Why was it that his every attempt at confessing was interrupted?
Would he ever get his chance?
Since Maleficent had arrived Christina had hardly been alone. The two were always together though Shaggy could hardly fault them for this. Currently, they were in the gardens once more. Shaggy sat at a distance, content to watch the interaction, not interrupting it. Truthfully he had nothing of value to add to their conversation as they were discussing Christina's magic studies.
He did love Christina's voice, however.
He loved seeing her at ease.
Watching her now, he began to think of how often she was in the gardens. In fact, she was in the gardens daily. Drawn to the roses.
The roses.
"Before they...they died, my parents bred a new strain of the breed without thorns...for ME. To honor them, my grandmother and I planted them in Uncle Dracula's garden."
An idea was beginning to form. Yet another way to help Christina feel at home.
…...
A few days later:
"Like, I want this given to Dracula directly, understood?"
"Yes sir," the servant replied dutifully, "I won't let you down"
"See that you don't"
Shortly after the messenger left, pushing his horse to its limits already a carriage bearing the crest of a vampire noble arrived. Perplexed, Shaggy hurried to the foyer where he found the children, Christina and even Maleficent already there. Christina, he noted looked positively cold, in the don't touch her with a 6-foot pole way. Instinctively, he stood beside her, fighting the urge to wrap an arm around her.
That was very hard to do and growing harder by the day.
The door was opened revealing two vampires who had a snobbish air about them.
Christina tensed beside him and Shaggy before he could stop himself, grabbed her hand.
She let out a sharp breath but didn't pull away.
"So this is where you've vanished to, Christina," spoke the older of the two, wearing a dress that left little to the imagination, overly extravagant and slightly gaudy.
"Like, what do you two mean by showing up on my estate so unexpectedly?"
"Christina has been wrongly given to you," spoke the younger male, "She's rightfully mine!"
"No," Christina said icily, "I never was"
"You have a debt that needs to be repaid Christina and you know that"
"I'd stop now, Regina," Maleficent spoke, "Christina's out of your reach now and no power will give her to your awful son"
"Debt or no debt, I'd NEVER marry you, Drew! You're a cruel and vicious psycho! You say you love me? HA! You're not capable of true love!"
Shaggy thought to severely reprimand whoever let the vampires in because now Drew was grabbing Christina roughly by the arm. Growling, Shaggy started to intervene only for Chase to beat him to it; kicking Drew in the shin!
"OOOWWW!", Drew shrieked, releasing Christina to reach for her little brother, only for Sugie to bite his arm! "OOOOWWWW!"
Drew tossed the little werewolf across the room! Shaggy caught her, snarling at the vampire. Christina had to struggle to hold back Chase, who was now inexplicably enraged.
"Get off of my estate", Shaggy snarled. "Both of you!"
"I would do as he says, Lady Regina", Maleficent smirked. "As I said, you're too late to claim my little Love Bat as a bride for your snake of a son."
"What do you mean?", Regina hissed.
"You're a clever woman", the Queen of the Dark Fae grinned knowingly. "You'll figure it out, I'm sure."
Swearing to return the two were booted from the manor.
"Are you alright, Christina?" Shaggy looked at her worriedly.
"I'm fine, Shaggy," Christina replied softly, though there was fire lurking in her voice, "I'll be in the gardens"
with a huff, she walked away muttering things in a language he couldn't understand
"I didn't know she knew such words," Maleficent laughed.
Looking around Shaggy realized they were the only to left.
"I'd tell her, Shaggy,"
he spun back to Maleficent, "Huh?"
"About your feelings"
"Like, you aren't going to turn me into a frog or curse me?"
"Believe me, my cursing days are in the past now," and she left following Christina.
…...
Two Days Later:
"Forgive the intrusion," Brunch said, poking his head into Dracula's study, "But a young messenger has arrived and will only give the letter to you"
Dracula looked up to see a werewolf shaking in the shadows beyond the door. Fearing the worst, Dracula waved them both inside and snatched the letter from the werewolf's outstretched claws.
"Dismissed"
the two fled, Brunch shutting the door.
Once the panicked footsteps had faded, he broke the seal on the envelope, quickly pulling out the parchment within.
Lord Dracula.
I apologize if the sudden arrival of this letter put you on edge. It was only my intention that it reaches you quickly.
