Ugly
Page 14
With a loud screech, Hortensia's melted into Eleanor's, the remains of the witch huddled on the
temple floor, the remnants blowing away in the wind. As Eleanor's eyes opened, she saw
Wilfred,warm tears flowing down her cheeks. Rushing into Wilfred's arms, Eleanor held him
close, finally for the first time in her life.. love.
Chapter 16
Wilfred let go of Eleanor picking her up and giving her another kiss, the Veera watching in the background, as they slowly disappeared, finally free of Hortensia's bargain and her curse.
“How... did you know Wilfred... “ asked Eleanor as Wilfred put her softly on the ground again.” How did you know it was me?.”
Wilfred shook his head.
“I know not Ellie, but all I know is... that I … shall never leave you again.”
The fog quickly lifted, the golden sun returning to the land. The trees started to rejuvinate
quickly, the dark creatures evaporating with the mist, and in their place, the woman of the wood
and her subjects.
“Ape!!!! screamed Tory as she saw Wilfred and Eleanor appear out of the dark woods.
April and Tory embraced. Tory crying, her mascara running down her cheeks.
“Don't ever!!!... do that to me again girl!. “ Said Tory angrily, pulling Eleanor back into a hug.
Katherine stood in the background, along with someone else unexpected, Gwynn.
“Oh Ellie” , said Katherine clinging to Eleanor tightly,
“ I missed you so.”
Gwynn walked forward, with a slight smile.
“I... do not know what to say” replied Gwynn quietly.
Eleanor wiped her eye and hugged Gwynn tightly.
“I missed you too sister. “
That night, as Eleanor lay in a bed, a familiar breeze brushed her hair. Sneaking out of bed, Eleanor found the familiar figure of the Woman of the wood, her beautiful blue hair shining in the moonlight.
“Hello my dear” replied the enchanted creature.
Eleanor smiled.
“The time has come to take your rightful place” the woman of the wood explained.
The princess looked confused
“You must procure the throne Eleanor, that is your place, to judge the good people of this land, and protect them... from the evil without. “
Looking down at the ground, Eleanor quickly became scared.
“I believe it is too late for that mother, replied Eleanor, My sister....”
The woman of the wood put her branchlike arm on Eleanor's shoulder.
“Do not worry... fate will play it's role... in time... you will see.” “As for your friend... the woman of the wood continued... She must go back … to the world of humans. “
“No mother” Eleanor pleaded... she is.. my only friend.”
The woman of the wood smiled.
“Oh dear child, chided the woman of the wood gently, she will be alright... I will make
sure of it. “
The palace of the Woman of the wood looked different to Eleanor as she, Wilfred, and Tory entered the quiet enclosure, the floor covered with rotten leaves, and the once elegant pillars crawling with ivy and vines. With a wave of her hand, the woman of the wood, opened the bright portal, the wind blowing violently.
April and Tory embraced one last time, holding each other close with every minute they had left.
“I'm gonna... miss you girl, blubbered Tory... Nothing is seriously going to be the same. “
April nodded.
“You'll be fine” said April giving Tory another hug, you still have what's his name.”
The two girls laughed.
“Besides, April replied, “You have to go get married and get old and stuff. “Promise me.”
Tory laughed and nodded, wiping a tear from her eye. As Eleanor watched Tory disappear into the portal, she rushed over to Wilfred holding him close.
“Come” replied Wilfred gently, we have a wedding to plan.”
As if by magic, one night, Queen Gwynn mysteriously disappeared, no one knowing when or where she went, the only trace of the former Queen was a loud screeching voice heard oftentimes amidst the darkest parts of the forest calling for some ridiculous task.
Several months later, Eleanor strided up the red carpeted throne room floor, holding the powerful orb of the woman of the wood, and the golden sceptor of Darkwood in the other. Her hands colder than ice, she wished that Wilfred was beside her. But as she approached the priest, his hat almost touching the top of the throne's tips, smiled a wrinkly grin back at the Queen, his bushy eyebrows covering his pale blue eyes.
As the priest initiated the rites of the kingdom to the new Queen, Eleanor grinned from ear to
ear, for she finally realized, how special she really, was.