Prolog

This idea was developed with a few neighbor children and me. It takes place in King Arthur’s time. I wanted to see that if in a later time, I could publish it and also to see what people think! I hope you like this first chapter, and that you’ll love reading the whole story!

Darkness was settling throughout the country. The green grass was slowly turning a dark grey, the road was looking more like a cobbled block then dirt, candles inside were being lit all over the town. Stars pricked the black velvety sky, as the town lit up with flickering light. The only thing that really interested anyone from far away, or looking down onto the streets, was probably the light that flickered from time to time. Houses weren’t built together, they were spread out, over acres of land. That was one of the only things that interested the young girl looking out her window from the castle, the flickering lights.

The girl moved back, brushing back her long, curly, dark brown hair. She was twelve years old, and still the world held the smallest keys of joy. She couldn’t let that down from her shelf, never, because if she did she would lose her passionate joy. She looked back out the window, as she saw horses gallop up, and lords and ladies walking up, the dirt road. She sighed, for some odd reason, the idea of this grand ball was driving her nuts. She loved staying up late, and dancing with funny guests, but perhaps tonight just wasn’t----Oh, she was being foolish! But never-the-less, the idea still didn’t appeal to her.

She stood up from her chair, barely noticing the excited commotion going on below her, and closed the window silently. Perhaps tonight was meant not to watch the flickering lights, she would just have to watch it the next night. She paused, placing her hand on the now closed window, but then turned away letting her hand drop to beside her. She turned gracefully, showing the air of royalty, and silently walked to her dress hanging out for her. She ran her hands over the smooth fabric. It was so beautiful, the sparkling threads that made each stitch important to the seers eyes. She picked up a side of it, and let it drop gracefully back down, unable to contain her hate for it. If there wasn’t a party, then there would be the ability to watch the flickering lights until she grew too tired and fell asleep. Her dad would then carry her to her bed, and cuddle her to sleep. The lights would be dimmed, but the window left open for her to sleep.

A sudden knock on the door, brought the twelve-year, old girl out of her revere. She quickly grabbed her robe, and shouted, “come in!” The door opened revealing a man dressed in black, and wearing a black cloak. The girl smiled, and ran to him crying, “Uncle!” The man laughed and picked up the girl, twirling her around. He then put her down, and she looked up into his loving eyes. She held a sure love for her uncle, feeling a sense of peace about him. He was so powerfully strong, and yet had a loving disposition. He looked at the girl, measuring her up to size. After being satisfied, he then hugged her, and she hugged him revealing the love she had for him.

“It’s good to see you Uncle John!” The girl cried, tears staining her face, but unseen by her Uncle.

“Yes, well shouldn’t you be ready for the ball?” Asked her Uncle, a little more stern then normal.

“Oh yes,” she replied, moving away from her Uncle, and looking back at the window. This was just too much, she didn’t want to go.

“I, am guessing,” John put in, “that you do not wish to go?”

“Huh? Oh, oh yes, your quite right,” she answered fingering her lacy robe.

“Why not,” John asked, “you might not see me for a long while. So you will want to dance with me while you can!”

“What! But you just got here!” The girl cried out, wheeling around to face her uncle, a look of horror on her face.

“I know I did, but,” John paused, looking away from the girls hurt eyes, “Christine, look, your father has another mission for me, to concur another town, and perhaps I can rule that one...”

“No!” The girl cried. “That’s unfair, it’s so perfect having you with me, here! Please don’t go, say you don’t want to, please!”

“I’m sorry Christine,” Christine’s uncle said, “I’ll leave you to get ready for the ball.”

He left the room, before Christine could say another word. She looked back at the dress, and then spotted the pretty high healed shoes. She picked up one of the shoes, and threw it at her door. She didn’t want to go, not now, and not ever! She would just stay in her room, and ignore all the calls from her parents. She ran to her giant bed, and fell upon it, tear’s sliding down her cheeks. If only her uncle, her uncle could stay. She let the tear’s come, sobbing uncontrollably into her pillows. She just couldn’t hold them back. She was so upset.

Another knock at her door disturbed her sobbing. She didn’t answer this time, but kept sobbing. Christine heard the door open, yet she didn’t look up from her pillows. There was complete silence throughout the entire room, until she felt a pair of strong hands on her back. She tried to shake them off, but they merely turned her about. Christine, then looked into her father’s deep blue eyes. His blonde hair pushed back behind his crown. His beard, was short, just over his face, but it still was the perfect look for a father. He was strongly built, and was perfect to cuddle anyone of great importance.

