Ugly Page 5

  “Ahh! Exclaimed the witch, “You're awake, how wonderful.”

  “Where.... am I?.” said Moira in a daze.

  “Why child, said the witch happily, you are in good hands, you see... I saved you from that awful beast that was about to devour you.... don't you, remember?.”

  Moira shook her head.

  “You talk nonsense old woman!”. exclaimed the girl rubbing her head to see a tinge of blood on her hands, I was on my way to see the woman of the wood.” Why do you lie to me like this?.”

  The witch gave the girl a dirty look.

  “I”m not deary, said the witch in the kindest voice she could muster.” “ You were knocked unconscious I'm afraid.” “Your memory may not... be at it's best.”

  “Here”. the witch said pulling a vial from her cloak, “drink this, it shall make you feel better.”

  Moira took the little glass bottle,popped the cork and uneasily looked at it's contents, wondering if she should trust the old hag's word or not. Deciding she probably had no choice, Moira drank the contents of the small bottle, after wards grimacing at the foul taste. The witch cackled maniacally as Moira slipped in and out of consciousness again.

  Everything began to spin around, and Moira sank to the cold dirt floor, her eyes drooping close. Strange images began to pop into Moira's head, images of people she had never seen, a tall woman with fair hair and features, wearing a golden crown, a kind old man, and then... there was Katherine. Everything started to make sense. Like a long lost friend, Moira began to regain back the memories that had been lost for so long.

  ｱ

  The old hag hissed a spell , her words echoing through the trees as Eleanor made her way through the dark forest. As if in a daze, Eleanor finally came to the end of the trees seeing the village not far off. Katherine lay asleep in the wet grass, having waited all night for Eleanor to return. When Eleanor saw Katherine she squeeled in delight, running over to her sister and shaking her awake.

  “Wha, what? Said Katherine hazily, until she saw the round face of her sister starting to come into focus.

  “Ellie? Screamed Katherine. “You're alive!!!.”

  “You're alive! Eleanor screamed back.” “Oh Katherine, I thought... I would never see you again.”

  The two sisters embraced, crying and holding each other for what seemed like an eternity.

  “Come, said Katherine giving her sister one final squeeze and a kiss, let's go home.”

  Katherine made the biggest dinner her husband and children had ever seen. Eleanor was seated as the guest of honor, all of her nieces and nephews gathered around her asking a million questions about the dark forest.

  “Are there really graves of an hundred witches there auntie?.” asked one little girl with a face of freckles and light red hair.

  Eleanor giggled, and shook her head.

  “Just one, but she... still lives.”

  The little girl shuddered along with the twin toddler boys beside her.

  “Alright!, piped in Katherine no more stories for Auntie Eleanor, bedtime, for the lot of you!.”

  The ten children moaned, disappearing single file up to the loft above the kitchen.

  “Oh they're adorable Katherine replied Eleanor happily, I didn't think you liked children.

  Katherine smiled.

  “They grew on me I guess the woman laughed. After we had one, we just couldn't stop.

  “Now, enough about me... said Katherine sitting eagerly beside her sister, tell me about you!, what have you been up to all these years!.”

  Eleanor wasn't exactly sure what to say, memories were still coming back. She would have lots of questions for Katherine when this was all done and over with.

  “Well.... began Eleanor, I can't really say, its all still a blur.

  “ Just tell us what you remember pushed Katherine.

  “I.... .”

  Katherine grew sad, and gave her sister a hug.

  “It's alright Ellie, Katherine replied, you have plenty of time. ”

  As Eleanor sat in a bed near the children their soft snores lightly serenading the air along with the crickets chirping outside the small cottage. Eleanor's eyes became heavy, lying on the feather down pillow she slowly drifted to sleep, dreaming of the past.

  “Eleanor! Come here child, you incompetant wretch.”

  An old man with a golden crown stood beside a tall woman, the woman's hair in ringlets going down her back.

  “What is it now George, said the Queen in an annoyed voice.”

  “I just think you're too hard on her Mary, she's only a child.”

  “Only a child George!!!. barked the Queen, someday, our daughter will be Queen, and she can't live up to that until she learns correct habits.”

  The king just shook his head, walking over to the three year old girl and carrying her in his arms, tickling her underneath her chin, walking over to the door.

