Remembrance Ch. 1

       The sun was barely in the sky as the watermill brought in the fresh water from the river leading to a crystal-like waterfall.  Laughter could be heard all through the kingdom but the one place where all laughter and noise would cease was by the edge of the stream near the waterfall.  A young girl with long blond hair lies on the ground, dangling her feet in the stream.  Only the forest animals seem to keep her company while the hustle and the bustle of the kingdom continue to go on.  A young man runs, dashing through the forest in search of the girl as his voice cries out to her.  “Princess Gemini! Where are you?”  She sighs, kicking the waters a bit more.  “Why does he have to get me now?  I mean they know where to find me and it’s not like I will go very far.  This is my place and they should respect it as much as I do,” Gemini complains, growling from the thought of going back to that noise.  The young man trips over a root that had been surfaced not too long ago due to the rain.  He lands on the ground face first before colliding with Gemini.  “Hey Galvin, are you alright?” Gemini says as she rolls over onto her stomach to get a better look of his condition.
       Galvin lays there for a moment, barely breathing at all.  Gemini crawls over to him, her face having the look of worry on it.  Galvin was the type to be such a klutz but he wasn’t the type to be seriously hurt from whenever he had fallen over.  A few of her blonde hairs fell down to his face as she looks for signs of life.  Suddenly a gentle tug of her hair causes a screech come from her lips.  Galvin smiles letting out a small chuckle from the screech.  “You sure seem to be really jumpy as of late Gemini, something on your mind?” Galvin whispers to her, looking up at him with a bit of worry in his deep blue eyes. Her cheeks pinken from how close they were but from his concern as well.  She pushes him away, sitting up and looking at the waterfall.  “Galvin, my birthday is very soon.  I’m a little worried about it.  I’ll be thirteen years old and my father says a lot will happen when I turn that age,” She says, pulling a few strains of her hair running her fingers through them.  “Oh don’t worry about it Gemini.  You know you’ll do just fine, you’re just scared,” Galvin says with a smile, moving behind her and starting to play with her hair braiding it slowly.  He tugs on her hair all of a sudden, causing her to screech again. “OW! What was that,” She says but stops in mid sentence seeing the royal advisor, Sanjuro, staring down at them.
       “Just what do you think you’re doing with her royal majesty Galvin?” Sanjuro says as he questions the actions of the two youngsters.  Gemini looks at Galvin, giving him the look that he was so used to every time they had spoken in each others minds.  “Don’t move. I don’t like him at all Galvin.  Please don’t leave me with him,” Gemini says in Galvin’s mind.  Galvin nods to her and keeps close to her.  Sanjuro watches them in their silent jesters, making him extremely impatient as well as annoyed.  “Fine, both of you come back to the kingdom so we may make more preparations for the special day,” Sanjuro says in surrender to their silence.  Gemini smiles victoriously, placing her hand in his while they rise from where they were sitting.  They follow the royal advisor back to the chaotic kingdom.  No, that wasn't right for one to say about the kingdom.  It was more organized except for certain occasions.  
       It was almost fifteen years ago when the war was ended by a single marriage between Elves and Demons.  The war between the Elves and the Demons went on for twenty years, almost since the time the queen sat on the throne.  Both of the kingdoms were constantly battling each other, raiding any small village just beyond the reach of the queen.  One day in the midst of all the fighting and raiding of the two kingdoms the Queen of the Elves, Rianna, and the King of the Demons, Valiant, were at each others necks with sharpened blades.  And for a moment, the whole world had stopped.  They saw what their own ambitions had done to their kingdoms and their people.  From that day on, negotiations took place to restore order throughout their kingdoms.  During negotiations the king and the queen fell in love with each other, bringing their two kingdoms together.  And from that love gave birth to a child, Gemini.
       Gemini was told that story so many times that she almost grew sick of hearing how she was spawned from two different species.  She didn’t mind being from an elf and a demon but it was almost uncommon that such a thing occurred.  Galvin nudges her back into the reality in which they existed so she didn’t fall or run into anything.  He knew she was more of a dreamer than anything else.  She smiles at him, feeling their links grow stronger as they walk together towards the inner gates of the kingdom.  “Galvin, what should we do about this?  It’s too soon to go back,” She says, touching his inner thoughts.  “I know it’s too soon but there’s not much we can hope to gain by running away now,” he replies in her mind, trying to be watchful of the advisor.  Galvin didn’t like him for some reason but he knew he couldn’t say anything to the king or queen.  He wasn’t that important and he knew that Gemini had already tried telling them about Sanjuro.
