A/N: Hey there.
I know I'm slow and not at all consistent, so thanks so much for sticking around. Really does mean a lot. Thanks also to all the reviews.
Take care and happy reading.
Disclaimer, I do not own The Land of Stories series. This was all by the very talented Chris Colfer.
Chapter Fourteen: The Spindle
"Okay," Charlotte said, looking around the group.
"Looks like we're all ready."
All the tents had been packed. The provisions had been split equally between the groups, and each individual carried a full pack of supplies on their backs which Emilia had skilfully supplied. Two new majestic unicorns now stood beside the plump Cornelius, and the slender Cherry Blossom. One was a small female with deep round brown eyes and a long silver mane and tail. She was very dainty and she had a fragile and delicate appearance as if she were made of porcelain or China.
Beside this petite creature, stood a sturdy unicorn of around the same height. He had pointy ears, a round button nose, and curly orange hair which flowed around his head like bright flames.
His eyes were a deep grey and when you looked into them, it was like looking into a bottomless pool of wisdom.
The group stood around silent and apprehensive.
They were surveying the scene and one another with bleak spirits, their shoulders slumped, and their eyes downcast.
They were not optimistic about this parting of ways.
Connor, Froggy, and Red, who had just become firm friends hated to be separated and they feared for each other knowing the perilous danger that they were about to face.
The companions ate a solemn breakfast of rolls and by the time they had finished, the sun had fully risen into the sky.
Birds chirped, and the forest animals screeched and scurried.
"We must get going," Evly said at last.
"We will see each other again. I am determined that will be so."
With these words, they began to say their goodbyes, hoping that Evly's words would be true.
"Goodbye Connor," Froggy said shaking Connor's hand.
"I've learnt so much on this adventure and it's all thanks to you for persisting that I come. I can't wait to find out what I'm going to learn next."
"See you later Froggy."
"Good bye Mr and Mrs Bailey," Red said, giving an graceful curtsey.
"I am sincerely hopeful that we shall meet again soon."
"Farewell, Queen Red," John said, a hint of amusement in his voice.
"I wish you a safe journey. Well... you know... as safe as it can be."
"Have faith Charlotte. In dark times, hope and courage is something we give ourselves."
"Be careful Evly my friend," Charlotte said in a choked voice.
"See you soon Mira."
Hugs, hand shakes, kisses and tears were passed around.
But finally, there was nothing left to say, and all that was left was to part ways.
Evly and Mira mounted the sturdy male unicorn, and Red and Froggy mounted Cherry Blossom.
At once the unicorns were off, trotting briskly towards the Charming Kingdom, kicking up dirt, pebbles, and dust in their wake.
The Baileys watched them go with heavy hearts, huddled together with their arms around one another for comfort.
But there was one who was untouched by the warm and heart-felt farewells.
Emilia stood under a chestnut tree some distance away. She hugged and shook hands with the others, but she felt unattached from her own body. She felt as if she was a mere spectator, as if she was looking down upon herself, watching herself as though she were spying on a subject to gain information.
"The irony," she muttered darkly, as this thought crossed her mind.
Sighing, she leaned against the bark of the chestnut, her head full and empty all at once.
The unicorns were well out of sight by now, and there were only soft indentations on the forest floor where their hooves had trod.
"Well, that's that," John said.
"I suppose we'd better get going ourselves."
Connor and John approached Cornelius and the dainty female picking up their bags as they went.
Emilia lay quite oblivious to the goings-on around her, her head still resting on the smooth bark.
"Emilia, honey, it's time to go."
Startled, Emilia spun round, wand raised.
"Hey, hey, it's only me," Charlotte said, stepping back abruptly, palms up.
Blushing, and scolding herself for inattentiveness, Emilia hastily pocketed her wand and stood.
"Right, um, sorry. Just nervous."
"Of course," Charlotte said, laying a hand on the girl's shoulder.
"What we're about to do is going to be no picnic."
"Yeah, no kidding," Emilia muttered.
The two made their way to where the unicorns now stood ready, Connor and John already mounted on their backs.
