Eleven years have passed, and Alexander, Xander to those who know him well, is thriving. He and Bluebie live together, happily, as adopted mother and son. Over the years, she has not only taught him charms and small spells of protection, but she has also taught him responsibility, manners, compassion, and many more valuable traits for a young man. Xander has grown handsome and strong, his dark eyes shining in candlelight while his curly light hair shines in the sun. The only stroke of sadness they'd had was when Amora died; Bluebie had stopped giving her the aging suppressors upon Xander's request- he wanted her to live a more normal life. He didn't think that a cat's psyche could handle aging mentally but not physically. Soon, she birthed kittens, but only two of the six survived. Not long after that, Amora passed too. They still have her kittens, whom they named Tulip and Rose.
Xander is also betrothed- well, not exactly. He is courting a young lady from the village, but they are not betrothed quite yet. Her name is Elise, and the only reason he hasn't married her is because her father absolutely hates him. Once he found out that Xander was raised by a witch, it was all over. However, they still meet in secret, and dreamily make plans to run away together. In fact, that's what Xander is doing right at this very moment.
"Won't you miss Bluebie? And your kittens?" asks Elise, when Xander suggests that they run away for the hundredth time. Laying in the grass beside her, he glances sideways at his betrothed.
"Well, yes, but I'd give it all up for you. Wouldn't you miss your mother and infant brother?" he asks in return. She rolls over and props herself up on her elbows, grinning at him.
"What, you don't think I'd also miss my father?" she gasps in mock offense. Xander shrugs.
"I suppose not. He is the one keeping you from me-" he starts, but is cut off when Elise playfully slaps at his cheek. They lay under one of the many oak trees on the edge of her village. It's far enough that no one would see them, but near enough that if someone were to call her back, she could return quickly. The sky is darkening into a deep purple as the sun begins to disappear over the horizon. Xander takes a moment to admire her. Elise's golden hair shines bright in any lighting, and her blue eyes are more striking than the sky. Her skin is fair in contrast to his, which is very tanned. She mostly stays inside with her mother, while Xander is almost always outside. They'd been there for what seemed like hours, and Xander is surprised that no one has called her home yet. Instantly, he mentally reprimands himself for jinxing it, but it's too late. A distant voice can be heard from the direction of the village.
"Elise! The sun is down, come back here at once!" it calls. Xander sighs and groans. Elise grins sadly and stands, smoothing down her cotton dress. Xander stands as well and bends to give her hand a kiss before saying goodnight. She grins, causing Xander's heart to flutter, as always. As she hurriedly returns home, Xander thinks to himself the same thing he had every day since he met her: I'm going to marry that girl.
When Xander enters the cabin in which he and Bluebie live, Bluebie is standing in the kitchen, an unhappy look on her face.
"I do believe that we agreed you'd be home before sundown?" she says expectantly. Xander, whose head is still full of Elise, nods solemnly and apologizes.
"If it happens again, then you have to find your own food for a whole day. And I mean it this time. Now, come eat your supper." she says sternly. Xander nods and sits at their small table. Despite her threats, Bluebie had said the same thing the last couple times he'd missed his curfew, so he didn't take it too seriously. After eating for a few moments in silence, Xander speaks.
"I'm going to do it tomorrow, Bluebs," he says excitedly, "I'm going to ask Elise's father for her hand in marriage!" Bluebie's eyes widen and she grins.
"That's great, hon! If you want, you can make a luck charm after supper to bring with you tomorrow," she says, though she knows that Elise's father will never agree to it. She doesn't say anything about it, however. She doesn't want to discourage him to try. Xander nods happily and turns back to his stew, seemingly enjoying every bite. Bluebie silently hopes that Elise's father isn't too harsh with him tomorrow.
The next morning, Xander says goodbye to Bluebie as he leaves the small cabin, luck charm and handmade ring in his hand. He's wearing the nicest shirt he owns; one that Bluebie bought for him at a Yule market last year. Elise's village is fairly newly settled- it hadn't been there when he'd escaped those years ago. It takes about ten minutes to walk there. Normally, he jogs or even runs this length, so he can see Elise faster, but today he walks. He tells himself it's because he wants more time to rehearse his 'let your daughter marry me' speech, but really, it's because he's extremely nervous.
When he arrives at her village, he walks right up to Elise's house. Before knocking on her door, he shakes his small luck charm. Bluebie says that it activates them. Taking a deep breath, he finally knocks. Elise's mother answers the door, holding her son in one arm. She looks like Elise in 20 years. He smiles at her, but she just looks at him.
"May I speak to your husband?" he asks, as politely as possible. Before she can respond, Elise's father shoves in front of her.
"What do you want, witch boy?" he asks, annoyed. He's taller and stronger than Xander, and he's suddenly gripped with fear. He bows his head in respect, taking a breath as he does so.
"Mr. Sherwood," he says, looking him in the eyes, "I would humbly request your daughter's hand in marriage. I have several skills and am guaranteed a well-paying job in Eastfor. Elise is the love of my life and I would do anything for her." He holds up the ring he made. Mr. Sherwood is emotionless, save for his perpetually furrowed brow. Xander searches his face for some sign of what he'll say, but he's impossible to read. After what feels like years of terrible, horrible, silence, Mr. Sherwood says,
"Really, witch boy? You think I'd let you have my girl? You must be dumber than you look. That's what you get for being raised by a witch. Get out of here, freak." He slams the door in Xander's face. He can hear hushed arguing from inside. He has half a mind to kick the door down and demand that he allow it, but that wouldn't do anything but get himself beat up and make Elise upset with him. Rage and sorrow fight for dominance over his emotions as he makes his way home, moping. However, as he approaches the cabin, he sees Bluebie, at least 20 feet away, doubled over. As he gets closer, he realizes that she's vomiting profusely.