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Chapter Text

A burst of blue energy crackled through the air, its target just a short distance away. The blue-haired girl, reacting almost on pure instinct, lifted her sword. The energy slammed against it, and with a powerful metallic clang, was deflected harmlessly into the ground. The girl let out a breath of air, and her opponent, a girl of similar height and age with a curly brown ponytail, lowered her hands and let out a sound of satisfied affirmation.

“Not bad, Hilda,” said Frida, looking across the room at her friend, whose sword was still glowing. “I don't think you let a single one past!”

“My hands are still tingling,” Hilda replied, holding the sword's hilt and smiling back at her friend. “You're getting a lot stronger!”

Hilda was panting as Frida walked over to her, and, still holding the sword in one hand, she reached up to wipe a few beads of sweat from her brow. The two girls had spent most of the afternoon training together in one of the library's many secret rooms, a room that had been set aside especially for them to practice magic. Of course, with Frida being a witch-in-training and Hilda being her familiar, it was Frida who was doing most of the practicing, but on occasion Hilda would try out a spell she'd read from one of the library's many books... usually with Kaisa's supervision.

“I suppose so, but I've still got a lot to learn...”

Frida was smiling, but behind her smile, Hilda could tell that there was a lot resting on her friend's shoulders. It had been a month since a mysterious new witch had appeared in Trolberg... her name was Vella, and she had been plotting to manipulate the Council of Three into an alliance to utilize troll magic against a still unknown threat. When Hilda and her mum Johanna had stumbled upon some of Vella's schemes, they'd been taken hostage by the witch and her human familiar Dobrik, and Kaisa and Frida had only just barely been able to rescue them. Since that incident, both witches had been training intensely... Kaisa under Tildy, and Frida under both older witches, but also sometimes with Hilda as a sparring partner of sorts. At the same time, Hilda had thrown herself into adventuring, trying to learn as much as she could about this mysterious new threat... but not with quite as much confidence as she used to.

“It's all right, Frida, you don't have to learn everything right away,” said Hilda, placing a hand on Frida's shoulder and trying her best to encourage her.

“But what if Vella comes back?” Frida asked, her smile fading as it was replaced by a worried frown. Upon hearing Vella's name, Hilda's smile disappeared as well, and the young witch immediately realized her mistake. “Oh, no, no, Hilda, I didn't mean-”

“It's all right,” Hilda repeated. Even as she tried to return the smile to her face, she put her hands in her pockets, and Frida could see the blue-haired girl's shoulders slump as well.

“...still having those nightmares?”

“Not so much anymore,” Hilda replied. “It's my mum who's had the worst of it, you know. So many dreams about losing me... but that could just be from the troll incident.”

Frida sighed and pulled Hilda closer, wanting her to know it truly was going to be all right... just as Hilda had tried to do for her moments before. Hilda smiled and leaned on Frida, feeling her confidence return, and even feeling the urge to swing her sword again... though she also felt the first hints of exhaustion coming on.

“Maybe we should get back to training,” said Hilda, gripping the sword handle tightly. “C'mon, I know you want to practice that stun spell.”

“Oh, I don't know, last time I hit you with it and I could tell it hurt,” replied Frida, wincing at the memory.

“I was fine!” Hilda protested, crouching into a defensive stance with her sword at the ready. “You barely winged me, I could sort of move my arm a little!”

Frida sighed and shook her head, but looked ready to cast another spell as she looked across the room at Hilda. She was also feeling slightly tired, but that never stopped her from studying before, and it certainly wouldn't stop her from training... especially when she knew Trolberg might need her. Hilda gave her a nod, and Frida lifted her arms... but just as she was wondering whether to cast the stun spell or something else, the door opened, and Kaisa entered with a somewhat upset look on her face.

“Kaisa?” Hilda called to her, lowering her sword and turning toward the librarian. “What's the matter? You look rather worried....”

“Did something happen with the Committee?” asked Frida, raising her eyebrow. “I know whenever you get that look, it's usually them...”

“Actually, it's worse than that,” Kaisa replied, letting out a sigh and looking quite serious as she spoke. “I'm afraid to say that Vella's escaped her captivity.”

“What?!” Hilda shouted, eyes wide with shock and fear.

“How did that happen?” asked Frida, stepping forward until she was standing next to Hilda. “Wasn't she locked up with anti-magic wards and everything?”

“Unfortunately, the Safety Patrol's protocols account mostly for trolls, not witches,” Kaisa said grimly.

“A relic from the days of our 'friend” Erik Ahlberg,” Hilda noted, rolling her eyes. “I knew they should've kept that mean witch gagged!”

“But Hilda, they'd have to let her eat sometime,” Frida noted.

“I suppose you're right,” groaned Hilda, letting out a loud sigh. “So what happened, was anyone hurt? Is Gerda okay?”

“I got the news from Gerda herself,” Kaisa replied. “She was away during the breakout, and apart from a lot of very frightened Safety Patrol officers, everyone's fine. Still, it is troublesome... the Committee doesn't even seem to care that Vella's escaped, they expect the Safety Patrol to take care of things.”

“But she's a witch!” Frida said indignantly.

“She's not a Trolberg witch,” Kaisa replied, “so they said it's out of their jurisdiction. I've not been able to get a hold of Tildy, but I'll keep trying... in the meantime, maybe you two would like me to walk you home?”

“Hilda?” Frida said, turning to her friend. She'd seen Hilda's scared reaction when Vella's escape had first been mentioned, and figured that she'd be eager to have an escort, considering that the cruel witch might well be out for revenge.

“...thanks, but... I think I'd just like to walk home with Frida, if that's okay.”

Kaisa seemed surprised, but despite her worries, was accepting of Hilda's request. Still, she knew it wouldn't hurt to remind her young friend of the risks.

“Hildi, are you sure?” asked Kaisa. “It's really not a bother for me at all, and I am a bit worried that Vella might be looking for you.”

“I'm worried too, Hilda,” Frida added, gripping her friend's arm. “Maybe we should ask Kaisa to walk us home, I'm sure it'll be fine but it couldn't hurt to have her with us, right?”

“It's okay, really,” said Hilda, smiling confidently. “I'll be okay on my own, but thanks for the offer... it's not too far from here.”

Hilda then turned to Frida.

“But... if you want to go with Kaisa-”

“No, you're right, it's really not that far,” Frida replied, looking up at Kaisa and smiling. “Thanks for the offer, but I'm sure I'll be safe with my familiar.”

“Well, if you're sure, I'll keep trying to get a hold of Tildy... and if you change your mind and you feel unsafe, you're always welcome here at the library.”

Truthfully, Hilda was worried about Vella... the cruel witch who'd occupied many of her nightmares over the past few weeks. An escort would've been welcome... but Hilda had her reasons for wanting to walk home with Frida and no one else.

I know, I know it'd be safer with Kaisa... thought Hilda, as she and Frida made their way out of the library and into the evening air. But I can't hide behind her forever, so I'd best start taking care of myself now. I'm not afraid... I can protect myself and I can protect Frida.

Hilda felt her hand moving closer to Frida's as the two of them walked side by side together, and soon, she had her friend's hand in a tight grip, one Frida didn't seem to mind as they began walking down the sidewalk.

“...I know you're worried, Hilda,” said Frida, looking at her and smiling. “And I want you to know it's okay... and it's okay to ask for help if you need it.”

“I don't need help, really...” Hilda replied, though her slight tremble as she continued to walk with Frida was starting to give her true feelings away. “Besides, I'm not worried about Vella. She couldn't stop blabbing on about that 'new threat' that was coming, so if she's escaped, no doubt she's focused on that. She's probably out of Trolberg by now anyway... we made it abundantly clear we don't need mean witches like her anywhere near here.”

As concerned as Frida was that Vella could indeed come back for revenge, she found her friend's confidence refreshing. She'd already blamed herself more than once for not being able to stop Vella from kidnapping Hilda and her mother, though she hadn't shared any of that with Hilda, not wanting to burden her friend anymore than she surely already was. She felt Hilda's trembling cease, and saw the smile on her face, and felt glad that her friend was okay... and maybe Hilda was right. Maybe Vella really was long gone.

“What do you think the new threat is, anyway?” asked Frida, as she and Hilda began walking through a section of the city with many big buildings and narrow alleyways. “An evil witch coven? A terrifying dragon?”

“I asked Deputy Gerda if Vella had told her anything, and she told me that Vella refused to talk unless another witch was present,” replied Hilda, with a groan and a sigh. “Typical... you'd think that if she really cared about stopping the threat, talking to the head of the Safety Patrol would be the best possible way to keep everyone safe! She just wants power and glory for herself, that's all. That's why she grabbed me and my mum... that's why she... tried to hurt all of us.”

Frida saw the sadness and fear return to Hilda's face, and immediately tightened her grip on her friend's hand, holding it tightly and even caressing the top of it with her thumb. She smiled, warmly and calmly, ready to listen to anything Hilda had to say. Hilda looked back at her, smiling but still with guilt on her face... guilt about her mum being put in harm's way, but something else, too.

