Sorry it took so dreadfully long, my darlings...

"Mother, we're out of milk!" Adele called up the stairs, already pulling a grey shall over her shoulders, "I'm going to the market!"

She did not wait for an answer before she left, pulling her hat over her long hair and slamming the door deliberately behind her. The sun was warm that day, and the breeze barely teased at Adele's loose locks of brown hair and the hem of her simple, light purple sun dress. She swiftly left the flower shop, with the intention of heading to market as she had said.

People were already bustling through the small mountain town. Children played, women hung out the laundry. People called greetings to each other as they passed on the cobblestone streets.

Adele sighed wistfully as she watched them. They all seemed so happy, so content among this good company. Always a friendly face to turn to... how she longed to be one of them! She wanted to be among the people, as a part of the people. Her parents may be content to observe the passers-by, preferring the solitude of the castle to busy city life. The most Adele ever saw of these people was when someone came into the shop.

She would watch from behind the counter as all types strolled through their doors. Usually young men seeking a gift for a girl they were set upon courting, with bright eyes and hope in their hearts would enter, barely sparing young Adele a second glance.

As much as she wanted to be among the people she watched so fondly, Adele also longed for love. Hidden away within the castle, no man aver pursued her. The only young man she had even known, other than her father, was Markl. And if anything, he was an older brother to her.

With a longing sigh, she happened upon the alley where she had met the helpless young cat and the insistent young man the previous day. She paused, wondering if she dared take her chances. Knowing it would be quicker to go this way, she turned and rushed down the dark alley, holding her head up high.

The noise of the street lulled away to eerie silence, and the tall walls of the buildings on either side blocked out the orange glow of the morning sun. She pulled her shawl tighter around her shoulders, holding her breath as he step quickened.

She nearly tripped as the hem of her skirt caught on something. With an impatient sigh, she turned to free the breezy purple fabric from whatever it had been latched upon. She was surprised to find that her skirt was clutched in a man's fist.

"Ah, we meet again," she heard a familiar voice, "And I see you don't have your big brother around to whisk you away again."

She looked up, eyes cold. But anger turned to fear when she realized that the man had three companions that stood faithfully at his side.

"You weren't lying," one of the ruffians remarked, approaching Adele with a peculiar gleam in his eyes, "She is a pretty little thing, isn't she?"

"So skinny," another pointed out, also moving closer. Rage caused Adele's cheeks to flush deep red as his eyes ran hungrily over her slender body. "Like a little bird."

"Here, little bird," the first man, apparently their ringleader, taunted, tugging on her skirt, "We don't want to hurt you. You're just such a pretty little bird..."

They were pulling at her shawl, now, too. Adele whirled about, aiming wild kicks and punches at the four assailants. But they would not give up. Strong arms latched around her waist, captivating her. Adele cried out, but another hand clamped firmly over her mouth.

"She is tiny," they continued remarking as they pawed at her clothes and body, "Very fragile. We must be certain we don't break her."

It was difficult to aim a proper spell at any of them. They were tugging at her hair, tearing at her dress, trying to force her to the ground. She continued to fight, but they were stronger than she was, and eventually forced her onto her back.

Tears pooled in her eyes as she tried to call out for help, but a hand was still firmly placed over her mouth. Their fingernails raked through the thin fabric of her dress, exposing the bare skin it concealed. They placed their filthy hands all over her, calling her their pretty little bird. She longed to really be a bird, so she could fly far away...

She squeezed her eyes shut as her heart began to race. She needed to keep fighting, she needed to escape. She needed to fly away.

Her mind spun wildly as her pulse grew stronger. A strange feeling prickled at her shoulder blades. She willed herself to find the strength to overcome her attackers, and escape them.

She heard the men began to cry out. She heard a thump as one was thrown into a wall. She opened her eyes, and surveyed her surroundings.

The men looked at her with wild, frantic eyes. They backed away, shouting oaths and looking genuinely frightened. "Stay back!" they cried, "She's a witch!" Adele looked over her shoulder, and smirked, knowing now that she truly was her father's daughter. A pair of immense, pearly grey wings sprouted from her back, ripping through the already tattered fabric of her dress.

