Closet Doors And Wild Rides

“It does sound like Pirate has been through enough.  If I can help put an end to this punishment,  I would like to.”

“Thank you.” 

“Mom?”

Writer Lady and The Lady With The Long Golden Hair both turn and look at the doorway.  A neon pink nose pokes into the room followed by its rainbow colored owner.

“Yes Smudge.”

“You’re leaving?”  The kitten asks, eyes wide.

“It’s okay.  Come here Kitty.”

Smudge enters the room and immediately jumps into Writer Lady’s lap.  She pets the kitten.  He lifts his head for a chin scratch and she complies.  “You know, I think that the color is fading already.”

“The colors began to weaken the moment that you left Faerie.  When a non-magical being leaves Faerie the magic fades quickly.  His nose appears to have the highest concentration of magic on it, so it will fade last.”  The Lady With The Long Golden Hair says.

“That’s good news.”  Once Smudge Mal has relaxed, she says.  “The answer to your question is ‘yes.’  I am returning to Faerie.  As my sister has been explaining to me,  we all have a specific place in this story and mine is not here.”

“Where is it?”  The kitten asks.

“Her place is in Faerie.  Aiding Pirate in his quest.”

“Isn’t that what Tinkletoes and Monitor Man are doing?”  Dobby asks as he enters the room.

“Yes.  But Writer Lady has a way of approaching problems that can be…gentler than Tinkletoes.  She has the power to keep this quest from turning into an unnecessary battle.  There are creatures in Faerie that Tinkletoes could wake who need not be woken.”

“That sounds important.”  Dylan says.  He and Furnatche are standing in the doorway.

“It is.”  The Lady With The Long Golden Hair says.  She turns and looks at the glowing closet door.  She removes an earring and hands it to Writer Lady.  “You will need this.”

Writer Lady recognizes the design and the unique shape of the white stone.  It matches Pirate’s enchanted adornment.  She puts it on.

“The earring holds enough of my magic that it will enhance your own dormant power.  Faerie will see you as one of her own. You will be safe from many unsavory characters.” She says.  “One more thing  my sister, with this boost of your own power, you may find that you can do things that you have never been capable of doing.”

“I’ve never been trained in the use of magic.”  Writer Lady says.

“Which is why you should refrain from using it now."

Writer Lady nods.

“The moonstone has been enchanted with something that is only to be used as a last resort.  When you reach Pirate, tell him.  He can take care of things from there.”

She nods again.

The Lady With The Long Golden Hair looks at the closet door and nods.  The door to Faerie opens.  Furnatche pants and runs around High Command joyfully.   The baby dragon edges towards  the closet, sniffs  the air, whimpers, and backs further into the room, hiding behind Dylan.

Writer Lady takes a last look around the room, “I’m going to miss you all so much.”  Her eyes  tear up for a moment.  She looks at the cats.  “Be good for your auntie.  I’ll be back as soon as Excalibur is in Pirate’s hands.  Say ‘bye’ to Spots Wash for me.  I love you all.”  She lifts Smudge Mal from her lap and hands him to the Lady With The Long Golden Hair.  Rising from her seat, she walks to the open closet.  As Writer Lady enters Faerie,  the door closes behind her.

“Neat trick.”  Smudge Mal says to The Lady With The Long Golden Hair.  “How did you do that?”

“I didn’t.”

“While you’re charming the pants off of Lady Whoeversheis,  I’m goin’ to  distract the ogres.  I’ll keep it behind  their barracks. They’ll run off to the back of the fortress.  Pirate will sneak into The Solar and take the weapon .  We’ll meet you in those woods.”  Tinkletoes says, pointing to a stand of trees  several yards from the road.

“What about Lady Gray’s guards.”  Monitor Man asks.

“Yeah.  What about ‘em?”

“Who’s going to distract them?”

Tinkletoes looks at Pirate.  “No one.”

“How am I supposed to get out of the castle?”  Monitor Man asks.

“Bein’ charming and stuff?” 

Monitor Man shakes his head.

“If you didn’t like the plan then you should have said something.”  Tinkletoes points out.

“I did!”

“I didn’t hear anything.”  Tinkletoes counters.  “You hear anything?”  He asks Pirate.

Pirate grins mischievously then makes a more serious face.  “No Sir.  I did not.”

“There ya go.”

Monitor Man mutters,  “You think that no one is listening to you then they open their mouths and prove it.  This is so wrong.”

“Yeah, well, tell it to someone who’s listening.”  Tinkletoes says.  The self-proclaimed mercenary turns and continues towards Castle Glas.

Monitor Man hears something behind him, he turns and watches as a shape in the distance comes closer.  Within seconds it is nearly upon him.  A magnificent creature with a sharp white horn protruding from its brow.  It’s running straight towards his head.

“Move…move…move your ass!  NOW!”  Writer Lady yells.

Monitor Man jumps out of the way with seconds to spare.  The unicorn passes him and keeps moving,  stopping abruptly at the sight of Pirate’s raised hand.  Writer Lady lays down and strokes the unicorn’s neck then hugs her from behind.  “Thank you.  Thank you for not letting me die.”

“You okay?”  Tinkletoes asks.

Writer Lady takes stock of her person.  “It looks like it.”

“What are you doing here?”  Monitor Man asks as he approaches.

“Yeah.  I sent you home.”  Tinkletoes says.

Writer Lady glares at Tinkletoes.

Pirate watches Writer Lady closely as she moves.  Within seconds he spies  the moonstone earring that matches his own.  “She’s here for me.  The Lady has sent you, hasn’t she?”