Week Fourteen Storytelling: Kindness

“You don’t have to work out here, Katya.” Prince Nikita handed me a piece of his lunch. “My father could provide you with a dowry and arrange a husband for you.”

I snorted. “No thanks. I am more than happy here.”

“You are not paid well, and we both know it.”

“I am given room and board. Three kopecks beyond that is enough.”

“You are worth more than that.” Prince Nikita shook his head before getting back on his horse and riding away.

*

An hour later I was running an errand in town. A frightened screech echoed out from the alley I was passing.

Inside was an old man holding a tiny cat in an even tinier cage.

“Release it at once!” I shouted.

“For three kopecks, he is yours.” The old man’s eyes glinted mysteriously.

I threw my salary at the man and freed the poor animal from its prison, scooping it up into my hand. I turned to berate the man, but he had vanished.

*

Slowly, I nursed the kitten back to health, keeping it inside my pocket while I worked. Each day, he grew stronger and bigger, his black fur becoming glossy.

And Prince Nikita didn’t return, so I spent my lunch break alone in the orchard for the first time in years. According to a rumor, his father had sent him away to a coastal boarding school.

*

As Chernysh grew bigger, it became harder to keep him with me. He outgrew my pocket quickly. Leaving him home failed, so he stayed by my side in the fields. Although he never strayed far from me, I heard the murmurs of my coworkers. Some whispered that his black coat was cursed, while others muttered that Chernysh was getting too big and would soon attack someone.

But he was too loyal for that. I knew that unless I was endangered, he was docile and laid patiently at my feet. He kept me warm at night, and I gave him half of my food, unwilling to let him go without again.

*

“Katya, your pet is scaring the other laborers. Get rid of it or you’re fired,” my boss glared at Chernysh who was almost as tall as my hip now.

“Goodbye then.”

*

We wandered by the side of the road for awhile, Chernysh brushing up against my legs almost as an apology.

“Don’t worry.” I scratched behind his ears.

“Miss!” an old woman called. “Think that big cat of yours can catch some mice?”

*

After Chernysh exterminated all of the pests from the woman’s house, she let us stay the night.

And this is how we traveled. Helping people from town to town, I saw so much of the country. Citizens heard stories of Chernysh and flocked to see us. There were rumors that I was a sorcerer who enslaved a wild panther or that I had been raised by animals.

Almost three years had passed by the time we reached the ocean.

But just as we arrived, a huge rumble echoed from the cliffs as chunks of rock broke apart.

“Landslide!” Someone sprinted past me.

“Let’s go, Chernysh!” Instead of turning around, we headed for the crushed structures as soon as the dust had settled.

Chernysh loped ahead of me, searching the remains for signs of life.

“Head to the academy, Lady Katya!” a fleeing villager shouted, pointing to a mass of timber sticking out of a cluster of rocks.

“Understood!” As soon as I got to the wreck, Chernysh stopped in front of a pile of rubble. As he pushed rocks with his paw, I rolled some of the larger rocks away before finding a sturdy pole for leverage.

As I removed the last boulder, I saw the boy trapped in a hollow space.

“Can you move?” I offered him a hand, and he took it, nodding. “Head to the village.”

Chernysh and I worked for hours, slowly freeing students from the remains of their institution with the occasional aid of volunteers.

By the time night fell, I was beginning to think we wouldn’t find anymore survivors.

Just as I was about to give up, Chernysh stopped.

After I dug through the rocks, I found a man about my age whose legs were partially crushed under a stone.

I’m not sure he’s alive. I worked quickly, motioning for the physician on standby.

“Prince Nikita!” She shouted, desperately feeling for a pulse. “He’s still alive!

With our combined strength, Chernysh and I freed the prince’s legs, and the women whisked away my old friend before I could speak to him.

After that, we found no more survivors.

*

Despite the numerous skills I had learned in my years traveling, I had never mastered medicine. Instead, Chernysh and I worked fixing the damaged buildings and farmland.

As I worked, I heard numerous stories about the prince’s steady recovery and the king’s possible visit.

And one day, he was just there, dressed in beautiful finery. “I hear you are the one who saved my son?”

I knelt. “It was my honor.”

“My son’s hand in marriage is yours if you want it. An enchantress princess beloved by all would make a fine queen someday.” He smiled before leaving.

Marry Prince Nikita? We were friends years ago, but now?

