have to find him."
"The prince?"
"Yes. Do you know him?"
"Of him, yes. Personally? No, I do not. But-whatever happens-you have to find him. Don't stop, Celia. You can find him. You're his only hope. I know that you can do it. Besides-" she looked sideways at Celia-"you have a baby that needs a father."
It was too much for Celia, and she began to sob, but the woman held her in a motherly way, comforting her, but simply letting her get the tears out.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
When Celia left the next morning, she took with her the warm encouragement of the woman's words. He needed her. She hadn't truly realized that until that moment. He needed her. He needed her.
'I've already blown it once. This is all my fault. I have to find him. And now I have a baby to think of. Will I be able to find him?'
Celia shivered at the final thought. Of course she would find him. She had to, didn't she?
The woman had given Celia the same instructions as her sisters. She was to borrow her horse, this time a practical, strong mount that would be able to get her to the East Wind's home, where she could only pray that help would be found at. Once she reached her destination, she was to tap behind its right ear three times.
Celia continued shivering, but not from the oncoming cold. The woman had insisted on making her new clothes, to replace her travel-torn rags.
Celia had been amazed at the woman's speed and efficiency, not to mention her quality. Her clothes were practical, like the woman, but warm. It was made up of a simple skirt that did not flare like fancier styles Celia had worn before. This tan-colored fabric was almost entirely covered by another fitted skirt, this time a darker burgundy color, for warmth, made of a type of wool. The woman had also made a baggy white shirt, to allow for the coming extending of Celia's stomach, which was secured by a vest that laced up all the way up front. The woman had been able to retrieve Celia's old cloak, which she gratefully pulled closer to her now.
Celia hadn't expected the snow, but she could tell now that the woman had. Thanking her silently, Celia continued on her way.
Through the icy sheet held in front of her, Celia could scarcely see her hands resting at the nape of the horse's neck, much less where the pair was going. She prayed silently, hoping that they would reach the house. As they continued on, Celia began to sense that the woman had put a sort of spell to guide the pony, for it never faltered or even turned towards the wrong direction.
After a few more weeks of sleeping in caves and under trees, a great house could be seen down the long trail, visible during the few times when the snow slowed its downpour. Celia soon reached it, but was so terrified of its vastness that it took her a few moments to collect her composure to knock on the door.
When she finally did so, the door creaked open slowly and noisily, and she entered out from the cold, after sending the woman's horse back on its way home.
Examining the large house, Celia was frightened by the eerie silence that this place seemed to carry like a mantle. The freezing weather had created a sort of cold in Celia, but even through that, she still noticed the drastic smell of spices that floated and danced through the rooms. Celia even saw a few wisps of smoke, from who-knows-what.
After standing in puzzlement for a few moments, Celia smiled to herself, realizing where the smells were from. She remembered them from shipments and gifts that her father would bring back, from distant eastern countries. Of course. This *was* the East Wind.
Immediately after she realized this, she heard a distinct sound in the distance. It was kind of a blowing sound, but very faint. It became more and more thunderous, until Celia clutched a nearby doorpost, lest her legs should fail her in her terror.
As soon as she did this, the doors were blown open, and Celia felt her hair in her mouth, blowing all around. A stack of papers that had been laid on a side table near the door was blown everywhere, beyond regathering.
Through the doors a wispy figure traveled through the open doors, causing them to sway back and forth on their hinges. The house seemed to tremble, and if Celia had not been so terrified to even take her eyes away from this scene, she would have noticed her white knuckles, still gripping the doorframe for her life's sake.
The wisp, obviously the East Wind, turned to Celia and said, "I'm sorry that I was late. My neighbor told me that she was sending you, but I was held up out there. Would you like to put your feet up before you tell me why you are here?"
Celia could merely gape, though she finally managed a slight nod.
He continued, "Very well then. This way, please."
Celia led herself to be led down the hall, led by the wispy hand gripping hers. It felt so alike to those in her husband's home that she allowed a few tears to stray down her cheek, needing him as much as she knew he needed her.
A/n: awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww...NOW PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEASE REVIEW, and maybe i'll update soon...mwahahahahahahahahaha...=o)
All righty...i promise that i wont hav a looooooooooooong authoress note this time (well, at least compared to the last one...btw, did anyone other than faeriegurl read it? anyway)...but i DO have to thank: *ahem* cheler (love snl...heeheehee), Rampant^_^ (i'm glad you thought it was sweet), Lady Jace (sorry it took me so long to update!), Stancy McKatt (merci), Sailor Zel (of course we love corny lines), and Faeriegurl (awwwwwwwwwwwwww...you're so sweet...and i absolutely LOVE anniya (did i say that last chapter?) anyhow, i do! now, please read this, review, then go update anniya...and if you kill west, i might just have to kill myself! j/k)
well, thanx to all...and dont ferget, kids...if you review, then you too can get a special thank you! mwah!
on with the show!
~Jenny the (french speaking) chica~
Chapter Fifteen: In which Celia's road takes a strange turn...
Like all wonderful things, sleep cannot last forever, but at least Celia was privileged enough to wake to the soothing sounds of someone working in the kitchen. As she leisurely slid out of bed, she was sharply reminiscent of her family's cook.
Celia had only known her until she was six, but before that, before the hard times, they had been soulmates. Celia had often run away from the taunts of the rest of her family and the nonexistent love from her mother when her father left town. She would scurry to the kitchen and hide her dirty, tear-streaked face in the apron of their cook, always there to listen to the innocent babblings of a little girl like Celia.
A scalding tear slipped down Celia's face, but it was alone. She shrugged the remaining away and hurriedly slipped into her ragged clothes and walked downstairs to the small nook of a kitchen.
