A Witch's Tale Read online

  Aggie looked down and zoomed in for her landing in the moonlit, snowy field. The large donkey lay under a tree snoozing peacefully. “Mick! Mick, it's me, Aggie! I must talk with you. Wake up, old friend.”

  Mick rubbed his tired eyes. “Hello, Aggie. Good to see you. What's got you so excited?” He yawned and stretched sleepily.

  “My wizard friend, Craggle Nesbit, has a new magical potion he's working on, that will undo cruel curses and vengeful spells. He needs to test the potion. He's going to try it on Mongo his cat, and an old singing tree in the forest. Then he will let us try it too.” She leapt around excitedly as she spoke.

  “I'll try it, Aggie! I want to be Merinos, the unicorn again and have my magical powers retuned to me. Then I can try to find my wife, Zanphia, and my foal, if it still lives. My master must wonder where I am too. Do you think Craggle Nesbit will agree, Aggie?”

  “I'm sure Craggle will agree, Mick. I knew you would try it, and I will too! I must go and tell my sister, Mavilene, how she too, can regain her beauty. That is, when I pluck up the courage. I'll come for you at ten o'clock tomorrow morning, Mick. We'll go to Craggle Nesbit's together, my friend.”

  The freezing ice storm had long passed; giving way to the gentle snow that fell silently, blanketing everything in soft white. A star-studded sky lit her way home. She was tired and ready for sleep. She would have a busy day ahead of her tomorrow. Could she forgive her sister? She must, if she wanted to be beautiful once again.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Aggie awoke early, eager to start her day. This could be a life-changing day for Mick and his family. Then there was her sister and herself too; what a night it would be for them all. Craggle Nesbit had agreed for her and Mavilene to take the potion he'd concocted, but only if they forgave each other. With love and forgiveness, they would be beautiful princesses again!

  Dawn was just breaking when she started out for Mick's. It was a good half an hour from her house to his field. He lived on a farm on the outskirts of the village of Nine Wells. She was happy that Mick was her friend, as she didn't have many friends.

  Mick was bright-eyed and happy to see Aggie. “Good morning! I'm glad you're early, Aggie.”

  “Then let's be on our way, Mick. Craggle will be waiting for us.”

  When they reached Craggle's house, he was already waiting at the gate for them. “Good morning, Aggie, Mick.”

  “Good morning, Craggle,” they answered in unison.

  “Come in, and we'll talk. I need to know your story, Mick, before you take my magic potion.”

  Craggle Nesbit and Aggie sat on the worn leather couch, while Mick folded his legs beneath him and sat in front of them. Then he began his story.

  “My name used to be Merinos, and I was a unicorn. I did everything I could to protect my wife, Zanphia, against the evil sorcerer, Glandugan. But, it wasn't enough. Glandugan out-witted me and took Zanphia prisoner. Zanphia was pregnant, and the evil Glandugan wanted her, and her unborn child as a sacrifice to his gods. He kept her captive for many days, as he arranged, and anticipated the sacrificial ceremony. “ Aggie looked sideways at Craggle, at the mention of Glandugan's name. He did not react.

  “I got word that Zanphia was to be killed at midnight of the full moon, from a friend of mine who knew a servant of Glandugan. I only had a few hours to get to the killing site. When I arrived, I charged into the clearing, where Zanphia was tied down to a stone altar. Glandugan stood over her with a raised sword. He was readying himself to plunge the sword into Zanphia's heart. Seeing the imminent danger she was in, I blindly charged at Glandugan, jumping on his back, and impaling him with his own demonic horn that hung from his shoulders. It didn't kill him, but pinned him to the ground. My mistake was not killing him. He pulled himself free, bleeding profusely, but still had enough strength to cast a cruel spell, turning me into an old donkey. He then banished me to the village of Nine Wells. Merinos the unicorn was no more. I became Mick, the donkey.” Craggle shook his head. Only Aggie knew, he was thinking of the evil that his brother possessed.

  Craggle Nesbit and Aggie were both fascinated, but also saddened by Mick's story. “It's no wonder you are willing to try my new potion,” Craggle said. Mick's story and his involvement with Glandugan made Craggle more anxious than ever to help him.

  “I will do anything to get my life and family back,” Mick neighed sadly.