  “And where... do you think you are going George!! screamed the Queen. “ The girl's lessons aren't through yet.!.”

  But the king didn't listen. As he disappeared through the large wooden doors, he could still hear his wife's screechings. Looking down at the little princess, the king smiled brushing a piece of hair out of her face.

  “Your mother wasn't always this way said the king to the little girl.” I'm sorry you didn't know her back then.”

  The doors down the hall blew open, as if a harsh wind had entered the castle, the Queen storming out, her eyes red, her hair in disarray. Walking briskly towards the king, George trembled as the Queen pointed at the king, the young man flying through the air and into a stone column.

  Queen Mary laughed, a thin lizard like tongue escaping her mouth. Eleanor began to cry running as fast as her little chubby legs could carry her.

  “Ellie, came the Queen's voice, .” come to mummy!.” the voice replied changing drastically into something different.

  Eleanor awoke with a fright, sweat pouring down her face, her heart palpitating madly in her chest. Trying to gain her composure, Eleanor wiped the sweat and tears from her face, and made her way down the ladder to the lower level of the cottage. The whole family was sitting at the table, the children eating noisily.

  “Ellie you're awake said Katherine from the stove. “Did you sleep well?.”

  Eleanor didn't answer.

  “Ellie? Said Katherine in a concerned voice.

  “I'm.... alright Katherine replied Eleanor in a soft voice, I just... didn't sleep well is all.”

  Katherine pulled Eleanor outside, the light blinding her face.

  “Alright, what happened? Demanded Katherine, you had a dream didn't you?.”

  Eleanor put her hand on her hips perplexed.

  “How on Earth did you know? .”

  “I'm you're sister Ellie, I know everything about you.”

  Eleanor huffed blowing a piece of hair out of face.

  “I... did have a dream began Eleanor, a horrible dream.” “ I saw mother and father, and mother became this beast and was about to devour me before I awoke. “

  Katherine was silently thinking, a crease of worry across her brow.

  “Don't worry Katherine laughed Eleanor, I shall be fine, I just need some time.”

  “It's not that I'm worried Ellie, replied Katherine, I just think it's strange that the memories that you do have from your past are.... false ones.

  ¶

  Putting one dainty finger in a bowl of grapes, Gwynneth pulled a grape out of the bowl and plopped it in her mouth. Everything was going as planned. The only thing that was missing, was her sister Katherine. The voice had said that her sister was alive, but the Queen still couldn't believe that was possible.

  Her mother had done away with her sisters long ago, and Gwynneth knew what her mother was capable of, even with all her secrets. The Queen looked at a painting on the far side of her chamber wall, a portrait of her mother and her sisters when they were very small. The painting had been covered by a white cloth by her mother, who had cl
aimed there was no need to remember the girls. But deep inside her heart, Gwynneth yearned to know the truth.

  “My lady? Boomed a guard's voice, you have a visitor.

  Katherine eyebrow furrowed. She wasn't expecting anyone today. As she walked into the throne room, a hunch backed old woman stood smiling wickedly at her.

  “”Who are you? Exclaimed the Queen sticking up her nose, and what business do you seek?.”

  The old hag cackled.

  “ Just like your mother cackled the hag, that might be your downfall if... you're not careful.”

  “How dare you speak like this!.” barked the Queen.” And how do you know my mother?.”

  The hag became solemn.

  “Oh... we go wayyyyyy back.” “But... that is not what I came to talk to you about.” “I need a favor dearie, and the outcome, will affect both you and I, if... it is not done correctly.”

  “I'm listening replied the Queen haughtily.

  “Both of your sisters..... are alive, said the hag with a grimace. “

  “So.... said Gwyneth, what does that matter?.”

  “Well, said the hag with a wicked smile. “For you... a threat to your throne... for me... well, my happiness.”

  “You must find the sisters and arrest the one called Eleanor.” replied the hag.

  “But... she is dead said Gwyneth with a concerned look. “Mother, put her in prison long ago.”

  “I”m afraid, that's not true.... replied the hag with a nasty grin, she is very well alive, and desires... your throne.

  Gwyneth became very angry, her blue eyes narrowing.

  'Find her! Exclaimed the witch excitedly, and I … shall do the rest.

  With that, the witch slowly evaporated, leaving no trace.

  Katherine stormed out of the throne room, calling Cedric, chief of the guard of Darkwood.