My name is Shaggy and I am Christina's host. Rest assured I have done everything I can to make sure she is not only comfortable but happy here and to that end, I have a request:
During our many conversations, Christina has told me about the roses her parents gifted her and after seeing how she cares for the gardens here I would like her to have a little piece of home hence why this arrived by messenger so quickly-
Dracula didn't need to read the rest of the letter to understand the request. He knew what was being asked.
He permitted it though he couldn't bring himself to watch as even only a few roses were gently removed from the garden and taken away.
…...
"Christina"
Shaggy found her where he expected to. In one of the many alcoves of the library reading, Maleficent not far away.
"Yes?" she looked up from her book curiously.
"Like, I have a surprise for you," he squeaked suddenly very nervous.
Another one? Christina wondered.
She stood from her chair, brushing her dress off before putting her book on the table beside her, "Lead the way"
"Close your eyes first, please?"
Unsure of his exact plan Christina still did so, allowing Shaggy to guide her by the hand.
It didn't take a mad scientist to know that they were headed for the gardens. Christina had walked there so often she could have gone there in her sleep.
But, why were they headed there? What did Shaggy have up his sleeve this time?
"Okay, you can open your eyes now"
It took a few moments to adjust to the direct sunlight but once she had Christina was floored.
Planted there before her, encased by a perfect halo of sunlight were Dragon Blood Blossoms. Her roses.
"Oh..." she breathed, slowly reaching out to brush the velvety petals just to make sure she wasn't dreaming.
"Are you sur-" Shaggy's question was cut short when Christina threw her arms around him.
"Thank you, thank you"
He returned the hug with no hesitation, positive his heart was exploding in his chest. All-too-soon, Christina released him.
Why couldn't they stay that way forever?
…...
Are you sure you're okay, Sugie?
"I'm okay, Chase, really," Sugie promised her friend.
Chase handed her the journal again after he'd written his response.
Are you really sure?
Sugie giggled, "Yes, see?" she extended her arms, "No bruises"
Chase inspected both her arms with a seriousness one would not expect to find in the face of a twelve-year-old before relenting in his questioning.
"What do you want to do now, Chase?" Sugie questioned
He shrugged.
"Paint?"
He nodded with a smile.
"Come on, then!" Sugie grabbed him by the arm and all but dragged him out of the room.
…..
Weeks passed, his every attempt at confessing falling flat whether it was his fault or through whatever transpired that day. Now, Shaggy, unable to sleep, paced his room in deep thought. At dinner that night Maleficent had said she would need to leave earlier than expected which saddened both Christina and Chase.
Following dinner, Christina went to the gardens while Sugie pulled Chase into a game of charades. What could he do? How could he cheer her up? Shaggy was fearful that when Maleficent left in three days Christina would revert to silence.
He couldn't let that happen!
It was time to plan.
…...
Maleficent watched Chase run by. Sugie just after him, arms outstretched.
"I'm going to get you!" the young werewolf insisted.
Chase stopped just long enough to shake his head no before blazing across the lawn once more.
He never ran out of energy much like Christina when she was very young. But where Christina had done more growing up than she needed to, chase remained ever carefree and energetic.
With a running leap, Sugie managed to tackle Chase to the ground.
"You're it! You're it!"
Chase popped back up, running after Sugie once more.
"It's their favorite game," Christina appeared beside her.
"So I see"
"They aren't going to come inside unless we make them"
"I would guess as much,"
the two fell silent watching the kids play.
…...
Grandmother left just after breakfast this morning. Although it saddens me I knew she wouldn't leave us early unless she had to. I miss her terribly already and it's only been a few hours. Chase seems to be okay. The last time Grandmother left he sat at the window and wouldn't move. He was waiting for her to come back.
Now, however, he has Sugie to distract him while I have nothing.
I'm the one wishing Grandmother would come back.
How childish of me. I know better I really do and yet...
I miss home, my aunt, uncle, and cousins.
I can't tell anyone. Not Sugie, not chase, and especially not Shaggy. Not after he's done so much to try and make me feel welcome.
What am I going to do?
Christina shut the diary letting her eyes drift to the window. Jade slept under it, warmed by the sunlight that spilled inside the room with an inviting glow. Outside she could hear Sugie's laughter.
Chase was just fine.
