Ch.3: Giving Love a Helping Hand
"Come on, hurry up," Claire encouraged the bear and snake who followed her through the woods.
"Thisssss isssss getting pointlesssss," Tommy complained.
"Did you think finding someone for Duke would be easy?" Dwight asked.
"Do not make assssss-umptionsssss about me, bear," Tommy snapped. "It isssss not my fault you mammalsssss have to be ssssso complex."
"What was that?" Dwight growled.
"Stop this," Claire said, as they as stopped. "Tommy, if you had enough, leave. Dwight and I can find someone without you."
"Who'ssssss going to sssssave you when sssssomeone isssss trying to chop of your head?" Tommy snickered. "If it wassss-n't for me, Helena would have cooked you."
Dwight tried to hide his chuckle. Helena and her twin sister, Beatrice, were potential candidates to help Duke, but they found out Helena was only acting nice so she can get close to them to prepare them for a meal, and Beatrice was too meek to ask her sister to stop.
"Well, I wasn't the one who choose Evi," Claire said, defensively, making Dwight stop chuckling.
Evi was another potential candidate for Duke who didn't work out when she trapped Dwight and planned to sell him. Luckily, Tommy and Claire freed him before the buyers came.
"There hasssss to be a better way to find sssssomeone for Duke," Tommy said, frustrated, not noticing Dwight sniffing the air.
"Maybe there is," Dwight said, getting the others' attention. "I smell a horse and a human . . . female. I think we should investigate."
Curious, Tommy and Claire followed Dwight, until he stopped behind a large bush, making sure he stayed downwind so he wouldn't scare off the horse. Claire had to stand on Dwight's head to get a better view through the leaves, as Tommy slithered between Dwight's paws to get a closer look.
They saw a human woman dismounting from a horse and she scanned the area. Once she made sure the horse was okay, she took out some items from her saddlebag. She then sat down on a stump and began jotting down notes. She took a small break to pick some berries for a snack after she washed them in a nearby river. She brought her horse over to have a drink.
"She picked the right berries to eat," Dwight commented as the woman walked back to the stump with the horse and began to eat. "She seems to fit a lot of our criteria. What do you think, Claire?"
"One more test," Claire said and flew off of Dwight's head and landed somewhere else. She then waddled over to the woman, whistling innocently, getting her attention.
"Oh, a wood duck," the woman said, and tossed some of the berries onto the ground. "Have some."
Claire stopped to gobble up the berries, then waddled to the river. When she was out of the woman's line of sight, she flew back to Dwight and Tommy.
"I think we have a winner," Claire said, making the other animals smile.
"Ssssso what'sssss our plan?" Tommy asked.
"The sun is about to set. I'll get Duke ready. You get her to Rouge Pond," Claire said and flew off. Dwight groaned.
"I hate doing this," Dwight moaned. "I hate being the bad guy."
"It'sssss a dirty job, but sssssomeone hasssss to do it," Tommy said. "Let'sssss go."
Jennifer heard Autumn panicking before she saw the Sasquatch Bear charging out of the bushes, roaring. She slowly got up. She knew it was a Sasquatch Bear, but she was too scared right now to remember what to do when you encountered an angry one. The bear stood on his hind legs and roared again, scaring off Autumn. Hearing Autumn leave made Jennifer turn around, then she faced the Sasquatch Bear, who stood down and . . . looked kind of guilty? The Sasquatch Bear looked ferocious again and headed towards Jennifer, whose first instinct was to run.
She was about to turn right, when a snake whipped out, snapping at her feet, causing her to head in the other way. As she ran, she became aware of somethings: weren't Sasquatch Bears supposed to be faster than humans? Was the bear being slow on purpose? In fact, the snake popped up every time she wanted to run somewhere else. Were the bear and the snake herding her in a peculiar direction?
"So why am I rolling in lavender?" Duke asked, twisting his back into the flowers.
"To make you smell better . . . and it's a new form of therapy," Claire quickly added. Duke stopped, flipped onto his feet, and walked up to Claire.
"You have something planned for me, don't you?" Duke said.
Claire tried to look innocent, but before she could defend herself, they heard the sound of a human running towards them.
