Hi again! I'm back with Chapter Three! In case you are completely brain dead and haven't picked up on this yet, I DO NOT own The Sisters Grimm. Ahem. Moving on!
Chapter Three
I stared at Sabrina and nearly ran over some kid on a skateboard. I yanked the steering wheel over and pulled into a parking lot.
"What's going on?" I demanded. Something about me, obviously. Maybe they were demanding my presence in court. I was one awesome king, if I do say so myself. "Puck! Daphne found something about the baby!" she gasped.
"What about the baby?" I ask.
"We don't know. That's what's so bad. Daphne says she was reading Wilhelm's journal, and she saw a footnote on a story that says there's a prophecy about the son of the King of Faerie and a mortal. Titania watched Oberon, but nothing happened, and she thinks it means us." Sabrina was crying now, and I slipped out of my seat and into hers, wrapping my arms around her and pressing my face into her hair.
"What story was it? Do we know why it was there?"
"It was some story called 'The King of the Golden Mountain', and the main character was a homicidal lunatic who got angry at his wife for cheating on him and killed his entire court and her lover. I think her, too, but I'm not sure. Real nice story."
"But why was it there?"
"Daphne says she thinks he has a copy of it or knows what it says. But maybe he wrote it or was inspired to write it or whatever."
"Wonderful. Just wonderful. So we need to go on a sight-seeing trip to the kingdom of a homicidal lunatic and recover a prophecy about our child from him? Just peachy." I snapped.
Sabrina burst into tears again at this.
"I thought I was in charge of sarcasm and pessimism!" she said.
"I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry!" I said quickly. Way to go, Puck, I thought. It was a tough job, being married to Sabrina, and sometimes I wondered if I was cut out for it. But I knew I couldn't live without her. I caught a glimpse of myself in the rearview mirror. My eyes were lavender and violet. Purple for worry. I glanced away, hoping Sabrina wouldn't see, but it was obvious she already had. I looked back at her. Her eyes were still filled with tears. She sniffed loudly, then took a deep breath. "I suppose we should get back over there and help look, then," she said. "Ok," I answered. Although I really and truly was allergic to books. The Old Lady, I mean, Mrs. Grimm, said that I had gone around pretending it for so long, my mind was convinced, but I say I'm just allergic to books like Sabrina was allergic to peanut butter. Or at least I think she is. She loves it, but she never eats it. So why else wouldn't she? But, the fact of the matter is, I am allergic to books. And I am willingly submitting myself to what will probably be untold hours of reading and thinking and searching and working. Love does crazy things to people.
It had taken us half an hour to get this far, but I had us back to the house in under fifteen minutes. Heh. This thing makes pretty good time. I step out of the car and go to open Sabrina's door. Then I notice the tire burn going all the way up the Grimm's driveway. Oops. I take Sabrina's hand and lead her up the driveway and sidewalk. I open the front door without knocking. I look around, but there's no one downstairs. Still holding Sabrina's hand, I head up the stairs and poke my head into the library. Marshmallow, Henry and Veronica, and the Old Lady, ahem, Mrs. Grimm, are all curled up on the plushy leather sofas and armchairs reading journals or books of old records. Canis is putting away a stack of books and moving on to another. How do they go through those things so fast? We only left forty-five minutes ago, and even Marshmallow, the slowest reader, is halfway through an immensely thick book. They must be skipping a lot of stuff. What if they miss something important? Vital, even? I'm about to speak up, but I'm hardly an expert on the reading stuff, whereas everyone here has written at least a couple of books, so I don't have a lot of room to criticize them.
I pick up one of the books beside Marshmallow and dig in. I skim, trying to find something, anything, about this Golden Mountain King guy. For the longest time I don't see anything, but then I find a copy of the original account tucked in between the pages of a story about my parents. I guess Titania wasn't the only one who doubted Oberon's faithfulness. Knowing the entire story couldn't hurt, so I unfold the stiff, yellowish paper and start to read.
