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.