Jennifer looked frazzled when she came out of the forest. She paused, turned around in a circle, and saw the bear was no longer chasing her. She then plopped to the ground, panting.
Duke stared at Jennifer, back at Claire, then looked at Jennifer again. Now he knew Claire's plan. He'd lecture his animal friends later, but he had to admit, there was something different about this woman that caught his interest, and made him curious to know more about her. Duke shook himself and walked up to her.
Jennifer heard a whistling-chirp sound and saw a river otter heading towards her. She never encountered so many wild animals in one day. The otter circled her once, examining her. He then stopped in front of her hand, making a purring-like sound. He touched her hand with his nose. Jennifer had to smile, feeling the otter's soft nose. She slowly moved her hand and carefully petted the otter, who didn't run away. In fact, he looked like he was enjoying being petted.
"What a day," Jennifer had to say, while stroking the otter. She then noticed the sun starting to sink over the horizon. She stopped petting the otter and got up. "I hope I can find my way—"
The otter then started screaming, bouncing around her, as if he wanted to get her attention, and it worked, as Jennifer watched the otter, curious and confused.
Before Jennifer could say anything, the otter stopped a couple of feet in front of her, and stood up on his hind feet, as the sun finally set. Suddenly, water, leaves, flower petals, and tiny dots of light swirled around the otter and followed him as the otter grew taller. The fur receded under the skin, the tail retracted, the webbing shrank as the digits grew into fingers. The otter's head reformed into a human's head as the muzzle melted into the face to form a human nose and mouth. Clothing materialized on him. The water, leaves, flower petals, and the tiny dots of light faded when the transformation was complete, and standing before Jennifer was a human man.
Jennifer's eyes widen and she felt her jaw drop a little. She then recovered and did what educated woman would have done it this situation. She went over to the man and began to poke him.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
"Making sure you're not an illusion," she answered and continued to poke him. He gently wrapped his fingers around her wrist and moved her hand away.
"Look, um . . ." he began, as he let go of her hand.
"Jennifer. Jennifer Mason," she replied. This time his eyes widen.
"Mason? As in the Masons who rule over True Heart Lands?" he asked.
"Well, I don't actually rule them, because . . . wait, why am I telling an illusion this?"
"Because, I'm not an illusion," he replied and gently held her hand. "I'm real."
"I've read that some magic-users can make really powerful illusions that could fool all 5 senses," Jennifer said as she slipped her hand out of his.
"Is there any way I can prove that I'm real?"
"My friend Audrey is immune to magic," Jennifer said. "She can tell if you're real or an illusion, but she is not arriving . . ." she paused and anxiously looked back. "I promised Vince and Dave I'll be home before dark! I have to get back! But that Sasquatch Bear—"
"Trust me, he's not a threat," he said, chuckling, making Jennifer look at him. "But you're right. It is dangerous traveling through the forest at night. You can stay here until it's daylight."
"Why would I want to stay with an illusion?" Jennifer asked and he rolled his eyes.
"Could you please stop calling me an illusion? I'm real, I have a name, it's Duke Crocker!" Duke said, getting frustrated. Jennifer looked even more surprised.
"Crocker? You don't look like a Crocker," she said and Duke had to smile.
"What makes you say that?" Duke asked, smiling.
"I thought Crockers were bloodthirsty warlords," Jennifer said and Duke laughed.
"Trust me, I'm way different," Duke said with a huge smile. "You know, that invitation is still opened."
"What invitation?"
"To stay here until daylight."
"Well . . ." Jennifer really didn't have any other option. "Do you have a way to communicate with True Heart Castle?"
"In a matter of fact, I think I do," Duke said and offered his hand. "Well?"
"Okay, but before I go, I need you to answer something."
"Yes?"
"Why do you overwhelming smell of lavender?"
When Jennifer was done with her letter explaining what happened to the best of her ability to Vince and Dave, Duke placed a cup of tea onto the desk, causing her to look up at him, as he sat down next to her with his own cup in his hands.
"Thanks," she said, unconsciously smiling and took a sip of tea. She then heard a thump on the other side of the room. "What was that?"
