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The Door of Enchantment part 1
Fiction
 Created on 5-9-08
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This story was one that began when i was eleven, and is probably the most dear to me. it has taken all these years to write a first chpater that i am pleased with and so here and now. i present it to you. The first chapter in The Door of Enchantment!
Chapter 1
The little red headed princess lay on her back under the cool shade of the willow tree that stood rather small in comparison to the height of the castle walls surrounding the courtyard. She gazed lazily up through the branches watching the light shimmer between the leaves. An un-ebbing peace and quiet was settled upon the castle, such peacefulness that was the normalcy for this place at this time of year, day, and hour, a peacefulness so great, that it annoyed the princess extremely. It not only annoyed her but it also made her weary. For who knew that so much peace could bring so much displeasure.
In every story since the beginning of time excitement and princesses went hand in hand, usually accompanied by some distress and peril. But for this princess nothing of the sort had come about. For her entire thirteen years not a single kidnapping, nor a dragon, or an assassination attempt, no illness, not even a horrible, tragic accident had happened. Most would count this as a blessing, but not this princess.
She wanted and wished so badly for something exciting to happen, for some great quest to be exposed and set before her. Maybe she had read to many stories, but all the same that is what she wished. I for one do not believe in wishes and as for wants, we’d better watch ourselves. Because what we want is not always good for us or anyone else for that matter. Wanting can lead to some bad places and wishing can lead to a dissatisfied and troubled heart. Though there is nothing wrong with dreaming about the future. Where in that future, everyone has a purpose. Every being alive has been built and designed for some purpose. Not so much a destiny, having little to do with fate and all to do with what we were made for. But that purpose is hidden from us and so rarely do we see it until it is upon us, or more often past us.
This princess is the same as all others, not knowing what her purpose is. She would know it now though, if it were up to her. She is ever so impatient.
Rhea was that princess’ name. She lived on the Continent of Avia, being the second born to King Martin VIII and Queen Saphira rulers of the kingdom of Havarnya. Her elder brother and heir to the Havarnian throne was Mark. Rhea and he, once upon a time spent a great deal of time together, but as both grew older Rhea was forced to occupy her time with princessy things and Mark was often sent away in preparation for his future kingship.
For at that moment Mark was away leaving Rhea alone in the castle to amuse herself. The friends she did have as a child were some of the children of the servants. They were in fact genuine friends but again time and age bore hard upon this and those once playmates had to go to work and prepare for their futures. Rhea was left then to escape her princess classes alone. Those princess classes included such things as sewing, dancing, etiquette, painting, and making fine cloth. None of these skills held any luster to the Princess Rhea. Oftentimes she would escape into the courtyard, as she had done on that day, or she would hide herself in the giant castle library. She was taught at a young age how to read so very often she could be found in one corner or other of the castle nestled up with a book reading during the daylight hours. It became a quite the game for the servants who were spread all through out the castle. As they would do their duties they would also be keeping an eye out for the hiding princess. Rhea herself found the game just as amusing and always found very peculiar places to hide. Such as under benches, in wardrobes, and up in trees. The tree was her lasted venture, a tree, which so happened to be a pine tree. She sat up in its branches reading for many hours not noticing the sticky substance that had seeped into her hair. There was so much tree sap stuck in her long red hair that her mother Saphira was begrudgingly forced to cut it short. Rumor of this happening sped through the kingdom. Making much laughter amongst the common people. For Rhea the royal princess now had hair at about shoulder length, which was entirely unheard of. But to be truthful this only made the people love their princess all the more. It can’t quite be explained but something about Rhea herself was just so loveable that almost all who were of decent nature were fond of her. In fact most of the kingdom was dearly in love with their princess. King Martin VII often accounted his subjects loyalty not to himself but to his two children, which was fine with him because they would be the ones in charge of the kingdom soon enough.
“ Monotony!” Rhea cried. “ So much monotony I can barely stand it!” Sitting up she pulled her legs to her chest and pouted a little. She glanced at the small pond beside the willow, that she referred to as the puddle cause it was so small. Her reflection showed back in the muddy waters, which she saw it and threw a rock in causing her reflection to blur and be clouded with mud. “ Stupid puddle.” She muttered. SPLASH.Something hit the surface of the pond and sent a sprig water all down Rhea’s front. Rhea looked around for the culprit but saw no one. She sprang to her feet and cried. “ Who did that!?”