Quickly, Emilia jumped on to Cornelius behind Connor, rubbing and shrugging her shoulders slightly.
John helped Charlotte on to their unicorn and with a soft whistle from Emilia, the unicorns trotted away, into the deep thick trees of the forest.
—
Emilia's head was pounding. Her limbs were stiff and unyielding. Every muscle in her body ached as Cornelius jolted and bumped through the forest. To add to this, she desperately wished that Connor and his parents would stop blabbing for just one minute and give her a break from the nauseating cheerful chatter that had continuously flowed like a river of melted chocolate. However, it was far from sweet. Instead, it left a bitter and rancid taste in Emilia's mouth. The taste of resentment.
"Connor!" Charlotte cried.
"That was very reckless! And foolish! You could've been badly hurt fighting properly trained soldiers getting Cinderella's slipper. Couldn't you think of another way?"
"Like how?"
"I thought it was ingenious!" John said enthusiastically.
"A splendid idea brimming with imagination and ouch!"
John gave Charlotte a pained look rubbing his side.
"Yeah, it was brilliant. It was Emilia's idea."
Emilia groaned, running her hand through her hair for what felt like the millionth time. By this point, her braid had become loose, dishevelled and unruly, like snakes uncoiled and preparing to bite.
"You are a very clever young lady," John said, smiling.
"So tell me, what's it like being a fairy in training? Do you have to go to school? Or are you an apprentice? Do you take exams?"
"Fine, no, yes, and no."
"Interesting, who do you learn from?" John persisted.
"Madam Josephine."
"What is she like?" Charlotte asked.
"She's fine."
"Do you have parents? Where are they?"
"They're gone."
"Yeah, she's a real ray of sunshine our Emilia," Connor said, giving her a poke.
"Ow! Connor don't do that!"
"Okay, okay, sorry," he said, raising both hands in surrender.
"Lets leave Emilia alone," Charlotte said firmly.
"We've been riding for some time and it's well past lunchtime. It's hot and we're all getting tired and hungry. Lets have lunch under that tall willow. I'm sure our unicorns would thank us too."
Without another word, everyone obeyed. Despite herself, Emilia was relieved and grateful for Charlotte's intervention.
They dismounted, sat under the willow and savoured the abundance of shade it provided from the relentless heat.
The group ate hungrily, not talking much between their mouthfuls of bread and jam, fresh apples and oranges, and having a sweet tooth herself, Emilia gladly produced a platter of chocolate chip cookies.
They munched in comfortable silence as they watched birds soar and skim over branches and treetops. Next to their willow, a yellow bird with blue and white feathers was sitting on a nest, her wings spread out.
Small bugs and beetles scampered and scuttled around them.
"That's better," John sighed contentedly.
"Now, why don't I read you the journal entry I wrote for the Sleeping Kingdom?"
"Sounds good," Connor agreed.
Charlotte and Emilia nodded their ascent.
Emilia handed John the journal and leaned back against the tree. Oh! How lovely and soothing it felt to have the dry bark against her back and head. At that moment, the willow tree was like an anchor in a turbulent storm, keeping her head from submerging into the murky depths, and preventing her from being swallowed by the monstrous waves of despair that she didn't know she had inside.
Relaxing for the first time that day, Emilia smiled, and John began to read.
—
The spindle that pricked Sleeping Beauty's finger was the easiest item for me to collect. I had no prior plan of acquiring it, and simply pleaded my case to the queen, and she was very sympathetic. She let me take the spindle, on the condition, that I would return it to her once I was finished using it. Queen Sleeping Beauty is very wise, especially for someone who had been asleep for a century, and I believe she knew more about what I was after than she was willing to admit.
—
"What? Is that it?" Charlotte asked, clearly underwhelmed.
"Yup, afraid so."
"So getting the spindle was that easy?"
"Yeah, it really was that simple. I just went to the palace, and talked to the queen, and, well, she very kindly allowed me to borrow the spindle."
"Well, that's lucky for us," Connor said, helping himself to a forth cookie.
