Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Sarah loved this city- well, mostly. New York lived up to her expectations in so many ways, but dashed them in others as well, it was the perfect backdrop for this emotional tempest she was weathering at the moment.She dreamed of living here in this metropolis on her own as long as she could remember, amongst towering historical buildings and glittering lights.

Now as Sarah settles into her humble apartment, she wondered if she was in over her head. Pages upon pages, first drafts, and rewrites were strewn upon her desk. Sarah sighed deeply in irritation, her cheeks flushed under her hands. The apartment was quiet aside from the sounds of the city that seeped in from outside.

The clock ticked in the empty space as Sarah took a few calming breaths, her gaze slid from the mound of paper in front of her, to the empty pantry. She really needed out of this stuffy room, and as her stomach growled she had her excuse. She grabbed her keys and headed out.

Sarah usually walked with purpose, her head held high, she tried to exude an air of confidence. Since high school Sarah more than anything wanted to reassure herself that she was a force to be reckoned with, that she was confident, that she was strong. Her renewed self esteem reflected in her quick and deliberate pace, however...

Today she was totally procrastinating.

She passed a bodega, across the street a pizza shop, she kept walking- she didn’t know where. “Just a quick break and i’ll feel refreshed- and then I can get back to writing.” she promised herself, however she was fully prepared to keep walking around the city for an hour or two as the thought of “I should really get back to work” chanted in the back of her thoughts. That lingering worry dissipated when she felt a warmth in her chest.

Her heart started pounding and her skin tingled at the familiar feeling, like seeing an old friend for the first time in years.

She could feel magic in the air- not that she recognized it as magic of course, but she knew this feeling well, it swathed around her like a blanket. She followed the electricity around her until she found herself in front of a restaurant called The Orchard, it was quaint, more of a hole in the wall really- easy to miss if you weren't looking for it. Sarah almost felt compelled to enter, and upon passing the doorway, she felt energized.

A bell over the door rang in the moderately empty establishment, and immediately, a tall man in a plain white button down bounced out of the kitchen, with a menu under arm.

“Welcome weary traveller to The Orchard! Please come in- sit down, sit!”

Sarah opened her mouth but quickly shut it in surprise, the man’s air of dramatics caught her off guard. She stammered out a “O-oh um I-” before he pulled out a chair for her.

“Table for one? Or will you have a guest joining you?” he asked, gesturing for her to sit.

“Oh, oh no, It’s just me.” Sarah quickly replied before he could continue. He smiled and nodded, sweeping his arm over the small table by the window. Sarah looked between him and the table.

His brows creased together for a moment, his aura changed and the air grew stale- Sarah felt uneasy in the silence, it was almost like he was calculating something, until he twacked the palm of his hand against his forehead and rolled his eyes comically.

“Right! Of course, where are my manners? My name is Wolfgang, I am the co owner of this establishment and I will be your waiter!” He waved his hand in another wide gesture, much to Sarah’s relief and budding amusement  “Call on me and I will be there!”

“Thank you so much Wolfgang,” She smiled, sitting down in the chair he offered “You said you’re the co owner? I was wondering how long has The Orchard has been here? I’ve never noticed it before.”

Wolfgang nodded and looked around “Oh yes, we only started operation about six months ago, Virginia and I looked for years for the perfect location.” he beamed.

Sarah snorted without meaning to, and Wolf cocked his head.

“The perfect location? I almost didn’t notice it!” She laughed, but quickly caught herself, looking up at Wolfgang “Sorry that was rude huh?”

He shook his head “Not at all! I don’t want to get into the details or course I know If I did I’d go on and on! Virginia says I ramble-” he spoke quickly.

“Wolf!” a woman’s voice came from a back room, and Wolfgang’s head snapped to attention “Yes my love?” he called.

“You’re close to rambling.”

Wolf turned back and looked from the menu under his arm to Sarah and quickly handed it over to her with a sheepish laugh. “Shall I get you a water miss..” he looked to her expectantly,

“Call me Sarah, please.” she said before she could think. Wolf nodded “Well, Sarah, I-” he waved his hand above his head in a very Shakespearean manner “shall return!”

As he turned to leave she suddenly realized just how small and quiet the restaurant really was. She felt an odd pang of nostalgia in her chest that made her squirm in her seat. She tried to brush it off as deja vu, but...something gnawed at her, something that she couldn’t place, something almost from a dream. She felt her stomach drop as the thought crossed her mind, the flash of a ball gown, the smell of peaches, and the feel of crumbling stone under her feet. In her mind's eye she could see it, a sprawling network of walls, pits, dead ends, and swamps. It sent a jolt through her.

She swallowed a lump in her throat, she didn’t have time to dwell too deeply on the feeling as Wolf come back with a tall glass of water.

She thanked him, looking at the condensation clinging to the glass  for a moment before looking back up at the plainly dressed man in front of her. “I’m sorry, that is- well, I don’t mean to pry, but you mentioned that it was you and Virginia that picked this location- Is she your wife?” Wolf’s face lit up at the mention of Virginia.

“Oh yes! Virginia, Virginia, is the love of my life, and the main creator of this establishment! It was her dream to own a restaurant of her very own, and I love to eat- so she and I spent years working towards our dream.” a dreamy smile played over his lips at the thought, he shook his head and looked around “I’m sorry I could really just go on and on, and I haven’t even taken your order yet, you must be absolutely ravenous!”

Sarah couldn’t help but smile and settle into the small space. The time passed comfortably in this little hole in the wall, and as the sun began to set against the skyline outside, the restaurant emptied out. She didn’t know what it was about this place that put her on edge and gave her such comfort, but, the thought of what it could be got pushed to the back of her mind. She finished her meal and as she waited for Wolf to come back with the check, a beautiful woman came out from the back room of the restaurant, holding the pudgy little hand of a young boy. She had a wild and curly bob that framed her smooth, fit face, however the most striking thing about her was her radiant blue eyes- a blue so deep that they seemed otherworldly. The boy by her side shared her full head of mousy brown hair, but his eyes were dark. The woman met Sarah’s eyes and smiled brightly.

“You’re Sarah, right?” she asked her.

Sarah nodded “Yes ma’am.” she replied. The woman snorted at Sarah’s formality “I’m sorry if my husband weirded you out- he’s very theatric but he means well.”

Sarah’s eyes lit up “You’re Virginia then!”

Virginia nodded “I can only imagine the things Wolf’s told you.”

Sarah shook her head and scooted out of her chair “He’s only told me very good things!” Virginia hoisted the boy onto her hip and chuckled warmly, putting Sarah at ease. “It’s not what he said I’m worried about- it’s just how much he says that’s the problem.”

The boy at Virginia’s hip clung to her tightly and looked over at Sarah with a wary look only kids could give. Sarah’s gaze went from Virginia to the boy, and she gave him a small wave, as not to startle him. Virginia noticed this and patted the boy’s wild hair affectionately. “This is our son Forrest”

Sarah looked to the young boy “Well hello Forrest! How old are you?” she cooed, and with a small little smile, Forrest held up his open palm, his little fingers spread widely. Sarah’s mouth opened comically and she gasped. “Five years old? My goodness young man, you’ll be running the business soon won’t you?” Forrest giggled and nodded.

“Do you have any kids?” Virginia asked with a grin on her face. Sarah snorted in surprise “Me? Oh, no- I have a baby brother and he’s almost too much to handle as it is!” Virginia gave a sigh and ruffled Forrest’s hair “Yeah, between this one and his father I have a full plate.” As Wolf strode back into the dining room.

“Speak of the devil!” Virginia cried as her husband handed Sarah the check, she quickly paid, gathered her things, and thanked the couple. As she turned to leave she heard Virginia call her name.

“Please take this card, we’d love to see you again!” she slid a business card into Sarah’s hand. Her husband join in animatedly “Yes, please stop by anytime! Our number is on the back should you need it” Sarah felt that pang of nostalgia again, this time it struck a deeper chord.

“Should you need us..”

She blinked and accepted the card, said her goodnights and headed out onto the busy sidewalk.

“Damn it’s 9 o’clock already!” she muttered to herself, looking down at her watch, hurrying home. She ignored the crackling electricity of magic in the air, she ignored the flood of memories pushing against her conscious mind, and she didn’t hear the beating of feathered wings above her.

Instead Sarah Williams ran home.  

Chapter Text

Wolf and Virginia locked up the restaurant for the evening, Wolf cleaning the kitchen while Virginia sat in the office with Forrest logging their inventory for the night, Virginia played soft music on the radio as Forrest nodded off to sleep. ‘Poor little sausage.’ Wolf thought to himself. All these late nights must really take it out of him, he felt bad for keeping their son out at all hours of the night while the two worked in their restaurant. There just wasn’t much they could do, the restaurant was only a year old, and needed their management. Unfortunately, they didn’t have any family in New York to watch over their son, and they couldn’t just send him to the fourth kingdom every day- Wendell was a busy king after all.

Virginia was thinking the same thing, she looked over to her son, his dark blue eyes hidden as he dozed. She smiled warmly and brushed a lock of curly hair away from his forehead. A small frown pulled at her lips as she pulled her hand away. ‘He really can’t be part wolf, can he? I mean, so what if he is?’ Her thoughts wandered ‘I just wonder...I mean I don’t know what would happen if he was. There’s no magic here, the nine kingdoms are nothing but fairy tales. Who would believe us?’ she grimaced.

“Virginia, my love? Are you ready to go?” Wolf peeked his head in the office, a smile lit up his face as he gazed at his wife and son. “Aw the pup’s asleep! I mean I can’t blame the little chap it is pretty late.” He reached out to pat his son’s curly head affectionately. Virginia hummed in agreement but didn’t say anything. Wolf looked up at his wife, his eyes searching her face.

“Is something wrong?” he asked as she hoisted Forest onto her hip, picking up her bag with her other hand- she was unbearably quiet for a moment, he could see her shuffling her thoughts together.

“Maybe this was a mistake” She said at last, and Wolf felt his hand grow cold.

“What?”

Virginia slung her bag on her shoulder and shook her head, “I mean coming back to New York, starting the Restaurant, raising Forest here.” she sighed “Maybe we should’ve stayed in the kingdoms, y’know? I mean my dad is there, Princ- Wendell is there, maybe we should’ve stayed there and let Forest grow up in a world full of magic. It was selfish of me to take you both away from that”

Wolf reached for his wife’s arm and shook his head “Virginia-” he cooed

“- I don’t know I’ve been thinking about this for a while, I just...” she paused, and looked into Wolf’s face, her deep blue eyes softened “I just don’t want you to regret coming here for something that I wanted.” Wolf smiled and squeezed her arm in reassurance “Well my dream, Virginia, truly is to be here with you and our son, making your dreams come true.” Virginia swallowed the lump in her throat, and she wondered how he could put up with her doubting herself at every turn. She started to open her mouth when he started to laugh.

Her eyebrows creased together “And what is so funny?” she demanded.

“I’m sorry,” he said through his laughter “I’m sorry I’m not laughing at you- well I am but-” he reached for her hand and squeezed. “Oh, Virginia, love of my life you are the smartest, most amazing woman i’ve ever known, and yet you are so incredibly dense when it comes to people’s feelings for you!”

She squeezed his hand back and playfully grinned “Shut up,”

The couple made their way out of the restaurant and locked up behind them

“You know your problem is that you’re too open!” She teased “customers don’t come here for sonnets they come for omelets- now to add omelets to the menu and that would’ve been a killer joke.”

Wolf laughed anyway.

Tick

Tick

Tick

Tick

The clock on the publisher’s desk ticked on, filling the silence that hung in the air. Sarah watched as the publisher: a greying man named Richard Wechsler, with his knobby fingers, he flipped through the pages of her script. He closed the cover and tapped on the bound pages with his thumb quietly, he broke the silence, making Sarah jump.

“Well Ms. Williams!” he said with his booming voice, “The play was great! Your writing is very compelling- I’d love to see this translated to stage.”  Sarah smiled and sat up in her seat.

“Really? Does that mean you’ll be picking it up?” she asked, he hands clutching the backpack in her lap. She watched as Mr. Wechsler opened her script and flipped to a page somewhere towards the middle.

“I’d love to Ms. Williams, however, there are a couple notes I have. It’s just a small couple things really.” he assured her, looking at her over his oddly out of style horn rimmed glasses. Sarah’s heart dropped for a moment, however she quickly swallowed her insecurity and nodded. ‘Sarah you know that this is how this works- you’re a new writer, criticism is expected.’

“O-oh? You do? Well i'm always open to notes!” She said, stuttering, cringing inwardly. Richard took a pen from behind his ear and clicked it loudly. Everything about him was entirely too loud or eerily too quiet.

“I think that Amelia should be played by an older actress, I think that this might give the story more appeal with adult audiences.” he said flatly, scribbling in the margins of her script “Someone who can mature the character.” he took out a notebook from a drawer and took down some more notes.

Sarah twitched as the pen scratched the page, an uneasy feeling started to blossom in her stomach. ‘Someone who can…mature…’ she tried to shrug it off- this wasn’t too bad, she was getting bent out of shape for nothing. She wrote the piece specifically with the intent that her main heroine be a young girl. ‘Someone who the audience can doubt, and maybe even dislike for her childish arrogance and naivety’

“And the other notes?” she asked Mr. Wechsler warily. Her grip tightened around her bag.

“I was thinking that, well you know romance is what really sells: characters at odds with each other but ultimately fall in love... you and I both know people eat it up.” Mr. Wechsler looked up from his notes. “I think that maybe a rewrite with Amelia’s love interest being uh…” he looked down and flipped to the synopsis page of Sarah’s rough script, jabbing a finger down onto the page, a triumphant snort hummed from his drooping freckled nose.

“I think a love story between your main character and that Goblin King would be perfect! And if Amelia is an older age in the story this would work perfectly I think!” He replaced the pen behind his ear.

Sarah’s pulse pumping so loud in her ears she was sure that he could hear, she felt her blood rush to her cheeks. She said nothing, her mouth opening but no words passed her lips. Mr. Wechsler looked up at her curiously. “Ms. Williams?”

Sarah’s eyebrows scrunched together, and she blinked in shock. “I... You want to make my play into a love story.” She stated more that she asked. “That’s not what it’s about at all!” she felt her voice go cold “The Goblin King was Amelia’s childhood boogieman! He stole her brother and put her through hell! The things he did to Amelia were manipulative, not loving! He’s Fae- he doesn’t understand how to be anything but spiteful!” she felt the words tumble out of her mouth before she could think clearly. She quickly snapped her lips shut and sat stark straight in her seat.

Mr. Wechsler sat back in his own seat “Look, Sarah.” he started to say slowly “I’m sorry you feel this way but let me give you some invaluable advice.” He pushed his glasses up onto his head.

“I know that as an artist you want to keep your integrity, your vision and your projects are the most important thing you, but, and I say this with all respect due- you need to learn to accept that that vision cannot always be fully realized as is. To get ahead you need to understand this right now, when someone who has been in this business for decades gives you notes, you take them. Whether you take this with a grain of salt or whether you take it to heart I don’t care either way.” Wechsler picked up the script on the desk and held it up

“I’m just telling you this because I like your writing and I think that with greater experience you could make a great career, I’m sorry if you think you’re sacrificing integrity or your vision. I’m just trying to tell you what works.”

Sarah looked at the floor, a familiar warmth flared up in the back of her throat and her eyes stung. She cursed herself for being so emotional over stupid notes- it wasn’t about her, it wasn’t directed to her, she told herself. She cleared her throat to keep her voice from cracking.

“Thank you, Mr. Wechsler, do you- that is, would it be okay for me to think this over?” she asked politely.

Wechsler handed her script back “sleep on it,” he continued “but I can't give you much more than a day, I’ve got other appointments- I said I like your writing, but that doesn’t mean I’ll wait forever.” Sarah nodded and put the bound papers back in her bag quickly.

“Thank you, Mr. Wechsler, really. Have a good day.” She stood up and quickly left the quiet office. “Goodbye Ms. Williams, I hope to hear from you tomorrow.”

As soon as the door clicked shut behind her she let out a huge breath. ‘Well, Williams, that could’ve gone better’ she tutted herself. ‘You have to stop letting your emotions get the better of you. Mr. Wechsler’s right you can’t expect to have everything to be exactly how you envisioned.’

She groaned as she stood by herself in the elevator

“Well that doesn't make it any less infuriating- the Goblin King in love with Amelia? That’s terrible, poor taste, absolutely awful!” she said aloud. “She would never fall in love with that disgusting rat, not when he threatened her brother and her friends!” she swallowed a lump in her throat and shook her head.

Her friends…. she hadn’t seen them in ages.

“Should you need us”

“Yes, should you need us”

“Oh, I need you now more than ever.” She reached into her bag and pulled out her compact mirror, she stared at her reflection “Hoggle, Diddymus, Ludo…I miss you” she whispered. The only sound that cut the silence was the ding of the opening elevator door, people shuffled. Sarah shoved the mirror in her pocket, not waiting for a response, she didn’t have to.

Her friends hadn’t answered her in years.

Virginia was sitting at the window, a binder full of paperwork that needed doing sat in front of her. She normally did her work in the office, but today she watched the people walking by. She did that sometimes, just watched the people on the street and wondered if they had a little magic in them too. Wolf came by periodically to refill her glass of water, or to ask her how she was doing. He wasn’t waiting on anyone today, he was behind the bar watching Forest and showing him easy little parlor tricks, she watched them too as her husband’s eyes sparkled as he talked enthusiastically. She watched her son’s tiny hands clapped together in delight.

Wolf would laugh loudly at something Forest said, turning to look over his shoulder at the chef in the kitchen, telling her what just happened. Virginia laughed and turned her attention back out the window.

She watched a man in a steel grey suit, in the midst of an intense phone call, she watched a group of friends all dressed for a night out, and she watched as Sarah Williams came walking down the street.

Sarah was a regular, when she had found The Orchard six months ago Wolf had mentioned something about Sarah was different- something otherworldly. He didn’t really elaborate, sort of shrugged it off and blamed his “wolfiness”. Since then, the two of them had become friends with the otherworldly Sarah Williams who always seemed to have a story to tell.

The bell above the door jangled pleasantly as she walked in. Virginia called from her seat at the window. “Sarah! Good evening!” She waved the younger woman over to her table. Sarah, with an unusually sullen expression, shuffled across the room. Virginia gestured to the seat across from her and watched as Sarah plopped down.

“Rough day?”

“They wanted to pick up my script,”

Virginia’s hands shot up, a small celebratory gesture. “That's amazing Sarah! I knew they would- you’re an amazing storyteller!” When Sarah didn’t smile back at her, she knew there was more to it. “That’s not just it is it?” she asked.

Sarah picked at her nails quietly, shifting in her seat.

“It’s- well, Mr. Wechsler wanted to make some changes, I think…” she looked up at Virginia “I think I may have overreacted, but it’s a huge change” she chuckled softly, her green eyes looked stormy. Virginia couldn’t read the emotions in those stormy eyes- was she regretful about her actions? Was she angry at her publisher- of course, but there was a deeper feeling in her friend’s face that she just couldn’t grasp. She didn’t have to grasp it though.

“Hang on just a second.” Virginia got up and headed towards the bar, Wolf asking what she and Sarah had been talking about.

“I saw you and Sarah over there! How is she? Did her appointment go well? I hope so, huff puff i can’t see how it couldn’t have! Oh, Virginia did you need something? I’ll get it for you don’t worry!’

Virginia shook her head “I think I should talk to Sarah, don’t worry Wolf, I’ll get you if we need anything else.” She patted her husband’s shoulder and moved past him to grab a bottle of red wine and two glasses.

“Alright, I think this is a good place to start.” Virginia said as she plopped down the bottle with a glassy thump. Sarah’s gaze flit between Virginia and the bottle.

“Oh- are you more of a Cabernet girl?”

Sarah smiled, “Can’t stand the stuff, really, the redder the better” She held out a glass for Virginia to pour.

Sarah talked about sitting in her publisher’s office, the thrill of him approving of her script, the elation of thinking about her play potentially being acted out on stage, and then the drop in her stomach when he talked about revisions. She felt herself on the edge of being worked up again thinking about it.