       Sanjuro barely pays attention to their looks as they finally arrive in the main throne room of the palace.  They almost ran into him when Galvin squeezes her hand, bringing their eyes to the throne room.  The mirror-like marble palace reflects the mid-morning light, letting it bounce from one tile to another until it hits the long crimson carpet walkway.  The throne was decorated with all sorts of spring color ribbons and streamers; some being pinks, blues, greens, and a few yellows. Fresh hand-picked flowers were lying all over different sized oval tables.  Galvin watches Gemini with a smile, trying not to let out a chuckle from her looks.  The room slowly lights up from the sun passing through the sky.  Rianna walks in and stares at the three, turning her gaze to Sanjuro. “Sanjuro, what is going on? How could you let her come back so soon? She wasn’t supposed to be here for another half hour,” Rianna said so sternly to him, causing Sanjuro to bow to her in disgrace. “I’m so sorry milady but I was not told where to find her highness Gemini so I went in search for her,” Sanjuro said, knowing his excuse was nothing short of a lie.  Rianna sighs, waving her hand. “Fine, fine but now that you’re here Gemini you need to change, okay?  So come with me and we’ll get you all ready,” She says holding out her hand for her daughter.  Gemini looks to Galvin and he nods, nudging her to go with her mom. “Don’t worry, okay? I’ll be waiting for you when you get back,” He says, touching her mind in hopes to relieve her of her worries.
       “Hold still little one, you’re going to give yourself knots if you keep moving your head,” Rianna says, giggling a little trying to braid Gemini’s hair.  “I can’t help it mother, even my room is decorated without my knowing so it’s a little hard not to look,” Gemini says, smiling from the decorations.  The room was normally the same crystal-like marble tiling just like the throne room but for this occasion it shined with a bright pink and from all the flowers laying everywhere it was looking like a flower blossoming on a new spring morning.  Some of the tiles look like prisms due to the other multiple flowers lying with the pink roses all over the bed and petals of special blue roses all over the floor like a blue sea.  Her bed folded with new crisp blue sheets that overflow onto the ground as though they were water ripples.  “Alright we’re done with your hair, you can look now.  Let me get your dress while you look to see if you like it,” Rianna says, standing up from her tan wooden stool making her way to the closet to find Gemini’s dress.  Gemini giggles, standing up and dancing all across the floor.  It was a special day indeed for her and she couldn’t help but be happy.  The petals on the floor dance with her and move all around her feet like a whirlwind.  Her mother returns with the dress, shaking her head.  “I guess I don’t have to make you ready for your big day huh,” Rianna says, holding out a red dress that was simple in design but was embroidered with stones of white that reflect the light like glass.  Gemini quickly puts it in, brushing out the edges finely before positioning the sleeves at the edge of her shoulders.  Her mother nods in approval with how the dress was made.  She holds outs ruby shoes for her daughter to put on.  As Gemini puts them on, her mom disappears for a moment in hallway and returns with a box in her hand.  “Now close your eyes Gemini.  There is just one more thing that is necessary to make this outfit perfect,” Rianna says as she opens the box to pull out a gold chain with a pendant on it.  Gemini blinks, wondering what her mother was up to but closes her eyes anyway in waiting to know what was she talking about.  Her mother reaches around and carefully places the oval locket around Gemini’s neck, clasping the chain so the necklace wouldn’t fall off. “Now open your eyes,” Rianna says in anticipation.  Gemini squeals and giggles, looking at the locket. “Oh it’s beautiful mother! I just love it,” She says as she opens the locket and to her surprise seeing a picture of herself and someone else.  “Who is this, mother?” She asks in wonderment.  “Oh that’s who you’ll marry very soon Gemini,” Rianna says, brushing a few wrinkles out of Gemini’s dress. Gemini stood there frozen from the thought of marriage.  It wasn’t uncommon for girls her age to get married but she enjoyed her life or running free and not having to worry about feelings for another.  She looks down at the picture, wondering who it was. “Mother, who-” “You wish to know who it is? Well it just happens to be Galvin,” Rianna says with a smile. Gemini’s eyes widen from her mother’s words.  “Really!?  Are you serious?  I mean I thought Galvin was just a demon, I didn’t know he was a prince or anything.  When were you going to tell me?” Gemini says in a confused tone.  Rianna laughs from her daughter’s expression it was a sight to behold. “Oh Gemini, you are very funny at times.  We didn’t want to tell you because it was the wish between his parents and us.  We wanted you two to grow up as friends and not as royals who had to see each other.  Now enough of this, it’s time to get going to your party and well preengagement,” Rianna says as tears run down her cheeks.  Gemini reaches for her mother’s hand, walking with her down to the party.
