Welcome! Thank you for taking the time to read The Apprentice.

I don't want to bore you with a very long author's note but I do have to address a couple of things:

1. Even though this idea had been residing in my head for quite some time I originally had no intention on actually taking the time and writing it down on paper (as you can see I am very shy about my writing).

2. In a perfect and ideal world I would be updating every week but I can safely say that will not happen due to the fact that life is very busy. You have been warned.

3. If this story is not your type of Bertie Bott's Bean Flavour, please leave it unharmed so some other lad or lass can enjoy it to the fullest extent. Thank you.

4. Disclaimer: I do not own 'Cinderella' or Disney in any way. The only thing I own is my brain and story plot.

I think that about sums it up. So if you will, please sit back, relax and enjoy 'The Apprentice'.

THE APPRENTICE

By: The Painted Green Door

Chapter One:

Eleanor woke up with a start, her eyes fluttering briefly for only a few moments before she managed to focus her gaze on the scene before her. The fire and its embers had long been extinguished but the smoky smell still filled the space between her and the fireplace. Stretching nimbly she turned on her back to gaze at the ceiling which was painted in a subtle shade of cream. She had the most wonderful dream. She was sure of it. Something in her bones had told her so. Yet when she desperately racked her mind, urging herself to remember, she could not draw up a single detail.

"How lovely it must have been." She said as her eyelids grew gradually heavier, sleep threatening to drag her back down into its depths of darkness. A chime sounded throughout the household making her quickly open her eyes as a small gasp flew from her lips. Glancing at the grandfather clock in the corner of the room her eyes widened. She had woken up nearly an hour late. Scampering to her feet she smoothed her rather tarnished skirt the best as she could (never mind her hair) before she hurried down to the kitchens. Her thoughts scattered and her heart racing, she started tending to the stove before sneaking out of the kitchen door where the chicken coop was located. Saying a silent prayer as she hoped good old faithful Penrose and Ophelia had each laid at least one egg. Returning to the kitchens victorious she worked as fast as she could, careful not to burn any of the toast, poached eggs and bacon (though she was close a few times at burning the thin slices of bacon). Seasoning the simple dishes the best as she possibly could, she made a mental note to ask if she would be able to go to town in order to buy some spices. The small collection of bottles that held such delicacies were almost empty again.

"Cinderella! Where is she?"

Ella recognized it was Drizella's voice and silently winced as some dust had fallen from the beams of the kitchen ceiling. Quickly fumbling to gather three place settings (not four-she still remembered the last time she tried to join them and the amount of pride she had to swallow) and piling the hot food on a silver tray that she had found in one of the cupboards, she dashed to upstairs to find Drizella already sitting at the table, her eyes looking suspiciously towards her, "Running a bit late, aren't we Cinderella?"

"Oh Drizzy, don't you know she hates it when you call her that?" Anastasia announced as she flounced into the room (although her hair, did not. Her curls were permed in such tight ringlets that her hair seemed to be stiff as a board). Anastasia ignored Drizella's full-fledged scowl and instead glanced hungrily at the food that Ella had laid on a nearby table. Anastasia then turned her attention to the petite drowsy girl who was frantically setting the table, "Mother will be quite upset with you slacking on breakfast." She stated before she gave a rather wicked smile that made Ella falter in her placing the last knife on the table.

"Oh yes. Quite upset." Drizella agreed eagerly, snickering for a moment before she quickly composed herself and glanced towards the doorway, "Mother, Cinderella doesn't even have breakfast ready." She said this rather sourly but Drizella failed to hide the pure glee in her voice. Both of the sisters loved to witness their dear step-sister be humiliated, it was their favorite task to accomplish.

Ella froze for a moment before swallowing thickly and straightening her spine. She could feel two burning eyes on the back of her neck. "Have courage." She thought as she managed to look at who was supposedly her step-mother.

"My, my. Slacking on the duties?" Lady Tremaine said with a small snarl as she took her place at the table. Remembering she still had a knife in her hand Ella dropped it quickly on the table as if it had suddenly burned her skin before taking a small step back, "I'm sorry-"

"Doesn't matter." Lady Tremaine carried on with mock sympathy, "I just feel so bad for the poor souls at the castle that have to put up with you. You'll get in trouble in you continue sloppy work such as you do now."

There was a glint in the older woman's eyes that made Ella feel sick to her stomach. A look that told her Ella was in trouble. She was tempted at this particular moment to take a seat or perhaps go and get some fresh air outside, but she knew that wasn't a wise choice, "The castle?"