A voice from behind made her start. “ You are certainly a lot jumpier than when I left, Rhea.” Rhea spun round and ran towards the voice before she could see the speaker clearly. She already knew who it was. It was her brother, Prince Mark. Rhea ran full force at her elder brother and jumped straight into his arms. He greeted her, matching her excitement, and lifted her up off the ground for a proper Mark/Rhea hug. After a few moments Rhea was placed back on the ground but still she clung to her brothers hand refusing to let go.“ When did you get back?” Questioned Rhea. “ I had heard no news of your return.”Mark clasped Rhea’s hand and answered her. “ I got back but an hour ago,” He replied. “ Tell me, what are you doing out here at this hour. It’s nearly time for supper.” Rhea’s expression turned sour as she spoke and she crossed her arms over her chest. “ You should know the answer to that already, “ She spat (figuratively speaking of course). “ Mother still insists upon my learning the useless skills of her up bringing.” Mark laughed aloud. “ They cannot be that unbearable. Sewing won’t kill you, you know.”“ Not death to my body” Rhea replied. “ But they shall be the death of my soul. I will not have all my spirit and energy go to waist sitting by a window watching the world live, where I cannot.”“ How do you survive behind these castle walls?” Asked Mark mockingly. “ Books,” said Rhea simply. “ Lots and lots of books.” “ Life isn’t like a book,” said Mark. Rhea looked with exasperation at her elder brother. “ Of course it isn’t.” she said matter-o-factly. “ But books are very much like life, and they do have much life in them.” “ I confess that I do not see the difference.” cried Mark. “ O how tragic.” Said Rhea shaking her head as Mark had often done her. “ But perhaps I should leave it for you to discover for yourself.”“ I think those books have made you proud Rhea.” Said Mark.“ Well then brother, what else do I have.” Replied Rhea. “ As a Princess, apart from worldly and material possessions and family, pride is all I have.”“ Why are you so dramatic?” Mark said rolling his eyes in his sister’s general direction. “ My books have also made me dramatic.” Retorted Rhea.“ Proud, dramatic, and also sarcastic.” Replied Mark, pushing back a smile.“ No, no , no” said Rhea fighting a smile as well. “ Sarcasm I have leant from our dear father.” The two of them both unleashed their smiles in full, and laughed aloud also. It had been many days since they had last seen each other. Each one greatly treasured the others company, that is, until they greatly annoyed each other.
Rhea and Mark walked about the castle together chatting and such for a short time upon discovering that they were hungry. So together they made their way to the kitchens, for some food. Upon their arrival to the kitchens they were met by a stern faced woman, whose name was Mistress Beau, who was in fact Rhea’s teacher. Rhea paled slightly knowing full well that she was in trouble, for she had skipped out on lessons that day, and on lessons several days prior. “ Good evening,” said Rhea plastering a smile onto her face. “ Look, Mark has returned home.” Rhea pushed Mark in front of herself. Mistress Beau curtsied, and then turned her gaze back to Rhea. “ Princess,” She said calmly, a calmness that took Rhea by surprise. “ Your father has called for your presence in his tower study. Immediately.” This announcement also took Rhea by surprise. She was never allowed in her father’s study. “ Well then Rhea,” Said Mark with a laugh. “ You had better be going immediately.”“ Thank you Mistress Beau,” replied Rhea a smile still frozen on her features. “ I shall go immediately.” With that she took off in a fast paced walk. As soon as she was out of sight she slowed.
Slowly Rhea made her way through the castle, running her fingertips across the stone- walls. Out the windows she saw, as she passed, that the sun was sinking in a fiery red and orange color, as the shadows began creeping over the land and into the castle. The torches lining the hallways had already been lit, and the smell of smoke, and burning wood filled the castle. She could not remember ever being summoned to her father’s tower study in all her thirteen years. She knew that it must be important.Rounding several corners, and sauntering down several hallways she ended up at the north end of the castle, where in the tallest tower was her father’s study. Coming she a gigantic rowan wood door, she stopped and went inside. A spiral staircase of great measure was before her, and she then remembered why she had never tried to ascend to her father’s favorite hideaway. There were more steps than she could or was willing to try and count, but she began her ascent anyways. Up, up, up, she went refusing to stop, for if she did she would never want to continue.
By the time she reached the top of the stair, it was completely dark out, and her legs were sore. She saw a door, made of a dark wood that had carvings of all the peoples of Avia set into its wood. She wondered why it was so decorated, for none of the other doors looked as this one did. Moving on from the decorated door, she knocked on the wood, and waited for some sign telling her that she was admitted.“ Come in,” cried a voice from inside. Rhea didn’t’ hesitate, and swung open the door. There, inside, the large circular room she saw red carpeted floors, a great hand carved wooden desk, a few wooden chairs to match it, a squishy looking sofa and chair, and all along the walls was books, from floor to ceiling. There was only one parting for the books and that was for the one solitary window that faced east. Rhea’s father, King Martin VIII sat at the wooden table with numerous books and old volumes strewed all across the table.
“ Good evening my daughter,” Said her father the King. “ And the same to you father,” said Rhea. The king motioned for Rhea to sit down on a chair in front of the great desk, and then pushed a plate of food in her direction. “ Have you eaten,” said the king. “ I’m not really that hungry.” she said. Though this was a lie, she was willing to go without nourishment for a time in order to more quickly know what this visit was about.
