(This page is dedicated to the
stories of Snow in Waddington Willows written by Sherry Marshall)
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Snow
in WW: Chapter 160 – “Return to the
Willows”
She wasn’t sure what had led her to the mountain…she just felt it was the center of something important. She was glad she was drawn there however, as she spotted Mike precariously standing on the edge. She acted quickly, grabbing him and pulling him back. He whispered something she didn’t hear…she was too busy ‘scolding him’,
“Mike, what on earth are you doing? Didn’t your mother ever teach you not to stand too close to the edge of a high place? You could fall and hurt yourself…or in this particular instance, be killed!”
He wondered if she were kidding somehow, since that is exactly was had supposedly happened to her. But he didn’t care now…here she was…his Princess. There was no debate about it now…she was flesh and blood, holding him in her arms. He knew he wasn’t dreaming this. He brushed his hand through her dark hair…styled just as he remembered her. The dress appeared to be new…but still Snow’s style. Perhaps it was a gift from the Willows ‘fairy’. He hadn’t been so happy since she disappeared so many months ago, “Snow…” he said again as he smiled at her.
She frowned in confusion, but then sighed in her realization. “No, sorry sweetie. It’s Lily. I have to look like Snow back in the kingdom. We have to get some things settled, Mum and I, before we can tell our people about the ‘twins’. Otherwise, there would be chaos!”
As she giggled, Mike’s face fell, “Lily?” She looked just like his dear Snow…same hair, clothes…everything.
In his apparent disappointment, Lily smiled sympathetically. “No, I’m sorry. But where is my dear sister by the way?”
Mike looked at her blankly as she helped him to his feet and further away from the edge. She continued her explanation…he was the perfect one to tell after all. “I can’t even tell you why I’m here, or why I came back anyway. I just felt…how can I explain it…like something terrible has happened. I had horrible dreams even…and you know how I am about nightmares. It was something evil. I just had to return to see what was ‘haunting’ me. Knowing Margurite was still here in the Willows, I knew it MUST be about that witch somehow. So what has she done now? Is she still making trouble?”
Mike looked at her and swallowed hard…then finally said softly, “No, Lily. Margurite isn’t making trouble here anymore.”
The hike back to the village found them both in silence. Mike, in his depressed state as normal, and now Lily…stunned and shocked at the news. She was terribly confused as a hundred thoughts went through her head. “How? Why? And if it’s true, then why…” her thoughts came to a halt as they reached the village. She’d been so preoccupied with her thoughts she hadn’t even noticed Stevie’s approach until she was being choked in his ‘bear hug’. “Oi! Snow! SNOW! You’re alive! You’re ‘ere! How? What ‘appened at the mountain? They said you went ovah’?”
As Lily caught her breath, Mike gently pulled Stevie back, “No, Stevie. This is Lily. She’s come back from the kingdom…you know, the mirror in the mine?”
“But she looks jus’ like Snow!”
Lily smiled and said in sympathy more to Mike than anyone, “I have to be Snow back in the kingdom…at least for a little while.”
It was now officially the New Year…about an hour past
She didn’t finish her statement as her jaw dropped. Was this a ghost…or some sick joke the Mistress was playing on her perhaps? As Mike and the ‘ghost’ approached, Mike smiled, acknowledging her thoughts, “Mai, Lily has returned.”
That was enough information for Mai. It told her why the expression Mike wore was less than she’d expect from him had he come walking up to the hut with Snow. She suspected had this been Snow, the hut was probably the last place they would be seen for a while…especially on their anniversary. ‘Damn…Lily sure picked a hell of a day to return,’ she thought. She gave a small grin, however slight in the disappointment she felt for Mike more than anyone. “Hi Lily. Welcome back.”
As if she now recited it like a mantra, Lily sputtered, “I have to look like Snow back in the kingdom.”
“Right.” Mai said half-heartedly as she now lighted the cigarette she needed even worse than she did when she first stepped outside.
Inside, the music was blaring from the ‘jam box’. Everyone was laughing and talking and drinking…those that were left.
“Happy New Year!” Jeff slapped Thomas on the back so hard he almost dropped his mead. It was obvious Jeff was enjoying his New Year’s ‘spirits’.
“Happy New Year, Jeff.”
Thomas was less than enthralled by the celebration. He missed the New Year’s kiss from
“Happy New Year! Most of you remember Lily…she’s returned to the Willows.”
She smiled nervously, almost ‘fake’, and recited her usual mantra, “I have to look like Snow back in the kingdom.”
Thomas whispered under his breath, “Lily…”
Snow in WW: Chapter 161 Return to the Willows Part 2
The celebration finally started up again painfully. Many eyes were on Lily, especially Mike s at least at first. It couldn t be helped the similarity was just too much. Lily wished she d changed her appearance for her visit to the Willows. Then like magnets, their eyes locked on one another. Somehow she could feel Thomas stare even before she saw him across the room. With much effort, she swallowed then smiled sweetly and tried to be casual in the awkward walk to the fireplace.
Hi Thomas. How have you been?
He paused before answering, as if taking in her beauty. He felt somewhat guilty admiring one who looked so much like his friend s wife.
Hello Lily. I ve been well. And what about you? What honor do we owe the pleasure of your presence here again?
Had that statement come from anyone else, she d have thought it purposefully caddy but since it was Thomas, she knew it was a sincere and lovely greeting. Her mind then returned to the reason she had indeed returned and she frowned, I felt something terrible had happened here. I guess I was right.
Thomas gentle smile faded and his brow creased as he looked across the room to Mike, no doubt telling of his discovery on the mountain, Yes. It was a horrible tragedy. Mike has not been the same. He has had a very hard time with it all. I m sure seeing you this way shook him up pretty good as well. He then turned his attention to her. Are YOU alright, Lily? I know that this must be hard for you too.
