Maiden rose

Dirt Rose

At some distance away in a vine yard that burst with large sweet grapes and a few berry bushes, was a woman in her mid thirties. Long black hair and rose lips picking a few berries and placing them in her wicker basket.

A river also passed through there, watering the plants and keeping them all year round with the exception of winter

In the road not to far from the edge of the forest was a little girl. She was similar to the woman...only smaller around the age of five. She was a pretty girl, to points young men would ask her family for her hand. But as usual they always say to wait till she was older to be wed.

she was unusual...her bueaty was unmatched. But as little girls know, they were only looking for pretty things. This child however was taking care of a white rose that was in her area. It was strange where it grew, in the middle of the road where carriages and horse men pass. Yet the rose wasn't trampled. As though passer-bys respected the plant and gave it space

"You're so bueatiful today. Strong and pretty." the girl spoke to the flower," You grow in a dirt road and stand strong despise the harshness or fear of being trampled."

The plant swayed slightly in the breeze. "you know I can be strong to...do you thing I'm strong?" the flower was silent, yet that was enough to convince the young girl.

"Thank you"

"Jewel, its time to go home" the woman called to the girl picking up her basket.

"Coming mommy!!" the girl replied before turning back to the flower, "I'll bring some more dirt and water next time"

The girl said before tapping her cheek in thought, "I need to remember earthworms gah!!" the girl groaned running off to catch up to her mother.

Once the girl was out of sight the two princes were fast approaching the place. Donavon kept on and tried to get as far away from the male as possible. Roderick might even kill him if given the chance.

As the rose stood it didn't even have any way of avoiding the galloping steeds and was trampled underfoot. Then, both males stopped facing each other glaring

"I have you know I'm not childish at all, So I suggest to hold your tongue before I cut it off some day" The red head bellowed only for his words to fall on deaf ears.

"Just because I gave an opinion doesn't mean you have to hunt me down like some common deer!!"

"Oh ho! So who should hunt you? Those thirsty men your mother works for should be enough to tear your inners"

"Why you-"

"MY FLOWER!!"

Both men looked to the direction of the sound and saw the little girl. Jewel had returned finding a few earthworms in a dirt pile that was in the same vineyard. Her heart was shattered as the once white rose that stood proud...was now flattened...petals pulled out and scattered around it.

She slowly walked to it, picking it up delicately and started to cry.

"My flower...HOW COULD YOU!!!" Screamed at them with tears in her eyes before she started sobbing "...you killed it..."

Upon hearing the girl's cries, her mother rushed out and upon seeing the situation sighed softly an picked the little girl up as she rubbed her back in comfort.

"What has happened?" the king finally approach with his chariot and driver. the boys had ran such a distance while chasing each other that the King almost missed them. seeing a crying child and that the boys had finally stopped he glared at one of them to explain...but Jewel beat them to it.

"They killed my flower!!"

"Honey that's no way to speak to your elders." Her mother scolded softly as she looked to the higher ranked male. "My daughter was fascinated with a rose that grew here...and your men didn't see it. so we would like to apologize for the trouble caused"

The king shook his head and glared. "Make it up to the girl. both of you!!" The king was furious so both man jumped off their horses and approached the girl.

"Sorry about your...plant" Roderick addressed her. the mother nodded and Jewel remained silent. Roderick growled. "Hey I was expecting an ok or something!!"

"Roderick!!" the king scolded to which the red head scoffed and went back to his horse. Donavon came forth and was a bit nervous as his brother displayed would be bad for either of them.

"My apologizes. And my condolences to your flower" Donavon started to which the girl looked at him anxiously waiting for him to finish his speech. "I hope this will cover my payment for your loss"

the dark haired male said removing his pin that was coincidentally was a white rose. The girl's eye's widened as she looked at him holding it out to her.

"For...For me?" She looked to her mother whom smiled and nodded, putting her down to face the male.

Donavon pinned the rose to her little dress and fixed it. "Thank you" she whispered hugging the male whom smiled and hugged her back.

"May I have your name sir?" she asked as the hug ended.

"My name is Donavon. Prince Donavon. Yours?"

"I'm Jewel" she said with a smile. Black Smith decided to join and knocked Donavon to the side making him fall over.

"Black Smith!" the male whined as the king chuckled. Jem giggled a bit at the large horse stood and leaned over to nuzzle to Jewel whom petted him.

"That hunk of trouble is Black Smith" Donavon depanded. Jewel didn't mind as the steed himself showed interest in the girl. "I like him" she exclaimed hugging the horses snout.

"Ok honey...we must go now. Your father and Brother are waiting" the woman said picking the girl up.

"But mama-"

"No but's. Thank you young man for making my little girl happy"

"the pleasure is mine Madam" Donavon said mounting his horse again.

"Will I see you again prince Donavon?" Jewel asked softly.

"only time will tell my lady." Donavon said turning his horse around and heading in the given direction. Roderick and the king's chariot followed suit leaving the mother and the little girl waving at them happily.

"I'm very disappointed in both of you." the king scolded.

"We're apologize father-"

"Apologize?!!! No! No!! No!! That rose was in the middle of the road and I had to bend to the will of a brat!!!" Roderick wasn't happy and galloped off leaving Donavon and his father behind.

"Why does Roderick hate me so?...What have I done to be a target for his anger?" Donavon asked shaking in sorrow. "When the queen passed away I tried to comfort him and help...but he pushed me away...I didn't kill her..."

"Sometimes it's not what you do that angers someone son...hurting people hurt others...just give him sometime...he'll come round"

Donavon smiled at his father as they continued to trot on steadily. Roderick had stopped. Thoughts ran through his head as his horse's tail swished with the breeze.

'When I'm king...I'll get rid of people that dare defy me...and threaten their lively hood to complete bankruptcy. My armies will crush other kingdoms that don't bow to my will and for further measure...take the most bueatiful bride...this land...is mine'

As he thought all this re realized that Donavon had trotted passed him looking ahead.

"But first... Remove the Competition "