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Part 21
“See, I told them that I was old enough to stay home alone,” Willow spoke to a squirrel that had stopped to watch her work in the garden. “Honestly, though, I like it. I mean, it gives me a chance to spend time alone with them. I mean, they’re all great, but together, they can be a little overwhelming. What’s that you say?” She paused as the squirrel chattered at her. “You’re going to watch me today? Well, then, I suppose we should get to know one another, shouldn’t we?”
The princess and squirrel engaged in quiet chatter
for a few minutes longer, before the haunting strains of a familiar melody
distracted the small rodent. “What’s the matter, little one?
Do you hear something?” As the music reached her ears, Willow saw
a figure appearing over the crest of a hill as it came toward her.
“Oh! Oh, my. It’s probably nothing, but better safe than sorry
right, my bushy-tailed friend? Where’d you go? Oh, you’ve gone
inside your home where it’s safe, haven’t you? I should do the same,
then. I’ll see you later, little friend,” she called out as she went
back inside the cottage.
Even with the doors and windows shut, however, Willow
could hear the lyrics she heard as a child as they drifted down the road
to her. “Weaving spiders, come not near; Hence you long-legged spinners,
hence! Beetles black approach not near, worm nor snail do no offence.”
Willow began to hum softly along with the strange lullaby, then to sing
as the voice got nearer and louder.
“Philomel with melody, sing in our sweet lullaby; Lulla, lulla, lullaby, lulla, lulla, lullaby: Never harm, nor spell, nor charm. Come, our lovely lady, nigh. So goodnight with lullaby.”
“Milady, is that you I hear? Or does someone else know my song?” A voice called from beyond the door.
“Darla? Is that you”
“Yes, ‘tis I. But are you My Lady Willow?”
“Of course it is me!” the princess replied joyfully. “What brings you here, so far from home?”
“I bring gifts and news from Rosenberg. May I come in so that I may greet you properly?”
Willow started to open the door, but stopped with her hand on the latch. “I daren’t. Forgive me, my friend, but I promised that I would not let anyone in the house while the others are not here.”
“It is already forgotten, my dear. I wouldn’t ask you to betray their trust. Will you come out here, then?”
“No, I mustn’t do that, either. The last time that happened, I died.”
“You died? Just from coming outside?”
“Well, no. There was this girl who saw me in the garden, and she gave me some combs, and the next thing I knew, Spike was riding through the woods, and I fainted.”
“I thought you said you died.”
“I did. I died, and then I fainted.”
“Oh. But I’m not a stranger. You know me. Besides, I feel a little odd talking to a door.”
“I know, but I gave my word that I… They didn’t say anything about talking through a window!” Willow moved to the window near the door and pushed it open. “Now, what was this about gifts?”
“Oh, I almost forgot.” Darla held up the basket she carried. “I bring treats from your garden. There’s not much left, but I managed to salvage some of the harvest this year.”
Willow’s gaze lingered on the fruits and nuts from her home. “Is that all that remains? Has my garden been so easily destroyed?”
“No, but the cook did get to the fruit trees before I could. I had to sneak this apple away from her. She was going to use it in a pie, but I knew how much you loved them, so I took it for you.” Darla handed Willow the apple, her eyes sparkling in anticipation.
“You’re lucky she didn’t catch you. She even chased *me* out of the kitchen.” Willow laughed as she turned the apple around in her hand. “Tell me, honestly, how bad is it?”
“Hmmm? Oh, the garden. It’s not too bad, really. It looks worse than it really is because of the early frost.”
“You’ve had a frost already? Oh, those poor flowers! And I’ve so much work to get done here if I wish to have anything left in the spring.”
“Can I help? I’m not nearly as talented as you, but if you were to show me what to do…”
“That’s a marvelous idea, Darla! No, I can’t. Don’t take this the wrong way, but I did promise them.”
“No, I understand. You’ve always been true to your word. I’d hate for you to break it on my behalf. Are your roommates so cruel that they keep you locked up alone all day?”
“No, it’s not like that at all. Normally, there’s one of them here with me. Oh, now that sounds like they think I need a babysitter. I like staying here by myself. It reminds me of the days when I was younger and spent the days by myself in the garden waiting…”
“Waiting for that peasant boy, Spike?”
