Chapter XIX~ Knitting the End

 “Some things are better shown then told…” Quasimodo heard Jiminy state at once when there was a quiet moment. The voice ~ their Voice ~ sounded profoundly hurt, chipped up like the piece of wood Quasimodo was casually holding.

“I believe it so …” Quasimodo sadly replied. He sat lamely against a low tree with the heartbroken cricket sat on a lone flower, hat off and near curled as he sat with him. They were both in silent tears after so many discoveries, and dawn was only a short hour away. “… she told me to wait only a few minutes after sunrise.”

“It breaks our hearts …” Jiminy agreed, ending that note with a long sigh with all heaviness accompanied inside it. “I think, in a sense, she believes the same, that it hurts us all to watch them every night that passes.”

Quasimodo was soft~gazed as Jiminy spoke his mind just as the sun was just on the brink of peeking over the distant mounts. Such beauty was gazed upon with such strain when they all knew, and they could only listen to the enchantment undergo at the bank. “No one should have to be alone to suffer through such… atrocities. As beautiful as they come, as it tries to seem. This shadow hovering over them — Father and I have a sharp feeling…”

“Do you now?” Jiminy softened, gazing up at the former bell ringer with hopeful eyes. 

Quasimodo offered a kind, protective hand to the cricket, as to carry him back to the riverbank where the Flock would remain since the sun was bright now. To that offer, Jiminy accepted by trustingly setting glove and foot, and then climbing into his palm. “… this feeling ~” Quasimodo continued, gently, able to catch onto the tears in the cricket’s eyes. “… I believe is shared among us. She claims herself as queen, but she is lower than the dirt we tread on…”

“I-I take this as first hand experience…” Jiminy’s voice trembled a little, soon needing to sit in the palm of Quasi’s hand.

“Of a sort,” Quasimodo began. “… quite so. Yes.” he nodded with a painful lump in his throat. 

“Quasimodo…” he heard Jiminy’s voice chip up, and he shook his head to keep it shut down just enough to talk about this.

“… if you know the Fae Queen as she is, this other - do listen - this other is her pure opposite. As she is, undoubtedly, a Fairy as well.”

Jiminy barely had the courage to even hear of it, and shook his head in dread. “I’ve only heard tales, but have never seen…” he commented on that.

Despite how beautiful the world was around them, the emotions that went into each sunrise and sundown was hard enough to bear alone. Even as to listening to it have to happen or even knowing about it unfolding. Powerlessness, for now. It only made their passion even more apparent. Little did this newfound family know that there was even more change rising with the sun on this day… It was clear that this someone was overseeing all of this, and finding pleasure in it. 

“Guised as a dragon, beasts that are meant to guide and protect, she revels in what she does. I regret to say this, but I’ve seen her, and have spoken to her. She had even pierced into my own mind once — Had kept me a prisoner inside of it.”

“We all have been kissed by evil.” Jiminy stated amidst his growing terror. Quasimodo shook his head, as his heart caved in at the memory, fighting to keep from weeping openly.

“This whole world has been kissed,” Quasimodo’s voice tightened up. “… and it’s coming to the point of madness.” he spoken out of a rising righteous anger before there was a rustle around them. “Those ravens had tried to snatch you from her back, as a means to silence them. It is only obvious and desperate…”

“Someone knows where we are… The Queen, as we so previously believed…”

“No…” Quasimodo disagreed, grave. “… someone else. We know her air.”

Sunlit Gaze

Odette, which was what she was repeating to herself as a mantra, had willed herself to not shed a tear after the change this time. The pain was drawing onto a numbness among them that left them to float along for a good moment before the tearful eyes of the Dwarfs who stood guard over them. Eleonor remained leading along, circling her flock with a head low to the surface of chilled water with a hate of her form since the fray. 

On this dawn, it was a rare one besides being kept under vigil by the loyal Seven, it was Quasimodo who had emerged after the one minute after the sun had risen. Out of the seven of them, one paddled towards him as he crouched low at the bank. Soon, he reached a hand out to her so that her bill can touch him, to where the whole of her head could fit into the palm of his hand. Her feathers felt as soft as silk, and her head so light and fragile in his hand that it made his heart sting. Even noting the tear in those eyes, he stayed on that mound of land to watch them as Jiminy had mounted atop her bill and then came upon the top of her head. As duty called, the journey had to go on as previously planned, as the few of them had deeply and foolishly tried to hope would go as smooth as glass. 

