Jack and the Beanstalk (Faerie Tale Collection) Page 4

  He jumped down and tossed the reins into the cart before holding his arms out for Jill. Scooping her up, he quickly set her boots on the dirt before the two climbed over the wooden fence and out into the field overgrown with blooming wildflowers. The fragrant scents wafted lazily through the air as the sunset breeze rolled in. It looked to be a pleasantly warm summer’s night.

  Jill followed Jack as he made his way up to the crest of the little rise in the center of the field. “Why do you think we had to plant these beans so far away from the house?” She pulled them out of her pocket.

  He shrugged and knelt on the grass. Pulling up a few flowers by the roots, he soon cleared a small section.

  “Do you need help?” she asked as she handed the beans to him.

  He glanced up. “Actually, I need some water.” Nodding toward their grandfather’s cottage, he said, “Do you mind running to the outside pump and fetching a pail of water for me?”

  “Do you need a lot?”

  “Nay. I would imagine just a few cupfuls, really.”

  “I will try not to disturb Grandfather as well.”

  “Aye, no reason to worry him over what we are doing out here.”

  She scampered down the little rise and then slowed a bit as she crept closer to the cottage. It took no time at all to pump a few bursts of the well water into the small pail set near the pump. Carefully she made her way back up to Jack and handed him the bucket.

  He had already put the little beans into the ground. She watched as he covered them with earth and patted it firmly. “Well, I guess we shall hope for the best.”

  He poured the water over the dirt mound while Jill said a silent prayer. Please, whatever happens, let him be able to save Rachel. When he was through, they both headed down the knoll to return the bucket.

  All at once, they heard a loud roaring. The ground beneath them began to rumble and the small rise started to grow into a hill. What was happening? Jill shrieked as she watched Jack stumble and fall down. The great quaking caused her footing to slip and soon she was tumbling down the growing hill after him.

  CHAPTER NINE

  “JACK! JACK!” JILL SHOUTED somewhere to the left of him.

  He groaned and sat up. What had happened? He tried to stand, but winced and held his head. It was throbbing. He must have hit it when he fell.

  “Jack!” Her blurry figure came up to him.

  What was wrong with his eyes? Why could he not see? “What?” he asked as he attempted to rub the pain away. Indeed, his head hurt so much, it was as if it had split in two.

  “You are bleeding!” She gasped.

  “Am I?” Bringing his hand forward, he tried to focus on it. His vision was too blurred to see blood of any kind.

  “Let me assist you.” He heard a tear of fabric, and then felt Jill place the cloth against his brow. “Hold this for a few minutes until the bleeding stops,” she said. “I do not know why you were clutching the back of your head when it is the front that has plainly received the most damage. It was a nasty fall. Are you well?”

  “Um…” He chuckled and then grimaced. “I should not laugh—it hurts. But no, I am not up to snuff.”

  “Well, clearly you are not all that sound, I can see that. What I meant was, is anything else damaged? Your ankles? Back? Arms?”

  “Only my head.” He held out a fuzzy hand to her. “I will be fine. Can you help me up? I want to turn around and see what has occurred.”

  “No, no, you do not. Your mind cannot fathom what is behind you at the moment. Just stay down a bit longer.”

  He attempted to rise again. “Jill, do not take me for a fool. What is it?” This time when he looked at her, she was more clear. He blinked. Her face came into focus. She was looking past him and up toward the sky. “What?” Turning around slowly, one hand keeping the makeshift bandage in place, he faced the most bizarre sight he had ever seen. “My word!” he whispered.

  “I know.” Jill sat down beside him. “It is rather magnificent, is it not?”

  His eyes followed the massive green twisted tubes from the ground all the way up until he could not see them end for the clouds. “What in the world is it?”

  “I do not know.”

  Grunting a bit, he regained his footing and walked up to the thing. He reached for a large leaf that had wound around one of the bulky tubes.

