Princess Aliah, stood near the pane worrying ‘why the stars remain hid among the dark clouds? Why the gentle breeze which used to bring scent of the mountain lilies is now bringing foul sense of fear and remorse? Why the trees in the courtyard sway like sparrows nests in the storm, Birds fly as if in great peril, Sound of streams echo as death knelling?’ Our little princess knew some grave danger was approaching the kingdom and her people. She was horrified at these sights, she lived in a palace yet had nowhere to hide, no one to run to who would secure her from the harm’s way. Beautiful, she stood staring at the night sky reasoning with her own self that there is no way her darkest fears would turn out true.
Her father Skilurus, King of Rysthena remarried soon after her mother passed away and he showed more interest his new queen and children, this disheartened Aliah. She found the emotional tortures and insults unbearable. Even in the midst all the pain she found a reason to stay alive as she believed against all odds that someone would come to save her from her misery.
She wished her mother was alive; she would hold her close, gently kiss her rosy cheeks, she would sing, she would dance, she would tell the most amazing stories, and she would never let her pretty eyes be filled with tears. Mother’s presence alone brings peace and calmness in every child’s mind, Aliah’s memories about her mother calmed her tumultuous mind.
The night got more dark and dreary; the soldiers were vigilantly guarding the gates even in the unnerving cold, suddenly a fleet of dragon drawn chariots filled the sky above the palace, inside the chariots were bloodcurdling monstrous men lead by the dark hooded Prince Gatarch, this hostile cluster destroyed everything that stood on their way, killed plenty and captured many including the king and his compatriots.
Princess, she was sleeping in bliss, completely oblivious of what was happening around her. Sudden explosions woke her up only to realize she was trapped in the ruins of her own palace, she heard quick footsteps closing in on her. The dark creatures surrounded with vengeful eyes to kill her, Aliah was traumatized by all the chaos and was unable to fetch her weapon, and when she thought it was all going to end, suddenly a warrior came out of nowhere with lightning speed to her rescue. He sprinted forward in every direction slashing the enemy with his flaming blade. The grinding of the swords and the shields killed the graveyard silence. As the sparks lighted up the whole place bright, she saw her savior, firm he stood slicing away the enemies’ throats, the spark in his eyes reminded her of Ateas Vermillion, her childhood friend, her first love!
He was the son of Army Chief. Though the King and the Chief shared a deep friendship, he was displeased on hearing about the growing relationship between Ateas and the princess. This strained the relation between both the friends and it led to the banishment of Ateas and his family from the castle. The departing was hard for both of them; the tender love was tattered even before it sprouted out. He loved her dearly, he promised her that she will forever be his love and he will return for her. She never replied to his messages from that moment onwards as she didn’t want to upset or displease her father.
But the love was touching his life in many ways than he knew, he had never let any other person wander in his heart, each moment of his life away from Aliah he learned how to love her more even in her absence. Even though she tried to keep him away from her, each day her maids found new stories of his heroic actions and she was more curious to hear about him than the previous time. But she felt stranded every time her senses reminded her about her father’s anger. She felt that she deserve to be heartbroken until she finds the courage to defy her father’s unreasonably narrow-minded deeds. Millions of thoughts aroused in her mind that instant, she remembered the moments she felt more beautiful each time he looked into her eyes with that childish curiosity and irresistible adoration. She cursed herself for holding the breath, ignoring the truth and walking down the aisle of her life disregarding what the stars in sky, flowers in her garden, and birds of the sky told her about their love. When her heart tended to look back at the beautiful memories of yesterdays, she struggled to forget the warm sunrise and its set, the nights they wandered under the moon among the vineyards, the memories never really left her it always lingered around even in the air she breathed in.
She tried to keep up with him as they rode way past the conquered palace deep into the forest. She assumed that’s where Ateas’ family now lived. His brothers and father bought along the remaining bewildered people of the land. There were soldiers, farmers many men and women even little children gathered there to fight their common enemy and to win back what is rightfully theirs. Ateas and Aliah dismounted from their horses, the people started cheering and shouting their names. She was not surprised to see him rise into such a charismatic hero in the minds of the people. They needed a leader to guide them in the battle and they came to their old chieftain. He told his son Ateas that it is his turn to lead the army to victory and to write his own triumphant story even if that means sacrificing his own life. Ateas promised his father that he will do anything to restore the monarchy and bring back the unquestioned pride of the land.
