THE RUSSIAN PRINCESS DOLL

Looking over the rich green gardens, the Tsar of Russia couldn’t help but feel proud of his only daughter. Having three older sons, Rebecca was most welcome being the only daughter and last child. With long, curly, raven-black hair, a very trim figure and pale complexion, Rebecca was the beauty of the Russian Court. Her mother, the Tsarina, loved her dearly and lavished attention on her only daughter. Being so much younger than her brothers, this beautiful seventeen year old felt completely safe, and her brothers almost fighting each other to protect her.

The Russian palace was built high on a mountain, the Russian village down below seemed to expand every year. But Rebecca knew very little of the life outside of her home, the palace, as everything was there for her. Even Rebecca’s friends were carefully chosen from the daughters of the Russian Court.

The Princess’s world was full of love, laughter and happiness. She had, of course, her own governess and the best in the land. Rebecca’s talents were music and languages, soon becoming a skilled pianist and skilled, almost native-speaking, in French, English and Romanian, and extremely advanced in her own language, that of the Russian Court. Having ridden a pony and then a horse from the age of three, this was Rebecca’s true love of animals. Her own horse was black, an Arabian mare, the gentlest of creatures, with long flowing mane and tail. Rebecca cut an enchanting figure when riding across the vast forest at night, with her cloak flowing in the evening breeze.

The only blackness to cast a shadow over Rebecca’s sun-filled life was an old witch who lived in the forest to the far east of the Palace gardens but to the west of the village. That part of the forest was always dark, with wolves howling and large black birds screeching. Rebecca was never allowed near this part of the forest and the old witch could never cross towards the Palace, as five over-sized black dogs with pointed ears and the sharpest of teeth guarded both the innocent and the wicked from crossing. Rebecca never knew the reason why or when all of this started, her father, the Tsar, would never speak of it. During all of this time, the health of the Tsarina became gradually unsteady, starting with a great loss of blood through nose-bleeds, developing into infections which eventually lay on her lungs. There was nothing that could be done, but to watch over the Tsarina until she eventually died, thankfully peacefully in her sleep.

Rebecca was heartbroken, she loved her mother dearly. She found no comfort except in the arms of her father, who was beside himself with grief. After the Tsarina’s grand funeral, the Tsar buried himself in Courtly business. With her brothers away at war, Rebecca tried to handle her mother’s household, which was vast, not just in servants, but also in rooms, gardens, as well as preparing the grand dinners.

Riding out one warm evening, with a soldier behind her to make sure of her safety, Rebecca saw the old witch peering out of her cottage window. The old woman seemed nervous. Rebecca just caught sight of a shadow behind the old witch, someone who seemed rather grand. However, Rebecca’s attention was soon shattered when one of the black dogs started to bark. Coming to with start, Rebecca turned her horse and headed for the palace. She was tired and thought no more about the old witch or the shadow.

It was strange that the following evening the Tsar introduced his only daughter to a new Princess. Being only a little older than Rebecca, this new Princess was from Paris with shoulder-length fair hair, a little on the chubby side but with piercing blue eyes. Something about this Princess of Paris seemed familiar to Rebecca. Was she the shadow behind the old woman?

A week or so later, the Tsar found his daughter lighting a candle for her mother, the dead Tsarina, in the Palace Cathedral. It was less than six months since her mother’s death and the smile of this woman, who loved Rebecca so much, was in her mind’s eye constantly. Kneeling down silently beside his daughter, the Tsar whispered in to his daughter. Being ever the obedient and loyal subject, Rebecca tried to smile and bowed her head. Then the Tsar disappeared into the Palace, leaving Rebecca secretly horrified.