Lily looked at him, not knowing what to say. He was right. She d become very close to her sister over the last year or so. So why was she not more upset? Was it perhaps because she felt her thoughts were then interrupted by his touch to her face. As he brushed the hair from her cheek, she realized he was awaiting her answer. She smiled, I think I am still in shock. I just can t believe it. I wonder if there is anything I can do for Mike?
Thomas again smiled, Well, as much as I like your hair Lily, I must admit that with your looks this way, it will be even harder for Mike I think. You might consider making at least a small change.
She nodded in agreement, I will.
Thomas let her hair go. He had to keep his distance. He didn t know how Lily felt anymore. At that moment, the realization hit him, and it must have shown on his face as Lily touched his arm in concern, Thomas, what is it?
He looked almost horrified at whatever thought had just entered his mind. He had to talk to her alone. Lily, can I speak with you a moment, alone? It s important.
Certainly.
The couple retired to the kitchen. Mike was still in the dining area answering questions the best he could.
She turned to see the pained look on Thomas face, What s wrong?
He closed his eyes, searching for the right words, When you left...we d just had a fight. Well, I mean you THOUGHT it was me but it wasn t. It was that horrible whatever he was MONSTER that was possessing people last year he and Margurite. What did Mai call him? OTHER! That was him!
He took her hands in his, He said the most awful things to you Lily, and you have to believe me it wasn t me! You can ask anyone they all know what was going on it was a madhouse here last year! Please believe me Lily I would never say anything like what he said to you.
She smiled and squeezed his hands, I know. Mike told me what happened and even before that, I realized that there must be some explanation. I knew it wasn t you I know you that well.
His next question was one he had not planned on asking, but he heard the words come from his lips regardless, So, why did you leave Lily?
Lily smiled in courtesy as she averted her eyes to the ground. It pained her to say it, I m sorry Thomas. I know I left rather abruptly. I came back to find out what was haunting me so. She then raised her eyes to meet the loving gaze he tried to hide. I need to discover what really happened that night. I need some sort of explanation. She began to pace around the kitchen, Why was there no body? Where did the charred spot at the base of the canyon come from? There would have been something left bone, ashes something. There was blood on the side of the mountain, so ONE of them was hurt which one? She turned to see Thomas understanding smile and she sighed in embarrassment, I m sorry. I didn t mean to go off on a rampage. I just feel like there are unanswered questions that need answering.
Thomas touched her hand, I understand.
She looked at it and her mind switched gears, Thomas, when I left, I know that there was unfinished business between us as well.
A little taken aback at her cold tone, he removed his hand, Well, I don t know that you would call it BUSINESS.
She tutted at herself, I m sorry that s not what I meant. I mean us there was a lot going on back then and I just well I just ran out on everyone.
He took her hand again, You had to take care of your mother. Your father was ill and she was grieving. How is your father by the way?
He died last summer, she said softly.
I m so sorry Lily.
She pulled away gently and walked toward the sink, Which not only left my mother grieving but put a lot of stress on me. I have to be Snow the only child of the House of White legacy. It is up to me to bring an heir to the throne eventually. I almost wondered if Snow would like her old job back I was going to offer to trade places if she wanted. She then turned and giggled at Thomas, I m kidding of course. I know how much she loves loved Mike. She again turned away, the sad memory of her departed sister lingering in her thoughts.
Her thoughts were interrupted however by Thomas as he rubbed her shoulders, I missed you terribly. I want you to know that. I didn t want you to go.
I know.
So will you stay sweet Lily? Again, another question he was not going to ask.
She sighed. She knew this would come up and she would be forced to tell him.
Thomas, I can t stay here. I m sorry. I have duties now in the kingdom.
Duties?
Yes, royal duties in running the kingdom the House of White.
But Lily, you re a gypsy dancer. You don t know how to run a royal household. You were happy here WE were happy here.
Thomas please
Lily, I loved you. I still DO love you. I wasn t going to mention all this so soon, but I must. Lily, you belong here. I know you
She had to cut him off, however disturbing the news may be, Thomas I m betrothed!
He jumped back slightly surprised. He said the word with almost disgust, Betrothed?
She was now holding back the tears she thought had dissipated long ago but they were still there, Yes I m sorry. I have a duty to fulfill as the one heir to the throne now. I must carry on the lineage.
It was Thomas who turned away now. With much effort, he continued. Who is it?
Prince Phillip of the House of Loring. He and Snow had known each other for many years they played together as children. Their kingdom is just a few miles
Do you love him? he interrupted still not looking at her.
That will come with time I m sure.
He turned to her now, You sound just like Snow did when she first came here! She thought she had to follow this same stupid decree of marrying into royalty with or without love. What kind of life is that?
It happens all the time where I come from Thomas especially with royalty you know this.
But you re not one of them
I am now Thomas! I must fulfill this duty! she snapped, growing tired of arguing with him. She d buried her feelings thus far and had no intentions of digging them back up.
He calmed his tone and stepped towards her, I m sorry Lily. I had no right to be cross. He reached for her but she thought it best to get back, I m sure the others are waiting to hear all about what s happened. I d better get back.
Thomas watched sadly as she slipped out of the kitchen perhaps slipping out of his life for good once again.
Snow in WW: Chapter 162 – “Trek Back to the Mine”
Lily was now staying
with Yvonne, just as she was before she left.
