Redeemed - Getting Out Of Hell

Redeemed - Getting Out Of Hell

The banner-draped throne room was filled with many courtiers and servants with more rushing in trying to find comfort or understanding. The people were scared, it was not hard to see they were not where they were supposed to be the the Earth and Heaven hanging over them in the dark sky.
Seeing the king and queen and the fairies in consultation with who were obviously a knight and wizard, and the floating form of Maleficent, who was obviously captured reassured all who could see. The court was filled with the buzz of whispers as those too short to see were comforted.
King Stefan his black hair and beard streaked with gray and Queen Leah came in and the crowd parted for them.
Soon King Phillip turned and raised his arms and the whispers were quelled, “Friends! We were sent to hell by Maleficent 10 years ago, but now my son has begun rescuing us! They have a plan for getting us home! Please stay here with King Stefan while we implement the plan! Thank you!”
Phillip, Aurora, the fairies, the knight and the wizard went up the stairs with Maleficent floating behind them.

= = =

Chedrick was glad for the two staffs he was carrying by the time they reached the top of the highest tower in the castle. He was a little tired after all the exertions of the day so far, though he knew he had much yet to do.
Noticing the bed he asked, “Would you mind if I put her down on the bed?” He didn’t want to risk dropping the witch over the balcony or down the stairs which would allow her to escape.
Queen Aurora exchanged a look with King Phillip as the fairies looked at the Queen.
After a moment she nodded.
As he drifted Maleficent over to the bed, the fairies went over and opened it. He hadn’t thought to bother with that since she was a prisoner, but he knew that they had a relationship.
Fauna moved the pillow so it was under Maleficent’s neck so the horns would be out of the way.
He didn’t say anything but he glanced at the others as the fairies gently covered the witch. There was compassion on the Queen’s face but the King’s face was hard.
Chedrick lead the way out to the balcony. He placed the staff of Maleficent next to the arch.
From here he could see most of the gleaming white castle from here, bright against the dark dirt of hell. Up in the sky was the Earth. The sides facing them was dark, but the oceans glowed slightly providing and outline of Europe and Africa. A few cities were lit in yellow, and storms over Africa were lit by white lightning.
“To make this easier my uncle will be raising a beacon for us to follow to get home. He will activate it at midnight his local time and hold it for an hour.”
“So we only have one chance at this?” Asked King Phillip.
“Hardly, my uncle loves me more than that. His intent is to do that every night for the rest of his life, if that is what it takes.”
“He loves you that much?” asked Flora.
“Yes.”
“That will help.” Said Fauna.
“Good.” Said Merryweather.
“Are you sure that you can move the castle?” asked King Phillip.
“Actually, one of the things I did to practice for this moment was to pick up small mountains and teleport them around. The distances were smaller but the mass was greater, it should balance out.” Chedrick shrugged.
Eric just smiled proudly as his parents exchanged a look of admiration and the fairies nodded.
Then a small colored light came on in a dark area of Europe.
“There, he’s lit the beacon!” Chedrick pointed.
“Now, let’s go home.” Chedrick set himself and raised his staff. Blue magical light covered the castle. Then a thin line linked the castle to the beacon on far away Earth. It slowly widened until it was as wide as the castle.
After several long moments Fauna said, “We’re still in hell.”
Chedrick was sweating. “I know that. The castle is a lot heavier then I expected.”
“Do you need some help?” Asked Flora.
“Yes, please.” Chedrick said after a moment. He had expected and trained to be able to carry the castle home but was it a lot harder then he expected. He could see Aurora move out of his field of vision from the corner of his eye but he was a little busy to notice it.
The fairies joined their powers to his, the castle rumbled but still did not move.
Chedrick wiped his brow as the fairies put both hands on their wands. He was thinking of canceling the spell and just trying to open a portal to earth so he could save the people, at least.
“Perhaps I may be of assistance.” Came an echoing voice from behind him.
“Um, Mom?” asked Eric.
“Dearest.” Said King Phillip.
Chedrick looked at Eric then to where he was looking. He almost lost control of the spell.
“Focus!” commanded Flora, and he returned his mind to the spell before it collapsed.
Queen Aurora was floating toward him. She had the Staff of Maleficent and was surrounded by green fire and magic sparkles. Her hair and dress were tossed by an invisible wind. Her eyes glowed from the magic within her.
“Dear, you are wasting magic on theatricalities.” Chided Flora.
“Yes, I know, but I can’t seem to help it.” Came the echoing voice of the Queen.
“We need to get back to your lessons.” Said Merryweather.
“Another time perhaps, Aunt Merryweather. But first I think we should go home.”
“Mom, are you sure you can do …this?” asked Eric looking worried.
“By beloved son, you showed us true love to come here to rescue us. Now it is my turn to love you most.” Queen Aurora held her hand out to Merryweather. “Guide me, please.”
Merryweather took a hand off her wand and took Aurora’s.

= = =

Arthor huddled in his dark cloak behind a large bush. He was maintaining the magical beacon he had etched into the ground. He had been here a week already, and had been activating the beacon each night since the Moon had become full. The veil between worlds was supposed to be thinnest at midnight especially during the full Moon. They had tried to give themselves the most advantages possible, but so much of this was unknown.
Getting to hell was easy enough, but finding what they were looking for could prove time consuming. So he was ready to be here for a while. The town was still there, but without the castle it wasn’t doing well, several families had moved away, fortunately there was enough traffic to remain a crossroads.
He and Coral had begun to set up a cheese shop. Cheese was portable enough that it was useful to the local economy. They also had enough milk to make the effort worthwhile. They had begun to make some friends, too. It would do.
As long as they was able to keep their abilities quiet they could stay until …well, something happened. The news from the South was concerning. War seemed inevitable but what was Maleficent doing? Oddly, she seemed to be playing second fiddle to that king, always in the background. Nothing made sense.
Elsa had made major strides with her magic and in creating an alliance though the loss of this castle and the return of Maleficent had solidified things.
The beacon flickered and glowed with a bluish light.
Arthor stood and looked into the bowl where the castle had once stood.
He looked carefully at the beacon, waiting for something to happen. Chedrick must have been successful and was trying to get home.
Then other colors joined in, what was happening in hell that more magic was mixing in.
But still nothing was happening.
Green flames began to lick the tracings of the beacon. Arthor stepped back and raised his wand, unsure of what that meant. It probably didn’t mean anything good.
Then the beacon flared bright green and a massive wind threw him back.
WHUMPF!
Arthor saw the castle appear lit by the light of magic which faded and the bulk of the castle was only seen because it blocked the stars.
He could see the glow of magic on the topmost tower. He waved his wand and a wave answered him back. Then he trudged to the gate to knock and welcome everyone to earth.

= = =

Panting, Chedrick waved back to his uncle then turned back to everyone. King Phillip and Eric were supporting Queen Aurora who has dropped the Staff of Maleficent. The magic they had used had been incredible and even the fairies looked a bit unsteady. He pushed off from the balcony rail and to the room inside.
“So what to do with her? I put her to sleep but it is not a stasis spell, she’ll starve to death if we don’t lift it. That would just let her get away from us. I don’t think we want that, now that we have her heart.” He said patting his cloak, checking to make sure he still had it.
“Actually, we did prepare a place in case we captured someone with magic.” Said King Phillip.
“Really, good.” Said Chedrick.
“I think you might disagree once you see it.” Said Queen Aurora.