       Music fills the air as King Valiant is escorted into the room by the general of the kingdom’s army.  Galvin walks up to the king, bowing graciously to him.  Valiant smiles, holding out his hand to Galvin speaking authoritatively. “Galvin, I am most pleased you could come on this special occasion though I know you wouldn’t miss it for anything else.”  Galvin looks up with a smile, his cheeks pinken from the words. “Your Highness today is the day that I’ve been waiting for, for a very long time.  I hope she will like the locket,” He says, smiling sheepishly.  Valiant laughs, patting the young lad on the back.  Rianna returns to Valiant’s side, taking his hand into hers as she smiles up at him.  The trumpets blow as the guests stop from conversing and grow quite with anticipation.  The announcer steps forward on the platform from the top of the stairs with a smile on his face as he proclaim, “Your Highness, Ladies and Gentlemen of the court, and all invited guest may I have your attention please. I would like to introduce her royal highness, Princess Gemini Kira Saxon!” A loud gasp from all the guests sounded like a vacuum that took all the noise from the room as they turn their heads to the top of the stairs.  Gemini stands there, her cheeks pinken from everyone staring at her.  She gently nods to the announcer as he bows and steps away from her so she may come through.  She gently places her right hand on the railing of the stairs while her left hand resides on her side, lifting a bit of her dress up to make it easier for her to glide down the stairs.  She stops at the next to the last step, letting go of her dress and waiting for someone to escort her the rest of the way to the throne room. Valiant nudges Galvin in the back and he immediately runs to Gemini’s side.  His eyes were still on her, mesmerized by how she was.  He bows to her before holding out his hand to her, waiting for her to take it.  She delicately places her in his, gliding the rest of the way down the stairs keeping her eyes on his as they make their way to the throne.  The nobles of both kingdoms as well as any other guest lucky enough to be there bow their heads in respect as King Valiant and Queen Rianna step forward from their places to meet up with Gemini and Galvin.  “Today is a special day amongst the kingdom of elves and the kingdom of demons for today our daughter, Gemini, takes the official title as ‘Princess’ and has claim to the throne one day.  May the joining of our children Prince Galvin and Princess Gemini produce peace and joy throughout our two kingdoms,” Valiant said amongst the cheering that came through the crowd.  He raises his hand, trying to calm down the cheering as he continues to say, “And now, let us celebrate this momentous occasion!” The cheering resumes as the musicians begin to play.
       Galvin and Gemini were push to the center of the room, the music playing a slow song bringing the mood of the room to a gentler and loving mood.  Galvin bows to Gemini and she curtseys to him.  She gently places her right hand in his left hand, putting her left hand on his should and his right hand on her waist slowly moving into the beat of the song.  Both of their cheeks redden from the light and from their closeness.  Gemini’s eyes stay on his, feeling rather nervous.  “Galvin out of all the times we were together, I feel more nervous now than ever before.  How do you feel?” She asks as she touches his mind with her thoughts.  He nods and gently squeezes her hand.  The world seems to fade away as they dance slowly; even the music was more of a memory than anything else for all they saw was each other.  Galvin sees the locket around her neck, dangling gently on her chest. “I see you like the gift then?” He questions, touching her mind with his thoughts now.  She nods with a smile and he leads her throughout the room, twirling her making her laugh.  Valiant takes his wife’s hand, squeezing it gently as he looks at her.  “You know this looks familiar, don’t you think Rianna?” He whispers to her.  She nods in agreement to his question.  Gemini blushes, feeling their dance slow almost to a halt. Galvin leans closer to Gemini, lifting his hand to her cheek gently kissing her on the lips.