“...you all right?”

Hilda began to answer, but as the two walked past another alley, she could see the unmistakable glint of fading sunlight on shimmering black hair. She looked into the alley, and could see an unmistakable face.

…Vella!

The witch was looking away, but Hilda knew that hair anywhere, and for the brief moment that she'd been looking out, Hilda had seen her eyes as well. There was Vella, the powerful witch turned fugitive kidnapper, and she was standing in an alleyway, looking to be chanting a spell.

“Frida!” Hilda whispered, gently turning Frida to look into the alley. “It's her...!”

“Oh... my goodness!” Frida whispered, recognizing the witch as well. “Hilda, we have to get help! The Safety Patrol, Kaisa, Tildy...!”

“Wait...!”

Hilda could see Vella starting to levitate off the ground, up toward the rooftop at the back of the alley. She knew the witch was getting away, and she couldn't let that happen! Even as she was terrified to take a single step toward her, if she let Vella get away, it could put her mum in danger, or Kaisa, or Gerda, or Tildy, or even David... she had to protect all of them!

“I can't let her get away!” shouted Hilda, swallowing her fears and dashing into the alleyway.

“Hilda!” Frida shouted, running after her. “What are you doing, we have to call for someone!”

But Hilda was undeterred, and she kept charging forward, even putting her hand on the hilt of her sword.

“Vella...!!!”

It was too late... the witch was already gone. The two girls now stood at the back of the alley, looking around for someone who was no longer there.

“Hilda, what were you thinking?” shouted Frida, throwing her hands up in the air as her friend doubled over and began panting. “We're no match for her!”

“Neither are most of our friends, I was just trying to stop her before she hurt someone else!”

“Someone like us?”

Hilda knew Frida was right, and she knew what she'd just done was incredibly reckless... she really didn't stand a chance against Vella, and once what she'd tried to do began to really sink in, she could feel her heart pounding with fear.

“Frida, I... I...”

Hilda looked up, her eyes meeting Frida's. As Frida saw the fear in Hilda's eyes, her hand immediately went up to her shoulder, and her expression went from angry to understanding, but Hilda could still see some of the anger remaining, and she looked away in shame as Frida's hand touched her.

“I know you want to stop Vella... I do too, but-”

“But what?”

The two girls gasped and looked to see that Vella was now standing behind them, trapping them in the back of the alley. They stumbled back, and Vella smirked wickedly.

“Well? Don't you want to stop me? I'm right here!”

“Leave Hilda alone!” shouted Frida, lifting her arms. “I'm warning y-”

Vella lifted her own arms and began to flutter her fingers, and a fine mist drifted over Hilda and Frida. Frida's attempt to cast her own spell was soon replaced with an overwhelming feeling of drowsiness, while Hilda's rapid heartbeat slowed as she too felt ready to drift off to sleep.

“Vella...” Hilda stammered weakly, stepping forward to defend Frida, only for her friend to collapse into her arms. “You won't... you won't get away...”

Hilda fell back, closing her eyes as she and Frida crumpled to the ground together. The two were curled up in each other's arms, trapped in a restless sleep. Vella looked down at them, smiling viciously. She couldn't believe her luck... the next part of her plan had fallen right into her lap.

“Sleep well, girls... your nightmare begins after you wake up...”

Chapter Text

When Hilda awoke, she felt tired... no doubt the lingering effects of the spell Vella had cast on her. She immediately tried to lift her hand to wipe the sleep from her eyes, but it was trapped behind her back, and she was unable to move it even a single inch.

Oh no... I'm tied up again. Wait a second... Frida!

As Hilda tried to move her hands, she could feel another set of hands fluttering against hers. Then, she heard a voice.

“Hilda? Are you okay?”

“Frida!”

The two girls were seated on the floor together, back to back, with lots of rope wrapped around their bodies to keep them still. More rope had been tied around their wrists, securing their hands tightly behind their backs, and as they continued to try and move, their bound hands kept brushing together, allowing them to touch fingers... something that brought a small bit of relief to Hilda, even if she felt immediately guilty for involving Frida in all of this. Their legs were flat on the floor, bound together at the ankles, tied separately and pointed in opposite directions. When Hilda looked around the room, she saw some bookshelves, lots of gray bricks, and a pair of hallways leading outward... as for her current predicament, she could feel an ornate rug underneath her, and beyond it, a floor made of flat gray stone.

Are we... underground, or just in a building? Maybe we could try to make a break for it if we hopped together, but I don't know if Frida's up for that just yet. Oh dear... Frida's trapped with me and it's all my fault! She was right, I should have agreed to walk home with Kaisa.

As Hilda silently fretted, she could feel Frida tugging and pulling at the ropes, grunting and straining as her fists clenched tightly.

“It's no good, the ropes are too tight,” she said, looking back over her shoulder at Hilda. “I'm sorry, I don't think I'm going to be able to get out of this!”

“Frida, don't apologize, it's my fault we-”

“Awake at last, I see....”

The two friends stopped talking and looked up to see Vella emerge from one of the two hallways, a smug smirk on her face. The girls' eyes narrowed at her, both of them looking up with anger and defiance in their eyes... though Vella could also see the fear and nervousness as well. She calmly paced around them, observing their struggles, checking to see if the ropes had loosened... and, satisfied that they hadn't, she resumed taunting them.

“So, what was that before? Trying to catch me? You should know better than that... you're nothing without your librarian friend.”

Hilda gritted her teeth, seething with rage even as she trembled with fear. She still hadn't forgiven Vella for what had happened before, not just to her, but to her mother as well. She began struggling just as Frida had done, but the ropes held tight, and she knew she was helpless... at least for the moment.

“You're really pushing your luck, you know!” Frida shouted up at Vella. “You're already a wanted fugitive, but now you're adding another kidnapping to your list of crimes? I thought you wanted to stop the new threat to Trolberg, not waste your time going after a couple of kids!”

Vella scoffed, turning her back to her captives. She had to concede that Frida did have a point... she couldn't waste too much time on this petty revenge, as furious as she was that these girls had been a major part of her humiliation. She'd been in jail for a month, she'd wasted too much time already... she had to re-establish contact with her coven, she had to see if she was still in good standing with the Committee. She cared little about getting herself into further trouble, as long as she accomplished her goal... and fortunately, Hilda and Frida were a small yet significant part of that goal. She could stop the threat and make these two pay at the same time... there was always time for a little fun.

“Unfortunately, because of your actions, this town's witches no longer trust me,” said Vella, turning back toward the girls.

“And whose fault is that?” asked Hilda, narrowing her eyes. “Couldn't be us, we're not the ones who decided to kidnap people!”

“I needed you and your mother out of the way, I thought you'd understand, but I suppose a selfish brat like you is too dense to see the full picture...”

“How dare you!” Hilda shouted, struggling so hard that she managed to pull herself and Frida a couple of inches along the floor in her attempts to stand. “You threatened us, you frightened my mum, you attacked my friends... you're nothing but a cruel bully, and I'm glad every witch in Trolberg hates you!”

“The Committee still sees things my way... mostly,” replied Vella.

“Bunch of stuck up old jerks,” muttered Frida. “They tried to toss me and Hilda and Kaisa into the void, they're barely better than you!”

“They're the only witches in this town with even a lick of sense, I think disposing of you would've been doing everyone else a favor.”

Hilda and Frida both gasped, and Hilda could feel one of Frida's fingers gripping hers, her hands shaking in anger and fear. Not only was Vella a cruel and callous witch, but it was abundantly clear that she was willing to do anything to accomplish her twisted goals... and the two of them were completely at her mercy.

“I tried to show kindness before, but you threw that back in my face,” said Vella.

“Where's your familiar?” asked Hilda, setting some of her anger aside as she noticed for the first time that Vella was uncharacteristically alone. “That man who was with you before... the one you were bossing around.”

“Dobrik? He's gone,” Vella replied, a hint of sadness on her face.

“...you abandoned him,” Frida deduced, figuring that Vella had escaped her captivity without bothering to bring him along.

“He abandoned me!” she snapped back, walking around toward Frida and looking for a moment as if she'd strike her. “Imagine my shock when, a week into my imprisonment, I learned that the Safety Patrol had released him! He said he'd testify against me, tell them all of my secrets, if they'd let him go, and they did! He's nothing but a traitor...”

Hilda didn't know what to think about this news. On the one hand, Dobrik had aided Vella in kidnapping and binding her and her mum... she was nearly as frightened of him as she was of the witch. But at the same time, the fact that he seemed to regret his actions did bring some sympathy to Hilda, who conceded that Vella must've been pulling his strings and manipulating him for quite some time. She still would've liked some kind of apology, but at least for now, she was fine with him being allowed to walk free... she had bigger problems at the moment.

“Sounds like he got sick of being around you,” said Hilda, prompting Vella to walk back around toward her. “Can't say I blame him!”

“You little brat, you think you're so different?” Vella snapped. “You're her familiar, aren't you?”

Hilda looked back toward Frida, who tried her best to give her friend a reassuring smile. Vella just scoffed at this, reaching down and cupping Hilda's chin.

