FABLES

The Lost Fairytale
by Nicky Barnes



Once upon a time........

Thats how most tales start, it's a good beginning, so I guess this one can too. It was told to me by my grandfather Henry many years ago when I was a small boy. I still remember it, although I have never seen it in a book, or heard it told by another. Perhaps he conjured it up from his imagination. Or maybe, just maybe, they are his real memories.

Where was I?......Oh yes......

Once upon a time there were two witches.
Now these weren't the sort that fly on broomsticks or own black cats, these were real witches. Sisters. Marousse was the eldest, eyes of two colours, blue and green. Her face was perfection. Features symmetrical and dazzling to behold. Her sister, Magda, was beautiful with sparkling green eyes, but had been born with a withered arm. Thin and curled up, twisted against her weak body, useless. Both sisters had the Power, it could be felt on the skin, like a shiver.

The village in which they lived was nestled like a jewel, in a green lush valley. The nearby river sparkled, dacing in the sunlight and gurgling its way past. The sisters lived together in a wooden cottage on the outskirts of the village, plying the villagers with their trade, which was healing, advice on just about anything and potions, normally of the love and fertility nature. They lived a simple life, welcomed by the people.

Marousse had a secret...

She had a lover, the son of a nobleman. Even more risky was that it wasn't just any nobleman, which was forbidden for one of her class, but the son of the Lord Nester. He owned the land the village was built on and a lot of the surrounding countryside.

Here the story really starts.

The door to the cottage shut quietly, even so, Magna heard. She had been lying awake, eyes probing the dark, holding her breath and listening for any sound, waiting for her sister to return from her latest rendezvue.
"Marousse?" she whispered loudly.
"Why are you not asleep? And why whisper?" Marousse replied.
There was the noise of clothes being removed and the creak of the bedsprings as her sister climbed into the bed. As the cottage was very small there was only room for the one bed.
"I was worried, I can't sleep when you sneak off to see Edward." Magda tried to see in the darkness, she couldn't see her sister's face even though she was led right next to her. It was like there was a big black hole in front of her, if she reached forwards would she feel anything? The idea frightened her. She told herself off, silly ideas! Marousse often told her she had a fanciful imagination.
"You know I had to see him, I couldn't not meet him, he was expecting me. I needed to be with him." Marousse reached out and held her sister. "I'm sorry I worried you. I thought you were asleep."
"Thats not the point Marousse! What if you were seen? You know what would happen if you were caught! Edward would just get a slapped wrist but you they would punish severely."
"I know and I am very careful but I love him Magda, I truly do and he loves me. He has said we will be together soon. Now sleep Magda you need it to keep your strength up."

Magda was prone to illness, any sickness about, she caught it. Her poor weak body had trouble coping with infection and she took longer than most people to get well again. Only last year Marousse had been in a panic, thinking she would lose her sister to a simple summer cold. Magda had been wrecked with fever and chills for weeks. Marousse was certain it had only been her herbs and healing powers that had kept her sister from death. Magda's gift was song. She could charm the birds from the trees and animals to eat from her hand. Wolves followed her and once she had even called a stag. The proud magnificent animal had bowed its head in homage to her.
"Alright Marousse but please promise me not to take so many risks." she closed her eyes. Sleep evaded her for a while then she sank down into it's welcome embrace.

Magda awoke to the smell of freshly baked bread, she lay with her eyes closed for a while savouring the aroma. The morning chill permeated her blankets. She opened her eyes and sat up. The sun's early rays were coming through the window and making their pots and pans, hung on the wall, gleam.
"It's so pretty." Magna stretched her one good arm and rubbed the sleep dust from her eyes.
Marousse looked to where her sister was gazing and chuckled. "You find beauty in everything," she smiled. She carried a cup over to her sister. "Here, have your drink."
Taking it, Magna blew on the greenish liquid to cool it. She took a sip, grimacing at the sour taste. She had been drinking this concoction every day for as long as she could remember. First made by her mother, then after she had died, her sister. If for some reason she missed a day, her bones seemed to seize up and she was forced to spend the day in bed. She knew something was very wrong with her body, she wished she was fit and healthy like her sister but she could never be jealous, her sister meant the world to her.
"Well get up and dressed lazy bones." Marousse said playfully, "we have work to do, before the first one comes knocking. I've got the bread made ready for market later."

