JJ: Thanks so much for your support on the last chapter!
Nursekelly: It broke my heart too.
Pug: I know it was!
This chapter is a redo of Grimm's Fairytale Cinderella. I do not own Grimm's Fairytales (obviously).
Madge couldn't help to drop down onto her hands and knees in front of her mother's grave. The ground was wet from the earlier rain storm and her dress was collecting mud in the seams. Her hair dripped down on the stone and her tears outlined her mother's name. "I'm trying so hard. I'm trying to keep my promise." She whispered her hand connecting to the cold stone. "I'm finding it difficult to be good and to not be vain or hopeless. Yet, father has changed so much since your passing. He is but a shell now and I am unable to connect with him. I'm afraid I feel there is no hope in the future." She stood up collecting her skirts in her hand and turned away, "I love you, Mother." Madge murmured back at the stone and hurried back to the carriage waiting for her return.
Her castle wasn't far away but by the time they returned it had begun raining again. Madge scurried into the castle and her heels tapped loudly against the polished floor. She looked up at the large candelabra above her as she rung out her hair. "I'll prepare you a bath, my lady." Madge looked over and offered a smile to her maid and followed her up the grand staircase. Her lilac dress was taken off piece by piece before Madge was able to slide into the porcelain tub. When she was awoken by her maids she was surprised to see her finest dress in front of her.
"What's the reason for the dress?" She asked as she climbed out of the bath.
"Your father has requested it. You are to have company tonight at dinner." Madge held back her excitement. Was it a suitor? A prince? She held her breath. She snuck out of her chambers and down to the dining room. It wasn't a prince at all. Instead she saw a young woman hanging off her father's arm at the head of the table. She was much younger than her mother would have been and her father looked out of place with her at his side. At the other side of the table were two striking beautiful girls. Their hair was as black as night and their eyes were the clearest grey Madge had ever seen.
"Madge, nice of you to finally join us... you're late." Madge was taken aback by her father's harsh tone and took a moment to reflect on his negativity.
"I was at mother's grave. I hardly think that was necessary to scold me." Madge said quickly and went to pull out her chair.
"How dare you talk to your father like that," The young woman called out to her. Madge offered a kind smile,
"Who are you?" Madge asked.
"Now Madge... this is your new mother." It had never been the same after that single sentence. Madge was immediately thrown out of the dining room and shown to the servants' quarters. There she was stripped of her gown and shoes and was given a dirty smock and broken slippers.
"Everything will be alright." She convinced herself and glanced over at the doubtful staff. "We have to keep positive and hopeful." She turned away and went to find her room.
"Where do you think you're going?" The two sisters asked at the first landing.
"To my room." Madge said cheerfully, "after all the excitement of the day I really do need a good night's sleep." The two sisters looked at each other and laughed.
"You don't have a room anymore, kitchen maid. Off with you." Madge couldn't help but laugh with them. The sisters stopped laughing and pointed fingers at the kitchen, "go." Madge's smile dropped from her face and she looked over her shoulder at her new home.
The following morning she was awoken in front of the hearth and put to work. From morning to night she worked for her step-mother. She cleaned, cooked, made the fires, and carried water from the well. The sisters were never far behind making fun of her and making her jobs harder. They joked and called her names.
"Cinderella, Cinderella... once a princess now a maid... clean those dishes... mend our braids." Madge couldn't stand the nickname but she couldn't let it show. She kept a calm face and posture and never backed down from the harshness of their voices. One night when tending the fire Madge overheard the sisters talking to their mother and stepfather.
"Why Cinderella?" Their mother asked.
"She's always so dusty and dirty. The disgusting girl can't keep herself clean. It's only fitting- don't you agree?" The women laughed and Madge excused herself from the house. Madge sprawled out in front of her mother's grave and cried. She glanced up at her mother's name and tried to put on a smile.
