Chapter 82

"And on this, the occasion of our daughter's birth, we call forth the three fairies to be her godmothers. Wise beyond even their own years and powerful beyond our knowing, we offer our finest jewels to thee."

The king stood atop the dais, arms raised. His staff of office was held in one hand with the other bare to show his good intentions. Before him, a select crowd of nobles and rich merchants applauded politely. The queen, so fresh from a harsh childbirth, smiled thinly from her seat next to her royal husband.

Doves were released from behind the throne. Chosen for their purity, their white wings fairly shined in the mid-morning sun. The doves, the symbol of their kingdom, spread in an arc above the crowd. A few unlucky nobles cursed silently when the birds relieved themselves but the ceremony otherwise proceeded as planned.

Three plump women bowed before the king as they waited to bestow their gifts.

The first fairy touched the tiny sleeping princess's forehead. A single golden lock of the child's hair came free from the swaddling. "For you, tiny god daughter, strength of limbs and vitality to match. You should grow strong and true."

"From me," said the second fairy, kissing the small child's forehead. "Wisdom to know the true path you must take and the courage to see it to the end."

The last fairy, her fat cheeks wide on her face, brushed her fingernail against the child's hair. "And my gift. The voice to call your people and the words to bind them to your cause. You'll grow into a fine queen."

Cheers erupted amongst the people watching. The king raised his scepter higher while the queen smiled bravely.

"And now-" the king began.

A dark shadow formed in the spotless corner of the chamber. Light seemed to bend around the darkness, creating a wavering reflection of the surrounding room. The crowd murmured and moved, giving wide berth to the unnatural scene. A noble lady gasped as a frail hand pushed through the black veil.

"Wisdom, was it?" A cackling voice said. A thin, bony arm followed the hand and, finally, an old crone stepped through. "Strength? Leadership?"

"Who are you?" the king demanded.

"Pah!" the old woman shouted. She was dressed in rags, bent over her staff and her gimlet eye surveyed the crowd. "You beggar yourself for useless trinkets! Your kingdom is poor and surrounded by those who would take it for their own. And, instead of readying yourself for conflict, you frolic in your fields like naïve children. While around you, vultures prowl."

The old woman's staff click-clacked on the marble floor as she made her way to the throne. The crowd parted before her while the three fairies stepped down to face the newcomer.

"It is our way," the king said. His face grew red with anger, dark splotches forming above his well-trimmed beard. "We are a peaceful-"

"No!" the woman screeched. "You hide behind your doves and your lambs, playing at peace, afraid to take up arms and offend your neighbors!" She turned in a circle, pointing her staff at the assembly. "And all the while, around you, your lords and ladies and blacksmiths sell their wares and their souls to your enemies."

"This is an outrage-!"

"I would never-!"

"Lies!"

"My king, surely-!"

"SILENCE!" the crone roared, stamping her oaken staff. A wave of force radiated from her. A few of the more brave men in the crowd stepped toward her. "Any man that touches me dies. Or lady. Know this and stand aside."

The three fairies stood alone before the old woman.

"Will you harm her?" one asked.

"No," the crone answered.

"You swear?" asked a second.

"I do."

Click-clack went the crone's staff as the fairies stood away from her. The third fairy gestured at the king and he backed away, his face ashen.

Standing before the tiny princess, the old woman pricked her thumb on her own snaggletooth. Thick, rich blood welled from the wound. With surprising delicacy, she leaned over the small child and pressed her thumb against the babe's lips. The child sucked at the thumb in her sleep, well trained by the touch of her nursemaid's nipple. The crone whispered to the child and then stood.

Ignoring the cries of outrage that bloomed around her, the old witch turned and made her way back to her magical globe.

"Wait!" the king. Panic stood clear on his face. "What have you done with her?!"

The old woman turned, her face grim. "I have made her fierce. As you will not." Without another word, the woman turned, stepped into the darkness and was no more.

-

The child grew under the watchful eye of the king, queen and her nursemaids. She was a beautiful golden-haired young girl and the darling of the court. She was fast and sweet and quick to laugh. Slowly, the king's fears vanished. The old witch had failed, her curse perhaps broken by the fairy gifts.

However, the king quietly chose to look into her warnings. In response, the nobles and merchants hid their dealings, delaying plans for years until the king's suspicions were laid to rest. The kingdom flourished and the king eventually continued to ignore the small signs of tensions growing along his border.

Princess Isabella learned her lessons well and without complaint. Never had anyone seen such a well-spoken, innocent young child. When she reached the proper age, she learned to blush prettily at the boys while reciting poetry or practicing her needlework. She sat with her mother, rapt with attention when told of more womanly duties. Her eyes sparkled at the thought of her own golden-haired children, even if the hows and whys of their creation were beyond her.

When her blood came, she was terrified and tried to hide it. A few more lessons were given but, still, her innocence was preserved. The holy teachings forbid the glorification of intercourse for more than child bearing and so the young woman learned nothing of it save that a man and a woman were both needed. She need know nothing else, her mother assured her, as her lord husband would instruct her properly in their wedding bed.

Slowly, old dealings were renewed. Promises were made and the drums of war sounded across the realm.

-

"But, mother, I know nothing of him," Princess Isabella complained.

Queen Margaret pulled at a few loose hairs that had escaped from her daughter's intricate braids. "I know, child. None of us do but I'm afraid we've no choice. The terms were clear and we must not take up arms. We've tried to protect you the best we can but you've reached your eighteenth name day and we can no longer deny, in good faith, the suitors."

The young princess sat straight-backed on her cushion. Thick white paint hid the blush in her cheeks. "And so soon? What will happen with you and father?"

"My dear child," the queen sighed. "Worry not for us. We'll be given land at the edge of the kingdom and... and perhaps someday you may come visit us. Yes?"

"Of course I would, mother!" The princess exclaimed. Why wouldn't I be able to visit you?"

"Sweet child," the queen said. The older woman continued to pull at imaginary threads from the young woman's dress. "It will be difficult for you. Your father and I won't be at the wedding tomorrow and... and we may be kept apart. Our lives and the lives of our people are spared because of this union. Now you see why it is so important. Prince William is a fine young man according to court gossip. Brave and bold."

Princess Isabella's face crumbled. "I shall never see you again, shall I?"

The two women hugged, comforting one another as evening fell.

-

The small castle was nearly silent at night. Faint noises from the kennels and stables and servants working throughout the hallways were the only noises.

Princess Isabella sat in her bed, propped up by a multitude of pillows. She'd tried to write in her diary but her thoughts wandered and she found herself thinking of her wedding day. Tomorrow she would meet her husband for the first time and they would be married, joined as one for the sake of the kingdom.

Will he be handsome? the young girl wondered. Kind? Gentle?

“And that is all that I am going to say for tonight. It is late and both of you need to sleep,” said Serafina as Willie and Winnie whined in outrage and said,” We want to hear the rest of the story. She was the one who brought the different packs into existence and made Amorentia. We want to hear the story.”
“You will hear the rest of the story from me, tomorrow night,” said Sin as she came in the room and both her sisters squealed and jumped on her and said,” You are back. You are back…how was the Elf kingdom?”
“Again that is another story but I think you will get to meet the elf prince soon,” said Sin as their eyes grew wide in amazement.