"Piece of cake."
"Hmm... I don't know," Charlotte said, head to one side.
"It just can't be that easy. It's too good to be true. Surely it's some kind of trap. Emilia, what do you think?"
Emilia sat up, surprised that Charlotte would ask her opinion.
"Oh, well, why don't we just go to the Sleeping Kingdom and find out. If it is that simple, then that's great for us. And if not... well, we'll deal with that when it comes."
"Exactly," John said, smiling at Emilia.
"We'll just roll with the punches."
"Alright, I suppose," Charlotte agreed reluctantly.
So with that, they packed the remains of their lunch, mounted their steeds, and were off once again.
John and Connor bumped fists, and grinned. "Sleeping Kingdom here we come."
—
"Opal."
"Amber."
"Rhona."
"Primrose."
"Gross," Connor cried.
"Primrose! Too girly."
"Primrose is a lovely name," Charlotte protested indignantly.
"Alright, why don't we each suggest a name, and draw straws," John suggested.
"Sure," Connor said.
"Alright then, Emilia will you help?"
Obligingly, Emilia retrieved her wand, and four small squares of paper.
"I vote rosalinde," Emilia said, writing on a piece of paper with her wand.
"Primrose for me please," Charlotte said, daring Connor to argue.
"I think Rhona would suit her," John said, patting the unicorn's silvery mane.
"Um, I'll go princess," Connor said, not too enthusiastically.
"Boring," Emilia said, punching him on the arm.
"Too cliché."
"Shut up and just draw one."
Emilia produced a small hat, shuffled the names inside, closed her eyes, and drew one out.
But just as she was unfolding it, a gust of wind blew it out of her hand.
"Ha! There goes princess."
"Hey, that could've been Primrose!"
"Even better," Connor said cheekily.
"Fine then," Emilia said, handing the hat to Charlotte, "You pick."
At once, the unicorns stopped in the middle of the path. They stood stock-still, as if sensing the importance of what Charlotte was about to do.
After shaking the hat several times, Charlotte closed her eyes, and drew out one of the slips of paper.
All eyes were on her as she unfolded the result.
"Rhona," Charlotte read out.
Silence fell as the others registered what they'd heard, contemplating and turning the name over in their minds.
"I knew I'd win," John said triumphantly.
At that moment, Rhona flicked her tail and whinnied her approval.
"Isn't that right old girl," John said, stroking her mane.
"Good girl Rhona."
"Rhona, that's not bad," Charlotte said, smiling at her husband.
"Yeah, dad, Rhona sounds kind of cool," Connor said.
"Yes, very exotic and magical," Emilia added.
"Well, Rhona, lead the way to the Sleeping Kingdom," John said, giving her a final pat.
With a spring in her elegant strides, Rhona took off, Cornelius trotting behind, his crooked nose twitching and sniffing the air. The sun still shone as bright and radiant as ever, and the sky remained a brilliant royal blue. Thankfully, the heat had lost some of its intensity, and had turned into pleasant warmth as it caressed their faces. Nearby, the gurgling of a pond could be heard, and the pungent smell of sweet berries was in the air.
Emilia's earlier bad temper had now melted away, and she couldn't help liking the company of Connor and his parents.
"I can't believe they're my parents too," Emilia thought.
"And Connor is my twin. And I'm with my family."
Then she pinched herself good and hard. The pain helped her return to her senses.
"They are not my family! They left me! They never wanted me! I belong to Ezmia and she is my only family!"
She pinched herself again, scolding herself for letting her thoughts run away from her.
"You know," Connor said.
"I wonder what it's like to sleep for one hundred years. I mean, when I have school and the alarm goes, I keep putting it on snooze and I really feel like I could sleep for one hundred years. I wonder if you'd wake up feeling refreshed, or if you'd wake up feeling even more sleepy than you did before."
"That's an interesting thought," Emilia said with a pensive expression.
"Man, she must've had really smelly breath when she woke up."
At this remark, they all roared with laughter. Emilia threw back her head tears of mirth rolling down her cheeks.