"Yes. The castle. I've already told you." The woman snapped, looking rather annoyed (although Ella was sure Madam hadn't told her at all). The mistress of the estate then took a small breath before bestowing Ella a rather weak smile that looked more like a grimace, "You've been such a burden on us. Too much actually. It's time you did some real work Ella and helped out with securing this estate. I'd hate to see the family loose this house, wouldn't you Ella?"

Ella was taken aback, not sure what to say, "Well yes but I-"

Lady Tremaine clapped in hands as if she was delighted at how everything seemed to be working out (which in reality, she probably was), "Then it's settled. I've managed to pull a few strings and you'll be a scullery maid in the palace from now on. You'll be leaving tomorrow at noon." Her eyes then flickered briefly to the table behind her step-daughter, "Pass the toast, Ella."

Quietly serving breakfast to the three, Ella did her best to keep back the tears that threatened to spill. It wasn't until Lady Tremaine dismissed her with a lazy flick of her hand that the tears spilled down her cheeks as she rushed to the kitchens, her sobbing muffled as she clapped a hand over her mouth. Closing her eyes and pressing her lips together she tried her best to stop the wave of sadness that seemed intent in drowning her.

"And did you see her? Covered in ashes."

Laughter faintly made its way down to the kitchens and Ella clutched the edge of the battered wooden table that stood near her for support. Her eyes had caught the brass pot that laid on it; her reflection was distorted but the brass pot couldn't manipulate the thin layer of soot that was on her face. With a small choking sob she did the only thing she could think of:

Run.

Her body felt numb as she mounted Major who, sensing something was wrong, nickered gently. With a rather queasy smile to the dappled slender gray horse she clucked her tongue, urging him on. With a snort he set off at an easy pace seeming eager for a change of scenery. With a shaky laugh and a small pat against his neck, she urged him along with a squeeze of her legs. He didn't need any more encouragement. As Major cantered with ease, Ella let her thoughts consume her.

As much as her sisters and Lady Tremaine treated her rather cruelly at times, they were still family to Ella. They were the only connection to her father. And her father was the only connection to her dear mother. It also occurred to her many times that there must be something-some event that happened in Lady Tremaine's life that made her act in such a fashion. And for that, Ella pitied her. She also realized that in the end, she was fortunate-surely there were others that were worse off.

But other thoughts crept into her mind making her rather unsettled.

She wasn't terribly afraid of working at the castle. She was sure that the conditions must be pleasant, even for a scullery maid. If the circumstances were different she was confident that perhaps she could have been happy there. No, those thoughts didn't bother her. It was the sudden realization that she was once again forced to swallow her pride and dignity that ate away at her-that once again, Lady Tremaine had found a way to manipulate her. It was the realization that she would probably never see her home again, the house where she had grown up in and where sweet memories still roamed. It was the realization that once again, she lacked courage.

With a small cry that escaped her throat she tapped Major's sides lightly making the gentle animal transition to a gallop gracefully. She didn't notice that they had passed through the meadow and were already in the forest. Passing thick tree trunks and thin wiry ones, green flashed past her as the wind ran through her hair. And somehow this made her feel better. The feeling of the raw wind hitting her face and her blonde hair flying behind her somehow calmed her.

"Whoa!" a voice cried out. It was a man's voice. Frightened, Ella did her best to keep her face unemotional. Major whinnied looking rather startled himself as a hand suddenly reached out to grab the horse's mane, "Whoa, whoa, whoa!" the voice continued to call out as if he was trying to soothe Major who looked rather annoyed that he was being chided to slow down. With a reluctant snort he slowed down as Ella fixed her eyes on the hand that still held the dappled gray's mane.

"Are you alright?"

Ella's eyes traveled from the hand that finally let go of her horse to that of a man who looked a bit breathless, cutting her path off by guiding his horse in front of hers. Now she had no chance but to talk to him, although she did admit that he certainly seemed kind enough. His hair, which was a dark brown, seemed perfectly in place even though he and his horse had been galloping through the forest only moments ago. His eyes she had noticed were a blunt shade of blue which seemed rather piercing to her due part to the blue cravat around his neck and the contrasting green of his fine coat, but she rather liked them nevertheless. (She also silently marveled at the golden thread embroidery that was weaved delicately throughout the coat's collar and front-she found it to be quite beautiful.)

After a moment she spoke, "I'm alright, but you nearly frightened the life out of him." She said as she sharply turned Major away from the man, trying to calm Major who seemed rather jumpy, pawing the ground as he eyed the strange man skeptically. He tossed his head up and Ella did her best to soothe the animal.

"I would apologize though I feared for your well-being. Galloping through the forest at such a pace is rather careless." the man stated looking rather taken aback but nevertheless cordial towards her. With a gentle nudge of his heel, his own horse moved forward at a slow, steady walk. They seemed to be walking in a circle, at opposite sides of such a circle, but yet close enough it made Ella still feel somewhat wary.

