Chapter 3: Plans of Trier.

Authors note: I had to do a lot of research for this chapter. I actually had no clue a town named Trier really existed but it was the oldest town that was also in Germany when the movie took place and it had a large river that separated the city from the forest so I was like- YAHTZEE. Oh, and thank you for the people who left me reviews, they seriously made my day. :D I can't thank you guys enough for reviewing, following, sending positive messages. It all makes my day a bit brighter. :D

So without further delay, here's chapter three.

Muriel's POV:

The harsh winds rattled me, though I was sheltered I could still feel the chill of the winds that blew roughly outside. Gretel had been tossing and turning, apparently she had a fear of storms. This woman that I had thought so fearless had actually been full of fears, she was just brave and stood up to them.

I had conjured up a bed for Gretel to rest in. It was large and made from an Oak tree that was rooted outside of the lair. Thick black covers and pillows covered much of the bed and there was a black curtain draped around the bed posts for the occupants privacy. I had figured Gretel would welcome the thought that no one had been able to spy on her while she slept. I had conjured a big plush armchair for me to rest in while I kept my position at her bedside. I was there for Gretel's protection and my own comfort.

I had peeked in between the curtains to catch a glimpse of my sleeping beauty. She was buried under the thick duvet, I could see that she had her face slightly covered and her hair had come loose from it's braid. She was on her side, curled up into a ball and she was facing in my direction. Her brown eyes were closed and she was letting out soft snores occasionally.

Taking my place back in the armchair I rested my head on my hand. I needed to move Gretel away from Augsburg, I needed to find another forest to occupy. It would only take a matter of days for Hansel and a mob formed of villagers to find the lair. I would leave the other witches here for distraction while I fled with Gretel. I had no concern for the many witches that would be burned at the stake when the mob infiltrated the cavern. I had only concern for Gretel and where I was to move our location to.

I needed to find a place where Hansel and who ever he enlisted to follow him would never find us. But I also needed a place where I could easily get supplies without causing too much chaos. Gretel needed meals, a washroom, a bed, and a steady supply of water. I could create a small cottage and furnishings for the house. She would have a washroom and a bed. I would have to find a place with a stream one mile or closer and I could go to the village market and purchase vegetable and fruit seeds before we left.

Now all that was left for me to figure out was the location I would take Gretel. I had no family, they had all died many decades ago. As a high witch there were many things I didn't do and didn't need. I didn't age, I didn't need sleep, and I could just use my magic to give me the nutrients I needed. It was different for me to take care of someone who needed the things I hadn't for so long, hell it was different for me to take care of someone at all.

Finally it snapped into my head, there was a city that had been known for it's witch trials. Trier. Hansel would never expect me to go towards a city full of amateur witch hunters. There was a large river that separated the main portion of the city and the large forest that surrounded the city. It would take a few days by flight but I could make it out with Gretel.

Standing I grabbed a basket from underneath the bed, I filled it with important spell books that I didn't want to leave and some clothing. Stepping outside of the room, I warded the bedroom door with magic before I picked up the basket once more and made my way outside the lair. Witches were scattered in every corner of the lair, laughing and drinking. No one really noticed me in my human form, I slipped outside undetected. I transformed a long rope from a large piece of wood and I used it to saddle my basket full of possessions to my broomstick.

I would leave for the market after Gretel awoke, I needed to purchase seeds so that I could raise a garden for Gretel to eat from. I was confident Hansel would never find my hideout, you couldn't use a tracking spell on a high witch and Trier was a great distance from the tiny village these people had settled in.

Storming back through the lair I made my way back to Gretel's bedside. When I arrived the bed was empty. Gretel was crouched in a corner. I took a seat in the armchair and we stared at each other for quite awhile, I had to break this silence, for her comfort. "We're leaving town. We're going to a place called Trier. It has all the supplies I need to care for you. We leave tomorrow at nightfall." I stood and hurried to exit the room, I was so focused on getting away from her that I barley heard when she whispered a quiet thank you. I nodded and continued on.

I may have feelings for her but I would not show her my weakness towards her. I nodded and exited the room, warding the door to make sure she wouldn't be disturbed. I then set out for the market, it was still light outside so I would have to make the trek to the village on foot. Being able to control my witch transformation was unbelievably helpful in both getting into the village undetected and pursuing a relationship with Gretel.

It would be hard enough getting her warmed up to me and impossible to get her in a actual relationship. I was doing this to protect her, I trusted no one else with her and if she wasn't by my side at all times I'd worry and be counter productive. What use is it being an evil witch if you can't focus enough to concoct an evil plan?

