"Do you remember anything about your parents?"
Melissa looked up, eyeing Wendell. She had Sport in her arms, the big cat sleeping soundly.
Another day of travel had passed and the group had arrived in Peatown, the small portion of the Fourth
Kingdom that Princess Aileen ruled. They were at the outer edges now, passing small farms and large
families. There were rows and rows of short crops that were, unsurprisingly, peas. After a moment,
Melissa answered him. "No. I was only two."
Wendell watched a young boy chasing a dog around, until the boy was called back by a single,
sharp word from an older woman. "My parents died when I was young, too."
"Really?" She shifted the cat in her arms, and Wendell found himself jealous of Sport.
"Yes. The Evil Queen poisoned them. She tried to kill me, too, but they caught her. That is why
she was in Snow White Memorial Prison."
"How old were you?"
"I was ten when my mother died and fourteen when my father died." Wendell felt that familiar
ache for what might have been.
"You must have some memories, then."
"Yes." They passed by a man leading a team of oxen. "And a portrait of each, as well." He
looked at Melissa in time to see the passing of some unknown emotion on her face.
"I have one picture of my mother. I don't know what my dad looked like at all. He died before I
was born, and they had no pictures from the old country." She was gripping Sport more tightly now, a sign
Wendell had started recognizing. It meant something had terribly upset her.
"What is the old country?"
"It's another place in my world. They immigrated from there to Los Angeles just before I was
born."
Wendell nodded his understanding, and they continued their walk in silence. Teresa had spent
most of the day even with them, but was hanging back now. Whenever he looked back on her, she had her
eyes on the people, a soft smile on her face. She looked so content that he simply let her be.
He wished he could do the same with Melissa.
Most of the day she'd talked with Teresa, occasionally pressing him for information on the nine
kingdoms and their inhabitants, and sharing a lot of information with him on the Tenth Kingdom. It had
been a pleasant, diverting conversation, and for awhile Wendell had forgotten that she would leave him,
eventually, without ever knowing how he cared for her.
He looked back over his shoulder again, but Teresa seemed absorbed in the play of several boys
off the side of the path. Soon she would have to distract Melissa again, before he did something foolish.
Yesterday had nearly been a disaster, when he had acted so recklessly after his argument with the Pigs. He
had nearly kissed her, had seen the desire hiding in her own eyes and had been ready to take advantage of
it. Though he'd been upset when she'd turned away yesterday, today he was mostly relieved.
It was good that Sport kept Melissa's hands full now, leaving conversation as their only
connection. But talking to her seemed almost worse than touching her. At least the thrill of feeling her
skin could be a purely physical attraction. This deep need to know what she was thinking, to know
everything about her, lay bare the truth of his feelings.
*Feelings I can never show her because she lives a world away.* He knew this was what Wolf
must have felt for Virginia. *But he's with Virginia, isn't he?* Wendell thought, the sharp edge of
bitterness slicing his heart. *He had nothing here without her. I ... I have a Kingdom. People who can't
even decide how to keep their bloody chickens separate.* A growl burned low in his throat, and Melissa's
head jerked towards him, her eyebrows raised.
Wendell cleared his throat loudly, thumping a fist on his chest.
"Are you all right?"
"Oh, yes. Fine." He smiled thinly, gesturing at the area to distract them both. "This land is a part
of the Fourth Kingdom, but Princess Aileen acts as general ruler. The Fourth Kingdom is too large for me
to effectively rule it alone, and Aileen's line has ruled here for generations."
"What fairy tale is she from?"
"Fairy tale?" He considered it, shrugging. "I really don't know what it would be in your world.
Remember, Melissa, here she is just a princess." He smiled, softening the words.
Sport woke then, meowing loudly. "Sporty," Melissa cooed, her features lighting as she kissed
him on the head. Wendell hid his distaste of the cat from her, instead looking at the main part of Peatown.
Melissa let Sport down, and the cat darted ahead several feet and stopped to stretch. Just beyond him, the
small farms gave way to buildings packed more tightly together, and the dirt path turned into a cobblestone
street. It reminded Wendell of a much more serious Kissingtown. All of the buildings had peas or a
peapod on them in some way, and many had small paintings of the Princess. She looked lovely in all of
them, her long hair always hanging loose, her large brown eyes always smiling.
Wendell hoped those eyes would see through the dirt and the rumors to the man beneath. He
wanted to get the women real food and real beds and real rest. He and Aileen had been friends since they
were babies, and they both knew their parents had hoped for marriage. They had tried to arrange it when
Wendell was seven, just before Snow White left the castle. But the great Queen had been adamantly
against an arranged marriage. It had been one of her last commands, and it had been whispered about for
years after she'd gone.
"You must never betroth Wendell," she had warned his father. "We of the House of White walk
the path of true love, and no one can find it but the traveler. If someone else tries, you will only condemn
him to misery." She had made his father promise never to arrange a marriage, and the man had stayed true
to his word.
After Wendell had been crowned, he had considered asking Aileen to be his wife, at a loss for
anyone he would trust as much, but that had been before Melissa. Marrying Aileen now would be a
betrayal of the heart, and he wanted no part of it.
The castle appeared suddenly on the horizon, small and stunning. He heard Melissa's small gasp
and then a soft, appreciative noise. Many, many years ago, one of Aileen's line had found a vein of marble
and had covered the castle's walls with it. Even now, it still glistened in the sunlight, begging to be noticed.
"How beautiful." Teresa stood on Melissa's other side, staring at the castle as well.
"They take very good care of their castle. You should see it during a ball." Wendell smiled, and
started forward again, anxious to be there. "It seems to dance with the torchlight."
The three arrived at the entrance several minutes later, Sport tagging along behind them. It was
fairly empty at the gates this late in the afternoon. One of the guards, garbed in the green and brown of
Aileen's colors, waved them forward.
"What's your business?" he intoned flatly.
"We've come to see the Princess Aileen."
"All questions, begging, and fawning are done for the day. Come back tomorrow."
Wendell glanced at the two women, who both shrugged. They seemed more interested in studying
the beauty of the stonework. He inhaled slowly and faced the guards. "Sir, I am King Wendell. It is
imperative that I speak with the Princess."
He could see the derision starting and had braced himself when the other guard held out a hand.
"Wait a minute, Dirk." They held a whispered conversation, Dirk grunting unhappily. Finally, the
other guard motioned for Wendell and the women to follow him. "This way," he ordered. "And pick up
your cat." Teresa quickly gathered Sport into her arms and they followed after the guard, silent. Wendell
glanced at the two women, but neither seemed particularly concerned or surprised.
The entranceway of the castle's interior was a huge 'T', each hall ending in doors. The floor was
marble, with rugs laid out at even intervals. Tapestries and portraits lined the walls, a visual history of
Aileen's family. In the very center of the room on a man-sized pedastal was a bronze pea, several feet in
diameter.
"Princess and the Pea," Melissa murmured. "Of course."
"Stay here." The guard gave Wendell a searching look, and then abruptly turned and headed down
the left hallway.
He felt Melissa edge closer to him, until their shoulders were touching, both of them staring at the
bronze pea. "So," she said. "Do you think they believe you?"
Wendell wanted to grab her by the arm and ask her the same question. Beg her to believe him.
Aileen's belief didn't matter, if Melissa thought he was lying. Instead he shrugged, clasping his hands
behind his back. "I am not sure. I can't imagine why they would let us in otherwise. But this is not
generally where Aileen receives important guests."
"But it's possible. I mean, that they believe you."
He turned his head, watching her. "It is possible, yes."
She met his gaze, slowly. "That you're a king."
"Yes."
"And you haven't been lying."
He smiled and lifted his hand, ready to push the hair back out of her eyes.
"Wendell?" His hand dropped and he turned, looking down the corridor to the right to see Aileen
gaping openly. "Is that you?"
"Aileen! It's me, you must believe me."
She took a few steps closer, her slippered feet silent on the marble floor. "It's hard to believe ... "
"I know." He held out a hand helplessly. "Ask me a question. Anything."
"How do I know you haven't been prepared for questions?"
Wendell sighed, wishing for a moment she'd lost some of her perceptiveness. "Please Aileen.
Something only Wendell would know."
"All right." Her gaze flicked to Melissa, traveled down the other woman's form, and then moved
back to Wendell. "Two years ago, what did we do the night after your birthday ball? And what does the
kingdom believe we did?"
He felt Melissa's gaze stab him in the back, and his neck grew warm. "Ah," he cleared his throat,
nervous. "Well, the Kingdom believes that we ... ah, slept together, but we didn't," he added in a rush.
"We spent the night talking and drinking until we passed out on my bed." Wendell looked behind him, but
Melissa was studying the bronze pea carefully. "That's all that happened," he pleaded, no longer speaking
to Aileen.
"You didn't sound so grateful about that two years ago," Aileen said, coming to stand next to him.
When he turned to face her, she put a hand on each of his cheeks and kissed him solidly. "Welcome back,
Wendell. I missed you."
He stood there in shock until she broke the kiss and gestured at Melissa. "Who are they? And
why are you all so dirty?"
Wendell blinked, slowly, certain that he couldn't be anymore mortified at that moment.
"I'm Melissa, this is Teresa. We're from the Tenth Kingdom." The words sliced between them.
"Ohhhhh," Aileen's eyes widened and she smiled coyly at Wendell, taking his arm in hers. "That's
where that lovely Virginia was from, wasn't it? How cute." He knew, suddenly, that he was wrong -- it
was possible to be more embarrassed. And he felt certain Aileen was going to bring them to new limits.
**********
"What, by the Queen, was that all about?" Wendell demanded several minutes later. He had
explained everything about Melissa's situation and the mirror to Aileen while she'd walked them to the
guestrooms. The entire time, she'd held onto Wendell's arm, flirting openly with him and insinuating a
relationship that didn't actually exist. If she hadn't been a Princess, and if his ingrained etiquette hadn't
been so strong, he would have yelled at her long before this. But now that the other two women were in
their rooms getting cleaned up, his tongue felt sharp and loose.
"What are you talking about, dear?" Aileen was leading him to his private guest room now.
"The way you're acting! It's shameless. And it's a lie."
She laughed softly. "She's quite beautiful, you know. Quite ... " she paused, then snapped her
fingers. "Ethereal. Yes."
He blinked, unprepared for the swift change of subject. "Yes," he answered, guarded. "She is also
very kind and doesn't need you insulting her or acting like this."
"Really, Wendell, you're so dense sometimes."
"Dense? Aileen, stop playing games with me. What are you up to?"
They stopped in the middle of the empty corridor, and she laid a hand on his arm. "I'm helping
you."
"Helping!"
"Yes. Helping. It's quite obvious how you feel about her. I saw the way you were looking at her
before I cut you off. My goodness, Wendell, I could actually feel it. But her," she patted his arm and
started walking again, "she's not so obvious. It's there, in her eyes and her reaction. I was just testing her.
If she hadn't seemed upset, then I would have stopped, although it was rather enjoyable." Aileen winked.
"I only continued to drive the point home. A little competition does wonders for decision-making."
Wendell hurried after her, dumbfounded. "I'd thank you to stop, Aileen. Regardless of what you
thought you saw between us, Melissa doesn't need your 'help' in making any sort of decision. She is free to
do whatever she wants, and you and I both will stay out of it."
"Oh Wendell." She looked into his eyes, and he was surprised by the sadness he saw there. "How
do you live each day, believing that?"
He shook his head, feigning confusion. "I don't know what you mean," he whispered. But that
was a lie. The mere thought of the days when she would be gone slashed his heart with vibrant pain. "It's
because I love her," he said roughly.
Aileen made a disapproving 'tsk.' "So it's the "I'll be noble and set her free because I think I know
what she wants and now I'll be miserable for the rest of my life" routine?"
"You don't understand." His words needled him, drawing out his anger.
"Maybe I don't. I've never been in love like that. I don't imagine I ever will. It's a trait that
always seemed particular to the truly great."
They stopped in front of the door to his room. Wendell ran his hand over the intricately carved
wood while he struggled for words. "I appreciate what you're trying to do, Aileen," he finally managed,
"but stop it. The situation is not as simple as it seems, and it doesn't need your help. This is best for
everyone, not just Melissa, and she especially doesn't need to know how I feel."
"Doesn't need to know? How long have you two been traveling together?"
Wendell's brow furrowed. "A few days, I believe."
"Trust me dear, she knows." Aileen opened up the door, and looked inside, nodding her approval.
