The Untitled Story of a Dream

The pain flooded back as I reflected on that fearful time when the possession over my mind was unbearable. I seemed unable to think for myself nor was I able to stop that mad obsession from the controller of my thoughts. My mind was at the mercy of a wild beast. Where he came from, I know not. This fell upon me, and it still haunts me to this day. It sits in the back of my mind, waiting for one sliver of hope of ever returning. 1

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It was midsummer, and as usual, my father, the Duke of Canterbury, had decided that the family should spend part of the summer in the country. He believed that a bit of fresh air always cleared the mind. My father needed it considering the circumstances. I was nearing sixteen years of age, and it was becoming important to marry me before my looks spoiled. My mother always told me that by the time I was eighteen, my golden hair would start to gray, my porcelain skin would fade and loosen, my figure would begin to plumpen, and my eyes, that are the color of the sky as it fads from light blue to the starry midnight darkness, would sink like two dark whirlpools of blackness. Of course, I never really knew my mother since she was almost never around. She lived to impress, and she gave all she could. The carriage pulled up to our coastal palace, and the door opened. A footman helped me down as I took, in the scenery. Everything was as it should be. It looked as if we had never left. The flowers were all in blossom. The stonework looked just as aged as before, and the wide window up in my room was just as warm and shining as before. It was so welcoming. The gravel under my feet cracked and crunched under my polished shoes. I approached the door, which was flung open and my coming. I lightly, and delicately lifted my skirt just high enough to make it up the stairs. Inside the palace, was colder then the open sunlight, but it was still pleasant enough. I didn’t plan on spending much time inside since now that my lessons were ever over, I found myself curious about my scenery. I walked down the wide room, to a grand staircase that climbed up to my room. I gratefully defeated the stairs and entered my room.3

Inside, I found three maids unpacking my things in a bustling flurry. It was almost so routine that as the maids rushed from one side of the room to the other, they made it seem like a perfecting rehearsed dance.  I took my gloves and hat off, setting them on the bureau. I went to the window and looked down into the brightness of the day. I surveyed the tall trees and fresh green meadows, longing to ride my horse through them. As I looked over the tops of the towering trees, following a small sparrow, I saw something a bit out of the ordinary. There was a cluster of rugged gray stones thrust up through the dark green leaves of the trees. As I examined it, I quickly noticed it’s shape, and the shapes of it’s stones. All were quite easily distinguished as rectangular, and as everyone knows, natural stones did not take on shapes that were perfect. I looked over at the maids again, and noticed that one of them I knew by name. I looked to the window and back to her, having a though cross my mind. 4

“Ann. Come here.” As I had commanded her, she had done. She sat down her pile of petticoats and crossed the room to me. I pointed out toward the forest and gazed at it questionably. “Why is that pile of odd rocks there? What is in that wood?” Ann’s hands began to shack and she began to chew on her lower lip. She pointed out to where I indicated.5

“ There my lady?” She asked shakily in her lower class English. I nodded, and looked at her, waiting for an answer. “ That there my lady, is the Calix Castle. Don’t want to be going in there my lady.” I looked at her in wonderment. 6

“ Why not?” Ann looked back to the other maids, almost like a plea for help. An older maid approached me, humbly bowing her head.7

“A while back, a family lived there during the holidays. They had a son who was eighteen at the time, and he was very much in love. Victoria was her name and was she ever beautiful! Well, the night that they were to announce their engagement, she died. The master Charles was completely broken hearted. That next morning he died.” I sat,8

waiting her to explain more, but she said nothing. Only dead silence fell. I turned to her.9

“How did he die?” She seemed reluctant, but then a wondering looked crossed her eyes. It seemed almost quizzical. Her gray eyes looked just as curious as my own. 10

