Enchanted in Time (Enchanted After Thirty #1)

Chapter 28

28

H annah and her great-grandmother were back with the herd of unicorns, who now encircled them. The dark mist had vanished, but since it was now the middle of the night, only the unicorns’ magical glow illuminated the mountains.

“Where is Irmgard?” Hannah immediately asked.

The unicorns stepped to the side to reveal an exhausted Irmgard lying on the ground—though with open eyes.

“Irmgard!” Hannah ran over and threw her arms around the unicorn’s neck. She nestled her head against Imgard’s and breathed a sigh of relief.

“Hannah, you did it!” Irmgard neighed excitedly. “Fabulous, that’s all I can say—just fabulous!”

Hannah turned toward her great-grandma and saw that she was still nothing more than an apparition. Slowly, she rose and approached her. “Why have you not come back to life?”

“Because my time ran out a long, long time ago.” She smiled as if she were glad. “It’s not important to me. My time has come. Now I have only one thing left to do before I can finally find eternal rest. I would like to see my daughter and ask her forgiveness. Only when I know that her heart is at peace will mine, too, be able to find the peace I long for.”

“We’ll take you there!” Hannah cried, full of hope. “Then Mirabelle will be sure to forgive Maximilian, and he’ll change back to a human again!” She looked at Irmgard, who was still lying on the ground, exhausted.

The faithful unicorn looked back at her and all of a sudden stood up as though nothing at all had happened. She was putting an equal amount of weight on all four hooves. How could that be?

“How have you healed so quickly?” Hannah asked, bewildered.

“Healed? Of what? I’m fine!”

Hannah gave the rest of the unicorns a questioning look.

Siegfried stepped forward: “I healed her by means of the magic in my horn.” The silver horn on his forehead was shining. Did it harbor magical powers?

Irmgard, meanwhile, was neighing and trotting back and forth happily.

“So this means you can walk without any pain or problem?” Hannah asked.

“Of course, dear Hannah, why shouldn’t I? Now hop on my back!”

Hannah didn’t need to hear it twice. But as she was climbing onto Irmgard’s back, something suddenly occurred to her, and she looked at Siegfried again. “Does this mean that you can stay now?” she asked. “And will the forest become brighter again, now that the Evil no longer has a soul in its possession?”

“Yes—as long as the Evil has not already gone to Prince Maximilian to take his soul.”

“Let’s not lose any time, Irmgard.”

The unicorn whinnied, reared, and galloped off, with the soul of Mirabelle’s mother floating beside them. It was pitch black, but the adventure had endowed Irmgard with new powers. Her horn shone more and more brightly, and the glow was enough for them to find their way out of the mountains and through the forest. Irmgard galloped through the nighttime woods, and after a while, they saw Mirabelle’s simple dwelling between the trees. A light was burning inside the hut, and as they trotted closer, the door opened. Mirabelle came outside and stood to face them.

For a moment, Hannah found it startling to see the old and ugly woman again. The last time she had seen her, Mirabelle had been about to pronounce a curse on her, and Hannah had fled headlong into the forest. But her fear disappeared when she felt the warmth of her great-grandmother, who was flying close beside her and who was the mother of this sad and lonely figure.

Still, Hannah’s heart beat faster and faster the closer they came. Mirabelle was a member of her family. She was her beloved Grandma Anna’s sister. And Hannah had freed her mother from the eternal void. Mirabelle wouldn’t harm her, would she?

Irmgard came to a halt before the meager dwelling, and the soul floated over to her daughter. When she recognized her mother, Mirabelle’s eyes nearly popped right out of their deep sockets. She flung her arms around her mother’s neck, heedless of the fact that she lacked a physical form. She could still feel her warmth and her comfort.

“Mama...” she whispered, and the tears welled up in her eyes. “Mama, you’re free again.” With every sob, her endless sorrow began to dissolve. Her hard features grew softer and her eyes brighter, as though they were being cleansed by her tears.

“My beloved child, can you forgive me for sending you to the ball all those years ago? I should have been there for you, should have protected you from all of that. I am so very, very sorry. My sorrow knows no bounds.”