There was once a merchant who had only one child, a son, that was very young, and barely able to run alone. He had two richly laden ships then making a voyage upon the seas, in which he had embarked all his wealth, in the hope of making great gains, when the news came that both were lost. Thus from being a rich man he became at once so very poor that nothing was left to him but one small plot of land; and there he often went in the evening to take his walk, and ease his mind a little of his trouble.
One day, as he was roaming along, thinking with no great comfort on what he had been and what he now was, and was like to be, all on a sudden there stood before him a little, rough-looking, black dwarf. "Prithee, friend, why so sorrowful?" said he to the merchant, "What is it you take so deeply to heart?" "If you would do me any good I would willingly tell you," said the merchant. "Who knows but I may?" said the little man. "Tell me what ails you, and perhaps you will find I may be of some use." Then the merchant told him how all his wealth was gone to the bottom of the sea, and how he had nothing left but that little plot of land. "Oh, trouble not yourself about that," said the dwarf, "only undertake to bring me here, twelve years hence, whatever meets you first on your going home, and I will give you as much as you please." The merchant thought that was no great thing to ask; it would most likely be his dog or his cat, or something of that sort, but he forgot his little boy Heinel; so he agreed to the bargain, and signed and sealed the bond to do what was asked of him.
But as he drew near home, his little boy was so glad to see him that he crept up behind him, and laid fast hold of his legs, and looked up in his face and laughed. Then the father started, trembling with fear and horror, and saw what it was he had bound himself to do; but as no gold was come, he made himself easy by thinking that it was only a joke the dwarf was playing on him, and that, at any rate, when the money came, he should see the bearer, and would not take it in.
About a month afterwards he went upstairs into a lumber-room to look for some old iron, that he might sell it and make a little money; and there, instead of his iron, he saw a large pile of gold on the floor. At the sight of it he was overjoyed, and forgetting all about his son, he went into trade again, becoming a richer merchant than before.
Meantime little Heinel grew up, and as the end of the twelve years drew near the merchant began to call to mind his bond, and became very sad and thoughtful; so that care and sorrow became written on his face. The boy one day asked what was the matter, but his father would not tell for some time; at last, however, he said that he had, without knowing it, sold him for gold to a little, ugly-looking, black dwarf, and that the twelve years were coming round when he must keep his word. Then Heinel said, "Father, give yourself very little trouble about that, I shall be too much for the little man."
When the time came, the father and son went out together to the place agreed upon: and the son drew a circle on the ground, and set himself and his father in the middle of it. The little black dwarf soon came, and walked round and round bout the circle, but could not find any way to get into it, and either could not, or dared not, jump over it. At last the boy said to him, "Have you anything to say to us, friend, or what do you want?" now Heinel had found a friend in a good fairy, who was fond of him, and had told him what to do; for this fairy knew what good luck was in store for him. "Have you brought me what you said you would?" said the dwarf to the merchant. The old man held his tongue, but Heinel said again, "What do you want here?" the dwarf said, "I come to talk with your father, not with you." "You have cheated and taken in my father," said the son, "Pray give him up his bond at once." "Fair and softly," said the little old man, "Right is right, I have paid my money, and your father has had it, and spent it, so be so good as to let me have what I paid it for." "You must have my consent to that first," said Heinel, "so please step in here and we'll talk it over." The dwarf grinned, and showed his teeth, as if he should have been very glad to get into the circle if he could. Then at last, after a long talk, they came to terms. Heinel agreed that his father must give him up, and that so far the dwarf should have his way: but, on the other hand, the fairy had told Heinel what good luck was in store for him, if he followed his own course, and he did not choose to be given up to the dwarf, who seemed so anxious for his company.
