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took a tentative step toward Beldegard.
    Mother Hubbard scowled, then turned suddenly and took a step toward the bench. Annie was surprised when the woman picked up one of the cushions, plumped it with her hands, and set it back down.
    What an odd thing to do
, thought Annie,
unless
…
    Annie glanced at the cushion. PEACE, HARMONY, HAPPINESS read the needlepoint decoration.
So that’s it!
Annie thought, noticing that the tune that she’d heard when she entered the cottage had faded. The cushion itself must have been the source of the magic, ensuring that anyone who entered the cottage would be peaceful and happy. Just like the music, the magic was fading because Annie was there. It was time for her to leave.
    â€œI think I’ll wait outside,” she said as she scurried around Liam and out the door.
    Annie had just crossed the threshold when she heard the sound of running feet and caught a glimpse of a figure darting into the underbrush at the edge of the woods. Branches shook wildly, then stopped suddenly as if the runner had decided to hide instead of run. Curious, Annie walked to the grass that the figure had crossed and bent down to see if he had left footprints.She saw two distinct ones; the tracks were about the size of Annie’s own feet, and led back to the cottage. Still bent over, Annie followed them. Whoever had made the tracks had been standing at the window and could have witnessed everything that went on inside.
    â€œAnnie!” Liam called as he stepped out of the cottage. “We’re going into the village.”
    â€œShh!” she said, gesturing for him to come closer.
    â€œMother Hubbard remembered something. It seems Rose Red told her that someone came into the Gasping Guppy asking about the dwarf,” said Beldegard as he followed Liam out the door. “She suggested we go talk to Rosey.”
    â€œWould you please be quiet?” Annie whispered. “Someone has been spying on us and is hiding in those bushes.” When she pointed at the underbrush, she could have sworn she saw them quiver.
    Liam nodded. Pointing at himself, he gestured at a spot on the other side of the underbrush. When Annie nodded back, he slipped away, walking so quietly that she couldn’t hear him.
    â€œI think I’ll go look for some berries,” Beldegard announced in a loud voice, shambling around the shrubs from the other direction.
    Annie was watching the shrubs, waiting for one of her companions to do something, when the branches thrashed and a slim person in the clothes of a stableboy burst free. In a flash, Annie darted after the fleeing figure and threw herself onto his back, knocking him to the ground.
    â€œOw! Get off me!” the figure cried. Startled, Annie grabbed his shoulder and flipped him over, only to see her sister, Gwendolyn, glaring up at her.
    â€œWhat are you doing here?” Annie demanded.
    â€œLet me up and I’ll tell you,” Gwendolyn said, tucking her hair back in the boy’s cap she was wearing.
    â€œOh, for…,” Annie muttered as she got to her feet, and thrust out her hand to help her sister up. “How long have you been following us?” she asked, annoyed.
    Gwendolyn stood and brushed off her clothes. “Since just after you left. I crossed the drawbridge the moment you entered the forest.”
    â€œBut I saw you on the parapet waving that stupid handkerchief at Beldegard!” said Annie.
    â€œThat was one of my ladies-in-waiting. I’d already changed my clothes and was waiting until you couldn’t see me. I’m surprised it took you so long to notice that I was following you. I expected you to spot me long before this. Beldegard!” she called as the bear prince emerged from the underbrush covered in bits of twigs and leaves. “Here I am, my love! I’ve come to join you on your quest!”
    â€œI
should
make you go home,” Annie grumbled.
    â€œBut you won’t—not