CHAPTER 4
TRANQUILITY
They walked into the palace gardens located at the back of the castle. To call it a
garden was diminishing the enormity of its size, the garden was as big as Central Park
and even included a lake. Slowly they moved down the ascending steps onto a gravel
pathway that stretched down to the lake side to a small dock area.
"Gosh, it's so beautiful and so……big!" Virginia exclaimed, "I only wanted to
go for a short stroll not a hike." She joked.
"Don't worry we won't stray to far from the castle." Wolf assured her. "Here
let's go down to look at the lake, I here its spectacular in the spring."
Virginia agreed and allowed Wolf to lead the way. Wolf did not move that fast
and walked at the same speed as Virginia which was not very fast. Along the side of
the path were carefully arranged floral designs that were comprised of flowers
Virginia had never seen before. The flowers emitted a perfume collectively that
Virginia had never smelt before. Some of the flowers were very odd indeed with some
of them even singing. This rather unique bunch were arranged around a large fountain
that acted as the junction between four different paths that cut the garden area into
quadrants. The flowers hummed in unison and Virginia felt very strange stopping to
listen to flowers singing.
"These flowers are they actually singing?" Virginia asked.
"Why of course they are, have you never heard of the singing flowers of
Cinderella." Wolf answered and in doing so raised another question from Virginia.
"Well surprisingly I have not and why are they named after Cinderella?"
Virginia asked.
"Well, after Cinderella married she was travelling through the forest with her
husband on a hunting trip. As legend has it Cinderella became compelled to stop at a
cluster of flowers for no apparent reason. Here she found a sole singing flower which
was singing only a whisper. The flower was scared by the humans and was trying to
hide. Cinderella saw this and assured it that it had nothing to fear. Cinderella then dug
the flower up and brought it back to the castle. She finally planted it here at this very
spot where it flowered and blossomed for over two hundred years. These flowers can
be found only here. Many have searched the whole nine kingdoms and found none.
Cinderella has looked after them and has given them protection from those who see
them as a means to make money, believe me that these are very sought after." Wolf
explained as Virginia listened intently.
"So how come you know all of this?" Virginia wondered.
"A guy a knew in prison told me. He was in there as result of him trying to
steal one. Luckily he didn't have time to pluck one as that results in a penalty of
death." Wolf answered. Virginia was astonished by this, such a harsh penalty.
"That seems a bit over the top for something like that." Virginia said.
Wolf nodded in agreement, although he had yet to become accustomed to Virginia
large capacity for compassion he agreed with her in this case.
"That's the law and the guards are quick to enforce it. Killing a sheep or lamb
doesn't have such a penalty as you are either fined or sent to prison for a few months."
Wolf said, obviously this was a subject that he knew much about.
"That's seems unbalanced somewhat. People say the judicial system in
America is harsh, this place is worse." Virginia mused.
"They are very harsh and they're particularly harsh against wolves. They leave
us to wallow in prison for a lot longer. There isn't a wolf alive that hasn't been in
prison." Wolf spoke angrily.
"I suppose you would know. Not that it's anything to be ashamed of as I have
seen 4th kingdom justice in action." Virginia added.
This just showed Wolf how compassionate Virginia could be. It was one thing
Wolf could rely on Virginia to do and that was that she did not judge him for being a
Wolf. How else could anyone love a Wolf?
After a few minutes listening to the flowers and their singing they continued
on their way. Again the path was lined with flowers and provided some great viewing
as they travelled. At one stage Wolf bent down and picked one for her.
"Here you are my love, a flower as beautiful as you are." Wolf said handing
her the flower and bowing.
"Why thank you kind sir." Virginia replied as she took the flower from him.
The flower was very beautiful and was coloured with all the colour of the rainbow. It
smelt heavenly. In recognition of his gift she gave him a kiss and he seemed more
grateful for it than she was for the flower.
After what seemed like an age they arrived at the dock at the side of the lake.
the lake was more beautiful than Wolf had pertained it to be. The lake was unspoilt
and crystal clear. Virginia was very tired and wanted to find a place to rest. There was
a few people along the dock, most sitting in the many boats moored there.
Wolf had finally gotten her down to the lake and would finally be able to get
them alone together and without distraction. His plan was to take a boat and drift
around the lake. A simple but very affective plan and one that he believed Virginia
would like.