“So, he wants to turn your play into a romance- and you told him that’s not what you want right?”

Sarah rolled the stem of the wine glass between her thumb and forefinger “I did, in fact I told him that’s not my intent with this play” she groaned, heat spreading to her cheeks and ears, from her irritation or the wine she couldn’t say. “I mean it changes the theme! It’s ridiculous! Totally ridiculous! But what can I do? I don’t know if I’ll get another publisher to pick up my script.”

Virginia rolled her eyes and pointedly stared at her friend across the table “Sarah are you kidding me? You are a gifted writer, and with the optimism i’ve seen from you over the past few months i’m really shocked at you! Listen, If Wolf and I can open a restaurant and keep it running for a year, you can find another willing publisher”

“Virginia, please you’re inflating my massive ego- anymore and I really think i’m heading into macy’s balloon territory.” Sarah joked, and Virginia scoffed playfully.

“But, honestly, Sarah, I’ve seen you working on this for months. I know how much this means to you. I know this play means the world to you and you want it represented in a faithful way-” she began. And Sarah smiled inwardly ‘You have no idea, and I don’t know if you’d ever believe me if I told you just how personally I take this.’ she thought.

“I think that this passion is what make you stand out! I can’t stand to see you give up like this. Stranger things have happened than you finding another publisher- trust me”

Sarah set down her glass “Stranger than starting an amazing business with your thespian of a husband?”

An odd look fell over Sarah’s friend “Oh, stranger than even you could think up, trust me!”

“Not possible, I had a weird childhood” Sarah quipped

“Oh, everyone had a weird childhood- it’d be weirder if you had a normal one!” Virginia poured another glass of the deep red liquid. “But weirdness aside- if you need me to call up that publisher and give him a piece of my mind I totally will!” Sarah snorted “Careful Virginia, don’t make promises after three glasses of wine, in my experience it might end with you cashing out on a quite unfortunate elf costume.”

“Okay I need to see pictures of that!”

The night went on and as the two ate dinner, courtesy of Wolf insisting they must be “quite ravenous” Sarah felt energized, and more at home than she did in her own apartment- she figured this was what drew her back to The Orchard regularly, not knowing that what she felt lifting her spirits was magic. As the night came to a close, she paid her bill, despite the couple insisting that this meal was on the house. Virginia and Wolf urged her to allow one of them to walk her home and knowing that this was not an argument that she could negotiate, she agreed, and she and Wolf were off.

“Huff puff Sarah you really walk all this way to see us every day??” Wolf seemed surprised. Sarah shrugged “I like walking, and the food is really worth it.” he didn’t seem fully satisfied with this but said nothing, they walked in silence which Sarah found a little odd.

“It’s not really just the food is it?” Wolf finally asked, his eyes holding an oddly knowing gaze.

“Well I mean you guys are pretty great too, fishing for compliments tonight, are we?” Sarah joked, but the expression still settled over his features. “Okay, what’s with that weird look?”

“Sarah, I think we all have something in common, and it’s not just our love of food and company.”

Sarah narrowed her eyes and stopped walking “Ookay,I’ll bite, Wolf, what do we have in common?” She crossed her arms over her chest.

Wolf looked around subtly, and lowered his voice so she could barely hear him above the roar of the city

 “I think, Sarah Williams, that you know about magic- I think you have real magic in you.”

Chapter Text

Sarah had known Lynn since middle school, the two of them staying up late on Saturdays watching movies about faeries and elves, playing dress up in Lynn’s backyard fort. Sarah decked in faux pearls, a cardboard crown haphazardly perched on her head- Lynn taking more to a long, pink feather boa that shed as she walked.

Sarah and Lynn had this game where they would pretend to be monarchs of fantastical kingdoms, full of mythical creatures and extravagant adventures. It was an exciting game, but a game nonetheless, a storyline that kept them immersed in a world where the only limit was their imagination- at least, Sarah used to think it was only a game.

When they entered high school however, and after she rescued Toby from the Labyrinth, Sarah’s belief in the game ran deeper, while Lynn’s own belief started to fade. It confused and hurt Sarah, made her wonder how Lynn could go from feather boas to denim jackets, leaving her without a friend to rule. Sarah blamed her for a long time, she was resentful of her friend moving on and forgetting the magic, but she blamed herself for an even longer time. She was left with the belief in something no one understood, and a hole in her life that, to a teenager, was impossible to fill.

The last time they talked they were sitting in Sarah’s room, her stuffed animals laying in a pile on her bed, instead of sitting in their nice and neat little cubbies. Lynn was pulling on a jacket adorned in a bunch of pins and clicking chains that jingled when she moved.

“Please Sarah, that’s not funny.” she sighed.

Sarah’s eyebrows scrunched together “It’s not supposed to be a joke?”

Lynn shook her head “I know,” she said, her tone more gentle than before “Its just that we’re in high school, and that weird fairy stuff isn’t cool- I don’t want to be a weirdo freaky girl for believing in that made up stuff!”

“But it is real! Lynn, believe me, please I just told you-”

“I know, ‘the Goblin City beyond the Labyrinth’ and the fearful Goblin King!” her tone was slightly mocking “Sarah, grow up, people at school talk about you all the time! They call you a creep- doesn’t that bother you?” Lynn’s voice strained with exasperation as she shook her head.

Sarah stayed quiet, it did bother her, but she figured that as long as she had Lynn it wasn’t true. She figured that as long as someone believed in the magic- believed in her, she didn’t have to worry. She thought that after she defeated the Goblin King she’d be invincible to schoolyard bullying.

You have no power over me- remember?

Sarah opened her mouth to respond, but Lynn was looking out the window, making a gesture to her mom down in her minivan below. She turned to Sarah, holding an awkward stance, like she didn’t know whether to give her a hug or just walk away.

Instead, her eyes looked to the floor “I gotta go Sarah.” she moved towards the door, her hands in her jacket pockets. “I’ll see you at school.” she said over her shoulder, her voice ingenuine, and they both knew.

“See you at school.” Sarah replied, not moving from her spot on her bed, something rooting her to the spot- she couldn’t tell if it was anger and betrayal or  just disappointment, in Lynn or herself? She couldn’t say, she did know that for the rest of the night, she didn’t wouldn’t leave her room. Sarah watched as Lynn’s mom pulled out of the drive and left, she let the evening sun roll over her as she stared out the window.

She didn’t call on her friends in the Labyrinth, even though she so needed them.

Even now, when she hadn’t talked to them, hadn’t seen them, hadn’t heard their voices in years- she needed them.

She didn’t have time to think of them now of course, as she stood there looking at her new friend Wolf, his eyes searching her face as they both said nothing.

“I think you’ve taken my stories a liiittle too seriously Wolf.” Sarah laughed uncomfortably, breaking the silence between them, people walking past them. “Ha ha very funny, did Virginia put you up to this to make me feel better?”

Wolf scratched the side of his head, he huffed and looked around for a quiet place.

“Come with me I’ll show you-” he reached for her arm, but thought against it. Sarah stared at him blankly, her arms crossing her chest.

“You want me, to go with you, to a secluded place….so you can show me…what?” She shook her head sarcastically, “You know how totally sketchy you sound Wolf? Look, I like you guys, and it would really suck to have to find a new place to eat so-”

“Alright! Alright!” Wolf ducked his head “I’m a...well, a wolf.” he admitted quietly

“Yeah I know we’ve met.” Sarah said plainly

“No, a wolf, not Wolf- as in howling at the moon, scruffing around and bounding after lovely little flocks of sheep- that kind of wolf!”

“Oh of course, and Virginia’s a Mermaid right?” Sarah laughed humorlessly, her voice betraying her apprehension.

Wolf growled in frustration, “I don’t understand why you’re being so difficult about this!” he exclaimed- nearly whining. Sarah’s eyebrows shot up her forehead, her hand gesturing between them, and after a moment Wolf nodded his head.

“Oh, no, yeah- yeah, I get it, I get it.” Wolf scratched his head, his mannerisms becoming more animalistic. Sarah looked her friend up and down and laughed.

“Wolf, thank you for walking me this way but I think you might be a bit tired yourself, so if you’ll excuse me”  She began to walk away.

“Sarah believe me please!” Wolf called out once more.

But it is real Lynn, believe me please!

Sarah stopped walking, her fist clasped tight over the strap of her bag. She couldn’t in good faith walk away from her friend, even if it was a potentially stupid move, she just didn’t get any weirdo vibes off of him. She tipped her head back dramatically and sighed. She turned back to Wolf.

“Okay, but if any funny stuff happens I want you to know I’ve been taking Jujitsu!” She said sternly.

Wolf smiled with a laugh and a nod. “Oh, you can trust me! You have my solemn wolf word!” Wolf and Sarah continued walking when they came upon an abandoned building, and Sarah felt apprehension rise in her again.

“You can stay out there- I promise it’s not weird” Wolf ducked into the building and from her place on the sidewalk she saw his eyes turn a bright yellow, his teeth grew sharp and she noticed, with a jolt, that he had a bristling tail.

“What! You- wh- a Werewolf??” Sarah stammered. Wolf quickly smoothed back his thick hair and cleared his throat.

“So glad you asked- I’m from the Fourth Kingdom originally!” he straightened his clothes as if nothing happened, he ignored the surprised look on Sarah’s face. “It’s actually very nice aside from the farming villages.”

“No, not where, Wolf- werewolf.”

“The Fourth Kingdom, Sarah, I told you.”

“No I meant you’re- nevermind”

Sarah took a breath “So you’re from-” she paused, putting her thoughts together “you’re not from our world right?” she asked, gesturing for Wolf to come back out into the light.

“No, I’m not, but I have a feeling you knew that.” Wolf said with a mysterious gleam in his eye.

“What do you mean?”

Wolf lead Sarah down the street back onto her normal route  “That story about the girl who wished her brother away... that wasn’t just a story was it?” Sarah stopped dead in her tracks for a moment, her breath even as she pushed out the thought of the story of the Girl who ate the peach.

“It might as well be a story, it happened so long ago” Sarah spoke quietly, her voice thin.

“And the Labyrinth, the castle beyond the goblin city, the Goblin King, that’s all-”

“How long have you known? Does Virginia know?” she interrupted, she she tried to keep her voice down. “Is it that obvious?” she added under her breath.

“I’ve known since I met you, wolfies have a knack for sensing magic you know- that’s the thing about us.” he paused, noticing the apprehension on her face. “Don’t worry, Virginia doesn’t know anything specific.” he shrugged “The only thing she knows is that I knew something about you was different- I thought that it would be best to ask you first, it’s not my place to tell anyone about your story.”

Sarah nodded, her mind racing, it seemed almost too much to comprehend. An overwhelming feeling of relief washed over her. It felt as though a weight had been lifted off her shoulders because for the first time in a long time- someone knew her secret, and for the first time ever, someone believed her. Still, she didn’t really know what to make of the situation. She repressed the urge to spill her guts and tell her friend everything about her time in the Labyrinth and the years afterward.

Take it slow Sarah, one step at a time. She chided herself.

“So what about your story?” Sarah asked, turning back to Wolf after her moment of reflection. “So, you’re not from New York, er well you’re not from...here- you’re from, what was it you said? The Fourth Kingdom, where is that?”

Wolf looked back at her, the mysterious glint in his eye returned “The other side of the mirror,”

Great, how vague. Sarah grumbled to herself.

“It’s a long story- just as long as yours I suspect, and I think Virginia should help me tell it- she’s a wonderful storyteller- much better than I am, just like you, she’s especially gifted with telling stories..”

“Right, so this isn’t a cop out then?” Sarah asked in mild irritation. “I’m just gonna sit on this until tomorrow.”

“I suppose so, sorry I can’t hash out the details, as it’s getting pretty late and from what I heard you have a decision to make” Wolf stopped walking and Sarah only now noticed that they were standing in front of her apartment building. Her heart dropped like a heavy stone in a stagnant pond as she remembered her publisher’s wrinkled face and his exasperated words.

“Right, you’re right- God I almost forgot about that.” she shook her head, she looked up to her apartment building and back to her friend, her friend that just dropped a magical bomb on her night. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” she pulled her bag open and searched for her keys when she felt a hand on her shoulder.

“Sarah, you’re not alone, I hope you know you have us- Virginia and I.” his face was sincere “Should you need us.”

She’d heard him say it before, but this time, that pang of nostalgia in her heart thrummed loudly in her ears, and after a day of regretful remembrance, the thought of her friends in the Labyrinth made her feel less dismal.

“You’ll be there,” she smiled “Okay, okay, we’re not gonna get all soul searchy and stuff- I’ll see you tomorrow Wolf.”

“Goodnight Sarah!” his usual cheerful demeanor returned as he turned back the way they came with an upbeat bound.

She watched as he made his way down the street before turning to her apartment, she made her way up the stairs and felt the odd lightness in her heart, knowing that someone knew her secret and they believed her. A smile worked its way onto her face at the thought. She opened her door, smile still on her face until she heard the beating of wings.

Her blood ran cold.

She slowly shut the door behind her quietly. Her heart leaped into her throat, her mouth screwed shut as she looked around her small apartment, searching for any sign of him, of white feathers that shimmered in the light. Her hand clenched around her bag as she reached for her curtains, where she was sure the sound had come from, with the other. With a jerk, she pulled back the curtain and found nothing. She let out a loud breath as she shook her head and dropped her bag to the floor with a thump.

“You need to chill out Williams.” she muttered to herself, turning from the window. “You’ve had a long day.” trying to convince herself that it was Wolf’s confession that had contributed to her mind playing tricks on her.

She turned the light on in the bathroom, sitting on the counter in front of the mirror. She looked at herself, she looked a little haggard, she touched the dark circles under her eyes, she hadn’t noticed them until this morning on her way to her appointment with her publisher. Sarah recalled slathering concealer over the bags to no avail. She supposed they were the result of months sleepless rests and all nighters. The closer the deadline for her script came, the worse the nights became. She wondered if tomorrow she would rest easy- after she made a decision about her story.

Should she just give into Mr. Wechsler’s revisions? Is it better to get this off her chest?

She’d been working like a woman possessed for years on this script, and even though the whole ordeal was a major event in her childhood, she found herself forgetting small details, and even at one point forgetting her friends faces. This is why she felt so strongly about the revisions she supposed.

She reached out to touch the glass, her fingers rapping on the surface lightly before turning away. She thought about what Virginia said about finding a new publisher to leave her script alone, but she wondered how long that would take, and how she would feel putting this off for even longer. She pondered this as she stood in the shower, letting the cool water run down her back, she found that cool showers like this helped her think clearly.

She’d waited eight years to tell this story, if she waited this long she was going to be damn sure it was going to be told faithfully. Eight years, ten years, twenty, what did it matter if she was doing right by her friends from the Labyrinth and her brother.

Her brother,

She smiled, he was nine years old now, which blew her mind and made her feel ancient at the same time. She thought about her little brother, his cute chubby face, bright with a toothy smile on his first day of third grade- she remembered the way he tugged her hand as he lead her into his classroom, proud to show her his very own desk where he kept all his books and- she wasn’t supposed to tell his mom- dozens of little figurines of trolls, faeries, and, of course, goblins.

At this thought she frowned.

Toby couldn’t remember their time in the Labyrinth, he was a toddler of course, but for the longest time he had nightmares of “gremlins” he called them oddly enough- little knobbly and crooked guys with long noses, sharp teeth, wild hair, and long fingers. Sarah remembered her brother waking up in the middle of the night, wet eyes, and a red face, crying over the little beasts he was afraid would get him. She would sit him down and tell him stories of a young girl and her adventures with her courageous friends in a fantastic land, and he would fall back asleep with a smile on his face.

She wanted her brother to not be afraid, she wanted him to know that a world full of faeries could be fantastic and although dangerous at times, was not to be feared. On the other hand, she herself was afraid that he would push people away like she had. Sarah turned off the water and watched as it swirled down the drain.

The air was starting to grow cold

Wolf liked the cold, the feeling of the crisp air biting into his skin, it reminded him of sitting among the orange leaves and running along golden fields covered in the low lying fog of early mornings back home.

He meant what he said to Virginia, he didn’t regret leaving the Fourth Kingdom, however he did miss the open air and the comfort of thick vegetation and quiet hum of nature’s busy creatures.

He wondered if Sarah missed her time in the Labyrinth. He’d only known what she’d told them in stories. How much of that was her imagination? He wondered how it would look with his own eyes, did the world sing with activity there? Did the magic in the air feel bubbly and warm like it did in the Nine Kingdoms?

He thought back to when he first met Sarah. The magic that enveloped her felt jagged and electric, nothing like he had known about magic before, it felt so different but vaguely familiar. He tried not to dwell on it, rather he thought back to he and Virginia’s conversation about their son.

It had been a week since Virginia expressed her insecurities and he hadn’t stopped thinking about her face. She was so torn, he could tell, so worried, worried about…

He scratched his temple absentmindedly,

He tried not to think about his own past, it didn’t matter, but thinking about his son and his potential...what would he be like? Could Forrest lose sense of himself and fall into trouble like he did? What would happen to him here? Wolf knew that in the Fourth Kingdom at least he could be accepted as the son of a wolf- but here? He didn’t know. He didn’t know but it didn’t matter. He understood Virginia’s fears and in some way he felt the same, he didn’t know what was going to happen, except his son was going to know there was someone in his corner.  

Wolf was going to teach him how to be the best wolf, boy, kid, whatever he could be. Wolf was going to make sure his son would never become afraid or ashamed of himself like he had been.

After all he didn’t read all those parenting books for nothing.

He walked straighter, his head high, he knew he could handle this, one way or another it would all be fine, he had saved the Nine Kingdoms and married the love of his life- he could do anything. He just hoped Virginia felt the same way.

When he arrived back at the restaurant, Virginia was putting her stuff in her bag, her notebooks and binders full of schedules and order forms, their son on her hip asleep. He kissed her and took Forrest in his own arms and locked up. Both of them quiet in a comfortable but exhausted silence.

It wasn’t the time to bring up magic, wolves, kingdoms, or other worlds. That could wait until tomorrow, tonight they would just be a family.

Tap

Tap

Tap

Tap

Somewhere in a far off land,  a king tapped his fingers against the arm of his throne, all around him voices talked and babbered on, but he didn’t care to listen, he was too busy in his own thoughts.

An odd feeling had suddenly come over him, a feeling of apprehension, perhaps? He couldn’t quite place it, but he was sure he had known this same feeling some time ago.  He wasn’t sure what had brought this on or why it troubled him so. What he did know, was that he was far too preoccupied to worry himself over this.

His eyes roamed the teeming ballroom, he kept his face neutral as to not let anyone in on his sudden change in mood, an important attribute in a leader was to keep your emotions in check, and he had become very good at this. The feeling still gnawed at him, tugging at him like a petulant child. He decided that something must be done about this.

He must go see someone about this, and he had someone in mind.

Chapter Text

“I don’t wanna go mommy!” Forrest, the normally agreeable child whined. His face wet with tears and his eyes puffy as he dropped his little backpack to the floor with a stomp of his even littler feet.

Virginia crouched down to look her son in the eyes. “Forrest, honey, I’ll see you this afternoon you know that! Don’t worry, c’mon now- I thought you were going to be a brave knight?” He only sniffled in response, his shoulders shaking. “Don’t you wanna be brave like dad and grandpa? Look, Mommy’s not crying!” She lifted her son’s face to meet her eyes. “You, are Forrest Lewis, you’re going to be a brave knight one day!” she smiled as her son’s face softened “But you know what? You’ll have to show those kids in there what it means to be a knight- do you know how to do that?” she asked him, standing up, her hands on her hips.

He shook his head. Virginia smiled “You go in there and you show them how brave you are! That means you go in there with your head up, and a big smile on your face, because you’re not scared of going to school!” she turned his head up to look at her. “I know you’re going to be the bravest, smartest, knight I know!”

“Yeah! And I’m gonna be, I’m gonna be- mom you know what? I’m gonna be cool” Forrest grinned. Virginia smiled back at her son and patted his head “Oh I know you are- you’re already the coolest kid I know!” Forrest pushed her hand away softly, he pat her leg and pointed to the classroom door. “Hey Mommy I’m going to school okay? I’m gonna go to school- I’ll be back okay?”

