Princess Annabelle - Essay Example

Once upon a time, in a faraway kingdom lived a royal family. The King and Queen were kind rulers. This together with their humility made them belovedby their subjects. Unfortunately, their oldest daughter, Georgiana, had died many years earlier. She had been playing by the water with her nanny when she slipped on a rock and fell into a raging river. She was swept northward by the water, struck against the rocks and shoals. The King’s guard searched high and low for her body, but to no avail. In her memory, the King had erected a large fountain at the main entrance to the palace, so that all who entered would be reminded of his eldest child, carried off by the very water that ran through it. Their grief at the loss did not last forever, however. A year later, they were blessed with another daughter, the beautiful Princess Annabelle. Everyone agreed she was the sweetest child they had ever seen. Moreover, as she grew she remained sweet and innocent. Now she was 14 and the loveliest girl in all the land. They also had a son, Prince Benjamin, the Heir Apparent. Ben was a cheeky boy, barely twelve years old. He was tall and well built. As such, he looked older than a child of his age did, but he was playful and impish and always getting himself – and his sister – into trouble. Annabelle, for all her beauty, was naïve and impressionable and Ben would use that to his advantage. She was constantly getting into trouble because of him. Getting caught in the kitchen with her hand in the cookie jar, being blamed for stopping up all the heralds’ trumpets with feathers, but she didn’t mind. She loved her brother completely and everyone knew his pranks were harmless fun. Unfortunately, not everything was harmless and fun in the kingdom. The northern side of the palace faced a humongous, lone mountain. Not so long ago it was merely an inconvenient landform, making passage to the north more difficult than it might have been. But then, rumor has it, an evil witch decided to make the mountain and its many winding caves her home. Travelers began setting out to the lands north of the Kingdom and disappearing. Caravans of tribute began disappearing. The King sent a legion of soldiers to the mountain to oust the Witch, but they were struck down. A few bodies were found, but no one came back alive. This really troubled the king because it was frustrating efforts to ensure that his subjects were safe and had the freedom of movement. At some point, he asked his subordinate to arrange a troupe of the best soldiers who would accompany him to the mountain. In addition to being worried about the mystery that was happening to his people, he was also curious to find out the secrets of the mountain. The elders however differed on this matter and warned the chief about going north to the mountain. They convinced him that his kingdom will fall and his people will suffer in case he was also failed to return like the previous groups. Therefore, in an act of desperation, the King commanded that a fence be erected on the northern edge of the kingdom and that no subject was to pass it. And for 15 years, no one did. On a sunny spring day, Annabelle and Ben found themselves in their schoolroom, bored beyond description by their tutor’s droning on about this and that. They were both desperate to be outside enjoying the beautiful weather. In most of similar past situations, Ben who was a clever boy fond of mischief always found a tricky solution that would end their frustrations. On this fateful day therefore, he pondered his brain for a trick that would enable him end his lessons early. While the tutor was not looking, Ben took his inkwell and tossed it on the floor behind the tutor. When the old man took a step back, he slipped and fell right on his rear. As he got up, Annabelle shrieked, “You’re bleeding!” The tutor put his hand on the back of his hand and found what he thought was blood (it was really just ink but the man was nearly blind) all over him and with that he fainted dead away. Ben laughed at his good joke but Annabelle was cross with her brother. “That was cruel Ben.” “He’ll be fine. Let’s go.” And with that, he left. Annabelle did not want to seem like a spoilsport, so she slipped her book under her tutor’s head before following Ben down the stairs. She was mad at him; she could not help it. Ben’s pranks had crossed a line this time, and Annabelle was concerned someone could get hurt. She was determined to teach him a lesson. By the time, she got to the courtyard Ben had already retrieved a ball and racquet from his room and was amusing himself by hitting the ball against the courtyard wall. “Join me?” he asked his sister. However, Annabelle was in no mood for tennis. She ignored him and continued out of the palace gates and into the fields beyond. Ben went after her, racquet in hand. “Annabelle, wait for me!” Ben cried, but she kept walking until she was almost at the border fence. “You need to stop with your jokes and pranks before someone gets hurt!” “Calm down! Everyone is fine and I just wanted a bit of fun! Tell me you aren’t grateful to be out of the classroom?” “It’s not just that Ben. You are going to be king someday. You cannot act like this. You cannot treat your subjects as your playthings. You need to learn to respect people, to respect rules and responsibilities.” Unlike Ben, Annabel was the responsible kid. It is probably because she was the elder one hence felt like that she had to lead by example. Ben was however the opposite, irresponsible and full of negligence. He hardly minded the feelings of other people and did things