• Once upon a time,


    There was a princess, but her life was no fairytale. Like a more well-known princess, Cinderella- she was trapped. A tower stood in the midst of a large kingdom that had fallen many years ago, the top of the tower reached the dreary clouds, its walls were five feet thick with cold bricks, and a single window the size of a book was the only source of light. The small chamber, she was confined in, held a bed covered with tattered, wool sheets that itched and chafed her fragile skin. It also housed a small table that was cluttered with piles of paper scribbled with her poems and cries of help. The floor was covered with a thin layer of aged dirt and dust, the walls were cracked and whistled as a strong gust of wind blew and the ceiling was covered with spiders’ twisted cobwebs. Her skin has grown pale, her copper locks of curls had lost their luster, bright green eyes faded; the princess was a mere ghost of her former self. She never dared to call for help, her mind had become victim to the Witch of Depression; the only sounds that could be heard were her cries of loneliness and her empty sighs.

    Every day she could be seen peering out the tiny window of the tower, her face lacking any emotion as her eyes stared blankly at the barren kingdom with its golden, dry grass, its decrepit trees and hoary sky. Not a soul could be see among the fields and forests of dead trees except for the occasional knight riding off to battle in another far away kingdom or a starving serf crawling in the dirt but the princess didn’t mind, her heart and mind had grown accustomed to the friendly loneliness.

    It was a normal, bleak day; the sun was hidden behind the thick layer of clouds, the air was sticky with moisture and even the insects were silent. Like every day, the princess stood against the cold wall of the tower as her eyes scanned the blank scenery. After hours of silence, a beam of light had broken from the clouds and was reflected off a foreign object on the horizon and captured her attention. Her head lifted from her cuffed hand as she peered out towards that strange object. Her eyes squinted tightly as she saw it moving closer and closer. Her heart has stopped when the object became clear; it was not an object instead, a human- a knight.

    This knight, however, was unlike any of the knights she had seen pass by times before. His armor was not made of metal; instead, he was protected by what looked like tin foil. He did not have a sword grasped tightly in his hand nor tucked against his side. He lacked a noble steed as well as a helmet to shield his dirty face. His skin was pale and rough from the earth, his copper hair glistened with undertones of purple in the sunlight, and although skinny, his body was strong with muscle.

    The boy had spotted the tower, the only building still standing amongst the rubble, and he approached it with eyes wide. The princess, struck with a sudden shyness, blushed and peeked out the window as he stood below. His voice beckoned out to the petite shadow he had seen, as he gazed up towards the single window. She felt her cold cheeks grow warm with pink and a small smile appeared on her lifeless lips. Though she was curious, she still hid herself until the knight below had wandered off into the distance.

    That night, the princess tucked herself into bed underneath the thick wool covers and lay awake, pondering why such a knight was so curious. Not a soul passing by ever took the time to question the princess, none the less approach the tower. She succumbed to the Sandman and her eyes grew heavy and eventually closed; letting her mind fall victim to her ritual nightmares.

    As the golden sun rose that morning, it hid behind the clouds once more, the dry grass remained wet with dew and the air was humid and thick; such a gloomy day indeed. Like every morning, she did not bother to leave her bed. She lay there with her eyes closed and tears trickling down her cheeks, her lips only opening to let out her cries of emotional pain. If one listened closely, the sound of faint footsteps could be heard below the tower and upon further inspection, the knight could be seen peering up, acknowledging the cries he heard.

    He called again, like he had the previous day, hoping to receive a response as he waited. He was curious to say the least; this kingdom was destroyed and it fell years ago yet one tower still stood tall and the population had disappeared along with the kingdom. Why did this soul remain? The princess seized her crying upon hearing his voice; the only voice her ears had heard for years. This voice was soft, warm and welcoming, which drew the princess towards her window. Her fragile hands wiped her moist eyes as she gazed down at the boy. He called once more, asking her why such a beautiful girl like her was weeping. She remained quiet and shrugged her shoulders, and replied timidly, explaining her never-ending loneliness and about her curse struck upon her by the Witch of Depression. “Happiness was once my friend but now it has become my most awful adversary. I have helplessly watched what seemed like a beautiful kingdom collapse before my eyes.”

    The knight’s curiosity was overcame with sorrow; her life had been tragic just as his had. “But princess,” he called, “I too have suffered from both physical and emotional pain. My kingdom is ruled by my father, the most sinister of Kings. Wine has become his favorite liquid to quench his undying thirst and rage pulses through his veins. I have been struck and I have been insulted. Although terrified, I find the strength to run off and seek that friend of yours- happiness. Come with me and all your suffering shall vanish.”

    “I couldn’t, these walls are my home. This tower still stands among the rubble and yet its walls are cold and grimy, it is the only thing that protects me from pain and suffering. I refuse to and shall never part.”

    With great disappointment, the knight hung his head and nodded. He had made up his mind; this princess would be free some day. He nodded his head once more before saying his goodbyes. The princess returned to her chamber while the boy headed off into the distance once more.