“Okay Forrest, I’ll see you later!” she walked him to the door and gave him a wave goodbye, but he was already busy finding his little table and putting his little bag down in his chair. Virginia felt a pang in her heart seeing her son play in the classroom. It seemed like only last week she had brought him home, a little green hat on his head, swaddled in her arms. He was growing up so fast- too fast for her liking. She didn’t think she would be this torn up, she dropped him off at kindergarten last year no problem-but here she was, her hand clutching her chest, a frown on her face. Why was first grade so much more intimidating? Next year it would be second, then third, and before she knew it he’d be graduating, it made her head spin.

Wolf wanted to be sure she took as many pictures as possible, and of course she did, she opened her bag to look at the disposable camera inside, thinking she should’ve brought extra film for Sarah.

And right as she the thought crossed her mind, she heard hurried footsteps behind her.

“I haven’t been to school in seven years and I still manage to be late!” Sarah exclaimed, her voice breathy like she had been running awhile. Virginia grinned at her disheveled friend quietly, noticing only one sleeve was rolled up to her elbow, her coffee cup gripped tightly in her fist, and her hair in a messy ponytail.

“What?” Sarah demanded, realizing Virginia’s stare. Virginia pointedly stared at her sleeves.

“Oh! Yeah I had to fight the train to get here- I just barely made the 6:30 and nearly lost my arm in the process, but it’s fine I only really need the one.” she continued as she straightened her appearance.

“That would’ve made for a really gnarly story though- that's a shame.” Virginia teased. Sarah snorted in response.

Virginia gently took Sarah’s coffee, freeing her other hand and pointed in the classroom “Class hasn’t started yet if you wanted to say h-”

“Sarah!!” Forrest’s voice carried into the hall

Sarah’s face lit up with a soft smile “Well look who it is! Sir Forrest!” she crouched down as he ran to give her a hug “what’s up little dude?”  

“Look! Come look where I sit!” Forrest tugged Sarah to his table by her arm. Sarah glanced back at Virginia over her shoulder and made a mocking pleading face. Virginia shrugged as she watched her son lead her around the classroom.

“I’m close to the teacher this year! Mom says that it’s cause I’m gonna be a knight so that means I protect people! Did you know that?” Forrest asked as he splayed his little fingers over the desk.

“Oh? A knight eh? You know I used to know a knight!”” Sarah crouched to Forrest’s level

“Really? Tell me about them!” his eyes went wide

“Oh he was a small little knight he was about as big as you if i recall- but 90% more fur,  he was a small little thing but he was exceptionally courageous! There was no challenge too big for him!” Sarah explained with a twinkle in her eye- much like the one she always got when telling stories.

Forrest gave her his undivided attention- much like he always did when Sarah was telling stories. “What was his name?” he asked.

“Sir Didymus.”

Forrest laughed “that’s a funny name for a knight!” his giggles continued.

Sarah crossed her arms “Oh is it? Well, I think if Didymus was here he’d say that making fun of someone’s name is very unbecoming of a knight”

Forrest’s mouth snapped shut.

Sarah held back a grin “That’s what I thought. Keep training Sir Forrest, you’re not a knight just yet!” she stood up as kids around the room left the company of their parents and took their seats, and the teacher was finishing up her conversation with a particularly concerned mother. She patted Forrest’s back and started to leave.

“Sarah!” he called to her once more, and she turned back to him.

“How did you meet Sir Dide- Diddy- D-” his brows furrowed in frustration “Didemus?”

Sarah gave a cursory glance around the room full of kids, and then back to Forrest. “That’s top secret, I’ll tell you later!” Forrest nodded in understanding. She said goodbye to Forrest and headed out the door right as she heard his teacher call the kids to attention, somewhat unsuccessfully, as their little voices tried to talk over each other about what was for lunch, what they did over the summer, and what color their dog was.

Virginia stood in the hallway on the phone, Sarah’s coffee in one hand as she gestured.

“Okay, well I’ll be back soon, class just started- just don’t burn the place down before I get there!” She looked to Sarah and rolled her eyes dramatically.

“We’ll talk to you later okay? I trust you, but if you keep calling me like this I’ll have to rethink just how much. You’ll be fine I promise! Alright, bye.” Virginia snapped her phone shut and held Sarah’s coffee out so she could take it.

“What was that about?” Sarah asked as she took a sip of her now cool coffee.

Virginia sighed as they began to walk down the hall towards the exit. “It’s Roman, it’s his first shift in charge without me or Wolf being there.” She pushed open the door for her friend. “I get he’s nervous being at the helm but this is the third time he’s called me this morning! We wouldn’t have made him a lead if he wasn’t capable, I just hope he shakes off those nerves soon, because I am so looking forward to not staying late every night.”

Sarah gasped and reached out to grab Virginia’s shoulder “Oh my God, Virginia!” she exclaimed, making her freeze in her tracks, her eyes wide in surprise.

“What?”

“Do you know what this means?” Sarah grinned “Me and you gotta have a girl’s night”

Virginia laughed “Oh my god I don’t know, I haven’t gone out in so long I’m afraid I might be-” she gasped playfully “-lame”

Sarah elbowed her “Shut up, if you’re lame then what does that make me??”

“A single woman living it up in New York?”

Sarah snorted and took another sip of cold coffee, her nose scrunching in disdain

“Oh yeah I’m really living it up being a stupid intern, I tell you what, if this stage play thing doesn’t take off I swear to John i'm going to throw myself down the nearest manhole- or weasel my way into being an endearing distant relative to a rich family- y’know, whichever comes up first.” Sarah said, completely deadpan.

“You could always adopt some crazy rich and crazy eccentric orphans and take their fortune in increasingly convoluted ways.” Virginia suggested, with a helpful tone.

Sarah gave her a look.

“Wolf left the TV on last night and I watched that movie like twice- I think I love it? I wonder what that says about me…” Virginia paused “Anyway, Wolf and I are going to visit my dad and Wendell tomorrow and we’ll be gone the rest of the week and I was kind of wondering if you can do an exceptionally huge, amazingly big favor for your best friend?”

“Oh of course! Anything for Patricia!” Sarah joked, giggling at Virginia’s annoyed frown “I know, bad joke! Of course I can do you a favor, depending on what it is, and it will come at a great cost.”

“Can you watch Forrest?”

Sarah’s eyes went wide for a fraction of a moment “Really? But you always take him out there- why not this time?”

Virginia shrugged “Dad said Wendell told him it’d be best if Forrest didn’t come this time, something about official business- I don’t think it’s anything too serious, but either way I’d rather not have him come if Wendell thinks it would be better for him to stay.”

She looked Sarah in the eyes “I know this is kinda short notice- well very short notice, but you’re honestly the only person I trust to watch him for longer than two hours, I mean Roman is great and all but he’s very nervous with running the restaurant while we’re gone and not to mention his roomates are prop comedians- I just really don’t think I can handle Forrest being looked after by a failed Carrot Top and a sad wannabe Gallagher.”  Virginia was being light hearted and jokey but Sarah could tell her friend was nervous about being apart from her son for so long.

“Of course I’ll watch over Forrest! Are you kidding me? That little twerp is gonna be so damn secure, you’ll have to change his name to Fort Knox. Plus, It’ll be good to bounce some story ideas off of him instead- I’m sure Toby will be relieved to not have me calling and running plots by him during spongebob or whatever.”  

Virginia sighed “Thank you Sarah, really, this means the world to me!”

“Hey man it’s not a problem- now I just need to make sure I put all my broken glass and scary movies on a super high shelf.”

“Good call- oh! Wolf is going to be at therapy til 9:30, do you wanna get breakfast? There’s a bagel place close to here that hasn’t banned me for my excessive love of cream cheese- also it’s pretty good I guess.” Virginia shrugged playfully.

“I would love nothing more on this earth right now than to eat an obscene amount of cream cheese with you, but I have to get to the office a bit early for a meeting- fun ahoy, am I right?” Sarah looked down at her watch and back up at Virginia. “Call me later okay? I’ll see you guys tonight!”

Sarah waves as she turns to walk faster towards the subway in order to catch the train on time. She smoothed her hair as she walked, making sure she was presentable. She may not love her job but she’d sure love to keep having it- and making sure she looked the part was just as important as being punctual.

She had gotten a- thankfully- paid internship at a business magazine while she workshopped her script and met with potential publishers and producers on the side. It was physically and emotionally exhausting,sometimes she regretted rejecting Mr. Wechsler’s offer for revisions a year ago. Sarah stepped on the crowded train full of other morning commuters, everyone keeping to themselves for the most part, the dull buzz of people talking on the phone or to their neighbors filled the car. Sarah actually preferred standing on the train, she sat all day at work, so it was a nice change of pace- plus she had a better view of the passengers- she liked people watching. As she stood by the doors, she often wondered where they were going, if they had grown up in the city, or if like her they moved to New York to achieve their dreams, and like her they were in a bit of a rut.

At the next stop, people filed in in a relatively orderly fashion- well as orderly as possible. Sarah thought nothing of these new passengers- except one particular young man who boarded along with an older, balding man. The young man had wheat blond hair that, despite looking wild- looked like it had been neatly combed. He had an air of authority, his suit was sharp, and looked quite expensive. He quietly spoke to the older man at his side- he looked a bit confused and maybe a little overwhelmed. The older man beside him had a weary, time worn face, he rolled his eyes and looked around the car as he spoke. Sarah couldn’t make out what either of them were saying over the sound of the train and the hum of several different conversations.

She wondered where they were headed, the odd pair. The blonde man’s mannerisms were deliberate and cool, almost regal. Sarah watched as he and his companion held a seemingly intense conversation. The balding man, with his wrinkled face and dull brown hair pulled his mouth into a frown, his eyebrows pulled together with an irritated expression.

Sarah didn’t realize she was staring until the blonde man’s blue eyes met her gaze. She meant to look away, to pretend she wasn’t gawking at them, but she only looked back. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but the man at his side said something to regain his attention.

Sarah shook her head and turned her gaze away from the pair, instead turning  to look out the window, watching her reflection against the dark tunnel.

‘What was that about?’ she thought to herself as she went to take a sip of her coffee, which was now of course, empty. She scowled.

‘Way to go Williams, now you’re gonna have to nurse that office coffee the rest of the morning.’ She sighed, dreading going into work. She didn’t hate her job- well not exactly- she loved the people that worked there, they were all colorful and passionate people, however, she couldn’t stand the mind numbing work. Not that she was complaining of course, she loved having work, but she would much rather work on writing her stories all day- unfortunately that wasn’t paying the bills yet.

‘It’s just a stepping stone.’ she told herself whenever she wondered why she needed this job.

Her stop was coming up, she prepared herself. She turned and threw one last glance in the direction of the blonde man, almost without thinking, their eyes met again and Sarah frowned in confusion. She didn’t know him and she didn’t know why he looked so familiar, but she didn’t have time to dwell on it as she waited for the train doors to open.

Clack clack

Clack clack

Clack clack

“I can’t believe this, you leave town for a couple of years and they change everything! You know I thought i’d miss the city but I forgot how much I hated the subway! It’s like-” Tony stopped mid sentence when he noticed Wendell wasn’t listening, he turned his attention in the direction Wendell was looking.

“Antony.” Wendell spoke up, without turning to look at his companion. “Does that woman over there look familiar to you?” he gestured with his chin in the direction of a dark haired woman near the doors of the car.

Tony turned his attention that way, looking the woman over, her hair was pulled into a neat ponytail, she was dressed professionally with her arms crossed over her chest, looking out the window. He turned back to look at Wendell.

“I don’t know everyone who lives in New York city. What, do you know everyone who lives in your kingdom?”

Wendell’s gaze slid back over to Tony “Of course I do, I tour my kingdom every summer for the past four years Tony you know that.”

Tony flashed a sarcastic, toothy grin “Oh of course how could I forget?”

Wendell’s mouth quirked into a hint of a smile “I didn’t think you did, I think you were being an ass- but I only ask because that woman has been staring at us for a while.” His smile dropped as he stared forward “And I was wondering why.”

Tony snorted “Maybe it’s because you have stuff on your face.”

“I don’t!”

“Could be your royal good looks your majesty.”

Wendell looked over at Tony from the corner of his eye “Hm yes, well that could be it, but I’m not sure it-”

“Look Wendell, just calm down okay? She’s probably just curious- maybe she’s a tourist or maybe she thinks you look like someone she knows- either way it’s not a big deal I promise.”

Wendell exhaled “Perhaps you’re right Antony. How much longer until we arrive at Virginia’s home?” he asked.

Tony scratched his head “Well let’s see Virginia said they’re on 87th, and now we’re on 67th so-”

Tony kept talking but Wendell stopped listening, The woman at the doors met his gaze, her eyes were so green they were almost ethereal, he felt himself openly staring but found he couldn’t look away. It wasn’t until the train slowed to a stop to let off passengers- including her- that he blinked and shifted his eyes to the floor.  

“Hey are you okay?” he finally heard Tony ask, and Wendell nodded, he looked back at his friend.

“I’m afraid it’s this whole business that’s got me feeling strange.” He admitted.

“Look, We’ll get Wolf and Virginia and once we explain to them, maybe they can put your nerves at ease alright? Just don’t go having a melt down on me Prince.”

Wendell openly smiled at Tony affectionately calling him Prince.

“I’ll be sure to keep all meltdowns to a minimum Antony- although, as your king you should really watch what you call me.”

“Oh sorry, your highness, please let me lick your shoes as recompense!” Tony’s sarcasm coated his words like oil

It was Wendell’s turn to roll his eyes now, but his smile still lingered on his face.

Tony was far from perfect- a bumbling idiot some might say, but he was a good friend that Wendell trusted wholeheartedly. In the years since their original journey to save the nine kingdoms, Tony had become like family to Wendell, and he was very grateful. Tony, Virginia, Wolf, and their son were Wendell’s family when he had none, and not a day went by that he didn’t thank whatever forces that be for allowing them to meet.

Wendell ran a hand through his hair and tried not to dwell on the reason he was here.

Chapter Text

She watched the morning skyline, the way the sun reflected off the tall buildings and the sharp shadows they created. She imagined these skyscrapers as glass towers in a far away kingdom, where everything was light and delicate- perhaps it was a world made of flower nymphs or fairies with bodies made of buttercup petals and wings that glided on the breeze. When she imagined them, they were nice fairies who granted wishes.

She laughed at herself ‘don’t take anything for granted Sarah’

Her eyes skimmed the horizon, piled high with pale pink, blue, and golden clouds that perfectly melted together.

‘I wonder if fairies granting wishes would be a good thing anyway? Who knows, one misinterpretation and you could be upended into a vat of boiling shoe polish.’ She turned her attention back to the group in front of her.

“And of course this quarter is sure to be very interesting for all of us-” Her supervisor spoke with entirely too much passion this early on a Monday.

‘Oh God they’re still talking’ Sarah groaned and took a swig of her stale coffee, her nose wrinkling.

‘It’s too late for me to be listening now’ she sighed to herself

“Hey Sarah- what’s up?” she was snapped out of her reverie by her friend Aneesa, her kind round eyes shone like carnelian in the morning sun she smiled at her softly “Did you finish your report for Eddie?” she asked.

“Barely, I pulled an all nighter again.” Sarah was acutely aware of the dark circles under her eyes.

Aneesa frowned “Sarah-”

“I had to get up early anyway to see Forrest on his first day!” Sarah defended. “Killing two birds with one stone Aneesa!”

Her friend crossed her arms “You could’ve asked for an extension- I’m sure Eddie would understand, it’s not like you’re always overdue.”

Sarah shrugged

Aneesa sighed.

Aneesa Khan was her best friend in the office, she always sent Sarah cute emails to brighten her day. Sarah in turn always brought her coffee and a biscotti. She was a short woman proudly hailing from Queens, her accent was barely noticeable unless she got worked up- which wasn’t very often, she was the most patient person Sarah had ever met- although she often got openly exasperated with Sarah.

Aneesa decided not to push it and instead asked about Forrest “So he’s in first grade now right?” Sarah nodded. Aneesa laughed “I remember when my daughter was that age, she was super into Lisa Frank- anything Lisa Frank she had to have, I don’t get it, all that stuff looks like something you’d find under a black light in a stoner’s van.” Sarah giggled.

“Don’t look now but I think Eddie is about to start a team chant.” Aneesa elbowed Sarah gently with a cheeky grin.

Indeed, the thin man with the suspenders made everyone come in close to put their hands in.

“Alright everyone! On the count of three- one, two, three, GO TEAM!” Eddie pumped his hand in the air and everyone else followed suit half heartedly, excluding Sarah and Aneesa who mockingly matched Eddie’s enthusiasm.

“Glad to see someone’s ready for a good day!” he smiled pointedly at the two as the group dispersed and everyone went back to their desks. Sarah and Aneesa began to head back to their own respective desks.

“Sarah,” Eddie stopped her, she turned to him “Yes sir?”

“Were you able to get the Steinbrock report together?”

Sarah nodded and walked back to her desk to get the folder from her backpack, she handed it back to Eddie with a polite smile. He took it under his arm and looked like he was going to say something else.

“Was that all sir?” Sarah asked, Eddie shook his head “actually I was wondering if you could come with me for a second.”

“Uh, of course,” Sarah tried not to show her confusion,

Eddie lead her to his office and closed the door, he gestured to the seats in front of his desk, they were fashionable but didn’t look at all comfortable. “Sit please!” he offered. Sarah did just that, her thumbs twiddling in her lap.

“So I’ve noticed that you seem...hm how do I put this without sounding rude?” he mumbled the last bit to himself. “You seem sleep deprived, and...distracted, now normally I don’t know if I’d even point this out because it’s really none of my business as long as the work gets done but,” he tapped his chin in thought “well, It’s just that your work has been slipping- well not dramatically, but noticeably. Some people around the office are concerned, you seem a million miles away and it's sort of, well, concerning.” he laughed softly, politely. “- is there something wrong?”

Sarah was a bit surprised by this, she would day dream often, but even she didn’t notice when she was doing it. She was also a bit embarrassed at being caught, she couldn’t help looking tired after pulling all nighters working on revisions and getting up at odd hours of the night to capture an idea when it struck her.

“I just have a lot on my plate I guess,” Sarah said quietly after a short pause.  

“I see,” Eddie replied, leaning back in his chair. “Unfortunately I do have to inform you that if this behavior continues, I’ll be forced to discipline you- our deadlines are very resolute and although you’re normally very prompt, this slip in performance is very concerning.” His eyes met hers

Eddie sighed “Look, Sarah, I like you, I think you’re a good addition to the team but I do have an obligation to this magazine and this company-”

“I understand Eddie, really I do, I’ve been in the woods for a couple weeks but I promise I’ll get right back on track!” Sarah said before Eddie could continue. Eddie just stared at her for a moment, then he smiled. “Of course, I believe in you Sarah. This is really just a formality, I have no doubt you’ll turn it around.” He stood up and walked to his office door to open it for her.

“Just out of curiosity, what kind of discipline would I expect if I stay where I am?” Sarah asked, afraid of what the answer would be.

“Don’t worry about it, you won’t let it get to that point right?” Eddie gestured to the open door and Sarah’s mouth went dry at this response.

“No sir.”

“Great to hear!” Eddie grinned “I’ll see you in the meeting this afternoon!”

He closed his door and Sarah walked back to her desk, everything was as quiet save for the clicking of everyone typing away at their computers. She sat down and stared at her own screen, her eyes unblinking.

‘Don’t get yourself worked up now Sarah, don’t get yourself worked up’ her thoughts chanted.

She exhaled and snapped out of her reverie, she got started on the day’s work.

‘ Well this is a great way to start the morning. ’

Damp stone,

Sour garbage,

Sizzling greasy meat,

Dark grey smoke,

Strong perfumes

New York’s smells were very distinct, and starkly different from the smells of the fourth kingdom. He knew it was silly to think of at the moment, there were more pressing matters, but the smells of the city repulsed and intrigued him. He also found that they alleviated his anxieties as he tried to pick them apart.

Wendell made sure to keep pace with Tony as they walked along the busy street, other people were walking fast, bumping into them as they went.

