Read Online The Woodcutter by Kate Danley; © Lolloj / Fotolia - Free Book Online
Authors: Kate Danley; © Lolloj / Fotolia
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him the answer.
Prince Martin looked at him threateningly, “And what if I did?”
The Woodcutter laughed a powerful laugh that calmed the wind, a laugh that seemed to part the phantom clouds until the moon shone bright once more, a laugh that seemed to set everything right.
“True love’s first kiss.”
The young couple looked at one another.
Yes, true love’s first kiss.
“The spell has been broken,” said the Woodcutter. He sheathed the Platinum Ax. “The Hellhound that stalked you will have lost your scent, for you are no longer that which you were and will forever be more than you ever thought possible.
“In losing yourself to one another, you have won. The blood of the fae within your veins has been tamed and you have fulfilled your role in the treaty – for you have chosen to love.
“The Wood shall now grant you safe passage to your home. Whatever danger you were once in has now passed. Tomorrow, Prince Martin, no matter what direction you travel, you shall arrive in your kingdom by sundown. There, you shall wed your Rapunzel and, together, you shall live happily ever after.”
The couple smiled curiously at one another.
The Woodcutter rose to retire for the night and leave the young couple to discovery. He knew they no longer needed him, for wild magic does not meddle with the hearts of those who have tamed it with love true.
For true love conquers all.
Chapter 25
He left them in the morning, parting with them at a crossroads. A dappled grey horse stood, as if waiting – which he was.
Prince Martin slid his hand along the horse’s neck, “Why, it’s Pacer! I haven’t seen him since the hunting trip…”
His voice trailed off and he looked at the Woodcutter, worriedly.
“Your horse has been kept well by the Woods and is free of all enchantments. Give him his head and ride steadily on. You shall be home before nightfall,” said the Woodcutter.
He was almost telling the truth.
As Prince Martin helped Rapunzel mount, the horse looked back at the Woodcutter.
And winked.
The Woodcutter hid his smile in his beard.
An animal does not spend so many days eating the foods of the fae without some effect.
“We thank you, Woodcutter, for your kindness,” Prince Martin began.
“We shall never forget…” Rapunzel continued.
The Woodcutter was about to wave them away...
But the trees began to whisper, began to whisper to him of a duty…
He closed his eyes. He opened his ears. He allowed his mouth to be the mouth of the Wood.
“Repay the kindness you have received by allowing your kingdom to be a friend to these Woods. Harm not the trees or the animals. Harm not the fae. And you shall travel its paths with no fear,” said the words that came out.
Prince Martin declared, “So shall it be done by ourselves and our descendants. You shall always be welcomed and heralded as a friend whenever you visit the Eighth Kingdom.”
The Woodcutter opened his eyes and the trees murmured their thanks.
“Travel well, my friends,” said the Woodcutter.
He watched them as they rode out of sight.
Chapter 26
The water was cold and deep.
It had started off at his ankles, but soon was to his thighs and then his waist and then deeper.
The roots of the mangroves were giant fingers soaking in a bowl of pale brown water. The thick fog of the flooded forest masked his view. A bird cried overhead.
He pushed aside a stick as it floated towards him. His foot slipped upon a rock and the water rose to his neck. His arms held his pack tightly upon his head as he looked up at the soft, twinkling lights radiating from the tops of the trees.
Faerie light.
Pixies congregated freely in this deep, hidden corner of the Woods. Their gentle pinpricks would dart together and then dart off again to another tree. Their musical speech
Prince Martin looked at him threateningly, “And what if I did?”
The Woodcutter laughed a powerful laugh that calmed the wind, a laugh that seemed to part the phantom clouds until the moon shone bright once more, a laugh that seemed to set everything right.
“True love’s first kiss.”
The young couple looked at one another.
Yes, true love’s first kiss.
“The spell has been broken,” said the Woodcutter. He sheathed the Platinum Ax. “The Hellhound that stalked you will have lost your scent, for you are no longer that which you were and will forever be more than you ever thought possible.
“In losing yourself to one another, you have won. The blood of the fae within your veins has been tamed and you have fulfilled your role in the treaty – for you have chosen to love.
“The Wood shall now grant you safe passage to your home. Whatever danger you were once in has now passed. Tomorrow, Prince Martin, no matter what direction you travel, you shall arrive in your kingdom by sundown. There, you shall wed your Rapunzel and, together, you shall live happily ever after.”
The couple smiled curiously at one another.
The Woodcutter rose to retire for the night and leave the young couple to discovery. He knew they no longer needed him, for wild magic does not meddle with the hearts of those who have tamed it with love true.
For true love conquers all.
Chapter 25
He left them in the morning, parting with them at a crossroads. A dappled grey horse stood, as if waiting – which he was.
Prince Martin slid his hand along the horse’s neck, “Why, it’s Pacer! I haven’t seen him since the hunting trip…”
His voice trailed off and he looked at the Woodcutter, worriedly.
“Your horse has been kept well by the Woods and is free of all enchantments. Give him his head and ride steadily on. You shall be home before nightfall,” said the Woodcutter.
He was almost telling the truth.
As Prince Martin helped Rapunzel mount, the horse looked back at the Woodcutter.
And winked.
The Woodcutter hid his smile in his beard.
An animal does not spend so many days eating the foods of the fae without some effect.
“We thank you, Woodcutter, for your kindness,” Prince Martin began.
“We shall never forget…” Rapunzel continued.
The Woodcutter was about to wave them away...
But the trees began to whisper, began to whisper to him of a duty…
He closed his eyes. He opened his ears. He allowed his mouth to be the mouth of the Wood.
“Repay the kindness you have received by allowing your kingdom to be a friend to these Woods. Harm not the trees or the animals. Harm not the fae. And you shall travel its paths with no fear,” said the words that came out.
Prince Martin declared, “So shall it be done by ourselves and our descendants. You shall always be welcomed and heralded as a friend whenever you visit the Eighth Kingdom.”
The Woodcutter opened his eyes and the trees murmured their thanks.
“Travel well, my friends,” said the Woodcutter.
He watched them as they rode out of sight.
Chapter 26
The water was cold and deep.
It had started off at his ankles, but soon was to his thighs and then his waist and then deeper.
The roots of the mangroves were giant fingers soaking in a bowl of pale brown water. The thick fog of the flooded forest masked his view. A bird cried overhead.
He pushed aside a stick as it floated towards him. His foot slipped upon a rock and the water rose to his neck. His arms held his pack tightly upon his head as he looked up at the soft, twinkling lights radiating from the tops of the trees.
Faerie light.
Pixies congregated freely in this deep, hidden corner of the Woods. Their gentle pinpricks would dart together and then dart off again to another tree. Their musical speech
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