FD: Birth of a Wishing Heart

12. Learning Bravery

Gretel woke up terrified at what was to come, but yet woke up to a seemingly normal day. There were nothing but friendly faces and kind voices. Did they really figure it out? Maybe they accepted it? Or maybe it was only a nightmare? Hansel said nothing, quiet most of the morning. He seemed tired. They were eating breakfast, when their father, Lorenzo, spoke first.

"Gretel, I'd like your help cutting wood today. I know Diana is helping you be a proper young lady but with the restrictions in the forest, I'd like to cut as much as I can now in case it worsens. I know you lack strength but maybe Hansel can teach you how to do the little things." Gretel smiled and looked at Hansel who just seemed to look down at the table whispering things under his breath. His fingers walking along his lap in calculation. He hadn't even eaten his bread. She then looked back at her father.

"Of course! I'd be glad to help!" She said gleefully. At least she'd be with Hansel today all day. He'd keep her safe.

Lorenzo tilted his head. "Hansel, you haven't touched your food. Are you feeling alright?" He asked with worry. His son barely took note of him, it was painful. He knew how clever he was, he'd probably be back home by night with Guinniverre. He knew he couldn't let him. Hansel was a traitor just as much as Guinniverre, to complicate things he knew the truth. He betrayed the family itself by bringing the princess home and deceiving him. Hansel himself had the ability to bring the family to ruins with his own secrets, and Diana had a point. The famine and work difficulties were harsh enough, maybe a quicker death to their children might be more humane to them all, leaving him and Diana safe. It was better than a slow death to all, or one from the officials though, they had nearly given up their search.

"I'm saving the bread for the afternoon." Hansel responded in a mumble.

He definitely knew. Lorenzo took a deep inhale before hugging the both of them close. "I love you both. Do you understand?"

"Of course papa!" Gretel replied. Hansel barely responded, hardly speaking until they left.

To Diana and Lorenzo's surprise once they left Hansel wouldn't stop talking about memories, moments, sprinkled with jokes to make Gretel smile along the way. Gretel was so innocent, bouncing along, pointing at different flowers and wildlife. She was usually stuck at home missing the rustling river, the bright green leaves, and the shadows created by the sun shining in different shapes on the ground. Even the roots of the trees were fun to jump over.

Hansel noticed they were going deeper than usual. Up until this point he could have easily known his way home, now it was getting trickier. With his speaking creating a cover up of noise, he dropped a pearl on the ground. With his memory from earlier he knew how long he'd have to wait to put another, though he didn't know how far they'd be going. It was a gamble, but he dropped another as he hoped his words got to his father and stabbed him in the heart. This was cruel. All Pearls had been dropped as the chatter finally stopped.

"I think this is a good place." Lorenzo nodded. "There should be plenty of wood here. Diana and I will go a bit further north, Hansel teach Gretel about marking and which trees are good to cut." Leaving Hansel's ax next to a tree he gave his last command. "Don't wander, stay here until we come and get you." Hansel glared at his father with betrayal in his covered eyes. Despite not seeing them, he could tell. "I love you." Hansel gave no response and like that they were separated. He watched his father's disappearing figure until nothing was left before grabbing a necklace around his neck with tools. Using a pocket knife to mark a tree pointing to the exit route.

Gretel looked at Hansel with confusion as he put the necklace back on. "what's that for?"

"This was my plan." He explained. "If we're left alone out here, we need a path back home, we leave at night. The moon will shine on the pearls making them easier to see, it'll also give papa time to think about what he's done." Hansel had a semi harsher tone to his voice. It was full of seriousness, and less friendliness than Gretel was used to.