She missed her pet wolf Gypsy whom she knew would be safe back home in
the kingdom. She headed out of the cabin
and toward the hut, now with her dark hair tucked up in one of her old gypsy
scarves that she’d left behind. Pink
and green…her two favorite colors. She
didn’t wish to taunt Mike with her looking so much like her sister, yet she didn’t
want to go blonde with the spell book again considering she would be returning
to the kingdom as Snow soon…a thought which almost saddened her being back in
the Willows again. She spotted Mai by
the barn and purposefully ignored her after the chilly reception she received
from the woman at the hut. As she also
passed by Cliona on her way, Cliona looked at her then back at Lily’s cabin and
motioned, “Are you sure you want to stay with HER, Lily?”
Lily was puzzled, “I
guess. Why not? I stayed there before.”
Cliona’s look was
suspicious as she almost glared at the cabin, “Well, it just seems that lately
Yvonne has changed somewhat…at least from what I hear…and it isn’t for the
better. They say it’s ever since her
break up with
Lily smiled, ”Well
thank you Cliona. I’ll keep that in
mind.”
A sight she’d rather
have missed came into her view. With a
sharp feeling of nausea in her gut, she kept walking without letting Neville
know she’d seen him. After Mike told her
what happened between he and Edward and then her remembering back to she and
One sight she couldn’t
help but see was just on the edge of the village. Like a homing beacon she spotted Thomas at
the woodshop. She forced herself to walk
the other direction. Nine months made no
difference to Lily. She still wanted to
run into his arms as much as she ever did.
She had such fond memories of them together at the mill. They had never been together in ‘that’
sense. Even still, she loved him
dearly. But she must keep her
distance. She had a duty to
fulfill. She was only here for one thing
now…to find the truth about her sister.
And that was what she was going to find out right now.
When she came
through the mirror a few days before, Ben nor his wolf Max were anywhere to be
found. She needed to speak with Ben
desperately so she made the memorable trek back to the mine. She passed the bridge where Thomas and she
had hid from Margurite and Phillipe. A
shudder ran through her. It still bothered
her to this day that she would be marrying a man named ‘Phillip’. It was just too close to ‘Phillipe’…too close
indeed. Nevertheless, she shook off the
petty thought including the memory of her and Thomas under the bridge and
trudged on. Between the trees, the
Willows mountain became visible amongst the branches. Lily stopped.
It looked father of course, but no less meaningful. That is where it all happened. She wanted to know the details of that
day. But she would never ask Mike to
relive such a day. Still, she wished she
could get the whole story…the TRUE story.
Ben sat perplexed
smoking his small pipe and rubbing a content Max behind the ear, “I don’t know
Lily. Thomas told me a quick recap of
what happened that he himself heard second hand. After that, I didn’t get any visits from the
Willows anymore. I’m so sorry about your
sister. She was a wonderful friend.”
Lily nodded in
acceptance of Ben’s sympathy while at the same time was disappointed that the
Willows abandoned Ben after it all happened.
She could understand though. Mike
was really the closest to Ben, and he had been in no condition to pay cordial
visits lately. She smiled at her small
friend and took his hand,
“Well, you have a
visitor now.”
Lily’s trek into the
woods did not go unnoticed by Thomas.
However, he would never allow her to notice his observance of
course.
“Hey Thomas.”
His thoughts were
disturbed by Mike. He wore a carefree
grin that almost scared Thomas…it was too much like…well…like…
“Have you seen
Snow?”
‘LIKE THAT!’ thought
Thomas. Mike wore that carefree grin
he’d been wearing for a few weeks before they had their ‘talk’ in the kitchen
on Christmas.
Slowly and
thoughtfully, Thomas started, “No…but I saw Lily.”
“I’m sorry. Slip of the tongue…I meant Lily.” Oddly enough, Mike didn’t even seem
embarrassed or concerned over his ‘slip’.
Thomas studied his
friend for a second, wondering if there were more to this…or if he should give
him the benefit of the doubt. Of course
the right thing to do would be to give his friend the benefit of the doubt.
“She went for a
walk. I’m sure she won’t be too
long. Lily remembers the rules very
well.” In the back of his mind Thomas
thought how she adhered to SOME rules TOO well, remembering that stupid
‘marrying royalty’ law.
“I hope not,” smiled
Mike. “She promised to help me in the
kitchen this evening. I thought she might
like to learn some tips in cooking…or at the very least, be my ‘taste tester’.”
As he watched Mike
jovially march off back to the hut, he couldn’t help but wonder just how
healthy it would be for Mike to spend very much time with Lily. Was that really a good idea?
Snow in WW: Chapter 163
(MISSING IN PART)
She rolled with
laughter. Mike stood grinning, pleased
that his offhand joke made Lily laugh so much.
It was good to hear some laughter during a not-so-happy time.
“So how is Ben? I regret that I haven’t been to see
him.” Mike’s grin now faded as his guilt
took it over.
Lily took a deep breath from
her laughing and sighed, then continued, “He is well, and so is Max.”
She left it at that, seeing
the guilt on Mike’s face. “So, now what
is this we’re making again and are you sure it’s fit to eat?”
Mike looked at her
mischievous smile and couldn’t help but smile back, “Yes, I’m sure it’s fit to
eat. I made it recently. Don’t worry…you’re in for a treat. It’s a casserole to make good use of leftovers. It’s made with bread stuffing, meat,
vegetables and a ‘special sauce’, if I do say so myself.”
“Why do I get the feeling
that your favorite part about this dish is the sauce?” She threw a side glance at him.
“You’re a good guesser….it is
indeed. Here, you can start by mashing
up the stuffing with the meat. It’s kind
of a messy task though. Would you rather
slice the vegetables?”
“I never get to be messy at
the palace…where do I start?” She
approached a bowl of meat and stuffing ready to be ‘mashed’. “Like this?” She began carefully mixing the
ingredients with her fingers.
Mike chucked, “Well, that’s
not bad Princess, but it’s more like this.”
He cam behind her and placed his hands on hers, vigorously pushing them
through the mixture. “Like this.”
