Midterm - Marguerite Davenport
Picture #6
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Love True Light
Now this story is very old, very old indeed; and even though it begins with the average beginning, this is no common tale. It was told to me as a young lass, as I sat by my grandfathers chair; a place where tales of ancient people and far off lands were as familiar to me as my own family. Now where to begin; not at the very beginning, no, that would take far too long.
Once upon a time, many, many years ago, in a far away land called Wilsonvilla. In this land of Wilsonvilla there was a wonderful princess named Rachael. She was not only the fairest, maiden in the land, but she was the sweetest, like apple blossoms on a warm spring day. In addition she was also the most treasured daughter of her mother and father, the king and queen, and the jewel of the court’s eye.Shortly before her sixteenth birthday, a dark cloud fell across the land and an evil presence became known to the people. Their days felt like night and their nights felt far worse, filling the wonderful people of Wilsonvilla with a loss of hope and full of despair.
Now this feeling crept into the very soul of the land. People and animals started to whither and die; all felt death’s grip, except the princess. Her sweetness like apple blossoms was just what the village needed. She walked through the town filling it with her warmth and strength. In another kingdom very far from the first, there lived a prince, now he was known to all as an evil elfin, not really human not really magical, but unwanted by all.
Now no one really knows whether prince, Jordan, was truly evil or not. What was known about him is that he’s a sad lonely soul with an iced over heart. It was said that to be in the same room with him, one could feel the cold of the grave itself. But he was not always like this. When this dear prince was younger a horrible curse was placed on his head by his mother the priestess Awrem. She considered her son, the prince, as the single sign of the end of her power and for this she had to do away with the child.
However, his captor felt pity on him, and could not kill the poor lad. When the priestess found this out, a curse was placed; but that is another tale for another time.
Since it was this prince who sent the dark cloud, he couldn’t have the princess messing up all his careful plans. So, he did what any cruel being would do, and he stole her away in the dead of the never ending night. He took her to his dark castle, which was guarded by a dark dragon as well as himself and his curse.
Now the prince knew that the king had until the start of winter to save the princess or Rachael would belong to him eternity. The king was worried what would he do without the princess of apple blossoms. She was his heir and the savior of the land. Soon he made the only choice he could. He sent out a decree ‘The one knight who brought the princess back would have her hand in marriage.’
It was tacked up in every Village Square, tavern and stable. Surely, someone would save her. Soon knights from all over came and tried, but the evil prince was bent on making the kidnapped princess his bride. Soon the hours got colder victory was in the grasp of Prince Jordan. Nothing was going to stand in his way. Tears rolled down Rachael’s cheek as all hope of ever being saved was quickly becoming lost.
Back at the kingdom, a new knight walked into the throne room. This knight was smaller than most, in fact he wasn’t a knight at all. He was a stable worker, the one in charge of the princess’s horse, disguised as a knight for a chance to save the princess.
The knight asked the king to place his decree in writing, complete with the royal seal, half afraid that the promise wouldn’t be honored if the truth came out. Even though the king thought this was a silly idea, he agreed and did what was asked. The knight thanked the king and set out to save the princess. At least the easy part was over. He mounted his noble steed, leaving the darkened castle behind him, hoping beyond all hope that the wings of love would guide him quickly.
The days and nights mounted and yet the knight continued. Preparing for what trials lay ahead, never forgetting that there was a dragon. The dragon, the only thing besides the prince, that was standing in his way, blocking his path to love.All at once the path ended, the knight came to a sudden stop, there was no more path, only the small forest that surrounded the dark castle, this was it. Without taking a pause, our brave knight preceded into the castle, never second guessing the reasons for this act, an act to save the princess.
For many years, our fine stable hand had watched the princess, attempting to work up the courage to speak to the beautiful flower, but failing each time miserably. The knight believed that the princess was destined to love another as was written in the stars at that time. However, for her freedom, the knight would risk everything, and so on went the valiant knight.
Soon the castle came in view, large bloody battlements stood tall along the top. The dragon lay in the first chamber. All around the knight were statues of other knight frozen in stone. With their last frightful expression etched onto their faces.
As the knight entered the room, a cold chill blew in. Now came the task of the dragon’s games, as with all the previous knights the dragon will ask a riddle. Those who do not answer right will be turned to living stone forever.Oh how the stable hand wished they were more learned. The riddle came as the knight walked in, the dragons voice boomed ‘What walks on four legs in the morn, two at noon and three at dusk?’ The knight paused and let true love guide the answer. Without batting an eye the knight responded ‘A human.’ The dragon was stunned, no one had ever beaten him; it was impossible.