They always had customers this early. Most of the people were farmers, who wanted their help before it was time to start work. Or the farmers wives, who needed things before starting on the daily chores. On cue there was a knock at the door.
"See! And there you are still in your bedclothes," she laughed. Marousse pulled the curtain across that divided the room into bedroom and Kitchen. Opening the door she greeted the middle-aged woman standing on the doorstep.
"Good Morning Mary, isn't it a lovely day?" She stood back to let the woman enter.
"Yes it is fine weather. Morning Magda," she called out.
"Morning." came the reply.
Marousse left the door open, to let more sunlight in and some fresh air. "I have the potions ready over here," she said picking up a small parcel, "and the recipe you said you would like, the one for the apple and nutmeg cake." She handed the woman the parcel and a piece of paper. Mary took them and quickly read the ingredients. "Tom will like this, I will bake it later. How much for these?" she said looking at the parcel.
"Five silvers and if you need more I have plenty in stock."
A face popped round the door. "Good day ladies." The man walked in. He was brawny and his brown face was a mass of laughter lines.
"Greetings Michael, hows your leg today?" The man hobbled through the door and sank thankfully onto a chair.
"It's still paining me some, I came to see if you had more of the lotion." The day before, while gathering hay, he had twisted it badly in a rut and fell in the hedge, right into a patch of nettles! He raised his trouser leg and showed Marousse. "See the rash has gone down but it is still swollen."
"I will be off now Marousse, thank you for these." The woman, Mary, waved her goodbyes and to answering farewells she left the cottage.
Marousse examined the injured leg and felt the swollen tissue, she concentrated and let a flow of healing magic from her hands enter the limb. The previous day she had tried and it appeared that the magic had healed the nettle stings but not the sprain.
"Hows that now Michael?"
The man flexed his foot and stood, taking a few steps around the room, a pleased smile on his face. "Much better, thank you, I won't be needing the cream now." He pressed a whole gold coin into Marousse's hand.
"Michael! This is too much!." she protested trying to give it back to him.
"No I won't hear of it, I am pleased I can get back to work today, I feared I would lose the crops I have yet to harvest. There is only me and Tom working that field this season. You have made me a happy man Marousse, thank you." He bade her and Magda, who had emerged from behind the curtain, farewell and left the cottage. A smile on his face and a healthy spring in his step.

Magda took the gold piece from her sisters hand and twirled round the room. "What a good start to the day!" she exclaimed. "A gold piece! Michael is very generous I think." She sat in the chair, that small exertion tiring her.
"Yes, very! With this we can buy ourselves a new dress each and can re-stock all the shelves. As soon as you are rested we had better get to the market, this bread won't sell itself," she smiled happily.

The market was busy, people were bustling about finding bargains. Woman with baskets grasping children's hands, dogs chasing chickens, horses chewing their bits while waiting for their masters. The wonderful smells of cooked goods filled the air, pies and biscuits cooling on trays, pastries with many different fillings. Roasted hog along with bread rolls being sold for twenty coppers. The cries of the hawkers, laughter of the children and clucks of the hens made this day the same every week.

The sisters had set their small store up in their usual spot next to Sally-ann the seamstress. They chatted about the local news and waited for customers.
"Have you heard about old Lord Roddark?" asked Sally-ann. She was showing Magda her new materials and the girls had been deciding what they wanted their new dresses to be like. The one she had unwound slightly was a beautiful emerald green. Flecks in the cloth caught the light and made it shimmer.
"Lord Roddark? From Emberville? Whats the news about him?" Magda looked up from admiring the material. "I think this one. What do you say Marousse? Isn't it gorgeous?"
"Yes it is lovely but I think I am going to have the blue. Whats the news?" Marousse touched the blue fabric on the counter, quite lovely she thought to herself, "maybe blue and green then it would bring out the colour in both my eyes," she giggled.
Sally-ann smiled at the comment but then looked serious. "He has died, a hunting accident. He was hit by an arrow, his son, Giles, has taken over the lands from him."
The sisters looked at each other, the old Lord had been well admired, a fair and friendly man. His elder son, Giles, quite different. His temper and cruelty were well known, he had been seen beating his servants in the street! For so much as not answering his questions quick enough.
The morning went on. Marousse returned after shopping for supplies. After more discussion, mostly about the topic the sisters had just heard, they started to pack up their stall. All the bread had sold and they had managed to buy most of the things they needed. They spent a few more minutes describing the dresses they both wanted and Sally-ann said that she would have them made within a few days.