that would suit his needs. “But when I’m king I’ll make the rules! And my first decree will be that I can do what I want. Cake before dinner? Done. Never wearing shoes again? Yes, your highness. No crossing the border fence? Fa!” And with that, he pulled himself up to the top of the fence and straddled it like a horse. “Get down” Annabelle cried. “I am your king, come join me” and Ben reached for his sister’s hand. She pulled it away but he grabbed at her again and got her bracelet – a gift from her grandmother on her 14th birthday. He took the bracelet and held it high above his head. “If you want it back you’ll have to come up here and get it.” Furious, Annabelle climbed the fence and snatched at the bracelet. She almost had it when it slipped from Ben’s hand and fell to the ground. It rolled a few feet before settling at the base of a tree…on the wrong side of the border. Ben looked at his sister, horrified. “I’m sorry!” he said. Annabelle just stared at her bracelet, pondering her options. “I’ll get you a new one, a better one,” Ben offered but Annabelle did not hear him, she was too angry. “Look what you did! You couldn’t just leave well enough alone and now look what you did!” Annabelle shouted at him. Ben was close to tears but she did not care. She kept shouting at him, telling him what a stupid, annoying boy he was until he could not take it anymore and he jumped off the fence and ran back to the palace. Wiping the tears from his eyes Ben stomped up to his room and slammed the door. He threw himself on the bed and sobbed. He was embarrassed for dropping the bracelet but angry with his sister for calling he names. Didn’t she know he just wanted to have a bit of fun? After a few minutes, he regained his composure and decided to apologize. He went to the courtyard to tell Annabelle he was sorry, but she was not there. She was not sitting on the fence anymore either. She was not in the schoolroom. Or her bedroom. Or the stables. Fifteen minutes passed but Ben could not find Annabelle. He kept shouting her name, but there was no sign of her. An hour went by and there was still no sign of Annabelle. Then a horrible thought crossed his mind. Ben pulled himself back up on the fence and looked a few feet north, at the base of a tree. The bracelet was gone. Their father was standing on one of the many balconies of the castle. The King smiled when he saw his son searching frantically for his sister without success. He admired the boy’s determination, and he had the feeling that his son would also be a good king to the people. Since he was the only son, the King wanted to be sure that Ben learned to be a caring and devoted leader. Ben turned and saw his father. He signaled to him to descend to the front side of the building near one of the fountains. At first, the King ignored the signal because he thought he was teasing him. He had done it before. The King would climb down all those stairs only to find his son had snuck up on the balcony where he had just been. However, this time, Ben insisted. Then the King noticed the tears rolling down his son’s face. He ran down ancient staircases towards the yard. Ben, amid the tears and fright, explained to him what had happened and that Annabelle was missing. He was afraid that his father would scold him because he knew how much he loved Annabelle. However, the King merely held him close and cried with him, his fear as palpable as his son’s cry. He then thought of all possible solutions that could save his daughter. As much as he was worried sick, he put away the sad face to be strong for the rest of the family. Knowing that time was of the essence, the King summoned his most trusted advisor, Lord Aaron, to him. Lord Aaron had worked for the king for so many years. He was a wise old man who had seen more and experienced a number f things compared to the king. He knew all the secrets of the land and he had an account of all the events that went down in the past. The king always consulted him before making any major decision. Lord Aaron was always right and he seemed to have n answer to every tragedy. The king made Ben recount to him what had happened. “And what do you suggest, Lord Aaron?” “Your Majesty, I know how much you love your daughter, but I cannot advise that you or anyone else go after her.” The King looked at horrified. “Not send anyone after her? You must be joking.” Lord Aaron went on to explain that the bulk of the army was away on a peacekeeping mission many kingdoms away and that the King’s own guards were stretched thing due to an outbreak of plague among the ranks. “And you, your Majesty, you cannot risk going. It is too dangerous. Losing you would put the safety and stability of the entire kingdom in jeopardy.” Lord Aaron spoke to the king with surety. It was however evident that he was panicking as well. It was one of those major tasks that needed quality advice because it involved the lives of not only the daughter of the king but the kingdom as large. Aaron was afraid that the king would decide to go and look for his daughter if a remedy is not reached at. The King could not argue with his advisor. The political situation in the region had been tenuous lately and any shakeup could mean disaster. Ben was his heir, but there was no way he was ready to lead. He was too young, too immature. Look what had happened to Annabelle, he was no leader. Ben looked at his father, stunned. He was wondering why his father was so hesitant, and the King knew that he must explain. “Son,” he began “You know I love your sister. I am afeard for her life just as you are. But I have a responsibility to the