Chapter 19 #2
The troll gave her a somewhat frightening toothy smile, one that revealed rows of blunt, pale blue teeth. Rosie didn’t miss Marianne’s shudder.
“My brother was a terribly bitter soul.” The troll waved her hand dismissively.
“Everything I threatened was done out of familial duty, knowing full well what a rotten fop he was.” Then she tilted her head slowly, and her beady eyes narrowed at Marianne.
“You, however, are far more a monster than he ever was.”
Marianne’s eyes grew wide, and a gasp went up from the crowd. Jonathan made a move to unsheathe his sword again, but once more, the fairy godmother waved at him to wait.
What in the dark forest was going on?
“At least my brother was honest about who and what he was,” the troll went on, beginning to sneer. “And I’m not playing pretend either.”
“What do you mean?” Lady Sandra cried, her voice shaking slightly. “Calling my daughter a monster?”
“Whether or not this girl,” the troll pointed at Rosie, “bested my brother, at least he deserved it. And after teasing and taunting her for weeks, I’ve got to admit that she’s got pluck. And kindness. And intelligence. And far more sense than your stupid daughter will ever have.”
Lady Sandra opened her mouth, but the troll hissed at her, silencing the woman before she went on.
“Every time I put an obstacle in her way, she pushed her way past it–out of love, of all the foolish things.” The troll spat. “And when you stole the man she loved,” she waved a warty green finger at Marianne, “she bowed out gracefully for his sake. And for the kingdom’s!”
As she spoke, she reached out to the cake and took an entire handful, shoving it into her mouth and smearing it on her face as she did so. But she didn’t seem to notice, as her eyes were still trained on Marianne.
“Now, mind you, I don’t get much entertainment.
So watching her fight you and your little band of hoydens has been the most fun I’ve had in years.
But I’m tired of watching her lose. She doesn’t deserve the treatment you’ve given her, nor that of most of this court.
” She turned and shoved a long, pointed fingernail at the queen and king. “Including you!”
The queen fainted, and the king put his hand on his sword, but for a third time, the fairy godmother gave the silent but unmistakable order for the men to wait.
“But you swore vengeance!” Marianne cried once again, this time as large tears welled in her eyes. “And I know that trolls must do what they swear! The laws of magic demand it! You must make good on your word!”
Rosie stared at her in disbelief. Was this woman still so desperate to get rid of her that she would risk angering the troll more?
At this declaration, the troll’s eyes began to sparkle with magic, and she raised her hands. “Oh, I’m aware of how magic works. And I’m going to get my vengeance all right. But I’ve changed my mind as to how.” She leered at Marianne. “I’m going to get my revenge on you!”
And with a flick of her wrist, she threw a beam of magic at Marianne, who began to shrink… and turn a pale shade of pink.
The court let out screams and shouts of surprise as she continued to shrink until her dress collapsed around her. When she finally stopped, her mother had to search her gown for her and eventually removed…
The prettiest, pinkest little pig Rosie had ever seen.
Her mother immediately shrieked, then swooned, and would have dropped Marianne if one of the men standing nearby hadn’t reached out and grabbed her at the last minute.
Marianne began to snort piteously until the troll raised her hands once more and sent another beam of magic at her, which promptly silenced her protestations.
Why wasn’t the fairy godmother doing anything?
“Now that it’s quieter around here,” she said, turning back to the king and queen, “I’ve got a few demands before I go.
And while I’m no fairy godmother,” she sent a furtive glance at the fairy sitting beside the king and queen, “everyone here will do what they’re told if they know what’s good for them! ”
“Please!” the queen pleaded faintly of the fairy as one of her servants fanned her. “You’re my sons’ fairy godmother! And Marianne’s! Do something!”
“I am Marianne’s godmother,” the beautiful woman admitted thoughtfully.
“But I’ve also thought for some time that her parents ought to do something about the terrible little creature she has become.
No, I like where this is going, and I think a stint in the real world will be good for her.
” She fixed the troll with a hard look. “Mind that she’s well cared for.
And I expect a realistic way to break the spell.
” She paused before thoughtfully adding, “As well as a caretaker who isn’t fond of bacon. ”
Lady Sandra, who had just come to, let out another shriek before swooning again.
“Please,” the fairy godmother said, motioning to the troll. “Continue.”
The troll nodded. “First of all, I want Prince Jonathan to marry Lady Rose. Now.”
Rosie felt as though she were in a dream as she turned to meet Jonathan’s gaze. He looked just as confused as she felt.
“Unless,” the troll added furtively, “either of you has objections?”
Jonathan blinked a few times before shaking his head as though to clear it. “Um, no.” His face turned slightly red. “Not at all, but…” He looked back at his parents.
“Well then,” his godmother snapped. “Tell the girl the truth and stop dawdling!”