Disclaimer: I don't own Howl's Moving Castle, but I would be ecstatic if I did!
Here's what I own: Kyria
Howl awoke slowly, wondering why he was not in his nice, soft bed with Sophie. Then he remembered the events of the night before and groaned.
Something came and stood over him. "Ah, you're awake." it growled, "Kyria will be pleased." The form moved away.
The captive wizard groaned again and struggled to a sitting position. He glanced around quickly before falling back. Howl was in a dark, damp, cold room. There was one door, but no windows. His arms were starting to cramp, but there was nothing he could do.
The door opened, throwing a strip of bright light into the room. A softer glow followed it, then the bright light disappeared. The woman from the night before stood over him. Her eyes softened for a brief moment, but it did not last long.
Kyria bent down and untied the gag. The first thing that came out of his mouth was, "Where's Sophie? Is she alright?"
The woman laughed, "Of course. She's alright. I promised, didn't I?"
Howl nodded, "Are you going to make me lie here for much longer? I'm cramping."
Kyria knelt and untied his bonds. With inhuman speed, she clamped chains around his ankles, wrists, and neck. He could not move his hands far from his neck, nor could he take long steps.
His captor summoned a chair, a small table, and a bed. A window appeared high up on the wall, crisscrossed by thick iron bars.
"Enjoy your stay." Kyria left the now lit room. Howl sighed and plopped into the chair. Putting his head in his hands, he wept for his lost freedom.
Kyria rubbed her temples. She entered her private library, a huge room lined with books. It was an amazing sight to behold, but the witch barely gave it a passing glance.
She entered a small room just off the library, where Sophie was staying.
The young woman jumped to her feet as her captor entered. "Take me to see Howl." she demanded.
Kyria shook her head, "Maybe later. Right now I am too tired."
As the witch turned to go, Sophie said quietly, "You're not human, are you?"
Kyria spun back to face her captive, "No, I'm not. You are quite the clever human. Do you know what I am?"
Sophie shook her head no. The witch smiled eerily, "I am a winged elf. The last of my kind."
She parted her hair to reveal elegantly pointed ears. "My name is Kyria. I have lived 3 centuries in human years. I am the equivalent of about 20 in a human."
Sophie frowned, "A winged elf? Where are your wings?"
The feathery white wings burst out of Kyria's shoulder blades.
The human gasped, "Oh."
The wings disappeared, folding in on themselves. "Since you figured out that I wasn't human, I will let you visit Howl."
Sophie smiled and followed her captor out the door. They headed down a veritable maze of hallways, twisting and turning until the young woman had no idea which way she had been going when they started.
Kyria finally stopped in front of a sturdy wooden door. She passed her hand over the doorknob. A slight glow was visible for a moment, and something clicked.
The elf opened the door and waved Sophie in. "You have ten minutes." she informed the human. The young woman nodded and stepped over the threshold. She heard the door shut softly behind.
Howl was sitting in a chair in the center of the room, head in hands. Sophie walked slowly over to the wizard. He did not seem to realize anyone else was in the room.
Sophie gently set her hand on his shaking shoulders and asked, "Howl?" His head came up quickly and a smile creased his face under the tears. "Sophie!"
She wrapped her arms around him tightly, and they kissed. When the couple came apart, there was a slight rattle of chains. Neither paid it any attention.
Howl looked Sophie up and down, "Are you alright? Not hurt at all?" She shook her head and placed it on his shoulder, tears running down her cheeks.
She sobbed, "I was so worried about you." The wizard hugged her fiercely, "It's alright. I'm not hurt either. Don't worry."
The door clicked again, and they hurriedly separated. Kyria entered and beckoned to Sophie, "Time's up."
The human shook her head, "I want to stay with Howl." Her captor beckoned again, this time more forcefully.
Sophie found her feet moving of their own accord towards the door. She strained back towards Howl, and the wizard grabbed her and held on tight.
Kyria smiled creepily, "Tsk tsk. We can't have that, now can we?"
Howl's chains dragged him backward, forcing him to let go of his lover, and pulled him into the chair. They looped themselves around him, tying the wizard down.
He struggled desperately, but was forced to watch as Sophie walked out the door. As soon as the door clicked back into place, the chains loosened.
Howl put his head back in his hands. His renewed sobbing echoed throughout the chamber.
Sophie walked jerkily after her captor, trying to stop with every step.
Kyria turned her head and frowned at the young woman, "If that is how you behave every time you see Howl, then you will not be allowed to see him."
Sophie scowled back, but relaxed and allowed her feet to carry her after the elf.
Kyria smiled, "There, now, isn't that better? We'll try visiting Howl again tomorrow, but that had better not happen again."
The young woman nodded. Once Sophie was again in her room, Kyria took her leave.