He’d only visited the city a handful of times, and he didn’t even have hands for the first one- so he never fully appreciated the little things about New York that were so radically different from everything he’d ever known. Now as he walked down the sidewalk, he took in every scent, every sound, every sensation. Tony would roll his eyes when Wendell asked silly questions, but he would answer every one.

“What is that man selling?”

“Hot dogs.” Tony replied

“Oh, well i’m rather glad I didn’t run into him six years ago.” Wendell’s brows raised in surprise

“What?” Tony paused and looked over his shoulder at Wendell “No they’re not- they’re not actual dogs, Wendell.”

Wendell frowned

“No really, they’re- well actually I don’t know what goes in them exactly.”

Wendell’s eyes went wide as he looked back at Tony

Tony pursed his lips as a look of contemplation passed over his face “Hmm, y’know I’ve actually never thought about it before.” he sighed in frustration “and now I’m gonna be thinking about it all day! Damnit Prince! Let’s go so I can stop thinking about it.” he started walking again and Wendell, with a snort, followed him.

There was a knock at the door, quickly, Wolf put the shirt he was folding in his duffle bag.

“Just a minute!” he called, taking his and Virginia’s toothbrushes off the bathroom counter and shoving them in the bag before he forgot- which he often did.

“No, please take your time!” the sarcastic voice came through the door.

Wolf opened the door at last “Huff Puff Tone, you can’t give a guy a second to look decent?”

Tony looked his son in law up and down “Looks like you need more than a second.”

Wolf “Oh ouch Tone, you got a pair of nice pants and now you’re the expert on fashion?” he snarked back with a grin.

“Antony thinks wearing any pants without holes in them gives him the authority over anything fashionable.”  Wendell chimed in, his tone overtly snobbish.

Tony threw up his hands “Hey, hey, hey ! Why are you both attacking me?”

Wolf shook his head and pulled Tony into a hug “We’re just joking Tone! It’s so good to see you chaps!”

“It’s good to see you as well, Wolf, It’s been a while ” Wendell said, as Tony groaned when Wolf squeezed him. Wolf chuckled.

“Come here Prince!” he said heartily as he pulled Wendell into the hug. Wendell stood stiffly as Wolf wrapped an arm around his shoulder and squeezed.  “We just saw you a couple months ago ya goofball- if anything you guys should be tired of us!” Wolf joked.

“You’re on the right track.” Tony muttered under his breath

Wendell softened “Yes, perhaps you’re right, absence makes the heart grow fonder- isn’t that the saying?” He pulled away from the embrace, straightening his jacket and smoothing his shirt. “Certainly it’s very good to see you, but unfortunately you know we’re here on business.”

Wolf let go of Tony and ushered the two inside “Yes, I know, I was just packing while Virginia was checking in on the restaurant- it’s our lead’s first day running the place without us being there.”  he informed.

Wendell nodded, “And Forrest?”

“He’s at school, it’s his first day of first grade you know?” Wolf walked into the kitchen, and popped his head out “You guys thirsty? I can make you some tea or something.”

“You got any beer?” Tony asked as he plopped down on a plush chair in the living room

“A bit early for that Tony.” Wendell reprimanded

Tony grunted “Sorry, the interdimensional travel always gives me jet lag, time difference and all.”

Wolf called from the kitchen “Okay, water for everyone then! You caught me, I don’t have tea anyway.”  

He came back in and set down their glasses. Wendell didn’t realize how thirsty he was until now, as he started to drink, Tony broke the silence. “How is Forrest doing?” he asked

Wolf grinned “He’s fine, he’s really interested in knights right now- he says he wants to be one himself.”

Wendell brought the glass from his lips and laughed “A knight? Those glorified doormen don’t know a dragon from a serpent with a terrible disposition.”

“Well, we don’t tell him that- in fact, I think he’s gotten the idea from our friend Sarah.” Wolf said offhandedly.

“Ah, of course, she wouldn’t know anything about them then.” Wendell waved his hand.

“I think it’s the idea of being a knight Wendell, like Camelot- except less singing.” Tony said

Wolf shook his head “Well I mean it’s true she doesn’t know anything about fourth kingdom knights except what we’ve told her, she-”

Tony choked on his water “What you’ve told her?”  he and Wendell looked at each other. “What-what are you insane?” Tony continued, setting his glass down with a loud thud.

“Really, Wolf, how could you and Virginia do that? Wendell joined in. “In what world could that possibly be a good idea?”

Wolf raised his hands up in defense “Hey now- you guys really think I’d let the wolf out of the bag,"  he chuckled,  "for no good reason?”

The two men said nothing but gave Wolf an expression that told him that they did think that.

“Wow, I really can’t believe this. Ye of little faith- my own family.” Wolf crossed his arms and shot them an accusatory stare in return.  Tony gave an exasperated sigh and leaned back in his chair.

“Wolf, what did you tell this woman?”  Wendell asked slowly, moving his gaze from Tony shaking his head, to Wolf with his arms still crossed in defence.

“Virginia and I told her about her and tony’s time in the fourth kingdom- about the queen and the troll king, about Wendell-”

“Oh you didn’t tell her about me being a dog did you?” Wendell interrupted

“That was a vital part of the story Prince.”

Wendell covered his face with his hands and sighed

“What?” Wolf demanded “you don’t even know her, how can you be embarrassed?”

Tony sat up “While you know I love embarrassing Prince, it’s not about that and you know it! What if, what if she reports you to someone- what if you and Virginia get put away, what if they take away Forrest-”

“-Hey!” Wolf shouted, cutting Tony off “No one. Is taking. My son.” he said with a dark tone, emphasising each word. He took a quick breath before continuing “Like I said I wouldn’t just tell anyone off the street about the mirror and the nine kingdoms.” he paused, waiting for Wendell to uncover his face. “Her name is Sarah Williams and she’s been to a world outside of this one and the nine kingdoms. She called it the Labyrinth beyond the Goblin city.”

“A world beyond this one and the nine kingdoms..” Wendell repeated “Surely,” he trailed off

Tony looked to Wendell with concern “Wendell, is that the-”

Wolf looked from Tony to Wendell and back, he held out his hands “Am I missing something?” he asked.

“We’ll wait for Virginia.” Wendell said firmly.

Glug

Glug

Glug

Sarah watched as the air bubbles in the water cooler rise to the top. She was alone in the breakroom, she took a break from her work for a moment to make her afternoon tea, she had finally started to relax after her meeting with Eddie this morning. She and Aneesa had lunch together, Aneesa helped to take her mind off of her anxieties by talking about her daughter and how she told her she was planning on starting a girl group with her hamster Cherry. Sarah smiled as Aneesa could barely tell the story without cracking up.

Aneesa’s style of storytelling was so different from her own, her language was so colorful, yet so grounded, she animated and used her hands to capture your attention, she really made you feel like you’ve known each other for years. Sarah appreciated the refreshing difference.

Now though, as she stood in the silent break room she noticed the stark contrast. She hummed to herself as she stirred the honey in her tea to block out the quiet.

Feathers ruffled, quietly

Sarah stopped mid stir.

A beat.

Her eyes scanned the room.

She returned back to her tea hesitantly, she started to hum once more.

She barely heard it over the sound of her humming, but she heard the beat of feathered wings once more. She didn’t stay to look around, instead she speed walked out of the breakroom, looking forward as she purposely strode out of the room like a kid who felt a shiver of fear in a dark room.

It had been a year since she’d heard that sound, she had convinced herself that she had imagined it, she tried to reassure herself that she had imagined it, but…

She swallowed the lump in her throat. She turned her gaze back to the breakroom haltingly.

Nothing. She exhaled, and shook her head.

“Hey Sarah!” Aneesa called, and Sarah jumped at the sound

“Yes?” She replied, beating down the surprise in her voice

“Are you staying late?” She asked, her jacket draped over her arm and her bag on her shoulder. Sarah looked down at her watch- how did it get so late? It was already 5 o’clock- she had to meet Virginia and Wolf to pick up Forrest. She shook her head to clear a space in her mind for her words.

“Oh, no- I was just making some tea before I packed up!” She gave Aneesa a soft, reassuring smile.

Aneesa gave her an odd look from the corner of her eye “Okay, well, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“See you Tomorrow!” Sarah called as Aneesa walked away.

She quickly packed up her things and headed towards the elevator.

The building was quiet as she walked out the front door where she was assaulted by the ambience of the city. It was especially jarring this evening.

On the way to the Lewis’ apartment she tried to keep her mind off of what had happened in the breakroom. Her hands were sweaty, she wiped her palms on her pants almost absent mindedly. She sat down on the train this evening, she didn’t bother people watching.

She felt like she was in a fog, the meeting with Eddie, the breakroom- an odd day to say the least.

She walked up the steps to Virginia and Wolf’s apartment, she found a trash can to throw away her now cold, and completely untouched tea. She knocked on the door and was met with Virginia telling her to come in.

She opened the door, she threw back her head and exhaled loudly, dramatically “You would not believe the day I’ve had! I mean woof honestly-” She looked back down and was met with Virginia, Wolf and Forrest’s gaze- and, two extra sets of eyes on her- two men who sat on chairs across from her in the Lewis’ living room.

The two men from the train.

“You!”

“You?”

Sarah and Wendell blurted out in unison.

Tony sat up in his chair with a cheeky grin

“Oh I guess we do know her huh Prince?"

Chapter Text

“You- you were on the train! I knew I saw you staring at me- what was that about? You were being totally skeevy!” Sarah accused, her arms crossed over her chest.

“Me? I was staring at you ?” Wendell scoffed “You were the one staring at us, hasn’t anyone told you how rude that is?” he frowned “However, that’s rather beside the point I think.” he turned his attention back to Virginia and Wolf. “Is this the friend you were talking about?” he asked the couple, their eyebrows pulled up with similar expressions. Wolf’s mouth pulled tight to keep a laugh from escaping.

“Yes, Wendell, Dad, this is our friend Sarah Williams.” Virginia spoke. “Sarah, this is my Dad, Tony, and my Stepbrother Wendell.”

“We’ve heard a lot about you!”  Tony says from his chair, and Sarah smiles at him “So have I,” she replies, walking around the couch to sit down, she looked to Wendell “So you’re the dog boy huh?” she asked with a cheeky smile “The dog who turned into a prince, it’s nice to see you’re less quadrupedal.”

Wendell kept his mouth from pulling into a frown as he stared at her for a moment and curtly said; “King, actually.”

“Don’t mind him, he gets like this when we travel.”  Tony says, almost talking over him.

Sarah’s brows shoot up, nodding slowly, sarcastically “Charming.” her tone was flat.

Forrest, with a cute little backpack on, jumped down from his seat in between his parents on the sofa, he rushed over to Sarah.

“Sarah, Sarah- did you know I’m gonna stay over with you? Mommy says I’m gonna spend the night there.” he tugged on her hand. “I have my sword- we can play knights!” his eyes glowed with excitement. Sarah grinned down at the boy.

“Oh, I don’t know sir Forrest, you think you’re a match for me?” her hands were at her hips.

“Yes!”  he nearly shouted, and Virginia winced “Forrest honey, inside voice.” she scolded lightly. He turned to his mother “okay.” he replied offhandedly, turning back to Sarah.

“Yes!”  he repeated, his voice softer this time.

Sarah shook her head “Oh, I don’t know about that- I told you I’m friends with a knight.”

“You told me you were gonna tell me about didmus!” Forrest reminded her, and Sarah shook her head “DidYmus, sir Forrest- and of course I’ll tell you all about him, but like I said this morning it’s confidential.” Forrest looked around at his family and whispered “Oh right” a finger to his lips.

“Talking of confidential.” Wendell started, “We should get going I think.”

Virginia frowned “Right now?”

Wendell nodded “I think it’s best if we leave as soon as possible.”

Tony leaned over to Wendell “Shouldn’t you ask her about the-”

“Tony, I don’t think that’s necessary.” he said as he stood,

“Ask who what Dad?” Virginia asked. Tony gave Wendell a pointed look,  “It couldn’t hurt.” he said, and Wendell looked from Tony to Sarah and slowly sat back down.

“Miss Williams, I understand if you’d rather not talk about this but,” he paused “From your time in this other world outside of mine and the other kingdoms, do you remember a mirror?”

Sarah’s brows furrowed in thought, Wendell clarified “Well it doesn’t look like a mirror all the time- it’s a doorway from one world to the next.”

Sarah’s memories of a ball bubbled up in her mind, swirling gowns, grotesque masks, and…

Her blood ran cold at the thought of him. Her throat dry all of a sudden. “No.” she croaks, and clears her throat “Not a mirror like that.”

Wendell nods “I see,” he wanted to press her further but noticed an odd distant look in her eyes, and he didn’t want to intrude.  “Thank you.” he said, turning to Tony and the others. “We should be going, we’ll talk more at the castle.” Wendell nodded. Virginia and Wolf leaned down to kiss Forrest goodbye.

Sarah’s gaze lingered on Wendell as Virginia assured her son they’d be back soon. Wendell smiled at his nephew, and Sarah opened her mouth to speak.

“Do you really think I can help? Because of my time in the underground I mean.”  Wendell turned to look at her, and Sarah continued, “I really don’t know why you’re here or what’s going on but, I’d like to help. You’re my Virginia's family, I mean maybe I should come with you all-”

“Thank you Ms. Williams” Wendell’s gentle smile returned to his face “However I think for the sake of Sir Forrest here,” he used Sarah’s nickname for his nephew “You both should stay here, It’s nothing we can’t handle I assure you.”

Speaking of Forrest, the six year old tugged at Wendell’s jacket to get his attention.

“Uncle Prince?”

“Yes Forrest?” Wendell answered.

“Well, uhm, I wanna come.” he lifted up his backpack to show he was ready “Please? I’m gonna be a knight! I wanna help!”

Virginia chimed in “Forrest, Honey-”  

“Well, Sir Forrest.” Wendell began, “I actually have a mission for you.” his voice took on a regal tone as Forrest’s eyes lit up “The number one rule for a knight is to protect the people of his kingdom, which means that you need to stay here and make sure Ms. Williams doesn’t get into trouble.” his eyes flickered over to Sarah, then back to his nephew. “From what i’ve known of her already, she needs it.”

Forrest giggled as Sarah made an indignant noise at Wendell’s statement.

“Yes, Uncle Prince!”

Wendell looked over to Sarah, his eyebrows raised, his regal face would’ve looked smug if he didn’t have a practiced even tempered expression set firmly over his features. He cleared his throat.

“Now, for the last time, may we go?” he asked the others.

Tony stood up and stretched, “I’ve been ready your highness- just waiting for you to finish your kingly duties.” he jeered, and reached down to ruffle Forrest’s hair as the group began to depart, “See ya later kiddo, Next time we’ll get Uncle Prince to eat a hot dog.” he chuckled.

“Not likely Antony.” Wendell said over his shoulder.

“He’ll come around to it.” Tony whispered to Forrest who smiled. Tony turned to Sarah “It was nice meeting you.” he said sincerely, as he followed Wendell. Virginia gave Sarah the Key to their apartment.

“I don’t think we’ve forgotten anything, he should have a enough clothes for the week and his vitamins are in the front pocket of his backpack- he has gloves in his coat if it gets colder this week, which I think it might but-”

“We’ll be fine Virginia I promise, please don’t worry.” Sarah tried easing her friend.

“I mean I will but, I get it I’ll chill out now.” Virginia sighed “Just lock up and keep it on you if Forrest needs anything okay?”

Sarah gave her friend a reassuring smile “I will, now you’d better get going, I can hear your step brother barking.”

Virginia smiled and Wolf thanked her as they left.

Sarah and Forrest stood in silence for a moment.

“Well kid, you hungry?” Sarah asked, her bag on her shoulder again, her hands at her hips.

“Can we get McDonalds?”

Clack

Clack

Clack

Wendell and the Lewis’ walked along the concrete pathway in the park, their stride out of sync and thumping against the pavement. Along the way the walkway was littered with brittle twigs and the dead and dying leaves of golden and scarlet trees, the first casualties of Autumn. The stale air felt brisk to the touch, leaving their cheeks and noses cold. As the sun began to set in the city, long shadows stretched across the park making it look eerie in the golden glow of the evening. Lights that lined the path had just turned on, adding to the odd atmosphere.

Wendell didn’t even notice the group had gone quiet for a while until Wolf spoke up from behind him. “I thought knights were just glorified doormen who don’t know a dragon from a serpent with a terrible disposition?”

Wendell spoke without looking back “Now what kind of uncle would I be if I told him that? And besides, I don’t know of the knights from Ms. Williams world- perhaps they are more than competent.”

Wolf glanced at his wife from the corner of his eye and they shared a look, Wolf laughed “Of course, of course, world’s best uncle!” he exclaimed.

“He won’t be the world’s best uncle until he takes Forrest out for a real New York street hot dog.”  Tony chimed in.

“Again, no.” Wendell replied, exasperated

“Oh you’re such a weenie- hah, because it’s a hot-”

“We got it dad.” Virginia said.

They continued walking, the sounds of the city weren’t insulated here, but engulfed in the swath of trees and vegetation, it felt as though you were in a different world, especially at this time of day.

Perhaps that’s why the mirror opens up here.

The four stood in front of the entrance to the mirror.

“Alright, see you in a minute.” Tony stepped into the portal, disappearing in the thick air, Wolf followed his father in law. Virginia too was about to step in when she felt an eerie tension, like eyes watching her. A shiver ran from the base of her neck, like someone breathing there. She stood back for a moment.

“Virginia? Virginia, are you alright?” Wendell grabbed her attention.

Virginia snapped out of her reverie, and turned to Wendell, she rubbed her arms, smoothing away the goosebumps.

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

Wendell wasn’t quite sure, concern on his face, but rather than press it he nodded “Of course.”

The two stepped through the mirror into a room full of mirrors.

The walls were a brilliant shade of red, trimmed with gold, each mirror had been carefully polished.

“Welcome back your highness.” a guard spoke from his place at the door, his partner acknowledging Virginia “Welcome Lady Virginia.” he nodded politely. Virginia returned the gesture with a small smile.

“I’d like to get started with our business, but first I think it’s only fair we sat down to eat- I hope you’re all hungry.” Wendell said to the group, leading them down the hall.

“Oh huff puff, I’m absolutely ravenous- I could eat anything you put in front of me!” Wolf answered.

“We know Wolf.” Wendell replied, “Well then, we shall discuss this after dinner.”

“Sir Forrest if you don’t eat your food how do you expect to become big and strong?” Sarah sighed, her hands on her hips as she watched the boy pick at the seeds on his bun. After the begging, Sarah finally gave in and bought him the Happy Meal- and now what did he want? The stupid cheap toy.

Forrest whined, his cheeks puffed out and his eyebrows furrowed stubbornly.

“Fine. I just won’t tell you about my friend Didymus.” Sarah crossed her arms as a matter of factly.

“Nooo! What if I just eat this much?” Forrest gathered  a handful of fries. Sarah shook her head

“ If you can eat half I’ll tell you.” Sarah bargained. “Deal?” Sarah held her pinky up, and Forrest followed suit.

“Deal!”

Sarah smiled as he let go of her pinky and was reminded of her dumb, too much trouble brother. She wondered what he was doing, was he doing well in school? Was he making friends? He wasn’t bothered by friends or fitting in, and Sarah admired him for that, but she was also worried for him. Was he ever lonely?

Like she was a lot when she was his age.

“Hey Sarah?” Forrest spoke around a mouthful of burger, his voice muffled.

“Ew, Forrest, that’s not seafood-  close your mouth!” Sarah chided, her nose crinkling in exaggerated disgust.

He swallowed a big gulp, and opened his mouth to show it was empty.

Sarah sighed “Okay, shoot.”

“How come you didn’t tell uncle Prince about your friends?” he asked

Sarah blinked slowly “What do you mean?”

He sucked in a breath “Um, like your friends you talk to in the mirror?” he wiped his face with the back of his hand “How come you didn’t tell him about em?”

Sarah turned away “My friends in the mirror huh?” she mumbled to herself under her breath “That’s a good question.”  She turned back to Forrest who was waiting for an answer.

“Well, that’s a little complicated.” she said.

