Chasing Aurora

At five am we were all loaded up into the van. Merriweather was in the driver’s seat while Flora was doling out breakfast and coffee for everyone. I couldn’t eat. I was focused on my phone. My eyes waiting for that call to come through. My stomach was in knots and my leg bounced in anticipation. No one tried talking to me. They knew just how much was riding on this.

It was 5:47 when Ella’s name popped up on my phone. I answered the call before it even had a chance to ring once. “Do you have a location?”

“We got it. Sending it to you now. Good luck, bring your girl home.” Ella answered. I breathed a sigh of relief. I quickly thanked her and hung up before giving Merriweather the location. She didn’t waste a second as she peeled out of the parking lot.

The nerves didn’t go away. The only reason I was able to force down food was because I knew I had to keep my strength up. I kept my sword between my legs with my hands wrapped around the hilt. My knuckles were white as I tried to keep myself from moving. This was the closest I’ve been to rescuing my girl. I had one shot at this, and it terrified me. All my insecurities were bubbling up. I had no way to train for this, I had to trust my instincts to take over and that was not something I do easily.

“Hey Piper.” Robby said quietly as he leaned over to me, “We’re going to get her back. It’s going to be okay.”

I smiled giving his hand a squeeze. I tried to loosen my grip on my sword. I still had the same thought running through my mind. But what if it isn’t.

-----

We stopped a few blocks down from the location Ella gave us. We didn’t want to give Maleficent any indication that we knew Aurora’s location. Instead, the fae shrunk down and flew over so they could go undetected. I put on the disguise Robby got for me and got in the passenger side while Robby got behind the wheel. We figured if we could keep the guards distracted the fae would have a better chance of being undetected.

We drove up to an impressive gate. Large iron gates guarded the way onto the property with two guards standing by. Robby pulled over far enough away that my face would be obscured, but close enough I could still see them. He got out of the car and put on his charming smile as he walked up to the gate. I had my window partially down so I could hear him.

“Hey there. Uh, parlez-vous anglais?” He asked, absolutely butchering the French pronunciation despite being almost fluent. Better to play the stupid tourist. I, unfortunately, didn’t understand French, so I had no idea what the guards were saying as they spoke back and forth. Robby just stood there, pretending to be a total meathead when someone I recognized strolled through the gates. Guard 8 from the compound.

“This is private property, we’re going to need you to back away.” Guard 8 barked out.

“Oh shit, look, I’m here with my fiancée and we’re supposed to be going to Nice but got totally lost. Is there any way you could just point us in the direction?” Robby asked.

Guard 8 rolled his eyes, “I am not going to say this again. You need to leave.”

“Can you at least point us to a gas station? Please? I’m begging you.”

“Just go that way.” He said pointing the way we were headed.

“Thanks so much. You’re a lifesaver bud. Really, the future Mrs. is going to be so happy.” Robby turned around and walked back to the van. We didn’t stay anything until we were out of their sight, “Yeah this is definitely it. Those guys were definitely hiding something.”

“The guy you were talking to was one of the guards at the compound I was held at.” I said biting my nail, “That’s three men at the door, probably more inside. Then there’s Maleficent herself. How am I supposed to fight all of them?”

“Piper, you literally stopped a bullet with a sword. You’re up there with John Wick on the badass scale. Actually, probably more of a Neo, do you think you can dodge bullets like in the Matrix? The moral of the story is you are Keanu Reeves level badass and he fights way more people.”

“You watch way too many movies.” I laughed.

“Probably, but we’re dealing with magic, fae and curses here. This isn’t real-world situations. We’re dealing with movie situations, which means that we draw on movie knowledge. We know you’re the main character, so we know you’re going to survive and live happily ever after.”

“Not if this is Game of Thrones level shit.”

“I don’t know, I don’t see any dragons yet. I think we’re clear.” Robby winked as he pulled into the rendezvous point.

“Well if we’re dealing with the movies, I hate to break it to you but the witty sidekick almost always dies.”

“Na, I’m going to be Samwise Gamgee. The absolute high point of the entire series.”

“I don’t know, I always liked Eowyn. She was hot and good with a sword. Plus the whole, ‘I am no man’ line was iconic.” I said, “Wait, how the hell did we start talking about Lord of the Rings?”

“Uh, cause I’m trying to distract you from doing your little death spiral. Now, after this, we should get fries. I keep thinking about that potato line, you know the boil em’ mash em’ put em’ in a stew. Now I literally cannot stop thinking about potatoes.”

“You’re seriously the most ridiculous person I’ve ever met.” I laughed.

“Yeah, but I got you to laugh. But seriously though, we should grab lunch when the aunts get back. Got to keep up our strength.”

I rolled my eyes and sank back in my chair waiting for the fae to get back. My legs were itching to move. I settled for simply bouncing my leg as I bantered with Robby. We sat there in the car for a good half hour before Fauna appeared in the back seat causing both Robby and I to jump.

“Oh sorry dearies. I didn’t mean to startle you.” Fauna apologized.

“It’s fine, did you see her?” I asked, the knots in my stomach suddenly reappearing.

“Yes we did. She’s in the highest room in the house. Flora and Merriweather are keeping an eye on the house to make sure no one moves her.” Fauna reached out her hands and they began to glow green. I watched as a three-dimensional blueprint of the house appeared in the air.

“Now that is wicked cool,” Robby said poking the blueprint, marvelling as it moved under his fingers.

“Thank you. Aurora is up here, but there are a lot of guards all over the property. We agreed it would probably be best to try to attack at night to get some surprise. There are the three guards at the front gate as you saw. There are the barracks for the guards right here on the property. Then there are ten guards patrolling the house. We didn’t see Maleficent but we’re sure she’s nearby. You can feel her choking the air on the property.” Fauna explained pointing on the blueprints. I nodded watching as a plan formed in my mind.

“Okay, everyone listen up. I’ve got a plan.” I said and began going through the plan. Fauna and Robby nodded, not arguing before Fauna took off to tell Flora and Merriweather. Robby and I drove to the gas station down the road, filled up the tank and grabbed some food. We both took the opportunity to change into full black clothing. Come nightfall, we’re storming the castle.