Chapter 2: In which Howl is troubled by his future sister-in-law (and a former scarecrow)

Author: Ginny Garza (aka Telmarine)

Length: 8 pages

Rating: PG

Lettie, imitating her mother's recurrent actions, used her parasol to strike Howl viciously. She was so deft using this particular weapon that before Howl could realize, they were both on the ground.

'Sophie!' 'Nonononono!' 'How dare you touch my sister!' 'Not the face!' 'Damn you!' 'Stop it, you woman!' 'Argh!' were a few of the sounds that Howl and Lettie produced on their first encounter.

"Oh, Lettie. You are being absolutely childish," Sophie said, hugging her sister back tightly to prevent her from reaching Howl's neck.

It was always like that. Lettie remembered herself as the one who defended Sophie when they were children, but it had always been Sophie the one who stopped her from getting hurt.

"Childish? That man is Wizard Howl!" Lettie protested. "I am not letting him eat my heart without a fight!"

Yes, that was Lettie. She didn't consider that Howl, being a wizard (and the most powerful and evil, that is) could actually work some magic against her and her parasol. Luckily for her, Howl didn't know what had hit him until Markl helped him to his feet and dusted him.

"Are you alright, Master Howl (a/n: he does call him 'Master', right? I should watch the English version)?" he asked softly.

"Very well, thank you, Markl," Howl said politely.

People were staring. Howl waved at them as if nothing had happened. "Lovely girl, isn't she?" he said and the crowd dispersed rather hastily. No one in Market Chipping would doubt that a handsome and confident man like Howl had everything under control. And Howl, despite the messy hair and dirty clothes that Lettie gave him, was the vivid image of someone everyone would trust just by looking at him.

"And you, Sophie! He has already eaten your heart, hasn't he? Why else would you side up with him?" Lettie continued to argue, thank goodness, without her parasol and far less loudly.

"Lettie, if you would let me explain," Sophie pleaded, "you would understand everything that has happened."

Lettie pouted, but finally agreed. She was still very pretty after the fight, her cheeks flushed and a few strands of flaxen hair falling to her face. She was the sort of girl that looked nicer and nicer every second that passed.

"Oh, and I forgot to give you this," Lettie said, producing a paper bag from nowhere and giving it to Markl.

His face lighted up when he saw that it was filled with pastries and buns. "Thank you very much!" he said grinning. Lettie couldn't help but smile back. She really loved children. She was planning to have at least ten when she married her Prince Charming. But Market Chipping wasn't the best place to get a husband. Most folk, although very polite, only liked Lettie for her looks and expected her to be happy living in a boring farm.

"Well, I'm perfectly sure you two can manage to talk while walking," Howl ventured.

"Walking?" Lettie asked, shocked.

"Yes, we-"

"Being a Wizard, you should at least have some money to afford a carriage. Kingsbury is very far away, and I think the Castle is quite away too! I can't understand what you-"

By this point, both Howl and Sophie were exasperated by Lettie's attitude. Markl was eating cheerfully, but silently agreed with his surrogate parents about Lettie. Wisely, they said nothing else and started walking. Lettie had no other choice but to follow them.

"So, do tell me what is this all about," Lettie said crossly.

"Fine, but you must not open your mouth until I'm finished," Sophie declared.

And from that point on, Sophie talked and talked about curses, fire demons, magic, wars, green slime, scarecrows, and a lot of cleaning. Lettie listened closely to every detail, and Howl looked very smug every once in a while. At some point of Sophie's tale, Lettie started to feel jealous. She knew all of it was true. The way Sophie spoke about everything couldn't be untruthful at all. And yet, it seemed impossible that so many things had happened in so little time.

The most interesting thing that Lettie had lived was going to a wedding in Dalfour, the town that was on the other side of the valley. But Sophie wasn't even halfway through! And Lettie's suitors wanted her to live quietly in a farm! If anything, she should at least have half of Sophie's experiences.

Suddenly, they stopped in front of the door that Lettie had known since childhood.

"Why did we come here? I thought you lived in the castle," Lettie said. "Does Mother know about this? That's why we've come here?"

"No, we live here," Sophie said.

They still hadn't arrived to that part of the story.

"Oh… And what does Mother say about it?" Lettie asked.

"Well, she doesn't live here anymore," Sophie said lowering her head.

