Chapter XIV ~ The Ivory Gate

A clank of chains echoed through the empty stone chamber, as a man was taken through and thrown before the maddened monarch before him… In front of the golden peacock throne stood the scornful woman, with emerald eyes tightened with rage and melancholia. The onyx haired man tried to catch his breath, knowing his treachery had been discovered as soon as he tried to run away again. Something had overcome him — That much he knew.

"You have betrayed me a second time…" the Wicked woman thus began to interrogate him. "As you know, the punishment for Treachery is Death. As you have known this ever since you stayed your hand from taking Snow White's life on my behest."

"I will not, and shall never provide my hand to murder the innocent, your Excellency, no matter what power you have over me." the bold Hunter declared with much virtue in his voice.

"Quite daring of you to assume such… given that you had brought the last Maiden to me. The one that bears the Fae's enchantment. As I vowed on that fortnight, the one who has intervened shall be punished. That hideous Woodsman, and those fleeing horsemen."

With the utmost dread building up in his spirit, this 'treacherous' servant rose his head up, with his jaw clenched as her shadow loomed over him, in a threatening swoop.

"A raven has come and had spoken of the French survivors coming over the Prisms, by the Woodsman. Their Minister had just taken my swans under their jurisdiction.

They have stolen from what was promised to me."

With a growl, the man strongly stood, shoving those holding him captive aside, before these terrible black as ink shadows had sprung from the stone walls in order to trap him further. That accursed mirror that she had always obsessed upon laid dead, with not a single shred of life in it; that was until, she flourished her hand at it. The stone that glimmered right upon its crown had seemed to come alive, an emerald beauty overtook the heart of it, alerting her captive. His green eyes widened when he fully realized what she may have been planning to do to him, yet he stood his ground within his faith. The furious Queen soon settled her flaming glare to her unwilling servant before gracefully stepping down.

"It has been predicted that every kingdom shall fall to the great Powers of Darkness, no matter how many who will rebel against it. Including those like you, Humbert. No mercy will be given to any of you."

Humbert, as he was known by those who valued him, seethed a sharpened breath through his nose with pure hatred for the woman, whilst his heart was overcome with terror, so had courage. Upon seeing that, Queen Grimhilde smirked, and much to his shock, those shadows went aside, releasing him. That was before he felt a sharpening pain from inside his chest. Instinctively, he clutched at it, gasping at the sudden pain as it began to grow. As it had done so, that gem grew ever sharper before something glinted inside the mirror's dead gaze.

"Y-your~ agh — Your Highness, p-please~" he tried to resort to begging but she was numb to his pleas.

Her eyes burned with divine hatred as she watched him kneel, and bend down to the stone floor, his gasps and screams seeming to fuel her terrible spirit, or something other than hers because there was another watching from the shadows of the hall, narrowing in awful malice and in pure enjoyment of the man's torment.

The Dance of the Swans

As the morn was still fairly young, Casey humbly obeyed Judge Frollo's orders and with Jiminy mounted upon her, she paddled on with a regal bow of her white head to him and his son.

The son, Quasimodo, whose eyes shone brighter than anything to her, as they were soft with that beautiful aquamarine etched with concern at her sudden pause. She had noticed through their conversations that sometimes they looked green in the darkness of night~ of course that may have been just her own eyesight difference however it did not offend her in the slightest.

As soon as she was sure she was out of range, Casey lifted herself high, head up first and opened her wings in a stretch, only to shake the stress from her mind.

"Would you like me to fly off to the deep end?" the good Cricket asked her, knowing something was on the swan's mind.

"Oh, forgive me, Jiminy… I was sidetracked again. As it has been usual?" she expressed, whilst swimming along.

"Even during these times…" he so gently agreed, a sweet love overtaking his eyes.

"I was just trying to shake a feeling off," she admitted, more so to herself. "It is foolish of me."

"Pray tell, what feeling could that be, hon?" Jiminy shook his head in denial - hardly ever were her own emotions considered as folly. At that, she shook her head again, considering it as such herself. "… you can express anything to me, young lady." Jiminy had to offer out of his worry.