Lily fell silent. She turned to find herself face to face with
Mike. He smiled at her. She didn’t know what to make of it. On one hand, he was right…she was a
‘princess’ now. Perhaps he just called
her that because she was. But on the
other hand, ‘Princess’ was his pet name for Snow. Why would he call her that? She decided to brush it off for now and
returned the smile, “OK…I got it now.”
Snow in WW: Chapter 164 - 166
MISSING
Lily
in WW: Chapter 167 – “The Mike
Situation”
Last night’s events had Lily still wondering if it were all a dream. Did Mai actually get on stage and sing? Did she actually teach Lily to play the electric guitar? And even stranger, did Mai actually let Lily teach her to belly dance like a gypsy in return? Lily had to grin as she still shook her head in disbelief. Was Mai really warming up to her? Hanging her last bit of laundry up to dry, she jumped as she turned around to find Thomas standing behind her.
“I’m sorry, Lily. I didn’t mean to scare you. I should have announced my presence.”
Lily smiled in relief, “No, that’s OK. I should just be less jumpy.”
His eyes were still shining their approval, “I wanted to tell you how beautifully I thought you danced last night.”
Lily grinned, “Was that on stage or on the floor with Mai?”
Thomas looked puzzled wondering if this were a trick question, “Er…both. But I have to that I was disappointed that I did not get to dance with you last night.”
Still grinning, she gave him a side glance, “Well don’t worry Thomas, I can teach you to belly dance too.”
He laughed, “Well, if that’s what it takes to get to spend time with you Lily, then when do we start?”
Lily’s smile faded slightly, as warning bells went off in her head. She knew what Thomas was trying to do, and as much as she wanted to comply, she knew that spending time with him was not the best idea. “But really I don’t think you’d look good in any of the costumes.” She shied her eyes back to the laundry basket.
Thomas reached to get it, “Here let me get that for you.”
“No I’ve got it…thanks,” as she propped it up on her hip and under her arm. She then took a deep breath, “Thomas, I know what you are trying to do, and I understand. It’s just not the best thing for me right now.”
“What do you mean, Lily? I just want to be your friend…spend time with you.”
She shook her head, “You don’t understand.”
He gently lifted her face to look at him, “Yes I do. I understand that you still have feelings for me, just like I do for you. I could feel it in the canyon that day.”
She turned away from him but he followed, “Lily, I can’t throw away what we shared last spring…and I don’t think you can either. I know you think you are doing the right thing, but you do not love this man you are betrothed to…I know that much. You will be miserable, Lily.”
“Thomas, we’ve already gone through…”
He didn’t let her finish, “Look all I am asking is to be able to spend time with you while you’re here in the Willows…like you spend time with Mike for instance. Frankly I’m jealous!”
He smiled and she grinned, “Oh Thomas. That’s ridiculous. He’s my brother-in-law.”
“It doesn’t make it any less hard to know that he gets to spend time with you and I don’t.”
Lily put down the laundry basket with the intent of making a serious point, “Thomas, I am not denying that I still feel something. That is why it is dangerous for us to be together…alone especially.”
Thomas spoke on impulse, “It’s sure not as dangerous as your spending so much time with Mike.” He didn’t think before he spoke. Before the words were barely spoken from his lips, he regretted saying them.
Lily frowned, “What is that supposed to mean?”
Thomas decided to get it all out in the open…might as well since the subject had been breached, “It means just that…that it is dangerous for you to spend so much time with Mike. Just before you came, Mike was having serious problems believing that Snow was still in the Willows…remember when I told you that? And even now he treats you like Snow. I can’t blame him…in his distraught condition and having you look the spitting image of his wife, he’s in hog heaven, Lily!”
Lily put her hands on her hips, her tone not so gentle as before, “That’s nonsense Thomas! Mike knows exactly who I am. The both of us are mourning the loss of my sister and I don’t appreciate your turning into a jealous fit!”
“Lily, I’m not trying to…”
“This conversation is over!” She left her basket and trudged off through the woods. Thomas wasn’t the only one who watched her disappear into the woods.
She had to get away from everyone…she had to think. What was he talking about? Her’s and Mike’s time together was perfectly innocent. He never called her ‘Snow’ or referred to her as his wife or anything like that. They shared something in common…a common loss. It wasn’t fair for Thomas or anyone else to think of their relationship in such a dishonorable way. Why were they being so insensitive?
“Hey.”
Although Mai’s voice was quiet, she scared the life out of Lily. She jumped and whirled around. “Mai…goodness! Please don’t scare me like that.”
“Pretty jumpy aren’t you?”
“Look, Mai, I’d really like to be alone right now…please.”
Mai sat down on the mill’s fireplace mantle, making herself quite comfortable, “Well, normally I’d say ‘fine’ and ‘have a nice life’…you know me. But, right now we have something important that we need to discuss. It can’t wait.”
Lily rolled her eyes, “What is so all fire important that we have to talk about it right NOW?”
“Mike.”
“Mike?”
“Well, more specifically, YOU and Mike.”
Lily looked at suspiciously, “What about it?”
“You’re treading on dangerous water here…you need to slow it down, or even better just cut it out…all this time you’ve been spending with him.”
Lily hissed a sigh and walked to the mill stone, “Have you been talking to Thomas or something?”
“No, but maybe I ought to…sounds like he has his head on straight.”
Lily turned to her and retorted sharply, “No…he’s just jealous. Don’t tell me you are too.”
Mai laughed, “No, can’t say that I am. Mike isn’t my type…and neither are you for that matter.”
Lily again rolled her eyes at the absurdity.
Mai continued, “But I am looking out for Mike’s best interests. You weren’t around here at Christmastime to see the poor bloke. He was in bad shape. He thought Snow was still around…and you yourself said you saved him from waltzing off the cliff of the mountain. What did you think he was doing…sleepwalking?”
