Once upon a time, in a land that that no one could ever find on any map, there lived a fair maiden, with her two tigers, her mother and her younger sister. Jemalynn passed each day in the palace gardens and writing stories. Her mother, Queen Marie, favored Jemalynn's younger sister, Meeghan, so much while she was growing up that she was a spoiled, uncaring little girl. She tormented Jemalynn and teased her about how she chose to fill her days. Meeghan was cruel, heartless and vain. The mighty Queen soon became sad about her youngest daughter's ways that she locked herself in her high tower that only had one small window to let in fresh air. Every night, Meeghan would climb the stairs to the tower, bang on the door and spit in her mother's face. All of the maidens in the town feared Meeghan for she would have them executed if they even walked through her path. She would have their bodies drained of blood and then hung in the town square to show everyone that she wasn't someone to cross. Meeghan would then have her handmaids bath her in their blood. She believed it kept her skin fair and young.
Jemalynn never spoke to her sister out of fear. She kept to herself and wandered her gardens all the while her tigers stayed at her side. She would sit by the pond and weave flowers into crowns that she would playfully place upon their heads, which they would paw off and eat. She would hear the town just outside of the palace walls, but never mingled with the townsfolk. She knew what her sister did and she didn't want to be labeled as such.
One bright summer afternoon, as Jemalynn sat beside the pond, she heard a faint whisper. Looking around, she saw no one and even her feline companions didn't stir. Shrugging, she continued to move her quill along the page of her journal. And then she heard it again, as clear as day. "Save me" in a male voice. She looked around, but again, saw no one. She gathered her skirts in her hands and bolted for the castle, for she knew not what was speaking to her and it frightened her.
The next afternoon, she silently and slowly walked to the meadow and sat next to her pond. No sooner had she sat, the voice again..."Save me" But this time, she was alone. She closed her eyes and wished it away. When she opened them again, she was staring face to face with a silver wolf that had the most vibrant blue eyes she had ever seen. Startled she jumped and started to run. Tripping on the hem of her long yellow gown, she fell. The wolf was instantly at her side. "Please dont run" said the voice. She looked into it's eyes. Could this be real? Can I hear this beast's thoughts, she thought to herself. "Yes, I can see inside of your soul, precious one" came the reply.
"My name is Prince Mada. I was cursed by an evil sorcerer some time back and I am trapped in this beast's body until I can break the spell." Jemalynn stared at the wolf, whose eyes seem to scorch her very heart. "I am Jemalynn, my lord." And with that, she stood up quickly and headed for the castle in such a hurry, she dropped her journal. The wolf picked it up in his jaws and walked back to the forest that surround the palace. "I will see you in your dreams..." he said.
For the following three nights, Jemalynn tossed and turned as she tried to slumber. Her moans and cries managed to rise her sister from her sleep. Meeghan stormed to her room and through open the door. "If you do not calm yourself, Jemalynn, I will slit your throat and throw you to the dogs." Jemalynn jumped awake.
"But sister, I have been having this dream, where this silver wolf with the most beautiful blue eyes speaks to me. He tells me he is a prince under a spell. He wants me to save him."
"Nonsense Jemalynn. You are too caught up in your story telling that you are blending reality with imagination. Now sleep silently, or I will skin you alive." And with a flick of her hair, she was gone.
Jemalynn quivered. She knew Meeghan was not joking but she also knew this dream wasn't just her imagination. She rose out of bed, put on a blue robe over her white night dress and slipped on a pair of blue slippers. She would find this animal. She would listen to it speak. And she would learn it's tale.
As she pranced through the night, she began to lose hope as time wore on. Finally, exhausted and cold she headed back towards the castle.
"I see you." came the voice. Jemalynn froze, her feet instantly became rooted to the ground.
The silver wolf stepped from behind the shadows and walked to her side. Sitting on his haunches, he nuzzled her hand. Jemalynn fell to her knees and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I knew you were real. Come with me, my prince. Lets leave this place." she said into his warm scruff. "You must bring me a lock of hair from your sister's head to break this spell." his eyes spoke. Jemalynn nodded. "Then so be it"
As the morning sun streamed through her window, Jemalynn rubbed her eyes. What a spectacular dream. As she threw off the blankets, her heart stopped as she saw the mud and bits of grass on her white linen sheets. It wasn't a dream. She knew what she must do. Catching her breath, she made her way to her sister's room. Opening the door and stepping inside, she noticed Meeghan still slept. She pulled the pair of silver ornate shears from her pocket and walked to the side of the bed. Holding a piece of her sister's hair in her hand, she readied the scissors. Just before she had a chance to snip, Meeghan opened her eyes. "I will kill you for this!" She snarled. She seized Jemalynn by the throat and slammed her against the wall..."Today, you will die!" Meeghan screamed.
Jemalynn opened her eyes and realized her hands were tied behind her back. The pyre that was built around her smelled of hay and lilies. Her eyes sought out her mother in the window. How could the Queen allow this to happen? There was no face looking in the window. Meeghan came from out of the shadows with a lit torch in her hand. "How dare you cross me, dear sister. You should have feared me, but never hated me." She brought the torch to the kindling that surrounded Jemalynn. She screamed. "Save me" The flames started to consume everything around her and the last thing she saw was a flash of silver before everything turned black.
As she opened her eyes, all she saw was the night sky all around her. Billions of stars twinkled on the canvas of navy. Brilliant blue eyes were gazing into hers. "You saved me, Princess Jemalynn. I needed someone that would risk their life for me in order to break the spell. May this kiss echo off of the mountains for an eternity."
And with that, Prince Mada, in perfect human form, leaned over her and enclosed her mouth with his.
"Your mother has come out from that tower. Your terrible sister is gone into the legends. Your life begins anew tonight, if you shall have me as your husband...as your king."
Jemalynn threw her arms around the Prince's neck. "To life anew" she exclaimed and kissed him again and again, until they were both breathless. "I may have saved you, but you have saved me."
They were both wed, under a tall oak beside the pond in the meadow of Jemalynn's palace. Her mother stood tall and powerful among her people. The town cheered with joy.
And then, my friends, they both lived happily ever after.
