Thanks for your comments. I get such a kick out of reading them.
Isolde awoke several seconds later to find all eyes on her. Some had a suspicious gleam but most were merely puzzled.
Most puzzled of all was Prince Nicolas. He and his father, intrigued by the sudden silence following the rather noisy birth, had ventured into the room.
'It's green,' remarked Prince Nicolas at last, peering closely at the child. 'We can't have a green prince can we father?'
'She is actually a princess,' corrected the midwife quietly, wrapping the baby in the royal bunny rug but unsure if she should place her in the royal crib.
'Prince or Princess,' pouted the Prince 'We can't have a green one.'
'No indeed,' thundered the King, his face purple with rage. 'What is the meaning of this?'
'Maleficent' wailed Isolde remembering the tisane she had drunk.
'Bring the witch to me,' the King's voice was icy now.
And so Maleficent was summoned before the King, tried and pronounced guilty.
'You are to take yourself from my Kingdom,' roared the King, 'and not return as long as this Kingdom shall survive. To keep you company, the child; the abomination of your creation.'
The King thrust the small green mite into Maleficent's arms despite the tears and pleas from Isolde.
'Hush, woman,' he snarled. 'You are a strong, healthy girl and capable of producing many more children who I trust will be of a more acceptable hue.'
'That is so cruel,' Lucy felt her throat constrict in pity for the tiny princess shunned by her grandfather and ripped from her mother's arms.
'It was indeed,' agreed Clothilda, 'But such is the power of princes and more is the pity that someone did not speak sense before it was too late.'
Clothilda paused and poked at the fire burning in the hearth.
'So?' Lucy prompted when the silence lengthened and Clothilda seemed disinclined to continue.
'Where did they go. Did they come here?'
Clothilda did not answer though she smiled and inclined her head slightly.
'Tomorrow, Lucy. I will continue my story tomorrow for it involves a curse and these things are best spoken of in the morning light rather than the chill of the evening.'
Lucy pondered the story on her way home that night. A whole town that came into being because of one tiny green princess. No wonder it was an odd place.