Good morning, sir Jiminy~ Jiminy was able to understand besides the fact that she sounded exhausted from the transformation alone.

“Morning, hon.” he kept his voice soft, and even. “Pleasant morning, dear ladies…”

We have quite a ways to go and hopefully no more suprises at this rate… Dorothea had deeply hopely as she came close. The longing exchange between Odette and the Woodsman did not go unnoticed by the rest of the flock. Even after the initial resentment the blackwing may have felt, it filled the rest of them up with a sort of hope. It was a tender thing to keep close, besides being something incredibly fragile. They were yet to see what else awaited them all ~

Of what always began by a simple gaze would soon blossom into something much stronger, as it had been proven so many times before. The Seven Dwarfs held that delight brightly in their hearts as the journey had to continue on. Devoted men, they remained ~ their vow as strong as iron, seemingly stronger than ever before. Along the banks of the slow moving river, they kept their protected within their sights as the Parisians ventured on, more outward to keep all sides well barred from their common enemy — the Born.

Being away from the enchanted land had its downside because the farther they went, the more dead the land began to look. Even the water was changing as they swam through it. Quasimodo rode along to watch them, bringing Fidele low for a drink through out the day. 

Jiminy noticed Odette ease her way closer when she saw the Woodsman ease in for a break as the day drew warmer as noon approached. 

“Be wary, hon. Remember we are no where close to Mondfall anymore,” he reminded her, trying to look in her right eye, which blinked up at him.

He is there with us. We can say we are quite safe, aren’t we? she reasoned with him. That granted her a warm smile from her guide before he glanced at Quasimodo. 

“I’ll hitch on Ida for a spell to give you two some air to breathe, then,” he sweetly allowed before getting onto a stone to hop on when she reached the bank.

It was a kind thought that he knew overall how they were currently. Odette felt compelled to stay near him as long as she could help it. This feeling was growing the farther they went. Among the six pressing on downstream, Quasimodo saw her approach him with his Rosery upon her brooch. He smiled at her as he held the cloak they retrieved from the Tower, taking a moment to lace something in the border of it.

“I have gotten an idea, dear lady…” he began, with boyish excitement. She perked her head high at that. “… as a day would go by I would knit a pattern into the border. And by night, you may knit into the border. As a common exchanged between two individuals, it’ll keep a closeness.”

As he spoke, the feathers on the back of her neck ruffled up in place of a dear smile in response. She ducked her bill into the water, signalling that she was bashful at the idea.

“It’s worth a try,” he encouraged. “… oh, wouldn’t you agree?”

She bowed her head to him, as a formal nod. His eyes spelled a softness she could hardly find among people in her previous life. Literally flowing like water. Reflective, as though they were singing a sonnet. It drew her nearer as he was able to touch the tips of her arched wings. His heart continued to bleed for her as these hours went on. As far as she was concerned, her mind was continuously being affected, as Frollo worried constantly that the spell would come onto him. Quasimodo held no fear of that though… He knew what he was feeling towards her, lately ever since the fright with the ravens. 

“The day, I would always watch the sunrise at the highest point of Notre Dame Cathedral. H-how I dearly miss her.” he crooned for her ears only. Softness touched the top of his turned hand, having him to softly gaze back down at her before he would let his mind sink in too deeply. “When the time comes, I would be more than happy to take you to her someday,” he smiled at her, as he took one of this tools out from his belt. 

He could tell the Diamond Swan’s eyes were glimmering in the sunlight. Deeply, she imagined ever going to that beautiful cathedral one day as she could remember it in some fashion. Growing up in that old world, she was fascinated such architectural marvels, of such vast beauty and wonder, surrounded by the world’s constant terror, and hatred as long as she could dwell on it. After some thought, she personally did not miss it.