"So do you want to take a boat trip?" Wolf asked Virginia.
"I don't know, I'm very tired and would rather rest or go back to the castle."
Virginia replied.
"You can rest in the boat and I will row so you won't have to." He countered.
"If you put it that way, lets go." Virginia smiled.
Wolf took her to a boat moored at the front of the dock. It was small but was
beautifully crafted with a canopy and padding inside. It looked very comfortable and v
Virginia was eager to sit down. Wolf hopped down into the boat and helped lower her
into it. The boat was very stable and Virginia sat down at the bow of the boat. Wolf
assumed the position at the stern and picked up a rod and pushed the boat slowly out.
The boat slowly drifted outwards and Virginia allowed her hand to drag along
in the river. Wolf in slow sweeping motions pushed the rod into the lake bed giving
them momentum. The sun was directly overhead and Virginia felt the heat on her
face. Virginia retreated to the shade of the canopy where it was cooler. She turned to
see how Wolf was. To her amusement he was combating the suns effects by wearing
the sunglasses that she had brought him in New York. These made him look sexier in
Virginia's opinion and where turning out to be more than just for her enjoyment.
"So you brought the sunglasses that I gave you." Virginia asked Wolf.
"I know how much you like them and they make me look sexier." Wolf
replied. Virginia wondered if Wolf could secretly read minds. Perhaps he would know
what she was going to ask next but this was dismissed after no reply for two minutes.
Instead Virginia had to express herself more vocally for him to understand.
"I'm starving, perhaps we should head back. Maybe we can catch some
lunch!" Virginia said feeling the craving for pickles, except she believed they had
none here.
"Don't worry as I have come prepared." Wolf replied tying the rod to the boat
before reaching underneath the seat.
"Here we go." Wolf said as he pulled out a picket basket. He opened it to
reveal an array of food and drink. Virginia smiled realising that Wolf had all this
planned out, this made her feel silly that she had not noticed the signs. Oh well she
was hungry and so was the baby. Virginia dived into the basket pulling out a
sandwich. It contained chicken, lettuce and cheese, her favourite.
"I hope you like it, I had the kitchen prepare it especially for us." Wolf said
beaming and looking for Virginia's approval.
"I should have known you were up to something." Virginia said "I love the
sandwich, it's absolutely gorgeous. Thanks."
"Well I can't take all the credit for it, the good people of the palace kitchen
deserve the praise for this scrumptious feast." Wolf said biting into a chicken leg.
He moved beside her and they sat talking about their imminent wedding and
eating. Their conversation was only broken by the arrival of two swans. They moved
up to the side of the boat, near Virginia. She was surprised by there arrival and had
not known there were any swans in the nine kingdoms.
"They're beautiful." Virginia said, "I wonder what they want?"
"Why don't you ask them?" Wolf answered.
"What!" Virginia said amazed at his remark.
"Just ask them." Wolf repeated.
Virginia was stilled confused by his answer. 'What the hell' she thought.
"Hello Swans, what is it you want" She said sarcastically, looking smugly at
Wolf.
"Hello, may we have some of your bread, please." The swan replied.
Virginia turned swiftly around and stared at the swan with her face dropped.
"Sorry, what did you say?" Virginia asked again.
"May we have some bread please." The swan repeated.
Virginia still could not believe it, she was talking to a swan and it was talking back.
She looked at Wolf who just shrugged his shoulders. He knew they talked and was
playing with her.
"Sure" Virginia said to the swan grabbing a few slices of bread from the
basket, breaking them up and handing them to the swans.
"Thank you, that is very kind." The swan said to Virginia. "My name is Elken
and this is my mate, Frell."
Virginia was becoming more and more freaked out by this. They have names
and are also a couple.
"Hi, my name is Virginia and this is my mate, Wolf." Virginia said.
"Hi." Wolf said waving to them.
The swans continued to gobble the bread and Virginia thought that they may
need more.
"Would you like some more bread, we have plenty to spare." Virginia asked
them.
"Oh we're fine, thanks." The swan replied, "We better go now, the others will
be getting worried. Bye." The swan said as it began to swim off.
