For Ivy
Once upon a time in a far away land, there lived a beautiful, young girl named Princess Dawn. She resided in a modest brick castle with red shutters. Her loyal subjects included Lady Rachel Roundbelly Gatecrasher of Labrador, The Honorable Miss Sushi of Japan, Sir Benjamin Franklin Ferret, Mr. Bad Harold the Black Cat and Lady Lucy of Tortie. Princess Dawn's castle was filled with love.
She enjoyed a life of luxury. Princess Dawn had lots of money, a career, a sportscar, and time for quiet cups of Earl Grey Tea. She loved to nap in the afternoon before partaking in the local night life activities. Her life was comfortable and happy.
Then, one day, the evil Lord Jeff appeared and took Princess Dawn from her castle on his Great White Mustang. He promised the Princess a beautiful life, but she was wary of the rogue. He moved her to Dublin where the smell of the garage nauseated her. He must have cast a spell on Rachel, for soon after she disappeared. Then he announced, "You shall bear me sons!". Soon Evan and Reid joined the family and the boys followed in their father's footsteps, robbing Princess Dawn of her youth, beauty, wealth, afternoon naps and quiet cups of Earl Grey tea.
The sad Princess looked at her life and longed for her little brick castle. She missed Rachel Roundbelly Gatecrasher everyday. She wondered if she would ever be herself again. Then, something magical started to happen. She looked into the eyes of her two sons and felt an unimaginable love in her heart. Lord Jeff worked hard every day to keep the Castle Dublin warm and filled with good food.
Princess Dawn met Princess Christie who lived in the castle next. She, too, had a lord (John) to please and had borne him children. The Princesses enjoyed days together watching the children play. The daughter of the other lord and princess was named Ivy. Her brother was named Jude. At first, Princess Dawn offered little Ivy some coffee, but that made her cry. Eventually, Princess Dawn came to realize that the girl preferred tea. How lovely!
After young Jude visited many times, declaring his ever present hunger, the families decided they needed more food so a common garden was planned. Amid grumblings of the lords they prepared the earth that was filled with shale and they planted seeds. The princesses doubted the seeds would grow, but they did. For many seasons, there were harvests aplenty and even the lords were grateful. Fall feasts were scheduled for the families to enjoy the fruits and vegetables of their labor. Beautiful and delicious dishes of purple, yellow, green, orange and red produce were prepared and served.
On summer nights, the royal families would catch fireflies and enjoy beverages and snacks. Miss Ivy and Princess Dawn found they shared a love of singing and dancing. They even made up their own songs about old ladies swallowing children and cats. They would entertain the others by teaching them the lyrics and having a sing-along. Princess Dawn enjoyed coiffing Ivy's hair and applying big-girl makeup so she could watch Lord John become fretful.
Princess Dawn longed for her former castle less and less. She was fulfilled and felt great joy for her circumstances including her friendship with Princess Christie's family. They were special. Each loved the children of the other and spent many fun times together. Princess Christie delighted in transporting the children to their lessons in her royal robes, often to the chagrin of young Evan. Young Reid would appear on the doorstep of Princess Christie bearing gifts. Even the lords would socialize, playing tennis or games of cards. Many great kindnesses were exchanged and the families grew close.
Alas, all things must change and it was to pass that the family of Lord John and Princess Christie were building a new castle and would no longer live next door to Lord Jeff and Princess Dawn. Despite objections and the threat of stoning, Lord John continued with his plan to take his family away. It was spring and it was time to prepare the common garden. At first, Princess Dawn couldn't imagine working the earth alone. Then, Princess Dawn thought of all that had grown in the garden and beyond. She realized that now, her Dublin castle was what she loved, even more than her little brick castle with the red shutters. It had brought her a family, loyal pets and new friends. It was home. It needed its garden.
And so it would be for Miss Ivy. Her new castle would be built and she would have new adventures and more fun times. She would continue to enjoy the company of Princess Dawn's family for the friendship forged by their families was the forever kind. She would find, like Princess Dawn, that home is in your heart. And fortunately for Lord John, their new castle is close by.
The End.