“A fine mess you've gotten your witch into, eh?” Vella said, her lips curving into a much more cruel smile. “A familiar's supposed to protect their witch, but yours is tied up right along with you, I imagine she must blame you for this all the same!”

“No...!” shouted Hilda, trying to turn her head away as Vella gripped her face even tighter. “That's not... I didn't...!”

“Hilda, don't listen to her, I don't blame you for any of this!” Frida shouted. “Get your nasty hands off my best friend!”

Even with Frida's reassurances, Hilda wasn't completely certain... her mind was already racing back to the last few months, times she'd gotten her friends into danger... David of course, but Frida as well... attacked by monsters, forced to wrestle a ghost, kidnapped by Victoria van Gale, nearly tossed into the void... if Hilda's job was really to protect her witch, Vella was right, she wasn't doing a good job of it at all, and now...

“Oh yes, everything that happens to her is all your fault,” said Vella, releasing Hilda's chin and stepping away.

“Shut up!” Hilda screamed at her, leaning forward as best she could. “I'd never abandon Frida, but your familiar ditched you! He saw right through all your cruelty and lies, and now he never wants to see you again, and it's all your fault, just like it's your fault that all the witches in Trolberg hate you! You'll never be a hero because you're just a nasty old witch who cares more about herself than you do about helping people! And when me and Frida get out of this, we're going to make sure you never get out of jail!”

Hilda was breathing heavily after her rant, and Frida looked on with a somewhat worried expression... proud of her friend for standing up, but at the same time, worried about the witch's retaliation. Vella just stood there, taking in all of Hilda's words. She blinked, eyes wide, then, a moment later, gave a quick little laugh before pacing around the room for a moment and turning back toward her captives.

“Ohhhh, you just reminded me, there was something I wanted to do to you last time that I never got to do. What was that again? Oh, yes, now I remember.”

Vella began to wave her hands, and Hilda soon saw her boots pull themselves from her feet, while Frida's shoes untied themselves before coming off as well. Then, the girls could feel their socks being tugged off magically as well, pulled from their feet before rolling themselves into balls that found their way to Vella's hands. She gripped them tightly, while the two girls looked on with quizzical expressions as she began to walk over.

“I said that I was going to stuff those bratty little gobs of yours with your own socks, and now I'm finally going to get the chance!”

“What?!” Frida stammered, twisting slightly in her ropes as she learned what Vella wanted to do. “Wait a second, you can't...!”

“Ugh, no!” protested Hilda, struggling as the witch knelt down in front of her with her own balled-up socks in hand. “Don't you dare shove those nasty things in my mouth, what's wrong with you?”

“Open wide,” said Vella, pushing the socks Hilda's way. “Don't make me use magic, I'd hate to slip up and knock out a tooth or several...”

As the sockball was pushed closer, Hilda took a sniff and winced. She'd been up and about all day, and had been training all afternoon with Frida. She didn't normally take a bath until after she got home... her socks did not smell pleasant, and now they were going to be pushed into her mouth! She tried to keep her lips tightly shut, but upon hearing Vella's threat, she let out a gasp, and tried to protest one last time.

“You can't do this...!” Hilda shrieked, trying to turn her head away.

“...you're right!” Vella suddenly replied, lowering the ball of socks from Hilda's face. “What was I thinking?”

Hilda let out a quick sigh at Vella's display of mercy.

Thank goodness. She might be messed up, but thankfully she's not THAT messed up. I can't imagine having to chew on my own stinky socks!

“I can't shove your own socks in your mouths!” Vella said, shaking her head.

“Bloody right you can't,” replied Frida, her own extreme distaste with the situation prompting her to utter an uncharacteristic swear as she glared at Vella. “That's disgusting!”

“...I'm going to shove your socks in each other's mouths!” Vella then told them, another sadistic smile crossing her face. Before either girl could utter a single word of protest, Vella had switched Hilda's socks for Frida's, and was pushing them forcefully between Hilda's lips. “Come now, you got your witch into this mess, the least you can do is clean her socks for her.”

“Nmmmbbggghhoooo!!!” Hilda muffled, trying desperately to keep Vella from pushing Frida's balled up socks past her teeth. I can't believe this is happening!

Try as she might, Hilda couldn't spit out the socks, her efforts stymied by Vella's long fingers. After the socks were pushed in, Hilda could see the witch levitating a roll of duct tape to her hand, and as she continued her efforts to push them out with her tongue, Vella tore off a strip of tape and moved to seal the socks in.

“Now you can shut up,” said Vella viciously. “I know it's a challenge for you, but I'm not giving you a choice!”

“Stttmmmphhh!” Hilda cried out as the tape was pushed over her forcefully closed lips. “Ymmcmmgggh!!!”

But Hilda found that the task of preventing Vella from sealing up her lips would be an impossible one, and soon, the tape was being pressed down firmly. Hilda let out several more protests and squeals, hopelessly muffled by the stuffing and tape, and finally she let out a long sigh through her nose as she resigned herself to being gagged by this cruel witch once again, this time in a far more humiliating way. As Vella walked around to shove Hilda's socks into Frida's mouth, the blue-haired girl winced, her guilt starting to bubble to the surface. She could feel every inch of her mouth packed with fabric, but at the moment, she couldn't focus on that sensation, she could only worry about what was in store for Frida... how her friend would soon be punished for her actions in more ways than one.

Frida, I'm so sorry! Those socks aren't washed at all, and this is all my fault in the first place...! Ugh, I couldn't blame you for being upset... please, don't do this to her!

“Hilda...!” Frida shouted, looking back over her shoulder to see the guilty look on her friend's face. She was feeling guilty herself, and she desperately hoped those socks didn't taste too bad... she had washed up this morning, but she'd also been running around all day, so she didn't know quite how they were holding up, and either way, it was totally humiliating to have her socks forced into someone else's mouth! “Ugh, why did you do that, that's totally gross...!”

“I thought that since you two are sharing each other's predicament, you should share your socks as well!”

“That's nasty, you really are a messed up witch...!”

Frida could see Hilda's socks being lowered toward her face, and, like Hilda, she was trying to turn her head just as vigorously. She could still hear Hilda's loud, muffled cries, and tried her best to understand what her friend was trying to say.

“I'm sure you must be quite upset with her,” said Vella, before sniffing the air and wrinkling her nose. “And now you'll probably be even more upset, I don't think your familiar washes her socks!”

Frida winced, trying not to take a breath as the socks were pushed toward her lips... but as she tried to hold her mouth closed, she was forced to sniff the air, and as she did so, she could hear a muffled apology from Hilda. She opened her mouth to reassure her friend, but this only gave Vella an opportunity to quickly and forcefully push Hilda's socks past her lips and teeth, stifling all the young witch's attempts at speech.

“Hil-ddddmmmgggghhh...! GGGGMMMPHHH!!!”

Frida desperately tried to push out the foul tasting fabric, but Vella's fingers were too strong, pushing the socks back so far that Frida almost started to choke. Upon hearing her friend's screams and muffled gasps, Hilda screamed out a protest, trying desperately to pull herself and Frida away from their captor.

STOP IT! Hilda screamed, eyes wide. Don't put my socks in her mouth, please!!!

But Frida couldn't stop Vella from shoving them in, and a few seconds later, they were taped in as well. Frida's eyes narrowed, and she began shouting angrily, but Vella's hand remained in place after smoothing down the tape, reducing Frida's shouts to angry growls and whimpers. As the taste of Hilda's socks began to really sink in, Frida let out a disgusted groan, and Hilda's shoulders slumped with guilt.

“Ah ah ah... I'm sure you have a lot to tell your familiar, but I think she gets the message. You blame her. I know.”

No! Frida shouted, twisting her head out of Vella's grip and looking back at Hilda. Hilda, no, I don't blame you! It's not your fault!

Hilda could only see the anger in Frida's eyes, anger meant for Vella, but seemingly directed at her. Her shoulders slumped even more, and Frida's eyes widened before she turned back to look angrily at her captor.

Don't you dare try to make me blame Hilda!

“You two just enjoy each other's company,” Vella said mockingly, rising back up as she observed her two captives. “I'm going to let Kaisa and Tildy know you're here... and negotiate the terms of your safe return.”

Upon hearing this news, Hilda and Frida both protested, shaking their heads and struggling fiercely. As scared as they were, they didn't want to be ransomed off or used as leverage... they knew Vella's plans involved endangering their mentors, and they couldn't let that happen. They lifted their legs up and down, slamming the heels of their bare feet into the floor repeatedly and twisting their shoulders and bodies as much as their rope bonds would allow, but Vella was merely amused by their struggles, leaning down one last time to mock them.

“Think about it, Frida,” said Vella, gesturing toward Hilda. “All your familiar has ever done is put you in danger... and the longer you stay with her, the more danger you'll be in. I've talked to the Marra. You had the right idea, leaving her before... you're better off without her.”

That's not true! Frida shouted immediately, furiously shaking her head and looking back at Hilda again. It's not true, Hilda!