Ateas climbed on to a higher pedestal and spoke to the people assembled “Sons of Rysthena, the sovereignty of our motherland had been questioned and our people were captured. It’s better to die on the battle field than to see our women and children enslaved by the cruel warlord, now it’s up to you to decide to march on behind our golden crest and slay those creatures of darkness in the caves they hide or hide in the safety of your homes and wait for the enemy to reach out for your life. The Vermilions were thrown out and hated by the king but we keep aside our personal vendetta in the past. My countrymen your brothers are in captivity waiting for us to break down the fortresses and free them, your swords shall not see its sheath until they are freed. If war is what they want our wrath is what they will get.”
Aliah insisted to go to war along with the Ateas, he was thrilled to see her new found courage.
The raging army took the Dark Prince Gatarch and his men by surprise. He tried to use his black magic powers against them but couldn’t succeed as Ateas had his men destroy all their shrines of magic rituals to weaken the dark. The army found their lost courage replenished having the mighty Ateas leading them. They took down the forts by storm killed every enemy soldiers, freed every prisoners. Ateas and the princess followed Gatarch to the roof top. Ateas screamed “Die now beast” as he charged towards and pierced his sword into the Gatarch’s heart, before he fell down dead he casted a spell and an arrow flew in from distance aimed at Aliah’s heart. Ateas heard the weapon passing through the air straight at innocent Aliah, he ran as fast as he could, moved her out of the way for her safety. And just as he turned his head the arrow plunged right through his back and reached his heart, he wasn’t fast enough to save himself! Aliah couldn’t believe what she just witnessed, she ran towards him. Little far from the lifeless body of Gatarch laid our warrior with little life left. She placed his head on her lap as she started nursing his wound and comforting him that he will make it through. He was in so much pain and he knew the end was near he held her hands tight and told her that there is nothing to worry about and he will be among the stars from now on as he looked up at the sky laying there. She bend forward and kissed him “Ateas I never stopped loving you, I won’t be able to even if I ever tried. I was hoping for the day when the sky will get cleared for rainbow of joy and happiness in our life. I waited for so long for what was beside me all this while. I tried forgetting you but you came for my rescue, you always did.”
Ateas whispered to her as he struggled to take out a necklace he had with him “Aalii...It’s scary it’s no longer a déjà vu, I fear it happened to us year before, I had this with me the day I had to leave the palace, I thought I’ll never meet you again but fate had its own way, I can feel life being drained out of me as I speak but not my love for you, I want you to have this, I don’t want to miss the chance twice, I waited thus far I can wait for another eternity, your love is all I need to keep me going. ”
His face turned more radiant as if all stars of the skies shone inside his eyes and his heart stopped bleeding, the moon casted a yellow hue on the surroundings and the shadows of the passing clouds froze for a moment. Aliah felt her life being sucked out of her heart and the whole world being vanished right in front of her eyes. She cried until her throat felt as if it were going to tear apart “Once I had a heart, he was all mine!”
They returned back and the Kingdom of Rysthena was restored, but not Aliah’s heart.
As she stood watching the night sky once the peace was brought back, she could hear the nature humming its painful tone.
With that heart you once stole
He always healed your tender soul
Embraced your sorrows as his own
Fought many wars for your throne
He was there for you in every downturn
Without asking for anything in return
Risked his life to keep your heart warm
Even when his feet couldn’t be kept firm
He outshone mighty warriors
Brought down forts with thunders
Arrow flew towards your heart
He let it pass right through him
To save you from that vicious dart
And left you alone for the victory hymn
Holding the crown for which you battled
Once that fierce storm got settled
Radiance of evening stars revealed
That you are all alone again castled
He left without leaving any traces
But you kept looking for his gazes
Lead the journey so intense
Tackled life and all its suspense
He ignored his own desires
Now your dreams are what he aspires.
Tears rolled down her cheeks, her heart felt the warmth again as she saw the brightest star rose right above her.
Death is never the end of anything it’s just the beginning, beginning of something deeply mystic, beautifully strange thing about love! It’s painful to know that some has to die to prove to us their importance in our lives. You may have never told your love yet, but feel it every time you are around that person, each time that lips speak your name. If you love someone dearly don’t wait for the day without a storm to set off sailing in the ocean of love, the strongest of relationships arise out of toughest life experiences. Just take a leap of faith, you have nothing to lose.
I wrote this for a friend, clearly my first story :)
