Disclaimer: Plot is mine, anything you recognize belongs to someone else, I
don't claim it, blah, blah, blah.
A/N: More reviews! You guys rock! Sorry if the last chapter was a little boring, I had to throw in the necessary foreshadowing and plot stuff. Look forward to more events in this one.
Summary: On the night of the third ball, everything went according to plan. She plans to forget Char and go on living with her curse as a maid in Dame Olga's house. But first loves always die hard.
~~~~~
~ Call it a Gift
~ By Blackberry Ink
~ Chapter Two: First Things First
~~~~~
I need a home, but my boots keep goin'
Healing and peace that a fire could provide.
A place to unburden my brain of its sorrow;
First things first when you get to the fire.
A rich man eats when he wishes; a poor man whenever he can.
- Peter, Paul, and Mary – Rich Man Poor Man
~~~~~
Mandy was wonderful to talk to, but many times I felt that the thing I loved talking to most was Apple. While it was soothing to hear from Mandy that everything would be alright, sometimes that only made it worse. I felt like the time when I would be alright was too far away, and I'd despair that it would never come. But with Apple, I could talk and talk and never be interrupted and never be admonished and I'd always receive that same gaze, almost loving, but I wondered if Apple was even capable to comprehend love. Centaurs were said to have one of the smallest brains of any beast in the world.
The only negative side to it was that every glance at Apple would make me remember a time when Char cared enough about me to go out of his way to catch me a Centaur, just to make me happy. I recalled Char's simple joy at making me smile, or the way his face lit up when I made him laugh, and I'd feel my eyes watering again. But I had given up crying over him. I felt I had cried away all of my tears already, anyway.
Still, it didn't matter if being with Apple reminded me of Char. I thought of him all the time regardless of whether I'd seen my centaur that or not. But it had been a month, to the day, since I'd last seen him and I had become determined not to show the corporeal signs of my unhappiness. I had realized that I'd have to come to terms with the fact that I couldn't be with Char sooner or later, and it might as well be sooner.
"Ella, dear," Mandy said to me later. "Would you mind running down to the market for me? I need some more asparagus for dinner."
I almost said no, but figured it was urgent because she had immediately requested I do it instead of waiting to play our usual game. So, nodding, I pulled a shawl around me to shield me from the cool September air and, basket in tow, left the manor to make the mile or so trek into town.
I had only been to the market alone a handful of times, and only in the recent past. If Father had been home he would have never consented to letting me go, because he said that there were too many people of the wrong sort that loitered around there. After all, it was where Father spent most of his life.
Still, I had never had any problems during my brief visits here. The people Mandy bought most of her food knew me and I was confident they wouldn't try to trick me out of anything. Besides, I had always been good at haggling.
The walk to the market took me fifteen minutes and it took another fifteen to find a stand I knew as reliable and purchase enough asparagus for Mandy at a good price. I ended up with more extra coins than I had expected, and I slipped them into my pocket to give back to Mandy when I returned back to the manor.
I covered the basket I was carrying with a small napkin to shelter the food and headed out of the market. I was very near to the road leading directly to the manor when I felt the handle of the basket tug into my arm. I turned to see a boy, much younger than me, and he had asparagus in his hands. He chanced one look at me and ran. The nerve! I took off after him.
I had never been a runner, and my shoes only made it harder. I let them fall off my feet, thinking I'd come back for them later. Picking up speed, I chased the boy down a side street until I found him, cowering before a brick wall that appeared to have stopped and cornered him. I thanked the wall, because I knew that I wouldn't have been able to catch him otherwise.
"I-I'm sorry," he said, voice quivering and his face braced for me to slap him. He handed me the asparagus. I counted how much I had and saw that he had, indeed, given all he stole back to me.
I took a good look at him, and realized that he could be no older than eight or nine. I mourned the fact that he had to resort to theft at such a young age. A glance at his bone-thin frame told me there was little else he could do. I wondered when the last time he'd had a full meal was.
"What's your name?" I asked.
"Tristan," he managed.
"Where are your parents?" I intended to bring him back to them.
"Dead," he said simply, with the air of one who had gotten used to the fact and tired of explaining it.
"Oh," I said softly. "I'm sorry."
He shrugged, and his lessened fear was visible. He cast me a wary look.
"Aren't you going to yell at me?"
"No," I said. I didn't have the heart to.
"Oh." He sounded relieved. "Well, can I go, then?"
"I suppose." I paused, thinking. "But, Tristan?"
"What?" he said, the wary voice returned.
"Would you like to have dinner at my house? You can eat some of this asparagus."
His eyes lit up, and he lost the early aging he'd gotten and looked more like the child he was.
"Yeah," he said. "I guess I would."
"Good," I said, hoping no one wound mind me brining home a little beggar boy for a meal. "Come with me, then. We'll get you cleaned up and presentable for dinner."
He fell into step behind me, and I felt an extraordinary sense of well being. I had never been very good with children, but this boy seemed to have taken to me. Somewhat.
We had left the side street when I heard someone clear their throat loudly. I turned to look, and saw a young man leaning cockily against the wall of a brick building. Light brown hair fell in his face and he pushed it out of the way, revealing emerald eyes.