Stretching out her long neck again, the Diamond Swan sighed. "From what I remember, from the world I was taken from, I never felt very connected to people - particularly, men - Hardly, on long days — hardly, would I or any other woman would feel entirely safe with anyone - any certain one. I never felt safe among anyone, never had I sat by one and not have the thought occur to me that they may have certain motives." she tried to explain herself. "The others, they - even they can tell I am becoming fond. Perhaps that is the right word. Is it wrong of me…?" she wished to know the truth of it.

Jiminy could not help but sport a compassionate sorrow for her on that regard. Worry etched more and more as he listened to her words of experience, despite how heartbreaking it was for him to hear. However, Jiminy shook out of his thoughts for a second to answer her profound question…

"No, m'lady, no. It-it's not wrong of you." he replied, his tone striking a serious note as he stood surely with his parasol neatly in front of him. "Granted, coming from me, it is right for a girl to be wary. For, even here… not everyone can be trusted; no man, no child and no woman either. It's admirable — to me, hon — that you have protected yourself well before you landed here with us. I understand that you are feeling uncertain, but just know how loved you are. As you are back home, and as you are loved here, in a land that is very foreign to you, as well."

"I know I am, all of us are. We love you all so much t-too," was her tender reply. "I feel safe enough to tell you. Quasimodo ~ oh, Quasimodo ~" she then sighed. "… Selflessly, he chose to stay for us. Just the same you and the Seven…" she chose to only leave it at that before diving far too deep into it. Were her own emotions even trustworthy? At this point, she did not even know… "He is… He's beautiful. More beautiful than I would have imagined of anyone."

Quasimodo readjusted his black leather bracer and tied it reasonably firm around his right wrist before working on the left one. Often, he relied on his brute strength alone to get by for this long. He possessed a single poniard nestled in the holster upon his belt, and he would only resort to using it when absolutely necessary. Most of the time, the poniard was used as a tool, gifted to him by Claude Frollo. Amidst all the woodwork tools he possessed in his satchel, the young man felt no need to wear all that much upon his belt ~ as he was an agile climber.

The little Robin had soon returned from exploring the farther landscape, careful to note that it was only Quasimodo all by his lonesome before landing and taking his natural shape again. An imp, an elf, whatever critter they knew him as~ Faer wore it like a badge of honor. As much or — by far — much more of a stranger to this world, much likened to Jiminy, Faer began to feel rather confident in the shape of a bird, a lovely gift after his fall down from the stars. For him, a wandering sort, Faer had never been so welcome by someone so kind, not since he went on with his lonesome for so long. As far as their journeys were concerned, poor little Faer's heart would never allow him to ever leave his good friend behind. Or any friend, for that matter.

Feeling confident enough to just land on Quasimodo's awkward shoulder, the young man did not flinch but his lip curved up slight, knowing who it was. However, there remained the presence of the Judge, as he gently tied the reins on his grave black steed. Quasimodo's much smaller than the black sort — yet held just as much stamina as the other — Fidele lovingly nuzzled his master's arm while he settled his saddle on just right. Quasimodo showed a certain affection towards his animals, with such grace and gentleness that Frollo had once boasted in his defense to others from time to time. The young man had no acknowledgement of his father's silent observation until he met eyes with Frollo, soon enough. There was a solemnness in his boy's eyes, despite all the plans issued out and discussed.

Frollo was fairly aware of the changes in his son, ever since long before. Once a frightful, timid young boy, now had become his own man, his own faith with his own mind ~ strong, devoted and full of truth. Attributes he himself had once coveted as a youth. Quasimodo however did notice he was subject to his father's scrutiny and without shying, he managed to look the man in the eye as soon as he fixed Fidele's bridle. Quasimodo sighed, knowing well that Claude was sniffing something undesirable…How he did know where this would go. Once only a means to an end for the boy when he was younger, Frollo was able to see it as clear as this day that this was no boy before him anymore. There was a fellow man beside him, with his own purpose and will.