The dragon stood there as his own curse took its effect, and the dragon turned to stone. A sigh of relief left the knight. The battle with the dragon was not as tough as the brave knight would of thought.
The knight proceeded to the princess’s keep in the next room guarded by the prince. As the princess’s room was found, the prince stood in the knight’s way. And thought his curse protected him, he himself had little power, but no mere man could kill him. He was invulnerable to their blades.
They each drew their swords and the weapons clanged. Each fighting valiantly, both heavily wounded. Our brave knight raised the sword and with one swing and lunge struck the prince with the final blow.
The Prince, Jordan, stumbled backwards, in only the way one who thought he could not be hurt, could know he was dying. He dropped to his knees holding his side. The princess stood knowing that she is now free and soon the prince will never harm another living thing.
“Good Knight, please remove your helmet.”
“I would princess but we must return”
“No,” she said forcefully. “I know of my father’s decree, and for that I shall try to love you, and this shall be our home, but I should warn you, I love another, my dearest and sweetest. The one I could never belong to, but my heart will always belong to he.”
“My princess” the knight said while removing the helmet his long brown hair sticking out in odd directions, “I only wish for your happiness, and for that, I release you from your fathers vow.” His head drifted down in sadness.
“William, my sweet, it is you who I love, for I can love no other. You my angle will never break my heart, unless you truly release me from my vow.”
“Never then, I will hold you to it forever”
“No, much, much longer than that.”
As the prince lay dying a single tear rolled down his cheek for all the love in his life that he will never feel, whether it be from a true love, parent or friend. As in life, he will die alone and unwanted. Pain gripped his heart, his tale could end that way. He was the prince she was the princess this is supposed to be the happy ever after part. He reached down to his side and pulled out a short dagger. Again, he shuddered in pain. Reaching up he flung the dagger at William with almost all of his strength.
Rachael saw the dagger out of the corner of her eye, without thinking she switch positions with Will, and the dagger imbedded itself within her shoulder. She fell to the ground. Blood seeped down her clothing and Will was fearful for her life. Rachael pulled the dagger out, intent on finishing the prince off herself, but alas, he was dead.
Out of strength and utterly spent she collapsed to the ground. The blood started to pool round her neck and head. WIlliam applied pressure to the wound, as he held Rachael’s head in his lap.All teary eyed, and murmuring of their life and how perfect it would be. Hopes and dreams of togetherness poured from his lips. Rachael’s breath slowed and she became quiet, as Will held her close.
The night loomed forever. Fear, fever, sadness and even death crept around them throughout the night. It was in these hours of the first dawn that Rachael slipped into nothingness. Her breath ceased and her warmth left. And soon she was as still and as cold as ice.William wept into her hair cradling her body and rocking back and forth. Tears of pain, sadness, and loss poured out of his body, showering the lost love. His mournful wails echoed down the hall, into the never ending silence. He wept for days on end, his love truly gone, ‘can it be’ he thought.
“This isn’t fair,” he screamed in to the nothingness, who knew that after all this time his heart could still be breaking.
“No it isn’t but that’s the way it is” said a voice in the darkness. William wiped his eyes in a pitiful attempt to look presentable.
“Wh- who are you” he stuttered.
“That isn’t important my child” suddenly there was a small glimmer in the direction of the voice. The glimmer grew into a shimmer, and then into actual light. But not normal light but more like a glow.
“I know you, you’re the priestess Awrem. All of this is your fault. If only you knew what love was, than maybe you could have pasted it on to your son.” Awrem looked away from William. Most of what he said was true, Will notice the shameful expression on the priestess’s face.
“No, it’s not possible.” he looked on in disbelief. “No, you did know love” he looked over at the fallen prince “you feared him, and loved him at the same time, was that the reason for the curse, so no one could harm him no matter what” he raged.
“What would you have me do, I was his mother, he would be my destruction is he stayed with me, but he was my son. Of course I loved him, sending him out to be killed was a lie. I needed to protect him.” One lone tear slid down her pale white cheek.
“I thought I was protecting him, if I had know I’d make his heart so cold I would have done something. All I can offer is to undo all he has done,” she placed a small chaste kiss upon Rachael’s forehead.