"Good, the servants are done cleaning."
"You did know it was me."
"Of course, Wendell." She smiled warmly. "Since you arrived at the gate, actually. I could pick
you out of a crowd, no matter what you were dressed like. Although," she plucked at his dirty clothing, her
nose wrinkled. "This almost worked. You'll have to tell me more about this later. We can talk about
Melissa more, too, when you're clean and thinking clearly."
"No. No more talk of her, I won't have it. And no more games, either. This is my business, leave
it be."
"Yes, your Highness." Aileen curtsied, and he knew he had hurt her. Wendell groaned inwardly.
*Women.*
"May I say one last thing?" she whispered.
He sighed. "One."
"You don't know for sure that it might not be the best thing for everyone, including Melissa. It's
love, Wendell, how awful could it be? Now, have a bath," she continued without waiting for an answer.
"And put on some more appropriate clothes. We're dining in an hour." She kissed him swiftly on the
cheek and walked off, her step silent.
**********
*Wendell is a King,* Melissa repeated to herself for the fiftieth time that evening, swallowing
down the last piece of cake. She brushed at the skirt of her simple dress, thankful to be clean and in clean
clothes. The pale yellow dress she wore made her feel more a part of this medieval world. Wendell had
changed into fresh clothes as well. She looked at him again, all of the dirt and grime gone. It was a
startling change to see him in the crisp white shirt, the blue trim matching his eyes. He looked very ...
kingly.
The royalty didn't awe her, though she now regretted some of her earlier comments to him,
because she'd had some experience with it before. Movie stars were as much as royalty in her world, and
she'd been casual friends with Princess Diana and had grown accustomed to the feel of it. The hard part
was the fact that the whole time he had been telling the truth, that all her reasons for not trusting him -- not
trusting her feelings for him -- had been washed away with the dirt.
What would she do now?
She leaned back in her chair and exhaled slowly, trying to take her mind off of it. "That is the
most food I have ever eaten. My compliments to your chef."
Aileen smiled, finishing off the last of her own food. Melissa wasn't sure what had happened, but
the woman's behavior was remarkably changed from earlier, even downright friendly. The dinner had
passed with pleasant ease between the women, with no flirting between the royalty. She knew Wendell had
hardly looked at Aileen all evening, because Melissa had felt his eyes on her instead. Whenever she looked
up at him, his gaze was always elsewhere, but when she looked away, it returned immediately. It was
starting to bug her.
"You certainly earned a good meal, by your tale. I just wish you had found the mirror, it is a
terrible thing that someone stole it."
"I know." Wendell broke in, pushing his own half-full plate away. He had been quiet most of the
meal. "We don't know where it is. We don't know who took it, or who has it now even. It is just an
incredible disaster."
"We can still find it," Melissa insisted.
He met her eyes for the first time that evening and didn't say a word. He didn't need to.
"Still," Aileen said, "I'm not sure why you don't just return to your castle. If we alert the citizens
of the kingdom --"
"And let them know that their king lost a traveling mirror? Oh, yes, Aileen, what a wonderful
idea. Then we can just send the trolls an invite and have them come over, too." He picked up his knife and
then slammed it down again.
Melissa shared a quick look with the other two women. Wendell had also been sulky since he'd
sat down, and anxious. Whatever had happened between him and Aileen had not gone over well. "You
don't have to be rude, Wendell," she said, feeling sorry for the princess.
He dragged one hand down his face, sighing. "It is bad enough that I ran away. If the Kingdom
finds out about the mirror ... they need their peace of mind, right now. I am not helping anything."
"The mirror wasn't your fault," she reminded him.
"And," Aileen added, "you were running after the mirror. I think that's quite noble. I'm sure your
people would see it the same way."
Wendell took a piece of meat and set it down on the ground. When Melissa glanced under the
table, she saw Sport crouched by his feet, gnawing happily on the food. "I don't know. Maybe you're right.
My advisors are quite gifted at that sort of thing. They can probably convince everyone I did something
right."
The three women all shook their heads, and Aileen stood up. "We can discuss this further
tomorrow morning," she announced. "You all must be exhausted. I know I am," she said, her smile forced.
"If you'll excuse me?" Melissa and Terry nodded, and Wendell pushed himself to his feet, though he still
fiddled with the knife. They all watched Aileen walk away without making a noise.
Teresa yawned, standing as well. " I really am exhausted," she said. "Especially after that meal. I
think I'll turn in. Don't stay up too late, Missy."
Melissa rolled her eyes. Even in the midst of a fairy tale kingdom, at a princess' table, Terry still
managed to mother her. "I won't," she said, rising to give her a hug.
"You either, Wendell dear."
Wendell looked up, and for a moment, he smiled. "Sleep well, Teresa."
The older woman gathered Sport into her arms and left the room. When they were alone, they
both sat back down, watching each other. No one else was in the small dining hall, not even servants. The
whole castle felt asleep.
"What happened between you two earlier?"
Wendell flinched. "You are direct sometimes, aren't you?"
"When I need to be. You've been acting really strange tonight. And you were awfully sharp with
the Princess."
"Aileen and I have been friends for a long time, she understands." He shoved the knife away,
across the table, and folded his hands in his lap. "Don't you do the same with Terry?"
"We're not talking about me and Terry."
"Well maybe we should."
"Our relationship has nothing to do with this."
"I haven't seen you in a dress before. You look beautiful."
She flushed, but pressed the issue. "Direct isn't going to work tonight, is it?"
His eyes glimmered in the light from the candles on the table. "No."
Melissa sighed, tapping her nail against her glass, the quiet ring lost in the room. "So why is
Aileen exhausted?" she finally asked.
Whatever was seething in Wendell's eyes suddenly dimmed, and he stared down at his hands.
"She doesn't sleep very well. She never has. It's a family trait."
"Like a curse?"
"No, it's just a trait. It's just who they are. You seem to know the story of her grandmother, don't
you?"
Melissa frowned, and then realized that the Princess and the Pea was not Aileen at all, but Aileen's
grandmother. *What was that story?* she thought. It had been years and years since she'd heard it, and it
had never seemed that important to her anyway. "Something about ... let me think. She slept on a tall stack
of mattresses, didn't she? And there was a pea at the bottom and she could feel it? I don't really
remember." She felt guilty for that, sitting here at Aileen's table.
"Once upon a time," Wendell said, the words flowing naturally from him, "a prince was looking
for a bride. He and his mother, the Queen, looked for a very long time, but could never find a true princess,
someone of real nobility. They both became very frustrated and were thinking of giving up their search,
the prince to remain without a wife for the rest of his days.
"One day, a young woman came to the door, asking if the prince had been married yet. The
guards said no and took her to the Queen to be questioned, as had all the others. The Queen asked her
many things, and the young woman seemed to be a true princess. But several others had passed the
Queen's questioning, only to fail at the final test." Wendell lay his hands flat on the table, watching Melissa
again. His voice was warm and smooth and hypnotizing.
"The young woman very much wanted to marry the Prince, for he was known as a kind and
handsome man throughout his kingdom, and what woman wouldn't want to be Queen? So she eagerly
agreed to the Queen's final test. She was taken to a room, and in the room was a single bed, and nothing
more. On the bed were layer upon layer of blankets, until they rose almost to the young woman's head.
"You shall sleep here tonight," the Queen said, pointing to the pile. "On top of all of these blankets. Then,
in the morning, you shall take the final test." The young woman thought it was a bit strange, but agreed
and climbed onto the top of the bed with help from the footstool.
"The next morning, the young woman was brought before the Queen again, and asked a few more
questions. But the entire time, she could not stop yawning, and she looked very tired, as though she hadn't
slept at all. "My dear," the Queen asked, "did you not sleep well? I left you a pile of blankets to sleep on
so you would be more comfortable."
""My Queen," the young woman replied, curtseying low, "the bed indeed looked comfortable, but
someone left a pea at the very bottom of the blankets, and I couldn't fall asleep." The Queen smiled and
hugged the young woman and called her daughter, saying that she had passed the final test. For only a
woman of true nobility would be sensitive enough to feel the pea. And so the young woman, Aileen's
grandmother, was married to the prince." He stopped, and the silence settled quickly between them.
"And they lived happily ever after?" Melissa whispered, almost afraid to ask.
"And they lived happily ever after, yes. For a time. But the new Queen never slept very well after
that, and neither did her daughter, nor her granddaughter. There is no bed that has been made that has not
had some flaw that they did not find."
"Wow." It had never occurred to her that the people of the myths she had grown up with had lives
after the 'happily ever after.' It had never occurred to her that they had lives at all, until coming here. "So
Aileen still hasn't found a suitable bed?"
Wendell shook his head, smiling sadly. "Not for lack of trying. Bed-makers across the kingdom
have tried when she has asked, but none has succeeded."
"That's so sad."
"She gets by." He licked his lips, glancing around them. "Many nights she uses magic, or alcohol,
to fall asleep. But that drains her in other ways. And no one knows but me," he added, leaning forward.
"I won't tell anyone. I would never that do that to someone else. Besides, I can empathize with
her, in a way."
"As can I."
She shook her head, knowing what it was like to want so badly to go to sleep and to be unable to
that you had to resort to such measures. "It's so tragic, though. The very thing that made her grandmother
happy has affected her family this way."
Wendell stretched his hand across the table, palm up, and Melissa looked at it for a long moment.
His eyes were on her face as she slowly put her hand in his. Her skin tingled from his warmth.
"You are an incredible woman," he murmured.
"Me?" she looked at their hands, half-lit by candlelight. On the shadowed side, they looked as
one. "I just feel sorry for her."
"It is the fact that you care at all, when you have no reason to. When you have so much else to
worry about. I find it remarkable." He squeezed her hand gently, pulling it, and her gaze, to his lips. He
kissed her fingers softly, and she felt the heat of it long after he stopped.
"Wendell." She found herself breathing unevenly. "I'm sorry I didn't believe you."
"It doesn't matter now." He stood, taking her hand with him until she stood as well. "Will you
walk with me for a bit? I must talk to you."
She pulled her hand away and came around the table, taking his arm. He smelled of soap and
smoke and the spicy meat they'd eaten. While they walked out of the dining room, she fingered the crisp
fabric of his shirt and tried not to stare up at him like a lovestruck girl.
Though she knew it wasn't far from the truth.
Melissa wasn't surprised at all when they ended up in a beautiful, dark garden for their walk. The
moon, just over half-full, was not enough to disturb the cloying shadows. The air was cool, and a soft wind
caressed the flowers gently, filling the night with sweet smells.
She glanced up when Wendell simply stood there, but he didn't move or look down, so she leaned
her head on his shoulder and waited for him to talk. She wouldn't be the one to break the moment. He
remained quiet as well, instead slowly bringing his fingers up and tracing her cheek. The touch was as
gentle as the night breeze. It was so much like a movie scene, that Melissa waited for someone to yell 'cut'
and flip the lights on.
Pulling away from him a little, she looked into his eyes, wondering what words he had brought her
out here to say, hoping to see her feelings reflected there. The moonlight glimmered off of his golden hair,
and she tugged gently on a soft curl, but still he stared out into the dark night, seemingly not aware of her
presence.
A night bird twittered in a nearby tree, playing a soft score to the scene. It was all so perfect. It
was such a fairy tale.
"What did you want to say?" she asked, suddenly frightened. Movies never ended on these perfect
scenes.
A sad smile broke across his lips. "I'm not sure, really. I just wanted to be near you." Melissa
wondered at the ache that touched those words, until he finally looked at her and she was captured by his
eyes.
Cautiously, Melissa slipped her hand up to his cheek, through his soft hair and then to the warm
skin of his neck. He tensed under her touch, but she pulled him towards her anyway, and he did little to
resist. She watched him watching her, his eyes dark and wide as she pressed her lips, and then her body,
against his. He tensed again, and for a moment she thought he would pull away. But he wrapped his arms
around her and pulled her even closer, closing his eyes. She closed her own, and in the darkness he filled
her senses. Sound and smell, taste and touch, were all of him, as they kissed. They explored first, testing,
marveling at the unexpected familiarity. As the kiss deepened, it turned tender, two people seeking
understanding. Melissa felt his soul through that kiss, and gave hers to him willingly in return. Her heart
swelled with completeness.
