Authoress's Note: Sorry it's been so long, guys! I've experienced...uhhh...technical difficulties...but i'll explain that in "Rosemarie" =o)
Thanks to Sailor Zel (yeah...the prince doesn't get around much...), cheler (if anniya doesn't marry west, than for the freakin love I WILL!!! heeheehee...), R2D2Chick (you're quite welcome!), chava (awwwww....thanx for your sweet review...i like compliments =o)...and i think that you'll find some of your suggestions applied in this chapter...funny thing is, i havn't touched this chapter since i wrote it, but a lot of your suggestions were already there! =o)...yes, i did make up the child, mother, and crone for this story...and i did update my bio...i'll prob hav to soon too...i dont remember when i last did it...*sigh*...school's almost over!), Rampant (yes, she does hav a lot of places to visit), a reviewer (you're so sweet), chikki-g (how funny that you complained about what chava liked...teehee...i just found that humorous...but the whole quote is throughout the original story, too!), and ditto (TWICE!!! ooooooooooooooo...thanx for your correction...i'll fix it as soon as i can! =o)...and thank you much!)
ok, guys...here it is...and, once again...sorry it took so long...now i'm gonna go watch the season finale of JAG...tootley-doodles!
~Jenny the chica~
Chapter Sixteen: In which Celia's travels are almost complete...
The Wind continued to lead Celia down the hallway, and she meekly followed after him. She curiously studied the house as they passed, but the Wind soon opened another creaky door and led her inside.
Celia took a seat in the homely parlor, next to a lit fireplace, and the Wind took the seat across from her. He allowed a few moments of silence before he began.
"So, my dear, what is it that causes you to come all the way out here? It's terribly far from most places, you know. What is so important?"
Through tears and frequent pauses, Celia told her story, while the Wind nodded thoughtfully. When she was finished, he thought for a few moments, then spoke.
"Well, my dear, I have often heard of this castle lying east of the sun and west of the moon, but I have never blown even that far, but perhaps my brother, the West Wind, can be of help. You can ride on my back there, if you like."
Celia assured him that that would be fine, then she hurried back to the front entrance to retrieve her saddlebags. She had eaten the food, but she kept the golden apple, carding comb, and her newest gift, a miniature golden spinning wheel, which reminded her of the final woman's kindness in renewing her clothes.
After Celia had gathered all of this up, the East Wind was ready, so she gingerly climbed onto his back and held on as they flew across the earth to the West Wind.
Once they arrived, it was nearly nightfall, and the East Wind had to return home. He bade Celia goodbye, and gave her a tinderbox, designed with many intricate patterns from Eastern art. Celia thanked him heartily and watched his wispy figure disappear into the oncoming night. She turned and knocked on the heavy door, which opened much more silently than that of the East Wind.
Celia sucked in her breath and stepped inside. There, she saw the West Wind, in a laboratory of some sort, directly beside the door. In the room, which Celia, of course, entered, there were all sorts of inventions, from the modernized West, some that were just beginning, others yet to be begun.
As Celia continued to take in these new surroundings, the West Wind turned, not a bit shocked or surprised, and looked at her for a while before she turned and noticed.
"Hello. Welcome to my house. How are you?"
"Fine, fine. Do you have a place to sleep? I'm sorry to intrude, but I was never one to travel, and I'm not really feeling well, and I-"
"Of course! Right this way, madam."
Celia smiled and took his hand, expecting it to be wispy, but it was firm and almost tough. She sagged with relief when she saw that her bedroom was just down the hall, not requiring the use of the towering stairs that filled the entranceway.
The Wind nodded courteously, then left Celia to her privacy. Still shouldering her saddlebags, Celia gently laid them down on the floor and relaxed once more.
All these new people! I wonder if I'll ever get used to it? Probably not. Oh, well. As long as I can find him, nothing...else...matters...
Celia finally drifted into a calm sleep, much needed by her and her child. For when she woke, she would need her energy. This time, this wind will know where he is. It's obvious that this one is a scholar, so he must have heard of it and therefore traveled there. Of course. Why, she might even reach her husband tomorrow, but definitely the day after.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Celia had already awakened, ready to discuss how to get to this mysterious castle with her host. But to her dismay, when she brought up the subject over dinner, he said the same thing that his brother had said. They had both heard of it, but neither had the strength to blow that far.
Celia had kept all of her emotions in check when the East Wind had told her this, but she could barely keep herself from crying this time.
The West Wind quickly assured her, "But wait! Another brother, the South Wind, perhaps he can help you! He's much stronger than my brother and I, and I'm sure that he's heard of it. Here. Get on my back, and I'll take you to him."