Chernysh rubbed against the side of my legs, and I scratched his ears. He nudged me towards where Prince Nikita was being treated.

“Fine.” I sighed, temporarily abandoning my work.

As I got closer, I could see Prince Nikita resting outside and hear his agitated voice.

“You promised me to an enchantress?!”

“She saved your life. Do not forget that.”

“I was your friend first before I was this enchantress you speak of.” Chernysh followed as I walked towards him.

“Katya?” His eyes widened. “You’re the enchantress?”

“At your service, my prince.” I smirked, and Chernysh purred.

Author's Note: For this retelling, I mostly based it off the story of "The Three Copecks" in which at the beginning, a boy says if he truly serves his master well, let the kopeck he throws into a well float at the end of the year. It doesn't until the third year when all three of them come to the surface. He goes into town and then sees children torturing a cat who he then buys for the three kopecks. The cat brings him fortune but not quite in the same way I wrote it. I knew I wanted the cat to grow big and powerful, but I was going to keep the hero a male until I read a story about an enchantress princess. So I switched to a heroine and decided to try to get her to become a princess somehow due to her cat friend.
Thus led to Katya whose name I must have picked subconsciously. Besides her cat adventures, I added in the king giving away the prince's hand in marriage. This happens to princesses all of the time in fairy tales, and readers mostly don't bat an eye. Yet it felt so strange gender swapped.

As for her feline friend, Chernysh is a diminutive form of the Russian word for "black" and is one of the most popular cat names in Russia.

Bibliography: "Russian Folktales" by W. R. S. Ralston.

Image Information: "black-panther" by LetsCountTheWays

Reading Notes: Russian Folktales Part B

The first story in this section was The Witch. There were a lot of different points in it that I thought could be adapted. First, there was the concept of Death just walking around the town. Although it is a more Jenna idea than me idea, it could still be fun to do. I also found it very interesting that it ended up being a hoax. That alone could be an interesting concept to play with, but I also liked the idea of this fake witch going around curing or poisoning people.

I also liked the enchantress princess in the second story, but I'd much rather have it be about her being awesome. If I was better at writing comedic things, I'd write a story where everyone is convinced she is an an enchantress. Then the princess would go around denying it repeatedly. However I realized that I could almost combine this idea with my idea from yesterday. I could have a poor girl save the cat, the cat grow up to be her guardian, she is revered, and then the king adopts her to rule the kingdom. If I had more word count, I'd have her meet and love the prince beforehand so that she asks for his hand in marriage. Maybe I can still do that however, but I'll have to be crafty.

I thought the other stories were interesting (I was really looking forward to the vampire more), but I am really set on my big cat protector princess story now. 

Until then!

Bibliography: "Russian Folktales" by W. R. S. Ralston

Image Information: "Corona Prusia" by FDV

Reading Notes: Russian Folktales Part A

While I was entranced by the description that advertised the different types of stories to read in this section, I didn't find anything that inspired me util I read Three Copecks.

Initially, it was strange. I didn't really understand what a copeck was, but that didn't stop me from enjoying the story. I was very confused as to why the boy thought that throwing the copecks into the well was a good indicator of how hard he worked/fate's plan for him. I really liked that he got a cat with the copecks he earned, but I was disappointed he gave it up so fast. I would love to write a story about a boy who adopts a cat that is being abused, and he keeps it and raises it into a giant super cool tiger or panther or something.

The other idea I had reading this story was to change the ending so that he doesn't just earn a wife, they actually fall in love on an adventure.

Marko the Rich deserved to suffer, but I don't think I'm the one to make it so.

I'd love to fix the story where the mother murders the snake husband that the girl loves. It definitely needs a happy ending.

I thought the two stories with the days of the week were very interesting. It would be interesting to see what I could do with this concept.

I didn't like that the lazy fool prospered. If he had been intelligent or respectful, the moral would have seemed better.

Overall, I am leaning toward the cat story, but maybe that is because I just watched Jungle Book.


Bibliography: "Russian Folktales" by W. R. S. Ralston

Image Information: Personal photo of a tiger from the St. Louis Zoo

Week Thirteen Storytelling: Upon a Hill

“There’s something wrong with papa.” Gianna tugged on my apron, looking up at me with her big sad eyes.

My blood ran cold, and I quickly wiped the grease off my hands. Following Gianna’s small frame, she led me into the living room.

