Chapter 6

Maeve stopped stirring her brew and sat down at her table. She inhaled deeply, “Puck will you go and get Adri some of your old clothes. You smell a bit rank, dear.”

“I was interrupted during my bath and had to cut my laundry time short.” Adri shot a playful glare at Puck. He just smiled a smile that tugged at her heart.

“I see, now, about the last battle. No,” Maeve stopped herself, “not about the last battle. About the woman.”

“I have been wondering about her.”

“Her name is Giselle Beau Pre.” Maeve sighed, “The rumor floating around the magical community….”

“Magical community?” Adri interrupted her.

“Yes, prophets, hags, fays, etc. Don’t interrupt, it isn’t proper. Anyway, the rumor is that she collects men.”

“What?!” Adri yelped. “She collects them?”

“That is what the girls are saying and the rumors running through that grapevine are generally true.” Maeve said.

“Who would do such a thing?” Adri wondered aloud.

“Obviously someone who is not quite right in the head.” Maeve punctuated this thought with a sharp nod of the head.

“Here are some of my smaller clothes,” Puck had been lurking in the corner, not wanting to interrupt.

“Good. Adri, why don’t you go into my room and change? Bring out your other clothes when you finish and I will put them in the tub out back.”

Adri wandered back to Maeve’s room. This room was no different from the front room in the fact that it was very simple and very practical, though she did have two likenesses on her dresser. There was one of the three Chadwick’s when they were younger, Maeve, Oliver and Archibald smiling brightly. The second was of Nell. Adri made a mental note to ask Maeve about that as she changed into Puck’s ‘smaller’ clothes.

When she was fully dressed and made sure that the leggings wouldn’t fall down, she walked back out that front room.

“So, how does this Giselle person,” Adri paused to find the right word, “Store her collection?”

“Well, it’s logical to assume it would be a typical sleeping enchantment.” Maeve said logically.

“Can you explain what that entails?” Adri was not familiar with spells, enchantments or anything of the sort.

“It’s the standard spell that enchanted princesses are put under.” Puck chimed in. He seemed less playful than before.

“Exactly.” Maeve nodded to him.

“Then could it be assumed that there would have to be a kiss by a true love?” Adri asked warily. She had gone on this adventure to escape men not to kiss one.

“That is generally a misnomer. Most sleeping enchantments just require the person to be awakened.”

“How, though?”

“You could shake him awake, or a loud noise perhaps.” Maeve suggested, “Though it is rare, it isn’t altogether impossible to have a sleep enchantment with a kissing release. What is impossible is for it to require the kiss to be true love. Not even magic knows that.”

“So, I might have to kiss him?” She grimaced.

“Yes, you might.” Maeve admitted.

“Well, let’s not dwell on that,” Adri attempted to joke. “What else do I have to look forward to?”

“Supposedly there is a dragon.” Maeve stated plainly.

“A dragon?!” Puck cried.

“Yes, a dragon, but dragons aren’t always what they appear to be. Dragons hate being restricted to one spot, so the dragon may be grateful to you for rescuing the prince and relieving him of his duty.”

“I see.” Adri nodded.

“Also, there is something strange about the forest in Asshoooghasg.”

“What kind of strange,” Adri asked.

“I never have been able to pinpoint what exactly it is, so be on the look out.” Maeve told her.

“Right.” Adri nodded.

Maeve sighed. “I think that that is it.” She stood up and grabbed Adri’s dirty clothes. “I’ll take these out back. Puck, will you set the table? And Adri, you stir the stew.” She gestured to the cauldron on the fire as she walked out of the house.

“I don’t think you should go.” Puck said after Maeve was out of hearing distance.

“You don’t? Well, I guess it’s too bad you don’t have any influence over me. I’m going,” She said stubbornly sticking her chin out, “And that’s that.”

“You are going to get yourself killed.” Puck honestly sounded worried.

“Why do you care so much?” She asked him, “You just met me.”

He blushed and looked at the dirt floor of the cottage, “I don’t know.” He gathered his composure, “You just seem like a nice person. It’s always sad when nice people die and it always happens! Just look at the stories.”

“What stories?” She folded her arms over her chest. If it had not regarded her quest, she might have found his concern to be nice, cute even.

“I don’t know, stories,” He was unable to find an example.

“All the stories I’ve read have the good triumphing over evil and that’s exactly what I plan to do.” She finalized.

“But what if you don’t? What if you get into trouble before you even reach the prince?” He rationalized, “What will you do then.”

“Well, since you are implying that I will die, I won’t do anything, but, again, seeing as how I don’t plan on dying, I would have to say I’m planning on being fine.” She continued to reason with him.

They continued their respective tasks in silence.

“I still don’t think you should go,” Puck mumbled.

“Well, jolly good for you.” She said as Maeve re-entered the cottage.

“What is jolly good for Puck?” Maeve asked them both.

“She’s going to get herself killed and I told her so.” He announced to Maeve.

“Ah, that issue.” Maeve nodded sagely.

“He’s wrong. I can take care of myself!”

“Puck, I don’t think you are going to be able to convince her not to go.” This is probably the only time Maeve has ever told him to give up on something.