Celia obeyed, taking her bag with her, and accepted the strange gift, an intricately carved bow and quiver full of arrows. She assumed that she would find use for them, and graciously accepted the gift.
This time, the West Wind went into his brother's house with Celia, and told his brother her story, although Celia filled in a few missed details here and there.
When they had finished, the South Wind, who was strange, yet unique in his own...strange...way, gave out a long, low whistle.
"Well, dear, that's quite a story, and I agree with my brother, that we must do everything we possibly can to get you back to your husband, especially with that baby comin' and all. Yes, we'll help you. But-" he paused warily, hesitating before his last words, "-I myself have never been that far."
Celia simply couldn't stand any more disappointment, for the day had been just too full of that. The South Wind waited until her wails became slightly softer, then added, "But my brother, the North Wind, should unquestionably know. Why, if he doesn't, then you won't find anyone else in the entire world who does. I can take you to him, and you can see for yourself."
Celia threw her arms around his large neck, weeping again, but not in her hopelessness, for she had one more hope, and something inside her told her that this was really it.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Celia and the South Wind set out the following morning, and this was the longest trip so far. Celia had had no idea that the north and south were this far apart, but now she did. The trip took at least three and a half weeks, and she estimated that even though she slept three-fourths of the time!
They finally reached the doorway of the North Wind's home, dark and dreary, set up against an icy mountain ridge that seemed to cleft the sky in the side, they were so tall and pointed.
They had been able to feel the icy chill in the air hours earlier, but now it was nearly unbearable. Without knocking, the South Wind suddenly called out in a yell, "Hello, there! Are you home?"
"WHO WANTS TO KNOW? GO AWAY AND COME BACK TO SEE ME LATER!" a gruff voice growled from within the castle.
The South Wind turned to Celia to give an apologizing shrug, then yelled again, "Can't you recognize me? It's me, your brother from the south, and I've got a little lassie who needs to see you. It's very important!"
Celia wanted to yell that she was not a "little lassie," but the cold gusts that accompanied the North Wind's next outburst froze her tongue along with the rest of her.
"BLAST YOU BOTH! WHAT DO YOU WANT? MAKE IT QUICK!"
"Do you know of the castle that is east of the sun and west of the moon?"
"YES, I KNOW OF IT."
"Can you get to it?"
Here, Celia crossed her purplish fingers and prayed like never before.
"YES, I BELIEVE THAT I CAN."
In her joy, Celia felt her legs fail her, but, thankfully, the South Wind caught her and carried her through his brother's open doors.
Thanks to Sailor Zel (yeah...the prince doesn't get around much...), cheler (if anniya doesn't marry west, than for the freakin love I WILL!!! heeheehee...), R2D2Chick (you're quite welcome!), chava (awwwww....thanx for your sweet review...i like compliments =o)...and i think that you'll find some of your suggestions applied in this chapter...funny thing is, i havn't touched this chapter since i wrote it, but a lot of your suggestions were already there! =o)...yes, i did make up the child, mother, and crone for this story...and i did update my bio...i'll prob hav to soon too...i dont remember when i last did it...*sigh*...school's almost over!), Rampant (yes, she does hav a lot of places to visit), a reviewer (you're so sweet), chikki-g (how funny that you complained about what chava liked...teehee...i just found that humorous...but the whole quote is throughout the original story, too!), and ditto (TWICE!!! ooooooooooooooo...thanx for your correction...i'll fix it as soon as i can! =o)...and thank you much!)
ok, guys...here it is...and, once again...sorry it took so long...now i'm gonna go watch the season finale of JAG...tootley-doodles!
~Jenny the chica~
Chapter Sixteen: In which Celia's travels are almost complete...
The Wind continued to lead Celia down the hallway, and she meekly followed after him. She curiously studied the house as they passed, but the Wind soon opened another creaky door and led her inside.
Celia took a seat in the homely parlor, next to a lit fireplace, and the Wind took the seat across from her. He allowed a few moments of silence before he began.
"So, my dear, what is it that causes you to come all the way out here? It's terribly far from most places, you know. What is so important?"
Through tears and frequent pauses, Celia told her story, while the Wind nodded thoughtfully. When she was finished, he thought for a few moments, then spoke.
"Well, my dear, I have often heard of this castle lying east of the sun and west of the moon, but I have never blown even that far, but perhaps my brother, the West Wind, can be of help. You can ride on my back there, if you like."
Celia assured him that that would be fine, then she hurried back to the front entrance to retrieve her saddlebags. She had eaten the food, but she kept the golden apple, carding comb, and her newest gift, a miniature golden spinning wheel, which reminded her of the final woman's kindness in renewing her clothes.
After Celia had gathered all of this up, the East Wind was ready, so she gingerly climbed onto his back and held on as they flew across the earth to the West Wind.
