A Melly Story: True Love

[Note: I started writing this in honor of my wedding. Over six months later, I am finally finishing it.]

"Grandpa," Melly said, moving closer to where he sat in his chair.

"Yes, Melly?" he replied.

"Will you tell me a story?" she asked.

"What kind of story would you like to hear?" he asked. The crickets and cicada chirped and rattled in the evening air as Melly thought.

"A story about true love," she finally announced.

"A story about true love, eh." He rubbed his chin. "A story about true love." He sat in pensive thought for a moment. Melly rocked on the balls of her feet while she waited. A slight smile began to form on his face. "I think I have just the story for you." His smile grew. He patted his lap, and Melly took the cue and quickly clambered up over his knees and onto his lap.

"Once upon a time there lived a young man named Neil. He worked in the town store to help earn some money to help his parents make ends meet. Each day he would walk into town and work at the store. He liked this job very much. It expanded his horizons as he met all kinds of people as he worked there. At first Neil's only jobs were to clean up and restock shelves, but over time the shop owner, Mr. Hampkins, trusted him enough to let him work with customers and help them with their purchases. Neil enjoyed tending the store and meeting new customers."

Melly put her hand up to his face. "Grandpa, this doesn't sound like a love story. It sounds like a story about a boy."

Grandpa chuckled. "Be patient, my dear. There is still more background you need before the girl comes into the story."

Melly sighed. "All right. But don't keep me waiting too long."

He smiled. "Careful, Melly. You don't want me to save the story for another day do you?" Melly shook her head. "Okay then," he continued, "Be patient while we lay the foundations of the story. Without the foundation the ending won't be as sweet. Sometimes the best things come to those that wait."

"That's what Mother says," Melly said with a small pout.

"Your mother is a wise woman."

"Okay." Melly cuddled up closer to her grandfather. "I'll be patient."

He wrapped his arms tighter around her and continued. "As I was saying, Neil enjoyed tending the store and meeting new customers. Many nights his younger sisters would beg for stories--many of which he based off events that had occurred that day at the store."

"Do you ever base stories off events that really happen?" Melly asked.

"Why yes," Grandpa said with a smile. "Yes, I do." He hugged her close and continued his story. "One day a beautiful young maid walked into the store. Her chestnut curls bounced as she walked. Neil watched from behind the counter as she stopped and looked at a horse figurine displayed on the shelf. After studying it for a time she moved on, coming closer to the counter with each step. Neil stood there mesmerized. He had never seen such a beautiful girl in his life. She stopped and fingered some ribbons. When she looked up her warm brown her met his hazel ones. Surreptitiously, he wiped his sweating palms on his trousers."

"Why was he sweating?" Melly asked, pulling back to look at her grandfather. "Was it very hot that day?"

"No," Grandfather chuckled, "it was not a particularly hot day. Neil was sweating because he was nervous."

"Why was he nervous?" Melly asked.

"Well, because he knew he was about to speak to a very pretty girl and that is something that makes most any young man nervous."

"Oh," Melly replied, still not quite understanding. But, she was more interested in hearing the rest of the story than trying to understand the psyche of young men. "So did he talk with her?"

"Yes," Grandfather replied. "After their eyes met she came up and asked for a pound of sugar. Neil stumbled over his words, but got her the sugar without making too much of a fool of himself. Once she left, he leaned on the counter and thought about her. He wondered who she was and what she was like. In his imagination she was warm-hearted and kind to match her beautiful appearance."

Melly moved away from her grandfather to grab the padded stool from by the fireplace. "Was she warm-hearted and kind?"

"Yes, Melly, she was as Neil found out once he got to know her. He soon found out by keeping his ears open that she was the daughter of the new preacher in town. Every few days she would come into the store to purchase something. At first Neil felt extremely nervous, yet excited, when she would come in. Overtime he began to ask her questions and get to know her. Once his sisters found out he had an interest in the new girl in town, they pestered him with questions about her and teased him too."

"What about her?" Melly had moved the stool next to her grandfather's chair and now rested her arms and chin on his legs. "Did she like Neil?"

"Well, that was part of what kept Neil feeling nervous even after he started getting to know her. Sometimes a smile would light up her face at something witty he'd said and hope bloomed in his heart that perhaps she might like him or at least learn to like him. But then he would question his reasoning. And as much as he would like to have gotten to know her better, he just wasn't sure enough of himself to put his heart out there for rejection."

"Yes, but did she like him?"

Grandfather laughed. "All in good time my little one." He ruffled her hair. "Like you, his sisters also sometimes had a tendency of becoming impatient. They got tired of Neil dragging his feet, so they decided to get to know Lucy themselves."

"Is Lucy the girls name?"

"Yes," Grandfather replied. "Neil's sisters got to know Lucy. One day they came up with a plan. They invited both Neil and Lucy to come on a picnic with them in the grove of trees along the road to town that was their family's favorite picnicking spot. Once both Neil and Lucy were there, his sisters hurried away on the excuse that they needed to pick berries for their mother. This left Neil and Lucy alone. At first they were both a bit awkward, but then they started talking and laughing. They waited for a bit, but when his sisters did not return, they decided to not wait and begin eating. They spent an enjoyable afternoon together. When the shadows began to lengthen they packed up the remains of the lunch. Neil offered Lucy his arm and began to walk her back to town. As they walked Neil's nervousness began again. He'd  had such an enjoyable afternoon and knew he wanted to spend more time with Lucy, but he was still a bit afraid to ask."

Grandfather stood up and put another log on the fire. After he sat back down, Melly arranged her arms on his legs once more. "What happened?" Melly asked. "Did he ask her?"

