Once Upon a Faerie Tale

Chapter 7

Seven:
In the kingdom of Riada there had been oppression for years. And the people openly fought against it. Some had known life before King Youpeng forced his way into the throne thirty five years earlier. And those that remembered passed their knowledge onto their children who stood to gain the same freedoms their parents had once enjoyed.
But their efforts seemed to be in vain. Year after year more and more of the citizens that resisted were killed or imprisoned for their rebellious actions. But the people of Riada did not give up hope. Instead, it seemed to give them more of a purpose and younger and younger boys joined the rebellion.
One such boy was Josanu Rone whose father had been one of the original leaders of the rebellion. When his father was killed he soon moved up the ranks in the movement and led some of the most successful raids and battles than any other in the kingdom.
Josanu fought for more than just freedom and his family. He also fought for a young woman whom he loved. Analee Pirou had been his friend when they were children. Their fathers and older siblings had gathered together at meetings, and the children had been left with Analee’s mother.
When they were old enough to understand what love really was, their feelings began to blossom for each other, and with each passing year, Analee became more and more beautiful. Although many boys panted after her, she had eyes only for Josanu.
When they finally professed their love for each other more and more battles were happening each day, taxes had been raised, those who could not afford the taxes were thrown in jail, and anyone the king deemed a threat was killed or thrown in prison. When word reached Analee’s ears one day that the king had ordered Josanu killed she smuggled him into the woods, not wanting him to be caught.
And the years progressed for Analee and Josanu, unable to be married, they still met each day in the forest. Because she was nervous for the safety of her family and herself, Josanu taught Analee how to fight with a dagger and a sword. She soon became quite good and felt herself worthy for battle.
The day approached that she would go to battle to fight for freedom when her father came to her while she was sewing and made her promise that she would never fight in battle, no matter what happened. Analee was upset, and worried at her father’s insistence. To keep him quiet, she half-heartedly agreed, not wishing to create an argument.
If anything happens to father, she told herself silently, even as she promised, I will fight for my country.
***
“Why would she promise if she wasn’t going to keep it?” Darby asked, playing with one of the ruffles on her dress.
It was always difficult explaining morality to children and Verona hated it. There was never an easy way to explain fine lines, even to a teenager. She was in her sixties and she still didn’t understand many of them herself. Indeed, she had crossed many of them to get to where she was in life. She had made the many hard decisions that had ultimately guaranteed the happiness of her son, even if it meant tearing him away from the only world he had ever known. It was the price you paid, she told herself, you knew if you came here you would never go back, you don’t even know if there is a way back. You’d better hope so, if Darby’s going to clean up the mess you left behind. “She wanted to do her part. She was loyal to her family.”
Darby’s eyebrows knit together and she fiddled with the ruffles some more. “I guess…”
Verona smiled, “You’ll change your mind soon enough,” She said.
The girl shrugged her shoulders, pushing a curled strand of hair out of her face.
“Well,” the older woman said, “Analee was still very dedicated to her family. She loved her brother and her father very much and she was devastated the day that the news came in that her father had been killed and her brother sent to prison. And she intended to make good on her promise to herself. She was going to go out and join the rebellion and storm the castle if she needed to, but Josanu got to her first.”
The girl leaned back on the bed against the wall, the crepe satin rustling, “I can’t decide if Analee is brave or stupid.” Darby said, suddenly biting her lip and looking up at the ceiling as the memory of the night assaulted her and tears began to well up in her eyes.
“She was brave, darling, very brave. But whoever said that stupidity wasn’t a factor in bravery?”
“But why was she so determined to go after something that she knew would only end in her death or capture. It was hopeless. I mean, her father and brother are nameless victims in this story and they’re the relatives of the main character!” She sighed and crossed her arms, “Grandma, I think you need to work on your story telling skills. I get that fairy tales are simple, but where do you come up with this stuff?”
“Ah, who said I made it up?” Verona said putting her hand on the bed and sliding up next to her granddaughter.
“But their stories. Fairy tales aren’t real, they’re just things that people make up to make themselves feel better about life.”