"Excuse me," he said, and I noticed that he was holding my shoes. I had forgotten I was in only stockings. "I think you lost these."
He held them out to me, and I reached out to take them. But he grabbed them back before I could grasp them.
"Those are mine," I said. "Thank you for finding them, but I'd like them back, if you-"
He dangled the shoes in front of me, and I resisted the urge to make a grab for them, because I'd only make a fool of myself when he pulled them away again. Instead, I narrowed my eyes and tried to make myself as tall as possible.
"Why should I give them back?" he said, his voice smooth and cunning. I wanted to hit him, stranger or not.
"They're my shoes," I said. "I can't walk home without them."
"You seemed to be running fine without them. They seem like such a hassle."
I balled my fists in anger and prayed he wouldn't issue me any commands. I doubted they would be friendly.
"I thank you for finding my shoes," I said, trying to remember the courtesy rules I had been taught at finishing school. It seemed a lifetime ago. "But I must insist that you return them to me."
He laughed. It made me even angrier that he had the impudence to laugh at me. I had always hated the fact that anyone and everyone held power over me, though they might not know it, and I didn't enjoy the extra power he had from holding my possession over me. And I didn't enjoy the fact that he was laughing about it.
"You must insist I return them to you?" he said, his laughter changed to a smile.
"Yes," I said, aware he was making fun of me.
"Well," he said, somehow twirling my left shoe on his pointer finger. "Don't I get some sort of...payment?"
Payment? I thought. "What type of payment?" I asked, before I could stop myself and consider just the sort of payment a scoundrel like him would want.
"Dinner," he said, relieving me of that fear. "You invited this boy to dinner, so I figure you could find room for one more."
I thought. Inviting the little boy was one thing, but this strange young man was another. He'd probably try to rob everything in the house. Not that it mattered, since it all belonged to Dame Olga, Hattie, and Olive. And what did I care how they fared? Besides, I wanted my shoes back. He was right when he said I could walk back without them, and I had another pair that I liked better. But it was the principle of the thing.
"Fine, then," I said. He grinned, and I noted that his grin changed from one of cunning to one of genuine happiness. He hid it quickly. He handed me the shoes, and I took them and slipped them on my small feet.
I was sure we presented a strange group, me walking next to a young man who was probably a thief and who hadn't bathed in what looked like years and having a small boy who was definitely a thief and definitely hadn't bathed in his entirely life. And, for some reason, I trusted the boy more. At least I knew what he was.
"So," the young man said conversationally. "Do you always reward thieves?"
I frowned at him. He was already getting on my nerves, and I had barely met him.
"Don't be stupid," I said, before I could stop myself from being rude. He only laughed.
"Are you planning on telling me your name?" he asked, shoving his hands into his pockets.
"I don't see why I'm obliged to," I retorted. I didn't know why, but it felt good to be openly discourteous to someone. I supposed I'd been holding it in for a while.
He laughed again. He laughed a lot, I noticed. Like Char. When he had loved me.
"I'll tell you my name if you tell me yours," he said.
I shook my head. "You first."
He raised his eyebrows. "What, you don't trust me?"
"No," I said simply.
"Gareth," he said.
"And where are you from?"
He shrugged. "Frell, for now. I was born in Bast and have been traveling since I was about that boy's age."
What crimes have you committed? I almost asked.
"I'm Ella of Frell," I said. "Daughter of Sir Peter of Frell."
He gave me a mock-amazed look and gave me a deep bow. He grabbed my hand and kissed it in courtly fashion. I tried to frown, but ended up somewhere in between a frown and a laugh. I wasn't quite sure why I didn't want to give him the pleasure of making me laugh.
"So you're practically a lady," he said. "What were you doing alone in market?"
"That's none of your business," I said. I wasn't about to tell a near-stranger about my situation.
"Too right," he said, backing down. For once.
"Here we are," I said as we came around the turn and the manor came into view. I could hear Tristan gasp behind me. Gareth gave me an impressed grin.
"Nice house," he said. "A bit small, but that's to be expected. Sir Peter not really much of a merchant, is he? At least that's what I hear."
I frowned at him for good measure. But he was right.
~~~~~
I made Gareth and Tristan wait just outside of the back door while I went in and explained the situation to Mandy.
"You're just like your mother," was all she said.
I gave her the extra coins and the asparagus while she threw some extra food into the pot she had been cooking in.
"How much will they eat?" she asked.
"A lot," I said simply.
"Oh, that reminds me," Mandy said. "Just go over to the counter over there, love. You got a letter."
Surprised, I walked over to where she indicated and picked up the letter. It wasn't in my father's hand, and I hadn't expected it to be. He'd only left a week ago. Yet the handwriting looked familiar. I opened the letter.
Dear Ella,
(If this isn't Ella, then I apologize for my mistake.
If there is any way you could send this along to an Ella
of Frell, I would be most indebted to you.)
When Hattie and Olive had left, they mentioned that
you were at home. I've missed you terribly since you left.
You know how everyone at finishing school despised me – I
haven't been able to find a friend as good as you.
A friend as good as me? Areida? How had she managed to find me? I read further.
