Chapter XI ~ To All of Those Who Love

Upon that night, there happened to be a gathering of Dwarfs, Swans and one man and his messenger among them. They all came together around one fire. The Seven awaited for the maidens at night would fall, after they all came upon an abandoned old bridge that looked as though a hole was smashed through the old brick and stone. That did not seem to sway the band in the slightest, particularly now when they were only seeking a watching place for the night.

Finding only a simple little niche, Quasimodo led his pony, Fidele to stay there for the night. For once on this journey, the Maidens and their guards were all together. It was due time with all that searching for answers since this spell was dispelled, it was an entire reunion for them… Of course, within this little cave niche as the stars were all shining above them, the flock all had gathered inside, getting themselves decent, of course ~ for the little time they had as themselves~ to be able to have company.

The Seven were together after lighting a new fire for the night, as it was among one of their last nights in Mondfall. The men were full of hope while Jiminy was feeling enthusiastic amidst his personal anxiousness about the whole ordeal of leaving.

"Y'don't suppose, uh… that this Woodsman might be the one?" Happy whispered. "Can this really be?"

"Now y'ain't havin' that princely talk again, are ya?" Grumpy winked at him. He threw a bit of tinder into the flames.

"Perhaps, this is the f-fight — I mean, right way to go, yeh?" Doc initiated the conversation onward. "It did save Lady Snow White, fuss-just the same… Didn't it?"

"I am all for a good tussle, but all this mush talk migh'be a set up, mates~" Grumpy warned with one solid point with his finger. However, after saying that, a softness overcame his often serious eyes. "He better do her a whole lotta good~ Don't ya think, Jim?"

Jiminy least expected to be put under the spotlight so suddenly, yet out of respect he chose his words carefully, as he would often practice.

"It is of his own volition, gentlemen. I was once a cynic myself about these sorts of miracles, but I do hold a belief that Quasimodo may be chosen for something ~ Huge. If one of their hearts belong to him… we should give it room to thrive. Above all, it is the Fairy's doing…"

"It could break the spell!"

"Agh! Happy, not so loud, nabbit~" Grumpy waved Happy aside.

Despite their tries, they were eavesdropped still with Faer looking on from above in the nearest tree. Too shy to even try to show himself, the little elven creature slid and hopped down. On this night, it seemed to have a little chill in the air, as Quasimodo came in after conversing with Faer, he carefully approached the far end where Fidele was settled for the night. As it was had quieted down, Quasimodo came inside to cover his pony with a quilt. When they had seen the moon had risen at its brightest for once, despite still being a crescent, the conversations dumbed down.

"Cassandra…?" Quasimodo softly called out into the niche, timidly being sure to give just privacy.

Of course, her shadow appeared against the rocks and there she appeared in quiet refrain. Those brown eyes of hers lit up, and so did her courage.

"It is I." he warmly told her.

"You." she cooed whilst gently stepping out.

She was adorned in a more simpler gown of cloth and rag as it would be warmer for the night — It held a darker blue color but it was doing its job. The two fell quiet for a spell while Casey turned towards the dozy pony, and she began to stroke along his face and nozzle. "…and who is this?" she asked with a smile that Quasimodo shared.

"He — why, his name is Fidele." he informed her while he tightened the leather of Fidele's bridle.

She was sweet with the sleepy horse as she went on to whisper to him. "Good evening, Fidele." Casey sang, much to Quasimodo's own fascination. Setting the bridle aside by hanging it upon some rock, Quasimodo eyes remained gentle and sure while listening to her speak. While doing so, his gaze fell upon the Diamond she wore that glistened slight in the fire's light.

"I always admired horses~" she continued. "Of course, I was always too scared to ever ride one."

"It is never too late to learn," she heard him reply, which seemed to have intriqued her. Either it was something soothing in the air, or she was feeling quite safe with him near her~ which not a common emotion she felt when meeting someone new, or while getting to know someone. There was always an air of anxiousness within her whenever someone had taken to her like glue, and more often then not they had selfish intentions, if she could remember correctly. On this front, they were mainly enjoying each other's company after a fairly kindly first impression.

Her eyes felt a little warm from the tears that were trying to show as she leaned against the wall for a moment. In her silence, she continued to fiddle with the Diamond about her neck.

"As an awkward sort myself, it took fine practice~ it turned out that I had quite a fine talent for it, after all." he spoke onward, in hopes of bringing some comfort to her. "I was a bell ringer some time ago, before the world began to change…"

"Judging by how worked your hands are, and your skills of traveling so far from your home, I can imagine that, Quasimodo…"

"You sure are enjoying my side of the story~" he remarked, in a kindly tone.

