Enchanted Tale

Six: Change

I was a witch.

That much was clear.

"What is your reason for telling me this?" I asked.

"Well, there are two reasons. One, to remind you of who you really are, and two, to finish what your parents started." She said, sitting down and laying her hand on mine. Her eyes were pleading. "Lathance needs magic. It needs to be brought back to the kingdom."

"And what am I to do about it?"

She leaned closer to me over the table. "Kill the king."

Before I could say anything, Peter objected to the task that was bestowed upon me.

"What!? No! We're going to do no such thing!"

"Hush now, child! This responsibility is not required of you." She spat.

Peter ignored her. "Elle, listen, killing the king won't do anything but get you killed! You wouldn't be able to go through with such things. The kings men are too strong! Don't be foolish!"

The image of the king riding away from my dead parents replayed in my head. The anger I felt returned. He took my life away, he is the reason I was alone all these years. He deserves to die.

"Why can't you kill him? Why do I have to do it?" I asked

"Sadly my powers are weakening. I would not be able to reach the King without getting caught. But you Elle, you're practically a newborn, with a bit of practice, you'll be unstoppable!"

"There has to be another way to bring magic back into Lathance! Murdering is just not the answer!" Peter argued.

He was right. As much as I wanted to rip the king's heart out, I didn't know if I could be capable of murder.

"Some of the members tried to convince the king that magical people are not dangerous, but he had them killed on the spot. No one must know of our abilities. It's too dangerous! Do you know what a burden it is to have to change apperance just to go to the village?" She complained.

"You can change form?" I asked, attempting to leave the previous subject. I didn't really want to talk about murder. However, I did want to know what being a witch meant, power, destiny and all.

"Can dogs bark? Can babies cry? Of course I can, my dear! And so can you!"

I looked at Peter with amazement in my eyes. He still seemed a bit shaken up by the conversation.

"How!? Can you teach me?"

She sat and thought for a moment. "Well, first take a deep breath in."

I obeyed.

"Think of anyone or anything you want to change into."

I closed my eyes. There was one person that I could not get out of my head. I thought of every trait the person had.

"Now. Allow yourself to change."

I hadn't realised it at first, but I had accepted change a long time ago. First with my parents, then with my lifestyle, Peter staying with me in my cottage, and now knowing I'm a witch. Change was what my life was made up of. I could feel tingling beneath my skin. It didn't feel very good at first but when the task was complete I felt normal again. I opened my eyes and saw Anita with a massive smile, and Peter in shock.

"Elle.. You... You're different." Peter said, finding it difficult to speak actual words.

"Really?" I laughed. But my voice was not my own. I cupped my mouth at the sound, confused but delighted.