Chapter 15: Teary Hello's
William's father relaxed against the cold stone wall struggling to regain some air. After a few short minutes his breathing evened out and he opened his eyes at Claira. She offered a comforting smile still holding that pitcher of water. She set it down beside her as she waited patiently for him to start. He cleared his throat and began.
"When I was a young man around sixteen I met Rebecca. She was a good girl and fell in love with me rather quickly, too quickly. She proclaimed her feelings at the very party I was announcing my engagement to William's mother. I loved Victoria more than I thought possible. I loved the way she smiled I even loved the way she said my name. It was just so perfect that I had to marry her."
He started another coughing fit which scared Claira. She held the water to his lips which he sipped gratefully. He cleared his throat one last time before returning to his story.
"I tried to explain to Rebecca how I loved Victoria and that she would find someone else someday but she stormed out with fire in her eyes. There was a definite change in her all together even the way she talked seemed more like a hiss than human. I didn't hear from her for nine years when she approached me with Jonathan. He was a wonderful child but I knew she was planning something. I ignored my feuding voices and took him in. My wife was taken ill only days after we brought him into our home, but I wrote that off also. Victoria grew progressively worse over the years and one day she wouldn't wake up."
His eyes glazed over as he remembered the sad times. Claira didn't know how to act so she stayed quiet letting him grieve.
"Rebecca came back still young as the day I had met her twenty years ago. I knew she was evil, her animal like quality was evident through her eyes. She came in with such a strong power I had no strength and she took me and pinned me up in here."
Claira looked confused. "But sir, William told me something about a fortune teller. . . at a carnival somewhere. She said he was supposed to marry Rebecca."
"Rebecca planned that too. As soon she foretold his future we fled home and sure enough Rebecca was there waiting for us. She locked me up soon after and only met William after he was old enough to be married. She was trying to win his affections but his attention was on another young woman, you."
He gave a small smile causing Claira to blush. She didn't realize William had such strong feelings for her. She was going to say something else but they heard footsteps. Claira ran over to the window and hid behind one of the thick mahogany curtains while listening carefully for Rebecca.
Soon she heard that familiar swishing sound of her long dark skirts.
"How did you get this water?" Rebecca voices sounded so demanding that Claira shuddered.
"I, I ... I don't know. I woke up and it was in front of me."
"Your lying to me Hastings!"
"No Rebecca, I'm not lying. I swear it on my life."
"Well be both know that's worth nothing." She gave a short low laugh before throwing the pitcher of water across the room. Claira's feet were covered in the ice cold liquid but she stayed in her coma like state; barely breathing.
"I'm having a party tonight."
"Why?"
"To celebrate my engagement to your idiot son. It's rather funny don't you think."
"What is Rebecca?"
She rolled her eyes and strutted around the room once over before returning her focus to him.
"You could of stopped all this by marrying me. . . but No, no you had to marry your precious Victoria. A lot of good that did both of you. You suffer, she suffers, Jonathan suffers and now. . . now William will suffer."
"What are you going to do to him?"
"Let's just say a few times in the rain can kill even the bravest of men."
"Rebecca, don't do this."
"Don't tell me what to do! I don't have to listen to you or anyone."
"Rebecca please. . ."
"Shut up you sputtering old fool. I can't stand my name coming from your withered little mouth. I'm leaving now, time to get dressed for my engagement party. My loving fiancé is waiting for me."
She sauntered towards the secret passage, stopping once to eye the pitcher that lay near Claira's hiding place. She shrugged it off and continued leaving.
Claira peaked out the curtains to find the old man on the verge of tears. She gave him a hug and tried to calm him down.
"Listen, I'm going to help William. I don't know how, but I'll do my best."
"Please, save him. I've lost everything else. If you can't save him don't bother coming back for me."
Claira felt her heart break at the deep sadness in his voice. She fought back tears herself. She wanted to get him out, but the chains were so strange. There was no hole for a key. He explained they were locked by magic and there was no way for her to release him. She finally pushed herself to leave the broken man in the room.