But Hilda could only remember the argument Vella had mentioned... and all the worry and trouble she'd caused her friends.

“And Hilda... if you two make it out of this safely, perhaps you'd do best to work alone... all you ever manage to do is get the people you care about hurt.”

No! Hilda shouted, shaking her head rapidly as tears formed into her eyes. ...shut up!

Vella, satisfied that she'd stirred the pot enough, began to walk back toward the left exit hallway... but as she did, she turned back to taunt the girls one last time.

“Take the advice from a witch who's seen a lot more than either of you brats ever have... you really are better off apart,” said Vella, smirking as she delighted in twisting the knife into these girls who'd caused her nothing but humiliation. “Until then, all you'll ever taste is the agony of de-feet... get it? Because of the socks?”

Vella cackled at her own terrible joke as she left, leaving Hilda and Frida tied and gagged on the floor behind her, struggling with all they had to escape before she could use them against their friends.

I have to get out... Frida is counting on me! I failed her... some familiar I am... I know she says she's not upset, but the longer she's trapped here chewing on my nasty socks... ugh, why didn't I wash up, they must taste so nasty and it's all my fault!

Despite her fear and guilt, Hilda struggled wildly, trying not to dwell on any of her negative emotions as she tugged and strained on her bonds. For the first time, she was able to contemplate her own awkward feelings about having Frida's socks shoved in her mouth, but mercifully, Frida's socks barely tasted of anything at all except the fabric they were made of. It still wasn't the most pleasant feeling, having her mouth packed with the thick material that made her throat feel dry and made it hard to swallow, but at least they weren't dirty... though in a way, knowing how clean Frida's socks were almost made Hilda feel even more guilty.

I'm sorry! Hilda muffled again, despite knowing Frida could never understand her.

Hilda feels so down on herself right now... I'll never forgive Vella for making her so upset. What does that cruel woman have against her anyway? She's the one who kidnapped Hilda and her mum... and I couldn't do anything to protect her, even after I swore I would! What's the point of all this witch training if I can't stand up to a real bad guy? I really hope my socks aren't too awful... I was doing a lot of running...

Frida was trying her best not to show her own disgust at the constant taste of Hilda's dirty socks in her mouth, not wanting to make her friend feel more guilty than she already was. It wasn't so bad, she supposed... more embarrassing than anything, and besides all that, the two were in real danger! Frida had to get free... if only so she could get the gag out of her mouth and reassure her friend who clearly needed it right now.

Hilda, I'm fine! We just need to get out of here... and we can if we work together!

Frida's encouraging words were just as muffled as Hilda's apologies, but she didn't give up on trying to communicate, and soon, Hilda was turning her head back toward her to listen. Knowing words were useless, Frida began using gestures, nodding toward the ropes and toward the room's two exists.

We're not locked in here, so if we just get free, we can make our way out!

Hilda knew from the look in Frida's eyes that her friend was formulating a plan... and as bad as she still felt, she knew she had to form one too, or, at the very least, assist with Frida's. She nodded, gesturing toward the exits as well and struggling as much as she could, working her arms and legs in the ropes to try and get them loose.

I won't give up! Frida needs me, and so does everyone else!

Stowing her guilt and replacing it with pure determination, Hilda fought wildly, grunting as she strained in the ropes, and feeling Frida do the same. The two were no longer gripping hands, but Hilda could feel Frida's fingers fluttering against hers, and the feeling was reassuring. As long as Frida's fingers were moving so quickly, she still had fight left in her... and Hilda had to show that she did too. She wiggled her fingers against Frida's, returning the gesture and prompting her friend to look her way.

Oh, yes... it's nice that we can touch fingers, thought Frida, smiling under her gag for the first time. She wiggled them again, then, with a bit of effort, gripped Hilda's pinky with her own in a show of support. I'm right here.

Hilda smiled back, then looked sad again. Frida gripped her pinky tighter, and tried to grab onto more of her fingers as well, but felt her friend's hand move away as her struggles resumed. Sighing and giving a nod of resignation, Frida began to struggle again, working her shoulders in the ropes as she searched for an angle of escape.

At least we can see this time... thought Hilda, shuddering as she remembered the incident with her mum, and how Vella had taped their eyes as punishment for their own escape attempt. Being blinded like that before was utterly terrifying... I had no idea if my mum would be okay... and I know how scared she was too. I just hope Frida's not too scared right now...

Hilda remembered Frida's own experience with being taken captive by Victoria van Gale, and knew she'd struggled with lingering trauma from that incident for at least a few days afterward. Throwing herself into witch training and adventuring had helped, but the memories still remained, and now she had new nightmares to linger on, far more terrifying than before...

Even if she doesn't seem scared now, I know the nightmares will come, like they did with me. Oh, Frida, I never should've gone into that alley. I should've gone for help like you said! I wouldn't blame you for being mad. You're my best friend, and all I've done is get you into trouble...

Hilda didn't let her sadness stop her from struggling, but it was always there, even as she fought the ropes keeping her and Frida so tightly bound. She could hear Frida grunting and groaning behind her, and had to wonder just how much of it was from her exertions and how much was from the fact that she was tied and gagged and forced to chew on socks... and realized that it didn't matter, because both of those things were her fault.

Frida...!

Frida could hear Hilda muffle her name again, and she called back to her, kicking her legs up and down while straining in the ropes. This was getting them nowhere... the ropes weren't about to budge any time soon, and the more she struggled, the more soreness was building up in her arms.

I don't think we'll be able to wiggle free, thought Frida, looking down at her bonds and sighing. And I don't know any spells I can conjure like this that will get us out. She's confiscated your sword, maybe if we found that we could get loose, but I've got no idea where it is and we can't even get out of this room... we could scoot, but that wouldn't be very quick...

Frida planted her feet into the ground again, pushing them into the rug. She felt herself lift up slightly, but only a half of an inch or so, and as soon as she stopped pushing, her bottom planted itself right back down. Hilda looked back, seeing the frustrated look on her friend's face, and as she felt Frida's struggles momentarily cease, she stopped struggling herself and reached back to take her hands again. This time, she managed to clasp Frida's hand entirely in her own, and gave it a reassuring squeeze, prompting the girl to look her way.

I'll get us out of this , muffled Hilda. I don't know how, but I promise, I won't let Vella hurt you.

Frida, whose hand was trapped in Hilda's grip, couldn't return the gesture, but she smiled just the same, and Hilda felt slightly reassured, albeit still quite guilty. She leaned back a bit, and felt Hilda's head against her own. Hilda leaned back as well, and for a moment, the two friends just sat there, inhaling through their noses and letting their chests rise and fall with their slow breathing.

I wish I could tell you... Frida thought to herself, hearing the sadness in Hilda's muffling. I wish I could tell you just what all of this means to me.

I wish I could tell you just how sorry I am... thought Hilda, looking down at her feet as she rested them on the rug. You deserve a better friend.

Hilda pushed down as Frida had done before, lifting herself up from the ground about an inch before she came back down. Frida's eyebrow raised, and Hilda pushed herself up again.

“Hmmm...?” Hilda muffled quizzically, especially when she noticed Frida doing the same thing. Frida...?

Just... keep pushing... Frida thought to herself, lifting up from the ground to match Hilda's movements. Hilda...!

Frida...!

The two girls both looked over each other's shoulders.

If we stand up together, maybe we can hop out of here!

Their simultaneous epiphany, spoken by both girls, could hardly be understood, but having both had the same realization, they knew exactly what the other was saying, and in their surprise, both of them fell back to the ground with a quiet grunt, Hilda's grip on Frida's hand loosening as they hit the floor. They then let out a series of muffled noises, not words so much as indications, combining with mutual gestures to confirm that yes, they were indeed on the same page. Gesturing with their heads toward the floor and their own feet, they quickly hashed out a plan... and coordinated it by gripping each other's fingers tightly, as best they could, while pushing their feet into the floor at the same time.

On three, Frida muffled, nodding to Hilda.

“Mmhmm,” Hilda muffled back. “Wnn...!”

“Tmm...!” Frida muffled, closing her eyes.

“Thrmm!”

The two girls both shouted at once before pushing up off the ground together, bending their legs and pushing their feet into the floor while bracing against each other's bodies and gripping each other's hands tight. Though it was shaky at first, and the girls nearly fell, they were soon able to rise to a standing position, back to back in the middle of the rug, standing together in their tight bonds and supporting each other's weight as they maintained their standing position. They looked back at each other proudly, but knew they still had a lot of work to do. Hilda was closest to the exit, the left one that Vella had taken. Silently, she gestured to the right exit, figuring their best chance to escape would be to go where Vella wasn't. Frida nodded in agreement, and the two quickly agreed to count to three again before taking their first hop.

The first hop was both awkward and terrifying. Both girls had to coordinate it perfectly or risk falling, and while Hilda was moving forward, Frida had the much more difficult and frightening task of hopping backward, but she'd been able to do it well enough to stay upright, and though the girls wobbled as they landed, they were able to move forward a few inches with that first hop. The exit was still dozens of feet away... they had quite a few hops to go.