As for herself, well, that was a different story. Heartache and homesickness filled her chest, tumbling about. At the mere thought, the music box appeared in her hand. Winding it was second nature at this point.
"Can we dance again, Daddy?"
"Ve can dance all night if you vant to, Christina"
I will not cry.
Biting her lip, Christina let the notes take her where they pleased. Far and away to the cottage. The little cottage like a picture out of her fairy tale book. She could still see her room, small but cheerful with one large window facing her mother's rose garden.
"The cottage will be hers when she comes of age"
That was a whole year away.
Tears were leaking.
I have to stop crying.
I have to pull myself together.
With a tremendous effort, she stood from her chair, returning the music box to its place before slipping out of the room.
There was nothing getting lost in a book couldn't solve.
…...
"Is your sister okay?"
I don't know.
"Is she sad?" Sugie asked next.
I think she's homesick.
"Should we look for her?"
No. she's in the library, we don't have to look.
"Do you want to play tag or paint?"
Paint.
"Okay"
…...
A week later under the bright afternoon sunlight Shaggy, Sugie Christina and, Chase were having a picnic by the river.
Shaggy was going to confess today or Clawdeen was likely to explode. If the pile of inquisitive letters in his room were anything to go by.
Have you come clean?
Did you confess?
Why haven't you confessed?
Scardy-wolf.
But today. Today was the perfect day to do it. Christina was happy, only just emerging from whatever sad spell had struck her after Maleficent's departure.
"Christina?"
"Yes?" she looked at him curiously.
"There's um, um-"
Words were never his strong suit but Christina watched him with all the patience in the world.
Unfourtantly his attempt at confessing was interrupted yet again by Chase who was frantically trying to show them something.
"Hey, Shaggy", Sugie strained to see it. "What IS that?"
"Like, I'm not sure, Su..."
"PIXIE DUST!", Christina exclaimed, spreading her wings. "It looks like a person! We have to save them! Come on, Chase! Shaggy! Be ready with a rope and blanket!"
The hybrids flew out and magically lifted the red and gold figure from the water and brought him to shore. Shaggy built a fire beside him while Sugie wrapped him in the picnic blanket. He was tall and well-built. His scaly, red-orange skin was pierced by several ornate arrows among a multitude of partially healed wounds. His golden hair was spiky and streaked with red. After a few moments, he coughed up water and opened his emerald, reptilian-slit eyes, hissing with pain.
"Pull them out!", he croaked. "Please, I don't have the strength!"
"But like, you could bleed out!", Shaggy argued.
"I'll heal! But not until they're out! Please?!"
Shaggy looked to Christina, who nodded. They pulled out the arrows, the hybrid ready with a healing spell, just in case. However, once the arrows were out, all the stranger's wounds began to close up quickly.
"Thank you", he rasped, clearly exhausted.
"You're, like, welcome."
"Who are you? And what happened to you?", Christina asked.
"They took my mother...tried to fight...get her back...leader had...magic weapons...want to stop...treaty..."
"He's, like, delirious", Shaggy said.
"Must warn...Queen and...new Alpha...took my mother...tried to save her...leader surprised me...weapons actually...HURT me! Threw me in river...for dead..."
"Who?!", Christina asked urgently. "Who took your mother? Who tried to kill you?"
"Forever...Knightssss...", The stranger trailed off as he passed out completely. At his final words, Chase and Sugie gasped in fear and hid behind their older siblings, who shared a worried look.
"We gotta get back to the manor, like, now!", Shaggy said. "I gotta contact my cousin! She needs to come and talk to him!"
"And I'll write Queen Elissabat!"
…...
As childish as it was, Shaggy punched the wall in frustration that night.
"It's hopeless!" he wailed, sinking onto his bed.
He wasn't upset they had saved someone, far from it.
"Every Single Time!" he continued, "Every time!"
he glared out the window looking at the moon with contempt, "You could help me you know?" he growled.
But, growling at the moon wasn't going to help him. Defeatedly, Shaggy climbed under the covers and fell asleep.
…...
Clawdeen was at her desk late that night-An Alpha's work is never done!-when Shaggy's owl Talbot flew in with a letter clutched in his beak. Clawdeen smiled as she took it, thinking the news was that her cousin had finally confessed to Lady Christina. He hopes were dashed as she began to read, however. But two words near the end truly alarmed her: Forever Knights.
