Author's note: I tried really hard to keep the characters to their characteristic. Hopefully, you all would enjoy this fanfic. Sorry, I haven't updated it for a while. Like I promise, here's Howl and Sophie. Finally.
I would like to thank Ophelia Russell and Haru Yoshioka for my first two reviews. Thank you very, very much. (Sorry I didn't wrote this on the second chapter. I'm quite forgetful)
Chapter 3: In Which Sophie was Lost
"Sophie……Sophie……" a voice echoed.
Sophie heard the gentle voice whispering to her, she could feel the gentle breeze brushed her face. She groaned, putting a lot of effort into opening her eyes. Still quite dazzled, the fresh sent of morning dew refreshed her. Eventually, she managed to get up on her back. She sighed and turns to look at the person who called her.
Howl looked dreamily at Sophie once she turned around. The sun, hidden behind the cloudy blue sky managed to shine out a few rays of light, making the scene much dreamier. Sophie was enchanted as she looked deeply into his green eyes.
She remembered how long it was since she was turned into an old woman. It had been many months since that day, Calcifer being free, she herself is learning a bit of witchcraft from Howl, getting use to the fact that she is a witch now and also having a few moments of romance with a certain someone from time to time. Still, there is something about Howl which seems to make her feel different and yet happy inside whenever she is around him.
"Sophie, you fell asleep……"said Howl gently. "How was that book I gave you?"
Sophie now wide awake looked left and right and found the book clutched in her hands. "Macbeth" is the book's title. Howl introduced a book to her once by a dramatist named William Shakespeare. She enjoyed the first one she read but the second one "Macbeth" doesn't grasp her attention somehow.
But after much thought, Howl had been acting a bit nicer to her for the past few weeks. She knew Howl wasn't the generous sort and she would like to admit that this book does not impress her to him. But this time, she felt she would have to lie to not hurt his feelings.
"It's very nice Howl, "Macbeth" is really interesting," lied Sophie. She began to blushed a little hopefully Howl won't notice it.
"It doesn't suit our liking. Admit it. I can tell when you are lying," said Howl while smiling at her.
Ugh! Caught red handed, thought Sophie, how did he know? "I like the first one you gave me better," said Sophie, hoping that would make Howl feel bad with her honesty.
Howl smirked with triumph as he moved a little closer to Sophie. "Romeo and Juliet, is that it? It's quite a sad story. But you can say, in their way, it's a happy ending for them. Since, they can be together in death. Don't you think?" said Howl.
"I guess……" whispered Sophie. "It's a good idea."
"What is a good idea?" asked Howl.
"To held this picnic near the forest," said Sophie. "It's really nice this spot, wondrous flowers covering this field, it even had a breath taking view of Market Chipping. It has been a long time since I had a picnic. This is a really good idea."
Howl smirked with triumph. He plucked out a white flower from the field. Assuming it was rather plain, he rubbed the petals gently and it transform into a beautiful white rose with sparkling morning dew on it.
"Yes, I agree. And a good time for us to be alone, wouldn't you say?" said Howl cheekily as he held out Sophie's hand and placed the rose gently in her hands, making her quite startled.
Sophie was about to think a smack would do well for Howl. She was about to raise her hand until……
"Sophie! Sophie!"
Tearing her eyes away from Howl, she saw Martha and Lettie running towards them from the other side of the field, both holding a picnic basket with them. From behind, Fanny is puffing and panting, trying to catch up with them. Sophie laughed a little seeing that Fanny almost tripped over a rock. Eventually, Wizard Suliman, Michael and even Calcifer came too!
Howl was rather astonished to see so many people. But Sophie scrambled up and quickly went to greet them all. They were all laughing and greeting each other rather loudly. Only Howl was left out, feeling disappointed, hoping to have some private time with Sophie. But he managed to pull himself together and went to join in the crowd.
"Howl, I hope you don't mind me not telling you in the first place. I'm the one who invited them all, as a surprise for you!" said Sophie excitedly.
Howl was quite for a while; he looked at everyone's excited faces. They're all looking back at him, hoping for an answer. "Indeed……You all surprised me. I'm speechless!" said Howl, trying to keep up to his happy mood.
"Well that settles it!" Fanny panted. "Why don't we have our picnic now?"
Everyone agreed and began unpacking the food, even Howl joined in as if nothing has happened. Sophie noticed it, Howl was upset just now, I shouldn't have invited them…….What a mistake! But what could I do? They're all here; it would be awfully rude to send them all back. Sophie tried to forget about it, thinking that she better make it up to Howl after this.
They sat under the warm sun, the air was fresh and the food was delicious. Martha especially brought a wonderful chocolate cake from Cesari's. Everyone loved it as usual. Fanny bought some exotic treats, since she is now rich.