I left finishing school shortly after you did, and now I'm
working in my Father's Inn. I must admit it is boring at
times, but I enjoy it. We've had a few very special
guests. You wouldn't believe me if I told you – but Prince
Charmont of Kyrria came to eat here! I spoke of you with
him, in fact. He told me you were rich and married. Is it
true? I shan't believe it until you tell me yourself.
She went on to tell me how she's been since we'd last seen each other and so on, even writing in Ayorthian for a bit. I savored every word, and wished she wrote more than just the back and front of one parchment. She signed it 'Always your friend, Areida.'
I knew, of course, from my magic book that Areida had seen Char. I pictured him, handsome as usual, smiling and laughing with his knights. But I also remembered the book telling me that he had become silent and upset after speaking of me with Areida. I hated myself for causing him pain. I longed to run to him and throw my arms around his neck and apologize to him until I ran out of words and kiss him until I ran out of breath and –
No. I mustn't think those things. It would only make me cry again.
I closed up Areida's letter and resealed it as best I could. Hattie's order wouldn't allow me to be friends with her. She could be friends with me until she died, but the curse would keep me from ever seeing her again. I wanted to scream because of the unfairness of it all. I wanted to strangle Lucinda for giving up big magic a moment too soon.
"Hello?" came Gareth's anxious voice as he rapped on the door. "You going to let us in or not?"
Mandy chuckled. "Nice guests you've got, there."
I groaned. I wished Gareth hadn't found my shoes. He was bound to make an even bigger mess of things.
"Well, the little boy is nice," I said weakly, going to the door and determinedly not thinking of Areida and Char. I opened the door and let my guests in.
"Mandy," I said as she turned to see them. "This is Tristan. Tristan, meet Mandy."
"Pleased to meet you, Tristan," Mandy said amicably. He cowered and went over to sit by the fire, huddling by it's warmth. I marveled at how a boy could do something as brash as theft and still look so shy and timid.
I considered not introducing Gareth, but I knew Mandy would admonish me for it later, despite how uncouth he obviously was. He looked at me expectantly while I paused.
"And this is Gareth," I finally said. "Gareth, this is Mandy."
I expected him to say something rude, but instead he gave Mandy a bow (though not as overconfident as his bow to me had been), a kiss on the knuckles, and a winning smile. I scowled at him while Mandy chuckled.
"Nice to meet you, Gareth," she said as the laughter died down.
"The pleasure's mine, I'm sure," Gareth said. I scowled at him. I felt had been doing that a lot since I'd met him. He touched a nerve.
Mandy and Gareth made small talk for a moment while Mandy and I cooked.
"Go show Gareth and Tristan where they can clean up, love," Mandy ordered gently.
"Do I have to?" I mumbled to her so Gareth wouldn't hear.
"Oh, Lady," Mandy said. But the curse was already pulling at me to obey, so I gestured for the two of them to follow me. Tristan came reluctantly from the fire and the two of them followed. When we reached a wider hallway, Gareth came to walk next to me.
"I didn't know you were a cook's helper," he said.
"You don't know me at all," I replied.
"Oh?"
"You don't," I said. "We only just met. You're awfully prying for a guest."
He grinned. Why did he keep doing that?
"You find me irritating, don't you," Gareth said. He didn't say it like a question, but I felt compelled to answer.
"Yes. Extremely."
"Ah. Well, at least you're frank."
I ignored any other attempts at conversation from him and led them just outside on the other end of the house to where we had an area for them to clean.
"I'm going back to the kitchen to help with dinner," I said. "I trust you can find your way back. Ask someone who isn't wearing jewelry of any sort on their being and they'll be sure to direct you if you can't find you way."
I didn't wait for Gareth to make a reply and left to go back to the kitchens.
~~~~~
Nancy came into the kitchen just after Mandy and I had finished with dinner. We filled up three plates with the first course and gave them to her. She shook her head.
"I need one more," she said. "The Lady Hattie has a guest."
"Does she?" Mandy asked, interested, as she scooped more food onto the plates.
"Who?" I asked.
"An old man," Nancy said. "I can't remember his name. If you come with me, you can see him."
I took the extra plate and followed Nancy into the dining room. I set it down in front of the guest. I felt his hand brush my arm and I thought he tried to grab my hand. I stepped back and looked at him. I cringed as I recognized him.
It was Edmund, Earl of Wolleck. The old Duke Father had tried to betroth me to upon my return from finishing school. I hurried away.
"Eleanor?" he said in wonderment. "Stop."
I stopped.
"Is that you, Eleanor?"
"No," I said, hoping Dame Olga or her daughters wouldn't betray me. At least he hadn't ordered me to tell him my name, or I would have to.
"I apologize," he said roughly, turning back to his meal. I noted Hattie looking coquettishly at him as I left. Repulsive. I chuckled.
"Do you know him?" Nancy asked as we left the dining room together.
"Never seen him in my life," I lied. "Wonder who he thought I was."
~~~~~
There was a table that Mandy usually set up in the kitchen for us to eat dinner at. Sometimes Nancy joined us, but usually it was just the two of us. Tonight, with four people, we were very squished. Gareth valiantly volunteered to stand as he ate. Mandy thanked him, and he brought his food over to rest it on the counter.