By the look on Lettie's face, she obviously hadn't been informed yet.

"She married that awful man, didn't she?"

"I'm not really sure. She just… I haven't seen her for half a year now, I think," Sophie admitted.

Lettie was never too fond of her mum, even when she was her favourite. Fanny always spent long weeks in Kingsbury to shop after their father had died. Although she treated both girls lovingly, it was obvious she was preparing Lettie to be married with someone rich and powerful, and Sophie to take care of the shop married or not. Lettie got the nicest dresses, pink and yellow and red, and full of ribbons and laces. Sophie's dresses were plainer and sober, but Sophie was very happy with them. And still, it was beyond obvious that Fanny thought of herself as more important that her daughters.

If Sophie told Lettie what their mother had done against her, chances were that she would never calm her down again.

"I hope she's happy being Mrs. Sachever-gummything," Lettie said reproachfully as she entered the house she had known since forever.

It was quite the same, except for the huge, messy working bench and a few cupboards equally disgusting. Lettie was waiting for them to tour her around the house, even when she already knew it. She wanted to know if Sophie and Howl shared the same bedroom or if she was still pure. But to her disappointment, everyone turned right back toward the door. Markl reached for a strange coloured disc and turned it so that the colour red was on the bottom. He opened the door and everyone stepped out.

"Oh," said Lettie staring in disbelief at the golden domes.

So this was what Sophie talked about. The door that opened to four places at a time.

"I may cry," Lettie announced but did nothing.

"Well, the Palace is quite near so we can walk," Sophie said finally.

Howl refused to talk at all in their way to the palace, but it didn't really bother Lettie. She was too into Sophie's story to waste her attention in someone she didn't like too much.

Sophie, inside her, decided that the Kingsbury citizens were very like Market Chipping villagers, only that with fancier clothes. Everyone stared at them and whispered things concerning a handsome man, a beautiful girl, and a young woman with grey hair. But that was soon turned into a secondary thought when she glimpsed for second time the enormous palace. Once they had arrived to their destination, they were received by several servants at the bottom of the gigantic stairway in the palace. "We were expecting you earlier," said a man that had the air of being more important than the other servants. Howl apologized and started stepping swiftly, with Markl behind him. Two of the younger servants offered their arms to Sophie and Lettie, and they accepted.

No one offered me a hand the first time I came here, Sophie thought bitterly remembering the tiresome ascension with Heen in her arms and a 90-year-old body.

"The Royal Wizard Jenkins, his apprentice, his wife, and his sister-in-law," boomed a voice after they had arrived to an enormous white room. It was exquisitely designed, with paintings of the royal family and marble statues and exotic rugs of all the colours. But somehow, the room remained a pure white. Perhaps it was the air that all the people in there gave. They all had their necks raised and richly dressed, and a very dignifying way of standing, walking, and laughing.

Everyone turned to look at the odd group and cheered, except for an elderly lady that was sitting pleasantly in a chair. Sophie identified her as Madame Suliman, Howl's former magic teacher that she suspected was still infatuated with Howl. On the other side of the wide, white room, there was a face she was most familiar with.

"JENKINS!" bellowed a large, burly man with a thick red moustache.

"Ah! Good day, your Highness," Howl bowed.

"No need to be formal, my lad," said the King yelled and hugged Howl tightly.

Something inside Howl went CRACK! and the King let go of him.

"Ahaha," he laughed nervously but quite as loud. "Good thing you are a wizard, huh?"

Howl smiled, but even that hurt him. He put his hand on his back and tried to stand straight, but failed to do so. Sophie's attention was immediately focused on Howl as she started patting his back.

"And I suppose you're the wizard's wife," the King said.

Sophie turned to salute the King, but she almost fell backwards when she saw the King greeting Lettie instead of her.

"Ohoho, my young lad. You have found a fine woman, if I do say so myself. I never thought you'd end up married, with all the talent you have, but for this lady I would give up my entire kingdom and–"

"Oh, no your Highness!" Lettie said, horror-struck. "My sister, Sophie, she's the wizard's fiancée."

"Ah, I beg your pardon," the King apologized and kissed Sophie's hand quickly.

"That's quite alright, your Highness," Sophie said.

"So you are not married yet?" he asked.