Days passed, Sally-ann, as good as her word, delivered the dresses to the cottage. The sisters couldn't wait to try them on. Marousse glided her hands down the fabric, it fit just right, clinging to the contours of her body. She had decided on blue with green trim around the full flowing sleeves and the hem.
"It's perfect!" she said laughing happily, spinning round so the dress flared.
"Magda, let me see yours."
Her sister emerged from the sleeping area.
"Oh Marousse you look so beautiful!"
"Magda! So do you, look Sally-ann at my pretty sister." Sally-ann had made a matching shawl for Magda, so if she wished she could cover her arm. Magda swung the green fabric so the light caught it.
"I am so pleased you like them, you two have done so much for me and all the villagers here. I don't want any payment for these dresses. Everyone gave what they could to pay for the material, so I could sew them. Please accept them with all our thanks."
"Oh." Magda gasped, "we are honoured to accept them."
"How kind people are." Marousse smiled. "Thank you Sally-ann, what you said means so much to us."
They all sat at the old oak table and chatted happily. There came a knock at the door. Magda got up to answer it. She gave a small cry and backed away from the door. Marousse rose and looked out the door.
"Edward! Im mean Sir Nestor." She said quickly correcting herself. "You honour us by visiting." Edward pushed past her and shut the door.
"You both must come away with me now, quickly." He glanced at their company, Sally-ann. "Madam, you did not see me and I suggest you leave now, fast."
With a frightened look at the sisters she left the cottage, hurrying quickly down the path.
"Pack what you need and leave with me now. Please hurry!" He crossed to the window and looked out.
"Edward, whats wrong?" Marousse quickly gathered together a few things, food and water and what money they had. Behind the privacy of the curtain they changed back into their old clothes. Wrapping up the precious dresses and stowing them away in the travelling packs.
"Giles Roddark's men are coming for you. He has taken control of our village and, as he put it, will not suffer a witch to live! You see? You both must flee to safety with me now."
Magda clutched her sisters arm. "He wants to kill us? Why? What have we done?" Marousse held her, feeling herself start to shake.
"It's what you have done, who you are, the whole magic thing. I have heard that Roddark himself has power. So it's not that he is frightened but that he doesn't want competition. He is convincing people that what you two do is evil!"
"The people don't believe him do they? How could they?" Marousse cried her eyes filling with tears.
"Most don't but there are a few that do. He is sending soldiers here this very moment."
Edward opened the door and led the sisters out. His horse was outside and he helped Magda up onto it.
"My Lord, I can not ride while you walk!" she cried out.
"You must," Marousse said, seeing the sense in it.
"Come now, we must go." With Edward leading the horse they entered the forest, leaving their home behind them.

The commander kicked the door down and seeing the cottage empty, his face turned red with rage. His Lord would be angry. "Gone. Those bitches have got away!" He barged past the men behind him and looked around. "You! Wilks isn't it? You and Shaw take two more men and check the woods. Philps you come with me and Grieves back into town. We will ask a few questions. If anyone gives us trouble and I hope they do, we will interrogate the wretches more thoroughly." He strode off and mounted his horse.

The soldiers searching the woods were on edge. It was starting to get dark and that made it more difficult to track their quarry.
"Do you think we will find them in here?" Said the one with the beard, the one the commander had called Wilks.
"Well do you fancy going back empty 'anded?" retorted Simmons, another of the group. "The bastard'll 'ave our guts strung up for the birds to feed on."
"Well if we do find em," said Price, a dirty, greasy individual, "I bags the whole one, Shaw can 'ave the cripple." he chuckled at his joke. Shaw, a very sour faced man shook his head and looked skyward. Price chuckled even more at his expression and leered.

