by Sarah Earlene Shere, ©2023
(Aug. 11, 2023) — [See Part 1 of this story here.]
Kneeling in the churchyard, between his parents’ graves, Elian smiled at a harmless spider, hard at work on a large web that was hanging between the two headstones, glistening in the evening dew. “Keeping my parents together even in death, I see.”
“All God’s creatures faithfully perform the tasks for which they were created. Although, I don’t believe a spider can keep lovers together ‘even in death’. The Creator’s design of immortal souls and true love are responsible for that. Still, you have a lovely thought, and that IS a magnificent web!”
Elian had spun around and stared in disbelief at the marmalade cat who was actually talking to him! Percy, the cat, hopped up onto a hollow log and calmly licked his paw, before combing it over his head. “You needn’t fear. You’re not dreaming, and not all cats know your every secret and can blab it all around. You see, I’m a very special, loyal breed. We can talk, sing, dance; some of us shape shift, outwit ogres and have a stunning sense of fashion. I think that’s why I first decided you would be my human: you have an amazing eye for putting cloth together to make something exquisite!
“But enough of the compliments, we have much to do if we’re going to get you to that ball tonight,” looking up at the clock tower at the center of the village, “Yes, if we hurry we can get you there with plenty of time to woo Princess Charmaine before midnight. Oh, you must be home by midnight. That’s when all curses and spells are always broken, you know.”
Percy hurried to Elian’s side and gave a quizzical expression. “You do want to go to the ball, don’t you, and befriend that girl you can’t stop talking to me about, don’t you?”
Elian blinked and shook his head, as if coming out of a trance, “Um, well, yes!”
“Then don’t ask ‘How?’ when your wishes are coming true! We’ll need some things to make this work. First, a few mice. Oh, don’t look at me like that. Please, eating mice is so beneath me. But those skitterish creatures are very clever and fast. They’ll make fine horses to pull- Hmm. But what shall we use for them to pull?”
“A pumpkin?”
“Really? Let’s try to be a little more creative. Never mind. I’ll think of something. Meanwhile, you go home and bring me back that sketch you’re hiding of your dream outfit. Your current clothes will transform nicely enough. But what about the gloves…Ah, yes! Let’s use that beautiful web we’re both so fond of.”