+
+JMJ+
Diary of a Kidnapped Prince
Part Four
The
Following Morning...
The
following morning I was in the mirror hall. It was the biggest hall
in the prison. Reflecting ice hung on all the walls and an ice lamp
hung from the ceiling. It made the mirrors dance and reflect
everything strangely. Suddenly, I heard a loud cracking sound. I
whirled. The biggest mirror had cracked down the center and was
opening. I stared in awe. I had never seen a door before, nor a gate.
There was not need of them in the palace as there was no way out
anyway.
For
one brief second I saw glowing snow and real blue sky, then a girl
appeared in the door. She had long brown hair and was wearing fur. We
stared at each other. It was Gerda she had arrived at the palace. I
wanted to run to her and ask her everything. But for some strange
reason I could not move. I stared in dismay.
“Tarek?”
Gerda gasped. I shook my head and began backing away. “It is me!”
the girl cried. She ran to my side and tried to fling her arms around
me. But all of a sudden she was yanked back. The Queen had somehow
appeared behind her. She had Gerda's arms in a tight grip. I felt
like I had turned to stone.
“Who
are you that you dare to disturb the palace of the Snow Queen?” the
Queen snarled in a terrible voice. I wanted to shudder, but I could
not move.
“Hands
off of me!” Gerda cried, “I have not hunted for my little brother
for six years to be stopped by an angry queen in white!”
“We
shall see about that!” the Queen said. She flung Gerda down to the
floor and clapped her hands. The snow on the floor began to swirl. I
grimaced. I knew what was happening. The snow took the shape of two
snow monsters.
“What?”
Gerda gaped as she tried to stand up.
“Run!”
I whispered.
“Throw
her in the dungeons!” the Queen ordered.
“No!”
Gerda screamed, she stood up, slipped and fell down again. The
monsters seized her. We had dungeons?
“Lock
her in!” the Queen shouted. The monsters bore the struggling girl
off. I stared after them in silence.
“Tarek
please!” Gerda screamed, “Help me!” I stared down at my boots
and said nothing.
Later
That Day...
Later
that day I slipped out of my chamber and tiptoed down through the
passages. I had an idea where the dungeons were. If they were not in
the North, South, East or West passages, that meant they had to be
downstairs. A slippery stairs of ice went deep into the ground in one
of the East passages. I had never gone down. It looked to dark. But
now I found myself slipping and sliding down the cold steps.
The
steps ended abruptly and my way was blocked by a row of icicles. I
put my hands on them and peered through. Gerda was seated on the icy
floor her head buried in her knees.
“Are
you hurt?” I asked at last. It seemed a sensible thing to ask.
Gerda looked up, then gave a little cry.
“Tarek.”
she cried and rushed to the bars.
“Not
hurt then?” I asked stupidly.
“No,
I am fine, no thanks to those ice monsters!” Gerda said, with a
toss of her dark hair.
“You
should not have come.” I said, “The Queen is dangerous when
angered.”
“Don't
you remember me?” Gerda cried angrily, “We swore always to stay
together.” I will have to check my diary later to see if I remember
that bit.
“I
think I could help you escape.” I said at last, “Hang on a
minute, I need a tool.” Gerda shook her head and grabbed my sleeve.
“Tarek,
I traveled all over the Third World and beyond in search of you!”
she cried, “I refuse to leave without you.”
“I
will not leave the Queen.” I said. The box would soon be open, then
we could leave.
“She
is a thief!” Gerda screamed, “A common kidnapper! She stole you
from our family! You do not belong to her! She stole you! She took
you away from Madra and Father! You were our baby before she stole
you!”
“That
is a lie!” I cried angrily, “The Queen saved me.”
“She
lied to you!” Gerda screamed, “I saw, one day in her sledge she
came through the sky and snatched you away from our garden!” I
turned and ran up the staircase. I could not listen. How dare she
insult the Queen in her own palace. I tried not to think about the
words, but in my heart of hearts I knew that Gerda had not lied. The
Queen had stolen me.