Wendell was the first to break the kiss, gathering her more tightly into his arms and simply
holding her close. He nuzzled into her hair, and his ragged breathing was tumultuous in her ear. Beneath
the fresh fabric of his shirt, she could feel the pounding drumbeat of his heart. Melissa knew she sounded
and felt the same to him. Slowly, the cool wind cooled her down, and Wendell's strong grip loosened a
little.
"I should not have done that," he whispered in her ear. He sounded on the verge of tears.
Melissa ran her hands down his arms, smiling. "You didn't. I did, and I don't regret it at all." He
was the sweetest man she had ever known, feeling guilty even when it wasn't his fault.
His breath puffed into her hair as he briefly murmured something too soft for her to hear.
"What?"
Wendell didn't respond at first, his breath still ragged. Finally he said, "I have a garden much like
this at my castle. It has many more flowers, though. It's much bigger, and much more beautiful. But it
will be nothing now, ugly compared to this garden." He kissed her forehead. "When this is where I told
you I love you."
Her eyes flew open, and she felt her breathing stutter. "You haven't told me yet," she managed,
trying to laugh.
He pressed his lips to her forehead again, and she felt him say, "I love you, Melissa. I have since
the moment I first looked in your eyes."
She hugged him, one of his buttons pressing into her cheek. Suddenly, she was terrified -- of what
he'd said, of repeating the words and giving them life by saying them aloud. She'd avoided the issue with
herself, and was unprepared to face it with him yet.
Wendell rubbed his cheek against her hair. "It's all right, you know, if you don't love me." His
voice was raw. "I just thought you should know that you are loved. In case you need it."
Melissa felt tears run down her cheeks, and she pressed the heel of her palms into her eyes, trying
to hold them back. "I do," she whispered, unable to say anything more. His chest hitched and he hugged
her tightly to him again.
They embraced in silence for a long time, while the wind and the birds and the flowers moved
around them. And then, quietly, Wendell asked, "What do we do now?"
Melissa shook her head, wiping away the last of her tears. "I really don't know," she admitted.
The words he wanted to hear still lodged in her throat, and she struggled just to breathe past them.
"I hope I haven't ruined things for us."
"No," she answered quickly. "You haven't." *I have* she thought. How could one person be so
selfless? "I just ... I hadn't planned on this."
"Neither had I. This was, in fact, the last thing I thought would happen tonight."
She struggled to drag the conversation somewhere safer. "You're a great kisser," she said,
desperately hoping to lighten both their moods.
Leaning back a little, she caught his wisp of a smile. "So are you. That was the second to last
thing I thought would happen tonight. Whatever possessed me to bring you out here..." His eyes dimmed
with sadness again.
"I'll have to thank Aileen," Melissa whispered hurriedly. Wendell met her gaze, looking surprised,
and she managed to grin at him. "It had to be something she did," she explained. "We women understand
these things."
He shook his head, but smiled a little in return. "I am afraid I will never understand 'those
things.'"
"I still wish I could help Aileen in some way," Melissa murmured. Aileen's problems seemed so
much easier to deal with than her own. The wind tickled the hairs on her arms, and she frowned, realizing
something. "The bed-makers, what have they built her?"
"Built her? Beds, of course. Why?" Wendell asked, puzzled.
"Regular beds? With legs and things?"
"Yes."
"Well that's the problem, then!" Melissa looked around at the trees in the garden, smiling.
"I don't understand what you mean."
She gestured at the trees as if that would explain it. When he still didn't get it, she grabbed his
hand and started dragging him back in, consumed by a plan. "She asked them the wrong thing," she said.
"The Princess doesn't need a better bed, she needs a new type of bed. Come on, we have to wake Terry
up."
**********
An hour later, the three admired Melissa's handiwork. A thick blanket had been strung between
two of the stouter trees in the garden, and Sport was lying under it, dozing. Wendell had his arm around
Melissa as she shivered in the night air, grinning triumphantly.
"A hammock," Terry said, shaking her head. "I thought you were nuts when you woke me up for
this, but it all makes sense now. There's nothing for the Princess to sleep on but the blanket--"
"Which is soft, so she'll sleep through the night," Melissa interrupted excitedly. For the moment,
the joy and pain of earlier was forgotten. "This is great. Wendell, you have to go get her. I really think
this will work."
He was staring at the hammock as though it didn't exist. "She won't just fall out?"
She laughed and impulsively kissed him on the cheek, ignoring Terry's raised eyebrows. "Trust
me," she whispered. He nodded, and with a glance to Terry, kissed Melissa chastely on the forehead.
"I will be back shortly."
Melissa watched him leave, as much to avoid Teresa's questions as to simply look at Wendell.
"I see you two are getting along much better now."
"You could say that."
Teresa came up next to her, and laid a hand on her shoulder. "I'm happy for you, Missy. You
know that."
Melissa put her hand over Terry's and squeezed it. "Thank you," she said. She didn't want to tell
Terry yet of how she'd ultimately failed. Those problems could wait for the morning.
"And I'm proud of you."
She groaned, stepping away from Teresa's hand, feeling the ugly weight of guilt. "People do this
sort of thing all the time, why are you proud of me?"
"Because," Terry's voice was calm, "I know what you've been through."
"Is this about Rob? Because of what happened with him, what he did? He didn't do anything to
me! The first time he hit me, I left, you know that. Why do you insist on thinking I'm so injured by him?"
Melissa spun to face her, stabbing her finger at the other woman. "Just stop bringing him up." She felt
reckless, irrational, and exhausted.
"It doesn't matter what he did or didn't do to you physically," somehow Teresa remained serene.
"I know you suffered just as much as that girl."
"I suffered no where near what she did," Melissa seethed. The face she couldn't forget loomed
large in her memory. "And if I had my way, he would. Twice as much. But it still has nothing to do with
Wendell and I."
"I think it has everything to do with you two. Have you told Wendell?"
"No. God, Teresa, I'm an adult now, I can handle this."
"I worry about you. I don't think you've ever really 'handled' what happened with Rob at all. Or
what happened with the girl. I think you and Wendell have something more true than most of what we see
and touch every day." She took a step closer, hands out to the side. Melissa's heart clenched, her mind
struggled to push away the words. "I don't want whatever is lingering to ruin your chance at real happiness.
I meant what I said about revenge."
Melissa covered her face with her hands. Too much had happened today to deal with this now.
Like the rest of her problems, it would wait until morning. "I'll be fine. We'll be fine. I'll tell him, if you
think it's so important."
"I do. Sometimes keeping a secret to protect someone you love is the worst thing you can do."
Melissa couldn't meet Terry's eyes, so she kept her gaze on the hammock. "I don't think it will
matter, honestly. But I'll tell him. Now will you leave me alone?"
"The hammock was a really good idea, Missy. I'm impressed."
Melissa understood the unspoken agreement to finally let the matter drop. "It just hit me out of the
blue. They kept building her beds, and not ever trying to find something 'new.' I'm excited about this."
"I should hope so," Aileen said, coming outside with Wendell. She was dressed in a simple white
sleeping gown, clutching a cloak around her shoulders. Her long hair was only slightly mussed, though her
soft eyes looked even darker than earlier. "His Highness was quite adamant that I had to get up. Not that I
was sleeping that well anyway. What is that?" Her gaze had already picked out the hammock behind them.
She walked past Melissa and touched the blanket tied firmly to the two trees.
"We're hoping it's the answer to your problems." Melissa moved next to her. "It's called a
hammock. You sleep on it."
"Mm-hm. Wendell told me you knew about our family 'blessing.'" She pushed down on the
blanket, testing it for strength. "You really think this will work?" Her voice was hushed and hopeful.
Melissa chewed her lower lip, afraid to not be right. "I really do. It couldn't hurt to try."
"I should say not. If you could just show me how to get in this thing ... "
Several minutes later, after toppling out of the hammock twice, Princess Aileen lay safely in it, her
hands tightly gripping the edges of the blanket.
"The fear may keep me awake," she said, laughing shakily.
Two guards came out of the darkness to stand watch over the princess, and Wendell pulled a
blanket over her to keep her warm. "Sleep well, Aileen," he whispered, smiling at her. He returned to
Melissa's side and took her hand. She felt instantly warmer.
After calling Sport to them, the three left the princess and her guards outside, and Terry bid them
another goodnight. Wendell walked Melissa to her door, their hands entwined. She wanted to pull away,
to spare them hope and heartache, but couldn't leave the magic of his touch.
"Do I need to tell you again how extraordinary you are?" he said when they'd stopped outside.
Her cheeks reddened with embarrassment. "No, you don't." Melissa glanced at her door and back
to Wendell, licking her lips. It reminded her of that night by the fire, her desire then amplified now. "We
should go to sleep, I guess."
"Yes." He looked to the door as well, then to her, and she saw the emotions in his eyes. Anxiety,
sadness, and, remarkably, love. "You know, I meant what I said earlier. You look stunning."
She smiled nervously, unprepared for the heartfelt compliment. Especially dressed as simply as
she was. "Thank you," she whispered.
"We have a long day tomorrow," he said after a long moment of silence. "I hope to reach Tony's
by tomorrow night. He needs to know."
Melissa opened the door to her room and Sport darted inside. *Why can't you say it? Tell him.*
she begged herself. "I understand," she murmured instead. "Good night, Wendell."
"Good night, Melissa."
She shut the door, and felt as if she'd left half herself outside.
*********
"You didn't sleep well either?"
Melissa walked into the front hall, meeting Terry's gaze long enough to notice the dark circles
under her eyes. "No," she admitted, sighing. "What about you? Are you all right?"
Terry nodded, her normally smooth skin creased with lines. "I suppose I wasn't used to sleeping
on such a soft bed all of a sudden. My muscles are stiff."
"Me too. I had a major charlie horse this morning." She walked over and linked her arm through
Terry's. "No more medieval dress?"
The older woman laughed a little. "No, not for me. Or you either, I see."
"I feel more comfortable in these jeans. They washed them, although I don't know how they got
dry in time. Did you get all the other stuff when you woke up, too? The hairbrush and cloak and all that?"
"Yes. It's very kind of the Princess."
"Very kind. Speaking of which," Melissa pulled her arm away and looked around them, but the
hall was empty. "I wonder how she slept."
"Good question. Why don't you ask him?" Terry inclined her head and when Melissa turned, she
saw Wendell striding down the hall towards them. Her heart sped up when he smiled at her.
His smile faltered as got nearer, his eyes scanning their faces. "Are you well?" he asked.
Melissa wrapped her arms around herself and nodded. "Yes. We're just sore."
"I see."
She looked down at Sport, unsure what to say. The cat yawned lazily at her feet.
Terry placed a gentle hand on each of their shoulders. "The beds were nice, though. We were
wondering how Princess Aileen's was?"
"I'm not sure," he said, his eyes never leaving Melissa's. "A servant came to my room this
morning and told me to come here to meet you. I assume she will be joining us shortly."
"As perceptive as always, Wendell." They all turned to see Aileen gliding into the room. Her
silent steps made Melissa nervous. "Good morning all." Her soft eyes flickered over them, and the
pleasant smile she was wearing dropped away. "I fear you did not sleep as well as I?"
"The rooms were fine," Melissa said. She forced herself to relax, her arms hanging at her sides.
"The real question is, how did you sleep?"
The smile returned to Aileen's face, bright and cheerful. The Princess took a step closer, taking
Melissa's hands in her own. "It was wonderful," she whispered. "You have saved me."
"Oh...well..." she glanced at their hands, and then to the floor. "It wasn't that big of a deal."
"No, it was. And I must repay you." She dropped Melissa's hands and turned slightly, her dress
crinkling as she gestured at a silent guard. The man, dressed in crisp brown and green, strode forward and
held out a small box, no more than two inches square. Aileen took it and he bowed sharply before
returning to his post. Melissa watched the small ceremony expectantly. "In return for what you've done, I
want to give you this." She held out the jewelry box.
"What? No, really, I can't take that." Melissa frowned, pushing it back towards the other woman.
She lowered her voice. "Please. In exchange for what you've already done for us."
Aileen's eyes widened slightly, and a smile ghosted across her face. "You must have it. It will
help you in your quest."
"Our quest?" Wendell jerked, looking as though he would take the box himself, although he held
back. "What is it?"
"She must open it to find out."
Melissa felt everyone staring at her, and she sighed, taking the box. It felt empty. "All right," she
muttered, slowly lifting the lid. Inside, nestled in a bed of rich brown satin, lay a perfectly round pea. For
a long, quiet moment she stared at it, having no idea what to say.
