High up in a castle tower, a young woman peers down, a warm breeze touches her cheek, and her children's laughs enlighten her ears; yet her heart is filled with over whelming loneliness. She longs for the love of her life, but he is far away at battle. Every second she fears for his life.
"Mommy" screams her young daughter Grear, "Finlay took my doll!"
"That's because you kept putting her in the way" Screams her twin brother Finlay.
She hears them, but is trapped in her visions of her husband' battle.
"MOMMY!" screeches Grear.
She sighs "Finlay, be a gentlemen and give her doll back".
"But Mommy…"
"Give the doll back". She says quietly but firm.
Finlay pouts and gives the doll back, but it is not long before they forget the fight and merrily start playing again.
She again peers out the window, hoping a messenger would arrive and bring news of the battle, but she had no luck.
A servant comes in "Milady Leslie, dinner is ready".
"Thank you; come along children, come along"
All around Maisie, the trees whispered as a warm breeze passed through, stirring up fallen leaves and lifting them into the pond enlightened with the moon's silver light. With all this beauty around it made Maisie think of her past, the one she no longer remembered; At least all the important details, she could only remember a few things, sadness, wealth, and over whelming beauty. Now she had to beg to live. She only had a name so if any one cared enough to ask, she might be able to answer. So in her dreams she could pretend to live a normal life, not a poor young girl living in the wild. She looked in the pond, and saw honey gold eyes staring back, and her strawberry blonde hair tattered and filthy. Once she must have been beautiful. Once she must have been powerful. Once she must have had pride.
Red roses at her feet, and tears in her heart, Narine walked down the candle lighten hall. Alpin was waiting. All her family wanted was for them to be married. All she wanted was to be married to Camden, a local baker. But he would never be good enough for her family. He could never buy her expensive jewels and gifts, like Alpin, though all Camden's gifts were full of meaning and potential.
"There you are my darling" said a velvety voice
"Hello Alpin"
"Look what I brought you" Out of a small silk pouch, he took two pearl drop earrings.
"Oh my, there… Lovely"
"Only the best for my future wife"
"Of course"
"Time to go to the party my love"
"Yes… Yes of course" Narine said with regretted hinted in her voice.