"Father," Quasimodo addressed him, simply, his sweet tone encouraging the other to tell him anything.

"My son." Frollo sighed, a warmness in his chest breaking through his cold resolve. "My suspicions have been proven well and correct… My doubts are often well justified, however I still suggest we both exercise caution. Be cautious of her, Quasimodo. Her eyes hold a coldness…" he told the younger man.

"All the more that I couldn't leave her," Quasimodo reasoned, which led Frollo to seethe in a deep laxing breath. "Should I have…?" he asked, sorrowfully.

"… no." Frollo plainly answered, assuming what conversations had been given in his absence. "Victims of the Dark One must be protected — Their torment shall not continue on my watch."

Quasimodo's eyes softened right then, remembering the mighty exodus they each took upon themselves, facing raging enemy after raging enemy to reach this final point in their lives. Forgiveness was an nearly impossible task for a time, until that single day when Quasimodo soon found it in his heart to work his way into this new life he had once dreamed about, it meant letting go of anything soul hindering, which meant resentment and spite. Even yet, they knew each other well to tell what would or could be going on with the other, as most would never.

It was only during this moment before the two men were to fully mount upon their steeds when there was a disturbance in the calm waters of the lake nearest to them. It was as though it was the proper time, as their hearts were affectionate, the new day seemed to brighten even more as their sights were caught upon another beauty. This one, however, struck them differently than with Lady Cassandra providing a demonstration. This one felt as if it was straight out of the Heavens… Quasimodo froze where he stood beside his pony that seemed to bow his head down towards the growing light. Frollo held tight to the handle of the sword he had hidden beneath his robe as he locked eyes on the spectre flying in the sunlight above the waters.

"Quasimodo!? Flee…" he barked at the Woodsman, but he did not move a single muscle. "Flee away from it, Quasimodo!"

Before the entranced Quasimodo this wondrous orb of dust and light danced across the water and then upward to meet them. Frollo had no moment to lax before the spectre danced a circle around them and their horses. Seeing Quasimodo so taken by it, Frollo initial reaction to this was to put an end to it with his blade, however… Quasimodo's hand stilled him from raising the blade. Quasimodo dared not to say a word, but silently pleaded Frollo to be still for just a moment…

The spectre returned to the lake and began to grow, grander, brighter and taller until it formed the shape of a woman. An ethereal beauty with brilliant gold hair, crystal blue eyes and a gown of shimmering stars, as if she wore the night sky. This was no ordinary woman…

"Be still, Your Honors." came a voice from this prestine vision, true enough to address them both with that respective title, shockingly. "I have chosen to come to you, personally."

Frollo wore such shock and wonder as this vision slowly settled in, with Quasimodo soon coming to the realization of who this may have been. Faer felt bold enough to remain on his shoulder, yet he was spry at the sight of her and whistled in Quasi's ear, eager. "… she has spoken of you. M'my lady…"

As Quasimodo was the first to speak to the visionary. Frollo's eyes tensed at those words, particularly questioning what else had gone on within that forest during the meanwhile. At those soft-spoken words, the ethereal woman's expression shifted from worried to loving towards him, as if she was seeing an old friend again. Right then, Quasimodo's confidence remained stronger, as he knew who this was exactly. She was exactly what Lady Cassandra had described with such affectionate detail.

"As it would appear, your coming was most opportune." she told him. "… as an answer prayer, more powerful than any wish that I have heard." she spoke soft, in a voice as sweet as honey. "Yours, and theirs, and soon hers, all of which I have heard and kept. That compelling you've felt, Quasimodo, it was not unknown… for there had been foretold of a Woodsman witnessing the magic of the lake for himself. Her hopes were validated by both of your comings to this land."

Frollo slowly shook his head in mere disbelief at this, at what the pure vision was saying. However, with each passing word, his shoulders continued to relax more and more despite seeing the light of growing trust in his son's eyes. It was Quasimodo who shut his eyes and shook his head as if to be absolutely sure that all this was no dream of his just the same… and yet, he kept his mind on the present moment.