"We had better stop, it's getting dark and we don't want lose our bearings." Edward helped Magda down from the horse. There is a clearing over there, lets have something to eat and you two can bed down for the night." He hobbled the horse and it munched happily on the grass.
"Edward, why are you helping us? You will get into a lot of trouble. They will probably kill you." Marousse unpacked some of the food and shared it out. She passed a water skin to Edward.
"I told you we would be together some day," he smiled. "I'm sorry it's no laughing matter. I couldn't let them take you. I can imagine what horrors they would put you both through. I couldn't live with myself knowing I could have done something."
"Where shall we go? What shall we do?" cried Magda.
Marousse put her arm round her sister. She looked forlorn and very weary. "Don't worry sister, whatever happens I will be with you." She looked at Edward. "What will we do?"
"Well for starters we get as far away as we can. I want to try to get to Tibbstone, I have family there. There's no reason why Roddark should suspect me, so we should be safe with them." He looked at the sisters. He loved Marousse and he longed to be with her. He had never been able to tell a soul, and Magda, he felt protective of her, as though she were his own sister. The fact they were witches meant nothing to him, he loved them for who they were.

"You two can sleep, I will stay awake and keep watch." Edward spread his cloak out on the ground for the sisters to sleep on. Un-buckling his sword, he laid it on the ground then sat next to it, resting his back against a tree. Soon he heard soft snores and the steady breathing of the deeply asleep. He thought of his father. Soldiers had broken in to the manor house that afternoon, they had slaughtered everyone they could find. The women they had savagely raped first. Tossing them to each other as though they were dolls. His father, Lord Nestor and his sister, Lady Elise, had been taken to the castle. It was only by chance that he himself was still alive. He had just been returning home after spending the day hunting. He had seen the chaos and bloodshed. As he had approached the manor some men had been dragging his sister out. She had held her finger to her lips, after first making sure the soldiers were not looking, then making a small shooing motion with her hand. Understanding and respecting his sister's wishes, but feeling a coward, he had stayed out of sight. He had guessed rightly that she thought it wouldn't help to get himself captured too. He had heard the men being given their next set of orders, to capture the witches.

The blow caught Tom across the side of his head. He winced and shook it groggily. He strained against the men but they were too strong for him. He could see one of them on top of his wife! He could hear Mary crying in pain and fear. The mans grunts of pleasure were in time with his thrusting hips.
"Tom!" she shrieked. He tried to heave himself up again, a well placed boot between his legs left him crying in pain.
"Where are they? We know you associate with the hell spawn. Where are the witches?" A hand grasped his hair and wrenched his head to the side. A little to roughly, his neck cracked loudly and then he knew peace.
The soldier cursed and threw the body to the floor. "Alright Philps enough of that, bring her over here." The commander shouted.
"But Sir...." Philps stood and re-buckled his trousers.
"Philps!"
One look at his commanders face and Philps dragged the woman over.
"Now you will tell us what we need to know." He pushed her face down towards the body on the floor. "Or you will be joining him." He thought better of it after seeing the look of hope on her face. "No forget that, I meant, or you will be joining us for more fun at the castle." He grinned as the expression was replaced with one of terror. "Talk whore."

Marousse awoke, it was still dark. The moon was bright and she could just make out Edward against a tree. She rose to join him. Hearing movement, Edward was on his feet in a second.
"It's me." she whispered. "Go and get some sleep. I can keep watch." She looked at Edward, he looked tired.
"No I can't do that, what if they come."
"I can wake you. I will be alright, I'm a witch remember." She took his face in her hands and kissed him tenderly. "Thank you for helping us."
"I forget sometimes," he smiled. "If you are sure you will be alright?"
"Yes go. We can't have you falling asleep on your feet."
When she was sure he was asleep and she wouldn't be disturbed, she took a bowl from her pack and poured some of the water into it. Sitting down she gazed into the bowl, soon an image appeared. A filthy room, stone walls, chains, a dungeon? There was a man chained to the wall, Lord Nester! She recognised him, he was an older version of Edward. He looked to have been badly beaten. A man wearing a leather vest approached him, glowing tongs in his hand. He mouth was moving but there was no sound. The torturer held the tongs against the Lord's face making him scream in agony. Marousse closed her eyes. Opening them, she saw a different scene. Still the dungeon but another room. There was a woman strapped to a table, no a rack! They were turning a wheel, stretching her! The woman's face and body were filthy and covered with blood but could still be recognised, it was Sally-ann. She tried to see more but the image faded.