       Suddenly an explosion was heard from the outer gates, sending a tremor throughout the entire kingdom.  Screams could be heard from the outer gates, growing louder and closer to the main gates to the palace.  “Quickly everyone!” Valiant commands, trying to get everyone to leave as quickly as they could so nothing happens to them.  The maids were scrambling, trying to get the royal family away to a safe place.  The guards stood their ground, trying to keep the enemies from advancing any further but to no avail.  From the sound of it, it was more of a slaughter than an actual fight.  The head maid was waiting for them at the secret door in the back of the kitchen.  She had a bag of clothes and other necessities that would help in case of an emergency.  She scans the back and looks down the passageway before yelling back saying that all was clear for them to come through.  Galvin looks at Gemini touching her mind quickly, “They want you. You must go now!”  She shook her head but before she could disagree anymore, he kisses her one more time and pushes her to the maid.  Gemini ran has fast as she could down the passage way, wanting to go back instead of running away.  Before anyone else could go through the door another explosion came from the throne room.  Valiant nods to his wife and they both run to the throne room with their swords drawn, trying to keep them from finding their daughter.  They came to a quick stop, seeing their enemy.  “Dark Elves?  What could you possibly want?” Valiant questioned the captain of the regiment.  The captain steps forward declaring, “We want your daughter, Princess Gemini.  Where is she?”
       As the king and queen kept the dark elves at bay, the head maid took Gemini through the forest as quickly as her feet could fly on ground.  “Hurry up milady, they mustn’t find you,” She said as she hastens through the forest.  “But what about my parents… and Galvin?” Gemini asks, trying to keep up with the maid.  The head maid stops by a steep cave, looking inside. She turns to Gemini, grabbing her by the arm handing shoving a dress in her face. “Here put this on and quickly,” the head maid demands, looking around for anyone that might be coming. Gemini fumbles with her dress, trying to get out of it carefully but the maid rips the dress to shreds and slips the other dress on.  The maid also puts a beret on Gemini’s head, taking a deep breath before doing what she has to do. “Gemini, you must live on. Do you understand me?” the head maid asks.  Gemini nods, showing that she understands.  “But what about everyone else?” She asks, wondering what will happen.  The head maid pulls out a dagger and runs it across Gemini’s palm.  “Forgive me milady for this,” the head maid apologetically says before pushing Gemini down the cave-like well.  She then takes the clothes and runs the blood all over it and heads back towards the kingdom.
       Back at the kingdom Valiant stays near his wife, holding their ground.  Before they could say anything else, Sanjuro, their royal advisor steps forward in between the captain of the regiment and Valiant. “Sanjuro, I thought you said she would be here,” the captain said with impatience in his tone.  Sanjuro raises his hand, bowing a bit to the captain. “Forgive me sir but apparently she got away before I could find her.  All I found was her annoying fiancé,” Sanjuro says but continues onto say as he turns his gaze to Valiant, “Where is your daughter?”  Valiant lets out a low growl, glaring at Sanjuro.  “Oh don’t give me that look Valiant.  You were too blinded by that weakness you call your wife to see what was really going on around you,” Sanjuro says with a laugh.  A noise came from the kitchen and a few of the dark elves ran in and brought back the head maid.  “Cherrie? What are you,” Rianna stops from finishing her sentence, looking back at the captain.  “Woman, tell me where the princess is and I’ll spare your life,” the captain says, wondering if the woman would betray the king and queen as well.  “She’s dead. See?” the head maid says as she holds up the ripped up dress with blood all over it.  The sight of blood causes Rianna to tear up.  She bites on her lower lip, holding back the tears as best as possible.  “Well they are no longer useful now that the princess is dead.  Burn down the rest of the kingdom and kill them all,” the captain says, walking away disgusted about his mission failing.  “What?! What about me? You said I would be compensated if I helped you get the princess,” Sanjuro dejects to the captain.  “Well you didn’t deliver her to me, so I see no reason to keep you alive now do I,” the captain says walking away.  With one word, the dark elves executed everyone in the throne room, one by one.  Rianna was taken away first to the nearest room in the nearby hallway.  Sounds of a struggle could be heard before a deathly silence.  One of the two men that went back with Rianna came back, taking away Valiant.  As they pass the room Rianna was taken too, all that could be seen was blood all over the floor and the walls.  Valiant grabs the dark elf by the arm, shoving him up against the wall.  They struggle into the bloody room, throwing punches at each other one after another.  Finally there was silence.  The dark elf came out with a few broken rims and a bruised ego, turning onto the rest of the ground taking each one out with one swing of his blade.  The dark elves pull out their kerosene drenched arrows, lighting them up and shooting them high in the air towards the villagers and their homes.  Villagers scream in terror as the hail of fire came crashing down upon them.  The dark elves continue to shoot until the town was engulf with flames.  The dark elves left leaving what was left of the place, its people, and its memories to burn down into nothingness.  By the time they had reached the outer walls, it was all gone.  The elves returned to their countryside, as if nothing had happened.