Her father stared at her hard, for a long time, as she continued to sob. She hadn’t realized she was hurting her father this way. The one man she would never want to betray, was sitting right besides her. Her father, then one who had stayed by her side when she was sick, the one that loved her more then anything in the world, the one who would risk his life for hers. What was she thinking, she should just go to the dumb ball, and pretend to have a good, time, and perhaps it would be over before she knew it. She wiped away the tears, that she had held for so long. And looked back at her father, the king of the land. The one who had pulled out of the stone, the sword. She smiled airily, and then looked away.

Her father, clasped his hand onto her shoulder, and turned her had gently around. “Christine, what’s wrong? Is anything bothering you, why haven’t you gotten into your dress?”

“I, oh Daddy!” Christine, burst out, more tears falling down, her cheeks. “Daddy, I don’t want to go to that stupid ball. Why tonight? You promised, you promised we would watch the flickering lights tonight, you promised!”

“Christine, sweetie,” Her father said gently, “I’m sorry I forgot. Look, I’ll watch tomorrow night, no matter what.”

“Promise?” Christine asked, looking into her fathers eyes.

“I promise, no crosses count!” He said, pulling her into a hug.

“Haha, Daddy, let go,” Christine cried out, giggling with laughter.

Her father tickled her a little bit longer, and then let her go, so she fell limp into his arms. She giggled, with the fact that her fathers love was strong for her. She calmed down, and looked up at her father. He looked down at her, and almost as if a memory played in his head. She looked at her father confused, but there were his eyes, deep in thought.

“Daddy, I had better get dressed,” Christine said, wiggling out of her father’s grasp.

“Yes Christine,” he said, looking back at her, coming out of thought. He stood up, and bowed to her, and left the room.

Christine, walked over to the shoe, that she had thrown across the room. She picked it up, and walked with it over to her dress. She set it down gently by the other one, and then started to change into her dress. It fit her beautifully, as the gown fell past her knees. She wondered how any person could stand to wear such a beautiful thing, without worrying they would ruin it. She then slipped on the shoes, creating the complete masterpiece of the dress. She walked towards the mirror, and closed her eyes tightly. This was it, the moment of truth. Was she still the same, now that she had put on the dress?

She opened her eyes, and saw the same girl that she had always been. Her long hair, coming to her hips, and her brown eyes, her beautiful face. She turned to the side, and looked down, the mirror, to find the dress. Her whole complexion changed, as she saw that she was different. She was a princess, and her father, king Arthur was the ruler, of the land. She would never be normal, never. She sighed, and quietly slide, into her bathroom. She went to the spot, where powder and stuff was kept. She quickly did her makeup, and silently put up her hair, causing ringlets to fall down her back.

She was radiant, and she silently walked out of the room. She picked up the small necklace, that meant the world to her. Her parents had given it to her, as a birthday present. She silently put it on, causing the image of herself change again. She looked back in the mirror, and saw the girl she knew as herself. The necklace showed, the bright, young women she was. She smiled, and went to her door, to go down to the party.

The ballroom had been grandly lit. As Christine, descended the stairs to the ballroom, she saw already, that music was playing, and people were dancing. She sighed, as she saw the graceful movements the ladies made, and the noble, strong movements of the men. It was wonderful, the way they all had their own way to dance. The song ended, and all of the attendants turned their way towards where Christine stood, watching. She gracefully walked the rest of the way down the steps, and curtsied to everyone there. Her parents smiled at her, she could see her uncle positively beaming at her, as she walked to her seat. She sat down, and her uncle walked over to her, extending a hand for her to take it. She took it gratefully rising gently to be swept off to the dance floor.

She took her place as a princess, but one with a fire glowing inside of her. She twirled and curtsied to everyone she danced with. Twirling around the huge circle of dancers. She reached Lords that were young, and Lords that were old. She finally reached her father, she curtsied and took his hand, and was swept off to a world that was almost magical. She loved her fathers way of dancing. She smiled as she twirled away from her father, she was twirling to her uncle, the one she had been looking forward to dancing with all night.

Suddenly the lights went out. There were screams, and Christine felt herself stop in the middle of the twirl. She couldn’t see anything, was she still in the ball room? What was going on, this was not supposed to happen. She twirled around one way, and then the other, trying to not panic from fear. She could hear others screaming, others moving about in panic.

