A Grim Fairy Tale

Chapter Nine

When the coach entered the Black Forest, Charlotte peeked her head out the window to get a look at the new atmosphere she would be living in. However she did not like what she saw.

It was day time still but the sun's light barely made it through the thick leaves that blocked the sky above. Dark tree trunks, shadows, overhanging limbs across the path and from certain angles they almost appeared as monsters to the girl. Clumps of bushes and black trails snaking through the undergrowth, making way for briars and thorns. She could hear the wind practically screaming as it bucked hard against the trees and she felt her heart leap each time she caught the howl of a wolf.

"What a terrible place." Charlotte thought while clutching her doll. "How could anyone possibly live here?"

Vagatha on the other hand, showed no signs of fear. Not even when she heard the cry of the wolves. She looked very accustomed to her surroundings. Of course that was not surprising given that Vagatha had been born in this forest and lived there for six years. What Charlotte considered terrible, her stepsister considered home.

At long last the coach stopped in front of a humble cottage which greatly contrasted with ominous woods that surround it. The cottage door was blue, the  walls were white, the windows red, and it had a thatched roof. There was green grass growing from the ground, a well built from stone, and in front of the cottage was a garden wherein stood two rose-trees, one of which bore white roses and the other red roses. The roses were truly a remarkable thing to behold. The white roses seemed to resemble pearls while the red roses almost mirrored rubies. Charlotte couldn't even imagine flowers more lovely.

A woman came out from the cottage. An old woman who was dressed very different from those that Charlotte was used to seeing. Her head was covered by a scarf and her grey hair had been tied up, her dress was an eye catching mix of orange, yellow, and red while a shawl covered her shoulders. Around her neck she wore a chain the bore a gold coin and behind her glasses were eyes that matched the color of her coin.

A huge smile spread on to Vagatha's face and she bolted from the coach, straight into the arms of the old woman who despite her age had enough strength to lift the girl up and spin her around. Laughter filled the air and Charlotte was awestruck by the sight. It was the very first time she had ever seen Vagatha truly happy.

"Oh Granny." She said "I missed you so."

"And I you my little rosebud." She planted several kisses on her granddaughter's cheeks and nose. "I was afraid that I would never see you again."

"Look Granny, I have a puppy. His name is Raphael. Can I keep him? Please?"

"Well as long as he doesn't dig up my roses I don't see the harm."

"Thank you Granny."

She then released her hold on Vagatha and turned to the coachman.

"Where is my daughter?" She asked him. "I was told that she would be accompanying the children."

"I'm afraid that her majesty was far too busy to make the trip."

"I see." Expected disappointment appeared in the woman's eyes.

"Don't worry Granny." Vagatha said. "Mother promised that she would visit us tomorrow and everyday afterword."

The disappointment in her eyes grew when she heard this. But she smiled for the sake of her grandchild.

"Now then where is the other one?"

The coachman proceeded to escort Charlotte from the coach. She approached Vagatha's grandmother slowly, making her shy feelings perfectly clear. The old woman bent down to address her better yet she kept her distance knowing how uncomfortable this most likely was for her.