"Formerly a bell ringer~ a bowman…" he slowly stated at that, not-so-fondly remembering some past time. His eyes glazed over upon the thought before they trailed back up to her brightened form. "… my lady, even seeing someone like you is as much as the magic we both have seen… W-when I first thought I was solely searching for safer lands." he continued on. "I have made a ~." he struggled to say it. "… I have made a vow."

Frollo showed not a shred of fear as he stood right beside Quasimodo, however this visionary clearly held no trace of malice within her form, tone and gaze. Remaining wary, he kept a firm grip upon the handle of his sword for any sign of betrayel. Faithbound though, Quasimodo was confident enough to take another step out of his own natural curiosity as this would lead to more answers — as his heart would pray for.

"You merely observed. You have stayed your hand from your bow. It is only just. You are among men who have seen many trials beyond those mounts. Humble beginnings, resentment ~ from hatred to forgiveness ~ It all begins with a simple choice."

Beside his deep panic that some of their experiences had been known, Claude Frollo eyes remained ever vigil and fixed on she alone, whilst tending to Quasimodo's side. Their horses seemed cowed by her appearance yet not enough to want to fly off. Merely out of curiosity, Snow huffed at her gently, counting a warning, no doubt.

"Towards the one who had begun this plight," Frollo soon spoke to the spectre for the very first time. "She confided in me, after my son, that it is unclear of who the true offender is in this cause ~ who provided this curse as a whole." he challenged her. "… through she~ the one who seeks youth with such greed."

"Through she…" the Fairy hummed. "… taking on the mask of what they have seen — a Black Swan appeared beneath a full moon's shine, soaring across the sky as an omen. Those dear women, they only set their gazes up at it for only a moment. It is as black as onyx, eyes aglow of terrible emerald. It is not natural, only a mask, and a holder of the spell itself. It appears only when intended to - it cannot be found easily."

Quasimodo's face grew ever sharper as he listened, brows furrowing deeper than ever before. Frollo's eyes ignited further with a brighter flame before sheething his sword back into its scabbard, slow and easy.

"You intend to lead them away under your protection. They all have awaited long for this night. Go with caution and know that I am always an ear and eye among you. My appointed voice and conscience shall provide you their words and needs by day, his words are true and pure. The cricket who had revealed himself to you by her side~ I had brought him to them as their advocate and guide for their skins prevent them from basic expression. A simple word would not be enough, but to keep all of their hearts in check, as well as your own." she kindly hinted to the men.

"A true friend," Quasimodo lovingly hummed under his breath as Frollo whispered something other to himself, that was left unheard. A name. A sort of worried shadow came over Quasimodo's eyes when he glanced back at him. More doors kept on opening in front of them — so much so — none of this had to be coincidence. Less and lesser so for the son and his father, each with their own suspicions as this morn drew on.

"I rest inside and listen through the Diamond ~ so I am always near. Behold, the way to the right back lies behind a locked gate. Only a flame can burn the lock away… It is the safest passage through the mountain range."

Frollo naturally issued an air of warning through that scathing gaze of his while he and Quasimodo backed towards their steeds, respectfully so not to offend the starry lady. She was anything but, and so she reformed herself back into that tiny orb of starlight, hypnotically danced midair as if in glee.

"Have heart, your Honors. What you have witnessed was never destined to be eternal. She who wears my Diamond swore to endure through these trials, for the sake of her flock, and those they meet along their weary way. Your foretold coming never stemmed from ill fate, your Honors. Our world is so touched by this darkness that it's affecting anyone that comes near it. Love Undying, and trust shall awake a grander purpose amidst all. She dreamed of you, Quasimodo…"

The young man gazed up at where she fluttered above them, a gentleness overtaking his gaze at these departing words. "… I would never betray her," were his whispered words before the vision had vanished from them. "… I vowed~"

Swans did not typically have abnormal colorization on their feathers like she had, which hinted that this was far from a normal flock with one fancied up with black wing feathers among her white plummage. Eleonor figured as she preened that this was one thing that stuck her out from everyone else — which was not a fine thing in of itself. If this plan was the play itself out just right, she had to be careful with herself if they were to fly off into the unknown, as far as she was concerned. Among the other swans, who gathered in a worry for their one and only 'Ette to return from that meeting…

Dorothea led them on into the water again after a meal, unknowing of how this day would be. Mary paddled up quick to keep beside her, eager for the news. Ida stayed at the bank, standing on some stone with her neck highly stretched out so she could see out the farthest she could. In high hope, they waited and gathered, as any flock should.