"I am…" she admitted, while taking his side. "… mainly because I've been having trouble lately. Of remembering my own story… That all started because of a mirror."

Concern fell over his face at those words as did hers. "Enchantment could only go so far…" he uttered. "… if you allow your own faith to dwell in it, you can lose yourself."

Casey rose her gaze to him, sighing. "I can see faces, but their names — I have forgotten his name." she soon held the courage to speak about it.

"… of your loved one, back home?"

"… yes. One is, I believe is my father. The only one, I think…"

Casey had noticed how saddened he appeared to be at hearing this, and she felt her cheeks blush. "I know, embarrassing~"

"No, it isn't~ by what I have been told, the Seven have been speaking ~ openly ~ about their fears… for you, and the other women. Nothing is worse than being touched and held by a curse this strong."

"We're not Swan Maidens. We are just ordinary girls, asking for some help…"

At that, with gentleness with his calloused hands, he took hers to reassure her. "As far as you and I, we both have traveled long. Seeing too much~"

"The Seven mutter~ this dream I had about you, could it all be silly?"

"I am willing to do right by you~ to see if there is ever an end to this and onward. That is why we are waiting on that of my father~ the one who raised me, after all had gone down."

"He is a good man then…"

"Judge Claude as he is known by~ he is not an easy man to convince about these matters. He would disdain of my meeting you. You see, I was sent to scout safer grounds for his men to take rest at. But if I can manage to turn his head, you and your flock may have shelter with us, so that you can find any means of ending this spell on you by the Queen…"

"And she~ we aren't even sure she is truly the one who cast it…"

"How do you mean, Cas?"

Her heart took a leap inside her chest at how he spoke her name like so. "Well, on the eve when I was cursed like them — the Dwarfs remember too — we saw this dark mist take the shape of a black swan… and it soared over the lake. I took only one look at it reflected off the water… That was moments before my first change… I remember the pain of it. Since then, none of us ever saw it again… It vanished as quick as it came."

Quasimodo brow furrowed ever so seriously as she told of how it came to be.

"That Evil Queen, she — she swore I would be condemned like them. I said no, and the deal was finished, I guess. Meant to willingly give our blood so that she could remain the Fairest~ Ida was the first to find me, down in one of the wells of the dungeon. She swam on in before I learned about this spell, so all of sudden it all clicked… She forced them as swans by day and normal again at night, for questioning. It is all very specific, for her desires."

"How very sick," he remarked, in mere disgust. "… Specifically sadistic, it truly is, seems to be a recurring habit from these sorts of individuals."

"We are drawn to the water whenever the moon shines on it~ in a trance only to be greeted by pain."

"… and what happens should you not be by water?" he asked her.

"We remain in our swan forms. The same happens when it's a new moon, or if it is even risen in the sky, the light has to be reflected off of water with us under it."

"It's exactly what I witnessed~ it-it broke my heart having to see it," he said, sitting more upright now with a determined look in his eyes. "~ I will ensure that you all will have safe passage. Mark me,"

"Your father…? Is he…"

"Among one of the most powerful, protective men out there? Yes." he further explained. "Are you feeling ready for this trek?"

"I do — I mean, it is now or never, right? They are already saying things behind our backs, if you can believe it."

"Oh," Quasimodo looked intriqued before taking a swift peek over his shoulder. Though it appeared that they were all safe. "I've heard a couple of things being said," he mentioned. The reason did not even need to be stated between them. Casey, although after that small lighthearted exchange, looked towards the mouth of the cave in worry. Quasimodo naturally caught on.

"Don't let them scare you," he lightened at her, returning her attention back to him.

"I owe them so much~" she returned the sentiment for the Seven. "I'd be possibly murdered if Happy never found me in the woods."

"They are doing good by you. They are good men~"

"They lost their home because of that woman. And by choosing to watch over us, it's like they started their own Exodus." Casey stated. "What good could we do them after everything they've tried to do for us. And Jiminy Cricket ~ gracious him ~ went out of his own way to speak for us. And I can tell he had gone through something horrible, by the way he was telling it. Yet he's been very hush on details about what really happened…"

Quasimodo's beautiful gaze remained stoic at first, yet they were focused on the niche's entrance where the light of their small camp could be easily seen, along with the manly muttering being heard. "In his own time, perhaps, since you and your flock may have enough on your minds." he gave some insight, yet he looked particularly touched at what these others were going through for her and the swans. "We are here with you through the thick~ someone is here looking out for you."

