Ugly
Page 4
“Go on my child, do not be afraid”. answered the kind woman.
“I want you to tell me where I come”. from Moira said quietly.
“I... told you child, answered the woman picking up Moira and putting her on her large lap. The Queen was as tall as the trees but, fairer than any human woman alive.
“You came from the magic of the fairies, remember?.”
Moira looked down still unsure.
“Why such questions child? said the woman of the wood.”
“I … met someone who told me otherwise.” “ he thinks that I am.... well... human.” Moira said looking afraid to know what the other woman would say next.
“And... who is this.... friend Moira? “ “ A human? perhaps? .”
Moira nodded with a smile.
“The answers you seek my child will come from the woman called Katherine answered
the woman of the wood.” “If you truly want to know the truth, than you must ask her, for I …
will not tell you.”
“But why mother? Asked Moira, you have all knowledge, why can't you tell me?.”
“Because my dear child answered the Woman of the wood, the truth will hurt
more than you know.”
Chapter 5
As the Woman of the wood watched Moira leave, the sun from the canopy became darkened, the light instantly disappearing. A dark figure appeared near the beautiful throne, the woman of the wood's eyes narrowing.
“What brings the dark witch to my realm of the woods? Said the Woman of the wood in a an annoyed voice.
“I have matters to discuss with you Aria”. said the old hag nastily.
“About the child I presume?”. answered the woman of the wood her head rising haughtily.
The witch became angry.
“Of course about the child!.” Why are you meddling again Aria, I specifically warned
you not to tell the child anything of her past until the time was right.”
“It is time Hortensia, I am surprised with your vast powers that you did not know even that.”
“Enough!!!. barked the witch, her face growing red. “Do not meddle in my affairs anymore Aria, or so help me....”
The Queen looked at the small hag, unafraid.
“ Your powers are no match for mine, the only reason I did not save the child from this curse in the first place was because it was her fate to become this way.” “And soon, she will have to choose, and I will make sure she chooses the right path.”
The old hag cackled wickedly.
“We shall see about that old friend”.
The witch disappeared into the shadows once again. The sun returning to the kingdom of the
Woman of the wood.
**
Queen Gwynneth perused through the forgotten quarter of the castle, the part of the castle no one had really ventured through since her mother had died a year before. The Queen's mind resorted back to the old times, happier times, when she and her sisters were still together. Gwynneth surprisingly enough missed Eleanor and Katherine, even if she had been terribly cruel to them. She loved them, and wished that she could be loved back in return like she once had.
Echoes of child-like laughter rang through the deserted hallway. Katherine looking everywhere for the noise, a cold chill running up her spine. The flames from the torches that hung from the stone walls began to flicker and dim. Gwynneth wrapped her shawl tighter around her shoulders and briskly walked back towards her room.
When the Queen entered her lavish quarters, a gold necklace lay on her bed. The Queen's eyebrows knitted together in a confused look as she picked up the necklace, a dark green emerald hung from a gold chain. Gwyneth put the necklace on, running to the mirror with girlish glee, admiring her reflection in the mirror. Suddenly, the Queen's eyes's turned green, and strange thoughts entered her mind.
“Katherine is alive!”. hissed the voice inside her head, find her and kill her, before she
steals... your throne!!!. ”
Gwynneth shook her head. It wasn't possible. Both her sisters had disappeared long ago, there was no way that they could be alive still. Not after all this time. The thought came again, but this time stronger than the last. In almost a hypnotic state, Gwynneth put away her doubts and called for her guards. There would be another search of the village.
*
Preparations for the flight of the golden dragons had come , and the whole village had been decorated. Children and adults alike talked excitedly amongst themselves. The only person that didn't seem to be excited, was Katherine. Hanging wet clothes on a line, Katherine gazed longingly at the dark forest at the end of the village. She had heard that Moira had returned but neither her nephew Wilfred or anyone else had seen her in days.
A cold hand tapped Katherine's shoulder. Shrieking in fright, Katherine turned around to see
Moira smiling at her.
“I'm … sorry I scared you”. the girl. smiled,”I didn't mean to.”