"Your postman," Duke said, getting up, putting down his tea, and motioned for Jennifer to follow him which she did, carrying her letter.
Standing in the opened window was a barn owl. Duke was leaning against the adjacent wall, smiling.
"Jennifer, meet Bowie, Bowie, Jennifer. Bowie knows the True Heart region best and where the castle is. I asked him to deliver your letter," Duke said.
"Oh, why, thank you, Bowie," Jennifer said and began to raise her hand, but paused and looked at Duke. "May I?"
Duke nodded and Jennifer stroked Bowie's chest feathers.
"You're very handsome, Bowie," Jennifer said. Bowie looked pleased and made a purring-like sound. Duke rolled his eyes.
"Don't encourage him; he's vain enough," Duke said. Bowie glared at Duke and hissed at him. "What? You know it's the truth! Hey! Don't you use that language around a lady!"
Jennifer stopped petting Bowie and stared at Duke and the owl, switching her gaze between the two. Duke noticed this.
"I forgot to tell you that I could understand and communicate with animals," Duke said and Jennifer slowly nodded back.
Duke took Jennifer's folded up letter and handed it to Bowie, who carefully held it with his talons. Bowie then turned around and flew off. Jennifer then remembered something.
"Oh, no! Autumn! I completely forgot about her!" Jennifer exclaimed and looked at Duke. "I have to find her!"
"Don't worry; I asked a rabbit to look for your horse," Duke said and Jennifer looked confused. "It made sense that you rode here."
"By the way, where is 'here?'" Jennifer asked. Duke sighed; there was no way to get around this one.
"Rouge Pond." Jennifer's eyes grew so wide that almost covered her face.
"Rouge Pond . . .? It's . . . real? How did . . ." Jennifer stopped, collected herself, and went up to him. "You have a lot of explaining to do."
Duke had to chuckle. Jennifer had . . . spunk. Before he could say anything, there was a knock on the door. Duke went to answer it.
"I will, after they apologize for tricking you," Duke said, opening the door. A bear, a snake, and a duck walked inside.
Jennifer began backing up.
"Hold on," Duke said, closing the door, and making her pause. "Jennifer, meet Dwight, Tommy, and Claire, my best friends, or ex-best friends, since they decided to trick you."
"Why would they want to trick me?" Jennifer asked. Duke sighed again.
"I'll explain that as well, but I think they want to know if you forgive them," Duke said.
Dwight slowly walked up to Jennifer and laid down, looking at her with big sad eyes, making the intimating Sasquatch Bear look . . . very cute.
"Well . . . you weren't really trying to hurt me . . . okay . . . I forgive you all," Jennifer said. The three animals looked happy and relieved as Dwight stood up. They then looked at Duke.
"I'm still thinking about it," Duke said and walked into another room. Dwight groaned, causing Jennifer to giggle. She then followed Duke with the animals right behind her.
The room Duke was in was actually a decent-looking kitchen, complete with a magical 'frige' and 'freeze' boxes that preserved food. Duke took out some vegetables and noticed Jennifer's curious expression.
"I used to have dinner around this time, so I thought you might wanted something to eat," Duke said and got out some cooking utensils.
"Well . . ." she was hungry, but she really wanted to hear Duke's explanations. Then she had an idea. "May I help?"
Duke paused. "What?"
"I took a few cooking classes; it was part of my etiquette lessons," Jennifer said. She also thought Duke might explain himself sooner if dinner was finished.
Duke handed her some vegetables. "You know how to clean and chop them, right?"
Jennifer nodded and helped Duke. As they prepared dinner together, Duke explained his past and his history with Rouge Pond. When the food was ready, Duke gave Dwight, Claire, and Tommy bowls of broth to show he wasn't mad at them.
During dinner, Duke told Jennifer about his curses, and the situation with Wade and Arla. Jennifer was so engrossed listening to him that she almost forgot to eat. It was only her rumbling stomach that reminded her that she needed food.
Jennifer just sat there, still processing everything Duke told her. She was brought back to reality when Duke placed a bowl of freshly cut fruit in front of her for dessert.
"Do you believe me?" Duke asked as he sat across from her, with his own bowl of fruit.
