Freedom. Fiona hadn't expected it to come with such heart racing anxiety. She looked out the back window of the carriage she had requested, watching the kingdom entryway grow further and further away. It had been easier than she anticipated leaving the castle. People stared so much before, but they barely gave her a passing glance without the tiara - none of the staff were familiar enough with her yet to recognise her. It was jarring to blend in so seamlessly, she'd never blended in with anyone before, not even her own parents - especially at night.
Her parents. She thought back longingly. She couldn't say goodbye. She wanted to, but it was too risky. Perhaps they would have stolen into her room, hoping to catch her before she left, only to find her tiara abandoned. That would be a scene for an artist to recreate, one for a woefully sad story. She shook her head again, the ends of her hair tickling her shoulders, it wouldn't be a sad story, not in the end anyway. It was just… longer than expected. She was still in the middle somewhere - nearing the end of course. Though who knew what else she had to face, things had certainly been unexpected so far.
She slipped her hand into her satchel. The knife bundle was there, reassuring her. She wasn't defenceless, she gave herself due credit. When one lives alone, one has to learn such things – her mother made sure of it. However, when one is on the run from people who were about to kidnap her consciousness, perhaps one needed a little more. Still, it didn't look like anyone was following her. She checked out of the back window again. Perhaps word hadn't even gotten out that she'd escaped yet. It hadn't taken too long to leave the city, but she did recall from the journey into her kingdom just a few days earlier that the outskirts went on far longer. She told her driver to take her for as long as he could, she would even pay for him to rest his head somewhere overnight before he travelled back. Upon seeing her monetary offerings, he had heartily agreed.
Her hand lingered in her satchel for a moment, her fingers finding the five small vials gifted to her. Five. She wasn't entirely amused by Fairy Godmother's idea of a week. Couldn't bear to waste handouts on her soon-to-be daughter-in-law and eventually manipulated-queen. The carriage she had hailed left her in privacy from the driver, she glanced around her surroundings before pulling one potion out.
The glass bottle was clear and the white liquid unassuming. She held it close to her face, squinting at it. She clearly recalled the pink swirls from before, plus this vial was much smaller. It would appear it was simply a sleep potion, or even perhaps a placebo, she thought with a shudder. The ultimate test, to be on the safe side, would be to try and prompt the pink mist to appear. Fiona had to make herself cry. It was silly, perhaps water would do the same. But she couldn't trust it. Her tears were what prompted the mist before.
Crying - she thought about it. She'd done so much crying in her life. More than the regular person, she expected. There were some days in the tower where she had been in some state of tears for a whole twenty-four hours. Now, though, out of the situation she found herself stuck in, she didn't want to cry. Despite all of the confusion and circumstances of her life - of which she had newly learned - she felt hopeful. Sitting in her own carriage, making good distance from the kingdom, she allowed it to fill her; she felt so much wonder at the world. Finding her true love meant they could do everything properly. They wouldn't have to keep to a strict time schedule on a pre-planned journey created purely for publicity. She wouldn't have to hide every night. No, they could explore the world she had been absent from for so long. She was excited!
Her gaze dropped back down to the suspicious liquid she still held. For this small moment she couldn't be excited. She experimentally slumped down in her seat to dwell on her feelings. She was exhausted. She allowed herself to feel the painful sleepless night. And she was anxious, the hurry out of the kingdom was harrowing; she checked over her shoulder out the window once more. She was threatened and in danger and on the run. She blinked, hoping to rustle up a few tears - nothing. And she was sad… sad that her fairy tale was ruined. She recalled the feeling of the door against her fingertips as she leant against it, Charming on the other side. That was supposed to be a picturesque moment, something she would be delighted to see an artist recreate. He was supposed to be kind, loyal, and pure of heart. That's what the books said. That's what her parents told her.
Her eyes were beginning to dampen.
She had waited for half her lifetime for that one moment and it didn't even count. All those lonely years in a tower, completely for nothing, to no consequence except further manipulation. Her first kiss had been with a man who didn't love her. That wasn't right! And oh! Her bedroom! The photo! The ugly dresses! His hideous singing!