“Wmm... tmm... thrmm!”

Frida and Hilda kept a slow but steady pace as they hopped toward the open hallway, making sure both of them were absolutely in sync before launching into the next hop. It didn't take much coordination between them, they thought alike in many ways, and could usually tell just from the look in each other's eye when they looked over their shoulder that both of them were ready to hop again. Though there were a few close calls from awkward landings, it didn't take too long for them to make their way to the hallway entrance, and from there, they kept right on going, knowing wherever they went was better than staying put in that room.

As they continued their perilous journey, traversing a rather nondescript hall with more gray brick walls and floors, they tried their best to stay calm, their minds still racing about everything that had happened. Hilda was still struggling to put aside her guilt, while Frida was trying to push away her fear. The girls didn't try to converse, the gags prevented any attempts at real communication, but they tried their best to glean each other's mood from facial expressions and even the movements of each other's fingers... Frida hoped Hilda wasn't too sad, and Hilda hoped Frida wasn't angry with her. They continued to hop along, their count shortening as they went... from a three count to a two count, and then a one count, and then no count at all... just a nod and another hop, which rapidly increased their pace. Still, it wasn't all smooth sailing... the floor was hard and cold, making it rough on their bare feet, and hopping with the other girl's weight attached to their body was a tiring prospect. They both had to rest from time to time, and when one girl needed a break, they simply emoted it, and the other girl understood and with a nod of her head, ceased her hopping and let her partner catch her breath.

As scared, humiliated, and guilty as Hilda and Frida felt, this experience was, in many ways, a confirmation of the close bond they shared. It was certainly unique... and despite their better judgment, they'd almost call it 'fun'... or at least they would if they and their friends weren't in mortal danger.

Frida... even if you are upset with me, I'm so glad we're still on the same page with this. We think so much alike... I know we have our differences, you're smarter and more well organized, and... you're a harder worker too. But... when it comes to adventuring, you really are a kindred spirit. I just hope you're willing to forgive me after all of this.

Hilda... I wish I could tell you how I feel. How fun it is to adventure with you, to be by your side even when I'm... well, terrified. You're so brave and strong... far braver and stronger than I. I'm so glad to have you as my familiar. You're my best friend, my companion... and even if it's dangerous, I really would go anywhere with you. I just wish you knew that... I'd give anything for a chance to say it.

As Hilda and Frida hopped, down one hallway and turning the corner onto another, they began to get a sense of the kind of building this was. While somewhat similar to the secret witches' maze beneath the library, it seemed to be a different kind of facility entirely, a shelter of sorts rather than a passage. Was this, perhaps, an old headquarters for Trolberg's witches, before they dwelled in the Tower? Surely it couldn't be that ancient, but the girls found themselves rich with curiosity neither of them was currently able to vocalize. Frida wanted to find some documents and read up on the building's rich history, while Hilda just wished she could explore without having to hop like this... and neither girl could say just what they were feeling, only able to exchange looks of wonder and longing.

We'll have to come back here once Vella's safely locked up, thought Hilda, her eyes taking in everything they could as she and Frida kept hopping. That is... if you're willing to come back here with me.

Hilda gripped Frida's hand again, but Frida was too distracted, too focused on the task at hand to return the gesture. The blue-haired girl sighed, releasing Frida's hand and bowing her head in disappointment.

Right. No worries... maybe I'll come back on my own then.

As Hilda's mind began to fret once more, the girls could hear a faint voice nearby... and recognized it immediately. They let out a gasp, and Hilda's legs wobbled, nearly causing her to fall. It was only when Frida's fingers gripped hers that she managed to steady herself, and the two managed to hop a couple more times until they were up against the wall.

Vella! She's here? But didn't she go the other way? Hilda thought, shaking and sweating with fear as she listened to the witch's conversation.

Who's she talking to...? thought Frida, trying to calm herself down. As she did so, Hilda leaned toward the corner of the wall, getting as close as she dared so that she could listen to Vella's voice inside the nearby room. Hilda, what are you doing?

Hilda backed off slightly at Frida's muffled admonishment, but could still hear Vella speaking to someone. Inside the room, which, if the two girls had been able to look inside, they'd have seen that it had been converted to a somewhat modern-looking office, Vella was speaking with someone while holding a large, brick-like cellular phone to the side of her face.

“Yes, Lady Eleuthia, I am still working on a solution. ...it's going to be difficult now that hardly anyone in Trolberg trusts me, but if I can just get Matilda's support, I'll be able to activate the troll leylines and harness the magic...”

I knew it... I knew she wanted to hurt the trolls! thought Hilda, growling under her gag. Maybe not for the same reasons Ahlberg wanted to, but she's doing it for power and that's just as bad! We can't let her carry out her plan...

“...of course she'll support me, she'll do it or her little friends will pay the price! ...I know, I know kidnapping and hostage taking is beneath the Starfall Coven, do you think I have a choice? That little brat Hilda refused to stay out of my business, our business, and now- ...Lady Eleuthia, PLEASE!”

Vella's voice suddenly sounded desperate, as if she was on the verge of crying. Hilda had no sympathy for the witch, and neither did Frida, who was now more frightened than ever...

A desperate witch is a dangerous witch, thought Frida. She'll do anything to accomplish her goals, including hurting us! We have to get out of here before it's too late!

“I can get this under control, I just need a couple more days, I'm begging you...!!! I didn't work this hard for this long to fail now, I will not fail the coven, just give me a chance to take care of the Matilda problem and I can work the Committee. You don't need to come, I can take care of this myself!”

Wait, her boss is coming here...?

Hilda started to lean in closer, only for Frida to let out a quick squeal. She looked back to see her friend's head rapidly shaking.

Hilda, we've heard enough, let's turn around and find another way!

Hilda's eyes widened, and she began to protest, but seeing the frightened look in Frida's eyes, and feeling the guilt return, she nodded her head and started to turn around.

Then, Vella stormed out of the room, cursing under her breath. Hilda and Frida both let out exclamations of fright that were mercifully muted by the socks in their mouths, and in their shock, they both fell to the floor. Vella turned for a moment, but didn't look down, and her eyes just missed the girls as she walked off down the hallway. As Hilda and Frida looked on, laying on the floor in pain and terror, the witch disappeared around a corner, leaving her office open and leaving the girls' escape thankfully undisturbed.

After breathing the biggest sighs of relief of their lives, they wiggled back into a sitting position and sat against the wall together, looking toward the office and wondering about their next move. They sat there for a few seconds, catching their breath and thinking about what they'd heard, before Hilda gestured toward the office.

Maybe we'll find a clue... or my sword!

Frida was torn... as curious as she was about what they'd find in there, she knew they needed to be looking for a way out, not a room they could be easily trapped in. Seeing that Frida was unsure, Hilda looked sad again, and gave an understanding nod.

Right... out, not in. We'll find another way.

No, wait, muffled Frida, looking over Hilda's shoulder and toward the office. Maybe you're right...

Are you sure? Hilda replied, gesturing toward the office again.

“Mm-hmm,” muffled Frida, giving Hilda a reassuring smile. Let's go.

The two girls were quickly able to work themselves back to their feet, then hopped into the office together. It wasn't much of an office... there weren't many books, only some papers in short stacks, a rather simple desk, a chair, and a few trinkets, including that big phone of Vella's... it seemed as if this room had just been put together, out of supplies Vella had stolen since her recent escape. There wasn't even a computer... just a lot of papers with sketches and copied data, more information about leylines and some scribbled writings on troll magic.

Seems Vella's just as messy as ever, observed Frida, tsking softly. Kaisa would have a lot to say about this.

As Frida tried to read as many of the loose papers as she could, Hilda's eyes scanned the room for something else... but that something was missing.

Oh no, thought Hilda, looking around with a disappointed sigh. My sword, it's not in here...

Frida soon noticed Hilda's disappointment, and tried to reassure her by gripping her fingers again, but this time, Hilda wasn't interested, and bowed her head in shame once more.

Out, not in. There's barely anything useful here, and my sword's not here either...

Frida sighed, wondering what she could possibly do to try and cheer Hilda up. Looking through these papers was only a distraction... she needed to help her friend, just as Hilda would do for her. She looked at the chair again, and could see that one of the legs was rusted over...

Maybe if I tip the chair, we could use it to snag our ropes? Hilda, look!

Using her legs, Frida tried gesturing to the nearby chair, but Hilda wasn't quite as observant, and wasn't getting any of the gestures her friend was trying to give her. Sighing, Frida realized she'd have to do this herself, and swept her legs into the plastic chair a few times until it clattered to the ground, making a loud crash as it did so. Both girls winced, hoping the sound hadn't attracted Vella, but quickly realizing that if it had, time was of the essence, Frida scooted as best she could over to the rusty leg of the chair, now hanging about a foot off the ground.

“Mmph..mmnnh...!”

Using more gestures and mufflings, Frida was able to get Hilda to stand up with her again, and the two began working the ropes that bound them together against the chair's rusty leg, hoping that the ropes would slip and set the two of them free. At first, the ropes didn't budge, but they kept trying, pushing themselves up and down, and soon, the rust on the leg of the chair snagged against one of the ropes, pulling it free. The girls kept moving, and Frida did her best to try and encourage Hilda as she did so.

