My father had told the King of my expert spinning skills so he could meet
with him, but he did not tell me what he said.
We were poor, I can speak of that without anger but I knew my father wished for better. My mother died when I was young and she never bore a child before or after me; I was my father's only known relation. I obeyed the old man and tended to him. He worked as a miller and I would tend to the work about the house. I longed for a companion, but my father wouldn't see to it so I was satisfied with my life.
The carriage the King had sent for me was something I had only seen in my dreams. It was made with such care and was fit for the royalty it held, pulled by two large white horses. I felt embarrassed when I approached the carriage dressed in my humble clothes and my earth colored hair in a bun as I tried in vain to look my best. My father would not and did not accompany me to the palace. I didn't know why but my question was answered once I was put forth in front of the King.
The palace was much larger than I had imagined and I was frightened when I was lead through the grand halls. The man escorting me said that King Edmund was waiting for us in the throne room. I had never known the King's name and was happy to finally know it. I attempted to ask the man questions about King Edmund but he ignored me.
As we reached the throne room I felt a chill rush through my body. Unconsciously I looked around as if someone had touched me. My eyes met with a man who leaned against a wall, a broom clasped in his hands. He was watching me as I moved by, a haunting look glistening in his dark eyes. The man's pale face was dirtied with soot and his black hair matted with the dirt as well. Those eyes, though, seemed to peer through me and I grew uncomfortable and wished to run from that strange glance.
I turned my eyes away from the man and suddenly noticed the large doors of the throne room opening before me. For an instant I felt I would be punished for something, but when I saw King Edmund's smiling face as he sat upon a throne of gold those feelings disappeared. The blonde haired king rose from his throne, dressed in the loveliest of clothes and wearing the finest jewelry one had ever seen. He approached me with a smile and I couldn't imagine what my father had told him.
"So, you must be the miller's child." King Edmund said. His eyes studied me and I felt a little uncomfortable. "What is your name?"
"Sebille." I replied softly, my hands clutching at my skirts in a moment of nervousness.
King Edmund smiled and looked me in the eye; I felt myself blush. His eyes were a deep blue, with soft hints of a green color drifting in his gaze. "Your father told me about your spinning skills, Sebille. I must say that I have never heard of a woman who could spin with such talent."
I looked at King Edmund blankly. "But every woman gains the skill when she is young. I am no better than any other, but I do prize myself in my simple skills." I smiled sweetly and saw the King flinch, for reasons I don't know. "If you would like I could spin for you; it is a simple task."
A strange smile passed King Edmund's face when I said this and it was my turn to flinch. "I would love for you to spin for me, Sebille. Come," he said and held out his hand, "I will show you to your spinning room."
I took the King's hand and he led me out of the lavish throne room. As we left I felt a chill run through me once more. Again I looked at the strange man. He swept slowly, pausing as the King and I passed, catching my eye once more. Those eyes studied me and he smiled slightly, a smile I wished I would have never seen for it frightened me.
After turning down various halls in the labyrinth of the large castle King Edmund came to a stop at a door which was guarded. The two guards moved to one side, letting the King open it with a key he held in his pocket. He glanced at me once and I smiled out of habit; he smiled back.
I began to wonder about the King's age at that moment. I knew next to nothing about the man, yet he ruled over the country. He had no siblings and both his parents were long dead; that was all I knew. No one ever spoke of the man's age, but from the way he looked and held himself he was older than me but no where near my father's age.
"This will be your spinning room." King Edmund said as he pushed open the door. He moved to one side and motioned for me to enter, and I did
I was in awe as I entered the room. A chill was in the air and I felt goose bumps rise on my arm as I took in what I saw. The room wasn't much bigger than the room I had at home, but it was filled with straw from floor to ceiling with just enough room for a spinning wheel. I glanced at the King who just smiled at me. Did he really want me to spin all of this?
"You look a little scared, Sebille." King Edmund said.
Once more I looked at the King. "You wish for me to spin all of this?"
King Edmund smiled and nodded. "Of course. You will have the whole night to spin. When the sun rises, I will return. I wish to see the straw turn to gold."
"Gold?" I cried. So this was what my father told the King. My father somehow convinced King Edmund I could do such a strange thing. "Your highness, you can't expect me to turn straw into gold."
"But I do." King Edmund replied. He crossed his hands over his chest, his eyes staring at me harshly. "Your father told me of your strange skill. He also told me that you wished it to be a secret."
"My father has fooled you, your highness." I said. "There is no way I can do such a thing."
King Edmund's eyes suddenly took on a harsh tone and he seized me by the shoulders violently. I let out a cry of surprise but that only made him throw me into the straw in anger. "You will spin the straw in to gold, just as your father said you would." King Edmund spat. "By the time I reach this room in the morning this room must be filled with gold. If not you will be sentenced to death, as will your father."
With those final words King Edmund left me in the room, slamming the door shut and locking it. There was no way I could free myself for the windows were barred, and I would never be able to leave the way I came. I was condemned to death by my own father's idiocy. For the first I wished for something horrible to happen to him.
Hours passed and the sky turned dark and the only light I had was the dim light of the moon. I had no idea how to attempt to turn the straw into gold, so I sat amongst the hay and stared towards the window. This would be my last night in the world and there was much more to do in my life. With those horrid thoughts flowing in my mind, I began to cry.
The door suddenly opened causing me to wipe away my tears. I climbed to my feet, fearing that it was the King to check up on my progress. Fear ran through my body and I could not cease my tears. I knew what was to happen; the King would see that the straw was still there and sentence me to death sooner than he had promised. There was nothing more I could do.