To Fiona's surprise, she wasn't sad, not anymore - she was angry. It worked the same. She thought harder of the way he gripped her arms and wouldn't let her run, how claustrophobic she felt when he would kiss her more than she wanted him to. She pulled the small cap off of the glass vial and allowed a frustrated tear to roll down her cheek into the liquid… nothing. The tear simply mixed right in. She placed the cap firmly back into place and stuffed it back into her satchel, taking slightly more force than she perhaps should have done. She slumped further in her seat, roughly wiping her face. She'd spent too long being miserable, nothing else could break her heart now.
She laid her head back, blinking at the roof of the carriage. Anger was better than sadness, and happiness was better than anger. Soon, she could be happy. But first… she was heading back to the same place her woes began. She looked out of the window at the landscape steadily passing by. Where better to find a man that loves her than the place they flocked to? There was no wider news of her being rescued from the tower yet, just in Far Far Away. The wider announcement was to come with their wedding - only the best photos, Charming assured her. So… reasonably, she might catch someone on their way to the tower.
Her father told her that the dragon was there to ensure only the best would be able to take her hand. She believed him, but… that surely seemed so difficult. She'd already met the best man with a sword - and he was the best, he'd told her many times - and he wasn't good at all. Perhaps a man with his sights set on her beautiful visage, who was pure of heart, but not quite of skill, would be perfect for her.
Besides, she couldn't imagine Fairy Godmother and Charming would guess she was headed back to her old prison. She had to think about outsmarting them too. She'd asked her driver to take her to the place on the first signpost she remembered seeing when she was travelling with Charming. She had to painstakingly point it out on a map and then frantically follow up with a plea to not take the most direct route.
She had a plan!
Her first day of travelling had gone very well. She was proud of herself. Her driver had stopped at a tavern where they ate together. She paid for his food and a bed for him. Her anxiety about being only some hours away from Far Far Away still gripped her. The terrifying thought of taking the sleeping potion in a cosy tavern and then waking up back in the castle, consumed her mind - Charming having found her while she magically slept. Who knows how they'd force her to marry him. She couldn't stay the night.
She found a new carriage to hire; she paid him amply to ride all night and not disturb her as she intended to sleep. Upon the first signs of sunset, she inspected the potion, prompting another tear just to make sure. And sleep she did, all night, without a murmur of pain. She found herself almost thanking her fairy godmother.
After sunrise, the driver stopped at an inn with nothing much surrounding it. There was a well worn path that led into a forest and connected with other towns that she intended to follow. She had eagerly accepted their shared journey's end. As promised, she paid for him to have a place to rest his head too, and of course, a good breakfast for them both. She'd brought more than enough gold, she wasn't going to run out any time soon.
The two drivers that had been her company for the past couple of days had been wonderfully pleasant. They left her alone to look at the scenery while on the road and made interesting conversation over shared meals. She asked both about their adventures and the people they had come across and they shared the most fascinating stories - if only they knew they were talking to their most curious passenger yet. Still, it was refreshing to know that men were not all like Charming. They had been enthusiastic about her presence and told stories of more than brave, empty victories. And finally on a full night's rest, continuing on her journey alone, she was feeling particularly optimistic - no expectation adjustment required.
After all, she was almost a whole two days away from her kingdom, in disguise, walking along a beautiful wooded area away from the inn. She did it!
Fiona took in a deep breath, inhaling the fresh forest air around her, a smile on her face. She heard children's laughter echoing in the soft breeze from ahead of her on the path. The princess could finally truly marvel at how it felt to be walking out in the open. There was no one to interrupt her, only polite people occasionally passing her. She had passed many a friendly looking person, wishing them each a good morning, and then a good afternoon with a smile.
