So sorry for being away for a while (and for leaving Varian like this) but I really needed a few days "off". This chapter is dedicated to our beloved colleague and friend, Emma, who lost her battle to cancer. We love you.
I've made some art for little Emma (the character) on tumblr ( mycove-art) and finished my first animatic ! It's about Varian (of course) with a song sung by Jeremy Jordan. You can find it on youtube : watch?v=fm-2jF0S1x4
I've been thinking of the story too though, and I think I've improved some scenes.
I would also like to welcome our new reader, Ju , whose reading I was able to follow up with every (enthusiatic !) comment ! And thanks to you all who keep leaving a note, a remark, a reaction. It means the world to me.
I've kept you waiting for long enough. Here we go !
CHAPTER 62
Arianna opened her mouth to reply to Catherine's soft words, happy to be able to talk about Varian a little. She still didn't dare confide in her husband, knowing he had mixed feelings about her relationship with the young alchemist. But on the other hand, she felt love and care rise within her heart. At last she had someone with whom she could share those feelings and put them into words.
She didn't get the time, though. A high-pitched shriek pierced her ears, quickly followed by more screams of panic and a wild commotion ensued as people started to run everywhere, a few ladies leaving their fancy but not-so-securely-tied shoes behind them.
"A mouse ! That's a mouse ! Take it away !"
Indeed, a confused white rodent was scrambling and scurrying amongst legs and long skirts. Some guests downright fainted in their partners' arms, fear and tight corsets combined causing them to lose their breath. The Duchess Catherine herself was searching frantically for a higher place to climb upon before darting to a chair. Lifting her skirt and the multiple layers of petticoats, she was standing on it in a blink of an eye, legs wobbling and fingers digging into the velvet backrest. Her grand panier spreading on each side of her lean body stood out from the equally lean chair like it was going to make her lose her balance, on one side or the other should she make the slightest move.
"Arianna !", she called out with her face looking even paler than any make-up could ever make it.
But the Queen of Corona was standing where she was, near the tables on the side of the now nearly empty courtyard. She turned around to grab a small piece of bread on the table and, holding her full dress gracefully, swished it out of her way as she knelt down. She then picked up the hem of the tablecloth and lifted it gently, her other hand open, palm towards the sky with the piece of bread sitting on it and waited.
The musicians had stopped to play, and nobody dared to move. There was now an eerie silence under the bright moon. From the distance where he was standing by the Duke, even King Frederic was holding his breath.
"The last time my sister came to visit me, she brought me a very queer rodent… an Umlaut…" she said quietly, remembering that day when she had been so irritated. Now she was keeping fond memories of that experience. After all, that was the first of her birthdays she got to spend with Rapunzel. And the crazy adventure (better not mention that, though… Who would believe such a story ?) she and Willow shared had brought them closer. "This is just a little, harmless mouse. He's probably more scared than all of us put together."
Varian may be just like that mouse, she thought as the words formed on her tongue. A helpless creature whom no one could understand, and who was probably much more scared than everybody else imagined.
Well, not that helpless, she chided herself. His high intelligence and sheer determination were an explosive mix that could make him either the most helpful or the most dangerous person in the kingdom. The difference only laid within his own will and conscience.
After a few minutes, a tiny snout came out, whiskers flickering as it tried to catch the scent of food. Then, to the crowd's amazement, the Queen of Corona stood up, the white mouse in her hand as it was greedily nibbling crumbs.
Arianna smiled to herself, her patience and gentleness having paid off and helped to replace the rodent's nervousness by ease and trust.
She walked over to Catherine who was still standing on her chair and starting to panic as all she could see was the furry animal being brought closer and closer to her.
"How can you touch… ?" she started, but her words died on her tongue. "Wait… I know that mouse ! It belongs to…"
"Miss Emma !" a frightened voice called from the distance. "Your Grace ! Show yourself ! This is not funny anymore !"
"Velma ?" Catherine blinked as her eyes caught sight of a rather short and plump old lady wearing a mob cap, beneath which her round face was flushed on the cheeks with effort and pale with worry anywhere else. The off-the-ground, puffed skirt of her striped "a la polonaise" dress kept bouncing up and down in a comical way with every frenzied step she took.
"Not again…", The Duke's voice sounded weary and tired as it reached Arianna's ears. She turned around only to see him pinch the bridge of his nose, his usually straight shoulders slumped as he struggled internally to keep his composure.