So, to make a sort of drawn battle of the matter, it was settled that Heinel should be put into an open boat, that lay on the sea shore hard by; that the father should push him off with his own hand, and that he should thus be set adrift, and left to the good or bad luck of wind and weather. Then he took leave of his father, and set himself in the boat, but before it got far off a wave struck it, and it fell with one side low in the water, so the merchant thought that poor Heinel was lost, and went home very sorrowful, while the dwarf went his way, thinking that at any rate he had had his revenge.
The boat, however, did not sink, for the good fairy took care of her friend, and soon raised the boat up again, and it went safely on. The young man sat safe within, till at length it ran ashore upon an unknown land. As he jumped upon the shore he saw a beautiful castle, but empty and dreary within, for it was enchanted. "Here," he said to himself, "Must O find the prize the good fairy told me of." So he once more searched the whole palace through, till he found a white snake, lying coiled up on a cushion in one of the chambers. Now the white snake was an enchanted princess, and was very glad to see him, and said, "Are you at last come to set me free? Twelve long years I have waited here for the fairy to bring you hither as she promised, for you alone can save me. This night twelve men will come: their faces will be black, and they will be dressed in chain armor. They will ask what you do here, but give no answer; and let them do what they will- beat, whip, pinch, or torment you- bear all; only speak not a word, and at twelve o'clock they must go away. The second night twelve others will come; and the third twenty-four, who will even cut off your head; but at the twelfth hour of that night their power is gone, and I shall be free, and shall bring you the Water Of Life, and shall wash you with it, and bring you back to life and health." All came to pass as she said; Heinel bore all, and spoke not a word; and the third night the princess came, and fell on his neck and kissed him. Joy and gladness burst forth throughout the castle, the wedding was celebrated, and he was crowned king of the Golden Mountain.
They lived together very happily, and the queen had a son. And thus eight years had passed over their heads, when the king thought of his father; and he began to long to see him once again. But the queen was against his going and said, "I know misfortunes will come upon us if you go." However, he gave her no rest till she agreed. At his going away, she gave him a wishing ring, and said, "Take this ring, and put it on your finger; whatever you wish it will bring you; only promise never to use it to bring me hence to your father's house." Then he said he would do what she asked, and put the ring on his finger, and wished himself near the town where his father lived.
Heinel found himself at the gates in a moment; but the guards would not let him go in, because he was so strangely clad. So he went up to a neighboring hill, where a shepherd dwelled, and borrowed his old cloak, and so passed into the city unnoticed. When he came to his father's house, he said he was his son, but his father would not believe him, and said he had but one son, Heinel, who had perished at sea long ago. And since he was dressed as a poor shepherd, he would not even give him anything to eat. The king, however, still vowed that he was his son, and said, "Is there no mark by which you would know me if I am really your son?" "Yes," said his mother. "our Heinel had a mark like a raspberry on his right arm." Then he showed them the mark, and they knew that what he had said was true.
He next told them how he was king of the Golden Mountain, and was wed to a princes,, and had a son just turned seven years old. But the merchant said, "That can never be true, he must be a fine king truly, who travels in a shepherds frock!" at this the king was vexed; and forgetting his promise, he turned his ring, wishing for his queen and his son. In an instant they stood before him; but the queen wept and said that he had broken his word, and bad luck would follow. He did all he could to soothe her, and she at last seemed to be appeased, but she was not so in truth, and was only thinking how she should punish him.
One day he took her to walk with him out of the town, and he showed her the spot where his father cast off the boat upon the waves. Then he sat himself down and said, "I am very much tired, sit by me, and I will rest my head on your lap and sleep awhile." As soon as he had fallen asleep, however, she drew the ring from his finger and crept softly away, and wished herself and her son at home in their kingdom. And when he awoke he found himself alone, and saw that the ring was gone from his finger. "I can never return to my father's house, they will say that I am a sorcerer," said he. "I will journey forth in the world, till I come again to my kingdom."
So saying he set out and traveled till he came to a hill, where three giants were sharing their fathers' goods; and as they saw him pass they cried out and said, "Little men have sharp wits; he shall part the goods between us."
