Natalie's Quest

Miss.SunFlower

Miss.SunFlower

New member
okay I started a thread for this story a long time ago so some of you may remember it. however, back then it did not have a name, and now it has been edited multiple times. so here;
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cover courtesy of Gracila's book covers :D


CHAPTER ONE


I was the youngest princess in the small kingdom of Eithne, with my elder brother Nathan already engaged and ready to take throne. This worried my father, the wedding was a month away and he wished to have me married and taken care of by that point in time, much to my disappointment.
“I don’t see why I have get married.” I muttered to my brother, when he brought the topic up again.
“Natalie, when I’m king, and father spends less time at the castle it would be nice to know you are married and in good hands.” He explained to me.
“I’m capable of handling myself.” I said stubbornly, “besides, I’m obviously not that interesting.” I had gotten very few Princes to come, and none to agree to marriage. I didn’t mind though, I hadn’t liked them anyways.
“Don’t say that.” Nathan interjected, “Natalie, you are a perfectly beautiful, and wonderful person. Father is trying to higher the dowry so we can a get a prince to at least meet you and notice that for himself, but you know there is only so much money we have.”
My father was a kind king, not wanting to over tax our subject s to higher my price. He exaggerated that I was pretty enough to get a whole line of princes if they’d only see me, but none would come. I felt I could take care of myself just fine, but father disagrees. I don’t see why I can’t; Father has been taking perfect care of himself since mother died. He tells me men are better at handling being alone. That annoys me, for I think women are just as strong as men are, but there is no convincing father.

Mother had died when I was only 8 but I still remember her as if she were still alive today. She was very beautiful; long strawberry blonde hair, aqua blue eyes. Nothing like me really, my red hair was just as long but was very curly and had a brown tint to it from my father’s dark hair. I got my stubbornness from him as well. I missed her a lot and I could tell father did too. However, his attempts to get me married off were really getting annoying. None were worse than the idea of this ball.

It was amazing that news of a ball reaches the person it is planned around last. I heard this news from a lady-in-waiting; there was a ball planned for next week, with as many princes invited as possible. I suppose father wanted to test his theory of men lining up for marriage after seeing my beauty. That was sort of disturbing, it meant whoever would marry me would do it all based on looks, and I didn’t appreciate that. Worst of all, came the deceleration that by the end of the ball I was to haven chosen my husband. That meant I’d be forced into marrying a guy after meeting him once!
“Father, you cannot be serious.” I tried to explain to him calmly, though I was incredibly angry.
“I thought you’d be happy, Natalie. This way you get to chose, I wouldn’t force you to marry someone you’ve never met.” Father replied, a little miffed at a reaction he clearly hadn’t anticipated.
“Having me marry a man after one meeting isn’t much better!” Plus, from the very few princes I had met they were not the sorts of men I wanted to spend a ball with, much less the rest of my life.
“You forget this is how you’re brother met his dear Christine” Father told me, getting a little more impatient.
My voice dropped to a mumble “Brother was incredibly lucky.” He had been. Nathan and Christine’s meeting had been like that of a minstrel’s love song. My brother was strong but kind at the same time he would make a wonderful king. Christine was lovely and had no problem with making smaller decisions from behind. I loved my brother very much but I could not help but be a bit jealous of such a perfect seamless relationship.
“I know you think you’ll be fine on your own,” Father said sternly, “but I know this is better for you, I need to know you’re in good hands.”
“And you are going to determine this on one meeting?” I brought up again. “I understand you want what’s best but father, must we do this?”
Father wasn’t going to budge, “You’re going to go to ball, dear, and if it doesn’t work out, we’ll have another, and another, you understand?”
So there was no getting around it. “That’s not fair!” I accidentally slipped aloud. Father gave an exasperated sigh, and I, blushing, excused myself. Once outside my father’s study, I stopped back to my room. I guess this ball was final, I thought, annoyed and angry.

The days before the ball cramped as my father and his steward made arrangements, like inviting all the unmarried princes of neighboring kingdoms, father said he also had to be careful to invite just as many married royal families as to not make it seem awkward. I thought it was all ridiculously stupid; a whole gigantic ball with dancing and dinner and everyone in stiff formal wear was hardly casual. Father said I’d understand when I was queen and had to host such things. I told him that when I was queen I wouldn’t force my children to get married and go through all of this.

