The journey was as pleasant as it could have been for the couple. Fiona opted to continue on horseback, though she had no horse of her own. Luckily he gladly took to that idea. She wanted to continue watching the landscapes pass them and feel the fresh air on her skin, and a small part of her couldn't imagine being stuck with him in a carriage with only a window to occupy her restless mind. Despite being fascinated, Fiona wasn't able to fully immerse herself in the outside world. The anxiety still gnawed at her as she held onto him and listened to more of his stories.
Perhaps there was just something wrong with her. Perhaps she was just hopeless and even this perfect prince couldn't break the curse. If he couldn't, then who could? Perhaps the ogre had consumed so much of her by now that true love's kiss wouldn't even work. That wasn't how the story went. She fought with her own mind. Her theory about marriage fit too perfectly, of course she was correct. Curses always broke, they had to - true love's kiss brought true love's form. And what was a truer show of love than marriage? She told herself her theory over and over again as she watched the perfect, plump clouds meander over the sky, feel the breeze tickle at her hair, and smell the changing landscapes - never letting it leave her thoughts. By the time they had reached their destination for dinner, she had herself mostly convinced.
After an incredibly similar greeting in a new, beautiful inn and forcing down her dinner, she found herself outside in the air again. It had helped ease her nerves for a short while until the sky started growing shades of orange, pink, and purple. No longer so worried about the breaking of her curse, she still had to worry about her nighttime form.
Charming was holding fast onto her hand as they took an after dinner stroll around the grounds of the inn. Holding his hand was exciting, every time their fingers so much as brushed against each other it sent a jolt of excitement up her spine… except for in that moment. Her restless mind was unrelenting as the sun sank lower in the sky. She could barely take her frantic eyes off of it.
"Ugh." Charming scrunched up his nose. Fiona looked at him. "They never told me there were animals here."
Fiona finally looked around them, really taking in her surroundings. The inn was on farmland, animals grazed in pastures beside them, overlooking the hills. She breathed in deeply through her nose, she assumed he was referring to the smell. A smile crossed her features. "At least it's different to the tower," she observed.
Charming didn't look at her, continuing to screw up his face in disgust. "I don't even want to be in the same air as them. I feel like I need a full body suit and much cheaper boots." He looked down at the regal footwear in question, the disgust easing just a little.
"Perhaps we could go to bed now, instead," Fiona offered hopefully.
Charming's grip on her hand tightened ever so slightly. "And spend time alone when I could be gazing at you instead?" his voice softened, turning to face her. He ran his hands up her arms, pulling her into an embrace.
She leaned against him, trying to reassure herself with his affection. It was nice when he held her that way, it was comforting despite the circumstances. The sun wasn't quite low enough just yet, she closed her eyes.
"I would endure all the dreadful smells of… of animal feces for you, my princess," he mumbled into her hair. Despite his words, she could tell he was still tense.
"I love you," she responded simply. It was love he was expressing to her after all. She too would take in any sights and smells to be with him, of course she would. Her words let him relax.
"I love you too."
She allowed the flutters to happen again, the stiffness in her limbs and tightness of breath slowly melting away. She pulled away just enough to look at him, raising onto her toes to tenderly kiss him. Perhaps this was the kiss to break the curse… It wasn't. Still, as their kiss ended, she clung onto the warm feelings inside of her, they helped in her silent battle with herself. They would most certainly help before she departed to her room alone where she could imagine her mind would spiral all over again.
"How about a moonlit stroll later?" he asked her, voice quiet.
Her own brow finally knitted. "What?"
"Tonight," he responded, still holding onto her.
"I want to go to bed before the sun sets," she stated again. She pulled from his embrace, his hands gripped onto her forearms instead. The tightness with which he held her matched the sudden tightness in her chest.
"You're still holding onto that, Muffin Cake?" his tone was low, almost mocking.
"Yes, I am." She didn't give in, she couldn't give in. "We can take a wonderful moonlit stroll when we're married."
His grip didn't loosen. He only watched her face.
