The Curse
Once upon a time, many years ago a magical adventure brought the Silver Kingdom of the Moon and the Golden Kingdom of Elysion together. It is a tale of love, romance, magic, bravery, and sacrifice. It's a tale that shows the true meaning of inner beauty and looking beyond ones appearances.
Our tale begins during a peaceful and magical era long-forgotten in time. The era was known to each and every one as the Silver Millennium. It was a time of great thriving tranquility and love. The inhabitants whom lived in this great era knew nothing of the ways of warfare, hatred or any sinful actions for that matter. Only love, peace, and beauty were known.
At the time of this of this delightful eon were two beautiful and shining kingdoms. Each was in its own way magical, beautiful and loving. There was the Silver Kingdom of the Moon, ruled by the wise, attractive, and benevolent Queen Serenity. And on Earth was the Golden Kingdom of Elysion ruled by the loving King Adam.
Despite the fact, that both sovereignties were nonviolent as well as ruled by affectionate monarchs, they didn't interact too frequently. Each empire had its own secrets and what's more they're exceptionally diverse.
The Golden Kingdom of Elysion was a place of great beauty and nature, whereas the kingdom of the Moon did have great alabaster buildings, in addition to, enthralling water manipulation. It however greatly lacked when it came to nature. There were not any flowers or trees or any kinds of greens, nor were there any winds and bird songs. An extremely small amount of flora and fauna dwelled upon the Moon. So while they did have great architecture, it was rather pale in comparison to the natural splendor found so richly on the Earth's kingdom.
While very few traveled to the Moon, they did have a small number of visitors. More often than not, it was traveling merchants and traders whom brought goods, news and other treats from the Earth.
Our story begins on one such a visit when the traders came to the Moon. It was a day like any other. The Northern Lights and shooting stars lit the way, as their horse and carriage glided along the moonbeam bridge, the only way to connect the Earth and Moon. Awaiting them most eagerly was the young princess of the Moon, Princess Serenity.
The beautiful vixen was once again gazing her radiant azure eyes longingly at the sapphire planet. She spent countless hours of her day just gazing at the Earth. Dreaming of one day perhaps visiting the mysterious and enchanting world, which she had heard of so much. She long to walk on the fresh spring grass, smelling a red rose, and feeling the wind blowing her golden hair. Ever since she was a little girl she lapped up the stories of the Earth and all it wonders. Thus as soon as she saw the beautiful snow-white stallion trotting along the enchanted bridge she flew down the alabaster stone steps to greet them.
She flew down the stairs so fast that she tripped over a black cat and toppled down the remaining steps. She rubbed her sore head and heard the cat hiss. The red eyed cat glared at her with anger.
"Princess Serenity! You must be more careful! You could've broken your neck! And you should be more aware of your surroundings! You could've done harm to me!" retorted the frisky feline as she rubbed the back of her neck.
The Princess bowed her head and said, "I'm most regretful for tripping over you, Luna. I shall be more careful in the future. But I must make haste! The traders are here! And I only hope that they brought a picture of roses with them!" and without further ado she sprinted out the door nearly knocking a golden and pink vase off the mantelpiece. It was only Luna's quick reflex that stopped the vase from smashing to pieces.
As she shook her head she couldn't help but smile. Princess Serenity maybe a bit of klutz but she was a true friend. Furthermore she would one day be a magnificent and attractive sovereign. So she should take pleasure in her gratifying visits from the Earth traders.
Right now the traders were in the great hall unloading their bundles. A few of the servant girls eyed the dresses and trinkets enviously. One of the merchants was busy showing off what he called a tinder box to the queen. A delightful Queen watch as the amber flame burned brightly out of the small stick.
"Truly marvelous! What clever people the folks of Earth are! It mustn't be easy to create such wonderful devices!" she giggled as the tiny flame danced about. She was still entranced by the flame that she didn't hear her daughter come in. It wasn't till the Princess tripped over a pearl necklace that had fallen off the holly table that she looked away from the flame.
"Dear, Daughter! Are you okay?!" she asked franticly as she helped the Princess off the floor.
Princess Serenity smiled embarrassedly and a touch of pink glisten on her fair cheeks. She merely laughed at her klutziness. "I'm alright, Mother. So what have you brought us today, noble merchants?" she asked as she dusted off her flowing white gown.
"We've brought only the finest wears from Elysion. The craftsmen are getting prepared for the cherry blossom festival back on Earth. As a result they're working overtime. As you can see for yourself, your Majesty, their hard work is very obvious. Just look at these necklaces and other trinkets," said the merchant as he displayed the precious treasures to the young princess. She loved them all dearly, she even loved the golden charm bracelet that they showed her, and still it wasn't the garments or jewelry she craved. She began to franticly browse through the table desperately trying to unearth what she wanted.
"Daughter? Why are you making such a mess? I know you love the Earth folk's collections. Still remember your manners," Queen Serenity scolded her daughter.
"What is it you want, dear child? Perhaps we could find it for you," the Merchant said kindly as he gently eased her away from the table.
"Do you've a picture of flowers? If so do you have one of roses?"
