As Eleanor gingerly walked along the footpath, away from the only home she had ever known, her mind raced with worried thoughts.
'How will I find Rob O'?' 'Is he really my father like Mindy thought?' 'How will he even know I'm his daughter?'
Her feet aching from the rough stones, and deep in thought, a doorpost caught her eye as she looked up: Margaret Patterson; Professional Dressmaker. All Welcome. "Hm, a dressmaker. Maybe I can ask her to make something for me," Eleanor thought out loud, glancing down at her tattered dress and bare feet.
Upon entering the shop, she was greeted by the sound of looms running and seamstresses stitching clothes rapidly. While fumbling with the coins in her pocket, she heard a shrill voice command, which made her ears flinch.
"Hurry now, ladies! We've got many orders to complete and not much time to do so! Keep those looms moving!"
Eleanor turned towards the voice and came face to face with an older cat lady whose figure shouted authority. "Are you here in search of an occupation or to pick up an order?"
"Well, um, uh…" Eleanor stammered.
The woman's voice softened, as she could see the girl was nervous. "Forgive me, my darling. I see now. You must be a customer. I must say you are right on time for an appointment. Margaret Patterson, at your service. May I ask for your name for your order, dear? I could have sworn I've seen you in town before…"
"Eleanor, ma'am." She pushed her shoulders back so she could appear taller than she was. "I was wondering if-"
"Oh of course! From the orphanage down the road! No wonder I recognized you. I would love to make something for you my dear, but I'll need to take your measurements first."
"Alright," Eleanor agreed as two seamstresses began to measure her.
"Now, what exactly can we make for you?"
"Well, I need something that will last for a long journey – more like an adventure."
"Ah, I see. Trying to find someone?" Margaret asked, poking the coals in the nearby fireplace.
"Yes, I suppose," Eleanor nodded, wincing slightly as one of the seamstresses poked her in the side with a pin.
"I have a pattern booklet you may glean through. Hold very still and I'll return with it." A few moments later, she emerged with a fat, blue book filled to the brim with various clothing patterns. After sifting through them for a minute or two, Eleanor found one that was suitable. "Lovely choice my dear, lovely choice. Color?"
"Hmm. What do you have available?"
"We have this lovely blue color. No one has bothered to buy it yet, and it matches your eyes."
Nodding, Margaret took Eleanor's measurements, the pattern, and the fabric to a group of seamstresses, who promptly set to work. About two hours later, the suit of clothes was nearly finished.
"Try it on, please. I'd like to see how it fits and make some adjustments if necessary."
The shirt fit perfectly, but the pants were a little long.
"Oh dear, I must not have accounted for your stature," Margaret tutted as Eleanor walked around, trying not to trip. "I'll hem those pants for you, and with the coins you have left over, you can purchase a cap and boots as well."
The adjustments were made, along with some additional purchases. Eleanor turned in front of the mirror, admiring herself as she placed the cap on her head, her braid behind it. She thanked the dressmaker once again. "How much do I owe you? I have a few coins."
"Just enough for the suit and boots, dear. But, if you wouldn't mind, I do have a favor to ask in return."
"Oh, of course! Just tell me what you need me to do."
As if thunder struck, a dark shadow fell over Margaret's face, and she nervously wrung her hands. "My apprentice, Beatrice, went to purchase more wool out of town today. She has been gone for a few hours now, and I'm quite worried about her. Would you try and find her for me please? She is a weasel about your height with brown eyes and black hair in a bun."
Eleanor nodded. "Of course I'll find her for you. Just leave it to me. She'll be safe and sound in no time at all."
"Thank you very much, my dear."
Eleanor waved as she left the dressmaker's and began asking various townspeople about Beatrice. None of the people she asked had seen the apprentice, but finally, the butcher's boy, a rabbit, told Eleanor he had seen Beatrice walking towards the forest. "Thank you. I'm sure to find her there."
Walking out of the town gates and into the forest, two paths lay before her. The left seemed gloomy and dark, while the right was well-lit and decently traveled. Pondering over which road to take, a scream cut through the air from the lighter side. "Definitely that way." Running as fast as she could, she headed down the path and into a clearing, where she heard the scream again, along with growling.
"Help, oh help! Someone help me!"
"That might be Beatrice," Eleanor figured. "Hold on, I'm coming!"
She followed the screams and roars until she came within a few feet of an enraged mother bear and her cubs. Backing away a little, Beatrice saw Eleanor and started to cry. "After I bought the wool, I decided to go for a walk in the woods. Then I saw these adorable bear cubs and wanted to take one home, but then the mother bear came and scared me half to death!" she blubbered. "Do something, anything! Please!"
Eleanor cringed, groaned, and began to think. Looking around the area, an escape route caught her eye. "Do you see that large tree branch behind the bear?"
"Y-yes, I see it."
"When the mother bear charges at us, run as fast as you can towards it. I'll take care of the rest."
"O-okay," Beatrice nodded, shaking. The mother bear roared again and began charging at the two girls.
"Run for it, Beatrice!"
"What about you?"
"Don't worry about me! Just go!"
As Beatrice ran to the safety of the branch, Eleanor picked up an old oak branch and dusted it off, holding it like a club. "Here goes nothing," Eleanor thought, hitting the she-bear over the head with it. A few minutes later, the she-bear plodded off with her cubs, and a splitting headache, in defeat. Beatrice let go of the larger tree branch and swept Eleanor into a hug.
"That was amazing! You saved my life! Thank you so much! What's your name? I never asked."
Eleanor couldn't answer very well. "Hugging too tight, can't breathe–"
"Oh, sorry," Beatrice said as she let go, Eleanor taking in large gulps of air.
"Eleanor, but you can call me Ellie. You could have been mauled, or worse! What were you thinking? Margaret wanted me to find you because she was worried sick. I really hope you aren't hurt."
"Oh, I'm alright, just a little shaken. We had better head back, Margaret's probably waiting on her wool!"
The two young ladies started returning to the dressmaker's, where Margaret stood, her eyes brightening as she greeted Beatrice.
"Where have you been, young lady? I was worried sick!"
"I'm alright, Madam. Ellie saved my life from a she-bear!"
"Oh, really? How exciting! That was very brave of you, my dear. Would you like to stay for a little while longer? I could brew some tea and Beatrice can set the table for supper. Besides, child, it's getting late and you can't travel very much further at night."
Since it was just the three of them in the shop at this time, Eleanor thought it over.
"I'll stay here just for the night. I can't stay for too long. I have to find my father, and I won't stop looking until I find him – or until he finds me."
After some tea and chatter, the three of them went upstairs to the living quarters, where Eleanor was given the spare bed. Falling asleep, Eleanor dreamed about finding her father, and how happy he would be to see her.