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A long time ago, when happily ever after happened every day, there began the first five kingdoms of our world. The first went to Queen Cinderella; oldest and most wealthy of all the Kingdoms. The second belonged to Queen Riding Hood and Gretel the Great, which is now separated into North and South where civil wars have dragged on for centuries.

The Third Kingdoms went to the trolls and the Giants where Jack had originally planted his beanstalks and where Relish of the trolls rules as King. The Fourth Kingdom went to Snow White where she was born and became Queen. Now her grandson rules in her shadow. The Fifth Kingdom went to Emperor the VI where nudism is law and greedy socialists run corruption. The last four followed soon after.

The Sixth Kingdom is ruled by Queen Rapunzel (III) while the Seventh belongs to Olaf the Elf King. The Eighth Kingdom is where Princess Aurora once ruled, but has fallen into an eternal slumber. The Ninth Kingdom belongs to the Dwarves in a series of intricate tunnels beneath the rest of the Kingdoms. Together they create The Nine Kingdoms.

I was born in the 8th Kingdom that used to be a land full of forests and flowers; where happiness sprouted and hung like apples from the trees. Magic and animal spirituality were practiced often, leading the Kingdoms with enchantresses and wizards. Magical creatures roamed free and half-breeds, like wolves, didn't have to worry about being outcasts like they did with the rest of the world. But like all great things it ended. The Kingdom fell into an ice age after the last King and Queen were poisoned. The rest of the kingdom fell into a sleep which they will never awaken from so long as no heir is found.

My grandmother once said to me when I questioned everything that had happened, "Anything can happen once upon a dream", and she was right. For years after the Kingdom falling into it's frozen state I had dreamed of finding adventure and, like herself, love.

Now, though everything I have told you about the 8th Kingdom isn't a great part of this story I'm about to tell you, it will play a part later. This particular story involves the 4th Kingdom, a Prince, an evil Queen, two outsiders, a very misunderstood wolf, and myself.

My adventure began on a day that was warm and sunny. Flowers had just began blooming, animals were awakening from their long winter slumbers, and I was on the move. I had been on my own journey for years, searching for adventure and love.

I have seen the sixth Kingdom and been to Lady Rapunzel's tower. I have gone to the seventh Kingdom and met the elves. I have seen the first Kingdom and heard of Cinderella still living despite her age. I have also been to the second Kingdom and walked through the forests where all the creatures, wolves and rabbits alike live.

Now I pass the border from the fourth to the Third Kingdom. While I was searching for adventure it had snuck upon me and pulled me into something I will remember for the rest of my life.

My name is Rhoswen and the Nine Kingdoms will always be my home...