Entering her room, Rebecca gently sat down by her dressing-table and starred at her mother’s picture. Her father was going to marry this new Princess of Paris barely six months after her mother’s death. The King of Russia was enraptured by this new Princess and had seemed to have fallen in love with her. It was beyond Rebecca to even try to understand. The wedding was a grand affair. Heads of State from all over the globe were invited and Rebecca delighted in seeing her brothers again. However, even they could see that this wife, their stepmother, who was younger than the youngest brother, was a danger. Her eyes were too piercing and her manners too perfect. But the aged Tsar could not see past her charm. The endless round of visiting other countries with this new wife soon ended and on returning back to the Palace, life should have returned to normal. The Tsar soon found out that life would never be the same again.

THE SPELL

Opening her eyes to the song of a blue-bird, Rebecca could feel the warm sunshine on her face. It was a glorious day with a perfect blue sky, the roses in the Palace gardens basking in the summer morning. Hearing her father’s voice underneath the window, Rebecca danced up and opened the French windows just in time to see her father and three brothers riding off towards the village. Strange as it seemed, life quietened down. Although her new stepmother had completely changed the Palace, with new colour schemes, new furniture and even new historical pictures, this young woman was clever enough to get her own way without causing any upset. Clever, crafty and cunning!

Going down to breakfast, Rebecca noticed an eerie silence in the Palace. True, the servants were always there but they seemed especially quiet. Rebecca didn’t pay much attention to it, the day was too perfect to worry about such things. She did, however, wonder where her stepmother was. It was unusual, as they always breakfasted together, even indeed as Rebecca had always done so with her mother. Asking one of the maids, she soon found out that her stepmother was ‘indisposed’ in bed. “I’ll pick some roses for her, that’ll cheer her up,” thought Rebecca, because although Rachael wasn’t her first choice of companion, she was company. And Rebecca had been lonely since her mother’s death.

The roses were in full bloom and smelt delightful. Red, pink, white and yellow. Rebecca picked just a few of each and cradled them in her arms. Looking out over the colour-filled gardens, a tall figure caught her attention. He was very masculine, with long raven-black hair and a smile that charmed the birds out of the trees. Rebecca was smitten, her very first love and her only love.

Walking the stranger into the Palace, Rebecca noticed her stepmother, Rachael, much recovered it seemed, walking slowly down the grand staircase. The stranger bowed and introduced himself. The Grand Prince Peter of America, a distant cousin of the Tsar who was away at war during the time of the wedding, but who had now come to pay his respects to the newly-married couple.

The new Tsarina was beside herself that such a dashing fellow had come such a distance. Blushing like a school-girl, she led Peter into the great drawing-room and ordered refreshments. Trying to flirt with him, Rachael made joke after joke, a rather peculiar way to act for some-one so newly married and apparently in love with her father, thought Rebecca. Rebecca need not have worried, for Peter had eyes only for her, Rebecca, the daughter of the Tsar. With her, by now long flowing, raven-black hair, enchanting smile and very sweet voice, Rebecca had captured his heart. He was determined to marry Rebecca.

The Prince stayed. The Tsar was pleased to meet his distant cousin and Rebecca’s brothers, noticing their sister’s obvious love for this man, made him most welcome. This delighted Rebecca, as she always wanted a very happy marriage. However, the Tsarina had other ideas! Flirting outrageously with this new Prince, Rachael all but made a fool of herself and was insanely jealous of the attention Peter gave Rebecca. This irritated her husband who said more than a few choice words to his new wife.

None of this could touch the happiness Rebecca felt. She was in love and truly happy for the first time since her mother’s death.

The following night, Rebecca was awoken by sounds under her bedroom window. Standing quietly behind the summer curtains, she could just make out her stepmother Rachael, standing there talking to a bent creature. Straining to hear the conversation, it dawned on her that this bent creature was the old witch from the forest and, as if hearing her thoughts, the bent old witch looked up directly at Rebecca’s room. Moving back with a start, Rebecca nearly fell over her dressing-table stool, just catching herself in time, avoiding making an almighty crash. Sitting quietly on her bed, Rebecca was bewildered. How did the old witch get past the black dogs?

There were no answers the next morning, as every-one had left to go to the village, including Rachael. Rebecca was never allowed to go and all she knew was that it was the ‘Tsar’s Business.’ Sitting down for breakfast, Rebecca’s eyes shone. What a surprise that Prince Peter was still in the Palace and was now sitting down eating breakfast with her. The worries of the night before soon faded.

