Fuzz, then black again. Gray fuzz. Pitch black. I hear my voice groan. My throat rumbles. I thought heaven was supposed to be a glorious city of light. Why are my eyes only seeing black? Have I traveled in the wrong direction? Is my soul now lost in Hell? I'll never have another chance now. The devil gives no mercy. All hope is lost. I will never see Ash again. Another moan erupts from my throat. When will I see the fire? The flames? The red eyes of the constant watching devil? The gray fuzz returns. The gray is now turning to green. Pale, and sick green. I hear the cackle of mockery. An old woman laughs at me. A woman? The rumors are is that the devil is man. 'Guess I proved them wrong. Green goes to pale pink. Brown fuzz. What?

"Beryl, please." Came a deep voice.

Oh my goodness. This can't be happening. How am I still alive? That low voice was of Lord Altrogge. He goes on mumbling something, but I don't bother listening. I can hardly move. So stiff, so weak. Oh, just to move one muscle, pain seers through my body. I finally get the strength to open my eyes. I stare up at the ceiling of the stone castle. Lord Altrogge bends over me.

"You're lucky, Princess." He says.

"I…didn't…make it." My mouth finally forms.

"Of course you didn't make it back in time. That's why you're lucky to be alive. Just be thankful, Princess, that I spared you. I could have left you to die when I found you. But I still had time because the moon wasn't at its tallest peak, and it wasn't even half full. Also, I would like to know, why you were out so far and so late."

"I went for…a walk. Find food." I lie. "I was hungry."

"That must have been a great hunger." Lord Altrogge almost laughs. I don't think he believes me. "You've got to be more careful, Princess Misty. Be careful." He pauses. "Oh, is that a tear?"

He mocks me, for I cry. He will never find out why. Never. He then leaves the room.

Beryl hobbles over to me and puts a glass to my lips. "Here, drink."

I drink and whisper. "Thank you." It wasn't water, the strange beverage. I'll just have to find out later because I dare not ask. She then leaves as well. "I failed."

I only stare. My only movement is my chest going up and down from my breath. The words I said earlier ring in my head. Failed. Failure. What did I expect from myself? This skinny, puny, helpless, hopeless—little girl. I don't need a plan, I need a miracle. I was so close. But I know that I chose a bad time. Winter walks towards us, making the days shorter. Less sun, and less time. I don't know how long I lied there. But the feeling finally came back to my legs. The warm sensation crawled up my body and finally I could move without a result of pain. That beverage must have had something special in it. I sit up on the old couch which I was set on and crack my sore neck. The sound gives me goose bumps. Where did Lord Altrogge and Beryl go? Curiosity itches my brain. I finally stand on my wobbly weak legs. Holding on to the brick wall, I make my way towards a room where I hear voices. The Lord talks to his assistant slowly and in a hushed, low voice. I near the large door and press my ear to it. I fell that I must know what they're talking about.

"I feel this plan is failing." Lord Altrogge says.

"Why, sir?" Beryl asks.

"It's been going so well, these three years. I'm beginning to worry."

"Worry?"

"I'm supposed to be ruling the Waterflower Kingdom by now! Misty as my wife. But if she refuses to marry me, I cannot conquer. If I try to take over that kingdom without her, the army from Ketchum's Kingdom stops me!" Lord Altrogge replies. I cheer inside.

"Is that all?"

"Plus, I believe that deer is smarter then you think. And I also think she's had contact with other people, signaling her situation." The Lord replies.

"Why do you think that, sir?" Beryl wonders.

He pauses. "When I found her lying on the forest floor the previous night, a boy was already at her side." There was?…Ash.

"A boy?"

"Yes. He wasn't a normal boy though, Beryl. His clothes proved it. Those weren't no peasant clothes. Satin and Silver thread. I think he knew about her. For when he reached her he was saying how all she said was true. It was all true. She told that boy around her curse, and possibly about me and my plan." The lord said with slight anger.

The door gives way and I crash to the floor before Lord Altrogge. I stand to leave but catch his glare and I am frozen. If looks could kill, I would be dead. I bow my head as if to say, sorry. I look up to see two flat faces. Beryl's enormous nose covering up her wrinkled mouth. I sigh nervously, inching my way backwards out the large wooden doors.

"What do you want?" Lord Altrogge stops me. I cannot turn back now. I've been given an opportunity and I'm going to take it.

"Please, my Lord." I say and I can smell his surprise. I then go to my knees. "I have a request."

"Do you wish me to grant it?" He asks.

"Very. But I also know it is of your decision." I reply.

"I appreciate your awareness on the subject." Lord Altrogge smiles.

"You've given me a half life, my Lord, and now I ask for it to be whole again. Please, my Lord, I ask to be human once more, and stay that way." I answer, taking the risk.

He seems shocked and Beryl doesn't say a word, like always. She barely speaks.

"Please…I beg of you." I cry. "I beg of you."

"The reason you are in here, in my castle, is because there is no moon tonight. You will have to stay in here until tomorrow night. You have a lot of time to spare and so do I. Go up to the tower where I have prepared for you a room. I will return tomorrow night with my decision." The Lord says. "Sleep well Princess. I will see you then. Beryl, fetch her a meal and the escort her to the tower." Beryl nods.

Was that a yes or a no? I stand up and follow the Lord's assistant to the kitchen were she gives me a ham sandwich and some very strong coffee. I can hardly eat it all. I am so used to not eating, when I actually do, my stomach fills very easily. After I finish, Beryl leads me up the spiral steps. We go up many floors, but finally reach what she tells me is the east tower. A circular room with one window and a large mound of hay to the side.

"Make yourself comfortable, Princess. I will be back at sunrise so I can put a shade over that window. The sun will still affect you. Until then, have a nice night." With that she leaves.

"Thank you." I whisper. I doubt she heard me, but I was still a Princess. I should remain polite, even though I hardly acted that way to begin with.

After Beryl closes the door, I pull some hay over to the window to make a cushion. I have a seat and rest my elbows on the stone sill, gazing out upon the enchanted forest. This place was different, you could tell. For weather never affected it. In the months of winter, cold winds blew, yet there was no snow. Rain fell every once in a while in the warm months, but never a thunder storm. Plants never died, the leaves were always green. Flowers didn't wither, but were forever in bloom. Their pollen being scattered by the slightest breeze, and sparkling a magical yellow in the moonlight. The lake looks so majestic from this far away, and from this altitude. Shimmering ripples of white on its navy blue body. I feel like I'm in the old fairy tale, Repunzel. My hair so long, locked in a tower. Waiting for a prince I know will never come.