The day of the ball I was measured and fussed over by maids and ladies-in-waiting till I was ready to scream. They all said my tolerance was worth it when they showed me my finished dress. I couldn't help but admit it was pretty. The dress was a pale yellow, and was trimmed with gold and other jewels all of which went very well with my eyes and hair.
"You must hurry my lady," my head lady in waiting said nervously fussing with my long hair till it was tied up in a high bun and hidden behind my crown. “The ball is starting soon and you mustn't be late."
Yeah, I thought sarcastically I'd hate to miss this. I half considered faking a sickness or some other reason not to come but before I could think of one I was pushed out in front of all my future subjects -and possibly my future husband. I shuddered at that thought- and being announced as "PRINCESS NATALIE RACHEL ELIZABETH OF ETHINE!!" The roar of cheering that made my ears hurt. No way to get out of it now, I thought with a heavy sigh.
 
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CHAPTER TWO


I tried to have a good time but my anger still seemed to get in the way of any fun. I was to dance with every prince at the ball, which was both stupid and boring. I would step on most of their feet anyway- on accident of course. And some of the most annoying princes were there too, they spent the whole time trying to wow me with the magnificent battles they had won or complementing me on my 'graceful' dancing and my beautiful gown. So annoying. I was in the middle of a dance with one of the most annoying princes in the room when I caught eye of one of the others in line to dance with me. After the quick glance he blushed and looked away. Aw he's nervous, I thought which somewhat shocked me, I was used to the brave princes that were too stuck up to show emotion. He's different, I thought, and I found myself slightly blushing as I took one last look at him before the crowd of dancers overshadowed him once again. Maybe this ball isn't a total waste after all.
I continued to dance but while I did I scanned the ballroom for that prince I had seen earlier. By the time I found him he was the next in line to dance with me, when the last song ended I walked up to him and waited for him to say 'may I have this dance' like every other prince was to say. He stared at me as though trying to find the right words.
"M-may I have t-this dance?" he finally asked and looked at me as though he was afraid of being turned down.
I grinned. His shy kindness had blown away a lot of my anger. "Yes you may." I answered.
The prince’s face lit up happily and as he took my hand and led me out to dance I felt happier than I had this whole ball. Soon the prince’s nerves had settled down and we started to talk while dancing. The conversation was surprising to me because, while he did speak of his kingdom quite a bit, he never once mentioned a battle or quest he had been a part of. Also his complements were so much more sincere than any other prince’s, it actually sounded as if he didn’t say that same line to every girl. It was a great feeling.
"I’m Jacob by the way." He told me, he paused remembering that he, like all other princes, was to say his full formal name. He cleared his throat “I mean…Prince Jacob Anthony Mathew of Vanivere.”
I laughed, "I'm Natalie." I said simply.
"I know." he said, also laughing.
He has a nice laugh, I thought. He was so kind too. He was different, and I really liked that.
"Can I tell you something?" Jacob asked me later in the dance.
"Sure." I said.
"I came to this ball expecting you to be stupid and rude,” he said, he looked down, nervous about what I would say.
I laughed. I knew how he felt. Almost every other princess I knew was either stupid, acted stupid, or was stuck up and rude.
He added on to his comment hastily "You’re nothing like that though. You’re smart and nice and funny and" his voice lowered and he blushed " and I really like you."
I blushed and smiled. He liked me because I was nice, not because of my money or beauty or my kingdom, and the truth was I really liked him too.
"Can I tell you something?" I asked, still grinning.
"Yes." he said slowly.
"As you must know, the point of this ball is to have me find a husband,” I said "and…” I paused, for effect.
"Yes?" Jacob asked, now grinning too as though he knew what I was going to say.
“And I think I choose you," I said, "That is if you'd like that."
"I'd like that very much." he replied.
I wanted say something but I was too happy for words. This ball was definitely not a waste, I thought happily.






*Authors note; I know what you’re thinking about them planning to get married so early but in fairy tales things just happen like that.
 
I really like your story. Your main character is really well developed (and it's only two chapters in!) and you do a good job of conveying her emotions. This is a really enjoyable story to read and I hope to read more of it soon! :)
 
Fascinated? by moi? I'm honored.