Everything was going fine, chattering happily, and making up jokes and so on. Howl even forgotten about his disappointment, as for Calcifer, just this once, he was able to enjoy the leftovers of the foods. To him, they were better than logs.
"So when is the engagement for you two?" asked Fanny to Sophie and Howl "It has been months you two have been together,"
Everyone became quite and looked at the two. Calcifer could be seen grinning widely at them. Sophie blushed, but Howl smiled and kept calm. Sophie wondered how he could smile in this sort of situation.
"Well as a matter a fact……" before Howl could finish, Michael saved Howl and Sophie from embarrassment.
"Look at that!" shouted Michael while pointing directly up to the sky.
Everyone's attention was drowned to the sky. A rather large white feather is swaying with the breeze, falling towards them. Sophie relieved that everyone had forgotten about the "engagement" subject, and is now enchanted by the feather. The feather gently landed in a bowl of gravy, it floated on the gravy still with beauty.
Howl looked up to the sky, to see what dropped the feather. Suddenly, he caught sight on a small figure high above the sky. He lost sight of the figure as soon as he blocked his eyes away from the blazing sun. But he knew something was up there and to him, it might not be an ordinary bird.
Sophie reached out her hand and took the delicate feather off the gravy. Not even a drop of gravy ruined the feather, even it landed on it. The feather still remains clean, glimmering white and soft when touched. Most amazingly, the feather is much larger than a human's palm.
"Does it belong to some sort of huge bird?" Martha asked.
"I don't think so. There isn't any sighting of a huge bird around here before," said Lettie. "Ben, what do you think?"
Sophie passed the feather to Wizard Suliman. Wizard Suliman observed it, twisting it gently.
"Suppose it's a phoenix feather of a phoenix?" Michael asked excitedly.
"It couldn't be. Phoenix feathers have the colors of fire. They will burn your finger if one touches it," said Howl.
"Might belong to a new species of birds, there is magic in it," said Wizard Suliman. "It might also be a feather of a griffin."
"Maybe," Howl replied. "May I have a look?"
Howl observed the feather carefully, rubbing his fingers on it.
Sophie wondered how just one feather can capture everyone's attention. To her, the feather looks a bit like those large feathers from the back of an ostrich, like another one of those books which Howl brought back for her from Wales.
"Ben, I don't think this is even a griffin feather. It doesn't feel like it," Howl said.
"Then what you think it's from?" Wizard Suliman asked.
"Not sure, never seen anything like it," replied Howl. "I think I'll keep it, for further analysis."
"Well, there are many species of birds around Ingary. I'm sure you'll find it," said Fanny. "Now, where were we?"
Sophie knew it's going to be about Howl and her again, she better get away from this subject.
"Uh…….I thinks I'll go for a walk in the forest, my feet are kind of restless today," Sophie said,
"Sure why not. Why don't you let Howl accompany you? I'm sure it will be nice," Calcifer said cheekily.
Sophie could just give that fire demon a piece of her mind. But, in order to escape from embarrassment, there's no option.
"I won't want to trouble Howl. Besides, it's just a short walk through the forest, what could happen?
Howl was about to disagree with Sophie's idea until she glared at him. Howl understands Sophie's game, but he can't let go of the feeling which worries him if she got into trouble.
"If you say so Sophie, just be very careful. There is no telling what's in there," said Howl.
Sophie looked at Howl. He has that serious expression on his face. What could be lurking in that forest? Sophie thought, the people of Market Chipping often came here to gather wild fruits and berries. There shouldn't be any danger.
"I'll be fine, don't worry about me. I could take care of myself" said Sophie.
"Are you sure you don't want any of us to accompany you, Sophie?" asked Martha.
"Quite sure," Sophie replied firmly.
Sophie walked to towards to forest, only looking back to take a short glimpse at Howl.
It felt cool in the forest, it had a peaceful feeling. The birds are twittering away, the sound of running water could be heard from afar, everything was green and the flowers gave out a wonderful aroma. Sophie can't help thinking she became a bit of a slitherer-outer. To her this is the last time she is going use to habits Howl had.
"And why did I turn my head back just to see Howl? I don't know," said Sophie to herself. Sophie had a habit of talking to herself when she is lonely, came from when she used to be an old woman. "Why did, I always get this feeling……when……I look at him," whispered Sophie. "Gah! Pull yourself together Sophie Hatter! This is getting to your head!"
Sophie walked deeper into the forest mumbling to herself, not noticing where she was going. She can't stop thinking about Howl somehow; she wished Fanny never talked about engagements, she felt awful. Sophie wasn't enjoying the scenery at all.