The figure that entered the room wasn't that of the King's, though, but of a man that looked vaguely familiar. He closed the door silently behind him, still dressed in the shadows as he crept towards me. The fear that ran through me wasn't fear of death but fear of what the man might do to me. I was helpless and I could only guess that the guards were not by the door. There would be no one are to hear me scream for help.
I continued to back away from the man as he approached me. As we both took a step the stranger was suddenly bathed in the moonlight and I gasped. The man that stood before me was the servant I had seen in the halls, but there was something different about him. He was clean and wore clothes that could have made the King jealous. His dark hair was brushed and shimmered in the moonlight, much like his eyes did as they studied me. He gave the smile that sent a chill through my body. Who was this man?
"Good evening, Sebille." the stranger said with a bow. He stood and looked me in the eye. For a moment he looked concerned as I tried to cease my tears. "Why are you crying so bitterly?"
I glanced around at the straw. There would be no use in telling him but I had no other companion to spend my last hours. "My father told the King I could spin straw in to gold." I whispered and turned my gaze back to the man. "I can't do such a thing and the King expects a room full of gold in the morning. If I can't spin the gold he wishes, I am to die tomorrow."
A sly smile crossed the man's face. He circled me, studying me much like the King had done and I felt uncomfortable once more. The man paused, though, placing a hand on my shoulder as he stood behind me. I stiffened at the touch, once more frightened of being alone with him.
"What will you give me if I spin it for you?" the man whispered in my ear.
I shuddered and begged my mind to think. I lowered my eyes, suddenly noticing the moonlight glistening off a necklace I forgot I wore. Quickly I spun around, looking the man in the eye. "My necklace. If you promise to spin for me my necklace can be yours." I said quickly.
The man studied the necklace and smiled. He seized it, ripping the chain from my neck. "A lovely gift." he whispered. He turned his eyes to me. "Not quite what I would like, but it will do."
Without another word the man sat at the spinning wheel. Before beginning he placed the necklace around his neck, his eyes on me as he did so. There was something about him that frightened me. It was no longer the smile that he would give but the way he looked at me.
The man began to spin without a faltering movement. In three turns of the wheel the first bobbin was full and he switched for a bare one. Once more the wheel spun three times and the bobbin was full. This continued without a word from the man. I watched as long as I could, but I soon fell asleep amongst the remaining hay.
**********
When King Edmund woke me the next morning I was astonished to find the room full of gold. He was delighted with my task and I begged him to let me return home. My wishes were denied and I was escorted to another room. I cried and begged to be set free or to see my father; the King wouldn't hear of it and once more I was locked away in room. This room, though, was twice as big as the first room and was, once more, filled from floor to ceiling with straw.
I sat amongst the straw, looking at the door and than at the window; I didn't want to be here. The hours passed slowly and I tried to remember what the strange man had done the night before to spin the straw into gold. Try as I did I couldn't mimic the man's work. Yet again I felt like I was doomed to die and I began to cry.
When the moon was at its peak the door opened and closed silently. I watched the figure move through the shadows and I stood. I knew who it had to be; it was the same the night before. This time as the man approached me I didn't recoil; he seemed happy with this. When I tried to wipe away my tears he did so for me, his haunting eyes watching me closely.
"You've been crying." he said. "Why?
"I must spin more gold or I must die." I replied. I pulled away when I noticed his hand lingered on my cheek. His touch was frightening; not for the touch itself but because of what I felt when he did so. "The King wouldn't let me leave or wouldn't send for my father. I don't want to be here."
"And what will you give me in return?" the man asked.
Slowly I pulled my mother's ring from my finger and held it out. The man studied and seized it much like he had done with my necklace. "It's my mother's ring; it's all I have."
The man put the ring on the necklace, wearing it like a pendant. He looked at me and smiled; I turned away. Somehow he knew how his smile affected me and he enjoyed it. I watched as he went to the spinning wheel and sat before it. Once more he filled the spindles with three turns of the wheel.
Again I watched him, but longer than the night before. It was amazing and I inquired about the skill. All he told me was it was a skill he was taught by his mother; a skill only a select few knew. He asked me questions as well; questions about my family, my life, and how I felt about being trapped in the castle. I answered as best I could and he was happy.
We didn't speak again and I fell asleep.
**********
"You will spin all of this in the night; but if you succeed this time you will become my wife."
That was all King Edmund said when I was brought to a room, twice the size of the one the night before. I let his words echo in my mind. He wanted to marry me? Why though? Was it because of my supposed skill? If that was the only reason what would happen to me if he found out I didn't have the ability? The only thing I could imagine was death.
All I could do was wait for the strange man to appear once more; my life depended on him and he knew it. The day was still young and I lay amongst the straw, watching as birds appeared on the windowsill. The birds would sing and it provided me with a type of entertainment while I waited. Most of the time, though, I drifted in and out of sleep.
The sound of the door closing woke me from my sleep but I wasn't quick to rise; this proved to be critical. The stranger was over me before I had seen him. As he looked down at me, his legs on either side of my body, I felt a sickening fear begin to choke me. This couldn't be happening. What had I done to cause such a thing?
The man's eyes studied me, his fingers touching my skin and my hair. That frightening smile appeared as his eyes looked into my own. "The King is a cruel man, Sebille; he makes you suffer just so he has more gold. Now he wants you for his bride. What are you to do?"
I jerked my head away as I felt his fingers touch my cheek. "It doesn't concern you; it is my fate."
"You are quite right but," he whispered, "I control your fate. Think; who was it that saved your life twice before and for little trinkets I could find in the market?" He waited for me to answer.
"It was you." I replied. "But I never asked for you to aid me."
"Yet you accepted." he added. His eyes remained on mine as he leaned his face closer. His hands held my arms down by my wrists, his strength quite surprising. "What will you give me to spin your gold and save your life?"
