Taming the Supernatural

~ ONE ~

"Every ten years,
The Boy-King searches all the lands,
For a girl.
He comes on the darkest and coldest night,
During the full moon.
This girl is meant to change him.
Save him.
However, he wants to kill her.
Destroy her.
He wants no one,
To get in his way of his rise to power.
Once he finds her,
There is no telling what he will do.
So girls, watch out. Lock your windows, for he is coming for you.

    "Legend has it that no one can tame the Boy-King. Many believe that his supernatural abilities surpass even the most powerful wizards that have ever lived, like the Dark-One, maybe even Merlin himself. However, Merlin did not dwell in Dark Magic. Even the Dark One's ability to manipulate and use the darkness to his advantage did not surpass that of the Boy-King. So children beware, you do not know what lurks in the night - waiting to steal you from the comforts of your quilts and-"

    A scoff was heard in the background. "Grandmother, this is crazy. The Boy-King has not been seen for years and boys have been disappeared for a long time. It's merely a fairytale to scare young children into behaving properly," the young girl said as she crossed her arms over her chest.

    Her grandmother clicked her tongue. "My dear child, you are young and in bloom. I've heard your father speaking with one of the chancellors about arranging a marriage with his son. You are luck enough to be born into a middle class family, where men are willing to marry young maidens. If you were to disappear, it would reflect badly on us all. it is your duty to uphold the family honour. Because tonight is the end of another decade, any person between the ages of twelve and eighteen could go missing."

    The maiden frowned. "Grandmother, you worry too much. There are no signs that anything is changing. Tonight is just another normal night and the full moon that will be present in two days time will also be just another normal night. There is nothing new or special about it. Besides, it would be better if I was kidnapped, I have no intention of marrying a man I do not love. I have yet to meet him!" she exclaimed, her voice laced with exasperation. "Why can I not choose who I marry? I want someone who will love me and ask for my hand in marriage; I want someone to pursue me because they want to, not because father said so. I am just glad that he has not found someone yet."

    The elderly lady placed a gentle hand on her grandchild's shoulder. "My child, you are almost sixteen, you are fit for marriage. But you do not have to fret, perhaps you could learn to love this young fellow as you spend time with him. Perhaps when you go off to your new home with him you will learn to love him. Perhaps he will be a gentleman on your wedding night and while you carry children. He might even help you nurse and raise them from time to time," she paused when she heard her grandchild groan.

    "Children? I do not want children, nor do I know where they really come from. Mother and Father still believe that I think that storks bring little babes in baskets and leave them on a family doorstep, but I have never seen a bird of the sort ever in my life," she looked up at her grandmother, "could you speak to Father? Perhaps you can convince him to put off my marriage until I find-"

    "That is out of the question, my dear. You are in your prime; it is the best time to get married. It was the same when I saw your father marry your mother. When his father told me that he had found his wife, I was happy to meet your mother. She is as sweet as they come, and she grew to love your father over time, just like I did your grandfather," she sighed. "You will learn where children come from on your wedding night. That is where you and your new husband will begin your attempts to conceive."

    "Conceive? What does that mean? What if I never love him? What if I remain miserable for the rest of my life?"

    "My dear child, you mustn't fret. The answers to all the questions that run through your mind will all be answered eventually." Her grandmother helped her up from her bed and brought her to the lavatory. Letting her wash up, her grandmother set her nightgown on the bed. The young maiden remained quiet as she got dressed. Her burning questions never left her mind.