Short Fantasy Story
As we fly up through a mountain range full of greeneries, through an enchanted forest and float down a magical river, just not far from its shore lies a kingdom, ”Alveara”. This is a very beautiful morning indeed, the sound of birds chirping and happiness all over the city. It’s sunny but cool, the sky is cloudless and vibrant almost like a blessing from heaven. The floral scent of a variety of flowers, soft and sweet but not too strong. The sounds of music echo throughout the city. People are dancing full of energy and happiness. Not soon after, guests from all over the realms started arriving including, Kings and Queens, princes and princesses, commanders and ministers. The people of Alveara seems happy, as today is the day of the new queen is crowned.
“Are you frightened, my daughter?”
Annealise’s father asked as they walked along the paths upon the huge Castle walls.
“I am, Father. This duty is formidable.”
King Fedrick smiled and caressed her hand as they walked. “It will be if you allow it to urge into your head.”
She smiled. “Is that how you ruled so well? Ignoring the fact that you were scared as well?”
He smiled back at her. “Anne, sometimes you have to let go. You don’t have to be scared... you have me. Just remember that a great leader knows when to ask for help... but a true leader admits his wrong-doings .”
Today was the day of succession. Annealise tried her best to calm down but still could not accept the fact that she will be queen.
“Father, I’m scared, I am unsure of my ability to do as you did when you were King. What if people don't like or respect me as their queen.”
He chuckled. “I am still King, Until noon. Trust me! The people will love and respect you.” His eyes thinned humorously. “You are not going to exile me out of the city, are you? I’m too old for that life.”
Annealise was shocked. “What? Of course not! Why would you say that? Father!” he just laughed. They looked at each other with warm eyes as they neared the Throne Room. “Listen to me. And listen well. Do not rule like me. Do not make the choices I made. Rule as you would. Do no rule as a Sovereign nor or a Queen, but as the mother of this kingdom. Just as I was father to it. Each one of these people is in your hand to care and protect. But always remember, you serve them, not the other way around. They will complain and hate. But you are an adult not a kid any more, you know what is right and wrong. They will grow to love and respect you as they did me, as long as you do the same for them. Lead by make peace not war, I have gone through it long enough. Walk with your head up, chin out, proud, and strong. They will follow your example. And they will see what I have always seen.”
“And what is that Father? What have you seen?” Annealise asked back.
The King smiled. “That you are a blessing. A Heavenly gift given to a man who was not worthy of such love and respect. No evil force can come near our kingdom ever since your mother gave birth to you. I could not take care of your mother well enough to let her sacrifice her life just to save this kingdom from those witches.”
“Hush, Father. That is enough of that. This is the 15th century now. The past is the past, you can not change it. However, we need to focus on the present.” Annealise said as she embraced his warmness. “I will make you and mother proud. I will.”
The King chuckled. “And I have always been, I am always proud of you, Anne, Always.” Both father and daughter looked at each other in love and respect for good moments. Not King and Princess, just father and daughter.
“Come.” He said, patting her hand. “Time to make you Queen.” Anneslise breathed calmly now. She would be Queen.
The King and his daughter walked into the throne room with eyes looking upon them. Annealise wore her Azure plain coronation gown, flare sleeves that ended at her ankle, with a touch of green sapphire necklaces and earrings. The princess looked stunning in her low-ponytail and a royal robe that could catch the eyes of thousands of people in the throne hall.
Their hands locked in each other. Annealise was not herself at all, as today she will go into the throne room as a princess and come out as queen of Alveara.
Step by step she came closer to the throne.
“Your majesty... could you please kneel down on this pillow.” The great bishop of Alveara told.
The young princess kneel down and lowered her head. He started by anointing her forehead with the holy oil and placing a gold crown crusted with rubies and emeralds on her head. As she rose, the bishop presented Annealise with the orb and scepter upon a blue pillow. Annealise holds the orb and scepter on her hands while turning around to face the people.
“As she holds the holy properties and is crowned in this holy place, I present to you queen Annealise of Alveara” the great bishop announced while the crowds cheering out loud.
Annealise smiled nonstop to see such many people support her.
“My queen...may I?” King Fedrick slightly bowed and offered his hand.
“Father! No, do not do such a thing again..I am still your daughter.” She laughed and put her hand on his as they walked up the aisle, through the hallway, toward the royal
balcony. As they got closer and closer to the balcony, they could hear people cheering loudly.
“Long live the queen!!!” There were hundreds of thousands of people gathered round to congratulate their new queen.
Annealise stood on the balcony waving a single hand with her dear father stood by her side, with all people tear gazes at her. Annealise was overwhelmed by this scene, she could cry but she will not cry. She wanted to be a good example for her people. At this point, she knew who she is, she will not fear anymore....
King Fedrick smiled and said “If you fall, I will carry you....” Annealise looked at her people. ”If they fall, I will carry them...”
“I am now your queen, may gods bless us with never-ending love and I shall bestow upon thee glee, joy and rule until death.” she announced proudly and the people cheered.
