Hi! Thanks to Caspian58, Ella Granger, highfivejellyfish and roseflorintine for reviewing! I'm actually a little- ok, more thane a little- late this week because, well, I was busy. Terrible excuse, but true. Anyway, I want my reviews to reach the number 20 this week. That's just six more to go as of right now. Yay!

On with this story... I think I'll put Char in this one... Yay! Wait... too many yays! :D

Disclaimer: No one has told me if I have to put these on here every time. Sooo... I'm doing it anyway! Don't own Ella Enchanted. It belongs to the great mind of Gail Carson Levine.

Chapter 5:

The next day I felt much better. It was weird, how much different today was going to be from yesterday. Yesterday, I was still hopeless Ella- the Ella who wouldn't try to break the curse, who would hardly fight against it- today, I'll be brave. Brave Ella. I like the sound of that. And maybe, soon, I'll be able to break the curse for Char, my one and only true love.

This is how my day started out. Happy thoughts. Little did I know it wouldn't end that way.

Eric came waltzing into my room a little while later, whistling a familiar tune. I racked my brain for the name, but alas, I didn't find it. "What are you whistling?"

"The Dance of the..."

I quickly cut his words off, remembering the name. "Allemonds." My thoughts went back to over a year ago, when Dame Olga and Father were getting married. The tower, the glass slippers, Char... That day had been so perfect with Char.

Him pulling me close, me feeling a little of his bare chest since all of the buttons off his doublet were spread across the hallways. I danced to that song with him.

The memory faded as I was pulled to the present, literally. Eric was tugging at my hands, begging me to stand up. I shook my head, to get the remaining bits of dreamland away. "Wha-what did you say?"

"I know you're weak, Ella, but will you please dance with me?" He gave me a lop-sided grin that I could not resist. I threw my stiff legs over the edge of the bed, knowing I will probably fall flat on my face. Good thing Eric was there to catch me if I did. No, I wouldn't want to suffer the embarrassment.

I held the hem of my nightgown off the floor, while Eric's hands went to my waist, and then to grasp my free hand. We started moving to the music in our heads. Although, I doubt we would have been able to keep in step if Eric were human, we did. It was if we had the same exact tempo in our minds. We probably did.

We danced like this for a few more minutes. The whole time I was thinking how different I felt in Char's arms, and in Eric's arms. In Char's arms, I felt comfortable, protected, and loved. While Eric was just indifferent from when I danced with other students at finishing school. I finally pulled away, the sadness taking over me.

"You really love him don't you." It wasn't a question. He knew I did.

"What? What are you talking about?" I pretended to not know what he was talking about, hopefully to get off the subject.

"You love him." Eric looked straight into my eyes for any sign of truth. He found it. I couldn't hide anything from a sorcerer. He probably knew what was going through my mind as it was going through it. Of course, I don't know much about sorcerers, so how should I know about their powers?

"Yeah... He... he was perfect." My eyes misted over with the tears that I've been holding in since that dreadful night of the ball. Eric again put his arms around me, but this time it was a friendly hug, nothing more. I was comforted by how caring he was toward me. "Thank you."

"Thank you? For what? Being a good dancer?" Eric gave me another lop-sided grin, one of his specialties apparently. I giggled at his comment.

"No, for being there for me in my time of need. I've never had someone do that for me... except-"

"Char." I gawked at him. How did he know Char?

"How do you know him?" I pointed and accusing finger at him. I was also about to have a hissy fit. How come I'm always the last one to figure out these sorts of things?

"Ella? Remember? We met the prince of Kyrria in the forest. Right after we left Maria." Worry was etched in Eric's face.

"Who's Maria?"

He put his hand over my head, checking for fever. None. "I'm going to get the doctor." He then stalked out of the room, leaving me staring after him, confused.

Since Eric was out of the room, I decided to look in my magic book. The only story that I thought was worthwhile to read was about a maiden, whose beauty was coveted by the queen. The queen had sent a hunter to kill her, but he didn't follow her orders. The maiden eventually came to live with seven small men. Dwarves they called them, although they sort of reminded me of a very short elf. The queen disguised herself as an old woman, carting apples around, after finding the girl was still alive. The old woman gives the girl an apple, and once she eats it... Oops, she's dead.

By the time I finished reading the story Eric had come back, with the doctor. The doctor came straight over to me, looked over me once, and turned back to Eric. "The pneumonia is affecting her memory. For a couple of days she might be like this. The best thing to do is sit back and relax." The doctor did another once-over in my direction. "Well, if that's all... I'll be going."

As he walked out of the room, he stopped in the doorway, looking me straight in the eye, "Don't worry. It will be over soon."

