Bedtime Stories...

Once upon a misty sun lit day, there were two princes of peace and good will. They stood under a beautiful blue sky, dusted with soft billowy clouds, in wait of their next big assignment. As they waited upon the shore they listened to the waves gently crashing on the beach. The time for action seemed unbearable. They were poised and ready, but no word came. The stood their guard, never wavering in their faith knowing that the time would soon be upon them to be called into duty. Then finally it

happened, the call they had been waiting for had happened. It was as if the heavens had opened up and sent forth a welcoming rainbow to guide their way. There was a princess in a far away land in perilous trouble and needed help quick. But only one could go... the other was to stay and guard the post. It was quickly decided, the older more experienced, of the two hero's should go. Quickly he lit the fuse of his courageous mission and was off. Hurdling as fast as he could go in a race to be at the poor princess's side. It seemed to go by in the blink of an eye, as he focused on her destination... He rehearsed and went over and over the things that he must do to make her safe and operational again. His whole goal in live was to serve and this was finally his golden opportunity... and for a princess, how lucky was he. She was so far away, and he was fearful he may not find her in the vastness of her country. He knew he would have to report in his progress. He charged on, and even in his tired exhaustion, when doubts began to cloud his mind and pessimism reigned... as he thought to himself that he just could not go on any longer than he already had, he still pushed himself. And in the darkness there was a still small voice from deep within himself. A quiet comforter of peace and sanity, an inner spirit of moral righteousness, and strength. A little spark of resilience that could not, and would not, let the weak and weary princess down. He knew that she was counting on him to save her. He set aside his own burning need for rest to continue his journey and his quest to be at her side. He traveled in the darkness of nightfall, and found peace in his surroundings. He could sense he was getting close. He found his way by a wonderfully mystical feeling to her exact location. And what he saw stopped him in his tracks.

She was beautiful, more beautiful then he had imagined to himself. She seemed to glow and radiate with a depth of beauty that could not just come from the outside alone. He knew she was different, she was special. For a moment stunned by her intense aura. He had to cognitively regain the reason for his mission. She needed him. As he approached her he could see nothing amiss. He asked her what the problem was... She replied "I have a

broken heart" While our heroic prince wanted to be the one to rescue her, he knew the only way to save her was to teach her to open up her heart, let someone in, and let her learn to love them in return. While it would have been easy to whisk her away and bring her back to safety, he knew beyond a shadow of a doubt, that she needed to be able to stand on her own, strong and true, and beam out her gift to the world. He, with love and patience, guided her into becoming the woman that he knew she was capable of being.

And once she was strong enough to make it on her own, the prince of honor, left her... loving her all the more. For she was destined to do great things, and bring forth great advancements to the kingdom... and he knew that his continued presence would only serve as a distraction to the benevolent princess. His heart said one thing, while he knew the truth... he had to go home...alone. While parting was difficult, it was what had to be done. He loved her enough to let her go. The journey home was a lonely road filled with introspection and memories.

At last he made his way back to the place that he called home. To familiar shores, and the welcoming arms of his family. The day was warm and breezy, and it was filled with excitement and joyous noblemen and women standing at every corner to witness the great and glorious day. His people celebrated his return to the kingdom with parades, lights, and banners. The whole place was awash in great joy...with one exception. The prince. His heart was broken. In nobleness is sometimes pain. The right road is not always the easy solution, and this day he found no comfort in the knowledge of the justification of his actions.

With all of the attention, love and admiration of his people, with new beautifully hand crafted and precious robes placed upon his strong and sturdy shoulders, the world seemed a bit more dreary, with vast hues of gray, to him. He was happy to a point, but not entirely. The prince was gracious and thankful to his loyal subjects, and yet he thought "How could I tell them I have left a piece of myself on this mission?" The music and fanfare began to fade within his ears. He was more quiet then usual, more introverted... no one would have noticed it, if not for that one person that could always see through the facade...the queen...his mother. "Come with me, my son, tell me what weighs so heavily upon your heart." she softly asked him. "I can not Mother, you would never understand." The young prince retorted. "Try me" the queen whispered back. She knew her son's heart was breaking, and she had already received word of his love with the fair and beautiful princess from afar. He walked with his mother through the vast garden's of their palace. Telling her of the woman he had met and how he had loved her. He spoke of helping her grow and

of setting her free. As he spoke, his heart was lifted, and hers along with it. The pain and sorrow once felt was replaced with only joyous and loving feelings that encircled them both. The queen was very proud of the young prince. He had learned far more then she had ever taught him. Loving someone takes maturity, and strength. It takes selflessness, and courage. It even sometimes takes self inflicted pain...for the betterment of the other. The queen smiled to herself as she thought to herself "My son, my noble, handsome young

prince is indeed worthy to one day become our just and noble king"

The End