The tree limbs danced in the gentle breeze and love was in the air. The young beauty frequently escaped her fortress to scamper throughout the countryside and inhale the sweet bouquet of life itself. As she ran with enthusiasm away from the castle doors with liberty in her wings to sing and dance, the sun stretched its arms across the blue with might. An infinite ocean of radiant emeralds was as far as the eye could see.
She stopped unexpectedly for her eyes came upon the most remarkable purple flower that stood isolated in the vast field, encircling her. She was mesmerized by its beauty as she had never seen such a flower as this. She felt pure delight and peace as she sat down to embrace the loveliness in her midst. Hesitant to pick the flower, she considered how wonderful it would grace her castle. But then she also knew if she did, the flower would certainly die.
Gradually, she closed her eyes to feel the heat of the sun beaming on her face but suddenly her soul began to feel heaviness from the world. Fear crept in and she realized that beauty could be taken in an instant. Looking up toward the heavens, a storm emerged almost instantly as she observed a host of black clouds inhaling the blue sky. Not being able to stand it any longer, she pulled the flower from its root and raised it to her face. But before she could take a deep breath to enjoy its fragrance, she lost all her senses, and fell to the ground.
The castle was sinister, the fire scorching up through each fracture in the stone flooring. It was blistering, scarcely any air to breathe. I discovered my wrists and ankles bound with shackles to the ground. At first, I wanted to yell out but I couldn’t even speak. Then I heard voices shrieking with horror and for some reason I wasn’t a bit frightened. All that my eyes were taking In should have scared me to death. I wasn’t sure how I got there.
I glanced down at my bare feet and there stood the purple flower, wilted, broken, almost no life left. The more I gazed at the flower, the more I became filled with sorrow. I felt such distress, for it was my selfishness that took that flower from its home. I had no consideration for myself in chains, only that poor purple flower laying now in the dust of the floor to die. Oh how I wished to be back in the field of emeralds, running endlessly with the sun on my face, breathing once again. All of a sudden, I heard a cunning and familiar voice shout, “Yes, it is your fault, you have taken the life of that flower!” I looked up into the darkness but I couldn’t spot anyone. Then I heard laughing and I felt so humiliated because I was naked in chains. Oh where are you my love?
The dark clouds wept all night long as the wind wrestled against the trees and shook the threshold aggressively. The young warrior awoke from a dream. He promptly sat up as a single tear fell from his eye and his strong hand seized it by force before it could even reach his cheek. A gentle whisper said, “You have what it takes, I am your strength.” He stared out the windowpane through the rainfall and could see past the mountains and questioned how quickly he could get there. Boldly, he got dressed putting on his belt and shoes. Sighing genuinely with a lovesick groan, he opened the door and peered in the direction of the unknown; giving no attention to what he was leaving behind. He saddled his horse and swiftly leaped on. With his protective guard up and his blade readily accessible, then positioning his hat, he raced against the storm.
