Eleanor and the Three Kingdoms
Once upon a time, very long ago indeed, there lived a young woman named Eleanor. Eleanor was a very talented seamstress whose work was adored by many. She made ball gowns, wedding dresses and even funeral attire for nearly everyone in her village. It didn't matter what kind of material you brought to her, Eleanor could make a masterpiece out of anything.
She lived alone in a little village of farmers and merchants. Every night Eleanor spent hours perfecting her latest creations so that every day she could set up her little dress shop in front of her cottage. They came throughout the day to barter whatever they could for one of Eleanor's dresses; some women brought fabric, some brought food, some brought needles and thread and so on and so forth. The women arrived early so that they could spend the entire day showing off their new dresses around the village. Eleanor lacked nothing and lived happily doing what she loved.
The village was a little ways away from three different Kingdoms; one in the North, one in the East and one in the South. In one of these Kingdoms lived a princess who loved buying new dresses from seamstresses all across her own land. But lately, none of them have been able to impress her. Every dress the seamstresses brought made her turn her nose up and boredly wave it away. Even her favorite dress maker Beatrice disappointed her time after time.
Beatrice was respected throughout the Kingdom for creating the most worn royal attire. But it has been months since the princess had purchased anything and Beatrice's reputation was suffering.
Soon talk of Eleanor's talent reached Beatrice's ears. Other seamstresses gossiped of Eleanor's creations eclipsing Beatrice's own. That was the final straw. Beatrice found out through the web of weavers in the Kingdom that Eleanor didn't even live there, she lived in one of the outside villages to the West.
One night Beatrice took a horse and rode out of the Kingdom and into Eleanor's village. Under the cover of darkness and a large yellow cloak, Beatrice searched for Eleanor's cottage. She searched for hours and hours and inspected house after house but eventually, she came upon Eleanor's cottage and dress shop in the heart of the village. Beatrice tied her horse to a tree and crept up to the open window of the shop. Inside next to a roaring fire stood Eleanor and her mannequin. On the table next to them were her sewing kit, machine and yards of fabric.
Beatrice's face turned red from the anger bubbling inside her.
What happened next however, stopped her anger in its place. Under the glow of the fire Eleanor sang to the utensils before her.
Weave your pattern, needle and thread,
Bring forth the vision clear.
Cut and measure, Scissors and ruler
Bring forth the vision clear.
Drape and tether, lace or leather,
Bring forth the vision clear
The two women watched as each tool came to life. The scissors cut the fabric on their own, the needle thread itself and pieces of fabric draped across the mannequin. Beatrice watched with wonder as each tool created the most beautiful white dress she had ever seen from scratch. Magic! She realized.
For three nights Beatrice observed Eleanor's 'work' and for three nights her rage grew.
"Why does she deserve such glory?" Beatrice thought, "She's not even the one doing the work. It's the sewing kit. Their magic has made her successful."
Beatrice mumbled and grumbled, grimaced and groaned each day. She watched poor unknowing fools exchange their goods with a fraud and could no longer stand it. So, on the third night Beatrice waited until Eleanor packed her sewing kit away into a chest of drawers and went off to bed. Very quietly she crept in through the window, stole the kit from its place, crept back outside and rode off to her home.
The next morning, Eleanor rose early as she always did. She bathed and ate and chose her favorite blue dress to wear for the day. She took the ribbons from her curly brown hair and tied it all neatly just above the nape of her neck. As the rooster crowed Eleanor opened up her shop. For hours Eleanor traded her dresses for goods and soon the day came to an end. Eleanor closed up shop and had her tea. Then, as always Eleanor gathered everything she needed for a night of sewing, save for the sewing kit which she always placed down last. But when Eleanor opened the chest of drawers she found her sewing kit gone! Eleanor tore her way through her home in search of the kit. She threw things all about, flipped them over and pushed them aside. Her cottage looked as if a whirlwind had struck it. Eleanor searched desperately until her body gave up early into the morning. She helplessly collapsed into a heap on the floor in front of the roaring fire and cried her poor eyes out. She cried until well past the rooster's crow and people were lining up outside her shop's door. Patrons peaked inside the window and saw Eleanor crying on the floor surrounded by clutter. They tried calling out to her to no avail. Eleanor's neighbor Mrs Quickly thought it best to call the sheriff to check in on Eleanor and the others agreed.