The woman was hurrying around there, serene and peaceful, yet in haste, preparing for the upcoming day. Celia contentedly leaned on the doorpost and watched, missing her mother and shaken by the realization that she herself was not ready to *be* a mother in a few months.
The woman looked up at that moment, and her entire face lit up with a warm, comforting smile. Celia smiled back.
"Good morning," the woman said.
"Good morning."
"I trust you slept well?"
"As well as could be expected."
The woman laughed merrily, "I know how you feel. How about some breakfast, then you can tell me what you came here for."
Celia meekly obeyed, too weak to put up any kind of fight or argument. After the pair was done eating, the woman paused, waiting for Celia to bring up the dropped subject.
Celia explained her story, ending with, "And so, now I have to find him. Do you know of this castle, lying east of the sun and west of the moon? I must get to it, and quickly."
The woman pursed her lips in thought, "Yes. Yes, I know of it, but all that I know is that it lies east of the sun and west of the moon, and that the road is long and hard, and few find it. And those who do will not find a welcome within."
Celia nodded slowly, numb with despair. "Oh."
The woman hurried on, "But my neighbor, the East Wind, he knows much more about places than I, so perhaps you can go to him and he can show you the way there."
Celia's hope was renewed, and she found that she was able to smile once more.
The woman noticed this and decided to press the matter a little more. "Why do you want to go there? It's a terrible place. It's not the wisest choice to travel there, either."
Celia sadly smiled, but said quietly, "Yes. I know that. But my husband was taken there, to marry a troll princess or something, and I have to find him."
"The prince?"
"Yes. Do you know him?"
"Of him, yes. Personally? No, I do not. But-whatever happens-you have to find him. Don't stop, Celia. You can find him. You're his only hope. I know that you can do it. Besides-" she looked sideways at Celia-"you have a baby that needs a father."
It was too much for Celia, and she began to sob, but the woman held her in a motherly way, comforting her, but simply letting her get the tears out.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
When Celia left the next morning, she took with her the warm encouragement of the woman's words. He needed her. She hadn't truly realized that until that moment. He needed her. He needed her.
'I've already blown it once. This is all my fault. I have to find him. And now I have a baby to think of. Will I be able to find him?'
Celia shivered at the final thought. Of course she would find him. She had to, didn't she?
The woman had given Celia the same instructions as her sisters. She was to borrow her horse, this time a practical, strong mount that would be able to get her to the East Wind's home, where she could only pray that help would be found at. Once she reached her destination, she was to tap behind its right ear three times.
Celia continued shivering, but not from the oncoming cold. The woman had insisted on making her new clothes, to replace her travel-torn rags.
Celia had been amazed at the woman's speed and efficiency, not to mention her quality. Her clothes were practical, like the woman, but warm. It was made up of a simple skirt that did not flare like fancier styles Celia had worn before. This tan-colored fabric was almost entirely covered by another fitted skirt, this time a darker burgundy color, for warmth, made of a type of wool. The woman had also made a baggy white shirt, to allow for the coming extending of Celia's stomach, which was secured by a vest that laced up all the way up front. The woman had been able to retrieve Celia's old cloak, which she gratefully pulled closer to her now.
Celia hadn't expected the snow, but she could tell now that the woman had. Thanking her silently, Celia continued on her way.
Through the icy sheet held in front of her, Celia could scarcely see her hands resting at the nape of the horse's neck, much less where the pair was going. She prayed silently, hoping that they would reach the house. As they continued on, Celia began to sense that the woman had put a sort of spell to guide the pony, for it never faltered or even turned towards the wrong direction.
After a few more weeks of sleeping in caves and under trees, a great house could be seen down the long trail, visible during the few times when the snow slowed its downpour. Celia soon reached it, but was so terrified of its vastness that it took her a few moments to collect her composure to knock on the door.
When she finally did so, the door creaked open slowly and noisily, and she entered out from the cold, after sending the woman's horse back on its way home.
Examining the large house, Celia was frightened by the eerie silence that this place seemed to carry like a mantle. The freezing weather had created a sort of cold in Celia, but even through that, she still noticed the drastic smell of spices that floated and danced through the rooms. Celia even saw a few wisps of smoke, from who-knows-what.
After standing in puzzlement for a few moments, Celia smiled to herself, realizing where the smells were from. She remembered them from shipments and gifts that her father would bring back, from distant eastern countries. Of course. This *was* the East Wind.
Immediately after she realized this, she heard a distinct sound in the distance. It was kind of a blowing sound, but very faint. It became more and more thunderous, until Celia clutched a nearby doorpost, lest her legs should fail her in her terror.
As soon as she did this, the doors were blown open, and Celia felt her hair in her mouth, blowing all around. A stack of papers that had been laid on a side table near the door was blown everywhere, beyond regathering.
Through the doors a wispy figure traveled through the open doors, causing them to sway back and forth on their hinges. The house seemed to tremble, and if Celia had not been so terrified to even take her eyes away from this scene, she would have noticed her white knuckles, still gripping the doorframe for her life's sake.
The wisp, obviously the East Wind, turned to Celia and said, "I'm sorry that I was late. My neighbor told me that she was sending you, but I was held up out there. Would you like to put your feet up before you tell me why you are here?"
Celia could merely gape, though she finally managed a slight nod.
He continued, "Very well then. This way, please."
Celia led herself to be led down the hall, led by the wispy hand gripping hers. It felt so alike to those in her husband's home that she allowed a few tears to stray down her cheek, needing him as much as she knew he needed her.
A/n: awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww...NOW PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEASE REVIEW, and maybe i'll update soon...mwahahahahahahahahaha...=o)