Disclaimer: I do not own the story of Cinderella.
A/N: Okay, for my readers that are clicking this link due to my Rent or Harry Potter stories, I apologize, I have hit a wall with my Harry potter stories as well as how to end my Rent story, I have the basis of it, but how to tie everything in is just out of my wits. Please excuse my lack of brain cells, but my mind has been wiped out because of my English classes and Color Guard, on the bright side, I have learned a Russian dialect in Theater, and apparently it is good.
As for this story, I was watching Cinderella, and earlier I had seen Ella Enchanted for the first time (okay the movie blew, but dear goodness Hugh Dancy is absolutely gorgeous!) and so I decided to create a Cinderella story. Also, I am currently in my third year of German so I may try to incorporate some of that into this story because I can and because staring at the Neuschwanstein CastleLudwig built inspired both Walt Disney to create his story, and inspired me to write my take on the story.
Summary: Your typical Cinderella story with some changes and hopefully some creative genius. Annika was born and raised in a small town of Märchendorf, this is her story from servant girl to finding her one true dream, her own self worth.
A Simple Fairy Tale
Prolouge: Empty Beginnings.
Annika stood by her mother's bed as she had for many nights. Her mother, Luise, had grown ill over the past months. Her downfall began in the late month of January, from what seemed to be a simple cold had turned to something much worse, something that no doctors or miracle-workers could heal, or explain. Her father, Petar, had been away on business but returned within a month once Annika's godmother and nanny, Miriam, had written him of Luise's sudden illness. Petar loved his wife dearly, but his work kept him from his home and family for months of the year. He believed he was doing what was best for his family, and in materialistic means he was. Luise and Annika had everything a mother and daughter could ask for. A beautiful home, beautiful treasures, and the best in servant-hand, yet without Petar, the home felt empty to Luise and Annika.
Annika sat by her mother and held her hand tightly, gently singing the soft lullabye her mother so often sang to her before bed. Luise was well known for her beautiful voice, and so it was only natural that her gift be passed down to Annika. Softly Annika sang while her mother smiled at her and cried:
Day is over.
The stars are singing to you.
My child it is time to dream.
In your dreams you can wish for anything, and those wishes will come true.
You are my heart, we are one in spirit, and that spirit will never break.
Though the time will come for me to leave your side, but I will always be in your dreams.
Dreams are wishes that your heart makes, and my dream for you is this.
Love each day the sun brings to you my child, because I know the sun loves you.
Dawn will soon break, life will start anew, but for now my child, fall to dreams.
Petar stood in the door watching the scene unfolding before him, tears falling from his own eyes. His love was dying before him and he was helpless to stop it. He knew Annika would not understand her departure from earth, and he knew she had little idea how her song was affecting her mother and her father. He hummed softly the song Annika was singing as Luise mouthed the words. When Annika was finished, her mother spoke.
"Annika, darling, you know the words in which the song says 'Though the time will come for me to leave your side, but I will always be in your dreams?'" Annika nodded her head. "My child, my time has come, but I want you to know this. In your life you will encounter many problems. People will do anything to discourage you, but if you keep your spirit and love alive, no man can break you. You have the most beautiful heart my Annika, and that is the greatest gift you can ever bestow to the world. Remember your dreams, and hold fast to your ambitions. Your father will always take care of you, this much I know. I love you Annika."
"I love you too Mutti." Annika whispered, her own tears strangling her voice. She bent down and kissed her mother's forehead.
"When you need me, hold tight to this." Luise said while removing the silver locket from her neck.
"Mutti I couldn't."
"Please Annika." Annika reached down for the locket and stared at it for a few moments. She somehow knew the importance of her mother giving her the locket, she looked up at her mother for a final time before running out of the room. Petar looked to his daughter as she fled in despair.
"She will be alright Petar." Luise said while Petar walked to her bedside.
"How can you say that Luise?"
"Because I know you will take care of her."
"I can't lose you, my heart will not bare it." Petar whispered, falling to his knees beside the bed. Luise started crying again.
"I want to stay, but my body will not allow it Petar, please do not make me feel even more guilty for leaving, my heart breaks at the thought of never seeing you or Annika again."
"She looks so much like you."
"And you."
"I love you Luise."
"And I love you Petar." Both of the lover's tears grew stronger and Petar bent down to kiss his wife. The tears mixed making the kiss the most bittersweet in any tale. When Annika finally walked in from the gardens that night, Luise was dead.