I remember lots of things from my childhood. My mother was a dancer, the famous kind that traveled around to kingdoms and performed for the richest of people, kings and queens too. My father was something of a business man, going to the countryside to sell his goods to people who needed them most or wanted them. We had money, lots of it, and servants too. My dresses were of the best quality, handmade by one of my girls. They were my best friends, closest confidents, and they practically raised me. But, one day my mother was traveling home from a long trip when she fell ill. I wasn't able to see her until weeks after we got word of her illness. Father took off of work to take me to the next town over, where she was being taken care of by a family friend who happened to be a doctor. Her words would forever remain in my mind.
"My sweet Rose, darling girl, I am always with you. But you must promise me that you will always remain as you are now. Have courage, and be kind," Mother took my small hand in her gentle, shaking one. Her voice was breaking and I could hear how it hurt her to speak. She pointed towards her bag, it's purple fabric was dirtied as usual but still as beautiful as always. "I have a present for you, my love."
"What is it mama?" I asked eagerly. My parents had given me a love for anything given to me, gifts were always beautiful and special when they came from them. From the large bag I took a box. It wasn't anything fancy looking until I took the lid off. There lay a sapphire stone, strung on a thin silver chain. It matched the color of my eyes, but I had no mirror to see at the time. "Oh thank you, it is beautiful mother."
"My darling girl, I must go now. I have to go somewhere for a very long time," she told me, for I was young and had no understanding of death whatsoever. But I took her hand and told her I loved her, then stood and allowed my father into the room so that they could have their privacy.
It was only hours after I left the room that they told me. My mother had passed on, as we had all expected. But I was told that Mother was gone for another long trip and may not come back, that was what I believed for many years up until I turned ten. I was informed of her death and, for many weeks, refused to say more than a single word to my father at a time. Eventually I had to forgive him, he already had so many things to deal with other than a rude daughter. That, and I remembered her words to me. Have courage, and be kind.
And now, ten years later, I have come of age. A girl's sixteenth birthday, in my family, signifies her growing up and becoming a woman. My father threw a large party, all of our friends and relatives came and stayed for an entire week. We celebrated and I had extravagant dresses made. For that party we became well known throughout our large town. But I've always preferred my daydreams and horseback riding to seeing others daily. I love them all, but every young lady deserves her own alone time with the things that she enjoys. My animals are my closest friends, I have known them all since I was very young. My mother used to say that they could understand me, hear what I was saying. To this day I believe that. Where there is kindness there is goodness, where there is goodness there is magic.
"Miss Leigh-Rose?" One of the maids tapped me on the shoulder and I looked up from my book, a smile making it's way onto my face.
"Yes Evangeline?" I asked politely, placing my bookmark into the book once again and closing it silently.
"Your father asked to see you, if it is not too much of a bother. He would like you to know that you may see him later if the time is more convenient," she spoke quietly as always, she was a sweet, quiet girl.
"Thank you, I will see him now," I stood and she left me to myself, where I made my way down the stairs to my father's office. "Yes papa?"
"My dear girl, yes, please sit," he smiled as I seated myself on one of the velvet chairs of the well-furnished room. "There is something I must tell you," my father told me and I motioned for him to continue.
"Do you remember the Lady Morgana Pendragon from one of my journeys some time ago?"
"Oh, yes I do father," I nodded.
"I have asked for her hand in marriage, and she has accepted."