In the morning her father came down into the great room and joined his new wife's side. "I will be going to the King's festival today. Is there anything you girls need?" Madge ignored him and continued with her busy work by the fire. The oldest sister jumped up and squealed with glee,
"Beautiful dresses!" She cried out and spun in Madge's crimson ball gown. The dress itself couldn't be recognized as being the same dress Madge once had worn herself since the sisters had taken all her dresses and recreated them to their style and stature.
"Pearls and jewels," the other cried and the two girls waltzed around the room.
"And you... Cinderella?" The room grew still and Madge could hear them all turn expectantly. Madge bristled at the nickname but turned and smiled. She wiped her hands off on her smock.
"I would like you to break off the first branch that brushes against your hat and bring it to me... Father." The sisters erupted into giggles and went running from the room. As the day progressed Madge became more and more weary of her tasks. She collapsed at the foot of the hearth just as her father arrived. She heaved herself up and watched as he handed over large boxes of fine clothing for the girls and beautifully wrapped parcels of jewelry and perfumes. Madge blew a curl out of her face just as her father approached her with a large branch.
"It's a hazelnut bush." He murmured and turned away abruptly. Instead of sleeping, Madge ran out into the evening air and over the hills to her mother's grave. It was there that she cautiously planted the branch and watered it with her tears. "Please have this tree give me faith and the power to give me the hope I need." Madge was making trips to her mother's grave more than three times a day. The tree started to show life with small green leaves and vibrant movement in the wind. Soon she found herself telling the tree her prayers and wishes. It wasn't until a small white dove appeared above her, that she was heard and her wishes were granted.
"There will be a second festival. It will be held for three days." Her father proclaimed that night. "And the ladies of the house are all invited." The sisters rejoiced in front of their mother. "The Prince will be looking for a bride and he is asking for all the young women in the district to be in attendance." The girls squawked with pleasure and ran off, pulling Cinderella along with them.
"Comb our hair, brush our shoes, fasten our buckles, and spray perfume. We are going to the Prince's festival." Madge carried out their wishes but wept in the kitchen. She had nicknamed the prince when she was very young. Her mother had introduced the two before she had gotten sick.
"Prince Charming..." She murmured to her mother after they had swapped their hellos. Now Madge couldn't think of anything else but the festival but she knew her stepmother would say no.
"You, Cinderella?!" Her stepmother cried and pressed a hand to her chest. "Why would you want to go to the fair? Have you looked at yourself? You are a disaster." Madge however was not discouraged by the condescending tone. The women went over to the kitchen table and picked up a large bowl and tossed it into the ashes in the fireplace. "If you can pick out all of the lentils in the ash within two hours then we will talk again of the festival." She disappeared from sight.
Madge slid down the wall and picked out a few that were easy to spot. She wiped a hand across her forehead and started to cry. "I wish there was someone to help." Madge closed her eyes for a brief moment and when they opened she was surprised to see doves picking out the lentils in front of her. Madge didn't call them off but began to help them. Within an hour, Madge was able to take the full bowl to her stepmother.
She beamed and thought that she would be able to attend the festival. Her stepmother turned up her nose and turned away, "no I am afraid you still cannot go. You have nothing to wear and cannot dance." Madge was surprised and burst into tears. "However... I am a willing person. If you can pick out two bowls of lentils out of the ashes within an hour, we will talk about the festival again." Madge watched the lentils fly out of the bowl and she sank down on the stone floor.
She wiped under her eyes and started picking out the lentils but she did not wish for help. Instead birds flew in from the window and surrounded her, helping her pick out the contents from the ash. Her smile grew however when she realized they had all the lentils in the bowl and with time to spare. Madge hurried out of the kitchen, "may I attend the festival?" She grinned and watched as her stepmother peered into the bowl.
"No, you may not. We would be ashamed of you. Now, run back to your chores." Her stepmother walked out of the house and joined her stepsisters in the carriage. Madge turned back to the kitchen and ran out the back door. Soon she was wrapped under the tree she had planted.