CHAPTER THREE


"You what?" I exclaimed the next day. I had told father about Prince Jacob being my choice, and he, Jacob and I had a talk about the wedding plans. Jacob had chosen to tell me now about a certain...tradition.
"I have a quest." Jacob repeated to me. "Before the wedding. My father’s wizards convinced him about it recently. There is an enchanted ring somewhere in the great forest that surrounds my kingdom that I must find in ten days or the wedding is off. My father says it’ll be the start of a new tradition in our kingdom."
"And you’re just telling me this now?" I asked.
"I'm sorry Natalie, I was afraid you wouldn't wish to marry me if you knew," he said sadly. "Your not mad are you?"
"Not really," I said. " I'm more worried, I've heard about that forest Jacob, it's dangerous out there you could get hurt or...or…" I couldn't go on. "Can't you get around it?"
"No." Jacob said, "If I refuse the quest, the wedding is automatically off."
"You are not to argue with tradition,” My father added. I glared at him.
"I'm still worried." I told Jacob. "I don't want you to get hurt"
"Don't worry, I'll be ok." He said but I was not reassured.
The next day I was escorted to Jacob’s kingdom where I met his parents. I had to bight my tongue to keep from saying anything about the quest. His father said that he and Jacob’s mother were quite confident with their son in completing the quest, yet I still did not believe he could do it. I had confidence that he'd try his hardest, but I had read about that forest and it did not sound safe in any way.

Jacob was leaving for this quest sooner than I had thought, as in the very next day. It was a very big shock to me; he’d hardly had anytime to prepare for it at all!
"Why so soon?” I exclaimed to him later that night when he told me his departure date “Can't you stay longer? You've hardly had any time to prepare. Aren't you worried?”
"Don't worry about it Natalie," Jacob said calmly "I'm set to go already, if my father hadn't set up a stupid gathering to see me off tomorrow I'd leave now."
"Really?" I asked, a little shocked.
"The sooner I leave the sooner we'll have our wedding." He explained.
"Sorry," I said " I'm just so…"
Jacob finished "You’re so worried. Please don't worry Natalie, it'll make me too sad and I won't want to leave, and if I don't go you know what will happen."
" I’m sorry." I said again, "I'll try to be brave while you’re away.”
"Thank you," he replied, "well I think I'd better go help my dad get everything set up for tomorrow."
"Oh, alright."
As he left I sighed deeply. Why do I still have a feeling this is not going to work out?

The next morning I got up extra early to see Jacob off on his –stupid- quest. He was both happy and sad to see that I had come, he told me that seeing me again would make him not want to do this, but he was happy to see me before he left.
"I'll think of you every second we're apart." he told me. He was smiling charmingly.
"So will I" I replied. I smiled too as I tried to fight off coming tears.
Someone called Jacobs name and something I couldn't follow. "Already?" Jacob said under his breath.
"What?" I asked worriedly.
"My quest us starting now." he replied sadly.
"Now?" I repeated.
"Yes," He said, "I'm sorry Natalie but I have to leave for the starting point."
"How will you get there?" I asked. The entry to the forest was not very close to where we were.
"My fathers wizards gave me a spell to transport myself wherever I want to be whenever I want to go there,” he answered. He hugged me "I must go now Natalie, goodbye." and without another word he disappeared into thin air.
"Goodbye." I said sadly even though I knew he was gone.

I couldn't sleep that night. I would stare out the window and sigh hoping that wherever Jacob was he was safe from any harm and he would come back soon. He’d only been gone a matter of hours and my heart already hurt with how much I missed him.
The next day Jacob’s father sought me out to tell me his wizards had a way of tracking where Jacob was. They had put a tracking device on him before he left and there was an enchanted fountain that would show where Jacob was.
"Really? " I said happily. "May I…have a look at it?"
"That’s why I told you," he replied, and then he gave me the directions to get to where it was, and how to work it.
I found the small fountain right where Jacobs father told me it would be one. Remembering the directions, I said a small incantation followed by the name of who I was looking for. The pool of water began to glow and in its reflection I saw the forest Jacob’s quest took place in. The pool zoomed in on a person walking through the forest.
"There he is!" I said, I was so happy. He was alive and safe. As I got up to leave I made a mental note to come here tomorrow and see how close he was to coming back.

I wasn’t able to get down to see the pool until late evening the next day. I ran down the hallway to see Jacob again...only to be stopped by my father and his steward. Fathers face was very sad; I began to worry what was going on. "Father what-" I began to ask.
"I'm sorry to tell you this my dear, but Jacob ha-" Fathers voice trailed off and he had to start over, "has been killed.”



Sorry for the serious drama/cliff hanger at the end.
 
