DISCLAIMER: The names, people, places, etc are all owned by the late Michal Ende & Warrnor Bros. .All other ideas, thoughts, etc, are owned by me. All comments, feedback, tips, etc are accepted.
The red gold of the rising sun cams slowly across the horizon, bathing the Howling Forest in its light. Chirps of birds could be heard from the tress or the sky as they called to one another. Small mice and other creatures scurried along the cold, damp ground. A unicorn's head lifted as a branch nearby snapped. It paused, then lowered its head again to continue it's breakfast.
In the lighting sky, a snowy owl flew towards an effulgent structure nestled in a heap of mountain in the distance. As it drew near, this owl could make out the elegant mass of trees and plants that made up the massive garden surrounding the building it was heading for. There were ivy entwining all up and along the great stone walls outlining the building. These walls seemed to be made of the finest stone in all of Fantasia for they seemed to gleam with an unearthly light. The owl swooped into the garden, weaving its way through the branches of trees. It passed indiscreet pools of water; fine marble benches embedded here and there into the stone walls. It glided alongside perfectly tended clusters of flowers. Roses in every color one could think of, carnations, violets, lilies-of-the-valley, and so many unknown others. Their brilliance of color and fragrances along with the exotic trees and plants dazzled all those who made their way through this piece of land.
But the garden was nothing compared to the building that rose above it. Tall, sleek, with numerous towers, archways, terraces, balconies, stables, and so much more, rising to reach the heavens, the topmost tower was hidden in the clouds. All of this, every square inch of this building was made of the finest ivory in all Fantasia. This whole place was so white, if one were outside the towering mountain this piece of land was enclosed in, both people and creatures would have to shield one's eyes to keep from getting near-blinded by reflection of the sun.
This majestic region was the heart of Fantasia. Its name was the Ivory Tower and was the home to the Childlike Empress Moonchild.
Inside the Tower, was a perfect marble and tiled maze of hallways, rooms, and stairways. Like the outside, it was all constructed of ivory. On the main floor there were sitting rooms, a ballroom, a dining room as well as a banquet hall, two kitchens with adjoining pantries. One was for the servants victuals and the other was where meals for the Empress and her court were prepared There were sewing and mending rooms, a few fitting rooms, a conference/meeting room,--this was mainly used by the Empress's advisers rather then the Empress herself--a music hall, the servants quarters and a few large heavily locked rooms where the treasury was kept. Not to mention amongst all of this was the throne room.
The second and third floors held a few offices where bookwork was done, libraries, and washrooms for those who were staying less then a day. Refined hallways led to guestrooms and even a few more sitting areas. There were curved or straight stairways leading up to towers or down to the basements and dungeons. All the floors of the Tower were made of either ivory marble or tile. Along the hallways were soft, thick carpets of ivory, cream or some pale pastel shade with simple, elegant designs upon them. Rich, delicately made tapestries hung alongside the pictures hanging on the walls. Some pictures or tapestries held animals, flowers or scenery. There were beautiful paintings of dragons or unicorns, mermaids, horses, - both normal and winged - fairies and elves. Some of the windows even had simple stained glass carvings on them.
At the end of a long exquisite hall on the seventh floor were a pair of enchanting plain double doors. Beyond those doors lay an enormous bedchamber done in nothing but the purest white, ivory fabrics and furnishings. At the far end of the room was the most exquisite canopied divan: the soft pillows and comforter were made of the finest ivory satin, the sheets were the whitest silk, and the blankets in between the sheets and comforter had been made from the softest wool. Above, a satin and lace mass of ivory fabric came down in a triangular shape on all sides of this bed that could easily fit three people if not more. The sides of the canopy were gracefully pulled back and held together by pieces of silk that fell delicately to the carpeted floor surrounding the bed.
Sun streamed in from a nearby window, its light falling upon the pillows. Eighteen-year-old Moonchild's eyes opened halfway before closing again. She rolled over mumbling slight curses beneath her breath as she pulled the warm bedclothes up under her chin. A knock from the other side of the bedchamber doors roused her senses but made no response. The knock came again, louder this time.
"Your Highness?"
Great, it was Brijatte, her head chambermaid. Just what she needed first thing in the morning.
"What is it..?"
"Are you up?"
