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"It's still magic, even if you know how it's done." - Terry Pratchett
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The sun rose over the dense forest the next morning. Birds remained scarce in the orange sky, keeping to their nests and tending to their young.

Aura and Carolyn could hear the camp stirring as they woke from the small amount of sleep they managed to get.

Carolyn jolted up when she saw Bailey's empty mat. The flap of the tent was slightly parted, allowing a single blade of sunlight to shine through. At the foot of her mat, a pair of brown, lace-up boots were placed haphazardly on the floor. Beside them laid a small scrap of paper with a nimbly written "R" signed on it in cursive.

Aura slowly sat up and tried her best to fix her tangled mop of hair after letting out the biggest yawn her sister had ever heard.

Together the twins cautiously exited the tent, only to be blinded by the bright morning light.

"Glad to see you two are up bright and early," Bailey said cheerfully as she walked up to them with two bowls of porridge. "I stole some extra cinnamon to help with the taste."

The sisters begrudgingly accepted the bowls and sleepily guzzled down their less-than-filling portions.

Bailey took their empty bowls once they were finished eating. She nodded toward the tent. "Make sure you put on those boots; we don't want another Sheriff incident. You can put your Converse in my satchel."

"Where are we headed to exactly?" Carolyn asked as she pulled her hair into a ponytail, using a small piece of cloth torn from the bottom of her underskirt.

"It's a small town called Orrinshire—just at the northwest edge of the forest," Bailey replied as she packed up her supplies. "It shouldn't take us much more than three hours on horseback."

"Three hours?" Aura asked, rubbing the remaining sleep from her eyes.

Bailey slung her satchel over her shoulder. "It's either that or walk for seven."

"I'll take the horse, then."

When they had packed their few belongings, Bailey led the twins back to the edge of camp where two chestnut steeds were already saddled and awaiting their next journey.

Robin stepped out from behind one of the towering stallions, his dark green cloak wrapped around his broad shoulders. He dropped a few gold coins into the horse keeper's gloved hand.

"What's he doing here?" Carolyn murmured to her friend as they approached the two men.

"I'm coming with you," Robin replied blankly, then gestured to the boots on her feet. "I hope you find them comfortable enough?"

Carolyn cleared her throat, her crossed arms tightening around her chest. "Yes...thank you."

Bailey clapped her hands as if the sound would be able to break the growing tension. "Well, shall we get going?" She mounted one of the horses before helping Aura clamor onto the saddle behind her.

Carolyn looked up at Robin, who waited patiently to help her onto their horse. She shut her eyes for a brief moment, composing her irked thoughts before moving past him. Her futile attempts to mount the horse on her own didn't go unnoticed by Robin, who chuckled lightly at her circumstance.

In one swift motion, Robin's hands met her waist, hoisting her up onto the steed.

Carolyn's eyes met his as she tried to push back her confusion. "Thanks...again."

"I didn't want you to hurt yourself before we'd even left." The corners of his lips hinted at a smile as he mounted the horse, sitting in front of Carolyn.

Robin clicked his tongue, his horse breaking out into a gallop and racing into the forest. Carolyn quickly wrapped her arms around him, almost falling off the horse from the sudden acceleration.

Bailey and Aura caught up with them as they bounded down the beaten dirt trail.

When the trail merged into the main road, Robin and Bailey slowed their horses to a trot.

The trees' branches created an archway of leaves, painting the ground underneath in speckles of sunlight. A slight breeze wafted through the brush and created a soft melody that harmonized with the songs of nearby birds.

Bailey breathed deeply, taking a peek over her shoulder at Aura. She broke the blonde's attention to the ever-changing surroundings as she cleared her throat. "How are you doing? Do you need to stop for a break?"

Aura quickly turned her head away from the verdant landscape, her eyes wide with surprise. "Um, I'm fine. Thanks." She was once again captivated with the forest, a small smile brimming her features as she examined a squirrel running towards the top of a towering oak tree.

Bailey thought for a moment before speaking up again. "You would've loved Sherwood in the Harvest season. The redding leaves always cascaded down so beautifully."

Aura allowed herself a brief smile in Bailey's direction. "This place is so stunning. It's hard to believe it's real."

Bailey took a leap of faith as she continued to speak, "I thought the same thing about Earth when I first went."

Aura furrowed her eyebrows as Bailey continued. "I was only seven, but I remember being so fascinated by everything on Earth—the food, the technology, the culture. You should've seen me when I ate pizza for the first time."

Aura chuckled in response, fiddling with a strand of hair. "Were you scared?"