Virginia waved goodbye to them and then quickly turned to Wolf who was
still munching on a drumstick.
"Wolf." She shouted, "Why didn't you tell me swans could talk?"
"I thought you knew, there were swans in your world." Wolf answered.
"Yes, but they don't talk." Virginia said still rather annoyed at Wolf.
"How was I supposed to know that. I thought all swans could talk." Wolf said.
This sort of comment only furthered Virginia's anger, that had been a very
embarrassing moment with the swans and she had hoped for some backup from Wolf.
Instead Wolf was having a great laugh at her expense and she was inching closer to
pushing him into the lake. This was only averted by the presence of another boat and
its occupant who was furiously paddling towards them. He was a small man and it
was Virginia's guess that he was one of King Wendell's many butlers.
This theory proved correct as the man drifted alongside them and introduced
himself as her fathers aide. He had come to ask them what colour carpeting they
wanted, of course her father was smart enough to send all 50 coloured samples with
the poor man. So she looked through them half heartedly and told the man that
whatever her father choose she would go with. It made her feel bad that he had come
all the way out here for nothing, except Virginia was in no mood to become involved
with her wedding preparations and the inevitable conflicts between herself and her
father. Deep down she had never had a doubt that her father would disappoint in
producing a perfect wedding considering the wealth of resources and materials he had
at his disposal.
So the butler left with a face that did not betray his hurt and Wolf and Virginia
returned to doing absolutely nothing. Wolf dug the pole deep into the lake floor and
pushed with all his strength giving them an increased distance from the shore. The
lake was massive and had many islands dotted around them. Wolf weaved the boat
around them and settled under a weeping willow, hiding them away from the real
world. Here Wolf came and sat beside Virginia and she placed her head in his lap. The
singing ring which normally would remain unheard, was audible in the quietness. Its
sweet chime now becoming synominous with the happiest moments of their lives. The
sound of the ring and Wolf's heart beating were lulling Virginia into sleep and she did
nothing to offer in resistance. Wolf cradled her as she did and smiled. They were safe
here and he knew so he could relax a little, but not too much. Even with Wolf on
guard he could not protect Virginia from her own mind.
TRANQUILITY
They walked into the palace gardens located at the back of the castle. To call it a
garden was diminishing the enormity of its size, the garden was as big as Central Park
and even included a lake. Slowly they moved down the ascending steps onto a gravel
pathway that stretched down to the lake side to a small dock area.
"Gosh, it's so beautiful and so……big!" Virginia exclaimed, "I only wanted to
go for a short stroll not a hike." She joked.
"Don't worry we won't stray to far from the castle." Wolf assured her. "Here
let's go down to look at the lake, I here its spectacular in the spring."
Virginia agreed and allowed Wolf to lead the way. Wolf did not move that fast
and walked at the same speed as Virginia which was not very fast. Along the side of
the path were carefully arranged floral designs that were comprised of flowers
Virginia had never seen before. The flowers emitted a perfume collectively that
Virginia had never smelt before. Some of the flowers were very odd indeed with some
of them even singing. This rather unique bunch were arranged around a large fountain
that acted as the junction between four different paths that cut the garden area into
quadrants. The flowers hummed in unison and Virginia felt very strange stopping to
listen to flowers singing.
"These flowers are they actually singing?" Virginia asked.
"Why of course they are, have you never heard of the singing flowers of
Cinderella." Wolf answered and in doing so raised another question from Virginia.
"Well surprisingly I have not and why are they named after Cinderella?"
Virginia asked.
"Well, after Cinderella married she was travelling through the forest with her
husband on a hunting trip. As legend has it Cinderella became compelled to stop at a
cluster of flowers for no apparent reason. Here she found a sole singing flower which
was singing only a whisper. The flower was scared by the humans and was trying to
hide. Cinderella saw this and assured it that it had nothing to fear. Cinderella then dug
the flower up and brought it back to the castle. She finally planted it here at this very
spot where it flowered and blossomed for over two hundred years. These flowers can
be found only here. Many have searched the whole nine kingdoms and found none.
Cinderella has looked after them and has given them protection from those who see
them as a means to make money, believe me that these are very sought after." Wolf
explained as Virginia listened intently.
"So how come you know all of this?" Virginia wondered.