Hilda, c'mon, we've almost got it...!

More and more ropes fell away, until soon, they were loose enough for the two to wiggle free from each other. With one final turn and twist, all the ropes around the girls' bodies fell away, allowing them to move independently. Their wrists were still bound separately, as were their ankles, but now they were separated, and they turned toward each other for the first time since they'd awoke in Vella's captivity.

Hilda, we did it!

Frida, you're a genius...!

The girls both let out a squeal of joy, doing a celebratory wiggle in their ropes, and even nuzzling each other's faces... but then, realizing she was still tightly bound, Hilda slumped to the ground and sat down with her knees curled to her body.

We're still tied up and trapped here... and even if we get free the rest of the way, Vella's still here and she's going to hurt us to get what she wants!

Hilda looked up at Frida, tears in her eyes.

And it's all my fault!

Frida had already been thinking about how to free herself completely. The wrist ropes were tighter than their chest ropes had been, and rubbing them against the rusty chair leg was a risky proposition, but she didn't see any other choice, they had to get out of this situation and that meant freeing themselves the rest of the way... but then, as she was weighing the pros and cons of such an escape plan in her mind, she heard a sob escape Hilda's taped lips, and she looked down to see her best friend still sitting on the floor, a tear streaking down the side of her face.

Hilda...

Frida muffled her friend's name before kneeling down beside her, but before she could say anything else, Hilda turned her head away.

Frida, I get it, I'm the worst familiar ever! I keep dragging you and David into these awful situations, and this is the most awful one of all!

Hilda, no...! Frida said, trying desperately to emote her feelings even as tightly gagged as she was. I'm not mad, and I don't blame you, and you're the best familiar... you're my best friend! Hilda, please, listen!

But Frida's desperate, muffled attempts to reassure Hilda only sounded like angry ranting... and though Hilda could see the softness in Frida's expression, she wondered if she was just seeing what she wanted to see, not what was really there.

You don't have to say it, Frida. I know you're mad at me.

Hilda's own doubts, combined with her trauma, had paralyzed her with sadness and fear. Frida had had those same feelings, the day of her big argument with Hilda. It seemed like so long ago, but had it really been? A year, a year and a half, maybe? She'd overreacted, even if she knew part of her anger was justified... the two had had this huge fight, and had never completely worked things out, they'd just... sort of realized they wanted to be friends again. Still, it was clear... Hilda had never gotten completely over it, and it had manifested into this, blaming herself for hurting everyone around her.

Oh, Hilda... I know how that feels, to doubt yourself. I lashed out, but you turned inward, and now...

Frida wanted to take Hilda into her arms and hold her tight, wanted to tell her everything was going to be okay... she wanted to brush the tears from her eyes, but couldn't even do that with her hands bound behind her back. She looked into Hilda's eyes, or tried to, but the blue-haired girl just closed them and turned away... she couldn't even bear to look at her for all the guilt she was feeling.

She had so much she wanted to say... more than reassurances, more than apologies.

She wanted to tell Hilda everything .

Hilda, you're... you're more than just my best friend. You've always been so brave and kind to me... you've always protected me, and now, when you need me, I can't even lift a finger... I have to do something. I have to say something, even if I can't speak. It can't wait...!

Frida's eyes narrowed.

Hilda! Frida called to her. Hilda! Hilda!

Frida screamed Hilda's name, refusing to stop until her friend looked her in the eye. Hilda continued to sob, tears streaming down her face, shaking her head silently.

Hilda, please, just look at me!

Finally, Hilda relented, opening her eyes and looking up.

Frida, I'm so-

Frida's lips pushed against Hilda's, with no regard for the tape between them. She pushed her lips against Hilda's as firmly as she could, closing her eyes even as Hilda's widened in shock. Then, she opened her eyes again, just as Hilda's were starting to close. Their lips were still pushing together... Frida didn't want to back away until she was sure Hilda knew.

Finally, when she was sure, she parted from Hilda, and looked into her eyes again, desperately searching for a reaction.

She could see Hilda's expression calming slightly, one more tear sliding down her face.

She wanted to say it, but she couldn't. Not now, not with socks and tape muffling everything she tried to say. She hoped Hilda knew... even if Hilda didn't feel the same way.

And Hilda finally stopped crying, looking into Frida's eyes and seeing it... seeing that her friend was still her friend, and maybe more... seeing not one bit of resentment or anger or blame.

Frida... Hilda muffled finally, her cheeks turning red. I...

“There you are.”

And the two girls, hearts beating rapidly, still trying to process their unspoken feelings, turned toward the door and saw Vella standing over them.

“I see you've been busy.”

Hilda, determined not to ever fail Frida again, rose to her feet on shaking legs, standing defiantly before Vella and looking her squarely in the eyes as she stood in front of her still kneeling friend.

Let us go.

Vella, determined never to let this little brat get the best of her ever again, lifted her hand, causing the blue-haired girl to levitate off of the ground.

And with one quick gesture, Hilda was flung out of the room and against the closed door across the hall. She slumped against it, lettting out a cry of pain, and Frida screamed in fright. Soon, Vella was standing over her. She lifted her hand again, forcing Frida to stand. Frida, eyes wide with terror, was still screaming Hilda's name and looking out the door, trying to see if she was alright. With another gesture, Vella forced Frida to look at her instead.

“Hello, little witch,” said Vella, smiling coldly as she continued to levitate Frida onto her tiptoes. “Did you think you could stop me?”

Chapter Text

Frida, quivering with fright even as rage stirred up inside her heart at what she'd just seen Vella do to her best friend, just looked up at her and tried not to faint. Her toes ached as Vella forced her to stand on them, while her fists were clenched so tightly behind her back that her fingers hurt as well. She couldn't see Hilda, or even hear her friend's groans... she feared the worst, and in that moment, felt the same guilt that had been consuming Hilda since the moment they'd awoken in Vella's clutches. She let out a fearful mewling, and Vella just laughed, seemingly drinking up the young witch's terror.

“I'm not going to hurt you... if the people in this town start doing everything I say. Otherwise, well...”

Vella gestured toward the open door, and Frida let out a sob, fearing the worst.

“She really should've stayed out of my way.”

Frida began to squirm, but Vella's magic had a powerful hold on her body, and she could barely make even a single twitch. She called out Hilda's name, muffling it into the gag repeatedly, but got no response from outside the room as Vella continued to exert a cruel grip on her.

“Now, as for you...”

Frida looked fiercely into Vella's eyes, still trying to break herself free. She knew she couldn't do so physically, but perhaps with magic, she could fight back, and began trying to focus her energy on spellcasting, despite knowing that without being able to move or speak, it would be a near impossible proposition for the novice witch.

“Maybe you can be convinced to see things our way... maybe the Starfall Coven could be in your future.”

Never! Frida screamed, eyes lit up with anger. You hurt my friend, I'll never join you!

“...I didn't say you'd join willingly...”

Outside, Hilda lay slumped against the door, groaning in pain. She blinked her eyes open, and could hear Frida's loud screams from inside the room across the hall.

Frida! the blue-haired girl muffled, ready to squirm to her feet and hop back in to save her friend, despite knowing she had no chance to overcome Vella. I'll save you!

As she started to stand, she could feel the door behind her slide back. She looked over her shoulder... she'd hit the door with such force that it had broken the locking mechanism. Inside, leaning back against the wall, she saw the glint of an object... and her eyes went wide.

My sword! thought Hilda, only to hear Frida cry out again. She looked into the room across the hall, then back at her sword... she didn't have much time.

Frida continued to struggle, concentrating and focusing all of her strength, but to no avail... Vella's magic was too strong. Vella laughed, observing her captive's struggles with great joy... as frightened as Frida was, breaking her to become a loyal coven witch would be easy.

“Come now, Frida... we can go check on your little friend. Maybe she's still breathing... maybe she's-”

With a loud cry, Frida collapsed to one knee, having broken Vella's levitation spell, and having burned off her ankle ropes at the same time. Vella smirked... the feat only required a small amount of magical energy, and the older witch had barely been trying. She laughed, standing over Frida as the girl looked up at her, struggling to catch her breath.

“So, you've got some fire left... time to snuff that out.”

As Vella reached toward Frida, she hadn't noticed that the girl had used one of her big toes to trace a small but powerful magical symbol on the floor... and as she approached, Frida swept her foot over it, sending out a burst of magical energy, enough to knock Vella backward and nearly off her feet. Frida stood up, fragments of rope falling from around her ankles. Though her wrists were still bound tightly, she'd made her message clear... she wasn't ready to surrender just yet.

“Ugh... why can't you little brats just do what you're told?” shouted Vella, her hands crackling with red light. “That's it... I'll do what I should've done before, and trap you in a magical cocoon until you're back at the coven!”

