Princess and the Pea Chapter 28

Chapter 28:
Queen Lily fainted. She collapsed over, her eyes rolling into the back of her head. Prince Samson caught her. “Mother, are you alright?”
Fiona smiled apologetically. “I’m sorry,” she said.
King Henry pulled out his sword. “You there, witch girl,” he snarled. “Don’t you come a step closer.”
Marilynn chuckled. “King Henry, it’s alright. You don’t have to worry. She’s our…She’s our friend.”
“A friend? Princess, are you mad? Making friends with a witch, you say. Seriously, now.” He did not put back his sword.
Prince Samson rolled his eyes. Marilynn did seem to give people the impression of being mad. “Yes, seriously. The princess is telling the truth. You may withdraw your sword now, Father.”
Prince Samson gently laid his mother down on the ground, and then stood up straight and rubbed his hands together.
Fiona looked rather nervous. How was she going to communicate with these people who didn’t trust her? She would rely on innocence, she decided.
“Like I said, I can help you,” she began. “I’m not like the other witches. I don’t believe in Helen’s plan.”
Queen Sandra looked Fiona up and down. “Yes, I can see that. You are definitely different. First of all,” Sandra raised her eyebrows. “You are much skinnier and paler than the others. How much have you been eating these days?”
Fiona narrowed her eyes slightly, but kept her calm. “I am not here to be judged, ma’am,” she worded carefully. “I am here to be of some guidance.”
Marilynn smiled. She admired Fiona’s assertiveness. “Oh, we know that, silly,” she laughed. “They are just over-cautious. I trust you. And even if they all don’t believe you, I do.”
Fiona was amazed by her words. No one had ever trusted her before. Linda had mistreated her, and Helen had whipped her whenever she had her suspicions about her loyalty…Which was often.
“We’d like to rest a bit first,” Marilynn said. “Why don’t you join us?” She looked around. “There are some nice fig trees here, so after we pick some, why don’t you have a few? We need to be in top condition in order to fight Helen Crosby.”
She paused, looking meaningfully at Fiona. “That’s when we’ll need your help.”

-Vociferously yours, Vicky.