I swallowed hard. "I have nothing left to give."
Those eyes sparkled as he laughed. "You still have much to give, Sebille. You are a naive child; must I explain it to you?"
My eyes widened and I instantly began to struggle against him. The man laughed; he was enjoying this. He loosened his grip on my wrists and I pulled my hands away, trying hard to push him off me. Once more he caught hold of me, this time pulling me to my feet.
"What will you give me?" he asked.
"I have nothing." I cried, tears forming in my eyes. The man's grip tightened and the tears quickly began to trickle down my cheeks. Upon seeing this he loosened his grip, as if the sight of my tears frightened him.
"I will ask you once more, what will you give me?"
I continued to cry; I knew what he wanted but I couldn't do such a thing. "I have nothing." I whimpered.
Suddenly he pulled me close, causing me to gasp in surprise. My eyes were wide as he looked at me intensely. "Then promise me that when you are Queen you will give me your first born child." he said. His eyes narrowed with anger when I didn't reply. "Agree with this or I will be forced to take my pay in another way."
"Okay." I cried. "I promise to give you my child, just don't harm me."
The man let go of me, letting me fall in to heap beside the small dunes of straw. He went to work without speaking another word to me. I watched him, still frightened of what had happened. I continued to cry soundlessly, my tears disappearing into the straw. Who ever this man was he knew he could control me and that's what he was setting out to do.
**********
The King and I married only a day after the last room was filled with gold; thus I became Queen. Being a Queen was as much as I thought it would be but my life still lacked in ways. I missed my father, who wasn't permitted to visit unless I sought out the King's will, but I made sure my father was happy and comfortable. True he was the one that got me here, in good or ill humor; I still had to be kind to him.
A year passed and I finally gave birth to a child; a girl which was named Oriana. King Edmund was elated, as was I, and the kingdom celebrated the birth of the child. My husband wished I had given birth to a boy but I told him that if I was meant to give birth to a boy first, I would have. He said nothing of the subject again.
One fall evening I had gone to my dear Oriana to comfort the child after a bad dream. We sat beside the fire and, after telling the nursemaid to leave, I began to sing to her. Oriana watched me as I rocked her and sang. She had my dark hair but her father's eyes; she was a beautiful creation. I knew King Edmund wished for a son but I was content with my daughter and dreaded the thought of giving birth once more.
There was a sudden knock at the door. I paused in my singing and turned slightly in the chair; the door remained locked. The knock came again and I heaved a heavy sigh. It was too late for the servants to be up and the nursemaid knew not to bother me unless I called.
I turned my attention back to Oriana. "Go away." I said after the third knock. Oriana's eyes studied me and I smiled. She took hold of my finger and I began to hum for her, which caused her to coo happily. The knock at the door sounded again and once more I commanded the person to leave me in peace.
Suddenly the door flew open with a gust of wind that killed the fire in the hearth. I cried out in surprise, clutching Oriana as she cried. I hurried to my feet and spun around my eyes turning to the door. My heart was racing and as I saw a familiar figure stroll into the room, all my memories came flooding back.
"Hello, Sebille." the dark haired man said as he stepped further into the room, causing me to take a few steps back. His eyes went to the crying bundle in my arms. "Oh! Did I frighten the dear thing?"
Without knowing I had suddenly backed myself in to a corner of the room. "No. Please, leave me alone."
That smile I dreaded spread across his face as he made his way towards me. I was frightened and couldn't force myself to move. Those eyes were locked onto my own and my mind was trying to figure out a way to protect Oriana.
"What is her name?" he asked, stopping only a foot away from me.
"Or. . . . Oriana." I stuttered.
The smile never left him and he tried to take a look at my child's face; I wouldn't let him. Oriana had slowly stopped crying and listened to the stranger's voice. As he tried to see my daughter I tried to free myself from the corner. He was too quick for me, though, and could stop any attempt I made.
"I've come to collect what you promised." he said. As he reached for Oriana I collapsed to my knees, tears streaming down my cheeks. I cried and begged that he would not take her from me; she was all the joy I had. "I see being married to a King who loved you more for you spinning than for yourself is no fun." he said with a laugh.
I looked up at the man, tears clouding my view. "Please, I beg you, I don't want to part with my child. What am I to tell my husband when he finds her missing?" The man made no sound of a reply, but watched as I cried and held Oriana close. "I will give you everything I own, even the kingdom. Just don't take Oriana away."
The man shook his head. "No. A living creature means more to me than any price you can name and all the treasure of the world." He paused and I looked up at him once more. Than I saw it; a flicker of pity flashed across those dark eyes. "Okay. I will give you a chance to win your daughter back. You have three days to guess my name. If you cannot figure it out, the child is mine."
Slowly I stood. "And if I guess your name?"
"Oriana stays with you and I will go elsewhere." he replied with a smile.
**********
I agreed to the man's proposition and quickly went to work. I sent out messengers into the kingdom and near by villages to find names. Hours were spent writing down names that I had heard and even the names that servants knew. I made the servants and the messengers vow not to tell King Edmund about what had happened. I was frightened of what he might do and I didn't know the extent of the stranger's powers.
The first night came and I sat by myself in Oriana's nursery until he arrived. He sat across from me and listened as I spoke the names that were gathered. The smile he held never left his face and all the names I had were not his. As midnight rang he bid me farewell and disappeared.
As the sun rose I sent out another wave of messengers to find the names; this time farther than they had traveled before. King Edmund began to question the servants but none of them told him what was happening. At one point he questioned me and I told him I was searching for the perfect name for our son. My answer pleased him and he left me to my business.