  “Jack! Jill! What in all of glories be is this in the garden?” Their mother came running up the hill. “We heard the commotion and felt the quaking. Your father and I looked out the window and nearly fainted. What a sight this is!”

  Hansel climbed up behind her. “Have you ever seen such a large beanstalk in your life?” He turned to Jack and Jill. “Where did you get the beans to create this?”

  “This is perfect!” His mother laughed. “What an easy way to climb up to the giant’s kingdom!”

  It had not hit Jack until his mother spoke that this was what the witch meant. “It is my way up there! I cannot believe it! Those silly little beans worked!”

  “And quite quickly, too,” Jill exclaimed.

  “Jack!” Gretel gasped. “What has happened to your head?”

  He brushed her hand aside. “It is fine. Just a scratch—I do not even feel a thing anymore.”

  “What in all the blazes is this?”

  The group turned and watched Adale make his way up the hill. “What have you all been doing to my garden? I was just heading to my bed when the ground began to move and I heard this ruckus. I had to come out and see for myself.”

  “Forgive us,” Jill said. “In exchange for a cow, we were given magic beans to fetch Rachel back. We had no idea what would happen, only that we had to bury them away from the house.”

  “’Tis a good thing you did!” their grandfather replied. “Just this mound of dirt alone would have been the ruin of my foundation. The whole house would have tumbled to the ground.”

  Jack glanced over at Jill and asked, “Are you ready to head up?”

  “Now?” Her eyes traveled the length of the stalk again. “You want to go right now?”

  “It is as good a time as any. Why not?”

  Gretel walked over to him. “No, you will wait until morning before either of you traipse up any magical beanstalks. I want you both rested.”

  Why could she not see the importance of leaving at once? “Every second wasted on sleep will be a second Rachel is terrified and alone. I must go.”

  “Jack,” his father replied, “your mother is right. You and Jill have taken one journey already. We do not need either of you falling because you were not fully prepared for the rigorous climb ahead of you. It is wiser to sleep first and start in the morning.”

  “Besides, then we can travel in daylight.” Jill placed her hand on his arm. “I know you want Rachel. I know it is more than likely killing you to stand here and be told you cannot go until tomorrow when a way to save her is before you—a way you did not think possible even ten minutes ago. But, Jack, they are wise. Please, let us wait.”

  He looked down at her and sighed. “You too?”

  She nodded, her deep brown eyes pleading with him. Jack looked up at the stalk and weighed his options. If he went ahead, Jill would most definitely come with him. No matter how many times he told her not to, she would. And though he had the stamina and drive to get up that stalk, she would most likely fall. If he waited until they were all in bed and slipped out, she would follow him up that stalk hours later and then be lost in the kingdom. He sighed again. This was going to be a long night. How would he sleep, knowing Rachel was just a climb away? And how long would the beanstalk last?

  “You do not want to wait, do you?” whispered Jill.

  “No. I cannot risk it. This grew so fast—what if we awoke and it was gone? Then we would never save her.”

  Hansel and Gretel exchanged looks with Adale and he spoke up. “I say let them have their adventure. They are young and will be fine. The moon is large and bright and will be enough light for them. And what
Jack says is true—magic spells are tricky things. This stalk could be here for centuries or a mere twenty-four hours. One never knows.”

  “Right, then.” Gretel stepped away. “I say we get you some more provisions and supplies and let you begin your journey now. Just promise me, you two, that you will sleep on the stalk if you become too tired. I am sure there are places to nestle safely. There is no reason to push yourselves and fall.”

  Jack looked at his sister. “What say you? Can I not convince you to change your mind?”

  Her gaze followed the stalk and then she grinned, game as ever. “I say it is time to bring Rachel home!”

  CHAPTER TEN

  RACHEL LILY STAHELI OPENED her eyes and squinted in the moonlight that streamed through the window of the giant’s castle. It was nearly a full moon. She sat up in her bed in the large birdcage and wrapped her arms around her legs. How will anyone find me way up here?