On the floor lay my father, flat on his back near the fire.

“Where are Rosalia and Mariella?” I felt his forehead before pulling the blankets up higher. Papa mumbled his appreciation before tumbling back into fitful sleep. He’s getting worse.

“Rosie went out with Piero, and Mari wanted crepes today.”

“Crepes,” I muttered incredulously. “Will you fetch me a washcloth, Gianna?”

She nodded before tottering off.

His condition isn’t improving. I sighed. The Pellegrino’s clock needs to be repaired by tomorrow. How am I going to finish in time?

“Is there any medication left?”

Gianna shook her head and handed me the towel.

“Nothing is working.” I wiped my father’s forehead, watching as the water droplets ran into his white hair. Gianna curled into my side. “We’ll have a family meeting when they get home.”

*

By the time both of my older sisters had returned, Gianna and I had made dinner and had the laundry drying outside.

“You were both supposed to watch over him today!” I yelled as loudly as I could without risking waking Papa.

“Gia was here.” Rosalia rolled her eyes. “Besides, if I can get Piero to propose, we can afford a bigger house that isn’t drafty.”

I glared at her.

“And medication. Of course,” she finished, trying to cover up her own greed.

“I couldn’t finish the Pellegrino’s clock because I had to take your shifts. They’re coming tomorrow! What’s your excuse, Mariella?”

She rolled her eyes. “I don’t need one. No one put you in charge when Mama died. Don’t forget that I’m still two years older than you.”

“Then why don’t you act it and show some responsibility. Did you use any of our money?”

Her gaze shifted uncomfortably away from me.

“Answer me, Mari.”

“It was only a few cents.”

“Papa will die if we can’t buy the medicine! He might die even with it!” I ran my hands through my hair. “I’m going to try to finish the Pellegrinos’ clock. Don’t bother me.”

I locked the door to the cramped work room and didn’t come out until dawn.

*

Despite completing the order for the Pellegrinos, they couldn’t pay me.

“I will have to beg the doctor to make the tonic again. I only wish that it would work this time.”

*

“If you can’t pay Tiziana, I can’t give you anything.” The physician crossed his arms.

“Please, he’ll die without it!” I offered him all the money I had.

“He’d die even if I did give it to you.” The old man shook his head, slowly closing his door. “Be gone. Don’t make a bigger fool out of yourself.”

“Please! How can I go back to my sisters?” I banged on the door to no avail.

What am I going to tell Gia? I thought of Gianna’s sad eyes, Mariella’s fear hidden behind a tough façade, and the disgusted look in Rosalia’s eyes every time Piero touched her. I can’t go home empty handed.

*

“They were counting on me.” I placed the wildflowers next to the rough stone. “If you were here, you’d know what to do, Mama.”

The sun was already slipping dangerously close to the horizon. Soon, one of my sisters would be sent to look for me.

“Just tell me what I should do.” I sat quietly, staring at her small grave marker beneath the tree until I heard a noise.

A deer darted through the woods, startling me.

Is this my sign? It stopped and turned around to look at me.

I glanced back at the road to town before following the deer farther into the woods.

*

As soon as it had grown dark, I lost the deer and had to resort to blind stumbling through the forest.

Even if I wanted to turn back now, I have no idea which way to go. I shivered in the night air.

Up ahead, I finally spotted a light in the distance. Maybe I can ask for directions back to town or warm up by a fire for a little bit.

As I got closer, I realized the light came from an estate so large it was almost a castle.

Another gust of wind blew through me, casting a handful of snowflakes into my hair.

Rushing towards the huge wooden doors, I knocked twice before letting myself in.

“Excuse me? Is anyone home?” I called, my voice echoing through the grand foyer. I quickly spotted the fire and rushed to warm my frozen fingers beside it.

“How dare you trespass!” A man was towering over me before I even realized it. A large black cloak engulfed his body.

“I-I’m so sorry,” I fervently apologized, trying to back away toward the door. “I’ll leave right now.”

“Why are you here?” his voice was quieter, but I could still hear the anger in it.

“I don’t know! My father is deathly ill, and I was praying for a sign, and I got lost and ended up here, and I’m so so sorry,” I rambled, trying to inch away.

He was silent for a moment before taking one massive step closer. I almost thought I could see the outline of his face inside the cloak, but it didn’t make sense.

“What if I told you I could cure him?”