That
Night...
That
night I tossed and turned in restless dream. It seemed I was running
through a garden. Everywhere I looked a twisted gargoyle mirror hung
from the wall. The face of the monster leered down at me, mocking me.
“Soon,”
they hissed, “Soon we shall take you away!”
“Go
away!” I screamed.
“You
cannot make us ever leave you!” the gargoyles chanted. One by one
the mirrors shattered freeing the monsters from the stone frames. The
flying glass pierced me causing blood to flow. Then the monsters flew
at me screaming and taring at my flesh.
“Tarek?”
I heard Gerda's voice far away calling me. Then there was a flash and
the Queen wrapped in white furs flew down out of the sky in a white
sled pulled by white reindeer. She always had the snowy, ice, white
theme about her. She attacked the gargoyles and drove them back. Then
she pulled me into the sledge and drove off. The monsters recovered
and pursued us screaming. Gerda screamed after us, but her voice soon
faded.
I
sat up gasping. I remembered clearly. The dream had forced the
haunting memory to come back. One day Gerda and I had been playing in
the garden when we came upon a stone gargoyle mirror. We hung it up
in our secret hiding place. Gerda did not like it and wanted to smash
the monster off. But I loved it for I saw things unseen by others in
the mirror. Faraway lands. Strange worlds. Monsters. It was not long
before I discovered that no one else had seen these wonders. The
mirror was clearly enchanted. But I was to little to know if it was
bad or good. Now that I was older I knew that the gargoyle was symbol
of evil. I think Gerda understood that even back then, and that would
explain why she wanted to destroy the mirror.
One
day I was playing alone in the secret place when the gargoyle turned
it's head and glared at me. I screamed in surprise.
“Hey
kid,” the beast hissed, “Soon, very soon we shall take you away.
When the splinter reaches your heart you will will become one of us.”
“Go
away nasty monster!” I wailed. The gargoyle leered down at me
evilly.
“Go
one kid,” he jeered, “Try and make me!” I shoved the mirror off
the wall. It shattered easily. The stone frame fell to pieces. But
the glass shards flew everywhere and one struck me in the chest. I
screamed. Blood soaked my shirt. When I looked the shard had
vanished. Small as I was, I now fully understood what the gargoyle
had meant. That piece had gone inside me and was aiming for my heart.
I
was sure I was going to die right there in frightful agonies, all
alone. But then the Queen in her sledge had come out of thin air. She
saw me.
“Snowflake,
Icicle that little boy is in trouble.” the Queen said to her
reindeer, “We shall take him along with us.”
“That
is kidnapping your majesty, and frowned upon by all societies!”
Snowflake said.
“He
is not our concern!” Icicle said with a sniff.
“Do
I care about society?” the Queen growled.
“You
take him to our home and he will be under your curse too.”
Snowflake warned.
“If
we leave him here, he dies!” the Queen said.
To
make matters short, she took me into her arms and carried me off
through the hole into the sky to the floating mountain with the
palace on top. A prison trapped between all the worlds. Those who
went there were forced to remain forever, traveling only to the world
of their choice once every ten years, until the puzzle was solved. I
had not been there ten years yet, which put me somewhere between the
ages of seven and fifteen. A large gap, but time was different there.
Here no curses worked but the ones that came from there. The Shard
had come to a standstill, but if I were to leave my prison, I would
die, turn into stone or worse. Who was to say. I could never leave.
The Queen may have kidnapped me, but she had also saved my life. But
was it not better to live one full day with the people you loved then
spend an eternity wandering empty halls? But what changes had
happened since I left home? Why did mother and the twins live in a
cottage in a forest? All these questions, but no answers.
Later...
Later
I went back down the prison. Gerda was leaning against the icicles
looking very despondent. She did not smile when she saw me.
“I
must help you escape, Gerda.” I said.