"Ella tells me you found her shoes for her," Mandy said, trying to make polite conversation where Ella wouldn't.
He nodded as he swallowed a bite of food. "They had fallen off. Lucky I saw when they did and followed her to give them back."
Followed me to get a meal, I thought. You didn't return them to be kind.
"It's a good thing I found them and not some murderer off the streets," Gareth said.
Murderer. I hadn't thought of that. Perhaps he had some sort of grudge against my family and had come to poison the food and kill me. I put down my knife.
"Yes," I said, sarcasm coating my tone. Mandy gave me a sharp look, but I didn't stop. "Good thing it was you."
Gareth had to have noted my manner, but he continued as if I had been sincere.
"Had I not been watching, I never would have been able to meet the wonderful people here. And I wouldn't have tasted this excellent food."
Honestly. He was telling complete lies. I looked to Mandy, expecting her to have a look similar to mine, but instead she shook her head and smiled at his flattery.
Could no one see through him but me?
As dinner progressed, Gareth told us a story about how a man had come after he and his sister, thinking they had stolen money from him. (Gareth assured us that he hadn't. I wasn't so easily swayed.)
"But my sister hadn't known I'd hidden it in the furnace," he said, and I saw a smile start. "So she came in, and lit a fire!"
I laughed out loud with Mandy and Tristan, but covered it quickly. I saw Gareth catch my eye and wink. I crossed my arms and frowned at him. He looked pleased.
Once, I found myself thinking that it was the most enjoyable time I'd had since I'd last seen Char. I stomped on the thought quickly, because it wasn't. Gareth was an irritating liar. Char was perfect. I'd rather spend one day with Char before dying than live as long as I wished with Gareth.
I invited Tristan to remain here, in the spare servant's bedroom. I tucked him in and he fell asleep quickly. I made Gareth leave. I told him he had overstayed his welcome. I was tired of him, and would be happy if I never had to see him again.
I went upstairs to Hattie's room as she ordered me to nearly every night.
"I suppose I never showed you this letter I received," she said, flashing a letter before me. I caught a glimpse of fancy handwriting and an intricate seal, but she wouldn't let me read it.
"It's from the Earl. Your father knows him apparently. Earl Edmund and I had met once before. He wrote to me after that, and told me-" She consulted the letter. "He told me I had stayed in his mind. Don't you wish you had someone who cared about you, Ella?"
"Yes, of course," I said absently. But I did have someone who cared about me. I had Mandy. And Areida, even though I wasn't allowed to care about her. That was enough. I was sure I could live without any more. I could live without Char.
Couldn't I?
"I have a feeling Earl Edmund plans to marry me. He's very rich."
"And handsome," I added with sarcasm. She never noticed my sarcasm.
"I suppose," Hattie said considering. "If you like bald men old enough to be your grandfather. But he will die soon, leaving me with more money. Unless, of course, Charmont proposes to me before then.
I couldn't help but laugh. Char? Propose to Hattie? No, he had written off marriage. He had told me. Or, rather, he had told Lela.
"What's so funny?" Hattie asked.
"Nothing," I said quickly. "Nothing at all."
After another twenty minutes of preparing Hattie for slumber, I left her chambers and walked to my own. As I slipped out of my day dress, I felt something in the pocket. I reached in and took out a piece of folded paper. I unfolded it and read.
Ella –
Meet me outside the gate of your manor at noon
tomorrow. I'll be waiting.
- Gareth
I laughed hollowly. Never in a thousand years would I voluntarily see that man again. I folded the note back up and put it on the table, telling myself that I would remember to dispose of it tomorrow.
As I reached into my desk I pulled out my magic book, turning through it for something to do with Char. I found on one of the first few pages an illustration of him riding his horse, presumably to meet up with his other knights. I sighed blissfully at seeing his face. It was a joy to see him, even if it was just a picture.
After spending a few minutes (or a few hours, for all I could tell) gazing at him, I made myself put the book away, blow out the candle, and surrender myself to sleep.
~~~~~
A/N: Thanks to babyjayy, Star Fighter Heart, blue-la-shoo, Pointy Objects, jess131346, fantasyfan, angelwings6117, keepgoing, Evil CornBread, The Queen of the Pugs, and Rosina for reviewing. You reviewers are really, really awesome.
angelwings6117: Yes, I like long chapters better as well. The first two chapters were originally one, but I thought it worked out better to split them and have a prologue. From now one, most chapters should be the length of this one, at the least.
Star Fighter Heart: I didn't quite understand what you were trying to say. You wanted me to e-mail you chapter two? I need your e-mail to do that! If fanfiction.net isn't working for you to read it, just wait a little while and refresh and you should be able to read.
Rosina: I'd like to add in Char's thoughts, but I can't do that telling the story from Ella's first person point of view. I do expect to have some entries in Char's diary in the magic book, though, to give some kind of idea as to what he's going through.
Next chapter: Is Ella actually beginning to get over Char, or is it all an act? What's going on with Earl Edmund and Hattie? And what about that irritating Gareth? I'll try to have it posted this weekend, possibly sooner.
