Happily Never After A Witches Tale

Destiny Is A Funny Thing

As I entered the main corridor I felt all the eyes of the Witch clan look on me. I wasn't scared of their looks but only of one my Grandmother Willow. I didn't want to disappoint her after my mother died she had to stay Queen even when she came of age to retire the crown I always felt it was my fault. From stories I had been told Grandmother Willow once loved the story of our people and had great hope for us all but once my mother passed she had become unsure. She still loved our people but it was as if my mothers death took her hope away.

"Ah, my beautiful Willa are you ready to find out what Mother Earth has in stored for you?" Grandmother Willow asked in her all knowing voice. Some people said she could predict the future but I wasn't sure if that was true. If it had been I probably would have never been born she would have saved her daughter. But here I was like a thorn in her side the reason her daughter died.

"I am ready," I said my voice sounding more sure than my heart and mind felt. Stepping up to her and her open hand I placed mine in hers and she gave my hand a small squeeze that surprised me. Grandmother Willow never was unkind to me but she always had seemed distant, Aunt Wisteria told me I just looked like my mother and it was hard for Grandmother Willow. We made the small walk to the moon flower.

The moon flower was beautiful. It's white petals twisted forming points that resembled a star. "Place your hands on the stem of the flower," Grandmother Willow told me loud enough for everyone to hear. I did as she said and placed both hands on the flowers stem. "Now repeat after me," Grandmother Willow said and waited till I nodded letting her know I understood. "Mother Earth I come to thee with and open heart and open mind," Grandmother Willow said and I repeated. " I ask to be the chosen one with royal blood to be your next Queen," she finished and I repeated after her.

As soon as I said Queen I gasped along with everyone in the room as the moon flower began to untwist and bloom before all of our eyes the sign that said that Mother Earth accepted me as her next Queen. The moon flower seemed to shine and was even more beautiful opened. It reminded me of the bottom of a sand dollar that I had seen in pictures and even tried to find as a kid.

"I am proud to welcome Princess Willa Song," Grandmother Willow told the Witches who were now forming a line to meet me. I looked over at my grandmother and she actually looked proud I managed to catch her eyes and I seen love for the first time. I felt my heart warm I would continue to make her proud as long as I never lost that look of love in her eyes.

My face hurt from smiling by the time I was welcomed by the last member of our clan and I was glad it was over until Grandmother Willow announced it was time for me to dance. I groaned quietly trying hard not to be heard. All the boys 16 and up began to form a line to dance with me. One by one they swirled me around the main hall and my legs and face became even more tired. Luckily none of them were to grabby though a few boys mentioned how compatible we would be once I turned 18.

When the dancing was finally over and all the Witches began leaving heading to the dens Grandmother Willow walked up beside me and surprised me yet again when she took my hand. "I am glad it was you who Mother Earth chose," she stated and before I could thank her she began again. " I know I haven't always been the best Grandmother and it is not because I do not love you or that I blame you for your mothers death though I am sure that is what you must think," she went on I simply nodded and waited for her to continue. "Your mother knew she would die giving birth to you but she told me you would bring great things and so I tried to let you become the woman you are supposed to be without interfering or pushing you to be the woman your mom knew you'd be I never wanted you to feel pressured to be anyone more than you are." I felt the unwanted tears run down my face my Grandmother loved me and believed in me. It is what I have always wanted to hear.

Grandmother Willow hugged me then whispered in my ear, "meet me in the garden alone tomorrow morning we have much to discuss," and with that she turned and left leaving me crying alone in the main corridor. I found myself walking to my room without thinking and laying down fully dressed and instantly falling asleep leaving tomorrow and all its new troubles out of my mind.