Gwynnie and the Heart Shaped Locket

In a land far far away, during a time where kings ruled. There was a little girl named Gwynnie short for Guinevere. Gwynnie was a child of the forest, she was not the typical child who lived in a home with family. The forest was her home, and the animals of the forest was her family. The only memory that Gwynnie had of a home or family were long ago of her father and mother who she did not know if they were dead or alive. The last memory that she had of them was her father carrying her on his back as he and her mother ran through the forest frantic for dear life. Gwynnie remembered the voices of yelling men and trampling of horses galloping through the forest after them. She remembers hearing a man’s voice saying find them and kill them. She remembered that and being very afraid. Gwynnie was only 9 years old. Her father and mother ran far deep into the forest, they stumbled across a tree that had a hole in it big enough to hide Gwynnie and so they did. Gwynnie remembered the last thing that they said, “say here and do not come out no matter what.” Her mother then took of a heart shaped locket and placed around Gwynnie’s neck, and we will always be with you Gwynnie. Her mother was the most beautiful woman in the land at least that is what she remembered her father would always say. The only thing that Gwynnie had left of them was that heart shaped locket and she cherished it with all her heart. Inside the locket was a picture of her father and mother but what Gwynnie did not know was that the locket was more valuable than she knew, and it contained mush more than a picture of her father and mother. But soon she would discover that.

Gwynnie had learned a lot living in the forest for so long, she had built herself a home up in a tree. It took a year to get it to her perfection, but she did it. Gwynnie loved all the animals and they loved her. She took care of them, and they protected her. It even seemed as if they understood one another. One day Gwynnie was strolling through the forest on her daily gathering food, water, and wood when she heard someone crying and moaning in pain. Gwynnie stopped in her tracks stooped down and listen to hear which direction that cries were coming from. Gwynnie had not heard or seen another person since she last seen her father and mother. So, she did not know what to expect. Gwynnie quietly walked in the direction towards the cries with her hand made spear drawn. Gwynnie made many tools and weapons for survival, the spear was her fish catching tool. The closer Gwynnie got the louder the cries got; she knew that she was close. Finally, she came upon a young man he looked to be a few years older than Gwynnie. Gwynnie was about 15 years old now, she had been living in the forest for 6 years. The young man looked as if he had been thrown down a hill side and lost for days. His clothes were very dirty and torn, he looked like he had not eaten in days. Gwynnie asked, “who are you and why are you crying? I am Eugene son of a Blacksmith, I fell running and hurt my leg. Why were you running and what were you running from, Gwynnie asked? Eugene looked frightened and asked, “are you running too?” Running Gwynnie laughed out loud, I am Gwynnie Queen of this forest so why would I be running. So Gwynnie is your name, Eugene asked. Yes, and I was gathering food, water, and wood when I heard your cries. Who are you runny from? Gwynnie asked. Why the king’s men, Eugene answered. They burned my village down and killed everyone, so I was running for my life. Gwynnie suddenly remembered the day her parents hid her in the forest, they were also running in fear, but Gwynnie did not know from who or why. So, Gwynnie asked Eugene, why would the king’s men burn down your village and kill everyone? Eugene took a deep breathe and said, this is what happens when you do not worship, obey and follow the king’s rules or give him half of your profits. He will order his men to kill you and your livelihood.

Gwynnie could once again hear those words from that unfaithful day 5 years ago, “find them and kill them”. Her mind raced; thoughts ran wildly through her mind; could it have been the king’s men that my parents were running from but why? She asked herself. Gwynnie began to cry, she was more confused than ever before. Eugene grabbed her hand and asked, “are you ok and why are you crying now? I did not mean to make you sad, he said. No, you did not, it is not your fault. I have been living in this forest for a long time, all alone with no family. My father and mother hid me here to save my life. I remember them running for dear life through the forest from men on horses. They did not tell me why or who they were running from. They stuffed me inside a tree, gave me a shack with a blanket, a knife, a water bottle, some food, and told me no matter what do not come out. They also said that they loved me, and my mother put this heart shaped locket around my neck. I remembered the words find them and kill them coming from the voice of a man, but I never saw anyone. Could it had been the King’s voice that I heard, Gwynnie asked. But why would he want my family dead? I do not know Eugene said.