"Throw gold and silver down on me." She whispered, "For I have never wanted it so much in my life." She closed her eyes and wept at the grave before sitting up. It was then she realized that her clothes had been replaced. Gone was the dirty smock, now she had a magnificent gold and silver ball gown that glittered in the rising moon light. She stepped out on the road and glanced down at her shoes. They were pink satin slippers- perfect for dancing the night away.
She arrived at the festival and entered the castle. She made her way to a mirror and was taken aback by her pure complexion. The dust and grime were gone and her bright freckles were striking under her bright blue eyes. Madge made her way down the elegant stairs and into the ballroom. All eyes were on her, including her stepmother and stepsisters. They had no recognition in their eyes.
"Excuse me," Madge turned suddenly with a bright smile, "may I have this... Madge?" The prince straightened up and glided her away from the dance floor. "It's been such a long time I didn't think I would recognize you." Madge held her breath but giggled nervously.
"You look exactly like the little boy I met all those years ago. Tell me, have you been waiting for me?" It was his turn to look flustered.
"I..." he stammered,
"Prince Charming is at a loss for words." She covered her mouth at the realization of the nickname. He laughed loudly which got the attention of the ballroom once more. He took her hand and led her out to the center of the room. "I'm so sorry, Gale."
"How did you come up with Prince Charming?" He smirked and twirled her around the room with ease.
"My mother and I came up with it as soon as we had met you." She admitted. A young man came and set his hand on the Prince's shoulder.
"May I cut in?" He bowed. Gale glanced at Madge and Madge glanced at Gale.
"She is my dancing partner for the night." Gale smiled, "I am truly sorry." The young man bristled and turned away. "How is your mother?" Gale asked her seriously.
"She..." Madge turned away and her hand tightened in his grasp. "She died two years ago and my father recently remarried." Gale pulled her tighter to him.
"I am sorry to hear that." He murmured. They twirled around the room until Madge got a good view of the clock.
"I really must be going." She sighed and leaned back, smiling.
"So soon?" Gale sighed and escorted her up the stairs.
"I'm afraid so." Madge smiled sadly.
"May I escort you?" Madge's smile faltered and she shook her head slowly.
"Not tonight." She exited the castle and made her way back home. It wasn't until she was almost home that she realized the Prince was following her at a distance. Breaking into a sprint she eluded him by jumping into the chicken coop. glancing back she could see that the Prince was having a hard time figuring out the door. Madge made her escape out the back and to her mother's grave. "These clothes are not mine." She said to the tree, "I need to return them." She returned to the house in her dirty smock and the grime covering her pale skin.
"I do believe there is someone hiding in your chicken coop!" The Prince called to her father. They opened the chicken coop and found it empty.
"Could it be Cinderella?" The Prince sighed and shook his head.
"No... Well goodnight Sir, sorry for the trouble." The following day, Madge waited for the women to leave and then made her way to the tree in front of her mother's grave.
"Shower me in crystals and fine fabric!" Madge cried to the tree. Her smock was replaced with a glittering sea green gown covered with tiny sparkling crystals. The bodice was the smoothest cloth she had ever felt. Gale snatched her up as soon as she made her appearance at the ball. They did not say much to each over but danced through the night. Another young man appeared at their side but Gale called out to him that she was his dancing partner for the night.
"Must you go so soon?" Gale asked her, his hand in hers.
"I must." She smiled and turned to go.
"May I escort you?"
"Not tonight." She said sadly and parted from the party. Madge made sure to watch for his following but did not realize he was there until she was coming upon the house. She quickly fled into the gardens and climbed the largest pear tree.
"You there!" Her father cried. Madge dropped down the other side of the tree.
"I'm sorry to disturb you, Sir. I believe there is a girl in your tree." Her father glanced up and started to climb the tree himself.
"There is no one there." He admitted to the young Prince, "could it be Cinderella?" He asked the lad.
"No... Sorry for wasting your time. Good night." Madge ran off to her mother's grave and returned her clothes. She returned to the hearth covered in grime and dust just as her stepmother and sisters arrived home. The final night of the festival, Madge left the house as the others left the house and arrived at her mother's grave.