“Oh, replied Katherine, Of course not.” “Are you here to see Wilfred? I can go fetch him if you like.”
'No, actually... I've come to see you.” replied Moira with a smile.
Katherine about started to cry. She had been waiting patiently for Moira to want to talk.
“Come, sit, said Katherine, motioning for Moira to sit on a wooden stool. Katherine looked at her older sister, the girl hadn't changed a bit since she had last seen her as if, time hadn't touched her at all.
“Wilfred told me... Moira began, that you think you are a princess, and I remember you
saying that I was... your sister.” “How is that possible?”
Katherine didn't know what to say.
“I... honestly couldn't tell you Moira”. replied Katherine, “you look so much like my
sister Eleanor it's... well... crazy.”
“How did you come to believe these things Katherine?.” replied Moira taking
Katherine's hand.” “ I need to know.”
“Well, said Katherine, because it's true.” You and I Moira... I mean... I, grew up in the castle, , my mother the Queen put me in prison, and then for some reason or another I escaped with the help of strange means. “
Moira smiled urging Katherine to continue.
“One night as I was chained to the wall of the prison, a bright light entered, brighter than even the sun, a kind voice comforted me and told me everything was going to be alright, I went to sleep, and the next morning..... well... I woke up in the field near the village.
A commotion came from the village green, soldiers in silver armor stormed the small town
carrying torches and large wagons.
“Come Katherine, urged Moira, I shall lead you to safety.”
“But my children! Katherine cried, running back toward her home.
'There's no time!.” yelled Moira, they shall be alright.”
Katherine sobbed as Moira led her from the commotion, and into the field and towards the dark forest. A knight seeing the two fleeing women, hit his black horse with his whip and started galloping towards them. Moira looked behind to see the large horse and rider after them. Moira stopped in the middle of the field waiting for the knight to approach, Katherine panicking beside her.
“What in the world are you doing!!!.” Screeched Katherine pulling at Moira's dress. “You're going to get us killed.”
But Moira didn't pay any attention to Katherine's ramblings. As the thump of the horse's hooves grew nearer and nearer, Moira raised one hand toward the ground. Vines popped out of the ground tangling themselves around the knight and his horse, the horse became distressed. After a few minutes both horse and rider were tangled in vines with no way out.
“Come on!!!.” yelled Moira, pulling Katherine towards the forest.
As both Katherine and Moira neared the dark woods, they heard the knight behind them. Moira pulled Katherine into the suction of the enchanted portal just before the knight swung his sword to harm them. When Katherine o
pened her eyes she saw something unexpected. The forest was as if it was day. Light shone through the trees, Deer were jumping between bushes frolicking and playing.
“Come, smiled Moira, I shall show you to my home.”
As Katherine followed Moira deeper and deeper into the woods, things became more and more curious.
“We shall stay with an old friend of mine replied Moira,” he and his wife are very kind.”
A small village the houses built in the trees, held up by stilts and planks, little men with long beards and bushy eyebrows hummed together in unison.
“What... are they? Asked Katherine in a surprised voice.
“Gnomes, whispered, Moira, but you must not tell them that, they think... Moira had to
stop herself from giggling, they are warriors.
A little man with an orange beard looked up with a smile on his face.
“Moira!!, come here pet, I haven't seen you in ages.”
Moira bent over the little man and gave him a hug. A woman about the same size came rushing out their little wooden hole in a large oak tree, her hair a dark red color.
“Why didn't you tell me we had visitors today Dowan? Said the woman in consternation, especially Moira of all people.” I would have made her favorite, frog eyes and jelly stew. “
“Because Taia... the little man grumbled, I didn't know they were coming.”
Katherine and Moira looked at each other and smiled.
“Come, come said Taia, pushing both women into their little home, I will cook for you.” You must be starved.”
The meal wasn't too Katherine's liking, in fact, she had never seen anything so disgusting in her life. A thick aroma of mushrooms, and various herbs and bugs and small mammal meat filled the woman's nostrils making her stomach turn inside and out. Katherine looked from Moira to the two gnomes and with a smile, took a bite, trying to hold everything in she had ate hours before.