"FENRIS!", she called, heedless of the hour. Moments later, her mentor and predecessor as Alpha entered rubbing sleep from his eyes.
"You called, Alpha?", he yawned. At over 500 years old, the elder wolf needed his sleep; but his Alpha needed him.
"I'm so sorry to wake you this late", she said apologetically. "But I need you to fill-in for me for a few days. Have Buckbeak ready to fly right after breakfast in the morning. An emergency has come up, and I need to reach my cousins' manor as quickly as possible."
"Buckbeak?", Fenris Silvermane was concerned. Not that the hippogriff couldn't be trusted to carry the Alpha, but why...? "Has something happened to Lady Christina? Is the Treaty in danger?"
"No, she's fine", Clawdeen assured him. "But an old enemy of ALL monsterkind may have returned. I need to question a witness that they rescued from the river; and the sooner, the better!"
Very well, I'll arrange an Honor Guard escort..."
"No need", Clawdeen grinned and winked. "Buckbeak is more than enough protection for an 'impulsive trip' to see my cousins."
"Of course, Alpha Clawdeen", he grinned, catching her drift. "When will you learn to stop being such an impetuous youth? You ARE the Alpha now, after all."
…...
After having breakfast with Christina and the kids, Shaggy went to check on their newest 'guest'. He was surprised to find the blonde reptilian awake, alert, sitting up in bed, and devouring his late breakfast-it was almost lunch!-with gusto! 'Whoa! This guy can, like, eat as much as ME!' he thought to himself, impressed.
"Like, you're looking stronger", the noble werewolf said. "I'm, like, Lord Norville Rrrogers; but everyone calls me 'Shaggy'. My... guests and I pulled you from the river."
"Thank you", he replied after swallowing a big bite of roasted meat. "I heal fast, like my dad. I'm Prince Duncan Xerxes Absolom Belphegor Rosenblatt. Pleasure to meet you, and thanks again for helping me."
"Like, glad to help", Shaggy told him. "You said 'Prince'? Of which kingdom? Dragons?"
"No", Duncan chuckled nervously. "If I told you, you either wouldn't believe me, or you'd freak out, or both."
"Big Brother!", Sugie called, barging in excitedly with Chase in tow.
"Sugie! You, like, know better than to just barge in without knocking! You too, Chase!"
"You're right", she said sheepishly, a look shared by Chase. "We're sorry."
"Please forgive my sister and her friend Chase, Prince Duncan", Shaggy said. "They're still young enough to, like, forget themselves sometimes."
"It's okay", Duncan chuckled. "We were ALL that young once."
"True", Shaggy laughed, then turned to the kids. "Now what was so important."
"We saw Cousin Clawdeen in the telescope", Sugie chirped happily. "She's riding Buckbeak! She'll be here...!"
"SQUAAAWK!"
"SHAGGY! SUGIE!"
"...right now?", Sugie giggled.
She grabbed Chase's arm ready to pull him to the foyer only for him to twist out of her grip. With no writing supplies handy he had to improvise, miming what he wanted to say.
"Get your sister?" Shaggy took a wild guess.
Chase nodded.
"Not right now, okay?"
he nodded again.
In the blink of an eye, the two were gone, thundering toward the foyer.
Well, Sugie was, Chase was sort of dragged along for the ride.
…...
Clawdeen has arrived to interview the stranger we pulled from the river yesterday.
Speaking of yesterday, Shaggy seems very upset. He was trying to tell me something when Chase grabbed our attention and I get the feeling he's been trying for a while. I wonder what's so important that he gets tongue-tied?
Christina shut her diary, sending it back to her room with a wave of her hand before turning her attention back to the roses before her. Freshly watered, drops clinging to the petals, she sighed.
I wonder how Laura's doing now?
As if in response, an owl arrived with a letter.
"That was fast," Christina giggled, "Thank you"
Excitedly, she began reading:
Christina,
I have the most amazing news!
I finally learned why Clawd was always so nervous.
He told me a few days ago that he imprinted on me when I arrived. I was confused at first but then he explained imprinting is like love at first sight for werewolves. It's just like the stories your mother would read us! The ones in your fairy tale book except I'm the princess!
Oh, I could dance right now! Just wait until Bella learns of this!
No, wait until Daddy learns of this!
Can't you just picture it?
