Disclaimer: Not talented/creative/smart enough to own Ever After. I don't own anything from Juice either. Another bibliographical detail: Supernatural by Lyell Watson was quoted in Chris D'Lacey's Icefire. (Excellent book, guys read the series.) And that's what I'm quoting.

A/N:

Orlando-crazy: Hehe! I know! His little heart has been shattered!

Pampered Witch: Thank you! I'm glad you liked it!

Crystalloy: Henry's… upset. Understandable, no? I hope what you think Le Pieu did to her isn't what I think you think Le Pieu did to her. If what you think it is is really wrong, then you can relax. I can't write like that. I'm not actually clear on what happened to Danielle at Le Pieu's place. I have to think about that one.

Any ideas, guys?

Thanks for reviewing.

Kisaki Hana: Thanks! I'll try to longify it:D

drugged-on-chocolate: Wow, I love an enthusiastic reviewer. :P thanks, anyway.

BuffyShakespeareAusten: I explained, right? Awesome, that's one thing cleared up. Erm… yes. I liked it in. But that's just me. Feel free to hate it, if you want. :)

Nicks: I know this update has been pretty slow… but please forgive me! melodramatic sigh Thanks! I'll try to update faster, though… exams and tests nearly over! I've just got… an English oral… two test and one assignment left. I'll be FREE soon!

joelene1892: Thanks for all your reviews! It's really really encouraging. :D Thank you so much!

bag of amino acids: gasp. Shock horror you HAVE to watch it again. HAVE TO HAVE TO HAVE TO! I'm borrowing it over the holidays and you and I are going to watch it. You hear me? Thanks… ok, I'll add more descriptiony bits in too. Miss Sampy made that point too. :D Which means I have to do it. :P

tigger101: Confusion? Confusion is not good… I'll explain if you still don't get it. :D

Chapter 5:

Danielle walked around to Cecile.

"I'm going down to the river."

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Cecile asked her in concern. "Wait a few minutes, and I'll go with you."

"No… I'll go ahead. If you're anxious, you can join me when you're ready."

Cecile cast an anxious look at her.

"Alright."

Henry walked over to Leonardo's side. The old man stood, his brush moving deftly over his work.

"She's dead." Henry told Leonardo. The old man dropped his brush.

"Where did you hear that?" There was no need to ask whom Henry was referring to. It was blatantly clear to both of them, that there could only be one 'she' on Henry's mind.

"I visited Le Pieu yesterday." The old man's relief was apparent.

"I want you to know that I'm proud of you." Leonardo skilfully altered the subject. "It took an immense effort to release the princess to her beloved. No matter what happens next, I'm proud of you."

Henry lowered his eyes.

"Thank you."

"I want to show you something." Leonardo told him, taking hold of his arm. "Come with me."

Danielle could see the waterfall from where she was standing. As she watched the foam spray from the waterfall and form rainbows of colour, she remembered. She remembered curling into a ball and feeling the water shield her. She supposed she must have been dashed on the rocks below, but she couldn't remember hitting the surface of the water. She only remembered water… and being part of the water.

"I don't remember falling. I don't remember hitting the ground…"

It was almost as if for that moment, she was the water.

"Water is so intricately laced that it is almost a continuous structure… it is as though liquid water remembers the form of the ice from which it came… water is tremendously flexible."

Henry followed Leonardo through the trees. He stopped on a ledge just above a thundering waterfall.

"What are we doing?"

"Don't say anything. Just watch. And learn."

Danielle ran her hands through the sparkling water. She sat on the banks, with her hands trailing the water's edge. Suddenly, she frowned and looked up towards the waterfall. She could just see the ledge that she had jumped off. She shuddered.

She could just make out two figures on top of it.

Henry frowned. There was a figure on the riverbanks. There was something about that figure that struck him as familiar. Then he glanced away, and when he looked back, he could no longer tell where the figure had disappeared to.

Danielle sat, as still as a statue by the foliage. Perhaps those two figures were Le Pieu's men. What was she going to do then? She took care not to move. Any sudden movements would attract attention.

A call cut through the air.

"Danielle?" It was Cecile. Poor innocent Cecile.

"Danielle?" A second figure had emerged. Wait. Danielle. DANIELLE. The second figure turned and saw something. She bent down and then Henry could see the first figure again. Danielle. He could see her fluid grace and movement as she stood up. Yet as she moved forward, he could tell she was badly injured somewhere. This is Danielle. You lost her once. Are you going to lose her again?

"Danielle!" He called down to her.

"Danielle!" For the second time, her name rang through the atmosphere. Henry. She could tell that voice anyway. It was him.

Cecile took one look at Danielle's face and realised immediately that something was wrong.

"Danielle? What's the matter?"

Danielle stood frozen for a moment, then grabbed her arm.

Henry tugged Leonardo's arm.

"What's the fastest way down?"

"Steady, child…" grumbled Leonardo, as he made his way off the ledge.

"You knew all along?"

"That she was alive? Yes."

The look on Danielle's face was that of a trapped rabbit, fleeing.

"Let's go."

She forced Cecile to run.

"Look, I'm not going to run." Cecile told her firmly.

Danielle's face was a picture of despair.

"Thank you for all you have done for me." She said quietly.

Then she turned and fled, leaving Cecile behind,