"It's the pea that my grandmother slept on," Aileen explained. "It is magical."
"Oh." Melissa showed it to her companions, who looked equally perplexed.
Aileen laughed, and produced a piece of paper from the sleeve of her dress. "Here, read this."
"May I?" Wendell asked, reaching for the paper. Melissa nodded, and he took it, clearing his
throat before he began to read.
Hold this pea in your palm,
Wait for it to grow warm.
When it burns your tender flesh,
That is when you pass the test.
Beware the knowledge that you seek,
True answers are not for the meek.
Beware the words that you hear,
True answers oft bring only fear.
If you do as you're told,
This pea will lead you --but not to gold.
Not to money, nor to power,
But to light in your darkest hour.
They looked at each other uncertainly.
"There is a glade about a half day's ride from here. Rumor has it a wise oracle lives there, and that
this pea is the way to contact him. I thought you might use it to find out what happened to the mirror."
"Aileen, we can't," Wendell protested. "This belongs to your family."
"Yes, and I'm giving it to Melissa."
Melissa shut the box, carefully. "Then I accept, but I will return it to you when we're done."
The princess smiled, and her words were gentle. "It will disappear once it's used."
"Then I certainly can't take it!"
"You must. My family has tried many times to use it, and the pea has never grown warm. I
believe it is your destiny to use it. You have saved my line, Melissa," she added firmly. "Please."
She glanced to Wendell, and then to Terry, but they both shrugged, leaving the decision to her.
Taking Aileen's family heirloom seemed impossible -- except they needed it so much. They had to find the
mirror to get home. *Not that the Nine Kingdoms aren't wonderful. If complicated,* she thought. Melissa
tried to search Wendell's eyes for an answer, but he wouldn't hold her gaze. It was the fact that he needed
the mirror that decided it for her. "Thank you, your Highness. If it doesn't work for us either, then we'll
return it."
Wendell exhaled softly, looking relieved.
Aileen smiled, clasping her hands tightly in front of her. "Wonderful. You must be off then. I
have provided a carriage for you, with food enough for two days travel. It is not as ornate as what you're
used to, Wendell, but I think perhaps that is best." He nodded eagerly. "You had breakfast already?" They
all nodded. "Wonderful," she repeated, covering Melissa's hands with her own. "I hope we meet again,"
she said softly. Melissa saw only sincerity in the other woman's beautiful features.
"I hope so too," she said.
Still smiling, Aileen hugged Wendell and Teresa, and then stepped away. "Safe journey."
The four hurried out, Sport trotting alongside Melissa. When she paused at the door to look back,
Princess Aileen was gone.
**********
The carriage rattled as they sped down the dirt road, passing travelers making their morning
journeys. No one paid much attention to the green and brown carriage, other than to get out of its way.
The sky was faintly overcast, but it was going to be another warm day. Teresa had her head leaning against
the wall, her eyes closed, moving with each jerk and jump of the seats. Next to her, Wendell was staring
out the window, watching the outskirts of Peatown rush by.
Melissa ran her fingers over Sport's soft fur, and he nestled further into her lap, purring loudly.
She smiled a little, until she saw the small box sitting next to her. It bounced with the rest of them, but
seemed to project a protective aura that kept it from sliding anywhere. Cautiously, she picked it up,
flipping open the lid again.
The little pea sat, perfectly still, in it's bed in the box. They had been traveling for a couple of
hours, everyone consumed with their own thoughts and concerns. She wanted to talk to Wendell, but knew
it would be impossible with Terry there. Instead, she had concentrated on what to ask the oracle when they
got near the glade
"Any change?" Wendell whispered.
She shook her head. "I haven't picked it up, though. I'm afraid to."
He shrugged, looking back out the window.
"When we get to the glade, I'll do it. Just not now."
"I didn't say anything."
"You didn't have to."
One of Terry's eyes popped open. "Will you two please stop fussing?"
Melissa had a sudden urge to stick her tongue out at them both, but closed the box and set it next
to her instead. She knew Terry was right -- they'd been picking at each other off and on for the morning's
trip. Little, stupid things that had passed by in the days before. She suspected it wasn't just the lack of
sleep that was bothering all of them.
"So have you heard of this oracle before?"
Wendell shifted in his seat, glancing at her briefly. "No, actually."
"Isn't that kind of unusual?"
"I don't know everything that happens in my kingdom, Melissa."
She imitated his earlier shrug.
"It's a huge kingdom. We've been traveling for several days and have covered only a small part."
"I didn't say anything," she said.
"Honestly." Terry sat up, glaring at both of them. "What is it going to take to get you two to just
leave well enough alone?"
Wendell grimaced, looking guilty. "I apologize," he said.
Melissa sat back in her bouncing seat, folding her arms across her chest. Terry kept glaring at her,
until she broke under the pressure. "Me too," she muttered.
Terry sighed heavily. "Honestly," she repeated.
They continued on in silence after that, until the carriage began to slow, approaching the edge of a
thick forest. Poking his head out the window, Wendell shouted something up to the driver and then pulled
his head back in. "We're here," he announced.
Melissa bit her tongue to hold back a retort, instead shaking Sport a little to wake him up. He
meowed loudly, but moved anyway, settling into the corner with a dirty look.
Several minutes later, the three of them were wandering through the forest, leaving Sport sleeping
soundly in the carriage. The driver had eagerly agreed to stay with the carriage, and Melissa had noticed
the way he distastefully eyed the forest. The trees were large and leafy, hazy light seeping through the
branches. Birds of all kinds flitted about, chirping madly at the disturbance. The trio had to pick a
haphazard path amongst the trunks, Wendell assuring them he could lead them out again.
Melissa clutched the tiny pea in her hand, hardly feeling it at all, wondering if she could tell when
it grew warm. It didn't help that they both kept asking her every few feet.
"You're sure?" Terry pressed, pausing to look back at her.
She rolled her eyes and shoved her palm out at the older woman. "Do you want to hold it?"
"Maybe if we turned into the forest more," Wendell said, scanning the surroundings. "I think it's
this way."
"You think? What happened to 'I know exactly where I'm going'?" Melissa asked.
Wendell ignored her, and she followed him without further comment. *Just let me know when
this works* she prayed silently.
Ten minutes later, sweaty and cranky, her palm started to sting. Concentrating on it, she realized
that the pea was growing warm.
"Oh God," she gasped, suddenly afraid. "You guys, it's warm."
They both stopped and rushed back to her, everyone staring at her open palm. The pea sat there,
the same calm green.
"Are you sure?" Wendell said in a hushed voice.
She darted a look at him, but he was oblivious. "Yes, I'm positive. Come on, let's keep moving."
After another ten minutes of stops and starts as the pea wavered from cool to warm, they finally
figured out the path and were following it as straight as they could. Without warning, the pea started to
burn, and it felt like she was holding a hot coal.
Stifling a scream, Melissa clenched her hand tightly shut to keep herself from dropping it, and the
warmth spread out, dissipating for the moment. Wendell and Terry pressed on in front of her, unaware. A
few short feet later, the heat intensified and her skin started to sizzle.
She screamed then, and Wendell and Terry both spun around, their eyes wide.
"It's burning," Melissa moaned, clenching her fisted hand at the wrist.
Wendell rushed to her side, gesturing helplessly. "You have to hold on to it," he pleaded, his
voice cracking.
Melissa's eyes filled with tears as the pea grew more intensely hot. She expected it to burn a hole
straight through her hand. "I can't," she pleaded.
"You have to."
Terry clenched her own fists and watched them. "Open your hand, Missy," she whispered.
She tried, but the pain had seized her muscles. "I can't." Her whole hand felt on fire, the pain
shooting up into her forearm, bending her elbow. Melissa dropped to one knee as the heat blossomed,
engulfing her entire arm.
Wendell knelt next to her and grabbed her shoulders. "Drop it," he ordered her. She looked into
his eyes and was surprised to see they were wet.
"No." She shook her head fiercely. "No! This is the test," she gasped.
"Melissa drop it. It's not this important!"
"No!" She moaned with the pain, holding onto consciousness.
Something moved behind Wendell, and a low voice washed over them like rain, saying: "It is all
right." And the pain was gone with the words.
Melissa exhaled sharply, her body jerking forward into Wendell's arms. He held her close while
the last tingling spasms of pain left her, her muscles relaxing. She felt herself crying, unable to stop the
tears.
Wendell murmured softly in her ear, unimportant words that soothed the fear. Finally, she
stopped crying, and wiped her eyes dry on her sleeve. "Thank you," she mouthed. He smiled and they
helped each other stand.
When they turned, a shadow materialized in front of them, and all three inhaled sharply.
Before them was a unicorn -- though it was nothing like the images Melissa had dreamed of as a
child. This one was huge, and not entirely equine. It had the head and body of a horse, but its hind legs
looked like they belonged to a deer, and its tail was that of a lion. Even more remarkable to her was that
though its body was white, as she expected, its head was blood red, and it had sharp blue eyes. The horn
that spiraled to a razor point was dark black, sucking light into it. The unicorn's beard hung almost to its
knees, and it brushed it back and forth as it looked at them. Instead of the rounded curves of children's
unicorns, this one's lines were angular and edgy. It looked like it would hurt to pet it.
"Well met," it said. It's mellow voice made up for the sharpness of its looks.
Melissa took a small step forward. "Hello."
"You summoned me?"
She blinked, and remembered the pea. "Yes, I guess I did. Who ... are you?"
"I am Inesh. The oracle." He, the voice was distinctly male, brushed his beard across his knees
again. "Who are you?"
"Melissa. This is Teresa, and King Wendell."
The blue eyes flickered over each of them, resting longer on Wendell. "King of the Fourth
Kingdom. Welcome."
Wendell cleared his throat, bowing respectfully. "Thank you, my lord."
"Just Inesh," the unicorn said, his voice amused. His mouth didn't move, but the words felt like
they were being spoken. Melissa peered around, wondering if this was like the 'Wizard of Oz.'
"Is something wrong?"
She whipped her head back to face him, her cheeks reddening. "Oh. No."
Inesh seemed to smile, although she wasn't sure how she knew that.
"Oracle," Wendell said gently, "we need your help."
"I know," he said.
"You know about the lost mirror then?"
"Yes."
"How can we get it back?"
The unicorn snorted, shaking his whole body. The three took a step back, startled by the
movement. "That is not how I work, King Wendell. I know what is, and I will tell you what you most
need to know. The answers are of my choosing, not yours."
Wendell's shoulders drooped. "Surely the mirror is more important to us--"
"I decide that. Your needs are not what you think. Any of you." He eyed them, and Melissa saw
sadness deep within his gaze. "You must be sure you are prepared to hear the truth. Many have been
destroyed by what I told them. That is why I am here, in this glade. I grew weary of hurting others."
Silence draped across them, heavy with the unicorn's words.
"Can I ask you a question?" Melissa asked.
Inesh nodded his large head. "I may not answer it, though."
"That's ok. Why is your horn black?"
He looked surprised, tilting his head to the side. He was silent for a long time, and she thought
that he wouldn't answer her. Finally, he spoke. "We are born with horns of white, and as we age, they turn
to purest ivory. When we have lived long enough, dispensing the truth, seeing the pain, they turn black. I
am very old." She felt the crushing weight of his sorrow, and looked away, struggling to breathe evenly.
Wendell touched her arm. "We must know," he said.
Melissa nodded, staring at her feet. "You're right." She forced herself to look into Inesh's eyes.
*What horrors has he known?* she wondered. "Tell us."
Inesh sighed, stamping his forefoot three times. "These truths I will tell. My words are light in
the darkness of ignorance. This is what you must know:
"Teresa. Soul Ravager wants the mirror to get at Wendell. Soul Ravager wants Wendell to get
revenge. She is the woman Melissa's grandfather once loved." Melissa frowned and looked at Terry, in
time to see her face go completely white.
"Terry? What does he mean? What's--"
"Melissa." The horn point swung to face her, and she felt pierced by it, her heart filled with dread.
Whatever he was about to say, she was certain she didn't want to know. "To kill Soul Ravager, you must
return home. Your answer lies in your past. Teresa knows who you really are."
"What?" She choked on the disbelief, facing Terry. "What is he talking about?"
"No," the older woman moaned. "Please, don't do this."
Inesh stamped his foot and the ground shook. "You are not who you think, Melissa Dukavski.
You are the grandchild of the man who loved the mermaid. You are from the Nine Kingdoms."