"You're messed up," she said, elbowing him in the side.
They all took several minutes catching their breath, and gathering their composure.
"Look," Charlotte said, stifling a chuckle.
"We're leaving the forest and going onto the road."
Charlotte was quite right. Rhona and Cornelius were trotting down a gravel path, pebbles crunching beneath their hooves. The trees were thinning out all around them, and the blue sky was becoming more visible.
After a few minutes, they rounded a bend and were out on open road.
"This way," Emilia instructed Cornelius.
They turned onto a wide road. Traders with their wagons passed by, and Emilia, resuming her role as fairy in training, waved to the other travellers cheerfully.
"Wow," Charlotte breathed.
"What a lovely view."
It was a lovely view indeed. Along side the road they were taking, was a vast sparkling ocean, its water a vibrant blue as the sun danced on its surface. The water was clear and pure, and they glimpsed fish, in colours of blue, pink, purple, and yellow swimming and diving in the placid ripples.
"That's Mermaid Bay," John and Emilia said.
The awe in their voices was evident even though they had seen Mermaid Bay many times before.
"It's still as beautiful and breath-taking as I remember," John said wistfully.
"Yeah, it's not bad on the eye."
The group travelled north, turning away from the road. Before long, they entered the Sleeping Kingdom. It was a dismal and desolate land. It was completely silent and deserted. There was not a soul in sight and The were no traders travelling on the roads. There were no children playing and running laughing merrily on the streets.
"Oh my God," Connor said.
"This place is dead."
"Afraid so," Emilia said unfazed.
"It's been like this ever since Queen Sleeping Beauty woke up from the curse. But the people are still asleep. So there are no crops being grown, no business or trade being done, everyone is just sleeping."
"Oh dear," Charlotte said distressed.
They continued on, passing gardeners asleep with shovels still in their hands swaying side to side. A baker stood in his bakery, elbow-deep in flour snoring deeply.
"What a shame," John said.
"This kingdom use to be beautiful with its rolling green hills and tall trees and blossoming fragrant flowers."
At last, they entered Sleepy Valley the village where Sleeping Beauty's palace was located.
All around were rotting trees and withered flowers. On the ground, there was a plentiful scattering of rotten fruit, its sickly sweet smell permeating the air like a noxious substance.
In time, they reached the tall gates. The palace was a marvellous sight. It was a tall building with dignified white marble pillars. They rode through the gates with ease, the snores of palace guards rumbling around them like a drum-roll.
They rode up the long winding path to the great oak doors.
"Go," Emilia instructed to Cornelius.
"We'll whistle for you."
Obediently, both unicorns trotted away, Cornelius leading the way.
They entered into a vast hallway with marble floors. Intricate paintings and portraits hung on the cream white walls, and their footsteps echoed as they made their way to the throne room.
They passed countless doors and rooms, the halls winding this way and that like an intricate maze. Suddenly, Emilia stopped at a large silver door her fingers to her lips, listening hard.
"Maybe we should enforce a law that forbids the people to sleep during the day?"
"No," said a woman's voice.
"That's too oppressive. My people have done nothing. They should not be held accountable or be punished in any way."
"But darling, this may be our only choice."
without warning, Connor pushed Emilia aside, and burst into the room.
"Sorry to interrupt your highness, but may I make a suggestion?"
His companions were horrified. They shuffled in looking embarrassed, Charlotte hid behind her husband, Emilia had her hands over her face, and John fidgeted awkwardly.
"Excuse me?" said a man, in a stiff grey suit.
"Who are you?"
"How did you get in here?" King Chase asked.
"Seriously?" Connor said, eyebrows raised.
"I'm Connor, and these are my parents John and Charlotte, and this is my friend Emilia, a fairy in training.
"You have no right to be here," King Chase said sternly.
"No," Queen Sleeping Beauty said firmly.
"We have been trying to solve this problem for a very long time without imposing drastic restrictions and limiting basic human freedom. If this young man has a solution, I'm open to hearing it."