Darkness fell on the second night and we met like we had the night before. He sat across from me, his eyes looking into mine as I began to read the new names; none belonged to him. I begged him for a clue but all he did was laugh. He would do no such thing. Again I pleaded with him, saying that Oriana was the joy in my life.
"If you cannot guess my name, then come with her." he had said. "I myself could use a companion."
Then he was gone, but those words haunted me.
**********
"Why didn't you tell me our child was in danger?" King Edmund demanded.
"Because I didn't want you to become angry like this." I replied, glaring at my husband. He had found out why I had gathered the names from one of the servants, but whether he knew that the stranger spun the gold I could not tell. "You had your own problems to worry about. Oriana will not leave us."
There was a knock at the doors to our chambers, cutting my husband off. We looked at each other for a moment; we were both angry. After a moment we bid the person enter. The doors opened soundlessly and a messenger hurried in. His face was flushed, his clothes tattered and sticky with mud. By the wild look in his eyes I knew he had good news.
"What is it?" King Edmund said bitterly.
I moved past my husband and stood before the messenger. "Have you found new names? Please tell me you have."
The messenger shook his head, but still the smile remained on his face. "There isn't a new name to be found, but while I was traveling through the woods I found a peculiar place." He paused for a moment, catching his breath finally. "In a clearing where the foxes and hares meet I saw a house. Before the house there was a fire burning as bright as the sun, and all around that fire were strange beings that could control the very elements."
"Fairy folk?"
I glanced at my husband, a little frightened of what I was being told. Could the man that had helped me truly be a type of fairy?
"Aye." the messenger said with a nod. "They played music and danced about the fire as if they were celebrating. One of the men that were dancing began to sing. He said, 'Tomorrow I brew, today I bake, and then the child away I'll take! For little deems my royal dame that Rumpelstiltzkin is my name.'"
I let out a gasp and the King smiled. We now had the name and my dear Oriana would be saved.
**********
King Edmund demanded to stay with me that night. Why, I couldn't tell. I had a feeling he thought I might let out daughter slip away. After a moment of arguments I agreed to him remaining with me. He stood close by my side, his hand on the hilt of his sword. I begged him to leave his sword but he claimed the man may have a weapon of his own and take Oriana by force.
As the sun disappeared and the stars and moon glistened in the black velvet sky I felt a familiar chill in the air. I stood, causing King Edmund to become alarmed, and looked towards the door. Like every night the door opened without a sound and he appeared. Once more he was dressed in his finest clothes, something that had left an impression on me since I had met him.
He faltered as he stepped in to the room, his eyes staring at King Edmund. "What is he doing here?"
I lowered my gaze slightly. "He wishes to bid farewell to Oriana if you are to take her, and you never said we had to be alone."
The man studied my husband and smiled, closing the door as he walked towards us. "Okay then. All is fair, is it not?" He took a seat in his usual position, as did I. We looked at each other and I felt my husband stiffen at the look. "Well, let's begin."
One by one I read off the names of one of the older lists and listened to the usual reply. He was growing happier by the minute, wanting nothing more than to take Oriana. My eyes remained on either the list or the window; I had only a small amount of time before I could say his name. I had been advised to draw it on, to tease him so he wouldn't become suspicious.
"Your time is almost up, Sebille." he said with a triumphant grin. He stood and walked over to the cradle, looking down at Oriana as she slept. "A beautiful thing if I might say. I suppose I could take her now." He looked at me, that smile I dreaded appearing across his face. "Your lists are done and she is mine."
As his hands dipped into the cradle I stood quickly, knocking over my chair. He paused and looked at me. "I have one more guess."
He pulled his arms out of the cradle and looked at me full on. His eyes bore into mine; he knew something. "You have one more guess?"
I nodded. "Is your name Rumpelstiltzkin?"
With the speed of a fairy, which now I knew he was, Rumpelstiltzkin had me by the arm. He pulled me out of the reach of my husband, pulling out a sword I didn't see before. He pointed the blade at the King. "Make a move and she will come with me instead of your child." Rumpelstiltzkin turned his eyes to me and grinned. "How was it that you found my name, Sebille?"
Before I could answer the door flew open and the royal guards appeared weapons in hand and pointed at Rumpelstiltzkin. The King smiled in triumphant glee and all Rumpelstiltzkin could do was lower his weapon and move away from me. He was defeated; he had no powers over us.
"Kill him." King Edmund commanded.
"No!" I cried out quickly moving between the guards and their target. All eyes that looked at me looked at me in confusion. "If we kill him, we will be condemned by the fairies. Who knows what they will do if they find out the King had their brother killed? We could face something much worse than losing my child."
**********
A month had passed since my promise with Rumpelstiltzkin was broken. The entire kingdom seemed to forget but me. When ever I passed by those rooms in which he spun for me I could still feel a chill fall over me. My husband never asked me to spin gold for him and I had a feeling he knew that I could not do such a thing. I was content with my life; I had a family and a life which I had dreamt of as child. Still, something was missing.
"Pardon me, Milady."
I turned around to see who had interrupted my thoughts. I froze and felt a strange feeling rise within me. The servant I had seen when I first arrived in the castle, those years ago, stood before me.
"Yes?" I stammered.
He held out his hand and opened it, revealing the gold ring I had given to Rumpelstiltzkin. I took it with a soft thank you and slipped it on. For a moment I stared at it, quite unsure of what was happening. I looked at the servant; he was watching me.
"Where did you find this?" I asked.
The servant shrugged.
"Can you tell me your name?"
Blinking those haunting eyes that smile I dreaded appeared across his face. I had no urge to run to the King or to make a single sound. He took a step towards me but I didn't move. "I think you already know." he whispered. He suddenly leaned in close and kissed me. When he pulled away and I opened my eyes, he was gone.
