Fire and Ice

Years Ago

"Well, you see, there is event coming up and we want you to attend." My mother finally said.

"Oh what is it? Where is it? When?" I asked with excitement.

"Nashi, calm down, this is serious." My father grumbled, putting his tea cup on the small plate and placing it on the table next to the window.

"Ok ok, but what is it?"  I questioned, standing up.

"It a ball, a masquerade if you will."

"Ooo! We haven't had one of those in forever!" I chirped, jumping up and down in excitement.

"Nashi, please." My father said sternly. I stopped jumping and looked down at my feet.

"Sorry," I mumbled sheepishly.

"The masquerade is being hosted by the Ice Kingdom's rulers. That's why this is serious."

"What. . .you mean. . .I'll be leaving the castle to go to the ice kingdom?" My eyes grew twice their size and I went silent.

I haven't been out of the castle in years since what happened...what felt like so long ago.

Flashback:

I was 10 years old. I was an adventurous child that always wanted to discover something new. I had already seen the inside of the castle. What I really wanted to see was the town just outside my home.

So I snuck out alone and went to explore.
I saw many new things that day. A bakery, a street corner performance, and so many new faces. But I not only got to learn of the wonderful things outside the castle, I learned some pretty dark things as well.

It was getting dark and I knew I should be getting back home. I tried finding my way back, but only became more lost. It was nightfall now and I had no luck of finding my way to the castle. But I never gave up.

I decided to ask someone for directions. I looked around, but it was late and no one was outside anymore. I continued to search for help when I happened upon a small, run down, I would later learn it to be, pub. Laughter came from it's guests and light spewed from it's windows.

It, being the only place in sight that was still open, I walked in. It was loud and full of men of every kind. I looked for someone that I could talk to. I walked up to a man that was talking with his four other colleagues. They were quiet and seemed the best out of everyone there.

I walked up to the man and shyly asked for directions to my home, the castle. He only had to look at me once to tell that I was the princess of this land. He said he would be glad to help me and would even take me there himself.

We went out side, the man, his friends, and I  got into his wagon.  One of his comrades were controlling the wagon which was pulled by one horse. We traveled down the road, I looked at all that there was to see. Which was hard because of the lack of street lights.

Looking out at the street I overheard the men talk about me and guessing how much money I was worth. I also heard the words 'king' and 'ransom' mentioned.
This was bad, I knew I needed to get out of there quick.

The only exit to get away from these men was
to jump.
As I prepared for my leap to the streets, I felt a firm grip on my arm the pulled me back into the wagon. I was then tied up, helpless to what was going to happen next.

But that is all I remembered after that, the rest was just a blur. I remember seeing my worried fathers face and lots of people yelling but that was it.

I then found myself back at the castle in a large bed just waking up.
It was still night, the moon and stars were still high in the sky. I looked around until my ears caught some voices drawing near.

I quickly laid back down and acted like I was asleep. I heard foot steps and two people speaking.
They were talking about me and the horrible adventure I had. I opened my eyes to see who they were, but just a crack so it looked like I was still sleeping.
It was my mother and father.

My mother had looked like she already cried a river of tears and my father look worried like I have never seen him before.

I later found out that my father had been informed about my disappearance through my maids. He sent several search parties to search the streets for any sign of me.
My father joined one of the groups of soldiers that went out, and that was the group that found me.
I was found heading to the Ice Realm, half conscious with a bunch of Ice citizens.

~~~

Now my father was finally letting me out of the castle. . .out into the world. It was strange, not only was I being let out of my bird cage, I was being let out to the exact reason I was locked way in the first place. . .

The Ice Kingdom.