Country Girl and The Prince by Naomi Kern

Naomi Kern

20.9.2013

The country girl and the prince

 
 

 

In the capital of Avalon, inside the palace where the young prince of the age six was getting ready for bed, his mother was tucking him in his king sized bed. With his black curly hair reaching to his ears, green eyes, three feet tall, small, but building up body and a missing front tooth that had fallen out in the morning he looked around his room. Oak wood bed frame to hold the feather mattress covered in white sheets and a red blanket. The prince’s favorite colour was red, so most of his room was covered in red. He had red drapes to cover the bed from the sun in the morning. The walls were stone throughout the castle but for the prince he had covered his walls mostly with paintings of  horses running free, his father teaching him how to shoot an arrow when he was five,  his mother and father teaching him how to ride a his own colt when he was four and his favorite the painting of his parents wedding, even though it was a copy of the original that hung in the throne room he still loved it. The prince kept his toys in the big brown leather box at the bottom on his bed, he had his closet of clothes to the left, then he had a fireplace in-between  the windows that were covered with red curtains. Very descriptive.

“Mama, can you tell me the story of the girl and the prince?”

“Again Hunter? But you have heard that story a thousand times already and you know it by heart!”

“Please mama.” Her son pleaded in earnest. She looked at her son that was in the spitting image of her husband and sighed, she sat at the side of the bed.

“Oh alright, but only once tonight.”

“Yay!”

“There was once a girl named Vera, she lived in a kingdom called Avalon, at that time the king and queen had been killed 12 years ago by an unknown group while they were hunting and the only survivor of the attack was their only son and heir to the throne,  Aiden. Vera lived towards the south in a village called Liteth. There are four villages surrounding the capital of Avalon,  Azada. The names of the villages were Mareth the biggest of all, Titha, Szal and Liteth the smallest. Her father (Michel, age 32)with his brown hair, dark brown eyes, tall height and muscular body was the blacksmith of the village and was rarely at home since he was too busy making armour and weapons for the hunters in the village. Her mother (Ann, age 31) with her black hair, dark blue eyes and small slender body was the village’s healer,  she also was rarely at home. Her younger brother (Chris, age 10) with his black hair, brown eyes, tall height for his age and muscular body wanted to become a knight, so during lunch break he would be practicing sword fighting with her, though sometimes cheated and used magic. Her younger sister (Lily, age 6)with her dark blue eyes, brown hair and small delicate body wanted to become a healer so in the evening Vera would practice with her simple healing spells such as closing skin at the surface, calm a person’s mind and make then fall asleep, take fever and headaches away without herbs also teaching her the different herbs that were good for someone’s body, herbs to take pain away and herbs to take away poison. Vera age 17 had vivid blue eyes, golden brown hair reaching toher waist though she normally braids it(looks like it is black when wet or hair oil is in it), pale skin (palest in her family), her height almost six feet (considered above average height in the kingdom, average height for women was 5.28 and for men was just a centimetre taller than Vera), slender build and red coloured lips. Vera’s rare body type made her the most beautiful girl in the land. Vera was not only skin deep beautiful, but soul deep. She was a very hard working girl since she knew that her parents loved them but were working to get money, so she took care of her sister and brother while managing the house and their small farm(she hired 2 helpers for taking care of the crops and their two horses).  In the village she was well known among the men for her great swordsmanship but more for her archery skills and among the women she was well known for her beautiful voice and her graceful dancing. Her magic was also very powerful both in healing and attack.

Vera was eating launch with her brother and sister in the stales when they heard screams. All three dropping their plates ran towards the screams, as they drew nearer to the centre of the village they saw smoke rising from the village’s storage house and riders running out of the village.

“Chris help getting buckets of water to put out the fire and Lily help mama if someone is hurt if not help the women with drawing water from the well!”

“Aye!” Shouted both. As her siblings went their different  directions Vera ran towards her father’s workshop to find him sitting with his head in his hands.

“Papa what happened?”