Eric thanked the doctor, and then came back over to me. "Ella, I know you can't go into town right now, so would you like me to get you something while I'm out today?"

"Oh, Eric! It would be so wonderful if you could get me some... blueberry tart! It's my favorite treat." I gave him one of my best girlish-devilish smiles. Tarts were my favorite, but they were real expensive.

"Awww, you're killing me Ella! I'm going to be out of money before the day ends!" He chuckled, then for some weird reason, he hugged me. And... and... I liked it. I then started to wonder what I was thinking. I loved Char, not Eric!

"Well, bye-bye!" I gave him a small wave, ushering him out of the room. I needed to be alone for a little while. I needed to mull over my thoughts. He finally left, with a promise to get blueberry tart. I smiled at his gusto to please me.

As soon as he left, weariness came over me. I decided to just take a little nap, hopefully waking up in thirty minutes. Of course, nothing ever works out for me, does it?

Instead of waking up thirty minutes later, I woke up two hours later. Good thing was that Eric wasn't back yet. So I got out of the bed, and again, got my magic book. I noticed my bag seemed heavier than before, so I looked for the difference. In the very bottom, was a small wrapped-up tart. And some yellow tulips, my favorite flower.

I picked both of them up, laying the tart on the bed. I then went out into the hallway, in search of Eric. I didn't find him anywhere, so I went back to my room, again looking at the magic book. For some reason, I couldn't remember who had given me the book. Must've been Eric, since he got me tart and the yellow tulips. He's so sweet.

I flipped the book open, looking for something interesting. I found some letters from Mandy... Oh, I received the book from Mandy! One letter said:

Ella,

I haven't received word from you yet. I hope you're in a distant country by now. Again, please send word to me through Nancy. I need to hear from you, and if I don't, I would think you dead.

Tears were spattered all over the letter from Mandy, and now mine joined hers.

The prince is still coming around every once and awhile. Sweet, I think he's giving up hope. He no longer has dancing eyes, because he always keeps them downcast. I heard him saying something about going to the town of Sperro, but I'm not for sure.

I must end this letter, because that Hattie is making me do your chores now that you're gone. Not that I care. I just care about your safety. Again, please send word.

Mandy

I cried for a while after reading this letter. Poor Mandy! I have caused all this to happen, too! I quickly found some paper, a feather pen, and some ink. I had to write a letter to Mandy.

Dear Mandy,

Sorry, I haven't been able to right till now. I don't know where I am right now, because I became sick, and my friend helped me to a town. I didn't even look at the sign. I'll ask him tonight.

As for Char, well, I don't think he will ever find me. I am far away now, although I don't know where. I'm sorry he is giving up hope to find me, but the curse is the cause of all of this. Anyway, I'm fine and the next time I can write, I'll tell you more about my adventures so far.

Ella

The letter was short, but that was all that I felt like writing. I, then, curled up on the bed again with the magic book. This time instead of Mandy's letter, I found an entry from Char's journal.

Today, we finally got to the town of Sperro, at about five o'clock. We were at the market, when I noticed the same guy that we had seen in the woods the other day. He was buying a great deal of blueberry tarts. Some things that I had learned from Ella's cook, Mandy, was that her favorite tart was blueberry. As I was still watching this young man, I again noticed he was carrying yellow tulips... Another one of Ella's favorite.

I told my knights I was going to walk around alone, while I was really going to follow the young man. He went down several cobblestone streets before coming to one called Chestnut. As I stayed about one hundred feet behind him, I noticed him go into the infirmary. I walked on past the building, for it was something to be checked on with my knights.

When I told them what happened over dinner, they said we could go after they finished. Right now I'm just about as jumpy as my horse was the other day. I doubt it will be her though. I doubt she'll be sick; she's too perfect to be sick. Probably just another maiden that her suitor is clueless about what she likes.

My knights have finished eating, so the truth will come out in a few minutes. Please, let it be Ella.

How come I always meet Char, while I'm in a building that only has a few exits? In a few more minutes he would be here. I would have to prepare. Get my bag… that's all I have though. Escape out a window again. It would be the only way.

I was putting my bag together when I heard footsteps in the hall. "Eric! We will need to go! I can't stay in this room anymore! Eric?" I turned around as someone different walked into the room. Char…

"Ella!" Char ran over to me and picked me up, giving me a spin. This made me feel nauseous. I suddenly had an idea.

"Char! Stop! Please stop!" Char put me down and looked in my eye. I was never a good liar, but this would have to work.

"Why, what's wrong Ella? Are you okay? You look pale." Char looked at me, searching for differences. Of course, he wouldn't find any.

"Char… I'm…I'm… with child." I blushed deeply, and looked at the ground.

Happy lying, Ella!

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