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Today I wake up a new person. I am now the Dark Princess, fiancée of the Dark Lord, terror of the land.
Despite the ominous title, I enjoy a rather simple life. In fact, it's the first time I've gone without servants dogging my every step, rushing to hand me things or to wipe every speck of dirt out of my sight. I may have been kidnapped, but I now have the greatest freedom I have ever known.
As for the Dark Lord, he's less terror and more cheer, as he's taken to wandering around the castle whistling jauntily. It echoes through the halls until it sounds like a whole flock of songbirds. I can hear him even now, alone in my room brushing out my short hair.
Once I've freshened up, I head straight for the kitchen. I hum along to the whistled tune, smiling as I do so. I soon have another reason to smile. The Dark Lord wanders into the kitchen before long, drawn by the scent of breakfast.
"Allow me to carry that, my dear," He insists, and promptly magics the food to the table. "Another wonderful meal!" He exclaims between bites. A Princess is supposed to be humble and demure, but I can't help lavishing in his praise. Once we finish he clears the dishes away just as readily, but gives in when I insist on washing them myself.
* splash *
It doesn't take long to wash up. The Dark Lord has gone back to his study, and I decide this is an excellent time to explore the castle on my own. Heading down the long hallway off the kitchen, I soon come to an airy parlor. There's enough plush chairs and dainty tables to host a dozen tea parties, but it doesn't look like any of it is being put to use now. Someone had made this room nice long ago, but now it's buried under dust and neglect. My ladies in waiting would be horrified, but I'm already rolling up my sleeves.
Phew! This room looks much better once I'm done. All that's left is to put back all the ornaments. There's no need to keep the dead plants in this vase. I go to throw out the dried up flowers when a tiny speck falls to the floor. Picking it up, I roll it around in my palm in excitement. It's a seed! I carefully examine the desiccated flower head, and am rewarded with a small pile of seeds. My thoughts race to the castle grounds, trying to visualize a sunny spot. It's hard to do, as I've only seen the outside at night. Suddenly it dawns on me I don't have to wait for the servants to clear the grounds for my presence, or for my ladies in waiting to escort me around. I can go outside any time I like, and carefully wrapping the seeds in my handkerchief, I go to do just that.
* creak *
The door hinges squeak badly as I open them, but unlike my winged companion, I can't throw myself out of windows. As I walk around I see that while it may be the castle of the Dark Lord, the grounds have plenty of sunshine to go around. A little spring swells up nearby. "Good," I think, "I won't have to carry water all the way from the kitchen". Come to think of it, I could dry some seeds from the vegetables in the pantry. All I need now are the tools. Rummaging around in a little shed, I find everything I need.
* whack * whack *
The earth here is soft and rich, and it takes no time at all to till up the ground. The seeds are soon planted and watered, and a good thing too, for when I straighten to wipe the sweat from my brow I realize it's nearly dusk. I had no idea the day could get away from me so quickly. I should have just enough time to bathe and change before preparing supper.
* chop * chop * chop *
Another meal done, I go knock on the study door to invite the Dark Lord to join me. Gently taking my hand in his claw, we walk back to the table.
"Shall we discuss our intentions, now that we have some time together? After all, it would be inconsiderate to plan the wedding without your input," He asks me.
Wedding? My mind goes blank for a moment. I can't imagine why the Dark Lord would dabble as a wedding planner.
"You have agreed to wed," He reminds me, his tail coiling and his wings drawing tight behind his shoulders. "Unless, you have changed your mind?"
It takes me a minute to recognize he's suddenly nervous. It was my intention to marry the strongest in the land, and he's proven himself that, but a niggling detail had come up since then...
"You realize I've already handed in my will? All the land and wealth my father bequeathed to me has been returned to him. You have nothing to gain my marrying me," I point out.
"I didn't propose to your land, or your money, I... oh," The Dark Lord's face flushes. "In fact, I didn't at all, did I?" Before I can ask what he means, he sweeps down to one knee. A ring appears in his hand from no where, and he presents it to me. "Dear Princess, will you marry me?"
The ring is made of a lustrous black metal I've never seen before, and is topped with a ruby that winks at me like a single eye.
"You're certain?" I gasp. I'm not used to being desired for just, well, myself.
"Perfectly," He answers, still kneeling.
"In that case, I accept."
At that pronouncement he leaps back to his feet and sweeps me into a tight embrace. When we break apart I realize he's managed to slip the ring on my finger in the process, and I admire it as it catches the light. As we sit for our meal, it seems everything is right in the world.
*******
Our days soon settle into a comfortable rhythm. I get up with the sun and spend the morning tending my garden, while he sleeps until noon and joins me for lunch, or in his case, breakfast. I enjoy my time to myself, and he in turn makes no complaint that I turn in well before he does. Together we soon have the castle spick and span, and take to spending our evenings out on long walks, or in some cases flights, around the countryside.
