Picture Prompt Stories

Story #2

     Eleanor always knew that she was different from the other kids in the kingdom because her father was the king but the difference was never as clear as it had been the morning of her 15th birthday. To her, today was just like any other day but her father always became the most excited about the different ways he could spoil his only daughter.  She ate breakfast and listened to her father and brothers rave about how glorious her day and gifts were going to be. 

     Eleanor was barely listening when she heard it. It sounded far but she could just make out the sound of something small saying I wonder how we will last the winter? At least that's what she thought the voice was saying but if that was right, she gained more questions to what the voice meant and why they were worried about survival. Suddenly the breakfast seemed less than interesting after being distracted by the possibilities of the small voice. 

        Quickly eating, Eleanor excused herself to take a walk before being showered with praises and gifts, much to her dismay. Eleanor was strolling down a back path on the castle grounds trying to look natural before she slipped in to the crack it the wall that lead to a beautiful garden. Her mother often showed her this beauty before she had become to sick to make the long walk from the castle. Eleanor often visited when she missed the moments her mother made so much better. Today was such a day, her birthday was always great with her brothers and father but nothing would compare to the magical day her mother always planned in secret.  She walked over to the swing that hung off a branch and sat while she slowly swung back and forth still occupied with the question of what was that voice.

        She sat enjoying the early fall air when she heard it something again, oh no oh no must be quick must find food. That was the final straw. Eleanor was now too curious to dismiss this as just her overactive imagination. 

        "Who's there? I've heard you twice. Why are you scared? The kingdom with provide," She spoke clear and calmly.

        "Oh no dear, y-you can hear me?" The small voice asked with despair in their voice.

        "Well, obvious. Now come out and speak to me properly. I want to understand better," She said speaking in all directions as she still didn't know where this voice was coming from. 

        "I think it's better you don't know dear. It will be much easier if you didn't see," The voice said with little emotion in their voice.

        "I'm not asking you to come out. I am telling you so please, I must understand," Eleanor finished quietly. Finally at that moment, she found the source of the voice. A small squirrel scurried down from the branch into the awaiting princess' lap. Quickly she realized why the voice had said it would be easier if she didn't know. Magic was forbidden by order of her father, the king, and the punishment if caught was death. How was she going to hide that she can suddenly communicate with animals? 

        "I told you it would be easier if you didn't see me. Everyone knows the king's opinion of magic. He will kill you if you are caught speaking to me," The small squirrel spoke quieter than ever.

        "He wouldn't execute me. I am his only daughter after all," Eleanor said while bringing the small animal closer to her face. She didn't understand why this was happening to her but she knew the only way to figure it out was to continue talking to this squirrel. 

        "Oh my, Eleanor. You've gotten so big. I remember when your mother would bring you here and she often spoke for hours about how beautiful and intelligent you would be. I haven't been back in some time but I knew today was a special day. Where are my manners, I'm Dolly," she spoke kindly to me, looking with admiration towards her.

        "Wait, you heard my mother speak about me? No one has seen or heard from the queen in years. Where was she speaking of me?" Eleanor asked quickly looking around as if her mother would pop out at any moment and yell surprise.

        "I haven't seen her since my last time in this garden although I have heard rumor that she fled the kingdom when she was caught. None of the others have heard from what I understand," Dolly spoke and didn't meet Eleanor in the eyes. Eleanor was so hopeful that maybe her mother would be somewhere hiding and not dead like everyone had told her up to that point. She didn't know why her had to leave but she wanted her to finally come back and be her mom again. 

        "Wait she fled? Why would she leave her own kingdom? She was the queen," Eleanor asked Dolly curious about what reason her mother would have for leaving somewhere she ruled along with her father.

        "Dear I don't know how much I can tell you, although you are like her so I suppose I have to tell you. Your mother was like you or rather you are like her. She could hear the animals and when your father found out, he was angry and scared so your mother left thinking that he would feel better but your father was heartbroken and understood why she left. He scared her because of magic being forbidden. She worried that he would act as the king before her husband," She spoke while looking in the direction of the castle. Eleanor wasn't sure why but some how that made her feel worse. Was she going to have to flee her kingdom like her mother? Would her father act as king or father first? Suddenly Eleanor understood why her mother left, understood the emotions that her mother had felt before leaving.

        "Will I have to leave too? I'm only 15 and couldn't possibly survive alone. Could you bring me to my mother?" Eleanor asked all too quickly for the little squirrel to process. 

        "I only know of what others have told me about where your mother is after leaving. I am sorry dear but maybe it would just be best if you stayed here while I search for her." Dolly spoke before running off Eleanor's hands and back into the tree. She waited on a branch looking down towards her. 

        With that, Dolly ran from branch to branch quickly leaving sight of the young and slightly scared princess. Eleanor had no idea what had just happened but knew she was hopeful that only good things would come out of this strange day. All she had to do now was find these newly found abilities from her father.