“You
do know me?” she cried.
“Yes,
I know you.” I said, “But you must leave, and never come back. It
may be to late already!”
“Thomas
waits to open the door from the other side.” Gerda cried, “I know
they only open once every ten years, but they will open from the
other side. Thomas will rescue us.”
“I
cannot leave!” I said sternly.
“Do
not be a fool, Tarek!” Gerda cried impatiently, “A twelve year
old boy does not make his own choices!” So I was twelve.
“I
do.” I said angrily, “Leave!”
“You
must come!” Gerda screamed, “I will not leave without you and you
cannot make me!”
“But
I think I can!” I said angrily and turned my back on her. I had to
make her leave. Maybe I could convince her that I was happy where I
was. I could not tell her the truth. If she knew that if I left I
would die, she would insist on staying with me. I would have loved
that. But it would be selfish. Other people loved Gerda too. She had
to leave. Thomas, whoever he was, could not remain outside the doors
forever. A plan entered my mind. I dashed up the stairs grinning.
“Tarek,
come back!” Gerda cried, but I turned a deaf ear on her cries.
Next
Day...
Next
day I entered the mirror chamber and went to the large mirror. In my
hands I held the puzzle box. It would hold the door open, or get
crushed. Either way would be good. If the box got crushed, then
technically it would be open. That should please the Queen. But
somehow I doubted that it would open or get crushed. I knocked on the
mirror. It shivered and split. I found myself staring out over an icy
slope into blue sky. Thomas was staring at me. He had a pale freckled
face, dark curly hair and was dressed in thick brown garments.
“You
are not Gerda.” he said at last.
“No,
I am not.” I said, quickly deciding not to let him know my
identity. He probably would force me to come with him for Gerda's
sake. He was bigger then I, almost a man. But maybe not quite.
“Are
you Thomas?” I asked. The boys gaped. It was a silly question, who
else could he be. “Are you Thomas?” I asked again.
“Yes,
but who are you?” Thomas asked, “Where is Gerda?”
“Gerda
is in trouble!” I said, “Come quick!” Thomas started to enter.
I quickly stopped him and wedged the box in the snow in the very
center of the crack.
“What
is that?” Thomas asked.
“Lets
just say it is a key.” I said evasively. I turned and gestured for
him to follow me. Once Thomas entered the chamber the mirror gate
slammed shut. Or it tried to. It was forced to a crunching halt by
the box, and remained open a foot. Hopefully we could pry the gates
open enough for Gerda and Thomas to slip out.
I
took Thomas down to the dungeons. Gerda was waiting. She gasped when
she saw Thomas. He rushed to her and they embraced. I made a face.
“Thomas,
how could you?” Gerda cried, “Do you not realize that we will be
trapped in here forever now!”
“He
wedged the gates open.” Thomas said with a jerk of his thumb at me.
“Tarek?”
Gerda cried. I was annoyed.
“Wait,
that is your little brother?” Thomas gaped, “He certainly does
not look anything like what I was expecting.”
“He
was six years old last time I saw him.” Gerda sighed, “Of course
he has changed.”
“That
was not what I meant.” Thomas began.
“So
what are you two waiting for?” I cried, “The longer you delay the
less chance you have of escaping.”
“You?”
Thomas cried, “You mean, Us!”
“I
mean you!” I said evenly. Thomas looked at Gerda.
“He
does not want to come with us.” my sister whispered, “He wants to
stay here.”
“Well,
I for one did not swim icy rivers, cross deserts, jump worlds, crawl
up mountains, all for him to say no!” Thomas growled and started
towards me!” I broke a jagged icicle off the wall.
“Get
Gerda out first then argue!” I said, then I tossed him the icicle,
“Saw away!”
“I
thought the Snow Queen kidnapped him.” Thomas muttered as he sawed
away at the icicle bars, “He is her prisoner right? One would think
he would be happy to escape.”