And in that moment her skin began to glow. It circulated through her body eventually setting on her lips, at the moment the glow pulsed it brightest gleam, her eyes fluttered open and her heart started to beat once again. Soon her breathing became regular, and her eyes opened to the world completely.
She sat up “Will, why are you crying” the smile fell from her lips. She didn’t understand what was happening, all she knew was that the one she loved was sad, and that broke her heart.
William choked back a sob, “Rachael, your alive.” He cried.
“I Love you, we’ll be together forever” he cried as he grabbed up Rachael. The princess winced in pain, her shoulder was still sore.
“I promise my love. I will be by your side forever, and much longer.” With those words Rachael kissed him, as only on who was dead, but was granted a second chance at life could.
As they kissed the glow that had engulfed Rachael’s body bringing it back from the grave spread through William, intertwining their souls forever.The powerful beam of light shot up into the sky and showered down onto the castle. Banishing the evil presence from its grounds, and in its place it left only love pure light. All things were made new again and would remain that way until their love dies, which will be at the end of time.
Still when they separated they heard crying, they turned in the direction on Awrem, she was kneeling on the ground where Jordan once lay, the ground around there was scorched, and they assumed the worsted. Since there was no love or good in his heart Jordan was obliterated.
However, that’s when they heard the strangest thing, the coo of a small baby boy, Awrem turned towards them and in her arms was a small child no bigger than a new born. “I think I’ll call him Jacob” Awrem sighed. “Seeing that have I gain a second chance at love just like you.”
“Thank you for everything” Will said softly, his voice chocked with emotion.
“What everything, child, all I did was bring her back. You two did the rest” she smiled at them.
“But how,” asked Rachael.
“True Love, there is no greater magic in all the worlds.” She smiled at the couple, “Always hold to that and nothing will be impossible.” With that she dissipated. She left the two very stunned but smiling.
Later that evening when the stars came out to play in the sun’s twilight, they held their ceremony, intertwining their lives just like their souls. A ceremony of commitment through all the ages, and undying love; proclaimed before themselves and the heavenly host on high. As a sign to all that love even, the greatest of all love will be met with opposition, and yet through faith all things are possible.
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Love True Light
Now this story is very old, very old indeed; and even though it begins with the average beginning, this is no common tale. It was told to me as a young lass, as I sat by my grandfathers chair; a place where tales of ancient people and far off lands were as familiar to me as my own family. Now where to begin; not at the very beginning, no, that would take far too long.
Once upon a time, many, many years ago, in a far away land called Wilsonvilla. In this land of Wilsonvilla there was a wonderful princess named Rachael. She was not only the fairest, maiden in the land, but she was the sweetest, like apple blossoms on a warm spring day. In addition she was also the most treasured daughter of her mother and father, the king and queen, and the jewel of the court’s eye.Shortly before her sixteenth birthday, a dark cloud fell across the land and an evil presence became known to the people. Their days felt like night and their nights felt far worse, filling the wonderful people of Wilsonvilla with a loss of hope and full of despair.
Now this feeling crept into the very soul of the land. People and animals started to whither and die; all felt death’s grip, except the princess. Her sweetness like apple blossoms was just what the village needed. She walked through the town filling it with her warmth and strength. In another kingdom very far from the first, there lived a prince, now he was known to all as an evil elfin, not really human not really magical, but unwanted by all.
Now no one really knows whether prince, Jordan, was truly evil or not. What was known about him is that he’s a sad lonely soul with an iced over heart. It was said that to be in the same room with him, one could feel the cold of the grave itself. But he was not always like this. When this dear prince was younger a horrible curse was placed on his head by his mother the priestess Awrem. She considered her son, the prince, as the single sign of the end of her power and for this she had to do away with the child.
However, his captor felt pity on him, and could not kill the poor lad. When the priestess found this out, a curse was placed; but that is another tale for another time.
Since it was this prince who sent the dark cloud, he couldn’t have the princess messing up all his careful plans. So, he did what any cruel being would do, and he stole her away in the dead of the never ending night. He took her to his dark castle, which was guarded by a dark dragon as well as himself and his curse.
Now the prince knew that the king had until the start of winter to save the princess or Rachael would belong to him eternity. The king was worried what would he do without the princess of apple blossoms. She was his heir and the savior of the land. Soon he made the only choice he could. He sent out a decree ‘The one knight who brought the princess back would have her hand in marriage.’