The sudden urge to escape hit her. He wasn't going to let her go, not until the sun had set. She needed to run. Panic flooded her body, though she took slow breaths, ensuring her sudden emotions didn't take over her face. She needed a plan. Anything.
She looked to the sky, an idea alit in her mind. "We still have so much time!" she spluttered, smiling as convincingly as she was able, "Let's watch the sunset together." She exaggeratedly looked down to the ground, contorting her face in disgust. "Perhaps we need a picnic blanket first though, I couldn't bear to ask you to sit without it."
His grip loosened, face lighting up. "And I couldn't you." His arms dropped to his side. "Wait right here, my love." He winked at her before turning away.
She stayed, rooted to the spot, face frozen in a forced grin until he stepped inside. She was acutely aware of how the sun was slowly slipping below the horizon; she didn't have too long to reach her room, let alone escape to do so. He would likely show up again very quickly after barking orders at the first person he could find. The princess spun around on the spot, frantically looking around her. She couldn't follow him into the inn, he'd surely just drag her back outside. She broke out into a sudden sprint, rounding the corner of the building. There had to be another entrance. She only had to disappear from his view. She could run to her room from wherever a different door led her, he just couldn't see her do so.
Her eyes spotted it - a door! She ran over to it, tugging on the handle… locked. Feeling herself start to sweat, she surveyed her surroundings again. Only a single girl, hay in hand, was watching her. She seemed as frozen as Fiona was, only some loose locks of hair and her apron flicking slightly in the breeze. They locked eyes, Fiona creased her brow, all hope draining from her body. Now she had a witness to her crime of running away from her husband-to-be. How humiliating. The girl looked over to where Charming had disappeared and looked back to her, before exaggeratedly pointing her gaze in a different direction. Fiona followed her line of sight, there was a barn not far from her. She'd have to hop a low fence, but it wasn't a problem, it was somewhere to hide. The girl nodded at the princess, indicating what Fiona thought was true. The princess nodded back gratefully. She ran, braid flying behind her. One hand atop the fence she jumped over, not even breaking her sprint. Her brain urged her to look back, what if he was watching her? She didn't. She couldn't afford to. Even if he was watching her, what would she do? Admit failure and transform in front of him and the girl who had been so kind? Offend and embarrass everyone around her? Especially her prince? No. She didn't look back. She kept going. It was to save them both, after all.
She darted into the barn, the door open ever so slightly. She pushed it closed behind her, breathing hard. A cluster of chickens darted around her feet, clucking their welcome. She did it. A genuine grin spread over her face. She escaped. The grin faded as the reality of her actions sunk in. She escaped her prince.
Fiona leant against the heavy door, crossing her brow. He didn't want to let her go. It was understandable - she was his true love too, and she was denying him of herself. Of course he'd want to hold her and not let her go throughout the night. If only he knew why he couldn't. For a second she considered it, telling him. Perhaps she had to push through his initial reaction. It wouldn't harm him to know that the curse wouldn't be broken until they got married. She found herself frozen on the spot yet again. The thought of saying those words to him put a blockade up in her throat and paralysed her limbs. It was just a temporary hitch. Why did he need to know? She had to be perfect for him. He was her true love after all. Besides, he thought the curse was broken already, how could she shatter that wonderful belief? No, she would keep it to herself - that's exactly what the perfect partner would do. There was no need to disappoint him like that, it would fix by itself eventually - on their wedding day. She could handle it alone.
The princess stared at the ground for a while, brow knitted, until the nightly transformation broke her trance. She finally looked around her, the chickens no longer interested in the new visitor. It was dimly lit, hay spread across the floor with gated sections for the animals. Some were empty, others were occupied by curious eyes, mutely watching her. A smile played upon her lips, these were the most witnesses she'd ever had to her transformation.
Her smile was quickly wiped from her face. She could hear footsteps approaching. Something barely detectable to human ears. Fiona scrambled, running to the very back of the barn. With one arm she grabbed a metal gate and launched herself over it. With her added weight, the gate clattered loudly. The noise and her landing startled a very unsuspecting animal. She whispered her sorries and pressed herself against the back wall of the enclosure in the shadows.