Claira knew what she had to do. She darted through the halls, her face was hidden by her long damp hair. She finally arrived at William's room. In spite of her rapid heart beat and flushed complexion she entered the room without knocking.
"Get out!" Came a muffled cry from the bed. She turned to leave but soon saw that William's face was buried in the thick pillows. He looked as if he hadn't moved in days. He didn't move to look at her.
"I said get out! I don't want to see you Rebecca."
"William" Claira whispered, his name was caught in her throat.
"Those tricks will not work again Rebecca."
Claira covered her mouth. She felt so childish, so foolish. Her heart was in her throat so much that she couldn't speak. Tears welled up in her eyes as she backed away. She stopped backing up after she ran into the door. It made a louder sound than she would of liked. She slid to the ground, her knees clutched tightly to her chest. She couldn't let herself be this silly.
"LEAVE NOW!" William repeated, but this time he looked up. Instead of Rebecca he saw Claira. Her teary eyes pierced his heart and he could do nothing but stare at her. His own eyes stung with tears but he kept them away from visibility.
"Claira?" He said, cautiously making his way toward her. She was crying now, silent tears fell down her pinkened cheeks, landing softly on the dingy fabric of her once beautiful gown. She didn't know seeing him would make her feel this way. He walked over to her. Dropping to his knees he timidly touched her face, wiping away those salty tears.
He wanted to hold her, bring her close enough to be sure she was real but he kept his proper distance.
"Why did you come back?"
Claira stood up, William followed suite. He watched how she dusted off her hopelessly ruined dress and stare at him as if she had never seen him before. Even he would have to admit he looked different. His usually well shaven face was covered in stubble and his hair was amiss.
"I know I look like the dead." She mumbled.
"You look beautiful." He whispered just loud enough for her ears to take in those delicious words. She straightened out her shoulders and looked him boldly in the eye.
"I'm here to save you."
"What?"
"Yes well, Rebecca is lying. Your father is alive."
"No."
"I've spoke to him just seconds ago."
William looked around the room. The information she had just supplied didn't seem to be enough. He nodded his head, she wouldn't lie to him. Therefore he trusted her.
"Where is he?"
"The tower."
"That close?" William felt ashamed that he had never looked. He of all people knew that Rebecca was malignant. Why hadn't he looked? He ran his fingers through his matted hair, returning his focus to Claira.
She looked so frail. Her eyes were decorated in bags and the way she stood showed obvious hard times. Her complexion which was rosy just moments ago, had now turned stark pale. Her long brown hair was falling down in waves around her face. And her body was shivering in short bursts of movement.
"Your freezing." William mumbled. He grabbed a nearby blanket and draped it over her shoulders. She took it gratefully and sat down in a rather tempting armchair. Her back relaxed against the plush material.
"Your father said Rebecca plans to harm you."
"Yes well I've figured that one out on my own. She has this power over me."
"Oh"
"No not that kind of power, it's more like she can control me at times."
"She is a sorcerous."
"Black magic?"
"Yes."
William sat down in an opposing chair. Claira was huddled in the massive blanket, the color had just started returning to her cheeks.
"So what do you suppose we do about it fair lady?" He smiled. The sent a wave of relief crashing over Claira. She had a deep feeling in the pit of her stomach the worst had happened and William had lost the want of her friendship. She smiled coyly and looked him dead in the eye.
"I say, we get you ready for this party."
"I'm not going."
"You have to go. It would buy us some time."
"I suppose, I hate these endless social gatherings."
"Well you must not let Rebecca know I'm here, it would only make things worse."
William raised his hand to Claira's cheek. It was so smooth compared to his rough palm. She leaned into his touch, admiring how contrasting they're textures were.
"I've missed you Claira."
"And I've missed you too." Claira whispered. She leaned back as to break the contact between them. William watched as she dropped the blanket from her shoulders and stood. Walking across the room she threw open the armoire and started digging around. She finally pulled out a nice black coat, pants, and a white shirt. She had picked the only thing with the family crest on them.
