A Different Ending

[Kiyoshi]

This is my first ever fan-fic. It's based on Inkheart. As the title suggests this is a different ending for the book. This first chapter is entitled: Hurry Fenoglio. Please, feel free to flame, but give good reviews too.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this story. They all belong to Cornelia

Funke.

Meggie looked over Fenoglio’s shoulder watching him write.

“Hurry Fenoglio! It’s almost sunset!” Meggie said. And indeed time was running out.

“I know that! I’m writing as fast as I can.” Fenoglio snapped. “I’m sorry Meggie, I’m under a lot of pressure and I have to think fast.”

Meggie nodded. Of course she understood. Just then they heard footsteps outside the door. Fenoglio quickly hid the sheet of paper he was writing on under his mattress. The door opened and Mortola and a young serving maid came in. With them they had food, a dress, a comb, and a wash basin.

“Wash your face and comb your hair. This is the dress you’ll be wearing to the festivities.” Mortola said. Then she led the young maid out. Meggie sat at the table and picked at her food.

“I’m not very hungry,” Meggie said and pushed the plate away.

“You must eat. You’re going to need your strength for what we’re planning,” Fenoglio replied. Meggie got up and walked over to the dress. Fenoglio had gotten out the sheet of paper to write again.

“I don’t like to wear white things, death has white hounds.” Meggie whispered.

“White is also the color of beginnings.” Fenoglio muttered without looking up. Meggie put on the dress anyway. It was miles too big.

Mortola came back a half hour later. Fenoglio hadn’t finished. Mortola came with a different maid this time.

“You haven’t combed your hair!” She exclaimed. The other maid pulled the comb roughly through Meggie’s hair. When that was done Mortola roughly hauled Meggie out of the chair and pulled down the stairs. She led Meggie to where the festivities were to be held. There were long rows of benches set up and a rostrum as well. On the other end of the stadium there was a cage set up where the prisoners to be executed were to be led. Slowly the stadium began to fill up with Capricorn’s men and maids. Then the prisoners were led forward. Meggie got a nasty surprise when she saw Elinor being led behind Basta. Finally Capricorn himself came forward. He went and sat in the big chair awaiting him. He stood and held his hands up for silence. Just then shots were heard echoing over the stadium. He signaled to Flatnose to go check it out. Then Capricorn started to speak.

“We all know why we are here, but for those of you who don’t it is to witness an execution…” That was all Capricorn got out before Flatnose came back pushing ahead Mo.

“This is the one causing all the trouble, our old friend Silvertounge!” Flatnose said.

“Ah, Silvertounge. Glad you could make it!” Capricorn said. Meggie turned even paler then she already was. Mo was put in the cage with Elinor and the other prisoners. He embraced Resa. Capricorn looked surprised but said nothing. Then he went on with his speech.

“Now the reason for this execution is loose talk, treachery and stupidity. Many of you wonder if stupidity is worthy of an execution, but I believe it is. Now let us hear something read aloud to us.” Capricorn finished.

Oh why couldn’t Fenoglio finish? Meggie thought. Then she started to read. She read out the Shadow, and stopped when he arrived. Meggie heard Capricorn give the order to kill the three people she loved the most. When she saw the Shadow move toward the cage Meggie closed her eyes and covered her ears so she wouldn’t hear the screams, or see the struggles. When Meggie was sure it was over she looked up. She saw the Shadow licking his muzzle. Capricorn slowly got up and told the men to go eat in the church. Then he went over to Meggie and put his hand on her shoulder. Her vision was blurred with tears. Then she remembered Fenoglio. She looked for him and didn’t see him. What if the Shadow ate him too?

“Where is Fenoglio?” Meggie asked. Then Capricorn looked around.

“I don’t know. He was here a second ago.” Capricorn replied. He’s in the book! Meggie realized.

“He went into the book. Poor Fenoglio.” Meggie whispered.

“So I guess you really can’t control it.” Capricorn said.

“No, I can’t. If I could you would have gone.” Meggie whispered.

“I know.”

“How come you aren’t celebrating with your men?” Meggie asked.

“I never eat with them, Even if it is a celebration.” Meggie still had the book clutched to her chest. Capricorn reached over and grabbed the book and took it from her. “So you don’t get any ideas.”

Meggie nodded and didn’t put up a fuss.

“I have one question though. Why did your father hug Resa?”

“Resa was my mother.” Meggie replied.

“Ah. So now you’re an orphan. That works well for me. Now no one can come to fetch you.” Capricorn took Meggie back to the room where she was locked before. But now she was all alone. Meggie went and got up on the top bunk. Now she wished she had eaten something. She lay on the bed and went to sleep.

When she woke up the sun was shining brightly through the window. Meggie got up and stretched. For a moment she forgot where she was. She got a nasty reminder when Capricorn came in.

“Come with me.” He said. When Meggie didn’t move he came and yanked her off the bed.

“When I tell you to do something you do it! Understand!” Capricorn yelled. Meggie nodded fearfully. “Good.” Then he dragged her outside. Meggie went without a fight. Capricorn took her to the church. Mortola was overseeing the maids cleaning.

