The Wooden Heart Editing

Chapter 18

A/N: AND IT'S COMPLETELY DONE! After three years of writing and editing this, it finally looks like the novel I've planned in my head! I'm a bit iffy about this, but I'll wait for the review before I rewrite it, I might just being hard on myself too much

Now, if you didn't see my profile yet, I took down Chrisom Roses because a lot of things in the older version won't make sense with everything I changed in WH, so I need to rewrite the earlier chapters before I can go back to the meat of the story. And if any of my readers are Star vs the forces of Evil fans, can you tell me who Avery aand Fritz are based off of?

Disclaimer:

I do not claim the original fairy tale, but WH's plot and characters belong to me. Any famous songs, TV show/movies/books and manga names, and brands that are mentioned in this work belong to their rightful owners.

Willa Field

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Epilogue:

A New Beginning:

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Weeks passed as the young couple happily, and slowly, merged together as they did as children. For the time in a long time, things were finally feeling normal for Maddie. She didn't feel like an alien among the humans, the blonde finally felt as if she truly belonged after years worrying that she would never belong anywhere again:

But soon, the blonde wanted to meet both her own Fate and the Fate meet the man that changed their lives forever, the one that saved her past life's mate to reassure she would see him again. Maddie still wasn't sure how to feel about the Faen angels after learning what they let happen to Maria, but she was raised well enough to give thanks when it was needed.

"Are you sure you want to meet yours, though, kisu*? We can just go see Avers." Russel questioned her one day as the group ate their lunch, unsure that he wanted his flower facing something that might upset her. But this question earned him a wary sigh as she grabbed ahold of his hand softly.

"Honey, I love you, but this is not something that you can protect me from. I'll have to learn about Maria sooner or later, I'd like it to be sooner rather than later. Besides, if mine is anything like Avery, it'll be fine." Maddie soothed, spooning a bite of the hot soup into her mouth while she rolled her eyes as Russel's expression twisted even more worried.

"But hon, I don't—"

"Oh, Russy, shush. She's a big girl, she can do anything. Besides, we'll be there with her; I don't think the Fates would be so cruel."

Russel pouted deeply, but he knew he shouldn't fight against her; he knew better than that. Maddie might be still shy, however, the brunette has seen her grow over the weeks and there was no way to change her mind about something like this, though he would have loved to. So, he just sighed in defeat and went back to his own lunch, knowing this would be hard.

And so, days later when the school was close; the six young adults walked along each other in silence, three wore beautiful pure white dresses and the others were in solid black suits. No one knew what to say, too nervous to speak. The four royals were soon meeting the one who brought this fate onto them.

The seconds that passes, every single one, only adds more fear in the fairy princess's heart, she almost crushes the hand she is holding onto with every beat of her heart. It scared her to her core that she was about to meet the people who unwillingly put Maria into an abusive human family, which carried over to her new life with her careful attitude through everything she did. However, she also knew that the Fates weren't all bad and she shouldn't be worrying over this so much. Still, it filled her with anxiety about the Angels of Da Fae:

"I'm so nervous, guys." She whispers into the quiet, causing her friends' heads to snap up, and confusion written nearly across their faces. Why would she be nervous? They understood the feeling, but there was no reason to be on her part, the Fates wouldn't harm her in anyway once they knew her and love her. She has that effect on people.

"Just breathe, hon. They are actually very nice. Maybe a bit, uh, misguided with some young charges, but they really do care about their charges." Alicia smiled soothingly, which was answered with another nervous lip bite before she moved her blues to the big window with her leg shaking anxiously.

This brought grins to their faces, only one thought ran through their minds: She is too cute for words.

"Kisu, I might not be a fan of this plan, but I can tell you that—with Avery around—the Fates won't say a word beyond we want to know and what we need to know. There is to be scare of, I'll be right there at your side." Russel eased her burning worry just by saying that, lifting her small hand to his lips just when the maid walked in, smiling at the big group comfortingly as her tanned hand waved them forward.

The time has come, they all gulped, they're next. Although most of them dealt with the Fates before, it still was frightening to face something bigger than yourself.

But, their bravery drove them to move slowly to the double doors, letting one hand link with each other's as the group was led deeper in the room. Their heartbeats, merging into one single rhythmic melody against the bare walls, were the only sound they could.

They walked until they reached the middle of the room, hearing curious whispers faded in as the group watched Avery and an average-looking brunette male approached them; a smile was placed onto Avery's kind face but the young man looked as stern as a father.

Rolling her eyes at his expression, Avery then turned her blues to the handicapped woman sitting in the middle with a shy frown on her own face.

"You must be Princess Madison, correct?" She asked, smiling softly, flowing down to them as her partner stayed in the air, unsure as to what he should do.

Maddie stared at the older creature for what seemed forever before nodding slowly, taking her bottom lip in-between her teeth:

"Yes, madam Avery, I'm the princess. I've come here today to thank you and talk to him, I guess." She replied quietly, turning her gaze to the silent unnamed man, quickly returning it to the woman when his icy greens to meet her eyes.