"Noooo! Please...nooo." The woman moaned.
"Tell us where they are! Where are those filthy whores? Why are you protecting them? They are evil."
She managed to think, if they are evil, then what does that make you?
The man went to turn the wheel again, he could see that if he did, the woman hips would pop out of their sockets. He had already broken her knees and ankles.
The woman murmured incoherently.
"What did you say?" The man leant closer. Blood bubbles burst on the woman's split lips as she tried to speak.
"He came for them," she uttered.
"Who? Who came for them?"
"Edwar........" No more sound came from the motionless figure.
Excitedly the torturer left the room, to report his findings.

"You are sure she said 'Edward'?" The Lord Roddark had been pacing his rooms, anxious for news. He had grown tired of his new plaything. "And you can take that away." He demanded pointing to the bed. The commander walked to the bed and looked down at the battered still body of the Lady Elise. He grabbed her arms and raised her off the bed. She groaned, not dead then he thought.
"Sir, what shall I do with her? She's still alive."
The Lord waved his arms in exasperation. "Do I have to think of everything? Throw her in the dungeon." He rubbed his chin, deep in thought. "Question her and her father. Find out if they have any family living in this area." Hmm, he thought to himself, I have a better idea. He reached for a bowl and a jug of water.
"Wait! Bring the girl back and cut her. I have need of her blood. the family blood," he grinned.

The bird song roused Marousse from her thoughts, it was dawn. She heard a rustling behind her, glancing round she saw her sister sitting up and yawning.
"Marousse did you sleep?" Magda asked concerned.
"Yes I shared the watch. I scry-ed earlier and saw some unpleasant things." She shuddered and told her sister what she had found out.
"Poor Sally-ann to think those man took her! I hope she is alright." Magda wiped a tear from her cheek. Then she had a thought. "Do you think she told them about Edward coming to the cottage?" She clutched at her sister, frightened.
Marousse looked at her in shock, she hadn't thought of that. Under that sort of torture anything could have been said. She couldn't blame Sally-ann.
"You are right." She went to Edward and shook him awake. Explaining about the scrying and what she had found out.
"Well we had better stay away from any of my family just to be on the safe side."
He thumped the ground in frustration.

Bushes crashed around them, soldiers on horseback rushed forward. Edward stood, grabbed his sword and attacked the nearest one. Slashing legs, horse or man, blindly. Magda sang, the magic shimmering in the air, summoning, cajoling, pleading. Birds appeared in the sky and dove on the armored men below. Foxes rushed into the clearing and growled and snapped at the soldiers legs. A huge brown bear lumbered into the camp, its huge paw cloughted one of the men flooring him instantly. Magda's song had brought them all, perhaps now they stood a chance! She turned and was knocked to the ground with the blow from a sword pommel.

The birds and animals, no longer bewitched, fled. Marousse rushed to Magda but two men moved to block her path.
"You are coming with us witch." He spit at her and ripped at her clothes. She looked to Edward for help but he was fighting his own battles and as she watched one of the soldiers cut off his head with a savage blow.
"Noooooo!" she screamed. The soldiers grabbed hold of her arms, trying to tie them. She looked towards where her sister had fallen, two green eyes looked up at her, all life gone. Marousse screamed again and felt a fury rising, like nothing she had ever felt before. She felt power fill her, making her hair crackle and the air hum. She let loose a blast of pure energy as she shrieked her anger. The closest mens skins were ripped from their bodies, then consumed by green fire until only ash was left. The soldiers near Edward's body fell to the ground, with blood coming from their mouths. Their hearts had burst. She felt a momentary pang of regret for the horses as they collapsed dead on the forest floor. She ran to Magda, taking her in her arms she tried her best to heal her. It didn't work, she was too late. Looking at Edward's body, she could see that there was nothing she could do for her love. She sank to her knees and let the tears come. Hot and scalding they flowed down her face.