“The riders came again and took the villagers money, took our stored food, my shields and weapons that I had just made! Those ungrateful good for nothing bastards!” He said as he stood up.

“Papa we must tell the prince about this.”

“We will all be too busy with the repairs and making up for the lost money not to mention the food.” As he said that he walked out the door and towards his wife’s nursing house to get his shoulder wound he had got from the riders as they took his stuff bandaged up.  Vera followed her father as she started thinking how to get word to the prince. As they entered they saw the place was full of people with cuts, bruises and burns. Lily was busy with a boy who had got burnt so Ann came and fixed her husband’s wound.

“Mother, father we need to get word to his highness and since everyone here would be busy let me go.” Her parents looked each other for a second and then her mother said, “We would let you go since you can protect yourself but we would be too busy to take care of your sister and brother.”

“Then let me take them with me, we know how to protect ourselves.” At her words, again her parents looked at each other but knowing that it was true they agreed.

“Thank you, we will leave now so I will get them both, get the things we would need and set off.” That being said Vera called her sister and brother, told them where they were going and took them back to the house to get prepared for the journey ahead of them. Vera changed from her farm dress to leggings, a brown sleeveless leather dress with slits at both sides starting from her ankle to halfway past her thighs, and undid her bun to braid it (like Tom Rider), knee high boots and then got her black cloak to cover herself in the cold nights. Her brother changed from his farm trousers and t-shirt to black trousers, brown t-shirt, brown leather vest, knee high leather boots, since his hair was reaching his ear he left it as it was and black cloak. Her sister changed from farm dress to dark blue dress reaching just past her knees, knee high leather boots, braided it like her older sister(Vera helped her),leather vest and a black cloak. For weaponry Vera had her sword at her side, dagger in her right boot, her bow and arrows, for Chris he had his own sword at his side and a dagger in his right boot, then for Lily she had a dagger at her side and one in her right boot. As for food they took 10 loaves of bread, small slices of cheese, meat, a barrel of water for drinking and washing dishes, tea leaves, some oranges, some onions and some tomatoes. In case of medical emergencies they took bandages, medicine and herbs for poisons and ointments. Once they finished with their supplies they brought it to the stables and as Chris and Lily loaded the wagon Vera saddled up the horses. Her siblings arranged it so that the barrel was at the left corner at the back with the kitchen and other supplies in front of it and the five pillows at the right back corner for them to sleep on. Vera first saddled up Penny the farm horse who was brown, then attached her to the wagon and went back to saddle up her own horse Destiny who was a pure white horse. Vera then shouted, “Fyra!” Not long after a grey wolf came running out of the fields. Fyra was their pet wolf that they had raised since she was a pup. Once everything was ready they went to say goodbye to their parents. They hugged them then kissed them on both cheeks and then Vera saddled up on her horse while her siblings sat on the wagons front seats that were right in front of the wagons opening and since Chris was better at driving the wagon he took the reins. As they reached the village’s gate they heard the whole village shouting, “May the spirits protect you!” As they looked back-”

“But mama didn’t the prince have an uncle?”

“Yes.”

“But I thought you said there was only one survivor in the attack?”

“Yes, the prince’s uncle, prince Azal (prince Aiden’s, father’s younger brother)was at the time of the attack in Retethas Kingdom because of a banquet. So after the attack prince Azal took in his nephew and is to guide his nephew how to rule the whole kingdom until his nephew turns 20 then prince Aiden will rule with his queen. Now may I continue with the story?”

“Yes!” Shouted the prince with excitement.

“Now where was I? Oh yes, As they looked backwards the shouted back to them “And may the sprits protect you!” And  they rode out the gates in a line Vera on Destiny in front of the group to guide the way, Penny pulling the wagon with Chris and Lily riding on and Fyra walking alongside the wagon. As soon as the village was out of sight Lily asked, “Do you even know where we are going sister?”

“It’s actually quite easy just stay on the pathway.” Vera answered back.

 “Then how long is it going to take to get to Azada?” Chris questioned.