The young people had a lovely morning. Riding out through the Palace gardens and into the forest, they soon enjoyed each other’s company. Dismounting and walking along hand in hand, Rebecca gazed longingly into Peter’s eyes. He bent down and kissed her lips. She almost fainted with passion. Bending down on one knee, Peter did indeed ask Rebecca if she would honour him by becoming his wife. Rebecca instantly said “YES!” and he swept her into his arms, kissing her with more passion. Taking out a beautiful purple velvet box, Peter placed the ring on Rebecca’s wedding finger. A ruby with two diamonds either side on a white gold band, how unusual!

That evening was full of celebration. The Tsar was overjoyed that his only daughter was so happy and getting married. Her brothers constantly teasing the new couple. Even the servants gave their compliments. Rachael, although smiling and being gay, was seething inside and full of hatred. Rebecca noticed it in her stepmother’s eyes. How Rebecca wished her mother was still alive.

That night, everything changed!

Saying their goodnights, everyone went to bed. Opening her door, Rebecca could smell roses. Unusual as she only ever had lily of the valley in her rooms. This seemed to have a sleepy effect on Rebecca, so she lay down on her bed, still in her beautiful red satin engagement dress, her hair resting on the pillow, her new ring comfortable on her finger. As she lay quietly on her back, Rebecca could not help but dream about her wonderful future.

“Dreams are all you will have now!” said a voice, and opening her eyes, Rebecca saw Rachael standing over her with the old witch on the other side of the bed. The old woman was muttering strange words and holding a single white rose over Rebecca, her stepmother laughing with her eyes. Rebecca wanted to scream but found that she could not move, except for one second when she moved her head and saw her mother’s picture on her dressing-table. This seemed to disturb the old witch, but Rachael was cruel and told her, in biting words, to continue the spell. Moving her head quickly back, Rebecca passed out, it all seemed too much for her.

Rebecca awoke the next morning, still unable to move and still with her stepmother leaning over her, the old witch seemed to have disappeared. Holding a mirror over Rebecca, her hateful stepmother laughed. Rebecca had been turned into a small, ten inch china doll, only her eyes could move. Rebecca couldn’t believe it. “This must be a terrible dream!” she thought.

But she soon realized it was no dream as Rachael carried her downstairs, making up some strange story to the Tsar about his only daughter. Having been placed on the drawing-room sofa, Rebecca tried to smile when Peter entered the room. Picking up the china doll carefully, Peter noticed the tiny ring on her wedding finger. Surely he knew it was really Rebecca. Peter knew it was Rebecca but how? He kept very quiet.

That night, Peter followed the new Tsarina into the forest to the old woman’s cottage. Handing over Rebecca, Rachael told the old witch to: “Get rid of the stupid girl!” The old witch told her: “You will be cursed for this, I cannot kill my own granddaughter!” Rachael told the old woman to do as she was told and left, slamming the front door behind her. Walking silently past the drugged dogs, the hateful stepmother did not notice Peter hiding behind a massive old oak tree.

Knocking on the door of the old cottage, Peter found the old woman cuddling Rebecca, holding the doll close to her, crying. He tried to comfort the old woman. As the old witch stopped crying, the truth came out. “I know you can hear this” said the old woman, as she spoke softly to Rebecca. Rebecca listened with her eyes, so glad to see Peter.

The old witch was the mother of the Tsar, Rebecca’s father. Having gone mad after the death of her husband, this old woman was allowed to live in the cottage, guarded by the black dogs. And this is how Catherine, the old witch, had lived for many years. It was only after Rebecca was born that her sanity started to come back. But Catherine still had her bouts of insanity, and begged Peter to take Rebecca away to safety. The new Tsarina had threatened the old woman with death if she did not do as she was told. “But how can the spell be broken?” asked Peter, looking lovingly into Rebecca’s eyes.