A/N: More reviews! You guys rock! Sorry if the last chapter was a little boring, I had to throw in the necessary foreshadowing and plot stuff. Look forward to more events in this one.
Summary: On the night of the third ball, everything went according to plan. She plans to forget Char and go on living with her curse as a maid in Dame Olga's house. But first loves always die hard.
~~~~~
~ Call it a Gift
~ By Blackberry Ink
~ Chapter Two: First Things First
~~~~~
I need a home, but my boots keep goin'
Healing and peace that a fire could provide.
A place to unburden my brain of its sorrow;
First things first when you get to the fire.
A rich man eats when he wishes; a poor man whenever he can.
- Peter, Paul, and Mary – Rich Man Poor Man
~~~~~
Mandy was wonderful to talk to, but many times I felt that the thing I loved talking to most was Apple. While it was soothing to hear from Mandy that everything would be alright, sometimes that only made it worse. I felt like the time when I would be alright was too far away, and I'd despair that it would never come. But with Apple, I could talk and talk and never be interrupted and never be admonished and I'd always receive that same gaze, almost loving, but I wondered if Apple was even capable to comprehend love. Centaurs were said to have one of the smallest brains of any beast in the world.
The only negative side to it was that every glance at Apple would make me remember a time when Char cared enough about me to go out of his way to catch me a Centaur, just to make me happy. I recalled Char's simple joy at making me smile, or the way his face lit up when I made him laugh, and I'd feel my eyes watering again. But I had given up crying over him. I felt I had cried away all of my tears already, anyway.
Still, it didn't matter if being with Apple reminded me of Char. I thought of him all the time regardless of whether I'd seen my centaur that or not. But it had been a month, to the day, since I'd last seen him and I had become determined not to show the corporeal signs of my unhappiness. I had realized that I'd have to come to terms with the fact that I couldn't be with Char sooner or later, and it might as well be sooner.
"Ella, dear," Mandy said to me later. "Would you mind running down to the market for me? I need some more asparagus for dinner."
I almost said no, but figured it was urgent because she had immediately requested I do it instead of waiting to play our usual game. So, nodding, I pulled a shawl around me to shield me from the cool September air and, basket in tow, left the manor to make the mile or so trek into town.
I had only been to the market alone a handful of times, and only in the recent past. If Father had been home he would have never consented to letting me go, because he said that there were too many people of the wrong sort that loitered around there. After all, it was where Father spent most of his life.
Still, I had never had any problems during my brief visits here. The people Mandy bought most of her food knew me and I was confident they wouldn't try to trick me out of anything. Besides, I had always been good at haggling.
The walk to the market took me fifteen minutes and it took another fifteen to find a stand I knew as reliable and purchase enough asparagus for Mandy at a good price. I ended up with more extra coins than I had expected, and I slipped them into my pocket to give back to Mandy when I returned back to the manor.
I covered the basket I was carrying with a small napkin to shelter the food and headed out of the market. I was very near to the road leading directly to the manor when I felt the handle of the basket tug into my arm. I turned to see a boy, much younger than me, and he had asparagus in his hands. He chanced one look at me and ran. The nerve! I took off after him.
I had never been a runner, and my shoes only made it harder. I let them fall off my feet, thinking I'd come back for them later. Picking up speed, I chased the boy down a side street until I found him, cowering before a brick wall that appeared to have stopped and cornered him. I thanked the wall, because I knew that I wouldn't have been able to catch him otherwise.
"I-I'm sorry," he said, voice quivering and his face braced for me to slap him. He handed me the asparagus. I counted how much I had and saw that he had, indeed, given all he stole back to me.
I took a good look at him, and realized that he could be no older than eight or nine. I mourned the fact that he had to resort to theft at such a young age. A glance at his bone-thin frame told me there was little else he could do. I wondered when the last time he'd had a full meal was.
"What's your name?" I asked.
"Tristan," he managed.
"Where are your parents?" I intended to bring him back to them.
"Dead," he said simply, with the air of one who had gotten used to the fact and tired of explaining it.
"Oh," I said softly. "I'm sorry."
He shrugged, and his lessened fear was visible. He cast me a wary look.
"Aren't you going to yell at me?"
"No," I said. I didn't have the heart to.
"Oh." He sounded relieved. "Well, can I go, then?"
"I suppose." I paused, thinking. "But, Tristan?"
"What?" he said, the wary voice returned.
"Would you like to have dinner at my house? You can eat some of this asparagus."
His eyes lit up, and he lost the early aging he'd gotten and looked more like the child he was.
"Yeah," he said. "I guess I would."
"Good," I said, hoping no one wound mind me brining home a little beggar boy for a meal. "Come with me, then. We'll get you cleaned up and presentable for dinner."
He fell into step behind me, and I felt an extraordinary sense of well being. I had never been very good with children, but this boy seemed to have taken to me. Somewhat.
We had left the side street when I heard someone clear their throat loudly. I turned to look, and saw a young man leaning cockily against the wall of a brick building. Light brown hair fell in his face and he pushed it out of the way, revealing emerald eyes.
