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Chapter Two:
Just as Lady Tremaine had instructed, Ella packed her small carpetbag (which she had found lying around in the attic) after morning tea. There were not many items she decided to take with her for she supposed most of her necessities would be provided and she would no doubt be expected to wear a uniform when she was on duty.
That of course did not prevent her to try to fit some articles of clothing such as one of her best dresses (which by now was tarnished in some places, and was unraveling at some of the seams) as well as her mother's light rose colored dress. She knew the latter article was not practicable to bring, for when would she wear it? It was too fancy to wear it on her off days and she had no plans to attend any functions. Regardless, she decided to pack it in her small worn carpetbag because it somehow brought her comfort. If she cleared her mind enough and concentrated she could smell the faint scent of her mother's perfume and to Ella that brought her security and confidence. It made her not fear what the future might have in store for her.
"Ella, haven't you finished packing?"
Hurrying to finish her task, she clasped the bag shut just as Lady Tremaine walked in, her nose turned towards the ceiling as if an unwelcoming scent lingered in this part of the house, or better yet, as if Ella was in part of this house.
Which she was.
"Are you done?" the woman asked as she pursed her lips, her eyes glancing towards her step daughter who was standing across the room. Lady Tremaine than glanced towards the carpetbag which laid on what she supposed was where Ella slept. With a silent scoff she then turned to focus on Ella who was nodding silently.
"Then come along." The heiress of the estate said sharply as she turned on her heel, making her skirts flow rather delicately as she hurried towards the entrance hall. With a small turn, Ella did her best to remember every detail that the room held. Ignoring the lump in her throat that started to form she closed her eyes, trying to remember the feeling she felt as she stood in the house. Her home.
"Ella!" Drizella shrieked.
Opening her eyes Ella let her feet lead her down the stairs from her attic and to the entrance hall where Madam was standing with an amused Drizella and a grinning Anastasia. Stalling the best as she could so she could drink up the details of the house, she descended the stairs as slowly as she could. She tried her best to remember the wallpaper and the certain places where it had faded due to the sunlight that would enter the house. She tried to remember the paintings that her father had purchased for her mother when he was gone on his journeys. She tried to remember the furniture-the beautifully carved grandfather clock and the polished legs of the beautifully detailed sofa bed her mother so loved lying on during the afternoons.
Trying to push those memories out of her mind's grasp she reached the bottom of the stairs with her head held high. She tried to convince herself she would at least possess some pride when she went to the Royal Palace even though the circumstances were rather painful. As Ella was escorted out of the house it occurred to her she had no idea how she would travel to her new life.
With a rather sickening smile Anastasia clapped her hands, clearly enjoying this little show, as she suggested, "You could walk there."
"Oh hush Anastasia. That's several miles." Lady Tremaine stated looking towards Ella with some kind of mock sympathy, "No, you'll take Mayor-"
"Major." Ella quickly corrected, relief filling her as she realized she would at least have a friend accompanying her along the way towards her new life. As she noticed the woman send her an irritated look, Ella held her tongue. She didn't want to make her step mother any more displeased, and she especially didn't want Madam to change her mind and prevent Ella taking her dappled gray.
"And just before you arrive to the Palace you will sell that animal." Madam spoke as she wrinkled her nose in a sign of disgust. Ella's heart sunk. She knew the woman's kindness was too good to be true.
Regardless, Ella refused to go down with a fight. She couldn't lose Major. He was her companion ever since she could remember. He was a gift from her father. Doing her best to keep her spirits high she spoke, "Oh, no. I'm sure there's room at the Royal Palace for him. I suspect he'll find good company in the stables."
"Nonsense. The Royal Palace is not a place for things like him. You will sell him Ella." The heiress of the estate then paused before continuing, "And then you will send the money back home. I daresay Anastasia and Drizella need new parasols. Anastasia dropped hers in the mud when we went to town last time, and Drizella managed to get a hole in hers somehow."
