A Forgotten Fairytale
Written by: Adiana Brookes
Audriana Reynolds Darling grew up in a diminutive chateau along the coast of France, in a small town called Pays de La Loire. Her mother being of Latin, French, and Native Greek background, looked rather exotic. Her features were thus given to her daughter. Audriana had rich burgundy brown hair, and bright green eyes, porcelain skin, and a taut mouth, she looked rather much like a doll.
Audriana was never really a good girl, and always found trouble, but she was always full of love as well. Audriana's father was a knowledgeable veteran, who although loved his wife and daughter, was traveling too much to see them. He never came home. There was simply too much work to be done. Audriana never really met him, even at the age of five. Of course he was there when she was born, but no memery exsist between them.
It is always unfortunate for a child to not know there parents, but it was exceptionally unfortunate for Audriana. Perhaps if her and her father found love in each other, more time for each other, things wouldn't have happened, then things could be different or rather much the same. But time is the only thing stopping everything from happening all at once.
Audriana wanted to love her father, and to be loved in return. She was beginning to think she will never have a chance. Never the less, she lived on and had plenty of good memories with her mother and friends. She did love, and was loved by everyone else. Her high disposition and fortune, along with connections and good continence bought many acquaintances, but her want of mischief, and eager, yet energetic ways made her a good friend.
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"Audri, where are you Audri!" It was a young middle age women, her hair long, and flowing idly down her back. She had a gleam in her eye's only to be described as anticipation, and something more.
"BOO!" Another girl, of seven years old, jumped off the stairs and landed right into her mother's arms. "Boo Hoo! You didn't have to scare me Audri!" Her mother said in a rather theatrical manor. "I'm sorry Mama, I didn't mean to make you cry, I'll listen, I-" The mother couldn't take it any longer and started to laugh. "Enough sweet, I wasn't crying, I was only teaching you a lesson."
'Mama, I've told you before, you can't be funny, honestly Mama you'll only embarrass yourself, I mean remember when you tried to tell that knock knock joke to the Earl of Winston!" The young girl stood there scolding her mother. She was wearing a dirty frock and-
"Audriana, why are you not dressed! The banquet starts in a less then an hour's time. Nurse! Nurse! Why isn't Adi ready!"
"Mama! Don't Blame Laura! It's my fault. You see I knew I was going to get dirty today, so I wanted to get dressed right before the ball. It would be rather annoying to get all dressed up, get filthy, and then repeat the process again." I love Laura. I thought she was beautiful with her brown eyes, and red hair. She was kind and gentle.
"Well get dressed now, and hurry!" The mother scolded. Now turning to Laura, "I am greatly sorry Laura, please accept my apologies"
"No needLady Genevieve. But may I ask what will we do about-"
"Mama, I almost forgot! Will I see my father today?"
Genevieve eye's saddened. "I'm sorry sweet, but we have not heard news of his return. It would be unlikely."
"Oh, well…I guess that's alright. I promise I'll be a really good girl, and then he'll come to my eighth Birthday! Well I better start now, and get dressed. Coming Laura?
"One moment miss." But the girl already ran away.
"That, I was going to ask, what will we do about that. Good day, my Lady."
" I wish I knew Laura." The Lady called out.
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'I hate this! I hate this! I hate this! Why? Why? doesn't my papa want to see me! Why? What is in Mongolia, or Iberia, or Castille, or Leonor, or Cathway that's so important?' Audri looked at her tables across the room. She looked at the sparkling jewels, the ornaments, the paintings. They were probably a hundred of them. All gifts her father has sent her, along with a letter from time to time. They were paintings of centaurs, and horses, fairies, and nymphs, necklaces, bracelets, rings, hair pins made by the finest artisan's, books with the finest embroider, and by the greatest thinkers, astrologers, and philosophers from the Greek Library. Audri kept the letters next to her father's portrait. Hopefully with his words and picture it'll be real. Audri, started to weep, and was still weeping when Laura walked into the room.
"There, there Miss. It'll be alright. Let's get you ready now. We have a lovely party waiting for you downstairs. Let's put on a smile for them." They got ready in silence. Sometimes I felt sorry for Laura. She was such a beautiful Lady. She was only 16. But she was smart for her age. I knew she was lonely with no family.
Audriana was finally ready for the banquet. 'I guess it can still be a fun day. There will always be cake. Lot's and Lot's of cake! I do hate wearing these ridicules dresses. The dress was in a light blue, with twelve petticotts, Audri was surprised she had yet to trip. It was rather elegant. There were bows along the hem, as well as one around her waist, and in her hair. I really do look like a nymph. Perhaps someone will mistake me for one, oh, and then they'll scream the trolls are attacking!'
Caught up in her own stories, Audriana, walked in to a young boy. She was about to hit the floor when he caught her. "I'm so sorry. I knew I was going to trip, so I probably should have paid attention instead of allowing my mind to go only the lord knows where, I think India. Yes my mind went to India. And because of the heat it shortly collapsed. I'm greatly sorry. Next time I'll tell it to go to Sweden."
The boy just stood there for a minute, and blinked. Once. Twice. Three times. Wow, that's a record usually by two they walk away, saying something like the disgrace of modern manners. Four. Wow! I should write this down. Five. Okay now I'm peeved.