"Yes. Just before town he stopped. 'I had a wonderful time this afternoon,' he said. 'I have too,' Lucy replied smiling. 'Would,' he began. 'Would you care to.' He paused. 'Yes?' Lucy asked encouragingly. 'Would you like to go to the concert at Farmer Taylor's home Tuesday evening. He's invited some of the musicians in town to each play a song or two.' Lucy linked her arm through Neil's elbow. 'It would be my pleasure,' she replied. Neil's grin at her reply filled his face. That same grin still filled his face when he entered the family home to find his sisters eagerly awaiting his return. They were delighted to learn how well their plan had worked."

"If I were them, I would be delighted, too." Melly yawned.

"Ah, my child, you are tired. Perhaps we should save the rest of the story for another night."

Melly emphatically shook her head "no."

"Alright," Grandfather conceded, "But I will try to not keep you up too much longer. You mother would not be happy with me when she comes back from her friend's wedding to find that I have kept you up late every night with stories."

"When is Mother getting back?" Melly asked.

"The day after tomorrow. Now lets get back to the story. They went to the concert. Every few days they would do something together. Sometimes it was just a walk around town and talk during Neil's lunch break. It wasn't long before they had become best friends. Now Neil knew he wanted to be more than just friends, but he wasn't sure how to broach the subject with Lucy, despite now being very comfortable in her presence. He loved her kind and loving nature. She also had a certain amount of spunk that endeared her to him even more. Knowing that he had fallen deeply in love with Lucy, and hoping that she might feel the same for him, he turned to his most trusted advisers, his parents, and asked them what they thought he should do. His father encouraged Neil to start building a house on the plot on land he would inherit. His mother encouraged him to talk to Lucy about his feelings."

"So what did he do?" Melly asked.

"Well, first he spent some time pondering the advise he'd received. He went to the plot of land that would be his. He sat on a log, watched the world around him, and thought. A few days later he brought Lucy to that very spot where he'd sat and thought. They sat and talked about the beauty of the summer and anecdotes from their day. Lucy kept looking to the brown furrows in the otherwise green grass. Finally she asked about it. Neil stool up and offered her his hand. She took it and stood up. They walked over to the furrows, and Neil began to explain that the furrows marked where he planned to build a home. He told her of his love for her, then knelt on one knee and asked Lucy if she would share his life and that home with him. She eagerly accepted, whispering in his ear that she'd begun to love him from the moment she'd first walked in to the general store. She's stopped and looked at the horse figurine and the ribbons on her way to the counter to give her heart time to slow down the maddening pace it had begun the moment she'd laid eyes on him."

"So it was love at first sight?"

"In part," Grandfather replied. "Only in part."

Melly scrunched up her face. "What do you mean, 'only in part'?"

"Well, Melly, they were both attracted to each other and could sense the beauty of each others souls in that first moment, but as they got to know each other and spent time together, that love grew and blossomed and sunk roots deep into their souls."

"Oh," Melly replied. "So they got married and lived happily ever after?"

"Yes." A sweet, wistful look crossed over Grandfather's face. "They did get married, and they did live happily. Times were not always easy. They faced their share of trials. But they did live happily. As for the ever after, once I die and see your grandmother again, then truly we will live happily ever after."

Surprise blossomed on Melly's face. "That is yours and my grandmother's story?"

"Yes, dear girl, it is our story."

Melly sighed. "I wish I'd known her."

Grandfather wrapped an arm around her shoulder's and squeezed. "One day you will. Your grandmother loved you very much, and still does from where she is I'm sure. I remember her holding you and cradling you in her arms as she sung lullabies or spoke soft words while gazing lovingly at your face."

"How old was I when she died?" Melly asked.

"You had just turned two years old."

"Do you really think we will see her again when we die?"

"I know we will, my dear Melly. I know we will."

"How do you know?"

"Because she and I were married for time and eternity, just as your parents were. And that means we are married forever, in this life and in the next."

Melly smiled. "I'm glad."

"So am I, Melly."

They sat in silence gazing toward the fire and enjoying the cozy comfort of home and of the knowledge that their family would be together forever.

Grandfather stirred first. "Well, my child, the story is over and it's past time for you to be in bed."

Melly roused herself and stood. "Thank you, Grandfather. I enjoyed your story."

"You are welcome, my dear. Now off to bed."

Melly kissed his cheek goodnight, returned the stool to its place by the fire, and made her way to the stairs that led up to her bed. "Goodnight, Grandfather."

"Goodnight, Melly."

A Melly Story: Changing Seasons

Melly and her mother hung wet clothes on the rope Grandpa had tied between two trees. Each week they would take the clothes to the river and scrub them clean. Then they'd return to the house and hang them on the line and let them dry in the summer heat. When it became cold and wet out, they dried them in front of the fire. This summer day was quite hot. Melly wiped sweat from her face as they worked.

"Why does it get so hot in the summer and stay cold in the winter?" she asked her mother.

"It is caused by the changing seasons," her mother replied. "You know that."

"But why do the seasons change?" Melly asked.

"That is a good question," her mother replied. "Tonight, why don't you ask Grandpa to tell the story of the little brown fairy. It was my favorite as a girl and I think it will help answer your question."

"Alright," Melly agreed. She couldn't wait for the evening to come, but there were still other chores and many hours before then. Having something to look forward to would help pass the time.

That evening, Grandpa sat on his favorite brown chair that stood next to the fireplace. Melly sat down on the stool next to him.

"Grandpa," she said looking up at him, "Will you tell me the story of the Little Brown Fairy."

"The Story of the Little Brown Fairy, eh?" He looked up with a twinkle in his eye at her mother, who was cleaning of the table. "Well, all right child, here it is. Once upon a time there lived a little brown fairy. She tried her hardest to help with all the fairy tasks, but her small size often made it impossible for her to do them. One day she sat on a mushroom out in the forest. Tears pooled in her eyes as she thought about all the things she could not do. She couldn't stack the acorns, she couldn't wash the dye tubs, she couldn't lift the baby birds. She couldn't even carry a tray of fairy treats. She felt useless. As she sat there another fairy, a blue fairy, came up to her. 'Why are you so glum?' the blue fairy asked. The little brown fairy explained about all the things she couldn't do because of her size."

