Wonderstruck
Chapter 18
"What are you doing in here?" Grumpy demanded as he eyed his goddaughter from her place hunched over a stone table. A large tome sat in front of her and she seemed to be having trouble keeping her eyes open. He snorted to himself, Emma had never been the most studious type but when she set her mind to something it got done. She was rather well known for her brazenness and not to mention her thickheaded attitude. A not so well known attribute was that she wasn't as dumb as she pretended to be. Capable of more than she'd ever show anyone, she let people underestimate her much like her Father had. David had often pretended to be oblivious to the goings on around him but he had a sharp mind dare he say even sharper than Snow's. He'd passed that on to Emma even though sometimes he had to wonder.
"What does it look like I'm doing?"
"Looks like you're trying to nap and failing miserably cause your pillow is uncomfortable." He tilted his head towards her book as he moved towards the table and slammed his pickaxe down. He snickered as Emma and the book in front of her jumped from his move.
"Hey! Geez be careful with that thing will you?"
"Wouldn't make a difference, you aren't absorbing anything you're reading."
"Yeah well at least I'm trying."
"What are you reading anyways? Why the sudden interest in…" He tried to swipe the book only to have his goddaughter grab it and clutch it to her chest.
He arched an eyebrow. "Something you're not supposed to read huh? Don't worry I won't tell your Mom you figured out what was on the higher shelves."
"There are books on the higher shelves that I shouldn't read?" Emma's eyes widened as she watched the dwarf snicker at her.
"I thought you would've figured that out when you were twelve."
"Yeah, yeah. Anyways…I'm glad you're here. I have a question and I don't trust anyone else to tell me the truth."
"Okay shoot. What's up?"
"What do you know about magicite?"
"Magicite?" Grumpy blinked and cocked his head. "Why the hell would you want to know about that stuff?"
"Humor me…tell me what you know."
"Uh…well…" Grumpy shook his head as he furrowed his brow trying to recall in his mind the vague details he knew.
"Magicite was the forerunner to the diamonds we mine today. It was hewn from the Earth by dwarves in ancient times and used to power all sorts of things. Like the diamonds in the mines, it had magical properties and could be used as a conduit of sorts when combined with the right type of machinery. No living being could use it because their bodies would be too weak even the fairies would explode if they tried to use it. So the humes fashioned machinery that could harness it. Supposedly that's when some guy named Raithewell stood up because the dwarves he controlled had come across a large stone that he called the suncryst. The suncryst was one gigantic piece of magicite supposedly blessed by the Valaar. He used it to bring everyone to their knees and then declared himself King of Kings or some shit like that."
"You don't sound too happy about that." Emma observed.
"Humes weren't the only one that suffered under him Emma though that won't be in any book you'll read."
"He's hailed as a hero."
"Yeah right…tell that to the Vieria."
"The what?" Emma's brow furrowed as she studied her godfather who looked uncomfortable all of a sudden. He pulled his hat off his head and began to crumple it up before releasing it only to do it again.
"You know the old stories about the other races. Dwarves, Elves, Humes, and the like but you don't hear about the Vieria anymore. I only know because Nova told me."
"Well yeah who doesn't know those? Mom insisted I know about dwarves and fairies since they're more prominent in the North."
"That's cause the fairies were almost wiped out in the South under Raithewell's youngest son; fell right in line with dear old Dad." Grumpy's usually hard-set face was even worse then she'd ever seen. The sheer amount of disgust in his face was easily visible. "They took refuge here with his daughter. Not everyone agreed with his policies apparently. Or maybe the chip off the old diamond didn't rub off on Ashleigha. Who knows? Point still stands that she sheltered the fairies and they helped her by supporting her family. That's why Blue is so attached to your Mom."
"So Raithewell encouraged the mass destruction of whole races."
"What do you think the suncryst did Emma?"
"I mean I knew it powered the machines of the ancients but that's it."