    Days passed and each day, like clock work, the boy never let her down, appearing below the window as the pale sun rose and departing as it set. Every day the two discovered more and more about each other and discovered secrets that no ears had ever heard before. A new emotion could be felt in each of their wounded hearts; it was something foreign but lovely- trust.

    One night, the sun was setting and the knight said his goodbyes but the princess grew curious and asked where the knight traveled off to every night. “Where is it that you go when the sun sets? A knight such as you should not wander these ruins alone.”

    “You see, after departing from my home, I have no where left to go. I spend my nights wandering and wait for the sun to rise in the horizon so I may grace myself with your presence.”

    The Princess’s heart sank as she listened to his every word. Her voice grew quiet and shook as she gazed down at him once more. “This tower may be small, cold and filthy but you are welcome to stay the night, if you wish.”

    He agreed almost instantly and traveled to the back of the tower, finding the large, heavy wooden door and opened it with all his might. He climbed the stairs and after almost an hour, he reached the small chamber. He walked slowly into the door and the princess smiled shyly. Her heart raced as she saw a soul other than herself in the small chamber. Body shaking, she lay down in her bed and gave the knight a thick blanket from her bed and he lay down next to the bed on the floor, his body did not shake but his heart felt as if it would jump from his chest.

    As the sun rose the next morning and shined through the small window, the princess awoke and looked over at the boy who had already been awake for hours. Upon hearing rustling, he turned to the girl and smiled shyly. His eyes stared out the window once more before he turned to her and spoke. “Why do you stay locked away up here? You are not forbidden to stay. The world is scary, I know, but I shall protect you.”

    The princess quickly looked away and shrugged. “There is nothing outside of these walls that hold importance to me, I have never once found pleasure and I have yet to reunite with the feeling of joy. What is the point of leaving if nothing is waiting?”

    He took her fragile hand in his inviting, large hand and he tugged gently, leading her out of the small room and down the hundreds of echoing stairs. As the couple marched down the stairs, he spoke, “You have yet to leave these walls and discover the world beyond this kingdom. Happiness may lie just beyond these trees.”

    He opened the door and was the first to step out, his hand loosening its grip and returning to his side and his eyes smiled and his voice cooed as he spoke of encouraging words. She stood motionless in the doorway, timid and shaking as she peered out towards the horizon. Her eyes squinted as the sun shone brightly into her eyes, blinding her momentarily. She trembled, this time in fear, and shook her head as she refused to leave multiple times.

    He tried to persuade her to free herself from her misery and he was determined to free this girl he had grown to care about so dearly. “One step; just take one step and you’re free. I will never leave your side in this new world.”

    He took her hand once more and pulled her towards him, into the fresh, crisp air. A small foot stepped into the moist grass and was followed slowly by another. Her lungs inhaled and took in her first deep breath of fresh air and a warm smile broke her pale lips, her faded skin began to glow, her curls auburn gained their luster and her emerald eyes scanned the land curiously, glistening in the light. Upon seeing the girl’s smile, the Knight sported a large smile as he led her farther into the world, watching the princess who resembled a child in a candy shop. “See? It’s not so horrible”

    The two walked for hours through the decaying forests and dirty rubble until they spotted a shining light through the twisted branches. Curious and eager to find the source of this light, their pace hurried as they walked towards it.

    As they walked deeper in the forest, the trees along the path transformed from dead, dying trees into blooming trees with fresh, green leafs. As the trees began to thin and the branches untwisted, the sound of voices could be heard along with quiet giggles.

    Finally, as they reached the end of the forest, their eyes gazed upon a new kingdom- a utopia. Frozen, the Knight and Princess both gazed upon the bright landscape.

    The sun was always shining, not a cloud could be seen in the azure sky, the civilians adorned joyous smiles, the flowers bloomed and smelled of nature and the sound of happiness could be heard chiming at all times.

    The couple turned to look at each other and the boy grabbed the girl’s hands and cradled them gently as he peered deeply into her eyes. “You’re safe now. Such a beautiful kingdom as this deserves a beautiful Princess such as you.” He said with a wide smile on his dirty face. The once timid Princess grinned back at her knight in glistening armor and paused briefly. Did she finally find her old friend she once loved? Did she dare speak the words that raced through her mind?

    Her lips parted and three soft words broke the peaceful silence.

    “I love you.”

    The knight remained quiet but his expression was a positive one; a small smile upon his lips and his eyes glistening, staring deeply into hers. He did not speak, not wanting to break the wonderful silence. Did he find the one thing he had been searching for?

    Before he could speak, he leaned down and pressed his warm lips against hers; the sun shining warmly on the couple, as if declaring peace and unity. As the kiss was broken the two embraced tightly, becoming one, and with hand in hand they traveled into their new world; a utopia thought only to exist in fairytales.

    There is such a thing as happily ever after.

    heart