"Excuse me," he said, and I noticed that he was holding my shoes. I had forgotten I was in only stockings. "I think you lost these."
He held them out to me, and I reached out to take them. But he grabbed them back before I could grasp them.
"Those are mine," I said. "Thank you for finding them, but I'd like them back, if you-"
He dangled the shoes in front of me, and I resisted the urge to make a grab for them, because I'd only make a fool of myself when he pulled them away again. Instead, I narrowed my eyes and tried to make myself as tall as possible.
"Why should I give them back?" he said, his voice smooth and cunning. I wanted to hit him, stranger or not.
"They're my shoes," I said. "I can't walk home without them."
"You seemed to be running fine without them. They seem like such a hassle."
I balled my fists in anger and prayed he wouldn't issue me any commands. I doubted they would be friendly.
"I thank you for finding my shoes," I said, trying to remember the courtesy rules I had been taught at finishing school. It seemed a lifetime ago. "But I must insist that you return them to me."
He laughed. It made me even angrier that he had the impudence to laugh at me. I had always hated the fact that anyone and everyone held power over me, though they might not know it, and I didn't enjoy the extra power he had from holding my possession over me. And I didn't enjoy the fact that he was laughing about it.
"You must insist I return them to you?" he said, his laughter changed to a smile.
"Yes," I said, aware he was making fun of me.
"Well," he said, somehow twirling my left shoe on his pointer finger. "Don't I get some sort of...payment?"
Payment? I thought. "What type of payment?" I asked, before I could stop myself and consider just the sort of payment a scoundrel like him would want.
"Dinner," he said, relieving me of that fear. "You invited this boy to dinner, so I figure you could find room for one more."
I thought. Inviting the little boy was one thing, but this strange young man was another. He'd probably try to rob everything in the house. Not that it mattered, since it all belonged to Dame Olga, Hattie, and Olive. And what did I care how they fared? Besides, I wanted my shoes back. He was right when he said I could walk back without them, and I had another pair that I liked better. But it was the principle of the thing.
"Fine, then," I said. He grinned, and I noted that his grin changed from one of cunning to one of genuine happiness. He hid it quickly. He handed me the shoes, and I took them and slipped them on my small feet.
I was sure we presented a strange group, me walking next to a young man who was probably a thief and who hadn't bathed in what looked like years and having a small boy who was definitely a thief and definitely hadn't bathed in his entirely life. And, for some reason, I trusted the boy more. At least I knew what he was.
"So," the young man said conversationally. "Do you always reward thieves?"
I frowned at him. He was already getting on my nerves, and I had barely met him.
"Don't be stupid," I said, before I could stop myself from being rude. He only laughed.
"Are you planning on telling me your name?" he asked, shoving his hands into his pockets.
"I don't see why I'm obliged to," I retorted. I didn't know why, but it felt good to be openly discourteous to someone. I supposed I'd been holding it in for a while.
He laughed again. He laughed a lot, I noticed. Like Char. When he had loved me.
"I'll tell you my name if you tell me yours," he said.
I shook my head. "You first."
He raised his eyebrows. "What, you don't trust me?"
"No," I said simply.
"Gareth," he said.
"And where are you from?"
He shrugged. "Frell, for now. I was born in Bast and have been traveling since I was about that boy's age."
What crimes have you committed? I almost asked.
"I'm Ella of Frell," I said. "Daughter of Sir Peter of Frell."
He gave me a mock-amazed look and gave me a deep bow. He grabbed my hand and kissed it in courtly fashion. I tried to frown, but ended up somewhere in between a frown and a laugh. I wasn't quite sure why I didn't want to give him the pleasure of making me laugh.
"So you're practically a lady," he said. "What were you doing alone in market?"
"That's none of your business," I said. I wasn't about to tell a near-stranger about my situation.
"Too right," he said, backing down. For once.
"Here we are," I said as we came around the turn and the manor came into view. I could hear Tristan gasp behind me. Gareth gave me an impressed grin.
"Nice house," he said. "A bit small, but that's to be expected. Sir Peter not really much of a merchant, is he? At least that's what I hear."
I frowned at him for good measure. But he was right.
~~~~~
I made Gareth and Tristan wait just outside of the back door while I went in and explained the situation to Mandy.
"You're just like your mother," was all she said.
I gave her the extra coins and the asparagus while she threw some extra food into the pot she had been cooking in.
"How much will they eat?" she asked.
"A lot," I said simply.
"Oh, that reminds me," Mandy said. "Just go over to the counter over there, love. You got a letter."
Surprised, I walked over to where she indicated and picked up the letter. It wasn't in my father's hand, and I hadn't expected it to be. He'd only left a week ago. Yet the handwriting looked familiar. I opened the letter.
Dear Ella,
(If this isn't Ella, then I apologize for my mistake.
If there is any way you could send this along to an Ella
of Frell, I would be most indebted to you.)
When Hattie and Olive had left, they mentioned that
you were at home. I've missed you terribly since you left.
You know how everyone at finishing school despised me – I
haven't been able to find a friend as good as you.
A friend as good as me? Areida? How had she managed to find me? I read further.