Looking up, the sunlight seemed to sparkle through the leaves in the trees, the slight breeze making it twinkle upon her face. She looked down at the beautiful shadows the trees cast on the ground. She twirled, watching everything around her. In storybooks when the beautiful maiden was so happy, she would burst into song. Fiona had twirled around in her room imagining a moment just like this. It was perfect. Without a hesitation, Fiona began to sing. She sang the melody she'd always sung, her favourite one - three notes up and three notes down. She glided over to the trees, running her hands along the bark, the texture was fascinating to her, each a little different. She glided over to the other side of the path, picking a particularly beautiful pink flower. Twirling it in her hands, she heard a small gasp behind her - not one of horror, no, of wonder. She turned, smiling at the young girl who watched her. The child ran over to her, her mother trying to stop her to no avail.
"It's okay." Fiona laughed, tucking the flower in the child's hair. "There, you look as pretty as the flower!"
The girl grinned at her. "Sing again!" she chirped. Taking the child's hand, Fiona did.
By the time Fiona had reached a clearing with a bustling market, she had gathered quite the bunch of tiny admirers - they had skipped along with her, picking flowers, holding her hands. She didn't think she could have made more perfect company, until she saw him…
The armoured man sat upon a mighty steed. He lifted his helmet from where it sat in his lap and effortlessly dismounted the horse, running a gloved hand through his dark hair. He was tall, muscular, and had a dark beard. She couldn't quite see his eyes. He led his horse to the water trough, allowing it to drink. He then turned, catching her gaze. She allowed her mind to wander.
How fitting it should be that the first gallant man she came across would be him. Her true love. Her; on a grand adventure seeking him out, him; on a brave quest all of his own. Perhaps he would abandon it as he took in her fair beauty, deciding to ditch his plans and stay behind just for her. Perhaps it was an essential quest he couldn't leave. They would spend a perfect evening together and then she would have to wave him away and wait for him to return. And surely he would, sweeping her off her feet, vowing to never leave her side again. Yes, that was far more romantic. They would marry in the gardens beyond the tavern they chose to reside quietly in, in front of a lake with lily pads, beneath a great weeping willow. And, oh! A travelling artist would be staying in the very tavern and would be so overcome by their love he would paint their wedding day and gift it to them - never having any idea she was the heir to a distant kingdom's throne. And-
"Thank you." A voice broke her daydream, an adult voice. She turned, it belonged to one of the parents of her small companions. She glanced back at the handsome stranger, he wasn't looking her way anymore, his attention elsewhere.
"You're welcome." She turned her own attention back to what she supposed was more important than a handsome armour-clad man. She crouched, to address her gaggle of children, "I believe we must part ways here," she said, to their disappointment. She didn't know where they were headed, nor did she know where she was headed. Perhaps she needed to find a kind stranger to ask.
The princess made her goodbyes brief and separated herself from the children. She looked once again to the man standing by his horse. He was watching a group of people sitting together at a table - many of them squashed around, drinking things she didn't care to know.
Straightening her posture, she began to slowly approach him, careful to be delicate in her steps.
He met her gaze once more. "Can I help you?" He continued removing his gloves, placing them in his satchel along with his helmet. His deep voice matched his beautiful face perfectly.
"Hello kind sir, may I ask what direction you're headed?" she spoke sweetly to him.
His lips raised into a crooked grin. "Somewhere a fine young lady like yourself has no business at all." His tone was tinged in good humour.
Fiona grinned back at him. "On a grand adventure, I'm sure," she playfully replied. She chewed back her excitement about her own grand adventure, telling people would defy the purpose.
"I am, actually." He winked at her.
She giggled, fluttering her eyes in response. "If I have no business in knowing where you're going, perhaps I could know where you are from? The nearest town?" She hoped with all her might that he would simply gesture for her to climb upon the horse and take her himself.
"It's an hour ride that way. Walking… it'll take you longer," he responded plainly. "Are you sure you don't have anyone looking after you out here by yourself?"
"No…" she stood taller, "I don't think I'd need one with strong men like yourself to make sure no trouble comes my way."
He gave a chuckle; she laughed along with him. "Well, I'm off in the opposite direction." He threw a thumb over his shoulder. "Believe me, I'm sorry I can't be of service."
"Forgive my curiosity, but where are you going?" Perhaps if she could keep him talking long enough, he would see the destiny standing right in front of him.