“So Moira, exclaimed the gnome, what brings you to this part of the woods.”
Moria blushed.
“I've been going to the village Dowan, you see... I've met someone.”
“Well glory be!!! screeched Taia in excitement.” “Our little Moira has finally found love.”
“But is he human? Asked Down with a concerned look on his face.
Moira nodded with a smile. Dowan grimaced.
“What is wrong with humans Dowan? asked Moira.” “He is very kind.”
“Be that as it may Moira darling”. said Dowan slurping up his stew, “I would be careful if I were you.... humans are the reason the forest was closed.....
Taiaa hit Dowan hard on the shoulder.
“Never mind what the old man said!”. Moira exclaimed Taia sheephishly. “It's not really
important.” “It's your choice after all.”
Moira looked from one gnome to the next in consternation.
“Why are we closed off from the humans Dowan? Please...I wish to know.”
“See what you've done Dowan! Hissed his wife.” “Opening that fat mouth of yours. “
Dowan glared at his wife.
“It was many centuries ago Moira began Dowan, before you even came to the forest.
“You see.... there was a time we lived in harmony with the humans, but then she came.”
“Who?.” questioned Moira.
“The witch.” whispered Dowan in fear.” “She... took over everything.” “And ever since.... the forest has been closed off.”
Taia scurried about the kitchen not wanting to engage anymore in the conversation humming a tune as she went.
“Is it true...?”. Katherine said quietly, “ the witch has control over the whole forest Dowan? And she wants the whole land of Darkwood as well?.”
Dowan shook his head.
“I do not know child, answered the gnome.” The only thing anyone knows..... is that she is dangerous, and not a force to be messed with.”
“Why is it Dowan, that I have never heard of this witch? Replied Moira.
Dowan became very frightened.
“You'll have to ask mother that.”
As Katherine and Moira waved goodbye to the kind Gnome couple, Moira had an uneasy feeling in her bones. She wondered if during all this time, that the woman of the wood, had lied to her just to spare her from the awful truth.
“I must go and see my mother”. said Moira.” “ I need to know the truth.”
“You know the truth Moira, exclaimed Katherine, you are my sister.”
Moira looked over at Katherine with sad eyes.
“I do not know that for sure Katherine.” “I have no memories of living in a castle or anything of that nature.”
“Anyways Katherine, I think it would be best if you returned to the village, everyone is probably worried sick about you.”
Katherine nodded.
“The Queen's men are sure to be gone by now.” Are you going to be alright though Moira?”. Katherine replied putting her hand on the girl's shoulder.
Moira smiled and gave Katherine a hug.
“I am well.... “ do not worry. About me... now go, and I shall see you soon.”
As Moira watched Katherine leave, the forest became dark which was unusual especially since this part of the forest was usually controlled by the woman of the wood. Moira ran quickly towards the ivy gate that led to the woman of the wood's palace. A green vine caught Moira's foot, tangling itself around it like a snake around it's prey. Moira screamed being whisked across the dusty forest floor towards the dark recesses of the forest, where the mysterious witch resided.
Chapter 6
As Moira was dragged across the forest floor, her head hit several large rocks knocking her unconscious. As her mind went from light to dark and to dark again, she saw the distorted features of someone looking down at her with a smile on it's face. A smile, that was not pleasant at all.
“Finally! Hissed the old witch pulling the girl's body into her little run down shack made of leaves and branches.
A large cauldron bubbled in the middle of the shack, supported by the carved talons of monsters. The witch had very few belongings, mostly old pots and pans browned by age, a small rabbit roasting over a fire. The witch rummaged through glass bottles of various sizes, some filled with liquid others with animal eyes or other strange objects, with a shout of glee, the old hag found what she had been looking for.
“Won't Aria be surprised when her precious little Moira will be the downfall of Darkwood, and I !, will be Queen.” cackled the witch.
Licking her foul green lips, the old hag poured various liquids into the boiling, bubbling cauldron. Humming a little tune to herself as she went. Moira's eyes began to slowly open. Everything was still a little distorted, but after a few minutes became clear.