All was silent, and every eye was on Connor. He blushed at all the attention. It was like Mrs Peters had asked him a question in class, and he was afraid that his answer would sound stupid.
"Well," he began hesitantly.
"When I'm in school, I always feel like sleeping. I just can't help it. When I get bored, my brain turns off. But I use this trick called the rubber band trick. I wear a rubber band on my wrist, and when I feel sleepy, I snap it. The sting helps keep me conscious for a good five minutes. And plus, you wouldn't be forcing your people into anything. They would be doing it themselves."
Connor grinned round, sure that his pitch was a home run.
"This is foolish," the grey suited man muttered.
"Here," Emilia said, producing a rubber band.
"Let's demonstrate."
Connor put on the rubber band. Emilia pointed her wand at Connor, and a small fog swept towards him.
As the fog got closer, Connor's eyelids began to droop. His limbs felt heavy, and he opened his mouth giving a large yawn.
With considerable effort, Conner pulled back on the rubber band on his wrist stretching it taut, then let go.
"Thwack!"
Connor winced, his eyes wide open once again and looking more alert.
"See," he said, rubbing his forearm.
"That's a very original idea," Sleeping Beauty said, looking thoughtful.
"I think it's worth a try."
Connor and his companions sighed with relief. They also felt glad that they had provided the Queen a potential solution for her burden.
"Thank you, um.. Connor. Is there anything I can do for you?"
At this, John stepped forward and gave the king and queen a deep bow.
"Queen Sleeping Beauty, my name is John Bailey and I don't know if you remember, but some years ago, I came to you to borrow your spindle to use in my quest to collect the wishing spell. I told you that I had fallen in love with a woman from another world. She stands here by my side today as my wife."
Charlotte stepped to her husband's side, and slipped her hand into his.
"I see."
"Royal advisor, my love, please leave us. I would like a private word with our new friends."
Grudgingly, the two men left the room, King Chase glancing curiously back at his wife before closing the door behind him.
Sleeping Beauty smiled, her eyes crinkling and her hazel eyes warm and kind.
"Yes, I do remember you. I'm guessing you're here for the spindle?"
They all nodded eagerly.
"Before I give it to you, I must ask, what are your reasons for collecting the items this time?"
"Well," Charlotte said.
"You've probably heard that there is word that the enchantress Ezmia has returned. Rapunzel's tower has been destroyed, the wall surrounding Queen Red's kingdom has fallen, and Queen Cinderella's glass slipper has been stolen. In the interest of everyone's safety and well being, we thought that it would be wise to collect the items before Ezmia can. We believe it would be fatal if this powerful and evil enchantress got her hands on the objects."
Sleeping Beauty listened carefully. Yes, she had heard about the tower, the wall, and the slipper. A violent shiver went through her body and her stomach sank as she began to think of the implications of Ezmia having the wishing spell items in her possession.
"Yes, I've heard, and you are right. It would be suicidal to let Ezmia have those items. You're strangers to me, but I sincerely believe that you have genuine motives. I will give you the spindle on the condition that you return it after you have finished."
They agreed at once, promising over and over that they would return the spindle.
"Follow me," Sleeping Beauty said, leading the company out of the throne room.
They climbed a set of stone stairs spiralling upward in dizzying circles. After more hallways and doors, Sleeping Beauty stopped at a simple black door, took a key from the locket round her neck, and unlocked it.
"Come on in," she said, holding the door and beckoning them through.
Emilia looked round. They found themselves standing in a circular room with tall glass windows hung with deep purple drapes. On the floor was a thick violet rug embroidered with an assortment of flowers. The room was encircled by a high balcony that overlooked the village. There were only two objects in the room, a large comfortable bed, and a spinning wheel made of dark wood.
Emilia walked towards the bed, captured by the haunted and dreamy spell that the room contained.
She walked closer to the enormous bed, and on looking more closely, she saw the beautiful engraving on the headboard.
—
For one hundred years she slept,
The hearts' of her people she kept.
So they waited with patience for the bliss,
Of true love, and true love's kiss.