We were poor, I can speak of that without anger but I knew my father wished for better. My mother died when I was young and she never bore a child before or after me; I was my father's only known relation. I obeyed the old man and tended to him. He worked as a miller and I would tend to the work about the house. I longed for a companion, but my father wouldn't see to it so I was satisfied with my life.
The carriage the King had sent for me was something I had only seen in my dreams. It was made with such care and was fit for the royalty it held, pulled by two large white horses. I felt embarrassed when I approached the carriage dressed in my humble clothes and my earth colored hair in a bun as I tried in vain to look my best. My father would not and did not accompany me to the palace. I didn't know why but my question was answered once I was put forth in front of the King.
The palace was much larger than I had imagined and I was frightened when I was lead through the grand halls. The man escorting me said that King Edmund was waiting for us in the throne room. I had never known the King's name and was happy to finally know it. I attempted to ask the man questions about King Edmund but he ignored me.
As we reached the throne room I felt a chill rush through my body. Unconsciously I looked around as if someone had touched me. My eyes met with a man who leaned against a wall, a broom clasped in his hands. He was watching me as I moved by, a haunting look glistening in his dark eyes. The man's pale face was dirtied with soot and his black hair matted with the dirt as well. Those eyes, though, seemed to peer through me and I grew uncomfortable and wished to run from that strange glance.
I turned my eyes away from the man and suddenly noticed the large doors of the throne room opening before me. For an instant I felt I would be punished for something, but when I saw King Edmund's smiling face as he sat upon a throne of gold those feelings disappeared. The blonde haired king rose from his throne, dressed in the loveliest of clothes and wearing the finest jewelry one had ever seen. He approached me with a smile and I couldn't imagine what my father had told him.
"So, you must be the miller's child." King Edmund said. His eyes studied me and I felt a little uncomfortable. "What is your name?"
"Sebille." I replied softly, my hands clutching at my skirts in a moment of nervousness.
King Edmund smiled and looked me in the eye; I felt myself blush. His eyes were a deep blue, with soft hints of a green color drifting in his gaze. "Your father told me about your spinning skills, Sebille. I must say that I have never heard of a woman who could spin with such talent."
I looked at King Edmund blankly. "But every woman gains the skill when she is young. I am no better than any other, but I do prize myself in my simple skills." I smiled sweetly and saw the King flinch, for reasons I don't know. "If you would like I could spin for you; it is a simple task."
A strange smile passed King Edmund's face when I said this and it was my turn to flinch. "I would love for you to spin for me, Sebille. Come," he said and held out his hand, "I will show you to your spinning room."
I took the King's hand and he led me out of the lavish throne room. As we left I felt a chill run through me once more. Again I looked at the strange man. He swept slowly, pausing as the King and I passed, catching my eye once more. Those eyes studied me and he smiled slightly, a smile I wished I would have never seen for it frightened me.
After turning down various halls in the labyrinth of the large castle King Edmund came to a stop at a door which was guarded. The two guards moved to one side, letting the King open it with a key he held in his pocket. He glanced at me once and I smiled out of habit; he smiled back.
I began to wonder about the King's age at that moment. I knew next to nothing about the man, yet he ruled over the country. He had no siblings and both his parents were long dead; that was all I knew. No one ever spoke of the man's age, but from the way he looked and held himself he was older than me but no where near my father's age.
"This will be your spinning room." King Edmund said as he pushed open the door. He moved to one side and motioned for me to enter, and I did
I was in awe as I entered the room. A chill was in the air and I felt goose bumps rise on my arm as I took in what I saw. The room wasn't much bigger than the room I had at home, but it was filled with straw from floor to ceiling with just enough room for a spinning wheel. I glanced at the King who just smiled at me. Did he really want me to spin all of this?
"You look a little scared, Sebille." King Edmund said.
Once more I looked at the King. "You wish for me to spin all of this?"
King Edmund smiled and nodded. "Of course. You will have the whole night to spin. When the sun rises, I will return. I wish to see the straw turn to gold."
"Gold?" I cried. So this was what my father told the King. My father somehow convinced King Edmund I could do such a strange thing. "Your highness, you can't expect me to turn straw into gold."
"But I do." King Edmund replied. He crossed his hands over his chest, his eyes staring at me harshly. "Your father told me of your strange skill. He also told me that you wished it to be a secret."
"My father has fooled you, your highness." I said. "There is no way I can do such a thing."
King Edmund's eyes suddenly took on a harsh tone and he seized me by the shoulders violently. I let out a cry of surprise but that only made him throw me into the straw in anger. "You will spin the straw in to gold, just as your father said you would." King Edmund spat. "By the time I reach this room in the morning this room must be filled with gold. If not you will be sentenced to death, as will your father."
With those final words King Edmund left me in the room, slamming the door shut and locking it. There was no way I could free myself for the windows were barred, and I would never be able to leave the way I came. I was condemned to death by my own father's idiocy. For the first I wished for something horrible to happen to him.
Hours passed and the sky turned dark and the only light I had was the dim light of the moon. I had no idea how to attempt to turn the straw into gold, so I sat amongst the hay and stared towards the window. This would be my last night in the world and there was much more to do in my life. With those horrid thoughts flowing in my mind, I began to cry.
The door suddenly opened causing me to wipe away my tears. I climbed to my feet, fearing that it was the King to check up on my progress. Fear ran through my body and I could not cease my tears. I knew what was to happen; the King would see that the straw was still there and sentence me to death sooner than he had promised. There was nothing more I could do.
