Chapter 7

Just before a hurt Gene and an exhausted Popo reached the house, the heavens seemed to crackle and break apart, pouring a deluge of pounding rain upon their heads. It was a miserable, soaking wet trio that eventually walked into the empty barn.

Disturbance walked into his stall and commenced to munch on the crispy dry hay spread across the ground. He only snorted once at the discomfort of having his riders still upon his back.

"I don't think I can climb down" whispered Gene, close to Popo's ear, in a very soft voice. "My side feels like it's on fire."

Popo groaned in reply.

He was lying in a tired heap across the horse's wet and musky smelling back. It would have been completely unpleasant except for the soft weight of Gene lying across his shrunken back. Her smell, a delightful combination of lilacs and green apples, wafted towards his nose and seemed to lift his spirits.

All he could think about is the fact that she loved him. She hadn't said the words; she hadn't even hinted at it. But the magic that Leah had drawn from her could only mean that it was so.

He felt as if he finally had a reason to live. He felt as if he had finally a place where there was a bright hope for the future; where he had other things to do but think about then the long dead past. He hadn't really examined his own feeling yet, but he was sure that he could love this girl. She was a pure soul, a bright spirit, a generous heart and an attractive individual. He hadn't ever loved before, but how hard could it possibly be to love someone with the great qualities she possessed. Besides, what else did he have going for him?

He had such little strength left, he could barely move now as it was, but he had to do this for her. He had to help her from the horse, or they would both sit upon Disturbance until the horse got tired of them and bucked them off.

Gene had been lying across Popo's shrunken back, willing her aching body to move without success. She was cold, wet and tired. Not only that, but she was once again wondering how it was that she had gotten herself in this situation. 'Try to help people and you end up stabbed!' she was thinking to herself.

She knew that Cook would be worried about her, especially since the rain didn't seem to have any inclination of stopping. If they hadn't been noticed when they had arrived, chances were that they would not getting aid anytime soon. Maybe she should urge Disturbance toward the kitchen door; there were bound to be people congregating in there.

The problem was that she really didn't relish the notion of heading back out into the rain; it would be highly doubtful that Disturbance would appreciate her inclination either. 'Maybe if we wait it out a little?' she thought to herself.

But then, in the middle of her musings she felt the little body beneath her start to expand. The act of his body expanding caused her own body to be jostled around and she couldn't help the pitiful groan that escaped her lips, "aarrggg."

"Sorry Gene," he whispered.

She was unable to stop the sob of pain that escaped her and a few tears streaked down her already damp skin.

Popo swung his leg over Disturbance's neck and sort of slid off the side of the horse. When his feet made contact with the ground he felt an alarming weakness in all his limbs that almost caused him to collapse. Taking a deep breath while he gathered his strength, he then reached up, grabbed Gene, and pulled her down off her horse.

Gene felt the excruciating pain of her injury pulling and stretching. While the feel of Popo's strong arms holding her brought her a little comfort, she could feel herself losing consciousness; there were a couple of bright lights twinkling before her eyes and the edges of her vision were starting to get fuzzy. She was also starting to feel dizzy from the loss of blood.

She felt the gentle slap of water tapping against her face indicating the fact that they were once again out in the rain. But that was only for a minute as she felt him kick the door in; the warmth and dryness of indoors greeted them as they entered her house.

"Aaeeeehhh!" someone shouted.

It was Cook who shrieked in shock as she heard the sharp retort of the door as it slammed open, revealing the figure of a strange man holding the limp body of Gene.

Popo fell to his knees right in the entranceway still holding onto Gene. He was so completely spent of all magic that he had no control as he felt his body being pulled to his gnome shape. Never had he pushed the limits of his magic as he had done today, and he was so tired that he couldn't help it when he passed out. Concern for his own safety was a mere fleeting thought, not nearly as important as the fact that Gene was now safely back at home. The last thing he heard was Cook's dismayed yell and the pounding of feet rushing in his direction.

Gene was able to hold on a little further. She felt Cook's full warm arms gathering her up and before she lost consciousness she was able to whisper in Cook's ear, "He saved me Miriam. The witch is real, and he saved me. Help him please. Keep him close to me so we can help him."