"Who is Velma ?" Arianna inquired under her breath to Catherine, as she petted the mouse in her hand.
"She's my daughter's nursemaid," the Duchess replied as she warily climbed down the chair. "Looks like Emma has decided to drive her – and us - crazy again."
Arianna's gaze returned to the panicked governess, feeling a pang of sympathy for her. Although she never had this kind of situation with Rapunzel, the situation was strangely reminding her of a certain boy.
"My friends," The Duke declared as he rose his head and stepped forward, his hands up to calm things down, "please don't panic. Let's forget this incident and resume our party." He turned around, now rubbing his hands nervously and bowing to the King. He was obviously sweating profusely.
"I'm awfully sorry, Your Majesty. Rest assured that my daughter will be severely punished for this."
"No, no, my friend, there's no need to," Frederic explained calmly. "This is obviously the prank of a playful child, and I must say that as a", he cleared his throat in fake modesty, "fine prankster myself, I'm impressed. This tiny mouse," he chuckled, "obviously hit its mark."
The Duke's jaw dropped, dumbfounded by such tolerance and quiet demeanour, despite the awkward incident. Not to mention it was the second time, after the trip wire…
Frederic smiled softly, and the Duke released the breath he was holding. Finally smiling in return, he snapped his fingers and the musicians started to play again.
"If you'll excuse me, Arianna,", Catherine ventured, still blushing with embarrassment, "I will go to Velma in order to find out what happened. We need to find Emma."
Arianna nodded, wondering what she could do to help. When Catherine ran to Velma (as fast as her huge gown and high-heeled shoes allowed her), she pondered for a while, letting the paws of the tiny mouse tickle her palm gently. Then, remembering where the turmoil started, she decided to walk in that direction. She strode past the crowd of dancers and chatterers, then past the tables and candles. Away from the musicians, she could hear the wind that was blowing gently now and welcomed the soft breeze that washed over her face. As she was standing by the bushes that decorated the bottom of the stairs to the palace doors, she heard an unexpected rustle of leaves. A tiny shoe that looked like a black, soft ballet slipper was sticking out.
Arianna smirked and knelt.
"Looks like I have something that belongs to you, Emma. Why don't you come out and get it ? He must be missing you."
"Emma's not here", came a squeaky voice.
"Oh, really ? Poor Emma... She will be so sad when she finds out her pet mouse escaped and made such a mess at her parents' party. Well, I guess I'll have to go inside and check if she's in her room, then", and she started to brace herself to get up despite the multiple petticoats that surrounded her.
"They deserved it anyway."
Arianna froze and smiled. There was her chance.
"Excuse me, who deserved what ?", she asked a little sheepishly.
"My… Her parents. They got what they deserved. They have fun all the time and do so much stuff without her. I'm glad that Mr. Giggles ruined their party."
"Mr. Giggles ? Is that the name of your mouse ?"
"Yes. I gave it to him. He likes to be treated with respect. Don't forget the Mr. when you talk to him."
"So he's your mouse ? But I thought he was Emma's mouse."
Silence. There was a rustle of leaves again, louder, angrier, and an infuriated little girl stepped out, a few leaves and sticks still caught in her jet black hair.
Arianna recognized immediately the lovely child she saw briefly after the trip wire prank upon her arrival. Now she could take a good look at her : thin curly locks were framing her sweet, round face, enlightened with big brownish gold eyes. Her hair was parted in the middle and tied on each side of her head and fell down in a series of thick black ringlets. She was wearing a knee-length dress with puffed sleeves and many petticoats, so that the skirt was swirling around her with every move, letting lace pantalettes show. A long sash was tied around her waist in a nice bow in the back, its ends flowing freely behind her.
"You cheated ! You knew I was Emma all along !", she exclaimed, stomping her foot with frustration from having being caught so easily.
"Nice to meet you, Emma. You were a baby the last time I saw you. How old are you now ?"
"I'm six and a half. And I'll be seven in three weeks. Mr. Giggles seems to like you," she pointed out, forgetting to be mad at the beautiful lady who was kneeling at eye level with her. "Would you like to come to my birthday party ?"
"I would love to, Emma. Do you think your parents will agree ?"
To her surprise, the little girl shrugged and looked away.