Bailey's face grew more serious, her warm smile faltering. "At first. It was exhilarating to be somewhere so different, but I couldn't be entirely happy there. My family had fled from Fabula, and we missed it dearly."

Aura grew sympathetic, her big heart getting the best of her. "I'm sorry, Bailes."

"I don't want you to have the same experience I did. I don't want you to constantly be in fear."

Aura only nodded in response, the tense silence washing over them once more.

The horses continued to trot down the beaten path until the group could see a quaint town in the distance.

The twins tensed, exchanging an anxious glance.

Bailey and Robin guided the horses around the outskirts of the compact town, attempting to avoid the gaze of other people, although a few eyes were already on Aura and Carolyn.

Once they were out of sight behind a taller stone building with a thatched roof, Robin dismounted his horse, extending his hand to Carolyn. This time she accepted his help, trying not to blush as she thought of her embarrassing failure from before.

Robin turned to Bailey as she and Aura got down from their horse. He gripped the reins of both steeds in one strong hand. "I'll stable the horses and meet you inside."

Bailey nodded before Robin wandered away from them. She jerked her head around at the sound of an older man calling her name. A smile instantly appeared on her face, her eyes lighting up with excitement.

"Dad!" She ran into the man's arms, a grin on his features.

He was moderately taller than Bailey, but he was leaner than a typical man of his stature. The lower half of his face was concealed by a scruffy beard splattered with dark grey hairs. His eyes matched his daughter's, a cloudy blue surrounded by silver.

The man pulled away from Bailey, taking her face in his calloused hands to further examine it. "Even more beautiful than the last time I saw you."

Bailey's smile grew even brighter, and for the first time, her father noticed the other people accompanying her. He carefully studied the twins, a mixture of emotions flooding his bright eyes. Bailey grabbed her father's arm quickly as he began to lean his torso forward.

The twins saw Bailey whisper something to her father before she turned to face them. She cleared her throat, her face still cheerful. "Aura, Carolyn, meet my father, Lewis."

"I thought he lived in Milwaukee?" Aura whispered to her twin.

The sisters stepped forward apprehensively, accepting the hand he had extended to be shaken. They noticed a silver chain dangling from his neck as the sunlight beamed down on them. A petite compass hung from the metal cable; the name "Estelle" was etched into the center of the silver in a delicate cursive script.

"I know you must be confused," Bailey started in an apologetic tone. "My father has been here, doing important...work," she added awkwardly.

"Please," Lewis began, gesturing to the aged wooden door of the stone building, "come in."

The twins hesitantly followed Bailey and her father into the hut, shutting the door behind them. The sound of the door closing caused a little boy with messy, caramel locks to come running out from another room. His big, chocolate-brown eyes twinkled as he ran to Bailey. She leaned down, scooping him up in her arms and hoisting him above her head in the air. An innocent giggle left his mouth as his small nose staunched up, making the twins smile.

"Bailey!" he squealed as she placed him back on the ground.

A melancholy expression briefly crossed her face, though she maintained her smile. "You've grown so much, Tristan."

"He's almost as tall as you," Lewis joked. Bailey gave him a playful scowl before turning to face the twins.

Aura carefully approached the boy, bending down and placing her hands on her knees to be eye-level with him. "Hi, Tristan." Her voice was soft and calmer than it had been during the rest of her time in Fabula. "My name is Aura—this is my sister Carolyn." She gestured to her twin who stood back from the scene.

Carolyn was quick to replace her confusion with a whole-hearted smile as the little boy examined their faces.

"You're pretty," he giggled out.

The wooden door creaked again as Robin stepped into the cramped entryway. He shot Bailey's father a small wave before his legs were trapped in Tristan's tight embrace.

Robin tickled Tristan under his arms. The boy let out a high-pitch scream as he fell to the ground in a fit of laughter.

Lewis sat on one of the four stools at the lopsided oak table, taking off his circular glasses and massaging his tired eyes. "So," he regained his cheery composure, sliding the thin, copper-framed eyewear onto his angled nose, "what brings you here a few months ahead of schedule, and without your mother?"

"We need your help," Bailey said, twiddling her thumbs as she swayed side to side. She explained the calamitous circumstances that brought them there, omitting the parts about their near-death experience with the Sheriff.

Lewis thought for a moment before letting out a deep sigh. He slowly rose from the table and beckoned the four to follow him through the small house, leading out a precarious back door. Stepping out into the warm glow of the sun, Lewis asked his elderly neighbors to watch over Tristan while he was gone.

Staying on the shaded and dusty path that surrounded his village, Lewis guided Bailey and the others to the northern end of the town.