Now there was sword that cut off the bearers enemies heads whenever he gave the words "Heads off!"; a cloak that made the owner invisible, or gave him any form he wanted; and a pair of boots that carried the wearer wherever he wished. Heinel said that they must first let him try these wonderful things, that he might know how to set a value on them. They gave him the cloak, and he wished himself a fly, and in a moment he was a fly. "The cloak is very well," said he. "Now give me the sword." "No," said they. "Not unless you swear not to say 'Heads off' and slay us all." He swore it, and they gave it to him, charging him to try it on a tree. He next asked for the boots also, and the moment all three were in his possession, he wished himself to the Golden Mountain, and was there at once. So the giants were left with no goods to share or quarrel about.
As Heinel came near his castle he heard the sound of merry music; and the people around him told him that the queen was to be wed to another man that very night. Then he threw his cloak around himself, and passed through the hall unseen, and sat himself down by the queen, where no one saw him. But when anything to eat was put on her plate, he took it away and ate it himself; and when a glass of wine was handed to her, he took it and drank it himself; and thus, though they gave her an abundance of food and drink, her plate and cup were always empty.
Upon this, she was overcome by fear and remorse, and she went to her chamber and sat there weeping; and he followed her there. "Alas," she said to herself, "was I not once set free? Why then does this enchantment still bind me?" "False and fickle one!" said he. "One indeed came to set thee free, and he is now near thee again; but how have you used him? Ought he had to have had such treatment from thee?"
Then he went out and sent away the company, saying that the wedding was at an end, for he had returned to his kingdom. But the kings, princes, and great men mocked him. However, he would enter into no parley with them, only asking of they would go in peace or not. Then they fell on him and attempted to seize him, but he drew his sword and cried "Heads off!" and Heinel was once again king of the Golden Mountain.
By the time I finish my allergies are killing me. This was the most exposure to a book I'd had in weeks, and my eyes were itchy and red and my nose was running. Sabrina had been encouraging me to try building up to reading more gradually, and I had a little bit to appease her, but I really saw no point. I'd lived for thousands of years without reading anything longer than a drive thru menu, and I had done just fine. Still, I was wishing I had now. I'd just gotten started, and I already wanted to quit. I chewed my lip thoughtfully. This Heinel guy had some issues, clearly. He seemed level-headed enough as a kid, but he went off the deep end pretty fast when he found his queen cheating on him. To be honest, she didn't seem like much of a catch to me. She expected him to go through living hell for her the night he met her, then they had to get married as soon as he was back on his feet. How old could he have been? Thirteen, maybe, fourteen or fifteen on the outside. That chick was waaayyy too pushy. And then she gets bent out of shape cuz he made her visit the in-laws. I, personally, am a big fan of my mother-in-law, and my father-in-law isn't too bad, really, but I can see not wanting to visit sometimes. But she made way too big a deal out of it. Then she sneaks back to her beloved mountain and tries to get hitched to another guy? Good riddance, I would say. Talk about marital infidelity. He must have loved her, though. And I would want my mountain and my kid back, too. I think about what I would do if I found Sabrina with another guy. Not that she would ever cheat on the Trickster King. But I think I understand ol' Heinel a little better after that.
Thanks for reading, and I would like to send a shout out to Michelle, loverofbooks4eva, Bella, who is not the evil frog girl monster, and SabrinaDaphne13. Thanks sooooo much for reviewing, I really appreciate it! In case anyone was wondering, The King of The Golden Mountain is a fairytale I saw when I was browsing for characters when I started this story. I used to get a lot of the details right, although I changed a few things and re-worded a little. I don't know for sure Wilhelm was more involved than Jacob with this story, but I decided on Wilhelm because I think his name is funny. Thanks so much for reading, and if your name is Wilhelm, please don't be offended. Anyone who thinks I should do more Puck, or would like to suggest another POV for me to work in, please put it in a review or PM me. Thanks again!
~SugahRush~