The Tale of Philip and Ilonwye

Prologue

“My Lady?” asked the serving woman.
“Yes?” the young woman replied timidly.
“The ceremony is about to begin.  You beset be going soon.”  The young woman, soon to become a real woman, couldn’t believe the spell had worked.  The King, her one true love, was in love with her.  Their marriage would now not just be an arranged marriage—it would be one based on love.  She would be loved and love in return.
She took one last look at herself in the mirror.  Her gown was more beautiful than a white lily.  Covered in delicate lace from head to foot she looked like an angel.  Her hair was worn down with a gold band atop her head, accentuating her long black curls as they swept past her waist.  Her neck line was just below her collar bone, revealing part of her shoulders and her creamy pale skin.  The dress fit like a glove, flowing into a long train with white roses sewn into the hem.  The only jewelry she wore was a cross that Louis had given her.  Made of the purest silver, it was adorned with a rose, whose stem wound itself around the cross.  Her face was painted to look like that of the paintings her and Louis would be portrayed in.  
As she surveyed her surroundings, she caught a strange woman appear out of the shadows.  She was short but petite, and although she looked innocent, her emerald green eyes portrayed her.  The Bride knew the ceremony was going to begin, but she had no choice but to stay and give audience to this strange woman.
“What do you want Madame Black?  I’ve already given you what you’ve wanted!  This is my wedding day—leave …now!” she said somewhat nervously as she moved towards the chamber door.
But the woman blocked her path.  “Oh my sweet child, I am not here to ruin anything.  But I must remind you of the contract you signed.”
“I know what I signed; now leave me to my happiness…please?”  The Bride did not want to keep the King waiting.
“Maybe you did not read the last part, Duchess Isabelle?”  The Bride was confused by Madame Black’s inquiry.  “Let me read it for you then.”  Suddenly a scroll appeared out of the air, floating gracefully into the woman’s tiny hands.  She carefully unrolled it and read aloud in a gleeful tone, “ ‘If King Louis XIV of France, love of your heart, should learn how you won his, he will love you no longer and you shall be a slave to the black magic you practice for all eternity.’ ”
When she heard what Madame Black had spoken, the Bride’s porcelain face melted into a mask of pain as she realized the horror of the bargain she had signed to.  “What are you talking about?!” she screamed, “You told me the incantation was white magic!  I only agreed to practice your wicked craft because it was white magic!”  The Bride was going numb with pain as her heart began to break.  “Why would you lie to me?  You knew I loved the King…what am I going to do?...”  She couldn’t see the Madame Black curl her lips into an evil smile as a sheen of tears covered her eyes.  
Madame Black just laughed and declared, “But my dear Isabelle, you should have nothing to worry about!  Only you and I know of your ‘satanic’ deed.  And I have no intention of telling…but your serving woman might,” and with that, Madame Black disappeared into the shadows from whence she had come.
But the Bride already knew her faithful hand servant had not left her side the whole time.  For this was the reason she had cried in horror when the truth had been revealed.  Her servant’s usual face of devotion and kindness turned to one of horror and disgust.  As she walked to the door, her voice deepened and trembled.
“How could you my lady?  How could you practice Satan’s law?!  I cannot let the King marry ye, for ye be a witch!  An evil woman of lies and trickery!”  If the Bride had been paying any attention to her servant’s words she might have stopped her from destroying what could have been a perfect life.  As it was, she just sank to her knees, letting her tears soak into the lace of her dress, staining it black from her eye paint.
She could do nothing now…except to leave before she could be put to death.

The servant woman ran into the hall way and down the stairs to the wedding chamber.  The guests were all sitting down as the minstrels began to play.  She looked desperately for the king, and when she found him she slowly made her way towards the front, dreading every step for fear of upsetting the king’s happy demeanor.
“What’s this dear woman?  Does my beautiful bride need more time?  By all means, let her have what she needs,” the king said in a jolly voice.
The servant could not imagine what the king’s reaction might be, but knew she had to tell him for his own well being.
“My King…I regret…I-I regret to inform you…but your fiancé…has been seen performing witchcraft this very day…a spell to have you fall in love with her…I’m very sorry…”  She could no longer stand and soon collapsed on the ground.
The king’s face turned as white as the roses that filled the room.  He knew this could not be true.  His heart longed to see his love’s face.  He soon began running down the aisle, the guests turning their heads in shock, and he soon arrived at the Bride’s door.  He knocked three times before entering to find the room filled with a dark green smoke…his bride nowhere to be found.
His heart broke in two as he realized that from now until death, he would only have half a heart, for the other belonged to her.

