"Throw the witch in the cage. We'll see her tried and hanged by morning."

Alfie fell hard against the floor. He slid against the stone bricks, slamming against the puddles of dirty water in a crumpled heap. His torn clothes tearing against the rough floor, cutting into his skin. They hadn't listened when he protested he wasn't a witch, instead simply opting to arrest him and throw him in the dungeons.

He wished he had magic. Things would be easier if he did. Perhaps life wouldn't have been so hard to live if others were more accepting or if he could simply change his body. He tried to hide, to live where nobody would bother him, but secretly he knew this day would come. He sat up, curling up into a ball against the wall. Now it was simply a matter of waiting for the inevitable.

Time passed slowly within the dungeon. With no way to know how long it had been since being thrown in, Alfie could only sit in the silence and wait for anything to happen.

A commotion could be heard outside with multiple voices scrambling to speak and protest. Alfie tried to listen to the far door, but the muffled sounds gave no indication of what was happening. Suddenly the door opened.

"Your majesty. I must protest. The witch poses-" One of the guards said before being interrupted.

"The witch poses no threat to me. Remain at your post. I will summon you if I need you." The queen walked in, her shoes clicking against the dungeon floor with a loud sound that echoed off of the walls. Alfie had never met the queen but had heard about her. She had taken the throne young, after her entire family had died. Not much was known about her, even before taking the crown she had rarely been seen in public. She was well renowned, bringing great prosperity and public relations with other kingdoms to the realm. It was said she held influence and that any who knew her loved her.

She stopped in front of Alfie's cell. She was younger than expected, perhaps no more than a year older than Alfie. She was gorgeous. Slender in form, but tall and regal. She held her shoulders back and chin up without arrogance but with a sense of power and purpose. Her long green dress cascaded down in the finest of fabrics over the floor. She knelt down, crouching to eye level with Alfie, yet even so, Alfie remained almost a whole head shorter than the queen. He could see her muscles, toned like a warrior under the fabric. She seemed formidable, perhaps that is why she was so renown.

"You are no witch."

It was a statement, not an accusation. Alfie shook his head. "Not a witch. Just not what they want me to be. I'm a good farmer, that's all. My crops bloomed exceptionally well this year and they believe me to use magic instead of skill."

"Perhaps it is both."

"I don't know magic. I'm not a witch. I'm just a hard worker."

The queen moved closer. "Perhaps it wasn't you who used the magic then. Perhaps it was someone of a like mind who wished only well for others like herself." The queen raised her hand casting a small glowing light from within her palm. It floated in the air before disappearing. Alfie's eyes opened wide in surprise.

"I must apologize for my mistake in this injustice. I noticed your land was struggling without location to the waterway and sought to provide you a bountiful harvest. I am very sorry for my hand in this."

"You- you're a- a witch..." Alfie said suddenly terrified for his life.

"You have nothing to fear. In fact, perhaps you could help me. For I, much like you, was not what people wanted me to be. But I refused to let others keep me from myself. But it is lonely and perhaps you would be willing to join me in the castle."

"As a servant? My life for my servitude?"

"No of course not. As my friend and confidant. I would wish to provide with my help anything you could want, the same as I have done for myself. To not be so alone. I will have you freed and proclaimed innocent no matter your choice."

Alfie looked for any sign of deception, any lie, anything of danger but there was nothing. She seemed genuine in her request. Anything could be better than death, but to have a friend, someone of a like mind, especially a witch and a queen, it might be too good to be true.

"Could you help me. Truly, be seen as myself?"

"Guard. Come here." The queen ordered. The guard quickly approached, metal armor banging against itself as they rushed down the hall. They stood at attention waiting. The queen stood and walked over, waving her hand. Purple spirals erupted out from it as she spun them around. They floated over to the guard, tangling around his head. He had a moment to react before he froze, slumping over slightly, his eyes glowing purple as they hung loosely under hooded eyelids.

"What is your name? Your true name." The queen asked looking at Alfie.

"Alfie your majesty."

"Guard. I would have you unlock the door for my dear friend Alfie here. Then you shall proclaim to the town that Alfie is not a witch and has been pardoned on mistakes to the crown. Alfie will serve this kingdom as a faithful servant til the end of their days and should be respected as such. Any who hear these words shall know them as truth and any who spread them shall spread this spell far and wide."

The spell's color changed a rich red, tangling, threading into the guard's head. The trail began to ebb, flowing away from her hand and burying itself within the guard's head. She snapped her fingers. The guard waking immediately at attention. Instantly they quickly opened the cell door, not hesitating slightly.

Alfie stood nervously, exiting the cell. The guard bowed to them gently before fleeing to spread the news leaving the queen and Alfie alone. Alfie looked at the queen before bowing slightly in thanks.

"Come Alfie. I would like to show you more of the castle than the dungeon. I suspect you'll find it to be quite a nice place." The queen held out her arm to Alfie to take.

Alfie walked over taking it. "Thank you, your majesty. I look forward to getting to know you better. My life is in your debt. Please allow me to help you in any way I can."