“No it’s not!” Forrest objected “I can show you!”

“Thank you Forrest but I think it’ll be fine.” Sarah, before he could ask again, interrupted his train of thought: “Wow, look how much you’ve eaten Sir Forrest!”

Forrest looked down at his food then back to her with a grin “Will you tell me about didmus noow?”

Sarah crossed her arms “Well,” she shrugged “A promise is a promise I suppose. You remember the story of the girl who braved the labyrinth to save her brother?”

Forrest nodded.

“Well, on that journey through the labyrinth I met Sir Didymus.” Sarah said “He was the guardian of the bog of eternal stench- no one could cross his bridge to safety without his permission you know.”

“Bog of eternal- hey Sarah, what’s that mean?”

Sarah grinned “It means if you so much as dip a toe in the lake of stinky goo, you’ll smell bad for the rest of your life!” she explained with a playful, menacing tone, her nose crinkled and her face screwed up like she caught a whiff of something putrid. “Like the sewers on a hot day!”

“Ewww!” Forrest shrieked

“Ew is right!” Sarah agreed “So there we were, my friends and I-”

“Huggle and Ludo!”

“On the money Kiddo!” Sarah nodded “So my friends, Hoggle, Ludo, and I were stuck on the business end of the horrible bog- the only thing that stood between us and safety was Sir Didymus’ bridge. As we were about to cross he jumped in front of us and yelled-” Sarah turned up her nose and tried to sound as fox-like as possible.

“Stop!” she squawked “None shall pass without my permission!” she tried to imitate his tenor as best as she could remember.  

Forrest giggled

“I’m glad you’re laughing because it wasn’t so funny to us, he was intimidating!” Sarah lied. “Anyway, we tried to sneak passed, but he was so quick he stopped us at every turn. Ludo tried to catch him with his big hands- but Didymus was just too fast! Although he was small, he was quick and nimble, easily climbing up trees and even Ludo’s back where he couldn’t reach him!”

Forrest smiled “That’s funny!” he stood up and ran around “Hey Sarah- do you think I’m as fast as Didmus?”

Sarah laughed “Sorry Forrest, Didymus was quicker than that!” She crossed her arms “Sit down!” she chided with a smile.

Forrest obeyed and sat down, but wildly kicked his legs under the table.

“Didymus was very dedicated to his duty to protect the bridge, and although Sir Didymus had called Ludo his knightly brother after showing his strength, he still did not let us pass.” Sarah, as a courtesy to her friend, omitted the part where Hoggle crossed the bridge without them.

“How did you get out?” Forrest asked.

“Well, we thought about it for a moment, and then I realized that none of us had thought to even ask for his permission!” She laughed “So I did, and he gave us his blessing to pass safely! He can be very steadfast but very fair.” she nodded. She then continued, “But as I tried to cross the rickety bridge it suddenly gave out under me!”

Forrest gasped “Oh no!”

“Oh no indeed! As the bridge began to collapse I quickly grabbed a branch hanging over me to save myself from the stinky bog below me. Sir Didymus and Ludo were quick to help me- Ludo, the newly knighted hero, with a mighty howl called up the rocks from the bottom of the bog to save me.”

“Ludo!” Forrest cried “He’s a hero!”

Sarah laughed “That he is Sir Forrest! And Didymus agreed, he was so surprised with our hero Ludo, he decided that to help me along on my journey to keep me doubly safe, he would team up with Sir Ludo and continued on with us.” She smiled “Him and his steed Ambrosius- the cutest and bravest dog in the world.” again she stretched the truth.

“Then what happened?” Forrest bounced in anticipation “Tell me!”

Sarah shrugged “You already know the rest- I followed the Labyrinth to the Goblin city!”

“To get Tobey back” Forrest finished

“That’s right Forrest.” Sarah smiled.

“Hey Sarah? Am I gonna meet Tobey?” He asked earnestly “I can show him how to fight so next time he can fight the Goblin King!” He held up his tiny fists.

Sarah laughed “One day Forrest I promise! I’m sure Tobey would love to meet you- he could show you a thing or two yourself.” She thought about the two of them together, Tobey, with his love of all things gross, goblin, and magical- and Forrest with his wooden sword swearing up and down that he would beat the Goblin King himself.

She chuckled

“You two would make a great team- That nasty old Goblin King would shake in his boots if he ever came across the two of you in a fight! But before that can happen you need to eat your food.”

“Ugh Sarah!”

.

.

.

.

“Why me?” Virginia asked, her brows furrowed, her arms crossed over her chest.

Wendell stood a couple feet back, Wolf, Tony, and a couple castle guards stood next to him. The group stood outside a cottage that was warmly lit against the cool darkness of the woods surrounding them.

They were only a couple miles outside the capitol city where Wendell’s castle was nestled, in the middle of the thickly grown woodlands where roving camps and hunters resided.

“Because she asked for you.” Wendell said simply.

“Me? Me specifically?” Virginia clarified.

“Yes.” Wendell nodded “She’s told me all she could tell me.”

Virginia sighed “Are you sure none of you can come in with me?” She asked hopefully

“Yes.”

Tony piped up “Sorry sweetie, even if I could I wouldn’t, she gives me the creeps.” he paused for a moment before calling out to the house itself “uh- no offence! You’re a lovely lady!”

No one responded.

Virginia let out a breath before turning towards the cottage door, she reached out to open it but as if anticipating the touch, it creaked open.

‘ Ohh boy ’ she groaned to herself before stepping inside.

As soon as she did, the door closed. The cottage didn’t look ominous, it was relatively small, homey, a set of stairs lead up beside her.

“Ohhh okaaay.” She muttered under her breath, before calling out “Hello? It’s Virginia Lewis...I heard you wanted to talk to me?”

“Virginia Lewis.” A thin voice answered, Virginia followed the sound “You’re the one who killed the Queen.”

Virginia cringed “Yes.”

“I see,” they paused and then continued with a warmer tone “You’re nervous.” it sounded like they were smiling. She began to walk up the stairs.

“Yeah I- I kind of have a bad experience with um.” she didn’t want to say fortune teller, but- “Things like this.” she finished.

“Oh, I know” the voice answered, the smile still evident in the tone “Trust me I don’t do any sort of things like that- well, not anymore, I’m very out of practice.” they chuckled.

“Oh. Right. Good.” Virginia replied, finally reaching the top of the stairs to an open room.

Sitting by a window, the curtains drawn, a candle in hand, sat a woman who looked very… normal.

She looked like she could be in her middle ages, faint lines pulled at her mouth as she smiled, the candlelight playing on the planes of her face. Her hair looked faintly red, and very wild as she wore it loose down her back. She wore a dress with sleeves to her hands- she certainly looked the part of a soothsayer.

“I’m glad you could make it.” She said, gesturing for Virginia to sit in a chair across from her, another candle on the floor beside it.

“Glad to be here.” Virginia sat down in the chair.  

The woman grinned. “No you’re not.” she said plainly, and before Virginia could protest, she continued “That’s alright, I understand- if you don’t mind terribly, would you pick up that candle?”

Virginia did.

“My name is Morgan le Fay, but that’s so stuffy, you can call me Fay.” the Woman smiled.

“Sure,” Virginia paused “...Fay.”

Fay held the candle in he lap. “Wendell told you why you’re here of course.”

“Of course.” Virginia affirmed.

Fay cocked her head “I’m sorry about your mother. I know this is hardly the time but, trust that she is well.”

Virginia shifted uncomfortably in her chair. “Thank you.” her eyes looking anywhere but at the woman in front of her.

Fay nodded in understanding, calmly moving on to the business at hand.

“There is a place outside of yours or my world. This place is dangerous, and in it, there is a being who is more dangerous still. They are watching through the mirrors.” She began. “ They watch this kingdom and wait.”

“Who’s watching?” Virginia asked “And, actually, why are you telling me?”

Fay lifted her candle up, “Because you have ties to that world, You don’t know it yet, but you will become very aware of it in the future. You, Virginia Lewis, you are going to have to save the Nine Kingdoms once more.”

Virginia shook her head.

“I can’t!” Virginia protested “I have a life now- I have a son now!”

Fay’s demeanor changed, her eyelids drooped, and she nodded slowly “I know.” she said “It is your son who will call this being. Your son has his own journey in that world to make.”

“What are you talking about?” Virginia’s brows furrowed, her body language defensive.

“He will be lost, he will be angry, and the being will take advantage of this to get what they want. If you do not help him grow he will doom himself, and the Nine Kingdoms.” Fay spoke calmly, holding her candle steady.

“I am helping him!” Virginia scoffed “He’s my son, of course I am .”

Fay blinked and sighed “Virginia Lewis, I am telling you to be wary of any rash decisions. For there is a force with selfish intentions that will pray on any lapse of judgement- I understand your intentions but, to steal a phrase from your world:  the road to hell is paved with good intentions.”

Virginia sat quiet for a moment, the candle in her hand flickering wildly, as Fay’s light stood unnaturally still.

“When?” Virginia finally spoke up.

“That I cannot say.” Fay said regrettably “Just know that not everything is what it seems,” she lowered the candle from in front of her “And that even the mirrors have ears.” as she said this the candle went out with nary a ‘ foom’ and Virginia’s candle slowly dimmed.

Fay stood, the room nearly dark, save for the light creeping from the lanterns downstairs.

“You may go.” She said simply. “Tell his highness I say thank you for his time and consideration.”

Virginia nodded, set down the snuffed candle by her feet and quickly stood, and turned to descend the stairs, her pulse pounding in her ears, her cheeks red.

‘ I hate fortune tellers, I hate fortune tellers, I hate- ’ she chanted in her mind as she opened the cottage door.

“That was quick!” Tony called when Virginia stepped outside.

Wendell opened his mouth to speak “What did she-”

Virginia interrupted, walking passed him towards the carriage they rode up in. “I’ll tell you later.”

Wolf’s face was full of concern for his wife, he looked to Tony and Wendell and turned to follow her. “Virginia?” he called to her.

Tony and Wendell looked at each other. Wendell turned towards the cottage to see the mysterious soothsayer in the window, she met the King’s gaze and nodded before drawing the curtains once more.

Chapter Text

Hey Yall!! Sorry for the delay! I just transferred colleges and I'm just now getting settled- I've had most of this written a while ago but I wanted to finish this chapter ahh! Anyway anyway, Let's get into it!

Enjoy!

The dark gems in the comb faintly glittered in the threads of morning light that streamed in through the window. Wendell watched as they cast their shine against the wall. His guests were still asleep, it was early, so that wasn’t surprising. Wendell often woke up early enough to watch the sunrise stretch and spread its rosy fingers across the morning sky. Waking up early gave Wendell a quiet moment to himself, apart from his royal duties in the few hours before his kingdom stirred awake. This morning was no exception as Wendell stood looking out the window from his place in the mirror room.

Wendell looked down at the dull golden comb as it sat alone under a glass case.

He sighed.

One might wonder why he bothered to keep the thing- after all it was only a testament to his late stepmother’s cruelty. Why would he? And in this hall of her wretched mirrors no less- mirrors that served not only her, but the Evil Queen before her.
Well, you see, he was trying this new thing called forgiveness- a very good quality in a king, or so he’s heard. But as his eyes traced their way down from the gems set in its handle to the long, thin, poisonous teeth, he found that forgiveness was and still remained dreadfully hard.

‘“If it was easy everyone would do it”- isn’t that what Antony says?’ he thought to himself and cringed a bit.

‘Tony…’ he felt guilty even thinking his name while she was still on his mind. Tony rarely ever talked of their marriage before she left their world, and if he did, he was always dismissive. Wendell didn’t think it was any of his business what happened between them before their time in the nine kingdoms.

He wished he could forget what she looked like, but he knew he never could. Just like Virginia hadn’t forgotten her after all those years during her abandonment. Wendell would sometimes feel guilty about that too- all the years he knew that Virginia had missed out on.

Wendell was afraid that Christine would haunt them forever.

That’s why. Wendell would tell himself this every time the angry thoughts bubbled up to the forefront of his mind. That’s why he kept the stupid comb, for Virginia- the sister he’d wished he’d known. He supposed that if anything, he should thank Christine for that. Even in knowing this, he still felt a pang of something odd standing in this room that overlooked his grandmother’s garden. The two large apple trees towards the front stood on either side of the stone steps leading down onto the lawn, they were both decades older than him- they were a living memorial of the late Queen Snow White.

His grandmother had a knack for turning the pain of her past into a source of her future happiness, and she shared this with everyone who knew her. Once when Wendell had lost a toy boat he had made as a boy, his grandmother insisted that it was a chance to make an even better one. Were she a different woman, his grandmother might never have wanted to look at an orchard again, and no one could blame her, instead, her style was to take something bad and make it good again.

Wendell remembers asking her about those trees as a child.

“Grandmother?”

“Yes Wendell my dear?” Snow White sat under the shade of one of her trees.

“How come you keep these apple trees here? Mother told me about how the evil queen made you eat that bad apple- If I was you I’d hate apples!” his face screwed up

Snow White nodded “I see, you would, would you?”

Wendell nodded

“I suppose you’d be right to hate them.” she said “But I think it’s better to have them here.”

“Why?”

“Because I know they can’t hurt me anymore. I hate being afraid, and you see, I can’t be scared of things that make me happy.” She raised her hand to feel the bark. “These apples make me happy, and when I look at them, they remind me that I’m just as strong as the trees that grow them, because I can forgive.”

Wendell too, put a small hand to the trunk. “Forgive the apples?”

Snow White smiled “Yes.” She looked down at her grandson

“And it’s not just me- I want these apple trees to be a reminder from me to you sweet boy, that when you become king, even when the world seems against you, that you can be strong.” She looked down at her grandson “Because if you are kind, and patient, and forgiving- you will be a good king- and more importantly, a great man. Can you promise me you’ll be strong?”

“I will!”

“I will.” Wendell said aloud to himself now as he stood alone in this room, amongst the mirrors that nearly destroyed the nine kingdoms.

“Your Highness?” Wendell’s butler Roderick called from the doorway.

“Yes?” Wendell replied without turning to face him.

“Your morning tea is ready- will you be taking it here sir?”

Wendell, after a moment longer staring out the window, turned to look at his slight butler. His pale skin was a stark contrast to his dark, wet eyes, especially in this dim morning light, he looked like a ghost of a man.

“Actually Roderick, I’d like to take a walk in the garden this morning. Send the tea to my guests will you?”

Roderick curtly nodded . “Yes sir.”

“Oh, and Roderick!” Wendell called before he could get too far.

“Yes sir?”

“Have some tea yourself, it’s terribly early and you look absolutely awful .” Wendell chided teasingly.

Roderick nodded and left without another word. He was a quiet man, and often kept to himself when he could Wendell noted. He tried to crack his butler’s chilly outer layer, but still, after two years he couldn’t quite figure out what he was thinking. Sometimes Wendell missed having Tony as his “manservant”.

He snorted at the thought.

As he walked down the hall he greeted any servant who walked by with a polite nod. He’d figured he’d take a walk to give his guests more time to relax, after Virginia’s meeting with Morgan le Fay, the least he could do was give them some time alone.

After all…

They were supposed to save the nine kingdoms again.
It was a lot to ask of them.

Wendell thought about the fate that Morgan le Fay had laid upon his sister’s shoulders, like an old hefty shawl, heavily weighing her down, and her son- his nephew… Wendell knew he was a fool to believe that he could prevent a prophecy.

“You cannot stop fate your highness.” Morgan le Fay had once told him sternly, and he knew she was right.

He had gone to the soothsayer with only an inkling, a sinking feeling that something was going to happen. He was alone one night in the mirror room when he’d heard the beating of wings, which would not have been unusual on it’s own, had he called for the mirrors to show him something, however he had not called on the mirrors that night.

He turned to the windows beside him, expecting to find a bird of prey settling in the apple trees in the garden below, but was met with only the darkness of the night. The sounds came from behind him, and in the corner of his eye he saw something light fall to the floor. He turned and saw stark white feathers against the red and gold carpet. Something was watching him through the mirror.

In the garden, Wendell stopped walking.

The leaves on the trees around him rustled lazily in the crisp early morning breeze. Creating what should have been a comforting sound.

And yet.

A hard chill shot up Wendell’s spine, making him groan in surprise from the sudden sensation.

‘What in heaven’s name?-’ he turned to look around him, searching for something to explain this feeling creeping up the nape of his neck. He narrowed his eyes and scanned the manicured bushes and ivy. After a quiet moment he shook his head dismissively. Maybe he was being paranoid. He snorted, he was being paranoid.

‘Sometimes a chill is just a chill.’ he told himself.

He rested his hand against the bark of an apple tree beside him, he scrubbed his fingers over the rough wood. A green inchworm working its way through the grooves of the trunk caught his eye, he watched as it made its way upwards. Another worm soon joined, and another, Wendell brushed them off with a quick hand almost reflexively. He’d have to call the gardener to check up on these curious worms. As he thought this, yet another worm crawled its way upward, and he tracked it’s path, following the bumps and grooves up the tree, where even more worms crawled.

“Where the hell are they all coming from?” this time he said this aloud. Turning his attention upward still, he stopped cold.

There was a peach growing in his Grandmother’s tree.

Sarah jumped at the sound of a tiny voice.

“Saraaaah can you make me a waffle?” Forrest’s curly head peeked over the back of the sofa.

She set her laptop aside and exhaled “Sir Forrest you scared me, what are you doing up so early?” She’d gotten up a couple hours earlier, to finish off a project for work, and was now on her second cup of dark, dark coffee. It was the bitterness that kept her awake.

She got up and walked around the sofa and into the kitchen to make the boy some breakfast.

“Are my mom and dad coming back today?” He asked her, not answering her question, but she didn’t really expect an answer.

Sarah smiled as she dropped an Eggo in the toaster. “They sure are buddy!” she turned to face the boy “Are you excited?” he nodded, standing up on his knees in his chair. “I’m gonna show them my armor!” he announced happily.

“I’m sure they’ll love it!” Sarah agreed. During the week she’d been helping him make armor out of old cardboard boxes she’d shoved under her bed from her move into the apartment.

“Yeah! I showed my friend in the mirror and he said it looked like a real knight!”

Sarah paused.

“Your friend in the mirror?”

Forrest stood up all the way in his chair “Yeah!he said I can call him Bob cause his name is too hard to say- he’s got black hair and um these long fingernails like Ms. Gale!” he held out his hands like he was showing off his nails. “He lives in there like your friends! I asked him if he knew them and he doesn’t. I guess it’s ‘cause they live in different mirrors.” he shrugged.

“I see.” Sarah nodded. ‘Chill out Sarah, it’s totally normal for kids to have imaginary friends.’ “And where did your friend say he was from? Behind the mirror I mean.”

Forrest shrugged “He just told me that he lives in a castle.” he grinned “Hey! Like uncle prince!”

“Oh! A friend of pedigree!” Sarah reached for the waffles that popped out of the toaster and slapped them on a plate just as fast. “How exciting!” she exclaimed.

“Well I dunno about that- but he promised to show me some magic tricks!” he waved his hands wildly like he was trying to summon something. Sarah set down the plate of waffles in front of him.

“Careful with magic, Forrest. You may get everything you’ve ever wanted.” she warned, a serious tone rang clear in her voice, and for a moment Forrest was quiet.

“So?” he replied

“Trust me sir Forrest.”

“But Sarah-”

Sarah set down a bottle of syrup in front of him. “I’m serious.” she interrupted. “Now, say when.” She began to pour.

“That’s enough.” Wendell’s voice was thin, he thanked Roderick, and waved him away. He glanced down at his tea for a moment before looking up at the three others sitting around his desk.

“So, what does this mean?” Wolf spoke first, and Wendell took a sip, his hand shaking slightly as he held the cup to his lips. He swallowed.

“I wasn’t sure at first, but this confirms it, there’s someone or something that has infiltrated this Kingdom through the mirrors.” He turned his gaze to Virginia “I-I didn’t think this would happen with you both here, If i’d have known-”

“Wendell, breathe. This isn’t your fault.” Virginia reached her hand to place over his and gave it a quick, comforting squeeze.