Lily folded her arms in disinterest, “Look Mai, I’ve heard all this already.”
“Good! Maybe some of it will eventually sink into that thick dark head of yours!”
“Mike is doing just fine! He doesn’t need the village babysitting him!”
“No, Lily…seems HE is the one doing all the babysitting. Snow was just as young as you…barely legal where I come from. I think both of you were too wet behind the ears to know much about common sense just yet.”
Lily whirled around to Mai, “Snow can hold her own!”
Mai was a little taken aback by Lily’s reference to Snow being present tense, but didn’t let it show, “Well, she could do fine when I knew her, yes. But at least she was smart enough to take some advice now and then. It wouldn’t kill you to take some advice from people who care about you. Look, I know you don’t give a rap what I think…but I think you care enough about Thomas that you should at least listen to him.”
Lily grinned, tears were almost showing in her voice, “I see what’s going on here. At least with Thomas I can understand that he is just jealous of the time I spend with Mike…but you? Why are doing this…to Mike especially? I thought you cared about him as a friend? Why are you being so insensitive to his loss…to both of us? We are just trying to do what’s best to cope with our grief.”
Mai pointedly rose and approached Lily, “That’s just IT Lily! What you’re doing is NOT what’s best for Mike! You’re hurting him by leading him on this way.”
“I am not leading him on! And who are you to say what’s best for Mike?”
“Well, who are you to know what’s best for Mike? You haven’t been around here in over nine months. A lot has changed here Lily…especially Mike. I’m telling you that Mike is showing signs of instability as we speak…and part of it is because of YOU! He will never be able to come to terms with what happened with you hanging around pretending to be his wife.”
Lily jumped in Mai’s face, “I am NOT pretending to be Snow!”
“Well, he thinks you ARE Snow!”
“That’s absurd!”
“Oh is it! Well, then why does he all of the sudden call you ‘Princess’? Don’t you think it odd he would just up and bless you with his dead wife’s nickname? And tell me this…last night after you danced, why did he say you ‘sounded’ beautifully? I highly doubt it was the sound of your feet hitting the floor that he was referring to.”
“You just heard him wrong, Mai.”
“Oh is that it?”
“Yes.”
Lily walked away, her mood obviously changing from anger to sorrowful thought. She turned to Mai before speaking, “I feel closer to Snow when I am with Mike.”
Mai was quick to retort, “Obviously, so does Mike.”
Lily sighed and shook her head as she turned toward the window, “It’s not like that Mai. You’ve seen us…it’s not like he thinks I’m his wife. He knows I’m his sister-in-law!”
“Lily, what I see is that Mike is happy…thrilled even…when he is with you. I haven’t seen him happy like this since Snow was here. But she isn’t here and he is acting as though she were. And that’s not healthy…for either one of you.”
Lily whispered under her breath as she looked out the window, “She is here. I can feel her…I can feel her here.”
Mai strained to hear Lily’s words but couldn’t, “What?”
Lily shook it off and turned back to her interrogator, “Nothing. Look I appreciate what you are trying to do really. But we’re fine…both of us. Mike is doing great and so am I, and it’s because we have each other to lean on.”
Mai shook her head. It was obvious her point wasn’t hitting home. Either that or Lily knew deep down and was in denial on the surface.
“I enjoyed our little chat Mai…but now I would really like to be alone for a while.”
“Whatever floats your boat, gypsy ‘Princess’!” She stressing the word ‘princess’ to make a point about Mike.
Lily flashed her a glance then looked back out the window.
Disgusted, Mai left the mill. It seemed as though she were still going to have to keep an eye on Mike, along with all the other ‘eyes’ she had to keep on things.
Lily in WW: Chapter 168 – “Black and White”
Lily was still
distraught over Mai's accusations. She
chose to skip dinner that night and turn in early. She found comfort in reading a book by the
fire until she was sleepy enough to turn in.
She awakened with a
jolt, sitting straight up in her bed.
She looked over at her roommate Yvonne, who was still sound asleep. It
was early...barely dawn. She'd seen
visions that she couldn't shake. In her
dreams, she saw a great waterfall and inside a large cavern, that ‘sparkled’ as
she recalled. They looked as though they
had frozen white waterfalls on the inside as well. She didn’t remember many details of why she
was there, but she could still see what it looked like. But also she felt the sensation of flying
through the air, and a glimpse of large wings…wings of white. Again, she didn’t remember any circumstances
in why she was flying…but she could see it.
And there was a raven...raven?
Her thoughts returned to the other day when she was attacked by a raven
while at the base of the mountain with Thomas.
The raven stole the feather from her hand...purposefully so. Is that why she dreamed what she
dreamed? Or was there a deeper meaning
in the vision she saw? She had to find
out. She'd heard Dinger speak of large
caverns near the mountains with beautiful carvings etched over the years by the
water running through them. It was
dangerous now to venture to the caverns, as packs of wolves and wild panthers
often made their homes there. Lily had
to risk it. She felt something in the
dream...something important. She
felt...her sister.
She grabbed the
pistol the Willows had given her and loaded it.
She then stuck a dagger in her belt and quietly entered the barn. She quickly saddled 24Carrots and rode into
the woods before signs of life started to show in the village.
The memories ran
rampant through her mind. She remembered
the way she tried to teach Snow how to dance...it wasn't as successful as she'd
hoped. She smiled to herself. She thought back to her time with Thomas as
she passed over the bridge they hid under from…them. In return, memories of Phillipe and Margurite
also found their way to her recollection.
She shivered and shook off those thoughts.
She knew she must
hurry, lest they send a search party after her.
Anyone but Dinger, she thought.