"You are to wear this." She laid them neatly on his bed. Eleanor quietly knocked on the door and let herself in. She had brought with her a washing tub and came back and forth with the hot water. Claira kept busy in William's joining room while he washed, shaved and dressed. He came in the room looking marvelously.
"You look like royalty." Claira said smiling. There was a twinge of remorse that she wouldn't be with him at the party. She wanted to walk into the room with a beautiful dress on, holding onto the arm of Prince William of Vinunderlig. To feel like the most happy person in the room, just for one night she wanted to have him to herself. She wanted only a few hours of no worries.
"I wish you would come. It's a masquerade ball, it's not as if she would know who you were."
"Yes, but even if I wanted to I have nothing to wear. I'll wait for you right here."
"Yes, you do that."
William leaned down and gave her a quick peck on the cheek. Her cheeks turned hot against his lips. He simply smiled, his own cheeks turned a rather bright red themselves. He nearly ran into Eleanor leaving the room.
"Oh excuse me Eleanor." He mumbled, walking on a cloud. Eleanor gave a quiet laugh, hardly loud enough for the world to hear.
"Well what are you waiting in here missus, we have a party to get you to."
"Oh no, I have nothing to wear."
"Oh missus, that is where you are wrong." Eleanor smiled coyly.
A/N: I hope you didn't give up on me. It feels like forever since I've updated and I'm sorry but I lacked the inspiration. But here you are, another chapter.
This might sound a bit like Cinderella so here's the disclaimer for that. I DON'T OWN CINDERELLA. lol there you go.
The next chapter might be up in a few days, might not. I'm off to Disney Land so it depends on how much magic the kingdom rubs off on me. That's probably the best place to write a fairy tale. I've always loved all that kind of stuff so I can't wait!!
Here's a little something to think about...
What does Eleanor have planned. And who is she really? A simple maid. . . I don't know... ponder on that for a while. I'll do my best to get inspired.. I've even stooped to listening to hours of classical music which isn't my thing so... lol
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE REVIEW WITH EXTRA WHIP CREAM AND A CHERRY ON TOP. THANKS SO MUCH. =Pink-sneakers85=
William's father relaxed against the cold stone wall struggling to regain some air. After a few short minutes his breathing evened out and he opened his eyes at Claira. She offered a comforting smile still holding that pitcher of water. She set it down beside her as she waited patiently for him to start. He cleared his throat and began.
"When I was a young man around sixteen I met Rebecca. She was a good girl and fell in love with me rather quickly, too quickly. She proclaimed her feelings at the very party I was announcing my engagement to William's mother. I loved Victoria more than I thought possible. I loved the way she smiled I even loved the way she said my name. It was just so perfect that I had to marry her."
He started another coughing fit which scared Claira. She held the water to his lips which he sipped gratefully. He cleared his throat one last time before returning to his story.
"I tried to explain to Rebecca how I loved Victoria and that she would find someone else someday but she stormed out with fire in her eyes. There was a definite change in her all together even the way she talked seemed more like a hiss than human. I didn't hear from her for nine years when she approached me with Jonathan. He was a wonderful child but I knew she was planning something. I ignored my feuding voices and took him in. My wife was taken ill only days after we brought him into our home, but I wrote that off also. Victoria grew progressively worse over the years and one day she wouldn't wake up."
His eyes glazed over as he remembered the sad times. Claira didn't know how to act so she stayed quiet letting him grieve.
"Rebecca came back still young as the day I had met her twenty years ago. I knew she was evil, her animal like quality was evident through her eyes. She came in with such a strong power I had no strength and she took me and pinned me up in here."
Claira looked confused. "But sir, William told me something about a fortune teller. . . at a carnival somewhere. She said he was supposed to marry Rebecca."
"Rebecca planned that too. As soon she foretold his future we fled home and sure enough Rebecca was there waiting for us. She locked me up soon after and only met William after he was old enough to be married. She was trying to win his affections but his attention was on another young woman, you."
He gave a small smile causing Claira to blush. She didn't realize William had such strong feelings for her. She was going to say something else but they heard footsteps. Claira ran over to the window and hid behind one of the thick mahogany curtains while listening carefully for Rebecca.
