The Adventure of Annabella
"Annabella, there is someone here to meet you." my step-mom politely shouted up the stairs towards my room. Not again I thought to myself as I groaned and rolled out of my bed. I attempted to tame my hair, but eventually I gave up and asked my maid for assistance.
I walked down our granite spiral stair case and into the tea room. My hair was now in a curly side braid and I was wearing my favorite yellow dress it had white accents that matched my lace white gloves that covered my arm from the tip of my fingers to the start of my elbow. Inside the room I found my step-mom, my step brother, aka "prince charming" as his brand new fiancé called him; she was also sitting in the crowded room next to my father. Sitting next to my step mother, was an attractive man who seemed to be a year or two older than I.
Based on the last few months, I assumed it was another attempt by my family to marry me off seeing as I am apparently "much too eligible to not be engaged at this age." I protested every time that I was barely 19 and just wanted to live my life, but they never understood my point of view. I sat down in the only seat available to me, which was dangerously close to the so called perfect bachelor.
After a few dull conversations, and my apparent lack of interest my parents asked if I could speak with them quickly in the side room. I rolled my eyes, made a sarcastic comment under my breath, stood up gracefully, and made my way across the room. They asked all the usual questions including, "What do you think of him," and "What about an April wedding?" I couldn't stand any of it anymore, I had put up with them for too long and I cracked wide open. "No, no, no! I don't want to get married yet; can’t you see that I am un-comfortable? Why do you want this so bad?! Just leave me alone! I will pick a spouse for myself when I decide I am ready, not you!" I lashed at my parents.
"Anabella, please we are just trying to help you! You are so frustrating some times. You want to pick your own husband? Fine have it your way! I will allow you 5 day journey to find yourself a spouse, that's it. Maybe now you will see how hard it is and how much I do for you." my step-mother exclaimed.
"That's the best thing you have ever suggested, I'll go change right now and be back before you know it with the perfect guy for me!" I screamed back in reply. "Please, fetch my horse!" I yelled to whoever was tending the stables. I stormed up the stair case and slammed my door, I actually felt quite childish, but I didn't care I was just so infuriated.
I then changed into my favorite leather pants they were a beautiful shade of maroon, and I threw on my dark brown riding jacket. I packed away a few necessities into a satchel and leaped onto my horse. I left without another word, although I regretted not saying goodbye almost immediately. I had to prove them wrong; I just had to show them I can be right sometimes too. I had recently heard of a new kingdom, that apparently had an abundance of intelligent, handsome, young men and I figured that would be the best location for which I should start my journey.
After riding on my personal horse, felicity, for what seemed like a small eternity, I made a pit stop at a nearby stream to refill my water sack and give Felicity a break. After taking a few sips, I realized how tired I truly had become. So, I decided it was for my benefit if I called it a night and made camp right where I was.
I don't exactly remember closing my eyes, but what I do recall were the blood curdling screams I woke up to. My eyes jolted open and it felt as if the darkness that fell upon the forest was slowly attacking my insides. The humid air was thicker with every breath I took and I could hear the leaves crackling in the tress surrounding me. "Help me please, someone, anyone, please its coming." an innocent voice cried out in my direction. The way the voice said "it" made my mind tingle with possibilities, and my body fill with chills but there was no time for that I knew this was serious. I had to do something.
I sat up slowly from the place I had previously sought rest, and tip-toed deeper into the woods not quite sure which direction I was headed. I then felt heaviness in my chest, as my breathing slowed. I soon became unable to control my own body, and a low all-knowing voice appeared in my head. "You don't belong here, silly child the woods are clearly not your home, but they will certainly be the last place you will ever see." a deep crackled laugh followed the un-hinging message. And before I could even begin to comprehend what was happening, there were battle cries being shouted from un-known being up in the trees.
Suddenly, arrows were flying over my head from every angle and muffled groans escaped the beast’s body as it fell over in one loud thump. My arm began to tingle, and I tried to adjust my eyes to the darkness, but it was too overwhelming. I reached across my body and ran my nimble fingers up and down searching for the wound, I then found that my fingers were soon covered in warm, thick blood. I suppose I blacked out after that, because that is the last thing I remember from that night.
I awoke to unfamiliar faces surrounding me. One of the strangers was a tall, beautiful woman and when she turned to exit the room I noticed that none of them were really human, based on what I had read in stories and seen in pictures I presumed them to be elves. I didn’t know much about them, but from the knowledge I had collected I knew them to be two main things friendly, and powerful.