"Well . . . part of me still believes this all could be one big illusion," Jennifer said and Duke let out a laugh of disbelief.
"Why do you still believe that?" Duke asked with a smile.
"I know it's rude . . . but Vince and Dave . . . they encountered many people who had the power to make complex illusions . . . so as I grew up, they warned me about them," Jennifer admitted.
"Is there any way to prove to you that I'm real?" Duke asked.
Jennifer already had an idea and she just hoped it worked.
"There might be a way," Jennifer said. "Remember I told you about Audrey? If Audrey sees you, then I know you're real . . . and that's where I need your help . . ."
"So you want to bring your friends, Audrey and Nathan, here, to prove to you I'm real?" Duke asked incredulously. They were now sitting in front of the fireplace.
"Yes . . . I know what you promised Charlotte, but I know Audrey and Nathan since we were children. They will never gossip about Rouge Pond," Jennifer said. "I won't ever tell Vince and Dave about Rouge Pond! I swear! Do you need a blood oath or something?"
Duke had to laugh.
"Let me get you to understand, Jennifer," Duke said, facing her straight on. "If Audrey and Nathan do tell others about Rouge Pond, people will try to claim Charlotte and I can't let that happen. Plus, if they break their promise—"
"It could break your heart?" Jennifer questioned. "How could . . . well, they did get their information from me . . . so technically I could break your heart . . . oh." Jennifer saw Duke's solemn expression. "But that's not going to happen, Duke! I swear! If that's happens . . . I'll bury you myself and give you an honorable funeral! I'll even take over protecting Rouge Pond! I'll—"
"Why are you so intent of having them come here?" Duke asked.
"Because I want you to be real!" Jennifer accidentally confessed. She then realized what she said out loud. Duke had to laugh seeing her expression.
"Yes," he said, smiling.
"Yes?"
"Yes, they can come," Duke said. "I'll show you how to get to Rouge Pond tomorrow."
"Oh, thank you, Duke!" Jennifer exclaimed and hugged him. Duke realized how much he missed a human's embrace like this after 6 months of isolation. Jennifer then noticed Duke's surprised face and stopped. "Um . . . sorry."
"It's okay," Duke said. "I better do the dishes."
"I'll help," Jennifer said, getting up along with Duke, who gave her a curious look. "Uh . . . Dave made me clean dishes for a whole month when I was little after I found his collection of 'dirty drawings,' and asked him about them."
Duke laughed again, and he and Jennifer did the dishes together. Afterwards, Duke asked Jennifer about herself and they spend most of the night talking, until Jennifer yawned and blinked rapidly.
"Sorry, I've never stayed up this late before," Jennifer said.
"It's fine. You can sleep in my bed," Duke said, indicating another room. Jennifer's eyes grew a little big.
"Uh . . . where are you going to sleep?" Jennifer asked.
"Here," Duke said, indicating the sofa they were sitting on, but he noticed Jennifer's worried expression. "What?"
"Let's say you are real," Jennifer began. "What's stopping you from . . ."
"Ah, now I get it," Duke said, nodding and chuckled. "I take it my word of honor as a prince is not enough?"
Jennifer sadly nodded in agreement. Before Duke could say anything else, Dwight entered the room, softly roaring, and Duke paid attention to what Dwight had to say.
"That could work, Dwight. Let's see if Jennifer likes the idea," Duke said and looked at her. "Dwight says he'll sleep next to you . . . on the floor, of course . . . if that makes you feel safer."
Dwight demonstrated by lying down next to the bed. He was massive enough that someone Duke's size couldn't get through, but someone Jennifer's size could.
"Yes, that would work," Jennifer said, as she stood up and walked to the bedroom. She patted Dwight's head as she passed him. Dwight smiled as Jennifer made herself comfortable in bed. "Thank you, Dwight."
"You good?" Duke asked, quickly sticking his head in.
"Yes," Jennifer replied.
"Good night," Duke said, and blew out the candle.
"Night."