“There’s nothing to forgive, Mother.”

They smiled at each other, and the soul caressed her daughter’s head. “All will be well. The time of the Evil is no more.”

“But how...”

The soul motioned toward Hannah, who couldn’t decide whether to stay on Irmgard’s back or dismount and run over to join them both.

“Hannah freed me,” her mother continued. “With the help of the unicorns, she found the fireflower and released me from the eternal darkness.”

Mirabelle looked with suspicion at Hannah, who had slowly slid down off Irmgard’s back and was coming toward them. “But how did she find you in the darkness?”

“She’s a blood relative.”

Mirabelle’s mouth fell open as she looked Hannah up and down from head to toe. She studied her face in search of familiar features. Those dimples when she smiled—she knew those. And the almond eyes.

“She is Annabelle’s granddaughter.”

“Annabelle? She married? And had children?” Mirabelle’s expression turned soft, and her smile was so warm and heartfelt that her blemished appearance was barely noticeable.

Hannah nodded and shrugged as the soul took her and Mirabelle by the hand. The feeling was like a warm breeze wrapping itself around their hands. Over to the side, Irmgard was sobbing.

“How do you know this, Mother?”

The soul pointed to her chest. “I see it in my own heart and in hers.”

Mirabelle laid her hand on her chest and looked at Hannah in amazement. She walked hesitantly towards Hannah, who was smiling uncertainly. Encouraged, Hannah came closer and wrapped her arms around her. Mirabelle’s eyes filled with tears, and she wept. She wept all the tears she had held inside and buried beneath her anger and hate throughout her lonely existence. They came pouring out, and with every tear, she grew more beautiful and her heart grew warmer.

“What happened to Annabelle?” she asked.

“She emigrated to America with your father, where she married a very nice man. They had five children,” Hannah told her.

Mirabelle laughed out loud. “Five children?”

“She had a wonderful life. She was very happy, and she loved her children with all her heart and soul. I’m the child of her youngest daughter. Her name is Mira.”

“Mira? That’s what she always called me from the time we were children.” Mirabelle smiled wistfully. “My Annabelle...”

“My dear child,” the soul broke in, “my time has come. Now I may go at last. But I shall only be able to find my peace if I know that you will find yours as well.”

“What do you mean by that, Mother?”

“My love, you need to forgive.”

Mirabelle looked at Hannah uncertainly.

“Please, Mirabelle,” Hannah began, “forgive Prince Maximilian.” Irmgard whinnied in the background.

“He was not the one who spurned you at that time, my love,” her mother added. “It was his father. Do not forget that!”

Mirabelle pondered for a moment, and her lips broke into a gentle smile that hinted at her former beauty. She nodded slowly, and Hannah breathed a sigh of relief.

“Say it, my love, and the curse shall be broken. Then I shall be able to rest in peace, and nothing will stand in the way of your eternal peace.”

“I forgive him and his family,” she said, and she meant it. A shadow came out of her heart, grew brighter and brighter, and dissolved in the air.

“Very good, my darling Mirabelle. Now we may say goodbye, my love.” The soul wrapped herself around her daughter and gave her warmth and comfort.

“Thank you, Mama, for rescuing me back then.”

“I love you!” And with these words, the glimmer of light disappeared, and all that was left was the certain sense that Hannah and Mirabelle belonged together.

Hannah looked at the old woman in amazement. Almost none of the wrinkles and scars remained. Her hair was less disheveled, and her eyes were no longer as sunken and now had a gentler look. It was as if the mercy in her heart had softened some of the ugliness.

“You brought my mother back to me. I’m sorry for the trouble I caused you. That was not what I wanted. If only I had known who you were...”

Hannah stroked her arm. “It all turned out just fine. But where do I find Maximilian? Has he already changed back?”

“He lives down by the river. I’ve been watching him. He fishes and sleeps all day.”

Hannah laughed out loud. “What a life! I wonder if he even wants to turn human again!”

Irmgard whinnied with laughter. “Come on, Hannah, I’ll take you down to the river. I’ll light the way.”