**********
Melissa looked up, eyeing Wendell. She had Sport in her arms, the big cat sleeping soundly.
Another day of travel had passed and the group had arrived in Peatown, the small portion of the Fourth
Kingdom that Princess Aileen ruled. They were at the outer edges now, passing small farms and large
families. There were rows and rows of short crops that were, unsurprisingly, peas. After a moment,
Melissa answered him. "No. I was only two."
Wendell watched a young boy chasing a dog around, until the boy was called back by a single,
sharp word from an older woman. "My parents died when I was young, too."
"Really?" She shifted the cat in her arms, and Wendell found himself jealous of Sport.
"Yes. The Evil Queen poisoned them. She tried to kill me, too, but they caught her. That is why
she was in Snow White Memorial Prison."
"How old were you?"
"I was ten when my mother died and fourteen when my father died." Wendell felt that familiar
ache for what might have been.
"You must have some memories, then."
"Yes." They passed by a man leading a team of oxen. "And a portrait of each, as well." He
looked at Melissa in time to see the passing of some unknown emotion on her face.
"I have one picture of my mother. I don't know what my dad looked like at all. He died before I
was born, and they had no pictures from the old country." She was gripping Sport more tightly now, a sign
Wendell had started recognizing. It meant something had terribly upset her.
"What is the old country?"
"It's another place in my world. They immigrated from there to Los Angeles just before I was
born."
Wendell nodded his understanding, and they continued their walk in silence. Teresa had spent
most of the day even with them, but was hanging back now. Whenever he looked back on her, she had her
eyes on the people, a soft smile on her face. She looked so content that he simply let her be.
He wished he could do the same with Melissa.
Most of the day she'd talked with Teresa, occasionally pressing him for information on the nine
kingdoms and their inhabitants, and sharing a lot of information with him on the Tenth Kingdom. It had
been a pleasant, diverting conversation, and for awhile Wendell had forgotten that she would leave him,
eventually, without ever knowing how he cared for her.
He looked back over his shoulder again, but Teresa seemed absorbed in the play of several boys
off the side of the path. Soon she would have to distract Melissa again, before he did something foolish.
Yesterday had nearly been a disaster, when he had acted so recklessly after his argument with the Pigs. He
had nearly kissed her, had seen the desire hiding in her own eyes and had been ready to take advantage of
it. Though he'd been upset when she'd turned away yesterday, today he was mostly relieved.
It was good that Sport kept Melissa's hands full now, leaving conversation as their only
connection. But talking to her seemed almost worse than touching her. At least the thrill of feeling her
skin could be a purely physical attraction. This deep need to know what she was thinking, to know
everything about her, lay bare the truth of his feelings.
*Feelings I can never show her because she lives a world away.* He knew this was what Wolf
must have felt for Virginia. *But he's with Virginia, isn't he?* Wendell thought, the sharp edge of
bitterness slicing his heart. *He had nothing here without her. I ... I have a Kingdom. People who can't
even decide how to keep their bloody chickens separate.* A growl burned low in his throat, and Melissa's
head jerked towards him, her eyebrows raised.
Wendell cleared his throat loudly, thumping a fist on his chest.
"Are you all right?"
"Oh, yes. Fine." He smiled thinly, gesturing at the area to distract them both. "This land is a part
of the Fourth Kingdom, but Princess Aileen acts as general ruler. The Fourth Kingdom is too large for me
to effectively rule it alone, and Aileen's line has ruled here for generations."
"What fairy tale is she from?"
"Fairy tale?" He considered it, shrugging. "I really don't know what it would be in your world.
Remember, Melissa, here she is just a princess." He smiled, softening the words.
Sport woke then, meowing loudly. "Sporty," Melissa cooed, her features lighting as she kissed
him on the head. Wendell hid his distaste of the cat from her, instead looking at the main part of Peatown.
Melissa let Sport down, and the cat darted ahead several feet and stopped to stretch. Just beyond him, the
small farms gave way to buildings packed more tightly together, and the dirt path turned into a cobblestone
street. It reminded Wendell of a much more serious Kissingtown. All of the buildings had peas or a
peapod on them in some way, and many had small paintings of the Princess. She looked lovely in all of
them, her long hair always hanging loose, her large brown eyes always smiling.
Wendell hoped those eyes would see through the dirt and the rumors to the man beneath. He
wanted to get the women real food and real beds and real rest. He and Aileen had been friends since they
were babies, and they both knew their parents had hoped for marriage. They had tried to arrange it when
Wendell was seven, just before Snow White left the castle. But the great Queen had been adamantly
against an arranged marriage. It had been one of her last commands, and it had been whispered about for
years after she'd gone.
"You must never betroth Wendell," she had warned his father. "We of the House of White walk
the path of true love, and no one can find it but the traveler. If someone else tries, you will only condemn
him to misery." She had made his father promise never to arrange a marriage, and the man had stayed true
to his word.
After Wendell had been crowned, he had considered asking Aileen to be his wife, at a loss for
anyone he would trust as much, but that had been before Melissa. Marrying Aileen now would be a
betrayal of the heart, and he wanted no part of it.
The castle appeared suddenly on the horizon, small and stunning. He heard Melissa's small gasp
and then a soft, appreciative noise. Many, many years ago, one of Aileen's line had found a vein of marble
and had covered the castle's walls with it. Even now, it still glistened in the sunlight, begging to be noticed.
"How beautiful." Teresa stood on Melissa's other side, staring at the castle as well.
"They take very good care of their castle. You should see it during a ball." Wendell smiled, and
started forward again, anxious to be there. "It seems to dance with the torchlight."
The three arrived at the entrance several minutes later, Sport tagging along behind them. It was
fairly empty at the gates this late in the afternoon. One of the guards, garbed in the green and brown of
Aileen's colors, waved them forward.
"What's your business?" he intoned flatly.
"We've come to see the Princess Aileen."
"All questions, begging, and fawning are done for the day. Come back tomorrow."
Wendell glanced at the two women, who both shrugged. They seemed more interested in studying
the beauty of the stonework. He inhaled slowly and faced the guards. "Sir, I am King Wendell. It is
imperative that I speak with the Princess."
He could see the derision starting and had braced himself when the other guard held out a hand.
"Wait a minute, Dirk." They held a whispered conversation, Dirk grunting unhappily. Finally, the
other guard motioned for Wendell and the women to follow him. "This way," he ordered. "And pick up
your cat." Teresa quickly gathered Sport into her arms and they followed after the guard, silent. Wendell
glanced at the two women, but neither seemed particularly concerned or surprised.
The entranceway of the castle's interior was a huge 'T', each hall ending in doors. The floor was
marble, with rugs laid out at even intervals. Tapestries and portraits lined the walls, a visual history of
Aileen's family. In the very center of the room on a man-sized pedastal was a bronze pea, several feet in
diameter.
"Princess and the Pea," Melissa murmured. "Of course."
"Stay here." The guard gave Wendell a searching look, and then abruptly turned and headed down
the left hallway.
He felt Melissa edge closer to him, until their shoulders were touching, both of them staring at the
bronze pea. "So," she said. "Do you think they believe you?"
Wendell wanted to grab her by the arm and ask her the same question. Beg her to believe him.
Aileen's belief didn't matter, if Melissa thought he was lying. Instead he shrugged, clasping his hands
behind his back. "I am not sure. I can't imagine why they would let us in otherwise. But this is not
generally where Aileen receives important guests."
"But it's possible. I mean, that they believe you."
He turned his head, watching her. "It is possible, yes."
She met his gaze, slowly. "That you're a king."
"Yes."
"And you haven't been lying."
He smiled and lifted his hand, ready to push the hair back out of her eyes.
"Wendell?" His hand dropped and he turned, looking down the corridor to the right to see Aileen
gaping openly. "Is that you?"
"Aileen! It's me, you must believe me."
She took a few steps closer, her slippered feet silent on the marble floor. "It's hard to believe ... "
"I know." He held out a hand helplessly. "Ask me a question. Anything."
"How do I know you haven't been prepared for questions?"
Wendell sighed, wishing for a moment she'd lost some of her perceptiveness. "Please Aileen.
Something only Wendell would know."
"All right." Her gaze flicked to Melissa, traveled down the other woman's form, and then moved
back to Wendell. "Two years ago, what did we do the night after your birthday ball? And what does the
kingdom believe we did?"
He felt Melissa's gaze stab him in the back, and his neck grew warm. "Ah," he cleared his throat,
nervous. "Well, the Kingdom believes that we ... ah, slept together, but we didn't," he added in a rush.
"We spent the night talking and drinking until we passed out on my bed." Wendell looked behind him, but
Melissa was studying the bronze pea carefully. "That's all that happened," he pleaded, no longer speaking
to Aileen.
"You didn't sound so grateful about that two years ago," Aileen said, coming to stand next to him.
When he turned to face her, she put a hand on each of his cheeks and kissed him solidly. "Welcome back,
Wendell. I missed you."
He stood there in shock until she broke the kiss and gestured at Melissa. "Who are they? And
why are you all so dirty?"
Wendell blinked, slowly, certain that he couldn't be anymore mortified at that moment.
"I'm Melissa, this is Teresa. We're from the Tenth Kingdom." The words sliced between them.
"Ohhhhh," Aileen's eyes widened and she smiled coyly at Wendell, taking his arm in hers. "That's
where that lovely Virginia was from, wasn't it? How cute." He knew, suddenly, that he was wrong -- it
was possible to be more embarrassed. And he felt certain Aileen was going to bring them to new limits.
**********
"What, by the Queen, was that all about?" Wendell demanded several minutes later. He had
explained everything about Melissa's situation and the mirror to Aileen while she'd walked them to the
guestrooms. The entire time, she'd held onto Wendell's arm, flirting openly with him and insinuating a
relationship that didn't actually exist. If she hadn't been a Princess, and if his ingrained etiquette hadn't
been so strong, he would have yelled at her long before this. But now that the other two women were in
their rooms getting cleaned up, his tongue felt sharp and loose.
"What are you talking about, dear?" Aileen was leading him to his private guest room now.
"The way you're acting! It's shameless. And it's a lie."
She laughed softly. "She's quite beautiful, you know. Quite ... " she paused, then snapped her
fingers. "Ethereal. Yes."
He blinked, unprepared for the swift change of subject. "Yes," he answered, guarded. "She is also
very kind and doesn't need you insulting her or acting like this."
"Really, Wendell, you're so dense sometimes."
"Dense? Aileen, stop playing games with me. What are you up to?"
They stopped in the middle of the empty corridor, and she laid a hand on his arm. "I'm helping
you."
"Helping!"
"Yes. Helping. It's quite obvious how you feel about her. I saw the way you were looking at her
before I cut you off. My goodness, Wendell, I could actually feel it. But her," she patted his arm and
started walking again, "she's not so obvious. It's there, in her eyes and her reaction. I was just testing her.
If she hadn't seemed upset, then I would have stopped, although it was rather enjoyable." Aileen winked.
"I only continued to drive the point home. A little competition does wonders for decision-making."
Wendell hurried after her, dumbfounded. "I'd thank you to stop, Aileen. Regardless of what you
thought you saw between us, Melissa doesn't need your 'help' in making any sort of decision. She is free to
do whatever she wants, and you and I both will stay out of it."
"Oh Wendell." She looked into his eyes, and he was surprised by the sadness he saw there. "How
do you live each day, believing that?"
He shook his head, feigning confusion. "I don't know what you mean," he whispered. But that
was a lie. The mere thought of the days when she would be gone slashed his heart with vibrant pain. "It's
because I love her," he said roughly.
Aileen made a disapproving 'tsk.' "So it's the "I'll be noble and set her free because I think I know
what she wants and now I'll be miserable for the rest of my life" routine?"
"You don't understand." His words needled him, drawing out his anger.
"Maybe I don't. I've never been in love like that. I don't imagine I ever will. It's a trait that
always seemed particular to the truly great."
They stopped in front of the door to his room. Wendell ran his hand over the intricately carved
wood while he struggled for words. "I appreciate what you're trying to do, Aileen," he finally managed,
"but stop it. The situation is not as simple as it seems, and it doesn't need your help. This is best for
everyone, not just Melissa, and she especially doesn't need to know how I feel."
"Doesn't need to know? How long have you two been traveling together?"
Wendell's brow furrowed. "A few days, I believe."
"Trust me dear, she knows." Aileen opened up the door, and looked inside, nodding her approval.