The door creaked open. Fiona's heart plummeted to her feet, he saw her. He saw her and now he's going to see her. She sank to the ground, suddenly feeling herself trembling. How very appropriate to find her as an ogre in the barn. That was surely where she belonged at night after all. She listened to the door being closed behind him. There was a couple footsteps and then-
"Hello?"
The voice startled her, a girl's voice. A wash of relief came over her before it was halted quickly. Just because it wasn't Charming didn't mean she was in the clear. It was still someone who had no reason to keep her secret. She looked down at herself, she couldn't say anything, perhaps if she stayed quiet the girl would leave.
The girl took some more steps forward, she was looking for her. Of course. It was the aproned girl who pointed her in the direction of her safe haven. She wouldn't leave until she found her.
Fiona took a shaky breath. "Hi, um… please don't come near me," she hurried through her words, not even taking the time to think about what she was saying.
The footsteps stopped. "Okay? Why?"
Fiona's brow crossed, a reasonable question, though still annoying at best. The princess hesitated. Perhaps she had a dreadful illness, or was injured, or was in a terrible state of upset? No, any of that would cause more curiosity; this girl seemed to care. Finally Fiona sighed, squeezing her eyes closed.
"A witch cast a spell on me when I was a little girl and I turn into a monster at night," her words only got faster as she went on, "and he wouldn't let me leave and I couldn't let him see me and I didn't know where to go and-"
"Okay." There was humour in her voice. "I'll stay back here, don't worry."
Fiona couldn't tell if her companion believed her or not. It didn't matter either way, as long as it worked.
"Thank you. And that's why I was running away." Fiona suddenly felt a sense of urgency to fix the girl's perspective of the situation. Because Grimm knows it looked bad. "Not because he's a terrible person, not at all, he's actually wonderful and perfect. I just can't let him see me like this."
There was a pause. "Well, I'll leave the door open for you. But… you've gotta promise to lock up when you leave, okay?"
Fiona breathed her relief, genuine relief. "Yes. Okay. I promise." She smiled, sniffing away the emotion that had been sparked within her.
She listened to the footsteps leaving.
"Wait," Fiona stopped her, "Thank you. So much."
"Don't mention it," she commented as she exited the barn. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight."
Fiona allowed herself to sit in the hay. She smiled - her room had better come with perfume again, because it'd have to be working double time in the morning. The animal she shared an enclosure with tentatively approached her, deeming her safe as her adrenaline wore off.
"Hey, little guy," she gently greeted the donkey, it only looked at her with its dark eyes. She smiled at it, rubbing its cheek affectionately. "Sorry for scaring you." It stepped closer.
As a child, she'd never really gotten along with animals. She remembered she'd always try to sing to them and it would scare them away. She got better practice with having less excitable energy as a child, but… it was night and day how this animal gazed at her now.
"You don't care what I look like, huh?" she spoke softly, "Perhaps I should kiss you and then you should be my true love." She smiled bemusedly at the thought. "I already have a true love," she wondered aloud, "But, you should know, love isn't true until marriage. Be sure to tell all of your friends." She stood, wandering out from her hiding spot. The animals watched her as she closed the donkey enclosure behind her.
She looked down at herself again, frowning. This was not supposed to happen in her fairy tale. The stories always skipped the middle bit, between the rescue and the wedding day. She could now see why. She certainly wouldn't want to tell anyone about this, much less have it published in a book. Her story would also skip the mess and confusion of the other middle parts: her stay in the tower, and her fight for privacy. Everything would appear perfect to everyone else. She wasn't sure if that thought comforted her or not.
After spending a healthy amount of time in the dimly lit barn, getting to know the animals, Fiona finally stood in front of the hefty door. She had to give it enough time that most people would be in bed, to lessen the risk of her adventure back to her room. Despite not having a completely accurate picture of what the time was, her instinct was well practised - there were no clocks in her tower. She had briefly considered just sleeping in the barn, perhaps she'd be less likely to be found there, except that she didn't know what time the animals were fed and released and how likely that would be before sunrise. No, she needed to get back to her room and lock herself away. But… how?
