I've reworked my Rapunzel retelling for the Arista Challenge several times. Something just didn't feel right, but I think it's fixed now. Here are the first thousand-ish words! Let me know what you think. :D
Also, the Loki/Thor x Reader (along with all my other misc. projects) is going to be on hold. The deadline for this and my Tales of a Modern Bard entry are rapidly approaching. So these take priority. Here's hoping I can get them both done in time... đ
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Loredana tilted her head back, eyeing the laden boughs above her head. very day, since theyâd settled in this new land, the laden boughs of the fruit trees taunted her. They seemed to call, Canât reach us! Just try!
Every day she passed by, the thought of how delicious and juicy the fruit would be played in her mind.
âIf it were any closer to the Turning,â she growled to the ripe fruit, âI would shake you from your tree right now.â
Her husband Lando came up the path and toyed with her pale hair. âIf it were any closer to Turning, you would be playing the zephyr and not caring for fruit.â
Loredana huffed and pulled away. âI will taste those plums, youâll see.â
Lando sighed. He wondered what scheme his wife would devise to get what she wanted. âI hope she finds something else,â he muttered to himself. âWith my luck, her plan would involve me getting it for her.â
âOh! My love, look!â Loredanaâs feet beat against the ground excitedly, as if she were standing in place. âWill you get this for me?â
Eyebrows drawn in a long-suffering frown, Lando continued up the path and rounded the bend. âWhat isââ He stopped short, breath taken away by what he saw.
The first thing he noticed was a large, golden tree. Its pale leaves and ocher flowers hung down to the ground on thin, wavering branches. Though there was no wind, the willow fluttered as if being toyed with. The very air around it seemed to sparkle.
The second thing Lando noticed was the fence. It was odd, to find any sort of boundary or border; the only people who did so were the enchanters.
âDarling,â he whispered. He wanted to say, âwe should leave,â but he glanced down at her before he did so. A familiar glint was in her light gray eyes. His sentence turned into a stutter, then a sigh. âWhy do you want it so badly?â
âI simply must have it!â She clutched at the lapels of his earthen-colored jacket. Her gray-cast face was drawn in longing. âPlease.â
Feeling annoyed that the expression was almost the same as the one sheâd met him with on their wedding night, Lando frowned. âButâŠitâs an enchanterâs garden!â
Loredana whirled away in a huff. Her dark red skirt flared out in an enticing spin. She crossed her arms and refused to say another word. She didnât even say anything when the village gossipâa close friend of hersâtried to engage her in conversation.
The day passed by with the usual village activities; gathering flowers and plants for dyes, tending the wild gardens, working at the tannery. Loredanaâs silence hung heavy on Lando, until they turned in to their cottage for the night.
When he was about to fall asleep, she laid her head on his neck. In a pained whisper, she said, âI will simply die if I canât have it.â
Lando cursed himself for a fool. A sleepy fool, but a fool nonetheless. âThen I will simply have to get it for you,â he replied.
Lando stole along the path, wondering why heâd gotten up before dawn to do this. Werenât enchanterâs powers stronger at night? Werenât they more protective of their property?
He shivered and tucked his black undershirt into his loose breeches. âWhy didnât I change?â he asked himself. The memory of his wifeâs desperate, nagging pleading played in his mind. âStillâŠâ
The tree looked even more magnificent in the moonlight than it had during the day. Its petals and leaves glowed softly, still swaying. Still glittering as if thousands of stars had come to rest on them.
Holding his breath in fear and anticipation, he clambered over the dark wooden fence. His blond hair fell over his eyes in an untidy mop. Sputtering and trying to catch his breathâhe wasnât a very athletic manâLando waited a few moments.
There was no alarm. No shouts. No flashes of magic. No yowling of hounds. He was safe.
Quietly, he side-stepped into the soft glow of the willow. With an expert hand, he pinched and twisted off a few blossoms. Carefully, and trying not to be overwhelmed by the wonderful scent, he tucked the blossoms and leaves into a pouch at his side.
That night, he escaped safely. He brewed a tea for his Loredana, hoping it would ease her longing. To his dismay, the next night, she declared that her longing had grown threefold!
He went back to the garden once, twice. The third time, he came face to face with the witch Kamille.
A beautiful outfit with many folds and waves, dyed purple and black, could not make the hunched, one-eyed figure pretty. The witchâs lank gray hair formed a weak curtain over the crooked hazel eye on the left side of her face. Her back was bent nearly double, her head coming to Landoâs stomach.
She glared up at him. âWhat are you doing with my laburnum?â Her voice matched her face; old, tired, and terribly cranky.
Lando fell to his knees. âPlease, forgive me! My wifeâŠâ He trailed off, knowing he should have been more firm with her. âPlease, forgive me. I have no excuse,â he said softly.
The witch was silent a while. When she spoke, her voice was flat. âI will forgive you your theft, provided you give me something in return.â
âYes!â Lando kept his head down, awaiting the witchâs demand.
âI will be the godmother of your child.â
Lando glanced up in surprise. âButâŠwe have no children! We were toldâŠwellâŠâ He trailed off again.
âYou will,â Kamille said with a twisted grin. âYou will.â
Nice. Definitely needs an editor's pen, but I do see quite a bit of potential here!
ReplyDeleteDanke. :D
DeleteUgh, yes. My inner editor is not happy after Nano; it keeps alternating between editing over my shoulder, and locking itself in a closet. :P
Thanks for stopping by!