The trek to the village was long and for once I was glad my thoughts distracted me, I was guided by my memory and the sound of children's laughter and a busy market. Once I made it inside the village I put my cloak around my shoulders and pulled a hood up. People wouldn't question me if I had my hood down, but I didn't wish for Hansel to see my face. I wasn't afraid of a fight, I just wanted to get the seeds and get back to Gretel as fast as I possibly could.

I wandered around the market for quite some time, passing a few stands and occasionally stopping to check a price or eye some other merchandise that was displayed. I picked up a few things for Gretel, I purchased four pairs of trousers, four matching tops, and a few dresses I thought would look.. just ravishing on her. I purchased clothing so she would have something to remind her of her homelands. I was tearing her away from her life and giving her no choice, normally I wouldn't have felt an ounce of remorse for my actions and to be honest I never have felt remorse for any of my past deeds. But ripping Gretel away from her home, her brother, and her work without her consent so that she could spend the rest of Hansel's lifespan in a different town, deep in the woods, with me.

Shaking my head I returned to the present dilemma, I needed to find seeds so that I could grow them to create produce in which Gretel would get her meals. Passing a farmers table I eyed pumpkin seeds, squash seeds, zucchini seeds, tomato seeds, and various types of fruit seeds. I asked for a price and it was reasonable, I threw down a cloth sack full of coins. I had over paid but he was selling me something valuable to my plan and it was obvious he'd been lacking in buyers recently- Gretel really had warmed my heart just a tiny bit. Just because I paid a man more than I should've did not mean I wouldn't subject you to harsh and endless pain and torture you if you displeased me, it simply meant I was willing to try and be slightly more compassionate for Gretel.

Putting the seeds and the various clothing items in a large bag I had packed for both myself and Gretel, I hoisted the bag onto my shoulder and I prepared to take my leave of this dirty and rotting village, I was looking forward to leaving this place behind. I would not miss the stench of poverty and the foolish hunters who thought they could get away with witch hunting, animal hunting, and looking for the children we had put so much effort into stealing on my land. Before I could make it past the gates of the town and headed back into the forest I heard a man's voice call out, "MISSING! The famous witch hunter- Gretel has come up missing. REWARD for the brave soul who can bring her back! Witches are suspected! Hunting party to be sent out tonight!"

Well fuck. This put a major dent in my plan on leaving tomorrow at nightfall, these so called hunters would risk their lives for a reward and I would take no chances that they wouldn't find the lair. I would take no chances on loosing Gretel. I had to leave tonight. When dusk fell, I would saddle the broom with our total of two bags, retrieve Gretel from her room, and we would be off to settle in Trier.

I didn't stop to listen to the rest of the report, men were already gathering their weapons and women we're gossiping in little circles around the market. I needed to get back to Gretel as quickly as possible and inform Gretel so when the time came she'd be prepared for what was to come, if she wouldn't come willingly then I'd have no choice but to restrain her or force a sleeping potion down her throat.

Throwing the bag of newly purchased items back onto my shoulder I followed the path that lead towards the forest, once I was into the actual woodland I had to make my own path, I followed my compass and I had memorized landmarks and such after a hundred years occupying the same patch of land. When I finally saw the entrance to the lair come into view I was practically speed walking. I had so much to prepare for and so little time to accomplish my goals. I would start with saddling the bags, I already had the bag full of my spell books and such attached to the broom, I took another rope that I had purchased at the Market and used it to attach the bag of seeds and things for Gretel to the broom, then I swiftly gathered some water in a container for Gretel if she needed any while we made the long trip to Trier.

I will not lie, I am frightened. Not by death or these pathetic hunters but the thought Gretel would be taken from me pushed me over the edge, I had lost my sanity and I had been scrambling to put the broom and such together. When the flight preparations and packing was complete, I rushed inside to have Gretel's last meal on this land served to her and then I finally allowed myself to relax. All I had to do was inform Gretel of the change in plans. I might as well get that over while she eats, walking the short distance to her room I was obviously nervous. I must've flicked 1,000 pieces of invisible lint off my clothing before I knocked on the door and entered.

Gretel was sitting on the bed, she was positioned in the middle with the bowl of soup on her lap. She looked up when I entered and she gave me a real smile, I smiled back. "Gretel, there has been a change in plans, we must leave tonight. I can take no chances with not leaving. I'm sorry." She nodded and turned away from me. She whispered a small thank you as I left the room, I wanted to give her the privacy she needed and when she was ready, I'd be there. For now I wanted to let her shed her tears without me standing guard. I had no one to cry for, I had no one to say goodbye too, and I certainly had no one I would regret leaving here for the witch hunters to find and burn.