"A guy a knew in prison told me. He was in there as result of him trying to
steal one. Luckily he didn't have time to pluck one as that results in a penalty of
death." Wolf answered. Virginia was astonished by this, such a harsh penalty.
"That seems a bit over the top for something like that." Virginia said.
Wolf nodded in agreement, although he had yet to become accustomed to Virginia
large capacity for compassion he agreed with her in this case.
"That's the law and the guards are quick to enforce it. Killing a sheep or lamb
doesn't have such a penalty as you are either fined or sent to prison for a few months."
Wolf said, obviously this was a subject that he knew much about.
"That's seems unbalanced somewhat. People say the judicial system in
America is harsh, this place is worse." Virginia mused.
"They are very harsh and they're particularly harsh against wolves. They leave
us to wallow in prison for a lot longer. There isn't a wolf alive that hasn't been in
prison." Wolf spoke angrily.
"I suppose you would know. Not that it's anything to be ashamed of as I have
seen 4th kingdom justice in action." Virginia added.
This just showed Wolf how compassionate Virginia could be. It was one thing
Wolf could rely on Virginia to do and that was that she did not judge him for being a
Wolf. How else could anyone love a Wolf?
After a few minutes listening to the flowers and their singing they continued
on their way. Again the path was lined with flowers and provided some great viewing
as they travelled. At one stage Wolf bent down and picked one for her.
"Here you are my love, a flower as beautiful as you are." Wolf said handing
her the flower and bowing.
"Why thank you kind sir." Virginia replied as she took the flower from him.
The flower was very beautiful and was coloured with all the colour of the rainbow. It
smelt heavenly. In recognition of his gift she gave him a kiss and he seemed more
grateful for it than she was for the flower.
After what seemed like an age they arrived at the dock at the side of the lake.
the lake was more beautiful than Wolf had pertained it to be. The lake was unspoilt
and crystal clear. Virginia was very tired and wanted to find a place to rest. There was
a few people along the dock, most sitting in the many boats moored there.
Wolf had finally gotten her down to the lake and would finally be able to get
them alone together and without distraction. His plan was to take a boat and drift
around the lake. A simple but very affective plan and one that he believed Virginia
would like.
"So do you want to take a boat trip?" Wolf asked Virginia.
"I don't know, I'm very tired and would rather rest or go back to the castle."
Virginia replied.
"You can rest in the boat and I will row so you won't have to." He countered.
"If you put it that way, lets go." Virginia smiled.
Wolf took her to a boat moored at the front of the dock. It was small but was
beautifully crafted with a canopy and padding inside. It looked very comfortable and v
Virginia was eager to sit down. Wolf hopped down into the boat and helped lower her
into it. The boat was very stable and Virginia sat down at the bow of the boat. Wolf
assumed the position at the stern and picked up a rod and pushed the boat slowly out.
The boat slowly drifted outwards and Virginia allowed her hand to drag along
in the river. Wolf in slow sweeping motions pushed the rod into the lake bed giving
them momentum. The sun was directly overhead and Virginia felt the heat on her
face. Virginia retreated to the shade of the canopy where it was cooler. She turned to
see how Wolf was. To her amusement he was combating the suns effects by wearing
the sunglasses that she had brought him in New York. These made him look sexier in
Virginia's opinion and where turning out to be more than just for her enjoyment.
"So you brought the sunglasses that I gave you." Virginia asked Wolf.
"I know how much you like them and they make me look sexier." Wolf
replied. Virginia wondered if Wolf could secretly read minds. Perhaps he would know
what she was going to ask next but this was dismissed after no reply for two minutes.
Instead Virginia had to express herself more vocally for him to understand.
"I'm starving, perhaps we should head back. Maybe we can catch some
lunch!" Virginia said feeling the craving for pickles, except she believed they had
none here.
"Don't worry as I have come prepared." Wolf replied tying the rod to the boat
before reaching underneath the seat.
"Here we go." Wolf said as he pulled out a picket basket. He opened it to
reveal an array of food and drink. Virginia smiled realising that Wolf had all this
planned out, this made her feel silly that she had not noticed the signs. Oh well she
was hungry and so was the baby. Virginia dived into the basket pulling out a
sandwich. It contained chicken, lettuce and cheese, her favourite.