I'm getting much faster at watering and weeding now, and I find myself with some spare time this morning. So I put on my comfy shoes and head out into the country on my own. I've been out with the Dark Lord enough times to know my way around by now. This will give me the chance to gather some of the herbs and wildflowers we pass over while flying.
It takes much longer on foot than by wing. The sun has nearly set by the time I return to the castle, my apron skirt brimming with sweet smelling plants.
I find the Dark Lord waiting for me with a frown etched on his face. "It's come to my attention you've gone terribly far away in your wanderings. I was just about to go out looking for you."
Gulp! Now I've done it. I've pushed my boundaries too far, and I've finally tested his limits.
"While I assure you the lands around here are perfectly safe, you can hardly expect to get about just by walking. It's much too slow to be practical. I beg you to consider a more efficient means of travel." He continues.
He isn't angry? I'm still too nervous to ask.
He snaps his fingers, and a creature appears at his side.
"Holy shmoly! What is that?" I burst out.
"It's a tabby cat," He replies smoothly.
It certainly looks like a cat, complete with stripey brown fur, delicate whiskers, and a long tail. It just happens to be the size of a horse.
"How did it get so big? Cats are supposed to be small enough to fit in your lap," I ask.
"Really? How odd. I assure you this is normal size where I come from."
When I was a little girl I had dreamed of getting a kitten of my own, and had even picked out a name, but I felt somehow "Puffball" wouldn't suit this behemoth.
"Did you indeed long for such a thing? My dear, we are more alike than I realized!" The Dark Lord exclaims. It takes me a moment to comprehend he's overheard my thoughts again, but he's already explaining "I also dreamed of raising a kitten as a child, but my father has allergies. Puffball was the very same name I had chosen for my cat."
Our cat mewls loudly, and looks from him to me with keen eyes.
"That's settled then, Puffball knows her name already!" He says.
I decide it best not to argue with both a giant cat and a Dark Lord. Besides, I had a hand in choosing the name myself.
"You'll find your explorations will go much faster while riding her," He tells me.
"Ride a cat? How?" I ask.
"Cats are intelligent creatures," He reassures me. "You need only to speak stop or go, left or right, and she will have no trouble understanding you."
"That's quite the trick," I say, "but tonight I'm ready to stay home. How about some supper?"
*******
The next morning I'm up and outside again bright and early. My chores are soon done, the Dark Lord is still in his study, and the cat is fairly bounding with energy. She seems to want the same thing I do, or perhaps even cats can read minds, because she crouches down in front of me low enough to put her back in easy reach. When I climb up I find it's a soft as a cushion on top of her broad back, and she stands to her full height without any effort.There's no saddle or bridle to grip. All I can do is press my hands into her thick fur. Banishing all fears of falling from my mind, I call out "Go, Puffball!"
He wasn't kidding about going faster. Puffball whizzes along so a breeze blows fresh in my face. Her every footfall is so light I don't feel a single bump. A shadow launches itself from the window over my head, and I look up to see the Dark Lord keeping pace with us.
"Faster," I whisper eagerly.
The cat breaks into such speed she barely touches the ground. I'm fairly gasping for breath, but my fiancé has no trouble swooping along in the sky. I guide Puffball back home and he follows us to the doorway. He dives toward us head first, turning in dizzying circles as he falls. At the last second he flips right side up and lands lightly on his feet, grinning at me.
"Did you enjoy your ride, my dear?" He asks.
"Yes! That was amazing, what a race! Down, Puffball." I say when I finally get my breath back.
She drops to a crouch, allowing me to slide off.
"Let's take a little walk to cool down, shall we?" The Dark Lord proposes.
The three of us are moseying along the grounds when we stop to regard my vegetable patch. The seeds have sprouted and are well into their bloom.
"The garden is beautiful," He tells me. "but why not put the flowers in their own bed, rather than hidden amongst the vegetables?"
"The flowers keep harmful bugs away, and also attract bees which will pollinate the vegetable flowers," I say.
"How clever! Why, that's even better than magic. It's certainly working too; this garden is bursting with food."
When I stop to consider this I realize he's giving more than just praise, he's making a good point. There's far more here than two people could ever eat, and come to think of it, more than the kitchen could even store.
"I may have gotten a little carried away," I concede.
"I'm sure you'll think of some use for it," The Dark Lord says.My thoughts of my garden chews at me for the rest of the day. When the Dark Lord proposes a long flight to clear my head I eagerly accept.
We soar off higher and further than ever before, watching the land below shimmer in the starlight. The mountain range is particularly beautiful with the moon as a backdrop. As we fly toward it I notice the red specks of torchlight moving about the slopes.