"I told you, it's no place for a little lady like yourself." He was about to say something else when a cheer erupted from the group of people he was looking at before. His face lit up. They were cheering at him, she realised as she glanced back. He held out an arm, for a split second she thought he was about to put an arm around her, but instead he simply moved her aside, walking over to his friends.
She watched them all greet him enthusiastically. They were shouting for him, exclaiming that he needed to have his final drink with them. He retorted that he was sure he'd be drinking very well after this last one. He surely must have been on a grand adventure after all. He didn't look back at her. She continued to watch them. The group mostly consisted of other men, far less gallant than him, though there were a few women too. They had long, flowing hair, much like hers used to be. She held the rough ends of her new hair with one hand. If only he could know she was a princess. Suddenly, one of the men caught her eye. He said something to her handsome stranger in a hushed tone, he glanced back. She looked away quickly, realising it was odd of her to stare when he was in fact just a stranger. She hurriedly walked over to the nearest market stall, smiling absently at the seller. She was close enough to listen in on their conversation, but kept her back turned.
"Hey," someone from the group called. "Hey, redhead! Blue dress!"
Her eyes widened, they were calling her. She turned slowly, pointing at herself, an eyebrow raised in question.
"Yeah! You! Come here!" It was the man who had caught her gaze, he had a black felt cap upon his bald head. She swallowed, clutching hold of her dress, following his instruction. "You want to join us?" he asked, several other eyes were watching her. They were all smiling, inviting.
She smiled back. They weren't quite the same company as the children, but… they seemed friendly enough. "I don't want to intrude." She was polite, she needed to be.
"No one's an intruder!" was the jolly response. She could smell the cause of the joviality from them. Still, they were adults. It's what adults did. Perhaps royalty were a little more well mannered in their festivities, but these were apparently festivities nonetheless.
She watched her stranger as she was pulled to a seat. He winked at her again, she blushed. Though his attention was quickly drawn from her.
"My last drink as a single man!" he exclaimed. A roar erupted around her. She couldn't help but smile at their cheers.
"Don't forget us when you're surrounded by her folks, I imagine it'll be very different."
Oh! Fiona almost vocalised her realisation. She wanted to hit her head with the palm of her hand. She could feel her modest blush from before growing at her own stupidity. He was in the middle of his own love story, a daring adventure of a love story at that. Of course not every man she encountered would even be available to sweep her off her feet. She had to be more careful.
"Not nearly half as fun as this!" he announced, much to their delight.
One of the men stood, getting a slap on the back by the bald felt capped fellow. He created a circle with his finger and thumb and held it to his eye, like a monocle. He pressed his lips together tight, and turned the corners of his mouth down into an exaggerated frown. He hunched his back over and with his other index finger he placed it on the stranger's shoulders, one at a time. "I dub thee." He spoke in a mocking, croaky voice.
"Wait!" one of the women shrieked, she was perched upon the knee of a different man. "You forgot your crown!" She threw a top hat at the man playing jester, though the top had been punched in, a hole instead.
The man broke his character for a moment to place it upon his head, upside down, before returning to his performance, getting a belly laugh from the handsome stranger whom he knighted. The stranger sat up straight, taking on a mock regal expression.
Fiona's smile turned hesitant, her brow creasing ever so slightly in confusion. The group found the act hilarious, she gave a small laugh along with them.
"Hold on! Hold on…" someone else piped up. Fiona watched, turning her head from person to person as more of the story unfolded in front of her. "This might be your last drink ever!"
The group made loud sympathetic noises at him, booing the speaker who dulled the mood.
"More reason to celebrate even harder now!" someone else chimed in, erupting yet another roar around her. Fiona caught the eye of another more subdued man, this one wore a jacket, patched at the elbows - she couldn't tell if it was necessary repairs or some kind of fashion statement. He wasn't quite as cheery as everyone else surrounding them; perhaps he was new too, swept up in their excitement just like she was. They grinned at each other.
As the cheering died down, one of the women - wearing more jewellery than her clothes would suggest she owned - leant forwards. "Seriously though, is she really worth it?"