The figure that entered the room wasn't that of the King's, though, but of a man that looked vaguely familiar. He closed the door silently behind him, still dressed in the shadows as he crept towards me. The fear that ran through me wasn't fear of death but fear of what the man might do to me. I was helpless and I could only guess that the guards were not by the door. There would be no one are to hear me scream for help.
I continued to back away from the man as he approached me. As we both took a step the stranger was suddenly bathed in the moonlight and I gasped. The man that stood before me was the servant I had seen in the halls, but there was something different about him. He was clean and wore clothes that could have made the King jealous. His dark hair was brushed and shimmered in the moonlight, much like his eyes did as they studied me. He gave the smile that sent a chill through my body. Who was this man?
"Good evening, Sebille." the stranger said with a bow. He stood and looked me in the eye. For a moment he looked concerned as I tried to cease my tears. "Why are you crying so bitterly?"
I glanced around at the straw. There would be no use in telling him but I had no other companion to spend my last hours. "My father told the King I could spin straw in to gold." I whispered and turned my gaze back to the man. "I can't do such a thing and the King expects a room full of gold in the morning. If I can't spin the gold he wishes, I am to die tomorrow."
A sly smile crossed the man's face. He circled me, studying me much like the King had done and I felt uncomfortable once more. The man paused, though, placing a hand on my shoulder as he stood behind me. I stiffened at the touch, once more frightened of being alone with him.
"What will you give me if I spin it for you?" the man whispered in my ear.
I shuddered and begged my mind to think. I lowered my eyes, suddenly noticing the moonlight glistening off a necklace I forgot I wore. Quickly I spun around, looking the man in the eye. "My necklace. If you promise to spin for me my necklace can be yours." I said quickly.
The man studied the necklace and smiled. He seized it, ripping the chain from my neck. "A lovely gift." he whispered. He turned his eyes to me. "Not quite what I would like, but it will do."
Without another word the man sat at the spinning wheel. Before beginning he placed the necklace around his neck, his eyes on me as he did so. There was something about him that frightened me. It was no longer the smile that he would give but the way he looked at me.
The man began to spin without a faltering movement. In three turns of the wheel the first bobbin was full and he switched for a bare one. Once more the wheel spun three times and the bobbin was full. This continued without a word from the man. I watched as long as I could, but I soon fell asleep amongst the remaining hay.
**********
When King Edmund woke me the next morning I was astonished to find the room full of gold. He was delighted with my task and I begged him to let me return home. My wishes were denied and I was escorted to another room. I cried and begged to be set free or to see my father; the King wouldn't hear of it and once more I was locked away in room. This room, though, was twice as big as the first room and was, once more, filled from floor to ceiling with straw.
I sat amongst the straw, looking at the door and than at the window; I didn't want to be here. The hours passed slowly and I tried to remember what the strange man had done the night before to spin the straw into gold. Try as I did I couldn't mimic the man's work. Yet again I felt like I was doomed to die and I began to cry.
When the moon was at its peak the door opened and closed silently. I watched the figure move through the shadows and I stood. I knew who it had to be; it was the same the night before. This time as the man approached me I didn't recoil; he seemed happy with this. When I tried to wipe away my tears he did so for me, his haunting eyes watching me closely.
"You've been crying." he said. "Why?
"I must spin more gold or I must die." I replied. I pulled away when I noticed his hand lingered on my cheek. His touch was frightening; not for the touch itself but because of what I felt when he did so. "The King wouldn't let me leave or wouldn't send for my father. I don't want to be here."
"And what will you give me in return?" the man asked.
Slowly I pulled my mother's ring from my finger and held it out. The man studied and seized it much like he had done with my necklace. "It's my mother's ring; it's all I have."
The man put the ring on the necklace, wearing it like a pendant. He looked at me and smiled; I turned away. Somehow he knew how his smile affected me and he enjoyed it. I watched as he went to the spinning wheel and sat before it. Once more he filled the spindles with three turns of the wheel.
Again I watched him, but longer than the night before. It was amazing and I inquired about the skill. All he told me was it was a skill he was taught by his mother; a skill only a select few knew. He asked me questions as well; questions about my family, my life, and how I felt about being trapped in the castle. I answered as best I could and he was happy.
We didn't speak again and I fell asleep.
**********
"You will spin all of this in the night; but if you succeed this time you will become my wife."
That was all King Edmund said when I was brought to a room, twice the size of the one the night before. I let his words echo in my mind. He wanted to marry me? Why though? Was it because of my supposed skill? If that was the only reason what would happen to me if he found out I didn't have the ability? The only thing I could imagine was death.
All I could do was wait for the strange man to appear once more; my life depended on him and he knew it. The day was still young and I lay amongst the straw, watching as birds appeared on the windowsill. The birds would sing and it provided me with a type of entertainment while I waited. Most of the time, though, I drifted in and out of sleep.
The sound of the door closing woke me from my sleep but I wasn't quick to rise; this proved to be critical. The stranger was over me before I had seen him. As he looked down at me, his legs on either side of my body, I felt a sickening fear begin to choke me. This couldn't be happening. What had I done to cause such a thing?
The man's eyes studied me, his fingers touching my skin and my hair. That frightening smile appeared as his eyes looked into my own. "The King is a cruel man, Sebille; he makes you suffer just so he has more gold. Now he wants you for his bride. What are you to do?"
I jerked my head away as I felt his fingers touch my cheek. "It doesn't concern you; it is my fate."
"You are quite right but," he whispered, "I control your fate. Think; who was it that saved your life twice before and for little trinkets I could find in the market?" He waited for me to answer.
"It was you." I replied. "But I never asked for you to aid me."
"Yet you accepted." he added. His eyes remained on mine as he leaned his face closer. His hands held my arms down by my wrists, his strength quite surprising. "What will you give me to spin your gold and save your life?"