"Grandpa," Melly interrupted. I like this story, but what does it have to do with seasons?"

"Patience, my child," he replied. "Patience."

"Melly," her mother remonstrated. "You know it's not polite to interrupt."

"Sorry," Melly said to her mother. "Sorry, Grandpa."

"You're forgiven," he replied. "Would you like me to continue the story? Or do you want to go to bed," he teased

"Continue the story please," Melly replied.

"Well, what do you think the blue fairy said when the little brown fairy told her all the things she couldn't do?" he paused. "She said, 'I'm sure there are plenty of things you can do, probably even things bigger fairies like me can't do.' This thought helped cheer up the little brown fairy. But what were the things she could do? She and the blue fairy sat trying to thing about what the little brown fairy could do. As they sat the shadows began to lengthen. They decided to think about it overnight and meet at the same mushroom the next day at noon to discuss their ideas. So, they went their separate ways. The blue fairy to her home near the river and the little brown fairy to her hut at the base of a beautiful silver maple. That night she listened as the wind rustled through the leaves. She thought about all the different fairy jobs. Some gathered seeds, some planted seeds, some painted leaves, other cleaned the forest floor. Some cooked delicious food, others built beautiful homes. Some worked with water, others with sunshine. The Little Brown fairy fell asleep considering what job might be perfect for her."

"I didn't know fairies did so many things," Melly said.

"There are many things they do," her grandfather agreed. "But do you know what their most important job is?"

Melly shook her head.

"They help change the seasons," he replied.

"But why are there seasons?" Melly asked.

"Wait and you'll see," Grandpa replied. "Well, the next day the two fairies met back at the mushroom. 'Did you think of anything' the blue fairy asked. The little brown fairy shook her head 'no.' 'Well, I did.' The blue fairy was positively bouncing. 'What?' the little brown fairy asked. 'You can help direct the changing of seasons!' the blue fairy replied. 'How would I do that?' the little brown fairy asked. 'It's really quite perfect,' the blue fairy continued. 'But what would I do?' The little brown fairy had not heard of this job before. This time the blue fairy heard her. 'Haven't you heard of the season changers?' the blue fairy asked. The little brown fairy shook her head 'no.' 'Oh. Well, you know how the seasons change every few months?' The little brown fairy nodded. 'Well, fairy's direct the changing of seasons. They make sure the sun warms the plants, the rain nourishes them and helps them grow during the warm months. But, they keep track of when it's time for the plants to die or sleep. Plants need time to rest, you know. And the changing of seasons gives them that chance. Plus it adds variety to life."

"Oh I see," Melly said. "Know I understand why seasons change."

"Yes," her grandfather nodded. "But are tale is not yet finished."

"Please keep telling it," Melly said.

"Well, after the the blue fairy had explained all about the changing of the seasons, the little brown fairy still wasn't sure what she'd do to help direct the changing of the seasons. She told the blue fairy so. 'Oh, it's quite obvious,' the blue fairy said. 'You could tell the plants when it's time to go to sleep for the winter. Since you're brown and small you could easily flit to many of the plants without being seen by a predator. You could whisper to each of them when it was time to grow and when it was time to sleep. It's perfect!' The little brown fairy was still dubious, but willing to give it a try. The blue fairy explained that her cousin helped direct the changing of the seasons--her cousin warned the water when it would get cold, let it know that soon it would freeze. The water appreciated being given time to prepare for such changes. Once again the shadows were lengthening, so they decided to once again meet at the mushroom the next day and the blue fairy would take the little brown fairy to meet her cousin."

"I wonder if she'll like helping direct the change of the seasons," Melly said.

"Time will tell," Grandpa replied. "The next day they met at the mushroom then went to visit the blue fairy's cousin. 'Why you are absolutely tiny!' the cousin exclaimed when she saw the little brown fairy. The little brown fairy blushed. 'Certainly,' the blue fairy said. 'and that makes her perfect to help direct the changing of seasons.' 'What's that?' her cousin asked, looking away from the little brown fairy. The blue fairy explained her idea for the little brown fairy. Her cousin looked at the little brown fairy and considered this. 'Yes, I think you might be right. Why don't I introduce her to the Changer.' 'Um,' the little brown fairy timidly asked, 'who is the Changer?' 'The Changer is the fairy that communes with the earth and knows when the seasons should change. Come, I'll take you to him.' The cousin grabbed the little brown fairy's hand and set off. The blue fairy followed behind.

"When they reached the tree where the Changer lived and worked they stopped. The cousin admonished the little brown fairy to treat him with all the respect and honor he deserved. The little brown fairy nodded, eyes wide. A beautiful orange fairy showed them in to his study. The cousin introduced the little brown fairy and the blue fairy to him and explained why they were there. He asked the little brown fairy to come closer. He looked at her for so long that she tried to look away, but he directed her eyes back to his. Finally he nodded. 'Yes, I believe she will do,' he said. 'Do you want this job,' he asked her. 'I'm not sure,' she replied honestly. 'I'm so small and I want to do something, and it does sound like something I might enjoy.' He nodded. 'Yes. I believe you will enjoy this job. And your size will be just fine for this. Maybe we can send you to places where bigger fairies cannot get. Yes. I do believe you are perfect for this job.' The little brown fairy smiled at this. 'Oh thank you!' I will do my very best!' she said. 'I'm sure you will,' he replied. 'But now I must get back to my work,' he said. 'Make sure you get added to the roster as you leave.' She nodded and they left. Once they were back outside the blue fairy said, 'I knew it! The perfect job for you.' The little brown fairy smiled. 'Yes, I think it will be. Thank you! I'm so glad I met you.' "

"Did she like her job?" Melly asked.