With three thunderous knocks on the door the Sheriff announced himself. He pushed his way into Eleanor's cottage leaving the door open for all to see inside. Eleanor raised her head to him with tears running down her face and begged him to help her.
"Please," she said, "someone has stolen my sewing kit. You must find it!"
The Sheriff couldn't bear to see Eleanor sad, no one could. She was always so happy and kind to everyone and she had made his daughter's favorite dress. So the Sheriff went from home to home searching them all for Eleanor's sewing kit. All the while Eleanor wept away in her cottage.
One night the Sheriff came back with a man who lived on the outskirts of the village. Down by the intersection where the roads to the three Kingdoms met. He told Eleanor all he had told the Sheriff; a short account of a woman wearing a large yellow cloak who rode into the village empty handed and stayed for a few nights before she left. Except on the last night she left holding a parcel, out of which fell a small pair of scissors. The Sheriff handed the pair of scissors he took from the man over to Eleanor. Who quickly inspected them. At first glance they appear to be like any other pair of scissors. But if you look as closely as Eleanor did you would notice a tiny engraved "E" near the tip of each blade.
Eleanor held the scissors close to her chest and thanked the two men for their aid.
In an unexpected change, Eleanor informed the Sheriff that his search needn't continue any longer.
"I've been too emotional, it's only a silly old sewing kit, you see. No reason to bother about it anymore," she said and scurried back home.
The two men scratched at their beards as they went their separate ways. They were pleased with themselves for finding the scissors but confused from how quickly it was all rendered pointless.
Back in her cottage, with only a candle lit, Eleanor packed a sac for herself. She had no intention of forgetting her beloved sewing kit as she led on to the Sheriff. In fact, Eleanor has come up with a plan. The lovely man who has returned her scissors mentioned the thief rode through the village to the intersection where the roads to the three Kingdoms met. None of the three Kingdoms are far away in any direction and if Eleanor rode her horse, Starlight and packed enough supplies, she could find the woman in the big yellow cloak and retrieve her sewing kit without causing too much fuss.
At first light Eleanor locked up her cottage and rode to the outskirts of the village. The thin layer of light coating the world illuminated a sign at the cross-roads. At the top of the pole were three arrows, one pointed up for the Eastern Kingdom, one pointed left for the Northern Kingdom and one pointed right for the Southern Kingdom. Eleanor chose to go to the Northern Kingdom first as it was closest.
Eleanor had never been to any of the Kingdoms before. But, she had heard stories. The Northern Kingdom was a mining Kingdom, known for the fine jewels its people harvested from the vast mines. The miners, however, detested their job. All day, from sun up til sun down and sometimes later they were whacking away at those mines in search of precious jewels for their King. Most of the jewels went to the King's private jewelry room; a room that glittered and shone from roof to floor as the jewels decorated every surface. Instead of carrying out his royal duties the King spent most of his time in this room in awe of what he had made. The people grew resentful over time; there was even an attempted usurping. But that was quickly squashed and not another complaint from the people was heard again. Outsiders do not usually travel to this Kingdom in fact, they are warned against it, but Eleanor needed to find her sewing kit.
As Eleanor and Starlight neared the Kingdom's gates they heard a faint melody in the wind. She tied Starlight to a tree near the gate and left her some food and water. The closer Eleanor got to the gates, the clearer the tune became. She soon realized that it was no melody at all.
Night and day we dig for the King,
In the mines, in the mines
Gems and Jewels for the merciful King
We must find, we must find.