"We've never venture far from this place before," Ida shared her worried thoughts.

"Well, we did float all the way from Germania, of all places," Eleonor stated, boldly. "We can surely fly ourselves over the mountains… unless you all want to stay. As for me, I say we pick ourselves up." she prodded Antoinette, who hissed at her.

"Did you not hear? What must first wait for our 'Ette," Mary spoke in return. "If the Knight agrees, we will be able to~"

"Only to be under his jurisdiction— a prospect I am not too agreeable with, but it's better than no help at all." Eleonor shameless cut in.

"But I have hope," Ida spoke up. "If we are ever to be permanently human again… I do not know about you, but each change each night wears me down, in my heart and in my spirit…"

"All it takes is some grit, Ida. We've all gotten used to it by now, but it is quite tiresome…" Carol-Anne came with some consolation. "I worry as well, for the Seven Men?"

Their secretive conversation was stopped short before they could dig even deeper when Casey soon showed her face, swimming right into a sharp gleam of the sun's reflection with Jiminy riding on her brooch. To them, it looked like they both had quite the scare, by Jiminy fanning himself with his hat and Casey, her head was held too high, clearly stressed. Ida was first to approach them, followed by the rest, and leaving Eleonor to watch on.

"You have returned!" Ida wept.

"Oh! We have feared the worst again! You had shown yourself to them? Right at the dawn?" Antoinette prodded, as Dorothea paddled around Casey and Jiminy to see clearly that both were sound.

"Y-yes, yeah, ladies…" Jiminy stammered, wondering where to begin exactly. While eyeing a worried Dorothea, he was frantic about making eye contact with each lady. "It looks to be that it's going to be a long trip. We expected the worst, but then we - we~ erm… we hoped for the best." he chuckled, mainly out of stress.

"What does that mean?" Eleonor poked herself out amidst the others. Casey's eyes were slightly more glazed, even at that question.

"As of today, Elles~ We are under custody, of the Minister of Justice of Paris, France, Claude Frollo…" Casey went on to speak for once for Jiminy, on the whole that there was so much to take in so far after officially meeting both Frenchmen in the course of a day, moving on to the second day~ for a start. "The Sire of Quasimodo Frollo…"

Worded in that way, it left a little less worry yet there was no other way to say it clearly without causing even more confusion. Jiminy was clearly under some stress by the way he wiped his glove over his face.

"That is the gyst, ladies~ we cannot stress it enough this time…" he joined in with Casey while being crowded by the flock. Ida and Dorothea were the two who neared her, slowly lowering and rising their graceful heads on each side of hers in efforts to comfort her.

"It was for sure frightening, bringing myself out to him. A man with such power, but Quasimodo's word gave me the courage to do it." Casey laid it all out. "Don't look at this as a horrible thing, girls… please, don't~" she had begged as she returned the kindness to Ida by exchanging that graceful turn of the head. "You must think me a fool for this, but I have good faith in his Sire… He has all the manner of a ruler, fighting against the same evil that claimed us~ He only needed proof of my words, and so I transformed before him… The moment I've done so, I don't remember very well — which is usual, isn't it?"

"The transformation always leaves me giddy, and sore…" Mary shared with her. "That is not something we would hold against you. If you find it in your heart to let us to follow you? Count me still, as one of your flock?"