Gene probably didn't mean literally close to her, but that is what Cook did. She directed the gathering servants into bringing both unconscious bodies up the girl's room. Gene's wound was clucked over and tended too by Cook. The didn't know what was wrong with the enchanted prince; he wandered in and out of consciousness for two days, never in a really lucid enough state to be questioned.

It seemed very strange to the residents of the house that Cook insisted they be kept in the same bed, but who were they to question the only voice of authority in the household.

The twins kept unusually quiet and observant. They had heard all the rumors flying about the house that the tiny prune faced little man was actually the rightful heir to the throne. It could be said, and rightfully so, that what they were doing was plotting towards their own future. They both knew that this was a plum opportunity. They were more than willing to wait for him to wake, so they could turn on the charm and draw him away from Gene.

Gene and Popo were oblivious to the commotion they were causing because of the fact that they slept for two whole days.

All the while Cook went about preparing the house for the arrival of the Lord and Master. She had sent him an urgent missive calling him home; some vague ramblings about a cursed prince and the danger of a wicked witch.

She also had someone run to the village and warn the elders about the possible appearance of the crone.

The village was put on alert and paranoia began to abound. Everyone was looking at strangers, particularly old women as possible threats. No one, particularly the men, did much but raise an appreciative eyebrow when a young beautiful blonde walked into the village one day.

When Gene awoke on the third morning she found herself on her side facing Popo. He was awake and staring at her.

"Hi."

"Hello. How's your side?"

Gene shifted slightly and found that it was still a little tender, but nothing compared to the burning pain she had experienced on the ride home. "Better. How's your, erm... magic?"

He just gave her a bright white grin as a response.

"What are you doing in my bed again?"

"Don't know. I woke up here."

"How did you get here?"

"Don't know."

Gene pursed her lips in frustration at his noncommittal responses.

"It isn't proper, you should find elsewhere to sleep."

"I feel weak!" Popo said this in a dramatic voice and a hand to his forehead; a poor imitation of a damsel in distress.

Gene just giggled at him, and shifted onto her back gingerly. His next words wiped the smile off her face.

"Doesn't matter about proper anyway. Far as I can tell, everyone knows," he said nonchalantly.

"What?"

"Well, Cook was in here earlier and there were a couple of girls with her giggling at me. God girl, did you know you can sleep through pretty much anything?"

Gene grabbed a pillow from under her head and pushed it against her face, groaning in embarrassment.

Popo continued to watch with a big smile on his face. She was really adorable first thing in the morning. Her hair was all tousled, her eyes sparkled and her breath wasn't nearly as offensive as one would have imagined after two days of sleep. She was also extremely easy, and fun, to tease.

"Wait. What? Why didn't you stay invisible?" she asked from under the pillow. Turning to him she glared and waited for an answer.

"Well, I tried, I tried," he said defensively. "Your Cook came in and claimed she knew I was there and that there was no point in hiding because she had been caring me for two days. That's why the girls with her where giggling."

"Two days? You mean I've been sleeping for two days?"

"Both have."

"Oh my... What about Leah? We could be in danger here!" Pulling aside the blankets she gingerly stood and turned to him expectantly.

She was right, of course. He knew that there was danger. But he had been loath to think about it. Leah had literally been in his hands and he had let her go. This could all have been over, he could have been free, but he let her go. He still didn't know how it had happened.

"I suppose I should return to the forest; would keep everyone safe in the long run," he mused to himself.

Gene waved a hand in dismissal as she began to pace the length of the room. That was certainly not an option as far as she was concerned. They were safer where she knew the lay of the land; besides, how far could a blind old crone get? "Thank you for saving me, by the way. I'm indebted to you now."

Popo snorted, "Yeah, like I'm indebted to you how many times?"

She smiled weakly at him and continued pacing. "We should probably warn the village about Leah, they should be on alert. We should call Father home... he might at least be able to enlist the aid of the king. I don't know after that. How do you kill a witch?" Suddenly she stopped pacing and turned to him; there was an obviously concerned look on her face. "I need to tell you what she said to me in the forest. About the baby, about the crown, everything..." So she did, she recanted all that she could remember.