"That thing was a weapon and a very powerful one at that. It could wipe out entire civilizations if wielded properly."
Emma sat back disbelief shining brightly on her face. The leather chair squeaked as she shifted and refolded her legs under the table, suddenly uncomfortable with the outcome of this conversation.
"So let me get this straight, not only was the suncryst not a gift from the Valaar, it was a weapon of epic destruction and it wiped out an entire race?"
"Yep; you won't read that anywhere and to my knowledge any mention of the Vieria isn't to be found any longer. Raithewell had all that destroyed when he destroyed them. You ever heard of the dead lands to the southeast of Moonshollow?"
"Only in passing; I heard it was so swampy and dead that nothing had hope of growing there."
"There used to be a forest there. The Vieria were very close to the forest; similar to elves in that way. They valued the trees and had long life spans though they weren't concerned with anything aside from the forest they lived in. They didn't look beyond their borders for anything."
"So why did he destroy them?"
"Why else? To test out what the suncryst could do. It was far enough away from the lands he'd subjugated but close enough that he could witness what happened over time. To this day that place is a necro-swamp that no one is dumb enough to enter."
"That sounds like a challenge." Emma smirked and then promptly deflated at her godfather's withering look.
"Once he was certain of his power, Raithewell only had to use the suncryst as a threat and anyone that was dumb enough to go up against him…well all they had to do was look at the dead lands he created."
Emma frowned, sitting back as the new knowledge slowly sank into her brain. "What would happen if a piece of magicite were found?"
Grumpy reached for his pickaxe tilting it this way and that for a moment before catching his goddaughter's eyes, "Not possible, doesn't exist anymore."
"Just humor me, what would happen?"
"Magicite has no ill intent nor any good intent. It can't really do any harm nor can it help. It just is."
"Maleficent?" Regina whispered into the charm, hoping her friend would come forth. She needed her guidance on this delicate matter but there didn't appear to be a response. She frowned as she set her wrist into her lap. The doors to her chambers opened and she jumped to her feet quickly, dipping her head as her Mother walked into the room.
"Good morning your Majesty."
"Regina, you don't look well." Her mother's eyes were narrow as she studied her face.
"I didn't sleep well last night…the cold isn't pleasant for me."
"Well you'd best get used to it. Come, its time for your fitting; the wedding preparations are all ready beginning."
"Yes, your majesty." She slipped to her feet, following her mother along the corridors. The cold was less so here but it still bit into her skin when she was away from the torches that lined the walls. The guards in their silver armor seemed to not be bothered despite wearing what must've been freezing metal. She dipped her head as her soon to be mother-in-law appeared in the corridor offering them both a kind smile.
"Your Majesty, Princess…I trust you slept well."
"Yes we did." Her Mother answered for her and turned to look at her. "I would like to have some say over her wedding dress."
"Of course…that goes without saying. Any mother would deserve the same privilege."
"Where is Princess Emma?" Regina asked timidly, wincing when her Mother shot her a withering look.
"At her own fitting, I came to ensure you were in capable hands." Snow offered a small smile as she dipped her head. "With your Mother being here, I don't think we have to worry for much."
"I appreciate you looking out for us." Her Mother offered. "But I'm sure we can take it from here."
"Of course, be my guest." Snow stepped aside, allowing both royals into the well-lit room. She would've never guessed such a room existed in the palace of Wintersend. Floor to ceiling windows offered all the light of the day to its occupants with comfortable settees scattered about. A pedestal was set in the center, and along the wall closest to the door, a long table with various fabrics and laces set out for perusal. Her mother walked over immediately to the table, studying the fabrics as two girls led the smaller girl up onto the pedestal for measurements.
The poking and prodding began and the younger woman willed herself to relax and allow herself to be maneuvered.
"You don't have anything better than this? A higher quality velvet perhaps? I don't wish for my daughter to look like a pauper next to her fiancée. This is after all her wedding day as well." The Queen of SpringFall's voice was cutting and her eyes glittered like cold gems with displeasure.
