1Once upon a time, there was a princess. She was very fair and beautiful. Her people called her the Jewel of Heaven. For some claimed she was a gift from the gods. Many young princes have come to ask for this beauty's hand, but all were refused, for there was a spell that all the townsfolk knew. If the princess were to take one step beyond the kingdom, the land and people would cease. The fair young girl gave life to the land with her song of joy and hope.
Everything was good; everyone was happy. All except one, the princess herself. As she wandered lazily through the village, her bright smile, and long golden sunlit hair, both hid the sadness in her sad ocean blue eyes. Even though she loved her home and her people, she also longed to go beyond the boundaries and see the world. Many times, she would stare out her tall tower window, dreaming of someone, who could take her away, to see that wide beautiful world. Alas, she could not leave the people she loved so much. However, was it truly love, or only everlasting loyalty?
The young princess soon found herself wandering through the stalks of an endless field of corn, near the outskirts of the kingdom. Tears fell from her eyes as she walked, aimlessly. Just then a sound of wings was heard among the stalks.
"Why do you cry?"
The girl turned abruptly only to be faced with a tall young man in flowing white robes, covered by a brown ragged cloak.
"Who are you?" she asked, knowing well that he was not from here.
"I am traveler, nothing more." he said, smiling under the cloak.
The girl smiled her best, but it soon faltered, "I am the princess of this land, and I was crying because unlike you, I cannot leave my home to see the world, even if it is only for a day."
Soon more tears fell, as she tried to stop them in front of him. The man saw this and approached her, reaching a pale hand from under the cloak to wipe the tears from her eyes, and whispered.
"You are so beautiful and as pure as I remember. I could take you away, with me, you can see the whole world even worlds beyond human eyes."
As much as the girl wanted to say yes, entranced by this young man, she moved away reluctantly from his soft touch.
"I can't abandon my home. I am sorry."
However the man just smiled, moving close enough, the girl could see a bright sparkle in his eyes, so comforting.
"Do not fear, your land will survive. Meet me here tomorrow at sunset. Everything will become clear. I will free you. You have my word."
The man then disappeared into the thick stalks. The princess tried to follow him, wanting to know more of him, but it was as if he vanished into thin air.
Tired, the princess made her way back without caring to eat, she went to her room, laid her head down on the silk pillows and wrapped in equally silken sheets. No matter what she could not take her mind off that young man.
"He was so beautiful, his voice was as soft as-wait! Why do I think of him like this? Is it love? Can I even fall in love? Oh, I must see him again."
The princess then let the darkness of sleep, consume her. The next day the princess was just as confused as before, as if her mind imprinted the man's image on her heart in her sleep. She walked in a daze the whole day, but it did not stop her from caring from her people. She wandered through the village, wondering what to do, stay loyal with her people or go with the only one she ever loved?
Dusk came sooner than the princess had hoped. She hurried to the field, where she met him yesterday. There he was, waiting.
"I'm glad you came back."
The girl gave a sad smile, "Just tell me how I can leave with you and my people will still be safe."
The man came closer and put his arms on her waist. "Do you love me?" he asked soothingly.
The girl bowed her head and nodded shyly.
The man tilted her chin upward with a free hand, to meet his gaze.
"I have loved you since the day you were born. I have watched you forever, from afar."
Tears appeared in her eyes, "I didn't think I could fall in love."
The man's eyes twinkled, "Because you were never allowed."
He then turned his gaze toward the setting sun, then turned back to the princess looking more urgent, "Come there's not much time."
"What?" said the girl confused.
"I can show you the world, but only if you are willing to give yourself to me. Don't worry, I will always protect you." He said this, holding the girl close to him, as if trying to make the two, one.
The princess was shocked, this was the toughest decision she had to make, but as she looked into his sparkled gaze, she saw his words were true, his love for her was never-ending.
She whispered timidly, "I do love you with all my heart."
The man pulled her closer, leaned in and captured her open mouth with a love-proclaiming kiss. The girl could feel life flow through her body, lifting her off the ground. She was too enraptured in the kiss to notice she was leaving her body, which lay as if it was in an eternal sleep. She looked up, and saw the cloak had blown off the man's shoulders to reveal, a man with long white hair and angel wings spread from his back.
"I told you I can show you the world, and you will always be with you people." He whispered, smiling at his love's dazzling smile and eyes. For he could sense that his love had never been happier. Now she truly had everything she could ever want.
As the lovers floated to the sky, below the people found their princess' body. They wept for their treasure. They built a shrine where her body sleeps, with the hope she will awaken and return.
The girl watched in her love's arms, it made her sad to see them cry. She looked to her love. He nodded in affirmation.
Once year, their princess awakens for one day and walks among her people once again, this time not alone but with her love by her side.
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I hope you like this little one-shot my imagination going crazy and on the fritz! Please tell me what you thing OK? I really appreciate the constructive criticism.
Whispirah