Come on, let us go to my tree house; so, you can clean up and eat. Can you walk, Gwynnie asked? Yes, my leg is just bruised, Eugene replied. Well, I will bandage it when we get to the tree house, said Gwynnie. A little while later they arrived at the tree house. Eugene eyes grow big, wow, you built this yourself, he asked? Why, yes, I did; said Gwynnie. Go get cleaned up, so I can bandage you and we can eat, Gwynnie said with despair. Her mind was still spinning with the thought that the King could have something to do with the death of her parents and her life in ruins as it is. While eating dinner Eugene notice the heart shaped locket around Gwynnie’s neck. That locket is very beautiful, may I see it, Eugene asked? Sure, but be careful with it, it is the only thing that I have left of my father and mother. Gwynnie handed him the locket. Eugene opened the locket and looked at the picture of her parents. Your parents look happy, and your mother looks familiar. I have seen your mother’s face before, Eugene exclaimed. I know where I have seen her face before, Eugene said loudly. But before he could tell Gwynnie, the locket fell and broke apart. No, Gwynnie yelled. Eugene you have broken the only thing left that I have of my parents, I told you to be careful, Gwynnie yelled in anger. I am so sorry Gwynnie, Eugene said as he bent down to pick up the pieces of the locket. As he picked up the locket, he noticed that the heart was in three pieces and in one piece there was an inscription written on the middle piece. Wow, Eugene said in aww. What, what is it, asked Gwynnie? There is a middle piece, and it has something written on it; Eugene explained. Did you know that your locket had three parts, Eugene asked? No, not until you broke it, Gwynnie said with anger still in her voice. Gwynnie I am sorry that I dropped the locket, but it isn’t broken, Eugene said in irritation. Why I am looking at it in pieces, so what do you mean it’s not broken, she asked. The locket is meant to come apart so that you can read the inscription, it closes back together, said Eugene. Gwynnie grabbed the locket, let me see that she said. Wow I never know that or knew it had an inscription in it. What does it say, Eugene asked? Her mind was racing with all kinds of thoughts, she thought that it may be goodbye we love you written by her parents; Gwynnie didn’t know what to think. Gwynnie’s mind was far from what was about to be revealed and throw her mind through a loop. Gwynnie was curious and filled with excitement as she walked closer to Eugene. Her voice trembled as she read the inscription; to my dear sweet daughter Mariyn, I love you with all my heart and this diamond crested heart shaped locket is a symbol of my love to keep close to your heart; love King Edmund. I knew it, I knew it, her face I saw on the castle wall. Your mother is Princess Mariyn, Eugene yelled with excitement. Huh, how could this be, my mother is a princess, and her father is a King, she never told me any of this; Gwynnie cried in confusion. I have always thought that her parents were dead because she never talked about them, let alone tell me that her father was King, and she was a Princess; Gwynnie said confusedly. But why would the King want his own daughter killed, Gwynnie said out loud. I don’t know but what I do know is that there was talk throughout the land that the King’s daughter (Princess Mariyn) had ran away with a commoner. Princess Mariyn fell in love with a young boy from the village of Pragdon and wanted to marry him, but the King did not approve of such a union. The King arranged for the Princess to marry the Prince of Orawandon, the Prince was from a very wealthy family and land. It would have been beneficial to the King and our land of Brydon for this union to happen, but the Princess was not happy about it at all. So, she and the young boy ran away together. The King sent his men out to find her, bring her back and kill the young boy but they were never found. After about 3 years of searching the King was convinced that his daughter was dead. The more Eugene talked, the Gwynnie started to feel sick to the stomach. She could not believe what she was hearing, it was so unbelievable. She was in disbelief that a King who gave his daughter life and such a beautiful in scripted diamond crested heart shaped locket would order her to be killed. But in the beginning wanted her to be found and brought back; what had changed that order he gave over the years, Gwynnie wondered.