It was the same recitation being spoken over and over again by every man, woman and child Eleanor came across as she entered. There was no emotion behind it. In fact, the people looked as if they had no emotions at all. Just blank and expressionless as they bustled about to and from the mines. A dirt-covered man bumped into Eleanor's shoulder so harshly she nearly fell over. He didn't offer an apology but he did spare her a glance. Eleanor stared into his eyes looKing for even a trace of remorse but they were as blank as the pages of a new journal. The man scurried away. Eleanor thought it would be best to begin her search in the marketplace which is usually at the center of each Kingdom. But when she reached the center there were no vendors, no animals, no stalls of food and drink and no sense of life. In the middle of all this bareness stood a line of disheveled-looking people quickly inching forward to receive pick axes and lanterns. Eleanor followed people who received their tools across the village to a set of tunnels near the castle. She kept her distance but remained close enough to see each person enter. Eleanor moved closer to the cave entrance and hid behind some empty crates. In her haste to see more, Eleanor leaned against the crates too quickly and accidentally knocked them over causing quite the disturbance. The men in charge of leading the others to the mines spotted her immediately and ordered her to remain where she was. Eleanor froze with her hands slightly raised and waited for the men to approach. One of them had a scar going through his left eye and the other was missing a finger and a few toes.
"Where is your pickaxe?" One Eye shouted.
"And why are your clothes so clean?" asked Nine Fingers.
They began grabbing and pulling at her.
They raked their dirty fingers roughly through her hair.
"Why is your hair not tangled and oily?"
One Eye squeezed her chin to look at her teeth and got so close she could see that his own teeth were mostly black.
"Why are your teeth so white?"
They gripped her hands in theirs.
"Why are your fingernails clean?"
Eleanor twisted and shoved at them, trying to escape their revolting touch.
"You're not from here, I say?" Nine Fingers whispered over her shoulder.
Eleanor snatched her hand back from them and tried to run away but One Eye was quick to grab her neck and pull her back.
"Oh no no, Little One, don't be in such a hurry. It's off to the King with you," Nine Fingers sneered.
Eleanor begged and pleaded for the men to release her, she even pleaded for the miners to help. They only stared at her with their gloomy uninterested eyes as the young woman was dragged away.
Eleanor fought all the way to the castle. At some point One Eye picked her up and threw her over his shoulder. She beat against his back with all the might she could muster but Mr One Eye just laughed. Nine fingers poked at her and teased her all the way up the castle steps. The two men entered the royal Court and dumped Eleanor unceremoniously onto the floor.
"WHO DARES INTERRUPT THE Court?" a loud voice screeched.
"Apologies, Your Majesty," Nine fingers said bowing before the King.
"Forgive us, Your Grace," One Eye groveled next to him.
The King spoke again with his nasally voice,
"What brings you before me on this day?" he asked.
One Eye kicked Eleanor where she sat on the floor.
Eleanor was completely entranced by the state of the castle. The walls were adorned with uniformly cut jewels. The room twinkled as the sun reflection bounced off the surface of the precious gems. The King sat high on a jewelry encrusted throne. The members of the Court sat in jewel encrusted pews.
One Eye kicked Eleanor again, harder this time and it brought her back to the moment before them.
"This woman is a visitor, Your Grace," Nine Fingers explained.
At this remark the King's face lit up.
"A visitor, you say. How wonderful!"
The King clapped his hand and the two guards beside him stepped forward to grab Eleanor and stand her upright.
"All visitors are taxed upon entry," The King explained gleefully, "As an offering of peace and recognition of my unattested rule, all visitors must pay a fee of 50 rubies and 50 sapphires. If this payment cannot be made, the visitor is sent to the mines to work off their debt."
The King hopped off his throne and walked slowly to Eleanor.
"Do you have 50 rubies and 50 sapphires, Dear Girl?" he said mockingly.
He paused dramatically and leaned in with his ear pushed to Eleanor's mouth.
"No," Eleanor said.
