Carolyn's Final Fanfiction

Once upon a time, not so very long ago, lived a father with his beautiful golden-haired child, Ella.  The days were filled with love and happiness, until the day he brought home a new wife.  She was something Ella had never seen.  Her new stepmother, Nyx, treated Ella’s father like a king.  She doted on him, looked after his every need, although was no more and no less than courteous to Ella.  Nyx also had a daughter around Ella’s age, Zei.  

After the marriage, Ella’s father moved their family to Nyx’s homeland, a land across the world completely foreign to her.  All the people here had the same onyx hair and chocolate eyes as Nyx and Zei, and all the women had the same grace and courteous manner.  Ella was fascinated by this new world.  While not being able to communicate with anyone outside her family because of the language barrier, she continuously desired to know more of it.

However, the new climate was not compatible with Ella’s father.  He grew ill in the early months of their move, and passed away, leaving Ella alone with her new family.

His body was still warm when they grew cold to her.  Zei, her new sister, was wretched.  She would pull her hair, tear her clothing and possessions, and curse at Ella in her native language.  Nyx of course was no different.  She laughed in Ella’s face saying Ella was now her slave.  In truth Ella’s new family hated and feared their differences.  Ella’s striking blue eyes, golden hair, and forward manner unnerved them.  She was often stared at in the streets.  Physically assaulted by many men; hated by many women.

As the days, weeks, and months passed, talk of the annual masquerade festival soon arrived. A rumour stated the country’s emperor, Lord Uima,  was to be there which made the young women of the country flit about in excitement.  He had recently come of age and needed to choose his bride.  They all wished to be chosen  since he was elegant, handsome, and of course the emperor.

The night of the festival Uima prepared with a heavy heart.  He had searched for a suitable bride his entire life, but never found a girl he was actually was fond of.   He was bored with them, and felt suffocated by his position.

As he walked through the crowded pavilion, he was grateful for the disguises.  He would be free for this night.  Although he must search for a wife, at least he could do so at his own discretion. All the women still seemed the same in costume and he grew hopeless until he saw one girl.  A girl whose hair was completely encased in a velvet cap, and had a dark veil covering her face.  Through the veil he could see she was smiling the largest smile he had ever seen.  He had never seen a woman smile like that before.  They always had to keep their lips closed and remain proper in his presence.  He approached her and asked her to dance.  They danced, but she did not speak, only smiled now and again.  There was something different about her, but he couldn’t quite figure it out.  Her manner was unusual.  She was not as careful as other women;   she would try to lead the dance at times, other times seem to try to make him laugh through body language. He asked her which province she was born in, and she simply smiled up at him.  

The night had grown late and Uima had never stopped dancing with this lady.  He couldn’t stop.  Uima, feeling her could no longer keep her shrouded in mystery stopped and lifted the veil from her face.  From under the sheer dark cloth came two crystal eyes.  He had only heard stories of such eyes.  The veil disturbed her hair and a small piece fell from its hold onto her forehead, a shimmering gold.  Uima almost fell back, he was so shocked.  

Ella’s eyes widened as she saw the clock behind the charming masked man’s head.  She wished she could see him more, but knew that communication would be difficult.  She simply kissed him on the check, whispered, “I’m sorry”, in her native tongue, and ran.  She knew if her mother and sister found out she had attended the festival her homelife would be more tortuous than ever.  She had been very careful to cover her striking physical features, to all but that one man.  She ran with a smile on her face remembering his kindness, handsomeness, and tender touch.

The next day the whole town was in a fuss.  The emperor had stated he had chosen a bride, but that he did not know her name.  It was said he would be around to each house to find his lady.  

Nyx and Zei were in a fuss.  Which man had been the emperor?  Had Zei talked to anyone that could have been him?  Did she notice anyone staring at her?  Nyx demanded Zei to go make herself as beautiful as possible for his arrival so if anything, she could sway his decision.  As Ella overheard the news, her heart started pounding wondering if she could possibly be the one the emperor was searching for.  But that would be too good to be true.  Her fantasy broke when Nyx screamed at her to go to her room and remain there for the rest of the day “or else”.

Time seemed to drag before the knock came at the door.  Nyx, the gracious host, accepted in five men, one looking about the house.  Zei stood nearby as perfect as she could be, but Uima just shook his head. As the men turned to leave, Uima looked back and shouted in Ella’s native tongue, “is there anyone else here?”  Ella, shocked, came running out of her room, long golden locks flying around her.  As she came into view, she and Uima locked eyes, knowing they had found each other.  “You know my language...”

“I was trained in many languages as a child.  I now know why you didn’t answer me at the festival”, he chuckled.

Nyx was outraged, but it was too late.  The emperor had chosen his new wife. In addition, the government supported his decision to marry a foreigner since it would boost their international reputation and tolerance.  Ella soon found the country’s charms enchanting once again, and now had someone to share them with.