The Rope Trick fanfic #3 {The Kite}

The Rope Trick fanfic #3
{The Kite}

by Nina D

 How Daniella first discovered the idea of a kite was anyone's guess. She stuck to the idea very firmly, however. At last, Julian agreed to help her, and Lidi was regaled to help find the necessary materials. Paper was supplied from some old playbills of Pompodoro's. A frame was built from some straight sticks(Jericho's contribution) and some paste was concocted from flour, water, and-well, Lidi wasn't sure what else.The paste was also a contribution of Jericho's. After 2 failed attempts (which didn't faze Daniella at all, and which annoyed Julian greatly), they finally had a nearly complete kite. "Now we need a tail" Daniella said. "I know," Julian said. "For that, we need string-and some ribbon would be nice." He added, grinning hopefully at Lidi. Lidi rolled her eyes, but headed to her ribbon box nonetheless. When she returned, Julian and Daniella had attached a ball of twine, and were holding a smaller piece expectantly. "Here you go," Lidi said, handing the ribbon to Daniella. They tied the ribbon to the twine, and attached the whole thing to the frame. "Lets go fly it!!!" Daniella cheered. Julian smiled and was about to agree, when his face fell, as he realized- "It's not- windy." Daniella looked at him in dismay. "You can't fly a kite without wind." He apologized. "I'm sorry, you two." Lidi said "I'm sure we'll have a windy day soon." Sadly, Daniella and Julian gathered up the kite and went to store it in the tent wagon. "Make sure no one steals it while you and Jericho are asleep!" Lidi heard Daniella order as they walked away.
***
They waited and waited, but no wind came. The weather was beautiful, sunny and crisp, but no wind. Then one morning, Lidi was awakened by a little person bouncing violently into the pit of her stomach. "Lidi, wake up, it's here!!" "Oww....get off!" Lidi sat up, dumping Daniella to the floor. She bounced up. "The wind, the WIND!!" "Ohhh..." Lidi remembered now. "I'll get dressed and-" "Meet us in the big field!" Daniella was off. Lidi dressed quickly, ran a comb through and then loosely braided her copper curls, and headed outside, blinking a little as the morning sun hit her still sleepy eyes. Julian and Daniella were both wide awake and ready to go. Jericho was sitting by the tent wagon, pretending to cook breakfast, but really just as interested in the proceedings as Daniella herself. "All right," Julian said, handing Daniella the kite. "Now you run that way, as fast as you can, hold up the kite and when I tell you, let go." Daniella nodded and took off. "Now!" Julian shouted, and up went the kite! Daniella danced and squealed with delight. Julian laughed, his face as alight with wonder as a boys. Lidi watched the kite as it dipped and soared. "My ribbons look quite nice." She smiled, "It's a beautiful kite!" Julian smiled proudly. Daniella whirled up to them. "May I fly it?" Julian grinned and handed her the spool. "But don't let it fly you away!" He warned half seriously. "I want to fly away!" Daniella laughed delightedly at that idea. Lidi and Julian stood side by side and watched the bright colors against the clear blue sky. Jericho walked up next to them and stood silently for a moment. He cleared his throat. "Ah- could I take a try?" he asked. Daniella passed him the twine. Lidi laughed, as Jericho expertly made the kite dance and twirl. Julian watched, critically at first, but at last even he had to be impressed. "We should add this to the act, Jericho!" Lidi teased. "The great Jericho's Captivating Kites..." "Very funny" Jericho smiled in spite of himself. The morning passed quickly, but finally the wind began to die down. Julian brought the kite back in. Daniella touched it gently. "Good flying, kite." She whispered happily.
The End

based on The Rope Trick by Lloyd Alexander

art found @ The Graphics Fairy

The Rope Trick fanfic #2 The Necklace

The Rope Trick fanfic

#2 The Necklace

{by Nina D.}

Daniella, among other unusual gifts, possesed an uncanny knack for finding singular items. Everything- from birds nests and bits of eggshells, to old coins, and one day a little fish hardened in rock. One day, as they were traveling towards the coast, Julian was driving the property wagon, and Lidi was sitting quietly beside him. Daniella came running up beside the wagon. "Look at what I found!!" She panted. Julian slowed the wagon to a brief halt, and Daniella scrambled up between them. "Show us!" Lidi said as they started off again. Daniella displayed a beautiful green stone, just the color of her eyes. Polished smooth by the gravel of the road, the stone shone brightly in the sun. "It's beautiful." Lidi praised, to Daniellas immense gratification. "It'd look good as a necklace." Julian commented, glancing at her find. Daniella's eyes lit up."Could you make it into one?!" Since Julians suscess with the guitar, Daniella had developed an opinion of his creative ability, that was rather unmerited on his part. He took the stone and looked closely at it. "Hmm... I just may." He said thoughtfuly, as he handed it back to her. "Keep it safe and I'll take a better look at it when we stop." He said. Daniella tightened her grip on the stone and nodded solemnly. Julian grinned at Lidi over Daniellas head. Lidi shook her head, but smiled back.

* * *

When the troupe reached a village, they stopped at the nearest field and began to set up. Julian, Lidi and Jericho set up Lidi's effects and helped the other performers as well. When everything was done, Julian began to rummage in the tent wagon. He came out with some wire and a few tools. He motioned Daniella over. She handed him the stone and watched intently. Lidi watched them fondly from a little ways off. At times like this, the defiant, haunted, painful side of Julian's character disappeared, leaving only a kind and confidant young man. More and more often, Lidi noticed this change, untill sometimes she even wondered if he'd forgotten his fight with the Baboon and his myrmidons. But she knew he couldn't ever forget, not completely. *His wounds might heal, but the scars would never vanish.* She watched as he wrapped the wire securely around the stone, firmly so it wouldn't get lost, but not enough to conceal its green color and polished shape. He finished it with a little loop for a chain to go through. "Have we got a chain or ribbon to put it on?" He glanced up at Lidi. "I'll look." She went into the tent wagon and looked around. Her eyes flew to her fathers old watch- ornate, silver, and very very old. He had been so proud of it, he had never even considered selling it. Lidi didn't quite know how to wind it, and it had run down long ago. It dangled from the ceiling, hanging on a fine silver chain. Lidi hesitated for a moment, then took the watch and gently slipped it from the chain. She wrapped the watch in a handkerchief and carefully tucked it into a drawer. She brought the chain out to Julian. He looked at it with surprise and admiration, then looked at Lidi questioningly. She nodded. Julian slipped the stone pendant on. Daniella gasped in delight. Julian fastened it around her neck. "A fitting adornment for an added attraction." He said gravely. Daniella's eyes shone with gratitude. Julian smiled at her. "Thank you!" she managed excitedly, then ran off to show Jericho- or anyone else who would look. Lidi walked over next to Julian as they watched her go. "That means more to her than you know." She said softly. Julian looked down at her. "It means a lot to me, to be able to do it for her." He said thoughtfully, his hazel eyes meeting hers. "Besides, an added attraction and a divine one at that really ought to be properly bejewled." He teased. Lidi laughed, then grew serious. "Thank you." Julian smiled and nodded his understanding. Lidi took a few backwards steps, then turned and headed back towards her wagon to lay out her costumes for the night.

The end.

 

based on The Rope Trick by Lloyd Alexander

photo is NOT mine, I found it via Google.