With a final tap of his scepter, the King declared Eleanor unable to pay her tax and sentenced her to labor.
"Wait!" Eleanor begged," you don't want me in your mines."
The King halted the guards and made Eleanor explain.
"I'm terribly weak," she said, "I do not have a farm nor do I cook or bake; it would take ages for me to pay you, Your Majesty."
The King considered her words.
"How do you suppose your debt is paid then?" he asked.
Eleanor told him of her gift for making clothes, especially fancy ones for wealthy people. She even boasted of being so talented that people came from all over to get one of her creations and that someone even stole her sewing kit.
"Allow me to make you a new set of robes," Eleanor offered.
The King was excited at the idea.
"Make me robes that are covered in jewels from my private collection. I will shine for all the world to see!" He decreed.
The King has his men lock Eleanor in a room filled with jewels. A maid appeared minutes later with the King's favorite fabric and tools for Eleanor to use. For three days Eleanor sat in the room alone and worked feverishly at the robes. The girl lived off of stale bread, water and the determination to finish the job and get out of this Kingdom as fast as possible. By the time she finished Eleanor was rundown and dirty. Her hair was a tangled mess and her hands were covered in scrapes and cuts. She looked nothing like herself and was fuming by the time she was let out of the room.
Eleanor was thrown to her knees before the King and Court once again. One of the guards brought in the garment and showed it to the King. In his excitement for finally viewing the garments, the King had a mirror brought in before Eleanor or the robes. The King's Cupbearer brought forth the robes and bestowed them to his feet. The King hemmed and hawed at the dazzling new robes. Eleanor had encrusted the entirety of the fur with rubies and sapphires of various sizes save for a thick ring of fur she left around the neck and shoulders. The King hurriedly removed the robes he was currently wearing and stood in front of the mirror. He clapped excitedly as the robes were placed on him and let out an elated shout. The King puffed his chest up as he admired his reflection. He then turned to Eleanor and told her to stand.
"The robes are well made," he said. But ignored the subject of Eleanor's freedom to ask the opinion of the Lords and Ladies of the Royal Court.
"If I may," Eleanor said with a wicked twinkle in her eye, "The robes look even more beautiful under the sunlight, My King."
The King looked outside to the gleaming sun and agreed to go. The mirror was brought with them outside by the castle's pond. Eleanor was correct, the robes sparkled fiercely under the sun. The Lords and Ladies of the Court began to applaud.
Eleanor saw the look of unfiltered pride on the King's face.
"If I may," she said again, "As beautiful as the jewels are under the sun, they are much more splendid under water, My King."
The King was excited to hear this. Any prospect of making himself look even more handsome before the Court was one he would happily take. He called his Cupbearer to remove his shoes, scepter and crown. Slowly, the King entered from the shallow end of the pond. Once again Eleanor was right, the jewels looked even more splendid under the water. The Lords and Ladies began to cheer. Only the long end of the robes were under water and the King wanted to be seen in his entirety. So slowly he ventured deeper in the water. The deeper he went the more the Lords and Ladies cheered. The King swam around in his new robes and gave his subjects a show. He glided swiftly through the water as the crowd roared.
Suddenly, the King felt pain run through his body. It made his muscles weak and he was unable to swim to shore. The King tried to raise his arms and signal to the guards that he needed help but the robes tugged him downward. The fur collar wrapped like a rope around his throat, the only sound that could slip through was a quick shallow breath. The crowd became silent as he slowly sank. The guards sprang into action too late. By the time they reached the King he was no longer with them. Neither was Eleanor when they pulled the King back to shallow water. In the midst of all that happened, Eleanor had slipped past all the castle guards and back into the village. By the time the bells rang in the evening to signal the King's passing, Eleanor was riding on to the next Kingdom.
Both Eleanor and Starlight were exhausted. Neither of them had eaten properly for days. But knowing what waited ahead drove them onward. The Eastern Kingdom was ruled by a good Queen who sought prosperity for all of her subjects. The people of the Eastern Kingdom are known for their kind spirits and endless generosity. Eleanor was sure someone there would help her and Starlight.