Frida stepped back, trembling. She frantically struggled to free her wrists, knowing that without the use of her hands, she wouldn't be able to defend herself from Vella's next spell. Vella lifted up her hands, and Frida instinctively recoiled in fright... only for Hilda to rush into the room and tackle Vella with all her strength, sending her back into the wall.

“UGGGH!!!” Vella grunted, hitting the wall hard as a completely freed Hilda fell on top of her.

Hilda! muffled Frida, overjoyed that her friend was okay.

“I'll... keep her... down...!” Hilda shouted, straining to hold the larger woman against the floor. “Get yourself free!”

Lifting one hand from Vella, Hilda grabbed her sword from its sheath, tossing it across the room toward the trapped Frida. This gave Vella the opportunity to wrestle an arm from the ground and push Hilda away, not even bothering to use her magic with the small girl so physically outmatched.

“Stop this at once!” Vella demanded, as Hilda rushed at her again. “What are you doing?”

“Giving you... what you deserve... you mean... nasty... creepy... old... witch!”

Hilda's words were punctuated with numerous punches, all of which Vella blocked against magical energy barriers. She barely even had to move to deflect Hilda's blows, but the determined girl kept trying, even as she started to hurt her fists against the hard magical shields.

“You should learn some respect...!”

“And you should leave me and my friends alone!”

Hilda threw another punch, only for Vella to catch her by the wrist and lift her into the air.

“Are you quite done?” Vella asked, keeping Hilda in her grip as the blue-haired girl struggled wildly to free herself with numerous kicks and shrieks. “I'm through with this... I'm through with you... forget the ransom... I'll take your little friend back to the coven... and we'll make a proper witch of her...”

Vella's free hand lit up with another powerful magical burst, and Hilda gasped, realizing she wouldn't be able to free herself before the spell impacted.

Then, Vella let out a scream as Hilda's sword sliced across the top of her hand. She gasped and dropped Hilda, collapsing and gripping her wounded hand in pain as the sword embedded itself in the wall behind her. Hilda turned and saw Frida, freed from her bonds and still standing in a sword-throwing pose, a stunned look on her face.

“I... I didn't know what do to! I thought about aiming for her head, but I didn't want to kill her, and I didn't want to hit you, so I just... well I saw her hand and-”

Hilda rushed over to Frida and wrapped her up in a tight embrace, hugging her with numerous tears streaming down her cheeks.

“I've been waiting to do this ever since we woke up...” said Hilda, embracing Frida tightly. Frida eagerly returned the embrace, smiling and burying her face in Hilda's shoulder. “It's okay... I know you don't blame me for what happened.”

“Of course not, I could never blame-”

Frida looked over Hilda's shoulder to see Vella readying another magical blast.

“Look out!” Frida screamed, pushing Hilda away only to be struck by the blast and sent flying into the wall. “Unnngggh!”

“FRIDA!”

“You... little... brats... need... your mouths... shut... permanently!” Vella snarled, still nursing her injured left hand while pointing her right hand at Frida. “No... more... games!”

Hilda ran at Vella again, only for Frida to stand up and use a small burst of magic to push Hilda away.

“No,” said Frida, staring down Vella. “This is my fight... we're both witches here, after all.”

Hilda didn't want to let Frida fight Vella alone, but she could see in her friend's eyes that she had a plan, and nodded her head, trusting that her friend would be all right. Vella just smirked and turned toward Hilda.

“Hey! Coward!” Frida shouted, drawing Vella's attention back toward her. “Leave Hilda out of this... this is a proper witches' duel now.”

“A witches' duel? Are you mad?” Vella asked, lifting her bloodied hand to her forehead and laughing wildly. “You're a witch in training, I'm the most powerful witch in the Starfall Coven!”

“Seems to me like your superior doesn't think so,” Frida replied. “The way she was talking to you, sounds to me like she thinks you're a failure.”

“...how dare you,” Vella spat, her injured hand crackling with magical energy. “I'll-!”

Vella let out a pained shriek, feeling her wound flare up, forcing her to cease her spell. Frida took advantage, aiming a binding spell at Vella similar to the one she'd used with Kaisa in the atelier to trap the powerful witch before. The spell took the form of a cuff that trapped Vella's good hand behind her back, restricting her magical output and forcing her to cast with her injured appendage... at least for the moment.

“If I'm such a novice, a witch like you should be able to beat me with one hand tied behind your back, hmm?”

“Oh, she's good,” Hilda said quietly, looking on with admiration.

“Fair enough,” said Vella, stepping forward. “Illithis zynpatra!”

Vella's injured hand lit up again, and she conjured a field of magical spikes that rose up all around Frida's side of the room. Though this spell caused her great pain, she cared little for that at the moment, her pride temporarily numbing her. Frida gasped, but managed to slip around the spikes, creating a few small shields to protect herself as she ran through them.

“Doric labyrie!”

Using the memory of the vines she and Hilda had battled when they'd journeyed with Kaisa through the underground witches' lair, Frida conjured magical energy vines, attempting to trap Vella's legs. Vella easily sliced through them with an energy blade that once again caused searing pain to her hand. Frida then summoned a horde of magical mice, using her memory of the Tide Mice from back at Jorts Tower. The mice crawled up onto Vella's legs, tickling her and breaking her concentration, allowing Frida to launch another sweeping energy wave at her that threw her backward, nearly causing her to tumble over the desk in the middle of the room.

“Memory conjuration? How did a novice witch like you learn such powerful magic so quickly...?”

“Memory conjuration spells are enhanced if the wielder has strong feelings attached to the memories,” said Frida, conjuring up more memory magic to force Vella back further. “Those feelings can compensate for a witch's lack of experience!”

“Bollocks!” Vella swore, finally dispelling the magic with a burst of wind. “You can't possibly make me think your feelings are that strong! Besides, a witch doesn't need feelings to cast magic... only the knowledge and talent that comes naturally to a powerful witch like me... take this!”

Vella emanated a miniature lightning storm from her hand, aimed directly at Frida. The magical backlash was enough to worsen the wound on her hand, but Vella fought through the pain, driven by revenge and a desire to prove she was the better witch. Frida screamed, collapsing to her knees, her shields barely able to keep the shocks to a less than lethal level. Hilda immediately moved to intervene, but Frida raised her hand, asking her to once again stay back.

“I can... do this...! I can... stop her...!”

“Frida, I can't let her hurt you!”

“Child, what could you possibly do to stop me?” asked Vella, turning toward Hilda as she continued to assault Frida with electricity. “You're lucky I don't turn you into a slug right now... in fact... I don't think your little witch is going to do anything to stop me!”

“If you... hurt Hilda... it proves... you can't beat me... in a proper duel...!” Frida shouted, feeling her energy rapidly depleting as the last of her magical shields began to fail.

“I don't care! I can beat you any time I want, and I'm going to take care of your bratty friend right now!”

Ceasing her lightning spell, Vella was satisfied as she watched the hurting and exhausted Frida collapse to the ground, barely able to move. She then turned to Hilda, using her injured hand to aim a transformation curse at her. However, with the injury, her aim was poor, and Hilda was able to easily move out of the way... and then the blue-haired girl lunged forward with a punch.

“Sorry, but now it's just self-defense!” Hilda shouted, before slamming her fist into Vella's face as hard as she could. Vella stumbled back, shrieking in rage, and with a loud cry, she finally broke out of Frida's binding spell, breaking her trapped good hand free and lifting it into the air while clutching her injured hand close to her body. “...!!!”

“That's right... now you're going to feel the full wrath of my magic...” said Vella, looking with pure hatred into Hilda's eyes. “And then I'll make your friend suffer just as much... and it's going to be all your fault!”

Hilda clenched her fists, preparing to strike at Vella again... but as she saw the witch's hand come down, she knew it was too late.

Frida... I'm sorry!

Vella's hand came down... and stopped, along with her entire body. The witch couldn't even turn her head... but she could move her eyes, and looked to see Frida standing next to her, having just cast a perfectly aimed stun spell.

“Frida, it worked!” gasped Hilda. “I knew you could do it!”

“You did?” asked Frida, looking slightly bewildered that her own spell had been so effective. “Because I didn't think it would work, I was just-”

“Oh, hold on a sec...” said Hilda, watching as Vella began to twitch. “That's not good...”

“I...will...get...you...brats...!” Vella shouted through clenched teeth. With two good hands, she'd have already broken the spell, but with one hand barely able to conjure a single burst of magic, it would take at least a few more seconds. “I... will... get... you...!”

“Sorry,” said Hilda with a smirk, clenching her fist. “I don't think so.”

Hilda punched Vella again, and this time, the punch put her down and out, knocking her immediately unconscious. As Vella lay groaning on the floor, Hilda stood proudly over her. Then, she could feel Frida's arms wrapping tightly around her from behind, in a warm and relieved embrace.

“It's finally over...” said Frida, panting for breath. “Are you okay?”

“Me? You're the one who just won a magical duel with the 'most powerful witch in the Starfall Coven'!”

The two girls started laughing, Frida still holding Hilda tightly. After everything they'd been through, they still had so much to discuss... and so many new questions that needed answered... but for now, they were just glad to be alive, and safe, and finally able to talk to each other about all the things they'd just learned.

