CHAPTER 27: HEART OF ICE

"Raven?"

The Enchantress smiled as she continued to walk calmly to Robin and Beast boy. The two of them were looking at her up and down, both were unsure of what to say. Her plan worked! They did not attack her, how foolish humans could be ... Then, there was a resounding crash and the door to the throne room fell open. King Alexander rolled in while Starfire flew, her eyes glowing green and hands raised, ready to attack.

However, when they saw Raven, they were astonished, "Raven? You're safe?" Remarked King Alexander, lowering his sword.

She nodded.

"Why didn't you say anything? When we didn't hear a thing, we thought something bad must have happened!" King Alexander said, then breathed a sigh of relief, "Well, at least the lady is safe. Where is the witch?"

"Oh." Raven answered, "She fled."

The four of them looked at one another, that was a rather vague and frank answer … Suddenly, Raven started to sway.

Beast boy rushed forward and caught her, then helped her up her feet, "Hey, did you grow taller?"

Raven just smiled more. Shrugging, he suggested they take Raven back to rest. Everyone agreed and Robin communicated Cyborg to meet in the hallway. When they were all there, they started to run back into the forest.

The Titans prepared Raven's favourite drink - tea. And they all settled on the log for a drink. They soon made plans for King Alexander to return back to his castle tomorrow after a good night's sleep.

And so, after a few minutes of idle chat, the weary teens all settled down for some rest.

Yes! The Enchantress laughed silently. No one suspected a thing! Even though that Boy was giving her strange looks all day …Still, he never uttered a word, so that was fine. Now, she had to execute the final part of the plan.

If not, the kingdom will not really be her's, for their will still be a few, who believed that he was alive and will go against her. She needed evidence, proof to show them that all hope is lost, burn all their wishes and dreams to the ground, and rebuilt a whole new kingdom from there.

It was a pity Raven could not do it. Her powers were great, and she is young and clever, her only flaw was her heart. It was too weak, and look what had happened to her?

The Enchantress crept slowly to where the King was sleeping. He was on the forest floor and with his eyes closed, he looked really peaceful. She bit back her laugh, he won't be expecting this, and none of the others will! So, she very carefully, unsheathed his sword …

As soon as she did, the pale moonlight was caught on the blade and it shone brightly. The Enchantress took a closer look to the sword … No! Could it be … the Exca -

"Hey!"

The Enchantress gasped. Caught in the act! Slowly, she turned to face that Boy, giving her sweetest smile and trying to hold the sword as innocently as she could in her hands.

"That's the Excalibur. Pretty, isn't it? And King Alexander pulled it out!" that Boy remarked, grinning, and walking towards her.

The Enchantress stood still, feeling relieved that he just thought she was curious. Humans, they can be so blind at times! She put down the sword on the ground.

"Raven … I have come, to return this …" That Boy pulled out something sparkly - one of Raven's glass slippers!

He bent down and looked at her expectantly. Oh well, what harm can that do? So she lifted the hem of her skirt a little and that Boy tried to fit the slipper on her foot. But wait! Wasn't she only able to change her face? And not the rest of her body? That glass slipper, perfectly molded to the exact shape and size of Raven's feet, might not fit her!

That Boy grunted, trying to squeeze her foot inside the tiny glass slipper. The Enchantress quickly yanked her foot back and That Boy stood, a suspicious look on his face …

"If you'll excuse me, dear …" The Enchantress said, trying to keep her voice calm and level. She started to walk away.

"Hold on!" That Boy cried, "Raven doesn't say 'dear' to me! And the glass slipper, Raven's glass slipper … doesn't fit you!"

"Beast boy?" said another sleepy voice. "Who are you shouting at?"

The Enchantress cursed silently, now he's done it! He's woken up King Alexander, and if he keeps shouting, soon, the other two boys and that girl would come running too!

"She's … She's not Raven!" accused that Boy and King Alexander gasped. The Enchantress started to back away but she crashed into the other boy, the tall, well-built one, the one whom she tricked him into giving her Raven's belt in exchange for the cursed suit.

That Boy ordered him to grab her and he did, though, he asked why. The Enchantress struggled to break free of his iron hold but it would not budge. That Boy hurriedly explained what had happened.

"So, if she's not Raven … then who is she?" The one holding her asked.

"She was holding my sword, you say?" King Alexander wanted to confirm.

"She wanted to kill you! That imposter here, is the Enchantress!" Beast boy exclaimed.

The Enchantress blasted the boy holding her away with a slight tilt of her head towards the back. This left her free and she started to run. Curses! Perhaps humans aren't that dumb after all.

Behind her, she could hear a lot of shouting, then, footsteps, running after her's. Then, she realised, with her enriched powers, she was able to teleport. And so she stopped, smirking right in front of them all. That Boy and his friends, plus King Alexander.

This was their territory, killing the King here would be harder, but in the castle … that was her home now, and if she did succeed to lure them in, killing the King, and maybe making a few other sacrifices, would be as easy as cake.