"They won't be there anyway. They never attend my birthday parties. They're always too busy." Her eyes became misty, like she was about to cry. "But I don't care !", she quickly added, trying so hard to look brave. "I can have all the fun I want."
"I see," Arianna replied with compassion in her voice, but also showing great interest in what the little girl was saying. "Is that why you think their party should be ruined ? Because you think they don't spend enough time with you ?"
"They NEVER spend time with me ! They always have more important things to do", she replied, her face growing red.
"Oh, I wouldn't say that the things they have to do are more important, my lovely. Maybe…" she trailed off as she placed Mr. Giggles gently in Emma's small hands, "maybe they need to be reminded of what is truly important. Adults… can forget that sometimes."
The little Duchess tilted her head, gazing at Arianna with a stern look, way too mature for her age. Then she placed her pet mouse on her shoulder, biting her lip.
"How would you know ? Tonight, their guests are the King and the Queen. Nothing's more important than them. Of course they will spend time with THEM."
Arianna chuckled.
"Maybe not. Maybe the Queen is bored of bows, formal greetings and ronds de jambe. Maybe she prefers to have a chat with a cute little Duchess", she added with a wink as she removed a stick that held three leaves from her hair.
Emma 's face at that moment was priceless. Her mouth opened wide, but made no words, only a loud gasping sound as she realized at last who was before her. That random guest she sent to sprawl face first on the welcome carpet was the Queen of Corona. Her Queen to be precise, since her father, as a Duke, was in charge of a small piece of the kingdom and reported directly to the King.
Arianna stood up and held out her hand to her, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
"Come with me. Let's go find your parents."
Emma looked at the ground, up to the Queen, down again and then raised her beautiful eyes with a shy smile. She lifted her arm and fit her little hand inside hers.
"Emma !"
They both looked up, their heads following instinctively the sound of a voice slightly broken with relief.
"M-Mum ?" Emma spluttered as she saw her mother standing on the top of the stairs, both hands against her chest, and breathing heavily. The child hid behind Arianna's full skirt, not sure if her mother was genuinely relieved to see her or just containing her irritation.
Arianna gave a gentle squeeze to her hand and motioned her to walk up the stairs with her. Catherine, followed by Velma, started her way down. Unaware that many guests had stopped their dance or their conversation to look at them, the four of them met half-way on the staircase.
Arianna gently tugged Emma's arm to encourage her to step forward. She resisted. Catherine herself wasn't sure how she felt. Of course she was upset for the mess at such an important celebration, but she also had never seen her daughter follow up an adult so willingly. And Arianna's words from earlier still rang in her ears.
Children need to be loved and supported
Wouldn't that be a wonderful moment to share with your child ?
Had she been wrong, all this time ? She and her husband have been so dedicated to the Duchy, and to the King, that they had spent every waking moment working on fulfilling their duties to perfection. Maybe… maybe the Queen was right. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to have Emma at the party as well. Maybe they could share that moment together ? and do something else, just the three of them, tomorrow ?
Catherine reached out with a trembling hand. Emma looked up in awe, unable to believe the intense look on her mother's face. For the first time, her mother wasn't speaking to the governess, giving directions and orders about her, not sparing a word or a glance to her as if she wasn't there. Instead, she was standing there, her watery eyes on her and her only, and her slender hand outstretched for her to take.
Slowly, Emma released her grip on Arianna's velvet dress and stepped forward, ready to let go of the Queen's hand, when a new commotion at the entrance of the plaza drew everyone's attention.
There were hooves noises and a loud neigh as a horse barged in the courtyard. A hubbub of questions and comments rose up in the crowd. From where she stood, Arianna couldn't see the rider clearly, as he was hunched down on his mount, his head mostly hidden in the thick mane, but she recognized the familiar color of the horse's harness. Seized by a surge of panic she didn't understand, Arianna whipped around and ran down the stairs, the silk and velvet of her skirt and long sleeves trailing behind her.
She reached her husband just in time to see him and the Captain catch the man as he fell from his horse. He was exhausted and about to pass out. She saw with horror that his arm was bleeding, a wound that was in the process of healing but that obviously reopened.
It seemed that all the air Arianna had in her lungs had been torn out of her body and could only mouth a name.
"Alden…"
Yes, I had to use the "Not again" line... Quirin, you are not forgotten.
As for Varian, sorry but I'll keep you on your toes a little longer…
