A Witch's Tale Read online

  “Yes Aggie, I will come with you, it's time to let bygones be bygones.”

  For the first time in six years, the sisters were reunited. With tears in their eyes, they hugged one another. Soon they were on their journey to the fairy ring in the enchanted forest.

  CHAPTER SIX

  Deep within the enchanted forest, Craggle Nesbit prepared for Mick's arrival at the fairy ring. He placed a silver goblet, filled with the potion, on top of a mushroom, right in the center of the fairy ring. He set his silver wand and magical powder on a rock at the edge of the fairy ring. Shafts of blue and gold shone through the forest canopy from the winter's moon, shining upon the silver goblet. A smile lit up Craggle Nesbit's eyes as he moved about the circle. He loved the crispy crunch of winter's frosty grass underfoot.

  Mick, the donkey moved cautiously through the forest, it was dark and there were pitfalls and hazards everywhere. Hunters laid traps in the long grasses and undergrowth. Suddenly, Mick heard Craggle Nesbit chanting, his voice low and monotone. From his vantage point, he saw candles flickering in the soft breeze. Craggle Nesbit was moving around the clearing, chanting magical spells. Mick pushed forward as he didn't want to be late. He looked up at the moon. It was close to midnight. Mick trotted into the enchanted glade, right on the stroke of midnight.

  “Hello, Craggle Nesbit.”

  “Good evening to you, Mick! Are you ready for your transformation?”

  “Yes, I am!”

  “Then, go the center of the fairy ring, and drink from the silver goblet when I tell you.”

  Mick walked slowly to the center of the fairy ring and waited; his stomach was churning and fluttering with excitement and apprehension.

  “Drink, Mick. Drink now!” shouted Craggle Nesbit. Mick drank the fruity tasting potion from the gleaming silver goblet. Craggle waved his silver wand, and then threw magical powder up in the air, while uttering magical incantations. Suddenly, flashes of blue, silver and gold mist filled the fairy ring, blinding Mick. The wind started to blow hard, and Mick began swirling and twirling amidst the magical mist. Craggle Nesbit watched as the wind suddenly died, and the mist cleared. There in the center of the fairy ring stood Merinos, the Unicorn, head held high and proud!

  “Welcome back Merinos, your transformation is now complete, no spell or curse will be able to change what has taken place here tonight,” Craggle said with great satisfaction.

  “Thank you, Craggle Nesbit. I'm so grateful! You are my friend for life, and my magic will always be there for you, should you have need of it! I will go now and try to find my wife, Zanphia.”

  “No, Merinos, please do not leave; I have a spell that will bring Zanphia and her foal to the fairy ring. I will need a strand hair from her mane and yours.”

  “I do have hair from her mane here in the collar around my neck. Would that work with the spell Craggle Nesbit?”

  “Yes, come give me one of the strands to place in the silver goblet.”

  Craggle Nesbit carefully removed the strand he needed from the collar and one strand also from Merino's mane. He placed them both in the silver goblet along with another magic potion, and special fairy powder. Chanting incantations and once again waving his silver wand, he mixed the concoction, with a long, silver spoon.

  “Merinos, stand in the fairy ring again, and drink from the silver goblet when I tell you.”

  Overcome with excitement, Merinos waited for Craggle Nesbit's command to drink from the goblet. “Drink, Merinos. Drink from the goblet!”

  Once again the fairy ring flashed with the blue, gold and silver mist as Craggle Nesbit performed his magic. Then all grew quiet in the fairy ring, and the mist cleared. Merinos’ eyes were closed tight. When he opened them, it was to see Zanphia his wife, and Tettyor his daughter, standing proudly beside him. Craggle Nesbit's eyes beamed with satisfaction as he bowed to them graciously. The reunited family rubbed noses and licked each other, lost in the overwhelming euphoria of love and happiness.

  “Welcome, Zanphia and Tettyor. Merinos, your family is complete. Go in peace.” They bowed to Craggle Nesbit, and trotted out of the forest glade.

  Craggle Nesbit busied himself preparing the fairy circle again, this time for his dear Aggie's transformation, and hopefully Mavilene's.