kingdom, to my allies, to my subjects, to you and your mother. I cannot go after your sister. And I have no one else to send.” Ben felt disappointed by his father, a man who the family had relied on for protection. \he could not believe nor understand how his father was choosing the kingdom over his only daughter. “So what if the kingdom collapses?” He asked himself, he simply could not fathom the importance of a strong kingdom with a missing sister. According to him, it was better they have their sister back and jeopardize the kingdom. \contrary to him, his father was a selfless man, above loving his daughter and family, he loved his subjects almost equally. This is because just like his family, the kingdom also looked up to him, they were his responsibility, or so he believed. The king asked his subordinate to call meeting and invite all the elders of the respective locations in the kingdom. He beloved n collaborative efforts and was sure that numerous ideas from different wise men would surely provide a solution to the problem. The elders showed up and after lengthy talks, no one really seemed to have a proper solution to that problem. Then, as if summoned by some higher power, a horse and rider came barreling through the gate into the courtyard. The man dismounted in one swift motion. He was tall and handsome, but no more than a teenager was. He introduced himself at Prince Sebastian from Swifton, the King’s allied nation to the south. He noticed something was wrong. Everyone looked so worried and sad. “I’m sorry. I did not mean to interrupt. I was passing through your kingdom on my trip west to the sea. I am hoping to find adventures in far away lands and make a name for myself as a hero. But clearly, you are all distraught. Can I help? Have you an adventure for me?” “No adventures, my boy, only heartache” replied Lord Aaron. He explained what had happened to Annabelle. “But surely you are not so quick to leave her for dead? She could merely be lost, or hiding. You must mount a search party!” “We have no one to send.” Sighed the King “Send me! I am looking for an adventure. I am brave enough, and what could be more adventurous than battling an evil queen.” The Prince looked at them pleadingly. Lord Aaron was the first to respond. “But your majesty, what would your father say if you died on a quest for our king? It would throw our nations into war!” The king thought of the possible consequences incase Sebastian got hurt in the process. He knew the effects of war on his kingdom. He could not risk that because it would definitely cause instability as well poverty to his kingdom. Before he could resist further the prince continued pleading with him to let him take on the task. “But if I succeed, we will be forever joined. Please, Sir, give me a chance. My father knows I am in search of adventure and I have many brothers, let me find your daughter.” The King sighed and relented. “Fantastic! I shall set off right away!” Prince Sebastian said, and he began to mount his horse. “WAIT!” Ben shouted, “I want to go with you. It’s my fault Annabelle is lost, I need to help save her.” “Never!” said Lord Aaron “You are your father’s only son, possibly his only child now. You must stay here, where it is safe.” “No,” said the King “He is right. It is time you learned there are consequences for your actions Ben. Go with Prince Sebastian. Find your sister and come back, together.” In addition, with that, Ben got his horse and the two princes headed over the fence and toward the mountain. It only took a few hours to reach the mountain. The sun was beginning to set as they began exploring the first of its many caves. Ben started sweating. He had never been so afraid in his life. Prince Sebastian drew his sword and clutched it tightly. He started calling Annabelle at long intervals as if expecting a sudden response. There was no answer. They only heard hungry eagles off in the distance, crying as they hunted for food. “We should set up a camp here for the night,” said Sebastian. They had just gotten a fire going when Ben saw shadows moving further into the cave. “Look!” he whispered, pointing towards the shadows. Sebastian grabbed a log, lit it from the fire, and beckoned Ben to follow. As they went deeper into the cave, they came across a large chamber. Sebastian saw a woman, simultaneously old but beautiful, who could only be the evil witch, holding an unconscious Annabelle in her arms. Her left forearm was across Annabelle’s neck, and her right hand was holding a sharp knife on her neck. “Come out boys!” she called. Ben froze but Sebastian moved forward. “Come here Sebastian, and bring your little friend. Is that Prince Ben? Look how big you are now boy.” Ben shuffled forward a few feet but was too afraid to get any close. The witch was ready to strike if either of them made any move towards Annabelle. “How do you know me?” Ben asked. “Why, you look just like your sisters.” “Sist-ERS?” “Annabelle is, of course, the more beautiful of the two, but Georgiana had a certain charm about her.” “What do you know about Georgiana?” Ben demanded, his courage growing as his fear was replaced with rage. “She was such a greedy little girl. Enjoyed being fattened up so much. And what a tasty little meal she made.” “Noooo!” Ben screamed and he lunged toward her. He was unarmed and untrained so Sebastian grabbed him before he got hurt. “Wait” he hissed at Ben, “What would we need to do to get you to give us Annabelle?” The witch thought for a moment and then proposed a deal, “I’ve been alone in this mountain for many years and ever since that nasty King erected that horrible fence