Valorous

Prologue

Under the giving tree

I read Thumbelina to the children of the Village under the giving tree. With its bright pink leaves whispering ever so calmly in the background, the tree provides shade from the beaming sun. I bring a basket full of water and blankets for us to sit on. As Princess, it is not my duty to read to the children but to pay the people of Vail the slightest bit of attention. It is written as the bare minimum. I choose to do more than the bare minimum. I read them stories, take them to the pond, through the castle, and even to The Enchanted Forest. Unbeknownst to my parents, of course. They don't wish that I stop reading to the children, but that I stop leaving the castle without security. But I feel it makes me seem apart from the children. They would ask, "Princess, who are they and why are they always with you?" I respond why. Then they follow up with, "Why don't we have some?" When in reality, I wish I didn't have them. Security following me around that is. I remind them that we're all equal. Including the people who were banished to Castaway. My father, King Brawn, banished them when I was a baby. I know of the bad things they've done, but to me, they're still people.

I'm due to be queen in a couple of days as it's my 18th birthday. My mother, Queen Grace, suggested that I spend more time with the children as that is one of my promises as Queen. To build more schools and safe environments for them.

Today, we walked through the castle before we hiked down to the giving tree. The giving tree sits on its island, not that far from the mainland. We take small wooden boats painted by the children to get there. The tree waves ever so slightly with its pink bright leaves with hints of peach. It's the reason we have magic. The ability to banish and conjure potions to fulfill our land and homes. Although it may be misused, it is our greatest treasure.

After reading to the children, I promised to take them to the bakery to get some of the fresh pie. While in the castle, they overheard my mother mentioning these pies, and they couldn't resist. The smell of bread and pastries baking in the mornings flooded the mainland. Most of these baked goods were meant for the castle, which I never agreed with. Villagers must cook and bake their own foods. I was wrong for letting them eat from the bakery but, I didn't care.

One of the little girls named Cleo tapped me on my shoulder as I bent over to pull the rest of the children out of the boat. "Yes?" I asked, glancing over at her cheek filled face.

"I made this for you." She said, reaching into her tiny black boot, as most of our dresses didn't carry pockets. "Oh, what is it?" I said excited, pulling the last child from the boat. Cleo loves to draw, and she draws for me often. But this time felt extremely special. She passed me a folded piece of paper that seemed to be a map to Veil.

Veil is my Kingdom, which holds the mainland, The Enchanted Forest, Castaway, The Veil Sea, and The Giving Tree. We are a smaller kingdom that is a part of many more unions and sectors.
The mainland houses the castle, the village, the well, and a closer route to The Giving Tree. We also have a bridge that connects to the Enchanted Forest. The forest is home to all of our mystical and majestic beings. The children love talking to the fairies whenever we go.
Castaway is where all of the bad and more dangerous beings reside. My father manages that area.

I remember seeing small fairies at my bedside when I was younger. They would disguise themselves as my dolls whenever the maids would enter the room, preventing their banishment.

The words to describe Veil are minimal but full of truth. Veil is beautiful and worry free. A place most people wouldn't want to leave. Somewhere I hope to make an even better place.

"Thank you, Cleo, your coloring is very beautiful." I said, analyzing the map.
"You're welcome, princess." She smiled.
I smiled back, refolding the map and tucking it into my bra. I hurried the children into a line as we marched our way to the bakery, singing the Kingdoms fight song.

"Behind the trees, to the left of the breeze, Veil sits high and profound.
No more worries, protected by lilies, and warriors who come from all around.
Fear shouldn't be near, you're well protected here, the mainland is your safe ground. All hail Vail, The Kingdom of Vail, there's no way to stop us now!"

While making our way to the Bakery, the watch tower sounded the alarm.
I gasped, "Children, follow me!" My hands guiding their backs towards the castle, our plans were suddenly changed. 'I don't remember Mother saying there would be a drill.' I thought to myself. Whatever it was, I hoped I could get them to the castle in time. Our feet stamped the ground as we ran, hoping to reach the castle soon. We saw the villagers closing their windows and locking their doors. Some even tried convincing us to hide in their homes. But I knew the castle was the safest as I was deadset on getting the children there.

While running I saw one of my aids, Lester, off in the distance outside of the castle. "Princess!" He yelled. "What are you doing?" I wasn't supposed to be outside of the castle without him remember. "Get the Children!" I yelled back. I lagged behind as my knees began to grow weak from the running. "But Princes--" "GET THEM LESTER, NOW!" I shouted. Soon after, I saw my mother come out on her balcony that sat the highest on the castle. Her eyes full of fear. But they weren't locked with mine. No one's eyes locked with mine. They were focused on whatever was behind me. I dropped to the ground, excepting the fact that I could no longer run. Once I hit the ground, I was met with this extreme vibration. A rhythmic vibration. Almost like, a gallop. I turned around slowly to the color black personified. Darkness in his natural form. The Castaways. "PRINCESS!" Lester screamed, rushing to his horse. The children made it into the castle safely, and I felt better because of that. But, before I could react, I was scooped up by my waist onto the horse of a Castaway. How did they get here? What did they want? As soon as I got on the horse, half of them stopped charging the castle and made their way back in the opposite direction.

"Hello Princess." One of them chuckled, caressing my face. "Don't touch me! I request to be put down immediately!" I screamed. "Or what?" They laughed. Continuing on the path.

We reached the edge of the mainland, closer to the Joining Bridge and stopped at the Well. They pushed me off of the horse, causing me to hit the ground hard. Before I could react, One of them forced a small bottle of purple liquid into my mouth. "You have been banished, and if you happen to return you will be fed to my dogs." His hair was black, his face pale, and he dressed in all black with swords and knives attached to his clothing. I made note of that. There was also a scar on his face that was shaped like a knife. I wondered if it was intentional.

They lifted me up and put me on the edge of the Well. "You don't have to do this, please!" I pleaded. They all laughed in my face. The one dressed in all black walked up to me and said, "Bye, Princess." Before raising his foot and kicking me down the Well.