“He’s more than just a peasant boy, or a servant, or the other things people called him. He… if I’d met him inside the palace, I would have mistaken him for a visiting prince, or at least the son of a Duke. He had… this honorableness about him. I don’t know how else to put it.”
“You really loved him, didn’t you?”
“I still do, I think. I try not to, but I can’t help it. I wonder if he still thinks of me. Have you seen him since I left?”
“No. No one knows anything about him.”
“Do you think that things would have worked out if I’d stayed? If my parent’s hadn’t arranged that marriage with Oz?”
“Perhaps. But more likely it wouldn’t.”
“Do you think he hates me?”
“Oz? No. After you left, he quickly married the sister of another minstrel. I think her name was Veruca. Queen Sheila is furious, of course, but she’s already arranged another ‘suitable’ marriage, if you ever come to your senses and go home.”
“Already? Who’d she find this time?”
“Prince William of Sunnydale.”
“What? He hates me.”
“That may be, but his father and your mother have agreed upon a contract. You’re to be wed the first of the year, unless the Prince can find another bride that he prefers.”
“So he gets a choice, and I don’t. You know, Darla, sometimes I really hate being a princess. I mean, Spike never knew who I really was. He knew my name and everything, of course, but he thought I was just a regular person. But it didn’t matter that I wasn’t important, or rich, or the heir to a kingdom. He liked me for who I was, not what I was.”
“Life isn’t always fair milady.”
“I know, and I’m lucky to have been born with the position I have. And I have a wonderful life, and I really appreciate it, but sometimes, I wish that I could be just another person, without the burden of royalty.”
“You don’t really mean that, your Highness.”
“Yes, I do.”
“No you don’t. If you did, then you would not have told your friends who you were, and you could have been that ordinary girl you speak of. Here, take this,” Darla handed Willow the basket of goodies. “It’s getting heavy, and if you’re not coming out, and I’m not coming in, then I must be heading back to Rosenberg.”
“So soon? But you just got here.”
“Yes, but I’ve no place to stay. And unlike you, I can’t just go to the palace and demand service.”
“I don’t…”
“I know you don’t. But you could.”
“Well, before you go, eat some of this fruit with me. You’ll need the strength it gives for your journey home.”
“Very well, but only because you asked me to stay. You start with the apple, and I’ll have some of these nuts.”
“You were only able to get one apple? Maybe I should wait and share it with the others.” Willow looked uncertainly at the fruit.
“Unfortunately, yes. But you should have it. I brought it for you. Besides, if you share with them, then each of you would barely get a mouthful. There are plenty of other fruits in here for them.”
“But, maybe I should…” she started to put the apple down.
“No. Eat the apple.” Darla pressed it back into her hand. “Do you remember that game you used to play with apples when you were younger?”
“Of course. I would make a wish, and if I could eat the entire apple before it turned brown, then it would come true.”
“You do remember. What do you say, for old time’s sake, you try it again?”
“Okay, but I don’t see what the big rush is.”
“Well, you said it yourself, Milady. It’s a long trip home, and I need to be on my way soon.”
“It’s okay, Darla. Let’s see… what to wish
for? Gosh, I really don’t know. I have just about everything
I could possibly want here. Friends, a home, food, clothing, safety…”
“Yes, but do you have *everyone* you want?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Come on, Willow, it’s just a silly wish. Just say it.”
“Fine. I wish Spike would come and carry me off so that we could live happily ever after together.” Down the road in the forest, Prince William stirred and groggily headed toward the palace.
“Yes, that’s good. Now, eat the apple.”
“Yes, mother.” Willow bit hungrily into the apple, not noticing that Darla paled at her comment. She had nearly consumed half the apple when she suddenly clutched at her throat and began gasping for air. As she plead for help with her eyes, Darla began to chuckle softly. Her soft sounds of delight turned to loud laughter when the girl collapsed for the third and final time.
“Foolish girl. You never learn, do you? They warned you, but you always did have trouble doing what you were told.” With a flash, Darla disappeared, catching William’s eye as he passed the cottage.
“Huh. I wonder what that was. Probably
just Anya working on one of her charms.” Dismissing it as nothing
out of the ordinary, he continued on his journey home.
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