#enchantedcastle

No, he cared little for their wayward flying tonight. Someone had entered the fae realm that he had met once before. A woman gentle in her nursing and free in spirit beloved by the creatures around her. Rowyn had only spent two nights with her after twin jaws of iron had snapped shut around his foot. Burning metal delivered pain through the fur covered skin of his transformed appearance. From his first glance, Rowyn knew she was more than she seemed. He could have rushed off into the forest as soon as he was free to heal before traveling between worlds. Instead, Rowyn returned with her to a cottage filled with animals and cheer.

Crystal blue eyes had watched with curiosity even as his power closed the wound she bandaged. In time, Rowyn left, a gift fashioned in payment for her kindness. As with all gifts of the fae, the ring had been something more. Now Rowyn followed the traces of his magic that still lingered from within the stone. To his eyes only, light twisted around tree bends and through bushes of various berries. A steam tugged at the ephemeral thread to wash it away, but was not nearly strong enough. The end of his search was immobile, although most definitely not injured or dead. He could sense a peacefulness around his goal that left Rowyn further mystified.

A resting heartbeat pulsed towards his own the closer he grew. Silence reigned supreme around his approach. Rowyn wondered if she had simply acclimated towards her new environment like a leaf floating atop a creek’s surface. Instead, he spotted her without seeing her. Nestling within a tree hollow was the end of his trailing light. Furrowing his brow, Rowyn focused on the unusually strange shadow that permeated within and saw Giselle sleeping soundlessly. Cracking a smile, Rowyn wondered how she came to slumber so peacefully inside.

She was clad in a white lace nightgown from shoulders to ankles, her bright red hair falling sporadically down across skin and fabric. Twigs and leaves were intermingled along with traces of dirt implying she had been moving hastily throughout the forest. Had he looked over her more clearly, Rowyn would have seen the scratches and speckles of blood to raise alarm. Alas, he merely focused on the knowledge that she was here, within a realm not wholly her own.

Years trickled by, but Catra was still young, her already small height rarely developing. She had seen a woman walk among the forest floor, shadows trailing behind her with every step she took. At first, Catra kept her distance, avoiding the larger fae much like many others did. However, a curiosity grew over time. If everyone ran from her, then she too must surely be lonely. Catra ran less, even at the urging of others.

She's cruel.

She's mean.

She'll curse you.

Death awaits, child.

They spoke of the woman in ways Catra wondered if she too was spoken about. They didn't run from Catra, but they still avoided her. Was she in herself a curse that hurt others? Was that why she had been abandoned? Catra wasn't mean. At least not when she had a full tummy. Maybe this woman had been hungry and that instilled a fear in others. The Moors were always dark so it seemed like very little ever grew there. Catra had more than once stolen the food of another only to end up jinxed soon after. If she was older and stronger like the woman, she would have made sure she couldn't be hurt as often.

Soon, when others ran, Catra hid. She saw the black bird that hovered close by, but stayed out of its beady eyes after being caught once. Catra had managed to catch a few birds in her time, but this one seemed different and Catra didn't like that. Eventually, that hiding turned into following, her natural instincts keeping her hidden from sight. There was rarely enough light to truly give her away after all. Slowly, Catra came to realize this person never did anything actually scary. She just looked mean.

Vi on the other hand was on her way back to The Last Drop. Powder had been left behind with Ekko earlier in the day as their excursion was towards a more dangerous part of the Lanes. With or without Vander’s cautionary words, Vi wasn’t going to let anything happen to her little sister. Incidentally, Vi found her two alleyways from the bar. She could have called out to her, but saw a fresh look of determination on Powder’s face. Stopping her stride, Vi waited to see what she was so focused on.

The echoes of pounding iron vibrated across the castle only to be followed by yells and screams. Miranda stayed close to the door to listen for any clues of how King Stefan’s battle progressed. It was then she heard a fleeing soldier yelling about the princess working with Maleficent. Princess Aurora was in the castle and the Sacred Sisters had not been alerted. Furious, Miranda turned back to Luanna, Setie and Wink before ordering them to stay put. Neither Maleficent nor Stefan would stop Miranda from completing the task Queen Leila placed upon her, but she would not endanger her sisters.

Injured soldiers and cowards roamed through the halls. Miranda grabbed one who sat sobbing beneath a torch and pulled him up. Cracking him hard across his cheek with an open palm slap, Miranda ordered him to tell her where the fighting was taking place. He didn’t know anymore, not after Maleficent carried King Stefan out of the castle. Princess Aurora’s location was just as much a mystery. Cursing at the man as she tossed him back towards the hard floor, Miranda rushed towards the nearest castle exit.

Stepping outside was when she saw it happen. King Stefan dropped from the sky as an anchor into the ocean, his heavy armor propelling him towards his demise. Floating in the air was the winged fae herself, Maleficent, the bane of Penceforest, the demon from the Moors, a woman with a hundred names throughout the kingdom. As her king slammed into ground, Miranda saw the princess from behind, a woman of similar beauty as her deceased queen. In an instant, the sixteen-year-old girl had become a queen and Miranda could only guess what went through her mind.

