Cinderella: There's No Happy Ending

Days Later

The girls spent the next few days in the attic without any food or water being given to them. Ella was fine, she had been eating plenty but Alice was the one in real danger. She had been giving her meals to Ella for so long that the poor girl was practically skin and bones. Without the little bit of food that she had been eating, Alice was getting weaker each day. However the two girls still managed to talk and laugh with each other. Then finally, on a sunny day with a lovely breeze, Ella was entertaining Alice by doing some dances around the room.

Ella did a couple spins that had Alice giggling and the woman began singing softly. Ella joined in moments later while she continued dancing, the two voices harmonizing easily and creating a beautiful melody. While she sang, Alice looked out the window and noticed there was movement in front of the house at the same time she heard the door open. Neither of the girls cared who was at the door, because they knew that nobody would be here to see them. They had accepted their fates and they knew that once this whole business had blown over, they would remember their beautiful night spent with their handsome men. It would be, without a doubt, the highlight of Alice's life no matter what else happened.

"I love him Ella." The young woman stopped her spinning and turned to stare at Alice with surprise. Alice simply shrugged before looking back out the window at the clouds that passed by. "I know I've been denying it to everyone but at least someone should know. Girls like me shouldn't fall in love, it's ridiculous really. I know I'll never be anywhere near good enough for a man like him. However, I love my Captain with every part of my being. I'll never be able to love anyone else, ever."

Ella smiled and walked over to Alice, hugging her friend tightly without saying a word. Ella knew that Alice hated herself and that meant that she couldn't see what a wonderful person she was. Alice would do anything to help make things easier for other people. Even if someone had done something terrible to her, Alice would forgive them in an instant if only they asked. Alice was one of the best people that Ella knew, ranking right alongside her mother and father. Ella could tell her all this, but Alice would simply deny it so Ella just hugged her.

Sighing, Alice wrapped her arms around Ella and the two began swaying back and forth. Without even thinking about it, Alice began singing the song Ella's mother sang all the time. Ella joined in and they harmonized again but what neither of them noticed was the window being pushed open by Ella's mice.

"When I am king, dilly, dilly. You shall be queen.

Lavender's green, dilly, dilly. Lavender's blue.

If you love me, dilly, dilly. I will love you.

Let the birds sing, dilly, dilly. And the lambs play.

We shall be safe, dilly, dilly. Out of harm's way."

Downstairs, the Captain heard what was obviously two women singing and one of the voices sounded painfully familiar. He questioned Lady Tremaine, becoming angry when she lied about there being no other maidens in the house. Suddenly the Prince revealed himself and requested that the Captain go find the source of the singing. The Captain was more than happy to go look and rushed Lady Tremaine along.

Alice and Ella had finished singing and were standing together at the window, staring outside blankly. Hearing the door unlock Alice stepped in front of Ella protectively, not willing to allow Lady Tremaine anywhere near Ella again. Lady Tremaine entered and motioned to the girls lazily, looking extremely unhappy. Alice's breath caught in her throat when she saw who entered immediately after.

"There! You see? I told you it was no one of any importance." The Captain raised an eyebrow at Lady Tremaine then looked over at Alice and Ella.

"We'll see about that. Ladies, you are requested and required to present yourself to your king." Alice immediately dropped into a curtsey in an attempt to keep the Captain from seeing the bruises still covering her face. Ella nodded and took a step forward but was stopped by Lady Tremaine saying she forbid her to do this. Having reached the end of his patience and longing to hold Alice in his arms and look at her beautiful face again, the Captain's next words were sharp and unkind.