Yes, she could.
It would be the same face as when her Uncle learned of Sibella's intentions to marry Tug when she came of age. Intentions he shared.
Can you imagine? Wait a few years then Sibella and I could have a double wedding!
Or, if you were ever to marry we could have a triple one!
Do you think Auntie Maleficent would be okay with that? I mean when you get married it's sure to be some sort of royal affair, isn't it? Like, if you ever take the throne?
Have you even told Shaggy you're royalty?
Christina rolled her eyes. Even SHE forgot she was a princess sometimes but Draculaura never forgot.
I hope you're doing well and I can't wait to hear from you!
Love,
Draculaura.
Folding the letter, Christina slid it back into the envelope, her mind muddled with thoughts.
Needing to think, she left the gardens and headed for the library.
…...
Despite Duncan being awake and alert enough to speak with her, Clawdeen thought it best to let him gather his thoughts before she tried to interview him. Instead, she pulled Shaggy into the first empty room she could find and demanded answers:
"Why haven't you told her yet? Clawd confessed just a few days ago!"
"Like, don't you think I've tried?" Shaggy snapped, throwing his hands up "But, I'm interrupted every time! And by the time I build the nerve again something else happens! Like, I was going to tell her yesterday but we like, all know what happened"
"Patience Shaggy," Clawdeen smirked, "I'm sure you get the chance sooner than you think"
…...
"Chase, Sugie, I need your help"
"With what Clawdeen?" Sugie asked brightly.
"You two see how Shaggy looks at Christina, right?", she asked in a conspiratorial whisper.
"You mean how my brother has imprinted on Chase's sister, don't you?", Sugie asked, very giggly while Chase smiled behind his hand. "Yeah, we noticed. And I explained imprinting to Chase. He likes Shaggy. And he tells me that she likes Shaggy, too, she's just too wrapped up in everything that's been happening. She hasn't had a chance to really relax since she came here. Older siblings are weird!"
"I wouldn't know; Clawd & I ARE the older siblings, although Clawdia had her moments when we were little. She HATED it when we went in her room and touched her typewriter", Clawdeen said, remembering her own older sister and Howleen, her younger sister. "Anyway, how would you two like to help me help them?"
"I dunno", Sugie seemed doubtful. "I love Shaggy, but he can be pretty thick sometimes."
"Do you remember that play I took you to see last year?", Clawdeen asked after hastily stifling her laughter.
"The one Cousin Clawdia wrote?"
"Yup! You remember how the two lovers met and fell in love?"
"Yeah! It was sssoooo funny!"
"Welllllll...", Clawdeen leaned closer to whisper her plan to the children.
…...
Her mind still reeling, Christina couldn't focus on her book. With a long sigh, she let the book fall to her lap, eyes drifting to the window. Watching a breeze shake the trees outside.
A sharp tugging on her sleeve grabbed her attention.
"Chase? What is it?"
he continued pulling on her sleeve, tugging her to the library doors.
"Okay, I'm coming, I'm coming"
…...
"Shaggy!" Sugie appeared suddenly before him. "You have to come see what I found"
Shaggy followed without question, knowing his sister would continue to insist until he came.
Unknown to either older sibling was that Clawdeen was hiding in the hallway. Once chase and Sugie caught sight of each other they dashed away.
Christina was too wrapped up in her thoughts to notice Shaggy or Clawdeen.
Once the two were close enough, Clawdeen quietly stuck her leg out, tripping Christina and Shaggy.
Shaggy, instinctively caught Christina by the waist as they went down.
"Are you okay, Christina?"
Yes, I'm sorry I was distracted-"
"No, no, it was my fault I like, wasn't looking where I was going and-"
The apologies slowed to a stop, silence falling the duo caught up in each other with no regard or awareness of their surroundings.
One heartbeat.
Two.
They kissed.
While surprised at first, Christina quickly melted into the kiss which Shaggy poured all his hidden feelings into.
When they finally separated each had a positively love-stricken smile getting to their feet.
"Shaggy?" Clawdeen stepped out of hiding with a victorious smirk on her face, "Is there something you want to tell Christina?"
"I love you," he pulled her back into his arms, "Like, so, so much" then the rationale returned to him, "We like, need to talk,"
Christina nodded but made no comment nor did she move from his embrace.