I knew that I must be extremely polite and respectful, and be sure not to show fear I didn’t need anyone else looking down upon me. I attempted to sit up and a sharp pain shot up my arm and into my chest, I yelped in pain and instantly got everybody’s attention. A man significantly shorter than everyone else in the room ran to my side. He gently grabbed my shoulders and informed me that I needed to rest; it would help ease the pain and fight the poison. “Poison!” I shouted “What do you mean poison? What happened to me?” I jolted up ignoring the doctors warning and the pain surged in my body I could feel my heart rate increasing, and my head felt as if it would explode at any second, but I didn’t care I needed answers.
“Princess Anabella, I will try to explain everything as much as I can but you need to at least lie back down I am afraid you are only making your condition worse.” The doctor had a very soothing voice and it made me feel as if his every word was the most reliable thing I would ever hear. I listened intently as he reflected on the order of events. “When our army arrived, you were about to be killed by one of the most dangerous monsters on this side of the forest, it is called a Xenosmelius, and we recognized you right away. We didn’t lose any of our men and the fight was quick, however there were a few not so lucky souls that did not leave the proceedings unharmed.” He paused as if contemplating his next choice of words “You were one of those tainted beings.”
I nodded in understanding, and he continued “The Xenosmelius is what harmed all the others, but in your case it was one of our poison arrows that slightly slashed your arm before it landed on the forest floor. Prior to the fight all of our arrows were dipped in our strongest serum, and the amount currently in your veins should have killed you hours ago. However, we have developed an antidote but I fear we were too late and I do not believe you have much time left. Your family is on their way but it is quite a long journey and will take them days to arrive from your kingdom. Unfortunately, Anabella you do not have days according to my teams calculations you have approximately 3 more hours left, before the poison reaches your heart and kills your life force. I am so sorry I hope you can understand we have done everything we can for you; the elders have agreed to give you an ancient blessing for your after life and you will live in eternal happiness.”After he finished talking I took a few minutes to let everything sink in and replied “Thank you for everything you have done for me, and I am very grateful my deepest wish is that someday you will all be recompensed for your kindness”
~Princess Anabella died that day, but her innocence lives on forever in lives she touched. Her family and the elves gave her one of the highest tributes one can hope to achieve and she peacefully rests in the forest floor surrounded by wildflowers and sunshine.
I walked down our granite spiral stair case and into the tea room. My hair was now in a curly side braid and I was wearing my favorite yellow dress it had white accents that matched my lace white gloves that covered my arm from the tip of my fingers to the start of my elbow. Inside the room I found my step-mom, my step brother, aka "prince charming" as his brand new fiancé called him; she was also sitting in the crowded room next to my father. Sitting next to my step mother, was an attractive man who seemed to be a year or two older than I.
Based on the last few months, I assumed it was another attempt by my family to marry me off seeing as I am apparently "much too eligible to not be engaged at this age." I protested every time that I was barely 19 and just wanted to live my life, but they never understood my point of view. I sat down in the only seat available to me, which was dangerously close to the so called perfect bachelor.
After a few dull conversations, and my apparent lack of interest my parents asked if I could speak with them quickly in the side room. I rolled my eyes, made a sarcastic comment under my breath, stood up gracefully, and made my way across the room. They asked all the usual questions including, "What do you think of him," and "What about an April wedding?" I couldn't stand any of it anymore, I had put up with them for too long and I cracked wide open. "No, no, no! I don't want to get married yet; can’t you see that I am un-comfortable? Why do you want this so bad?! Just leave me alone! I will pick a spouse for myself when I decide I am ready, not you!" I lashed at my parents.
"Anabella, please we are just trying to help you! You are so frustrating some times. You want to pick your own husband? Fine have it your way! I will allow you 5 day journey to find yourself a spouse, that's it. Maybe now you will see how hard it is and how much I do for you." my step-mother exclaimed.
"That's the best thing you have ever suggested, I'll go change right now and be back before you know it with the perfect guy for me!" I screamed back in reply. "Please, fetch my horse!" I yelled to whoever was tending the stables. I stormed up the stair case and slammed my door, I actually felt quite childish, but I didn't care I was just so infuriated.
I then changed into my favorite leather pants they were a beautiful shade of maroon, and I threw on my dark brown riding jacket. I packed away a few necessities into a satchel and leaped onto my horse. I left without another word, although I regretted not saying goodbye almost immediately. I had to prove them wrong; I just had to show them I can be right sometimes too. I had recently heard of a new kingdom, that apparently had an abundance of intelligent, handsome, young men and I figured that would be the best location for which I should start my journey.