Ella tried to speak, tears starting to form in her eyes, "But-"
"Do I make myself clear?" Her step mother spoke very quietly. A deathly silence filled the air and Ella did her best to compose herself. Biting on the inside of her cheek she managed a stiff nod as pain filled her heart. She couldn't lose him. She just couldn't.
"Then go." The woman spoke as Drizella snorted with laughter. Anastasia sarcastically wished her goodbye as Ella walked down the couple of steps and towards the small paddock where her dear dappled gray friend was waiting. Cheeks burning from embarrassment she did her best to ignore the shrieks of laughter that came from the entrance of the house. Mounting him swiftly and carefully balancing her carpetbag, she trotted down the path. She dared to take one more look at her the house she had grown up in, and with a heavy heart she urged Major on and began her journey towards the Royal Palace.
Her thoughts were a jumbled mess, but the one thought that governed her mind for the most part was Lady Tremaine's words. Ella couldn't bear it if she had to part with her dear sweet horse but what choice did she have? She was expected to send the money from his sale back to the estate. A small ray of hope filled her heart as she thought of the possibility of asking if Major could be stabled there, but once again, Lady Tremaine's words filled her thoughts. Ella doubted Major would be allowed to stay-he was by no means a royal steed and she was by no means a friend of the Royal family.
A gentle nicker drew her from her thoughts and she managed to stifle a small cry of her throat. Wanting to take as much time as she could before she had to ultimately part ways with Major, she slowed him down to an easy slow trot. She was still expected at the Royal Palace at a certain time she was sure, and she didn't want to think of the repercussions she would face if she didn't show up at the designated time.
Her thoughts wandered towards the castle as she journeyed to it as well. She wondered what her life would be like and the people she would meet. Certainly there would have to be some kindred spirit that she would meet while she stayed there.
With a small gasp she then remembered Mr. Kit. Hope swelled in her as she remembered their conversation. He was an apprentice at the Royal Palace, and from what he wore he was no lowly apprentice. Perhaps she could enlist his help and he could somehow manage to get Major admitted to the stables. The thought comforted her but at the same time she realized it was a rather big favor of her to ask. She hardly knew the man. Such a thought made her a bit queasy as she trotted around a bend in the road.
Instead, she did her best to form a list of what she did know of Mr. Kit. Ella knew that he was kind hearted, good natured, full of laughter but at the same time serious-yes, that made her a bit more confident that she indeed knew Mr. Kit. With a small smile she continued her journey silently praying that there would be a way to save her life long companion.
As she neared the stately wrought iron gates her heart hammered against her chest. She had disobeyed Lady Tremaine and still possessed Major but Ella would never be able to live with herself if she let him go. She had to try to keep him-it was the very least she could do.
"Whoa! Who are you Miss?" A voice cried out. Ella glanced to see a rather muscular man swathed in armor standing on the other side of the gates. Ella managed to muter up a genuine smile as she halted Major, "A friend I assure you."
"A friend?" the man asked looking rather suspicious towards her.
Dismounting Major gracefully and setting her carpetbag on the ground, she neared the gates with a small smile still apparent on her lips, "Yes. I begin working at the Palace today. I'm Ella." She watched as his posture relaxed slightly as he signaled with a wave towards his companion (who Ella only noticed). As they conversed Ella turned her attention towards Major, patting his neck gently before running her fingers through his mane.
Untangling any knots she then glanced at the two men who seemed to be nodding in agreement, "Everything seems to be in order Miss Ella." And with that, the gates opened slowly. Ella watched in amazement briefly before the guard urged her to enter. Ella quickly obliged as did Major. She turned to watch the gates close with a defiant noise that told her she was safe from the outside world, and that she in turn was now a part of the Royal Palace.
"Follow the path until you reach the Palace itself. You'll see a little narrow path towards the right side of the Palace, follow that as it leads to the back. You'll then be directed from there." The guard directed.
