Saving the Sleeping Angel [ON HOLD]

Chapter One: A Starting Point, Finally

It's a quiet, dark night when I leave the castle. Most of it is still perfectly fine; after all only the ballroom roof exploded.

When I look back at the shadowy building, sadness races through me. For two months I was researching. I read book after book after book on curses, spells, cures, diseases...even history. I looked up information on various creatures and plants. 

And found nothing. Nothing that would be helpful in the slightest to save Angel. 

Okay, I found out that all curses have a loophole, a way to free the victim. And that the most powerful spells must be removed by the caster. But that isn't very helpful. What, am I supposed to just walk right up to Pernicia and ask her to remove my sister's curse? Yeah, that'll go over well. Considering the fact that she 1) obliterated my father because he didn't invite her to our birthday party and because Mother apparently didn't keep her promise, 2) was actually attempting to put me to sleep and have Angel try to rescue me (obviously that failed), and 3) really really badly wants me to be her slave. Which will entail death. Because as soon as Pernicia grows tired of me, I get a free but painful trip to Hell. Or maybe Heaven. But probably Hell. 

Ugh, I hate my life! Geez, all those women wanting to prove themselves, needing gender equality...For crying out loud, I sure wish some dashing hero would come, kill Pernicia, and free Angel. Although, then I'd have to marry him. Which would suck. Okay, never mind, but still! Someone has to have the answers...besides Pernicia...

My mother is running through the woods. She carries a little girl in her arms as she runs. The woods are quiet, but she looks terrified. She skids to sudden halt when she reaches a little rock and stone cottage. My mother fixes her dark hair and brushes something off the little girl's face. Then she knocks on the door. 

It swings open, revealing a little old lady. "Did you bring the girl?" she croaks. 

My mother nods. "Yes. She'll make a fine apprentice. This child is curious and has a good memory. Especially for a baby." 

The old woman nods. Then she beckons to my mother. "Come in, and let's see if there is a remedy." 

The two women enter the cottage. Inside are tons of books, dried herbs, glass vials of potions, three different bubbling cauldrons and two empty ones, smoke and steam, and various charms. 

The old lady pulls out a book and flips through the pages. Then she pulls out a long wooden staff and waves it in front of my mother. She nods and starts to make a potion. 

My mother wanders around the cottage, then places the baby on a bench. 

All is quiet for a while and then the witch gasps. 

"My dear, I'm so sorry," she says. 

My mother stiffens. "What?" she asks. "What is it?" 

"I was very afraid of this, but it seems Pernicia has cursed you so that you will be barren. You must ask her for a cure." 

My mother lets out a wail. 

"You may take the child if you wish," whispers the herb woman. 

My mother sighs. "You need to pass on your knowledge. You know everything about everything. I'm sorry to trouble you. You didn't do this to me." 

The herb woman presses a charm into my mother's hands. "You'll need this, and take this vial," she says. 

My mother nods. And then she exits the cottage. 

My mind returns to normal, and I'm standing in front of the castle in the cold night air.

I know where, or rather who, to look for now. 

I turn and start walking towards the dark, shadowy woods. 

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A/N: Be proud i updated in a reasonable amount of time. took me a while to get the computer and actually type this up.

i love all of you, please vote and comment because you love me. if that's not a good enough reason then don't bother (to vote/comment-but please let me know) and i'll try to come up with a better reason to vote/comment. ok? ok. and don't make tfios references please. i did not like that book. it was boring.

until next time,

xoxoxoxo, LizziE