“No one knows, my lady. Some say that he died of a broken heart. Others say he killed himself by slitting his wrists or hanging himself.” That still left one question. Why had I never met this family before or heard about this place? I had been in this palace every other summer for the past sixteen years, and had never even heard of such a tale. I was about to voice my thoughtful questions when a young man dressed in royal blue, entered my quarters with a glowing smile. His dark brown eyes that were the same color as the bark of an aging oak tree, examined the room until they gazed at me. I stood, acknowledging his presence and waited for some form of greeting. He stepped back a little as his eyes wondered over me. I, doing the same, noticed his wonderfully thin figure and sharp features.  He seemed familiar, but I could not put a name with the face. Finally he spoke in a deep, rich voice that seemed almost as soothing as the purr of a content lion. 11

“Well, Well, Well, if it isn’t Lady Elizabeth Tunder. My how you’ve grown!” At that moment, the name was placed and my heart jumped at the opportunity. I raced to him and gave him a tight hug before we quickly pulled away. Since the maids were watching intently, he bowed and I curtsied. 12

“How wonderful it is to see you James! My how you’ve changed so! I almost didn’t recognize you!” 13

“Nor I you, Lady Elizabeth. So how have you been?” I took his arms and led him out of the room, and down the hall to the stairs. 14

“Oh, a little of it all. Father has been insane about finding me someone to marry. “James huffed and looked a bit disgusted, but I saw the twinkle in his eyes. 15

“Oh, yes. You’re mother is going to have to look quite hard to find someone good enough for you. “He turned and smiled at me warmly as he has for as long as I can remember. I blushed and beamed at him. 16

“That’s so sweet! I’m sorry to inform you, but my mother has already begun her hunt. Well, how have you been? What have you been up too?” He laughed in a melodious way that made me smile and lightly laugh. 17

“Me? Well, it’s all been the same as ever. Lessons, hunting, bickering with my father over dinner. It’s all becoming quite a bore.”18

“Well, are there any invitations as of late?” James was quiet for a moment, and then he turned to me as we stopped at the sitting room door. 19

“There is a ball coming upon the night before the Sabbath.” I processed this, and then thinking that it might be enjoyable, I questioned him again. 20

“Who is hosting this exquisite ball?” 21

“The Count Carlen. His son is becoming of age within the week, and he presents him that night. He requests that every unattached woman attend, and dance with his son!” I smiled a bit, but thought that if I did attend, I might be considered marriage material. 22

“What are the odds that they’d like me?” James guided me into the sitting room and onto a chair as he sat himself down in the chair across from my own. 23

“How could they not? Come with me Elizabeth. I’m sure it will be pleasurable. If you do not want to interact with the Count’s son then, I’m sure I shall be able to keep you well entertained.” It did sound like fun, and I could easily spend the evening with James, since we were such good friends. A smile glittered on my face as I nodded politely to him. 24

“Of course I’ll accompany you, James. How could I not?” James lit up brightly like a firefly in the night. I felt complete and utter joy as I sat in the sun warmed and dully colored room feeling what baking bread must feel. First, there was the excitement of seeing James, almost like the rising of the bread and yeast. After talking for a while and entering the sitting room, I began to feel the first waves of happiness touch my skin, delicately mingling on my cheeks and neck. It must have been almost like the first touch of heat as the bread is placed in the oven. In the heart of our conversation I felt the undeniable feeling of contentment, being with James and talking about old times. It was the slow, all around cooking of that bread that then had to be taken out and cooled. That time came just soon after tea was served. As the cakes were served and my cup of tea was being filled again, James stood up and bowed. 25

“I’m very sorry, Lady Elizabeth. My time here has ended. I must get back to my riding lessons.” I stood, feeling lonely already. Why did all the men in my life have so much obligation and responsibility, leaving no time to me?26

“I understand. Please join me for a ride tomorrow. I would just adore some company! You will come won’t you?” I felt a chill run down my spine like a bubbling brook I knew his answer by his face.27

“It would be my honor, Lady Elizabeth.” With that, he turned around and left me alone. To pass the time until I had to visit my mother, I relieved the hour I had spent with James. A Twinkling sparkle glistened in my eyes and seemed to change everything. The sun shined brighter, the blooms outside seemed to emit a whole new honey-like scent, and the birds seemed to be singing just for me. I actually experienced heaven for an hour and there after. Just when I thought that the sun was going to carry me the sky, my mother’s chambermaid walked into the room silently and beckoned me to follow. That heaven that I created for myself seemed just a bit farther away then before. I reluctantly stood, leaving my summer paradise and began my meaningless, yet sorrowful walk to my mother’s chamber, and with each step taking me farther and farther from where I wanted to be. 28