She was as quiet as the dawn, yet he knew how much resided in her mind, already and what was slowly being taken by force. As he finished the knitting as he waited for the knights to ready their mounts, once more, she set foot into the grass to join his side, slowly rising and duck her long neck to watch what he was doing. In gold string, she could make out the oval shape of a mirror, resembling not any mirror with a zodiac sign in its center, of the Libra. Ironically, that was her birth sign… As he finished, he watched her curiosity tug at her so simply. It was sweet, and touching that she trusted him — she trusted his hand. His touch…

I only have my thoughts right now ~ I would love to see your home after all this. I’ll keep that as a great hope, the same as this Rosery you offered. she spoke her mind with simple gestures, with her head, bill and opening her wings towards him. For the first time on this journey, where I began as a stranger, I am feeling belonging during this, which is more than I can say…

Faer was kindly close by, feeling more at home in his feathery body in the tree above them. It felt homely to watch the two share this quiet moment before the journey would continue ~ hopefully for the better, for their sakes. Eleonor lingered near with Ida and Jiminy, who mounted comfortably among the back of Ida’s head where she kept them ruffled enough. It was time to place those petty emotions to a stop. There was something blossoming before their eyes, and Jiminy was quite aware of it, just as much as the ladies were.

“Love, I find, is a complicated business…” Jiminy began, weary-hearted but strong. “As some go without, some try to deny it but find out how much they crave it. She’s already telling him… without words, but with simple gestures. Like a dance.”

I almost spoiled it like a shattering a fine wine… Eleonor lowly spoke, with her dark eyes sharpened. I am still stunned by her forgiveness… We haven’t the foggiest of how her world really is… How weary it must become to want it and never being able to find it.

I see it as beautiful… Ida began, unable to shed a tear in this form. She is becoming less and less of the world she knew. That is either a blessing and a curse, in some way. She is our light on this journey, and we must guard it. If she is the one meant to bring our freedom, than we mustn’t argue from here on out.”

Jiminy deeply sighed, seeing all this as a sign of what was to come. Often, he wept more often than ever on this voyage that he was no longer suprised of having to swipe his eye again. Since those Ravens swooping in with an announcement kept his worries high and alert. Quasimodo knew what this could bring, and he was courageous to remain by her side, enjoying her company. Heaven knew Odette needed it, as her own mind was currently against her. Love was something this world was based upon, and even darkness knew that closely… It would panic and do its way with it when the chance would come, and they had to be ready. Moments like these were treasures…

Getting an inclination that they were being observed, Quasimodo neatly placed away his knitting and prepared his knife in it’s holster before settling his eyes on her diamond as it proceeded to glow lightly from a close presence. Wordlessly, he tightened the little lace of the Rosery tighter to her brooch before he heard the bark of the Parisian knights going on course, as initially planned.

“Fleeting, nonetheless but… duty calls.” he told her, with a half lit smile. It fit well on him. However, he turned solemn. “Remain close, keep a wary eye, lady?” he asked, and to that she bowed her head as a promise. “… we are doing good by you. After that fright with the ravens, please do not be rash. Come to me, and my father, regardless. Please.”

I promise, Quasimodo… Learning well from the first time. she thought, fanning her wings out. They were beautiful to his eyes. Even in this form, her true self kept showing. Hurting you, that way, I still cannot believe you’ve forgiven me for that… So blind, flurriedly blind…

Fidele shook his head, and Faer ruffled up his chest as he took a deep breath, ready for more work of the day. Eleonor, Ida and Jiminy soon floated into view of the two, to whom Odette had come to after this personal time. Quasimodo happily watched them as he stood, folding the cloak before putting it neatly in Fidele’s satchel. With Faer fluttering about his head, he mounted Fidele as the swans all gathered together to prepare to take flight again.

“I see that look!” Faer teased, clearly happy to have witnessed.

“Oh? So you’ve eavesdropped, of course, you have…” Quasimodo teased. “… knowing you.”

“I know it when I see it, bud!” 

“Oh, grab hold, bird~” Quasimodo scoffed, and gave Fidele a starting kick before breaking into a safe gallop. Faer squeakily chuckled and gripped his feet on Quasimodo’s collar before the rushing air would push him. 

Claude Frollo had gotten his ranks in fine order, all prepared for another attack as they should come now that they were farther away from the enchanted Eden. The Dwarfs had earned themselves to be among them, taking steeds of some of the bucks from the woods. Speed was in high demand now as they would make a hopeful return to Paris, France. He slowed his stallion, in wait for Quasimodo to arrive… There he saw Quasimodo gallop on through the flowering field towards them with the Flock’s silluette’s appearing above the trees, coming his general direction. He was glad of it. No rashness should come from here on, as it should remain that way. 