"Good, the servants are done cleaning."
"You did know it was me."
"Of course, Wendell." She smiled warmly. "Since you arrived at the gate, actually. I could pick
you out of a crowd, no matter what you were dressed like. Although," she plucked at his dirty clothing, her
nose wrinkled. "This almost worked. You'll have to tell me more about this later. We can talk about
Melissa more, too, when you're clean and thinking clearly."
"No. No more talk of her, I won't have it. And no more games, either. This is my business, leave
it be."
"Yes, your Highness." Aileen curtsied, and he knew he had hurt her. Wendell groaned inwardly.
*Women.*
"May I say one last thing?" she whispered.
He sighed. "One."
"You don't know for sure that it might not be the best thing for everyone, including Melissa. It's
love, Wendell, how awful could it be? Now, have a bath," she continued without waiting for an answer.
"And put on some more appropriate clothes. We're dining in an hour." She kissed him swiftly on the
cheek and walked off, her step silent.
**********
*Wendell is a King,* Melissa repeated to herself for the fiftieth time that evening, swallowing
down the last piece of cake. She brushed at the skirt of her simple dress, thankful to be clean and in clean
clothes. The pale yellow dress she wore made her feel more a part of this medieval world. Wendell had
changed into fresh clothes as well. She looked at him again, all of the dirt and grime gone. It was a
startling change to see him in the crisp white shirt, the blue trim matching his eyes. He looked very ...
kingly.
The royalty didn't awe her, though she now regretted some of her earlier comments to him,
because she'd had some experience with it before. Movie stars were as much as royalty in her world, and
she'd been casual friends with Princess Diana and had grown accustomed to the feel of it. The hard part
was the fact that the whole time he had been telling the truth, that all her reasons for not trusting him -- not
trusting her feelings for him -- had been washed away with the dirt.
What would she do now?
She leaned back in her chair and exhaled slowly, trying to take her mind off of it. "That is the
most food I have ever eaten. My compliments to your chef."
Aileen smiled, finishing off the last of her own food. Melissa wasn't sure what had happened, but
the woman's behavior was remarkably changed from earlier, even downright friendly. The dinner had
passed with pleasant ease between the women, with no flirting between the royalty. She knew Wendell had
hardly looked at Aileen all evening, because Melissa had felt his eyes on her instead. Whenever she looked
up at him, his gaze was always elsewhere, but when she looked away, it returned immediately. It was
starting to bug her.
"You certainly earned a good meal, by your tale. I just wish you had found the mirror, it is a
terrible thing that someone stole it."
"I know." Wendell broke in, pushing his own half-full plate away. He had been quiet most of the
meal. "We don't know where it is. We don't know who took it, or who has it now even. It is just an
incredible disaster."
"We can still find it," Melissa insisted.
He met her eyes for the first time that evening and didn't say a word. He didn't need to.
"Still," Aileen said, "I'm not sure why you don't just return to your castle. If we alert the citizens
of the kingdom --"
"And let them know that their king lost a traveling mirror? Oh, yes, Aileen, what a wonderful
idea. Then we can just send the trolls an invite and have them come over, too." He picked up his knife and
then slammed it down again.
Melissa shared a quick look with the other two women. Wendell had also been sulky since he'd
sat down, and anxious. Whatever had happened between him and Aileen had not gone over well. "You
don't have to be rude, Wendell," she said, feeling sorry for the princess.
He dragged one hand down his face, sighing. "It is bad enough that I ran away. If the Kingdom
finds out about the mirror ... they need their peace of mind, right now. I am not helping anything."
"The mirror wasn't your fault," she reminded him.
"And," Aileen added, "you were running after the mirror. I think that's quite noble. I'm sure your
people would see it the same way."
Wendell took a piece of meat and set it down on the ground. When Melissa glanced under the
table, she saw Sport crouched by his feet, gnawing happily on the food. "I don't know. Maybe you're right.
My advisors are quite gifted at that sort of thing. They can probably convince everyone I did something
right."
The three women all shook their heads, and Aileen stood up. "We can discuss this further
tomorrow morning," she announced. "You all must be exhausted. I know I am," she said, her smile forced.
"If you'll excuse me?" Melissa and Terry nodded, and Wendell pushed himself to his feet, though he still
fiddled with the knife. They all watched Aileen walk away without making a noise.
Teresa yawned, standing as well. " I really am exhausted," she said. "Especially after that meal. I
think I'll turn in. Don't stay up too late, Missy."
Melissa rolled her eyes. Even in the midst of a fairy tale kingdom, at a princess' table, Terry still
managed to mother her. "I won't," she said, rising to give her a hug.
"You either, Wendell dear."
Wendell looked up, and for a moment, he smiled. "Sleep well, Teresa."
The older woman gathered Sport into her arms and left the room. When they were alone, they
both sat back down, watching each other. No one else was in the small dining hall, not even servants. The
whole castle felt asleep.
"What happened between you two earlier?"
Wendell flinched. "You are direct sometimes, aren't you?"
"When I need to be. You've been acting really strange tonight. And you were awfully sharp with
the Princess."
"Aileen and I have been friends for a long time, she understands." He shoved the knife away,
across the table, and folded his hands in his lap. "Don't you do the same with Terry?"
"We're not talking about me and Terry."
"Well maybe we should."
"Our relationship has nothing to do with this."
"I haven't seen you in a dress before. You look beautiful."
She flushed, but pressed the issue. "Direct isn't going to work tonight, is it?"
His eyes glimmered in the light from the candles on the table. "No."
Melissa sighed, tapping her nail against her glass, the quiet ring lost in the room. "So why is
Aileen exhausted?" she finally asked.
Whatever was seething in Wendell's eyes suddenly dimmed, and he stared down at his hands.
"She doesn't sleep very well. She never has. It's a family trait."
"Like a curse?"
"No, it's just a trait. It's just who they are. You seem to know the story of her grandmother, don't
you?"
Melissa frowned, and then realized that the Princess and the Pea was not Aileen at all, but Aileen's
grandmother. *What was that story?* she thought. It had been years and years since she'd heard it, and it
had never seemed that important to her anyway. "Something about ... let me think. She slept on a tall stack
of mattresses, didn't she? And there was a pea at the bottom and she could feel it? I don't really
remember." She felt guilty for that, sitting here at Aileen's table.
"Once upon a time," Wendell said, the words flowing naturally from him, "a prince was looking
for a bride. He and his mother, the Queen, looked for a very long time, but could never find a true princess,
someone of real nobility. They both became very frustrated and were thinking of giving up their search,
the prince to remain without a wife for the rest of his days.
"One day, a young woman came to the door, asking if the prince had been married yet. The
guards said no and took her to the Queen to be questioned, as had all the others. The Queen asked her
many things, and the young woman seemed to be a true princess. But several others had passed the
Queen's questioning, only to fail at the final test." Wendell lay his hands flat on the table, watching Melissa
again. His voice was warm and smooth and hypnotizing.
"The young woman very much wanted to marry the Prince, for he was known as a kind and
handsome man throughout his kingdom, and what woman wouldn't want to be Queen? So she eagerly
agreed to the Queen's final test. She was taken to a room, and in the room was a single bed, and nothing
more. On the bed were layer upon layer of blankets, until they rose almost to the young woman's head.
"You shall sleep here tonight," the Queen said, pointing to the pile. "On top of all of these blankets. Then,
in the morning, you shall take the final test." The young woman thought it was a bit strange, but agreed
and climbed onto the top of the bed with help from the footstool.
"The next morning, the young woman was brought before the Queen again, and asked a few more
questions. But the entire time, she could not stop yawning, and she looked very tired, as though she hadn't
slept at all. "My dear," the Queen asked, "did you not sleep well? I left you a pile of blankets to sleep on
so you would be more comfortable."
""My Queen," the young woman replied, curtseying low, "the bed indeed looked comfortable, but
someone left a pea at the very bottom of the blankets, and I couldn't fall asleep." The Queen smiled and
hugged the young woman and called her daughter, saying that she had passed the final test. For only a
woman of true nobility would be sensitive enough to feel the pea. And so the young woman, Aileen's
grandmother, was married to the prince." He stopped, and the silence settled quickly between them.
"And they lived happily ever after?" Melissa whispered, almost afraid to ask.
"And they lived happily ever after, yes. For a time. But the new Queen never slept very well after
that, and neither did her daughter, nor her granddaughter. There is no bed that has been made that has not
had some flaw that they did not find."
"Wow." It had never occurred to her that the people of the myths she had grown up with had lives
after the 'happily ever after.' It had never occurred to her that they had lives at all, until coming here. "So
Aileen still hasn't found a suitable bed?"
Wendell shook his head, smiling sadly. "Not for lack of trying. Bed-makers across the kingdom
have tried when she has asked, but none has succeeded."
"That's so sad."
"She gets by." He licked his lips, glancing around them. "Many nights she uses magic, or alcohol,
to fall asleep. But that drains her in other ways. And no one knows but me," he added, leaning forward.
"I won't tell anyone. I would never that do that to someone else. Besides, I can empathize with
her, in a way."
"As can I."
She shook her head, knowing what it was like to want so badly to go to sleep and to be unable to
that you had to resort to such measures. "It's so tragic, though. The very thing that made her grandmother
happy has affected her family this way."
Wendell stretched his hand across the table, palm up, and Melissa looked at it for a long moment.
His eyes were on her face as she slowly put her hand in his. Her skin tingled from his warmth.
"You are an incredible woman," he murmured.
"Me?" she looked at their hands, half-lit by candlelight. On the shadowed side, they looked as
one. "I just feel sorry for her."
"It is the fact that you care at all, when you have no reason to. When you have so much else to
worry about. I find it remarkable." He squeezed her hand gently, pulling it, and her gaze, to his lips. He
kissed her fingers softly, and she felt the heat of it long after he stopped.
"Wendell." She found herself breathing unevenly. "I'm sorry I didn't believe you."
"It doesn't matter now." He stood, taking her hand with him until she stood as well. "Will you
walk with me for a bit? I must talk to you."
She pulled her hand away and came around the table, taking his arm. He smelled of soap and
smoke and the spicy meat they'd eaten. While they walked out of the dining room, she fingered the crisp
fabric of his shirt and tried not to stare up at him like a lovestruck girl.
Though she knew it wasn't far from the truth.
Melissa wasn't surprised at all when they ended up in a beautiful, dark garden for their walk. The
moon, just over half-full, was not enough to disturb the cloying shadows. The air was cool, and a soft wind
caressed the flowers gently, filling the night with sweet smells.
She glanced up when Wendell simply stood there, but he didn't move or look down, so she leaned
her head on his shoulder and waited for him to talk. She wouldn't be the one to break the moment. He
remained quiet as well, instead slowly bringing his fingers up and tracing her cheek. The touch was as
gentle as the night breeze. It was so much like a movie scene, that Melissa waited for someone to yell 'cut'
and flip the lights on.
Pulling away from him a little, she looked into his eyes, wondering what words he had brought her
out here to say, hoping to see her feelings reflected there. The moonlight glimmered off of his golden hair,
and she tugged gently on a soft curl, but still he stared out into the dark night, seemingly not aware of her
presence.
A night bird twittered in a nearby tree, playing a soft score to the scene. It was all so perfect. It
was such a fairy tale.
"What did you want to say?" she asked, suddenly frightened. Movies never ended on these perfect
scenes.
A sad smile broke across his lips. "I'm not sure, really. I just wanted to be near you." Melissa
wondered at the ache that touched those words, until he finally looked at her and she was captured by his
eyes.
Cautiously, Melissa slipped her hand up to his cheek, through his soft hair and then to the warm
skin of his neck. He tensed under her touch, but she pulled him towards her anyway, and he did little to
resist. She watched him watching her, his eyes dark and wide as she pressed her lips, and then her body,
against his. He tensed again, and for a moment she thought he would pull away. But he wrapped his arms
around her and pulled her even closer, closing his eyes. She closed her own, and in the darkness he filled
her senses. Sound and smell, taste and touch, were all of him, as they kissed. They explored first, testing,
marveling at the unexpected familiarity. As the kiss deepened, it turned tender, two people seeking
understanding. Melissa felt his soul through that kiss, and gave hers to him willingly in return. Her heart
swelled with completeness.