Only by the love of a little five year old girl, a pure Russian, who would love Rebecca, the china doll, so much that it would break the spell and Rebecca would grow back to being the beautiful, young woman she was.

“Now go, and save my granddaughter before I go insane again!” said the old woman. And with that, Peter held Rebecca carefully in his jacket and rode out of the Palace, towards the village. He would break the spell somehow, he loved Rebecca.

THE CURSE

A few months later, The Tsarina fell pregnant with her first child. As always, the Tsar was delighted, but did wonder if it really was his. This new wife was such a flirt, even with the servants! The sons of the Tsar were away on official business. The Palace seemed quiet without the chatter of his only daughter. Heartbroken by her absence, the old Tsar lit a candle for Rebecca in the Palace Cathedral. It was here that he suddenly remembered his mother, though why he did not know.

Going out to her cottage that afternoon, he found Catherine had completely recovered from her madness, and he was a most welcome sight for her. The Tsar ordered rooms for his mother inside the Palace, and the old woman settled into her old home, very happy to be with her son again. However, during all of this time, the old woman never spoke of the spell put on Rebecca, the new Tsarina being terrified at the thought of her husband ever finding out. But each time she saw Catherine, Rachael was reminded of the curse. It showed so clearly in the old woman’s eyes.

Thinking Rebecca to be dead, Rachael busied herself with the new baby. She was five months pregnant and very excited. Too excited because Rachael ignored every piece of advice given to her, even by the Tsar. This was going to be Rachael’s little girl and she was going to be spoilt. A new suite of rooms were decorated as a nursery for the little Princess, with roses freshly picked from the Palace gardens every week, standing in the best vase, in the middle of the rooms.

This was the curse! A white rose was used in the spell, and every white rose the new Tsarina picked would curse her. Only Catherine noticed at first, but then the Tsar. It seemed that every time Rachael picked up a white rose, a thorn would prick her. It was as if they were biting her. Rachael, of course, ignored their worries. But the Tsar could never forget how his first wife died, through infections in the blood. But this was not the real danger!

Being as stubborn as ever, Rachael demanded to go riding even though she was by now six months pregnant. Her husband was not very happy about this, but found that he could not stop his wife. Being too old to ride Catherine sat in the white carriage, gently trotting behind Rachael. This might help calm her son’s fears. But Catherine knew the out-come of this stubbornness. It was the curse working!

Going deep into the forest, the two ladies came to the old cottage. It was just as Catherine had left it. Going inside, with no black dogs guarding anymore on the orders of the Tsar, they both came across the white rose which had been used in the spell. “Do not touch it!” warned the old woman. But seeing that the white rose had turned to china, just like Rebecca had, Rachael picked it up to smash it. However, the white rose seemed to have a mind of its own and the thorns pricked her, leaving her hands red with blood. Rachael screamed. Dropping the white rose onto the sofa, she ran out and mounted her horse. Not waiting for Catherine. Rachael, the wicked stepmother, galloped off.

Catherine smiled as she carefully picked up the rose and put it back onto its cushion. She strangely felt the love Rebecca had for her and knew the spell would be broken soon.

Trotting gently towards the Palace, Catherine noticed a lot of people and a lot of noise. Going inside to the drawing-room, Catherine was told what had happened. The horse Rachael was riding had been startled by a small, barking dog and had thrown the pregnant woman clear onto the stone steps. The doctor was with her son and his wife now. Catherine, waiting patiently, sipped a cup of herbal tea, still remembering her witchcraft.

The child was dead!

The Tsar was deeply grieved and his wife in shock. Catherine was truly sorry for the child, but knew that nothing could stop the curse now. It would finish when the spell was broken, Rebecca brought home and the death of Rachael. The old Tsarina kept very quiet.

The Palace was very quiet over the next few months. The old Tsar buried himself in official business, his wife rarely left her rooms. And Catherine was at peace. She knew that her granddaughter had forgiven her, that it was the old woman’s madness which had done such a terrible thing. All day long, Catherine would think of Rebecca, wondering what had happened to her only granddaughter.