“There
is no escape for me.” I said through gritted teeth, “But you dead
sure are not going to share my fate.”
“If
we leave before the ten years are up, surely you can leave any time.”
Gerda protested. I peered up the staircase and did not answer.
Once
Gerda was free, the three of us ran up the steps. I led them through
the maze of tunnels towards the mirror chamber. I noticed that Gerda
and Thomas got on either side of me. I was in trouble. I wondered if
I would die the minute I walked through the gate, or if I had to wait
until I landed on a real world. I tried to dodge out from in between
them, but they stuck to me like glue. I sighed. I would have to
escape.
We
burst into the mirror chamber and came to a dead stop. The gates were
closed tight. The Queen stood in front of them holding the box and
stroking it. I had never seen her look so evil. My heart sank.
“Clever
clever little boy!” she said angrily, “I am just impressed enough
not to lose my temper!”
“You
beast, give me back my brother!” Gerda screamed and raised her
fists.
“Brother?”
the Queen gaped. I think that she had not realized it. Her gaze
darted to me. I nodded. She frowned. She was probably wondering how I
remembered. For one brief second hope flooded through my chest.
“Guards!”
the Queen bellowed. My heart dropped right down to my boots, “Guards,
seize them!” Snow monsters walked out of the mirrors and approached
us.
“Lay
hands on Gerda and I will rip you apart!” he was a gallant fool. He
held up the icicle saw threateningly. Gerda leaped forward her fists
flailing. She was knocked over with one blow. Thomas' weapon went
through a guard, but it did not harm. He was quickly disarmed and
captured.
“Guards
escort them back to the dungeons.” the Queen said coldly, “Put up
new bars, as for this boy,” she glared hard at me, “Escort him
back to his chamber.” My shoulders slumped and trudged after the
guards.
“Coward!”
Thomas shouted, “Beastly coward.” I made no reply. I was a
failure.
Not
Long After...
Not
long after this had all taken place, I burst out of my chamber and
went to the Round Chamber. I knew the Queen would be there. I
wondered if perhaps she was double checking on my family. I doubt she
had bothered to look into them before. Probably simply assuming I
would never remember them again. Sure enough, the Queen was looking
into her bauble.
“Snow
Queen!” I shouted. She whirled and the bauble went blank. But I
could have sworn that I saw Mama's face. I had been right.
“So
you came to apologize I see.” she said coolly.
“No!”
I cried, “I am prepared to stay here forever because my life
depends upon it! But I demand that you let my sister go!”
“I
cannot.” the Queen said, “I cannot open the gates! You know that
I can but travel out once every ten years!”
“It
was downright mean of you to shut the gates trapping Thomas and Gerda
here.” I cried bitterly.
“Just
because the gates were open does not mean they can leave!” the
Queen said softly. I stared.
“What
do you mean?” I asked.
“Certainly
they could leave the palace and crawl over the mountain through the
snow and ice, but they could not leave until their time is up, then
at midnight they will transport back.” was the horrible
explanation, “They were silly to come here in the first place.”
I
bowed my head. Everything had been in vain. Gerda and Thomas were
just as cursed as the Queen and I. Well maybe I was the worst since I
had the shard in my chest.
“What
happens if the curse is broken?” I gasped.
“We
leave!” the Queen said evenly, “In all possibilities the Mountain
would be destroyed or attach itself to some other world.
“What
about me?” I asked in a small voice.
“You
will come too, and then make the decision about whether you will go
back to your own people in the Third World or with me to Royaume. You
only get one chance to make your choice for eternity.”
“Won't
I die?” I asked evenly.
“I
took the Gargoyle Shard out of you a long time ago.” the Queen said
quietly, “You will live even in the real world, but I cannot say
what side effects you will have. Bringing you here allowed me all the
time I needed to save you, but once you were here you could not live
again.”
“It
is better to live one day and be loved then to live an eternity alone
and hated by all.” I said softly to myself. The Queen looked at me.
