AURORA

Chapter 4: Part I

             

           My celebration is only moments away. I only manage to think of my mother and the last words we said to each other. How livid I feel. The darkness has indeed followed me. It never left. My mother is what caused it to spark. Her opposition towards me upset me deeply. If she wouldn't accept me, my kingdom would. I pace in my room thinking about the festival. About the people and how they will perceive me.

           I'm already dressed up in my regal black dress. It compliments my figure and my personality. I hear wings flapping and getting closer. I sense that it's my raven. With a wave of my hands, I thrust my window open to let him in. He settles in on my shoulder. I stroke the side of his silky feathers. The guard outside my door says with enthusiasm, "Queen Aurora, it is time for your arrival to the festival." I stand up completely straight. My chin perfectly faced forward. I stride graciously through the door way.

          As we head outside, the night sky looks like a painting. Its colors compliment the festival. Night seems to have known that I planned on having a festival. Barrels of root bear line the tables. Streamers pinned above us. The air reeking of smoked sausages. The women are dressed in these tight dresses and their hair resembles cotton candy. The men wear these skin tight pants, shirts that button up to their neck, shoes that dig into the ground as they walk, and their hair tapered down. Giving them a dashing, handsome look. These are my people. My citizens. I ask my guards before thinking of anything else, bring out my mother please." Aside from the people and decor, the only thing that appeals to my eyes the most, is my throne. It's complex design standing out among everything around it. I can feel the comfy seating and the arm rest. The black rug that welcomes me. My thoughts are interrupted by the sounds of horns. They ring through the kingdom. The men playing the horns are in sync.

            This is my signal to walk. I slowly walk forward. Stride by stride. Taking in the people looking at me. I feel their excitement. I remember that I have on this long, black dress. Perhaps they're looking at me in amazement. I try to understand their thoughts as they look at me. Some look with envy. Others look with curiosity. I feel my feet touch the black rug and walk as if I had done this for years. The walk felt like it would never end, but I didn't mind. As the people stared, my mind filled with pleasure. I reach my throne and the horns stop. I slowly turned around so I could sit. I lay my hands on one another as I sat. I knew what was coming. My crown was about to lay its beauty on my head.

            A nobleman bows and walks forward. I gently nod my head to him in acceptance. In his hand is the intricate pillow I asked to put my crown on this morning. In it lies my stunning crown. To the left of me is a very handsome young man. His face as charming as they come. His correct posture has been trained and his skin as bronze as brushed gold. I'm fascinated by him. No one has ever caught my attention before. He steps forward and asks, "My queen, I would like to volunteer to be the one to place your crown." I ask, "What is your name?" He replies, "Daniel, my queen." I reply, "Well Daniel, you have courage. Proceed." He stands in front of me and removes the crown from the pillow. His hands carefully moves toward my head. Everything around me slows. The crown touches my lovely red hair and one of the men from the crowd with a pint of root bear in his hands shouts, "To Queen Aurora!" The entire kingdom lets out this loud chant in unison, "To Queen Aurora!" Their voices shook the ground. My heart began to beat faster and a rush shoots through my body. To them, I have always been queen. They treated the festival as a party, as well they should. I on the other hand treated this day as my coronation. My accepting of the throne. A hush falls over the kingdom.

           I stand courteously and brace myself to say something. "I am honored to be your queen. This nation will not fall. You will be safe here. Our walls will be impenetrable. Your undying loyalty to me and Dubar will be unbreakable. The last word echoes in my head. Unbreakable. Unbreakable. More cheering and rooting ensues. I raise my hand as a symbol for silence. "Now, will my mother please come forward?"

           She hesitantly steps forward. I'm aware that she's cautious, because I sent her to the dungeons. This was for good reason. "I'm sorry about earlier, but I did it to protect you." She were silent but she understood my reasons. "People of Dubar, this is my mother. My lovely mother Amira. She's the rock of my life. She will be treated as you would me. Now enjoy the festivities and all that this kingdom will bring to you."

           My mother walks over to me as I'm heading to go check out the festivities. She says, "Aurora, I really want to go home." "I know you do mother, but I need you here." "You mean you want me here. I serve no purpose here." I then feel a cold wind flow through me. I say in a slow fashion, "Your resistance will not make your stay any easier mother." This through conversation is over." Her defiance lingers over me. "Guards, send her back to the dungeons. Feed her well. Clothe her in the finest clothing, but don't let her anywhere outside the castle." "Yes, your highness." I watch her leave and I feel power and control.

          I decide to go to this table full of all kinds of foods. Yams that were ripe and sweet. Green apples that were freshly picked just for today. Hams that had been smoked over an open fire. I decide to try the yams and just as I'm about to bite into it I hear, "Step back sir, no one can see the queen." I look back and see Daniel. The attractive Daniel. "You can let him go." "What brings you over here Daniel?" He replies in this broken English voice, "Why you your highness. Forgive me if this offends you, but when I saw you walk down that black rug, you looked so beautiful. You looked astonishing. I couldn't resist asking to crown you. It allowed me to get an even closer view of you." "I'm flattered Daniel. You are a very brave and courageous man. This intrigues me." "Shall we take a walk my queen?" "Why certainly." We go on to talk for the entire night, well after the festival is over. His conversation was bliss. Somehow we end up standing in front of my castle. He looks into my eyes and I can tell what he wants to do. He wants his lips to touch mine. I want to learn him, study him, and know him. Before giving him any chance to make a move I say, "Well, I'm afraid it's time for me to head to my chambers." He laughs and says, "Of course my queen, I bid thee goodnight." He grabs my right hand. Kisses it. Takes a strong bow and walks off into the midst of the night.