Short Story Collection

The Amulet in the Garden

There once lived a queen named Beth.  She loved gardens and plants. After marrying in to the royal family, her husband, King Reginald, had the already beautiful gardens extended for his wife to enjoy.

Beth was unable to have children, however, one day she had discovered that she was pregnant. She was overcome with joy and rushed to share the news with her beloved husband. Beth had given birth to a beautiful baby girl, whom she named Lillian. The baby was more commonly referred to as Lily, because that was Beth's favourite flower.

Lily was a beautiful baby with dusty blonde hair and smiling hazel eyes. She was adorable and healthy. However, Beth had complications during her pregnancy and, as a result, died weeks after giving birth to little Lillian.

The king, who was overjoyed at the birth of his beautiful baby daughter whom he had awaited for so many years, was now overcome with grief over the death of his beloved wife.

Wihout thinking rationally, he abruptly decided that Lily be sent to an orphanage. Many argued with the king, but he was blinded by his grief. It was then that Beth's older sister, Margaret, adopted Lily.

The king did not go against this decision. Margaret took Lily and cared for and treated her as if she were her own daughter. It was decided that Lily would not be told of her origin.

And so the years went on; Lily grew to be a fine young woman. She was bubbly with great sense of humour. Everyone enjoyed her company and she was well known in the village.

One day, as Lily went to the bakery to get some rolls and buns, a woman on a horse approached her. Lily looked up and noticed that the horse had the royal crest on a piece of fabric around its neck.

"Who do seek?" asked Lily.
"I seek Lillian. Might that be you?" said the lady.
"Yes, that is me."
"This letter is for you." And the lady left after handing a brown envelope to Lily.

Lily walked home, and when she arrived, she found that Margaret wore a look of unhappiness.
"What's the matter?" asked Lily kindly.
"You have received a letter. Am I correct?" asked Margaret.
Lily nodded.
"Hand it over," demanded Margaret.

This took Lily by surprise. Margaret was never so demanding and cruel.
"No," replied Lily, "it has been addressed to me and, therefore, belongs to me. I will not have you demanding from me what is mine." And with that, Lily walked to her room and shut the door.

She opened the letter and read:

My dearest Lillian,

It is I, your father, the king. I presume that Margaret hasn't informed you of your origin. That is why I have chosen to write this letter to you.

When your mother left us, I was blinded by grief. I felt as if I would not be able to bare the task of raising you with out your mother at my side. Therefore, I felt it best for you to be raised by Margaret; she is your mother's sister after all.

But now, my dearest Lillian, I find that those actions of sending you away was the biggest mistakes I ever made.
Now, Lillian, I humbly ask that you give me the chance to correct those mistakes.

I fear that my time to leave this world is near, but as a father, I ask that you give me the chance to meet my daughter. Think about it,  dearest Lillian.

Don't bother to write back, but if you are willing to meet me, come by the palace on Thursday. However, if are not willing to meet me, then please know that I completely understand.

Best wishes,
Your father
-R

Lily re-read the letter until her eyes burned. She finally folded it up and exited her room with it in her hands. She entered the dining room to find Margaret, the woman she believed to be her mother, crying witha cup of tea in her hands.

Lily went over and said, "Mother, I want to meet my father."

***

Lily was nervous as she and Margaret entered through the palace gates. At the top of the stone steps stood the king smiling brightly.
As Lily approached her father forward and hugged his daughter tightly. He sighed and said, "You look just like your mother."
Lily couldn't help but smile.

As the years passed, Lily and her father grew closer. It was then decided that Lily would be the new ruler in one years time. But, unfortunately, one month before her coronation, King Reginald passed away due to a massive heart attack. Lily was devestated.

One morning shortly after her father's death, Lily went wandering into the palace gardens. She walked and walked, lost in her own thoughts, until she stumbled upon a little well.

There was no water in it, but there was a little piece of paper on the ground stuck under a rock. Lily pulled it out and opened it. It read:

Reginald,

If you find this, there should be a little box in the bucket of the well.
If I do not live to see my little Lillian grow up, please give her this present.

I love you,
-Beth

Lily folded up the piece of paper and placed in her pocket. She then pulled up the bucket from the well to find an old, dishevelled box inside will an 'L' neatly written on it, but it was faded.

Lily gently opened the box to find an amulet shaled like a lily.
Lily smiled to herself. She would keep this beautiful amulet for ever.