Prologue
The sounds of coughing and hacking filled the dimmed bedroom. A red-haired boy in a light green t-shirt and dark green pajama pants sat upright in his bed, his pirate ship designed comforter pulled up to his lap. He was leaned back against his headboard, sniffling as he watched the images on his television at the foot of his bed, bored out of his mind. Only figures he'd get sick on a snow day… There was a light knock outside his bedroom door.
"Come in," he croaked, still staring at his T.V..
The door swung open and a woman with dark brown hair, in her mid to late thirties strolled in, a small smile on her face. "Hey honey, how are you feeling?"
The boy rolled his eyes. "The same as when you checked on me an hour ago."
The woman, unfazed by her son's attitude, approached him and placed her palm on his forehead. "Still feverish…" She went over to his window and opened the curtains, letting in the midmorning sun.
"Geez mom!" the boy winced, covering his eyes with his hand to block out the blinding white light.
"Oh knock it off, Peter," she said rolling her eyes as she reached for the remote and shut off the television. "Need to let the light in, you have company."
Peter's ears perked up. "Who?"
As if on cue, Peter's bedroom door burst open. Standing in the doorway was a medium-height slender man with a long gray beard trailing down to his waist. A pair of large round spectacles sat of the bridge of his prominent nose. He wore a light blue suit, black polished shoes and a light blue top hat.
"Greetings, my dear boy!" he articulated, his arms outstretched in a dramatic fashion.
Peter shot a 'you got to be kidding me' glance to his mother, in return gave him a scolding glare.
"Now you be nice, Grandpa Merlin traveled a long way just to come see you." She narrowed her eyes at him, then headed for the doorway. "Thanks for coming, dad."
"Oh no problem, Sarah," Merlin chuckled, patting her on the shoulder as she walked by. Then he turned his attention to Peter, who sat with his back against his headboard, his arms crossed.
"Well, don't be so glum," Merlin said, as he strode across the room. "Here, I brought a present for you."
This piqued Peter's interest. "What is it?" He turned to Merlin with his eyebrows raised.
Merlin produced a wrapped parcel from underneath his jacket. "Open it and see for yourself." He handed the package to Peter, who eagerly snatched it and began to tear away the white wrapping paper.
As soon as he unwrapped it, Peter's brow furrowed. It was just an old book, titled: 'The Princess and the Cabin Boy'.
"A book?" he said in a put-out tone, scrunching his nose.
"Not just any book," Merlin said, pointing to the book in Peter's hands, "this is a special kind of book. One that my father read to me, I read to your father and now I'm going to read it to you." He sat in a chair by Peter's bedside.
Peter cocked his head, "Is it good? What's in it?"
Merlin took the book from Peter's hands and smiled. "It's magnificent! It has friendship, suspense, monsters, miracles, true love…" He held his arms out around him to emphasize his point.
Peter shrugged and leaned back making himself comfortable. "Sounds pretty good, you can go ahead and I'll listen for as long as I can."
"You're too kind," Merlin said a sarcastic nod. "Now let's see…"
He opened the book adjusting his glasses. Thumbing through a couple pages, he came to the beginning and cleared his throat.
"'The Princess and the Cabin Boy', chapter one…."