CHAPTER II:
The Daughter of Hope
In the dark lands of Norommad, on a clear moonlit night, the Lady Gwenathyn was born to the elven King Volken and his mortal wife, Queen Noranna. It was the year 1037 and this night was the night that every member of the kingdom awaited; they knew that this night was special.
Long ago, when the lands were first settled, there was a peasant legend about the prophecy "The greatest good will be the spawn of the greatest evil." And how a young girl of great beauty and power would bring the lands out of this great darkness, from which the evil King Volken had enslaved them. Also, how the fate of all magic kind will rest in her hands, and fateful decision. The legend said that the girl would lead an army into the lands and emancipate all of its inhabitants. All of the magical creatures would continue to exist, in a land that mortals could never enter, let alone, hunt or kill them. They would be taken to a land where only dreams reside, and where fairy tales are born. Alas, these were only the types of things that parents would tell their children before they went to bed.
Even though the kingdom was in complete darkness and was ruled by an evil king, Volken, the people still rejoiced. The king and queen did know of this prophecy. They knew, also, when Gwenathyn was older, she would have to choose. If the princess chose to live her life in Norommad, then she would never know of her true destiny. But, if she chose to fulfill her destiny then she would have to be put to death. But one thing they would keep from the poor princess would be what her destiny was, for if she ever learned of it, it was almost certain that she would fulfil it. All of the King's advisory council met and decided to keep all a secret from the unsuspecting princess. They also all agreed on a date that the young princess had to decide by, her 17th birthday. But there wasn't much for the unsuspecting princess to decide on.
Gwenathyn grew up into a most beautiful young lady. Her skin was, by far, the fairest that the people of Norommad had ever seen; her hair was the brightest and most gorgeous of blondes. And her eyes were so green and almost like magical. She appeared to have been painted by the most skillful of painters ever to have been on this earth. She did not care much for her beauty but loved to go out and horseback ride over the hills and through the forest. Though, the sky was always blood red and overcast by black clouds that would drizzle off and on for days and even weeks.
One day on her morning ride, she decided to go into the city and see her friends. Though, her parents forbid her ever going to the city for fear of her finding out whom she was and what she was supposed to do. Gwenathyn often snuck out to go to talk and gossip with her friends. But, whenever she did, she had to disguise herself. She normally wore an old dress that had been worn in and torn. She also wore a hooded cloak made of low grade, navy-blue cotton. When she entered the city on her horse, Sir Chevâliér-nöir, she dismounted and walked down the streets, smiling at everyone she met. Everyone in the city knew who she was, but they also knew of her parents' law, so they kept her secret. As she was walking, she saw a small child looking around frantically, so and decided to see what was wrong. She hurried over to the distressed child.
"What is wrong? You look like you need some help." She said to the small child.
"The princess…" the little girl gasped.
Gwenathyn looked puzzled but smiled all the same. "Shhh… it shall be our little secret." She spoke quietly as she pulled her hood over her head and the skies opened up and the rain fell on the city.
The child took another frantic look around. "I am lost. My mother was shopping and there was a crown and and and I got lost in the crowd." The girl began to sob.
"Hush hush child. I shall take you home. Do not fret." Gwenathyn looked around. "Where do you live?"
"Where the wall meets the hill by the fruit stand. But I do not know where it is." She began to cry.
"Shhh… don't cry hush hush I know where you are talking about. I can take you there. Do not cry it makes me sad to see a small girl cry like that when there is no reason to." She smiled comfortingly and the child. "What is your name small one?"
"Âlacöntirrè. And I know yours! It is Gwenathyn!" she got somewhat excited in the presence of the princess.
Gwenathyn smiled and held the child's hand. "Come with me and I shall take you home." She giggled as they began running down the street in the now pouring rain.
Once they had finally reached Âlacöntirrè's house, Gwenathyn knocked on the door.As a young woman with tasseled brown hair answered the door, Gwenathyn smiled awkwardly.
"Hello, I assume that this young lady is your daughter." Stated Gwenathyn with the utmost sincerity and diplomacy.
"Yes." The woman answered, still hiding behind the door with only her head peeking out. She looked around with a sort of uneasiness. "Are you not the prince…"
"Yes." Gwenathyn cut her off. "I just stopped by to bring your daughter back. No need for fuss. She is a very polite young lady and very sweet."
"How nice of you to say so." Said the woman without changing her nervous but cold facial expression. "But" she continued "I do not need the approval of any princess especially one who has utterly disobeyed her father's commands." The woman raised her voice at the wet and frightened princess.
Gwenathyn was almost offended but didn't flinch. She was taught all her life that whatever authority said was what was to be done and that anyone in charge could do as they wished but it was tradition to follow the code of conduct and regulations set by the rulers before. Gwenathyn wasn't much for rules, though. She was brought up to respect traditions and do what she was told but she always knew something was wrong. She never believed what she was taught, she didn't want to.
