The Princess & The Hidden Kingdom

Chapter One

Once upon a time in a land not so far away lived a King his Queen and their daughter Princess Flame. They ruled and reigned over the Kingdom of Shadows. It was so named as it was situated at the bottom of the deepest valley called the Slippery Slopes in the region of the Illusion Alps where the mountains cast their shadow permanently over them, keeping the light from permeating their Kingdom. It was here in the Valley's of the lost they thrived on the destruction and ruin of their fellow dwellers. Those who came by the deceiving tides of the sea ended their venture, led astray by the ocean of lies deception and conceit crashing into the rocks at the base of the island known as dragon scales, here the cliffs were offensive to scale and many met their end.

More onerous, the hearts and minds of the people who lived there were darkened by a shadow that made them mean and stingy.

The King and Queen had everything they wanted, they were rich and just like all the other people who lived in the Kingdom of Shadows none of their riches came from working smart with good honest outlets of investments. The Kingdom of Shadows was a place full of deceit, dishonesty and greedy bullies. Everyone only ever thought of themselves & no one else. They would lie, cheat, steal, fight & argue until they took what they wanted from each other.

Princess Flame was no different. Her temper was as fiery as her hair. She was mean, bossy, nasty, greedy & a total bully. She was never satisfied she always wanted more. When the King gave her a pony, she whinged for days. “I want a stable of horses!” She craved possessing every house in the valley whose owners would pay her rent. With all that money she could have anything she wanted; she dreamt of being a trillionaire. She would never live as a poor person, more than enough would never be good enough for the Princess & if she could not get it by whinging, then she would get by taking it off someone who already had it.

On one perfectly dark shadowy day Princess Flame went for a ride on her favourite horse, Regal. With her crop she whipped him to go faster and faster. The wind blew through her beautiful long fiery red hair whipping it behind her like a gossamer web. Regal’s hooves thumped on the forest floor, suddenly, a slippery slimy snake slithered across the forest path.

The whites of Regal’s eyes bulged, and his nostrils flared he came to a sudden & abrupt halt and reared up neighing in fright. Princess Flame flew over Regal’s head. A hard thud with a resounding oomph & sploshing sounded as she went sliding through the mud like a spoon through soft ice cream. As she got up, she saw she was covered in mud from her head to her toes and very shaken. She hauled on the reins and whipped Regal on his flank. “You dumb horse! Now look at me. I’m filthy & all because of you. I should have you whipped a thousand times to teach you a lesson.”

Regal had had enough of her bullying and cruelty. He reared back and struck out with his right front hoof, glazing her forehead, forcing her to the ground again. She felt the searing pain; blood oozed from the deep gash. Regal looked down at her with a look of sweet revenge. Even though Princess was hurt and in need of help, Regal wheeled around and galloped toward home, to the safety & warmth of his barn leaving the Princess alone & injured.

Chapter Two

Travelling along the high road which lead to their home were twins Faith & Courage. “Courage look there is someone lying on the road” exclaimed Faith.

“We need to bandage her head and get help,” said Courage. “Go, gather some limbs and sticks for a stretcher and we’ll take her with us.” I wonder who she is questioned Courage.

Faith replied “She wears the emblem of the Kingdom of Shadows. “Courage looked at Faith with wide eyes “She’s of Royalty then.” Is she a Princess?” said Courage.

“Yes, I believe so Courage” stated Faith. So, Faith bandaged her head while Courage made a makeshift stretcher to carry her to their destination.

It was indeed a long journey but at last they arrived & the Princess was still unconscious. She needs more than what we can give her," said Courage, wise beyond his years.

"I agree," said Faith, "let us take her to the Comforter. There she will be looked after and safe.

In a short while The Princess was resting under a soft, beautiful quilt, a vase of exquisite flowers placed beside her & the Comforter sat near watching over her.

"Where am I?" Princess grimaced in pain. "I don’t recognize you," said Princess Flame. "You look different and it’s so bright here, I demand you release me now and take me home, and if you don’t, I will send my Father's army out to hunt you down and take all your belongings!"

Courage hesitated, slightly shocked at her words of hostility, then he blurted out, "You are in the Kingdom of Light in one of its many rooms where you will be made well. “

You are most welcome here," said Faith. "There is food and drinks and all that you could ask for & more. Here you will find abundance such as you may not have seen before.

Princess was not impressed. "AAARRRGGGG! Let me out of here. I do not belong here. Still bandaged and ailing, she leapt out of bed and ran to the door banging on it with her fists.

"We would never keep someone against their wishes. You are free to go if you so choose, please take a basket of whatever you desire or need to eat & drink for your journey & we will escort you to the outer boundary where our two Kingdoms meet. Faith and Courage excused themselves leaving the Princess by herself to prepare to leave.

Oddly, Princess Flame decided she did not want to be left on her own, so she quickly went searching for Faith and Courage. "Wait, I command you to stop and wait for me," yelled Princess. "How dare you treat me like that? Just who do you think you are? Do you know WHO I AM?"

Faith and Courage chuckled. “Do we know who I AM is? Yes, we do, and it is certainly not you Princess. If you wish to have authority here, first you must learn respect and honour. While your attitude is like it is you will not gain anything here. Now please excuse us, we have serving of others to do." Courage sternly stated.