"Yes, indeed she did," Grandpa replied. "She loved it and did a marvelous job at it, too."

Melly turned to her mother. "I'm glad you told me to ask Grandpa to tell me this story."

"I'm glad you liked it, dear," her mother replied. "But now it's late and time for bed."

"All right," Melly said reluctantly. She stood and stretched and yawned. She gave Grandpa a hug and thanked him for the story. Then she went and gave her mother a kiss on the cheek. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight," they echoed as she climbed up the stairs to her attic room, where she would dream of fairies the whole night through.

A Melly Story: Don't count your eggs before they hatch

It's was a beautiful spring day and market day. Melly loved market day--going to town, seeing all the houses and stores and merchandise. Her mother handed her a basket of eggs to carry and they started off. They had gathered lots of eggs and Melly was sure that they would get a good price for them. Maybe they could buy a new ribbon for her hair. She smiled and began to skip, humming a tune as she went.

"Be careful, Melly," her mother called out.

"Okay," she replied and she stopped skipping and tried to walk carefully along the dirt road. "I bet we will get a good price for these eggs. Can we buy a new ribbon for my hair?" she asked.

"If we get a good price for the eggs." Melly had started skipping again at the thought of getting a new hair ribbon. "But if you keep skipping we may not getting any price at all," her mother added.

"Oh right," Melly slowed her pace again.

"Remember what they say," her mother said, "Don't count your chickens before they hatch."

Melly wrinkled her nose. "Why do they say that?"

"Well, because sometimes you expect something to work out one way--such as all your eggs hatching or getting a new hair ribbon--but it doesn't always work out that way--like not all the eggs hatching or people not needing eggs in town making a new ribbon an impossible purchase."

"Oh," Melly replied. She thought for a moment and said, "Or if I trip and break the eggs then we'd get no price at all, and then I'd be expecting something and then it really wouldn't happen."

"That's right," her mother replied.

They continued on to the village, Melly being as careful as she could with the eggs. At the market they did get a good price for the eggs and they were able to buy a beautiful green ribbon for Melly's hair. That night, after they returned home from the market Melly was telling her grandfather about the day's adventures.

"And I was skipping along and Mother told me to be careful and to not count my eggs before they hatched."

"Ah, wise advice," her grandfather replied.

"Yes, and I was careful then and didn't break a single egg and we got a good price at the market and I got a new ribbon. It's green," she turned around so he could see her new ribbon.

"And a beautiful ribbon it is," he replied. "Would you like to tell you a story," he asked before she could say anything more.

"Oh, yes!" Melly loved listening to her grandfather's stories.

"Once upon a time," he began, "There lived a king with twelve young daughters. He loved everyone of them and was sure each would make a brilliant match someday with princes from all over the world. He would spend hours looking at his map and thinking about which alliances would strengthen his kingdom the most, for he was sure his daughters could capture the attention of any prince. So he planned and he hoped as his daughters grew. His wife, the queen, would shake her head when she saw him studying the map. She too believed her daughters could make excellent matches, but she was more interested in their happiness than in alliances, though she was not against alliances either."

"He was counting his chickens before they hatched, wasn't he?" Melly asked.

"Yes, he was," her grandfather replied. "But he hadn't realized that yet. When his oldest daughter reached the age when it was appropriate to begin the courting process, he began inviting princes from all over the world to come and meet her. There were tall princes and short princes, old princes and young princes, smart princes and silly princes, brave princes and fearful princes, princes of all kinds and varieties. The eldest princess, Princess Mary Anne, met them all, was gracious to all, even the ones who she didn't think much of. She met them all, yet none of them seemed to capture her attention. Her father would tell her of the good points of this prince, and the good points of that prince."

"But she didn't care cause she didn't love any one of them, right?" Melly asked.

"Right you are," her grandfather replied, patting her cheek, "Right you are. None of those princes caught her fancy in the least. Oh, some of them were well enough, but none of them seemed to fit her dreams of someone who she could be herself with. Her mother saw this, but her father was desperate for her to make a good match, an excellent match, an alliance that would strengthen the safety and position of his kingdom--for a king rarely declares war if their children are married."

"I guess that's a good reason for wanting her to marry a prince," Melly said, "but what if she falls in love with a man who is not a prince."

Her grandfather smiled. "Well, my poppet, that is exactly what she did. A handsome and brave soldier to be exact. He had come to the castle after having served his country for several years. He had an ambition to become a king's counselor. Now most soldiers don't become counselors to the king, but this young soldier had seen much of the world and of war in his short life and he thought the king could use someone to counsel him about such matters. So he went to the castle to look for a job, hoping by his hard work to move up in the ranks until he could someday counsel the king.

"At the castle he got a job as a clerk. He didn't particularly like being stuck inside all day, but it seemed the best way to work towards his goal. When he could, he would escape into the gardens to explore and enjoy being outside. That is where he met the princess. He came across her as she sat on a bench near a fountain of water. He apologized for intruding and turned to go, when she called him back.

"'Who are you?' she asked.

"'I am a clerk in the castle,' he replied.

"'You don't look like other clerks I've met,' she replied. He seemed strong and robust. Most of the clerks she'd met were wan from hours indoors and lack of exercise.

"He didn't know what to say to her observation and was sure he shouldn't be talking to a princess. Good behavior led to advancement and talking with princesses was usually forbidden. 'As you say,' he replied, 'I will leave you to your ponderings.'

"And pondering was exactly what she'd been doing. She'd been pondering the many princes she'd met and how they didn't quite fit what she wanted in a husband. She was intrigued by this clerk, not only in his unclerklike bearing, but also in his observation. 'Wait,' she called.

"Again he stopped from leaving and turned to her. His eyes held the question he did not ask. Why did she keep calling him back. She was not ready to answer that question. She realized he ought to go. She knew her father would not like him talking with her. 'What is your name?' she asked.