“You
think I should go back to my hunter?” she asked.
“Certainly!”
I said, “If we can just but open that wretched box! If he truly
loved you, he will have waited!”
“Of
course he loved me, but he was practical too and would not wait
forever!” the Queen said.
“Maybe
Gerda or Thomas could open up the box.” I said suddenly. The Queen
sighed.
“Very
well, Tarek, fetch them back.” she said, “I may not truly be
evil, but it was downright wicked of me to do what I did.” I did
not answer, I was to busy running for the dungeon. I was almost free.
All I had to do was open that cursed box.
Days
Later...
In
spite of the Queen's Words, Gerda and Thomas insisted on circling the
entire mountain. Of course they were forced to come back. This time
they brought their reindeer in. Oh, how did they get out of the gate?
Well, Thomas simply took the box out of my arms and hurled it. The
gate shattered. This put the Queen in a terrible temper. I went with
them and thoroughly enjoyed myself. I may still have been trapped,
but I was experiencing the great out doors. It was not quite right
though. On the very pinnacle I could survey empty space. It was a
deep light blue, which was weird as real sky was just a reflection.
It should have looked black. Or something else.
But
finally we went back into the palace. This time both of them were
willing to listen, so I explained the box. Thomas did everything that
both the Queen and I had tried plus had his reindeer stomp on it.
Nothing worked. Gerda watched in silence until Thomas flung the box
away and fell flat on his face moaning.
“It
will never open!” he shouted, “My poor mother, I should never
have left her.”
“Humph!”
the Queen snorted as she joined us, “I could have told you that
would work, although the boy already did!” Thomas glared at her.
Neither him nor Gerda was quite civil to her yet.
“Did
you have a better suggestion?” Thomas growled.
“Of
course.” the Queen snapped, “But I tried them all.”
“Every
mean, unfriendly, brutal thing you could think of.” I sighed.
“Let
me have the box.” Gerda said suddenly, “I have a new idea.” I
pushed it across the icy flor to her. She caught it and set it on her
lap.
“It
will not open.” Thomas said grimly.
“Shut
up and let her try!” the Queen snapped, “Maybe she has a bigger
idea then you did.” Thomas flushed.
“You
were all mean.” Gerda said softly, “Perhaps a little love will
help.”
“How
do you show love to a box?” Thomas snorted.
“Shut
up!” the Queen snarled, “For your information some toys do not
work unless kissed by a child. Some doors do not open unless someone
strikes them in the center with an ax. Some magic rings do not work
unless kissed by a maiden. Some- well you get the idea. If some magic
works that way then why not the box work that way?”
“If
you knew somethings worked that way, why did you not try it
yourself?” Thomas growled.
“Oh
be quiet you two!” Gerda cried, “If we want to escape we need to
work together.” The Queen and Thomas had the grace to look ashamed
of themselves.
Gerda
held the box up and looked hard at it. The Queen tried to say
something, but she shut her mouth when my sister glared at her.
“Here
goes!” Gerda said grimly and planted a kiss on the top of the box.
Nothing happened. Gerda sighed and set it down. “Busted!” she
muttered.
“I
tried to say, I did try all those things.” the Queen said, “The
box will not open for the kiss of a grown woman.” Gerda looked at
her in surprise.
“Am
I a grown woman?” she asked. Then she frowned, “Six years, of
course. I forgot, I got older.”
“Give
me the stupid box.” Thomas said with a flushed face, “Lets try
the kiss of a boy.”
“You
would be considered a man.” the Queen corrected. Thomas looked even
more embarrassed. The box had no change for him either. He looked a
little relieved. I was disappointed. We were out of ideas.
Suddenly
everyone turned towards me. My heart sank. Surely they would not make
me kiss the box too. Thomas pushed it towards me.
“Nope!”
I said, “Not kissing any box!” I had never felt stupider then
when I planted a hard kiss on the top of that stupid box. Of course
nothing happened.