After riding on my personal horse, felicity, for what seemed like a small eternity, I made a pit stop at a nearby stream to refill my water sack and give Felicity a break. After taking a few sips, I realized how tired I truly had become. So, I decided it was for my benefit if I called it a night and made camp right where I was.
I don't exactly remember closing my eyes, but what I do recall were the blood curdling screams I woke up to. My eyes jolted open and it felt as if the darkness that fell upon the forest was slowly attacking my insides. The humid air was thicker with every breath I took and I could hear the leaves crackling in the tress surrounding me. "Help me please, someone, anyone, please its coming." an innocent voice cried out in my direction. The way the voice said "it" made my mind tingle with possibilities, and my body fill with chills but there was no time for that I knew this was serious. I had to do something.
I sat up slowly from the place I had previously sought rest, and tip-toed deeper into the woods not quite sure which direction I was headed. I then felt heaviness in my chest, as my breathing slowed. I soon became unable to control my own body, and a low all-knowing voice appeared in my head. "You don't belong here, silly child the woods are clearly not your home, but they will certainly be the last place you will ever see." a deep crackled laugh followed the un-hinging message. And before I could even begin to comprehend what was happening, there were battle cries being shouted from un-known being up in the trees.
Suddenly, arrows were flying over my head from every angle and muffled groans escaped the beast’s body as it fell over in one loud thump. My arm began to tingle, and I tried to adjust my eyes to the darkness, but it was too overwhelming. I reached across my body and ran my nimble fingers up and down searching for the wound, I then found that my fingers were soon covered in warm, thick blood. I suppose I blacked out after that, because that is the last thing I remember from that night.
I awoke to unfamiliar faces surrounding me. One of the strangers was a tall, beautiful woman and when she turned to exit the room I noticed that none of them were really human, based on what I had read in stories and seen in pictures I presumed them to be elves. I didn’t know much about them, but from the knowledge I had collected I knew them to be two main things friendly, and powerful.
I knew that I must be extremely polite and respectful, and be sure not to show fear I didn’t need anyone else looking down upon me. I attempted to sit up and a sharp pain shot up my arm and into my chest, I yelped in pain and instantly got everybody’s attention. A man significantly shorter than everyone else in the room ran to my side. He gently grabbed my shoulders and informed me that I needed to rest; it would help ease the pain and fight the poison. “Poison!” I shouted “What do you mean poison? What happened to me?” I jolted up ignoring the doctors warning and the pain surged in my body I could feel my heart rate increasing, and my head felt as if it would explode at any second, but I didn’t care I needed answers.
“Princess Anabella, I will try to explain everything as much as I can but you need to at least lie back down I am afraid you are only making your condition worse.” The doctor had a very soothing voice and it made me feel as if his every word was the most reliable thing I would ever hear. I listened intently as he reflected on the order of events. “When our army arrived, you were about to be killed by one of the most dangerous monsters on this side of the forest, it is called a Xenosmelius, and we recognized you right away. We didn’t lose any of our men and the fight was quick, however there were a few not so lucky souls that did not leave the proceedings unharmed.” He paused as if contemplating his next choice of words “You were one of those tainted beings.”
I nodded in understanding, and he continued “The Xenosmelius is what harmed all the others, but in your case it was one of our poison arrows that slightly slashed your arm before it landed on the forest floor. Prior to the fight all of our arrows were dipped in our strongest serum, and the amount currently in your veins should have killed you hours ago. However, we have developed an antidote but I fear we were too late and I do not believe you have much time left. Your family is on their way but it is quite a long journey and will take them days to arrive from your kingdom. Unfortunately, Anabella you do not have days according to my teams calculations you have approximately 3 more hours left, before the poison reaches your heart and kills your life force. I am so sorry I hope you can understand we have done everything we can for you; the elders have agreed to give you an ancient blessing for your after life and you will live in eternal happiness.”After he finished talking I took a few minutes to let everything sink in and replied “Thank you for everything you have done for me, and I am very grateful my deepest wish is that someday you will all be recompensed for your kindness”
~Princess Anabella died that day, but her innocence lives on forever in lives she touched. Her family and the elves gave her one of the highest tributes one can hope to achieve and she peacefully rests in the forest floor surrounded by wildflowers and sunshine.