I swallowed hard. "I have nothing left to give."
Those eyes sparkled as he laughed. "You still have much to give, Sebille. You are a naive child; must I explain it to you?"
My eyes widened and I instantly began to struggle against him. The man laughed; he was enjoying this. He loosened his grip on my wrists and I pulled my hands away, trying hard to push him off me. Once more he caught hold of me, this time pulling me to my feet.
"What will you give me?" he asked.
"I have nothing." I cried, tears forming in my eyes. The man's grip tightened and the tears quickly began to trickle down my cheeks. Upon seeing this he loosened his grip, as if the sight of my tears frightened him.
"I will ask you once more, what will you give me?"
I continued to cry; I knew what he wanted but I couldn't do such a thing. "I have nothing." I whimpered.
Suddenly he pulled me close, causing me to gasp in surprise. My eyes were wide as he looked at me intensely. "Then promise me that when you are Queen you will give me your first born child." he said. His eyes narrowed with anger when I didn't reply. "Agree with this or I will be forced to take my pay in another way."
"Okay." I cried. "I promise to give you my child, just don't harm me."
The man let go of me, letting me fall in to heap beside the small dunes of straw. He went to work without speaking another word to me. I watched him, still frightened of what had happened. I continued to cry soundlessly, my tears disappearing into the straw. Who ever this man was he knew he could control me and that's what he was setting out to do.
**********
The King and I married only a day after the last room was filled with gold; thus I became Queen. Being a Queen was as much as I thought it would be but my life still lacked in ways. I missed my father, who wasn't permitted to visit unless I sought out the King's will, but I made sure my father was happy and comfortable. True he was the one that got me here, in good or ill humor; I still had to be kind to him.
A year passed and I finally gave birth to a child; a girl which was named Oriana. King Edmund was elated, as was I, and the kingdom celebrated the birth of the child. My husband wished I had given birth to a boy but I told him that if I was meant to give birth to a boy first, I would have. He said nothing of the subject again.
One fall evening I had gone to my dear Oriana to comfort the child after a bad dream. We sat beside the fire and, after telling the nursemaid to leave, I began to sing to her. Oriana watched me as I rocked her and sang. She had my dark hair but her father's eyes; she was a beautiful creation. I knew King Edmund wished for a son but I was content with my daughter and dreaded the thought of giving birth once more.
There was a sudden knock at the door. I paused in my singing and turned slightly in the chair; the door remained locked. The knock came again and I heaved a heavy sigh. It was too late for the servants to be up and the nursemaid knew not to bother me unless I called.
I turned my attention back to Oriana. "Go away." I said after the third knock. Oriana's eyes studied me and I smiled. She took hold of my finger and I began to hum for her, which caused her to coo happily. The knock at the door sounded again and once more I commanded the person to leave me in peace.
Suddenly the door flew open with a gust of wind that killed the fire in the hearth. I cried out in surprise, clutching Oriana as she cried. I hurried to my feet and spun around my eyes turning to the door. My heart was racing and as I saw a familiar figure stroll into the room, all my memories came flooding back.
"Hello, Sebille." the dark haired man said as he stepped further into the room, causing me to take a few steps back. His eyes went to the crying bundle in my arms. "Oh! Did I frighten the dear thing?"
Without knowing I had suddenly backed myself in to a corner of the room. "No. Please, leave me alone."
That smile I dreaded spread across his face as he made his way towards me. I was frightened and couldn't force myself to move. Those eyes were locked onto my own and my mind was trying to figure out a way to protect Oriana.
"What is her name?" he asked, stopping only a foot away from me.
"Or. . . . Oriana." I stuttered.
The smile never left him and he tried to take a look at my child's face; I wouldn't let him. Oriana had slowly stopped crying and listened to the stranger's voice. As he tried to see my daughter I tried to free myself from the corner. He was too quick for me, though, and could stop any attempt I made.
"I've come to collect what you promised." he said. As he reached for Oriana I collapsed to my knees, tears streaming down my cheeks. I cried and begged that he would not take her from me; she was all the joy I had. "I see being married to a King who loved you more for you spinning than for yourself is no fun." he said with a laugh.
I looked up at the man, tears clouding my view. "Please, I beg you, I don't want to part with my child. What am I to tell my husband when he finds her missing?" The man made no sound of a reply, but watched as I cried and held Oriana close. "I will give you everything I own, even the kingdom. Just don't take Oriana away."
The man shook his head. "No. A living creature means more to me than any price you can name and all the treasure of the world." He paused and I looked up at him once more. Than I saw it; a flicker of pity flashed across those dark eyes. "Okay. I will give you a chance to win your daughter back. You have three days to guess my name. If you cannot figure it out, the child is mine."
Slowly I stood. "And if I guess your name?"
"Oriana stays with you and I will go elsewhere." he replied with a smile.
**********
I agreed to the man's proposition and quickly went to work. I sent out messengers into the kingdom and near by villages to find names. Hours were spent writing down names that I had heard and even the names that servants knew. I made the servants and the messengers vow not to tell King Edmund about what had happened. I was frightened of what he might do and I didn't know the extent of the stranger's powers.
The first night came and I sat by myself in Oriana's nursery until he arrived. He sat across from me and listened as I spoke the names that were gathered. The smile he held never left his face and all the names I had were not his. As midnight rang he bid me farewell and disappeared.
As the sun rose I sent out another wave of messengers to find the names; this time farther than they had traveled before. King Edmund began to question the servants but none of them told him what was happening. At one point he questioned me and I told him I was searching for the perfect name for our son. My answer pleased him and he left me to my business.
