A month.
One very long, lonely month.
His parents had left with the other wedding guests and now, even with Scooby at his side Shaggy felt alone. Christina remained shut in her room, the door locked. Sitting at her window like nothing had changed. Well, one thing had, despite the warm weather she wore long sleeves, all the way to her wrists to hide the mark that had appeared after their vows. She wanted nothing to do with him. If he passed under her window she shut the drapes.
Was this going to be his life now? Doomed to a loveless marriage? On a particularly warm day he wandered the castle gardens desperately wishing for the ocean and the golden sands he was used to as he settled on a bench beside the fountain.
What am I going to do?
...
"What are we going to do?" Alissa paced the dining hall, "She won't even give him a chance! She hasn't come out of her room in a month and I just don't know what to do!" Alissa slumped into the nearest dining chair, "Did we do the right thing? I thought, maybe this would help, help her move on but-but-"
Radu rested a hand on her back, "It's going to be alright dear"
"Perhaps," Maleficent spoke up, "We have to nudge her"
"How?"
"I'm so very glad you asked"
...
Christina jumped as her mother appeared beside her.
"Butterfly, we're going to the manor tomorrow morning"
"Why?" she asked suspiciously. The manor house in the woods was primarily a winter get-away house and it was the height of summer.
"Oh, I wanted a change of scenery, it'll be nice to escape to the woods for a little while," Alissa waved off the suspicion, "Do you want to pack your trunk ot let the pixies?"
Christina turned back to the window.
"Alright, I'll tell the pixies"
...
The carriage ride to the manor was painfully awkward. The adults were meeting them there so Shaggy and Christina were alone. Within the first ten minutes, Christina had shut her eyes to ignore him. With nothing else to do, he watched their surroundings shift the closer they got to their destination. The ground became rougher, trees grew more closely together, wildlife moving within the shadows until at last the manor came into view. A beautiful building with many front facing windows and sturdy colums that supported a gabled roof. There were wildflowers and gardens so dusted with magic it shimered in the air itself.
"It's like, so quiet up here"
Christina nodded.
"Welcome back, Your Highness," a rosy cheeked butler opened the carriage door, "I trust you had a good journy?" the man saw Shaggy, "And welcome, my peince, to Raven Hall," he bowed, "I'm Jasper and it is my job to make sure you enjoy yourselves here"
Jasper helped Christina out of the carrige. Shaggy hopped out after her.
"Have my parents not arrived yet?"
"I was told it was just you and the Prince, for your honeymoon I believe"
"I see, excuse me"
"She doesn't like me," Shaggy sheepishly explained.
"No, I think you're mistaken"
"How?"
"Princess Christina is simply guarded ever since that horrible theft she's closed herself off to strangers. She's very kind but you have to break through her walls"
"Like, how am I supposed to do that when she shuts herself away?"
"I'm certain you'll think of something"
...
Shaggy wandered the manor curiously, Scooby behind him. It was much quieter than the castle, darker too. Small beams of sunlight stretched across the floor, softer almost making things glow. The walls were hung with Queen Alissa's paintings in simple frames. Most were animals, or gardens but there were also portaits of Christina at differnt stages of life. In all of them she was smiling brightly, unbothered before they suddenly stopped.
When her voice was stolen.
Quiet piano music pulled him from his thoughts. Tip-toeing down the hall he cautiously peeked into the glass-walled sunroom. Christina sat with her back to him, playing a meloncholy tune on the glossy black piano. Her hair was free from its braid, tumbling down her back, slightly unkempt. She had changed from her traveling gown into a clean lavender one with noticably short sleeves. The music stopped as quickly as it started. Christina sniffled, resting a trembling hnd to her throat.
"Christina, are you, like, okay?"
She stiffened, before turning to face him.
"I like, wasn't spying I swear, just exploring"
Her mouth remined pressed in a grim line.
"I'll go, I'm sorry"
In less time than it took him to turn around Christina was suddenly beside him, resting a hand on his shoulder. When he turned to face her she motioned for him to come in.
"Are you sure?"
A short half nod.
"You play?"
She nodded again.
Shaggy sat across from the piano where Christina made herself comfortable. She turned back to the piano, plunking a few keys before stopping all over again. Slamming her fists down, she jumped from the bench, stomping to a chair next to the window.
"Can't figure out what to play?"
Half a shrug, she settled her hands on her knees with a shuddering breath.
There had to be a way to get through to her. But, what would grab her attention?
...
I knew they were up to something! Christina wrote in her diary that evening, My parents think pushing Shaggy and I together will do something. Although I've resigned to be civil I still loathe this entire arangement. Worse, they packed all the short-sleeve dresses they could find. I don't want to see the stupid mark. I just want to forget it's there but no. Apparently I need to see it every hour of every day for some reason that still eludes me.
Why are they doing this to me?
I have half a mind to run off but that's hundreds of adventure stories talking and not at all practical. After I changed from my traveling clothes I found the piano but I still can't bring myself to play it. I've tried so many times, the one in my library is sadly covered in dust however...
Throwing her diary against the wall she blew out the candle and pulled the blanket over her head before the tears of frustration and sadness could overtake her.
...
The days passed slowly, Christina continued to avoid him as best she could while he racked his brain for a solution. There just had to be something that could start the lengthy process of chipping away at her walls. Isn't that why they were sent here to begin with? How much longer were they going to be here? If he didn't act soon he'd lose his chance he was sure of it.
But, what could he do?
...
My nightmares continue. The only good thing-ha-about losing my voice is that no one hears them so I don't have to face more pity, more coddling. I've done all I can think to dissaude them. Cheerful bedtime stories, soothing tea but nothing workes. Not like when I was a child. Mother used to sing me lulibies. I still remember them all by heart. If i think about it hard enough I can just hear us singing together but as quickly as it comes it slips away again.
I've walked endless laps around the grounds, went trail riding nd read every book here twice. So as you can imagine I've run out of things to do. I would do some baking but Shaggy stays close to the kitchen and I'm not in the mood for a yes or no conversation so I'll stay in my room, counting the days until I can go home.
I really wish Cadfael were here. I miss him so.
He has the oddest habbit of disappearing for such long stretches of time that I once asked where he goes. He explores. This realm and ones beyond. Sometimes when he comes to visit he brings me gifts. There all so beautiful but my favorite has to be the necklace he gifted me at the wedding. Such an odd gem. I've never seen anything like it, so many pretty colors, shifting and changing. Like someone cptured the sky.
He said he just found it in the forest, tangled in a bush. Who would het rid of something so unique?
Oh, I think I need a nap...
Christina's eyes fluttered closed before she could finish the thought.