The Bride appeared in front of an abandoned castle, its windows broken and the doors on their last hinge.  How she had come to be there, she knew not.  She remembered wishing she could escape the castle…and then the green smoke appeared.  What she did know was that only half her heart remained in her body.  As she walked to the gates, she choked on the green smoke hanging in the air.
Madame Black appeared from behind the main gates, opening them by waving her hand.  She coaxed the Bride into the castle and closed the main door quietly.
“Well my dear Isabelle, I am sorry for your loss, but ‘tis better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all.”
“You have taken away all my reason for living.  What more do you want?”  She choked on the last few words as new tears welled into her deep blue eyes.  As long as I live, she thought, I will never let two lovers come together and unite my kingdom with an heir of Louis.
But the Bride only made this vow because if she could not love and be loved, then no deserved to.  And in her half of a heart, she felt that she and Louis were to be the ones to unite France.  
“My dear, we don’t have that much time before I must pass on.  You see, you are to become my successor.  I am quite old and I do wish to leave this world…for whatever I may encounter next.  I must give you all my knowledge and power so you may carry out the contract that every new witch signs.”  Madame Black began to climb the winding stair case.  The Bride began to follow, regretting every step she took, knowing it would lead to her demise.
This morning she had thought that Louis would kiss her soft pale lips and they would be husband and wife.  Now her gown had turned black from the smoke that had transported her to the castle; her face was covered in tear streaks and dirt.  As she passed by a mirror, she wondered, why did Louis find me beautiful?  I am the ugliest creature ever be held.
The two finally reached the top floor and walked into a room that was devoid of any life.  A closet stood to the right, its contents being a collection of long black dresses.  In the center stood a large canopy bed draped in black with black silk covers.  Although the color would have saddened any normal person, the Bride thought it suited her well, seeing as she would be in mourning for the rest of her days.
“This is where you shall stay while I am still here.  Tomorrow we shall begin your transformation.  Any questions, Isabelle?”
The Bride could think of only one.  “What would have happened if Louis hadn’t found out?  Who would have succeeded you?”
Madame Black seemed to ponder her thoughts for a moment.  “I suppose I shall tell you.  But it will only break your heart more.  Louis has not stopped loving you—and he does know of your wicked deed.  Even you should know true love conquers all.”
“What?”  The Bride felt as though she would die on the spot from this news.
“You see, the spell you performed only brought about his true feelings.  It seems he really does love you.  But now that you’re in the castle, you cannot leave.  Once you enter through those doors, your fate is sealed my dear.  Now, I shall see you in the morning.”  She quickly disappeared and locked the door, leaving the Bride to herself.
She could not believe the deceit she had been put through.  Did Louis really love her?  Or was that a lie, too?  I suppose I shall never know, she thought.  And with that thought, the floodgates of her soul burst forth, leaving her to cry into the night.

One week later…

Isabelle was all alone now.  Not that Madame Black had been much of a companion, but at least she had someone to share the immense castle with.  Only two nights ago had she passed on.  Isabelle could feel the evil in her veins, her heart, and her thoughts.  Now a witch, the young woman could no longer feel love or joy or gladness.  She only felt loneliness, pain, hate and anger.  
Her true self had been destroyed the minute Madame Black’s powers had been transferred.  She wanted to jump off the castle and end her miserable life.  But she couldn’t even do that; not without someone to pass her powers to.  She would live forever, for she refused to curse another girl with her terrible fate.
But what Isabelle didn’t know was that sometime soon, she would be lifted of her curse and France would be joined by two lovers.  One from her only family and another from Louis’.  


What is the Meaning of Love?