Was she wise to trust Peter?

TRUE LOVE

Any fears the old Tsarina had would have quickly faded had she seen how Peter had cared for Rebecca. Thousands of miles away, in his native country, America, Peter loved Rebecca. He made sure that Rebecca had her own room, new clothes and would see her every day, talking to her and looking into her eyes.

It was strange seeing a grown man lavish so much attention on a china doll. But Peter was not heir to the throne and could more or less do what he wanted. He never left his Palace, except on official business, and the servants ‘humoured’ him believing him to be a little mad.

But Peter didn’t care! He loved Rebecca and would care for her and would somehow break the spell. And in the evenings, he would sit quietly holding Rebecca, her china face seemed to soften in the glow of the fire place.

The servants saw no need for concern. The Prince was just eccentric, his mind locking since the young maiden’s disappearance. That was all they knew and Peter was quite happy to leave them to their thoughts. As long as Rebecca was safe, Peter simply did not care!

The Prince’s elder brother was married. Knowing what had happened, the heir to the throne decided to have his younger brother stay for a while, to care for Peter, to try to help him get back into normal life.

With all of his brother’s kindness, Peter was perplexed. How could her travel with Rebecca? He couldn’t just put her in a doll’s box with the other luggage and he couldn’t leave her behind. So Peter came up with a plan. Packing her clothes in with his own, Peter put Rebecca very gently into a glass box which had a cushion and which was padded out with velvet. All that could be seen was Rebecca’s face. Putting a leather handle on the top, no one else was allowed to carry the box.

Meeting his bother at the station, the heir to the throne suddenly realized that Peter was ‘seriously ill.’ Or so it looked to him. He humoured Peter but was secretly horrified at his brother’s madness. Settling into a suite of rooms, Peter took Rebecca out of the glass box and laid her gently on the bed. Laying down himself, Peter held his love in his arms and they both fell asleep.

Going downstairs after breakfast, Peter met up with his elder brother and they quietly sat down and chatted. Peter told his brother everything. This convinced his brother of Peter’s madness. The best doctor was called!

Peter quietly obeyed and lived a very quiet life for about three months. As long as he had Rebecca in his arms, Peter was happy. The only conclusion that the doctor could arrive at was that Peter could not accept the fact that his love had disappeared and that the doll replaced her. And as Peter was no harm to anyone, the doctor saw no harm in leaving him as he was. So this is how Peter and Rebecca lived. Strange but Peter had true love for Rebecca.

Then one morning there was a great gathering in the main drawing-room. Everyone was very excited, including Peter, who had actually brought Rebecca down for the very first time. His elder brother and sister-in-law had adopted a beautiful little girl, as was the custom for the heir to the throne to do, in order that someone from a poor background to have a good start in life and a chance to life a successful life. Kneeling down, Peter took the little girl’s hand to welcome her. Maria, the adopted little girl, was fascinated with Rebecca, his china doll.

Then Peter heard the magical words! Maria was a five year old, pure Russian, who was orphaned at birth. “Perfect!” thought Peter, who very quickly gave Rebecca, the china doll, to his little niece. Maria was delighted and gave her uncle a kiss on the cheek. Secretly, Peter’s family were overjoyed. At last, maybe Peter would get back to normal. Rebecca was happy, she knew this was right.

THE SPELL BROKEN

Back at the Russian Palace, tension filled the air. The Tsar buried himself in official business, losing all interest in his new wife. Rachael wanted another child but the Tsar wouldn’t go near her, blaming her for the death of their first child. Catherine stayed very quiet for all of this time. She knew that as the spell started to break, the curse would get stronger. And this was indeed happening!