"Yes, we do in fact," he said as he opened an ash and gold box and removed something in a golden oriented framework. "Here you are, my dear."
Princess Serenity smile grew immensely at the sight of the beautiful flowers of love. She saw them mixed with cherry blossom and nearby was a beautiful turquoise lake with swans.
"Thank you so much!" she squealed as she hugged the merchant. She then skipped out of the room and to her bedroom. Her room was the grandest room in the whole place. It was even grander then the ballroom that was underneath it. She fell onto her large bed and kissed the picture.
"Oh, how I wish I was here in this picture," she sighed as she gazed longingly at the picture and hugged it close to her heart. "Dear Mother, dear Moon, I love you all so very dearly. But I yearn for something more. I desire to see the colors of spring, and hear the laughter of summer, to feel the winds of autumn, and dance within the enchanted snow of winter. And most of all, I long to have someone to share my deepest thoughts, and who shares my dreams. I know you're out there somewhere. I'll do anything to find you!" she said as a silver tear fell upon the red roses.
Unknown to the Princess at the time, was the fact the man she sought was in fact real as the picture she treasured so. As she dreamed of him walking through the magical garden he dreamed of her too. And hoped one day to take her to this beautiful place so they may live together forever. But unbeknownst to them was when they finally met it would be an encounter neither had expected.
Right now down on the Earth tragedy had struck the Golden Kingdom of Elysion. Their ruler for decades had departed this life. As the Kingdom mourned the lost of their monarch, Prince Endymion raced home to soothe his grieving mother Queen Gaia and claim his birthright. But even as a new king was crown the joy it brought was temper by an unseen danger.
For the Golden Kingdom there was a danger that had been held at bay for years by the previous King Adam. Long ago a noblewoman named Beryl had been banished for trying to usurp the throne. She had sold her soul and had become an evil witch. She longed for both the throne and Endymion. But it was only thanks to King Adam's golden crystal that she had been held at bay for so long. Now that he had died and Endymion was to take the throne she felt her chance had come to take what she saw was rightful hers. She had always felt that being a noblewoman she should wed the prince. She was certainly the highest ranking person and being of noble birth it only seemed natural. But Endymion wouldn't have her. Still she long to try.
After the coronation the handsome prince now king crept to a side chamber to be with his mother. He found her sitting on the windowsill. She was holding a rose in one hand and stroking a white dove in the other. He smiled at the tender sight. Before he could speak though she turned her shimmering blue eyes at her son. "Dear Endymion, come here. I want to show you something," she cooed gently to him.
"Are you alright, Mother?" he asked as he sat down and cradle her in his hand.
"See that tree? The one in the heart of the garden?" she pointed out to the tallest and most wonderful tree in the garden. He nodded and she sighed. "I met your father under that tree. I was only five years old. I had been playing hide and seek with my friends and then I spotted a dove at the base of the tree. I came out to comfort it and saw it had a broken wing. I tired to help it and then your father came out with a single rose, and saw me. He was planning on planting roses around the cherry tree and saw me crying. He then took me inside and we together healed the dove. And ever since that day Rose as we named the dove came back every summer and sang to us for saving her life. And as you can see her children carry on the tradition for kindness and song. So you must be as kind and gentle to your people as the dove is to her child."
"I promise, Mother, I will be a good ruler. Like my father before me and his father before him. I do miss him but I know his spirit is with me. And if I needed him I just need to look into my heart."
Queen Gaia smiled warmly at her son. She then reached into her pocket of her gown and took out a golden star locket. Her son stared at the musical box in awe as she opened it and its enchanting melody began to play. "Your father gave me this locket the same day we met under that tree. He said it will only play for those who are meant to be. Forever in love and bliss is the song of the stars. It's yours now to give to the one you take for your bride. Remember it will only open and play if you give it to your true love and will binded her to you forever."
"Thank you, Mother. I shall find her one day and together we shall bring peace and prosperity to the Golden Kingdom," Endymion said as he took the star locket from his mother.
All of a sudden a loud clap of thunder rang out. It was a clear forget me not blue out. So it could only mean that the witch Beryl was here. And in a cloud of purple smoke she emerged.
"Hello, Endymion! It's so nice to see you again! You are the King of the Earth now! My King. Your father magic has been spent, and now you and I can be one now and forever. So let us rule together and we shall conquer this world and the Moon. Then we can be the rulers of the entire universe!" she spoke most passionately. She then began to stroke Endymion seductively and kissed his forehead but he simply pushed her away.
"I will never be yours, Beryl. I don't want to conquer anyone or anything. My good is of love and you, the ugliest woman ever shall never be my bride!" he declared loudly.
"You refuse me?"
"Yes, I shall never be yours, Beryl. Do what you want but you'll never take my hand or my land."
Beryl narrowed her crimson eyes and a cold breeze filled the chamber. "If you shall not be mine, I shall make sure you'll never be another's either! I'll turn you into a beast for the next seven years! No-one shall be your bride. Who could love such an animal? Only at midnight will you be human. But you mustn't be seen as a man, because if you are, then you shall be mine!" and with that a clap of thunder and a brilliant flash of light she was gone. And where King Endymion had been sitting was now a great white bear!