"What?" Multiple people questioned her statement. Fiona too found herself confused. Love was always worth it, she sided with the rest of the group.
"How many people have failed already? I can count three by name."
Fiona's brow crossed again.
"She's right. You're good, you are. But... " a new speaker stood. He had been sat next to the jewellery adorned woman, boasting his own shiny pocket watch. He untangled himself from the people he was sat amongst to approach the stranger. He took him forcefully by the shoulders, raising his voice, "Are you ready for a dragon?"
Fiona's breath left her as she realised what they were talking about. Everyone jumped into cheers again at the shouted words. She didn't react. Her wide eyes turned glassy, frozen smile slowly fading from her face.
Her. It was her he was embarking on his daring adventure for. He wanted to be her rescuer. Her eyes trailed around until she was looking right into his eyes again. He was distracted, he didn't notice her, too swept up in the celebrations for his cause. He was enthusiastic, encouraging their cheers. He stood, flexing his muscles in various positions. She watched despondently.
"Is she worth dying for? No!" he announced. "Because I'm not going to die!"
They cheered again.
Her brain told her that she was sure he would have died had this been normal circumstances, with her watching wistfully from her tower window. He'd be yet another strangled scream that turned to silence, that she'd rock back and forth for hours over. Just like those three others someone in this very group knew of. Perhaps she could end the cycle right now, perhaps she could announce herself as Princess Fiona of Far Far Away, and save him the hassle. Her fingers found the ends of her hair again, she tugged at it, reminding herself that no one would believe her. She looked at him again, holding his hands up at their applause. His victory wouldn't be any good without the adventure anyway.
She caught the gaze of the elbow patched man. He was watching her questioningly. She renewed her smile, trying to regain her composure.
"Is a princess worth your life?" The serious pocket watch man spoke again, loudly. Pulling her attention back.
"Do you mean is the life of a king worth risking your lowly life for?" The jester who did an impression of her father resumed his crooked back, monocle act - the broken top hat still sitting on his head.
"Exactly!" The stranger slapped his back. "Live here forever or be a king!"
The cheers lost their enchanting effect on her. She looked to her potential ally in the group, though elbow patches was smiling lopsidedly at the main attraction. His grin only got larger. "So that's what you're celebrating here," Patches spoke up, "He's going to be a king."
"Forget the marriage," someone else added.
"Aye aye, my good fellow!" someone agreed.
The stranger lifted his drink.
"Hey! That's not fair to the poor girl." The woman perched on someone's knee spoke again, "She's a princess! She'll be pretty!"
"Pretty face and pretty rich!"
Fiona stood abruptly. Only a couple of people even noticed as she stepped out from her seat and turned away from them. She wasn't sure she remembered which way her would-be rescuer told her to walk in, she just needed to walk anywhere away from them. She held her arms, desperately blinking back the tears that flushed her eyes now she removed herself from the situation. She heard more calls for celebration, she was a steal, a risk worth taking apparently. Well, she was certainly glad he would be able to leave the keep with his body unscorched, unfortunately a life of a king did not await him though. He'd only find a dead dragon and an empty tower room filled with everything she'd ever owned for the past thirteen years. Perhaps he'd look at something, perhaps he'd laugh at the steal of a princess he'd just missed out on, maybe even take something back as a memento to show his friends so they could laugh and cheer at her expense some more. The horror only sunk in further as she realised he might spread the word that she'd been rescued. Then all her potential rescuers would stop travelling and her plan would be ruined.
Still, given the time-limited nature of her plan, he wouldn't be able to spread word too far. She'd be able to follow him, at a distance, and hopefully meet someone else. She was sure they wouldn't all be as disgusting and self motivated as him… and Charming.
The princess held onto her satchel a little firmer as she walked. She had to be more careful, she chastised herself again. Her true love wouldn't just be anyone, no matter how brave and tall they were. She just had to adjust her expectations even more. Everything would be fine once she found a place to rest. She could start again tomorrow.
"Were they bothering you?"
She startled at the sudden voice directed towards her. She turned, a group of three women she had just passed were stopped at the market entrance she was exiting.
