Vivian sat in her room, thinking. As she sat, she hummed, almost subconsciously. Then, she began twirling her finger around, also almost subconsciously. Until she noticed that at the tip of her finger, a small ball of light was beginning to form. Then she quickly stopped the humming, and the ball of light faded away.
Two birds came to her windowsill. They were red birds--cardinals. She recognized them from yesterday.
“Greetings, wife of Midor,” one of the birds said.
“Um… I’m not his wife. Not anymore,” said Vivian.
The birds looked at each other, as if unsure how to continue. “Greetings, mother of the son of Midor,” the other bird said.
“I’m Vivian. You can call me Vivian. Midor isn’t here right now, you can just call me by my name.”
“It is Midor who sent us,” the first bird explained.
“Is Midor all right?” asked Vivian.
“He is safe, and he is being well fed,” the bird answered. “But, he has been shrunk from his normal size down to three inches. And your father has been turned into a frog.”
“Yes, I know,” said Vivian. “Are they together?”
“Yes, Midor has been taking care of your father and guiding him.”
In spite of everything, Vivian found a small laugh escaping her lips. “Oh, he must hate that.”
“He does often seem displeased,” the bird answered back.
“And John? Is John with them too?”
“Yes, there is one more with them named John. He has also been shrunk.”
“Where can I meet him?”
“We are to guide you. Meet us outside the castle, and we will lead you to Midor.
************************************************************************
Vivian went to get her son Robert, and the two of them left the castle together. They were met outside by the two cardinals, Sandi and Stuart, who guided them through the woods. They started out on the trail, but very soon the birds took them off the trail, and they were soon wandering deep into the forest undergrowth. Then, the birds lead them to a small stream, where Vivian and Robert knelt down low, and saw Midor, John, and a frog who was King Carlyle.
“Hello Robert,” John called up, trying to act cheerful even though he did not particularly feel cheerful. “Fancy meeting you here.”
“John, are you okay?” Robert asked.
“Yes, your dad has been looking after me great,” said John. “I can’t wait to tell you about all of my adventures through the forest. I’ve made some new friends, and explored the treetops, and been down in the gnome tunnels. It’s been quite the adventure.”
“Dad, how are you doing?” Robert asked.
“Well, as you see me,” said Midor. “Don’t worry about me. I still know this forest backwards and forwards, even if I am 3 inches tall. The Gnomes have been keeping good care of us.”
“And father, it’s good to see you’re alive,” said Vivian. “I know you must hate being a frog, but I’m happy that Catherine didn’t eat you.”
“Not for lack of trying,” croaked King Carlyle. “Imagine, trying to swallow a King. How undignified. That’s why she tried it, you know. She wanted me to have the least dignified death you can imagine.”
“I know Dad. Don’t worry, we won’t let her hurt you. Midor will keep you safe. Please try not to argue with Midor too much.”
Robert at this point was noticing another frog, and a mouse. “Who are they?” he asked.
“Ah,” said Midor. “Allow me to introduce Jacob the frog and Benjamin the mouse. These are John’s new friends, who have been helping us the past few days.”
“Nice to meet you both,” said Robert, nodding his head.
“It is an honor, son of Midor,” said Benjamin the mouse. “Your father saved my whole family.”
“Nice to meet you, son of Midor” croaked Jacob. “We’ve heard much about you.”
“I called you over here,” said Midor. “To ask about you, actually. We’re alright living in the forest. It’s you two I’m worried about--stuck in that castle with Catherine.”
“Don’t worry about me,” said Vivian. “I’ve always been Catherine’s favorite niece. She won’t hurt me.”
“She might,” croaked King Carlyle. “You never know what that woman’s capable of.”
“She turned mom into a frog as well,” said Vivian. “But she still let’s mom live in the castle. And she hasn’t hurt the rest of us.”
“For once, I agree with King Carlyle,” said Midor. “That woman is not entirely trustworthy. I know she’s always been fond of you, and I think that’s genuine. But she’s also mentally unstable. The more black magic she uses, the more she will lose control of her mind, and then there’s no telling what she could do, even to her own beloved nieces and nephews. I’m worried about you.”
“I’ll stay out of her way.”
“Try to do that, please. Don’t do anything to provoke her just yet. And make sure you tell the same to George and Rufus. I’m sure they’re planning something. I don’t know what they’re planning, but I’m sure they’re thinking right now about how to undermine Catherine.”
“Okay, I’ll tell them.”
“I want to meet you two as often as I can--every day if possible. We’re going to be moving a lot throughout the forest, so I can’t name one stable meeting place. But I’ll send messengers to your window each morning. I’ll send the cardinals Sandi and Stuart if I can, and other birds if they’re busy. Watch for the birds every morning by your windowsill.”
“I will Midor. And please be careful.”
“Don’t worry about me. Take good care of our son. And Robert, take good care of your mother.”
“I will Dad.”
“Okay, you two should get back to the castle now. If you stay out too long, Catherine may get suspicious.”
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