"'Steven,' he replied. 'May I go.'

"She nodded. 'My name is Mary Anne.'

"He nodded and left. For the rest of the day Mary Anne thought about the clerk she met and wondered how she could manage to speak with him again. At supper she hardly heard her father's praise of the several princes who had recently visited. Her observant mother noted her preoccupation but did not call attention to it. Her mother was content to wait and see if her daughter would confide in her. She felt sure some man had turned her daughters head, but not one of the silly princes her husband continually extolled."

"I her mother," Melly said.

"Yes," her grandfather agreed. "The queen was a very good woman. But Mary Anne didn't confide in her immediately. Instead she started spending more time in the gardens, she would even take her embroidery into the gardens hoping to see Steven again. And then one day she did see him again. He sat under a willow tree eating an apple.

"'Hello, Steven,' she said.

"He startled, he had not heard her approach, being caught up in his own thoughts, of her actually. He swallowed the bite of apple he'd been chewing on. 'Hello princess,' he replied as nonchalantly as he could.' He stood as was appropriate to do in the presence of royalty.

"'Oh, please sit back down,' she replied, and she sat down too. He shifted uncomfortably. 'Sit.'

"He sat, though he was still uncertain. It was one thing to dream about speaking with the princess again, another to actually sit with her.

"'How do you enjoy being a clerk,' she asked.

"'Fine,' he replied.

"He wasn't making this easy for her. She wanted to get to know him, but how could she draw him out? 'Have you always been a clerk,' she asked.

"'No,' he replied."

"Why doesn't he say more?" Melly demanded.

"Well," her grandfather said, "He is a commoner and she a princess. He is probably worried about the proprieties. While he aspires to being a king's counselor, he has never spoken with a princess before. Besides, he likes the princess and he doesn't see how he a mere clerk could manage to be friends with her, a princess. May I continue with the story?"

"I guess, but I wish he'd say more," Melly said.

Her grandfather smiled. "Now where was, I, oh yes.

"'What were you before you were a clerk,' she princess asked.

"He hesitated. It would be rude to not answer the princess's question but he wasn't sure he wanted to tell her. He sighed, then said, 'A soldier.'

"'A soldier!' That explained his hearty looks. 'But if you were a soldier, why did you become a clerk?'

"He sighed again. He was sure she'd keep questioning him, and he truly enjoyed her company. He just had to hope no one came across them speaking. 'I felt it would be the best job to help me achieve my goals.'

"'Oh," she replied. She wondered what his goal was but didn't have enough courage to ask.

"'Do you like being a clerk?' she asked, repeating her earlier question. He hesitated. 'Please tell me,' she asked.

"He looked up and seeing the pleading in her eyes he couldn't refuse. 'Parts I like and parts I don't like,' he answered truthfully. 'I enjoy learning new things, but much of what we copy is tedious. And,' he added, 'I miss being out of doors.'

"She smiled. She was glad he'd answered her. They talked for a little longer about his job and about what she did with her time. She noted his interest when she mentioned her father and his daily rants about the state of the kingdom. She wondered what his goal was. Maybe next time they met, and she was sure they would meet again, he would tell her, maybe by then she'd have enough courage to ask. Soon, he looked at the position of the sun and asked to be excused. She knew he had responsibilities and she didn't want to get him in trouble, so she let him leave.

"That night she told her mother about the wonderful clerk/ex-soldier she'd met in the castle gardens. The twinkle in her eye pleased her mother immensely, but her mother worried a little about what the king would think. She knew they would have to tread carefully, and that it was possible that nothing would happen with her daughter and this clerk/ex-soldier, but the twinkle in her daughter's eye seemed to foretell a story of its own."

Melly yawned.

"You're getting tired, aren't you?" her grandfather asked.

"Yes," Melly nodded, "But I want you to finish the story."

"All right," he said. "Well, Steven and Mary Anne continued to meet in the gardens. He still didn't tell her his goal, but they got to know each other--their likes and dislikes. Each time they met it was harder to leave to go to their separate lives. As time went on Mary Anne's sister just younger than her, Penelope, came of courting age and the king invited all the princes back again. Hoping that both Mary Anne and Penelope would pick one. He even invited princes from even further away--even a prince from a small island in an ocean far away. A prince that an alliance with would help them very little, but the king was becoming a bit desperate when it came to Mary Anne, who had not shown a preference for any prince he'd introduced her to. Maybe a more exotic prince would strike her fancy. The prince from the small island came, prince Taymour was his name. Mary Anne did not fall for him, though he was nice enough. Penelope did. The king was not particularly happy about this circumstance. He'd hoped Penelope might choose Prince Gerant from a large neighboring kingdom, or Prince Hubert from a rich kingdom nearby. But it was not to be. Penelope loved Prince Taymour, and he loved her. His exotically dark skin made him stand out from the other princes. His calm and relaxed manner endeared him to Princess Penelope. The king sighed and sighed as he looked at his map. A small island nation. Well, he supposed it would have to do. But what to do about his eldest daughter who had not chosen a prince yet. It was all well and good that his second daughter had chosen a prince to wed, but tradition required that the eldest must marry before her younger sisters."

"What a silly tradition," Melly said.

"Yes, it does seem silly to us doesn't it. But in many p;aces and many times such the tradition had been," grandfather said. "So, this being the tradition, the king began to pressure Mary Anne all the more to make a match. But in her heart, Mary Anne knew she wanted Steven, the clerk/ex-soldier not some prince. Since they'd met Steven had moved from under clerk to assistant clerk. His promotion thrilled her and filled her with joy for she knew it helped him get closer to achieving his goal. Yet, she wished she knew his dream. What led him to pursue this profession.