Princess stood with her mouth wide open her eyes wide with shock as Faith and Courage walked away refusing to listen to her rants. She threw herself on the floor and chucked a “wobbly” hoping it would get her what she wanted if she screamed louder her long list of demands. To her disappointment Princess realized no one appreciated her tantrum, she got up wiped her pretend tears & set out to tour the place she had only heard about & was now in.

Chapter Three

Princess Flame had walked around for hours growing weary with each new path she went down, she had to rest, perhaps it was to her advantage to stay & return home when she regained some strength.

Upon returning to her room, she found a basket full of incredible exotic foods & nectars packed ready for her journey home & sitting on top of the basket was a golden envelope with her name written on it. How did anyone know her name? Princess was sure that she had not told anyone her name. Carefully she opened the envelope & read the engraving. It was an Invitation to the Kings Masquerade Ball to be held at the Jasper Palace. Princess Flame sat hesitantly on the end of her bed, “Why? Why would anyone invite her to a Ball, especially in the Kingdom of Light? Surely, they must know where she was from, oh my!” her thoughts drifted to her parents. “What would they have to say about this, attending a function with those of the Light. They would be Horrified” thought Princess Flame.

Chapter Four

The next morning turned into another day then another & another & as the days passed Princess Flame could not help noticing how vastly different this Kingdom was from her own. Here everyone assisted everyone else. No one stole ANYTHING! No one argued or bullied anyone. They bought food to every occasion & strangely they laughed a lot. There was music wherever you went & every now & then Princess Flame caught herself tapping her toes to the rhythm & she even clapped along with Faith & Courage. It was extremely hard to resist at times. Yes, thought Princess strange indeed. Even more strange was the fact that she was sort of enjoying it.

During these times Princess Flame listened to the fascinating stories of the Royal family that ruled the Kingdom of Light. They were indeed stories of incredulous things this made her heart miss a beat & from deep within an urge of the utmost importance had Princess Flame wanting to meet those she was so captivated with.

It was now embedded within her very being I need to meet with the King Father 3 in 1, & his son the Prince, Father son & the Royal Consort the Comforter whom she had met already or at least she thought she had. He was like a summer breeze. He was silent upon entering & leaving & he always whispered when he spoke, he moved like the wind & often you felt the breeze of his passing, but rarely did you “see” him in the flesh.

Princess Flame pondered her invitation the Ball was tomorrow night & she was struggling with her worthiness of attending. Over the past week Princess Flame had begun to see a picture within herself she had never seen before & oddly it made her feel bad. Princess had begun to see her failings & was quickly realising how nasty, greedy & unkind she was.

“I have been such a monster; I understand how vile & disgusting my attitude is to those I should be kind & loving to. I have done many wrongs I am unworthy & I will be ashamed to show my head at this stupid ball … I can’t go they’ll all laugh me & treat me like I have treated everyone.” She threw herself on the floor & began to sob.

Chapter Five

The light of the Kingdom had softened her heart. It would be a long journey of healing that the Princess was about to embark on, but this journey would lead her to treasures she never knew existed.

Princess Flame sat staring out the window watching everyone arrive for the Masquerade Ball, she wanted to go, but something kept yelling inside her head that she was not worthy to attend.

Suddenly there was a knock at the door. Princess Flame opened the door; there stood a cheeky flamboyant woman who asked Princess, "Why aren’t you dressed, and ready to go to the Ball?"

“I’m not worthy to go. I'm mean nasty and unlovable." Princess Flame looked down, saddened by her past iniquities.

“True, but the invitation read, COME ONE, COME ALL, and that includes you, Princess. You qualify!" said the visitor, doubtful herself of Princess's fitness for inclusion, but sure of the genuineness of the King’s invitation to everyone.

There is nothing to pay my dear it’s all been taken care of, no excuse will do!” Father 3 in 1 and Father son have called your name and they insist that you come, they sent me with your gown, your signet ring & crown so don’t waste another minute hurry & get dressed."

“I can’t . How do they want me to be here? I know they hate me. I don’t know who I am or who to be. How can they say they LOVE me?” stated a very confused Princess Flame.

The Royal Messenger gave Princess a comforting arm around her & replied “It’s time to leave your unworthiness behind. Nothing is so bad that you cannot change its effect. What & who you are is entirely from the choices in life that you yourself have made. You must learn to first forgive yourself & then learn to love “you” so you may be able to love others & by doing so find your purpose & reason for being. Everyone is worthy of being loved Flame; it is how you reject the love of others that denies it from reaching you. It is entirely up to you; you cannot blame someone else for the reason you stay as a victim.”

She gently dabbed Princess Flame’s tears, smiled & said... “Hurry now... you have an important date with destiny tonight.”

Upon her arrival at the Ball Princess Flame was stunned to hear the trumpets fanfare her arrival. Her diamond slippers glided her down the Emerald staircase & she surveyed the guests who masqueraded.