  There was time for him to rest a while before their arrival. It always took a lot out of him to perform such powerful spells. He sipped on the mixture of herbs and magical powder he'd prepared to revive him. Then he lay on the snowy, soft mound in the forest clearing to rest.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  After Aggie and Mavilene had hugged and tearfully made amends, they joined hands and began their trip to the enchanted forest. They picked their way carefully through the dark forest. Cries continually rang out from the dark walls of the forest, making them move closer together for protection - one never knew if they'd bump into a stinky troll or spiteful goblin. Aggie chuckled as she realized that only a few days ago, she would have welcomed a chance to turn a goblin into a toad or a troll into a stone. Now it didn't seem important as she smiled at her sister.

  Finally, a light sparkled in the distance. “That must be Craggle Nesbit at the fairy circle, getting ready for our arrival. I wish we'd flown here on our brooms, Mavilene, the forest is so scary at night.”

  “I agree, Aggie!”

  At last they could see and hear Craggle Nesbit moving around the clearing, chanting his magical spells. The candles flickered, welcoming them.

  “We're here, Craggle Nesbit!” Aggie called out.

  “Hello Aggie and Mavilene. I'm so happy you've made amends. Your decision to forgive each another is the first part of the spell that will be used here tonight. Now go to the center of the ring, hold hands, and wait for me to tell you when to drink from the silver goblet resting on the mushroom. Each of you shall take a turn drinking from it.”

  Aggie and Mavilene stood together holding hands in the fairy circle; butterflies swirled in their tummies as they awaited Craggle Nesbit's command.

  “Drink, Aggie. Drink, Mavilene! And you shall once again become Princess Chauntilla and Princess Dellaphina.” Craggle Nesbit chanted his magic spells, ‘witchika nagika’ while waving his silver wand passionately. Again he threw the magic powder towards the sky, electrifying the night air within the fairy ring.

  Just like before, the wind and flashes of blue, gold and silver mist swirled and twirled around the two sisters. Abruptly the wind stopped, and there stood two beautiful princesses. Princess Chauntilla, hair like shimmering blond sunshine falling to her shoulders in cascading ringlets, and eyes of emerald-green, shining with tears of happiness. Princess Dellaphina stood next to her, with curls of jet-black hair that tumbled to her waist, and eyes of sapphire blue, that radiated joy. The sisters looked at each other with love and happiness, and then hugged each other tightly. Craggle Nesbit looked on with pride and satisfaction.

  “Welcome back, Princess Chauntilla, once Aggie the witch of Nine Wells. Welcome back, Princess Dellaphina, once Mavilene the witch. Life is now, as it was before Prince Pazdro came into your life, Princess Chauntilla.” Craggle Nesbit took a humble bow. He then clapped his hands excitedly, and an abundance of sprites and fairies came forth into the fairy glade, bringing with them light, love and hope with their sweet songs.

  “What are your plans, Chauntilla?” asked Craggle, a slight hesitation in his voice.

  “I'd like to spend Christmas with you and Dellaphina, if you'd like that.”

  “Yes Chauntilla, I would like that very much. But for now you must leave, as I must perform my magic once more. This I must do alone.” Hand in hand the sisters left the fairy ring, giving Craggle his privacy.

  Craggle Nesbit prepared the silver goblet with the magic potion and magical powder. He went to the center of the fairy circle and waited for the fairies to chant the magical incantations and wave the silver wand. When the timing was right, he drank from the silver goblet. After the wind calmed, and the mist cleared, there stood a handsome, younger
Craggle Nesbit, no longer the ugly wizard. “Thank you, fairies of the enchanted forest, I could not have managed without your magic and help.”

  “Our pleasure, Craggle Nesbit.” said Yolanda, queen of the wood nymphs. “We must take our leave; we have a festivity to attend at the enchanted waterfall.”

  Craggle Nesbit cleaned up the fairy ring and made his way home. Christmas day had proven to be a wonderful day for all the people who needed change, love, and forgiveness. He was tired, but happy. A few winks in front of his fireplace would revive him and he'd be ready for Chauntilla and Dellaphina's visit later that day.

  When Craggle Nesbit reached his home, he saw the front door was open. A feeling of foreboding churned in his belly. Something wasn't right. He made his way to the back of the house. Weak from exhaustion, he leaned against the trunk of an old oak tree. Suddenly a hand grabbed him from behind, by the scruff of his neck.