Once they arrived, it was nearly nightfall, and the East Wind had to return home. He bade Celia goodbye, and gave her a tinderbox, designed with many intricate patterns from Eastern art. Celia thanked him heartily and watched his wispy figure disappear into the oncoming night. She turned and knocked on the heavy door, which opened much more silently than that of the East Wind.
Celia sucked in her breath and stepped inside. There, she saw the West Wind, in a laboratory of some sort, directly beside the door. In the room, which Celia, of course, entered, there were all sorts of inventions, from the modernized West, some that were just beginning, others yet to be begun.
As Celia continued to take in these new surroundings, the West Wind turned, not a bit shocked or surprised, and looked at her for a while before she turned and noticed.
"Hello. Welcome to my house. How are you?"
"Fine, fine. Do you have a place to sleep? I'm sorry to intrude, but I was never one to travel, and I'm not really feeling well, and I-"
"Of course! Right this way, madam."
Celia smiled and took his hand, expecting it to be wispy, but it was firm and almost tough. She sagged with relief when she saw that her bedroom was just down the hall, not requiring the use of the towering stairs that filled the entranceway.
The Wind nodded courteously, then left Celia to her privacy. Still shouldering her saddlebags, Celia gently laid them down on the floor and relaxed once more.
All these new people! I wonder if I'll ever get used to it? Probably not. Oh, well. As long as I can find him, nothing...else...matters...
Celia finally drifted into a calm sleep, much needed by her and her child. For when she woke, she would need her energy. This time, this wind will know where he is. It's obvious that this one is a scholar, so he must have heard of it and therefore traveled there. Of course. Why, she might even reach her husband tomorrow, but definitely the day after.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Celia had already awakened, ready to discuss how to get to this mysterious castle with her host. But to her dismay, when she brought up the subject over dinner, he said the same thing that his brother had said. They had both heard of it, but neither had the strength to blow that far.
Celia had kept all of her emotions in check when the East Wind had told her this, but she could barely keep herself from crying this time.
The West Wind quickly assured her, "But wait! Another brother, the South Wind, perhaps he can help you! He's much stronger than my brother and I, and I'm sure that he's heard of it. Here. Get on my back, and I'll take you to him."
Celia obeyed, taking her bag with her, and accepted the strange gift, an intricately carved bow and quiver full of arrows. She assumed that she would find use for them, and graciously accepted the gift.
This time, the West Wind went into his brother's house with Celia, and told his brother her story, although Celia filled in a few missed details here and there.
When they had finished, the South Wind, who was strange, yet unique in his own...strange...way, gave out a long, low whistle.
"Well, dear, that's quite a story, and I agree with my brother, that we must do everything we possibly can to get you back to your husband, especially with that baby comin' and all. Yes, we'll help you. But-" he paused warily, hesitating before his last words, "-I myself have never been that far."
Celia simply couldn't stand any more disappointment, for the day had been just too full of that. The South Wind waited until her wails became slightly softer, then added, "But my brother, the North Wind, should unquestionably know. Why, if he doesn't, then you won't find anyone else in the entire world who does. I can take you to him, and you can see for yourself."
Celia threw her arms around his large neck, weeping again, but not in her hopelessness, for she had one more hope, and something inside her told her that this was really it.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Celia and the South Wind set out the following morning, and this was the longest trip so far. Celia had had no idea that the north and south were this far apart, but now she did. The trip took at least three and a half weeks, and she estimated that even though she slept three-fourths of the time!
They finally reached the doorway of the North Wind's home, dark and dreary, set up against an icy mountain ridge that seemed to cleft the sky in the side, they were so tall and pointed.
They had been able to feel the icy chill in the air hours earlier, but now it was nearly unbearable. Without knocking, the South Wind suddenly called out in a yell, "Hello, there! Are you home?"
"WHO WANTS TO KNOW? GO AWAY AND COME BACK TO SEE ME LATER!" a gruff voice growled from within the castle.
The South Wind turned to Celia to give an apologizing shrug, then yelled again, "Can't you recognize me? It's me, your brother from the south, and I've got a little lassie who needs to see you. It's very important!"
Celia wanted to yell that she was not a "little lassie," but the cold gusts that accompanied the North Wind's next outburst froze her tongue along with the rest of her.
"BLAST YOU BOTH! WHAT DO YOU WANT? MAKE IT QUICK!"
"Do you know of the castle that is east of the sun and west of the moon?"
"YES, I KNOW OF IT."
"Can you get to it?"
Here, Celia crossed her purplish fingers and prayed like never before.
"YES, I BELIEVE THAT I CAN."
In her joy, Celia felt her legs fail her, but, thankfully, the South Wind caught her and carried her through his brother's open doors.