Natasha Luepke - The Adventures of Luna

Holle had long since given up hope on my leaving her and Sanum. She was a bit more courteous to me, since I’d had a hand in the children of Lir situation. Of course, she really didn’t want to give me credit for what happened next.

We were following a path in the woods. After an argument over which was the best way to go, Holle and I had gone separate ways. Sanum refused to play our little game and remained sitting on a tree stump, I was not about to take off without the love of my life and Holle was not about to leave without her friend, so we were forced to return. Even though I insisted the correctness of my path, Holle decided to stop and ask for directions at a nearby cottage. It wasn’t until Holle had knocked on the door that I remembered what part of the wood we traveled in: the Hansel and Gretel Memorial Wood.

To be sure, the witch who’d dabbled in cannibalism with H and G had been finished off by Gretel, but the occasional practitioner of the dark arts remained.

Oh sure, the old woman who answered the door seemed harmless enough—and her house was of the wood variety, not candy. And over tea, the Old Woman discovered Holle’s desire to be a forestwife, wich she (the Old Woman) claimed to be.

“Deary,” Old Woman said, “I can make you the most powerful forestwife ever. I have nearly a hundred years behind me and no one to pass my wisdom to.”

Holle’s eyes glowed at the promise of power. Holle had explained to me that she wanted to help people—to feel the joy she’d had in releasing Lir’s children every day. She’d said this while painfully slathering my arms with sun tan lotion. (“Who ever heard of a wolf that got sun burn?” she’d asked sourly. “I am three-quarters human,” I’d reminded her.)

The Old Woman began explaining some arcane magical trick to Holle while Sanum and I just rolled our eyes.

“Has she always been like this?” I asked, nodding to Holle.

He nodded. “It’s what I like about her—most people haven’t a clue as to what they want; she’s driven by a single passion.”

I stared at him. “Cripes, Sanum…If you want a girl who’s driven by a single passion…” He returned my gaze. We slowly closed in and…were interrupted by the Old Woman.

“Holle is busy reading a few of my books. Would you two please help me?” We followed her into her stable. I sent Sanum regretful looks the entire time, but he wouldn’t look at me.

Once inside, the Old Woman asked, “Tell me children, do you know of Hansel and Gretel?”

“Yes,” I answered cautiously.

“Are you related to them in any way? Or know anyone who is?”

“No…” Sanum replied.

The Old Woman shook her head and snapped her fingers. “No one ever is. Well, I’ve waited so long I’m going to go ahead and get my revenge.” With that, she slammed the door and locked Sanum and I into the stable. We just looked at each other.

“Let me guess, you clichéd old nag—that witch was your mother!”

“Exactly!” Then she disappeared behind a corner.

“Did this suddenly get very strange?” Sanum asked.

I sighed and leaned against a wall. “If Holle had just listened to me—this wouldn’t have happened.”

Sanum shook his head. “That’s not important right now, Wolfsdaughter.”

“No, I guess not.”

Sanum attempted the door, but it held fast. “It’s magicked,” he explained.

I knew I wouldn’t be able to break it, so I sank down to the floor.

“Holle,” I said.

“Holle?”

“Obviously she’s been enchanted. If the witch wants revenge, she’ll have Holle fatten us up. So, we’ll have to prevail upon Holle to set us free.”

“Ah,” Sanum replied.

“Well,” I said, “might as well get comfortable.” Sanum sat down beside me.

We sat in silence for awhile; I couldn’t think of anything to say. My heart kept beating faster and my gut felt fluttery. For once I hoped Holle would show up, if only to kill the tension.

Holle came that evening with our meal. No amount of pleading could convince her to unlock the door; she replied she was finally learning the magic she’d always wanted to know and that the Old Woman said we would try to steer her away from her true calling.

“Talk about devotion,” Sanum said.

“Oh, please.” I looked at the feast before us; it made me want to howl. “Oh, cripes Sanum—fairies are all about enchanting people, can’t you do anything?”

He shook his head. “I’m not too good with that kind of thing; it’s one of the reasons Oberon let me go.”

I’d spent most of my nights keeping watch over Sanum and Holle. Sitting on the floor of a crazy old witch’s stable was the last straw; I was exhausted. I wanted to howl at the moon, I wanted to jump Sanum’s bones right there, but more than anything, I wanted to sleep. I had just curled up with my jacket as a pillow when Sanum tapped my shoulder.

“I’m sorry Wolfsdaughter—but I have an idea.”

I opened an eye. “Does it involve us kissing?”

He coughed. “Actually, I was wondering if you could shape shift.”

I sat, flicking my ear. “How do you mean?”

“Well, if you’re part wolf, you should be able to turn into one. Can your father?”

“No more than he can talk to birds.”

“Well, you can turn into a wolf, and then you can overpower Holle or the witch and…save us.”

I stood up and stretched. “I’m game.”

Sanum took my hands. This was getting ridiculous—I nearly jumped for the jolt of electricity I felt. I told myself it was merely static electricity.

“Okay,” he began. “Still your thoughts. Listen to your heartbeat. Then imagine yourself—and imagine yourself as a wolf—it shouldn’t be hard; you’ve already got the tail.”

“If you want me to still my thoughts, please release my hands,” I said softly.

I did as Sanum said and soon, with no pain involved, I was a four-legged wolf.

I found that I could still speak with my human voice. “Are there any catches?” I asked.

“How do you mean?” Sanum asked.

“Like, how do I become human again? What if someone steals my clothes; will I still be able to become human?”

Sanum nodded. “You are actually wearing your clothes; it’s complicated and Puck’s better at explaining this process than I. Just imagine yourself human and you will be. Now, I suggest we get some sleep.” He scratched me behind the ears and I fell asleep with my head on his lap.

The witch came for us in the morning. She couldn’t wait the entire month; she’d decided to go ahead and cook us. She opened the door and I was on my feet instantly. She whacked me over the head with her broom; since I wasn’t used to my wolf’s body, the blow knocked me unconscious. When I came to, the door had been left open and Sanum was gone.

When I reached the kitchen, Holle was busy chopping onions, the Old Woman was boiling water, and Sanum was tied up in the corner. I howled from the doorway.

“You again?” snapped the witch. “Holle, you shoulda’ warned me your friend was a wolf.”

Holle shrugged.

“Holle! Can’t you see what’s going on?”

I tried to enter the room, but the witch blocked the way with her broom.

“Jeez, Wolfsdaughter, we’re just making lunch,” Holle said.

I didn’t want to just attack the Old Woman; it just didn’t seem right. Instead, I lunged for her broom, breaking it in two. The witch screamed. While I ran to Sanum, I willed myself into my human body as fast as I could.

The breaking of the broom caused Holle’s enchantment to break as well.

“What happened?” she asked as she helped me untie Sanum.

“It doesn’t matter!” I snapped as we finally got Sanum free. “Run!”

That night, Sanum rewarded me with a quick peck on the cheek.