dancingcurse8

My father turned to Jonathan, face carefully blank. Well then, young man- or I should say, Jonathan, before we were so rudely interrupted, you were about to answer a question. Please answer: which of my daughters do you wish to marry?
he looked at me, questioningly, and I smiled back at him. It is hard to say, your Majesty, he began again, since I met your daughters but three days ago. However, I am old, sir, older than most of your daughters. Let me marry the eldest, that age difference doesn't become too much of an issue.
Father looked at me, questioningly, and I know I turned pink. Very well then, he answered. But before we leave, I ask you, how did you manage to get down there without being seen? How were you able to conceal yourself on a gondola?
Jonathan turned to my father thoughtfully. That is a rather strange story, sir, but if you'd like to hear it, I will tell. I need to begin with a demonstration, though.
Go ahead, do what you want.
Jonathan reached over and picked up the roll of cloth from where he had set it down. He unfolded it, and it turned into a giant cloak, the color of shadows. Swirling it around himself, he... disappeared. He was gone, as if he'd never been. I started suddenly, completely shocked. After a few shocked seconds, I walked forward slowly to where he'd been standing. Suddenly, I bumped into something... I looked in front of me. Nothing at all, but when I put my hand up, I suddenly felt another hand holding mine... I turned pink all over again. My hand was abruptly dropped, and Jonathan stood there again, holding the cloak of shadows in his hands. He looked me in the eyes, and I smiled back at him.
went a voice. I turned abruptly, but not too slow to see the smile in my father's eyes. If you would continue, after such an interesting demonstration?
Jonathan looked slightly embarrassed, but continued readily enough. He stood next to me, holding the cloak in one hand, my hand in the other. I was a soldier in many wars... I have fought in many places. Finally, just three months ago, I was discharged and sent home from the front. Having been gone for a long time, and not knowing what awaited me in my native soil, I decided to wander for a time and find myself a place. It was in my wanderings that I acquired this cloak. I came one day to a small hut on the edge of the woods. Being hungry, I stopped there to eat my lunch. Suddenly, an old woman accosted me from the hut.
As long as you're here, you might as well have some water from my well,' she called to me.
I was only too glad to accept; the road was rather dusty. While drawing myself some water, I got her some, too. The bucket was heavy, and I didn't know how she managed to draw her own water. She was grateful for the water and asked where I was headed. I admitted that I really didn't have a goal in mind; I was simply wandering.
'I have a goal for you, young man, if you will take the advice of an old woman,' she said slowly. I replied that any goals or advice would be listened to.
A few days' walk from here, there is a palace. In this palace are twelve princesses, each more beautiful than the last. However, they are under a curse, and their father the King has offered one of them in marriage to the man that can solve where they go every night. You see, each morning, their dancing shoes are worn completely through, and yet they are locked securely in their room every night. Only the King has a copy of the key to their room, and no one understands how they could possibly get out.'
Well, I said, surely someone else can solve this better than I. I'm only a common soldier! How could I solve this mystery?
The old woman got up, went inside, and came out shortly with this very cloak that I am carrying. You are the first to listen to me in a long time, and to help me with my chores. You are the only one deserving of this cloak.'
I tried not to look surprised; the cloak looked moth-eaten and old. I said, forgive me, but I can't see how this cloak is so special.
'Allow me,' she said, swirled the cloak around her, and disappeared! She shortly reappeared, and told me of the power of the cloak. Then she gave me the cloak and went inside her hut.
With this cloak, I knew I stood a chance of solving this mystery, so I put my best foot forward and arrived at this palace in a few days, just as she'd said. And you know the rest of the story.
We had all been spellbound at his story, and now left the audience chamber, everyone supremely happy.


* * * * * * *

A few months later, Jonathan and I were wed. It was the largest celebration our kingdom had seen in a long while (Jonathan was rather embarrassed at all the fuss, but we survived). My sisters were soon married as well, though since Father was so happy at our return he didn't enter the traditional bargaining game with my sisters.
On an interesting note, I shall end this narration. Jonathan, naturally, wished to invite the old woman from the mountain to the wedding. I couldn't say no; how could I refuse to allow the woman who'd brought Jonathan to me come to our wedding? So one day, the two of us went riding to find her, bringing the cloak to return it to her. We followed Jonathan's path high up into the woods. Nothing. No hut, no well, no woman. The only thing we found at the spot where Jonathan was sure the hut had stood was an open field, covered in small white flowers that I had never seen before. In the center of each flower was a small spot of blue. It was quiet there, no sounds at all. Finally, we left the cloak there, right in the center of the field and left. I hope that woman found her cloak, and I hope that somehow, she was at the wedding.