  She wondered for the thousandth time what Jack was doing and if she would ever see him again. It was only the fourth night since the giant had stolen her away from her home, but it seemed she had been there a century.

  She tried to stay positive, telling herself over and over again that Jack would come for her. Even if it was impossible, he would still come. It was the only hope she had left—the thought of him caring enough to find her.

  How she loved him. She missed him so very much.

  Resting her head upon her knees, she turned and looked at the bright, round moon before her. Up here, as high as she was, she could make out the stars and the moon so much better than in the village below. Seeing the large orb so full and bright reminded her of the night Jack had proclaimed his love for her under the stars.

  Grinning, she wiped away a silly tear. How perfectly adorable he was then. She giggled as she recalled the proper hat and suit he wore as he swept a regal bow and lowered himself to one knee. It had not occurred to her what he was about to say. Truly, it was remarkable that someone as handsome and brave and wonderful as he was could love her!

  And yet, he did.

  Oh, how sweet were the surprising words that left his lips! How simply glorious to hear of his love and devotion and admiration of her. Jack. Jack Waithwrite loved her more than any other girl. He was hers.

  Urgh. She dashed at another tear as it crawled its way down her cheek. Jack was her rock. She had not known she needed such a strong, steady force in her life until he was there. And then, all at once, the pressures and insecurities and worries and challenges did not seem so hard to bear anymore. Indeed, he lightened every load she carried just by being there.

  How she missed him! She worried she would never see his handsome, smiling face again. It was foolish to be so in love. She knew this, knew how it could cripple someone and make them sink into despair when their significant other was not around. Had not her own mother turned into a simpering water pot every time her father went away to the grand market?

  She took a deep breath and sat up. No. She had to be strong. Rubbing her eyes, she pressed her lips together and looked around the room below her. Her cage was placed at the top of a high shelf. Never had she seen such beauty and wealth before. The giant might be a simpleton, but he certainly had very fine taste.

  Yards and yards of lush velvet adorned the walls and furniture of the castle in deep blues and maroons and emeralds. There was not a surface or item that was not bedecked in some way. And the gold! She had never seen so much gold in all her life. Even this birdcage was made of beautiful gold filigree.

  There was a soft stirring sound. She quickly glanced at the oversized music box that held the sleeping baby near her bed. The little angel with a head full of brown curls turned within her covers and sucked her thumb as she drifted back to sleep. Why in the world the giant would think to capture such a small child, she would never know.

  Her hands shook slightly as she thought of the poor thing—traumatized and crying nonstop when Rachel had first gotten there. It had looked as if the giant had not fed her properly, aside from a large, stale cracker she had been gnawing on, or changed her underclothes once.

  He placed Rachel in the cage with the small girl and simply said, “Fix her.”

  She immediately went to the baby and caught her up in her arms. The soiled clothing reeked, but the child needed comfort more than anything else. “I must be given warm water and something to bathe her in. She needs milk and proper food. She is starving and dirty. I will need clean garments for her as well.”

  “No, you fix her,” said the giant as he looked in the cage at them both.

  “No!” Rachel stomped her foot. “You are a bad man! You will kill this baby. Fetch me these things so I can help her.”

  “Gleeflak not bad man. I good man.”

  Rachel shook her head and remained firm. “No. You have stolen a baby and stolen me. That is bad. I need help to take care of her. It is your responsibility to see that we are cared for—both of us!”

  “I not steal you. You are mine!”

  “No, I am not. And I do not know where you got this baby, but thank goodness I am here or she certainly would have died. Do you want her to die?”

  When he shook his head, she said, “I will fix this child, but you must do as I say. Now.”

  He tilted his head and grumbled a bit. “Fine. I do it. I bring you clothes and water and milk and food. But you—” He pointed right at her with one large finger through the cage. “You will fix her!”