Ella smiled, "Thank you Mister…"
"Thaddeus." The guard supplied. He then glanced towards Major, "As for your steed…I am reluctant to say that-"
"Oh no, please Mr. Thaddeus, do let him stay." Ella cried out as she flung her arms around Major's neck for dear life. The guard hesitated, looking rather genuinely sympathetic which bewildered her somewhat. She had only met him only a moment ago, and yet he seemed rather disappointed for her.
"It's not up to us Miss. There just isn't simply enough room at the Stables. There is usually full capacity." His partner seemed to chime in as he joined the two.
"Usually." Ella stressed, "So there could potentially be an empty stall?"
The two men exchanged glances. Finally, Thaddeus spoke rather awkwardly as he glanced behind him as if he shouldn't be saying what he was about to tell Ella, "Tell you what Miss. You go and make your way up towards the Palace and see what they have to say about it." He said this as he glanced towards Major who nickered gently.
"Thank you." Ella whispered, her heart feeling lighter. Mounting her horse she continued along the wide path trying to eagerly soak up everything around her. Everything was beautiful and she was amazed by such beauty. As she trotted around the bend her breath hitched in her throat as she came to see the Palace. She was absolutely sure that she had never seen anything so purely beautiful ever in her life. Awestruck she managed to continue her way towards the Palace.
To think that from now on she would be working here…
She couldn't even wrap her mind around the thought. With a shake of her head she neared the Palace's front steps and then detoured towards the right where she had noticed the small narrow path Thaddeus had told her of. Dismounting at this point she then carefully led Major along the path, her carpetbag still grasped in her hand.
The path itself wound this way and that, and at certain parts was rather steep (Ella stumbled at one particular spot) but finally came into a clear view of what looked like a courtyard-or actually Ella didn't know what it exactly was. There was a rather large collection of clotheslines that hung in the air as well as articles of clothing. People were scurrying this way and that as one particularly stout woman came striding into view. Ella approached her tentatively, not sure what to do. Glancing towards Ella for only a moment the woman then gestured for her to follow her, "Are you Ella?"
Ella nodded, a little bit surprised the woman already knew her name but didn't comment. The woman tucked a small piece of graying hair behind her ear as she smiled kindly (though it seemed rather strained), "I'm Mrs. Abel, second housekeeper of this estate. I believe you've been assigned under Mrs. Pryor. She's one of the cooks." With a pause she carried on, "As for you horse, I hate to be the bearer of bad news but-"
"Oh please Mrs. Abel, are you sure there isn't any room?" Ella asked desperately. Major nickered, tossing his head up slightly. Ella gave him a small pat while Mrs. Abel remained silent as if she was truly thinking something over.
With a sigh Mrs. Abel shook her head. "I believe there isn't a free spot to spare, but if you're quite set then I suppose you could visit the stables. I'm sure Mr. Haughley wouldn't mind if you took a quick look." Glancing over her shoulder Mrs. Abel then sighed, "Unfortunately I don't quite exactly have the time to escort you. Could you-ah Mr. Igham! Perfect timing you have."
Ella turned to glance behind her, watching with delight as the familiar figure strove towards them with full blown confidence. She smiled as he looked at her with a welcoming gaze, "Miss Ella, how fortunate I am to see you again so soon."
Mrs. Abel cleared her throat, glancing between the two before she then managed to get her point across, "Mr. Ingham, would you be so kind as to show Ella the stables? Make a thorough inspection if you will."
With a small nod Ingham led the way as Ella followed with a rather cheerful Major in tow. She had left her carpetbag in Mrs. Abel's care who promised she would put it in Ella's new quarters after she assured the girl that it would be quite safe and untouched there.
The two traveled in comfortable silence, Ingham pausing ever so often to point out a particular type of tree or plant that she had never laid eyes upon. She welcomed this new information and did her best to remember the names of the plants. As they walked back up the path she had come from he then glanced at her, "I'm surprised you haven't asked of him yet Miss Ella."