"I thank you for your concern but I do believe you were doing such a task as well, were you not? Or else, how would you have caught up with me and my horse?" The young maiden asked as she looked over her shoulder towards him, expecting him to be embarrassed or at least flustered. Yet instead his eyes held amusement and Ella deduced his eyes seemed more brilliant when they held such an emotion.

"I also believe I should confess that I'd like to think I'm rather confident at my horseback riding abilities." She confided, adding it as a quick afterthought. She said this in a slight teasing tone but still tried to keep a good distance away from the man in case he made any abrupt movements. She was smart enough to realize that even though it was daylight, the woods were still a dangerous place to be alone in with a newcomer.

A lopsided grin overtook his lips and the young woman found it a rather difficult task not to smile back for it was rather infectious. But somehow she managed. "I have no doubt. You strike me as an accomplished horseback rider. But do believe me when I say that I had the best intentions in mind when I stopped your horse." He paused himself, "Perhaps if I knew of your abilities beforehand I could be closer in finding the stag I spotted not two moments ago."

"What has the stag done to you that you hunt him with such a desire?" She asked him, her tone a bit defensive. A sickening feeling formed in her stomach as she thought about the man wanting to hurt such a graceful, majestic animal.

Again, he seemed rather surprised at her words and was silent for a moment as if he was trying to think and carefully plan his answer, then, "Is he a friend of yours perhaps?"

Ella fought the smile that battled to grace her lips. A question for a question. Her eyes flickered to her dappled gray horse for a moment before looking back at the man who looked quite curious. A renewed interest burned in his eyes as he guided his horse gently in the enclosed area of the forest. Giving herself a moment to compose an answer just as smart she replied, "No. Unfortunately I've never made his acquaintance, though I believe it would be an honor to do so. However, regardless of whether I have met him before, I can say that he probably has a great deal left to do in his life." She said all of this while she was looking towards the trees, admiring how graceful the branches bent in the small gust of wind that dared to run through the forest.

A small lighthearted laugh echoed throughout the forest, making Ella glance at the man who seemed obviously amused. She was somewhat taken aback at her observation that the circle had been tightened, resulting in him being closer to her when compared to only a few moments ago. Strangely this fact made her feel at ease rather than frightening her. With a small shake of his head, some of his locks swaying gently with the movement he smiled with what Ella could only describe as a kind smile, "Miss, what do they call you?"

Ella returned his gesture, shaking her own head briefly as she responded, "Never mind what they call me." The caution that was fled only a moment ago was back. Although he seemed to be a rather likeable fellow (and certainly an entertaining conversationalist) she reminded herself to say nothing more than was actually needed.

"You shouldn't be this deep in the forest alone." He informed her after a moment. Now it was Ella's turn to be at a loss for words, and quite flabbergasted. Was he scolding her? For a moment such a possibility annoyed her, yet at the same time made her filled with pure wonder. Surely such a person who cared for another's well-being must be a good person at heart.

Pushing the thought aside she halted her horse by shifting her knees, "I'm not alone." She told him, "I'm with you Mister..." she lapsed momentarily into silence trying to remember if he had ever spoken his name. Finally deciding that he had not she carried on, "What do they call you?"

Another short burst of good natured laughter, "You don't know who I am?" he asked, looking doubtful and rather incredulous. This bewildered her but the man's expression only lasted for a mere millisecond on his face, making Ella wonder if she had imagined his shocked look, "That is…they call me Kit. Or my father does when he's in a good mood."

The comment made them both smile briefly before she carried on, finding her spirits lift. When was the last time she talked to anyone besides Lady Tremaine and her stepsisters? She couldn't recall. Gently encouraging Major to walk, Ella then questioned him further, "Where do you live Mr. Kit?"

"At the palace." He stated quickly before adding, "My father's teaching me his trade you see."

"You're an apprentice!" she asked, gasping slightly. She tried to think of a trade that required him to wear such fine clothes, ride a steed with the glossiest coat she had ever laid eyes upon and hunt stags until his heart's content. No profession came to mind. Yet he nodded his confirmation.

"Of a sort, yes."

She found herself grinning at his comment. Perhaps working at the castle wouldn't be so dreadful if Kit was there. Surely they would be able to see each other from time to time even if they had different tasks to do. She then launched her next question eagerly, wanting to know as much as she could, "That's very fine! Do they treat you well?"

"Better than I deserve most likely." He confessed, his blue eyes twinkling with an echo of amusement before he turned to look at her full on, "And you?"