Regina forced herself not to shudder at the tone. She barely listened as the head seamstress answered the Queen's patience with only a slightly flustered tone and expression.
When they finally finished after much assurance that her dress would indeed match her status she was free to go. Her Mother walking ahead of her; she forced herself to remain vigilant to the moods of the older woman. They shifted like the wind in all manner of negativity.
"Honestly Regina the nerve of these people." Her Mother muttered as soon as they were back in their private rooms. "Treating us as though we are somehow beneath them."
The Princess watched wearily as her Mother paced.
"Don't worry darling, you won't have to deal with them long. Once you're married, we'll fix everything. We'll formulate a guard that answers only to you and show these Northerners where the true power lies now."
"I will do whatever you ask your majesty." She answered carefully.
"Yes, you will. Now get ready; you are meeting your fiancée in a candle mark for a walk through the gardens. Continue to seduce her Regina. She's your key to ruling the Kingdom and ours."
"As you wish your majesty."
"Princess, may I help you with your bath?"
Regina turned, studying the girl that had come into her bathing chambers. "I haven't seen you before…why?"
"I've been here the whole time your highness. Perhaps you just don't recognize me." The girl offered a small mischievous smile. She was pretty, milky white with deep red hair but it was her smile that set her alight.
"Maleficent?"
"I told you I'd come though you may not recognize me."
The younger girl smiled brightly as she hugged her friend close. In this new body they were the same size. It felt strange since she was used to the taller sorceress wrapping around her and not feeling so thin.
"Why did you call me?" She asked, pulling back and studying the younger girl with crystal blue eyes.
"I need your help. Emma gave me something, something that makes me nervous to have but I can't seem to let go of it."
"What is it?"
Regina hesitated only briefly before reaching beneath the square neckline of her dress. She pulled the leather thong free and held it out for Maleficent to see.
"Is that…magicite?" Maleficent breathed unable to believe what she was seeing.
"I believe it is. I don't know what to do."
"What do you mean?" The redhead reached out, running her fingers along the stone that barely reacted to her. "It doesn't like me much." She remarked with a small smile.
"It seems to like Emma and I."
"Does your fiancée possess magicks?"
"I don't know but I'm beginning to wonder. The magicite was warm when my Mother was close like it was trying to protect me."
"It is a living being Regina. You know that as well as I. I made you research it when you stayed with me."
"I remember what you taught me well. I've lived by it."
"I know and I'm pleased that you still remember all that happened that summer. Where did she find this?"
"Raithewell's hidden palace."
"That's been lost to time."
"No it hasn't. She's taken me there and I saw it myself."
"Did you sense the suncryst?"
"No, it wasn't there. I'd have sensed that immediately."
"I doubt that is findable. This however is enough to tantalize anyone in possession of magicks. You need to keep it hidden. It's dangerous to have."
"I'm aware. It's so weak I believe it would shatter if it was to be used as a conduit."
"It would without a doubt but still there is some life here and it will react accordingly. Maybe not as powerfully as a larger piece or even the suncryst itself but it isn't something to be meddled with."
"Do you think I should get rid of it?"
"Oh no, it's attached to you. You won't be able to get rid of it and it will come back if you try."
"I don't know if this is a good thing or not."
Maleficent shrugged. "Let's get you in the bath and figure out how we can keep this fro your Mother."
"I've kept it hidden under my clothes like other things."
"That's the best thing to do for now." Maleficent reached behind the other girl helping to untie her dress and undergarments. "Tell me about your wedding. Are you pleased with the arrangements so far?"
"Is that really want to ask me?" The amusement in the princess' voice made her face lighten up.
"No but humor me and tell me anyways. I likely won't get to spend much time with you even while I pose as your handmaiden."
"I'm glad you've come because I do need you."
"I'll always be here for you. You know this. Now tell me what color is your dress?"