Cinderella hung the coat back and was just starting towards the dining room, when Eleanor's slender hand grasped her arm.

"No. You go sit by the fire", Eleanor said. "I'll clear the table."

Cinderella looked up in surprise, but the other woman had already left - abruptly, as if touching Cinderella's arm had burnt her hand. Cinderella could still feel the touch upon her skin, through her sleeve. It had been… nothing like any other touch.

I wonder… Cinderella thought. I wonder what that means. I have read about it, but it doesn't make sense. I am a woman. So is she. It can't be… can it?

"Foolish old woman", Eleanor muttered to herself as she carried the plates back to the kitchen. "You are mistaken. Too many years trying not to feel at all is coming back at you, that is all."

Something inside her begged to differ. Something inside her insisted that what she felt was not a mistake and it wasn't the result of holding back in the past. She tried to block it out but couldn't. Perhaps it was simply her bad conscience that was bothering her.

She walked through the shadowy hallways and into the parlour where Cinderella was seated, on the floor next to the fireplace. Eleanor sat down in a chair next to her.

"Ella", she began. Cinderella looked up at her and laughed a little. Eleanor raised an eyebrow in a silent inquiry.

"I'm sorry. I do appreciate it, but I have been Cinderella for too long to change now. And it isn't so bad… it wasn't even from the beginning."

Eleanor shot her another look to make sure she was serious, before she went on:

"I want to apologise to you for everything I have done, and everything I have allowed to be done to you. I won't ask you to forgive me… I can't see how you could… but I want you to know that I am sorry and I regret it."

"I know. And I have already forgiven you. People change, and they deserve to be forgiven when they do."

"Do they? I sincerely doubt that."

Cinderella touched her hand gently and gave her a soft smile.

"Please don't dwell on it. It's over now. Things have changed."

"Yes, I suppose they have…" she shrugged and decided to drop the subject. "Have you warmed up?"

"I'm fine", Cinderella replied, her eyes sparkling. "But I'd like to sit here for a while before going to bed. It's… it's nice. Will you keep me company?"

"I… well, yes."

Cinderella leaned back against Eleanor's legs. The older woman stiffened for a moment before relaxing. The girl was so innocent, she couldn't possibly be doing it on purpose.

Lucifer entered the room, glared at the two women, and then went to toast himself by the fire. Eleanor snorted.

"One would think the cat would learn to stop doing that. How many times has he caught fire by now?"

Cinderella gave a light laughter, that resonated through Eleanor's body. She trembled in response and hoped that the younger woman wouldn't notice. She didn't.

"Too many. But he's getting old, he needs the warmth by the fire."

"I'm getting old too. But I sit by the fire, not in it."

"You're not getting old!" Cinderella replied with a touch of panic in her voice that surprised herself just as much as it surprised Eleanor.

"I fear time has that impact on all of us", Eleanor replied dryly, "whether we like it or not."

Silence fell upon them. The crackling of the fire and the howling winds outside were the only sounds to be heard. It was soothing. Eleanor realised she had been stroking Cinderella's hair for quite some time, and the girl hadn't objected. Perhaps she had fallen asleep.

Just then, Cinderella moved back a little and turned around to face her.

"May I ask you a question?"

"You may."

"Do you believe in true love?"

Eleanor froze. What was that supposed to mean?

"No", she replied a little too quickly.

"Not at all?"

She sighed and made a vague gesture with both hands.

"What do you want me to say? I have never seen it. My first marriage was arranged for social standing. My second was for financial security. Everyone I know have married for the same reasons. If there is fondness, that's all well and good. But love? That belongs to the fairytales. In real life, there are no happily ever afters."

"That is a sad outlook on love."

"No, it's realistic. I have never experienced it nor have I heard of anyone experiencing it. Perhaps it happens to someone. But I would be lying if I said it's bound to happen to everyone."

She saw the dejected look upon the younger woman's face and hated herself for putting it there. But Cinderella squared her shoulders and lifted her chin.

"Well, I do believe in true love. And I don't believe appearances or age or social standing matters. I believe it is the strongest power on earth, and I believe true love really does conquer all."

"Lovely speech dear. Don't be too disappointed when life proves you wrong", Eleanor clipped and rose from her chair. "I'm going to bed now. Put out the candles when you do the same."

"But…"

"Goodnight."

She turned and walked away, leaving the confused young woman behind her. True love conquers all, oh yes, surely. In the fairytales. But in the fairytales, no old hag would win the fair princess - that was for the knights in shining armour. True love, what mockery it was to hear Cinderella speak so hopefully about it.

A/N

Again… wow. Thank you everyone for support and reviews - keep them coming, they make me so happy! Since English is my second language, it's even more flattering to know that people like to read what I write. Thank you so much!

Oh, and yes, there is something so hot about the older confident woman and the younger innocent one... I agree 100%. A friend of mine nearly threw a fit when she found out that I ship Maleficent/Aurora, and Cinderella/Lady Tremaine. I guess I can see why it's wrong... but I can see why it's right too. ;)