Love is a Language

Imagination

Slowly, ever so slowly, Winter finally gave way to Spring. It was as if Winter was trying to hold on for just a little longer and give the orphans one last glittering white world to enjoy before Spring finally shooed the colder temperatures away. There were some days that still weren't quite warm enough for the orphans to run about barefoot in just shorts and t-shirts, but they could at least go outside without too much worry of catching colds. A light jacket was all they needed, though there were a few brave souls who claimed that they didn't need one. However, they were quickly rounded up and shooed back inside by Miss Trelawny to go find at least a sweater to wear.

The game of "Knights and Dragons" moved outside as well when Mister McCrae came back to visit. He'd been gone for a few weeks to take care of some family business, though Miss Trelawny had assured her charges that he'd made sure to call her during his absence. While the two of them would have liked to have just a little more private time together, they both understood that the children missed Mister McCrae just as much as the two adults had missed each other. But Miss Trelawny was not excluded from the game, however. One of the girls decided that all the knights needed a better reason to slay the dragon than just wanting it dead. So, they all decided that Miss Trelawny should be given the role of a princess, and that Mister McCrae should kidnap her. Mister McCrae thought this was a wonderful idea.

Despite the children's unanimous agreement though, Henry had a few concerns. "But don't we want Mister McCrae and Miss Trelawny to be together?" he asked shyly, looking around at his peers. "If the knights kill the dragon," he went on, "wouldn't that mean they'd be separated?" The children looked at each other, then back to Mister McCrae, who simply shrugged at them as if to say 'I'm just the dragon. You kids can decide.' Henry thought for a moment, then said, "What if he was a prince and a bad wizard enchanted him? Like in 'Beauty and the Beast'?"

Pierre hummed thoughtfully for a moment. "And if the knights kill the dragon," he said slowly, "then the princess can save him with her love." He grinned down at Henry, who nodded eagerly at his idea. "Also like in 'Beauty and the Beast.' Is it good?" he asked, to which there was another hearty agreement. "First though," Pierre piped up again, a slightly timid look on his face, "since we need a bad wizard, can I be him?" Henry couldn't really see Pierre as a bad wizard, but since most of the other boys were being knights or the evil goblin guardians of the dragon, he decided he might as well be the best choice. When the head knight gave his consent, Pierre beamed happily. "And Henry can be my best helper!" he said cheerfully, pulling Henry into his arms and causing the smaller boy to blush.

"Sounds like a plan to me," Mister McCrae said with a grin. He struck a heroic pose, pretending he was a noble and handsome prince (though he didn't have to try very hard to look like one). "I am the mighty Prince Gilroy McCrae!" he boomed, his voice reaching Miss Trelawny even though she was much farther away from them. "Ruler of this fair and beautiful land! I fear no one!" he declared, emphasizing his words with thrusts from an imaginary sword. The girls giggled a little-he made a much better prince than a dragon in their opinion.

Pierre hopped forward, putting on his most evil face. "I am Seigneur Ténèbres," he said loudly, his voice failing to boom as impressively as Mister McCrae's. "I have come to curse you for...for..." He glanced at Henry for help. He obviously hadn't thought this part through. Henry held back a giggle and stretched up on his toes to whisper Prince Gilroy's crime into his ear. Pierre nodded and kissed Henry on the nose as a thank you for his help. "I curse you," he said dramatically as he could, "for destroying my army in our last battle!"

Mister McCrae fell to his knees with a pained expression. "Anything but that, O Dark One!" he begged dramatically, clasping his hands together in a pleading gesture. Over the top of his head, Pierre could see Miss Trelawny doubled over with laughter on the porch. He did his best to hide his own laughter and tried to make his face more stern and wicked. "I was only trying to protect my kingdom!" Mister McCrae went on. "Have mercy on me!"