Chapter One: Sorrow and Loss
Once upon a time there were a pair of sisters. Ella, the eldest, had fair golden hair with shining brown eyes. Aria, the youngest, had dark brown hair with curious blue eyes. The girls saw the world, not always as it was, but perhaps as it could be, with just a little bit of magic.
A happy couple played in the meadow. The mother was holding the baby while the father played with the little two-year-old. They were laughing, having a grand old time. Ella glanced at her mother, smiling brightly. Mother smiled at her before looking down at the cooing baby in her arms. "My darlings," she said cheerfully.
To their mother and father, they were princesses. True, they had no title nor crown or castle, but they were the ruler of their own little kingdom whose borders were the house in the meadow on the forest's edge where their people had lived for generations. With Mr. Goose, and all their animal family
Eight-year-old Aria followed closely on her sister's heels as they feed the animals in the garden. "Hello, there," Ella said to Mr. Goose. "What do you think you're doing? Let the little ones have their share. We don't want you getting an upset stomach." Aria knelt down by the mice that were gathering food, smiling. "Oh, Gus, you're a house mouse, not a garden mouse. Isn't he, Jacqueline? And you mustn't eat Mr. Goose's food."
The little girl looked to her mother. "Isn't that right, mummy?" Mother smiled, opening her arms. Aria ran to her, hugging her. "Do you still believe that they understand you?" she asked her daughters. "Don't they, mother?" Ella questioned.
Quickly, mother nodded head. "Oh, yes. I believe that animals listen and speak to us if we only have the ear for it. That's how we learn to look after them." "Who looks after us?" Aria asked. "Fairy Godmother's, of course." "And do you believe in them?" asked Ella. "I believe in everything." Snuggling closer to Mother, Aria spoke confidently. "Then I believe in everything too.
Their father was a merchant who went abroad and brought back a tribute from all of the subject lands.
Father rode into the garden on his carriage. He jumped off, calling for his daughters. "Ella! Aria! Where are my girls, my beautiful girls? Where are my darlings?"
They missed him terribly when he was away, but they knew he would always return.
Detaching herself from her mother's arms, Aria ran with Ella to their father. "There they are," Father cheered. "Pa, welcome home!" Ella said. She reached him first, wrapping her arms around him. Father picked up Aria, holding her tightly. "You've grown!" he said to his youngest before setting her down.
Ella and Aria looked excitedly up at him. He always brought them back a gift. He held out a box, handing it to Ella. "I found it hanging on a tree," he told them. "I think there may be something inside."
Opening the box, Ella found a butterfly ornament. Aria looked at it, gently touched a wing. "In French that is un papillon," Father said. "Un papillon," Ella repeated. Father grinned at her, "Très bien! Voulez vous danser avec moi, mademoiselle?" "Mm-hmm. Oui." "Merci beaucoup."
Father took Ella's hands and Ella placed her feet on top of Father's. "Ouch! Ouch!" he exclaimed. "You're standing on my feet!" They both laughed as Aria sat on the step beside Mother. Mother laughed as she watched them dance around.
All was just as it should be. They knew themselves to be the happiest family to live as they did and to love each other so.
As the girls fell asleep, Mother sang a gentle lullaby to them.
Lavender's blue, dilly, dilly
Lavender's green
When I am king, dilly, dilly
You shall be queen:
Who told you so, dilly, dilly
Who told you so?
'Twas my own heart, dilly, dilly
That told me so
But sorrow can come to any kingdom, no matter how happy.
Hand in hand, the couple left the girls' bedroom. Once the door was shut, Mother came to a stop. Her body ridged and still. "Darling, are you all right?" Father questioned. She tried to answer then collapsed into his arms.
And so it came to Ella and Aria's home.
Ella sat on a chair outside Mother's room. Father was holding Aria close to him as he stared anxiously at the door. The Doctor walked out, shaking his head sadly. "I'm so sorry." Father closed his eyes momentarily before nodding. "Thank you, Doctor."
Turning to his eldest, Father held out a hand. "Come, Ella." Taking Father's hand, Ella walked into Mother's room as the woman lay in bed. Holding out her arms, Mother took Aria from Father and gripped onto Ella's hand tightly.
She looked at them through glossy eyes. "My darlings. I want to tell you a secret, a great secret that will see you through all the trials life can offer. You must always remember this: Have courage and be kind. You have more kindness in their little finger than most people possess in their whole body. And it has power, more than you know. And magic." "Magic?" Aria whispered. "Truly. Have courage and be kind, my loves. Will you promise me?" "I promise," Ella said.
Mother managed a watery smile. "Good." Ella began to cry, and wrapped her arms around mother. Aria snuggled as close to her mother as possible. "Girls, I must go very soon. Please forgive me." "Of course we forgive you," Ella managed to sob out. Father put his arms around his girls, holding them all. "I love you," Mother told Father. "I love you, my darling," he said back. "I love you," she repeated as breath slowly left her body.