“We, we should break them right? I knew those damn things would be trouble sooner or later!” Tony started, raking his hands over his head.

“Dad how will we get home?” Virginia asked, her voice a little louder now “What about Forrest?”

“Antony, you know I can’t do that, the magic in these mirrors are too chaotic, too old, I don’t know what would happen!”

“Years and years of bad luck, that’s what- remember when you broke that first mirror Tony, you wanna break your back again?” Wolf snapped.

Tony raised his hands in defeat “Look I don’t know the protocol for this stuff I’m just trying to figure out what we should do!”

“For the moment, we will try to be quiet about this, we must first explore the possibility that this was not an accident.” Wendell suggested, a dangerous implication on his tongue.

There was a beat of silence between the four.

“You think this was an inside job?”
“Why? Who would do that?”
“What?”

The three across the desk were nearly talking over each other in hushed tones .

Wendell brought the cup to his lips as he sorted out his words.

“Do you think it was one of the servants?” Tony asked
Wendell set the cup down on the delicate saucer in front of him.

“I don’t know.”

Wolf leaned over the desk “Is someone doing this to threaten you?”

“I don’t know.”

Virginia placed a hand on Wolf’s shoulder “What do you think they’re trying to do?”

“I don’t know.”

Tony slumped in his chair “Wendell-”

“I had a feeling about someone watching the goings on here through the mirror and I was right. And right now I have a feeling that someone in this Kingdom...in this castle is helping this unknown intruder.” Wendell sighed “I know this isn’t a very Kingly way of going about this, suspecting my own people, but stranger things have happened.”

He leaned back in his own chair, the tall back resting his head.

“At the moment I’ll have to close off the mirror room. To anyone until further notice. Virginia, Wolf, You are leaving tonight, and you will not return here until that notice.”

“What- no, you said you needed us!” Wolf objected.

“Wendell are you sure?” Virginia asked, her voice almost pleading.

“I do need you- both of you. But at the moment I have a rat loose in the castle, and It’s rather embarrassing allowing company over while I’ve pests.” the venom in his tone was palpable. “I’d like to investigate this matter and leave you, and Forrest out of it.”

Wolf opened his mouth to speak “Wendell, we-”

“Understood.” Virginia interrupted him. Wolf turned to look at her, she quickly met his eye with an expression that meant they would talk later.

Tony’s eyes flit over towards the door at the sound of footsteps, soon followed by a rapping on the wood.
“Your highness? An ambassador from the 7th kingdom is here.” Roderick’s muffled voice came from the other side.

“Yes, Thank you Roderick, be out in a moment.” Wendell called out, standing up behind his desk.

“Well then,” He turned back to his guests with a quick sigh “Shall we get going?”

Chapter Text

“I need to speak to the King- please I need an audience with King Wendell.” She pleaded urgently. 

The guard stood firm before her “Sorry,” he said “but if you want to speak with his highness you have to go through the proper channels-”

“This is urgent! I don’t have time to go through an advisor or send a blinking letter!” Her voice rose, trying to convey the importance of her presence through her tenor.

A lanky man with dark hair and darker eyes came up behind the guard, he was dressed impeccably, the royal seal of the House of White emblazoned on his lapel. He moved so smoothly and so quietly he almost appeared to be a specter. 

“What’s all the fuss going on here?” he asked in a low, hushed tone.  

The guard jumped and turned towards the man “Christ! Roderick you can’t just sneak up on a man like that!” he sighed “This goblin says they want an audience with his highness-”

“Unannounced?” the man- Roderick- interrupted with an upturned brow. 

“Ah, yeah,” The guard trailed off a bit, shaking his head “But I told em they’d have to go through the proper channels.” 

Nin pushed forward “I’m a troll!” she huffed “And I told him that this is much too urgent! You must have some station- I see that seal on your jacket, please I need to speak to the King, this is a matter of grave importance!” 

Roderick looked Nin up and down, sizing her up. 

“I am his highness’ personal butler, any message you give to me will be given to him,” he said. 

Nin shook her head “That’s not good enough! I was sent here by Clayface the goblin- his majesty’s advisor should know of him! Please, this could determine the fate of the kingdoms!” Roderick’s eyes hardened, but whatever the man had felt in that moment passed as quickly as it came. He reached a hand into his jacket. 

“That is serious indeed,” he said, his tone betraying no emotion. 

She locked eyes with Roderick and Nin’s knees buckled, her vision went blurry, she blinked. Her face went hot and her muscles went slack. 

What is happening to me? 

A heavy thud banged around in her head

The next thing she knew she was waking up on the hard wooden bench of a dim holding cell. 

How long had she been out? Nin looked around the cell, looking for a window to the outside. It was evening now… when had she left? 

There were shuffling footsteps from the stairs across the way. 

Nin sat up quickly. The world spun around her. She groaned 

“Much too quickly” she muttered, slumping back against the wall.  

“Ah, you’re awake. Good, I was worried you were going to sleep the day away.” She heard that butler’s voice again. 

“What am I doing in a cell?” Nin called out to him as Roderick stepped towards the bars. 

“You’ve been brought down here for questioning. Do you realize you could have been arrested on sight? Citizens don’t often just walk up to the front doors of the royal summer palace unless they have some business being here.” His tone was calm, cool- professional. Nin figured it was to be expected of a royal butler. 

“And I told you that I do have business here. I have to speak to the ki-”

“Then I’m sorry you came all this way for nothing.” Roderick interrupted, “But like the guards at the gate told you, you really must go through the proper channels.” Again, his voice betrayed no emotion. He blinked, his eyes wet and dark. “Now,” he paused, “you told me that Clayface the goblin was the one who sent you? Why didn’t he come to meet with the king?” he crossed his arms behind his back, “You said the king’s advisor knows of him did you not?” 

“That’s right,” Nin answered 

“Then again I ask, why you?” 

Nin’s eyes broke away from his gaze and landed on the floor. “He’s...busy,” she muttered. 

Roderick laughed through his nose - or Nin thought it was a laugh. 

“Then it must not have been that important.” he said, and Nin met his eyes again “I’m afraid your friend might have sent you on a fool’s errand.” 

Nin got to her feet “Clayface would not send me here for nothing!” 

“I’m sorry I didn’t mean to strike a nerve.” Roderick apologized “I think I might have been too blunt with my words. But if you tell me why you’re here, then I’ll be in a position to let you go.” 

“I cannot tell anyone but his highness!”  Nin said again, more exhausted. 

Roderick’s arms swung back down to his sides. “Then tell me how you got past the guards at the gate.” 

Oh. That. 

Nin scratched the back of her neck, sheepishly looking away. 

“Troll dust. I had a bit of troll dust.” she said “I didn’t want to hurt them so I put them to sleep for a while.” 

“Of course, a troll would have troll dust,”  Roderick said with a sigh

“Now hang on.” 

He started to walk away “I’m afraid that if you don’t have anything else to say I’ll have to be going. I’m a very busy man. Being the head butler of the king’s estate is very demanding.”

Nin gripped the bars of the cell “Please, you’re making a mistake!” she called out to him 

“I think the one making a mistake here is you,” Roderick replied without looking back at her. He walked up the stairs “Do make yourself comfortable.” he said before Nin heard a heavy door close behind him. 

“Knock, Knock” 

Virginia looked up from her work in the back office of the restaurant to see her husband with a cup of hot tea, a smile stretching his face. 

“You look like you could use a break,” Wolf said, softly setting the warm mug on the desk and kissing the top of his wife’s head. 

“Thank you.” Virginia reached for the mug of tea and gingerly took a sip. “Oh- that’s lovely, what is this- oolong?” 

“Thought you’d like that.” Wolf sat on the edge of the desk, looking over at what his wife was working on. “How’s inventory?” 

Virginia took another sip “Oh you know you’ve got some things you don’t got some things- I’ve got to order more to-go boxes tomorrow.” 

Wolf nodded 

“So, Forrest was asking about Tony and Wendell today.” He looked up to meet Virginia’s eyes fleetingly. 

“Oh” Virginia set down her mug. 

“He was asking if they were going to be coming to his birthday party.” Wolf continued, this time looking up to meet his wife’s gaze. 

“And what did you say?” 

“You know they love you very much Forrest, I’m sure they would love to come.” 

Virginia sighed. “Wolf!” 

Wolf stood up, scratching his head, flustered “What was I supposed to say? No?” 

Virginia threw up her hands “Yes Wolf! Now I have to be the one to go tell him no! I have to be the bad guy!” 

Wolf continued scratching his head “Virginia I’m sorry, he’s such a sensitive little pup! His eyes get me every time!” he sighs “I just didn’t want to disappoint the little chap.” 

Virginia furrowed her brows and reached for Wolf’s hand, rubbing her thumb over his knuckles in a small, comforting gesture. 

“I know Wolf, I know you want to make him happy but we have to be honest with him.” 

Wolf sits back down on the edge of the desk. 

“You’re not the bad guy Virginia- if anything I'm the bad guy here. Virginia, I’m sorry, I just wish there was something I could do.” 

Virginia nods but says nothing

“It’s almost been a year, no word from Tony or Wendell.” Wolf says after a beat “How are you feeling?” 

“I’m fine, I mean you know Dad he means well but he’s also kind of an idiot, so I’m sure Wendell has his hands full right now.” Virginia snorts out a laugh 

Wolf gives her a look and crosses his arms

“I’m fine Wolf- really.” Virginia insists  “Right now I’m more worried about sending out all the invitations to Forrest’s classmates so I can get a headcount for the movies. 

“Well, you’re in luck because I gave them out this morning!” Wolf smiles, and the probing look wiped off his face, but his eyes were still leveling her gaze. “I was so excited! Wolfies love planning parties! I think after the movies we could take the little pups to the park!” Wolf becomes a bit more animated now. 

“We could bring the cake and the pinata, and they could all run around out in the wild!” 

Virginia smiles at his excitement 

“Wolf?” 

“Yes, my love?” 

“Thank you for asking. I guess I’ve just been trying not to think about it, you know?”

Wolf reaches for her hands and runs his thumb over her knuckles. 

“I know…I’m sure we’ll hear from them soon.” 

“I know, I know they said they would call me back-”

Sarah paces back and forth in her apartment, phone pressed to her ear. She had decided to try publishing her manuscript as a novel- she figured that the translation from page to page should be relatively smoother and less painful than page to stage. 

 “-But I haven’t heard from them in two weeks and this was the number they said they would be calling me from so I figured I would reach out myself, show some initiative? Show them I’m passionate?” Sarah shrugs as if the person on the other end could see. 

“Ma’am, like I told you, I can only tell you what I know, and what I know is that your work is being passed along to an editor and they will be calling you back after they’ve read your manuscript,” the voice says again, this time a bit more exhausted. 

“I know but, I was wondering if you could at least tell them I called?” Sarah suggests

“I can make a note that you called, yes.” 

Sarah sighs “Thank you.” 

“Have a nice day ma’am.” The person on the other end clicks to end the call. 

Sarah places the phone back on the cradle and plops down on the couch. She moves her hand to flip through the pile of mail on the coffee table. 

“Great- way to not come off desperate back there Williams,”  she mutters to herself. 

The phone begins to ring again, Sarah throws her head back and groans

“Hello?” 

Silence 

“Hellooo?” 

Again, all she got in response was the crackle of the phone. 

“Okay haha, very funny.” She pulls the phone away, but not before she hears his voice

“You didn’t miss me at all did you?” 

A freezing cold blossomed in her chest, her heart plummeted. 

“Who is this?” she asks, already knowing the answer. Her hand starts shaking.

“You always know just how to hurt me Sarah.” the voice says, the sly smile audible over the phone

“I don’t know what you want but don’t call back here again!” Sarah raises her voice and slams the phone back onto the receiver, pulling her hand back like it was on fire. 

Sarah tries to get her breathing back to normal. She covers her eyes with her hands and takes a deep breath. 

The phone rings again 

Sarah picks it up and nearly yells into the phone “I said don’t call me back!” 

“Sarah? It’s Eddie-” 

Sarah suddenly feels white-hot embarrassment flare-up in her cheeks. 

“O-oh, Eddie, I’m so sorry I thought you were- never mind.” She shakes her head. “To what do I owe the pleasure on this Friday evening?” 

“Is everything okay Williams? Did I interrupt something?” Eddie asks 

“Oh no, sorry- telemarketers.” Sarah chuckled awkwardly. 

“Well, I was calling to ask if you had finished that project I gave you this afternoon? I have a meeting with some big wigs scheduled on Monday morning and I want to be prepared.” 

Sarah shook her head “No I… I didn’t” 

“Well Lucky you have your company-issued laptop with you. Sarah, please make sure you have that on my desk early Monday morning” 

“But-” Sarah objects 

Before she could get a word in, Eddie continues “I need to know that you’re a team player Sarah- are you a team player?” 

Sarah pauses “Yes, of course, I’ll have that done and on your desk first thing Monday morning.” 

“Great to hear teammate! Oh and Sarah? Maybe you should consider caller ID.”  Eddie’s line clicks. 

For a moment, Sarah just sits in the silence of her apartment. Her head was so full of different thoughts that she couldn’t even keep her mind focused on anything at all. Her eyes go back to the pile of mail on the coffee table and she sees a green envelope with childish scrawling on the front. 

To: Sarah 

From: Sir Forrest

Sarah opens the envelope and a castle-shaped card with more legible handwriting reads: 

“You are cordially invited to Sir Forrest’s 8th birthday party movie gala next weekend. 

We will be meeting at the movies and then cake and ice cream will be served in the park. We do so hope you can attend!” 

Sarah snorts and checks the box to attend. She glances at the lightsaber toy in the open hallway closet, reminding herself to wrap it later. She sighs and leans back against the couch cushions. She didn’t think that a second grader’s birthday party would be the highlight of her week, but here she was staring down an already disappointing weekend. She decides that at least if she’s going to pull through with this work project this weekend she should have some food. Maybe some takeout from the Thai place with the cute delivery guy would be just the thing to raise her spirits and motivate her. 

“Nothing like some grub and a full weekend of work ahead of me to get my mind off of…” She trails off, not allowing herself to say the name out loud. 

She had not so much as even heard a whisper of that voice or a glimpse of those eyes in over a decade, and then suddenly, slowly it was like a ghost was creeping its way back into her life. She sometimes couldn’t even be sure if it was just her own paranoia or if her thoughts were slowly becoming tangible. 

“You have no power over me…”

Was that even true anymore? 

She squeezed her eyes shut, shaking her head, like she could shake out all the memories like saltwater from her hair, rinsing them down the drain. 

“You need help.” 

Wendell barely even looks up as Tony closes the door to his study behind him.

“Have a seat, make yourself comfortable,” Wendell says to his friend as he continues to pour over letters sent to him by different members of the aristocracy, letters about land disputes and taxes- all part of his very exciting and lavish kingly duties. 

“Look at that, Count Varnhagen requests the land of his widowed sister is bequeathed to him. What a shock, a land-grabbing man like Varnhagen? Surely this is simply a humanitarian plea to make the grieving process easier.” Wendell scoffs and tosses the letter aside. 

“Wendell, could you listen to me for a minute?” Tony plops down in the chair across the desk from him. 

“I am listening.” 

“Well, could you look at me while you’re listening?” Tony asks, his tone a bit irritated

Wendell looks up. “You think I need help with this investigation?” he asks 

Tony runs a hand over his head “Uh- yeah.” he says sarcastically. “Look Wendell you know I love being a team you and I, but I think I might be in over my head.” he leans forward with his hands in his lap. “It's been months since we’ve seen that fortune teller and we’re at a dead end. I appreciate your trust in me but I’m at a loss.” 

“I agree” 

Tony is taken aback “Okay well, don’t protest too much Prince.” he scrunches his nose in annoyance

“Tony,” Wendell fixes the letters on his desk in a neat pile, something to do with his hands. 

“Don’t you think I’m just as frustrated with the lack of progress we’ve made?” he asks, and Tony can see the exhaustion in his eyes. 

“I wanted to get this situation under control as soon as possible but now I see that now I am also in over my head.” His hand raises to cradle his chin

“I did not want to have to ask for help from the other kingdoms.” he says quietly, almost to himself “How will it look that again I’ve put my kingdom and possibly all of the 9 kingdoms in danger?” 

Tony leans back in his chair again. “Prince-” 

“Tony, who do you trust in this castle unequivocally?” 

Tony pauses “Don’t you trust your butler?” 

Wendell says nothing for a moment “Do you?” he asks 

“I guess so, I mean he’s never steered you wrong before. He’s… kind of y'know, creepy skulking around but I think he might be helpful since he is your head butler- I’m sure he hears his share of gossip.” 

Again, Wendell pauses, his eyes searching Tony’s

“Then I suppose we should employ him in our investigation. Perhaps you’re right, he is the head of palace staff, after all, so he should know of any suspicious goings-on.”  He reaches for a cup of coffee on his desk, “I trust you Tony.” he says, swirling the coffee around before bringing it to his lips.  

A knock came on the door then. 

“Enter,” Wendell called, and Roderick opens the door. 

“Impeccable timing Roderick.” the king smiles over his coffee 

“Your highness I came by to give you the menu for tonight’s dinner to approve,” Roderick says plainly, paper in hand. 

“Thank you Roderick but I would like to have a word with you. As my personal here is something I would like to entrust you with.” 

There was a quick flash of something behind the man’s eyes. Tony noticed the quick change and his eyebrows furrowed but it went away as soon as it had come over Roderick’s features. He says nothing. 

“I have a task for you more specifically. Going forward, every day I would like you to report any suspicious activity or goings-on by staff or otherwise, This is not only a matter of my security but that of the whole kingdom.” 

Roderick squared his shoulders “Of course, your highness, it is my duty.”  

“There is a potential threat to the kingdom, and perhaps all of the nine kingdoms lurking somewhere on the grounds of this palace, and I would like to root it out before it weeds the whole of the fourth kingdom.” Wendell continues 

As he says this, Tony can see Roderick’s eyebrows pull together and a frown pulls at his mouth 

“A threat to the kingdom?” He asks “I beg your pardon, your highness but would it not be better to employ the head of the military- or the palace guards?” 

“That a no?” Tony turns in his chair to face Roderick 

Roderick’s eyes slide over to Tony “Of course not.” he clears his throat “I would never refuse an order from his highness.” 

“Understand that I want to deal with this discreetly. I want to put this person or persons away before they can sow chaos.” Wendell sets his cup of coffee down softly, clasping his hands under his chin “I trust that you are able to ensure discretion in this matter.” he says, meeting Roderick’s gaze. 

Roderick betrays no emotion, and after a beat, he nods. 

“Of course your highness. You have my word.” 

Wendell looks over to Tony and quirks an eyebrow

“Then I suppose I should approve these dinner plans.” Wendell holds a hand out for the paper Roderick is holding against his chest.

“You may go, Roderick, that is all.” He says, looking down at the menu. 

And with that, the butler quietly takes his leave. 

“Well, now that’s that isn’t it?” Wendell looks up at Tony 

Tony looks from the door to his friend “Right…” he trails off  “Do you think this will help?” he asks Wendell

“You know Forrest is about to turn 8.” 

Wendell looks up at Tony and after a moment says “I know.” he takes a breath “I miss them too. You won’t miss another birthday Antony. I promise.” and he means that.  

Wendell hated keeping Tony from his grandson, but he knew he would hate himself even more if anything were to happen to him or his family. He knows there are sacrifices to be made as a leader, and if Morgana Le Fey’s prophecy rings true, he must do everything in his power to ensure that the nine kingdoms do not fall into harm's way- even if that means keeping his family away. 

Tony gets up to leave, presumably to retire to his apartments while Wendell spends the rest of the afternoon holed away in his study. 

Tick 

Tick 

Tick 

The room settles into its usual quiet stuffiness. Only the sound of the clock on his desk and the rustling of paper filled the silence, the golden afternoon sun pouring in through the window behind him. 

Tick 

Tick 

Tick 

At once he hears the sound of yelling outside, making him jump from the suddenness of the commotion. He nearly knocks his cup of coffee onto the floor. The king stands up from his chair and moves to the window in a smooth motion to find the source of the racket. In the courtyard he sees a young troll arguing with the guards below. The troll gestures wildly while the guards attempt to restrain her and walk her to the gate. He watches as his butler quickly takes long strides to meet them. 