Clawdeen was sad she had to break this up, "Ahem, Um, I still need to speak with your guest, Shaggy"
"Oh, right," he sadly separated himself from Christina, "I'll be back soon," he promised.
"I'll be waiting"
…...
Duncan was pacing this room his hosts had given him, waiting for Shaggy to return with the 'Alpha', who was apparently his cousin as well. The thick stone of the walls and heavy oak of the door made it impossible to hear anything from the hallway. He had already managed to get dressed, the servants having mended his damaged shirt and coat. Unfortunately, they also stitched up the slots for his wings as they hadn't realized he had wings he could extend, but that would be an easy fix.
Duncan happened to be near the door when there was a solid knock. However, it opened suddenly as he reached for it, slamming into his head and knocking him down!
"OW!"
"Like, ZOINKS! Prince Duncan!"
"Oh, my ghoul! I'm so sorry!", a female voice said hovering over him as delicate hands began helping him up. "I'm just so used to just knocking and entering in this place because of how soundproof the rooms are that I didn't think! I...whoa". She froze as she suddenly found herself looking into the most shockingly emerald eyes with vertical, reptilian slit pupils.
"It's okay, I guess I shouldn't've been standing so close to...the...door?", Duncan looked up into the most beautiful golden-amber eyes he had ever seen!
Shaggy during all of this, stood just out of sight, amused by the spaced-out look the two in front of him shared, clearly wrapped up in their own little world.
(He would've very much liked to get back to his own little world but couldn't and wouldn't leave until he was dismissed)
Duncan could've had someone slap him over the head and he wouldn't have been brought back to reality.
This was the Alpha of all Werewolves? She was around his age and fashionably dressed for travel, wearing a loose dress in varying shades of purple and gold with a thick, fur-lined cloak still draped around her shoulders and well-worn black knee-high riding boots. Her hair, which had been tossed around by the winds and now hastily messed with framed strong features accentuated by purple makeup.
Clawdeen meanwhile, was positively star-struck, at a loss for words. Prince Duncan was as tall as her brother with well-defined muscles and noticeable scales. There were no wounds to be seen anywhere. Dressed in mended clothing consisting of a freshly washed white shirt under an orange jacket, black pants but no shoes as those had washed away somewhere in the river.
shaggy couldn't wait any longer, "Um, Clawdeen?"
"Yes, Shaggy go talk to Christina,"
"Thank you!"
he left the room with all the excitement of a child on Christmas.
"I think we should sit down, Prin-" Clawdeen finally snapped back to reality.
"Just Duncan please"
"Of course," Clawdeen took the closest chair, "I know this must be painful to talk about but I'm ready when you are,"
Duncan closed his eyes and took a deep breath before telling Clawdeen what happened, "My Mother and I live by ourselves, on the edge of a very human village. We were safe and unbothered until the town elders learned I was half-monster. In the middle of the night, our home was ransacked; my mother was taken. No one would help me so I set out on my own to get her back. A week later I encountered the camp.
I hid and listened to learn where my mother was, that's when I heard the leader ranting and raving to someone about the treaty. Whoever they were speaking to mentioned there had been no official signing ceremony with the focus on the returning soldiers.
Then he said 'we must separate the four' I assume he was speaking about the two vampires and who they were sent to. Someone else mentioned meeting a possible means of accomplishing their goal.
The tent opened and I followed to this hole, I thought it was a fire pit at first but as it turns out this was where they were holding my mother. They called her a race-traitor worthy of death. When they advanced I attacked but they had weapons which actually hurt me. They came from all sides and once I was weak enough they threw me in the river. Then I wound up here"
"I'm sorry you went through that," Clawdeen said sympathetically, "But I promise you're safe here, we'll do our best to prevent their plans and save your mother"
"Thank you"
…...
Hm... Possible means of accomplishment. Makes you wonder, doesn't it?
Wow, Holy Moly that was one jam-packed chapter which I wrote with a lot of help from DRAGONDAVE45.
Yet again, I would recommend reading his stories which are vastly superior to my own.
Now, I'm off to work on A School Of Mystery which has dead-ended itself. Not because I have no idea what I want/need to happen but because every time I open the document my brain forgets how to make words.
Oh, and I get flooded with new shiny ideas.
I'm like a cat with a laser pointer LOL.
Wish me luck. And please, remember to review!