"No, not yet. But we are planning the wedding to be next month," she lied.

Technically, it was still a good three months until their wedding. It was planned to be near the harvesting season. But Sophie for some reason enjoyed lying to the King. He was very deceivable.

"A wedding! Then be sure to invite me, young lady. I love weddings," he said happily.

And with that, he walked away. Sophie was very disappointed, but in the few seconds that it took her to realize that, Lettie was already surrounded by men. Markl was looking in Howl's pocket for something to mend whatever had CRACK!ed inside Howl.

Well, the nerve of the King! Sophie fumed. I don't have to be all good-looking to be the wife of Howl!

"Sophie!" said a young man with a peculiar hairstyle and the biggest smile in the whole room.

"My God! Kabu!" Sophie said gleefully, forgetting her previous anger.

"It's been so long," he started, his blue eyes fixed in Sophie's face.

He kissed her both cheeks and her hand, but he didn't stop there. He continued kissing his way up her arm, taken by the excitement of their reencounter.

"What are you doing?" Sophie asked pulling her arm back.

"Oh," said Prince Justin as he remembered he was a Prince and a gentleman. "I am sorry Sophie. It's just– I've missed you terribly."

Sophie's expression softened. She had to admit she missed him too. A lot. Sometimes Howl's antics would simply get her angry all the way through, and she often found herself wondering what would have happened if she – No. How could she do that? She loved Howl. Just like that. There was no reason to think otherwise. Surely Howl also disliked some aspects of her, particularly those that messed his beauty products.

But, going back to Kabu, she did feel very close to him. She missed his presence that, although silent, was always loyal. He had written long letters to her often, but they were always about the weather. And she couldn't reply because he never put his address in the envelope. She knew he was the Prince of the neighbouring country, but she couldn't bring herself to label envelope like that, since the war was in process of being ended.

Kabu took her hands.

"Sophie…"

He took a step forward and kneeled down in a very chivalrous fashion. It was a very curious sight because Sophie had actually imagined Kabu doing this in his yellow suit and discussing weather. She could have laughed, but she was suddenly startled by his statement.

"I now declare my eternal and undying love for you, and I swear I will cross the seas–"

In that very instant Howl stepped right between them glaring into Kabu's face. He was standing tall and straight, his fists clenched. Howl was very cross. Lettie had beaten him all the way to the floor. The King had crushed him until something inside him cracked. And yet, the scene happening in front of him made something inside him spark that dissolved his pain. Prince what's-his-name getting all soppy and wishy-washy with Sophie wasn't his idea of a reencounter.

He had been wrong about Kabu (he couldn't bring himself to call him Prince). He thought he was friendly, maybe a little too nice with Sophie, but harmless. After all, he had written letters where the main subject was the weather. Just like Lettie, he had let him get too close, and when he thought there was nothing wrong, he had attacked. But this time, Howl wasn't the target. It was Sophie. And he would not let the prince have his way with her.

Kabu took a small step back, startled. He once again snapped into reality and back to Prince Justin.

"Oh, dear," said Sophie. "Eternity is quite too much for me and Howl. How about undying love until next week? Because Howl and I are going to get married in autumn."

And then Howl smirked triumphantly at Kabu's face of crushing disappointment.

"Your Highness, nice to see you again," he said, pushing Kabu away with his index finger.

Kabu's semi-limp body stumbled backwards. Sophie. Howl. Marriage. Autumn. How could all of this happen? Why hadn't Sophie warned him about this? He had already bought her an engagement ring.

"I think you haven't met Sophie's sister, Lettie," he said, as he grabbed Lettie by her wrist and violently pulled her face-to-face with the prince.

Lettie would have cursed Howl, had her heart not started thumping violently. Her cheeks flushed in an instant, and all that was in her mind was the surprised young man with peculiar hairstyle and yellow suit. Kabu was still in shock from the news when he noticed Lettie. The first word that his mind registered was: beautiful. And then, as if something had pushed it out of his mind, another thought came: Sophie's sister.

"It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance," he said, smiling. "I am Prince Justin of the neighbouring country."

Behind his perfect smile, Kabu was surprised about Lettie. Sophie had never mentioned her. But then again, who wanted to talk about Lettie when all he cared about was Sophie? For all he cared, Lettie could be the epitome of beauty, sainthood, and charisma, but Sophie was on a higher level.

