Disclaimer: I don't own Into the Woods or anything by Edgar Allan Poe. I only own the plot and Tom.
Chapter 5: Eldorado
Cinderella woke up with her head on Tom's shoulder. Startled, she scooted away from him, away from his comforting body heat that lulled her to sleep each night since he'd got here. Since then, she'd always fallen asleep on his shoulder but he had at least moved her a respectable distance away like a gentleman, but today he was so near her it was almost scary. Her mind also couldn't help but wander to him kissing her the night before. Her scooting, sadly, awoke him whilst she was deep in thought. He looked down at her with a coy little smirk and whispered, "I'm up before the Sun this time."
They were the first ones up that morning and the storm was still going strong so they stayed under the covers so they could escape the cold a bit longer before they had to work. They talked about nothing in particular until Cinderella asked, "where did you get that book? The one you always read from?" Tom replied with the sad story of how it had been the last thing his father gave him before he went to war. "What's one of your favorites," she asked. Tom thought for a moment before answering, "Eldorado." Will you read it to me," Cinderella asked. The answer was clear when Tom reached over to the night stand and grabbed the thick, worn book. He turned to another dog-eared page and began to read "'Gaily bedlight, |A gallant knight, |In sunshine and in shadow, |Had journeyed long, |Singing a song, |In search of Eldorado. But he grew old-|This knight so bold-|And o'er his heart a shadow |Fell, as he found |No spot of ground |That looked like Eldorado. And, as his strength |Failed him at length, |He met a pilgrim shadow- |'Shadow,' said he, |'Where can it be- |This land of Eldorado?' 'Over the Mountains |Of the Moon, |Down the Valley of the Shadow, |Ride, boldly ride,' |The shade replied,- |'If you seek for Eldorado!''"
Toms smooth voice ringed through the small room. "Wow," Cinderella said softly, "that was… wow." Tom only gave a small smirk. They heard the creaking of Red and Jacks old bed as they shifted in their sleep and their hands touched. "We should probably get up before anyone suspects us of doing anything we shouldn't," Tom said. "And why would they think that," Cinderella asked questioningly, not knowing what he was up to. "Because of this," he said, suddenly leaning in and closing the distance between them. As their lips touched, a shiver was sent all over Cinderella's body. She'd only ever been with the Prince, but when Tom kissed her, she felt something entirely different. She felt…loved. Even in her head the word felt foreign and strange. She melted into the kiss just in time to hear jack gasp and shake Red awake. When Cinderella pulled away, she looked into Toms soft eyes and allowed herself to smile. He did the same and they quickly separated when they heard the baker wake up. They got up and out bed. As Cinderella and Tom descended the stairs, they heard Reds voice over the fire of the oven. "The storm's stopped," she said to Jack tiredly.
Cinderella and Tom both knew what that meant. It meant Tom would have to leave, go back to sleeping in the tree, back to stealing. When they got to the main room they were greeted by Jack, Red, and the baker. Red and Jack shared a knowing look. What do you mean the storm's stopped," Tom asked no one in particular. Red simply gestured to the window. There was a ton of snow on the ground but none in the air. "So I have to leave," Tom asked the baker. The baker thought about this for a minute and looked like he was going to say yes until he caught sight of Cinderella's shocked and slightly scared face. She was scared of him leaving. So the baker said, "I'm sure you could stay, if you wanted to. You could work for your stay." Cinderella was ecstatic. Her prince could stay.
A/N: Hello, Earthlings! I have returned from the depths of the wormhole known as middle school. I'd like to give a big shoutout to swordinthestone for recommending Eldorado. I'm thinking I'll only do a couple more chapters, but I have no idea how to end it. If you have any ideas, please PM me or say it in the reviews. If you don't then you don't get a bunny (and you want a bunny). As always thanks for reading and please favorite if you think it's worthy. Bye! ~Stay Classy~