Three more months went by. Little Maria loved her china doll, playing with her all of the time. Peter soon realized that when the spell broke, little Maria would lose her favourite doll, even though Rebecca would be back in his arms. Peter made a decision! He had an exact replica made and when the spell broke, he would disappear with Rebecca back to her home in Russia, leaving the replica with Maria, who would still have her favourite doll. It was now time to write to Rebecca’s father, the Tsar, explain everything that had happened and was about to happen. He even pleaded for the old woman’s life not knowing that she had completely recovered from the madness. Sending the letter off with a trusted courier, Peter sat patiently, waiting.

When the Tsar received the letter, he just did not know what to think or do.

Knocking softly on his mother’s door, mother and son talked. Yes, it was indeed true and yes, it was the new Tsarina’s wicked plan. Catherine agreed to stay quiet about the letter.

“I’m not doing anything until I have Rebecca back in my Palace,” said the Tsar, overjoyed that his only daughter would soon be home, in his arms.

The next morning, very early, there was a soft knock on Peter’s door. Opening it, his eyes opened wide. Stood before him was Rebecca, fully-grown again, in her beautiful satin engagement dress, still wearing the ring Peter had given her? Guiding her inside the room, Peter softly closed the door. Rebecca was in his arms again. The spell had been completely broken.

Peter rung her a bath and, whilst Rebecca was bathing, laid out the new clothes he had had made for her. They breakfasted together in his rooms and then it was time to leave. Leaving the replica doll outside his little niece’s door, Peter and Rebecca headed off to Russia. A long journey ahead of them but one that needed to be taken.

Little did Rachael realize but her life was about to change completely. Just as she had tried to ruin the Tsar’s life, he now was prepared to changer hers. Clearing out the old cottage, the Tsar out only the essentials that would be needed for living, no luxuries whatsoever. The wicked Tsarina would live there, but this time the big black dogs would stop her from ever leaving the cottage! Catherine carefully took the white rose, which had cracked in two, and laid it in a glass box on Rebecca’s bed. Her room has been untouched, the Tsar loved his only daughter too much to change them.

The scene was set!

Looking over his Palace gardens a few mornings later, the Tsar cried out with sheer delight. Rebecca, in Peter’s arms, on the same whiter stallion, was waving to her father, her smile beaming. Hearing the noise, Catherine ran out onto the stone steps. She, too, was overjoyed to see her granddaughter. Dismounting, both Peter and Rebecca flew into their arms. Peter into Catherin’s and Rebecca into her father’s. This was a very happy day!

Rachael, who had been watching, pretended to be delighted although inside she was horrified. The Tsar ordered everyone into the grand drawing-room. He read out Peter’s letter. Sitting silently, Catherine saw the curse at its strongest. Racheal had started to play, nervously, with the white roses in the vase on the sideboard. Then it happened! The thorns wrapped around her wrist, puncturing the vein. Rachael ran out of the Palace, her hand dripping with blood, two servants followed her as she disappeared into the forest.

That night, Catherine finished and closed this terrible spell. She gave Rebecca a special potion of tea to drink, made up of red and white roses, and settled her granddaughter into bed. Rebecca slept and had uncontrollable dreams about the future as the spell worked its way out of her system. The next morning, the world awoke to bright sunshine and Rebecca awoke hearing the beautiful birdsong she loved so much.

The Tsar ordered for the wedding to take place the following week. And it was going to be a very grand wedding! But where was Rachael? The servants had followed her deep into the forest that day the thorns ‘bit’ her. They found her dead inside a white rose bush. The Tsar did not order a funeral. She was quietly buried underneath the old cottage.

The spell and the curse were finally over!

The wedding day arrived and it was a glorious day! The sun shone brightly and the birds sang loudly. Rebecca looked divine in her mother’s wedding dress, a princess-line satin white dress with long sleeves and a lace veil which followed with a long train. Peter looked dashing in his navy uniform. Both families were very happy. Maria, the little girl who loved Rebecca and had broken the spell, was the only bridesmaid in pink satin and flowers in her pretty hair.

Coming out of the Palace Cathedral to the cheering crowds, the newly-weds stole a kiss. And out of the corner of her eye, Rebecca was sure that she had seen her real mother, smiling and standing next to her father, the Tsar.

THE END