Charlie's pov.
I sat peacefully in front of the enormous window, gazing out over the grown village. Bo Peeps family farm was taken over by Jack and Goldie until they got to old to do the unending work then it was Everest, Jack and Goldie's younger son who had silky blonde tresses of hair much like his mothers and a strong build similar to his fathers who took charge of it with is family. I heard a soft knock on my door and heard it creek open slightly. I don't even bother to look to see who it was. I listen very intently to try to identify the person who had come in. I heard a soft pitter patter of feet quickly at first but then it slowed down to a slow shuffling.
"Charlie?" I heard a soft shy voice call out my name. I turn around to see Poppy, one of Jasmine and Johns triplets. She had large blue eyes, strawberry-blonde hair, a few freckles on the bridge of her nose and the biggest smile a little kid can bare. Her hair was in two French pigtail braids, with a few tendrils hanging loosely and small red bows at the ends. She had a strong resemblance to Aunt Alex when she was younger, much like Uncle John did with Grandpa Conner. She wore an ankle length, short sleeve red night gown with ruffles at the collar and bottom hemming.
I held my arm to her and she ran to me as I wrapped my arms around the precious child. She sat in my lap leaning against my chest.
"What's wrong Poppy? Did something scare you sweetie?" I asked her tenderly. She just snuggled closer to me, so I held her in my embrace and felt her warm body pressed close to me.
After a half hour had passed, Poppy had nodded off so I carefully lifted her and carried her to her room. I push open the door and found the Lily and Daisey were sleeping on the large guest bed together and there was the empty spot on the far left side where Poppy was suppose to sleep. I don't know why she had come to my room, but I didn't mind so much, because I knew deep down I wasn't going to see again for a long time, after my argument with Grandpa last night. The day after the Banquet in Grandpa Conner and Aunt Alex's Birthday, Grandpa and I sat in the large Library in front of the fireplace.
"Charlie sweetie. I have to bring you home, back to your mother. She's probably worried sick!" Conner tried to explain to his head-strong granddaughter. He knew this was not going to be an easy conversation, knowing his granddaughter better than her own parent did. He was her best friend. She told him everything, anything that happened bad at school or when anything was bothering her.
"But Grandpa, I want to stay here with you! You and Aunt Alex spent most of your time here when you where my age, so why can't I!"
"You don't understand how much stress that put on our mother. She never knew if we where dead or alive. Fighting soldiers, slaying dragons, battling wicked enchantresses, or competing evil queens. She feared that we had too much on our shoulders at our age, always putting others lives before our own."
"THEY DON'T EVEN BELIEVE IN MAGIC GRANDPA!!!! They wouldn't believe me if I told them about here! I would get in trouble for telling tall tales and they will probably make me see a therapist because they think I'm crazy!" I cried out, tears streaming down my pleading face.
"They will do know so thing! Sweetie I know you love it here, but I never showed this place to my kids because I didn't want them to be in danger. From the moment your Aunt and I entered this world, we had a target on our back, constantly in danger. By the time I tried to tell them about it... it was too late they had grown up. I told all of them the stories of our adventures, just like my father did for Alex and I but by the time I told them about it they didn't believe me. Only Carrie believed me... but even she eventually stopped believing."
"But I need to stay. You don't understand!" I said and ran off. Later at dinner he decided I could stay one more night.
But tonight is my last. I gave Poppy a kiss on the forehead.
"Good bye." She whispered stirring slightly in her sleep.
I walked down the corridor until I found the kitchen. I walked in and found it was abandon. I took my backpack and went to the giant pantry and put plenty of food in. Some bread and cheese and fresh fruits and vegetables. I added some water in as well. I then put the blanket I took from my room and stuffed it as well. What else would I need? I returned to my room and put some normal clothes on and put my clothes I came here in, in my backpack. I put my large jean jacket over my pink sweater. I looked at myself in a mirror. I wore jeans and sneakers as well and my short black hair was pulled back into a small ponytail. I then found my way out of the castle and into the court yard.
The court yard was beautiful with wild cherry trees and red maple trees too. As I wandered through the court yard I heard rustling of leaves behind me. I turned to see a tall slender figure swing gracefully down the branches of one of the red maples. He landed on the ground in front of me with such ease it gave the assumption that he has done it before.
"Jacque." I acknowledged him and turned way again.
"Wait, wait." He said, his warm hand grasping my wrist. "Where do you think your going?"
"On a walk." I lied simply.
"With a backpack? Really?" He asked, giving me the look. "You can't lie to me. I have my Grandma's instincts."
With a sigh I made him promise not to tell and then explained my situation. He seemed to understand.
"Ok, but I am coming with you." he stated clearly.
"What? Not Jacque, you know you can't. You'll just get me caught faster."
"Hey! Says who!?!?"
"I'm not saying it will be your fault if we get caught but think about it! A missing Royal and a hero's missing granddaughter. They will have EVERY kingdom looking for us!" I explained. "Why would you want to come anyway."
"I can't let you go alone." He said shyly "Why do you want to run?"
"I have to stay here, but I can't stay here or my grandpa will make me go home! And I don't want to leave this place."
"Let me come with you!" He urged "Please, I can keep you safe."
"Fine, come on. We have a long way to go!"
"Where are we headed?" he asked inquisitively
"The east gate then on our wat to the forbidden forest." I replied
"Well then the forest awaits!" He said with a large smile.