Hannah took Mirabelle’s wrinkled hands in hers. “I wish you all the best. It would have been so much nicer if we had met under different circumstances.”

The old woman caressed Hannah’s hair, which reminded her so of her sister’s. “Thank you, Hannah.”

How much more beautiful she was now that her heart was warm again. The deep lines and wrinkles were still there, though fewer. Her hair had grown thin and gray, and her skin still bore the blemishes of the disease. But her healed soul shone through her eyes and cast her in a gentler light. The thought flashed through Hannah’s mind that there was no need for perfect features. To be beautiful, all you needed was a heart that was pure and kind. With a shining soul, one can attain perfect beauty.

“Wait just a moment!” Mirabelle went into the small hut and returned soon afterwards with the bags that Hannah and Maximilian had packed. “The prince will be needing his clothes!”

Mirabelle winked at Hannah, and the two of them laughed. Then they hugged each other for the last time, and Hannah ran after Irmgard, who had already trotted off and was gleefully prancing along and swishing her tail. “Fabulous how everything worked out! Now there’s nothing in the way of your going home to Maya, Malo, and Lennart!”

Hannah smiled to herself. “True, although I’d much rather see Emi, Leon, and Marco.”

It was already early dawn when they reached the river sometime later. A soft light blue was driving away the blackness of the night and, with it, the Evil that had been such a force in the forest.

The sound of loudly splashing water reached their ears. Hannah peered through the trunks of the spruces and firs to the river below, which was making a loud rushing noise as it roared through the woods. Large rocks were sticking out of the raging water, and over to the side was a tall cliff that harbored a cave. Right at that moment, out of the cave came Prince Maximilian—in human form... and stark naked.

“It worked!” cried Hannah and resisted the urge to immediately fling herself into his arms. She grinned and turned her head to the side.

“Hannah?” On seeing her and Irmgard behind her, Maximilian blinked in confusion and then looked down at himself. His eyes grew wide as he noticed his human hands and legs. He rubbed his chest, felt his head, and burst out laughing. “I’m human again!”

“Just as God created you!” Hannah threw him the bag of clothes. “Here!”

She could hear him coughing and grunting a bit, almost like he was a bear again. A short while later, he called her name, and she looked in his direction. He was wearing his trousers and drying himself with a towel as the water dripped from his body. He spread his arms, and Hannah started to run. She flew toward him and fell into his arms. They held each other tight as though they had known each other all their lives.

“I’m so glad we were able to make it work.” Hannah was trying not to sob. God knows, she had already shed enough tears! “I’m so relieved. The curse is finally broken!”

“Pleased to meet you, Prince Joachim!” Irmgard whinnied.

“Prince Maximilian,” Hannah said, correcting her as she stayed in his arms. It felt so warm, so right, to be with him. She nestled her face against his chest and inhaled his scent so that she would never forget it.

“How did you manage to do it? Did you subdue Mirabelle?”

“It’s a long story.” And Hannah gave him a rough idea of what had happened. The prince was in awe, and he bowed to Irmgard and Hannah in thanks.

The first few rays of sunlight had made their way through the trees and were bathing the morning in a golden light that sparkled on the surface of the water.

“Mommy! Mommy!” came the sound of excited voices from the water.

Hannah immediately took two steps toward the shore to see her three children’s beautiful faces reflected in the rushing stream. “Emi, Leon, Marco!” Her eyes filled with tears.

“Mama, that’s not a bear behind you—that’s a man!” Leon cried angrily.

“That’s Prince Maximilian. He’s been freed!”

“The prince?” Emi’s eyes were shining as she looked at him.

“Wonderful!” cried Frieda, whose face had appeared beside the children’s in the water. She broke into a huge smile that clearly revealed her large front teeth. “I knew you would do it, Hannah, or I never would have sent you on this journey.”

Hannah raised her eyebrows in disbelief—they could clear that one up later!

“Godmother Friederike,” Prince Maximilian broke in, “I thank you for your tireless aid in breaking the curse. And now, if you could help this enchanting lady...”—he motioned toward Hannah, who, with her tattered gown and disheveled hair, was hardly the picture of an enchanting lady—”to return to her children at last.”