"Steven wanted to tell Mary Anne his dream, but felt it would sound silly to her. And as time went on his dream of becoming a counselor to the king, while still there, began to be overshadowed by a dream that seemed unattainable--he dreamed of marrying Mary Anne. He'd stopped calling her princess at her repeated request, though a small part of him feared someone would overhear him calling her by her given name and then all his dreams would be for naught for surely he'd find himself in the dungeon for such an offense.

"Mary Anne told Steven of her delight at her sister's and Prince Taymour's love. She didn't tell him of the pressure her father was putting on her to choose a husband from among the many princes he'd presented to her. Steven, however knew of the tradition and could guess at the pressure from her father and see the strain in her eyes. He wished she weren't a princess then he'd marry her as soon as he could. But the fact remained that she was a princess, and he a mere clerk."

"I think he should marry her anyway," Melly said defiantly.

"Yes," grandfather agreed. "And the queen felt the same way. One day she called Mary Anne to her room. They embroidered in silence for awhile, then the queen asked Mary Anne about Steven and how he was doing. Mary Anne enthusiastically told her about his promotion and about a new trick he'd taught her the day before--how to make a whistling sound with a blade of grass. The queen could see Mary Anne's love for Steven. 'Perhaps it is time to tell your father about Steven,' she suggested. "

"Mary Anne looked aghast. 'Father would not like to hear that I spend my time with one of his clerks!'

"'Perhaps I can be there with you. Why don't we ask him to come see us now?'

"Such a course of action frightened Mary Anne. She didn't know what her father would do and she didn't want to ruin Steven's chances to achieve his dream--which she still didn't know what was. It saddened her a bit that he wouldn't tell her his goal, but she felt sure he had reasons he felt were good ones for not telling her. 'Oh, Mother!' Mary Anne said. 'He would do something terrible to Steven, force him to leave the palace if nothing else.' Tears began streaming down her face. 'I couldn't do that to him.'

"The queen's heart ached at the sight of her daughter's tears. She knew, though Mary Anne had not confessed it, that love blossomed between Mary Anne and Steven. Though she only knew him through her daughters descriptions, she was sure he would make a perfect husband for her daughter, even if he wasn't of noble birth. He was a gentleman and noble of heart. What could she do to help them? And dear Penelope, she too wanted to be united with her love, something tradition would not allow until Mary Anne was wed, though a double wedding might just be the thing. Yes. Now to find a way to convince her husband, and Mary Anne and Steven, that a wedding between those young lovers was desirous and possible.

"The next day, Mary Anne was once again in her mother's chambers embroidering. The king found them there. 'I have waited long enough. You must choose a prince to marry!' he demanded.

"'She doesn't have to choose a prince,' the queen replied.

"'Of course she has to choose a prince,' the king responded. 'Penelope wants to marry that island prince and she can't until Mary Anne weds a prince.'

"'Mary Anne must wed,' the queen agreed, 'but it doesn't have to be to a prince.'

"'Nonsense,' the king replied. 'Of course she has to marry a prince, who else would she marry.'

"Mary Anne held her breath as she listened to the exchange between her parents. Could her mother convince her father that she need not marry a prince?

"'She could marry a soldier,' the queen suggested.

"The king snorted a most unkinglike snort. 'Hah, what kind of alliance would that be. She couldn't marry a soldier.'

"'She could marry a clerk,' the queen said.

"'Why would she want to marry a measly clerk," the king asked, 'when she could marry a prince?'

"'You do want your daughters to be happy, don't you,' the queen asked.

"'Of course,' the king replied. 'And a prince for each will make them happy.'

"'Maybe a prince will do for some of them,' the queen said, 'but I don't think a prince will work for all of them.'

"'Hmm.' The king pondered his wife's words. He did want his girls to be happy--he did love them very much. But he was realizing that to make his daughters happy he might have to give up his dreams of grand and wonderful alliances. He sighed. He already had one daughter who wanted to make an alliance that was far from grand and wonderful. He wondered what his dear wife was hinting at, but decided he would be wise to listen to her words. 'So not all my daughters will be happy marrying princes, eh? Maybe a clerk or soldier instead.' He sighed again. Then turned to his eldest daughter. He saw hope and fear warring in her eyes. 'Are you in love with someone?'

"She nodded her head.

"'Is he a prince?' He could hope.

"She shook her head.

"'And just what is this man you've fallen in love with,' he thought about his wife's words. 'A soldier, perhaps. Or maybe a clerk.'

"Mary Anne hesitated, looking toward her mother. He sighed. 'Tell me about this man you love,' he encouraged.

"Mary Anne smiled, 'He is wonderful! He is noble and brave. He is kind and patient.'

"The king saw the light is Mary Anne's eyes. 'I would like to meet this paragon, but first, I promise,' he glanced to his wife and she nodded, 'I promise you may marry him be he the lowest of commoners.'

"'Truly?' Mary Anne asked.

"'Truly,' the king replied. 'Now may I know who had captured your heart?'

"'His name is Steven,' she said.

"'Not Prince Steven of Gattelia,' he joked. Prince Steven was old and interested only in his flying friends--his birds.

"'No, not Prince Steven,' she replied. 'Steven the assistant clerk. Steven the ex-soldier.'

"'He works in the castle?' the king asked. Mary Anne nodded. The King went to the door and asked a page to fetch Steven. When he turned back to the room he saw his wife's approving smile. Well, his oldest daughters may not be making glorious matches, but hopefully they would be happy. And who knew, maybe some of his younger daughters would make glorious matches."

Melly laughed. "I'm glad he is going to let Steven and Mary Anne marry."

"Yes, a good thing indeed," grandfather replied. "Steven was worried though when he told the king had requested his presence. He felt sure the king had found out about his friendship with Mary Anne and send him to the dungeon. When he entered the room he'd been led to, he was surprised to see not only the king but also the queen. Mary Anne was smiling. Maybe he wouldn't be going to prison after all. 'You are Steven?' the king asked.

"'Yes,' Steven replied.

"'Do you love my daughter?'

