Forever A Never After

Through the Village

Stepmother's pov

I set out for the village, eager to arrive at the palace on the other side. I took the journey on foot, might I add, as those pompous men had brought it upon themselves to use our own carriage to cart Ashlyn's things to the palace! For Grimms' sake, I truly wonderd what went on in that Royal Idiot's head! Not only did they rob me off my precious stepdaughter, the sole living memory I had left of my late husband, but they dared take our family belongings too!

On my way, I looked up at the sky overhead, a crimson canvas, streaked with wisps of clouds. It was a stark contrast to the dreary day I was experiencing. Rather than resembling a splash of red paint, it was as if a subtle pervasive tint had settled above me, presenting the horizons as an ever-growing, ever-changing dream.

Nearing the village, I heard the unmistakable staccato beat of hooves on cobblestones as horses pulled rumbling carriages in their wake. Soon, the scent of lavenders and bluebells was replaced with the sweet aroma of tea and spices. I had arrived.

The village was already bustling and awake. A young boy from Ginger's Breadhouse trotted by, a basket of long loaves in hand, as he went about his daily business.

The cottages I passed were dusty, musty, rusty, ramshackle yet rather welcoming. I watched as a young woman swept her front doorstep, humming to herself a mellifluous tune which danced in the breeze as soon as it left her lips.

Carts rolled by, one carrying a cart of ruby apple with a dwarf sitting on top hollering, "Get your delicious, poison-free apples today for one day only from our overseas company, Evil Queen's Apples Inc!"

There was a certain rhythm born from the tread of boots on cobbled stones. The exuberant melody effortlessly filled the air, punctuated by the hearty cries of early risers. The sound of mirthful laughter and friendly hellos echoed from smiling faces whom I greeted in turn, careful not to stop too long to talk with anyone should I accidently waste time, straying from my path to save Ashlyn.

A cheerful mood hung over the crowd of people like a canopy, as if the radiant mood itself could be made tangible. I breathed in the air, filled with promise and love. It was exhilarating.

From the waist up, some of the buildings looked rather grand as they were: red doors shining and windows sparkling as light streamed into their homes in sweet, saturated drops of honey. However, they didn't bear too close an inspection lower down: some of the gutters were full of filth and there was still an egregious number of old women living in shoes as the kingdoms' tax rates were too high for the villagers to pay.

Some of the people whom I passed had bleary eyes, suggesting they had just gotten out of bed whereas others, took the day in their stride, having been awake since sun-up.

One pretty woman was braiding her blonde hair, which fell from her alabaster brow in a waterfall of golden curls. She smiled and laughed at the good-humoured compliment thrown her way by the messenger boys, asking if she was related to Goldilocks or even Rapunzel herself.

Hello to those of you who are still here! The next chapter will be from Ashlyn's pov. If you are enjoying the story, please consider giving it a vote. Stay brilliant! Xxx