“That’s what people think. But I can assure you, Darby, that these stories are very real.”
“Yeah, whatever,” She said and waved her hand dismissively, “Just go on.”
Indignation rose up in Verona, her granddaughter was upset, with good reason, but she had no cause for rudeness. But she’s young, she thought, I’ll give her a little leeway…for now. “Fine.” She said, “Josanu was there for Analee, he knew that she would try something reckless and dangerous and he risked being caught to keep her out of trouble.”
“So romantic.” Darby accused sarcastically.
“Now, young lady, you can have respect or I will leave.” Verona said sharply. “I will not have you speaking to me that way, and I know your parents did not raise you that way.”
The only response she gained was a rolling of eyes and a nod.
With a wary eye on the child that had brought so much joy to her life, Verona continued, “Soon after her father’s death and her brother’s imprisonment, the rebellion Josanu lead decided to make a move for the prison, this way they could, hopefully release some of their dwindled numbers and bring back Analee’s brother.
“But there were other events going on that night as well,” the older woman spoke quietly, “In the castle the king, King Youpeng, was getting ready for a ball that would start the next day. The final fitting was occurring at night because there would be no other time the following day. But as the king stood there, admiring himself in the mirror, the seamstress made a fatal mistake…”
***
The sharp pain in Youpeng’s leg caused him to cry out and kick the seamstress I the shoulder. Looking down at his leg, he discovered a small hole in the delicate fabric, one ripped by the woman who had been his seamstress for nearly fifteen years. “You fool!” He boomed, stepping off the pedestal and yelling for the guards, “Execute this woman! And find me a seamstress!” He paused while the guards stood still, looking at him, “NOW!” He roared, throwing his hands dramatically.
It wasn’t thirty minutes later that a tall, blonde soldier with a mole on his chin banged on Analee’s door so hard, dust was sent up into the air. She opened the door quickly, worried that something had happened to Josanu during the raid on the jail. But instead of one of the villagers, a soldier stood there, tall and proud in his pristine uniform. “Analee Pirou?” He asked, his arms straight at his side. Two other uniformed men stood behind him in an equal stance.
“Yes.” She said, cautiously.
“His Majesty, the King demands your presence.” He said, looking down his nose at her, admiring her figure and the beauty of her face.
Analee’s mind raced desperately, what could the king possibly want with her, especially at this hour. “Of course,” She said, “Let me just get a shawl.” Leaving the door open she rushed back to the bedroom and collected the light shawl that was more for polite decoration rather than warmth.
Upon arrival at the castle, Analee was surprised at the fear the servants displayed toward the soldiers. She wondered what things happened here that went unchecked and unquestioned. It was only after they had traveled through a wide maze of corridors and stairs that the soldier knocked on a door that seemed identical to all the others they had passed. “Who is it!” An angry voice yelled from inside the room.
“Marlin, Your Majesty.” The solider with the mole said respectfully. “I have the seamstress you desired.”
“Well, what are you waiting for?” Analee felt her knees shake at the threat of anger in the man’s voice. “Bring her in this instant!”
The door was opened and she was dragged inside by the two accompanying soldiers. There stood the king, a tall man with broad shoulders and a face that might have been handsome if it hadn’t been marred by the perpetual frown and the flush of anger to his skin.
The king opened his mouth to yell again, but was stopped as he looked upon the face of a woman more beautiful than any he had ever seen. It was then that he was ultimately very grateful that he had beheaded his fourth wife just two weeks ago, as it now afforded him an opportunity to marry this beautiful commoner. “You will be my wife.” He simply said.
***
“WHAT?” Darby cried, sitting up and looking at her grandmother. “His wife? Are you crazy? What kind of story is this?”
Verona chuckled, “I told you, it isn’t a story. I don’t make these things up.”
“Whatever, but his wife though? Why? She’s going to marry Josanu and have little rebel babies.”
“Oh, sweetie, that wouldn’t make a very interesting story, now would it?”
“I thought this wasn’t a story.”
“You know what I meant.”
“Whatever, what happens next?”