Rosemary Book: 2

CH 4

Rosemary had enough of it. She assumed with what happened with Belle and bringing her and her father back together, it would mean that things would get better between them.

If anything, it made Rumple more paranoid than ever. When she requested to join him on his trips of making deals or collecting payment, he refused. This went on for days and days.

"You are forbidden to leave the castle grounds, Rosemary. And that is final!" Rumple decided.

"And if I don't? Are you going to cast one of your spells on me?" Rose argued back.

"No! I trust you enough to not disobey me. Please, Rose. I don't want to lose you too." He softly said as he hugged her tightly. Rose still felt uncomfortable with the gesture, but she slightly returned the hug. Making her father feel a warmth in his chest.

"Here." He said and placed a horn in her hands. Casting magic in front of her was like second nature to the girl.

"If anything were to happen while I'm away, I want you to blow on it." He instructed.

"What will it do, other than make a loud noise?" He couldn't hide his giggle.

"That's the difference with this one. It doesn't make a sound. Not for normal ears, that is. But for someone magical like me, I'll hear it. A signal to lead me to wherever you are. Now I must go." And just like that, he poofed away in purple smoke. Annoying the young lady as always.

She looked down a the object in her hands, recalling what her father had just said.

'A signal to lead me to wherever you are.'

She smirked to herself.

"Oh papa. After everything you still expect me to sit still?"

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

There was a boy and he was leaving his master's house of wood to feed the animals in their farm. He was kicking rocks with his feet harder and harder, in order to let his frustration out.

Long ago, had heard rumors that the Ogres were winning the war. But then one day the Ogres disappeared. Leading everyone to believe the war had ended.

While the people were relieved, he was not. He had just turned 16 and felt he was old enough to be considered a man. He was so eager to join the fight and become someone heroic, not to be seen as a servant or a farm boy. This way of life was not enough for him and he hated it. What was so special about the tiny, pink, chubby pig he had to take extra care for? Herwin was the pig's name.

"Is this to be my life? Pampering a pig! I could be a famous warrior." The boy said to himself as he finished feeding the small creature. He found a large wood stick and grabbed it. Examined it and pretended it was a sword, imagining he was fighting an enemy.

Rose had left the castle and made her way through the woods with only a map in her hand to show her where she was and where she was headed. She noticed a small house made of wood. Looking on the map she could see footprints turning in circles behind the house. She heard voices close by too. Putting the map away in her purple bean bag, she picked up the pace to see who it was.

Behind the house she saw a boy, who looked around her age, with a stick in his hands stabbing the invisible air in front of him. She could tell he was fooling around, and silently giggled to herself as she continued to watch.

The boy accidently hit a goat. Playing with its horns by using the stick to touch it. Rose already could sense trouble was coming. And she was right. The goat did not look happy and marched his way towards the boy, pushing him backwards to the ground. The boy had landed on some mud, the splashes got the pig dirty. They were both covered in mud.

"My finest hour.... I give my last breath..." The boy continued to play along, and lay down on the ground, closing his eyes. Rose smiled and decided to meet him.

She walked to where he was until she finally stood next to his body. She continued looking down at him, wondering if he even noticed her yet. He did. He felt a presence near him, and took a peek. Afraid it would be his master, but to his shock, he saw a girl giving him a smile. A pretty girl. He couldn't think of the last time he even saw a girl.

" Having fun, are you?" She couldn't help but tease. Immediately, he panicked. Stumbling a bit when trying to stand up faster than usual. Now standing, it was clear the boy was taller than her. By a foot maybe. Rose noticed this and felt a blush coming on, but shook her head.

"I-I was just-" He was stuttering, lost of words. Rose noticed she was giggling more than before.

"No need to explain. I find myself doing the same thing back at home. It's boring doing nothing most of the time." Rose said. She hoped he would feel better. The farmer boy felt more relaxed.

"I couldn't agree more. All I ever do is care for these animals." He pointed at the farm animals all around him. Then picked up the pig in his arms after cleaning the mud off him.

"Especially this one." He said.

"Oh really? Why is that?" She petted the pigs head, earning a happy squeal. The boy shrugged his shoulders.

"Don't know. My master ordered me to. But I prefer to be out in the open and fight-"

"Against animals? Not exactly a nice thing to do." She narrowed her eyes at him. He felt embarrassed and scratched his head.

"You saw that? I was just pretending I was fighting real soldiers, ogres even!" He said, hoping to look brave for her. But it did the opposite. Her once smile turned upside down. The Ogre Wars were never a pleasant memory for her. True, there haven't been much lately, but she had been alive for centuries. She had seen more than most have.

The first war caused her father to have a limp leg and Milah's disappearance. The second made her father take the dagger to become the Dark One to save her and her brother.

"War is not a game. Do not take it so lightly." She stated. The boy could tell the change of tone she was making. She looked sad just by saying it. He felt he should change the subject soon.

"I'm sorry, what's your name?" He asked her. Rose was caught off from her thoughts. Repeating what he asked, she was debating if she should tell him the truth or not.

This was her first time meeting someone outside of the castle walls and on her own. Then there was her father, what would he say if someone knew his daughter's name. But she decided to put her worries aside.

"My name is Rosemary. And you are?"

"Taran."