"Excuse you, but you could say something sir!"
Then he laughed. It was so peculiar. His eyes instantly lighted up, and I noticed there dark color. They were so dark, almost black. His hair was also darker then mine. Not as rich with color, but black like a wolf. He may have been my age or a year younger. He was actually an inch shorter then me. I have almost never been taller then a boy before. Sure they were a few babies and toddlers. But once they're six or even five, they're probably looking down on me. I can still beat them up, but it takes a little more work.
"I apologize. It's a pleasure to meet you nymph. How was your stay at India?"
"Quite well thank you and that is not my name!"
"Well then tell me, what is the name of an exquisite creature that has the ability to travel to India and back, while she herself, in body but not mind, is standing before me."
"It's no- I- It's Audri"
"It is a pleasure Lady Audri, and that dress is rather exquisite"
"Well which one is it, the dress or me? You said exquisite twice. It's starting to sound like a old perve line."
"Well, I'd prefer youif you werea nymph, but as Audri, I think I'd say the dress."
"That is so stupid?"
"Of course you are."
"Then I don't want your opinion"
"But mademoiselle, I already gave it to you."
"Well, I don't want it. Take it back"
"As you wish" But I already started walking away.
"Happy?"
"No"
"Why not"
"Because- Listen Boy"
"Boy I'm twelve years of age. How old are you? This many." He laughed as he stuck up four fingers.
"Try twice that."
"Now I'm shocked! You're eight, and riddling about India and nymphs. I thought I was entertaining a child!"
"You were the one riddling; I simply have my own way of talking. And you're shorter then me. And your exaggerating I look at least six. And when I'm old I'll look younger. Which is good. And… And…Stop laughing!"
"I'm short for my age, but that doesn't mean I wont get taller."
"Same here"
"I'm sorry. Allow me to introduce my self. My name is Prince Tristen-"
A lone shadow appeared behind us. He looked extremely... Angelic? He was 14, maybe. He had the lightest hair, and blue eyes like an angel almost, except a dark angel. He seemed chilling, and menacing. All at once it seemed terrifying. "Adrian we must be going"
"Excuse me Audri, I must see my brother."
"Good bye"
'Please don't tell me...he...said...I just screamed at the Prince of France. I did, didn't I. Then his brother must be the crown Prince Henry.
Oh no…I wasted so much time arguing! I ran down the corridor as fast as my legs would carry me!
I finally made it down to the banquet, my banquet. Our whole home was recently transformed to with hold all of my guest. Decorations, flowers, tapestries, along with the finest cuisine cooked by Laura, deecked the hall. Everything was rich in color. The gold shine of theroom seemedcaked compared to the luminous glow of mothers wild orchids, lavenders, snowdrops, and lilacs. The room seemed to come right out of a fairytale. The geust seemed merry, and were talking, and dancing. I was quite entertained by the picture,only to beruined by…her.
"Audriana, it is simply a disgrace to be down here this late. You should have stayed up stairs. I will not have you embarrassing your mother like this. And you look simply awful. It is such a shame everyone can't look like my daughters.
"Hello, Baron, I mean Baroness Cruela, I mean Baroness Cruelina"
Cruelina Laur Devel has always been jealous of my mother, her beauty captured that of a Viscomte, while Cruela had to settle for a Baron. The Baron mysteriously died a year after there marriage. I'm not sayingCruela marriedthe Baronfor his money. I'm saying after, she killed him.
"Hello! Audri" Margaux said in her overly French accent. She's actually German. All of them are. She had pasty skin, and pale blonde hair, towering almost a foot over me. She also inherited her mothers mole. Right above her lip. I think it's pulsing...
"Hello Darling, I was just telling Audriana how disgusting she looks. She really must leave." Her's is too...
"She looks rather beautiful Mama!" Marguerite said. She was very round, and spoke with a thick German accent. But she had a good continence and was rather kind." No mole. Thank the Lord!
"Thank you Marguerite, you look lovely as well."
"Marguerite, didn't I tell you to call me Mother. And why can you not speak properly for once!"
"Audri, come see your cake!" Bless Laura.
I peeked over the counter. Oh, there it was. It looked absolutely beautiful. Laura did an amazing job. The cake had four layers, each towering over the other. Double chocolate, with the most intricate flower designs contrasting sharpely with the dark chocolate. It looked almost to good to eat. Almost.
"Now, my daughter has finally arrived, andwe can cut the cake!" My mother led me to the cake. I stood on a stool. I saw the eight candles on top.
"Make a wish honey."
I looked into the crowd. I knew what I wanted.
"Mama, can I make eight, since I'm turning eight."
Every year I'd ask for a father.
"Of course sweetheart, make eight wishes, but only eight."
'I wish I could see him again'
'I wish my Mama would always be there for me'
'I wish I could have a chance to love my father, to know my father'
'I wish Laura had a family'
'I wish Cruela and Margaux got what they deserved.
'I wish Marguerite wasn't tied down by her family'
'I wish I could fall in love."
"I wish-"
'But less, every thing happens for a reason, whether it is good or bad, I will have to endure it…'
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Wait and see!