It was tacked up in every Village Square, tavern and stable. Surely, someone would save her. Soon knights from all over came and tried, but the evil prince was bent on making the kidnapped princess his bride. Soon the hours got colder victory was in the grasp of Prince Jordan. Nothing was going to stand in his way. Tears rolled down Rachael’s cheek as all hope of ever being saved was quickly becoming lost.
Back at the kingdom, a new knight walked into the throne room. This knight was smaller than most, in fact he wasn’t a knight at all. He was a stable worker, the one in charge of the princess’s horse, disguised as a knight for a chance to save the princess.
The knight asked the king to place his decree in writing, complete with the royal seal, half afraid that the promise wouldn’t be honored if the truth came out. Even though the king thought this was a silly idea, he agreed and did what was asked. The knight thanked the king and set out to save the princess. At least the easy part was over. He mounted his noble steed, leaving the darkened castle behind him, hoping beyond all hope that the wings of love would guide him quickly.
The days and nights mounted and yet the knight continued. Preparing for what trials lay ahead, never forgetting that there was a dragon. The dragon, the only thing besides the prince, that was standing in his way, blocking his path to love.All at once the path ended, the knight came to a sudden stop, there was no more path, only the small forest that surrounded the dark castle, this was it. Without taking a pause, our brave knight preceded into the castle, never second guessing the reasons for this act, an act to save the princess.
For many years, our fine stable hand had watched the princess, attempting to work up the courage to speak to the beautiful flower, but failing each time miserably. The knight believed that the princess was destined to love another as was written in the stars at that time. However, for her freedom, the knight would risk everything, and so on went the valiant knight.
Soon the castle came in view, large bloody battlements stood tall along the top. The dragon lay in the first chamber. All around the knight were statues of other knight frozen in stone. With their last frightful expression etched onto their faces.
As the knight entered the room, a cold chill blew in. Now came the task of the dragon’s games, as with all the previous knights the dragon will ask a riddle. Those who do not answer right will be turned to living stone forever.Oh how the stable hand wished they were more learned. The riddle came as the knight walked in, the dragons voice boomed ‘What walks on four legs in the morn, two at noon and three at dusk?’ The knight paused and let true love guide the answer. Without batting an eye the knight responded ‘A human.’ The dragon was stunned, no one had ever beaten him; it was impossible.
The dragon stood there as his own curse took its effect, and the dragon turned to stone. A sigh of relief left the knight. The battle with the dragon was not as tough as the brave knight would of thought.
The knight proceeded to the princess’s keep in the next room guarded by the prince. As the princess’s room was found, the prince stood in the knight’s way. And thought his curse protected him, he himself had little power, but no mere man could kill him. He was invulnerable to their blades.
They each drew their swords and the weapons clanged. Each fighting valiantly, both heavily wounded. Our brave knight raised the sword and with one swing and lunge struck the prince with the final blow.
The Prince, Jordan, stumbled backwards, in only the way one who thought he could not be hurt, could know he was dying. He dropped to his knees holding his side. The princess stood knowing that she is now free and soon the prince will never harm another living thing.
“Good Knight, please remove your helmet.”
“I would princess but we must return”
“No,” she said forcefully. “I know of my father’s decree, and for that I shall try to love you, and this shall be our home, but I should warn you, I love another, my dearest and sweetest. The one I could never belong to, but my heart will always belong to he.”
“My princess” the knight said while removing the helmet his long brown hair sticking out in odd directions, “I only wish for your happiness, and for that, I release you from your fathers vow.” His head drifted down in sadness.
“William, my sweet, it is you who I love, for I can love no other. You my angle will never break my heart, unless you truly release me from my vow.”
“Never then, I will hold you to it forever”
“No, much, much longer than that.”
As the prince lay dying a single tear rolled down his cheek for all the love in his life that he will never feel, whether it be from a true love, parent or friend. As in life, he will die alone and unwanted. Pain gripped his heart, his tale could end that way. He was the prince she was the princess this is supposed to be the happy ever after part. He reached down to his side and pulled out a short dagger. Again, he shuddered in pain. Reaching up he flung the dagger at William with almost all of his strength.