Why must I be so freaking shy at times like this? She scolded herself, clicking her tongue displeased that she could be intimidated by a mere man as she wiggled under his sterner gaze.

"Ah, I see. Well, then you're welcome, hon. I just did my duty to my lovely charge. Did you know that she almost gave up her mate for you?"

"WHAT?" Maddie gasped loudly, whipping around to meet Locia's horrified wide eyes.

"Avery! What the f*****g hell? Why are you being so mean?! Maddie didn't need to know that!"

As the others argued between each other, Avery's giggles mixing with it; Maddie's mind went down a path she didn't want to go on because she was going back the same place she was when her parents and she moved to Japan:

All the negative feelings crushed her under their weight like that time; guilt mixed with sadness, longing with regrets, and anger at herself for making Locia keep that promise when she was Maria. She knew it ended great, but to know that her big sister was willing to go that far just to ensure she would see her own mate again is the most difficult thing to come to terms with. That thought echoed within the walls of her mind as tears fell from her cheeks.

Maddie was slowly drowning in the thoughts just when a booming voice roared throughout the room, cutting both the fighting and the screaming thoughts in the blonde's head. Her head snapped to the tall, intimidating silver-haired young man as he came down to her, hugging the small fairy to his chest

"Avery! Drop the f*****g act! She already has issues, I don't need you adding to them by guilting her!" The young Fate growled out before turning his attention onto the girl in his arms with a gentle glint shining behind his cold gaze.

"I'm sorry for my friend, she's actually very caring, she just gets too cocky for her own. Please don't cry, I've always hated when you cried." Fritz stroked her hair, the young woman widened her blues at his actions, hoping that Russel wasn't about to launch the Fate half way across the room with all growls she was hearing behind:

Avery grinned widely, lowering herself to Russel to hold him back as she giggled devilishly. This would be very fun, the older blonde mused amusedly to herself, watching the scene in front of her as she spotted a blush danced upon the other blonde's cheeks before speaking up to tease her partner.

"Finally, the great Fritz spoke up! Geez F, you're always too shy for your own good. You know they won't bite. Well, maybe not this one, he is quite angry with you." The male Fate rolled his eyes at that, pushing Maddie towards her mate.

"Don't tease them, Avers," Fritz scolded gently, smiling at Russel to soothe his jealously before turning back to his partner, "I swear, you're impossible sometimes. Now, we have a job to do. You know we need to tell them everything."

"Oh, you're no fun. But, very well. Back to work it is then." She relented as she flew to another room, humming cheerfully while the group there in shocked silence.

Why must they have this crazy woman as a mentor? Each of them asked themselves as they let their eyes follow the energetic blonde.

Young Fritz sighed deeply, rubbing his face; he loved her, but Avery was too playful at times, and for a Fate it doesn't look very well.

He remembered when the Elders not only assigned her as his Dwa*, but his mate. He had thought they went mad the first time they had met where the bubbly blonde pulled him into a big hug, screaming that they were going to have so much fun, but then Fritz melted under her sweet, bubbly attitude and realized why he was chosen for both her partner and mate:

He would balance her out, calming her when it was needed. However, his butterfly would bring him out of his hard shell and shined a bright light into his life. And that bond proved to be an excellent assent to both of their charges; Avery was still this ball of energy, but she knew when Locia needed her to be calm, and Fritz was still coolly calm and in control, but she taught him that although it was good to not show emotions when they needed a calm hand, it was also necessary to be like a parent to them. Gentle, but firm, loving, but strict. And finally, fun but careful.

And that lesson shined through while the sliverette turned to his charge with a gentle smile fixed to his face.

"First, let me introduce myself properly before Russel attacks me. I am Fritz Weber and I am Madison's and Adam's Fate." That earned him a gasp and some growls from the men. The young man lifted a hand to silence the disapproving sounds:

"I know, a Fate assigned to a Fairy AND a Rat? But it does happen sometimes and I'm sorry for his actions. Although, I can reassure you, he could be a great ally."

"You are kidding, right? If you wanted him to be good, why did you guide him down that path? For that matter, why did you place Maria in the care of those sick monsters?" Russel and Jasper's voices mixed together as they came to block Maddie from Fritz's view. Again, Fritz breathed an annoyed sigh before he opened his mouth to explain his kind's mistakes, but his lovely butterfly's voice beat him to the punch.

"Unlike the stories, we don't choose their parents, sweetie. And just because we try our best to guide our charges onto the right path, sometimes the darkness wins out." She grunted out as she carried a heavy book to a table.

The young man rushed over to help her place the book down and flipped to a page. She smiled at him, touching his cheek before she turned back to the scowling men and flowed to them to place a hand on their shoulder.