  A loud cruel voice screeched at him, “So, Craggle Nesbit, you intend to come looking for me, the great Glandugan. Well, my brother, I have found you first! Before you can kill me, I intend to kill you, and take the Princess Chauntilla for my own.” With a crazed look, he waved his wand at Craggle Nesbit, as he bound him to the oak tree.

  “You will never take Chauntilla, she loves me,” Craggle screamed.

  “Are you sure, Craggle Nesbit? Is she not still in love with Pazdro king of Morayshire? I know he is on his way to claim her hand once more. I will stop him too, as I have you.”

  Craggle Nesbit tried to struggle free, but he was utterly exhausted. He fell limp against the tree.

  “Ah! I see you have realized your struggling is wasted. Prepare to die Craggle Nesbit.”

  “Untie me and let the fight be fair, or are you still a coward Glandugan? Only a coward would sacrifice Zanphia, the unicorn and her unborn foal. You are a bounder, sir.”

  Glandugan pulled his magic sword from its sheath and plunged it into Craggle Nesbit's heart with all his might. Blood spurted from Craggle's body spraying Glandugan. He screamed as the blood of his brother burned through his clothes, burning his body where it landed. He tore his clothes off, and then ran to the water to wash off the blood. He cursed as the burning blood burnt into his heart. He frantically waved his wand, and disappeared in a cloud of smoke, leaving Craggle Nesbit still tied to the tree and bleeding.

  As night approached, darkness cloaked the house and tree where Craggle Nesbit was left to die. Chauntilla and Dellaphina arrived to visit Craggle, as planned.

  They noticed the front door was open, but gently knocked anyway. No answer. “Hello, are you there, Craggle?” Still nothing, an unsettling chill crept over Chauntilla. “Something is very wrong Dellaphina. Do you feel it?”

  “Yes Chauntilla, I do. Let's look around the house and grounds.”

  There was no trace of him in the house. They went out into the back garden to look in the sheds and greenhouse. He was nowhere to be found, so they made their way around the garden once more.

  “No, no! It can't be!” Chauntilla cried out, as she ran to the giant oak tree. She knew it was Craggle, and something was terribly wrong. It was the way he was slumped against the tree in an awkward position, his blood stained shirt clinging to him.

  “Craggle Nesbit! Oh, Craggle Nesbit, my love, please speak to me. I love you!” She lifted his head and kissed him, sobbing, for she knew he was dead. Oh, how young and handsome he looked. “You too must have been cursed to ugliness, my darling. Why did you not tell me?”

  “Dellaphina, do you see the change in Craggle Nesbit? He's handsome and young; he too must have been cursed, yet never said anything about it. Oh, how I will miss him. Is it possible to love two men at the same time? If I had to choose between Pazdro and Craggle Nesbit, I would have chosen Craggle Nesbit. I know that now and that it's now too late.” Chauntilla's body shook with grief as she brushed her lips over his.

  “Chauntilla, you are lucky to have had two special men in your life.” Dellaphina gently pulled her away and sat her on the bench outside the greenhouse. “Stay here Chauntilla, I'll be right back. I'll take care of Craggle Nesbit's body. I'll transport him to the enchanted world to our castle in Morayshire. There we can bury him along side our parents.”

  Chauntilla hung her head and sobbed as Dellaphina performed her magic to transport Craggle to Morayshire their homeland.

  “Come my sister, we must return to our world now. We have to look after Craggle Nesbit. He is to be honoured for the good he has done for Merinos and us. We'll have to contact Merinos by magic, no time to use the human ways.”

  Chauntilla raised her head. “Wait, I have to go home to collect my beloved cat, Snaggles. She must come with us to our world.”

  Chauntilla returned a little while later, with Snaggles safely tucked under her arm. Dellaphina flourished her wand and chanted aloud, “Abracadabra cavarny, return us to Morayshire and bring Merinos to our castle.”

  Hand in hand they disappeared in a puff of fairy dust to their home in the enchanted world of Morayshire.

  Chauntilla and Dellaphina

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Chauntilla awoke in her bedroom and gazed sleepily around the room; she couldn't remember a thing about the return from Craggle's home. All she could remember was the handsome face of Craggle Nesbit when she kissed him.