I- I- *almost spoils it* I think I'd better post the next chapter before I get hate mail. :p

CHAPTER FOUR


“This morning he was no longer found in the pool." Father said.
Shock filled me. No, he couldn't be… "No…" I whispered.
"I'm very sorry dear." I heard father say. Jacob, I thought as tears began to well up. Before anyone else could say anything I turned and sprinted away from them, tears spilling from my eyes.
Jacob. Dead. The thoughts only made me cry so much harder to the point where my vision was blurred. I didn’t care. I had no idea where I was heading to anyways, just somewhere where I could be alone. I ran into the first doorway I decided was empty. I looked briefly around to make sure no one was there and identified the room as the castle armory. I threw myself onto the stone floor and began to sob. I hardly got to know Jacob; there was so much we could have shared. Now I’d never be able to see his face again. “Why!” I yelled to the empty room, banging my fists against the hard floor. “Why did he have to DIE?” I repeated the cycle of screaming and sobbing for what felt like hours until I so wore out I fell asleep crying.

I woke up still in the armory of Vanivere Castle. I felt light-headed and my chest hurt. Those feeling only seemed to get worse as I recalled last night’s events. Jacob, I thought, was dead.

No, he’s not.

I didn’t know where that thought had come from but as soon as I thought it I knew it was true. I didn’t even know why I knew it was true but it was. Jacob wasn’t dead…but he wasn’t in the pool any longer, I thought, how do I explain that?
“Wait,” I whispered to myself; it hurt to try and speak after all the screaming I had done the night before. “ If Jacob was dead wouldn’t you still see him in the pool, he just, well, he just wouldn’t be moving. Maybe, maybe the wizards tracking spell wore off.” No, I thought, that isn’t it. Maybe he’s somewhere the wizard’s spell can’t track, like another, stronger spell to keep the place where Jacob was hidden. That’s it! I thought happily, It faded quickly though, as I realized if he was in stuck in a stronger spell he might be in danger, maybe even captured. I have to help him, I decided, I’m going to find Jacob and save him.

It was still dark out from the very early morning. I decided it could be no later than two o’ clock, which was good because it meant I could be ready to leave long before first light when people started to wake and question me on what I was doing. The first thing I did was run to my guest bedroom at the castle and found the least fancy dress there. The one I decided on was navy blue and had no embroidery or jewels. I took out the many hairpins and clips and let my red hair flow in curls down to my mid back. I then quickly ran back to the armory where I found, not just a sword, sword belt and sheath, but a black cloak and a pair of plain brown boots as well; I was incredibly thankful to whoever had been tactless enough to leave this all out where I could get it. After I finally finished pinning the cloak on over my navy dress, I rushed out of the armory and out the castle gates.

The forest was very dark as I walked through it. I tried to stay brave but I found it very hard; the forest was so very frightening! I wondered if it was because it was dark or if it looked this scary during the day too. Though there was little light the trees still seemed to cast eerie shadows. I shivered. Reluctantly I put my thoughts back on track to finding Jacob. The feeling he was in trouble only got stronger when I entered the forest. I began to feel like there was something connecting us and the closer I got to him the stronger I'd feel it. The forest, however, had a way of getting you lost even with that connection. I looked again at my surroundings; every direction looked the same. I sighed.
Luckily I had wandered into a very small open field. I had begun to feel quite tired and this looked like the best place to rest. As I sat down, I also realized that I was quite cold as well. If only I could make a fire, I thought. Looking around I found that there were a few sticks lying around. I placed them in front of me and tried to figure out how to make a fire.
After a few minutes I discovered that this was very hard. Nothing I tried worked and the wind had picked up making me even colder. While I thought very hard about making a fire I absently put my hand on the pile of twigs. Suddenly they set fire! I gasped and tore my hand away quickly, but I realized it didn't feel hot at all. What on earth just happened? I thought. I looked at the fire -which was burning merrily- and slowly put my hand closer and closer until it was engulfed in the flames. I still did not feel any pain. Then I picked up a different twig from the ground and touched it with my finger, then concentrated only on making a fire. It also was flaming within seconds. In shock I began to realize what this meant, that I could be immune to fire and make it leap from my hands with just a thought, I had magic!

Answered some questions and probably raised plenty more. Hope I've gotten y'all hooked ;)
 
ahhh ... magic, huh? I like this idea, it really opens some doors for Natalie's story. Well, keep up the good work, and I look forward to your next chapter.
 
crazycigirl said:
There is something wrong here...I actually reading a fairy tale and enjoying it...Does this mean I'm hooked? Oh dear....:p
Click to expand...