A sudden voice sounded throughout the entire ballroom, “the king’s family shall die tonight. The round table shall be murdered, and all shall perish. A new king, greater then Arthur shall a rise, and will remove King Arthur from his throne. The king will be placed in a cold cell, and everyone will bow towards a more powerful king then ever before.”

An emerald green flame, suddenly burst up in front of Christine. She screamed, falling backwards onto the stone dance floor. The lights were flickering, and everything seemed to be flashing. The musicians were running after their music. Christine shielded her eyes, and as she looked closer, she could almost make out a person with-in the flames. “Uncle!” She cried out, pushing herself up, and running toward the flame. But it suddenly vanished, leaving people screaming, and then the lights flickered back on.

“Christine!” The voice of her mother and father called out. They ran to her, hugging her close to their bodies. She was shocked. Where had uncle John gone? Was he all right? What could have happened to him?

“This dance is over, you may go to your rooms, to sleep peacefully. The words meant nothing. Good night everyone,” Arthur said, holding Christine closer to him.

There was a big commotion to get to everyone’s rooms. Christine was brought to her room, and allowed not to change out of her cloths. She would sleep in her dress. She silently let her hair down. Her father, sat on her bed, with her mother behind him. She climbed into bed, and looked at her loving parents. What was going on, was there something bad going to happen tonight? Her thoughts were disturbed by her mother, tucking her in. Both parents kissed her on her forehead, and turned out the lights. Whatever was wrong, it probably wasn’t anything bad. She rolled over onto her side, and closed her eyes. Everything was fine for now, and she was safe, or was she?

A load boom, woke the whole entire castle. It was still dark outside, and panicked screams filled the castle. Christine awoke, feeling her dreams slide away from under her. She jumped out of bed, and grabbed her necklace, placing it over her head to around her neck. She put on her shoes, and ran outside of her room. Screams were filling the palace, people running and pushing for a way out. She spotted her mother being pushed and shunted through the corridors. Christine ran towards her, but was knocked back against the wall.

“MOM,” yelled Christine, her voice full of fear.

“CHRISTINE!” Her mother called back, trying to fight to get to her daughter.

“MO-”

A hand covered her mouth, and pulled her away from where her mother was being taken. She turned slightly and saw her nanny. She sighed in relief, and quickly followed. She had a way out, it was a game, nothing was wrong. Boom, more crashes from billow, and more screams of fear. There were servants following her, and they led her out a secret passage way. Christine tried to ask where they were going, but was told to be quite. Her head filled with questions at this, but she was too afraid to ask. Suddenly she found herself outside, with a group of people.

“Where are we going?” Christine asked as the group preceded towards the hill behind the castle.

They were leaving, no, they couldn’t do this, her mother and father were still in there, with their attacker. She followed silently, until they reached the top of the hill. It was more like a cliff, the rock sides, were sharp, and there was no known survivors to have made it down the side. Christine, stopped, and looked down. She wasn’t above her castle, but above and grasses plain below. She looked at the others, whom all looked about ready to murder her. She looked at her nanny, asking the same question, “where are we going?”

“We have to escape, we are leaving, and perhaps we will come back here later.” Her nanny answered her, holding herself up high.

“NO!” Christine shouted, looking down towards the castle. “NO, MY MOM AND DAD ARE DOWN THERE! WE HAVE TO SAVE THEMTHAT’S AN ORDER!”

“We are not going to take orders from you anymore, you silly, girl no COME ALONG!” Her nanny said, grabbing her arm.

Christine pulled hard, trying to free herself. It was a silent fight between strengths. Suddenly her nanny let go of her arm. Christine fell backwards, screaming, falling down the rocky mountain side. The other servants, and the nanny ran to the side of the hill. They looked down the side of the hill, but it was to dark to see what lay down below. The other servants started arguing on what to do. Finally the nanny stood up, and looked at them all.

“If we don’t get moving, we’ll be found!” She cried, making complete sense. “Leave the girl, she most likely dead any ways! Lets go!”

The group agreed, and soon, there was no trace of them. Down below, in a shaded area, the young princess lay. Her hair was tousled from her fall, but she was alive still. Her breathing came in small gentleness. She didn’t move, as part of the castle was blown apart, right where her room was. She lay there, breathing in air to keep her living. A, darkness gathered, the young girl, lay there, losing memories she held dear to her. She fell back into darkness as if there was no ground, but just falling back.

I hope you like my story! Please Review! I hope you liked this first chapter!