Sleeping Beauty

Chapter Eight: "Lost & Found"

Jack didn't have a lot that he valued, which made packing easy. His most prized possession was the blanket. It was the only thing that he felt truly couldn't be replaced. Fauna tried to talk to him through his door, but he decided that he had nothing to say to them. They left him his birthday present outside his door and then sent Fauna out to retrieve three wild horses. Changing into the silk red shirt that had a golden sash and accents decorated on it, he stared at himself in the long mirror. He barely recognized himself anymore. He wasn't sure that he liked this version of himself. Pulling on his black boots and tucking the silky black pants into them, he hefted a sigh. Outside his open window, Fauna called out to them softly. "Are you ready? We must go." More tears fell from his eyes as he thought about Mark, but he held his head high. Just like they wanted. He had been hoping Mark would show up. He wanted to run into his arms and ride away. It hurt more that he hadn't come. What would Mark think had happened to him? Collecting his blanket, he made his way downstairs. At the bottom, Flora lifted a long black travel cloak.

Without a word, he slipped it on and pulled the large hood up well past his face. Flora shifted on her feet guilty, telling him in a voice that was full of pain. "Jack... Prince Sean. I'm sorry. We never meant to hurt you." Merryweather reached out to take the blanket, but Jack moved it away from her. In response, Merryweather moved her hand away and bowed her head in shame. Walking passed them, he went outside and accepted the reins to one of the wild horses. The horse had a loose leather bridal and a saddle made from light animal pelts. It all looked to be homemade by Fauna. Tying the blanket to the back of the saddle, Jack pulled himself up onto the gorgeous white stallion with long flowing black hair. Jack knew the road to the castle but didn't move. His teary eyes were on the woods in the hopes of seeing Mark ride up to save him. The fairies mounted up onto their horses with traveling cloaks of their own to hide their wings. Flora then rode up beside him, blocking his view of the woods. Turning his head away from her, he felt frozen to the spot. He knew he should start moving... but his mind and heart were torn over what direction to go in.

His mind wanted to follow them to the castle to keep Mark safe, but his heart wanted to go after Mark. Was a short life with Mark better than a lifetime without him? More silent tears ran down his cheeks in rivers. Flora made up his mind for him. Taking the reins of his horse, she led his horse out to the road. Jack felt emotionally numb. He just didn't know what the right thing to do was. He didn't know who he was anymore. He was split down the middle between the person he was and this new version. He didn't know which one was stronger. Glancing back at the cabin, his heart ached. Once they got out to the main road, Jack was torn from his thoughts because he had to hold on. The horses went into a bolt as they tried to reach the castle as quickly as possible. Upon reaching the castle gates, the horses slowed down to a stop. Jack shifted in the saddle, wincing as he pulled the riding glove off his hand. On his left index finger a small black spot was forming. He rubbed his thumb over it lightly, thinking it might be a splinter, but it wasn't it. It was just sore. Had he bruised himself during the ride? Merryweather inched closer, asking him a little concerned. "Prince Sean? Are you ok?" Jack pulled his glove back on without a word to her.

Flora managed to convince the guards to let her in after a messenger was sent to the king to confirm her as a friend. The wooden gate opened for them, allowing them to ride in at a casual pace. As the gate closed behind them, they rode through the homes that belonged to the castle staff as the drawbridge lowered to let them into the main castle. In was getting late enough that no one even glanced in their direction. Jack inhaled slowly as he passed into the castle courtyard. This felt like a dream. He kept expecting to remember something that told him that he belonged here, but nothing stood out. The guards around the castle all straightened up as they rode up to the grand stone steps. At the top of the steps, an older man in lavish clothes with a jeweled crown looked at them with wide eyes. Flora dismounted first, telling the King in a calm but serious voice. "We know it is late your majesty. But please let us seek refuge here." The King nodded, beckoning her closer as he asked timidly. "Why have you come now? We agreed that..." The King's eyes turned to the setting sun with a heavy heart. Jack looked at the setting sun, not understanding why he was so afraid of it.