It was a fantastic afternoon after Kaisa, Frida, and David left the apartment. By the time Hilda had woken up, it was already the middle of the day. Hilda, now that she couldn't talk for a whole week, just had to carry a blank notebook and a few pencils around, as a way of communication until her voice comes back. Right now, Hilda and Johanna were in the kitchen and were packing their lunch for their family night picnic. Johanna had packed some cucumber sandwiches, some chips, soda pop, and the raspberry pie Johanna made on April 3rd too. Johanna packed the whole picnic and covered the whole thing with the blanket. When Johanna was finished, she turned to her daughter and gave her a smile, while she smiled in return.
Johanna: Okay, Hilda. I've packed up the lunch. Ready to leave?
Hilda just gave a thumbs up for yes, since she couldn't speak. Johanna just smiled as she lifted the basket off the table, and she and Hilda, along with Twig, walked out the front door and shutting it behind them, with Johanna locking the door. Walking out of their apartment building, they walked across the sidewalk with Twig walking next to Hilda, trying to make her happy with joyful yelps. Hilda just smiled at Twig. After walking for a long while, about 15 minutes, they down the street where the entrance to Gorrill Gardens stood, the spot for the picnic.
Hilda smiled from seeing the entrance because it was time to have a picnic without any negative things happening. But something weird happened, much to Hilda's surprised, her mother was walking ahead but suddenly, she just walked past the entrance to the gardens without looking at it. Hilda was confused, so she rushed over to her mum, wrote in her notebook, pulled on her mum's arm for attention, and Johanna looked down at her daughter as held up the notebook page with writing.
Wait! Mum! We just passed the park for our Picnic!
But instead, Hilda looked at her mum, who just smiled and chuckled a bit, before nudging her head forward to keep walking down the sidewalk. Johanna just walked along while Hilda and Twig just watched with faces of confusion, before looking at each other for a second with conflicted faces. Then they looked back at Johanna as she walked down the sidewalk, before just following after, wondering where they were really going if not the gardens. Hilda and Twig just walked with their mother for a few more minute until they had reached the city's public library. Hilda and Twig just stood in front of the steps with confusion as they looked at the building. Johanna then walked next to Hilda and placed her hand on her left shoulder for attention.
Johanna: Now, you're wondering what we're doing here. Well, I'll show you.
Johanna just winked cheerfully and walked up the library steps, leaving Hilda at the bottom with more confusion. But regardless, Hilda followed her mum and climbed up the steps with Twig behind her. Reaching the top of the steps, Johanna and Hilda entered the library where Hilda became stunned upon seeing David, Frida, and Kaisa standing there with smiles. Hilda was confused even more, looking up at her mum, she just winked and smiled. But Hilda pulled out her notebook, turned to the page, and wrote down the first thing she could think of saying and showed it to everyone when done.
Wait? What's going on? Why is everyone here?
Kaisa: Hm. Well, explains later, but right now we have a festival to attend.
Kaisa just chuckled after speaking. Hilda's eyes widen in surprise, wondering if this is why Johanna brought her here, because of the Festival of Lights? Why? What about the plans for the family evening? But before Hilda could think further, she watched as everyone walk to the stairs, going to the secret room which leads to the witches' tower. Hilda was unsure for a second, but after looking at Twig for a second and seeing encouragement on his face, Hilda followed along with Twig by her side. Walking up the steps and to the second floor, they all walked to the secret room and entered, before they walked down Kaisa pushed the bookshelf out of the way to the second secret room.
After going through so many of the secret rooms to the library, they had reached the hallway entering the tower. Walking down the tunnel, they had reached the witches tower. There they all looked around and saw a ton of wizards and witches having a good time. There were kids running up and down the steps in excitement, a bunch of folks talking to each other along the stairs with refreshments, and there was even glowing orbs of all 6 colors around, making them lights. Hilda was just looking around with amazement, before she turned to her friends who just smiled back. Johanna placed the picnic basket down, walked to Hilda, and knelt down in front of her.
Johanna: Hilda, I want you to know that you shouldn't feel bad about yourself for persuading me to bring you here. I know it sounds dumb, but I think you and Frida deserve to have your bond connect more.
Hilda just looked at her mum with wide eyes of shock and with good listening ears, before small tears began to go down her cheeks. Without thinking, Hilda rushed to her mum and wrapped her arms around her tightly, hugging her close and she whimpered in her mother's front. Johanna was happy and hugged Hilda back as she cried a bit and Twig got closer too, nuzzling Hilda's leg in comfort. After a while, Hilda and Johanna separated and Hilda looked up at her mum with a smile, before opening it and writing in it, showing her mum what she wrote.