A hush fell on the room as they all read the engraving. It seemed that they were all enraptured by the unfathomable magic that this room held.
She turned to Queen Sleeping Beauty now, unable to cheque her admiration for this strong and resilient queen before her.
"This is where you slept for one hundred years," she whispered.
"Yes, this is the place. I visit this room regularly. Any time I need to think, or be by myself, or when I need a place to escape, and just to be me. Not the queen of a kingdom, just good old plain ordinary boring old me."
A wistful expression came over her elegant features, and Emilia knew that Sleeping Beauty was thinking back to a time when her life was simple and carefree.
"But the curse has been broken," John said.
"Why are the people still asleep?"
"The curse Ezmia placed on me has lifted, but that does not mean that it has lifted for my people. When I woke up, I vowed that I would not rest until our kingdom was restored."
"Wow, you must be exhausted," Connor said.
Indeed the queen did look very tired. There were deep lines and furrows of fatigue on her forehead, and black circles were etched under her eyes.
With a weary sigh, Sleeping Beauty sat down heavily on the bed. She reached under a plump velvet pillow, and produced the spindle.
"Here it is," she said, handing it carefully to John.
"Whenever I feel hopeless, I take the spindle out. It always gives me hope, courage and strength. I hope it brings these qualities for you also."
John took the spindle with great care, holding it in his palm with reverence.
"Promise me you will return it after you have finished."
"We will," they all chorused solemnly.
"Thank you Queen Sleeping Beauty," John said, kissing the Queen's hand.
"You have been very kind and generous."
"I always love to help if I can. Now, it's getting to be dinnertime. Will you stay? You must be famished. If you like, you can stay the night also."
"That's very kind, but will King Chase and your royal advisor permit it?"
"Don't worry about that, I'll take care of everything. Come with me, I'll show you to your quarters."
—
Emilia opened her eyes for what felt like the millionth time. She sat up, surveying her surroundings. Everything was still the same as when she checked last. The carpet was still a deep purple, the curtains were still velvet. The chest of drawers was still oak. Only the outside world was changing bit by bit as dawn arrived and the sun made its routine ascent into the sky. She was irritated now. Glancing at the clock, she groaned aloud as she read the numbers on display there, 4:30 am.
"And I still haven't slept!" she growled into her pillow.
She sat up, pummelling the pillows, as if each one had done her a personal disservice, and that it was their fault she hadn't slept a wink. Rubbing her eyes, she slid out of bed in defeat.
Emilia made her way toward the balcony connected to the room she slept in. The sliding doors opened soundlessly, and Emilia slipped outside, breathing in the crisp early morning air.
She slumped against the wall, surrendering all her weight to the fall.
"I don't know what's wrong with me," she whispered.
"I shouldn't have enjoyed being with Connor and his parents, but I did, and I loathe myself for it." But they're my parents too, a voice inside her head argued.
Despite her best efforts and more, she couldn't stop herself from feeling the affection that welled inside her when John smiled at her. Or when Charlotte touched her shoulder and asked for her opinion. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't stop the love for her twin that was growing within her every second she spent with him. What use to be contempt and disdain, had turned to friendship. Then affection and fondness. Now it wass...
No!
It couldn't…
It couldn't be love!
It just couldn't!
Connor had lived a comfortable and secure childhood. He had had everything she didn't.
She should despise him with every fibre of her being.
Her head was beginning to pound again. She grabbed it viciously with both hands, as if doing this would contain all her feelings of confusion, and anger, and everything else.
Suddenly, she raised her hand and slapped herself hard on her cheek.
Again.
And again.
And again.
And again.
Over and over until her wrist ached and her palms were raw.
Before long, crimson blood was spilling from her nose and her eyes were streaming with salty tears.
Heaving and gasping and sobbing, she stumbled back into her room collapsing in a heap on the floor.
Tear-stained and blood-stained, she lay there, her head whirling. She was shivering violently and her stomach churned with nausea.
"I don't know what to do," she whispered.
"I don't know how I feel. I don't know who I am."
"I just don't know what to do.
"I'm so scared."