"You sure have that right, Quasimodo…" she graced him with a smile. Right at that moment, it was the brightest he had ever seen her thus far. The one thing she least expected was feeling him squeeze her hand, compassionately. She averted her gaze when she felt her face warm up. "I'm sorry~"

He tilted his head with a certain smirk curving in his lip. "… why?"

In the grand scheme of all things, and all just about made her laugh at herself. "I never confided in so many people in my whole life." she expressed after wiping some wet from her eye. "Other than… my… oh~ we need to work fast because it's all getting fuzzier."

Right at his gesture to comfort her, someone had quietly entered with him to see them talking. It was that small shapeshifter of an elf, of whom Casey was greatly curious of. "And he is your travel buddy," she mentioned.

The fur over his head frizzled up a little at her voice, and he awkwardly smiled at her. "Some call me Wanderer, or Faer~ma'am." he shyly nodded to her. His voice came off as odd, and much more different from the others.

"Pleasure is all mine, mister Faer~ so, you are a bird too?" Casey smiled at him. finding him endearing. He happened to rub over his left arm, out of shyness as he smirked up at her with those big bright eyes of his.

Like how a shy child would, Faer looked down at his lanky paws and fiddled with them whilst biting down on a lip — if he had any, obviously — He kept his sweet smile on though, for her. "Is how I's go around, y'know?"

"You speak like you might be from my era." she mentioned, out of realization. "Well," she went on, scooting over closer to him out of fascination. "… for one thing, I am so very glad having met you, Faer."

"Quasi found me~ and y'know, he helped me why then wouldn't I 'elp him back?" the sweet creature spoke, making Quasimodo smile as a proud father would.

"You had done a spectacular thing, reaching the men for me… I cannot be more proud of you, Faer. I know it was tiring." Quasimodo told his companion. "Let me see if you have any matting." he offered and Faer came and sat partially on his lap. Quasimodo had taken out a brush from his satchel. When he started brushing, Faer winced at the pulling but he was truly thankful at the work being done.

"Wa't always a bird," Faer began to speak once more. ". . . it was a present, from someone — that someone who helped ya, yeah?" he pointed at Casey's diamond. She felt a tiny jolt of joy in her heart when she heard those words.

"Is that true?" she asked, looking at Quasi who got to soothing Faer's fur down, finally.

"He got his leg caught in a snag. My first initial thought was that I rescuing a small robin. He changed his shape, and tried to thank me, yet the first impression was not an ideal one."

"He thought I was gonna steal from 'im~" Faer chuckled in embarrassment.

"I blame my paranoia~" Quasimodo admitted. "… yet I believe I am forgiven." he smiled and earned a quirked smile back. The whole moment warmed her up and for a second, Casey had forgotten all about the dilemma, they all did. While they were talking, Jiminy and Happy both came inside the stony niche to meet up with the trio. Both of their faces lit up softly at the lighthearted moment.

Cassandra gladly allowed Jiminy to hop onto her palm, and he ran across her shoulders to her left side to meet their new friend who strained wing and feather to get them way to safer passages. "It seems that our little family is growing~" Jiminy delighted himself in saying, tipping hat to the elven.

"Ma'am, an'-an sires~" Happy gleefully bowed. "…we thought you might be hungry, yes?"

"Truthfully? Famished." Casey spoke with laughter in her voice. It was such a song to their ears. It was a happy evening, indeed. At first, it took a grand amount of courage for her to even speak with the Woodsman, and it seemed that a new door was beginning to open…

The Seven Men were to clearly see something beginning to spark as the two seemed to take to each other so quickly. It was close to a close friend basis which was more than one could ever expect out from such a experience. Already, Quasimodo knew of their story, as been told of some of his. His journey was a hefty one as well while they were all effected by this bleeding war, far enough. The second day was drawing near as a herd of French horseman were making their journey at a grueling pace; each hour passed, the closer they came…

The head of them all rode upon a powerful black steed with a mane flowed along like drapes. His hoofs were graced with iron with a fair silver chain at his rein. Breasted by plates of armor, his rider guided him, adorned in a crimson and velvet cape that stormed from his shoulder plates. Claude had been on high alert and high search for reunion with his adopted son, his ranger of the northern end ever since the wars had begun… At vicious gallop, Claude took on when a herd of the undead rode on on backs of marrow and rot. They took chase after him as he became the soul distraction for his remaining men.