“ Well then,” said the King. “ I suppose you are wondering why I called you here.” Rhea ripped the edge of her chair. “ Yes I am.” She replied honestly. The king smiled. “ Of course.”He paused for a moment as if trying to remember something then, he got up and walked over to ones of the bookshelves. Scanning the shelves he pulled one giant old book out, that appeared to have never been opened once. It was clothed in fine brown leather and had golden swirly lettering on its cover, but the title Rhea couldn’t see well enough to make them out. With the book under his arm the King came back to his chair at the desk and sat down. “ I will be going away the day after tomorrow.” Said the King as he slammed the book on the desk. “ I ask you to keep this information silent. But I will be leaving to go to a meeting at the coast. A council meeting is to be held in Sandros, and I must attend.” This announcement was not so uncommon. For Rhea was quite used to her father going away and coming back, as he was king and he had to tae care of the people and his kingdom. But why was it a secret? “ What is the meeting about?” asked Rhea. “ Strange things are happening in the south, and I have received ill tidings from Ketar. It appears that the Goblins have returned.” “ Goblins!” Cried Rhea. “ but they were killed after the great attack on our city many years ago.” The King shook his head. “ There is always more to the race than just their army. Anyways the Goblins have returned and there is rumor of something else as well. I am meeting with the leaders of the other races of our continent to find resolve. But who knows how long that shall take.” These things were news to Rhea but still she wondered why he was telling her all of these things. “ Why are you telling me this?” Asked Rhea.The King stood up. “ Because I wanted to give you this.” He took up the brown book and dropped it in Rhea’s lap. It was far too heavy fro her to catch is it crashed onto her legs. “ Father!” She cried, but her father the king only chuckled. “ This book is yours now. I thought that you might like it, since you spend so much time reading in various places around the castle.” Rhea smiled guiltily, though not at all in an apologetic kind of way. “ I must confess that I laughed a great deal when your mother told me of your most recent escape up into that pine tree.” He was referring of course to the reasoning behind her short hair. “ I do what I can.” Said Rhea smiling, as she now ran her fingers over the golden letters on the cover of the book; the title of the book being simply The Tales of Avia. “ Are these true tales or just made up ones.” She said referring to the content of her newly acquired book. “ Both I am sure.” Replied the King. “ Mostly they are faerie stories but then again most faerie stories started in truth, we just have to sort out the truth amongst the lies. Remember that.” Rhea went silent and turned a few pages of the great book. It was full of several stories all with beautiful illustrations. “ I can hardly wait to read it.” Said Rhea.
The King smiled pleased to have made his daughter happy. Next a question popped into his mind. “ Rhea,” asked the king. “ Why do you love your books so much?” Rhea turned her face away so to think and began to absentmindedly stroke the pages of the volume she was holding. “ Well….” She began. “ I suppose that I love them cause these words and stories that I read show a fragment of what the world is like. Through them I can see what I’ve never seen, be where I’ve never been, and come close to understanding why people are the way that they are. Often they begin me to wonder as to what words my story will be full of. And weather those words will be worth telling.” She looked up at her father and felt a mite embarrassed for having gotten carried away. “ I suppose all wonder about their futures.” She added on a cheerier note, before coming back down to the mutterings of doubt. “ But I guess that my future, even as a princess, will hold no more excitement than those council meetings you so often attend.” The king was taken back by his daughter’s words.
“ Do not be misguided, my daughter,” said the King. “ It is always personalities like yours that seem to attract the most unconventional destinies. And even so, in these coming days, I feel that not even those council meetings you speak of will be considered boring.”“ I suppose,” said Rhea with a little sigh. “ I guess we’ll both just have to wait and see.” The King nodded. “ These are strange days, you’d best be on your guard, even here at home. Especially while I am away.” Rhea’s eyes instantly pulled away from her new book, and met her father’s. She looked at him with both alarm and excitement. “ Why?” She pestered. “ What do think is going to happen.” The King fell back into his chair. “ I do not know,” He admitted truthfully. “ Which is why I want you to be careful. Now I must ask you to leave. I have a journey to prepare for.” Rhea stood up hauling the giant book of Fairy Tales with her. “ Alright father,” she replied as she stood up. “ Go and get yourself something to eat. I can hear your stomach rumbling from across the desk.” Rhea laughed and went on her way, but stopped at the door and twittered her fingers while saying “ good night.” The king chuckled and before the door was closed he wished his daughter a “ good night” as well.
Rhea found upon leaving that going down a large flight of stairs is much easier than climbing them and was on the castle main floor in almost no time at all. She made her way through the torch lit halls all the way to her bedchamber, but not before stopping at the kitchens to get something to calm her hungry belly. The giant volume she held became very heavy along the way, but she persevered. She was all too excited to see what stories it held.
Upon entering her room she dropped the book onto her giant bed. Candles had been pre-lit for her. So all she had left to do now was open the pages and see what kind of words this book was made of.
Comments
Please Login to post comments| On May 23rd 2008 xXkenzieXz Said : | |
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amazing.... |
| On May 22nd 2008 C4444 Said : | |
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OHHHHHHH!!!!! Nicely wrote a good story indeed... kmp...... :) |
| On May 15th 2008 JWalker2406 Said : | |
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I can't believe more people haven't read this. That I am the first to comment! This is absolutely amazing! The detail. I love detail as you can see by reading some of my stuff. Without detail all you have is words. I like to picture it and I can with yours. This is something to proud of! I really hope you continue to write more no matter how many comments or rates. :D Please keep me posted!!! |