"Goodbye, friends." she gave a sweet, but fake smile and a second later, she had completely vanished into thin air.

The Titans rushed back to the castle. And this time, the hallway wasn't empty, in fact, the Enchantress was standing in front of them, her disguised dropped, and she was snarling.

"Go no further." she threatened, glaring directly at the King, she raised a hand and quickly threw a dagger at Alexander.

Clink! The dagger suddenly fell to the floor. Standing in front of King Alexander, was Robin, with his silver staff out. He had deflected the dagger at the last minute. Then, Robin grabbed Alexander, and they hurtled to the right. Cyborg was standing behind and had just fired his blaster at the Enchantress!

The Enchantress gasped but managed to dodge in time. The blast sent the door to the throne room, to pieces.

The Enchantress, Robin, Cyborg, and King Alexander started to spar. Beast boy was glad they were distracting her nicely, that was the plan. He and Star were supposed to find Raven while they were fighting. Beast boy transformed himself into a mouse and scurried across the floor, narrowly missing feet stomping everywhere, towards the throne room.

Starfire rose to the high ceilings and unnoticed by the Enchantress, she flew directly overhead her, following Beast boy. When the two found themselves in the throne room, Beast boy morphed into a dog and started to sniff.

"Have you caught Raven's scent?" Starfire asked, her voice low.

Beast boy suddenly leapt and let out a soft bark and started to run towards the archway. Starfire immediately flew after him and together, they ran down long corridors, up spiraling staircases and finally found themselves standing outside a big wooden door.

Beast boy changed back into a human again and began to push the door open, however, it wouldn't budge.

"Come on!" he huffed as he banged his fists against the door.

"Is our friend, Raven inside?" Starfire flew down and asked. Beast boy grunted a reply, but Starfire knew it was a 'yes'.

"Stand back." she gently pulled Beast boy aside and flew up, she rested her feet on the wall opposite the door, bent her knees and pushed off! Her hands were outstretched and glowing, and so were her eyes.

There was a crash and wood splinters were raining down but Starfire had gotten the door to open! She rolled on the carpeted floor of the room after the impact. Beast boy helped her up and asked if she was alright. She nodded. Then, the two began to look around.

They found themselves in a sort of bedroom. It was large and the floor was all carpeted in rich gold and blue fabrics and there was three huge wardrobes on one side of the wall. Another side had a window with curtains drawn over. The wall opposite the window had a dressing table on it, with also, a shattered mirror. Beast boy and Starfire stepped gingerly over that.

Then they approached the bed, it was a four poster bed and portraits of a young lady were hung on the wall the bed was at. Beast boy took a closer look and saw that she resembled the Queen. She must be - Princess Anne! And when he looked down on the bed, he gasped, for Raven was lying with her eyes closed on it!

What was she doing in Princess Anne's room? Beast boy felt for a pulse and found it. He breathed, luckily, she was alive. He gave Starfire, who was peering at them worriedly, a small smile.

Then, he grabbed her shoulders and tried to shake her. "Raven? Raven!"

A groan escaped her lips and her eyes fluttered open. Beast boy smiled, "Raven!" and he pulled her in for a hug.

But Raven still felt limp in his arms. He let her go and saw that she was peering curiously at him and Starfire.

"Who … who are you? And, where … am I?" Raven looked around at her surroundings.

"You do not recall? I am Starfire, and he is Beast boy! We are your friends!" Starfire said, coming forward.

Raven shook her head slowly, she was becoming confused. Beast boy took her legs and lifted the hem of her dress. He noticed she was wearing the other glass slipper, this was surely Raven. Perhaps, if he slipped on the other one …

It was a perfect fit. He looked up at Raven, expecting to see some form of recollection but she just stared at him blankly. The hope in his eyes disappeared, what had the Enchantress done to her?

Raven felt her very soul being sucked out. The Enchantress was right beside her, grasping both of her hands and whispering an incantation over and over again. Her powers, her very life source was being drawn out of her and she felt more drained and dead with every passing second.

Finally, when the last drop of her powers were sucked out and transferred, she collapsed to the ground, but she hadn't fainted yet. Raven fought to keep herself awake. She did not know why she agreed to let the Enchantress take her powers, she hadn't known it was this painful … Raven felt hollow inside, it was as if a part of her was missing.

The Enchantress smiled at her, and demonstrated her powers by saying yet another spell. As soon as the spell was done, Raven felt cold. But the coldness wasn't coming from the outside, no, it was from her heart. It was as if it was turning into ice and thus, taking heat from her body too.

She suddenly found herself unable to remember anything. She knew she was Raven … but, that was all. Raven blinked but her whole life was darkness, and nothing else. She couldn't remember if she had a family, had friends, all she saw was cold, pitch-black darkness …

The next thing she knew, the darkness from inside her mind completely engulfed her and she felt her eyelids closing … Raven finally gave in.