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That Next morning, I dressed in my riding dress, and sent messages to the stable to prepare my horse, and one to James, telling him to meet me in the wild flower meadows where we used to play as children. Knowing James wouldn’t be ready for an hour or so, I took up my chocolate colored horse’s reins, and galloped out to the seashore. I rode up and down on the sand for a while, watching the crystal waters splash up onto the sand, and then returning to it’s deep blue home.30

When I finally met up with James, he was sitting with his black stallion amongst the daffodils and daisies. I rode up next to him as he stood and handed me a bouquet of yellow and white flowers.      31

“Thank you James.” His smile radiated and there was a carelessness about it that seemed so charming.      32

“Where would you like to ride today Elizabeth? Through the meadow? Along the beach? Down the road to the brook perhaps?” James gracefully climbed upon the horses back with practiced movements and turned it to me. My mind screamed with curiosity as I looked up and once again saw the top of that eerie tower. It seemed to call to me from the forest by the burdened wind. 33

“Why not try someplace new?” He looked at me strangely, and a chill shook my spin so I did seem to shiver. I nodded to the forest and he caught my curious drift. 34

“You know, I don’t believe I’ve ever been in that wood. I’m sure we could find someway through.” James galloped his dark stallion toward the edge of the wood and I followed shortly after despite the pit of my stomach. We crashed through the trees and heard the snapping of the shrubbery underneath the horse’s hooves. We rode quickly through the thickening wood. James rode a head of me, thrashing the branches a head, making my ride especially easier. We rode fast though the way was rough. I tried to approach James a few times, but as our horses came side by side, he waved me back as if for me to follow. I continued to trot behind him and could see a certain eagerness to keep going. Finally, he stopped so suddenly that if it weren’t for my horse, I would have crashed right into him.  35

"James?  Why have we stopped?"  Just as I said this, I saw what James seemed so fixed on.  There was a large clearing, covered almost completely by a grand castle with towers touching the sky, and that same rocky tower brushing up against the green leaves of the tall trees.  I stared like in a trance, unable to look away as James lead his horse forward toward the grand door of the palace.  I followed as we approched the old, think wooden door.  James dismounted and easily jumped the stairs to the door, running his fingers along the wood, and feeling the old steel door handles.  I dismounted as well, knowing quite well it was improper of me.  I followed James, but looked up at that tower that I saw from my window.  There was a window up there, and vines climbed up the wall as if they were built there will the tower.  As I turned to examine the rest of the exquisite structure, I saw something out of the corner of my eye.  A shadow in the window of that tall tower.  An eerie feeling crept through me, like I was being watched.  I looked up at that window, but quickly turned away when I saw a pale face in the shadows, watching me intently.  I gasped and turned away, ducking behind James.  He was in his own world, and didn't notice my strange movements.  He was mumbling to himself, something that I couldn't quite understand.36

"I remember.  This door.  Why did I come?  He'll get me.  He almost got father, he'll try to get me.  Elizabeth, we must leave!"  James's old brown eyes seemed to scream as they darted around the clearing for any sign of movement.  I studied James's figure which had gone tense and ridged.  I glanced back up to the stone tower winded and shivered when I saw that the face had gone to a place I could not see.  James followed my gaze and I heard his sharp intake of breath.  His whole body began to shake and his face went extremely pale.  James's hand shot at me and grabbed me by the hand, pulling me roughly to my horse.  "Get on!"  James's voice was rushed and roaring as he helped me up onto my horse and lept up onto his own and hurried to get in front of me as we quickly began to follow out own trail out.  Before we lost sight of the castle, I turned back for one last glance, feeling a tugging, like I should.  As I turned to look, I heard the squeal of the old hinges of the door toke their old familiar coarse as the aging wooden door creaked open and a slight silhouette  could be seen from within the shadows of the darkened inside of the castle.37