“Well,
all I can say is, make yourselves at home.” the Queen said dryly
and stood up, “It will be quite some years before you set foot in
your world again.” Tears came to my eyes.
“When
was the last time I ate?” Thomas asked suddenly, “I ate nothing
since coming here, and I am not hungry.”
“At
least I do not have to feed you!” the Queen said dryly, “Magic
idiot!” she began to pace the room.
“I
want to be hungry again!” Thomas protested, “My mouth wants
food!”
“Glutton!”
the Queen retorted.
Gerda
put her arms around me. I put my arms around her and I cried. For the
first time in my life I truly missed my mother. I had not realized
how much I had wanted to go home to her until we had failed again.
“The
more people show up the more this place feels like a prison!” the
Queen muttered. She glared at Thomas. He glared back. A single tear
slid down my cheek and splattered on the box.
“Well,
what about me?” Thomas cried, “I am not exactly jumping for joy
now that I am forced to live with you!”
“My
house, my rules!” the Queen snapped, “You can go live outside if
you want! Maybe you will freeze faster!”
My
tear seemed to sink into the ice. I straightened up and stared. Deep
cracks ran along the smooth lid and down the sides.
“Queen!”
I screamed. She turned quickly. The box exploded and the shards flew
everywhere.
“Duh,
stupid me!” the Queen said, “Of course, the tear of a child!”
“Excuse
me?” Thomas cried, “You mean all we had to do was hold Tarek over
the stupid box and make him cry? Wish I knew sooner!” I glared at
him.
A
deep rumble caused the floor to shake. Cracks appeared on the floor.
I scrambled to my feet only to lose my balance immediately.
“Quick,
everyone outside the!” the Queen screamed. I stared at her, her
pale cheeks had turned red. Color was returning to her face. She
looked more human. Then I became aware that everyone was shivering.
The spells were breaking. We crawled and limped towards the broken
gates. Behind us bits of the walls were caving in. We would be
crushed after all.
Later...
Later
we stood on the slopes of the very edge of the mountain, deep empty
space rushing by our feet and watched as the island sank. Bits of the
palace crumbled away. The Queen turned to me.
“We
only have a little time left.” she said, “When we jump we will
each be transported back to the place where we were when we left.”
“Oh
great.” Thomas said, “We lose the kid again.”
“So
this is goodbye.” the Queen told me. I flung my arms around her. No
longer was the embrace icy. It was warm and tender. Almost like the
embrace of my real mama. She kissed me on the head.
“Goodbye
dear Queen.” I mumbled, “I love you.”
“I
love you too, my little boy!” the Queen whispered back. Then the
ground broke beneath our feet and we were shooting through the stars.
When
My Eyes Opened...
When
my eyes opened I found myself lying in an overgrown patch of weeds. I
had never felt so hot and uncomfortable in my entire life. My face
felt like it was on fire. Burning sun was glaring down at me. I sat
up groaning. A few wisps of swinging vines were swaying in the hot
breeze over me. I was lying on my back, half in and half out of the
old hiding place, which had once been my secret place. Shards of
broken glass sparkled in the sunlight. I stood up and looked around.
The garden was deserted. The palace was deserted. Everything was
deserted. The wall was broken and crumbled. I climbed up on it and
looked out.
The streets of the city I
had once called home were different. For
one thing, they certainly had shrunk from my knowledge. Another thing
was that they were dirty and deserted. Who had done this? Where was
everyone. I leaped down into the streets and started walking. A man
in rags suddenly came out of a house. He stopped and stared at me. I
stared right back at him.
“Hello.”
I tried. He stared. I tried a different word that meant hello. The
man shook his word. I frowned. In that place of no enchantments
except it's own everyone could understand everyone else. But I had at
least four different languages jumbled up in my mind. How would I
know what to say?
“Who
are you stranger?” the man said at last. I understood him fine, but
how was I to know which words he would understand. An idea entered my
mind. I pointed at myself.