  “Yes.” Rachel nodded as she brought the child in closer. “Yes, I will fix this baby. I promise. Now get those things before she becomes ill.”

  When he was gone, Rachel had pulled the whimpering child away to get a better look at her. “There you go, little one. I am here now. You do not have to be frightened anymore. All will be well.” Her little legs had wrapped themselves around Rachel’s waist, and the big brown eyes had stopped crying long enough to stare up at her in wonder. The child looked to be nearly two. Too young to be on her own, neglected in a cage. Rachel’s heart twisted as she held the darling close to her again. “How long have you been here, little one? How frightened have you been without your mother?” The baby burst into tears, and Rachel bounced her softly in her arms. “Shh… I am here now. I will not leave you. You are safe. You have no reason to be frightened again.”

  Now staring at the sweet cherub all nestled in her bed with clean clothes, having contented dreams, Rachel vowed, “I will not accept our fate. Your mother must be worried sick, as sick as my family is. We will get home. I do not know how or when, but I promise you, I will get us out of here together.”

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  JACK HEAVED HIS WEIGHT up the next twisted vine and then leaned down to clutch Jill’s hand and bring her up. “How are you doing?” he asked as she gained her footing and panted against the stalk. They had been climbing continuously, with several short breaks, for over five hours now. “Do you need to rest again?”

  She looked down at the distance they had come. “It is so very far away.”

  “Aye,” he said as he glanced at the tiny homes dotting the land below them in the moonlight. They were too high up to see their cottage or Grandfather’s, but they could make out their village and several others tucked within the shadows of the rolling hills.

  “How much farther do we have to go?”

  Her breathing was more labored the higher they traveled. His felt off too, but it seemed to affect her much more. “I assume another hour or so.”

  She nodded as she continued to pant.

  Even though he felt energized and willing to go on, her actions gave him pause. She needed rest—nay, she needed sleep. He glanced around the large collection of intertwined vines and found a nice outcropping that could support them both a little ways above them.

  “There,” he said as he pointed upwards. “Do you see that grouping of vines?”

  “Yes.”

  “That is where I think we will take a break and sleep for the rest of the night. I am exhausted.” He
looked down at her weary features. “What say you?”

  She heaved several more breaths before nodding.

  He grinned. “Very well. Let us get you up there, and perhaps have some food as well.”

  “No.” She shook her head. “No food, just sleep.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Grasping the strong vine next to him, he grunted as he hauled himself up. When they had begun this trek, Jill had been so quick, he was hard-pressed to keep up with her. But now, he leaned down and clutched her hand again. Tugging, he brought her exhausted body up the few more feet to the outcropping. Jill was as done as she had ever been. “There you go. Take off your pack and undo the ties of your skirts so you are more comfortable and find a nice spot where you can curl up,” he commanded.

  She muttered something in reply and did just as he insisted.

  Chuckling, he watched her wrap herself up into a nice, cozy ball and almost instantly fall asleep, snuggled between a low-dipped thatch of vines and a large leaf blanket. He had never seen her quite so obedient before. It was good for her.

  Shucking off his own pack, he brought it round and pulled out an apple and a nice-sized chunk of cheese wrapped in paper. Munching, so far above everything else, he looked out at the world and smiled. Almost. He was almost there.

  Tomorrow the real journey would commence.

  Hopefully all was well with Rachel. He could not envision anything but happy thoughts when it came to her predicament. Anything less than absolutely perfect imaginings would set him reeling. There was one goal and one goal only—to see that she made it home as safely and as quickly as possible. The rest of the little insecurities that crept up at the thought of him traversing through an unknown kingdom, facing larger-than-life human forms—those did not matter now. It was useless to worry about things he knew nothing about. Instead, he focused on holding her in his arms again, smelling her sweet lavender scent as he pressed his nose into her glorious pale hair and then bending down and kissing her lips softly.