Ella looked at him with a small smile forming on her lips, "I beg your pardon? Are you talking about Mr. Kit?" She asked this as they took a small detour from the path and eventually came into view of the stables which was kept in meticulous shape. She tried not to seem surprised by the building which gleamed in the sunlight, but she knew Ingham noticed her rather dazed expression. With a small gesture, he ushered her into the immaculate stables with Major in tow.
"I'm sure I saw an empty stall." Ingham muttered out loud as he peered along the aisle of stalls that seemed to be full of well-fed horses with glossy coats.
"The last stall."
Both Ingham and herself turned to see a figure walking rather slowly down the aisle that they had just walked down. Ella couldn't help but smile as the figure walked towards them and eventually stopped right in front of her. Ella couldn't help but stare. Even though she had just seen him only yesterday and she still didn't know him as well as one should, Ella couldn't help but be filled with relief and comfort when realized she knew at least one person here at her new home.
And he stared as well. He knew it wasn't polite to stare but he didn't care at this point. Finally forcing his eyes off of hers he glanced at Ingham who seemed all too amused at the situation, "Ingham, I believe the last stall is empty. Please take Ella's horse there and make sure he is comfortable in his new home."
"I believe that is your own horse's stall, Kit." Ingham stated with a wry smile.
Ella watched as Kit shook his head, "Not anymore. I am sure Lestat will find great comfort in the pasture. He seems to love the outdoors more than his own stall."
"You are too kind." Ella said, happiness flooding her as she watched Ingham lead Major away. Her eyes shone with gratitude as she smiled at him, "I don't know how I can repay you."
"Think nothing of it. I insist." He said as they began walking down the corridor, occasionally stopping so Ella could greet a curious horse. Kit couldn't help but smile as he watched her murmur a greeting to Brisbane, a sweet tempered chestnut. Slipping his hand into one of his breeches pockets' he managed to draw up a sugar cube. "Horses seem to like you very much." He commented as he offered a sugar cube to Ella, who took it gently. Offering the small treat with her palm, Kit watched somewhat fascinated as Brisbane ate it in a matter of seconds.
"Animals are wonderful company." Ella replied as she said a simple goodbye to Brisbane. They then continued their walk.
Kit turned slightly as they ventured, "Indeed. I was just about to go for a ride. Perhaps you would be feel so inclined to join me?" He asked this of her trying to come across as calm and collected, yet inside he felt himself feeling quite nervous. He didn't know how he would recover if she did accept his offer.
As they made their way out of the stables Ella halted, glancing at the path that led to the back of the castle, "Perhaps another time Mr. Kit. I would hate to impose on Mrs. Abel's kindness." She then glanced towards him, "And I would rather hate myself if you got into trouble yourself. I'm sure the life of an apprentice is quite busy."
And for some reason, instead of the dreaded sadness he was sure he would feel if she declined, a warmth filled him instead. He welcomed the fact that perhaps, even though it was rather small, she cared for him-for his well-being. Straightening up he gave a small nod, "Of course. Some other time, then?"
He refused letting her slip away from his grasp. They had only met a day ago but something had struck him during their first meeting and he was determined that he would see her again-even if that meant sneaking from the officials and his duties. He knew disregarding his duties was quite unbecoming and under normal circumstances he would never think of doing such a thing, but somehow now he didn't find it in himself to care. If abandoning his duties for a day meant spending time with this young maiden, then so be it.
"I would be delighted." She responded with an easy smile. With a small curtsey and a quick farewell, she hurried towards the path. Kit felt himself grinning as he watched her disappear around the bend.
After a moment he began walking back to the castle. Usually he would ponder which route would be the best to take so he wouldn't be caught by an officials or guards but this time his thoughts were focused on one thing:
Ella.
Author's Note: Review?