An idea hits me like a lightning bolt. "Bring us down lower," I call.
Obligingly the Dark Lord swoops down toward the mountain so I can take a closer look at the little mining village huddled upon its peak. There's plenty of trees and precisely shaped buildings, but there isn't a garden in sight.
"I am going to visit here tomorrow and meet these people," I declare.
"Of course, my dear," He answers without a moments hesitation.
I glow with delight knowing I'm free to make decisions without having to seek permission or approval. I can hardly wait for the new day to see what my plans may bring.
*******
The morning sees me out in the garden with a new determination. I quickly gather the excess vegetables up into two baskets and cover them with a cloth. Whistling to Puffball, I use a silk cord to tie the baskets to her back, and off we run. It's time to meet the neighbours. We're down the road and upon the base of the mountain in a blink. Puffball has no trouble scampering up the treacherous slope with both me and the baskets slung across her back.
Once we reach the top I can't help worrying how the people in this town might react to a giant cat. There's a thick woods clinging to the edge of the slope, and I guide Puffball inside. Her brown coat gives her excellent camouflage amongst the trees. When she closes her amber eyes for a nap she practically disappears in front of me. I take the baskets into my arms and head off.
This town is even more rustic up close. The dirt roads and wooden cottages are unlike anything I've ever seen. Even the general store is a tiny affair, distinguished only by a faded sign.
The first person I meet causes me to squeak at the sight of him. He's so big and shaggy that I almost mistake him for a bear until he turns his eyes to me. He seems just as surprised to see me.
"Pardon me," I start. "I'm a farmer looking for a place to trade my crops. Is there anyone in this town who might be interested?"
He peers curiously at my colourful dress, but I quickly draw his interest to my baskets. I'm a bit frightened of this enormous hairy man, but his rough face breaks out into a grin.
"We can't tell you how happy we are to have someone go to the trouble of visiting us for trade. The only thing that grows on these slopes is mushrooms. Let me tell you, we get plenty tired of eating mushroom soup every day."
"We?" I ask, looking around him.
"My darling wife, Mila," He tells me. "Why not come inside and meet her?"
Curiosity takes over, and I throw caution to the wind to walk straight into the store with a stranger at my side. The woman inside looks no less rough than her husband, but is considerably less hairy, and her smile is just as genuine.
"Hello, dear," She greets me without hesitation before turning to her husband. "Milo, what brings you home so early?"
"This young miss has come selling her wares," He answers.
With that I uncover my produce. Their enthusiasm is more than I would ever expect, and I'm soon deep in a conversation about gardening and cooking.
"It must be a long trip," Mila says after some time. "Why not stay for a meal?"
Sure enough there is a pot of soup on the stove. Truth be told, the smell has been tempting me all along. It takes little convincing to get me to join them.
"This is fantastic," I say as I take a bite.
Mila's cheeks glow at the compliment, and she readily agrees when I ask to exchange for her recipe and some of the local mushrooms.
* scribble * scribble *
I write down how to make vegetable stir fry in exchange for the mushroom soup recipe.
Milo and Mila are perhaps the nicest people I have ever met. When I ride home with Puffball it's with a sense of renewal and purpose.
*******
That evening the Dark Lord and I sit in the parlor to admire the sunset. I keep looking at the way the red evening light catches the jewel mounted on my ring. Our marriage is hurrying closer and closer as swift as flying. Not long ago I had dreamed of my wedding day, but now I wish for nothing to change.
"You seem withdrawn, my dear. Is something the matter? You aren't overtired?" The Dark Lord presses.
I take a long time to answer, as I'm thinking a great deal.
My trip to the village has taught me something about myself. I am not some helpless maiden to be shut away. I am capable of taking care of myself; not only that, I'm capable of helping others. The Dark Lord has been indulging so far, but will he feel the same way once we are properly wed? Mother has always been clear on what a married woman can and can not do. Talk to strange men? Engage in manual labour? Run a business? All of these things fall firmly into the "Can Not Do" category. Lately I've invented a category of my own, and that is "Will Not Give Up". I will not give up my gardening, nor riding to the mountain town to sell my vegetables, not even for marriage. I know just as surely that I don't want to give up my budding romance taking place with the Dark Lord.
"I want to keep being a normal girl." I finally say. "As much as I want to be a dutiful wife as I was taught, this is the first time in my life I've ever known other possibilities. I realize I haven't been working for long, but I already know I'd rather be a farmer than anything else. I don't want to give that up."
I brace myself for the outburst of hurt and betrayal that would surely come. After all, I had promised myself to him only short weeks ago, and the wedding is mere days away. To make a commitment, and then to tell someone I couldn't enter it fully... there could be no greater scandal.