Robin walked a couple of feet behind the girls, his green eyes surveying everything and everybody they passed. It wasn't long before they reached a small mortar and wooden building that had a small sign reading 'Orrinshire Apothecary.'

They were quickly greeted by a younger woman at the door whose eyes raked over each of Lewis' guests, her gaze lingering on Robin's face a little longer than she had the others. Lewis went straight to the back of the store, knocking meaningfully on the wall.

A small collection of the stones shifted just enough for the five to squeeze through. They went down an iron spiral staircase before stepping into a small, but vibrantly decorated, store in the basement of the apothecary. There were flashes of bright fabrics lining the walls and hanging loosely from the ceiling. Small tables were scattered across the room, and a wide array of exotic, curious items were placed along the sturdy tabletops. At the back of the room, above a long, oak bar, hung a sign that read Runes and Relics.

Aura leaned forward to her friend, who was just a few paces ahead. "Where are we?" She tried to sound composed as she whispered to Bailey, but her voice faltered as she spoke, showing her mistrust in the situation.

"It's a shop for magical items," Bailey explained, with Carolyn now listening over her sister's shoulder. "This place will have what we need to get back home."

An older woman stood behind the makeshift bar, smiling at the sight of Lewis' round face. He quickly began discussing various ingredients and elixirs with the woman, diverging from the group. The twins took the opportunity to wander around the shop.

Carolyn inspected a bright green liquid inside of a circular glass jar. She began to reach for it on the shelf above her head when Robin caught her hand. Carolyn spun around to find him directly in front of her, but he was quick to put distance between them.

"I wouldn't touch that if I were you," he finally stated. He gave a small smile when she looked at him inquisitively. "It's highly toxic to the skin if you come into contact with it."

Carolyn's eyes widened, and she warily stepped away from the shelf. "This is the third time today I'm thanking you, it's becoming a habit."

"As long as me saving your life doesn't become a habit." He then turned around, regaining his cold stature.

Carolyn watched him walk away, a line etched between her brows deepening as she shook her head. Her sister walked up to her as Lewis called to them from across the small room.

"Will you two be needing wands?" he asked coolly, adjusting his glasses.

Aura gulped back her shock, nervously tugging at her ear.

"No," Bailey quickly responded. "We plan on going home as soon as the potion is finished."

Carolyn let out a deep breath she hadn't realized she was holding in before managing to flash a small, grateful smile toward Lewis.

They were only waiting for a few more minutes before the older woman placed three small, glass vials containing a vibrant purple liquid onto the counter. Lewis slid a small pile of coins to the woman before pocketing the bottles. The group paid sincere thanks to the owner of the shop before departing the building.

Before they even turned the corner into the main shop, Robin stopped them. Just outside the small window of the apothecary was a long line of villagers, each extending their arms to give small pouches filled to the brim with coins to a woman passing by.

She possessed great beauty that couldn't go unnoticed. Her eyes were a rich, mocha shade. However, the warm color of her irises couldn't conceal the coldness behind them. Her silky raven hair contrasted perfectly against her porcelain white skin. The woman had full, pink lips that looked like petals plucked from a rose bush. Her features were soft, but she had a chilling edge to her. She walked through Orrinshire with a confident strut, an elegant silver gown hugging her body. Gold, leafy designs were placed in her dark locks, pulling them away from her perfectly sculpted face.

Robin pulled Bailey away from the door, the rest of the group following curiously. He rushed them to the back of the room and out a side door as swiftly and quietly as he could. Robin urged them all to stay silent, keeping them hidden behind the stone building.

"What the hell just happened?" Carolyn spat out, searching Robin's face for an answer.

He shushed her in response, looking at Bailey and her father with a grim expression. He pulled his cloak over his head, trying desperately to cover his face.

Fear filled Bailey's body as she thought about her next move. She carefully led the group behind various buildings, as far from the town square as she could manage.

The twins stopped when they caught a peek at the dark-haired beauty walking by a few buildings away from them. They stood in awe as they watched her pass through the square, before being yanked behind another building by Robin and Bailey.

Bailey looked at the twins, gripping their shoulders in her hands. "You have to keep your gaze averted," she said sternly.

The sisters had never seen her so jittery.

"We need to get out of here as quickly as possible," Bailey demanded. She pulled the hoods of their cloaks over their heads.

Aura and Carolyn exchanged a concerned look before the group picked up their pace, now jogging to put more distance between themselves and the woman.