"I know it is hard to believe, but it's true. I don't know why the Elders allowed the rumors, but that's all they are, rumors." The blonde stated, rubbing their arms soothingly before she backed away from the friends as she waved Maddie forward:

"Now, I have something to show you guys. It might help you in the future, come on." She said sweetly, turning the book towards the blonde and pushed it to her as she smiled reassuringly when the other blonde's face twisted into a doubtful expression.

She wasn't sure that she wanted to know what the ancient-looking book held, but she had to admit she was a bit curious of why Avery wanted her to read this one book. So, with one more deep sigh, Maddie pulled the novel closer to her, reading the first page. Then, a gasp escaped her lips as she stared down with shocked wide eyes.

"Is this a book of Earth fairy tales? No, wait, my story's…."

"Yes, your story is. This book is from Earth, yes, but it was written from our legends here." She chuckled, coming around to stand by her side, leaning on the table as she smirked while the rest of the group raced forward:

"But, how is possible? I thought Da Fae is hidden from humans, a world for lost toys and we protect them." Russel questioned the male Fate, raising a brow.

He grinned widely, snatching a cheek before he leaned forward, his grin widened.

"Our legends are just fairy tales to humans, but our Muses—"

"Wait, we have Muses, like the Greek goddesses of inspiration?"

"Bingo, but they are more like pixies than their goddess twins. Anyways, Muses whispered to some humans from around the world and fairy tales are born."

The young teachers shared a glance, the information ringing in their minds. So, the stories that they heard as children were real and was their stories? The world of toys was the stage of the stories? That was just crazy. Just the fact the girls' first love stories were either their own or their friend's and the boys' first adventure tales were their own tale. It was so crazy.

The blonde shook her head to free herself and moved her blues, c*****g her head in curiosity as she pointed to the book.

"But, why did you show us this? Not that I didn't like to learn this."

With a smile placed on her lips, Avery turned to a page and tapped it.

"These two, honey."

Maddie raised her brow at that looking around for a moment before she moved her eyes down as she took her lip between her teeth. After a few moments passed, a gasp filled the room as Maddie let out a growl, snapping her blues up back to Avery's blues.

"Are you kidding me? You want me to help him? No way in hell, I am not helping that monster. He KIDNAPPED me, for the love of God!" The blonde shouted, violently pushing the book away with disgust in her chest.

Russel pulled her to him, soothing her as he leaned over the book to find out why his kisu was so upset. As soon as the brunette took the words in, he growled through his teeth. They wanted them to help the one who caused them to be reborn? Russel knew that they had a duty to the other beings, but this was just insane to think they would agree to help the evil king.

"Ok, you're officially insane if you think we're helping Adam." He sneered deeply as he tightened his hold on his flower, as if he was shielding Maddie from the crazy Fates' plans:

The Fates shared a worried glance, biting their lips. They both knew that they would react like this and it was understandable, but the Fates had the feeling that they would be a great ally in the healing of Adam. They breathed a deep sigh, lifting their hands in surrender:

"Look, we know that it might be hard to see right now, but he could be a great friend now. He wouldn't be the Rat King anymore. However, you don't have to worry that right now. This is the one you need to worry about." Avery pointed at the other page, titled Seaute snd da Beast. Maddie scowled, gripping the book as she read the story while her expression softened, moving her eyes up:

"Okay, miss, you win. Who's the Beauty?" She whispered, putting the novel on the table. Avery smiled, patting her hand.

"Thank you, sweetie. Russel actually knows her." Avery looked at him, causing the brunette to raise an eyebrow. The woman chuckled as she sat on the table, grinning wide.

"You are her teacher."

"I am?" Russel required, crossing his arms as the Wolf c****d his head in question.

"Think about it, Russel. She is like Maddie when she was Maria and she was taken by cruel consequences. Who did you just think of?"

Russel's eyes widen as an image of a pretty, curly gingered girl danced across his mind. It can't be, he doubted while his eyes moved over the page, frowning deeply. Was he really that blind to the outside world? He would like to think that he always has been there for his students, but his mind was elsewhere to see the horrible truth. He wasn't.

He shuddered as he thought, thinking back to the first time Willa wheeled into the small classroom with her baggy clothing and sitting away from her friends, even when she wanted to. His heart broke for the girl and he hated himself for not seeing the abuse she was suffering from:

"That poor girl, I didn't see…." Russel lamented, touching the book's page as tears hit it. Now, it was Maddie's turn to comfort while her mouth open to question.

"What do you need us to do, madam? I know we will do anything to help her come back to her true home." The young woman smiled sadly at her mate, rubbing his back as they waited for the Fate's reply.

The blonde Fate smiled proudly as she leaned toward the younger blonde, tapping her chin up to meet her eyes with a gentler smile spread over her face:

"Just be there for her as she finds her way back."

The young woman smiled warmly, nodding slow. Although she still was fighting the idea of Adam being redeemed, she will do anything to heal her new home. To bring everyone home that belongs. She had grown into the woman everyone knew she was fated to be:

Understanding, brave, strong, sweet, a fighter, a friend.

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THE END…..FOR NOW