"I wouldn't dream of it. My own mother kept up her blacksmithing even once she became Dark Queen," He insists.
"Your mother is a blacksmith? Your father didn't think that... unqueenly?" I wonder, and then mentally kick myself for being indelicate.
"Not at all. Father is a jeweler, and Mother's work refining metals complimented his labours perfectly. They made the ring I gave you together."
An unexpected warmth fills me at this news. I hadn't thought it possible, but I'm looking forward to my marriage to the Dark Lord now more than ever. There's only one other thing I want, and that comes with a price.
*******
My father has a talent for forming alliances, which he attributes to a saying he often employs: "The newest friends are the hardest to trust and the easiest to lose."
I hope fervently that his old adage turns out to be wrong. I'm on my way to visit town again, but this time it's not to sell vegetables. When I reach the General Store Milo and Mila are happy to let me in despite the fact I'm empty handed. They are both such honest folk I feel ashamed of myself for keeping secrets. If I'm to truly be their friend I will have to start trusting them.
I launch straight to the point. "There's something I've been keeping from you. I'm not a farmer, or at least, I'm not just a farmer. I'm also a princess. Please forgive my deception. I wanted you to know the truth about me because I was hoping you would both attend my wedding." I don't expect an answer right away, as I imagine they will need time to absorb the news. This is, after all, an awfully sudden revelation. "There's also something I need to tell you about the groom, but first let me assure you he's not at all frightening, despite his... unusual appearance." I continue before they can say anything.
"Do you mean that funny winged fellow we see flying about in the evening?" Mila asks. "Don't worry, we can see your castle quite well from here," She tells me at my surprised look.
"You knew all this time?"
Milo shrugs his beefy shoulders. "We figured if you wanted to talk on it, you would."
I can only stand there flummoxed for a moment. I had thought myself so careful, but it seems I don't know much about keeping secrets after all. Fortunately they don't keep me in suspense for long.
"You're such a sweet girl to invite us. Of course we'll be happy to come." Mila tells me with a smile, and her husband nods in agreement.
Phew! I let out a breath I didn't know I'd been holding. It seems making real friends is a lot easier than forming political alliances.
*******
The day has finally come upon us. The Dark Lord and I are choosing our best outfits and decorating the castle, for tonight we will wed.
I carefully weave flowers picked from my garden into long strands and pass them to the Dark Lord. He flies up to the ceiling and hangs the garland of blue flowers in delicate loops all around the room. In the meantime I display the cake I made just today with my own hands. Preparing my own wedding is all together more exciting than waiting for servants to do it for me. After laying out the guest rooms the only thing left is to wait for everyone to arrive.
There's a roar of wings and two dark shapes dive through the window. They both flip over and land smoothly on their feet without even musing their robes. I can see where the Dark Lord gets his flying style. Without a doubt these are his parents, and it is just as clear they are King and Queen. The craftmanship in their matching crowns bear a subtle shaping to the metal and placement of the stones that I recognize in the ring on my hand.
I move to curtsy, but the Dark Queen gently takes me by the elbow and stops me.
"There's no need for that, Dear," she says. "We're about to become family after all."
"It's an honor to meet you," I began formally, my training as a princess kicking in. Hearing myself speak reminds me how much I'd rather be an ordinary, honest girl, so I began again. "Actually, I'm just happy to have you for family. Your son is wonderful. I can only imagine you must both be the same."
We chat briefly before I head out on Puffball to escort Milo and Mila down from the mountain, leaving the Dark Lord time to catch up with his parents.
I return with my friends at nightfall. The full moon gleams down on us, turning everything to silver. It's just the setting we planned for marriage between Dark Lord and Dark Princess.
The Dark Lord snaps his fingers, changing into a sleek black robe right in front of us. I giggle a bit at the audacity and slip upstairs to put on my wedding dress unobserved. When I come back out I find the Dark Lord waiting outside my door.
"It's good luck for the groom to be the first to see the bride," He informs me.
I accept his proffered arm, and together we make our appearance.
Our big moment has come. The Dark Lord and I join hands while our friends and family gather around us. It's a little strange not having my own parents present, but as I never asked them for their consent to wed I fear it would only get awkward. Perhaps one day I will go back and explain it all to them.
The Dark King officiates as we exchange our promises of love and faithfulness. As soon as the words are spoken my husband sweeps me up in his arms and plants one full on my lips.
Milo and Mila cheer and whistle, while the Dark King and Queen applaud.
At last I have accomplished what I first set out to do: marry the strongest in the land. I was raised to think I was born to wed well. I believe I have done just that, but I also know I was born to do more. I was born to live. I have made a life for myself where I can live just as I please.