Casey's heart lurched into her throat at that and swimmed beside her. "Of course, I do~ always will…"

Her feathers rose atop her head as did Mary's, and soon it was the entire flock forming around one another in a sort of drift. Ida arched her wings, alongside Dorothea, and soon enough four of them all continued to twirl about in the water. Jiminy found himself in the midst of it, yet he wished to watch from afar, and so he hopped onto one of the cattails by the bank. Before his eyes, and lastly approached by the blackwinged one, there seemed to be a dance commencing between these seven sisters. A sign of trust among them, without a doubt, that all made him want to tear up at the sight of it. It was a beautiful waltz of white, among them crystalline waters under the sunrays. They bowed to each other, they each to their own had turned the cheek every which way, a silent declaration of devotion, for they have watched over each other until this third year~ It was all revealed to Jiminy as well as to the Seven Dwarfs who had come to see all the goings on as to what this day would bring. Happy rose upward over one of the hillsides, becoming the first to see the Waltz of their swans. They were in wait, and declaring what looked to the men as a promise to each other. Grumpy — by Doc's side — seemed smitten by the sight as well, implanting the sober feeling that the voyage was about to take a turn~ in their hearts, hoped for the better.

They have looked after these seven waterfowls for two years, without fail, even though the guilt of failing Cassandra lastly was still a fresh opened wound.

"How beautiful they are," Bashful choked up, rendering the rest of his brothers to feel the same.

"It is as if they were never cursed at all~" was Grumpy's rather mournful drawl.

"W-well, men - w-we all knew this day would come…" Doc soon was able to find his voice. He had to wipe a tear aside.

"All we did, we did our best~ f-for them…" Happy found it too hard to talk.

Jiminy approached the heartbroken bunch, as if attempting a difficult farewell. "Gentlemen…" he came forth, taking his hat off. "I-I haven't gotten the words to say just how grateful I am~ for what you put forth for these poor ladies… Even if I may have never have come~ I believe your loyalty knows no bounds. I can't imagine not ~" the Cricket could not find it in himself to say it.

"We'll, um… we will keep close." Doc sniffed. That rare look of yearning in Grumpy's eyes indicated such a promise as he kept on looking out to the flock on the lake.

"Just the same, as all of you," Jiminy needed to give these kind dwarfs some peace of mind. "It would mean the world to them if you come with them. Th-this is not goodbye."

"The Princess of Germania~ Our Snow White — she was able to live in happiness with her love. We have to know if the same fate should meet Cassandra, and each of those girls…" Happy expressed, near losing his voice.

Jiminy nearly shuddered, barely able to use his own voice. "Have faith, men. Keep heart. That young man, so full of experience, and prowess~ alongside the Knight, has made a similar promise to her. Why, it-it's — it's just beginning~"

"Take care of 'em good," Grumpy was the last to say anything on this. "… Jim."

That remarkably given shortening of his name somehow touched Jiminy in a way he did not expect. At that, he warmly smiled at the men. "Just as you all had, gentlemen — by how each of us had fallen in love — as if all over again. Will you come?"

"Our greatest wish, right now, is to see them free. No matter what that'll make of us~" Happy was overly determined.

"You and I both, you all who I count as a brotherhood… We must finish what was started~"

All swans had soon opened their wings wide, as in an attempt to embrace one another as best they could, until the black winged one spoke up.

"Sentiments, all very well~ but if you look ahead you can see the Knight's men all gathering in that field…" she pointed out.

They looked to where she had her eye locked on, a strip of field in front of the brilliant forest. A great gathering of horseman happened upon that field, and holding the front were the two they were destined to meet~ the brown pony, accompanying the side of the mighty, black as night, Fresian. Their mounts being Quasimodo, and the Minister himself, Claude Frollo. They reared their steeds, bringing their numbers to a grueling stop. Awaiting for Casey herself to hold true to her promise of bringing her flock to them… She felt her feathers ruffle up at the sight of them - mainly towards Quasimodo as he worked and balanced in order to settle his excited pony. It seemed that they met gazes, even being that far away from where they were on the endless lake.

She drew in a breath, paddling away until she bumped right into Eleonor who pressed her forward. Passing a final gaze at the Dwarfs, she felt a cruel lump in her throat.