I’ve had no excitement. So in order to secure her release, Sebastian must beat me in battle. And if you lose, you will all stay here, as my prisoners." Ben balked at the suggestion. Given what the witch had done to his older sister, he had no desire to be her prisoner. He started to say something when Sebastian interrupted “I came here for an adventure and you certainly offer one. I accept your challenge” and he drew his sword. Ben panicked but could not bring himself to run. He stood there helpless. His eyes moved from his unconscious sister to witch them to Sebastian. He was tongue stricken. The witch dropped Annabelle’s unconscious body to the ground, drew a long sword, and brandished it in the air. Sebastian approached her skillfully and deflected her strikes. However, he slipped and lost his balance. His sword fell and skittered across the floor. The witch ran at him, sword in the air poised to deliver a deathblow. Sebastian crawled backwards until he was against a wall. He thought he was doomed. Ben watched in awe. He knew time had come for him to prove his manhood as well as his bravery. He started building castles in the air imagining how his father would be proud of him in case he won a war against the evil witch. He followed the movements of the sword, not sure of what to do. He wanted to help Sebastian, a stranger but had volunteered to help his sister. An array of thoughts bombarded his head; he had a hard time fighting his cowardice. At seeing the direness of the situation, Ben found his courage at the last moment. He picked up Sebastian’s sword, which had landed near his feet. Channeling all his rage, he took the sword and threw it like a javelin straight into the back of the evil witch. Her body crumpled to the floor and the life quickly drained out of her. Ben fell to his knees beside Annabelle’s body. She began to stir. Her beautiful face lit up when she saw her brother. “You saved me,” she said. “Not by myself” he replied and introduced her to Prince Sebastian. The prince looked at Annabelle and the first thing he noticed was her beauty. Despite being pale and worried, her beauty was still outstanding. The prince was carried away by her long dark hair, which fell below her shoulders. Her almond shaped eyes were stunning and the wells of tears forming in it made it look more dazzling. He stared at her for almost five minutes without uttering a word. He then stretched over his arm towards Annabelle and lifted her up. Annabelle also found the price very handsome, she felt chills go down her body when he lifter her and held her in huge masculine magical hands. Ben looked at the smiles on their faces and he thought they were a perfect match just made for each other. The price was few inches taller than his sister and their actions communicated everything. By the time they left the cage, the sun was already setting and darkness was befalling. Their town was miles away and they could not make it back on the same fateful day. The therefore returned to their camp, built a fire and stayed there for a night. As they sat by the fire, Prince Sebastian told them more about his family as well as his upbringing in general. He was the first child in a family of six. He had three sisters and two brothers. The Prince told them he wanted to be like his father, a hero who had done something to save another person’s life. He confessed that he had not expected his adventure to be quite worth it. He had not only done something heroic but had also gotten a chance to mingle with a royal family just like his. To add on, he had found a friend in Ben and love in Annabelle. The next day they returned to the castle. Sebastian and Annabelle talked the whole way home. He saw that she was indeed very beautiful and she was charmed by his bravery and wit. Ben did not say much but reflected on the events of the day. He knew now the responsibility he had, to his family and to his kingdom. As a king, he would have people’s lives in his hands every day and this experience had taught him to use that power judiciously. The adventure he had with the prince had instilled a sense of responsibility in him. To add on, he had learnt from Prince Sebastian various aspects of being a leader as well as fighting cowardice. He assured himself that he was going to take the task as king and provide the best services to his subjects. Ben also understood why his father had seemed to choose the kingdom over his daughter. He also felt guilty about the teacher he had hurt as well as all other individuals at school as well as at home that he had offended due to his arrogance and mischievous ways. In addition, as for Annabelle, she and Sebastian were so taken with one another that upon returning to the castle, and after assuring her parents that she was unharmed, they announced that they would court. The king was happy to see his daughter. He however informed that she was wrong in cross the border in a bid to search for her bracelet. He talked of the importance of listening to warnings and abiding by law. In her father’s opinion, Prince Sebastian was the perfect man for her because he had demonstrated bravery and he was very handsome. The prince also told his parents and siblings about his newfound love. He took her home and introduced her to his family with whom she seemed to get along with well. The family f the Prince accepted her and the union between the two strengthened the relationship between the two kingdoms. They conducted trade as well as other ceremonies together with happiness and glamour. The two families as well s their respective kingdoms lived happily ever after. Read More