Gwynnie was filled with anger, rage, heart break, and sadness. She wanted answers, she wanted the king dead; she was filled with mixed emotions and uncertainty. But, one thing was for certain, she was going to see the King, now known to be her grandfather. Let’s go Eugene, she yelled with strength and determination. Umm Gwynnie where are we going, Eugene asked with uncertainty and fear. We are going to see Grandfather King Edmund, she answered. But why am I going? Said Eugene. Why silly you know the way to the castle, I have never set foot outside of this forest. I would not know which way to go, she said. Eugene trembled and fear and said but they will kill me, they were ordered to kill my whole family remember. Shh do not be silly, do you really think that they know who you are, Gwynnie asked as she laughed at Eugene. Gwynnie a sack filled with food and filled their water bottles. She also equipped herself with the weapons she had made so that she could protect herself and Eugene. Off they traveled through the forest, finally after three days of walking they had reached the end of the forest and the out gates of the castle. The castle set within 200 feet of view. Whew my legs are hurting and tired, we should rest here and get our strength up; Gwynnie said. Eugene agreed and made camp; they ate a little then got some rest. Gwynnie awoke bright and early the next morning, Eugene, Eugene, wake up; she said in a soft voice. It is time to head to the castle to confront Grandfather King Edmund, Gwynnie said with certainty. Do you have to keep saying Grandfather King Edmund? Why can’t you just say King Edmund or grandfather or the King? Eugene asked in irritation. Umm, I do not know, let us just go, ok, Gwynnie said and smiled at Eugene. An hour later they reached the castle gates where the guards stood firmly. I am Guinevere and I demand to see King Edmund, Gwynnie said strong and boldly. Eugene looked confused and lost hearing Gwynnie saying her name was Guinevere and not Gwynnie. The laughed and responded in a deep voice, silly girl King Edmund has long stepped down from the throne and Prince Amir has taken over the throne. Go away silly girl before I have you thrown in the dungeon. Please Gwynnie or Guinevere, whatever your name is let’s go, Eugene said franticly. Gwynnie turned to Eugene and whispered shh. I am Guinevere Windsor daughter of Princess Mariyn, granddaughter of King Edmund and I demand to see my grandfather King Edmund. The guard was speechless at the mention of Princess Mariyn’s name, whom they thought was dead long ago. So how could there be a granddaughter, the guard questioned in his mind. Um, um wait one moment said the guard. He whispered to the guard next to him to go fetch King Edmund and tell him what was going on. As the guard approached the King’s quarters, he felt nervous, excited, and uncertain how this news would affect the already fragile King. The guard knocked, enter the King said in a weakened voice. Sorry to disturb you King Edmund but there’s a young girl at the front claiming to be Princess Mariyn’s daughter, your granddaughter and she wants to speak with you. What, impossible a voice yelled from a distance. It was Prince Amir, father I will deal with this matter; how dare someone make false claim to be the daughter of my dead sister; Prince Amir said in an angry tone. The King sat up in disbelief but for the first time in a long he had a glimmer of hope or joy. No, I will see her; escort her to my quarters, the King said. What about the young lad that is with her, the guard asked? Him as well, the King said, hurrying him along with the wave of his hand. Prince Amir was not happy at all about any of this, last, he had thought that he had surely got rid of his lovely sister but how could she survive and had a child.

Meanwhile back at the gate Gwynnie was growing inpatient, what is taking so long? As she was about to finish her demand; the second guard return and said, “the King will see you”. About time Gwynnie sighed. Come on Eugene you too Gwynnie pulled him along. They reached the King’s quarters, the guard said go on the King will see you. So they opened the doors to the King’s quarters and there sat the King awaiting them. His Majesty, the King, I am Guinevere the daughter of Princess Mariyn your late daughter. A tear fell from the King’s eye, what proof do you have that you are the daughter of my Mariyn, the King asked? If I may come closer your Majesty, Gwynnie said in a soft tone. Yes, come closer, the King replied. This is the locket that you gave my mother, and she gave it to me when she and father hid me deep in the forest to save me from you. She gave it to me to remember them always, Gwynnie cried. Wait, why would she need to hide you from me, I didn’t even know of you or that my Mariyn was even alive, the King question. Two years went by that I search for her and did not find her, so I gave up hope and thought that she was not alive. But I heard you at the age of 9, giving orders to your men to find them and kill them. My parents were running through the forest frightened to death, so they hid me. You must be mistaken child, I would never give orders to kill my sweet Mariyn, she was my precious jewel., the King exclaimed. Enough, father you must rest, this girl is full of lies, Prince Amir said in anger. Wait, that is the voice that I heard giving orders to find them and kill them; it was you, Gwynnie yelled. Son, what is this that this child speaks of, the King asked with a look disguise on his face. As this was taking place world spread throughout the village that a young girl claims to be Princess Mariyn’s was requesting to see the king. Everyone was in disbelief, Princess Mariyn is alive and have a child, but I thought she was dead, this was what everyone was whispering. The talk reached a old ran down cottage where a middle age couple and there young son lived. It was Princess Mariyn and her husband Edwin and their son Alexander. Edwin, Edwin she is alive, our Gwynnie is alive; Princess Mariyn cried. How do you know this to be true Mariyn, Edwin asked? It is the talk around the village, we must go to the castle, we must see my father now, Mariyn said desperately. Yes, we must hurry my love. Wait, I must clean up a little or they will never believe it is me looking like this, Mariyn said. You see, Mariyn and Edwin had ran so far after hiding Gwynnie they had no glue where at in the forest that they hid her. After losing the King’s men in the forest, they waited a few days before they would search for Gwynnie to assure that the King’s men were long gone but they searched and searched and searched but could not find Gwynnie. So, they gave up hope, they spent years moaning her but eventually moved on and Mariyn gave birth to Edwin’s son.