“But,” he started.

“No, buts. Let’s just have a nice calm dinner, free of arguments.” The argument might have been stopped, but it is safe to say that it was far from over.

“Bring me the bowls and I’ll serve the soup,” Adri said, trying to be as helpful as she could be. Puck brought up both his and Maeve’s bowl and when they were full brought Adri’s as well. “Thank you.” She told him. Puck really was a kind boy.

Everyone sat down around the simple wooden table and ate in silence for a little while.

“So, Adri, tell me about your family.” Maeve decided to start some small talk.

“Well, my father is Lord Madoc and I have an older brother named Will and a younger brother named Theo.” Adri was reminded of the picture of Nell in Maeve’s room. “How do you know Nell?”

“She’s my niece. She wrote to me about you. That is how I knew that you were coming and that you weren’t a man.” Maeve told Adri, “Nell spoke very highly of you.”

“Well, I plan to sing her praises as soon as I get back. She is the best seamstress I have ever run across.”

“Well, her mother taught her well.” Maeve nodded.

“Why isn’t her name Chadwick?” Adri asked.

“She doesn’t go by Chadwick?” Maeve seemed slightly surprised. “Well, I guess that makes sense. Her mother’s maiden name is Weaver and it fits the profession a bit better.” Maeve chuckled.

“Indeed it does.” Adri agreed, “What about you, Puck? What about your family?”

“Maeve is my family.” He smiled sadly.

“Oh,” Adri thought it best to drop that subject.

“Tell me more about your brother Will. Nell mentioned him in her letter.” Maeve asked.

The rest of the conversation revolved around Adri’s home and her siblings. Going back and forth between Maeve, Adri and Puck. The dishes were cleared and the remnants of dinner were set outside for any hungry animals that passed by. Adri looked out the window and saw that it was growing dark. She asked if her clothes were ready. She wasn’t as anxious to leave, as she had been when she had first arrived, but she felt that she had stayed long enough.

“They are,” Maeve said, “But you are staying the night. I won’t take no for an answer.” She cut Adri off as she started to protest. “You are welcome to stay here as long as you like.” Puck nodded his affirmation.

“Thank you so very much, Maeve, but I think I will just stay tonight.” Adri said, thankful for her insistence.

“Now, sleeping arrangements.” Maeve pondered as Puck yawned. “We have two bed rooms, mine and Puck’s. You should stay out here or in the attic, which is Puck’s room,” Adri gaped at Maeve, as did Puck. “I snore and you will not get a bit of sleep and you should be well rested for your journey.” Maeve ignored the looks of shock and awe on the faces of the two youths.

“Puck, why don’t you get out the extra pallet? It’s in the library.” Puck ran up the stairs, presumably where the library was. “Now, dear, don’t run off tomorrow without saying goodbye. I will have a map to Asshoooghasg drawn for you by morning.”

“All’s ready,” Puck cried from above.

“Go on,” Maeve said as Adri’s face drained of color, “He won’t bite.”

Adri trudged up the stairs that Puck had previously run up. She did not want to sleep in the same room as that boy. Sure he was nice, but he was a boy! He was annoying and he wanted her to go home instead of have adventure.

She reached to top of the stairs and found her self in a library that would have made Theo drool. “In here.” Puck called from the only break in books. She walked into his candle lit room to find that the door she walked through was not a door, but just a gap in a wall of books. She looked around the room to see one pile of odds and ends heaped into one corner and the rest of the room was fairly tidy. There were two beds, one was on a raised stand and the other was simply on the floor. The three candles that illuminated the small room sat on a table between the two beds and under the window.

“You can have my bed if you want,” Puck said, “It’s a bit more comfortable than the spare mattress.”

She was touched by his offer, “That’s alright. I don’t mind. I’ve been sleeping on leaves for the past few weeks, this cot is perfectly alright.” She assured him.

They were silent. “Well, I will go into the library so I can change.” Puck said his hand behind his head showing his awkwardness.

“Alright.” She shrugged.

Adrianne pulled back the covers of her cot and climbed in bed. She was right in saying that anything was better than leaves, but this bed exceeded her expectations. It was soft and firm and seemed to fit all of her contours perfectly. Puck reentered the room clad in, what looked like a paler version of the outfit he had been wearing earlier. He put out one of the candles with his thumb and forefinger.

“Do you want to read?” He asked, “I don’t mind.”

“No thanks,” she murmured sadly.

“Is something wrong?” He sounded genuinely worried.

“No, it’s nothing.” She said louder.

“Are you sure?”

“Books just make me think of my little brother. He loves to read.” She told him.

“I know. You said so at dinner.” He told her.

“Did I? I guess I did.” She yawned.

They both fell silent. Puck got into bed. He propped his head up on one arm and faced her. “Are you still going to go?” He almost whispered, just incase she was asleep.

“Yes.” She said, “You are not going to be able to convince me otherwise. I can promise you that.”

He sighed, “I just thought it was worth another shot. Are you ready to go to sleep?” He asked. She nodded and he blew out the other two candles and they both fell into their own minds.