"Excuse me?" She wasn't sure they were speaking to her. But it appeared they were. The group looked to be at least ten years her senior, they had kind eyes and concerned faces.
"That armoured ass over there with his parade, were they bothering you?" the woman who spoke before spoke again.
She blinked back her emotion even more. "No." She shook her head.
The women smiled knowingly at her, one even let out a small laugh. "It's okay, honey, people like that bother everyone."
"Off to rescue the princess, they say!" the other joked exaggeratedly.
"Good riddance!" They all laughed together.
She stared at them with a crossed brow. Her father told her that the men who tried to rescue her would be brave and noble - even the ones who didn't succeed. The two she'd encountered long enough to speak to certainly didn't fit his word. She frowned. "They're all like that?"
The group of friends approached her.
"Well... no," the third responded to her.
The second was quick to finish her sentiment, "But the ones who think they're good enough to slay a dragon to get rich - definitely all of those ones."
They burst into laughter again, nodding at each other.
Fiona mustered a smile at them, forcing a chuckle. After a second of confusion she realised they'd mistaken her question to mean men in general - of course, why would they think otherwise? What interest did a common girl wandering the woods have in those rescuing a long suffering princess?
The third woman, the smallest, took Fiona's arm and pulled her in, inviting her to walk with them. She did. They introduced themselves. Marcie was the one who first spoke to her, the one who thought she needed someone to help her. Lei carried a sack of something slung over her shoulder and giggled a lot, and Joy was the one firmly holding onto her arm. They told her the name of the place she was heading to and that it was about forty minutes' walk beyond their own destination; a farm they were to visit - Lei intended to seek out some chickens to purchase, naturally they all went together. They confirmed she would surely be there before sunset, and hadn't enquired about why. The princess listened to their tittering about their own romantic endeavours - Lei happily married, Joy unhappily married, and Marcie was still trying her luck. They had been firm friends since teenagehood. Fiona couldn't imagine having friends for so long.
After hearing about an argument with a husband, a child with a terrible cough, and a fox who ate some chickens, she waited for an eventual lapse in conversation to ask what clouded her mind.
"What you said before, other men around here have tried to rescue the princess?" She was curious. She never knew how men had heard of her. Despite having more than enough time, she never thought about the technicalities of the situation; the men simply knew.
"Oh yes, from a lot of places around here." Marcie adjusted her glasses.
"Culling the towns of idiots, I'd say." Lei prompted laughter in agreement.
"I'm not sure she even exists." Joy provided the skepticism.
"Who in their right mind wouldn't try to escape themselves?" Marcie added.
"Maybe she did and got fried." Lei shrugged.
"The poor dear." Joy squeezed her arm.
Fiona's mind was only given more questions. "Forgive me if I sound ignorant, but what makes these men idiots?" Perhaps she herself was an idiot for asking.
"It's a dragon. What singular man could kill a dragon?"
"Think about how big dragons are, a sword is barely a pin-prick."
"Nevermind the scales!"
Her brow crossed again. Charming was certain he killed the beast with simply a sword. He'd told her about it in great detail - the dragon could sense his bravery and was subdued when he didn't back down after the first terrifying roar. He ran at it, swiping at its mighty talons, until it couldn't move and collapsed. He then climbed atop its back and stabbed it.
Hm. They had a point… she had spent many a dull afternoon watching the dragon fly around. It was huge. And his sword was comparatively tiny. If he was destined, or planned, to rescue her she imagined the whole story was a lie. She suddenly realised he never mentioned the scream she distinctly heard either. His bravery had subdued her memory too.
"Imagine having that kind of ego, thinking you can kill a dragon all by yourself," Lei spoke, her voice a mixture of judgement and wonder.
"Someone needs to bring them down a peg." Marcie raised an eyebrow.
"That's the dragon's job!" Joy exclaimed, the group bursting into laughter.