She creaked open the door, just enough to peek through. Her eyes were met with darkness - nothing her ogre state couldn't handle. If she had to be cursed, she was lucky that it was an ogre, she had to quietly admit. From what wasn't obscured by the inn itself, there was no one around. No lovers on a moonlit stroll, that was for sure. She swallowed her unease yet again. She had no time for self-hatred, she needed to make a bold escape, yet again.
She slipped out into the cool night air. She hadn't been outside at night in… well… Twenty years, near enough. She couldn't even remember the last time that had been. No, Fiona, focus. It wasn't the time to think about anything other than her new mission. She turned, remembering her promise. Lock up! There was a padlock and a giant wooden bar that needed to be slid into place. She did so, clicking the lock closed. First step was easy enough. She turned again, facing the space ahead of her, trying to spot every potential place someone could emerge from. There was the locked door she had tried to access around the back of the inn, perhaps it would have remained that way. And then the door Charming had entered the last time she saw him. She took a deep breath through the nose. That's where she had to go.
Fiona darted out, she needed to move quickly. She hopped the fence and sprinted to the inn. She was heavier, not quite as fast as in her human body, her real body. That was an inconvenience at best. Plus, she was much larger and harder to hide. Though, as she pressed her back against the cold wall of the inn, she remembered she could hear far more. Perhaps this advantage would even out her chances. She listened to the courtyard… it was empty, though she didn't want to take any chances. She edged along the wall, ducking under the windows until she reached her golden door. It had to be unlocked, how would she and Charming have gotten in if they had been able to take that wonderful moonlit stroll?
Fiona tried the handle… locked. Well, she realised, they would have had to knock. Stumped, she looked around her. She couldn't knock, what would she do… knock and then knock the member of staff unconscious? She couldn't do that - she'd cause a hunt for a criminal, or worse, a monster. Charming would absolutely figure it out, that was if he hadn't already. Disheartened, the princess turned back, she'd return to the barn for the night and hope and pray with all her might that someone would only show up after sunrise. She was stopped in her tracks when she realised her obstacle: she'd already locked herself out.
The princess closed her eyes, throwing her hands to her face. She was locked out of everywhere it seemed. She definitely couldn't fit through a window in her larger form. Her options were dwindling down to finding the cosiest looking shrubbery patch. She was sure this was the countdown to her secret being revealed to everyone. The ogre princess. Whose curse wouldn't break. Perfect.
Gathering her thoughts, she continued to slide around the walls, looking for any entry point. Her ears suddenly perked up. She could hear one of the other locked doors being tampered with, a key sliding into the lock and turning. She almost ran to the door before remembering the dire consequences of doing so. Instead she jumped into some shrubbery and bushes. The branches scratched and poked at her body, but she didn't have time to worry if her dress was going to rip.
"Is someone there?" a man's voice broke the still night, "If ya need to get in, that's what the other door is for."
Fiona stayed quiet, eyes wide.
"Sneakin' around, huh? Well, I could see ya! Somethin' shiny moving around at least."
The princess almost gasped, her tiara. Being taller, she didn't have all of herself accounted for, clearly. She ripped the offending object from her hair, silently lifting her skirt and wrapping it safely away. Hunched in the bushes, an idea emerged. If he was going to look for whoever it was sneaking around, she might as well lead him on a wild goose chase. Barely thinking, she quietly felt around the ground until her hand hit a rock. She allowed herself some more height, head poking from above the shrubbery, and launched the rock as hard as she could towards the barn. Much to her delight and surprise it struck the wooden structure, some startled animal noises erupting within. She dipped back down, holding her breath, holding onto her covered tiara. Of course, he might figure out the noise came from a thrown missile and take an even harder look. But she paused her panic, the barn was pretty far away for throwing standards. What was the likelihood of an ogre hiding in their courtyard? Next to none! She waited, the man especially silent.