Eleanor had expected the Eastern Kingdom to be buzzing with activity all around. The Eastern Kingdom was said to be a vibrant place with lush fields and sweet little farms. It was known for its fair weather all year round and vast rolling hills, one of which is where the castle stood.
But Eleanor saw none of this. She arrived in the morning and expected the streets to be busy and loud, but they were empty. The grass was gray and brittle and the houses were covered in vines and cobwebs. There was a thin gray fog that coated everything, just enough to make it look like rain would fall at any moment.
On Starlight's back Eleanor slowly rode through the village. Not one single person, pet,vermin nor critter could be seen or heard. The silence made Eleanor uneasy.
"What happened here?" She whispered to no one.
The winds picked up and ravaged through the houses, shaking and rumbling everything inside. A low whistle swept through the windows and sent a chill up Eleanor's spine. Suddenly one of the doors flew open with a loud BANG. Starlight got spooked and reared up on her back legs. Eleanor tried her best to calm the horse but the frightened filly tugged at the reins and sped off on her own accord. Eleanor jostled and screamed as Starlight galloped full steam ahead through the village. She could barely hold on to Starlight's reins. Eleanor slipped from side to side as the horse raced through the various streets refusing to obey her commands. Suddenly, Starlight made a sharp turn and Eleanor was thrown from her mount. She rolled on the ground until her head hit something hard and cold. She heard a crack and felt something wet in her hair before everything went pitch black.
Eleanor's eyelids felt heavy as she pried them open. There was a strange throbbing at the base of her skull. The weight of her lids pushed them closed time and time again. Each time they opened the most she would see were hands grabbing onto her body. The hands were cold and rough but gentle enough to not damage her skin. They reminded Eleanor of when she was younger; she had many sisters that would often play games with her. She was the smallest and was often picked up and carried as the games went on.
Suddenly Eleanor shot up, gasping desperately for air as her eyes snapped open. The first thing to meet her senses was a foul smell. It was musty and strong and clung to her despite her immediate instinct to plug her nose. She looked around her, it was dark and her eyes took time to adjust. The room she was in had no source of light but far in the distance Eleanor could make out the flicker of candles. She instinctively walked towards it only to find herself in an extremely large dining area. The entire room was lit with several candles spread across the walls and a beautifully set table with silver cutlery and expertly carved plates. The stem of the glass goblets were made of the same silver and they looked freshly polished.
Eleanor pushed a chair aside to closely inspect the table. The chair however pushed itself against the back of her legs and forced her to sit. The cutlery from the table flew into her hands and all the candles around her blew out except the ones on the table. Over her shoulder Eleanor heard the squeaking of a service cart's wheels rolling in. It carried plates of rotten and decaying food that threw themselves into the places set at the table. The young woman was disgusted and tried to push away but the chair forced her closer as the plate slid towards her. The dishes on the table shook angrily at her hesitation and the knife and fork in her hands grew so cold they burned causing her to throw them across the room. As they clattered against the floor the rest of the utensils grew still and silent.
One by one the candles on the table out themselves except for the one directly in front of Eleanor. Suddenly the table and chairs started to jump up and down. Each bang against the floor grew louder and louder. Eleanor screamed and threw herself out of her chair to escape but when her body hit the ground the furniture stopped jumping. Slowly the candle dragged itself across the table and onto the floor in front of Eleanor, remaining upright and lit the whole time. She looked at the candle from the holder straight up to the flickering flame at the top. Behind the flame, the gray decaying face of a woman wearing a crown leaned in slowly. Neither of them moved at first, the silence in the room was interrupted only by Eleanor's ragged breath. Eleanor stared in disbelief as the woman's mouth opened, cracking as it got wider. Her jaw unhinged inhumanely making way for cold blood to spew out on to the young seamstress' face. It was thick and sticky and smelled fouler than anything Eleanor could recall. Desperately she tried to wipe the blood from her eyes. She also tried to stand but couldn't get her footing.