Fine leaps his stallion took through the thick woods, intending to never set gaze on his enemy in this hot pusuit. It took many tricks with those hooves shifting every which way in order to dodge the bony monsters. At once when those prisms were sighted, Claude pressed his steed to make a high leap over them~

Baritone

The rapport among the men was growing as fast as a deer could dash along. It would seem that the sighting of kindness in their eyes and their voices seemed to carry along this spark in their hearts, as this family continued to grow stronger.

Cassandra considered them as such… with her fellow Maidens and their protectors, her heart was beginning to feel like it was in a good place. Entirely, it was a familiar feeling for her, among her flock. As if by some miraculous circumstance, the Blue Fairy was still holding her promise. This much support had just confirmed that, so bearing with the pain from transforming became more tolerable from before. This was their faith coming full circle and she felt horrible for ever doubting it.

White wings, among one black wing, danced along the water, rippling silently through the next sunrise, they were followed by the group of Seven as one Woodsman rode on horseback now with his companion returned to his broad shoulder once again. His mission was to finally meet up with his fellow man, face to face while the flock were to await the proper moment. All under the eyes of the Blue Fairy who watched it all through that enchanted jewel the dear girl wore intent on bringing them all to safety all because of these good strong hearts that gathered… The war was brewed, but it was fated not to last.

Quasimodo pressed Fidele to remain off the forest paths, following the guidance of Faer to one of the glens that remained underneath the glare of one of the highest points of the prisms that kept them all walled in. Faer ceased his fluttering and landed at the tip of a quartz, as he awaited his rescuer who came upon something new, entirely.

Faer stayed where he landed, while Quasimodo dismounted his pony while trying to judge by eye for the one they were there to meet. Someone he was also close to… and whom rode in on a mount of black. Not only had it been an eventful journey but a most foreboding one as well, as there was an unseen force keeping an eye despite being unable to touch them. A shadow inched close behind that caught Quasimodo's attention, and by that point, Fidele lowered his head, and Faer hid. There was so much to share and update on, yet Quasimodo beheld shrill bravery once before~ mere fearlessness indeed.

"Your Grace," Quasimodo addressed the rider who stepped out still in firm uniform. An elder, grand in year but as strong as stone, and just as grave flourished his torn cape in reciprocation. Concern laced the younger man's features seeing how worn the man had become… "Gotten here quick, or you would have had me worried~"

"As long as I awaited the songbird, it appears that those demons are spreading like a disease," Claude stated, with pure exhaustion in that firm baritone, that was clearly mad with hatred of the righteous kind. "Having trust in your word, the numbers have fled Eastern before nightfall. Along with our Snow, and Fidele, I see, I have come to see your face once more, my son."

Father and son both embraced as witnessed by the robin as the younger was careful should there be any injuries hidden beneath all that armor. Even Claude's own steed, Snow was covered in several lacerations from the battle. There was no denying of war leaving fondly marks. "Father~ I feared the worst for your life." he genuinely whispered to the elder's ear. It was a song to his ear. "Ever since Paris was —"

"It has not been overtaken, Quasimodo." Claude stated, forcefully after breaking from the embrace with grace. His ancient face was a storm. "Relay to me your findings, because I found your letter to be a subject of discussion among our men. While the enemy is pacified for now, it seems there had been little effect with what I have left of the Seafire~ However, your being here has provided me peace of mind, my dear Quasimodo…"

"It is a pleasure to see you again, Snow…" Quasimodo kindly greeted the grand Fresian who was clearly mad with anxiousness. One small apple spared from his pouch and helped those flattened ears to lax. Fidele pestered a little, seeking a sugar cube that he smelled and Quasi kindly obliged. Both men were entirely quiet for a moment before worrying over those lacerations, as well with his mind being with all the discoveries he endured on this journey. Faer watched on, gleeful to see such a warm reunion, so much so that his feathered tail was wagging happily.

Quasimodo's own father, however, did not know that Faer had a separate form other than being a simple bird. He had to be crafty, he had to be strong to hold it as much as he could. Quasimodo was already on a harsh journey and so, he could only watch and listen as all birds do.

"We shall make camp here, while the troops gather, relay to me what you have found… Of what you had described as an Air of Power about it… as evil seems to be repelled from here."

"It was all I could do to best describe it~" Quasimodo began as he went on to take Fidele's saddle aside. "It is quite a long story, I must tell you~"

"Do so, in haste, lad! We have suffered too many casulties…and we cannot afford more until my flames have been replenished."