Grumbling, he finally turned back inside, the door closing. Fiona jumped up, almost darting towards her last chance when she heard the footsteps re-emerging. She leapt back into her hiding place, shallowing her sudden breathlessness. She watched as the man walked out into her view, holding a torch illuminating the area around him. She bit her lip, clutching the tiara even tighter. In his other hand, a pitchfork. How fitting, she thought to herself. He was taking quick strides out towards the barn. Distracted enough for her to slip inside - perhaps? It was a chance she had no choice but to make. She stood up, carefully detangling herself from the leaves and twigs, she couldn't make any noise lest he turn around and see her. Perhaps then she'd never see her prince again.
She skittered over to the door he'd left unlocked - a terrible decision on his part. She paused before hurrying her entry, desperately listening, trying to hear more than her own heartbeat pounding. There was nothing but the crackle of a fire. There could be a hundred people sitting quietly around that fire, or perhaps just someone stationary, but better them than the pitchfork wielding man on a mission. She quickly pulled open the door and slipped inside.
The warmth hit her. Her eyes quickly found the fire she had heard, though she didn't have time to stand and dwell. There was no one around, no gasps, no wide eyes. She didn't even have time to feel relieved, she wasn't done yet. There was a stretch of hallway that then met another long hallway in a T shape. She scurried quickly down the stretch of carpet, she didn't want to be within line of sight of the door. She was in the perfect position for him to run straight at her, pitchfork turned towards her and end her efforts there and then. She reached the end of the short corridor. As much as she wanted to sprint again, she couldn't just turn a blind corner; she had to stop, painstakingly wait, and listen.
She turned the corner, finding it empty, only some closed doors. Being past dinner time, she figured most of the staff were gone. She hurried her way through, she had to find a staircase. Fiona realised her dress was still screwed up in her hands, hiding away the tiara. She allowed herself a glance downwards, dropping her skirt; the restricted movement was only slowing her and she couldn't accidentally drop the tiara, that was for sure. Holding the warmed metal in her hands, she didn't have time to put the royal status symbol back in her hair, only just hope that it didn't catch some light and give away her location.
She was about to turn another corner when she halted, holding her breath. She heard voices, jolly voices. They weren't walking towards her, they seemed stationary. She listened harder, it didn't even sound like they were in the hallway. They were in a room. It was echoey, she could hear their voices bouncing around the walls. There was a splash of water, more water. The kitchen. She turned in place, her front pressed against the wall. Inching over, just enough, she looked. There was light coming from a doorway on the wall she was about to turn into. She would have to get past without anyone seeing. She didn't have much further to go, though - she caught sight of a staircase; not quite the grand staircase the guests used, but it would get her where she needed to go. Fiona carefully emerged onto the new stretch of carpet, walking as delicately as she possibly could. She finally reached the edge of the doorway, she pressed her back against the wall and listened again.
They were talking, chuckling. She didn't allow herself to listen to what they were saying, only to locate them. She stepped back a couple paces. They were on the other side of the wall, she could locate them next to her. Which meant they weren't directly next to the doorway. She still needed to be careful; at a certain angle, if they were facing the right way, she would definitely enter their vision. She looked back down the hallway, it was only a matter of time before someone would see her anyway if she waited too long. Clenching her jaw, she walked - she didn't want to run, the sound of too urgent footsteps might alert them to something - fast enough that it got her out of the way as quickly as possible. Finally she turned back, glancing towards the illuminated archway. She was out of sight again. She let go of the breath she was holding. Barely hesitating any longer, she headed straight for the stairs.
One hand holding her tiara so tight she was afraid it might bend, the other grazing the handrail, she took the stairs two at a time. It was easy for her to do so now, it helped her move faster. Her room was on the top floor - Charming always insisted it had the best views. He was used to the stairs, go figure. Of course, the top floor was no help now. She swiftly turned, climbing higher, past the third floor and then-
Voices, footsteps.
Fiona froze. They were walking down the stairs. She looked around her, she could dart into the hallway of the floor she was on but that left her out in the open and there was no time for pausing and listening. The echoey stairwell helped her hear that there was no one following her up the stairs. It made her decision, there was nowhere but back down to go. She hurried, scrambling downwards, afraid she might trip over her frenzied feet and fall. She didn't. She ran around the stairs and crouched in the space underneath them. The shadows hid her, but she wasn't sure how well. She screwed up her skirt around the tiara once again. Against her better judgement she hid her face as the people entered the final stretch of their decline. She didn't want to see the look of horror at the monster under the staircase, only hear the gasp that she was sure would emerge. She waited, listening to their feet hit the carpeted ground. She waited as she heard their conversation. She waited as their voices and footsteps continued without missing a beat, growing distant.