In an instant, that table was thrown across the room mere inches from her. The unlit candles, plates and chairs violently flew all around the room, some of them even struck her.
Eleanor stumbled around somewhat blindly but the little she could see was enough for her to find her way to a dim hallway. She heard heavy footsteps coming from behind and flipped her head around to see the dead queen running full speed towards her. Eleanor didn't see the staircase in front of her and had no time to stop herself from falling.
Despite the immense pain rushing through her entire body, Eleanor dragged herself upright and limped through the remaining halls until she found an exit. She found herself back to the very steps Starlight threw her against. At the base of the stairs the horse bucked and mewled for her rider. Eleanor shuffled weakly down the steps and calmed Starlight enough to be mounted. As the two galloped through the village the houses crumbled and fell. Chunks of wood and stone hit Starlight and Eleanor but they pushed through until they safely made it past the kingdom gates.
Because of the gray fog, Eleanor had no idea it was actually well into the day. On the road, mere minutes away from collapsing, Eleanor and her horse were found by a local dressmaker and her husband. They took the two of them back to their home and tended to them as best as they could. Later on, Eleanor found herself waking up near a fireplace. Through a nearby window she overheard the dressmaker chatting with a friend. She couldn't make out much, but heard them mention a contest. Eleanor slowly crept to the window to hear more. From what she gathered, the contest was being held by a princess to determine who would be worthy enough to design the dress for her impending nuptials.She peaked her head through the window to see the women as they stood on the stoep. That is when she saw Beatrice and her large yellow coat. She watched Beatrice go on to brag about how she would surely win because of a new secret weapon she recently attained. The woman never openly said what it was but Eleanor knew in her bones this woman meant her sewing kit. Beatrice went on to state that she would create the most beautiful dress on that very day before the princess. The woman that took in Eleanor was intrigued and asked her to go on, but Beatrice refused.
She only said, "Come see for yourself. It will be truly magical."
Eleanor was fuming. She had half a mind to storm out of the house and demand her belongings be returned. But she considered the hell she had endured because of Beatrice. Silently Eleanor crept back into her cot and plotted her revenge.
The next day Eleanor asked the woman to lend her a new dress to attend the contest. She vowed to repay the woman's kindness as soon as she could but offered to assist her with the last remaining embellishments to the dress she planned to present. They fitted the dress onto a mannequin and covered it securely with a cloth. They carried the mannequin to the village square and set it up amongst the other competitors'. There was a murmur through the crowd as Beatrice arrived holding nothing but Eleanor's sewing kit. She smirked as the royal trumpets sounded.
The princess arrived wearing one of the most beautiful gowns Eleanor had ever seen. She looked around to see a tickled look on Beatrice's face, evidently it was one of hers. The princess took her seat and loudly greeted her subjects. She then thanked them all for attending and wished the competitors good luck. The competition began and one by one the seamstresses presented their gowns. Some of them were pretty in truth but lacked finesse, others were outrageous to the point of being ugly but Eleanor was impressed by the craftsmanship. Ever so often Eleanor looked across to see Beatrice's reactions. Sometimes the woman feigned boredom, yawned and even pretended to be more interested in something else entirely. But the moment that really boiled Eleanor's blood occurred when the woman that helped her presented her gown to the princess. For the first time that afternoon the princess seemed somewhat impressed. The woman, with a little help from Eleanor, had created a beautiful blush colored gown with puffy sleeves, a curved neckline and a large flowy skirt. Everyone applauded, including the princess, but this ovation was cut short by Beatrice's shrill shout.
"Is this the best you could do?" she shouted bitterly, "This is pathetic and an affront to the princess!"
Eleanor was standing right next to the dressmaker and saw the very moment the look of pride on her face turned to one of shame and embarrassment. She knew how happy the woman was with her creation, only for her happiness to be turned to defeat.
