Victor turns to see Emilia running to the wall; he chases after her. He grabs her by the waist stopping her. She turns around to smile at him.
“I know what to do.” She attempts to assure him, but Victor doesn’t release her. Emilia is not one to survive in the woods. She’s too sheltered. What if something happens to her?
“You’re not going out there!” Victor declares, but Emilia moves away and steals a sword from a dead man’s body.
“I’ll be fine,” Emilia hugs Victor and runs away before he can stop her again. Victor picks up a few swords and follows her.
“I’m going with you.”
“Can you keep up?” Emilia’s challenge makes Victor smile.
Emilia sprints with Victor close behind passing the mines and climbing the mountains. The higher Emilia gets, the more she can see the river.
At the very top of the mountain, she can see the river running from the bottom of the mountain to the fork, to the hidden witch’s home and outward. A beast with moondust like fur sits on a rock looking down. The rock is placed perfectly to fall to the bottom of the mountain.
“Chloe?” Emilia calls catching Chloe’s attention. Chloe smiles at both Emilia and Victor.
“You’re human again, I’m glad.” Chloe says. She closes her eyes enjoying the breeze blowing her fur, “Did everyone else turn back?
“Not everyone.” Emilia whispers as she moves closer to Chloe sitting on the ground next to her friend.
“I’m sorry. I’m useless. I couldn’t even break my own curse.” Chloe buries her head within her paws as Emilia runs her fingers through Chloe’s fur. Chloe continues: “What kind of person casts a curse to make a whole kingdom miserable? Who gets that mad just because a few people rejects them?”
“You.” Victor callously points out.
“Anyone who’s hurting and has access to the curse would do it.” Emilia hushes Victor then turns to Chloe, “Why did you cast the curse?”
“I used to love making concoctions as a kid. I would ground herbs, flower petals, and more then boil them. It started off as spices for food then medicines. I found a way to contact spirits and the Goddesses. Books on magic were hidden in the library, but I found them.”
The witch continues:“The king made me the kingdom’s sorceress. People believed that I called on evil spirits. Though I always had clear readings, visions, and messages from the Goddess’s, the war was never clear. I could never understand if the kingdom if the people would prosper in a war against its enemy.
Chloe looks distantly out at the river as she shares her history: “The crown prince, your father’s first born was slaughtered in battle. I was removed from my position and banished from the kingdom. They walked me through the streets spitting on me, throwing stones, food, and more.”
Chloe wipes her tears away with her furry paw: “It was awful. I tried to let it go, but every day, I took baths to wash off the memory of spit and urine on my skin. I tried to forget the images of them throwing their manure on me.”
She sighs: “I built my tree house, but all I could think of was how I was never good enough to fit in with them. I learned about the curse as a child, but I woke up one day so angry, I decided to cast it. Emilia, I never had a friend before you. I’m sorry I cast this curse. I’m sorry I hurt you.”
“I’m happy you cast the curse. If it weren’t for you, I would’ve never known how unhappy and hurt I was. I would’ve never met Teddy, never found things I like about myself. If not for your curse, we would’ve never been friends.” Emilia comforts. She hugs Chloe tightly when Chloe collapses crying.
“You are kind, comforting, helpful, curious, and fun. If it weren’t for your curse, I would think there’s nothing good about me. Victor would still hold onto his father’s ideas of what a man is. Borden would have brooded forever over his lost love. If not for the curse, we would all trudge through life miserably.” Emilia points out.
“That doesn’t make it right.” Chloe points out.
“I find that people are more forgiving when someone admits their mistakes and sincerely apologizes.”
“Emilia,” Chloe whimpers.
“We all make mistakes, but you have grown tremendously since you cast the curse. You’re not the same, and that is what matters. There’s nothing wrong with you, and I love you.” Emilia shares with her own tears.