"I'm sorry, it has been a hard day and in addition to that, the princess comes to my shabby, old home." She said as she put her hand to her forehead then ran it through her hair. "Please enter my home, your Highness, and get out of that dreadful rain before you catch sickness." The woman opened the door so that the young ladies could enter.
Thank you, but there is no need for formal names. Please, call me Gwenathyn, I insist." She looked pleasantly at the woman.
"Come, Âlacöntirrè, time for bed." She said sternly as she led the child to the back room. "By the way, Gwenathyn, my name is Vïllémèhndoir." She smiled.
Gwenathyn walked over to the doorway as Vïllémèhndoir covered her young daughter.
"Mother could you tell the story of Gwenathyn?" begged Âlacöntirrè.
"I am positive she has already heard it a thousand times and a thousand times over." The distressed mother told her eager daughter.
"Oh please mother!" persisted Âlacöntirrè.
"Love, she has heard it…"
"A story about me? Why have I not heard of this before?" a puzzled look crosses her serene face.
"No need to pretend…" the woman fought.
"Pretending, I am not, Madame. I have never heard of this story. I would very much like to, though. Oh please do tell it." She made her way to the chair in the corner and sat down.
"Well" began Vïllémèhndoir "Long ago there were lands of peace and beauty called Làastoberth. Here, resided a most wonderful king, Derndier, who ruled the lands justly and fairly. But his brother, the deceitful elf Volken, led an army of tens of thousands into these peaceful lands. A war waged for one hundred years throwing the land into a perpetual darkness. Volkin's army won the war and he became king. He enslaves all of the inhabitants for generations to rebuild Norommad. When it was finally rebuilt, he went on a search for the most beautiful woman in all the lands to come and be his wife. It took many years but he finally found her, Noranna, a mortal woman. It was said back long ago when the Great Elven Kingdoms ruled, that a young girl would come to the darkest of lands and be the light. She will be called 'The Lady of the Light'. A prophecy was then set in place 'The greatest good will be the spawn of the greatest evil.'"
"Sing the song mother!" insisted the bright-eyed child.
Her
heart was as pure as the Light
Her voice as haunting as a
dream.
Her eyes as mystic as the sea.
Her hair white and golden
like the sun.
And her love as pure and deep as the ocean.
Who
is this maiden who walks with the moonlight and sings to the
stars?
For she loved from the Light within her soul.
She is
Gwenathyn, Lady of Light,
The child of the moon
And the leader
of the stars.
Behold this Light Maiden!
This Lady of Light!
For
she loved from the Light within her soul
Gwenathyn listened intently.
The woman continued. "It is said that she will do great things." They both looked over at Gwenathyn, who was completely baffled and appalled that her parents would keep something like this from her.
All of a sudden Gwenathyn perked up and a look oh utter horror came across her face. "I should be home I am not supposed to be out! I am so sorry to have to leave live this." She said as she ran out the door.
She hurried down the streets toward the castle, but it was too late. Ten or fifteen knights were in the streets. They found their missing princess.
"Your Highness please come with us. Your parents are worried sick about you. You know you are not supposed to be out this late, let alone in the city!" said one knight, as he walked toward Gwenathyn, taking her by the arm.
She went quietly without an argument. The black knights showed Gwenathyn to her horse and helped hr mount him. The rain poured as they headed to the castle.
Once Gwenathyn reached the castle, she was brought before her father, King Volken.
She knew what would happen; they would have her head for this. She knew that they didn't quite love her but more or less feel obliged to raise her the 'right' way so that she would be Queen one day. But now she knew why, she was the chosen one the prophesized one, The Lady of The Light. When she found this out she knew what she must do.
"Gwenathyn! You were out past the set time you should have been with us at the banquet dinner! What in Heaven's name would we do it the future Queen was lost let alone killed!" yelled Volken.
"We are only concerned for your well being, daughter." Chimed in her mother, Queen Noranna.
After being lectured for a good time her parents came to the conclusion that she be locked up in her room until her 15th birthday, which, luckily, was only 2 weeks away.
Gwenathyn was dragged into her bed chambers, flaring with anger. Four black knights were placed outside of her door and extra knights placed around the castle. The poor princess was only allowed to come out to dine with her parents, which was more of a punishment than being locked up. She decided to put on her best behavior in order to get out of being confined to her bed chamber all day. To her surprise, her idea worked and she was allowed to roam the castle. The only bad thing was that it was after a week an a half of solitude. Gwenathyn rode her horse up and down the corridors to pass the time.
On the day before her 17th birthday, Gwenathyn's advisor, Elenor, came to console her one final time before her day. She reminded her of her duties and the traditions and rules of the land. Gwenathyn never liked her advisor. She was a tall, thin, strange old woman that never smiled. Elenor was really King Volken's sister. Alas this was never brought to the attention of the poor unsuspecting princess.
Finally, after weeks of waiting, it was the night before her 17th birthday. But her birthday would lead to more twisted surprises than she could ever imagine.