“What?” The word came out as merely an exhale. “I’d do anything.”

“Stay here forever, and I swear to you that your father will be cured.”

Fear crept into my heart, and I closed my eyes.

But all I could see behind my eyelids was my sisters’ fear and Papa’s withering frame. “If you can really save him, I’ll do it.”

And this is how our story began.

Author's Note: Honestly this story was supposed to be different. I misremembered my idea and forgot to check my reading notes. The initial myth was the Italian version of Beauty and the Beast. I kept the two sisters she had in the original tale, but I gave Tiziana a younger sister as well who was just trying her best. On top of that, I strayed from the source material again by having Tiziana end up sort of seeking out the Beast rather than her dad being detained for stealing a rose.
I would have loved to write more of an actual love story between Tiziana and the stranger/Beast, but the word count meant it was not to be. If I had had more time, I would have rewritten it again with less initial family time, but life is a bit too crazy for that these days. 

All of the names were pulled from an Italian name list on nameberry.com

Bibliography: "Zelinda and the Monster" by Thomas Crane

Image Information: Personal photo taken by my mom in Switzerland.

Reading Notes: Italian Popular Tales Part B

I wasn't sure what to expect from Part B, but overall, I didn't enjoy it as much as the first section.

For the first story, I really liked the concept of the main character speaking the language of the birds, dogs, and frogs. It is a fun and unique skill set which could be fun to play around with. For a moment, I imagined the treasurer and the main character falling in love too, so I'd be more than happy to write that story as well as my stereotypical warrior heroine retelling.

And while I didn't like the incest in the Crivoliu story, I like the concept of the child doing penance for the parents. In a way, it reminded me of Devil May Cry, in which the twins are the product of a demon and angel. While it would be fun to play with this concept, I think it would just turn into DmC fanfiction.

I couldn't believe that the Sexton was just going to throw the girl into the ocean for no good reason. I wish he would have had a more severe punishment, but I don't think I'm the one to exact this.

The Italian Cat and Mouse story seemed kind of strange and pointless, but then again, I've never liked chain stories like that.

While I read the rest, I ultimately decided to do one of my three ideas from the first half of the reading.


Bibliography: "Italian Popular Tales" Thomas Crane

Image Information: Personal photo taken by my mom.

Reading Notes: Italian Popular Tales Part A

This week I decided on Italian Popular Tales.

I started this collection mostly because I wanted to read the Italian version of Beauty and the Beast. I have always loved Belle, so it was really entertaining to read about Zelinda. I thought it was cool how the new movie adaptation had the same request from Belle/Zelinda made for her father to get a rose when he goes away to market. 

Especially since I love it so much, it would be fun to do a retelling of this myth. I would be totally down for writing, again, a more warrior like version, or even one where Zelinda seeks out the Beast to get a remedy for her ailing father. 

I thought the beginning of Fair Angolia was very interesting because it reminded me of Rumpelstiltskin at first, but the mother gave up Angolia relatively easily, and the myth turned into Rapunzel. I was really glad the prince came to help her, but I was so curious whether or not the mother had been looking for her. However, I was super disappointed when the prince immediately abandoned her when she was cursed. And in the end, the witch surprised me by actually caring about Angolia. 

Based off of this tale, I'd love to write a retelling where the child knew the mother was forced into giving her up so she grows up ornery until she escapes. She goes on a journey to find her birth mother, and when she finally does, the mom doesn't want or love her anymore (or maybe ever). It'd be more depressing than most of my stories but interesting to write.

But I also don't think I've ever read a boy Rapunzel so that could be fun too.

I thought the story of the devil not wanting to marry anymore was really funny, although the wives were a bit rude.

I truly hated Sir Fiorante for abandoning his first wife.

I really liked the story Water and Salt because I think salt is my favorite food, and it was kind of a cute thing to say. However, I was upset the dog died. I'm not sure if this one would be good as a retelling for me, besides, I have both Angolia ideas and Zelinda and the Monster to work with.

But I still have some time to decide, so we'll see!

Bibliography: "Italian Popular Tales" by Thomas Crane

Image Information: "Lindau Rapunzel" by Sarang

Week 12 Storytelling: Ashen Warrior

The Samiyan Kingdom was small, but it controlled the mouth of the river that snaked through the entire continent. This ocean port was so successful that it made twice the money of far larger countries.

