Brothers, Pt II

It didn’t take long for the first of the heroes to show up.

Sthenie and Eurie were too ashamed of their new forms to show themselves, and Meddie (after several unfortunate, miserable accidents with the surrounding wildlife) had learned it was best for her to stick to shadows. Thus it was, when they heard a young man hallooing at the mouth of their caves, none of them rushed forward to greet him.

“Halloo!” His voice was getting nearer.

It was Meddie who finally responded. The fangs that now filled the mouths of her sisters made their speech difficult to understand, so they spoke as infrequently as possible.

“What do you want?” she called from behind a stalagmite. Her voice was as cold as the stone that surrounded them, but just as beautiful as it had ever been.

“I-“ the young man sounded taken aback. “I heard… there were… monsters?”

“Not here, there aren't. Just three sisters who never hurt anyone. Now leave us alone.”

But he would not.

“Please, lady- might I not be of some assistance?” Meddie opened her mouth to spurn his offer, but immediately shut it again. It was difficult for them to obtain food. She was useless at hunting, now that her gaze turned living flesh to stone, and her sisters, still not used to their legless forms, were not much better.

“Do you have any food?” she finally asked.

“I- yes? I mean- yes, I do! Of course you may have it! But- are you sure there aren’t any monsters you need me to slay?”

“No monsters,” she said firmly. “If you truly wish to help, you will leave the food and go.” Suddenly, inspiration struck- “My sisters are ill, and it is not wise for you to be here.”

“I could bring you medicine!” he declared. She sighed.

“There is no medicine you could bring us that would help. Only a god can heal them.”

“Then I shall petition the gods for you!”

“Yes, yes, go do that. But leave the food.” She heard rustling, then the sound of a pack hitting the ground.

“I shall return, my lady! You need not languish in exile forever!”

“Wonderful,” she rolled her eyes. As soon as she heard his footsteps receding, she emerged. Sthenie and Eurie did the same, giggling.

“You’re tho mean!” Eurie said, and Meddie’s heart gave a squeeze. It was the first time either of them had smiled since they’d been cursed.

“Do you really think he’ll find a way to help uth?” Sthenie asked wistfully.

“I really hope he doesn’t petition the war goddess,” she replied grimly, and reached down to pick up the pack. “Although I suppose she’s the one we have to thank for rumors of monsters circulating amongst the mortals.” She dug a bit and produced strips of dried meat, handed them to her sisters. Further rummaging produced a few soft apples, and a heel of hard bread. At the bottom, carefully wrapped, was a bit of still-soft cheese. It was a veritable feast compared to the seaweed, eggs, and few small fish her sisters had been catching. The sisters soon devoured it all of it. Meddie tried to make sure the twins got larger portions, but they ganged up on her and forced her to take the largest.

“You’re eating for two, Meddie!” they insisted, with affectionate glances towards her rounded abdomen. “We’re thtill immortal- a little leth won’t hurt uth. But your baby needth all the food you can give it!”

***

Other heroes came, and Meddie managed to get food out of them, as well. Usually she could get them to leave their packs and go without too much trouble, but every once in a while she ran into a stubborn one. Some of these were foolish enough to come into the cave, and eventually one caught sight of Eurie. He cried out in revulsion, and then made the mistake of taking out his sword and lunging towards her. Meddie, who had never considered herself particularly brave, found that when it came to people threatening her little sisters, she had no fear- and absolutely no mercy. She leapt in between the so-called hero and her cringing sister (who had somehow managed to get tangled in her own tail) and fixed him with a furious stare, snake-hair hissing. His face twisted in terror before he turned to stone- so swiftly that his arm was still upraised to strike.

Meddie found she didn’t feel the tiniest bit sorry for the man, either- although she did regret that his food had changed along with him.