I left finishing school shortly after you did, and now I'm
working in my Father's Inn. I must admit it is boring at
times, but I enjoy it. We've had a few very special
guests. You wouldn't believe me if I told you – but Prince
Charmont of Kyrria came to eat here! I spoke of you with
him, in fact. He told me you were rich and married. Is it
true? I shan't believe it until you tell me yourself.
She went on to tell me how she's been since we'd last seen each other and so on, even writing in Ayorthian for a bit. I savored every word, and wished she wrote more than just the back and front of one parchment. She signed it 'Always your friend, Areida.'
I knew, of course, from my magic book that Areida had seen Char. I pictured him, handsome as usual, smiling and laughing with his knights. But I also remembered the book telling me that he had become silent and upset after speaking of me with Areida. I hated myself for causing him pain. I longed to run to him and throw my arms around his neck and apologize to him until I ran out of words and kiss him until I ran out of breath and –
No. I mustn't think those things. It would only make me cry again.
I closed up Areida's letter and resealed it as best I could. Hattie's order wouldn't allow me to be friends with her. She could be friends with me until she died, but the curse would keep me from ever seeing her again. I wanted to scream because of the unfairness of it all. I wanted to strangle Lucinda for giving up big magic a moment too soon.
"Hello?" came Gareth's anxious voice as he rapped on the door. "You going to let us in or not?"
Mandy chuckled. "Nice guests you've got, there."
I groaned. I wished Gareth hadn't found my shoes. He was bound to make an even bigger mess of things.
"Well, the little boy is nice," I said weakly, going to the door and determinedly not thinking of Areida and Char. I opened the door and let my guests in.
"Mandy," I said as she turned to see them. "This is Tristan. Tristan, meet Mandy."
"Pleased to meet you, Tristan," Mandy said amicably. He cowered and went over to sit by the fire, huddling by it's warmth. I marveled at how a boy could do something as brash as theft and still look so shy and timid.
I considered not introducing Gareth, but I knew Mandy would admonish me for it later, despite how uncouth he obviously was. He looked at me expectantly while I paused.
"And this is Gareth," I finally said. "Gareth, this is Mandy."
I expected him to say something rude, but instead he gave Mandy a bow (though not as overconfident as his bow to me had been), a kiss on the knuckles, and a winning smile. I scowled at him while Mandy chuckled.
"Nice to meet you, Gareth," she said as the laughter died down.
"The pleasure's mine, I'm sure," Gareth said. I scowled at him. I felt had been doing that a lot since I'd met him. He touched a nerve.
Mandy and Gareth made small talk for a moment while Mandy and I cooked.
"Go show Gareth and Tristan where they can clean up, love," Mandy ordered gently.
"Do I have to?" I mumbled to her so Gareth wouldn't hear.
"Oh, Lady," Mandy said. But the curse was already pulling at me to obey, so I gestured for the two of them to follow me. Tristan came reluctantly from the fire and the two of them followed. When we reached a wider hallway, Gareth came to walk next to me.
"I didn't know you were a cook's helper," he said.
"You don't know me at all," I replied.
"Oh?"
"You don't," I said. "We only just met. You're awfully prying for a guest."
He grinned. Why did he keep doing that?
"You find me irritating, don't you," Gareth said. He didn't say it like a question, but I felt compelled to answer.
"Yes. Extremely."
"Ah. Well, at least you're frank."
I ignored any other attempts at conversation from him and led them just outside on the other end of the house to where we had an area for them to clean.
"I'm going back to the kitchen to help with dinner," I said. "I trust you can find your way back. Ask someone who isn't wearing jewelry of any sort on their being and they'll be sure to direct you if you can't find you way."
I didn't wait for Gareth to make a reply and left to go back to the kitchens.
~~~~~
Nancy came into the kitchen just after Mandy and I had finished with dinner. We filled up three plates with the first course and gave them to her. She shook her head.
"I need one more," she said. "The Lady Hattie has a guest."
"Does she?" Mandy asked, interested, as she scooped more food onto the plates.
"Who?" I asked.
"An old man," Nancy said. "I can't remember his name. If you come with me, you can see him."
I took the extra plate and followed Nancy into the dining room. I set it down in front of the guest. I felt his hand brush my arm and I thought he tried to grab my hand. I stepped back and looked at him. I cringed as I recognized him.
It was Edmund, Earl of Wolleck. The old Duke Father had tried to betroth me to upon my return from finishing school. I hurried away.
"Eleanor?" he said in wonderment. "Stop."
I stopped.
"Is that you, Eleanor?"
"No," I said, hoping Dame Olga or her daughters wouldn't betray me. At least he hadn't ordered me to tell him my name, or I would have to.
"I apologize," he said roughly, turning back to his meal. I noted Hattie looking coquettishly at him as I left. Repulsive. I chuckled.
"Do you know him?" Nancy asked as we left the dining room together.
"Never seen him in my life," I lied. "Wonder who he thought I was."
~~~~~
There was a table that Mandy usually set up in the kitchen for us to eat dinner at. Sometimes Nancy joined us, but usually it was just the two of us. Tonight, with four people, we were very squished. Gareth valiantly volunteered to stand as he ate. Mandy thanked him, and he brought his food over to rest it on the counter.