But despite its wealth, it had no standing army and was vulnerable to attacks. Seven factions guarded the borders, however, they fought only for their own territory, not Samiya.

Fifteen years ago, there was a family that fought for the country as a whole. They were nomads, riding wherever there was a border dispute or towns in danger. But when the parents died in the line of duty, the other factions mocked their children, refusing to help the little ones. While Guinevere did the best to raise her younger sister Elleah, Guinevere died of a plague.

Although Elleah grew up all alone, she quickly became the strongest fighter throughout the entire continent.

During her eighteenth year, the Tensha began an invasion. Their troops amassed all along the land border, drawing arguments from all seven factions as to how to rebuff the attack.

Although Elleah tried to bring order to the masses, they refused to listen to her.

As the attacks escalated, the prince had no choice but to get involved. He rode to the center of the border. While a great strategist, the prince was not a warrior. He organized a tournament to raise morale and find the best fighter to lead his troops into battle.

Elleah didn’t care about being recognized as leader, however. She simply wanted to defend the country that her parents died for.

On the other hand, it seemed like every member of the seven factions was participating in the tournament. Each gladly fought their brothers, sisters, and countrymen all for a chance at the title.

Every day for seven days they fought each other, swords clashing against armor. Finally, there were only five left. Just as the prince was about to decide what to do with the odd man out, Elleah rode by on her way to a skirmish, flying under the flag of the country and not a faction.

“Warrior! Join our fight for a chance to lead my army!” he commanded.

“I desire nothing but peace for Samiya, my lord. I must be on my way,” she replied, intending to turn to the east and leave.

“This is an order from the prince of the land whose flag you fly under.”

“As you command then, my liege.” Elleah jumped off her horse and entered the arena.

With her helmet and armor on, none of the fighters recognized her as the dirty orphan they saw when they looked at her.

But as a warrior, she was incredible. Her match against the unpaired fifth person was over in two minutes after she knocked the sword from his hands.

“But we have reached the same problem again!” someone cried at the remaining three fighters.

“I’ll fight the two of you at once if you’d like. I need to get to Mikusa.”

“Arrogant girl!” one of the two finalists yelled.

“We agree! Let’s get her!” The other brandished her sword.

Elleah parried their blows and landed many of her own but always with the blunt face of her sword. We need every warrior we have. No use damaging them.

As Elleah knocked the man out with a well-placed kick, the woman hit the sword out of Elleah’s hands.

“No matter.” Elleah disarmed the woman across from her and sent her sprawling to the ground. “I am free to leave now, correct?”

The prince was so impressed that words failed him, and Elleah took off for Mikusa, not even pausing to grab her sword.

“Seize her! She is to unite the factions!” the prince declared, but she had gotten too much of a head start. “I know not where she rides, but I have this.”

In his hands, he held Elleah’s sword, engraved with the message her father had used to propose to her mother and the only thing Guinevere had been able to save when their parents died.

“We will find her, and she will lead us in the coming campaign!” The prince thrust her sword into the air, and the people cheered.

The next day the prince went back to the arena, only to find numerous people lined up with Samiya’s flag emblazoned on their armor.

“What is all this?” the prince asked, but the people only argued.

“I’m the warrior who won!”

“No, it is me! I need my sword!”

The prince sighed, realizing that he’d have to entertain all of them to find the real one.

Presenting Elleah’s sword, each fake was asked what the inscription was, but all of them failed. Some demanded another chance, but the sword was too heavy for them or they couldn’t get used to the counterbalance.

After testing every person in the arena, the prince ended up with a standing army all wearing the Samiyan flag on their armor, but he was still missing the leader.

“Does anyone know where she went?” he asked. “Please.”

“She was headed to Mikusa, milord,” the woman she fought offered finally. “The Tensha are advancing rapidly there.”

“Very well! Let us ride and defend our borders!”

When the prince arrived in Mikusa flanked by all of his men and women, he saw her.

Elleah was leading a makeshift army of citizens with pots and pans, herself only armed with a dull practice sword. But she was winning nonetheless.

“For Samiya!” the prince cried, lofting her sword above his head.

“For Samiya,” his army replied, pushing the Tensha back onto their own land.

“I believe this is yours.” The prince handed Elleah her sword. “Fight for me. Become the leader of this army.”

“I have always fought for you as my parents did before me. These people will not follow me, but I will do as you ask.”

“We will follow you, Commander, we swear!” several voices insisted.