There was a sudden cold breeze, the fallen leaves rustle on the ground. Sophie clutched her hands together to warm herself. But she ignores the cold and continues her way. Sophie was about to turn back, the forest is beginning to make her feel uncomfortable.
Suddenly, a gust of wind blew at her. Sophie backed and struggled with the wind, dried leaves slapped at her face. She could feel pain stinging all over her, it felt terrible.
"Stop wind! Stop it at once!" shouted Sophie.
But the wind did not stop, it blow more ferociously and the pain just worsen. Sophie couldn't stand for this, she ran as fast as she could. She could still feel the wind blowing after her. Sophie ran as fast as she could, everything was a blur. She jumped over logs and rocks. She tripped on a rock and one of her shoe came off. The wind caught up with her stinging her again, she screamed and struggled.
"Stop it wind! STOP IT!" shrieked Sophie.
But it was useless, the pain worsen again. Sophie fought the pain and took off her other shoe, knowing that she would be able to run faster that way.
She ran at top speed, the forest seems endless, it all just goes on. Sophie could feel the pattering of water beneath her bare feet, but the wind kept on blowing after her. She accidentally cut herself on a rose bush, leaving a torn piece on cloth dangling there. But the pain from the cut is nothing compare to the pain she is dealing with.
Sophie kept on running, but then, she could feel that the wind had stopped. She slowed down and tripped again. She limped as she used what's left of her strength to pull herself up. After limping a few steps, Sophie suddenly collapsed. She whimpered a little and sat on the ground. The pain seems to leave her, but she is totally out of breath and had absolutely no strength to stand up again.
Sophie looked at the cut she had on her arm, she could see blood flowing out of her cut. Her body aches all over; she even could see bruises on her body. She never felt so awful in her life. Her dress is torn here and there, her face is dirty and her hair is untidy and brownish.
She looks up and saw a lake. Its water is sparkling and tempting. Sophie can't resist a drink of water, she gathers up her strength again and limped towards the lake. She stopped near the edge of the lake and looked at the clear water. She cupped her hands and scooped the water. It felt so wonderful when it touches her hands. She quickly drank the water, it was remarkably refreshing. She soon could feel her strength rushing back to her. Sophie caught sight of the cut on her arm healing itself. The cut was no longer there; all her bruises and aches are gone.
Suddenly, Sophie caught her eyes on a horse with a horn on its forehead on the other side of the lake. Sophie recalls it was a unicorn, since it has a horn. The unicorn is a bit transparent; it looked back at her with its clear deep blue eyes. Sophie remembered the mystical powers which unicorns had. They are able to replenish poison water back to its clear state. Sophie must have drunk the water at the same time the unicorn's horn touched it.
The unicorn kept on looking at Sophie, both of them looked at each other from the two edges of the lake. Sophie can't believe she is actually seeing a real life unicorn, so few people only get to see them. She was relieved that the unicorn came to her at her time of need and now wishing that she could be accompanied by someone.
"Thank you, my friend. " whispered Sophie.
Just these few words, the unicorn nodded at her and galloped away without a sound.
Sophie got up; she is able to stand without a problem. She felt rather hungry after all that running. She saw a berry bush nearby, thinking she could either go back to the picnic hoping she won't be attacked again or stopped her hunger first.
That's not an option to her. She picked a few berries and chews them. They were tasty after all that running she did. What's wrong with me? She thought, Couldn't I talk things to life anymore? Why was the wind chasing me? Who would do such a horrid thing?
Sophie isn't sure of anything now, she hoped all that trouble she gone through is just an awful dream, nothing more but a mere dream.
She chewed a few more berries, questions began to crowd up her mind. What is going on? Nothing is right nowadays. She thinks back her old days when she was young. Her father, Mr. Hatter, always told her to be strong no matter what and that there is always a glimmer of hope in every corner.
Just the though of her father was enough to remind her how much she missed him. A tear drop rolled down her cheeks, she could feel sadness in her after a long time.
Suddenly, the entire forest became quiet. Not a sound was heard, Sophie knew something is wrong, it's too quite. Sophie looked at her surroundings, she is alert. She picked up a large stick, preparing to hit whatever that is going to attack her. Sophie could hear soft chiming, like wind chimes. There was a soft rustle somewhere, then everything became quite again. Only the gentle blowing of the breeze could be heard.
Cold sweat began to tickle down from Sophie. She had never been this nervous. Must have been that shock I had when the wind attacked me, thought Sophie.
"Sophie……..Sophie……." a gentle voice echoed.
Sophie looked around, who could that be? She thought.
"Who are you?" asked Sophie. "Show yourself!"
By Celtic Angora
Author's Note: Hope this is better than the other chapters. Chapter 2 is supposed to be boring, sorry about that. Please review to let me know your comments. And thanks again Haru Yoshioka and Ophelia Russell for the review.