Mariyn was cleaned and remarkably she looks like her old self; Princess Mariyn. Wow, Edwin said and glared at her. Mother how beautiful, said Alexander. They arrived at the castle gates and Mariyn stepped up to the guard and I am its Princess Mariyn, is it really you Princes Mariyn, the guard cried out in tears. Yes, it is I, Princess Mariyn. Please escort me and my family to see my father right away, please. Yes, right away the guard said with excitement. There are rumors that a young girl is here claiming to be my daughter, Princess Mariyn asked the guard. Why yes, she is in the King’s quarters now, the guard responded. Great, we are just in time, Princess Mariyn whispered. Princess Mariyn was nervous as they arrived at the King’s quarters, after all she had not seen her father in an awfully long time. She was filled with mixed emotions; he was the King and her father who she loved dearly but he was also the one who ordered his men to kill her and her family; well at least that was what she thought. She bust open the doors, everyone stopped talking and stirred in disbelief. Everyone talked at once, my dear sweet Mariyn, mother, father, sister is that you? Gwynnie you are alive, Gwynnie flew into her parent’s arms. The King wept with joy, my sweet Mariyn, you are alive. Why yes father even after all your attempts to have me killed. No mother no it wasn’t The King it was your brother, Prince Amir. Yes it was me and I am disappointed that I was not successful. But, why Amir, why would you try to kill me, Princess Mariyn asked with a sadden heart. You were the apple of father’s eye, with you around he barely acknowledges me so I needed you out of the way. But the old man grieved you everyday and didn’t acknowledge my existence until he fell ill. Guards, guards, seize him the King said. The guards seized Prince Amir but before they took him away the King said to his son; “son I always acknowledge you and I knew that you were not ready to take over the kingdom. You needed to learn great responsibility, know how to negotiate, and be a good leader; you had a long way to go. I will not imprison or kill you but I will banish you far away from this kingdom. This is a sad day but also a joyous day, my daughter is alive. Guards take him away; the King gave his orders.

The King took one look at his daughter and apologized for all years of hurt and wrong that she had endured, he also asked for her forgiveness for not accepting her choice of marriage. She forgave him and said King Edmund this is my husband Edwin and our daughter Guinevere named after mom and our son Alexander. Oh, what a beautiful family, what a glorious day; the King said with joy. But wait, who is this young lad; the King asked. Oh yes, this is my friend Eugene, Gwynnie said. Through all the excitement I forgot he was here. I saved him from your men grandfather, I guess Amir had his family killed and his village burned to the ground. But if it were not for Eugene breaking mom’s heart shaped locket into pieces, I wouldn’t have seen and read the inscription and known about you. And we all would have never been reunited. Oh, come here Eugene, Gwynnie said and hugged him tightly. Thank you, thank you, thank you; Gwynnie said to Eugene with gratefulness. All was well in the land of Brydon, King Edmund returned to the throne, Princess Mariyn and her family was happy and residing in the castle along aside the King. Even Eugene was welcomed into the castle. There was much joy, and everyone lived happily ever after, and the heart shaped locket rest upon Princess Mariyn’s neck once again.

END