"No."
"But Your Highness, you need to get up. For you have a meeting just before noon, then, you have that appointment in the throne room with the ambassadors from the silver city this afternoon as well as the appointment with your dressmaker for a new dress right after that, and then..."
"Brijatte may I please do one thing at a time?"
An exasperated sigh could be heard from the other side of the doors. "Of course Your Highness. Would you like breakfast?"
"Yes, please."
"The usual?"
"Yes, thank you."
"Your welcome Your Highness." Brijatte's footsteps died away.
Moonchild smiled to herself and shifted her position; hugging one of the smaller rounded satin pillows closer to her chest.
Nearly a half-hour later, a knock at the doors told Moonchild that her handmaiden, Luanna, had returned with breakfast. Lifting her head slightly, she called to her that it was all right for her to enter the room before letting it fall back to where it was before. With her eyes still closed, Moonchild could hear the door open then close followed by the light sound of movement made by a pair of feet crossing the room to the bed. Less then a minute had passed before the gentle rattling told her a silver tray was being placed on the bedside table. Trying to ignore the growling inside her stomach, she turned on her opposite side, burying her face in the plush silky pillows.
"Would you like to have the curtains open?"
There was no denying it; she had to get up. Sighing, Moonchild rolled over onto her back before placing her small hands over her face in order to stifle the wail threading to escape her lips.
"Very well."
Footsteps could be heard on the marbled floor as they crossed to a window opposite the bed. A soft swishing informed her the crushed velvet of the curtains concealing the window were being drawn apart. Rubbing her palms over her face to chase away the lingering effects of sleep, Moonchild fought back a yawn and sat up before moving over to the side of the massive bed where Luanna stood at gentle attention with her hands behind her back.
"Morning My Lady. Did you sleep well last night?"
Pouring herself a generous mug of tea, the Empress smiled at her favorite handmaiden. "Yes, as a matter of fact, I did sleep very well. Thank you for asking."
Noting the corner of a closed book peeking out from under the pillows Luanna reached past her Empress and retrieved it. She glanced at the title then at Moonchild with a mischievous grin: "Been reading up on your people eh?"
Dark blue eyes sparkled mischievously. " I know some of my court-Brijatte and Carion being two of them-feel that as Empress I should know only the most important and basic things concerning my world and its people." As you and I both know, I feel otherwise. I think it is important for me to know as much as I can about Fantasia's inhabitants. Now that I am a bit older, I believe I should be more involved when it comes helping my people in their times of need or even learning about the way they live-whither its "proper" to do so or not."
"I agree Your Highness. You SHOULD be allowed more insight into the lives and ways of Fantasians. You have a good head on your shoulders." Luanna shook her head sadly. "I think it is wrong of some to keep knowledge from you just because you are a woman. You have just as much capability of leading your people in times of distress or even in casual interaction as any man. Why Brijatte and Carion still treat you as if you were an ailing child is beyond me."
Moonchild gave an exasperated sigh and looked towards the ceiling. " Luanna, you know how Brijatte and Carion are. They've become overly protective ever since the Nothing. And with them trying to get me to live life the way THEY think I should is driving me mad. I don't want my people to see and respect me as 'just the Empress' I want them to see and respect me for who I am not what I am." She set down her empty cup and buried her face in her hands, "Its not fair. Lu. Its just not fair..."
Luanna put a comforting hand on Moonchild's shoulder: "I know sweetie, i know it isn't easy being the Empress of Fantasia. 'To be such is indeed a great honer But along with such an honer comes great burdens and expectations of such importance that there are those who do not want or take the time to see the brave, intelligent, and independent person their beloved Empress truely is." She gently ran a loving hand over the top of Moonchild's bowed head. "Just keep on being the person who you are and always strive to be the best you can be in spite of people's objections and you will be fine."
Moonchild raised her head, her sad eyes meeting with Luanna's. "Thank you for your and the other handmaidens supportive encouragement. It means a great deal to me."
Luanna embraced her mistress and friend, "Anytime My Lady, anytime."
A knock from the bedchamber door made them both look up.
"Go see who it is."
Luanna quickly did as instructed. A few minutes later she was hurrying back, the silver-edged white material of her skirts brushing her ankles as she approached the bed, a serious look on her face. "Brijatte says Carion needs to see you in his living quarters immediately."