  Craggle Nesbit said, “One day Glandugan will pay for his wickedness to you and your family. I will see to that! I'm sorry for your loss and will do all in my power to restore your life as it once was. If my potion works for you, Mick, it will work also for Aggie and Mavilene.”

  The black cauldron bubbled, hanging over the blazing fire in the hearth. Craggle stirred the magical potion, chanting his incantations. Mick thought the aroma was putrid, but if it works, who cares?

  Craggle said, “Mick, you must come to the fairy ring in the enchanted forest tonight at the stroke of midnight. Come alone and tell no one of what we are to do there. Tonight, the magical potion will be ready for you to take. I will be waiting for you, my friend. For now, come, I will show you my cat, Mongo, and Aggie will tell you how nasty and scruffy she once was. Come Mongo, show yourself to our guests.”

  The bedroom door squeaked open. In padded a sleek, black cat. She began to curl herself around Aggie's legs, purring, oh, so sweetly. Gone was the spitting, snarling ragamuffin Aggie had seen the day before.

  “Why, Craggle, Mongo is as different as day and night. She's beautiful, and friendly.”

  “Yes Aggie, she's beautiful, as you and Mavilene will be again. Go now to reflect on the past, and rest. Then go to your sister to forgive her, and love her once again. Bring her to the fairy ring an hour after midnight, not a minute sooner. This Christmas Eve night will be one to cherish and remember forever!”

  Aggie smiled happily. “Good bye, Craggle. I'll meet you tonight at the fairy ring. I'll go to rest and reflect, then find my sister. If she agrees, I will bring her with me to the forest tonight.”

  Mick, Aggie, and Craggle bid their farewells.

  Later that day just before nightfall, Aggie sat close to her kitchen fire, with the warmth from the flickering flames relaxing her. Soon she was sleeping peacefully. Dreams floated in and out of her mind. Dreams of the past and future, with voices whispering words she could not quite make out. There were dreamy pictures of Morayshire, and King Pazdro holding her close, as he'd done so long ago when they were happy, young, and in love. Still there were the haunting voices that she couldn't understand.

  Morayshire

  CHAPTER FOUR

  High in the majestic mountains in the enchanted county of Morayshire stands an ancient palace, where King Pazdro resides. Lush green, patchwork fields slope gently at the base of the mountains, that flow into rolling countryside, and the villages of Morayshire. Of late, King Pazdro was hearing magical whisperings, from his spirit guide, Tarrick, warning him of things to come.

  “You may never see your dreams and wishes come true, unless you free yourself from this palace,” Tarrick whispered to him.

  King Pazdro whispered back, “Thank you, Tarrick for your warnings. I will heed and act upon them.”

  “Use your magic, King Pazdro, and look into the magical light. There you will see your lost love, Princess Chauntilla. Though, I must caution you to be prepared for a shock.” Pazdro raised his right hand hesitantly and pointed his index finger at the mirror. Beams of blue and green light streamed from the end of his finger. Images appeared within the mirror before him of an ugly witch known to him as Aggie. Tarrick whispered to him that Aggie was in fact, Princess Chauntilla. He also said that Queen Jarda, her stepmother, had been the one to curse Chauntilla with ugliness, because of what she had done to her sister, who was once the beautiful Princess Dellaphina.

  “The good news,” said Tarrick “is that their ugliness may soon disappear. The wizard known as Craggle Nesbit has concocted a magical potion, which will reverse the spell placed upon them. Ch
auntilla and Dellaphina could once again be beautiful.”

  This pleased Pazdro greatly. He watched as Aggie slept peacefully by her kitchen fire. He longed to let her know he could see her. He wanted to hold her and tell her, he loved her even as she was now. But he couldn't dare hope to walk back into her life after all this time. Besides, he had the feeling that she was smitten with the wizard, Craggle Nesbit, and him with her. There was also a strange stirring in his heart for Princess Dellaphina, which he chose to ignore.

  “I, Pazdro, have to win back the love, trust and forgiveness of Chauntilla!” he shouted to Tarrick passionately. He knew this would be no easy task. He'd broken Chauntilla and Dellaphina's hearts, thus he'd destroyed the sisters’ relationship, turning sister against sister. It was an unforgivable thing to do. He knew that now. He extinguished the light from his finger, losing sight of Aggie. He needed to form a plan to go to her, and beg forgiveness. He also had to find Merinos, his unicorn. He had disappeared along with his mare, Zanphia, just after Chauntilla and Dellaphina had left Morayshire. Queen Jarda's love of the evil Glandugan meant she too had a hand in Merinos’ disappearance, he was sure of that. He would seek out Merinos, and deal with Glandugan, after he freed himself from his self-imposed exile in the palace.