“Prince Phillip?  Wake up!” Suddenly I was being shaken by a soft hand.  I could feel those same hands pulling back my quilt.  A sudden chill swept over me and made me shiver.  Why did I have to wake up?  And that blasted sun!  The insides of my eyelids became pink with the sun shining through them.  
“Alright Alayda, I’m up. What time is it?”  
“It’s morning, as you can see.  And you have to get ready for the celebration today.”  Alayda began dressing me in my best clothes.  It must be something important, for father never meant me to wear these clothes until… she has arrived!  
“Alayda, is there a reason why I am wearing these clothes?”  I already knew the answer, but I liked to make Alayda think I wasn’t too bright.  
“Why, yes, Prince Phillip there is.  And I know you know why.  Your father’s friend, King Aaron and his wife have had their first child, and it’s a girl.  There is a celebration at the palace this morning and you are to be there with your father.  Now, please finish dressing.”  Alayda left, leaving me both scared and excited.  My father had told me this day might come; that one day I might meet the girl who I would marry.  I was only but 13, but I know realized how scary this day was going to be.  What if, when this girl was old enough, I didn’t love her?  Or she didn’t love me?  My father said that love would come after the marriage, but I just couldn’t see things that way.  This girl wouldn’t even know that the minute my face appeared in her eyes, she would be staring at the boy who would turn into the man who she would marry.  
I finished dressing and went down to the dining hall.  Father was already sitting down to the morning meal.  How could he eat on a day like this?  I felt like the very butterflies outside in our garden were inside of my stomach.  “Phillip, is something wrong, my son?”  I hated it when Father worried about me.  It just made me feel even more nervous.  I sat down and picked at the grapes sitting in the middle of the table… I wasn’t hungry.  
“No, Father, I’m perfectly alright.”  A lie.  But I couldn’t really tell him what was on my mind… he would never understand my worries.  He always told me I was much too mature for my age, and maybe he was right.  