"It's my honour, your Highness," Lettie said robotically, bowing deeply.

He knew he was being a hypocrite, but being a prince in a foreign country demanded at least the basic politeness with ladies. Not that he was rude when he was back home, no. Unlike certain rulers (namely the King of Ingary) had been raised not to think on himself before he thought of everyone else. The way of gentlemen. And in the way of gentlemen, it was of great importance to kiss a lady. So he did. It was hasty, but that was the trigger Lettie needed to know he was her Prince Charming. Literally.

"Please excuse me," he continued, and left Lettie with her hand drooped in midair. "I promise next time our meeting will be longer."

He could, he would, have started a chat with Lettie. But as soon as he had taken his eyes away from Sophie, Howl and Markl had taken her to the other side of the room. Plus, it wasn't as if Lettie would be lonely anyway. A crowd had already surrounded her.

And that was the last time in the following days that he though about Lettie. Kabu had earnestly thought on talking with Lettie again, but for some reason that idea disappeared. He just forgot about her. Due to his lack of interaction with young ladies, it was erased from his mind that there were other girls beside Sophie, and that included beautiful and love-struck Lettie.

But on the other side of the room, there was a wizard. Kabu always made the mistake of forgetting he was in the way. And because of that recurrent mistake, the wizard had taken Sophie with him.

"Howl, you don't need to be jealous," Sophie frowned.

"I don't need? Sophie, jealousy is the best weapon against people like him" Howl said, pointing his hand accusingly to Kabu's direction.

"You are being unreasonable," Sophie declared.

"Maybe I am! I am being unreasonable for your safety! Did you see how he was looking at you?"

"No," Sophie admitted.

"I know those eyes! They were lustful and perverted!"

What had gotten into Howl? Not only was he being jealous and unreasonable, but going way, way, WAY into the extreme. Where did he get those ideas? Maybe Lettie did hit him some delicate spot of his head.

"I know because I have seen those eyes!" he said. "Someone has given me that look and done –eh… Stuff. Bad things. "

"JENKINS!" hollered the King.

Howl's body suddenly flinched at the voice, and his provisional lack of pain was dissolved as the King slapped him in the back. Despite being tall and with a fit body, Howl was a weak person. He never exercised and avoided any type of efforts, physical or mental.

"Look kid, I have something to ask you something," he King said without hesitation and indicating him to follow.

He looked troubled and stressed. Howl went after the King and recommended Sophie to stay away from Kabu. Markl followed Howl dutifully, and no one protested. It made Sophie wonder about the magnitude of the problem so that a child could go but a wizard's wife couldn't.

"Sophie, Sophie," said Lettie urgently, sitting next to Sophie. "I think I love him."

"Who?" asked Sophie.

There were considerably more men than women in the huge room, and there was hardly one of them that hadn't liked Lettie. If Lettie loved one of them, she would marry and live in a lovely palace… or something. Sophie didn't try to picture it because she was more interested in what was being discussed between the King of Ingary and Howl. It seemed of great importance and Howl had a distressed look in his face.

"Prince Justin," Lettie whispered.

Now both Howl and Sophie had distressed looks in their faces. Of all the men in there, Kings and Wizards, young and old, handsome and not-so-handsome (because royalty is always good-looking in some way), she had to fall for the only one who would not care for her company. And indeed, while Lettie was often in the whisperings and casual glances of many, Prince Justin had not spared a moment of Sophie-gazing, and never looked or talked or thought about anything else.

That was until the King decided he couldn't make Howl agree with whatever he was planning and he needed everyone else's word to make a difference. And that required full attention from every important person. And Markl.

He summoned everyone into another chamber, and just a few people including Sophie and Lettie were left in the white room.

Notes: Too OCC? Well, I will never be sure since Kabu just got about two lines in the whole movie… Argh, I don't like how this one came out! I was almost finished, but then my computer crashed and I lost everything. And I kinda hurried with this chapter because I will be moving to the States in the next weeks and I'm not sure I will have time to keep writing. But I will continue. Because I looove KabuxLettie. I already have everything figured out, I just need to write them down as quickly as possible. Thank you everyone who reviewed! I'm sorry I didn't send a thank you note to everyone like last time, but I've already said I'm a little busy. Thank you for reading!