Swan Lake

Peasants, Pheasants, and Presents

In the garden of the castle, a prince and his friends were in each others company celebrating his birthday. Drinking ale and wine, they dined on dried plums and roasted pheasant. Peasant girls danced around, enjoying the company of the young lords as they whispered sweet nothings into the maidens ears or danced.

His mother, the queen entered in with her entourage and ladies in waiting, interrupting the festivities. The prince came up to her, and she kissed his forehead after he bowed. She gestured to one of her hand maidens. She brought fourth a well crafted crossbow and gave it to queen Elizabeth. In turn, the queen gave it to her son, wishing him a glorious birthday.

"Thank you, mama." He said before kissing her hand. He got up and was about to leave before his mother reached out to him. "Siegfried, child," the queen addressed. "I have important news that I shall deliver. Your father, the king, his ministers, and I have been speaking privately about your future as well as the kingdoms."

"What are the matters, your highness?" Siegfried asked annoyed, knowing what was coming.

"Since you are of age, you must choose a bride, preferably on the morrow at the ball."

He smiled, gleefully. "I already know who I wish to wed." he said, cheekily. The queen looked surprised.

"Then by all means, tell." she said with a graceful gesture.

"I have asked for Benno's hand. We will make a fine couple and rule the kingdom well, do you not agree?"

The queen was not amused. "No, I do not agree." She shook her head scornfully. "It is time for you to grow up." She said, crossly.

"I have grown." he said, still smiling as he gestured to himself. "I was serious in what I had said." He mocked. She boxed his ears, earning glances from his friends. His face flared from embarrassment, so he clenched his jaw.

"If you do not do what I say, the King and his ministers will choose a bride for you. A duchess from my country in Poland."

Siegfried glared at his mother. He was angry that he would end up not marrying for love. He nodded in silent agreement. With a gentle nod, the Queen leaves Siegfried with a look of mild disgust after kissing her eldest son's forehead. After she had left, Benno and Sigfried's tutor came to lift the Prince's melancholy mood. The prince graced them with a small smile and followed them back to the festivities. The peasant girls came up to them and fed them food and gave them wine. Sigfried took a big drink from the goblet as a young girl clasped his shoulder.

Just then a commotion came from the yard. "Look!" Benno pointed, "wild swans!"

The prince and his tutor looked to where hen was suggesting and Siegfried watched the great, white birds fly across the pink and yellow sky into the glare of the sunset.

"Men," Siegfried called with authority. "Let us give chase to these magnificent birds, so that we may eat them at the glorious feast tomorrow." He gestured to the peasant girls, "good night ladies." He then bide his tutor good bye.

"They went towards the forest." A youth called. Siegfried and his friend, Benno, grabbed their bows and jumped on their pre-saddled horses. Sigfried was happy to be able to use his mother's gift.

The horses galloped through the fields with the rowdy boys on their backs as the light of evening casted shadows on the velvet green. Siegfried loved the hunt, and the feel of adrenaline coursing through his body. He was not ready to get married. But, he knew that he had to. He also knew that the woman he was fond of wasn't ready for his life.

"The forest is to dark and is dangerous at night." one of the young men warned. "I'm turning back." The rest agreed.

"Come on," cried the Prince with a smile, "where is the adventure?"

"I'll continue on this quest, dear prince," Benno commented.

"We shall continue." he agreed with a grin. The two rode through the trees, their horse's heavy footfalls startling the dark and shady wood.