"Ella tells me you found her shoes for her," Mandy said, trying to make polite conversation where Ella wouldn't.
He nodded as he swallowed a bite of food. "They had fallen off. Lucky I saw when they did and followed her to give them back."
Followed me to get a meal, I thought. You didn't return them to be kind.
"It's a good thing I found them and not some murderer off the streets," Gareth said.
Murderer. I hadn't thought of that. Perhaps he had some sort of grudge against my family and had come to poison the food and kill me. I put down my knife.
"Yes," I said, sarcasm coating my tone. Mandy gave me a sharp look, but I didn't stop. "Good thing it was you."
Gareth had to have noted my manner, but he continued as if I had been sincere.
"Had I not been watching, I never would have been able to meet the wonderful people here. And I wouldn't have tasted this excellent food."
Honestly. He was telling complete lies. I looked to Mandy, expecting her to have a look similar to mine, but instead she shook her head and smiled at his flattery.
Could no one see through him but me?
As dinner progressed, Gareth told us a story about how a man had come after he and his sister, thinking they had stolen money from him. (Gareth assured us that he hadn't. I wasn't so easily swayed.)
"But my sister hadn't known I'd hidden it in the furnace," he said, and I saw a smile start. "So she came in, and lit a fire!"
I laughed out loud with Mandy and Tristan, but covered it quickly. I saw Gareth catch my eye and wink. I crossed my arms and frowned at him. He looked pleased.
Once, I found myself thinking that it was the most enjoyable time I'd had since I'd last seen Char. I stomped on the thought quickly, because it wasn't. Gareth was an irritating liar. Char was perfect. I'd rather spend one day with Char before dying than live as long as I wished with Gareth.
I invited Tristan to remain here, in the spare servant's bedroom. I tucked him in and he fell asleep quickly. I made Gareth leave. I told him he had overstayed his welcome. I was tired of him, and would be happy if I never had to see him again.
I went upstairs to Hattie's room as she ordered me to nearly every night.
"I suppose I never showed you this letter I received," she said, flashing a letter before me. I caught a glimpse of fancy handwriting and an intricate seal, but she wouldn't let me read it.
"It's from the Earl. Your father knows him apparently. Earl Edmund and I had met once before. He wrote to me after that, and told me-" She consulted the letter. "He told me I had stayed in his mind. Don't you wish you had someone who cared about you, Ella?"
"Yes, of course," I said absently. But I did have someone who cared about me. I had Mandy. And Areida, even though I wasn't allowed to care about her. That was enough. I was sure I could live without any more. I could live without Char.
Couldn't I?
"I have a feeling Earl Edmund plans to marry me. He's very rich."
"And handsome," I added with sarcasm. She never noticed my sarcasm.
"I suppose," Hattie said considering. "If you like bald men old enough to be your grandfather. But he will die soon, leaving me with more money. Unless, of course, Charmont proposes to me before then.
I couldn't help but laugh. Char? Propose to Hattie? No, he had written off marriage. He had told me. Or, rather, he had told Lela.
"What's so funny?" Hattie asked.
"Nothing," I said quickly. "Nothing at all."
After another twenty minutes of preparing Hattie for slumber, I left her chambers and walked to my own. As I slipped out of my day dress, I felt something in the pocket. I reached in and took out a piece of folded paper. I unfolded it and read.
Ella –
Meet me outside the gate of your manor at noon
tomorrow. I'll be waiting.
- Gareth
I laughed hollowly. Never in a thousand years would I voluntarily see that man again. I folded the note back up and put it on the table, telling myself that I would remember to dispose of it tomorrow.
As I reached into my desk I pulled out my magic book, turning through it for something to do with Char. I found on one of the first few pages an illustration of him riding his horse, presumably to meet up with his other knights. I sighed blissfully at seeing his face. It was a joy to see him, even if it was just a picture.
After spending a few minutes (or a few hours, for all I could tell) gazing at him, I made myself put the book away, blow out the candle, and surrender myself to sleep.
~~~~~
A/N: Thanks to babyjayy, Star Fighter Heart, blue-la-shoo, Pointy Objects, jess131346, fantasyfan, angelwings6117, keepgoing, Evil CornBread, The Queen of the Pugs, and Rosina for reviewing. You reviewers are really, really awesome.
angelwings6117: Yes, I like long chapters better as well. The first two chapters were originally one, but I thought it worked out better to split them and have a prologue. From now one, most chapters should be the length of this one, at the least.
Star Fighter Heart: I didn't quite understand what you were trying to say. You wanted me to e-mail you chapter two? I need your e-mail to do that! If fanfiction.net isn't working for you to read it, just wait a little while and refresh and you should be able to read.
Rosina: I'd like to add in Char's thoughts, but I can't do that telling the story from Ella's first person point of view. I do expect to have some entries in Char's diary in the magic book, though, to give some kind of idea as to what he's going through.
Next chapter: Is Ella actually beginning to get over Char, or is it all an act? What's going on with Earl Edmund and Hattie? And what about that irritating Gareth? I'll try to have it posted this weekend, possibly sooner.