Hannah turned to him. Her first impulse was to object. She was about to say that she wanted to spend the day with him and walk to the castle together, when her children started shouting joyfully, “Mommy’s coming back! Mommy’s coming back!”

She sighed and laid her hand on the prince’s chest. “I’m glad you can lead a free life now, and I wish you all the best.”

Prince Maximilian held her in his arms one final time. He rocked her back and forth and whispered, “Thank you, Hannah. You saved my life!”

They separated for a moment, but he immediately bent down toward her again. Was he going to kiss her? Her heart beat faster—it was pounding. His lips came close to hers, but then he turned his head to the side and whispered in her ear: “Don’t forget what I promised you!”

She felt a pang in her chest and had to think about what he meant by that. But then it came to her: the treasure chest—the gold and the gems that he wanted to give her as thanks! She started to object, to say that that was not why she had done it, when the prince pressed his lips against hers in a tender kiss. It was a kiss that promised so much and yet tasted so bittersweet, for it was, after all, the first and also the last. For a moment, Hannah was lost in another world as she felt his lips against hers and every inch of her body longed for more.

As they moved apart and she opened her eyes, she could feel an infinite lightness in her heart. For them, there would be no “happily ever after.” But the prince had left her with a gift: his warmth. And as she looked into his eyes, she knew that his heart belonged to hers as well. She caressed his arm and smiled at him in gratitude.

She turned to the unicorn, who was silently holding back a couple of glistening tears. “My dear Irmgard,” she said, “I thank you with all my heart for staying by my side and helping me to free Maximilian so I could return to my children. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

“It was a superb experience, dearest Hannah. I’ve come a long way because of it.”

“Will you go back to your herd now?”

“I haven’t decided yet, but I’m happy to know I can do so at any time. And we don’t need to leave and can spend many more generations in this beautiful forest of ours.”

Hannah stroked her neck and pressed her forehead against Irmgard’s head. “Farewell, you wonderful unicorn!”

Then Hannah approached the water. “Frieda, how do I get back?”

“Mommy’s coming! Mommy’s coming!” The kids were jumping up and down and cheering.

“My dear Hannah, you could have done so at any time. You are still wearing the red slippers I gave you, aren’t you?”

Hannah looked down at the red slippers, the most comfortable shoes she had ever worn. “Yes?”

“All you need to do is to click your heels three times and say: ‘There’s no place like home.’”

Hannah looked up. “Is this a joke or something? I could have come back anytime?”

“Do you really think I would send you to a strange world, away from your little angels, without being able to bring you back at any time? What sort of lousy enchantress do you take me for?”

The children laughed as if they had known the entire time. So that’s why they never looked too worried! Torn between the urge to let fly at Frieda and join the kids in their laughter, Hannah put her hands on her hips. “You could have told me that earlier, Mrs.—”

“Oh, come now, just call me Frieda, dear Hannah.”

Hannah laughed. “All right, fine.”

She turned once more to Maximilian and gave him a wistful smile. He nodded in encouragement. There was nothing more to say, and it wasn’t going to get any easier. It took her all her strength to leave him behind, but at the same time, she longed to be home with her sweet peas. Hannah clicked the heels of her red velvet slippers three times—clack, clack, clack—and recited the words: “There’s no place like home!”

The next moment, she felt a sense of vertigo and held her hands to her stomach. She looked at Maximilian, who was smiling, and she saw that his contours were blurring. The surroundings turned into a swirl of forest colors, shimmering and glittering as if someone had strewn them with fairy dust. Then, in the blink of an eye, she was standing back in her living room.

“Mommy, Mommy, I missed you so much!”

Emi was the first to bound over to Hannah, closely followed by Leon, who fell into her arms and sobbed. “Mommy, you’re finally back!”

Even Marco came running over and joined the family hug. “Mama!”

Hannah’s eyes were filled with tears of joy, and she held her children close. “Oh, you three, I missed you all so much!”

They stood there for a while, and all that was to be heard was Leon’s quiet sobbing as he hugged his mother with relief. The other two were silent while their mother cradled them in her arms. She hadn’t felt so happy in a long, long time.