“Mortola, the girl needs to be fitted for a dress. Do that for me will you?” Capricorn called.

Mortola nodded. Then she beckoned Meggie over. Meggie hurried over.

“You there, go get me a measuring tape!” Mortola called to one of the many maids. The girl nodded and hurried off. Capricorn went to sit in his chair.

“So, now that you’re mine, you can sometimes help the other maids. Is that understood?” Capricorn said. Meggie nodded. “Good. Cockerel, call for Darius. Tell him to bring some books.” Cockerel nodded and went to get the old reader. Just then the maid came back with a measuring tape. Mortola measured Meggie then stalked out the door to make her a dress. Meggie stood in the nave staring at the floor. Capricorn didn’t say anything either. Then Cockerel came back with Darius. Just like the first time Meggie saw him he had his arms filled with books. He came up to her and laid the books on the floor. Meggie kneeled down in front of them and looked at the titles. Peter Pan was one of them.

“Now, I want you to read out some men for me. Start with that book there.” Capricorn said. He was pointing at Peter Pan.

“Who do you want me to read out? Poor Peter who has lost his fairy? Captain Hook who wants to be rid of Peter? Or perhaps Wendy, who would be lost without Peter?” Meggie asked.

“Why would I want a boy? I want a pirate.” Capricorn said.

“Those pirates are wimps. Peter kills them all the time in the book, and has a good time of it too.” Meggie replied

Capricorn thought for a minute. “Yes, read him out. I daresay I could use a boy like that.”

Meggie started reading. She read about a page and half when Peter came out. But he wasn’t alone; Wendy was with him, holding his hand. Oh no, not Wendy! What will happen to John and Michael?

Capricorn raised his eyebrows when he saw Wendy with Peter. “Well, well it seems you won’t need to help the maids after all. We have a new girl.” Capricorn remarked.

“Where are we Peter?” Wendy asked the boy standing next to her.

“I don’t know Wendy, this isn’t Neverland.” Peter answered.

“I’m so sorry Wendy; I only meant to read Peter out. I swear.” Meggie said.

“Take her to Mortola. And take the boy to Flatnose.” Capricorn ordered. Two men came up, one grabbed Wendy, and the other grabbed Peter. The two children were so bewildered they didn’t know what to do; so they let the men lead them away.

“Now pick up the next book. How about that one.” Capricorn said. He was pointing to one of the books Mo read the first time, Treasure Island. Meggie picked it up and read about all the men on board the Hispaniola. But no one came out. Meggie was relieved.

“Ah well, that’s all we’ll get out of you today. But we’ll try again tomorrow. After all you are younger than Silvertounge.” Capricorn sighed. Meggie looked down at the floor. Darius came and took the books. He cast Meggie a sympathetic glance as he got up to walk away.

“Come up here by me.” Capricorn said. So, Meggie went. Capricorn had her sit on the steps beside his chair. He would watch her like a hawk. After all he couldn’t let her get away. He really wasn’t sure if Dustfinger was still alive.

Dustfinger was still in Basta’s old house. He had watched the execution from the roof. They had caught Silvertounge. Now there would be no one to rescue Meggie, except him. He could, but it would be very dangerous for both of them. And besides, where would he take her? She was an orphan now. He couldn’t take her everywhere. He could drop her off at a town and she could find a new family. She deserved to be rescued. Besides he wanted revenge on Capricorn. So it was settled, that night Dustfinger would rescue Meggie.

Capricorn had decided to move Meggie’s room closer to his. In fact there was an empty room right next to his. So that was where Meggie was moved. It didn’t take much effort all they had to do was grab her backpack. There was already a bed in the other room. Later that night when Capricorn escorted Meggie to her room, there was already a guard posted at the door. His face looked familiar, so Capricorn thought that his men finally started to think ahead. He opened the door and ushered Meggie inside.

“Get lot’s of sleep little Miss Silvertounge, you’re going to need it.” Capricorn said as he shut the door. Then he went to his room next door. Great, just what I need Capricorn right next door. He isn’t exactly known for being the heaviest of sleepers. Dustfinger thought. Oh well, he could still get Meggie without too much difficulty. It was just a matter if she could manage to keep quiet enough. Dustfinger knew she could. She was a very clever girl. Then Dustfinger picked the lock. He walked in. Meggie had her back turned to him. He came up behind her and put his hand over her mouth to stifle her scream of surprise.

“Hush, it’s only me.” He whispered. Meggie nodded. When he let go she remained quiet. “Now, we must be quiet, you know what will happen if we make noise. Don’t forget to take your shoes off.” Meggie bent down to take off her shoes. When that was done they took off. They ran over the roof tops so as not to be seen by Capricorn’s men. It worked well. Meggie only slipped once. But Dustfinger was right there to catch her.

When the reached the outskirts Dustfinger lowered Meggie off the roof and climbed down himself.

“Now, we have to be quieter than ever. Even the tiniest of noises could give us away. Farid is waiting for us behind that tree.” Dustfinger whispered. Meggie nodded. She understood perfectly well. Then they crept off. But Capricorn was waiting for them.