The princess was very clearly peeved by Beatrice's cruelty and stood from her seat.
"What about you Beatrice?" she snapped, "You've come here empty handed."
"It's true," Beatrice said smugly as she stepped through the crowd, "But I have decided to make a dress before you all today and I can guarantee it will impress you, Princess, more than any other you have seen."
The princess scoffed and instructed Beatrice to begin. Beatrice clapped sharply and two men brought onto the platform and a large bundle of very expensive red fabric. Beatrice walked up to the table and dramatically slammed the sewing kit on it. She opened it up and ran her hands roughly over each item. Eleanor snarled as she watched her possessions being defiled by the conceited thief. She nearly ran up on the platform and snatched away her kit but remained still for she knew she needed to be patient and wait for Beatrice to initiate her own downfall. Beatrice instructed the man holding the fabric to unroll it between her and the princess.
"Ladies and Gentlemen," Beatrice announced, "I present to you the magic that has brought me great success all these years!"
Weave your pattern, needle and thread,
Bring forth the vision clear.
Cut and measure, Scissors and ruler
Bring forth the vision clear.
Drape and tether, lace or leather,
Bring forth the vision clear
Beatrice shouted Eleanor's incantation from the top of her lungs. Everyone waited silently with anticipation. But after a few moments nothing happened. Beatrice looked around nervously.
"Bring forth the vision clear!" she shouted once again but nothing happened. Over and over she chanted but not one utensil in the kit moved an inch. The people were confused and the princess grew impatient.
Clap! Clap! Clap!
Eleanor bought her hands together slowly and loudly. Everyone turned to her and made a path as she walked to the platform.
"It won't work," Eleanor said, positively ticked.
Beatrice sputtered and stumbled in shock. Eleanor approached the woman at a menacing pace.
"This sewing kit is mine, given to me by my sisters many years ago. You crept into my home and stole it."
"That's not true!" Beatrice lied, "This kit has always been mine!"
Eleanor sniffed angrily as Beatrice stood her ground. Neither woman relented at first but Eleanor remembered she had the perfect punishment for the vile woman.
"Very well," she said, "I shall just prove to everyone in attendance that you are nothing but a lying, envious rat."
Beatrice swallowed thickly and looked at the princess; she seemed just as disgusted as Eleanor.
"Princess?" Eleanor began sweetly, "This woman thought she could come to this competition empty handed and create a magnificent dress with a magical sewing kit she now possesses. But what the fool didn't know is that the kit has no magic." Eleanor turned back to Beatrice.
"I do."
Weave your pattern, needle and thread,
Bring forth the vision clear.
Cut and measure, Scissors and ruler
Bring forth the vision clear.
Drape and tether, lace or leather,
Bring forth the vision clear
Eleanor's sewing utensils came to life and quickly created an exact replica of the last dress she made, using Beatrice's fabric. The red material made the design even more spectacular and even gained a round of applause from the onlookers and the princess. But, Eleanor was not satisfied with just beating Beatrice at her own game. Eleanor needed Beatrice to experience the same level of fear and pain she had previously, only then would she be satisfied. So once again Eleanor chanted.
For all your treachery, lies and misdeeds
Beatrice, I sentence you to pain.
Needle and thread, take the gown deep red
And sew it to her veins.
The audience could only look on in horror as Eleanor's large needle and thread stabbed through Beatrice's skin. She shrieked every moment it took to bind the dress to her completely. The people cringed and cried out, even the princess begged Eleanor to make it stop, but the young woman was too entranced by Beatrice's suffering to care. At the end of it all Beatrice was a bloody, appalling, blubbering mess. Eleanor's smile reached up to her eyes and she cackled. She hummed with satisfaction and gathered her stolen kitchen before skipping down the platform. The audience parted for her to pass through and Eleanor paid no mind to their aghast faces.
The sounds of Beatrice's screams still rang through her ears as she and Starlight rode all the way home.
The End