And that is how Elleah became the leader of Samiya.

Author's Note: This wasn't quite how I originally envisioned writing this story, but I still think it worked out okay. The initial idea is of course Cinderella, but there were multiple different versions in the reading I did for this week, giving me lots of ideas to choose from. Rushen Coatie was very similar to what I normally think about when I think of Cinderella, except the ball was a church gathering of Yuletide and a little red bull functioned more as her fairy godmother than anything else. I mostly went off of this version, but I wanted to make Elleah (Ella was too obvious, but this name sounded like a nice alternative) stronger and a warrior who lost her sword not a shoe.

I would have loved to wrap up the ending a little better, but I once again found myself at exactly 1,000 words.

As for names, the title came from a friend when I asked my classmates in Japanese to come up with a title for a Cinderella adaptation. Besides Guinevere and Elleah, I made up all of the other names. I realized after I finished writing that, again, save for Guinevere which I randomly picked off of the top of NameBerry's webpage, that all of them follow the Japanese language structure. It's invaded my whole life now, for better or worse.

Bibliography: "Rushen Coatie" by Joseph Jacobs

Image Information: "Albion Arn Film Sword" by Søren Niedziella. 

Reading Notes: More English Fairy Tales Part B

This second half only solidified my desire to do a Cinderella rewrite.

While I found The Children in the Wood interesting, I wasn't a huge fan of the prose. I was also really sad that the children died! I'd love to do a rewrite where only the brother dies, and the sister goes on to avenge him, or where they both have a kind of original Little Mermaid-esque revival and get to wreak the havoc on their uncle themselves.

Rushen Coatie was so similar to the Cinderella that I've always known that it surprised me. It would also be perfect for the Cinderella adaptation I was thinking about last night.  I would love to make the prince weak and so he issues a call to arms for the finest warriors. That is where Cinderella would show up and woo him/defeat his foes.

I liked the Little Bull story, and it is very similar to what I want to do. However, I didn't like that the Little Bull wasn't revived in some way. I'd love to rewrite just the kill the dragon & save the prince(ss) part.

The Dragon in Question

However I also really like the Children in the Wood idea for some reason, so I'm a bit conflicted.


Bibliography: "More English Fairy Tales" by Joseph Jacobs

Image Information: "Head Lizard" from Pixabay

Reading Notes: More English Fairy Tales Part A

This week I am reading More English Fairy Tales.

To be honest, I started this unit for Tattercoats and the other two Cinderella-like stories, and so far I have not been disappointed. I love Cinderella variations and retellings so this could be really fun for me! I'd love to gender swap, play with the concept of the goatherd, or simply set it in modern times. Any one of them sounds like an interesting story to write. I really admired both the prince's steadfast love for Tattercoats as well as the goatherd's love for his friend. I could write one similar to my Turkish fairy tale retelling with the imp, but I think I ship Tattercoats and the prince too much.

I liked the idea of Johnny Gloke too, although the name detracts a lot from it. Again, genderswapping at least one character could be fun, but I'm not sure. I always like the idea of defeating monsters with brains over brawn (with the occasional side helping of luck).

While I didn't like that the original girl stole all the witch's money in the Old Witch, I liked that the younger sister was punished for her lack of kindness. The best part was that her punishment wasn't death, like in so many other tales.

The rest of the stories in the first half I either didn't love or didn't understand. I think I'll end up sticking with a variation of Cinderella because it is the most up my alley. I'm excited to read the other two similar tales in Part B.


Bibliography: "More English Fairy Tales" by Joseph Jacobs

Image Information: "Glass slippers at Dartington Crystal" by Glamhag

Week Eleven Storytelling: Heart's Desire

Aethelreda was a curious child, learning to crawl by the time she was four months old.

As she was the princess of the kingdom, her parents were delighted by her curiosity. Aethelreda grew up quickly, switching from various fascinations once she mastered them.

It wasn’t until she tried to become a knight that she found her happiness. Every day she learned horse riding and sword fighting.

By the time she was eighteen, she had helped everyone she could in the capital city and surrounding towns.

“Father, I long to go on a real quest. I want to find my fated one,” she pleaded.

“Very well, my child. In the treasure room, there is a magic mirror. Use it to find your heart’s desire.” The king smiled down at her.