Then she heard it...it must be a waterfall. Like in her dream, she
hoped! As she rode through the thick
brush and trees, she saw it. It was
beautiful...just like she'd seen it the night before in her vision. She couldn't imagine the villagers didn't
venture here more often. But where was
this cavern? She rode around to the
other side, searching for some kind of clue...anything that might suggest a
cave or hole in the rock. Would Ben know
maybe? Just as Lily pondered the thought
of venturing to the mine to ask her dwarf friend, she spotted something under
the falls...something 'glistened'. She
dismounted 24Carrots and found a small ledge and a path that would take her
beneath the powerful falling water without much trouble. There was the glistening...it was a
crystalline material throughout the rock.
But what caught her eye the most, was the split in the rock. It was like a large boulder was blocking the
entrance...but the entrance to what? Was
this the cavern? How was she to get
in? She tried the rock...it wouldn't
budge. Then her eyes were averted
downward. There on the ground at the
base of what appeared to be an entrance to something, were feathers...many
feathers. There were mixed black and
white. The white ones were extremely
large and the back ones were smaller...in fact just like the raven one she
picked up at the base of the mountain when she was attacked...by a raven! Lily knew these feathers must have a
significant bearing on her vision. She'd
seen large white feathered wings in her vision....but what animal did the wings
go to? She'd never seen a creature with
such large wings...especially white. She
bent down and picked up one of the white feathers. Whatever this creature was...it looked like
it quarreled with the raven over something.
Remembering her attack on the mountain, suddenly Lily felt that this was
no ordinary raven. But there were so
many feathers...like a multiple attack maybe.
Were raven attacks common here? Did they travel in "packs" as
wolves might? She looked again at the
white feather and saw a trace of blood.
Yes, there was definitely an attack here of some kind. Lily took both kinds of feathers and put them
in her saddlebag. Perhaps the men would
know what creatures they came from.
"Well it's
bloody kind a ya ta join us, Princess Lily!" Lily's face turned crimson as Dinger's angry
look matched the tone in his voice. Thomas smiled in relief and rose to meet
her. "It's alright Lily. We're just
glad you're alright. We were
worried."
"Like hell it's
alright! When is that gypsy girl going to get it through her thick skull
that..."
Dinger's rampage was
cut off by Mike spilling hot soup down the front of him.
"Shit Mike! Why don't ya pay attention ta what yer
doin!"
Hiding his smirk,
Mike rubbed Dinger's shirt with his apron, "Terribly sorry about that
Dinger."
Unamused at another
man touching him, Dinger pushed Mike away scowling, "Alright,
alright! Enough already! I can clean me self up!" He shot a warning look to Lily and retreated
to the restroom, leaving Karen struggling to hide her giggling.
Lily held her
saddlebag in her hands. Uninterested in
breakfast, she pulled out the white feathers, "Thomas, have you ever seen
a creature with feathers like this?"
Thomas inspected one
of the beautiful and large feathers, "Can't say that I have."
Intrigued by the
object, Jennifer jumped from the table and approached Lily.
"Can I see it,
please?" She asked in her sultry southern drawl.
Thomas handed her
the feather. Jennifer took it in her
hands gently, as though it were a living thing.
She carefully turned it over in her hand and inspected it. She closed her eyes and breathed in the air,
as though the object had brought 'special' air with it. Finally, she opened her
eyes. She wore a look of surprised delight, "Lily, where did ya get this
feathuh’?"
Lily was about to
speak, but then looked around the room at all the men's eyes watching. This village was full of hunters. Whatever this creature was, she didn't want
it 'hunted'.
She ignored the
question, hoping Jennifer would understand why, "Do you know what creature
it came from?"
Gently, Jennifer
handed the feather back to Lily, "Not exactly. But I can tell ya that it's not a creature a'
this world."
"Not a creature
of this world?"
Jennifer turned to
"Where did you
find the feather Lily?" Ribold asked as he rose to get a better look at
it.
Lily knew Ribold had
recently become a skilled hunter and again ignored the question. Instead she turned back to Thomas,
"Remember at the base of the mountain...the raven attack? Well I found a
whole bunch of these near the white feathers.
And one white feather had blood on it.
I think whatever this creature is was attacked by a pack of ravens."
Thomas continued to
inspect the black feathers, "The other day, Lily was scoping out the
charred spot in the canyon, " he then looked over at Mike who looked
completely unfazed by the subject...which in itself was odd, then Thomas
continued, "she found a raven feather under a rock in the burned
area. Suddenly, a raven attacked her and
took the feather and flew off...it was very peculiar."
Jennifer reached for
the black feathers, "May I see a few of those?"
Thomas handed her a
couple of feathers, "Yep, these are just regular raven
feathers." She then looked
suspiciously at the remaining ones in his hand, "Can I see the
others?"
When he handed her
the rest of the black feathers, Jennifer shuddered, almost dropping them. "Oh my..."
Ribold rushed
towards her, "What is it?"
Jennifer's eyes were
wide and filled with...something the villagers couldn't quite read,
Thomas looked at her
eagerly, "Can you sense anything about them Jennifer?"
Jennifer also saw
the same eagerness in Lily's eyes. She
then quickly handed the feathers back to Thomas as though she wanted nothing to
do with them, "No. I’m sorry. I can’t make out anythin’." She then returned to the table, quickly
giving a side glance that told Lily she may know more than she was letting
on.
"Where did you
find the feathers, Lily?" Ribold's
question now seemed more urgent after seeing Jennifer's reaction upon holding
them.
Lily glanced at
Jennifer hoping to something...anything.
But Jennifer would not return the glance again.
"Where
Lily?" came Ribold's insistent question once again.
Lily looked at
Ribold then quickly grabbed the saddlebag just as Thomas had returned the
feathers into it and sprinted out of the hut.