Darkness fell on the second night and we met like we had the night before. He sat across from me, his eyes looking into mine as I began to read the new names; none belonged to him. I begged him for a clue but all he did was laugh. He would do no such thing. Again I pleaded with him, saying that Oriana was the joy in my life.
"If you cannot guess my name, then come with her." he had said. "I myself could use a companion."
Then he was gone, but those words haunted me.
**********
"Why didn't you tell me our child was in danger?" King Edmund demanded.
"Because I didn't want you to become angry like this." I replied, glaring at my husband. He had found out why I had gathered the names from one of the servants, but whether he knew that the stranger spun the gold I could not tell. "You had your own problems to worry about. Oriana will not leave us."
There was a knock at the doors to our chambers, cutting my husband off. We looked at each other for a moment; we were both angry. After a moment we bid the person enter. The doors opened soundlessly and a messenger hurried in. His face was flushed, his clothes tattered and sticky with mud. By the wild look in his eyes I knew he had good news.
"What is it?" King Edmund said bitterly.
I moved past my husband and stood before the messenger. "Have you found new names? Please tell me you have."
The messenger shook his head, but still the smile remained on his face. "There isn't a new name to be found, but while I was traveling through the woods I found a peculiar place." He paused for a moment, catching his breath finally. "In a clearing where the foxes and hares meet I saw a house. Before the house there was a fire burning as bright as the sun, and all around that fire were strange beings that could control the very elements."
"Fairy folk?"
I glanced at my husband, a little frightened of what I was being told. Could the man that had helped me truly be a type of fairy?
"Aye." the messenger said with a nod. "They played music and danced about the fire as if they were celebrating. One of the men that were dancing began to sing. He said, 'Tomorrow I brew, today I bake, and then the child away I'll take! For little deems my royal dame that Rumpelstiltzkin is my name.'"
I let out a gasp and the King smiled. We now had the name and my dear Oriana would be saved.
**********
King Edmund demanded to stay with me that night. Why, I couldn't tell. I had a feeling he thought I might let out daughter slip away. After a moment of arguments I agreed to him remaining with me. He stood close by my side, his hand on the hilt of his sword. I begged him to leave his sword but he claimed the man may have a weapon of his own and take Oriana by force.
As the sun disappeared and the stars and moon glistened in the black velvet sky I felt a familiar chill in the air. I stood, causing King Edmund to become alarmed, and looked towards the door. Like every night the door opened without a sound and he appeared. Once more he was dressed in his finest clothes, something that had left an impression on me since I had met him.
He faltered as he stepped in to the room, his eyes staring at King Edmund. "What is he doing here?"
I lowered my gaze slightly. "He wishes to bid farewell to Oriana if you are to take her, and you never said we had to be alone."
The man studied my husband and smiled, closing the door as he walked towards us. "Okay then. All is fair, is it not?" He took a seat in his usual position, as did I. We looked at each other and I felt my husband stiffen at the look. "Well, let's begin."
One by one I read off the names of one of the older lists and listened to the usual reply. He was growing happier by the minute, wanting nothing more than to take Oriana. My eyes remained on either the list or the window; I had only a small amount of time before I could say his name. I had been advised to draw it on, to tease him so he wouldn't become suspicious.
"Your time is almost up, Sebille." he said with a triumphant grin. He stood and walked over to the cradle, looking down at Oriana as she slept. "A beautiful thing if I might say. I suppose I could take her now." He looked at me, that smile I dreaded appearing across his face. "Your lists are done and she is mine."
As his hands dipped into the cradle I stood quickly, knocking over my chair. He paused and looked at me. "I have one more guess."
He pulled his arms out of the cradle and looked at me full on. His eyes bore into mine; he knew something. "You have one more guess?"
I nodded. "Is your name Rumpelstiltzkin?"
With the speed of a fairy, which now I knew he was, Rumpelstiltzkin had me by the arm. He pulled me out of the reach of my husband, pulling out a sword I didn't see before. He pointed the blade at the King. "Make a move and she will come with me instead of your child." Rumpelstiltzkin turned his eyes to me and grinned. "How was it that you found my name, Sebille?"
Before I could answer the door flew open and the royal guards appeared weapons in hand and pointed at Rumpelstiltzkin. The King smiled in triumphant glee and all Rumpelstiltzkin could do was lower his weapon and move away from me. He was defeated; he had no powers over us.
"Kill him." King Edmund commanded.
"No!" I cried out quickly moving between the guards and their target. All eyes that looked at me looked at me in confusion. "If we kill him, we will be condemned by the fairies. Who knows what they will do if they find out the King had their brother killed? We could face something much worse than losing my child."
**********
A month had passed since my promise with Rumpelstiltzkin was broken. The entire kingdom seemed to forget but me. When ever I passed by those rooms in which he spun for me I could still feel a chill fall over me. My husband never asked me to spin gold for him and I had a feeling he knew that I could not do such a thing. I was content with my life; I had a family and a life which I had dreamt of as child. Still, something was missing.
"Pardon me, Milady."
I turned around to see who had interrupted my thoughts. I froze and felt a strange feeling rise within me. The servant I had seen when I first arrived in the castle, those years ago, stood before me.
"Yes?" I stammered.
He held out his hand and opened it, revealing the gold ring I had given to Rumpelstiltzkin. I took it with a soft thank you and slipped it on. For a moment I stared at it, quite unsure of what was happening. I looked at the servant; he was watching me.
"Where did you find this?" I asked.
The servant shrugged.
"Can you tell me your name?"
Blinking those haunting eyes that smile I dreaded appeared across his face. I had no urge to run to the King or to make a single sound. He took a step towards me but I didn't move. "I think you already know." he whispered. He suddenly leaned in close and kissed me. When he pulled away and I opened my eyes, he was gone.