Once Upon a Time: New Fairy Tales Paperback(119)

“Ivan, it has been a year since you arrived, and the term of your

apprenticeship with me is at an end. Thank you for all of the care

and attention you have put into your task. As a reward, I will give you one of my feathers—that one right there. Pluck it out gently. Gently!”

Ivan held up the feather. It was long and straight, with brown and

white stripes.

“Cut the end of it with a penknife and make it into a pen,” said

Professor Owl. “If you ever want to access the Encyclopedia, just tell the pen what you would like to know, and it will write the entry for you.”

“Thank you,” said Ivan. “But couldn’t I stay—”

“Of course not,” said Blanchefleur. “My mother is expecting us. So

come on already.” And indeed, since it was dawn, Professor Owl was

already heading up the stairs, for he had very important things to do during the day. Owls do, you know.

The Castle in the Forest looked just as Ivan remembered. There were cats tending the gardens, where the roses were once again blooming, as though they had never stopped. Marmalade greeted them at the

door and led them to the Lady’s solar, where she was sitting at a desk, writing. Her cats-in-waiting were embroidering a tapestry, and one was strumming a lute with her claws, playing a melody that Ivan

remembered from when he was a child.

“Well?” she said when she looked up. “How did Ivan do, my dear?”

“Well enough,” said Blanchefleur. “Are there any mouse pies?

We’ve been walking all day, and I’m hungry.”

Really it had been Ivan who had been walking all day. He had

carried Blanchefleur most of the way, except when she wanted to

drink from a puddle or play with a leaf.

“Wait until the banquet,” said the Lady. “It starts in an hour, which will give you enough time to prepare. It’s in honor of your return and departure.”

“Departure?” said Ivan.

“Yes,” said the Lady. “Tomorrow, you will go to the Southern

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Marshes, to spend a year with my friend, Dame Lizard. She has a

large family, and needs help taking care of it. Blanchefleur, you will accompany your cousin.”

“But that’s not fair!” said Blanchefleur. “I’ve already spent a year with Ivan Idiot. Why do I have to spend another year with him?”

“Because he is your cousin, and he needs your help,” said the

Lady. “Now go, the both of you. I don’t think you realize quite how dirty you both are.” And she was right. From the long journey, even Blanchefleur’s white paws were covered with dirt.

As they walked upstairs, Ivan said, “I’m sorry you have to come

with me, Blanchefleur. I know you dislike being with me.”

“You’re not so bad,” she said grudgingly. “At least you’re warm.” So it had been her, sleeping against his back all those nights. Ivan was surprised and pleased at the thought.

That night, the banquet proceeded as it had the year before,

except this time Ivan knew what to expect. Several of the female cats asked him to dance, and this time he danced with more skill, never once stepping on a cat paw or tail. He danced several times with

Blanchefleur, and she did not seem to dislike it as much as she had last year. Tailcatcher, the striped cat, was there as well. Once, as they were dancing close to one another, Ivan heard a hiss, but when he turned to look at Tailcatcher, the cat was bowing to his partner.

At the end of the evening, as he was wearily climbed the stone

stairs up to his bed, he passed a hallway and heard a murmur of

voices. At the end of the hallway stood Tailcatcher and Blanchefleur.

The striped cat spoke to her and she replied, too low for Ivan to

hear what they were saying. Then she turned and walked on down

the hallway, her tail held high, exactly the way she walked when she was displeased with him. Ivan was rather glad Tailcatcher had been rebuffed, whatever he had wanted from her.

As he sank into sleep that night, in the curtained bed, he wondered if she would come to curl up against his back. But he fell asleep too quickly to find out.

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The next morning, they started for the Southern Marshes. As they

traveled south, the forest grew less dense: the trees were sparser, more sunlight fell on the path, and soon Ivan was hot and sweating.