Into The Woods

True to her word, Ella set about arranging the picnic for her and Felix for the following afternoon. In fact, it took most of that evening and the next morning preparing everything she wished to. The kitchen staff was more than accommodating, and with the help of a few servants to locate the other items she'd planned to bring, Ella was ready to meet with Felix for their afternoon sojourn. She had even walked through the grounds near the castle to find just the right spot.

( She had high hopes for the afternoon...definitely too high, she told herself firmly. )

Felix leaned forward in the saddle, giving Stomper his head and letting him run at his own pace. And the horse was not at all interested in keeping it at a trot. He'd been missing the regular runs he used to get before the prince got married. Bluntly, so did Felix. So he grinned at the wind blowing through his hair, and encouraged Stomper to a greater speed.

Though, truly, it wasn't as though he was going to be ( late for his meeting. )

Ella had almost made it outside her quarters before the retinue stopped her. With a good-natured smile, albeit of chagrin, she turned back to the ladies that the Queen had insisted she employ for her needs. Goodness, her needs? Ella managed not to gawk at that. What needs could she possibly have? It turned out quite a few, if her ladies were to be believed. Ella could never put her hair just right; her dress was always wrong for the activity she chose; it was far too early or too late or too close to this meeting or that audience to go out....if it wasn't so delightfully funny, Ella might have protested. Instead, she just humored all of them and let them do as they pleased with her. They did know better, after all.

( Sweet freedom.. )

Captain James Hook stepped off his ship and onto the docks. He held himself as proudly s ever as he scanned this new port. It did not seem too different from any other port his ship had ever called upon. But there was one very, very big difference. This port was not in England or Neverland. This was a new place, a new land. ( A place for a new beginning. )