"Steven looked toward Mary Anne. He couldn't refuse to answer the king, though he'd never told Mary Anne of his love, so he looked at her as he said, 'Yes, I love your daughter.'

"'Good,' the king said.

"That brought Steven's eyes back to the king. He'd not expected such a response. And what followed did nothing to lessen his surprise. He was informed that he had permission to marry Mary Anne. The queen added her idea of a double wedding with Penelope and Prince Taymour. Steven was astounded. He was not to be sent to prison, he was to marry a princess, and to become part of the royal family. He couldn't take it all in and just wanted some private time with Mary Anne. Eventually they were allowed to leave and they went to the willow tree where their friendship began. They discussed all that had happened. Steven asked her if she truly wanted to marry him and she reassured him that she truly did. She told of her discussion with her father before Steven had come and he told her of his fears when he had been called to see the king.

"Eventually Mary Anne asked, 'Since we are to be married, do you think that maybe you could tell me your dream, the goal that led you to become a clerk in my father's castle?'

"He smiled. 'I wanted to become a counselor to the king, your father.'

"'What a wonderful dream! Though it would have taken you ages to move from clerk to king's counselor.' She smiled. 'And now you'll be better than a counselor. You'll be his son in law and he'll have to listen to you!'

"Steven laughed, 'I don't know about that, but maybe he will listen to some of my suggestions. But you know that dream has been superceded, and superceded by a dream that is coming true, the dream of marrying you.'

"She smiled at that, for that was her dream too. So they were married, and Penelope and Taymour, too. In time all the king's daughters married. Some to princes, some to noblemen, and one other, like Mary Anne, married a commoner, though hers was a stable hand. In the end the king loved all his son-in-laws and came to respect all of them. The eggs had not hatched as he'd hoped, but perhaps that was for the best. The end."

Melly sighed, "I love stories."

"Be that as it may," her mother said. "It's now time for bed."

"All right," Melly said, "But tonight I'm going to dream of princesses and eggs!"

A Melly Story: Someday My Prince Will Come

Once upon a time, in a land relatively far away, lived a young girl aged nine or ten years. Mornings found her milking the cow the provided her family with milk, afternoons found her picking wild flowers to brighten the dinner table, and evenings found her listening intently to the tales her grandfather spun as he whittled tiny figurines. Melly, as this girl was called, found happiness in her daily endeavors. One night, as she sat at her grandfather's feet she asked, " Gramps, why do so many of the people in your stories start out unhappy?"

"Well, Melly," he replied, setting down his carving tools, "They forget how to be happy or else they never learned how to be happy."

"How could they never learn to be happy?" Melly asked.

"Let me tell you a story." Gramps began whittling again. "Once there lived a princess, a very beautiful princess indeed, but she was not happy. Since the day she was born she'd received everything she asked for, everything except love. She was spoiled, it is true. Her parents bought anything desired, but never had a kind word for her. 'Why can't you be content with what you have?' her father asked. 'Try to sit up straighter,' her mother instructed, 'no prince will marry you if you don't.' Every day the princess left the dinner table feeling as though nothing she did would ever make her parents pleased with her. She tried not asking for so many things. 'Why have you not asked for anything new?' her father asked. 'We don't want the servants to think we mistreat you.' She sat up as straight as she could. 'Will you never learn how to take care of your hair?' her mother asked. 'No prince will marry you if you don't.' No matter what she tried her parents always found something wrong with what she did. She tried making friends with the servants--some refused because they disliked her for being so wealthy, other feared her parents anger that would surely follow any unservantlike behavior."

"What about other princes and princesses?" Melly asked. "Wouldn't they be friends with her?"

"I'm sure some would have," Gramps replied, "but they were never given a chance. The princess's parents wouldn't let her meet them until she showed them she would not disgrace them and no matter how she tried she never lived up to their standards. In time she stopped trying. She turned inward, concentrating only on herself. Now, we know that is not the way to happiness, now don't we?" Gramps asked.

"Momma always says 'To live only for oneself is misery, to live for others is joy untold,'" Melly replied.

"A wise woman your mother," Gramps said, winking at Melly's mother. "Unfortunately," he said returning to the story, "the princess had no one to share such wisdom with her. The years went by and she continued to be unhappy with herself and with everyone around her. She chaffed at the responsibilities given her and generally went around with a pout on her face. Eventually her sixteenth birthday arrived and the time to arrange her betrothal had arrived. While the princess dreamed of meeting a handsome and charming prince who would bring happiness and love into her life, she felt sure that if such a wonderful man did exist, her parents were sure to reject him as a possible suitor."

"I hope she finds someone to help her find happiness," Melly sighed.

Gramps smiled. "Well, Princes began to show up in response to the royal invitations sent by her parents. The first prince to come snorted like a pig when he laughed. The princess could have lived with that if he had been nice to her, but coming from an impoverished royal family he wooed her parents and ignored her. The blueness of his blood did nothing to recommend him to her and in time he left, making way for the next prince. Prince number two, as the princess called him, had no redeeming features in her mind. Vain, cruel, and heartless. Thankfully he left after a couple day stay--her looks did not compliment his he had explained. Prince number three spoke only of his horses and took offense at her lack of interest. Prince after prince came to see the princess and all went away. 'I knew you'd never find a husband!' her mother complained. 'Try to be more agreeable,' her father instructed. The princess went to her room. Why can't there just be one kind and charming prince? she thought. Just one. Two years went by and the train of princes became a trickle--one might come every few months."

"How sad," Melly said.