Soon she heard that familiar swishing sound of her long dark skirts.
"How did you get this water?" Rebecca voices sounded so demanding that Claira shuddered.
"I, I ... I don't know. I woke up and it was in front of me."
"Your lying to me Hastings!"
"No Rebecca, I'm not lying. I swear it on my life."
"Well be both know that's worth nothing." She gave a short low laugh before throwing the pitcher of water across the room. Claira's feet were covered in the ice cold liquid but she stayed in her coma like state; barely breathing.
"I'm having a party tonight."
"Why?"
"To celebrate my engagement to your idiot son. It's rather funny don't you think."
"What is Rebecca?"
She rolled her eyes and strutted around the room once over before returning her focus to him.
"You could of stopped all this by marrying me. . . but No, no you had to marry your precious Victoria. A lot of good that did both of you. You suffer, she suffers, Jonathan suffers and now. . . now William will suffer."
"What are you going to do to him?"
"Let's just say a few times in the rain can kill even the bravest of men."
"Rebecca, don't do this."
"Don't tell me what to do! I don't have to listen to you or anyone."
"Rebecca please. . ."
"Shut up you sputtering old fool. I can't stand my name coming from your withered little mouth. I'm leaving now, time to get dressed for my engagement party. My loving fiancé is waiting for me."
She sauntered towards the secret passage, stopping once to eye the pitcher that lay near Claira's hiding place. She shrugged it off and continued leaving.
Claira peaked out the curtains to find the old man on the verge of tears. She gave him a hug and tried to calm him down.
"Listen, I'm going to help William. I don't know how, but I'll do my best."
"Please, save him. I've lost everything else. If you can't save him don't bother coming back for me."
Claira felt her heart break at the deep sadness in his voice. She fought back tears herself. She wanted to get him out, but the chains were so strange. There was no hole for a key. He explained they were locked by magic and there was no way for her to release him. She finally pushed herself to leave the broken man in the room.
Claira knew what she had to do. She darted through the halls, her face was hidden by her long damp hair. She finally arrived at William's room. In spite of her rapid heart beat and flushed complexion she entered the room without knocking.
"Get out!" Came a muffled cry from the bed. She turned to leave but soon saw that William's face was buried in the thick pillows. He looked as if he hadn't moved in days. He didn't move to look at her.
"I said get out! I don't want to see you Rebecca."
"William" Claira whispered, his name was caught in her throat.
"Those tricks will not work again Rebecca."
Claira covered her mouth. She felt so childish, so foolish. Her heart was in her throat so much that she couldn't speak. Tears welled up in her eyes as she backed away. She stopped backing up after she ran into the door. It made a louder sound than she would of liked. She slid to the ground, her knees clutched tightly to her chest. She couldn't let herself be this silly.
"LEAVE NOW!" William repeated, but this time he looked up. Instead of Rebecca he saw Claira. Her teary eyes pierced his heart and he could do nothing but stare at her. His own eyes stung with tears but he kept them away from visibility.
"Claira?" He said, cautiously making his way toward her. She was crying now, silent tears fell down her pinkened cheeks, landing softly on the dingy fabric of her once beautiful gown. She didn't know seeing him would make her feel this way. He walked over to her. Dropping to his knees he timidly touched her face, wiping away those salty tears.
He wanted to hold her, bring her close enough to be sure she was real but he kept his proper distance.
"Why did you come back?"
Claira stood up, William followed suite. He watched how she dusted off her hopelessly ruined dress and stare at him as if she had never seen him before. Even he would have to admit he looked different. His usually well shaven face was covered in stubble and his hair was amiss.
"I know I look like the dead." She mumbled.
"You look beautiful." He whispered just loud enough for her ears to take in those delicious words. She straightened out her shoulders and looked him boldly in the eye.
"I'm here to save you."
"What?"
"Yes well, Rebecca is lying. Your father is alive."
"No."
"I've spoke to him just seconds ago."
William looked around the room. The information she had just supplied didn't seem to be enough. He nodded his head, she wouldn't lie to him. Therefore he trusted her.