She clutched the
saddlebag close to her as if to protect it whilst she walk back to her
cabin. Why wouldn’t Jennifer say
more? Lily knew she must know something
by the way she was acting, plus just the way she looked at Lily as she sat back
down. Perhaps she could catch Jennifer
away from the others. After breakfast,
she would do just that. She hoped that
she could steal a moment alone with her…soon.
Lily
in WW: Chapter 169 – “Mardi Gras Mishap
(Part 1)”
Lily looked over her shoulder the whole way back to the village. She wasn’t the only one. The other women who’d ventured out to pick flowers for the upcoming Mardi Gras festivities, Kahlua, Linnet, Karen, Rebecca…even with an armed escort, the villagers were nervous since the demonic creatures had attacked…all but Mai. Nothing seemed to phase that woman. Lily was glad that Mardi Gras had picked now to arrive. The whole village needed some good old fashioned fun…a break from the uncertainty they’d felt the last week or so. Lily grinned as she watched Stevie make “google eyes” at the newcomer…HIS woman, according to him. And now the old cart was well underweigh of being magically transformed into a colorful and festive Mardi Gras float with the flowers the women picked and the bunting Jennifer had brought back from a place called ‘New Orleans’. Lily watched as Jennifer pulled string after string of beautiful shiny and colorful beads from the bags she’d returned with months ago,
“I’ve been savin’ ‘em. Ya know I couldn’t go ta N’awlins without getting’ stuff for Mardi Gras…’specially th’ BEADS!”
Most strands were of purple and gold and green…but there were other very unique ones…a white strand with large red hearts, a blue one with gold mugs…they looked like the mugs of ale the men drank. And there were even some with little babies on them. She thought of Cliona and little Hayden and took the strand in her hands, “We have to save one of these for Cliona.”
Jennifer smiled, “Those symbolize the King cake babies…but sure. Grab one fo’ her.”
“What are king cake babies?” Lily inquired as she tucked away one of the baby strand beads for Cliona.
Jennifer smiled mischievously, “You’ll find out!”
Sure enough…it was announced that Prasut would be the ‘Mardi Gras King’ because he got the ‘king cake baby’ in his piece of cake. Lily watched with amusement as he inspected with confusion the little plastic baby that looked just like one of the babies on the beads she’d given Cliona.
“Hope you didn’t bite down too hard!” Lily giggled as Mai frowned at her.
Lily was thankful that lunch was over and took advantage by grabbing some dirty plates and joining Mike in the kitchen. She didn’t even have to look and see if Mai was displeased…she already knew. What more did the woman want? She was wearing her gypsy scarf to cover her dark hair. She sure wasn’t going to dye her hair to please that silly cow!
“Thank you Princess.” He smiled as she brought the dishes into the kitchen. “But I don’t want you spending the whole day in here cleaning up. We have a parade to attend to!”
She beamed in anticipation, “Should be fun!”
“Yes…” he smiled as he kissed her hand, “even more than last year.”
She kept her smile yet tilted her head in confusion at his meaning. As he peered out the window, he quickly grabbed her hand, “Come on…they’re dressing up the ‘king’ now!”
The ‘float’ was lovely in all of its splendor as was the regal figure atop of it. Accustomed to being a king already, Prasut looked perfectly natural atop the float.
“Throw me somethin’ mister!” came Jennifer’s plea for a trinket…one that she herself brought back no less! And Yvonne wasted no time in partaking in the tradition of the ‘alternative’ method of getting beads from Mardi Gras floats. With a wink at a very unamused Dinger, she flipped up her top to poor Prasut, “Gimme some beads, Kingy!”
The crowd hushed somewhat, while everyone tried to pretend they didn’t notice her ‘flash’…everyone but Prasut that is…who looked on in shocked confusion.
Mai called up to the now wide-eyed king, “Just throw her some beads and ignore her. She got into the wine for tonight early.”
Speechless, Prasut gave a nod to Mai and a nervous smile to Yvonne as he tossed her a strand of beads…a quite nice one at that.
The dinner that evening was delicious. Lily was given the night off by Jennifer and Mike as Jennifer prepared her famous jambalaya while Mike made the side dishes. Mai couldn’t help but notice how often Mike came into the hut with glasses of wine and ale. She was soon convinced it was merely to steal a glance at Snow…or Lily rather. What was the difference to him anyway, right? But Mike wasn’t the only one…Thomas barely let Lily leave the dance floor all night.
“I can’t believe I finally have you to myself.” He smiled into her eyes as she blushed. His touch was gentle and familiar as they danced. His arms felt warm and inviting around her and she began to feel as if she would melt in his embrace. Then like a haunting flashback, she thought of her betrothal, and pulled back from him slightly. He could nearly read her mind, as he read it in her eyes, “You’re thinking of him, aren’t you?”
She nodded. Thomas sighed and Lily felt compelled to twist the knife yet again,
“Prince Raymond is a good man. Don’t worry about me.”
“Raymond? I thought his name was Phillip?”
Lily looked to the floor, “I call him by his middle name Raymond…he doesn’t mind. It’s a ‘pet’ name of sorts.”
She looked back up into his eyes…immediately she knew she wasn’t fooling him.
He smiled at her sympathetically, “It must be hard for you…his name so close to…well you know.”
“So close to Phillipe’s. It’s OK…you can say it. And you’re right. But of course he doesn’t know that is the reason I call him Raymond.”
Thomas wanted to break the tension. He smiled and whispered softly, “I promise, I won’t tell.”
Lily smirked at him. However, she had to concentrate to not get lost in the loving look in his eyes…the look she always used to enjoy getting lost in before…well, things were different now, weren’t they?