Wendell was the first to break the kiss, gathering her more tightly into his arms and simply
holding her close. He nuzzled into her hair, and his ragged breathing was tumultuous in her ear. Beneath
the fresh fabric of his shirt, she could feel the pounding drumbeat of his heart. Melissa knew she sounded
and felt the same to him. Slowly, the cool wind cooled her down, and Wendell's strong grip loosened a
little.
"I should not have done that," he whispered in her ear. He sounded on the verge of tears.
Melissa ran her hands down his arms, smiling. "You didn't. I did, and I don't regret it at all." He
was the sweetest man she had ever known, feeling guilty even when it wasn't his fault.
His breath puffed into her hair as he briefly murmured something too soft for her to hear.
"What?"
Wendell didn't respond at first, his breath still ragged. Finally he said, "I have a garden much like
this at my castle. It has many more flowers, though. It's much bigger, and much more beautiful. But it
will be nothing now, ugly compared to this garden." He kissed her forehead. "When this is where I told
you I love you."
Her eyes flew open, and she felt her breathing stutter. "You haven't told me yet," she managed,
trying to laugh.
He pressed his lips to her forehead again, and she felt him say, "I love you, Melissa. I have since
the moment I first looked in your eyes."
She hugged him, one of his buttons pressing into her cheek. Suddenly, she was terrified -- of what
he'd said, of repeating the words and giving them life by saying them aloud. She'd avoided the issue with
herself, and was unprepared to face it with him yet.
Wendell rubbed his cheek against her hair. "It's all right, you know, if you don't love me." His
voice was raw. "I just thought you should know that you are loved. In case you need it."
Melissa felt tears run down her cheeks, and she pressed the heel of her palms into her eyes, trying
to hold them back. "I do," she whispered, unable to say anything more. His chest hitched and he hugged
her tightly to him again.
They embraced in silence for a long time, while the wind and the birds and the flowers moved
around them. And then, quietly, Wendell asked, "What do we do now?"
Melissa shook her head, wiping away the last of her tears. "I really don't know," she admitted.
The words he wanted to hear still lodged in her throat, and she struggled just to breathe past them.
"I hope I haven't ruined things for us."
"No," she answered quickly. "You haven't." *I have* she thought. How could one person be so
selfless? "I just ... I hadn't planned on this."
"Neither had I. This was, in fact, the last thing I thought would happen tonight."
She struggled to drag the conversation somewhere safer. "You're a great kisser," she said,
desperately hoping to lighten both their moods.
Leaning back a little, she caught his wisp of a smile. "So are you. That was the second to last
thing I thought would happen tonight. Whatever possessed me to bring you out here..." His eyes dimmed
with sadness again.
"I'll have to thank Aileen," Melissa whispered hurriedly. Wendell met her gaze, looking surprised,
and she managed to grin at him. "It had to be something she did," she explained. "We women understand
these things."
He shook his head, but smiled a little in return. "I am afraid I will never understand 'those
things.'"
"I still wish I could help Aileen in some way," Melissa murmured. Aileen's problems seemed so
much easier to deal with than her own. The wind tickled the hairs on her arms, and she frowned, realizing
something. "The bed-makers, what have they built her?"
"Built her? Beds, of course. Why?" Wendell asked, puzzled.
"Regular beds? With legs and things?"
"Yes."
"Well that's the problem, then!" Melissa looked around at the trees in the garden, smiling.
"I don't understand what you mean."
She gestured at the trees as if that would explain it. When he still didn't get it, she grabbed his
hand and started dragging him back in, consumed by a plan. "She asked them the wrong thing," she said.
"The Princess doesn't need a better bed, she needs a new type of bed. Come on, we have to wake Terry
up."
**********
An hour later, the three admired Melissa's handiwork. A thick blanket had been strung between
two of the stouter trees in the garden, and Sport was lying under it, dozing. Wendell had his arm around
Melissa as she shivered in the night air, grinning triumphantly.
"A hammock," Terry said, shaking her head. "I thought you were nuts when you woke me up for
this, but it all makes sense now. There's nothing for the Princess to sleep on but the blanket--"
"Which is soft, so she'll sleep through the night," Melissa interrupted excitedly. For the moment,
the joy and pain of earlier was forgotten. "This is great. Wendell, you have to go get her. I really think
this will work."
He was staring at the hammock as though it didn't exist. "She won't just fall out?"
She laughed and impulsively kissed him on the cheek, ignoring Terry's raised eyebrows. "Trust
me," she whispered. He nodded, and with a glance to Terry, kissed Melissa chastely on the forehead.
"I will be back shortly."
Melissa watched him leave, as much to avoid Teresa's questions as to simply look at Wendell.
"I see you two are getting along much better now."
"You could say that."
Teresa came up next to her, and laid a hand on her shoulder. "I'm happy for you, Missy. You
know that."
Melissa put her hand over Terry's and squeezed it. "Thank you," she said. She didn't want to tell
Terry yet of how she'd ultimately failed. Those problems could wait for the morning.
"And I'm proud of you."
She groaned, stepping away from Teresa's hand, feeling the ugly weight of guilt. "People do this
sort of thing all the time, why are you proud of me?"
"Because," Terry's voice was calm, "I know what you've been through."
"Is this about Rob? Because of what happened with him, what he did? He didn't do anything to
me! The first time he hit me, I left, you know that. Why do you insist on thinking I'm so injured by him?"
Melissa spun to face her, stabbing her finger at the other woman. "Just stop bringing him up." She felt
reckless, irrational, and exhausted.
"It doesn't matter what he did or didn't do to you physically," somehow Teresa remained serene.
"I know you suffered just as much as that girl."
"I suffered no where near what she did," Melissa seethed. The face she couldn't forget loomed
large in her memory. "And if I had my way, he would. Twice as much. But it still has nothing to do with
Wendell and I."
"I think it has everything to do with you two. Have you told Wendell?"
"No. God, Teresa, I'm an adult now, I can handle this."
"I worry about you. I don't think you've ever really 'handled' what happened with Rob at all. Or
what happened with the girl. I think you and Wendell have something more true than most of what we see
and touch every day." She took a step closer, hands out to the side. Melissa's heart clenched, her mind
struggled to push away the words. "I don't want whatever is lingering to ruin your chance at real happiness.
I meant what I said about revenge."
Melissa covered her face with her hands. Too much had happened today to deal with this now.
Like the rest of her problems, it would wait until morning. "I'll be fine. We'll be fine. I'll tell him, if you
think it's so important."
"I do. Sometimes keeping a secret to protect someone you love is the worst thing you can do."
Melissa couldn't meet Terry's eyes, so she kept her gaze on the hammock. "I don't think it will
matter, honestly. But I'll tell him. Now will you leave me alone?"
"The hammock was a really good idea, Missy. I'm impressed."
Melissa understood the unspoken agreement to finally let the matter drop. "It just hit me out of the
blue. They kept building her beds, and not ever trying to find something 'new.' I'm excited about this."
"I should hope so," Aileen said, coming outside with Wendell. She was dressed in a simple white
sleeping gown, clutching a cloak around her shoulders. Her long hair was only slightly mussed, though her
soft eyes looked even darker than earlier. "His Highness was quite adamant that I had to get up. Not that I
was sleeping that well anyway. What is that?" Her gaze had already picked out the hammock behind them.
She walked past Melissa and touched the blanket tied firmly to the two trees.
"We're hoping it's the answer to your problems." Melissa moved next to her. "It's called a
hammock. You sleep on it."
"Mm-hm. Wendell told me you knew about our family 'blessing.'" She pushed down on the
blanket, testing it for strength. "You really think this will work?" Her voice was hushed and hopeful.
Melissa chewed her lower lip, afraid to not be right. "I really do. It couldn't hurt to try."
"I should say not. If you could just show me how to get in this thing ... "
Several minutes later, after toppling out of the hammock twice, Princess Aileen lay safely in it, her
hands tightly gripping the edges of the blanket.
"The fear may keep me awake," she said, laughing shakily.
Two guards came out of the darkness to stand watch over the princess, and Wendell pulled a
blanket over her to keep her warm. "Sleep well, Aileen," he whispered, smiling at her. He returned to
Melissa's side and took her hand. She felt instantly warmer.
After calling Sport to them, the three left the princess and her guards outside, and Terry bid them
another goodnight. Wendell walked Melissa to her door, their hands entwined. She wanted to pull away,
to spare them hope and heartache, but couldn't leave the magic of his touch.
"Do I need to tell you again how extraordinary you are?" he said when they'd stopped outside.
Her cheeks reddened with embarrassment. "No, you don't." Melissa glanced at her door and back
to Wendell, licking her lips. It reminded her of that night by the fire, her desire then amplified now. "We
should go to sleep, I guess."
"Yes." He looked to the door as well, then to her, and she saw the emotions in his eyes. Anxiety,
sadness, and, remarkably, love. "You know, I meant what I said earlier. You look stunning."
She smiled nervously, unprepared for the heartfelt compliment. Especially dressed as simply as
she was. "Thank you," she whispered.
"We have a long day tomorrow," he said after a long moment of silence. "I hope to reach Tony's
by tomorrow night. He needs to know."
Melissa opened the door to her room and Sport darted inside. *Why can't you say it? Tell him.*
she begged herself. "I understand," she murmured instead. "Good night, Wendell."
"Good night, Melissa."
She shut the door, and felt as if she'd left half herself outside.
*********
"You didn't sleep well either?"
Melissa walked into the front hall, meeting Terry's gaze long enough to notice the dark circles
under her eyes. "No," she admitted, sighing. "What about you? Are you all right?"
Terry nodded, her normally smooth skin creased with lines. "I suppose I wasn't used to sleeping
on such a soft bed all of a sudden. My muscles are stiff."
"Me too. I had a major charlie horse this morning." She walked over and linked her arm through
Terry's. "No more medieval dress?"
The older woman laughed a little. "No, not for me. Or you either, I see."
"I feel more comfortable in these jeans. They washed them, although I don't know how they got
dry in time. Did you get all the other stuff when you woke up, too? The hairbrush and cloak and all that?"
"Yes. It's very kind of the Princess."
"Very kind. Speaking of which," Melissa pulled her arm away and looked around them, but the
hall was empty. "I wonder how she slept."
"Good question. Why don't you ask him?" Terry inclined her head and when Melissa turned, she
saw Wendell striding down the hall towards them. Her heart sped up when he smiled at her.
His smile faltered as got nearer, his eyes scanning their faces. "Are you well?" he asked.
Melissa wrapped her arms around herself and nodded. "Yes. We're just sore."
"I see."
She looked down at Sport, unsure what to say. The cat yawned lazily at her feet.
Terry placed a gentle hand on each of their shoulders. "The beds were nice, though. We were
wondering how Princess Aileen's was?"
"I'm not sure," he said, his eyes never leaving Melissa's. "A servant came to my room this
morning and told me to come here to meet you. I assume she will be joining us shortly."
"As perceptive as always, Wendell." They all turned to see Aileen gliding into the room. Her
silent steps made Melissa nervous. "Good morning all." Her soft eyes flickered over them, and the
pleasant smile she was wearing dropped away. "I fear you did not sleep as well as I?"
"The rooms were fine," Melissa said. She forced herself to relax, her arms hanging at her sides.
"The real question is, how did you sleep?"
The smile returned to Aileen's face, bright and cheerful. The Princess took a step closer, taking
Melissa's hands in her own. "It was wonderful," she whispered. "You have saved me."
"Oh...well..." she glanced at their hands, and then to the floor. "It wasn't that big of a deal."
"No, it was. And I must repay you." She dropped Melissa's hands and turned slightly, her dress
crinkling as she gestured at a silent guard. The man, dressed in crisp brown and green, strode forward and
held out a small box, no more than two inches square. Aileen took it and he bowed sharply before
returning to his post. Melissa watched the small ceremony expectantly. "In return for what you've done, I
want to give you this." She held out the jewelry box.
"What? No, really, I can't take that." Melissa frowned, pushing it back towards the other woman.
She lowered her voice. "Please. In exchange for what you've already done for us."
Aileen's eyes widened slightly, and a smile ghosted across her face. "You must have it. It will
help you in your quest."
"Our quest?" Wendell jerked, looking as though he would take the box himself, although he held
back. "What is it?"
"She must open it to find out."
Melissa felt everyone staring at her, and she sighed, taking the box. It felt empty. "All right," she
muttered, slowly lifting the lid. Inside, nestled in a bed of rich brown satin, lay a perfectly round pea. For
a long, quiet moment she stared at it, having no idea what to say.