  Maybe Merinos can help bring him back to me. Unicorns have a special, powerful magic of their own, she thought.

  She couldn't believe they should bury him so soon, without trying to revive him somehow. Everyone in the magical land was blessed with magical powers. All things are possible. Hope shone in Chauntilla's eyes once more.

  She arose from the bed, and went to the balcony that spanned the west end of her room. She was always in awe at the scene before her. She never tired of the spectacular view of the mountains. Mist swirled around the majestic peaks, and purple heather grew in abundance on the gentle slopes. The mountains gave her the strength she needed to carry on.

  Chauntilla found her sister in the breakfast-room. “Good morning, Dellaphina, I see your appetite hasn't changed from when we were children.”

  “Chauntilla, here you are at last, good morning to you, too. Come sample a plate of this delicious breakfast. There's crisp bacon, fluffy scrambled eggs, and toast with strawberry jam.” She patted the chair beside her. They ate in silence; two sisters together at last.

  Bang! Bang! The huge doorknocker shattered the silence within the palace. The maid, Noragg, came running into the breakfast-room. “Merinos, the Unicorn is here to see you both. Shall I admit him, or send him to the gazebo in the rose garden to wait for you?”

  “No! Admit him at once, Noragg, and bring him here. He can eat with us if he so wishes,” Chauntilla said.

  Merinos entered in a whirl, snorting and neighing excitedly. “Welcome home, princesses. I was getting ready to come searching for you with my master, King Pazdro, when I received your message, Princess Dellaphina.” Merinos continued, “King Pazdro is now here in Morayshire. He has come out of his self-imposed exile. He found me grazing in the enchanted forest of Nine Wells. We arrived back here this morning. He wishes an audience with you both, here at the palace, but was not sure he would be welcomed. Dellaphina, tell me all about Craggle Nesbit, I can't believe that Glandugan got the better of him. His magic is stronger than Glandugan.”

  Dellaphina replied, “He was very weak from all the magic he performed on all of us on Christmas Eve, and he also used the magical potion to transform himself. He was as young and handsome as could be when we found him. The only reason Glandugan defeated him was because he was too weak to fight back.”

  “We will combine our magic and call on the fairy queens of the woodlands. I'm willing to help, as is King Pazdro, and then perhaps we can revive Craggle Nesbit. Time is precious. I will be here at midnight tonight, and I'll bring King Pazdro with me.” Merinos responded.

  “He will be welcomed here as a friend, Merinos,” Chauntilla said.

  “Thank you, Chauntil
la.”

  “We have to summon Queen Meganie here at once. She has a special magical power we do not possess, for reviving the dead. She is the Celtic Queen of the Emerald Isles; her powers are all magical and powerful.”

  “Yes, Chauntilla, I will send for her, she is a friend of Zanphia, my wife. I will bid you good day and will return tonight with everyone we need to revive Craggle Nesbit.”

  Merinos bowed and backed out of the great doors. He had to help revive his new friend, Craggle, from the dead. Craggle and Chauntilla were made for each other and he wanted to be at their wedding. He neighed happily at the thought. If only they could realize that. He would nudge them gently towards one another when all was set right.

  Once upon a time, King Pazdro and Chauntilla were made for each other, but that was then, and this was now. He had a busy time ahead of him.

  “We are blessed to have a friend such as Merinos, Chauntilla,” said Dellaphina.

  “Yes we are, Dellaphina. He was, and is my dearest friend. When he was Mick the Donkey, we became friends, after Pazdro and I separated. We spent many an hour reminiscing under the tree in his field. He took me for midnight rides into the forest and around the village of Nine Wells.”

  Her lovely lips curved delicately as she thought of the wonderful times she and Mick had spent together, even though she'd been so ugly to look at. He was a true friend indeed, she thought.

  CHAPTER NINE

  As a sunset of magenta spilled across the sky, the sisters made ready for Merinos, Zanphia, and Queen Meganie to arrive. They felt apprehension at seeing Pazdro again. Neither of them had seen or heard from him since the awful disagreement over his infatuation with Dellaphina. It would indeed be awkward.