Wendell frowns and moves away from the window. He steps out of his study and quickly makes his way down and out to the courtyard below before the guards can take her away. He speeds past other servants and visiting nobility through the halls, not stopping to greet any one of them. 

Wendell steps out into the courtyard where he sees Roderick talking with the guards as they hold the troll woman securely. 

“What is the meaning of this?” he asks, his voice loud against the noise of the excitement. 

All eyes turn to him. 

“Your highness!” the guards exclaim over each other. For a moment they all fall quiet. 

Roderick looks from the guards to Wendell and speaks first “Your highness, this troll was found trespassing yesterday, rather violently one might add.” He turns his eyes to the troll 

“We held her for questioning but she refuses to state her business on palace grounds without permission or invitation, so we are removing her at once- I thought that you needn’t worry yourself with such inconsequential matters.” 

Wendell too looks to the troll woman, then back to Roderick 

“I am the king and head of this estate- I should always know of such matters,” he says, his voice ringing with annoyance and disbelief. 

“You.” Wendell again directs his gaze to the troll “What is your name?” 

She shoots a glare to Roderick before looking to the king 

“My name is Nin. I’m a messenger sent by Clayface the goblin,” she says

Wendell steps forward “Why is Clayface the goblin not bringing this message to me himself?” he asks. Nin looks to the ground for a moment and says nothing for a beat. She looks back up at Wendell

“He’s missing.” She says “When I last met with him he told me to bring a message to the king and his friend Tony Lewis. Since then my village has not heard or seen from him.” She looks over to Roderick. 

“He was adamant that I give this message to you and Tony Lewis- no one else, he said it was a matter of grave importance not only for all of us in the fourth kingdom but for all of the nine kingdoms” she insists 

Wendell tenses up and his eyes shoot to the guards holding Nin, gesturing for them to let her go. The two men released their hold on her and she nearly stumbled forward. 

“We shall meet in my study.” Wendell turns to Roderick “Go fetch Antony and tell him to meet us there.” 

“At once your highness,” Roderick nods 

He turns to walk back to the palace and he can hear the sound of her footsteps trying to keep up behind him. 

Clayface the goblin...

That was a name he hadn’t heard in years, but he remembers the way Tony spoke about his time with the goblin in Snow White Memorial prison. He was an interesting character, a bit enigmatic from what he remembers. While he didn’t remember much of the goblin, he wonders a bit excitedly if this was just the break he was looking for. Perhaps it was Clayface and not Morgana that will end his sleepless nights desperately searching for an answer. 

Perhaps he could finally stop avoiding the mirror room with its sound of beating wings and the smell of old stone and mold.

Tony met him in the hallway and joined his pace 

“Wendell, what the hell’s going on? Can you slow down- where’s the fire?”

“Tony- you remember Clayface the goblin?” He asks, already knowing the answer

“Uh- yeah?”

Wendell smiles, “I have a message from your old prison friend.” 

Chapter Text

“You seem tired.” 

Sarah only looked at Aneesa for a moment across the walkway in her cubicle before looking back to her work. 

“That’s not a very nice thing to say- I’ll have you know I can take you to HR,” Sarah mutters, a faint smile pulling at her mouth. 

Aneesa pushed back from her desk, her arms crossed. “I’d like to see you try. Anyway, I didn’t get any coffee this morning because someone was late, so I’m ready for a fight. ” 

“I told you last week I had an appointment! At least I came in today, madam chaperone!” Sarah jokingly tutted her friend. 

Aneesa groaned “Don’t remind me, I am so not looking forward to sitting on a bus with teens for hours.” she leaned back in her chair “I love that Jin gets to see colonial Boston or whatever but the thought of me having to go makes me wish that Britain won the revolution- and you know how much I hate the British.” 

Sarah laughed “Watching men in tights throw barrels into the harbor is not all it’s cracked up to be but hey I’m sending you love from good old corporate USA” 

“Thanks.” Aneesa rolled her eyes “You never told me what that appointment was for anyway.” 

Sarah gasped and pretended to clutch her pearls “You’re really trying to have a meeting with HR aren’t you?” 

“Look I don’t wanna pry but I am worried about you y'know.” Aneesa looks Sarah in the eye “If there’s anything I can do to help-”

“I’m fine Aneesa, seriously.” Sarah’s playful demeanor falls away for a moment. 

Aneesa still meets her gaze but says nothing for a moment 

“I hope you talk to Virginia.” She says earnestly, “You can get so quiet sometimes.” Aneesa turns back to her desk. 

Virginia’s eyebrows scrunch together and she too slowly turns back to her desk. 

The fact was Sarah had been to a therapist. She didn’t know why she didn’t want to tell Aneesa about it…it’s not like she thought Aneesa would think less of her but…

Things were getting really weird lately- weird in a “ the call is coming from inside the house ” sort of way, and she thought seeing a therapist could help her make sense of things. Especially since Wolf was so adamant about his own mental health. But with that being said…It was certainly a new thing for Sarah. She thought that by writing about her teenagehood she could stop it from consuming her. She thought that if she took her story and turned it into art she could see things clearly as an adult. But now…she wasn’t so sure that was the case anymore. 

Things were a bit more complicated now than when she first moved to New York. Being friends with Wolf and Virginia made things more fun of course, but it didn’t help with the moving onto reality journey she thought she would be making. However, It had been almost a year since Virginia’s Father and stepbrother the King came from a mysterious other magical realm- the fourth kingdom, and since then Virginia did not feel particularly up to talking about fantastical adventures. 

 Sarah respected her friend’s wishes, however, it worried her- after all, she knew better than anyone that pretending these things didn’t exist and stamping down any trace of them only forced them to come out in other more inconvenient aspects of your life. But of course, how could she say that when it was Forrest’s fate on the line? 

Sarah ever so often wondered if she should have told them about the Labyrinth. King Wendell seemed so desperate for some sort of thread to connect to…perhaps she could try…

She shook her head. 

It wasn’t fair to Virginia for Sarah to try and get involved in this situation she knew nothing about- especially seeing the strain it put on her friend. She had to leave it alone. 

“I said leave it alone!” 

Virginia snapped at her son in a whispered yell. 

Forrest reluctantly put down the paperweight on his teacher’s desk with an annoyed whine. The room fell silent again while the two waited for the boy’s teacher to come in for their conference. Virginia sighed and looked over at her son who crossed his arms over his chest tightly, eyes cast down to the carpet. That was probably not the gentle parenting move Wolf would have read about in those parenting books. 

“Honey you can’t play with things that aren’t yours- not without permission.” She hated lecturing her son because he was really a good kid. She could almost laugh at the circumstances though if the room wasn’t so damn quiet. 

The door finally opened and his mousy teacher Ms. Blonsky stepped inside. 

“I’m so sorry about the wait- bus duty doesn’t wait for anyone!” she smiled, exasperated “Thank you for being here Mrs. Lewis,” she says. 

“Of course.” Virginia smiles politely back. 

“Now I just wanted to say first and foremost that for the majority of my time with your son, he’s been nothing but delightful” She sits down and looks between Virginia and her son

“It’s just that the incident at recess today is very worrisome. I’ve never known Forrest to be so aggressive!” She still sounds as shocked as Virginia feels 

“From what I understand there were some boys picking on my son?” Virginia asks, keeping her tone in check. 

Ms. Blonsky looks like a deer in headlights for a moment 

“I did hear that there was some teasing beforehand.” She says “However, our school has a no-tolerance policy for fighting-” 

“My son was standing up for himself right?” Virginia’s eyebrows furrow and she cocks her head “So he’s in trouble for standing up for himself?” 

“Now, Mrs. Lewis I understand how this can be upsetting- I just wanted to have this meeting because I’m afraid that this incident could lead to more aggressive behavior later on. I wanted to let you know that we do offer to counsel students who act out to help them work through their feelings with words.” 

Virginia sighs “My son is not aggressive Ms. Blonsky. His birthday is this weekend and he’s upset because my Father and my brother can’t come to his party. We’ve had this talk at home” she saw Forrest squirm in his seat out of the corner of her eye, still she continues, “I understand your policy but please understand that my son is just sensitive- things like- I don’t know, bullying tends to make someone ‘act out” 

“Even so Mrs. Lewis, your son will have to be suspended for a couple of days.” 

“So that’s how you punish kids? You take them away from their education?” Virginia demands, she couldn’t believe what she was hearing. 

“Mrs. Lewis, this is the district’s policy, not mine.” Ms. Blonsky says, trying to diffuse the situation. 

Virginia looks at her son, and back at his teacher

“Thank you for meeting with us today Ms. Blonsky, but we have to go now.” Virginia stands up and holds her hand out for Forrest to take. 

Forrest stands up, and for a moment he doesn’t reach for his mother’s hand. Virginia looks down at him. 

“Forrest? Let’s go, honey,” she says as gently as she can at this moment

Forrest reaches up and grabs her hand loosely, still looking at the floor. 

She was about to put the car in reverse when she looked up and saw Forrest in the rearview mirror. The car is unbearably quiet, on any other day, and in any other situation, she would be begging for this silence. Virginia sighs. 

“Forrest…” She starts, and Forrest does not meet her eyes “Can you look at me please?” and she sees her son cross his arms tightly. 

“What happened today?” She asks “What did those boys say to you?”

Another pause 

“Forrest.” 

“They said I was lying!” her son finally snaps “They said I was lying about grandpa and uncle Prince, and everything! They said I was stupid! No one in my class ever believes me!” 

Virginia turns around to look at Forrest and she can see tears forming in his eyes, threatening to spill over. 

“Honey…” Virginia reaches out to hold his hand, but he doesn’t move. “Honey, I know you miss grandpa and uncle Prince, I know it hurts that they haven’t come to see you, but you can’t fight other kids.” Virginia sighs, knowing how this must sound to her son. 

“They don't want to come see me,” Forrest mutters, his tears flowing 

Virginia grabs Forrest’s arm “Don’t say that! Honey- Grandpa and Wendell love you so much, and I know it’s confusing but that’s why they can’t come visit us.” 

“Why??” Forrest cries 

“Honey we’ve talked about it-” 

“You won’t let them come to my party! They didn’t come last time and you won’t let them come this time! Now no one in my class believes me about uncle Wendell being a King and they don’t believe me about magic- they all call me stupid!” Forrest yells, his face red and wet with tears. 

Virginia turns around in the driver's seat “We’ll talk about this more later.” She starts to drive home. 

“What does that even mean?” 

Tony looks between Nin the troll and Wendell

Nin shakes her head “I don’t know” she says, leaning back in her chair “ A couple of weeks ago Clayface told me that he had a premonition. He usually had inclinations to changes in the weather and how the harvest would yield each year, so I really thought nothing of it.” Nin looked full of regret as she continued. 

“But he told me that there was something coming. He said to take this message to the King and Tony Lewis, that the fate of the 9 kingdoms depended on it. I went home to gather my family and let them know I’d be leaving- believing that Clayface would come with me- and when I went to fetch him, he was gone…” She paused “His home looked completely untouched like he just dropped everything and disappeared. I searched for him for hours before I decided I should make my journey alone.” Nin looked to Wendell, her eyes pleading. 

“Your Highness, I'm afraid something’s happened to him! He was my friend and it was his wish for you to hear his words and save us- so please believe me I am telling the truth!” she reached out to lay her hand on his desk.

Wendell had remained silent the entire time Nin spoke. His pensive look did not falter once. 

“Wendell.” Tony spoke up “I believe in Clayface- he was pretty intimidating…and scary…and maybe carved someone up which landed him in prison- whatever, besides the point- he did make that strangely prophetic soap carving of us saving the 9 kingdoms.” 

Wendell stands up from behind his desk and moves to the window, looking down into the courtyard where two great apple trees stand above the front gate. 

“A Labyrinth…beyond our kingdoms…” Wendell mutters, almost to himself. He turns back to the other two. “If you’re sure of this, and Tony believes in Clayface, then so do I. If Clayface’s words ring true, then that means there is someone in this castle who knows this and would want to be rid of the only person who could possibly be a contact to him.” Wendell points his gaze at Nin.

“You shall be employed by the White estate as of today.” 

Nin looks taken aback “But I just told you I don’t know where Clayface is!” she says, frustrated that the King obviously wasn’t listening. 

Wendell sighs “I know that. But do you think that the person or persons responsible for scheming against me and the other 9 kingdoms would? For all they know you could be lying about knowing the whereabouts of Clayface.” 

“And what if they were responsible for his disappearance??” Nin stands now. 

“Nevertheless, having you, the last known person in contact with Clayface, the goblin with information about this Labyrinth, here in the castle may make them worry about what else you may know.” 

A knock on the door and Roderick opens it and apologizes

“I’m sorry your highness but dinner is nearly ready.” 

“Quite alright Roderick, I was just about to send Ms. Nin to you.” 

Roderick holds a hand behind his back and moves to usher out the troll. “Shall I escort her to the door?” 

“Actually, see to it that she is given a uniform and a place to sleep, she is now under my employ as of today.” 

Roderick pauses, looking at Nin and then at Wendell

“Your highness-?” 

“That’s all, We shall make it to the dining hall shortly.” 

Without another word, Roderick closes the door behind him and Nin.

“Wendell- what exactly is your plan here?” Tony asks

Wendell sits behind his desk “You wanted to see Forrest and Virginia?” he asks 

Tony nods 

“Well, I think this is the perfect catalyst to set our plan on the fast path.” 

“You’re gonna use her as bait?” 

Wendell looks to Tony 

“What if you’re right and there is a spy in the castle? What if they kill her?” Tony asks 

A strain came over Wendell’s face, and he looked older than Tony had ever seen him look before. 

“Hard decisions have to be made when you’re the king.” He said 

“Wendell-”

“I promised that you would see them again Tony.”

Tony stood up and started for the door “We should probably get ready for dinner..I’m starving.” 

“I’ll be down soon.”

Tony turns and looks at Wendell one more time before closing the door behind him. 

Wendell knew what he had to do when he heard Clayface’s prophetic message. It confirmed what he dreaded might have been necessary since the night they went to Morgana Le Fey.

“The king in the labyrinth beyond the nine kingdoms is hungry. Until he can take what’s his, he wants what he cannot have. Green eyes make him envious and cruel, feared and beloved he will make quick work here. The barn owl beats his wings for the last time and he brings more than peaches.”

He was going to see them. He was going to see Forrest on his birthday and enjoy his time in New York seeing his family, and then he was going to return to the fourth kingdom and shut the mirror off one last time, Tony and the Lewis’ would live out the rest of their lives without him. He would go back to being the lonely last living descendent of the house of White, and try to stave off this impending threat as best he can, without mixing Tony and Virginia into his troubles. 

Wendell ran his hands through his hair and glanced one more time out the window to the apple trees. 

What kind of place is this Labyrinth beyond the Nine Kingdoms? 

Chapter Text

“King Wendell, I’m surprised you’ve called me here.” Morgana Le Fey stood, poised and elegant as always. 

“What a strange thing for an oracle to say,” Wendell says, his tone sarcastic and his posture regal. 

“I prefer to be called a soothsayer, but oracle works just as well I suppose” Morgana sighs

“Do you know why you’re here then?” 

“Haven’t the foggiest.” Morgana smiles 

“I wanted to ask you what you know of the kingdom enshrouded by a labyrinth outside of the nine kingdoms?” Wendell searched her eyes for any spark of recognition

Morgana sits in silence for a moment,

“A labyrinth… Beyond the nine kingdoms?” She mutters "Is this about my premonition?"

Wendell sits up straighter

“Yes, what can you tell me about this place?” 

Morgana looks him in the eyes, they pierce into him boldly

“Nothing.” she says “I can tell you nothing more about that place, or the man who rules it.”

“But, it does actually exist?” Wendell presses "It's not just a metaphor or some flowery fortune teller language?"  

“Wendell, I do not mean any disrespect to you but I truly cannot say anything further.” Morgana turns to leave and pauses “The only thing I can offer you is a warning- do not do anything in haste, remember who you love and cherish them, even when it is hard, and know that when I've said my piece I have said everything that can be said.” 

“Morgana-” Wendell called out for her, but she did not stop, she left, without another word. 

Now he sits, his head buzzing with questions about the labyrinth, where is it? What kind of man is the ruler of this labyrinth and what does he want?

Sarah sits across from him, studying his face while he talks, trying to pay attention but failing. 

She hated blind dates. 

The guy sitting across from her- Thomas- wasn’t a bad guy, that’s the worst part about it. He’s a good guy actually, he’s probably a lawyer…or did he say doctor? 

Shit. Don’t be rude .

She shakes her head, reprimanding herself, and the man across the table from her pauses 

Goddamnit

“Is something wrong?” he asks, his dark brows pulling together in faint concern 

Sarah waves her hand “Oh my god no, nothing’s wrong! I think I’m just spacing because of work- my fault I’m sorry!” She takes a sheepish drink of her cocktail, her cheeks flooding with pink. 

“No, I’m sorry, I know legal jargon is pretty boring, I’ve just been going on about myself, please tell me how’s the publishing world?” 

Lawyer

Sarah almost winces 

God this would be so much easier if he were a creep, I could just leave right now. 

“Oh you know, it’s not as interesting as being a lawyer.” She chuckles awkwardly,

He grins “You know, Reese Witherspoon makes it look so glamorous, but trust me, maybe only a handful of us can pull off pink pantsuits.” he takes a sip of his drink 

Sarah almost sighs in relief, his joke lightening the mood

“I’m sure that’s not true.” she smiles back 

Thomas shakes his head “No Honestly- now me? I think I could rock a blush pink tie but I’m afraid I'm just not Elle Woods caliber when it comes to matching shades.” his eyes light up “I’ve never been on a date with a writer before- It’s not all doom and gloom and angst is it?” he rolls his eyes, shakes his head and sighs “Ah I’m sorry I didn’t mean to sound judgy- that was judgy wasn’t it?”  

Sarah shakes her head “No, not at all- you actually hit the nail right on the head, my apartment is being perpetually rained on as we speak. My typewriter? Haunted by the ghosts of my past.” 

Thomas whistles “Bitchin’” 

Sarah leans back in the small booth they share and shrugs nonchalantly 

“What are you working on now?” He asks, leaning over the table “Or will the ghosts of your past not let you say?” 

Sarah hesitates for a moment, she hadn’t actually written anything aside from her play in almost a year. 

“Can’t, my lawyers advise against it- not the ghosts.” She smiles wryly 

Thomas either ignores her hesitation or pretends not to notice “Let me talk to ‘em I know how to speak their language.” 

“No really, they’re less like lawyers and more like vicious pack animals- anything akin to copyright infringement and it’s like blood in the water.” Sarah jokes, trying to brush off the conversation

Thomas presses on “Good thing I’m one of them.” He chuckled, “Seriously I’d love to read your stuff. I don't have a creative bone in my body so I’m easy to impress.”

“Seriously- no, thank you,” Sarah said maybe a little too forcefully and Thomas stiffened. 

“Okaaay.” He trailed off quietly “won’t ask again.” 

“Sorry I-I guess I’m just sensitive about my work y’know? I’m not beating any stereotypes about writers huh.” Sarah joked awkwardly. 

“No, I guess I’m not beating any pushy lawyer stereotype either,” Thomas said after a beat.

Sarah snorted softly, not looking him in the eyes. 

Just then a server made his way to the table. 

“I'm sorry to keep you waiting, are you ready to order?” his voice lilted with a familiar accent that made Sarah clutch her glass with white knuckles, this was not the same man who brought them their drinks. Her gaze slowly moved from her date to the man standing over them.

“I was starting to wonder where you’d run off to,” Thomas said

Her blood ran cold. 

His eyes have haunted her dreams since she was sixteen, their mismatched blue and brown ingrained in her psyche and made her jaw drop. 

She couldn’t muster his name, instead, she weakly said “It’s you…” 

His eyes glittered with coy amusement. 

“I’m terribly sorry miss, What can I get for you? Name it and it’s yours.” He oozes a sickly charm behind his polite smile 

Thomas speaks first “Y’know I’ve really been dying to try the salmon-”

“I-I’m sorry I have to go,” Sarah says, sliding out of the booth in a rush, being careful to stay away from him, to not even breathe the same air he breathed. 