With a deep breath, she was able to powerfully beat the new appendages against the air, propelling her high above the streets. People didn't even seem to notice her, save the four men that ran shrieking from the alley. Adele twisted and writhed in the air, trying to get the hang of flying. This was a feat she had never before managed, though had previously achieved a few minutes of levitation.

Once stabilized, Adele turned and rocketed towards the shop again. Tears poured from her eyes and fell to the earth like rain. Though exhilarated at what she was able to do, the full reality of the attack was setting in.

What if I hadn't been able to fight them off in time? She wondered to herself with a shudder as the flower shop came in to view. The street outside was deserted, so without fear she swooped down and ploughed through the front door.

"Adele?"

It was Markl whose arms she fell into as the door slammed behind her. She cried onto his shoulder, not even bothering to hide the feathery wings that protruded from her back. Markl soothed her quietly, not asking any questions. Adele heard hurried footsteps as Sophie and Howl came tearing down the stairs, voices panicked.

"Adele, what happened?" Sophie demanded, throwing her arms around her daughter. Adele eventually regained her composure, and wiped her eyes with her palms. Under Howl's direction, she was able to make the wings disappear into her back before she launched into her story.

"Howl," Sophie asked softly when Adele was finished with her tale, "Will you carry a letter for me, please?

"Where to?" Howl inquired as Sophie rushed to the table. His arm was draped protectively over Adele's slender shoulders. She was calm now, though her eyes remained bloodshot. Markl had stepped aside, and watched in silence.

"The palace," Sophie answered sternly, quickly scribbling out a message on a piece of parchment, "I'd like you to carry this to his highness."

"Turnip head?" Howl clarified in disbelief. Adele knitted her brows in confusion.

"This town isn't safe anymore," Sophie explained sadly, slipping the letter into an envelope and handing it to Howl, "I want to ask Prince Justin if he'd consider taking Adele in..."

"No!" Adele protested, breaking free from Howl, "I will not go live in the palace! It's only one mishap; Please don't send me away!"

"Adele, it's for the best," Howl said solemnly, taking the envelope from Sophie, "At least until this crime rampage is over, you really should go stay at the palace where it's safe."

"No, please," Adele pleaded, turning pleading eyes from Howl back to her mother, "I want to stay here, with all of you!"

"It's not safe," Sophie insisted, placing a hand on Adele's shoulder. Adele shoved Sophie away and ran up the stairs, sobbing. She heard the front door slam as Howl left to carry Sophie's letter. Adele ran to her room and slammed the door, throwing herself onto her bed to sob into the pillow. How could they send her away? Even living here in the solitary castle was better than residing in a stuffy castle with a bunch of boring royals. At least out here she could be free.

For a moment, she contemplated running away, but decided against it. Where would she go? It was true, the world was not safe at the moment. Grudgingly, she accepted that she would have to live with her father's rival for awhile.

She heard the click of her lock being opened by magic from the outside, and heard it creak. Familiar footsteps tapped against her floorboards.

"Go away, Markl," Adele said despairingly, "I want to be alone."

"Don't hold it against them," Markl spoke as he sat down beside her on the bed, "They just want you to be safe. They've been through so much- they don't want you to suffer as they did."

"So they send me to live with a man who caused so much trouble for them?" Adele demanded, turning her tearful eyes to Markl, "The man killed the very woman they named me for?"

"It may not be ideal," Markl replied softly, his brown eyes sparkling gently, "But the palace is safest at the moment. You have to go, and be very good. Promise?"

Adele glared up at her friend for a moment. But soon, her eyes grew gentle. She knew they all cared about her, and only wanted to keep her safe from the danger that roamed about so freely now. She nodded and gave in.

"That's my girl," Markl said affectionately, giving her a quick hug. She hugged him back, wondering how long it would be before she could return to these people she cared for so deeply.