"I hope you like it, I had the kitchen prepare it especially for us." Wolf said
beaming and looking for Virginia's approval.
"I should have known you were up to something." Virginia said "I love the
sandwich, it's absolutely gorgeous. Thanks."
"Well I can't take all the credit for it, the good people of the palace kitchen
deserve the praise for this scrumptious feast." Wolf said biting into a chicken leg.
He moved beside her and they sat talking about their imminent wedding and
eating. Their conversation was only broken by the arrival of two swans. They moved
up to the side of the boat, near Virginia. She was surprised by there arrival and had
not known there were any swans in the nine kingdoms.
"They're beautiful." Virginia said, "I wonder what they want?"
"Why don't you ask them?" Wolf answered.
"What!" Virginia said amazed at his remark.
"Just ask them." Wolf repeated.
Virginia was stilled confused by his answer. 'What the hell' she thought.
"Hello Swans, what is it you want" She said sarcastically, looking smugly at
Wolf.
"Hello, may we have some of your bread, please." The swan replied.
Virginia turned swiftly around and stared at the swan with her face dropped.
"Sorry, what did you say?" Virginia asked again.
"May we have some bread please." The swan repeated.
Virginia still could not believe it, she was talking to a swan and it was talking back.
She looked at Wolf who just shrugged his shoulders. He knew they talked and was
playing with her.
"Sure" Virginia said to the swan grabbing a few slices of bread from the
basket, breaking them up and handing them to the swans.
"Thank you, that is very kind." The swan said to Virginia. "My name is Elken
and this is my mate, Frell."
Virginia was becoming more and more freaked out by this. They have names
and are also a couple.
"Hi, my name is Virginia and this is my mate, Wolf." Virginia said.
"Hi." Wolf said waving to them.
The swans continued to gobble the bread and Virginia thought that they may
need more.
"Would you like some more bread, we have plenty to spare." Virginia asked
them.
"Oh we're fine, thanks." The swan replied, "We better go now, the others will
be getting worried. Bye." The swan said as it began to swim off.
Virginia waved goodbye to them and then quickly turned to Wolf who was
still munching on a drumstick.
"Wolf." She shouted, "Why didn't you tell me swans could talk?"
"I thought you knew, there were swans in your world." Wolf answered.
"Yes, but they don't talk." Virginia said still rather annoyed at Wolf.
"How was I supposed to know that. I thought all swans could talk." Wolf said.
This sort of comment only furthered Virginia's anger, that had been a very
embarrassing moment with the swans and she had hoped for some backup from Wolf.
Instead Wolf was having a great laugh at her expense and she was inching closer to
pushing him into the lake. This was only averted by the presence of another boat and
its occupant who was furiously paddling towards them. He was a small man and it
was Virginia's guess that he was one of King Wendell's many butlers.
This theory proved correct as the man drifted alongside them and introduced
himself as her fathers aide. He had come to ask them what colour carpeting they
wanted, of course her father was smart enough to send all 50 coloured samples with
the poor man. So she looked through them half heartedly and told the man that
whatever her father choose she would go with. It made her feel bad that he had come
all the way out here for nothing, except Virginia was in no mood to become involved
with her wedding preparations and the inevitable conflicts between herself and her
father. Deep down she had never had a doubt that her father would disappoint in
producing a perfect wedding considering the wealth of resources and materials he had
at his disposal.
So the butler left with a face that did not betray his hurt and Wolf and Virginia
returned to doing absolutely nothing. Wolf dug the pole deep into the lake floor and
pushed with all his strength giving them an increased distance from the shore. The
lake was massive and had many islands dotted around them. Wolf weaved the boat
around them and settled under a weeping willow, hiding them away from the real
world. Here Wolf came and sat beside Virginia and she placed her head in his lap. The
singing ring which normally would remain unheard, was audible in the quietness. Its
sweet chime now becoming synominous with the happiest moments of their lives. The
sound of the ring and Wolf's heart beating were lulling Virginia into sleep and she did
nothing to offer in resistance. Wolf cradled her as she did and smiled. They were safe
here and he knew so he could relax a little, but not too much. Even with Wolf on
guard he could not protect Virginia from her own mind.