"It's the pea that my grandmother slept on," Aileen explained. "It is magical."
"Oh." Melissa showed it to her companions, who looked equally perplexed.
Aileen laughed, and produced a piece of paper from the sleeve of her dress. "Here, read this."
"May I?" Wendell asked, reaching for the paper. Melissa nodded, and he took it, clearing his
throat before he began to read.
Hold this pea in your palm,
Wait for it to grow warm.
When it burns your tender flesh,
That is when you pass the test.
Beware the knowledge that you seek,
True answers are not for the meek.
Beware the words that you hear,
True answers oft bring only fear.
If you do as you're told,
This pea will lead you --but not to gold.
Not to money, nor to power,
But to light in your darkest hour.
They looked at each other uncertainly.
"There is a glade about a half day's ride from here. Rumor has it a wise oracle lives there, and that
this pea is the way to contact him. I thought you might use it to find out what happened to the mirror."
"Aileen, we can't," Wendell protested. "This belongs to your family."
"Yes, and I'm giving it to Melissa."
Melissa shut the box, carefully. "Then I accept, but I will return it to you when we're done."
The princess smiled, and her words were gentle. "It will disappear once it's used."
"Then I certainly can't take it!"
"You must. My family has tried many times to use it, and the pea has never grown warm. I
believe it is your destiny to use it. You have saved my line, Melissa," she added firmly. "Please."
She glanced to Wendell, and then to Terry, but they both shrugged, leaving the decision to her.
Taking Aileen's family heirloom seemed impossible -- except they needed it so much. They had to find the
mirror to get home. *Not that the Nine Kingdoms aren't wonderful. If complicated,* she thought. Melissa
tried to search Wendell's eyes for an answer, but he wouldn't hold her gaze. It was the fact that he needed
the mirror that decided it for her. "Thank you, your Highness. If it doesn't work for us either, then we'll
return it."
Wendell exhaled softly, looking relieved.
Aileen smiled, clasping her hands tightly in front of her. "Wonderful. You must be off then. I
have provided a carriage for you, with food enough for two days travel. It is not as ornate as what you're
used to, Wendell, but I think perhaps that is best." He nodded eagerly. "You had breakfast already?" They
all nodded. "Wonderful," she repeated, covering Melissa's hands with her own. "I hope we meet again,"
she said softly. Melissa saw only sincerity in the other woman's beautiful features.
"I hope so too," she said.
Still smiling, Aileen hugged Wendell and Teresa, and then stepped away. "Safe journey."
The four hurried out, Sport trotting alongside Melissa. When she paused at the door to look back,
Princess Aileen was gone.
**********
The carriage rattled as they sped down the dirt road, passing travelers making their morning
journeys. No one paid much attention to the green and brown carriage, other than to get out of its way.
The sky was faintly overcast, but it was going to be another warm day. Teresa had her head leaning against
the wall, her eyes closed, moving with each jerk and jump of the seats. Next to her, Wendell was staring
out the window, watching the outskirts of Peatown rush by.
Melissa ran her fingers over Sport's soft fur, and he nestled further into her lap, purring loudly.
She smiled a little, until she saw the small box sitting next to her. It bounced with the rest of them, but
seemed to project a protective aura that kept it from sliding anywhere. Cautiously, she picked it up,
flipping open the lid again.
The little pea sat, perfectly still, in it's bed in the box. They had been traveling for a couple of
hours, everyone consumed with their own thoughts and concerns. She wanted to talk to Wendell, but knew
it would be impossible with Terry there. Instead, she had concentrated on what to ask the oracle when they
got near the glade
"Any change?" Wendell whispered.
She shook her head. "I haven't picked it up, though. I'm afraid to."
He shrugged, looking back out the window.
"When we get to the glade, I'll do it. Just not now."
"I didn't say anything."
"You didn't have to."
One of Terry's eyes popped open. "Will you two please stop fussing?"
Melissa had a sudden urge to stick her tongue out at them both, but closed the box and set it next
to her instead. She knew Terry was right -- they'd been picking at each other off and on for the morning's
trip. Little, stupid things that had passed by in the days before. She suspected it wasn't just the lack of
sleep that was bothering all of them.
"So have you heard of this oracle before?"
Wendell shifted in his seat, glancing at her briefly. "No, actually."
"Isn't that kind of unusual?"
"I don't know everything that happens in my kingdom, Melissa."
She imitated his earlier shrug.
"It's a huge kingdom. We've been traveling for several days and have covered only a small part."
"I didn't say anything," she said.
"Honestly." Terry sat up, glaring at both of them. "What is it going to take to get you two to just
leave well enough alone?"
Wendell grimaced, looking guilty. "I apologize," he said.
Melissa sat back in her bouncing seat, folding her arms across her chest. Terry kept glaring at her,
until she broke under the pressure. "Me too," she muttered.
Terry sighed heavily. "Honestly," she repeated.
They continued on in silence after that, until the carriage began to slow, approaching the edge of a
thick forest. Poking his head out the window, Wendell shouted something up to the driver and then pulled
his head back in. "We're here," he announced.
Melissa bit her tongue to hold back a retort, instead shaking Sport a little to wake him up. He
meowed loudly, but moved anyway, settling into the corner with a dirty look.
Several minutes later, the three of them were wandering through the forest, leaving Sport sleeping
soundly in the carriage. The driver had eagerly agreed to stay with the carriage, and Melissa had noticed
the way he distastefully eyed the forest. The trees were large and leafy, hazy light seeping through the
branches. Birds of all kinds flitted about, chirping madly at the disturbance. The trio had to pick a
haphazard path amongst the trunks, Wendell assuring them he could lead them out again.
Melissa clutched the tiny pea in her hand, hardly feeling it at all, wondering if she could tell when
it grew warm. It didn't help that they both kept asking her every few feet.
"You're sure?" Terry pressed, pausing to look back at her.
She rolled her eyes and shoved her palm out at the older woman. "Do you want to hold it?"
"Maybe if we turned into the forest more," Wendell said, scanning the surroundings. "I think it's
this way."
"You think? What happened to 'I know exactly where I'm going'?" Melissa asked.
Wendell ignored her, and she followed him without further comment. *Just let me know when
this works* she prayed silently.
Ten minutes later, sweaty and cranky, her palm started to sting. Concentrating on it, she realized
that the pea was growing warm.
"Oh God," she gasped, suddenly afraid. "You guys, it's warm."
They both stopped and rushed back to her, everyone staring at her open palm. The pea sat there,
the same calm green.
"Are you sure?" Wendell said in a hushed voice.
She darted a look at him, but he was oblivious. "Yes, I'm positive. Come on, let's keep moving."
After another ten minutes of stops and starts as the pea wavered from cool to warm, they finally
figured out the path and were following it as straight as they could. Without warning, the pea started to
burn, and it felt like she was holding a hot coal.
Stifling a scream, Melissa clenched her hand tightly shut to keep herself from dropping it, and the
warmth spread out, dissipating for the moment. Wendell and Terry pressed on in front of her, unaware. A
few short feet later, the heat intensified and her skin started to sizzle.
She screamed then, and Wendell and Terry both spun around, their eyes wide.
"It's burning," Melissa moaned, clenching her fisted hand at the wrist.
Wendell rushed to her side, gesturing helplessly. "You have to hold on to it," he pleaded, his
voice cracking.
Melissa's eyes filled with tears as the pea grew more intensely hot. She expected it to burn a hole
straight through her hand. "I can't," she pleaded.
"You have to."
Terry clenched her own fists and watched them. "Open your hand, Missy," she whispered.
She tried, but the pain had seized her muscles. "I can't." Her whole hand felt on fire, the pain
shooting up into her forearm, bending her elbow. Melissa dropped to one knee as the heat blossomed,
engulfing her entire arm.
Wendell knelt next to her and grabbed her shoulders. "Drop it," he ordered her. She looked into
his eyes and was surprised to see they were wet.
"No." She shook her head fiercely. "No! This is the test," she gasped.
"Melissa drop it. It's not this important!"
"No!" She moaned with the pain, holding onto consciousness.
Something moved behind Wendell, and a low voice washed over them like rain, saying: "It is all
right." And the pain was gone with the words.
Melissa exhaled sharply, her body jerking forward into Wendell's arms. He held her close while
the last tingling spasms of pain left her, her muscles relaxing. She felt herself crying, unable to stop the
tears.
Wendell murmured softly in her ear, unimportant words that soothed the fear. Finally, she
stopped crying, and wiped her eyes dry on her sleeve. "Thank you," she mouthed. He smiled and they
helped each other stand.
When they turned, a shadow materialized in front of them, and all three inhaled sharply.
Before them was a unicorn -- though it was nothing like the images Melissa had dreamed of as a
child. This one was huge, and not entirely equine. It had the head and body of a horse, but its hind legs
looked like they belonged to a deer, and its tail was that of a lion. Even more remarkable to her was that
though its body was white, as she expected, its head was blood red, and it had sharp blue eyes. The horn
that spiraled to a razor point was dark black, sucking light into it. The unicorn's beard hung almost to its
knees, and it brushed it back and forth as it looked at them. Instead of the rounded curves of children's
unicorns, this one's lines were angular and edgy. It looked like it would hurt to pet it.
"Well met," it said. It's mellow voice made up for the sharpness of its looks.
Melissa took a small step forward. "Hello."
"You summoned me?"
She blinked, and remembered the pea. "Yes, I guess I did. Who ... are you?"
"I am Inesh. The oracle." He, the voice was distinctly male, brushed his beard across his knees
again. "Who are you?"
"Melissa. This is Teresa, and King Wendell."
The blue eyes flickered over each of them, resting longer on Wendell. "King of the Fourth
Kingdom. Welcome."
Wendell cleared his throat, bowing respectfully. "Thank you, my lord."
"Just Inesh," the unicorn said, his voice amused. His mouth didn't move, but the words felt like
they were being spoken. Melissa peered around, wondering if this was like the 'Wizard of Oz.'
"Is something wrong?"
She whipped her head back to face him, her cheeks reddening. "Oh. No."
Inesh seemed to smile, although she wasn't sure how she knew that.
"Oracle," Wendell said gently, "we need your help."
"I know," he said.
"You know about the lost mirror then?"
"Yes."
"How can we get it back?"
The unicorn snorted, shaking his whole body. The three took a step back, startled by the
movement. "That is not how I work, King Wendell. I know what is, and I will tell you what you most
need to know. The answers are of my choosing, not yours."
Wendell's shoulders drooped. "Surely the mirror is more important to us--"
"I decide that. Your needs are not what you think. Any of you." He eyed them, and Melissa saw
sadness deep within his gaze. "You must be sure you are prepared to hear the truth. Many have been
destroyed by what I told them. That is why I am here, in this glade. I grew weary of hurting others."
Silence draped across them, heavy with the unicorn's words.
"Can I ask you a question?" Melissa asked.
Inesh nodded his large head. "I may not answer it, though."
"That's ok. Why is your horn black?"
He looked surprised, tilting his head to the side. He was silent for a long time, and she thought
that he wouldn't answer her. Finally, he spoke. "We are born with horns of white, and as we age, they turn
to purest ivory. When we have lived long enough, dispensing the truth, seeing the pain, they turn black. I
am very old." She felt the crushing weight of his sorrow, and looked away, struggling to breathe evenly.
Wendell touched her arm. "We must know," he said.
Melissa nodded, staring at her feet. "You're right." She forced herself to look into Inesh's eyes.
*What horrors has he known?* she wondered. "Tell us."
Inesh sighed, stamping his forefoot three times. "These truths I will tell. My words are light in
the darkness of ignorance. This is what you must know:
"Teresa. Soul Ravager wants the mirror to get at Wendell. Soul Ravager wants Wendell to get
revenge. She is the woman Melissa's grandfather once loved." Melissa frowned and looked at Terry, in
time to see her face go completely white.
"Terry? What does he mean? What's--"
"Melissa." The horn point swung to face her, and she felt pierced by it, her heart filled with dread.
Whatever he was about to say, she was certain she didn't want to know. "To kill Soul Ravager, you must
return home. Your answer lies in your past. Teresa knows who you really are."
"What?" She choked on the disbelief, facing Terry. "What is he talking about?"
"No," the older woman moaned. "Please, don't do this."
Inesh stamped his foot and the ground shook. "You are not who you think, Melissa Dukavski.
You are the grandchild of the man who loved the mermaid. You are from the Nine Kingdoms."
**********