“...we should really make sure she can't move or cast spells when she wakes up,” said Hilda, pointing at the unconscious Vella.

“Agreed,” replied Frida, quietly nodding.

O-O-O

And so, after washing and properly bandaging Vella's injured hand with their Sparrow Scout first aid skills (they weren't monsters, after all), the two girls made sure to use the numerous rolls of duct tape laying around to make sure that Vella wouldn't be able to mess with them when she woke up. They wrapped her up tightly, so tightly that only her nose was left exposed when she finally awoke, her arms, legs, head, and everything else trapped in numerous layers of tape.

“Mmmff...mmffff...mmmmfff....”

As Vella lay on the floor, her nostrils flaring rapidly, Hilda leaned over her, watching her closely.

“...can you breathe okay? You can breathe okay, right?”

What kind of question is that, you despicable little monster?

Vella just let out a loud, angry groan, and Hilda repeated her question.

“You can get plenty of air through your nose, right? Big deep breaths?”

Vella growled and swore, and Hilda, holding up a pair of socks, smirked.

“In that case...”

Hilda then took the pair of socks, that Vella had earlier so delighted in shoving into Frida's mouth, and draped them over the cruel witch's nose. The fabric wouldn't be enough to obstruct her breathing, but it would make said breathing considerably less pleasant, and as soon as she realized what Hilda had done, she let out a tremendous scream of rage and disgust.

Satisfied with her revenge, Hilda then walked over to Frida, who'd just finished contacting Kaisa. The two were seated in the facility's antechamber, near the door leading outside. It would take Kaisa a few minutes to arrive, and in the meantime, she knew that she and Hilda had quite a bit to discuss.

“So... Kaisa's going to let Tildy, the Safety Patrol, and your mum know what happened, and they'll all be here soon,” said Frida, reaching over and taking Hilda's hand. “I... think Kaisa wants us to go to the hospital, just to get checked out.”

The two girls looked each other over... apart from a few burns and bruises, they didn't look to be seriously hurt, but it was better to be safe than sorry. Hilda worried about how her mom might react, but Frida's reassuring touch did wonders to dispel some of those fears from her mind.

“It's not that mum'll be mad... well, at me, I mean. I'm a bit worried about what she'll do to Vella.”

Frida laughed, looking back at the squirming and growling mummified witch behind them.

“Yeah, maybe we should hide the rest of the tape before your mum decides to slap some over Vella's nose.”

The two girls leaned on each other, still caressing each other's hands tenderly. It had been a frightening ordeal... certainly more frightening than what Hilda had undergone before. Though the sensation of being blinded and trapped with her mum was quite a fearful one, and certainly nothing Hilda ever wanted to go through again, Vella had, for the most part, not physically harmed them... but this time she'd been out for blood, deranged to the point of madness, willing to kill both girls to get them out of her way... or just to claim her revenge.

“Still trying to figure out what this creepy place is,” said Hilda, looking outside. “I can see the moon and the stars, so... the building's in plain sight, just like the library. You suppose it's another witch's lair?”

“I think it might be a place where witches from outside Trolberg gather when there's a threat to more than just the city,” said Frida. “I found literature and art from all over the world, and magical scrolls with all different kinds of spells... witch magic, troll magic, magic I couldn't even recognize... some kind of... emergency embassy, perhaps?”

“Which is why Vella knew to come here after she escaped,” said Hilda, letting out a sigh. “We still don't know what that threat is, and what's the deal with this... Lady Eleuthia? Do you think she's friend, or foe?”

“I'm sure they'll try to get answers from Vella, but I don't think she'll be willing to talk,” Frida said, looking back at her again. “You know, once she's... able to talk.”

“If they take my advice, she won't be able to talk again for a very long time,” said Hilda, glaring at the mummified witch. “You hear me, you mean old nasty witch?”

Vella just groaned again, her body rocking back and forth as she stewed in her anger and humiliation. Frida gripped Hilda's hand again.

“Don't worry about her...” said Frida, leaning closely into Hilda and looking into her eyes. “She can't hurt us anymore.”

“I suppose not,” Hilda replied, smiling but also sighing.

“...so.... you wanna talk about all that from before? You know, how upset you were?”

Hilda knew exactly what Frida was referring to, and, try as she might, she'd never be able to change the subject. Besides... Frida was right, it was time they finally talked about all of this.

“Frida, do you ever get... upset with me for dragging you into all of this? All of these dangerous adventures?”

“I mean... I get upset sometimes, but not with you,” said Frida, sighing as well. “At least not since...”

“Our fight?”

“About that, Hilda, I-”

“No, you were right to be upset with me, I had no right to drag you and David around like that. It's just... I'm used to going on adventures, getting myself into trouble, and putting myself in danger, and... it's just... I didn't realize that most people don't do those kinds of things, you know? Most people don't risk their lives, or get hurt, or nearly killed all the time like I do, and I get it, it must've been weird and scary and... and if I ever did something that you didn't want to do, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, Frida...”

“Hilda...”

As the tears fell down Hilda's cheeks, Frida was finally able to do what she wanted to do back when the two were still tied up... she reached up and wiped them away, and kept her hand on Hilda's cheek as she looked warmly into her eyes.

“Yes, I was upset, but mostly with myself... it was such a weird thing to find out that rooms don't clean themselves, and just... the weight of everything that had happened in the past few weeks just kind of hit me all at once, and I snapped at you.”

“But it's true, isn't it? I put you in danger against your will-”

“Not against my will, Hilda. You're my best friend, and I would do anything with you.”

Hilda shivered, blinking at Frida with somewhat of a shocked expression on her face. It wasn't that she didn't believe her best friend's words, it was just... to hear Frida, who'd always been so by the book, so composed, so...down to earth, to hear her say that she'd do anything, it was a surprise, especially when she knew it was true because Frida had just told her.

“Even after... everything? Even after this?”

“I mean, obviously,” Frida replied, still wiping the tears from Hilda's face. “In fact, I'm glad I was here for you this time... I'd rather not have been kidnapped, of course, but if Vella was going to take you again, I'm glad she took me too.”

“Frida... I... I...”

Hilda certainly wished that Frida never had to go through what she'd just endured, but at the same time, Frida had supported her, calmed her, protected, her, saved her... if Frida hadn't been there, Hilda would never have made it out.

“...I know. I know you didn't want it to happen to me, but-”

“But you saved me.”

“And you saved me,” Frida replied, placing both her hands on Hilda's face now.

“...I'm still sorry you had to have my socks in your mouth,” Hilda said quietly, looking down but also smiling, knowing now that Frida really was glad to be her friend.

“Well... yes, you do need to wash your socks more often, they did taste... relatively disgusting,” Frida replied, before the two shared a quiet laugh.

“And.... I'm still going to feel bad when you get scared or hurt because of me.”

“Hilda, listen. Before I met you, my life was just... one study session after the other. It wasn't awful, I had David, and I enjoyed a lot of the things I was doing, but... you brought me out of my shell. You gave me things to do, wonderful, incredible things... dangerous, yes, scary, yes, but also important things. We helped people, we saved Trolberg, we... I.... I made so many other new friends, like Alfur, and Tontu, and Twig, and Kaisa, and Tildy, and... I admit sometimes I even still talk to Kelly because I really don't think she's as bad as she acts sometimes. Hilda, you've made my life magical... you've made my life wonderful... before I met you, I always had to be perfect. But now, because of you, I can be... I can be me!”

Now Frida was the one crying, and Hilda was the one wiping tears from her face.

“Hilda, you are my familiar... and my best friend... and my... Hilda, you're my...”

Frida leaned in, and Hilda, knowing what Frida wanted, leaned in toward her.

Their lips met, and as tears streamed down both their faces, they stayed like that for a few seconds more, enjoying every moment of their new reality... and just enjoying how it felt to have their lips together like this.

Then, they parted, Frida's hands still resting on Hilda's face, and Hilda's hands resting on Frida's shoulders.

“That was... a lot nicer without the tape,” said Hilda, blushing intensely.

“Yeah, it really was...” Frida replied, sniffling one more time. “...so... what does this mean?”

“...I think it means I'll always be your familiar,” said Hilda, wiping one last tear from Frida's cheek. “And no matter what happens, I'll do my best to protect you.”

“And I'll go anywhere with you, Hilda, no matter how dangerous,” said Frida. “But don't think I won't remind you when you're taking a really big risk!”

“You wouldn't be Frida if you didn't,” said Hilda, giggling as she leaned in and nuzzled their foreheads together. “Want to go outside and wait for Kaisa?”

“I just want to stay here with you...” Frida replied, pulling Hilda in closer. “Somehow I feel... safer around you.”

“I can't imagine why,” Hilda said, giggling as she held Frida close and gently began caressing her hair. “What if next week we get kidnapped twice?”

“Such is the life of an adventurer,” Frida replied, nuzzling her face against Hilda's shoulder and feeling safer, warmer, and more loved than she ever had in her entire life. And I wouldn't trade it, or you, for anything in the world.