At her words, Moonchild threw back her covers--Luanna in the meantime had managed to seize the tray before it could go flying onto the floor--and leaped out of bed, running towards the door still clad in a sleeveless silk shift that ended just above her calves. "It must be something urgent!" Carion would not summon her unless it was important. She reached one of the doors and turned to look back. "Could you bring the rest of my tea please?"
"Of course."
"Thank you. Meet me there in five minutes or so."
Moonchild dashed out of her bedchamber. Brijatte gasped in horror: "Empress, come back! You're not even dressed yet!"
Ignoring her protests Moonchild flew down the halls and stairways toward Carion's quarters. Skidding to a halt in front of her head servant and adviser's door, Moonchild gasped, "Carion, it's me!"
"Come in then."
Moonchild wrenched open one of the double doors. "Carion, what is going on?"
Carion turned around, took one look at his Empress and his mouth fell open in astonished shock, his eyes nearly popping out of his head. "Empress! Please cover up."
"That is exactly what I was trying to tell her" a voice from behind snapped. Brijatte, panting, had entered and was now starting to arrange the dressing gown around Moonchild's shoulders.
"What is it Carion?" Moonchild asked, concern filling her voice "What happened?"
"There is a young man here to see you Milady," Carion informed her, "he says that he has a very important message to bring you."
"What is the message?"
"He did not say exactly, all he told me was that it had to do with some sort of beast."
"Who is this person?"
"His name is Mandor, Your Highness. Lord Mandor."
"Then please inform him that I will indeed see him, and at once."
"Not until you are dressed you won't!" Brijatte snapped.
Moonchild knew better then to argue. "Give me a half hour."
"As you wish Your Highness." Carion bowed and held open the door.
Luanna was patiently waiting outside the door. As soon as they emerged, she handed the Empress another cup of tea. "Do you need anything?"
Moonchild took the cup and smiled before starting off down the hall at a very fast pace. "Thank you for the tea, and yes, will you please go run me a bath?"
"Right away My Lady."
Moonchild then turned to Brijatte, her free hand on her hip and a stubborn look in her eyes. "I refuse to wear any fancy gowns for such a simple meeting. To get dressed up for such a thing is unnecessary. One of my everyday dresses will do just fine."
"As you wish." Moonchild gave her a tense smile then rushed down the hall back towards her room, drinking her tea as fast as she could along the way.
It looked like it was going to be one of those days.
Thirty minutes later, the Empress, wearing an unadorned pale blue dress, with her hair pulled back in a simple yet graceful ponytail, followed Carion into on of the sitting rooms to greet their guest.
As soon as they entered, Lord Mandor rose from his place on the rose and forest-green shaded sofa. He was almost as tall as Carion and his body gave a lean, sinewy appearance: His face, pale, arrogant, looked as if it held a secret expression. The brows arching over pale icy-blueness of his eyes were a shade darker then the shoulder blade-length platinum blonde hair neatly tied back with a silk ribbon. He was clad in black shirt and trousers that looked as if they'd been perfectly tailored for him. As the Empress of Fantasia drew near, his finely shaped mouth curled into a sly smile.
"Your Highness." He bowed slightly taking one of her hands so he could lay a chaste kiss upon it.
Annoyance flickered in Moonchild's eyes as she managed to jerk her hand as gracefully as she could out of his own. 'What an arrogant man!' "Carion said that you have a message for me," she stated curtly. "Something about a beast?"
"Yes, Your Highness. A dragon."
Moonchild walked briskly over to a decoratively carved armless chair that was overlaid in a deep red cloth with flowers enticed upon its surface, and sat with her hands folded in her lap. "What about it?"
Mandor took a deep breath: "A ferocious black dragon has been raising havoc all over Fantasia, Your Highness."
"What sort of havoc?"
"It has been burning towns and cities, eating children and other creatures of Fantasia. Basically terrorizing the whole land."
Moonchild's eyes narrowed. "When did this all start to occur?"
"About two months ago Your Highness. It has taken me a month to get here."
"I see." She stood up. "Carion?"
Carion stepped forward. "Yes, Your Highness?"
"May I see you for a minute please?"
"Yes, of course."