“Tarek.”
I said. The man's eyes bulged. The name meant something. He grasped
my arm and began to run dragging me along with him. What was he up
too? Not knowing where else to go, I allowed him to take me. At least
he probably knew where other people wore.
I
was led through stinking half burnt streets to the edge of the city.
Endless burning sand stretched out in front of my gaze. Between me
and the endless nothing was hundreds of white and red striped tents
rising out of the sand. People were milling about. A shiver ran
through me. Would any of my people be there? The man stopped. A
second man had appeared at the gate and was pointing a curved sword
at us. I recognized him immediately. He was Verek. He looked exactly
as he had looked when I requested the bauble show him to me.
“I
need to see the King!” the man babbled wildly.
“Do
you wish to surrender, very well we except.” Verek said.
“No,
no.” the man cried.
“I
will take it from here.” I told the man. He stared at me blankly.
“I
blabber take blabber blabber here?” Verek said?”
“Verek.”
I said. My brother stared.
“Do
you know you?” he asked, “Boy of many languages.”
“Certainly.”
I said.
“What?”
he said.
“King
now!” I yelled. Verek looked at the man.
“Tarek.”
he said and pointed at me. Verek's face turned as white as snow.
Later...
Later
as I entered the camp and was showed the King I felt first a pang of
disappointment then dismay. The King was not my father. It was Zeno.
Did that mean my father was dead?
“Zeno!”
Verek shouted, “It is-”
“Tarek?”
Zeno asked. I nodded.
“He
talks funny.” Verek said.
“What
about Gerda?” Zeno asked. I tried to explain that she was in the
waters at the edge of the world but no one seemed to understand. I
finally walked over to a table and pointed to the water at the edge.
“Gerda
there!” I said.
“Impossible!”
someone in armor gasped, “The Endless Falls.”
“Gerda!”
I said again and pointed. Then I moved my finger to the Glittering
Island oasis by the Rushing Pool, “Mama.” I said.
“You
know where Madra is?” Zeno cried. I sighed.
“Mama.”
I said and pointed again. This was getting annoying. There was no way
I could sort out four different languages enough to talk to anyone.
Or was it five now. Surely the Queen had another one. I sighed again.
On
This Last Page...
On
this last page of this diary I will write the last words of my
adventure. It has been a long time since I returned. The city has
been cleaned and Zeno crowned king. Messengers have gone to the
Endless Sea and the Rushing Pool in search of Gerda, Mama, Snow and
Rose. By the way, Snow and Rose are really Fiona and Ester. They were
brought back awhile ago. It took mama only a glance to know me. She
also asked for Gerda, but she had not been found yet. I was glad that
the language problem made it impossible to share my story yet. I was
not ready to tell about the Snow Queen and the mountain between the
worlds.
Finally
the messengers returned bringing not only Gerda, but Thomas, the two
reindeer and Rika, with her own reindeer. Rika was younger then me,
probably ten or eleven. Zeno told me I was thirteen. But I do not
think numbers mean anything. It was a joyful reunion.
“What?”
Rika squealed, “This is the Tarek you were looking for, Gerda? Why
I could have introduced you a long time ago and saved everyone much
trouble.” I doubted it, but said nothing. What was there to say
anyway.
So
ends my diary, I have at last been reunited with my whole family.
Well, except for father who is dead and my sister Beatrice. She is
Queen somewhere else but no one, especially Uli seem very happy with
that. Everyone is married but Gerda and I. Snow and Rose married a
Bear and a Fox that were really enchanted princes. Silly, can you
believe that? Actually I take that back, Gerda will be married before
long too. To none other then that silly Thomas. My adventure as the
kidnapped prince is over, my next adventure will be to learn to talk
properly and discover what side effects the Gargoyle Mirror has left
on me. The Queen warned me. So I better be careful.
Farewell,
Tarek
son of the Third World