Upon waking up, she found herself on a bed, in an unfamiliar place. But the strangest thing was, the people right in front of her. The nearest, was a skinny boy, of about her height with pointy ears and hopeful eyes. He had a grin plastered to his face and looked genuinely happy to see her. Behind him, was a pretty girl, with long red hair and slightly tanned skin, she was smiling too.

"Raven!" the boy uttered her name in delight and she was surprised. He knew her? Then, he threw his arms about her and squeezed her into a tight hug. Raven was confused, why was he hugging her, they've never met … right?

When he let go, Raven asked, "Who … who are you? And, where … am I?" She needed answers right now. Perhaps, those people could help, since they apparently knew her, though she's never seen them before.

"You do not recall? I am Starfire, and he is Beast boy! We are your friends!" the red-haired girl stepped forward, her voice filled with worry and concern. Did she care so much? And should she?

Raven shook her head. This was all too confusing! What should she do? Then, she felt a pair of hands lift the hem of her dress. It was the boy and he was staring at her feet, well, actually, at that glass slipper on her right foot. Why was it there? Raven definitely did not remember owning anything like that. But then, the boy produced another one, and slipped that onto her left foot. It was a perfect fit. It was if the slippers were specially made and molded for her feet only.

Yet, she couldn't recall a single thing. Could this be a dream? That boy was now staring up at her, hope shining more than ever in his eyes. What a beautiful thing, but what does it mean? What does hope mean?

And then, it disappeared. The beautiful thing called hope that made his eyes shine was suddenly gone! It was replaced by anger, then pain, and finally … sadness. The boy was probably about her age, but now, he looked a hundred years old. She felt sad too, she wished she could help but -

A strange feeling came over her. Raven found herself getting colder and colder. And once again, it was from inside out, not outside in. Her chest, where her heart lies, was the coldest. And Raven suddenly didn't just not recall anything, she couldn't feel anything anymore too. Only a strange numbness from the dark and cold.

The boy embraced her in his arms gently. It was as if she was a fragile dying flower stalk, and he was afraid to break it. Raven just looked straight ahead. Not thinking, not feeling. It doesn't matter what he was doing, or why he and that girl was here, it was better to let … go. It was much less painful to allow herself to feel. But she couldn't if she wanted to now, anyway. In a strange way, her heart seemed to be frozen. She was ice, existing, but without any emotion.

But suddenly, she felt something warm, something warm and wet on her cheeks. That boy, he was crying … should it matter to her? That coldness numbed her senses once more, and again, she couldn't feel a thing.

Ouch! Something landed in her eye! She closed it immediately, it was warm and wet. Painful at first, but it began warming her up, as it traveled all the way down, it left a trail of warmth, and finally, it found its way to her cold, cold, heart.

There was a burst of heat! And the darkness smothering her slowly lifted. She felt her heart beating strongly, her blood, warmed up by her heart, coursing through her veins. The ice melted, and was replaced by warmth … and love.

In that instant, colours filled her world. And vivid images ran through her mind in a fast, dizzying pace. Her memories slowly came flooding back, she's never felt this alive. Raven looked down, she … she did recognise the red-haired girl. She was her friend! She was … Starfire …

And the boy, the poor boy who has gone through so much pain and bitterness, the boy who was crying for her, who was hugging her, never wanting to let go … He was … Beast boy. She remembered! And he was her friend too, her really, really, good friend …

"Beast boy?" she whispered uncertainly into his ear.

Slowly, he tore himself away but kept both hands on her shoulders, "Raven …" he breathed, "You remember … ?"

He reached behind and pulled out a rose. And not just any rose, it was purple, her favourite colour. An image of her holding it when she was sleeping flashed into her mind. He, he, gave that to her! And now, he was holding it out again.

"Raven, you were lost … and, and … I was hurt. But I promise, I'll always be with you and do whatever it takes -"

"To help me find my way back." Raven said softly, and she took the rose in her trembling hands and placed it next to her heart.

Raven gasped all of a sudden. When she placed the rose at her heart, something went out of her. It was like a surge, it felt as if something that was eating her away from the inside was taken out, and then, she felt so much lighter! And her mind cleared …

"A love potion! The old woman, the Enchantress, Rose, she was giving me love potions!" Raven said in astonishment, as realisation hit her, "And I've been giving them to the Prince, the King, Alexander! All because she told me to do so!"

"But why do you wish to obey her?" Starfire spoke up.

Raven racked her brains, back-tracking fast. She snapped her fingers, "It must have been my belt! Somehow she had it and gave it for me to wear by attaching it to that dress … And suddenly, I just felt like I had to do everything she says! She must have enchanted it!"

Raven looked down at Beast boy, "And … she also gave me some sort of potion to drink, that, that caused me to hate you …" Her eyes softened, "I'm so, so, sorry …"

Beast boy wiped away a teardrop from her eye and Raven grabbed his hand, "I will never hate you! You were always there for me, I'm so sorry … I've caused so much hurt."

"It wasn't your fault." Beast boy said softly, inside, he was singing. He knew it was a spell, but it still made him insecure. Hearing her say she will never hate him …

"It means a lot of me," he said, "Thank you."