"What about them…?" she asked her fellows.

"Do not worry for them — They kept on and on all this time. There is no doubt in my mind that they will remain as close as could be." Ida reassured her. "They are full of love…"

"It is love that gotten us this far…" Antoinette hoped, deeply.

"They await for us, so we must move quickly," ordered Eleonor, who proceeded to beat her wings wide and strong. "Our first flight away from this place —"

"A place we shall never see again?" Dorothea worried her head about it. Mondfall was such a safe place to be for them.

"It will stay here, protected, I believe…" Casey said, confident before spotting Jiminy return to them after their dance of farewell and good faith. "Right now, my heart goes beyond that one gate we've never ventured passed before… It has remained shut for as long as we all can remember?" she asked before she was pressed against by Eleonor in order for her to get a move on. The diamond glimmered in the sunlight as she saw all the kingsmen gathered in that field. It was time.

The words of the Blue Fairy repeated in his head, over and over. Quasimodo at once calmed La Fidele while keeping his eyes again at the lake, his brow etched with concern.

"As told, by her side, there are six others," Frollo's baritone tore through his thoughts like a dagger. "My son, are you that confident that she would keep her word by you? Beware, boy."

"… would all that I have seen or felt be all folly, then?" Quasimodo bravely asked with hardened eyes at the Minister. "To be touched by grace is to always be a lie? We know what it means to be prisoners. Do we not?"

Frollo's gaze remained cool and slightly glimmered as they set themselves on the distance banks. "I am to keep sharp vigil, Quasimodo. Grace is Heaven sent, and should she make for a gentle heart, I can only pray to the Lord that He may guide you." he stated, earning quite the anguished look from his son's eyes before he urged his steed to move on with the men. "Move out!" he then barked an order to the surviving soldiers. "Onto the dreampaths we shall stay — towards the Irovy Gate. The Swans shall fly by us. We must stop at every dusk, and take at every dawn~"

Hearing that bellowed order, there was no time wait. Jiminy had soon rejoined the flock, just as nervous as they were. Eleonor gave a low nod of her head and flapped once more.

"Do you know where this gate is?" Eleonor asked the cricket.

"I remember… There is a path the dwarfs often took in search of that prism. It's always been locked." Jiminy answered. confidently. "I was flown over it. It lies by the Swan Falls…"

"We know those falls…" Ida remembered as well. "I was always curious of those bars… Made it feel even more so like a prison."

"We are getting old with all this talk! Come~" Eleonor pressed, being first to begin her ascent.

She opened her wings wide and began to paddle against the water, briskly, breaking into a run, all much to her flock's amazement. "Come!" she hissed, and Casey and the others continued to follow suit.

"Don't be afraid, 'Ette…" Ida encouraged, staying by her side.

"Undying Love. That was what she said…" the Diamond Swan remembered. "A White Swan overwhelms the Black in a field of stars… Now I am starting to understand."

With that shared, Casey opened her wings, for the first time this morning. "I am not who I used to be~ It's true that I will find my True Home, here. He guessed the name you called me, just right… It's only too clear now, Ida. I am Odette."

To Quasimodo, he did not continue to ride on until he was sure each one of the flock were to follow the blackened one. With she that wore the Diamond, she and the rest all began to run along the lake with opened wings, strongly beating against the air. A proud smile slightly curved on his face as the entire flock of seven took off from the enchanted lake. For Jiminy, while on the back of the Diamond Swan, he had to cling on as gentle as he could to one of her back feathers, so to do so he had kneel down against her, able to feel each gruff wing beat.

Odette could feel him tighten his grip by that shrill pull she felt in the middle of her back, and so she kept going until she felt both feet leave the water behind. All Jiminy could do was will himself to open his eyes to an entirely new perspective, although he had been flown into the air before. On his heart, there stayed many a word~ once again, another sonnet touched Odette's new ear…

We've wept together

Through stilled weather

Only to soon fly again~

Wistful hopes, and broken dreams

All of them left no qualm

We've wept together~ Only to soon fly again~