Grumpy’s firm gaze softened as he and his brothers were blessed to watch the Flock take confident flight again. Doc puffed his chest out to ease his anxiety, and Dopey wiped sweat from his brow with his cap, clearly nervous. Seeing the glint of Odette’s Diamond, Bashful waved up at them as the Knights continued on their horses. Happy took a deep, relieving breath as he watched and waved as well. Eleonor was clearly in front of the V formation they practiced, with Odette to her right and Ida to her left.

“Heads fly - high, men!” Doc urged them on, and Grumpy was first to push his buck to bound. With Frollo’s men, they joined the ranks, taking the front.

Claude went into action, manuvering the great Stallion, Snow to take on the lead, as Quasimodo joined him. With an knowledgable air in his eye, Frollo shared a stone cold exchange before bellowing his next order.

“Do not hesitate to take down any Born who dare come our way, and the Flock are to remain our top priority. No harm shall come to them, is that certain among you!?”

Jiminy took his place on Odette’s person again, nestled on the brooch where he could have plain sight. Admittedly, he was feeling more confident while in the air, even after their first flight wasn’t the best beginning. Odette was becoming used to the burning muscles in her wings which was literally having their arms outstretched and pressing against the air consistantly, which would grow weary over time. The lurch in their stomachs was fleeting and made them all giddy, hence having them flap harder against the air when they felt the need for more altitude. Odette kept up well this time because of the love filling her heart. Hearing the men cry in obedience below was pushing Eleonor to keep the pace and had changed direction to stay directly above… Seeing the Dwarfs, Quasimodo at close range, it was time press on with courage.

*

A keen eye had happened to be watching over the scores of horsemen, dwarfs and birds… no doubt with malice in mind. Selfishness was in mind as well as the heart, if there was any of it left. As though a great tomb had opened inside this stark fortress, stone as bleak as pitch night with torches lit bright with emerald flames speckled the corridors. Through this one Raven’s keen eye, the voyagers were closely listened to and observed with great uncanny accuracy. Through the crystal glass of an darkly enchanted orb that swirled with an intensity ~ with a sort of rage within it. 

There was a crack of bronze against dark stone. It created a mass panic of the resting bats within the previously quiet cavern, having them to fly out of their hordes above her horned crown. She was a dark, magnificent being as an all manner of shadows clambered before her trailing robes. Creatures of multiple sizes and giving all sorts of sounds as they bowed to her, so stiffly that it seemed unnatural of them. As some appeared alive, others appeared to have shed their skins, with white bone showing in the flickering emerald light of the torches… It was a horrendous sight, yet it did not move her, nor did she care… Her regal green face held a sneer on her apparently beautiful lips as red as blood. 

“It would seem that my trophy has a plan of her own… I believe short work could be done about this.” she spoke in a fine, silky tone, so spry with confidence. “… would you agree? As that Huntsman comes closer to them on a fortnite, it will become clear to them all of who possesses true power. That Star will not spread her magic very far, as long as I breathe. She believes she can claim what belongs to ME. For I will be the True Queen of this Realm.”

Stepping soundly into the light through her bowed servents, of no will of their very own, she was a splendid woman ~ or at least, she appeared as one. With a profound profile, a sharp jaw and chin, her cowl graced about her head where two dragon-like horns seemed to portrude out of it like trees upon a hill. They wavered gracefully as they rose high as if they were some twisted form of crown. Robes of deep ebony, as pitch as the abyss itself, amidst streaks of noble nightshade trailing low down her gown. With skin fair and enchantingly as lush as fine grass, with a sheer unnatural hue overtaking the darkness of the chamber. A figure regal, strong and graceful with the rage of thunder, it would seem.

“It would appear that powers continue to struggle against my shackles around their wrists. Each tug bringing more agony as I press forward… The Cauldron Born shall herd them to where I want them to be… This illusion of hope they hold would not last for them, at least for a little time. Diablo, my dearest pet… steer from their eye but do not hinder your own. His eyes shall be blinded, his back shall break on a fortnight… His cry will fill the night for her to hear, for her to despair — Closer she will feel to him, the despair shall tear their spirits asunder. Her memory blown away as the wind tears away cloud and gloom, his heart shall burn with pain, his hide gone as piercing hot as flame. Hurt him, make him writhe, they will all be mine to torment and keep, to show all who dare face against me~”