Silvestre Pendragon

Family ties

"Evelyn"

She stood, paralysed, her sky blue eyes fixed on Silvestre. Even the constellation of freckles on her cheeks seemed to quiver. Flushed and unsteady, Evelyn reached for the support of the chair facing the princess, her knees buckled but her gaze did not part from Silvestre, like a doe being hunted, always staring into the predator's eyes; Silvestre recoiled at this thought: she refused to see herself as a predator to her friend.

"Sit down, Ev" Silvestre said, trying to sound as friendly and sure of herself as possible but her words came out as a tired whisper, as though she had breathed them. Silvestre had expected a frantic sense of panic to overwhelm her had her secret ever been unleashed, she had pictured angry men chasing her with flaming torches and the thundering sound of bells punching at her ears. Instead, her fingers raked through her messy curls and she sat, quite calmly, in her armchair facing Evelyn, there was no sound other than the soft crackling of the flames in the fireplace and Evelyn's face was not painted with crimson anger. Evelyn cautiously sat down, still staring at Silvestre she said,

" You shouldn't have shouted at Leisel."

Although a little taken aback by this statement Silvestre was relieved,

"I know, I'm sorry."

"It's not me you need to apologize to." Evelyn was not scared, she was certain and there was a new air of confidence to her that Silvestre admired,

"Yes. Of course, you're right. "

"Silvestre, I've known you all my life. Me, Florette, Leisel, we're not your friends, or just your servants, " She paused, standing up from the chair, "We're your family."

Evelyn headed towards the door,

"Ev, you won't tell anyone about this, will you?"

"Tell anyone about what?" Evelyn asked, a knowing smile on her face. Contagious, a smile grew on Silvestre's face too.

***

It didn't take Silvestre very long to find Leisel, for Silvestre knew all the perfect places for little girls to hide, when she wasn't in the washing room in her fort made from bed sheets, Leisel could often be found in the small store room. Hidden behind an old tapestry which portrayed a colourful phoenix, a small wooden door was revealed. Sweeping away the old fabric of the tapestry, Silvestre gave two sharp knocks on the door before it was opened by the timid hand of Little Leisel.

"Hello?"

"It's just me, Liesel. A humble and very appologetic Silvestre, wishing to make things right. She was very angry. May the silly girl come into your delightful home?" Silvestre asked, adding a touch of melodrama to her voice. Leisel giggled and opened the door wider to expose the secret room, Silvestre had to crouch down in order to shimmy inside, where she found a crooked stall to perch upon. A candle flickered, casting smooth shadows against the walls and slowly dripping wax onto the stone floor, cobwebs adorned the corners of the little room and Silvestre could just make out a few rag dolls and clay figures perched upon the shelf.

" I'm really sorry Leisel. I know I have an appalling temper and I really shouldn't have shouted at you, especially when you are always so kind to me."

The little girl paused.

"I'm not always nice... Sometimes I steal the sausages from your plate when you're not looking!" She admitted. Funny, aren't they? Little children, full of mischief and innocence; spirited beings, eager to explore the world and dance in its beauty. Silvestre chuckled and pulled something from her pocket,

"I bring a peace offering." She said, unfolding a purple silk ribbon and softly placing it into Liesel's delicate palm, "Because you are a much nicer little princess than I could ever be"

In the dim candle light Silvestre could see Leisel's astonished face, and her tiny fingers stroking the purple silk, "Lets get of here and I'll tie a bow in your hair." Thrilled Lesiel opened the door, and danced past the tapestry, Silvestre blew out the candle and joined her in the corridor.

It took a second for Silvestre's eyes to adjust to the sudden brightness of the afternoon sunlight that leaked into the castle. Leisel was still grinning with happiness as Silvestre tied a neat bow in her mousy hair. Swivelling, she spun to face Silvestre, wrapping her arms around her in a hug,

"You're wrong. No-one could be a nicer princess than you!"

Silvestre smiled, allowing her arms to wrap around Little Leisel. Families are a wonderful thing.