“Thank you, Father!” Aethelreda kissed his cheek before racing to the treasure room. As soon as she was inside, Aethelreda spotted the ornate handheld mirror.

Staring into the depths of her reflection, she made her wish. “Show me the man who will stand by my side.”

Her image rippled, and the mirror showed a tall man, half-dressed in armor. His muscles rippled in the sunlight, and his shield laid on the ground next to him, the name Artemis emblazoned onto it.

So my fated one is Artemis. She couldn’t explain it, but Aethelreda was disappointed. He was a strong knight, but her heart didn’t move.

But the mirror can’t be wrong. So Aethelreda bid her parents farewell and rode off in search of Artemis.

She followed his trail for a week, stopping to help whoever needed her. By the time she finally saw him, she was in a different country.

Keeping her helmet on and concealing her identity, she shouted at him from atop her horse. “Sir Artemis! Fight me so that I may see you are worthy!”

“Sir Knight, I accept your challenge!”

The two knights crossed swords, desperately searching for the upper hand. As the battle wore on, the two began to tire, but Aethelreda would not give up.

As she threw all her remaining strength into her final blow, she knocked the sword right out of his hands.  

“You…you’ve bested me.” Artemis’s face was contorted in shock. “As the loser of this battle, I shall serve you and your noble quest.”

He’s so loyal. But she did not love the man before her. I’m certainly not going to tell him that he was my quest.

“It is sunset. Let us camp for the night.”

“My liege,” Artemis replied before embarking to make a fire.

“How was this wrong?” Aethelreda studied the mirror in her bag. “Artemis is nice, but we cannot be destined to get married.”

Maybe I wasn’t clear enough, Aethelreda realized, before making eye contact with her reflection again. “Show me the one I am fated to be with and love with all my heart.”

Aethelreda’s image dissolved, and a new one formed.

This time it wasn’t Artemis.

The mirror displayed a woman riding a horse through the woods with reckless abandon. Her silky blond hair flowed in waves behind her. Her pale skin glowed in the moonlight, but her expression was grim.

Aethelreda’s heart skipped a beat. She’s beautiful.

This… she’s what’s been missing. And everything made a little more sense.

“Where can I find her?” Aethelreda insisted, watching the picture change again.

In the image, she was surrounded by dark woods with no distinguishing features.

How am I going to find her? The woman in the mirror glanced behind her with fear before urging her white horse faster. I must find her before whoever she is running from does.

“Artemis! There is an emergency! We must leave at once!” Aethelreda called, and he came running.

“Yes, my liege!” He mounted his horse, and they were off at a breakneck pace.

They rode east, trying to find the land that was already so dark.

They galloped through the twilight, Artemis already proving himself to be a loyal knight. I hope we shall go on more quests together.

After some time had passed, Artemis shouted over the steady rhythm of hooves. “My liege, we must rest or our horses will give out!”

He is right. “Yes, Artemis!”

They came to a stop near a stream.

“May I ask what the emergency is?” Artemis’s words were soft.

“I—” Just as she was about to tell him everything, hooves thundering on packed dirt echoed through the forest. Artemis and Aethelreda jumped on their horses and prepared their swords, waiting for whatever came for them.

Just as the noise became almost deafening, out of the woods shot a pale figure.

It was her. Instinctively, Aethelreda rode after her, her loyal knight following behind.

The radiant figure turned in fear to see two knights chasing her too. She urged her horse again, but it could only go so fast.

“We are here to help!” Aethelreda cried.

“Then do something about that horrible beast!” the woman insisted, her voice like music to Aethelreda.

“I will defeat whatever it is you run from!” Aethelreda declared, spinning her horse around and taking off in the opposite direction.

Aethelreda only had to ride for a few moments before she came across a terrifying creature who looked to be half-giant and half-beast.

“You will cease at once!” she declared without fear, and it roared toward her.

Aethelreda and Artemis fought together, making quick work of the monster.

“Let us return to her!”

They raced back towards where they’d last seen the woman.

Finally Aethelreda spotted her hair dancing in the wind.

When they reached her, Aethelreda dropped to one knee, removing her helmet.

“My fair lady, when I asked my father’s magic mirror for my fated one, I saw your face and have only desired you since. Pray, if my affections go unanswered, you may leave at once. But if there is hope for me, tell me your name.”

The enchanting woman smiled down at Aethelreda. “I am Florence.”