Lily watched Yvonne finally grow tired of Dinger and Karen’s brazen flirtatious behavior towards each other…especially on Dinger’s part. It was obvious he was in part doing it to get to Yvonne. It worked. She stormed out of the hut without even so much as a ‘good bye’. Lily too grew weary of all the fuss. She’d spent the better part of the evening showing the different gypsy dance moves to Kahlua and Cliona under the careful watch of Nigel. But what she really wanted was to be alone for a while. She needed to gather her thoughts. And what was more important…she needed to get away from Thomas. The more time she spent with him, the weaker and weaker she felt. In the midst of watching Stevie trying to get Linnet to dance with him, Lily took advantage of the focus turned away from her and slipped out of the hut. She did not, however, slip out unnoticed by one person in particular.
The mill…her favorite place, always. Although it was not far from the village, maybe fifty paces or so from the woodshop, she would have been in deep trouble had Dinger or Duncan or any of the other patrolling guards known she’d ventured anywhere outside the perimeter of the village. But she had to get away…she had to think…about all of it. And Thomas…most of all, she couldn’t get her mind off of him…his loving eyes, friendly smile, warm embrace. She scolded herself, “Lily, you traitor! How could you?” She then moved to the fireplace as her memories took her back to those nights right here in the mill…with him. They’d never spent the night together…well, not in that way…and yet she still wanted to, even all this time…to give of herself to him. Why couldn’t it have been him…her first time? The rape still made her shudder to think of. Then when it should have been Thomas those many years later, in her misunderstanding of his feelings, she turned to Neville. Why? She should have known that Thomas loved her! You could read it in his eyes!
“Even now I can still see it.” She said out loud as she stared at the fireplace with no flames. “I can still see how you feel about me.”
“So then how do you feel about me, Lily?
Stunned, she jumped, whirling around. She wanted to scold him for scaring her…for spying on her…but she froze. Those eyes smiling at her along with his lips curling up, left her speechless. Thomas came and sat next to her, brushing his fingers across her cheek, “You know I love you. Tell me lovely lady…what is it you’re feeling?”
Lily’s heart raced in her chest so hard, she was afraid he could hear it. What should she say? She couldn’t tell him the truth…that she wanted for so long for him to take her in his arms and not let go? That she wanted nothing other than for him to make love to her here in the mill. It was their mill…their special place.
His question still unanswered, he raised his eyebrows in expectancy.
She stammered, “I—I love you too.”
His smile brightened as he took her face in his hands, and kissed her head.
She tingled all over at his touch, “I want you…I always have.” Tears began to well up in her eyes, “You know that, don’t you?”
He grinned as he traced a falling tear down her cheek with his thumb, “Only if the time is right for you Lily.”
She took his hand from her face and kissed it as she rested her cheek in his palm and closed her eyes. He kissed her on the head and she lifted her face to look at him. ‘It is right,’ she thought. She leaned in and kissed him, wrapping her arms around his neck. He pulled her closer into their embrace.. Neither one even noticed their slow lowering to the ground. A large handmade rug covered the mill floor. It could have been made of red hot coals and the couple wouldn’t have cared. The two kissed passionately as Lily reached up to unbutton Thomas’ shirt. She’d made her decision…she was not going to marry Prince Raymond. She would just have to make them understand back home. In fact, she didn’t know that she would return to the kingdom at all. Such things were quite unimportant at a time like this. How many months…years had they waited? It had been nearly two years since they had fallen in love. Too much had happened…too much time wasted…too many hearts broken. Now was their moment and no one could steal it from them. No one, that is except Stevie as he raced into the mill out of breath, scaring the passionate couple half to death.
“Good God, Stevie! What the bloody hell is it?!”
“I’m sorry, Thomas! It’s jus’ that, well, you’re the best one with th’ ‘orses…at least I think so meslef.”
“Stevie! What is it?”
“Well, I was gonna show Linnet all the differ’nt horses an’ everythin’. But when we got in th’ barn…well, it’s Nugget…she’s real sick. I dunno what it is. Linnet’s still there sittin’ with ’er.”
“Alright Stevie.” He looked regretfully at Lily, who smiled in spite of it all. As he blew her a kiss, he left with Stevie…and the mill was quiet once again.
“Well, I’ll be! Nugget ain’t sick Stevie! She’s gonna have another baby! We’re gonna have a colt in the village again!”
“Oi! Really?” Stevie looked at Linnet and beamed a smile…one that she returned.
Thomas got down with Nugget in her pen, “But I’ll need your help…both of you. I hope you have strong stomachs.”
It was getting late and Lily decided it would be best to have her time alone in her cabin…safe from any forest ‘night crawlers’. As she walked into her cabin and closed the door, she sighed in thinking of her lost evening with who honestly was…her true love.
“So what’s eatin’ you?”
Lily was startled by her roommate’s voice, “Oh Yvonne. I thought you were still at the party?” She then remembered she did indeed see Yvonne leave the festivities, and her spirits dropped once again in knowing her time alone was not going to happen.
“Nah, “ Yvonne chirped. “The crowd just wasn’t my style tonight.”
Lily couldn’t help but think that any crowd with Karen probably wouldn’t be her style.
Not wishing to spend the night with her whiney roommate, she quickly grabbed a book off her nightstand, “I just wanted to get a book to read. I thought I’d find a nice quiet spot to read tonight.”
“Humph…” Yvonne sputtered. “Good luck finding anywhere quiet with the likes of that bunch at the hut going at it. They’ll probably party all night.”
“Well, I don’t want the lamp to keep you awake. I’ll manage.”
Before Yvonne could reply, Lily was out the door.
“Now what?” Just then she spotted her solution. “Of course. He wouldn’t mind, right? He’ll be at the hut for hours…he’s such a social person. He won’t even know I was there.” With book in hand, Lily headed towards Mike’s cabin.