“That would take three days and a half. Since we left at noon we should reach the beginning of the Black Forest at sundown, then set out for the gypsy’s camp at sunrise and reach by sundown and after the night there, it will take a whole day to reach Azada. Once we reach Azada we will go straight to the prince to make our request then travel back home with or without his help for the village. If he doesn’t grant our request we will fight the riders ourselves.” After that being answered the three siblings talked about how the fields they were ridding through were so green and bright but not as colourful as the village with its rows of houses, farm houses, shops, the village church which the windows were made with colourful glasses, then there was their house it was double story and made out of wood though it was small it was filled with love, but the most be beautiful place in the village was the circle in the centre of the village where every year they would celebrate for another beautiful moonlight magic and they would dance and sing and the one the moon fairies choose (a girl when born) would dance and sing on their 17^th birthday to bring another 17 years of peace. Though Vera thought it was best when it was decorated with magical flowers and fire flies dancing around with the moonlight shinning down on the circle she kept quiet , Chris thought it looked better when it was day but no decorations but Lily thought it looked better with decoration. While her two younger siblings argued which one looked better she started planning how to make the request to the prince once they arrived. They took three short breaks, one for bathroom and the other two for drinking water. As they drew closer to the starting of the Black Forest the grass became darker and more gloomy.  When they entered the beginning of the forest the sun had already set so they decided to make camp. At the first sign of light they started off in search of the gipsy’s camp, the sun was setting and they still had not found the camp.

“Vera I’m tired!” Whined Lily.

“Aye so am I Lily but we just need to wait for Chris, he went to go to the bathroom so once he comes back we will find the camp, stay the night and continue the journey.”

“But he has been gone too long!”

“You are right, let me search for him.” At that Vera took off in direction that her brother had gone. It was not long when she came upon the gipsy’s camp and what she saw was a man in armour holding her brother by the neck. In a quick movement Vera had her arrow drawn and was three feet away from them.

“Let my brother go.” Said Vera in a normal but warning tone.

“This rat here is you brother? Well let me tell you something he’s a thief!” The man roared at her. Vera looked at her brother and asked him, “Did you try to steal something?”

“No, when I wanted to turn back I saw a tent so I went towards it, I thought I found the gipsy camp but there were swords so I thought they belonged to bandits but to make sure I went to look at the symbols on the sword, when I found them I was going to read them but he came out and thought I was thief and so thinking that he was a bandit, I started to run but he caught me and well you know the rest...” Her brother answered with the gasping breathes he got.

“Stop lying you dirty scum b-” The man’s words were cut off as the arrow past his cheek and hit the wood next to his eye.

“Call my brother a dirty scum again and I’ll hit your eye next.” Vera voice in a dangerous tone and eyes flaring fire in them and a arrow already in place. The man loosened his grip on Chris due to shock. Chris wasting no time ran behind his sister.

“Chris go back to Lily and tell her I’m coming soon.” Running fast Chris raced back to where they had left Lily. Just as Chris disappeared from view, a man stepped out of one of the tents, no a boy Vera corrected herself, he must be 18 or 19 from the looks of him. He was tall above the average by five centimetres if she was not mistaken, toned really light brown skin, black hair reaching to his collar, green eyes and a lean muscular body. The boy wore brown knee high leather boots, black trousers with a leather belt to hold it in place and a white t-shirt.  When their eyes she felt a surge a power go through her body and that's when she realised he was the prince.

“What’s going on out here Lzam?”

“Sire I would curtsy but I would like you to call off your guard.”

“And why should I believe you mean us no harm?” Before Vera could answer she heard her younger siblings scream.  Running like her life depended on it Vera tore through the trees never knowing she had screamed, “Lily! Chris!” When her siblings came to view she saw that they were unarmed, surrounded by a pack  of5 wolves and the horses Penny and Destiny were also cornered with them. “Fyra!” Vera screamed again and at that moment Fyra leapt out of the trees and tackled one of the wolves. One other wolf turned its attention to Fyra while the other  three crept closer towards Lily and Chris. Just as one leapt to attack Vera screamed at the top of her lunges, “Stay away from them!” Her magic mixed with feelings and flung the three wolves on a tree. The wolves sensing that something dangerous than them was near so took off except for Fyra. Throwing down her bow and arrows down Vera ran to her sister and brother who fell into her arms crying. “Vera, I were so scared that you weren’t coming.” Lily said between her sobs. “Don’t leave us alone.” Chris cried out.