The Prince hurried to her side, she curtsied he bowed & then he danced her through the crowd. His velvet voice caressed her heart & he whispered secrets to her Spirit shrouded, now her mirror is no longer clouded. “I’ve been waiting for you Flame desiring all of your heart. I want to be your one & only there is none who could love you more, that’s why I asked you to this Masquerade Ball.” said the Prince.

Like icicles breaking, the tears flowed down her face as Princess Flame began to be immersed in light. The light passed through her & over her transforming her completely she was radiant, her face shining like a light in the dark, the voices that babbled in her head silenced, the pain & anguish in her heart removed. “I feel new, refreshed & so different. I can feel your LOVE. said Princess flame her smile beaming across the ballroom.

Chapter Six

Many days had passed since the Ball & Princess Flame had a burning desire in her heart to do as the other’s did in the kingdom. To go on a journey of purpose & destiny. Those of the Kingdom of Light would often journey to the outskirts of the bordering Kingdoms & help those who had lost their way & needed to be guided to the right highway.

Princess knew it was time & she knew exactly where she needed to go. The Princess had to return to the Kingdom of Shadows. So, with great anticipation Princess Flame said goodbye to her beloved new family of the light & took the road to journey back to where she had come from.

Princess had no visible treasure to present to her greedy parents when she finally arrived home. They were angry that she came home empty handed.

“No Treasures” yelled her father " you have been gone for so long & you return with nothing! What disrespect is this, have you learnt nothing!”

Princess sat them down "Come Mother, come Father and let me tell you of the amazing things I did learn of & that I have brought with me that are of great value & worth."

Princess told them of her adventures in the Kingdom of Light and how with Faith and Courage she had discovered treasures worth far more than gold & possessions. Her parents listened intently while a stern look of disbelief came over them, they sat & listened, every now & then shaking their heads in bewilderment.

Princess Flame smiled slightly as her heart gave a small leap of joy. For the very first time in all its existence light was now in the Kingdom of Shadows, a Flame now burned in the very heart of its darkness.

THE END

Please continue reading.

THE KINGS MASQUERADE BALL

By

Roslyn Williams

Once upon a time in a palace only a heartbeat away,

Lived a man and his son who it was said were really both one.

They ruled the land far & wide further than the eye could see,

With gates of Pearl on every side and mountains of Emerald green.

Crystal silver streams and skies of Sapphire blue,

Valley’s full of precious jewels and rainbow coloured dew.

Trees with rare, exquisite fruit the streets were paved with gold.

A castle made of golden glass, its walls transparent jasper clear.

Their throne a blazing fire white no need of sun nor moon

Majestic splendour rich and rare this Kingdom with none such could compare.

At the king’s demand a proclamation declared,

An invitation to all across the land.

“Come one, come all, you’re all invited to the

Kings Masquerade Ball!”

Petticoats and undies, corsets, and strings,

Shoes and Tiaras, diamonds, and rings.

Back and forth in a frenzied hurry-powder puff in hand,

Rouge and lipstick by the tub, hair in curler rags.

The trumpet sounded and all who heard tried to decide.

What to wear to the ball?

Across the valley thrown to the floor

Lays one who dreams of attending the ball.

Loneliness beckons, rejection calls, she hears.

Demon’s scream, laugh and applaud: -

“You’re not worthy to attend the Kings Masquerade Ball!”

Tears glisten by the fires flame reflecting the sorrow, grief, and pain.

A heart that is wounded and a mind that is scarred leave.

the soul both nailed and barred.

Confusions a friend to bitterness and hate

Who constantly parade one’s prison gates?

In the still of the evening a knock at the door and a stranger demanding,

“Why aren’t you attending the Kings Masquerade Ball?

There is nothing you owe; the price has been paid!

Come now have you nothing more to say?

The King and his Son INSIST that YOU – come!

So, they sent me with your Gown, your Signet Ring and Crown.

Now leave the broom that sweeps the ashes.

Of bygone dreams, hopes and passions.”

The Regal fanfare announced her arrival.

On shoes of glass over each step she glided.

The Orchestra played as she surveyed the guests,

And waltzed with those who masqueraded.

A stranger across the crowded room made haste.

To where she stood, she curtsied, he bowed,

Then he danced her through the crowd.

He romanced her with the violin, cello, and the harp.

He took away the chains that bound her hardened heart.

He whispered secrets to her spirit shrouded,

Now the mirror is no longer clouded.

With velvet voice he gently said “I’ve been waiting here for you.

Desiring all your heart, longing to give you everything you need.

Let me show your heart all it needs to know.

I want to be your one and only. There is none who could love you more.

That’s why I asked you this masquerade ball.”

Trickling tears that break the ice flow freely now from sacrifice.

Passion ignited now burns the flame, written in blood the inheritance claimed.

A warm embrace, euphoric feeling, loves first kiss.

has scent her reeling.

Diamond eyes that sparkle bright, a smile, illuminating light.

She knows true love, for now she sees that once she

danced with entities.

Her mask removed for all to see she dances the dance of eternity.

The invitation read “Come one, come all!”

Dare you go to the KING’S masquerade Ball?

12/01/2002.

Soon after this was written, my Pastor announced the theme of our Valentine’s Ball… A Masquerade Ball.!!!