A Glimmer of Hope

The scenery was beautiful, but I soon found that I couldn't think about it. The only thing I could think about was how to walk. I was tired, dizzy and confused. I didn't know where I was or long it would take me to get to Ontio, but I knew that either way all was lost.

Even if I did make it to the castle, Arae would beat me by miles, and she would have gained the approval of everyone surrounding her. She could convince them I was her servant who had run away, a spy or a murderer. At the very best I would still end up doing her dirty work.

But if I didn't make it – well, I shuddered at the thought.

I could go to a house and ask for help, but I had no idea where any villages were, or how I would be received.

So it seemed I would have to hope for a miracle.

I stumbled on like this day and night, sleeping in short bursts and only when absolutely necessary. I lost any track of time, and only ate the food I could gather on my way.

But when things really changed for me was when I gave up. One night, I just collapsed to the ground and cried.

I cried for all I had lost. I cried for mother, for my handkerchief, Falada, my supposed friendship with Arae, and even my golden cups. I cried for the gardens I would never see, the songs I would never sing, the happiness I could never feel.

I cried from the knowledge that the prince would remain ever a stranger, as strange as laughter or happiness seemed to me then.

Then I fell asleep. I slept from sometime late at night until halfway through the day. Then I got up, gathered food, and slept again. That became my routine, and when I wasn't able to sleep, I fell into a sort of half-coma.

I slept in day or night, and it was then that I suffered the worst. When I was awake I could control my thoughts, at least to some extent. But when I was asleep my thoughts were unlimited, and I dreamt of all the things at night as I yearned for in the day. But they were warped, twisted dreams, where someone always ended up getting hurt, or lost, or betrayed. I lost all hope, all faith, and forgot how to trust.

Who were I to trust anyway? The tree? The river?

It turned out I was to trust a fairy.

I was lying under the tree following my usual ritual when she flew past. I ignored her at first, but she kept scanning the area, flying lower and lower until she landed in front of me.

I was expected to be asked why I was crying, what was wrong, but the fairy seemed to be two steps ahead.

'Arae will be at the palace by midday tomorrow.'

I was shocked and surprised, but I tried not to let it show.

'Erm…who are you?' Any attempt of sounding uninterested was ruined by the tiredness in my voice.

'I'm Lucinda, and you are in trouble.'

'I knew that,' I replied shortly, annoyed by much she knew.

'Then why did you ask?' she said, and then continued when I ignored her. 'Do you want to go ahead with this, or not.'

'Go ahead with what?'

'I will give you a horse with amazing speed and agility.'

'Can't you just zap me to the castle and be done with it?' I grumbled, irritated.

'That would be what is called big magic. I don't do big magic.'

'Since when has…' my voice trailed off, because it suddenly hit me.

This fairy was offering me a second chance, the possibility of survival, and I was complaining because it wasn't good enough. Even if I didn't make it to the palace on time, at least I would live.

Every tiny moment of my life was valuable to me, and now I had a chance for not one more moment, but a million.

I changed what I was going to say.

'What's big magic?'

'Big magic is magic that can affect bigger things, change the outcome of a life or death situation for more than one person.'

I wasn't sure how spot on that definition was, and I couldn't see how a horse was any lesser magic than just sending me to the castle, but I went with it, for the sake of my life.

'Okay, so you'll give me a fast horse. How will I convince everyone that I am the rightful princess though? Arae and I even look the same.'

I was getting frustrated about the limited chance I had.

'I think you can figure that out for yourself. I will give you the horse, so that you have no unfair disadvantage. But I need to know you are worthy of this gift. I want to help you, but if Arae is in the right I can't make life hard for her. Just remember, there is a side to every story, and I only know yours. You are a smart girl. If you are truly in the right, something will give you the advantage. It just can't be me.'

'So you can't give me an advantage but you can give me a horse?' I was confused.

'I am evening the odds, but I can't tip them in your favour. That would be big magic.

I decided to go with it, and pretend I understood.

'Um, well, I guess I'll accept your help them.'

'Excellent!' She clapped her hands as though she was a five year-old.

Suddenly, a beautiful, yet somewhat uncared for horse appeared before me.

Well, more than uncared for. It looked like the kind of horse the servants would use to ride to the village.

It had no-one to love it, just like me.

It could never replace Falada, but it would do.

'Goodbye, dear child,' said Lucinda. 'This is all I can do for you.'

'No, wait!' I cried. 'Can I ask for one, small favour?'

'It depends on the sorts.'

I looked to the ground, embarrassed to be asking for help, after so much had been done for me.

'If I should die, please tell my mother I love her?'

I looked up to see Lucinda give a sad, sweet, beautiful smile, then hung my head again, afraid to look her in the eye.

'You won't die.'

'But what if I do?'

There was no answer, and I looked up once more to see that Lucinda had vanished.

'Goodbye,' I said quietly to the thin air, not sure whether I was saying it to Lucinda or my mother.

I adopted a more positive attitude, and turned to my horse.

'What shall I call you?'

I climbed on his back and waited for his answer.

'Southwind.'

South. That was where I came from. I was riding the wind from the south.

'Fly like the wind,' I encouraged him, and he did exactly what I said.

That was the first time I knew speed.

A/N So here is another chapter done for you. I hope you like it. Notice these chapters are just getting slightly longer each time (Probably not, a) because it is only by about 3 words and b) because this chapter broke the pattern.

Also, I know this story is nowhere near complete, but I have been and will be updating frequently, so if you keep reading, you won't be disappointed.

CU Later

(Or sooner if you write a review)

Never2Old4Disney