Dawn To Dark

Siegfried sat just inside the woodland, at the top of a small hill, not high enough to be seen over the treetops, but just high enough to spot the mountains to the east. It hadn’t taken much to sneak out of the castle, Siegfried was well practiced at it after all, and sneaking out before the pink tinges of dawn even touched the eastern mountains guaranteed very few people to run into.

Beside him, the swan waited, her eyes fixed on the mountains and the top towers of the castle below them.

Pink, orange, and gold exploded from between the mountains, bathing the swan in a ballgown of light. Siegfried touched a hand to his nose to keep from sneezing at the tickle of magic. He watched as the sun appeared, the bright disk of it poking through the mountains like a coin from a miser.

Odette launched into Siegfried’s arms as soon as the dress he had brought her sat over her frame. He held her close, revelling in the feel of his love locked in his arms, as the array of lights played out over Odette’s swan-white hair. As a child her hair had been a deep brown, matching the freckles that played across her nose and shoulders, but since the magic had touched her it had lightened, so she might never forget the curse.

“I missed you,” she said, voice still hoarse from transformation.

“And I you, my love.”

Odette leaned her head on Siegfried’s shoulder as the sun made its gentle slope over the mountains, up to their summit.

Siegfried’s parents would be worried, they always were when Siegfried disappeared for a day, no matter how regularly it happened. This time he’d left a note about going hunting, and asked some friends to cover for him. Hilde might tease him relentlessly for having a secret lover but she would keep his secrets. She always had.

“How would you like to spend our day, my love?” Siegfried asked when the sky had turned a bright blue and all signs of dawn had passed.

“Perhaps the festival?” Odette suggested.

Siegfried stood, brushed the grass from his trousers, and offered Odette his hand.

The woodland sheltered the lovers from notice beyond that of the local wildlife. A pine martin shuffled into a low bush, caught out after dawn and likely consumed with thoughts of returning to a safe den. Birds perched in the tall spruce trees, far more concerned with seeking out food than watching the two humans strolling arm in arm.

The sounds of the festival reached them before they caught sight of the brightly coloured tents. The smoky scent of a bonfire, and freshly baked pretzels, and currywurst sought out Siegfried on the light breeze.

Siegfried tugged his hat lower over his face as Odette disentangled herself from him. It wouldn’t do for people to recognise Siegfried, and it certainly wouldn’t do for them to be spotted as a couple. Between Siegfried’s parents and Rothbart… better safe than sorry.

The festival, set into a grassy clearing on the outskirts of Castle Town, stretched out in front of them as they emerged from the woodland. Bright tents of every imaginable colour filled with traders, wares, and foods. A huge fire rose up in the centre of the area, lighting and warming the entire clearing almost as much as the sunlight beaming down on them.

People in various types of dress wandered the muddied paths between stalls. A woman in a faded red skirt, not unlike the one Odette was wearing, tugged a child away from a stall filled with chocolate concoctions. A well-dressed family, in the purple and blue velvets of Siegfried's typical attire if he weren’t dressed as a peasant, looked down their noses as a series of hand carved wooden ornaments.

Siegfried offered Odette a small pouch of coins. She shot him a questioning look. “You shouldn’t have to ask me every time you see something you like. I’m not your guardian.”

Odette’s smile could melt ice with its warmth.

Siegfried and Odette shifted through the festival, passing by food stalls – stopping at most of them, each gaining a mug of Glühwein, and eating their way through various sweet and savoury treats.

Siegfried hovered by some delicately woven jewellery but shifted away with a sigh upon remembering that Odette wouldn’t be able to keep it.

“Don’t frown, Siegfried,” Odette admonished quietly. “Not after I bought you a gift.”

“A gift?”

She dangled a canvas pouch in front of his face, holding it by its twine tie. When Siegfried reached for it Odette pulled it out of reach. “Nein,” she laughed, “not yet.”

Odette led Siegfried to the performance area, to the west of the huge bonfire. They stood closer than politeness would allow, almost touching, safe to do so with everyone’s attention held by the spectacle.

The afternoon shifted toward evening and Odette once again tugged on Siegfried’s arm. “Come on,” she said, “the fireworks will be better by the lake.”

Siegfried followed Odette back into the forest, losing the sunset to the shadows of the trees.

Odette stepped out of the forest and onto the banks of the crystal clear lake. She sat on the sandy shore, oblivious to, or unconcerned by, the dirt on her dress. Siegfried took a breath, trying to squash down the tumult of his emotions. Enjoy the time you have, he told himself, don’t waste it worrying about what’s to come.

Resolved he took a seat next to Odette, hand reaching out to land atop hers.

They both leaned back, lying on their elbows to tilt their attentions toward the indigo sky. Glittering sparks flew across the dark canvas, immediately followed by a cacophonous boom. Ruby, emerald, and golden sparks felt and exploded and careened down, light dancing over Odette’s face and hair.

She turned her soft smile on to Siegfried. “You’re supposed to be watching the fireworks.”

“I can see them.”

She laughed, usually a light and melodious sound but it had shifted to a croak already. Her smile turned sad and she sat up.

Before Siegfried could do the same she dropped the canvas pouch on his stomach.

Siegfried untied the bow and tipped the gift into his waiting hand. An intricately carved wooden swan sat in his palm, a tiara carved into its forehead, with a tiny glinting gem in the centre. Tears stung Siegfried’s eyes. He turned to face Odette but she was gone, her dress abandoned in the sand and webbed footprints disappearing into the water.

The fireworks had ended, when had that happened? The lake sat, as inky black as the sky but for the silver glint of the moon. Tears streaked down Siegfried’s face, adding to the water of Swan Lake.