Chapter 11- … Quoth Gavin the Brave

Disclaimer- See chapter 1.

My husband Rhys had left hours ago to find Merry and Lela, but I did nothing. I sat with Ella, filled with anticipation. I worked on a difficult needlepoint for awhile, trying to calm my bouncing nerves. Ella had staked out a chair near the door and was tapping her foot nervously on the marble floor. My son had been very upset when he hadn't been allowed to go along. Gavin now paced the length of the room slowly.

"Father will never catch up with the dragon. Even the fastest sorcerer couldn't best a Great Blue," he mumbled. "If they'd just let my use my seven-league boots…"

"Gavin," I interjected, standing up and moving so that I was facing out the large window, hugging myself for warmth and comfort. "Your father told us to stay put. We have to listen to him."

He looked at both me and Ella in disgust.

"Both of you have changed," he said. "It is known all across Kyrria, Bamarre, and all the lands between that you are heroines of your kingdoms. Kyrria would have a very different queen if you hadn't taken your life into your own hands," he said, addressing Ella. Then he turned towards me. "Mother, if you had accepted the circumstances, Aunt Meryl would be dead now." Gavin's words pierced my mind and my heart. I slowly turned back toward him.

"Get me a sword," I said. Gavin grinned broadly.

"We leave at dusk," Ella said. Then she turned and closed her eyes, concentrating. "Lucinda, I need you."

Almost instantly a beautiful woman appeared in the room. My nostrils filled with the scent of lilacs, and I knew instantly that this was the fairy Lucinda. She was famed for her gifts to Kyrrians at births and weddings, although since Ella and Char's reign began they had tamed quite a bit.

"What is it, my Lady?" she asked, voice filled with tinkling and laughter. Ella explained the situation in short, and asked for two more pair of seven-league boots. The fairy immediately agreed, saying that it was very small magic, indeed.

…..

As the sun went down we all carefully snuck out of the palace, and to the edges of town. We were dressed as scullery maids and a kitchen boy, to avoid attracting attention to ourselves. This vividly brought back memories to me.

"I have to go," I said. "I have to."

She nodded. "Here, put this on." She handed me the gown.

It was made of rough muslin in a bright green that I would never have chosen. With its canary-yellow apron it befit a jaunty serving maid, one who was shorter and stouter than I. But it would help me leave the castle undetected.

I crossed the drawbridge on foot. No one recognized me. A man bumped into me and didn't apologize. A woman called me a lazy lump because I wasn't walking fast enough to suit her.

I must have hesitated, because my son leaned over towards me.

"Step follows step.
Hope follows courage.
Set you face towards danger.
Set your heart on victory," he whispered. I smiled and squeezed his hand. When we came to the edge of town, I sat down and began to don the seven-league boots. As I took out my spyglass, I explained how to steer the boots. Then I stood, and know that I had to, I took the first step.

A/N: This is just a short bit. I hope to be able to update soon, but school's a killer. So is work! Not to mention, it's Wednesday! LOST is on! And it's new this week!

Sorry. LOST is my new obsession. I write for that category under the penname each-wednesday-i-get-lost. Just a little commercial.

Anyways, guess what is coming up next, on happily ever after:

a- a spell

b- an abandonded castle

c- a kiss, or

d- a squirrel

Thank you for reading. I'd love to know what you think of the story. Please review...