"Shower me in gold and rubies." She called up to the tree. The dress flowed out around her into a magnificent ball gown. The cream of the dress contrasted with the large red rubies on her bodice. Madge pulled back the layers of skirts to reveal solid gold slippers. She shocked the ballroom into silence once more and joined the Prince on the dance floor.
"Madge please tell me where you go at night." He whispered, "For I would visit you every day." She held back her smile imagining the prince by her side at the hearth.
"I'm afraid I cannot." She sighed and twirled away from him briefly. She returned to his side just as a young man came to ask for her hand.
"She is my dancing partner for the night." Gale beamed and pressed Madge closer to him. Just as the night was drawing to a close Madge pulled away from him.
"I must go." She told him and pressed her lips to his cheek.
"So soon?" He sighed. He did not ask to escort her. Madge parted from him and left the castle running. However she was stuck on the stairs. She realized with dismay that the Prince had set a trap. "Please stay!" he cried out to her. Madge left her shoe behind and disappeared into the night.
"Please take back your clothing." She said to the tree and returned to the house, dirty and in her smock. In the morning as she was making the beds there was a heavy knock on the door. She glanced out the window and realized that it was the prince with her golden shoe.
"I'm sorry to disturb you on this fine morning." Gale said to her father, "but I am looking for the person who might be able to fit in this shoe." Her father let in the boy.
"What will you do if you find the owner?" Her father asked.
"I will ask her to marry me on the spot." Madge came out on the stair landing just as her sisters were squealing behind her. Her father came up the stairs and delivered the shoe to the girls' mother.
"I have pretty feet!" The oldest sister cried and tried to fit the shoe on. Madge kept from view as she watched the girl struggle.
"Cut off your big toe!" Her mother whispered and handed over a small knife, when you are queen you will no longer have to go by foot." The girl obeyed and Madge watched in horror as her foot slid in perfectly into the shoe. The girl returned to the prince's side. He too had a look of horror but sighed and put on an easy smile. Madge was amazed as two doves flew through the window and perched on the hearth.
"There's blood on the shoe! The shoe is too tight, the bride is not right!" They cooed. Gale glanced down at the shoe again and was amazed to see that the voices were right. He sent the shoe back up the stairs to the other sister.
She was able to fit her toes in perfectly but to her mother's dismay the rest of her foot was not easily forced. "Cut off your heel. When you are queen you will no longer have to go on foot." The young girl agreed and joined the prince at his side. He sighed and started walking off with the girl but she was limping and there was blood on the back of the shoe.
"There's blood on the shoe! The show is too tight, the bride is not right!" The birds cried. Gale turned around abruptly and walked straight to her father.
"I demand to meet Cinderella." He said and forced the shoe into her father's hands. Madge stared straight at her stepmother who shook her head sadly and came down to meet the prince and her husband.
"Cinderella is nothing more than a household maid." Her stepmother said with a dismissive hand. Madge pounded the ground with her heel and wished with all her might that she had something other than her dirty smock on. Quickly she ran down the stairs and into the arms of Gale.
"I'm Cinderella!" She cried, "It's me- Madge."
"Beautiful, I knew it was you!" He beamed and settled her into a chair. "The shoe..." Gale murmured and raised a hand to her father. The gold shoe was transferred and Gale slid it onto her foot perfectly. Within a couple of seconds a second shoe appeared and the pair turned to sparkling glass.
Madge stood and showed off the glass slippers to her family around her. "No blood in the shoe! The shoes not too tight, this bride must be right!" The birds cried and flew around the young girl. Just as the birds flew out of the window she felt her clothes change out. She was now staring down at a beautiful blue gown with cascading jewels and ribbons. Gale was flustered but lifted her over his head with ease.
"Will you marry me?" He asked setting her down on the floor.
"I couldn't wish for anything more!" She gasped and let Gale collect her in his arms.
"Mrs. Charming." He whispered into her hair and rescued her from the house.
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Erin