Ella and Areida were expecting to be surprised when they got to the henhouse, but that still didn't stop their jaws from dropping when they got there. The one-legged chickens were laying two kinds of eggs; first, there were the normal white and brown eggs, second, there were golden, silver and jewel, encrusted eggs.

"This woman never ceases to amaze me," said Ella. She picked up a silver egg just to admire it.

"Don't take me!" piped the egg. Ella jumped in surprise. While Aggie had said the eggs would say 'Take me' and 'Don't take me', she hadn't expected them to actually talk. She carefully put the egg back in the nest.

"Sorry," she replied.
Areida chuckled. "Like I said, wonders never cease." She picked up a jeweled egg.

"Put me down!" snapped the egg. Areida also jumped and put the eggs back down.

Just then, a light went on in Ella's head. "Pick up a plain one," she told Areida. Areida picked up a plain, white egg.

"Take me!" it chirped.

"Uh, okay," Areida replied, nervously as she put the egg in her basket.

"Do you see where this is going?" asked Ella, encouragingly.

Areida thought for a moment, then answered, "The plain eggs want to be taken, while the fancy ones want to be left. That seems pretty ingenious, since I'm sure most people would want to take fancy ones." The girls hurried around the henhouse, gathering up all the plain eggs. Sure enough, they all wanted to be taken. Then, they went outside to meet Aggie.

Aggie was already waiting with Socrates perched on her shoulder. Charlie was hooked up to the wagon.
"I thought you said the wagon runs on magic," said Ella.

"When I command it to, it does," replied Aggie, "but I thought Charlie could use some exercise."

"Now, let's get a move on," Socrates squacked, "Aggie has appointments to keep, which means you two need to be on your way."

"Hush!" Aggie stated to the owl. The girls climbed aboard, and they headed off into the woods.


A short while later, they arrived at a fork in the road.

"Well, girls, this is as far as I go," said Aggie, "You continue on your own from here."

Ella and Areida got out of the wagon.

"Thank you so much for your hospitality," said Ella.

"It's certainly been an experience," added Areida.

Aggie chuckled. "Thank you, girls. It's been a pleasure having you as well. You're both welcome back anytime. And Ella, remember, we have to get in touch with you mother." Ella smiled and nodded. Aggie reached into the back of the wagon, and handed the girls their baskets of eggs.

"Don't forget these girls. Now, as you head home, throw those over your shoulders, and you'll get your presents."

"Once again, thanks so much," Ella said, gratefully, "This is all very kind of you."

Aggie smiled. Then, she pointed down the road.

"Get on the north road and follow it all the way to the edge of the forest. That will get you back to Frell." Just then, her pocket watch started chiming, and she checked.

"And now, girls, this is where I must leave you. Till we meet again, good luck." Aggie turned the wagon around and headed back up the western road. Ella and Areida waved as she headed off. Aggie looked back and waved back at them.

"Charming girls," said Socrates.

"Yes, they really are." Aggie agreed, "Just when I thought society had become ignorant, vain, stupid and selfish, these two sweet, young women pass by and reassure that there are still good people out there."

After a short pause, Socrates looked back at Aggie. "Did you give Ella her cure?"

Aggie grinned. "It's in her basket," she answered.


A short distance down the road, Ella and Areida found themselves staring at their egg baskets.

"So, should see what we've got?" asked Ella.

"Why not?" replied Areida.

They each took an egg and tossed it over their shoulders. As they looked back came out, they're faces lit up. Out of the egg Ella had tossed, came a white, ball gown, complete with shoes and a tiara. Areida also got a ball gown, although hers was more Ayorthian (Arab) in design. Both hurried over and held up their dresses, just to admire them.

"I must say," said Ella, "She sure knows how to make a lasting impression."

"Mm-hmm," agreed Arieda.

Immediately, the girls each took another egg and tossed them over their shoulders. Out came two new purses. As they picked up the purses, they noticed a note attached to Areida's purse.

"You can't carry a such a heavy load," Areida read, "so these purses hold more than they appear to." Ella and Areida peered into the purse and saw that, while small on the outside, the inside was massive.

As the girls continued on, they opened more eggs, revealing things they liked, like clothes and jewelry, things they needed, like books. Among the more interesting gifts, were a pair of crystal balls, a pair of color-changing horses (both female, and both sired by Charlie), and two bags of gold (each contained a note: 'Spend it wisely').

"Remember that really nice apartment we were looking at in Lamia?" Ella asked.

Areida smiled, knowing what Ella was hinting at. "Yes, I do," she replied.

"Roommates?" Ella held out her hand.

"Absolutely!" Areida took Ella's hand and shook it.

They loaded the sacks of gold into their purses and hooked them onto the saddles that had been previously strapped onto their horses.

"Looks like you missed one," Areida said, pointing to the lone egg left in Ella's basket.

"Well, let's see what's in it." Ella took the egg and tossed it to the ground. Out, rolled a small scroll of paper. Ella picked it up and read the note on it:

"No one should ever be forced to do as they're told. They need they're own free will. Ella of Frell, I release you from your curse."

As Ella finished reading the note, the ink wafted off the paper and into Ella's face. Ella coughed as she inhaled the ink cloud.

"Ella, are you okay?" asked Areida.

"I-I think so," Ella coughed, "But I feel a little weird."

"Maybe you should sit down. Here's a nice rock. Now, sit down."

As Ella started to sit, something dawned on her.

"You just told me to sit down." Areida nodded. "But I only went to sit, because I wanted to."

Areida's eyes widened in surprise.

"Quick, give me another order," said Ella.

Areida thought for a second. "Uh, dance." Ella didn't move. "Sing something silly." Nothing. "Skip in a circle."

"Maybe later."

Both girls' faces lit up in excitement, and Areida hugged her friend.

"How could Aggie have known?" said Areida, "Or better yet, how could she have known how to undo it?"

"I don't know," replied Ella, "But it feels good to be free."

The girls loaded the rest of their gifts into their purses, then climbed onto the backs of their color-changing horses.

"Thank you, Aggie," Ella muttered to herself. With that, Ella and Areida headed back towards Frell.


Please read and review. Next up: Hattie and Olive go looking for Aggie.