Just before they reached the back of Lewis' cottage, the twins impulsively looked up, making brief eye contact with the porcelain beauty. Beside her stood another girl, who appeared to be the same age. Her thick, auburn hair was pulled up into a high ponytail, accentuating her high cheekbones and her alluring green eyes that could be seen from miles away. If the woman in silver was the rose, her companion was the thorns, and she sent chills through the twins' bodies with a mere glance.

Bailey fearfully grabbed at Aura and Carolyn, pulling them into the house.

"Are you bloody insane?" Bailey's grey eyes pierced the twins' souls. Their faces flushed with embarrassment as she turned to face her father who was rushing Tristan back inside from the neighbor's house.

Lewis pulled out the vials and began distributing them to the three girls. Everyone froze as a hollow knock resounded throughout the small home. Bailey's father glanced at the door before looking at Robin. "Hide."

Robin nodded before rushing the girls and Tristan into the back room.

Two small, wooden beds sat next to opposite walls with an ornate wardrobe, which was placed by the archway into the small room.

Robin quietly opened the wardrobe's doors before rushing Aura and Carolyn behind the rack of simple clothing. He pointed to beneath the beds, wordlessly commanding Bailey.

The brunette slid under the taller of the two, positioning herself to face the archway. She pulled her little brother under the bed with her, hugging him tight to her body in an attempt to keep him calm.

Robin glued himself to the wall beside the archway when the creaking of the front door reached his ears.

"Welcome, Your Majesty," he heard Lewis say.

"You know why I'm here, yes?" a smooth, feminine voice replied.

The sound of her words sounded velvety to the twins' ears, but the tranquil tone could not hinder the uneasiness brewing inside of them.

"Of course, Your Grace."

Lewis's light footsteps were muffled by the soft wooden flooring of the cottage as he moved throughout the other room.

"Here you go," Lewis said stiffly with the clanging of coins echoing against the stone walls.

"Thank you, Sir," replied the woman. There was a pause. "You have such a charming home. May I come in?"

"Y-yes...of course." He tried to sound fearless, but his words came out in a croak.

The door creaked before sharp, heeled footsteps vibrated against the wood paneling.

"I never understood why you moved to this shabby town, into this...quaint abode."

"It just seemed right, Your Highness."

"Right...well, would it be alright if my men search your home? I promise it'll be quick. You have no idea how many fugitives could quarter in your home without you even noticing."

Lewis fought to gain control of his shaky breathing. He gave a simple mumble of approval.

The door let out a forceful creak as the clamor of armor reached the back room.

The twins held their breath as they heard soldiers move swiftly throughout the home.

Robin tensed up, ready to fight for his life despite being weaponless.

The guards stopped just as they reached the archway.

Robin held his breath as he could see the tip of an angled nose peek out from the wood frame of the archway. It quickly vanished with the clobbering of boots leading out of the home. One soldier murmured a contented comment to the woman before following the others out the door.

"Very well, thank you for your cooperation Sir Pic," the woman spoke in a honeyed voice.

The door creaked open one final time before the cottage was filled with thick silence.

Lewis shuffled into the back room. "You can come out. They're gone."

Slowly, the three girls revealed their hiding spots as they met in the center of the small room. Tristan ran to his father, who weakly pulled him into his arms.

"Now, let's get you back home."

Bailey cleared the center of the room before taking out one of the small vials of lavender liquid. She unscrewed the top, gingerly pouring a few drops of the potion onto the worn flooring.

The wood began to sink into the earth and twist into a whirlpool of vibrant colors.

The twins held onto each other with an iron grip as the whirlpool grew bigger and bigger.

Bailey gave her father and brother one last, long hug before diving into the vortex.

Aura and Carolyn carefully edged closer and closer to the whirlpool. They looked to Bailey's father who gave them a warm smile.

Carolyn's eyes wandered to Robin who simply nodded and said, "Until we meet again."

She nodded before looking at her sister.

"Ready?"

"As I'll ever be," Aura said before taking a deep breath.

Together the two jumped through the portal, squeezing their eyes shut as they fell into the swirl of colors.

The twins fell through the air for a few brief moments before they felt themselves stumble onto a cold hardwood floor, the familiar scent of their attic filling their senses.

When they opened their eyes, they were met with the points of black flats. They reluctantly looked up, pushing themselves off of their stomachs to sit up. Anxiety flooded their bodies as their eyes met their grandmother's cold amethyst irises.

Hello lovelies!
Phew! That was a close one, wasn't it? Although by that look on Silvia's face, I don't think the twins are out of the woods just yet.

QOTD:  What villain, and it can be from any type of media, scares the sh!t out of you, no matter how old you get?

Until next chapter!
♡ Melody & Rebekah ♡