Rachael saw the dagger out of the corner of her eye, without thinking she switch positions with Will, and the dagger imbedded itself within her shoulder. She fell to the ground. Blood seeped down her clothing and Will was fearful for her life. Rachael pulled the dagger out, intent on finishing the prince off herself, but alas, he was dead.
Out of strength and utterly spent she collapsed to the ground. The blood started to pool round her neck and head. WIlliam applied pressure to the wound, as he held Rachael’s head in his lap.All teary eyed, and murmuring of their life and how perfect it would be. Hopes and dreams of togetherness poured from his lips. Rachael’s breath slowed and she became quiet, as Will held her close.
The night loomed forever. Fear, fever, sadness and even death crept around them throughout the night. It was in these hours of the first dawn that Rachael slipped into nothingness. Her breath ceased and her warmth left. And soon she was as still and as cold as ice.William wept into her hair cradling her body and rocking back and forth. Tears of pain, sadness, and loss poured out of his body, showering the lost love. His mournful wails echoed down the hall, into the never ending silence. He wept for days on end, his love truly gone, ‘can it be’ he thought.
“This isn’t fair,” he screamed in to the nothingness, who knew that after all this time his heart could still be breaking.
“No it isn’t but that’s the way it is” said a voice in the darkness. William wiped his eyes in a pitiful attempt to look presentable.
“Wh- who are you” he stuttered.
“That isn’t important my child” suddenly there was a small glimmer in the direction of the voice. The glimmer grew into a shimmer, and then into actual light. But not normal light but more like a glow.
“I know you, you’re the priestess Awrem. All of this is your fault. If only you knew what love was, than maybe you could have pasted it on to your son.” Awrem looked away from William. Most of what he said was true, Will notice the shameful expression on the priestess’s face.
“No, it’s not possible.” he looked on in disbelief. “No, you did know love” he looked over at the fallen prince “you feared him, and loved him at the same time, was that the reason for the curse, so no one could harm him no matter what” he raged.
“What would you have me do, I was his mother, he would be my destruction is he stayed with me, but he was my son. Of course I loved him, sending him out to be killed was a lie. I needed to protect him.” One lone tear slid down her pale white cheek.
“I thought I was protecting him, if I had know I’d make his heart so cold I would have done something. All I can offer is to undo all he has done,” she placed a small chaste kiss upon Rachael’s forehead.
And in that moment her skin began to glow. It circulated through her body eventually setting on her lips, at the moment the glow pulsed it brightest gleam, her eyes fluttered open and her heart started to beat once again. Soon her breathing became regular, and her eyes opened to the world completely.
She sat up “Will, why are you crying” the smile fell from her lips. She didn’t understand what was happening, all she knew was that the one she loved was sad, and that broke her heart.
William choked back a sob, “Rachael, your alive.” He cried.
“I Love you, we’ll be together forever” he cried as he grabbed up Rachael. The princess winced in pain, her shoulder was still sore.
“I promise my love. I will be by your side forever, and much longer.” With those words Rachael kissed him, as only on who was dead, but was granted a second chance at life could.
As they kissed the glow that had engulfed Rachael’s body bringing it back from the grave spread through William, intertwining their souls forever.The powerful beam of light shot up into the sky and showered down onto the castle. Banishing the evil presence from its grounds, and in its place it left only love pure light. All things were made new again and would remain that way until their love dies, which will be at the end of time.
Still when they separated they heard crying, they turned in the direction on Awrem, she was kneeling on the ground where Jordan once lay, the ground around there was scorched, and they assumed the worsted. Since there was no love or good in his heart Jordan was obliterated.
However, that’s when they heard the strangest thing, the coo of a small baby boy, Awrem turned towards them and in her arms was a small child no bigger than a new born. “I think I’ll call him Jacob” Awrem sighed. “Seeing that have I gain a second chance at love just like you.”
“Thank you for everything” Will said softly, his voice chocked with emotion.
“What everything, child, all I did was bring her back. You two did the rest” she smiled at them.
“But how,” asked Rachael.
“True Love, there is no greater magic in all the worlds.” She smiled at the couple, “Always hold to that and nothing will be impossible.” With that she dissipated. She left the two very stunned but smiling.
Later that evening when the stars came out to play in the sun’s twilight, they held their ceremony, intertwining their lives just like their souls. A ceremony of commitment through all the ages, and undying love; proclaimed before themselves and the heavenly host on high. As a sign to all that love even, the greatest of all love will be met with opposition, and yet through faith all things are possible.