  “What is it my lady asked the large knight curiously.

  “Go back to the village the Queen said vehemently, search every home, every barn, everywhere!, for my sister Eleanor!.”

  “But my lady... you can't be serious.” “ your sister has been.....

  “I know!! barked the Queen growing angrier. “ Just do as I say Cedric, call the guard! My

  sister Eleanor must be found alive!.”

  Chapter 7

  Eleanor awoke out of a dead sleep. Her eyes glazed over in a daze. Getting out of bed, Eleanor walked towards the long ladder to the floor below. When she reached the floor, she crept towards the door almost silently as if her feet didn't touch the floor. The moon rose above the countryside lighting Eleanor's way towards the large stone castle on the hill above the little village.

  Katherine stirring in her sleep, awoke with a fright, frantically running out of bed and through the door that had been left ajar. Katherine looked all over for her sister, a pit rising in her stomach. Loud thundering of horses came from the castle gates, the Queen's army was heading towards the village once again.

  “Eleanor! Screamed Katherine. “Eleanor!!!!.

  Katherine saw a figure in the dark night, going towards the king's men as if she were metal to a magnet.

  “No, whispered Katherine, as she ran towards the small figure before it was too late.

  Eleanor didn't seem to notice the large black horses coming towards her, nor did she hear the frantic screaming of her sister from the village. A shadow whipped through the trees following Eleanor's every move.

  Cedric riding a white horse, ordered his men to halt seeing two women in the middle of the field, one wasn't moving the other crying beside the other.

  “We... have... to … go … Ellie blubbered Katherine, the king's... guards... they're coming for you.”

  Eleanor didn't move an inch nor did she show any emotion.

  “Ellie?, Ellie? , please Eleanor!, please snap out of it!.” but Katherine's pleadings were in vain.

  The Queen rode up on her gallant white horse, a look of disgust on her face, as she peered down at her two sisters that had supposedly been dead.

  “Arrest them, replied the Queen in a cold voice.

  Two guards pulled Eleanor and Katherine from the ground shackling their hands and feet in heavy iron shackles, leading them to the tall castle on the hill.

  “Excellent beamed the old hag appearing from nowhere as the party entered the bailey.

  “ Give the girl to me! Barked the witch, licking her lips.

  Eleanor was pushed towards the witch's direction, still in a daze.

  “What is going on Gwyneth? pleaded Katherine, what does she want with her.”

  “None of your business barked the Queen, slapping her sister across the face.

  Katherine watched as Eleanor and the witch disappeared into mid air. Katherine screaming Eleanor's name one last time as she pulled towards the dark dungeons beneath the castle.

  Hortensia fastened Eleanor on an ancient stone altar, a large black cauldron boiling beside her.

  “Finally! Cackled the witch stirring the bubbling cauldron and adding a few more macabre ingredients into the concoction. Grabbing a live cat from a leather bag and throwing it into the boiling cauldron the cat shrieking in mid air. The witch laughed with glee, ladling the green brew onto a gourd spoon.

  “Amota, titia, eskae, fortunatus, chanted the witch walking over to the stone altar. Brita mocuna teriba macatu!!!.”

  Slowly, trying not to spill the potion, the old hag opened up Eleanor's mouth pouring the green liquid into her mouth, closing it, and watching the bewitched girl slowly swallow, Eleanor's eyes closing in a grimace at the potion's foul taste.

  Dark mist rose from the ground, enveloping the altar and Eleanor, the witch continued to chant in a high voice. Suddenly, a beam of colorful light jetted from the forest scaring the shadows away and enveloping Eleanor's body and raising it in the air.

  “No!!! screamed the witch in frustration, trying to use her dark powers to bring the princess back to the altar, but the colorful beam was too powerful whisking Eleanor into the forest. As Eleanor's body flew through the air, a small little dark figure held tightly to the princess's body slowly disappearing into Eleanor's chest like jello sucked through a straw, it disappeared out of sight.

  **

  The woman of the wood had watched the girl all night, waiting for the princess to awake. Finally as the sun rose above the mountains, streaming through the trees, Eleanor's eyes slowly opened.

  “What?, where... “ stammered Eleanor.

  “Shhh.” whispered the woman of the wood stroking the girl's hair. “

  “You are safe now.”

  Eleanor lay back on the bed of flowers and looked up at the trees.