"Where is he?"
"The tower."
"That close?" William felt ashamed that he had never looked. He of all people knew that Rebecca was malignant. Why hadn't he looked? He ran his fingers through his matted hair, returning his focus to Claira.
She looked so frail. Her eyes were decorated in bags and the way she stood showed obvious hard times. Her complexion which was rosy just moments ago, had now turned stark pale. Her long brown hair was falling down in waves around her face. And her body was shivering in short bursts of movement.
"Your freezing." William mumbled. He grabbed a nearby blanket and draped it over her shoulders. She took it gratefully and sat down in a rather tempting armchair. Her back relaxed against the plush material.
"Your father said Rebecca plans to harm you."
"Yes well I've figured that one out on my own. She has this power over me."
"Oh"
"No not that kind of power, it's more like she can control me at times."
"She is a sorcerous."
"Black magic?"
"Yes."
William sat down in an opposing chair. Claira was huddled in the massive blanket, the color had just started returning to her cheeks.
"So what do you suppose we do about it fair lady?" He smiled. The sent a wave of relief crashing over Claira. She had a deep feeling in the pit of her stomach the worst had happened and William had lost the want of her friendship. She smiled coyly and looked him dead in the eye.
"I say, we get you ready for this party."
"I'm not going."
"You have to go. It would buy us some time."
"I suppose, I hate these endless social gatherings."
"Well you must not let Rebecca know I'm here, it would only make things worse."
William raised his hand to Claira's cheek. It was so smooth compared to his rough palm. She leaned into his touch, admiring how contrasting they're textures were.
"I've missed you Claira."
"And I've missed you too." Claira whispered. She leaned back as to break the contact between them. William watched as she dropped the blanket from her shoulders and stood. Walking across the room she threw open the armoire and started digging around. She finally pulled out a nice black coat, pants, and a white shirt. She had picked the only thing with the family crest on them.
"You are to wear this." She laid them neatly on his bed. Eleanor quietly knocked on the door and let herself in. She had brought with her a washing tub and came back and forth with the hot water. Claira kept busy in William's joining room while he washed, shaved and dressed. He came in the room looking marvelously.
"You look like royalty." Claira said smiling. There was a twinge of remorse that she wouldn't be with him at the party. She wanted to walk into the room with a beautiful dress on, holding onto the arm of Prince William of Vinunderlig. To feel like the most happy person in the room, just for one night she wanted to have him to herself. She wanted only a few hours of no worries.
"I wish you would come. It's a masquerade ball, it's not as if she would know who you were."
"Yes, but even if I wanted to I have nothing to wear. I'll wait for you right here."
"Yes, you do that."
William leaned down and gave her a quick peck on the cheek. Her cheeks turned hot against his lips. He simply smiled, his own cheeks turned a rather bright red themselves. He nearly ran into Eleanor leaving the room.
"Oh excuse me Eleanor." He mumbled, walking on a cloud. Eleanor gave a quiet laugh, hardly loud enough for the world to hear.
"Well what are you waiting in here missus, we have a party to get you to."
"Oh no, I have nothing to wear."
"Oh missus, that is where you are wrong." Eleanor smiled coyly.
A/N: I hope you didn't give up on me. It feels like forever since I've updated and I'm sorry but I lacked the inspiration. But here you are, another chapter.
This might sound a bit like Cinderella so here's the disclaimer for that. I DON'T OWN CINDERELLA. lol there you go.
The next chapter might be up in a few days, might not. I'm off to Disney Land so it depends on how much magic the kingdom rubs off on me. That's probably the best place to write a fairy tale. I've always loved all that kind of stuff so I can't wait!!
Here's a little something to think about...
What does Eleanor have planned. And who is she really? A simple maid. . . I don't know... ponder on that for a while. I'll do my best to get inspired.. I've even stooped to listening to hours of classical music which isn't my thing so... lol
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE REVIEW WITH EXTRA WHIP CREAM AND A CHERRY ON TOP. THANKS SO MUCH. =Pink-sneakers85=