“Sarah-” Thomas called after her “What’s wrong?” 

Sarah just shook her head and repeated “I have to go I’m sorry” over her shoulder as she headed for the door, looking over her shoulder to catch a glimpse of the server who now had unfamiliar tawny eyes set on a boyish face awash in confusion, mirroring the expression of her date. 

Of course, she felt bad for leaving like that, but that feeling was dwarfed by the huge pit in her stomach at seeing him .

But it wasn’t him. 

“You have no power over me”  she chanted in her mind, the mantra repeating over and over 

You have no power over me

You have no power over me

Damn, 

She really hated blind dates. 

“What do you want me to say?” Nin asked, exhausted, “I’m a troll, people just don’t like trolls.” 

“Well, not with an attitude like that,” Tony muttered

Wendell shot him a look and Tony held up his hands and mouthed “ What? ”

“Nin, I understand your apprehension, but we need your cooperation if we are to prevent a potential attack against the kingdoms.” Wendell folded his hands on his desk. “Please, don’t let Clayface’s efforts be in vain.” he pleaded. 

Nin sighed “How am I supposed to even get close to anyone?” 

Wendell shook his head “You don’t have to get close to anyone. Just try to make yourself as unremarkable as possible. Stick to the background and listen to everything. It’s actually remarkable what people say when they think no one is listening.” Wendell’s mouth quirked a bit

Nin sat in silence for a moment, thinking of how a king could ever know what it’s like to be invisible before nodding “I’ll do it.” she said “For Clayface” 

“Thank you, Nin, you’re dismissed.” 

Nin got up quietly and nodded to Wendell and Tony before leaving. 

“Antony I’m in awe of your sparkling people skills as always.” Wendell says. 

“Thank you, your highness, It’s always great to hear that from you.” Tony lounges in his chair. 

Wendell stares at Tony for a moment, thinking about his life before the Lewis’ for a moment. 

Touché

“Antony, I just need you to play along at least until the end of the week. We are very close to getting answers I’m sure of it.” Wendell said, lightly exasperated. 

Tony gave Wendell a look “Sure, sure.” he got up from his chair “Look, just promise me you’ll have a more upbeat attitude when we visit Virginia, I don’t wanna talk about this investigation, I’m investigated out.” 

“I’ll follow your lead for any party conversation, Antony” Wendell smirks sarcastically.

Tony opened the door and over his shoulder said “I’m ignoring you!” closing the door behind him to end the conversation before Wendell could quip back.

Wendell’s smirk slowly fell from his face and he opened a drawer in the heavy desk to pull out a particularly old and dust laden book he found tucked away in the library amongst his father’s private collection. 

Beyond the Kingdoms

The title was delicately foiled in gold, peeling slightly with age. Wendell cracked open the book gently and began to pour over its pages, looking for something, anything about this Labyrinth that would prove it wasn’t just a fairytale, and that someone from the Labyrinth was trying to imbue themselves into his kingdom. Everything he had heard about the Labyrinth had come from his father when he was a boy, only stories really, things he had always said his own father had told him. Flights of fancy he always thought, but now he wasn’t so sure- in fact, he was certain that this place existed. 

It had to

Chapter Text

Wolf hesitated for a moment before softly knocking on his son’s bedroom door. 

No response. 

Wolf sighed 

Forrest had been increasingly less like the happy young boy with sparkling eyes he’s always known and it hurt him terribly. 

Wolf started taking his son to a therapist, hoping he would get as much out of it as he had. It was almost as if his son was being overtaken by some spell, but Wolf knew better. 

There wasn’t any magic here-and that was the problem.

He knocked again. 

“Forrest, Honey?” he called. 

Another beat of silence. 

“Come in.” came the small voice.

Wolf entered the room, taking in the clothes and toys on the floor with a small grimace. He knew Virginia would want him to say something to him about cleaning up this mess. 

“How’s it going pup?” Wolf asks instead, reaching down to pick up a dirty t-shirt and chucking it into the hamper. 

Forrest shrugs 

Wolf picks up another shirt- clean- he folds it.

“Excited about this weekend?” Wolf smiles as he lays the folded shirt on the dresser. His son only looks out the window from his place on his bed, his stuffed bear hanging from the crook of his arm. 

“I guess.” Forrest sighs and pauses for a moment before he asks “Dad?” 

“Yes pup?” 

“Do you think I’m a bad kid?” He doesn't look away from the window, he picks at the chipped paint on the windowsill. 

Wolf shakes his head dramatically “Of course not pup!” he exclaims “Why do you ask that?” his eyebrows crease 

Forrest looks to Wolf for a quick second, before casting his gaze down. 

“Mom’s mad at me. She says I need to stop talking about uncle prince and the mirror. It makes me so mad that the other kids don’t listen to me” he whines, his mouth downturned in a pout

Wolf sits on his son’s bed

“Is this about what happened at school?” he asks Forrest

Forrest shrugs

Wolf sighs “Pup, your mom’s right.” He looks to the door where he knows Virginia is on the other side in the kitchen cooking dinner. 

When he came home his wife was in the kitchen sitting at the table with her head in her hands. She told him all about the meeting with his teacher and the fight with the other kids at school. Wolf felt a pang of guilt, Forrest was part of him after all, and he couldn’t help but feel it was his wolfish nature that had started to make itself present in his son. 

“Look, Forrest.” Wolf started “You can’t just go around and fight your problems away.” he looked back at his son. 

“I know you’re upset.” Wolf continues “but trust me, you’ll be more upset at yourself if you push people away.” he sighs “I know that might not make sense to you now but it’s true. Forrest, you're not a bad kid.”

Forrest’s lip quivers 

“You’re not a bad kid pup.” Wolf puts a hand on his shoulder “You’re Mom is-she’s mad at what you did, that’s true, but she loves you and I love you too.” 

Forrest still doesn’t look at him.

“We can talk about this later.” Wolf says after a moment and gets up to leave. 

“Dad?” Forrest pipes up again

“Yes son?” 

“I don’t want a stupid party.” 

“Pup?” 

Forrest throws his stuffed bear and crosses his arms. “It is real! It’s all real! Why can’t I talk about it?” 

“Forrest…” Wolf starts

Forrest pulls the covers over his head and fully turns away from him. 

Nin tries to listen to what the laundresses are whispering about as she quietly folds clean silken sheets, however, they keep a healthy distance.

Nin smooths out creases in the fabric in front of her, a washbasin ready to be brought to a room. 

No one likes trolls.

She lingers in doorways and lowers her eyes when servants or guests walk past, making herself as small as she could to try and make them ignore her so she can gather information as instructed. Nin had always been the type to stick to the shadows and sneak around, fortunately enough for his highness. She felt better when eyes turned away from her. 

Nin came from a farming community on the border of the fourth and second kingdoms. A small community of trolls, goblins and other such unwanted peoples. They were a stoic and hardworking community- good neighbors that minded their business but had your back in a fight. 

Nin’s father left the troll kingdom when she was a girl- actually he was banished from the troll kingdom when she was very young. He learned to keep his head down and put his nose to the grindstone having to provide in a foreign land. Nin was too young to remember the sting of ostracization, but nonetheless it followed her daily. 

She felt out of place, unwelcomed everywhere outside of her small village- especially here, the fourth kingdom did not have a particularly diplomatic relationship with the troll kingdom.

Damn you Clayface for leaving me alone in this. She thought bitterly. 

Out of the corner of her eye a familiar dark figure glides by in an almost comically professional manner. 

Roderick was the most enigmatic person among the staff. Everyone knew him, everyone respected him, but yet no one could say for sure how long he’d been working at the palace. 

He gave her the creeps. 

Since her first encounter with the king’s personal butler, Nin wanted to dig into who he was. He was more than a haughty royal servant, there was something calculating behind his elegant demeanor she was sure. Nin shivered as she thought about his dark eyes from the other side of a holding cell. 

Today, he was working on ensuring that the castle’s daily functions ran smoothly as the king prepared to visit his sister. While their master was away it fell on Roderick to maintain the daily schedule of the king’s advisors and confidants. 

Nin’s eyes followed him as he walked down the hall. She turned her head back to the laundry maids once, and when she was confident that they were not watching, Nin gathered the sheets she was folding and the washbasin before she followed Roderick. 

Nin ducked into a doorway when she saw him pause his stride.

One

Two 

Three

She poked her head out from behind the door to see the butler continue walking down the hall. 

Nin followed. 

After another minute or two Roderick slowed in front of a door, looking around before opening it. 

Seemed like suspicious activity one might report to the king, she mused before taking a moment to slowly creep toward the room Roderick entered. She noted how quiet the hallway was, quite unlike the rest of the castle which ceaselessly hummed with the activity of servants and visiting aristocracy. 

“Your majesty, I have my report.”  Nin heard the butler’s muffled statement

Perhaps not as suspicious as I’d hoped 

“Look more presentable when you speak to me, Roderick.” a strange voice snapped

That’s not Wendell.  Nin’s brows furrowed, now gingerly pressing her ear to the door.

“Of course your majesty! My apologies.” Roderick whimpered

Nin felt a shiver at this tone from Roderick. She had never heard the butler sound anything but elegantly dull. 

“I’ve spoken to the boy and he seems to be in the perfect place for the next step.” Roderick, sounding again very professional, almost like Nin had imagined the quiver in his voice. 

“And he knows the words?” The other voice asked

“Certainly!” 

“ I have no doubt she’s filled the boy’s head with stories.How perfect that her own words would be used to bring this upon them!” the owner of the voice seemed to smile. “And what of the mirror?” 

Mirror?

“The king keeps the room locked and guarded.” Roderick replied

“No Matter,” The stranger continued “When he speaks the words we will have the upper hand” 

Peals of laughter reverberated through the door and caught Nin off guard, making her jump. The washbasin in her hands fell on the floor and she scrambled to pick it up, she cursed. 

The conversation on the other side of the door was quiet, she heard footsteps

Again Nin cursed and ran. 

.

.

.

Wendell looked at himself and Tony in the Mirror before reaching for the mechanism to turn it on. 

“I just hope Wolf doesn’t cry when we see them.” Tony said

Wendell snorts “Perhaps you’d do well getting in touch with your emotions Antony.” he looks at him from the corner of his eye and sees Tony turn his head towards Wendell and smile sarcastically. 

“I’m fine. Thanks.” he said 

The two step through the mirror and into Central Park. 

“I think Virginia may be upset that we didn’t tell her we’re coming though.” 

Wendell looked at Tony and then to the buildings looming above them.

“Just as well, I can’t make everyone happy.” Wendell muttered to himself. Tony raised an eyebrow, but if he heard Wendell he didn’t say anything. 

Wendell wanted to remember the way that the air smelled, and the buildings glistened like hulking shards of ice jutting into the sky. He wanted to commit it all to memory, the fantastical tenth kingdom he’d once only thought was a fairytale. 

It seems like more and more childhood stories have become all too real for the king. 

He exhaled slowly. 

This was perhaps the last time he would get to see its splendors. 

. 

. 

. 

Sarah placed her godson’s gift on the picnic table. Balloons swayed in the breeze, gently bumping into each other. 

The weather was beautiful, the park was always so lively but especially on days this nice. Sarah couldn’t help but think of all the times she had run around in her own childhood park playing alone with her costumes. 

A pang of sadness thrummed her heart. 

She pushed it aside. Today is not the day for that. 

Forrest sat a few yards away on the edge of an open field with his arms crossed. Sarah frowned as she sat down next to Virginia on a park bench decorated with balloons and streamers. 

“Is he okay?” Sarah turned to her friend. 

Virginia shook her head “He got into a fight at school.” 

“What?” 

Virginia sighed “I know.” she turned her head to see a couple kids and their parents walking up to the table, Wolf smiled and animatedly welcomed them to the party. Virginia looked back to Sarah. 

“He said the kids at school don’t believe him about my dad and Prince.” Virginia shook her head again. “I know kids can be mean and it eats me up, but I wish he wouldn’t talk about them at school, especially the older he gets.”

Sarah felt a knot in her stomach 

“Yeah.” She replied, “Kids can be cruel.” she agreed. 

She felt the knot grow tighter as she thought about Lynn, about her on the other side of the cafeteria acting like she didn’t know Sarah at all. Pretending that they never stayed up way too late and laughed until they cried making up stories and talking about their future.

She looked over at Forrest and wanted to make the feeling go away. 

“You think the party will cheer him up?” Sarah asks her friend. 

“I don’t know” Virginia replied “He’s been so moody lately, and I know it's because of dad and Wendell, but I don’t know what to do. He’s been snippy and pouty for weeks. Wolf’s been taking him to see a psychologist but I don’t know if it’s working.” She rubs her forehead in frustration. 

“My love!” Wolf calls for Virginia, and she turns to her husband. 

“The people call for the birthday boy, specifically two very special guests!” he waves dramatically with a flick of his wrist. 

Virginia gets up and calls for her son

Forrest turns to his mother for a moment, but turns to look out at the field in front of him, ignoring her.

“Forrest!” Virginia snaps, and Forrest crosses his arms. “Forrest, come here the party is starting!” she calls again. 

“Hey I thought this was a party!” a familiar voice calls out. 

Forrest perks up and turns around “Grandpa!” he yells with a grin, running toward the balding man and jumping into his arms. Tony groans at the weight of the boy and almost stumbles back.

Virginia runs after him “Dad?? What are you doing here??” she asks, equally surprised and confused. 

Behind him a blonde man smiles. 

Sarah watched them from her seat on the bench. 

Wendell’s eyes catch hers for a moment and he nods at her politely. 

“Uncle Prince! I didn’t know you were coming!” Forrest shouts in excitement, hugging the man tightly. 

“Sir Forrest it’s been too long, I finally convinced your grandfather to step away from work so we could surprise you!” Wendell grins while Tony shoots Wendell a look. 

“Yeah, grandpa’s been really busy buddy.” 

Wolf and Virginia cast knowing looks at both of the men

“We had no idea you’d be here!” Wolf exclaimed “How tricky of you both- almost wolfish.”

“Well birthdays are a good day for surprises huh buddy?” Tony nudges Forrest.

“Yeah! I missed you so much grandpa!” He gasps “OH- Uncle Prince! You have to meet my classmates I want to prove something to them” 

Wendell’s eyes grow wide as Forrest grabs his hand and jerks him toward the gaggle of kids waiting for him. 

Tony laughs

“Dad.” Virginia stands beside him

“Virginia” 

“How are things?” She asks

Tony shrugs, “Fine.” 

Virginia’s eyebrows furrow together “Really?” She snips “We haven't heard from you both in over a year and you’re just fine.” She crosses her arms “What’s going in the kingdom? Has Wendell sorted things out? We didn’t forget what that fortune teller said, is it really safe for you both to be here??” 

Tony shifts away from his daughter. “Eh, well em no” He looks at Virginia and sees her mouth screwed tight. “Well- well we have ears and eyes on the ground sniffing things out.” He rolls his eyes in exasperation “Look, Virginia, we wouldn’t have come if things weren’t under control. It was all my idea really.” He stuffs his hands into his pockets “Wendell wanted to do this for Forrest and for me. He knew how much I missed you both.” 

Virginia took a deep breath through her nose and looked at her son talking wildly and gesturing to Wendell. When Forrest got into those moods he looked just like his father.

“I’m glad you’re here.” she says quietly. “This is the happiest he’s been in awhile.” 

. 

. 

. 

Sarah picked up a slice of cake, licking the sticky sweet frosting from her fingers as she listened in on the commotion. 

“You’re a real prince?” a little girl asks

Wendell’s eyebrow twitched subtly “Yes, of course.” he says sweetly, patiently

Sarah smirks. 

“Do you have any pets, Prince?” Sarah asks during a pause of the children’s squawking. 

Wendell’s eyes pierce hers, his smile faltering “I don’t, palace rules.” 

The children aww sadly 

“Oh but wait, if you’re a prince don’t you make the rules?” Sarah shoots back. 

The children chime in 

“Yeah!” 

“You’re the prince!” They talk over each other. 

Wendell sighs “Oh yes, but even a prince has to follow the rules of the king.” he says, eyeing Sarah with a raised brow. 

Sarah takes a bite of cake with a grin. “Let’s hope when you’re king you’ll change the rules- you seem like a dog person.” 

Wendell stands and tries to weave through the mob of sugar-addled children as they cheer at the mention of him having a royal dog. 

“prince dog, prince dog, prince dog!”  they chant

Wendell stands next to Sarah, shooting her an unamused glance. 

“You think yourself very cheeky don’t you?” he says softly, so no one else can hear. 

Sarah snorts “Oh not very, I think I exude the appropriate amount of cheek.” 

Wendell’s gaze lands on his nephew. 

“I wish it could be like this forever,” he mutters, mostly to himself. 

“Is it alright that you’re here now?” Sarah asks, “I don’t know exactly what’s going on in your kingdom.” she continues. “But I’ve had my share of challenges with otherworldly beings.” 

Their eyes meet and Sarah bites her lip. 

“I’m sorry I shouldn’t intrude, I have a habit of sticking my nose where it doesn’t belong.” She sighs “I wish I could help.” 

Wendell thinks for a moment 

“I think being here for them is help enough,” he says. 

Wendell turns to look at Virginia laughing at something Wolf and Tony were arguing about and smiled. 

“They’re very precious to me.” 

Sarah follows his gaze. 

“Your highness?” She says, and the words feel odd on her tongue 

“Call me Wendell please.” he urges, cutting off her train of thought 

“Wendell?” Sarah starts again

“Yes?” 

She opens her mouth to speak when suddenly energy crackles loudly, and the wind picks up fiercely, the sky grows dark. Her heart drops, this feeling. 

She’s only felt this once before. 

“Forrest!” she cries

. 

. 

. 

As Wendell walks away from the children one kid crosses his arms, clearly not entertained by this display. 

“You’re not a real prince.” they pipe up “He’s lying.” they snap

The other kids in the group look at each other, some nod and some say “Yeah guys it's not real.” 

Forrest tries to appeal to them. 

“He’s not lying! He just told you!:” He looks at the child who started the wave of doubt. 

“Ronnie, stop saying that! You’re stupid if you don’t believe me! It’s my party so you have to believe me you idiot!” 

The other child jumps up “You’re stupid! That’s baby stuff it’s not real you dummy! This party is for babies- I only came ‘cause my mom made me!” he shouts 

Forrest starts to run at him when Virginia pulls Forrest aside, and Ronnie’s mother follows suit.

Forrest is trying to jerk out of Virginia’s grip as she guides him to a quiet, woody part of the park. 

“Forrest Adam Lewis!” Virginia snaps at her son. “What are you doing? You’re going to fight someone at your own birthday party, are you serious?” 

Forrest stomps his feet and throws up his arms in frustration 

“He was being stupid mom! He’s always saying that I’m lying- I’m not lying!” He whines “I hate him! I told you I don’t want this stupid party and you don’t listen to me!” he 

Virginia’s eyebrows shoot up 

“Excuse me?” She puts her hands on her son’s shoulders “Forrest you can’t just yell at other kids because they don’t believe you! I’m sorry that boy started a fight with you but you can’t always fly off the handle like that!”

He looks away from her

“You’re being very bratty, you know that?” she huffs “You’ve been very ungrateful about this party- especially when your grandpa and uncle came to see you!” 

“You hate me- grandpa hates me and so does uncle prince!” he shouts

“What?” Virginia is taken aback

Forrest huffs and gestures wildly again 

“They didn’t come to see me forever, they didn’t talk to me in the mirror! You don’t want me to talk about the mirror and you get mad at me when those kids pick on me!” He yells. “You hate me! They hate me! They don’t want to see me! They hate me just like the other kids!” 

Virginia clicks her tongue

“Honey-” she coos

He pushes her hands away and sniffles, wiping away angry and embarrassed tears “I hate you! I hate all of you!” He backs away from her and points “I wish I lived in the kingdom! I wish I could get away from you” he balls up his fists “I want you to go away!” 

“I WISH THE GOBLINS WOULD COME AND TAKE YOU AWAY! RIGHT NOW!”