Jennifer woke up feeling thirsty. There was enough light from the moon and the dying light from the fireplace so she can make her way to the kitchen without tripping over Dwight. She passed Duke, sleeping on the sofa on her way to the kitchen. Once again, she unconsciously smiled when she saw him. Once she had her water, she walked back to bed. However, she stopped when she heard whimpering sounds coming from Duke. She turned and saw him thrashing in his sleep as he whimpered and mumbled. Jennifer knew what was happening to him, and raced to his side.
"Duke! Duke! Wake up!" she said, gently shaking his shoulders. "You're having a bad dream! Please, wake up!"
Duke sat up, now fully awake, and almost jerked away from Jennifer, while he looked around nervously. He then noticed Jennifer.
"I'm sorry. Did I wake you?" Duke asked.
Jennifer shook her head. "I was already up. Duke, what—"
She was interrupted by a concerned growl and turned to see Dwight standing in the doorway.
"Don't worry, Dwight; Jennifer's got it," Duke said. Dwight nodded and went back into the bedroom.
"I'll head back to bed—" Jennifer said and started to move, but Duke stopped her.
"It's going to be dawn soon. I should show you the way back before the sun rises," Duke said as he got up. "I asked Dwight where he found you and that's where we're going to meet Babs and Autumn."
Jennifer concluded Babs must be the rabbit Duke asked to look for her horse. She then realized something.
"Wait; how do you know it's going to be dawn soon?" Jennifer asked. "You didn't even look at a clock."
"When your body transforms because of the sun's rotation, you somehow get the ability to know when the sun rises and sets," Duke said.
Jennifer's response was her mouth forming an 'o' shape. She then gathered her stuff and said good-bye to Duke's animal friends as he got a lantern.
"So once we pass this tree, it will lead us . . . here," Duke said, guiding Jennifer to the clearing where she saw Autumn calmly grazing next to a rabbit.
Jennifer happily ran to Autumn and hugged her, while Duke thanked Babs. Babs hopped off as Jennifer placed her items back into the saddlebag. She then looked Duke, who gave her the lantern.
"I can't really carry it back," Duke said and Jennifer understood what he meant.
"I'll bring it back when I return," Jennifer said.
"So, I'll see you in two days?" Duke asked with a hopeful smile.
"Yes," Jennifer said, nodding.
"I look forward to it," Duke said, smiling.
Jennifer hoped it was dark enough so Duke couldn't see her blush.
The sun began to rise. Just as the sun's rays touched Duke, water, leaves, flower petals, and tiny dots of light, swirled around him, as he shrank. He grew fur and a tail, as webbing spread between his fingers as his hands changed into paws. His clothes vanished as whiskers sprouted and his mouth and nose formed into a muzzle. When the water, leaves, flower petals, and tiny dots of lights faded away, in front of Jennifer was an otter standing on his hind legs.
Duke dropped down to all fours, made a happy chirping sound, and ran to the nearby river. Jennifer watched as Duke dove in, and a few seconds later, he surfaced, turned around, and waved to her. Jennifer waved back and watched Duke swim home. She then blew out the candle, placed the lantern into the saddlebag, mounted Autumn, and rode back home.
As Jennifer dismounted, she saw Vince and Dave run up to her as soon as her feet touched the ground. They quickly embraced her as Liam took care of Autumn.
"Jennifer, are you okay? What happened?" Vince asked when they were done hugging her.
"We did receive your letter, but it was vague," Dave said.
"Boy, it was a commotion when the owl arrived," Vince said. "It flew around Rudy, who thought it was a bat, trying to make a nest in his hair."
"Bats don't do that," Dave corrected.
"Well, I know they avoid you," Vince said, eyeing Dave's balding head.
"Don't start with me, Vince!" Dave snapped back. "I know you get this way when you get anxious!"
"I do not—"
"Guys," Jennifer politely interrupted, stopping the bickering men. "I will explain, but first I need to send a message to Audrey and Nathan. I know what we're going to do."
"That's wonderful, Jennifer! What is it?" Vince asked as he and Dave smiled.
"We're going camping and having a picnic!" Jennifer said as she dashed inside, smiling at the Teague brothers' baffled expressions.
Note: Whoever gets the connection between the owl's and/or the rabbit's names, gets to request a cute bonding scene between Duke and Jennifer! Let me know what you think of the story! Thank you!