Author's Note: I had a lot of fun writing this adaptation. In the original story, the warrior princess Britomart looks into a magic mirror and sets off after her fated one, Artegall. At one point while she is riding through the woods on her quest, an enchanting woman named Florinell rides by as if running from something. Although I'm not sure whether or not I ever figured out who Florinell was, I loved the idea of her running through the woods, and Britomart going to help her. So, I just changed the initial prophecy a bit and ended up with my fierce lesbian warrior princess. 

As always, I played around with names. I thought about simplifying Britomart's name to something like Brittney, but it just didn't have the same feel. Instead, I found out that her name meant fair maiden, so I picked another unique name with a similar meaning as Aethelreda means "noble maiden." I wanted to change Artegall's name to something like Artie or Arthur, but Artie felt too short for the time period and Arthur is too synonymous with the knights of the round table. So I kept three letters and decided on Artemis. For Florinell, I kept the same first four letters and simply switched it to Florence (probably because I love Florence & The Machine so much that the working title was Florence & the Warrior Queen).

Bibliography: "Faerie Queen - Britomart" by Mary Macleod.

Image Information: "Antique Edwardian Silver Hand Mirror" by Lamerie. Cropped slightly.

Reading Notes: Faerie Queen - Britomart Part B

Part B started off a little odd.

I was a bit confused as to the parade of emotions as people that traipsed through the castle. However, I thought this was an interesting concept and could be easily played with. It reminded me a little bit of Inside Out and one of Jenna's stories.

I did think the concept of the enchanter doing blood magic during the second night in the castle was intriguing because I always find blood magic interesting. As much as I'd be more than happy to write about it, I want to focus more on Britomart, and I don't want to give her blood magic powers. I think her character would lose something if she had them.

I couldn't believe Glaucé and Sir Scudamour left after only a night and a half of waiting and then Scudamour didn't believe that his wife was faithful, even though he had trusted her for seven months.

To be honest, I started getting a bit confused and lost tract of the characters shortly after Britomart left the Enchanted Castle. With the tournament being rightly glossed over for being so long, this confusion only further deepened. However just the name "Braggadocio" was wonderful. Especially due to the confusion, I was shocked when I found out that the Savage Knight was the guy Britomart has been looking for this whole time.

I was so very happy that Britomart ended up with Sir Artegall, and I now 100% want to find out what happened to Lady Amoret. I am definitely going to go on a hunt to see if I can find any more tales of Britomart because I love her fiercely.

As for what I shall write, I'm thinking it will be Britomart's tale, but when she looks in the magic mirror she asks something like "what man shall stand at my side?" and she sees Artegall.

But something about him feels wrong. She goes to find him, and it is easy. She cares for him as a friend, but nothing more. So she consults the mirror again and asks who she shall marry and sees Florinell instead. So she goes on a quest with Artegall to find Florinell.


Bibliography: "Faerie Queen - Britomart" by Mary Macleod.

Image Information: "Antique Edwardian Silver Hand Mirror" by Lamerie. Cropped slightly.

Reading Notes: Faerie Queen - Britomart Part A

This week I read about Britomart, a princess and knight.

Even just reading the description, I was already in love with the idea. I thought it was so cool to have a lady knight.

In the first story, the author throws out that the two initial heroes capture the "wicked enchantress Acrasia," but I would have loved to see that battle! I'd love to write it from Acrasia's point of view since I tend toward female heroines and anti-heroes. The farther I got along into this story, the more I loved how awesome Britomart was. As a kid I always wanted to be a princess knight, and she was living the dream.

Even Florimell was beautiful and awesome, even though she was running away. I would totally write a story where Britomart saves her, and they both live happily ever after together.

I did however get a bit confused in the Castle Joyous section as to who was who until the author revealed Maeldata's name.

The next chapter was an awesome time. It felt so equal to me. I loved that Britomart went on her own quest to find her prince/knight and that neither of them are weak.

But the chapter after was kind of disappointing, I didn't like that Britomart moped around for months instead of going out and seeking her fate for herself.

I was sad that Britomart and her knight buddy parted ways because I was really hoping he decided to help her fulfill her quest (despite not knowing what it was entirely), however I was excited when she got a new one.

I was super excited to read the next section after the final chapter in Part A.

In whatever I do, I hope to do Britomart justice.


Bibliography: "Faerie Queen - Britomart" by Mary Macleod

Image Information: "Corona Prusia" by FDV