Thank you, Mum. I love you.
Johanna: Oh, thanks Hilda.
Johanna just kissed her daughter's forehead in response and comfort.
David: Now then, let's go and enjoy ourselves.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
For majority of the Festival of Lights, they walked around the witches' tower, exploring what the festival had to offer. They saw some games to play like at carnivals and the kids persuaded Kaisa to play this one dart throwing game where you use magic to throw the darts. Kaisa won that game and got a stuffed hippo as a prize. After playing a few games, they went to another part of the tower where there was the festival's shopping market. On sale there was witch clothes, spellbooks, and wands included. But the gang didn't buy anything, but just looked around. After going through the shopping market, they walked to the concession stands where the kids tried to convince Johanna to buy them food, but she had already brought the food. But Johanna did say if they ate lunch in the basket, then she'd buy them a treat. Which the kids did and got churros. After getting things to eat, they walked to the tower's theater, where a magic show went underway.
Then after enjoying the festival, they went to a place in the tower where has the main purpose of the festival. The trial which Frida and Hilda will take to become full witch and familiar and have their bond connected emotionally and mentally. Reaching the large room they saw in front was a large stone wall with an entrance, leading into the maze where Frida and Hilda needed to have their trial, to find their flag and bring it back to a witch that was sitting on a chair near the entrance of the labyrinth. Off the sides were wooden bleachers where parents were sitting and waiting for their children. After meeting with a different witch that stood near the entrance maze, getting Frida and Hilda signed up, they met near the bleachers where David, Johanna, and Kaisa would wait for the girls. No one other then Frida and Hilda could enter the maze, so Johanna, David and Kaisa had to wait on the bleachers.
Johanna: Are you sure you'll be fine doing this with Frida?
Hilda quickly wrote in her notebook with a proud smile.
I'm certain
Johanna just smiled and kissed her daughter's forehead one last time, before Hilda and Frida made their way to the maze, looking back at Johanna, David, and Kaisa once more. Watching them enter the maze David just laid on his side on the bleachers, feeling a bit sleepy before shutting his eyes closed. Johanna and Kaisa glanced at David sleeping and looked back at the labyrinth Frida and Hilda went into, couldn't help but let her feelings of worry and doubt cloud her head.
Johanna: I hope I'm doing the right choice, Kaisa.
Kaisa: Hm?
Johanna: For Hilda, I don't want to hold her back, but...why am I feeling doubt? Why am I still worrying for her?
Kaisa: Because that's what mothers do. They worry for their children, even if they have to let them go. But I think you're making the right call, Johanna. I think it's normal to worried, but you don't have to. I've seen Hilda before and by the looks of it, she can handle herself fine. She even has Frida and David by her side. No matter what, you don't have to worry about Hilda.
Johanna: Thank you...
Kaisa: Yup.
Johanna and Kaisa just looked back at the labyrinth entrance and out of nowhere, Kaisa and Johanna began to hold each other's pinky fingers with their own. While waiting for about 46 minutes, then Kaisa and Johanna began to talk to each other. Johanna talked about her work, Tontu, times and moments with Hilda, and the cabin she used to live in. Kaisa then talked about her works as a librarian, her practices of a witch, her Catowl Freya whom she left with Tildy, and the times Hilda and her friends would visit the library. But soon after a while, Johanna and Kaisa both spotted Frida and Hilda exiting labyrinth and approached the witch with their blue flag, giving it to her and thanking her. Afterwards, Hilda and Frida rushed over to Kaisa and Johanna with smiles on their faces.
Kaisa: Well, how did it go?!
Frida: WE DID IT!!!
Frida and Hilda then began cheering and jumped up and down. Johanna and Kaisa sat up from the bleachers and Johanna scooped up Hilda, hugging her with pride. Kaisa and Frida just held their hands as they jumped up and down. When they finished they all looked at each other as Johanna placed Hilda down.
Kaisa: Now all that's left is to attend the ceremony, in which grand master Hazel Fenwick will cast the spell to connect your bond as full witch and familiar.
David: Wait. What's going on?
Everyone just looked at David, and saw him looking at everyone with confusion and tired, in which they just smiled and chuckled.
The End.
Author Notes: And that's end everyone! I hope you loved the ending. And Germanempieror1914, I wanted to say thanks for the story idea and hoped you loved the ending. Also, I'm very sorry for not writing this sooner.