She finally opened her eyes. They didn't look back, they didn't see her. Silently mouthing her thanks, she sprung up again and ran up the stairs. Faster this time. She didn't care if people heard her footsteps, she just needed to get there. She didn't want to have to run back down again and play the same game for the rest of the night. She just wanted to lock herself in her bathroom and sleep on the floor, just like the previous night.
She made it to the top floor, though she didn't allow herself to celebrate her successful ascent. She needed to get to her room. Weaving and listening all over again she turned a corner, running through the hallway past closed doors. She paused again, at her final corner when she suddenly halted, back pressed against the wall, eyes wide.
It was him.
Everything froze. He was standing around the corner she needed to turn. She pressed her lips together, muting her laboured breath.
"Silent treatment? Hm."
He was speaking to someone.
"Well, my love, I can't say I know what I did to deserve this."
He was speaking to her. Well, her empty room. She quietly drew a long breath in through her nose, desperately trying to calm her racing heart.
"But after pondering over this… this fight we appear to be having. Our first fight…"
A fight. They were having a fight? Fiona blinked at the realisation.
"I have to think about the part I did play, reasonable or not. And…" he sighed, "you shouldn't have to run from me," his voice was sad. Her heart sank. "I'm your protector, after all, you should only be running towards me. I'm sorry. From the bottom of my heart, Fiona, I apologise. Please forgive me. How thoughtful you are to protect our precious fairy tale. To… enhance our story," he paused. "We shall… wait... until our wedding night to see each other after sunset, I…" he hesitated again, "Yes. We shall. My love for you only grows in your absence, as I'm sure yours does too," he sighed, again. "Goodnight Fiona. I shall send for someone to stand guard."
Fiona's heart shot back up into her throat. He was going to come her way. He was going to turn the corner and-
A door opened, his door opened. And closed again. She didn't have time to think, only run. She opened her door as swiftly as she could, and threw herself inside. She almost slammed it closed in her hurry, but stopped herself, it would only prompt him to come back. She couldn't have that. Softly, she closed the door, before leaning against it, catching her breath. Her heart was pounding. She looked around the dark room, her few belongings were left in the corner where she had put them hours earlier. She had expected to feel great relief upon entering her room but she didn't. She wasn't relieved, she didn't feel safe, she only felt as terrible as the previous night. How could she not? He came back with a picnic blanket to find her gone, only discovering her continued absence and finally her refusal to answer him. She was breaking her prince's heart, as well as her own. She blinked down at herself once again, their wedding day couldn't come quick enough.
She was about to move when she heard his door open once again.
"Charming?" she felt herself call to him rather than will it.
"Fiona?"
She held her door handle tight, just in case he tried to get in. Her breath caught in her throat, she suddenly couldn't find any words.
"I forgive you," she spoke simply. "And thank you… for respecting my wishes. That's… that's very kind."
"Well, thank goodness for that," he responded, relief strewn throughout his words. "Of course. I am your Prince Charming, am I not?"
"You are." A smile crept upon her lips. "I love you."
"I love you too."
She finally felt the adrenaline melting off of her. It was enough. It was all she could do. Plus, she had the permission she needed to sneak back to her room before sunset. She would make sure to gush over his change of heart as much as she could tomorrow, just to make it stick.
Still, the thought of two more nights before they arrived in her kingdom made her wince. She moved away from the door, looking around. Something was stabbing at her ear, she plucked a piece of straw from her adventure. The princess twisted it in her fingers, her face lighting up - if she could do that, she could do anything.
. . .
Thank fauxgre for this chapter with its mini moonlit adventure, and the chapter before it. These were not in my initial outline but they fit pretty nicely. Who would've thought people would want to see how Fiona navigated the journey with the curse on board.