Hail White

Chapter 2

FLASH BACK 2 years ago

I am late to my room, if the queen finds out she will punish me. I hide in the bushes to not be seen as I hear someone coming. I peek out and see exactly the person I did not wanted to see walking in my direction, did she see me?

She walks right by and looks like she is in a hurry too, I know I shouldn’t but the curiosity gets the better of me and I decide to follow, I hide in the bushes and trees and follow into a steep path that leads away from the castle and almost to the edge of the forest. As the path opens up I can see a pond that lay hidden deep within the forest, its existence whispered about a place of dark legend, the pond was said to be a source of ancient, forbidden magic. As she approached the pond, the air grew thick with an eerie, unnatural silence. The trees seemed to twist and writhe, their branches like skeletal fingers reaching out. The pond itself was a circle of glassy, black water, its surface reflecting the dappled sunlight filtering through the trees like a dark, still mirror. A faint, shimmering mist rose from the water's surface, casting an otherworldly glow across the surrounding forest floor.

I couldn’t but just notice the strange, glowing plants that grew around the pond's edge, their leaves pulsing with a soft, ethereal light. The air was heavy with the scent of decay and corruption, yet, paradoxically, the atmosphere seemed to vibrate with a dark, seductive energy. Awed by the plants couldn’t make out the murmuring coming form my stepmother and then she spoke out loud.

“Tell me who’s the kingdoms fairest of them all?” She asked the pond

And a aerie voice spoke out loud and clear,

“You my queen are the kingdoms fairest of them all, but the princess…” and I couldn’t listen no more I got panicked that who ever was there with her had seen me and I hurried back to the castle as fast as I could.

END OF FLASH BACK

I remember despite the sense of foreboding, the forbidden magic pond seemed to exert a twisted allure, drawing me closer, tempting me to dip my feet into its dark, enchanted waters. Nothing happened after that so I never followed her around again. I get to bet and get ready to have a good night’s sleep.

I wake up before its time and hurry up to gather my clothes, some are ripped some do not fit any more. I only get new clothes on my birthday and today is my birthday, but the ceremony will be until tomorrow because I turn 17 until 5 pm and I most be 17 to be Queen. I was dismissed from the kitchen today so I hurry to the gardens and take the trail that leads to the lake to wash my clothes. As I walk I like to feel the light breeze of the ocean and the smell of flowers blooming all around me. When I reach the shore I get to work I plan to be back early so I can see the preparation for tomorrow, I wasn’t allowed to help today. As I’m working I’m singing I love to sing that’s something my dad always said I got from my mother and he said I had a beautiful voice I’m leaning on the edge using one of the boulders as a scrubbing post. I can hear birds chirping around and some small squirrels running around the bushes. When I’m done I lift my gaze and not far from were I am there’s a young man sitting on some boulders not far away from were I am.

He is sitting with both feet down the water and his black leather boots seemed to be made for riding are sitting on the boulder next to him. He is dressed in attire fitting for huntsman.

The young man wore a dashing ensemble of earthy tones, suitable for a hunting excursion in the forest. His jacket was a rich, dark green, adorned with intricate, golden embroidery that seemed to shimmer in the sunlight. A crisp, white shirt peeked out from beneath the jacket's high collar, its billowy sleeves cuffed at the wrist. His breeches were a sturdy, brown leather, a wide, leather belt cinched at his waist, holding a gleaming, silver sword at his side. He was holding a soft, felt hat, in his hand. Despite his practical attire, the man exuded an air of nobility, his confident demeanor and chiseled features commanding attention. As I was taking him in I focused on his face his eyes are bright piercing blue, and have a kind and gentle gaze. His skin is smooth and and fair with a porcelain like look, strong and elegant face with high cheekbones and a strait nose and firm jawline. His lips, full, sensual and inviting he is smiling. I can tell that he is tall approximately 6 feet, athletic with broad shoulders and muscular physique.

Something pulled me to him I assumed it was his appearance, he suddenly makes a movement to approach me and I immediately panic, realizing that this man is not from our kingdom and he shouldn’t be here. I gather my clothes as fast as I can and run away.

“Please wait!” I hear him shout as I’m running away

“I can’t, I’m sorry” I shout back with out hesitation and I don’t look back.

I stop running once I’m closer to the castle and I can see its silhouette through the trees. The castle stood majestically atop a rolling hill, its turrets and spires reaching towards the sky like delicate fingers. The castle's stone walls glowed with a soft, ethereal light, as if infused with an inner radiance. Ivy and moss covered the castle's ancient stones, with delicate wildflowers blooming in every nook and cranny. The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming roses and the soft songs of birds, creating a sense of peaceful place.

As I was approaching and night was falling, the castle transformed into a dazzling spectacle of light and color. The windows shone like stars, casting a kaleidoscope of colors across the surrounding landscape. The castle's walls seemed to shimmer and glow, as if the very stones were alive and infused with magic. A moat, shimmering like a mirror, surrounded the castle, its waters reflecting the colors of the rainbow. A delicate, filigree bridge spanned the moat, leading to the castle's grand entrance, where heavy wooden doors adorned with intricate carvings seemed to whisper secrets.

I walk in and find my stepmother standing on the great entrance hall, she is holding a big box, she is with one of the maids and signals her to take my clothes, reluctantly I hand her my clothes and the queen hands me the box.

“Open it” she said with a smirk on her lips

As I open it I couldn’t believe my eyes, the most beautiful dress I had ever worn and the fabric velvet like just slipped through my fingers.

“Thank you” I say almost a whisper

“I expect you to wear it in the ceremony” she said but the smile didn’t really reach her eyes.

“Yes your majesty” I shutter.

“Of you go to your room, I expect you up early the next day after tomorrow to start your make up and hair do, not that we can do much with that unruly hair” she makes a disgusted look, and with out waiting for an answer she turns around and leaves.

The maid walks with me to my room and on the way there we go through the kitchen to get my usual plate of left overs. When we get there she puts my washed clothes on the bed and I hang the ones that are still damp on the window. Carefully I put the dress on the little table I have in a corner and walk back to the window to see the ocean as my stepmother does her usual walk to the pond.

I fall asleep fast, I’m really tired today.