Fiona realised perhaps her own ego had been a touch too high in her adventures and non-adventures. To think that men were flocking to her tower simply to save her for no other reason than being moved by her story and wooed by her beauty - they surely didn't even know what she looked like. She always knew she was the prize, of course, but she had always thought she was the only prize. She didn't think about her kingdom, nor her royal status. She didn't think about the bragging rights that came with besting a dragon. Marrying her was such a tiny part of the adventure they were embarking on, she was only the pawn they needed. Fiona's gait slowed with the realisation - only to be dragged along by the woman attached to her arm; unaffected by her slight pause. Charming and his mother had truly come up with the perfect plan. They created an impossible task that only they could beat, and took out some of Charming's competitors all at the same time. Competitors in swordsmanship, or even in ego. It was all the same.
She looked off into the distance, deciding she'd had enough of the conversation, letting them carry on their ample chatter. The topic switched quickly, they barely noticed her lackluster contributions. Had she engaged in the conversation, she might have enjoyed their company in much the same way she enjoyed her drivers'. But… she couldn't. The lie wasn't just her rescuer, but everything. Even the things her parents told her, what they promised her. Perhaps they didn't know any better than she did. Perhaps they thought better of the world too.
Though sweet and friendly, none of the women invited her along or to their home. Well, of course they shouldn't, she fleetingly reminded herself, she was just a stranger after all. Besides, it would be too risky to retire to bed at sundown and then sleep unwakingly until sunrise. They might find it suspicious should they want to engage in any typical slumber party activities. She wasn't sure what would be expected of her as an overnight house guest, anything would be too much to expect of her.
So, she finished the rest of the journey alone, smiling at those she crossed - trying her very best to remain upbeat, she still had her mission at hand after all. Maybe travelling to the tower wasn't her best idea, she'd need to tweak some of her plan. Who knew, perhaps her true love was waiting for her in that dreamy tavern with the lake. Maybe men travelling to her tower were not the best idea, but plenty of others existed. Perhaps everything had worked out the way it should have done. Perhaps this next town held the key.
Her hope was dampened again as soon as she arrived in the town. The closest tavern was run down and cold; nothing like the expensive inns she had slept within on her journey in the opposite direction. There were no gardens, nor a lake.
The innkeep doubled his price upon seeing her gold, and a group of men dressed in green wouldn't leave her alone until she quickly dismissed herself to her room. She didn't take the potion right away, breaking off small pieces of bread from her satchel and staring listlessly out of the window at the haggard townspeople hurrying past each other. There was a tiny part of her that thought maybe being so far away from those who troubled her, the pain wouldn't come. But it did. The sun reached its lowest and searing pain grew within her. It took everything she had to stand from the chair and limp to the bed, collapsing onto it, holding fast to her bag. With a trembling hand, she took the potion she hadn't even inspected. It didn't matter anymore, she didn't care. The potion didn't work instantly, there was a period of time where the world slowly grew smaller and smaller. Closing in on her. She stared at the wooden ceiling above her, tracing patterns in the imperfections. One of the inns she stayed at with Charming had a wooden ceiling in the bathroom she slept in, the wood had been varnished and was shiny. It made the patterns in the wood look far more purposeful, and yet she still recognised a particular pattern within the wood grain. It seemed to capture her fading away brain as strange that both polished and varnished, and rough and dirty, wood was the same. Nothing was the same for her, well, she was still laying alone in a room, praying no one would find her; that remained the same. One thing had changed - at least she wasn't an ogre anymore.
. . .
Thanks for the reviews on the last chapter!
I saw Shrek the Musical on the UK tour last week and oof it was bad. The musical was never the best thing even when it started, it was mostly just a little fun addition. But it has been left to FESTER. It was mostly just kids in the audience which is fine for them… but like they didn't even KNOW that a way too invested fanfic author was sitting among them haha! Kidding. Is it okay if I judge it after I've gotten to know it?
It made me think about the franchise overall. I've been very nervous about the next film, especially as Forever After wrapped everything up so nicely, but the Puss in Boots film being so good actually gives me hope that it might be a worthy instalment that doesn't bulldoze everything. We've gotta keep our fingers crossed. I imagine it'll be a long time before we hear more about it. Anyway. Thanks for reading!