Popo was again struck by fact that such evil could reside in such a beautiful façade. To have killed her own child for mere vengeance was disturbing to say the least. He only wished he had been stronger and less of a skirt chaser in his youth; maybe then, things would have been different.

But looking at Gene he could see that there was goodness as well. She was the very image of it.

By the time Cook wandered in to check on her charges, both were once again sitting on the bed chatting like old friends. Somehow they had lost sight of the major issues and were instead talking about themselves and their families.

Popo was telling her about the time that he stolen his father's horse to race against a village bully; how he had wanted to show up the little bugger and win the respect and admiration of a girl he had a bit of a crush on. He had been all of thirteen years old. Apparently he had won the race, but had ended up getting a sound thrashing from both his father and the sixteen-year-old bully for his efforts. "But it was all worth it cause the girl was suitably impressed and she ended up giving my first real kiss... it was great, but I have to say I was shocked when she shoved her tongue in my mouth! I almost bit her if you can believe it!"

Gene giggled uncontrollably at the image of a young Popo with a sore backside and a black eye, almost biting the poor girls tongue for her efforts.

"Well, I'm sure glad to see you both up and about; and having such a grand time and all," remarked Cook as she walked in. Gene had a lovely grin and a sparkle in her eye, while the little man looked fondly on the girl. It was still kind of a shock to her to remember seeing the handsome young man shrink into the little thing he was, before her very eyes. Surely she had imagined the fine features on the lad, cause he certainly didn't look anything like a prince as he was now. The only thing that reminded her of how he was, were the bright blue eyes that turned and stared at her.

Gene blushed when she heard Cook.

Popo merely smiled and nodded at her.

"So what were the two of you giggling about when I walked in here?" she asked casually.

"Nothing." Both replied.

Cook merely raised an eyebrow and smiled indulgently at them both. "Your father should be home today. I sent for him when you raced out of here the other day... And you should know that the village is out on the look out for the witch. Not that they'll know what to do about her if she should come, but at least we'll have warning. And you should also be aware that there is something up with those sisters of yours; they've been unnaturally quiet and complacent since the incident in the barn. They're planning something those two... mark my words! I'm sure as sure can be that whatever it is it won't be good. I've also washed your riding habit Gene, so you have something decent to wear!" The last of her comments had been given with a pointed stare, which made Gene blush all the more and stand once again from the bed.

Popo took the hint and jumped off the bed. As he passed Cook he quickly stretched himself to human form and gave the startled lady a hug and a kiss on the cheek. He was fully aware of the reaction he was going to get, and since he liked the big woman he figured it would be fun to tease her.

"Thank you kind lady, for taking such good care of me, and your sweet little charge. I promise nothing untoward has happened since we have been in your charge..." Then giving her a sly wink he whispered so only Cook could hear, "yet!"

Then he shrank and sauntered off, whistling a little ditty as he went to look for something to eat.

Cook was left sputtering in the doorway.

Gene had no idea what Popo had said as he departed, but it had left Miriam sputtering and blushing like a teenager. She was about to question her, when the lady in question turned to her and said, "You watch yourself around that one! Never met more of a flirt in my whole life. Remember you're a good girl, Gene. I KNOW he's very handsome, but he's a wicked one, and you don't want to be left with a whelp in your belly when he decides he's done playing with us."

Gene was afraid she was going to turn permanently red in the face from all the hot blushing she had done this afternoon. It was not like her to get so flustered. She couldn't help but be embarrassed by Cook's words, and the hot memories that came flooding back to her of Popo lying between her legs giving her a taste of sinful and wicked pleasure not too many days ago.

It was no secret that Popo, or Patrick as he had been referred to by Cook's tale, had plenty of experience as a rogue. He knew how to tease and torment in a good way; he certainly knew how to arouse her passions. When he was out to seduce he was certainly a charming man. And boy did he know how to kiss your breath away!'

Not knowing how to respond to Cook, she instead decided to focus on the other information she had imparted. "Thank you Miriam, for summoning Father and contacting the elders. Popo and I were just discussing doing that. I'm glad to know you have been vigilant about our safety and that of the village. As for Greta and Gertrude... There is no doubt in my mind that they have something wicked planned, but that certainly isn't news. They do so love to torment me, so why would now be any different? Did I tell you that Greta took my locket?"