Behold the power of Maggie.:p

What? Your going to leave us on a cliff by telling us the next part ends in a cliffhanger. And by telling us your making it a double cliffie. Cruel, cruel, cruel.:D
 
I'm sorry RF, I was just warning you...

and yes, I have the power of making likable fairy tales. :D glad to be of service

CHAPTER FIVE

The initial shock of having suddenly discovered my fire magic took a while to wear off. However once it did it made a bit more sense. My mother would tell me many stories of enchantresses that had elemental powers; there was fire, earth, water, and air. The magic of an enchantress was passed down through the generations, my mother had told me, but not the same element. My mother had to have had some kind of magic, but not fire. Probably water, I thought, she had always seemed drawn to oceans and rivers, taking me trips there any time she had a chance before she passed away.
So that was it then, I actually had fire magic. It was an incredible thought.
However, I was still lost in a forest, with no idea where I was going, with little supplies. The sun had finally started to rise, though, and the forest did look much less frightening with light pouring in from between the thick trees. I decided I better figure out a plan of how to find Jacob before actually setting out today. Something I really hadn’t thought of when I left last night. I had been in a rush.
So Jacob was lost or hurt somewhere in this forest, that wasn’t very specific. I remembered seeing the length of this forest from the pool. It was gigantic. How on earth was I going to navigate this whole forest to find him before he went from being in danger to being – no, I wouldn’t think that. I’ll find him. The only thing I have to worry about is getting him back before the 10 days are up. It occurred to me that we may not be able to get married in the end because he will have had help to complete his quest, however I liked to think his parents would be so happy that I brought there sun back alive that they’d forget about this stupid quest.

A sound of leaves rustling ahead of me woke me from my thoughts. I looked up just in time to see a girl run into the clearing. She stopped as soon as she saw me. She looked about a year younger than me, no younger than sixteen. She was dressed in a pale tan dress that was torn up in places with no shoes, her dirty blonde hair was pulled into a very messy ponytail that was almost falling out. Her blue eyes were wide as she stared at me. I was suddenly aware that although I tried to pick the most common dress I owned, it was still easy to tell I was wealthy. I blushed as the girl curtsied at my presence.
“I’m sorry for startling you milady” the girl stuttered.
I sighed, more annoyed than I’d like to admit. “ Please, no formality, call me Natalie.” The girl’s eyes widened again but I ignored it “and you are?”
“Oh, I’m uh- uh- Erica.” The girl finally got out, still surprised that I was acting so casual to someone who was obviously far less wealthy.
“Pleased to meet you Erica.” I said “what are you doing out here?” Erica suddenly looked afraid to say anything, like she would get in a large amount of trouble if she did. “It’s okay, I won’t tell anyone” I said softer, feeling sorry for the girl.
“I ran away.” Erica said, sitting down. She seemed a little more at ease now. “ I’m a servant you see. As are-or as were my parents. Our master was abusive and would beat us regularly. I feared everyday I worked that he would go to far and beat me to death. Yesterday he almost did. I was hurt and bleeding and my parents finally tried to stand up against this man. He murdered both of them, in front of me.” My hand flew over my mouth as I let out a gasp and a small shriek. Erica smiled sadly at my reaction and continued. “Last night I fled from his place for fear I would be next to die, but I have all too soon found myself lost in this forest. So that’s how I got here. What about yourself?”
I was surprised how easily she could switch subjects after talking about such a topic, however I guessed she was trying very hard not to think about what had happened. So I told her my story.
Erica had tensed up a bit when I put in the fact that I was a princess but it faded again as the story progressed.
“ Oh wow.” Erica whispered when the story was over. I had finished by telling her about the fire magic. “ Do you think this magic is why you can sense that your love is still alive?” she asked.
“I’d never thought of that.” I told her. I really hadn’t. But it seemed to fit. “But it’s doing nothing to help me find him.” I added sadly.
“That is a problem,” Erica agreed. She paused. “ Would you like help?”
“What?”
“ Help finding your love.” She repeated, “Do you want some?” She looked down, “I don’t have anywhere else to go, and it’s always safer to travel in groups.”
I stared at the girl, completely lost. I did realize that, if nothing else, it would get extremely lonely traveling alone. I didn’t want to put this girl in danger though, but if Erica was tough enough to deal with so many beatings I guess she could handle this forest. Probably more than I could really. Also in the short conversation we’d had she had become pretty close to me. She also had gotten over the fact that I was princess and she a servant and treated me equally.
“Help would be wonderful.” I told her. Erica’s eyes widened, as did a smile on her face.
“ Thank you Natalie!” she said. She was more excited than I had thought about all this. I guess she had never had a real friend until now. She was almost crying. I laughed, and soon so was Erica, and it was as if neither of us were hurt at all. I felt great again.
“Natalie?” A male voice said from behind where Erica and I were been laughing. Suddenly she and I were silent. I recognized that voice all too well. I turned around slowly.
Jacob.


*bow* please forgive me.
 
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