Living A Fairy Tale

Chapter 1

Once upon a time, in a world of magic and mythical creatures, there lived a princess named Pacifica Elise Northwest. She lived in a grand castle with her father and mother who were king and queen of a bountiful and rich kingdom.

With the princess, was her personal maid whose name was Mabel, who the princess grew up with. But princess Pacifica hardly treated this maid as a servant. Secretly, they were the best of friends. Being the same age they always enjoyed each other's company and enjoyed every passing day together. It felt as if nothing could go wrong for the princess. She was so happy.

But one day, after many years of peace and tranquility, the rich kingdom was suddenly under attack by an evil tyrant named Gideon. He went through the country destroying villages and cities that he passed. And even though the kingdom retaliated by sending troops almost none came back alive, and those that did spoke of Gideon wielding magic from the fiery pits of hell. Blue flames that couldn't be put out by normal means burned through the country and its occupants and left nothing but destruction. War was at the kingdoms doorstep.

But one night, the king and queen were found dead in their sleeping quarters. The kingdom could only believe that they were assassinated by follows of the tyrant. And with the King and Queen dead, the princess was given no time to mourn their deaths as there was nobody but her to take their place to rule the kingdom. So the princess became the next queen and bravely took their place in continuing the war against the invading tyrant.

But despite her efforts, it seemed an unwinnable battle. None of the troops she sent out ever came back, and Gideon with his growing large army slowly progressed closer towards the kingdom.

And soon it was finally the queen's 18th birthday.

…

"My queen! I know it's been hard for you and you are commanding a war, but tonight I beg you to reconsider." Said the personal maid.

"Mabel you don't have to be so formal. There is no one to hide our friendship from now that my parents are dead. But I am sorry. I'm too busy for such luxuries… My kingdoms at war. It would be a waste of time to celebrate my birthday."

"Please Pacifica! I'm worried about you. You've done nothing but work and hardly rest as it is." Mabel pleaded

"Mabel…"

"Please Pacifica! I don't want to take no for an answer…"

Pacifica looked towards her dear friend. Her big glittering brown eyes didn't blink as she showed concern.

"…fine. We will celebrate my birthday." Pacifica said in defeat.

"Thank goodness!" Mabel said with a sigh of relief.

"I thought I almost made a mistake."

"A mistake?" Pacifica questioned.

"I had already sent the invitations to other kingdoms of course to celebrate your birthday! There would have been a lot of disappointed people if I couldn't convince you."

"Mabel! I thought you meant just you and me!" Pacifica shouted

"Of course not! You're eighteen! You might be in a war, but you're at the age of being able to marry! You have to be social if you ever want to find a prince to be your king!"

"Mabel I said before that I don't need to find a prince! I hardly have enough time to have a birthday party let alone a relationship!"

"There is always time for love! Just wait, tonight I'm going to find the perfect prince for you."

…

Even with the hundreds of guests that came to the party from all over the kingdom, Mabel couldn't find the perfect prince. But she was happy enough to see the Queen enjoying herself and relaxing with her guests.

By midnight all of the guests had left and Pacifica had joined her friend on the balcony that looked over the entire kingdom to its walls.

"I'm sorry Pacifica. I failed…"

"Nonsense! You succeeded in giving me a wonderful birthday party! I didn't think about the war once during all the festivities." Pacifica said trying to cheer Mabel up.

"I'm sorry my Queen, but I'm afraid I must interrupt."

Pacifica looked behind her to find Wendy. Her families bravest, most trustworthy and loyal knight.

"A messenger from the enemy has brought a message." Wendy said as she handed Pacifica a scroll.

Pacifica read it and her face filled with worry.

"What does it say Pacifica?" asked Mabel

"It says to surrender. If I don't reply in a fortnight, the final battle to decide the war will be held the day after…"

Mabel and Wendy looked to their Queen with worry. Their kingdom had done well holding the tyrants army back, but by now, they were only a couple weeks away from being on their doorstep outside the castle walls.

"I'm afraid it might be over…" said Pacifica

"You mustn't give up! Me and your army are willing to fight till the end!" Wendy said

"From the information we were able to gather we are far outnumbered. Not to mention the tyrant Gideon is skilled in the magical arts. His blue flames have scorched all opposed to him and scarred the land. And not only that, he has hired more mages to fight alongside them promising a share of our riches. A mage such as Gideon is already tough to handle, but with a platoon of mages for hire at his side…I would be sending you all out to your deaths if this war continued."

"They are not the only ones who have mages! We have one of our own." Wendy argued.

"Your childhood friend Tambry is a kind and wonderful mage. Her medicine has helped not only the kingdom but the royal family as well in the past. But she is far from being suited for combat. She has never had a master to teach her the techniques necessary. She has only learned spells that came natural for her from the many books she reads from the royal library. I cannot ask such a talented woman to go to the battlefield. Besides…if we do fight, her healing abilities and medicines will be needed after the battle."

"Either way, if it's to defend the kingdom and you who has treated her so well and have been so generous, she will stand by our side. As well as others! The knights at my command will not let such a tyrant come and destroy our kingdom." Wendy stated.

"Those rough house knights you call friends are far from being able to protect themselves though they may have spirit. Their skills are nothing compared to the older more experienced knights and nobles who had worked closely with my parents that we had lost in the first raid against the tyrant."

"But Paz! You can't just give up! You'll be lucky if they just kill you if you surrender!" Mabel pleaded

"I'm too young and have no experience for war as it is. It would take a miracle to pull our kingdom through this with me still alive."

"Don't give up! I'll go out on to the battle field myself if I have to!" Mabel said with tears running down her face.

Pacifica could only smile at her friend's bravery and kindness.

"Mabel you have never even touched a dagger." Pacifica chuckled

Mabel was about to argue but Pacifica gave her a hug.

"I won't give up. Not just yet. We'll see how things turn out." Pacifica said

The queen then left to bed.

After Wendy had left also leaving Mabel all alone on the balcony, she starred up at the stars and constellations that hovered over the kingdom on the clear sky night.

A few moments passed and Mabel saw a shooting star fly across the beautiful constellations.

Mabel slowly closed her eyes and began to make a wish.

"Please, please, please… Send a miracle to aid me in my time of need. Send someone to protect my dear friend. Send someone to protect this kingdom and its queen!"