"I'll be starting work at the palace tomorrow." She informed him, seeming rather relieved at the thought of knowing at least one familiar face when she arrived the next day. Her words made him abruptly halt his horse, his eyes widening with either slight surprise or unease (Ella couldn't decide which one), "Tomorrow?"

She nodded, "Yes. I'll be working in the kitchens." As if suddenly aware at the fine clothes he wore and clean appearance, a stark contrast when compared to her own clothes and frazzled presentation, she then added with a small laugh to dissipate how self-conscious she felt, "Though sometimes I'm convinced I get along better with animals than humans."

Silence.

Ella couldn't understand what expression he wore on his face and it somehow made her even more uncomfortable than ever before. He looked towards the ground for a minute before then meeting her eyes, "That's very soon. Won't your family miss you?"

Swallowing with great difficulty, feeling as if she would choke at any given moment she mustered up the best smile she could (though she was sure it probably looked rather weak and unconvincing), "I'm sure they'll recover quickly."

A proud tone of a trumpet filled the space and they both glanced at where the sound seemed to be coming from. Faint hooves could be heard hitting against the soft ground of the forest and Ella glanced at Kit whose shoulders had slumped just the slightest bit (unbeknownst to her).

"Your company?" Ella asked him, arching an eyebrow as she watched Kit nod somewhat stiffly, "It seems at long last they have caught up to you."

"It seems you're right." He said after a moment, sounding rather reluctant as the noise of men shouting and horses snorting became gradually louder. Any moment now they would appear through the trees and he would have no choice but rejoin the men.

"Promise me they won't hurt him." Ella instructed, searching his face for any hints of emotion he might be feeling. Drawing nothing from his face she earnestly listened to his answer instead. Kit shifted in his saddle, a bit uncomfortable. He had never had felt this way before and it bothered him greatly, but whether or not he was upset by it he wasn't sure. Trying to form words that seemed content in staying lodged in his throat he struggled with his reply to the young maiden, "It's hunting season you see-"

"Just because it's done doesn't mean it's right." Ella cried out looking rather upset by his words. Chewing on the inside of her cheek she was tempted to ride back to the estate or perhaps further into the words. Any place to get her away from him. But instead she stayed watching as he grinned yet again.

"Right again."

The young maiden couldn't decide if he was mocking her or not, and she had no chance to evaluate for a rather hefty man trotted towards them, his eyes darting from her and Kit. Halting his horse (a large bulky chestnut) beside Kit's own horse he then finally spoke, "You went running off Your-"

"Ah Ingham, there you are!" Kit exclaimed with a loud short laugh as he then glanced between the two. Ella was watching the exchange between the two gentlemen carefully but did not notice the rather confused look Ingham gave his now-found companion. Once again, Kit felt uncomfortable. Running a hand through his neatly combed locks he then offered a thin smile (that was nevertheless genuine), "This is Ingham, Captain of the Royal Guard. The best man there is."

Ella smiled pleasantly at the man (though was rather uncertain how to proceed), "How do you do Mr. Ingham? Kit and I were just discussing matters of the Palace. I apologize. It seems I've kept your friend detained for too long." Now it was her turn to shift awkwardly on Major's bare back. Perhaps it was best to go…

"About my apprenticeship. She'll be starting work at the Palace tomorrow." Kit informed quickly, daring to shoot a look at Ella who was still smiling politely at the two men. Then straightening his back he shot a pleading look at the Captain who seemed rather entertained at how the conversation was going.

"Oh yes. Kit is a remarkable apprentice." Ingham spoke with a rather wicked grin towards the man himself. A shout sounded throughout the forest and another short sputter of the horn made its way to them. With his grin still etched on his lips he then gave a nod towards the maiden, "I'm sorry to say this but Kit is needed. The hunt resumes Miss..."

"Ella." She replied, feeling not the slightest bit wary at giving him her name. Sending a pleading look to Kit, who seemed to be fuming at the moment, she then wished them well. With a small cluck of the tongue Ingham trotted away, glancing back: a sign that he expected the apprentice to follow. Stifling a sigh the young man with the dazzling blue eyes met Ella's gaze, "You'll be safe in these woods?"

The petite young woman sent him a teasing smile, "Of course not Mr. Kit. I fear my horseback riding skills are lacking and there's been rumors a strange man who wears a green coat rides in the forest scaring maidens and their horses."

"I do hope he's caught. He sounds rather dangerous." He replied, pure amusement apparent in his eyes though he did not smile. Glancing towards the path where Ingham had disappeared, he then prodded his horse with his heel, making his steed settle into an easy trot, "I do hope we see each tomorrow Ella."

"As do I." She whispered as he disappeared out of sight leaving her entirely to herself.

Note: Leave some love? Review?

Much love,

The Painted Green Door