A Grim Fairy Tale

Chapter Twenty-Two

When Charlotte re-entered the cottage she carefully placed the diamond Alastor gave her into the small box where she kept her most precious things. Once that was done she went back outside to get water from the well and then hung over the flame Vaggie had started in the fireplace. This was how the three women prepared for their baths. Get water from the well, heat it in the fire place, and use it to fill up a tin tub once the water had reached the right temperature.

"When you've finished your bath Charlotte." Dolores began when the family had reached the end of their morning meal. "Would you mind going into town and picking up some herbs for me. I need them for Vagatha's medicine."

"Of course." Charlotte answered.

"Granny I'm too old for that nasty medicine." Vagatha complained. "I don't need it anymore."

"Don't tell me what you need. As long as you live in my cottage, you'll obey my rules." She said.

"Would you like to come with me Vagatha?" Charlotte offered.

"No I have to weed the garden."  Vagatha said.

"Didn't you do that yesterday?"

"Yeah but they grow back pretty quick."

"Okay then. I'll try not to be long."

"There's no need to be in a rush." Vagatha said. "We're not doing anything important today so take as long as you need to."

"Alright. If you say so."

Charlotte quickly took her bath, changed into a clean set of clothes, then walked down the usual pathway that lead to the local village. She didn't go there often but she had gone often enough to know the location and the shops there. The villagers were very much amazed by the maiden's beauty, whispering about how strange it was that a seemingly common peasant girl could posses such loveliness. In fact she was so lovely that no one she encountered could bring themselves to be rude to her.

"Good morning." Was said to her by nearly every person she encountered.

"Good morning." She would say in return. "Have a wonderful day."

When she reached the shop or stand she was seeking she would purchase what Dolores requested with the money she had been given, placed the items into her basket, and start back home with a smile on her face and a melody in her voice. 

"I am home." She announced when she approached the cottage front. 

She heard no one respond to her announcement and no sound of footsteps coming to greet her. Though she did hear Raphael bark, she heard nothing else. It was completely quiet inside the cottage.

"How strange." She thought. "Did Dolores and Vagatha leave?"

But when she opened the door the silence was broken by two voices that cheered,

"Surprise!"

On the table was a delicious six layer apple cake topped with fresh cream, her favorite and next to the cake were two boxes. One was small and the other was medium sized. Gifts presented to her by Vagatha and Dolores. 

"Happy Birthday Charlotte!" They sung. 

"Oh you shouldn't have." Charlotte replied with a stunned smile. 

"Nonsense." Dolores said. "You're a sweet and considerate young lady who we adore. It's only natural that we celebrate your birth."

"Here Charlotte, open my gift first." Vagatha handed her the small box. Inside was a bracelet woven from stands twine and adored with colorful beads. Not worth very much to most people but to Charlotte it was more precious than gold because she knew that her sister had made the gift with her own two hands and all the love in her heart.