The Forest Princess

Larimar's Engagement

Put on the spot on her twenty-first birthday, Princess Larimar didn't know what to say. She and Peregrin hadn't talked about marriage yet. She wasn't ready to announce anything at all. Why did her father do this to her?

Helplessly she looked across the ballroom where Peregrin and Tilia were standing. The woodcutter was about to leave the room when his daughter tugged his arm. He thought the Crown Princess of Jasper was going to announce her engagement to some prince or king of another country.

Tilia knew this wasn't true. "Dad," the girl said in a hushed voice, "we have to ask her."

The woodcutter had wanted to disappear quietly in the crowd, but the child wouldn't let him. Now it was to late. All eyes were looking at him.

"You're right, Tilia," he replied and took a deep breath. "We have to ask her. Let's ask both of them."

Peregrin and his daughter walked up to King Obsidian and his daughter, and in front of all the distinguished birthday guests, and with all the people of the Kingdom of Jasper as witnesses, they asked for the hand of the princess in marriage.

King Obsidian had to say 'yes', Princess Larimar kissed her future husband and daughter, Queen Ruby wiped a tear out of the corner of her eye, and all the guests raised their glasses.

Then the music started again, and Larimar, Peregrin and Tilia danced their first dance together as a family.

When the princess finally got into her bedroom very late that night she took the smart box out of her secret cupboard. She looked into the polished tourmaline square. When she saw the scene in the black stone her heart sank.

The night after her engagement should have been a happy time for the princess. The few hours that were left of that night, however, were filled with worries and sadness.