As they were about to walk inside, a dark mist covered up the castle. Everyone was screaming as they could not see anything. Not soon after, a shadow covered the shining sun causing a dark solar eclipse. The mist was smokey yet moist causing everyone to fall into a deep slumber except for the newly crowned queen. She was shocked yet scared as she looked at her father fall down into a deep coma before her eyes.
“I see you did not invite me Annealise!” A wicked tone appeared in front of her as the dark mist formed something unbearable and scary.
A woman dressed in full black holding a long stick played with Annalise Hair while she was breathing heavily and frightened by her.
“Who are you? What do you want?” Annealise shouted with anger yet still terrified for the woman's appearance as she looked ghastly with a burning red eye... her hair is lifeless and white, she had skin as cold as mid-winter.
“Aww, I just wanted to get invited to your coronation.... That’s all... Is that too much-” She grabbed her hand “-to ask? Hahahaha” and pulled Annealise with her as they jumped from the high walls of the castle.
Suddenly they appeared in a forest... It was dark yet visible to the eyes, glowing flowers of all sizes and colors, blue and red mushrooms like the sizes of a small hut,
glowing butterflies sparkling all over the place, the grass was crispy, it was ghost-quiet but ruined by a loud wicked laugh.
Annealise got up from the ground still terrified and dirt got all over her gown. She looked around and mumbled ’huh...the enchanted forest’ “I asked who you are?” Annealise yelled at her. “The name is Elena, my dear nephew, I was your mother's little sister.” the wicked women walked toward her.
Annealise took off her robe and took out a small yet sharpy blade from the back-pocket off her long gown. She pointed that blade toward Elena... “Do not come near me... or I will have to mercy on you Elena!” She said. Elena pointed her long black nail on Annealise’s cheek and said...
“Aww Annealise grew up beautifully... just like my dear sister, so young, brave and kind perhaps too kind-” She grabbed Annealise’s cheekbone and squeeze it hard... blood was dripping from her cheek “- and that’s why they liked to called her the great white witch.” Elena threw Annealise on the ground hard.
“I don’t believe it, my mother? A witch?” Annealise wiped the blood on her cheek and slowly got up. “Let me tell you a story.” Elena waved her wand and pointed it upward toward tree branches. A red lighting snapped out of her wand and destroyed those tree branches, revealing a blood moon.
The moon was redder than blood, it was large and bright. Annealise looked up and covered her eyes. “Once in a blood moon, there will be a portal open up to a world full of evil and magical artifacts, but the most powerful of all is the emerald wand of elven...said to be able to destroy the world with just one flick. One by one my fellow witches tried to enter the world but none have passed because the portal holds a flame stronger than the sun, burning down 500 of my fellow witches. In order to get in, you need to make a potion from the great white witch’s heart. Your mother, the greatest white witch of all, sacrificed her heart to close the portal forever. This very forest is one of her creations. But she’s dead-” the dark witch flicked her wand at Annealise and a giant fireball appeared toward her face “-So it has to be yours!!”
Annealise was quick enough to block it with her blade but the witch’s power was too strong, so the blade burnt down in her hand. Elena cast another spell causing Annealise to fly back until her back hitted one of the giant mushrooms. Annealise got back up for she will not give up to fight back, but the witch flicked her wand and this time a lightning snapped out and hitted Annealise’s chest. Annealise spitted out blood as it
was painful and hot. Her leg began to numb, she could not get back up, her eyes were heavy, it was about to close and give up but she heard this calling sound.
‘Get up my daughter.... You can not give up like this, I am here to help. Your ring...it contained my last bit of magic in it. Use it against her....’ then it faded away. “Mother-” Annealise gazed at her silver ring as it began to glow. She finally had the strength to get up but her legs were trembling, she could not stand properly.
“Play hard to get are we?” Elena flicked her wand one final time toward Annealise. A bigger, stronger lightning snapped out of her wand but Annealise was quicker... She took off her ring and held it in front of her. She prayed and closed her eyes, but nothing happened this time. After a few seconds, Annealise opened her eyes and looked at her ring.
It glowed brighter than a million stars, glitter dusts were all over the place. “What? What is happening? My body!!! Ah!” Elena screamed, cried in agony as she slowly burnt down into ashes.
Annealise rubbed her ring again... but this time it shot out a beacon, teleported her back to her castle’s balcony. Annealise absorbed all of her mother’s magic now..nothing can ever harm the kingdom again. Annealise waved her hand and shot up a gold lightning bolt to the sky. The sky cleared again, everyone woke up clueless on what was happening.
“What just happened?” King Fedrick hugged Annealise tightly and cried. “Don’t tell me that it was those witches again...Did they hurt you?” He gently pulled away and looked at her daughter. “No father, it's okay now... I have all of mother magic now and I shall continue to do what she did as queen of this land...” Annealise smiled and looked at her people as they cheered for her victory over the great dark witch........ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “And that’s how queen Annealise bravely stood up against the witch and saved our kingdom.” Annealise got up from her daughter's bed. “Now go to sleep--” Annealise put out the candle light and walk to the door.
“But mother- you are queen Annealise-” the young princess said. Her mother looked back at her and said “And you have her blood run through you...” Annealise smiled and closed the door.
***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***
Comments