“No I won’t I promise leave you guys alone again.” Holding her younger siblings close to her Vera cried tears of relief. Holding her younger siblings she heard several footsteps, she drew her sword and turned.

“Easy, we won’t harm them.” Aiden said as he backed  up a step. Behind him was his guard. Holding her siblings behind her Vera lowered her sword. “I now see that you mean us no harm so what brings you here in the Black Forest?”

“We came to make a request for our village.” Vera answered the prince.

“Which village and what request?”

“We come from the village of the south, Liteth. Riders from  King Seli’s kingdom have been attacking us for the past weeks, so we would like to request for you to send some knights to chase the riders away.”

“Sire don’t concern yourself fwith that small village, it is not worth thinking of.” The guard said as he turned around and started to walk towards the gipsy’s camp. Vera was shivering with anger but before she could say something, Lily shouted out, “And what would you know about our village? You think it’s useless? Then tell me who are the ones that dance and sing on ceremonies? Who are the ones that decorate the palace when special guests are coming? And tell me who decorate the towns when there is a celebration? It’s all us, we do all that so don’t you dare think lowly of our village!”

“Why you little pipsqueak!” Shouted the guard angrily.

“Enough Lzam! You might as well leave since you failed to kill me and tell my uncle if I find him at the palace I will kill him myself for what he did to my parents. ”

“You knew? How?”

“It was very easy since I saw a letter from my uncle to King Seli saying to send a group of men to kill all of the royal family, except they didn’t find me since I was under some tree roots. I just needed to find enough proof that my uncle killed my parents since no one would believe a nine year old child but now that I have found the proof I will overthrow my uncle and restore the kingdom to its former glory.”

“Don’t get so cocky bastard!” Lzam drew his sword and lunged at Aiden, the prince merely lifted his hand and the sword was flung out the guard’s hand. Then with his will Aiden held him by the neck one foot above the ground. In a deadly, calm voice he said, “Now get out of my sight before I throttle you.” When given the chance the guard ran back to the camp and a few seconds later they heard the hooves of a horse galloping in the direction of Azada. “I beg your pardon that your siblings and you had to see such a scene and about your request I will grant it, but instead of going back straight away I will ask you to come with me to the palace to get the knights to follow you to your village.”

“We will come but may we leave at dawn? For my siblings and I are very tired.”

“Very well, why don’t you bring your things and animals to the Gipsy Camp, the more there the merrier.” Aiden helped them move their things to the camp, they met and introduced themselves to the gipsies that were very happy to have more guests, after eating super they had a camp fire while the gipsies sang and danced their traditional songs and dances.

“Since you are from Liteth you must know how to dance and sing right?” Asked Aiden with a grin on his face. “Aye! I play the drums!”  Chris said with his proud smile.

“I play the harp!” Said Lily with the same smile as her older brother.

“And older sister can play all the instruments, dance and sing!” Her younger siblings said at the same time. Vera who was quite embarrassed just kept quiet.

“Then why don’t you dance for us while your siblings play the instruments?” Aiden said this as his grin grew wider. “Yes we have clothes that might fit you for the dancing.” A gipsy girl said.

“And you can dance and sing the one you did on your 17^th birthday! Everyone said it hadn’t been that beautiful or magical in centuries!” Lily said delightfully.

“Aye! ”Agreed Chris.

“Oh no. No I will not, thank very much.” Vera said instantly.

“Oh but older sister you just must!” Her younger brother and sister insisted.

“Oh come on, everybody wants to see it.” Said Aidan. Vera looked around the fire and saw his words were true.