There came a knock at the door late one evening. The man grumbled and muttered about 'people knocking at this time of night', he got up from his chair by the fire and opened the door. There stood a woman, she looked wretched and was clutching her torn garments together.
"Mercy be," he exclaimed. He caught her as she fell and carried her into his home.
"Here child, drink this," came a kind voice.
Marousse opened her eyes. There were two friendly but concerned looking faces gazing down at her. She tried to sit up, wincing at the pain in her joints, the price she paid for using so much power. Power she hadn't known she possessed. It would pass. she hoped, She took the offered cup and sipped at the liquid it contained. It warmed and calmed her, she smelt camomile and honey.
"I...1 want..." she began. Her throat felt strained and sore.
"Rest first dear one," came the woman's voice. "There will be time for explanations later. First sleep." She took the cup from the Marousse's shaking hands and placed it on a small table next to the bed.

When Marousse awoke, she felt stronger, her head seemed clearer but with a deep painful ache inside her, the loss of Edward was great, but it was the death of her beloved sister that had broken her heart. She rose and noticed a clean gown lying at the bottom of the bed. She removed her soiled clothing and pulled it over her head. She walked down the stairs, the sunny was coming through the window, it was morning.
"Here," said the woman, "take a seat by the fire and in your own time, if you want, you can tell us what happened. My name is Martha and this is my husband Ruben. And this, she said, pulling forward a small cheeky looking boy, is our grandson Henry." Ruben smiled at her and pulled another chair over to the fireplace.
Where to begin? thought Marousse. She told them all that had happened, in disjointed sentences accompanied by tears and anger. When she was done she felt purged and tired.
"...and now I don't know what to do, how do I live without them?"
"You can stay here with us if you would like. At least you will have a roof over your head, you can help me with my nursing work and earn your keep." The woman patted her hand. "In time the pain will dull, I know it doesn't feel like it now but it will."
Marousse looked at them both, they looked to be good people.
"Thank you, thank you both, but why would you offer your home and a job to me, a total stranger?"
"Not a total stranger, I knew your mother, she lived here, long before you were born, before she moved away and married. I see her goodness in you."

Months later Marousse cried out at the contraction. "Martha! They are getting faster and much stronger."
"It's almost time, you will soon have your baby." She wiped Marousse's forehead with a damp cloth.
When the moment came she helped her deliver new life into the world.

Marousse held the little girl in her arms and gazed down at her small perfect features. The newborns sparkling green eyes were focused on her, watching her every movement. She had wrapped her in a lovely sparkling green fabric.
Marousse turned to Henry, she had come to love him like a little brother and Ruben and Martha like parents. "Look Henry, I'm going to name her Maggi Nestor after my sister and my beloved Edward."
The baby gurgled and coo-ed. Chuckling happily as a robin perched on the edge of the bed. Marousse smiled, she had the Power.

Maggi grew to be a powerful and much loved witch, with suitors coming to court her from miles around. The one she fell in love with was a Lord and this time the match was celebrated, not frowned apon, by the lord's family and the local villagers. The best wedding present had been been when her new husband told her of an injustice that had been righted. There had been an investigation, by the kings men, of the lands and holdings of one Lord Roddark. Several sickening things had come to light, one being the discovery of late Lord nestor's daughter. She had been found chained, starving and filthy in the castles dungeons. Worse, it was found that over the years she had given birth to nine children. All had been used in vile ritual ceremonies and had been sacrificed, to whatever foul demon the Lord had worshipped. There had been the gruesome findings in the jail cells. Piles of corpses, various organs missing. The Lord Giles Roddark had been hung, along with his commanding officers, for the use of black magic.
When Marousse heard the news she felt a dark weight leave her.

Now she could properly feel at peace and be content.

Well thats the end of the story. I like to think that the boy, Henry, was my grandfather. He won't say if it was him. His only words on the subject are......

And they all lived happily ever after.