"Sad indeed, but not as sad as you might think," Gramps said. "For as she met such selfish and self-important princes, the princess began to see more clearly. She began to realize she wanted a prince who would care for her and to do that he would first have to think of her. The princess wanted to be appreciated, and so she began thanking the servants each time they did something for her, rather than just expecting them to do it. I may not find her prince, she thought, but I can be the kind of person such a prince would desire to marry. She even took up a hobby--portrait painting. Her parents despised such an unroyal hobby, but the princess stood up to them and did it all the same. She painted her parents, the servants, even the princes who had visited her. The court painter gave her lessons at first, but in time she could dabble on her own and only went to him when she had specific questions, needed advice, or simply wanted to show him something she'd painted and particularly liked. The court painter became her mentor, and more than a mentor he became like a father to her."

"Oh! He sounds very nice," Melly exclaimed.

"He was a very nice man," her Gramps replied, "and a wise man too. Humble even. He did not let his talent and position to go to his head. And so another year, and then two went by. Prince's no longer came to meet the princess. 'An old maid!' her mother exclaimed. 'My daughter is an old maid!' It hurt to be called such, for she still felt very young, but the princess took it in stride. She would rather live an old maid and be happy with her painting than be miserably married to a prince who didn't love her. 'Who will rule this kingdom after me?' her father asked. 'Cousin Ferdinand will inherit if I don't marry. You know that,' the princess reminded him, but he just shook his head in despair."

"Does the princess ever get married?" Melly asked.

"Patience, my little one," Gramps said. "I'm getting to that. One day the princess was particularly pleased with the painting she'd completed. So, she went to find the court painter to have him come see. She could have asked a servant to find him, but she wanted to stretch after having sat for such a time. As she crossed the entrance hall she heard trumpets and wondered who could have come. It had been quite some time since any prince had come. Then, realizing she still had on her painting smock, she hurried across the hall. She safely reached the other end but paused. She decided to wait behind a pillar so that she could see who had come rather than waiting until someone came by to inform her later. Soon the grand doors opened and the Prime Minister followed behind a rather handsome young man. The princess had seen much grander and handsomer princes. She wondered who this one might be, but she stood too far away to hear what the Prime Minister said to him."

"Oo. I bet it's her prince." Melly clapped her hand, her eyes alight.

"It might be," Gramps replied. "Now settle down."

Melly sat back, folding her arms to keep from clapping.

"The Prime Minister led the young man out of the hall toward the throne room." Gramps continued. "The princess sighed, for she had seen the visitor but still did not know his name nor why he'd come. Knowing that she'd eventually find out she continued on the the room the court painter worked in. She told him about the arrival as well as her finished painting. He couldn't go with her to see it then, but promised to come by later to see it. The princess slowly wandered back to her room, still thinking on the visitor. She wondered what about him had caught her attention so. At dinner that night her parents presented her to the honorable Prince Jarold. 'A pleasure to meet you, Princess Amethyst,' Prince Jarold said as he bowed over her hand."

"Oh, Amethyst--what a lovely name!" Melly exclaimed.

"A very pretty name indeed," Gramps agreed. "But back to the story. Where did I leave off? Oh yes. Prince Jarold bowed over Amethyst's hand, and her heart fluttered in response to his breathtaking smile that lit his face and eyes. 'The pleasure is all mine,' she replied according to custom and for the first time really meant it. All throughout dinner she watched and listened to Prince Jarold. He's kind and funny, she thought. I wonder why he never came until now. She also thought that perhaps in the morning he wouldn't seem so wonderful. After all, she'd waited a long time to meet a kind and handsome prince. The week passed and another came. Amethyst still found herself intrigued by Prince Jarold and the more she got to know him, the more she liked him. She wanted to ask him why he'd not come until now, but she did not have enough courage yet to ask him. One day after discovering a dab of paint on her cheek he learned of her love of painting and insisted on seeing her works. She'd been nervous about her painting. She knew it wasn't at all courtly to do so, and she feared he'd think less of her if he found out about her hobby."

"I think painting's a wonderful hobby," Melly said.

"Yes," Gramps replied, "And Prince Jarold thought so too. He even started coming to read aloud to her as she painted. Princess Amethyst continued to wonder why he'd not come until now, but for the time felt content to simply enjoy his company. Often at night she would visit the court painter and tell him how wonderful Jarold was. He would sit and smile as she repeated once again her admiration for Jarold. After a few months had passed, Jarold told her that he needed to return to his kingdom for a time, but asked that she be his bride when he returned."

"Finally!" Melly said.

Gramps smiled. "Princess Amethyst joyfully accepted Prince Jarold's proposal and told him she had someone to introduce him too, the court painter. As they walked to meet the court painter she told how he'd become like a father to her. When they arrived the court painter greeted them. 'Hello Princess Amethyst. Hello Jerry." Amethyst looked from one to the other. Both were smiling. 'Let me explain,' the court painter said. 'When Jerry, Prince Jarold, was young I lived as the court painter in his kingdom, that was many years ago. Jerry loved to come to my studio and watch me paint. About the time Jerry turned fifteen I decided I wanted a change in my life, so I came to be the court painter here. Over the years I kept tabs on Jerry and we occasionally exchanged letters. Earlier this year I decided to see what would happen if two of my favorite people met and so I asked Jarold to come and meet you.' Amethyst turned to Jarold. 'Why didn't you come years ago?' she asked him. 'By the time you came of age I had become tired of visiting princess after princess,' he explained. 'None had ever measured up to what I wanted so instead I put my energy into other pursuits. When I received a letter from my old friend here, I had become quite lonely and decided it couldn't hurt to come meet you.' He smiled down at her. 'And I'm very glad I did," he added."

Melly sighed, putting her hands to her heart, "How romantic!"

Gramps laughed. "Yes, it was romantic, and as you may guess, they all lived happily ever after."

"And now it's off to bed for you," her mother said. "Morning comes quite quickly."

"Okay." Melly stretched and yawned. "Thank you for the story Gramps," she said then hugged him and kissed him on the cheek. "I'm sure to have good dreams tonight after such a happy story."

"I'm glad," he said and smiled gently as she walked up the ladder to her bed. The End.