“Oh alright.” Vera said giving in.

“Yay!” Shouted everyone. A gipsy girl and woman led Vera to a tent where I changed.

“Why is your sisters o popular in your village for her voice and dancing?” Aiden asked Lily.

“In our village every 17 years moon fairies would come and choose a girl to dance on her 17^th birthday but for centuries the moon fairies haven’t chosen a girl so the Villagers would choose but when our older sister was born at midnight on the seventh day of the seventh month on a full moon the moon fairies danced around her, so the village watched as she grew and yet no one had seen her dance or sing before except for our family, and then on her 17^th birthday which was a seven days ago she danced and sang at midnight the moonlight surrounded her, magical creatures danced around her, she glowed and at the end of the celebration we saw her glow I brighter than the moonlight and everyone knew she was special.” Lily answered him back.

“You forgot to mention her floating off the ground while she danced.” Added Chris.  Just then Vera stepped out wearing now a white skirt low on her hips that had slits at both sides with gold at the edges , a white gipsy top with gold around the top(something like a strapless bra), bells at her feet and hands, her hair was down and had jewels in her hair. As Vera started to sing her younger siblings started to play the music, slowly by slowly Vera lost herself in the music and began to forget her surroundings, the only thing that was there was the music and nothing else. Her hips moved freely, her hands followed the stars, her feet moved like on air and her voice was like an angle’s. Vera leapt over the fire when she landed she never missed a beat and continued. Coming to the end Vera bowed and everything was silent, then everyone stood up and clapped.

“I am pleased that you liked it.” Said Vera as she stood up. The songs went on and then they came to stories, that's when Aiden noticed Vera was no here with them anymore so he went to search for her. It was a few seconds when he spotted her, she was standing in the moonlight next to a stream.

“You don’t like stories?” He asked as he walked closer

“What? Oh no I love them I just needed some fresh air.”

“You sing and dance very beautifully, I can see why your village is known for its music, singers and dancers.”

“Oh yes we love everything that has a beautiful sound.”

“You have a leaf in your hair.” As he reached to pick it he met her eyes. She saw his eyes filled with desire and she knew very well hers mirrored his. Slowly he pulled her closer, their lips met slightly then he pulled her body against his own, even though the movement was ruff his lips were gentle. For a while they only kissed then their lips parted and they only looked at each other. It was then that Aiden said,   “I think I’m in love with you. I don’t know how to explain it but when our eyes met for the first time I felt a surge of power go through me. But I don’t need your answer now, you can give itto me when we reach the palace.” With that he let go of her and walked back to the camp. In the morning Vera(changed back to her clothes), her younger siblings and the prince said their thanks and goodbyes to the gypsies and sent off to reach Azada. It took them two days before they finally reached Azada, they went straight to the palace. Once they went inside a knight reported to the prince that his uncle had fled the kingdom with his men saying that he would come back for his revenge. As soon as the prince had ordered for some of the knights to prepare for going to Liteth Vera asked to speak to the prince alone therefore her sister and brother agreed to that very eagerly since they could see the knights room.

“About my feelings to you,  they are the same as yours, I love you with all my heart.” Vera said blushing a deep red as she said it.

“Then may I ask you to marry me?” Stunned for a moment Vera could only stare but then leapt into his arms shouting, “Yes!” And they all lived happily ever after.”

“Yay! But mama you didn’t need to add the kissing part.” Said Hunter making a weird face as he said kiss. His mother laughed at his expression. Just then the prince’s father the king came in the room holding his crying baby sister Amanda.

“I heard her crying in the other room as I came to say goodnight to Hunter.” His father said as he handed Amanda to his wife.” As she gave her breast to her hungry little daughter she asked her son, “Hunter why do you like the story of the country girl and the prince so much?”

“Because that's how you and papa met!” Hunter said happily straight away.  Vera looked at her son then at Aiden and they both started laughing. Aiden kissed his son on his forehead then his daughter’s and kissed his wife straight on the mouth and held his family close as he remembered the first time he met his wife.