  “I, Pazdro, have been shut away from my friends, subjects, and life itself, for far too many years,” he said quietly to Tarrick. “It's now time to try and right the terrible things I've done.”

  “Then go Pazdro, and right the wrongs you have done.”

  Pazdro looked up to the mirror on the wall to see the magical lights and image of Aggie fade away. The first thing he had to do was find Merinos. Then he'd find Chauntilla to beg for forgiveness. Without the magic of Merinos, he needed his magic lantern to get him to the village of Nine Wells, to the human world where Chauntilla and Merinos lived. Once lit, it would take him there faster than the speed of light. He found the magic lantern cast aside in a dank cellar of the palace. He cleaned off the dust and cobwebs. Tonight when the moon was full, he would place it on the ramparts of the palace. There the rays of the moon would revitalize the lantern's magical powers. He would leave in the morning in search of Merinos, whom he knew wouldn't be far away from Chauntilla, for they had always been dear friends.

  Aggie sat warming herself by the embers of the kitchen fire. She'd awakened from a disturbing dream, which she had trouble understanding. A halo of white light had appeared. Within it was an image of King Pazdro wandering about his palace. He looked distressed, lost, and alone, and then he seemed to perk up and stride across a great room, with gusto and confidence. Then she saw a lantern in his hands, shining brilliantly. After putting all the pieces together, she now she understood! King Pazdro was embarking upon a quest to find Merinos, and possibly herself.

  Her heart lurched in her chest for the sadness of a love lost. Hot tears of anguish burned her eyes, and ran down her cheeks. She quickly wiped them away with the back of her hand. Weeping never had helped her in the past. She had to pull herself together. Then she thought of the heartache Pazdro had caused her sister and herself. She couldn't and wouldn't look back. Pazdro was just a sad part of her past; she now loved Craggle Nesbitt. Perhaps she would find it in her heart to forgive Pazdro as well. Craggle was her true love, and trusted friend. Tonight she would profess her love to him.

  She happily looked toward the future, and her happiness. The dream made sense now. Pazdro was coming back into her life to look for Mavilene, not her. He just didn't know it yet.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Aggie had to go to visit the Wendles in the village. She felt a strange feeling of regret at raising that old man up by the ankles last night, and leaving him hanging in the tree. At the time, she justified it as punishment for him tying Snaggles up, and leaving her hanging in a tree. I must be getting soft in my old age, she thought to herself. I will go and take him down, and ask for his forgiveness. I shouldn't have tied him up. What I should have done was explain that cats, dogs and any animal should always be treated kindly.

  Was love and forgiveness the answer to her predicament? Craggle Nesbit had said it was, when he was mixing the potion for undoing wicked spells. His words repeated in her ears. ‘The potion alone will not work without love and forgiveness, and of course my magic chanting,’ then he'd said, ‘Reflect Aggie.’ Those were his last words to her.

  She picked up the golden wishbone, which was the talisman Craggle Nesbit had given her for protection against other evil spells. She placed it on a length of leather, and hung it around her neck. “You know, I think Craggle Nesbit is right! Forgiveness and love is part of the transformation for Mavilene and I,” she said to Snaggles, who was lying comfortably in her lap. She stroked her head lovingly. Snaggles purred with pleasure, stretched luxuriously, then snuggled even closer to Aggie. “I never even felt you jump onto my lap, Snaggles, I must have been in a deep sleep, my furry friend.”

  Aggie drifted off again to dream of Pazdro coming to take her back to the enchanted world. She saw Merinos, the unicorn and Pazdro, flying high in the sky! Golden sunbeams streamed across the sky before them, leading them straight to her cottage in the enchanted forest.

