fantasy
Percival
14
As far back as I can remember,
it was always you. Only you.
A thorn in my side,
a pain in my neck...
From the day I met you,
when I scarcely was three years
to your three months,
We were betrothed,
our destinies bound together,
our lives shackled forever
in a political match.
Fate was cruel...
Every few months, we were brought together.
My mother, the Queen,
fussing over my behavior toward you as we studied
history, geography, arithmetic,
and learning to be good rulers.
Your father, King Richard,
nudging you to interact with me
as a little lady,
a perfect little princess.
There you were,
hanging by my side,
insisting on learning archery with me,,
accompanying my side on hunting parties,
taming the wild horse I wanted to ride,
beating me at chess,
blaming me for the pranks you pulled,
giggling as we both got in trouble,
Always there.
By my side.
Always.
Until one day, you were gone.
An attack, they said.
Some great horror,
an unspoken terror.
My heart stopped,
my mind muddled.
Dead, was your father.
Gone, were you.
Presumed dead,
ravished,
eaten by some unholy creature.
My bounds unraveled,
My fate mine again.
A future without you.
A life without you.
No you by my side.
No you to make me smile.
No you to make me laugh.
No you to confide in.
No you to comfort me.
Your laugh gone.
Your smile gone.
Your warmth gone.
My love gone.
The days are long,
the nights are longer.
Days pass,
I miss you.
Months pass,
I need you.
It's been a year.
I can't accept your death.
I refuse to give up.
I search
And search,
And search.
I know you're out there.
Somewhere.
I'll find you again,
My love.
****
It's been a year
A year of sunlit days
cursed in another form,
of feathers and flight,
a white plummage, a swan.
Nights
on the moonlit lake,
spent lost and alone,
but human.
Every night,
The evil wizard,
plagues your sanity,
asking for your hand,
your kingdom,
your heart.
Every night,
you refuse,
hoping one day,
you find your beloved.
Fairytale