Watching those great wings land, Miranda saw Maleficent look upon Stefan. She stood motionless until Maleficent looked up towards Aurora. Instantly her bow was drawn, an iron tipped arrow notched and aimed at Maleficent. Aurora stood within her line of fire, but that was quickly diminishing as Miranda stepped forward. She had not believed King Stefan’s rantings before, but she would not allow her new charge to be finished off as long as she lived.

Yet, she wanted to know. An insatiable urge demanded to know why the woman who was always so callous appeared to be tempering. So she followed the pair. Thorny tangles were pulled away by an eerie green glow. Before they could return to block her path, Catra slipped past the living defense. What she found confounded her. Maleficent was watching a young, blonde headed human girl close to Catra's own age. Catra wondered if Maleficent was going to put her to sleep and feast on her innards, but no such thing happened. Catra swore there was a level of attachment in Maleficent's eyes. They never talked and the girl never approached Maleficent, so why? Why was Maleficent changing? She even spoke her name fondly!

Catra ventured out again when the questions were too much. Vines attempted to keep her grounded, but she was too fast for them. Feline legs shot her upwards while sharp caws redirected her when a branch appeared ready to move. Finally she was over the wall and retracing her steps. The blonde human lived in a cottage with three older women who appeared absolutely useless. Catra would have kicked them out within minutes if she was stuck living with them. Regardless, Catra saw nothing of importance. A bubbling insecurity that she always shoved back down rose to her throat. Bored and infuriated at how unbelievably simple the girl had been, Catra returned to the Moors.

The question continued to bounce around inside her head. Pacing the forest floor, yelling at pixies, and hissing at wallerbogs did nothing to calm her. Maleficent wouldn't speak a word if she asked and Diaval would just tell Maleficent if he was asked instead. Only one person remained. Catra would drag the information out even if she had to do it with nails alone. So she fled from the Moors again, bounding over the wall with dexterity and grace.

A huff followed by a groan came from Mako as he turned towards Bolin. “I told you, Bo. A queen isn’t interested in seeing us. She’s just like-“ The knight cleared his throat in warning, his fingers tightening around the handle of his spear. The intimidation tactic was enough to draw forth a roll of Mako’s eyes.

“No, no, it’s okay. She said something like this might happen.” As he talked, Bolin rooted through a sown-up sack, stitches plain along the outside and one handle fraying. “Should be in here…Ah-ha!” Pulling forth a bright blue flower, Bolin held it out to the man blocking their path. “Here you go. The queen said if she didn’t receive this today, she would relieve whoever was at the gate.” There was a moment of hesitation in the man’s eyes as he contemplated Bolin’s words. “Good thing we came today or you would have had a rough day instead, huh?”

Muttering a curse, the man knocked on the door twice. A hole slid open on the opposing side. “They’re here to see the queen. Check if she’s expecting anyone.” The hole closed and the knight said no more.

Minutes passed before the heavy wood slid back, revealing stone architecture neither boy had seen before. A guide waited for them to enter before waving for them to follow and starting off down a corridor. “See? Told you we were invited.” Bolin’s confidence kept his smile wide as Mako walked behind. “The flower. Did she actually give it to you?” Mako asked, a tone bordering on avid curiosity.

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Even though his body protested, Mako started up a light jog along the sidewalk. Running through Republic City was nothing new for him and the tea shop wasn't far. Furthermore, other employees were also getting off work or taking their own lunch. He could see a group already approaching a preferred food stall. Naturally, they were too slow and Mako arrived first even as a new sheet of sweat crossed his brow.

“Hey there, Iha,” Mako addressed the middle aged woman as she looked at him with a cocked eye.

“You're early.” He agreed. The food stall was fuller than when he typically arrived. “Look to be in a rush too. What can I get you?” Mako wasn't the only one. A line was already forming right behind him.

Browsing the selection, Mako had to avoid drooling liker his brother did over a bowl of noodles. “Two cups of sesame-dried sticks, four skewers of komodo sausage, and six spicy bean cakes. Wouldn't have any cherry-berry lemonade, would you?” Mako was hopeful on the last bit, but she had been out last time.

Laughing gently as Iha prepared the food in an earthen pot, she asked, “Bolin back home starving, huh? Sorry, but just have the watermelon juice like last time.” If Bolin was starving, even everything Mako ordered wouldn't be enough. Instead, Mako just gave a light chuckle as he handed over his yuans for the food and drinks.

From there, he continued his stroll at a more leisurely pace. The tea shop was only a few streets ahead and he had no intention of dropping the meal. By the time he neared the curtained door, the last of the patrons had already departed. Mako peeked his head through the entrance and found Ha-won. Her co-worker was finishing sweeping the last of carried in dust or dirt. Discarding his shoes at the front door to avoid carrying in more grime, Mako quietly walked up to the studying Ha-won.