  She awoke in a nervous sweat. Was it a dream or an omen? She would hate for Pazdro to see her looking so hideous. “Shame on you Aggie, for your vanity,” she whispered to herself. “It was just a silly dream. What's wrong with me Snaggles? It must be the excitement of what Craggle Nesbit is preparing for us tonight.” Beauty would be hers and Mavilene's again. Snaggles hissed at her as if to say, ‘Be quiet, can't you see I'm sleeping?’ Aggie laughed at Snaggles, “You feisty little feline.” She plucked her off her lap and placed her lovingly in her basket by the fire. “I have to get ready now. I'm going to pay Mavilene a visit.”

  Aggie picked at her hair with a fishbone, powered her crooked nose, and put raspberry juice on her lips and cheeks. Hopefully, this is the last time I will look at myself this way in the mirror.

  She had to go Nine Wells to get the old man out of the tree. It was on her way to Mavilene's house. It seemed to her that she was losing her hatred for the Wendles. Love and friendship, she thought, is the answer to a happier life. Maybe it would be better to give the Wendles a stern talking to about not hurting animals. They'd be celebrating this Christmas Eve with merry carols and fine food. She wished them well. She really did! “My goodness what's wrong with me? I was ready to place a nasty spell on them, and foul up their Christmas festivities,” she giggled to herself as she flew over the Village of Nine Wells. She hovered over the village square to undo the spell she'd placed on the old man. “Forgive me old man, and Merry Christmas to you all!” she cried out. The Wendles looked up to Aggie flying past on her broom. They were stunned. Then a child's voice called back, “Merry Christmas to you, old witch!” A warm feeling of camaraderie washed over her and she waved back to the child.

  She would take the plunge and do as Craggle Nesbit had said, make amends with her sister. That was, if her sister would even speak to her. Aggie realized that she had mellowed with time and long ago forgiven her sister for breaking her heart. But she wouldn't tell anyone, for fear they would think her weak. Time, it was said, was a great healer, or was it? Mavilene may still hate her.

  Darkness cloaked the forest as she flew over. She flitted amongst the treetops. She loved the forest at night. Eyes sparkled within the bushes; little critters scampered to and fro, kicking up the snow. This time she didn't stop to frighten them, she smiled and wished them a “Merry Christmas.” She flew upwards again, through a hole in the forest canopy, up into the twinkling sky. A blue moon and silvery stars blossomed forth into a magical night. She glided silently over the vast forest to where her sister lived. She landed silently outside Mavilene's house. She was nervous, and didn't know how Mavilene might respond to her. “Now my girl, you have to go through with this meeting. You are here to make amends with your baby sister,” she quietly scolded herself. “This is no time to get cold feet.”

  Thi
s was a very important night. She had to put her chin up, and be strong. She'd tell her sister she loved her, or tonight's escapade would never work for them. This was no time to be afraid. As Aggie was trying to pluck up courage to knock on her sister's front door, eerie cries came from the dark walls of the forest, and a flock of birds rose noisily from the heart of the forest. Then all was silent, and all that could be heard was the loud beating of her heart.

  She gathered her wits about her, and began to make her way to Mavilene's front door. The warm glow of light from the windows lit her way. She peeked in the front window to see her sister sleeping peacefully in an old rocking chair by the fireside. Aggie raised the doorknocker and let it drop against the huge front door. Mavilene jumped at the sound of the knocker.

  “Who's there?” she shouted. No reply. She opened the door to see who was knocking. Her hideously ugly face showed shock and surprise.

  “What do you want? Aggie, is that you?” she asked, peering close.

  “Yes Mavilene, it's me, Aggie. I want you to know I forgave you long ago for the wrong that you and Pazdro did to me.”

  “I long ago forgave you, too, Aggie. I've waited so long for you to come to my door. I knew of the times you came here to watch me. Still, I felt I should leave it up to you to come and talk to me. I see now that was foolish of me. We have wasted so much time. The loneliness and bitterness we have both endured must end.”

  “You knew I was there, Mavilene? Oh why didn't you tell me?”

  “Aggie, you'd better come in, the night air is cold and damp.”

  “Thank you.” Aggie stepped over the threshold, closing the door behind her. “Shall we sit, while I tell you about my friend Craggle Nesbit? He's a famous wizard from the enchanted world. He's concocted a magical potion that he claims can undo cruel spells and vengeful curses. Mavilene, we can once again be beautiful. We need to go to the fairy ring in the enchanted forest, at exactly one hour after midnight to meet Craggle. We have to leave right away if we are to reach there in time. But you must know that we can only go if we forgive and love each other once again.”