The carriage jostled along as the horses pulled us.  Father was as happy as a lark, whistling some tune.  The streets were crowded with King Aaron’s people shouting out praise and joy for this new baby princess.  I didn’t even know her name and yet these people had more joy for her birth than I did.  Not that I wasn’t happy for her birth, it just didn’t bring the same excitement as these people were portraying.  We hit a bump in the road and I dropped my hat.  As I went to pick it up, an even louder throng of shouts came from the people.  They must’ve realized it was King Alexander and his son Prince Phillip, the future husband of their beloved princess, arriving.  
We reached the gates just as they opened, which signaled the musicians to sound the fanfare.  Why did they always have to announce our arrival?  
“Phillip?  Phillip!”  I looked over at my father to see that he was trying to gain my attention.
“What is it father?”  I hardly cared to wonder what he could possibly want.  But I suppose I should pay attention.
“Well my boy… I don’t know what advice you would exactly like me to give you on this ah, interesting, of occasions.  Please realize that you don’t have to worry about anything.  Think about it… no adoring girls lining up for you to choose from.  Your wife has already been chosen.  The same goes for her—she won’t have to frazzle herself over becoming an old maid!”  Father laughed at this point; a deep booming laugh I’m sure the other noble men and women would have heard.  I didn’t find it at all funny and I wished that he would stop trying to change my mind.  
“Father, please.  This is her day, don’t worry about me,” I said as I opened the carriage door and stepped out into the palace courtyard.  They certainly haven’t wasted on the decorations.  The garden was a spectacular sight to behold.  The roses were in full bloom and in an array of colors: red, pink, white, yellow, peach, purple, and even blue.  The sun shone on each petal giving it a beauty greater than any other flower present.  The air was scented with the bouquet and filled my nose with its aroma.  Lords and Ladies were milling about the gardens all clothed in their best attire.  The women wore dresses of every color imaginable and some almost looked as though they were made from the very roses surrounding them.  The men were just as handsomely dressed, wearing their best jewels and hats.  
I saw my father talking with Lord Edmund and decided that I could sneak into the castle without him noticing my absence.  I wanted to see the princess if I could.  How would I do it, though?  Obviously I had some privilege, being her betrothed and all.  I walked through the open doors and saw that the hall was just as beautiful as the gardens.  The gardeners had obviously cut roses and placed them in hand painted vases.  As I walked by the tables, I noticed that these vases weren’t just hand painted, but that they were made especially for this day.  Each one had a different scene depicted on it.  They seemed to be telling the princess’ story, and as I came to the end of the hall I saw the last vase was painted in white, gold, and silver—wedding colors for a royal couple.  The scene was wreathed in white roses as two people stood at the altar in their wedding clothes.  The girl was beautiful.  She had long brown hair with green eyes and her veil only dulled her beauty.  The man standing next to her, I assume was to be me, looked nothing like the man I thought I would become.  He had a smile upon his lips as he held her hands in his.  Was that what would happen 16 years from now?  It seemed perfect when painted by a skilled hand on a vase, but life wasn’t perfect and I still had my doubts.  
“Prince Phillip?  Excuse me?”  A serving girl was coming towards me from the side corridor to the right.  I had been so lost in thought I had barely noticed her approach.
“Yes, Miss…?”
“Mary, my name is Mary.”
“Well, hello Miss Mary.  What service do you require of me?”  She seemed only one or two years older than myself.  Even the servants were dressed in fancy attire this day.  Mary wore a long white dress tied at the waist with a gold ribbon which matched the one in her hair which held her braids in place.  
“I believe the king and queen wish an audience with you had your father, King Alexander,” she said nervously.  I wished that other people could see I was a common as them, but she had been taught to fear and adore the royal family and nothing I could say would change that.  
“Thank you for telling me.  Please inform my father likewise.  He is speaking outside in the garden with Lord Edmund.  Which way is the throne room?”
“Of course, it’s just to the left and the doors are already open, so just enter and the king and queen should be waiting for you.  Excuse me please.”  She hurried down the hall, tripping twice as she went.  I hope she didn’t twist her ankle…  Now I have to go to the throne room.  What could King Aaron and Queen Adeline want with father and I?  Maybe I would get to meet the princess!  Excitement and fear filled my head as I walked down the hall.  
I reached the throne room and entered to find it completely empty.   Tapestries covered the walls with wonderful pictures, all of them telling the story of King Aaron’s kingdom.  Some portrayed wars fought, others grand celebrations.  Just as there was a vase of my coming marriage to their daughter, there was a tapestry portraying his marriage to the queen.  It was quite beautiful and drained some of the fear that I had.  King Aaron and Queen Adeline were also an arranged marriage, and they seemed to be quite in love.  This made me worry a little less and I tried to think of the best possible outcome.  Maybe the princess and I would grow up playing together and our affections would turn to love by the time she was 16.  
A sudden thud was sounded and I spun around to see who it was.  A maid was bringing in a bassinet for the princess.  
“Excuse me, Madame, but do you know where the King and Queen are?”
“I beg your pardon your highness, I thought the throne room was empty.  I believe the King and Queen are coming with the princess just now.”  As she said this, King Aaron and his wife entered.  Queen Adeline held the baby in her arms; the two of them just staring down at the tiny purple bundle.  They walked slowly to the front of the room only just noticing me and the maid.
“Why, Prince Phillip!  I almost didn’t recognize you!  How you have grown.  And how is your father, King Alexander?”  King Aaron’s voice was quite the opposite of my father’s.  It was of a tenor’s pitch but still sounded authoritative.  I couldn’t help but smile at his happy face.
“I am doing splendidly King Aaron.  Father is just as well, thank you.  And how are you dear Queen Adeline?”  She seemed almost as though nothing could tear her away from her child.  But she snapped out of her daze and answered in a soft voice, filled with wonder.
“Ever since this little one has come along, I have never experienced any other emotion but happiness.  Would you like to meet our dear Ilonwye?”  What a beautiful name.  I could only imagine a name that beautiful to match the painting on the vase.  But I shouldn’t hope that the child look that beautiful now.  
“Of course, I would love to.”  The truth was I was busting at the seams waiting to see the face of Ilonwye.  
“Hold your arms just so,” said King Aaron, bending his two arms to create a bottomless basket.  I mimicked his arms and then the Queen placed her in my arms.  
She was so tiny… and her face!  The moment I looked into her eyes, all my doubts and fears evaporated.  Her emerald green eyes stared into my brown ones with such intensity I thought I would get lost in them.  What little hair she had was indeed brown like her father’s, but it also had a reddish tint that matched her mother’s fiery red perfectly.  Although she was but only a week old, and I was 13… I was in love.  It sounded strange to hear that thought in my head, but I didn’t regret thinking it.  It was true—I loved this girl and was willing to wait 16 years for her to love me back.