KarMel Scholarship 2004
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“A Fairy Tale” By
Anonymous Description of
Submission: “A Tale of a young girl who meets a young
fairy and falls in love.” – Anonymous |
Once upon a time in a land
very different than the one we live in today, there lived a young girl, Maliza.
She was very much like the people you know today, accept that she was quite
small. It wasn't just her; everyone she knew was that size. If she were to lay in the palm of your hand, her head would have rested at
the top of your fingers and her feet barely would have touched your wrist. On
her 17th birthday she set out on a quest, as was the custom of her people. She
was supposed to search for herself, to find out who she
really was.
It was a bright morning,
and the sun shone high in the blue sky of her small town. Her mother awoke her
early, for all the town people would be arriving soon to see her off. As they
gathered Maliza began to get nervous, what if she wasn’t able to figure it out.
What if she let down her family. Yet, as more people
began to arrive she calmed, and as the chimes rang the fourth time she began
her journey. She traveled though darkness, through places she had never gone,
and to places she had never even heard of. All the time searching, looking,
wondering what she would find.
On the 4th day it began to
rain. She didn't know what to do, she was all alone. Suddenly she spotted a
cave; it was dark and cold inside, but at least it was somewhere to be, outside
of the rain.
As she settled herself onto the floor
of the cave she began to look around. The dark, gray, wet walls had been cut
into. Someone had used this cave as a shelter. She lifted herself off the floor
and walked to the back of the cave. There she found an area for cooking. As
Maliza looked at the fire pit and the selves with dried roots and berries on
them, she realized she was famished. She had not had a real meal since the day
she left, which was about four days ago. She reached into the bag her mother
had packed. Maliza retrieved the makings of a delicious meal. Not only did she
have most of the meat her mother had given her for the journey, she also had
some of the oat bread left. She carefully unwrapped
the package, which had held her breakfast days ago. Along the way she had
gathered some gooseberries and she had been saving them for a time when she
could truly enjoy their ripeness. Maliza looked around but didn’t see any wood.
She knew she would need to travel back into the rain to gather firewood.
She had a hard time finding
any because most of the fallen tree branches were wet, but eventually she found
a fallen tree under a cliff which was dry. Maliza gathered all she could carry
and began her return trip to the cave. When she was about 60 paces from the
entrance she heard a strange noise. It was similar to the autumn harvest chants
but there was something more, a hissing noise. Slowly, Maliza made her way to
the opening and peered inside. Maliza was shocked by what she saw. It was a
Theiebian conjurer.
Maliza had heard stories from her
youth of how the Theiebian people, the oldest people in the mountains, had been
killed by the wolves. The few who were left were believed to be magical for how
else could they have escaped? It was said that they were secretive people and
if you found one he would offer you great riches to be able to be left alone,
so he could keep his secret. Maliza was thrilled. This cave must have been his
home; itwould explain why the shelves so high up, nearly three times Maliza’s
height. For the Theiebians were about four or five times the size of Maliza’s
people. Maliza began to strategize.
How would she enter the
cave? If this conjurer had the power to give her great riches would he be able
to hurt her as well? He was huge and with his flowing blue garments he looked
like a monster to Maliza. Maliza decided she would enter the cave as if she had
never seen him and let him make the first move. She took a deep breathe and
walked inside. He didn’t seem to notice. A fire was roaring and it seemed he
was making a potion over it. His back was to her; maybe he hadn’t seen her.
Maliza began to prepare her meal. She set everything out just so; as she lifted
a gooseberry to her lips she heard the most horrid scream ever. Caught between
fear and confusion, she thought for a moment it must have been her, slowly she
turned to see the Theiebian cloaked my deep blue pointing at her and screaming.
“I
am sorry, sir. What is wrong?” she asked innocently.
“You,
you, what are you doing in my home, you cretin. Out! Now, leave me or I shall
make you rue the day you entered.”
Maliza was shocked she had never heard
that the conjurers were mean people, and taken off guard she slowly backed
away. Leaving both her sword and pack behind.
“I
didn’t realize I had offended your hospitality. Forgive me, sir.” She realized
as she left the warmth of the cave that the temperature had dropped because of
the rain. “My cloak! Please let me return for my
cloak.”
“No,
be gone from here.” With the same sternness of his voice, he swung his cloak
over his shoulder, turned, and returned to the entrance of his home.
“I
must have it even if I have to return with 100 others. I will have it,” Maliza
promised. Maliza watched as the Theiebian returned to the mouth of the cave.
“Others? There is no need for that, my dearest. Please,
enter and receive you things.” His manner seemed to have shifted immediately.
Maliza smiled, she knew she would soon obtain the great riches she had often
heard of. Maliza quickly scurried into the cave.
“May
I finish my meal? I won’t bother you. I’m so small there is no way I could even
be in your way. I will stay until I have eaten, possibly until the rain
passes?”
“As you wish little one.” Maliza was very pleased. She
finished her meal, crept close to the fire, and drifted off at once. Four days
of traveling had tired her like nothing before. Holams, for this is what the
Theiebian was named, looked to see where the tiny one had gone to, he wished
not to hurt her, and was afraid that, with his great size he would do so
unwittingly. He saw her
snuggled against her pack and so he
lifted her and placed her in a pile of cloth.
Maliza
awoke suddenly, and without opening her eyes, sensed a change. She reached for
her sword, unsheathed it, and arose. There within a few paces was Holams,
staring at her.
“You must have been tired for it is well past
“Maliza is my name, and yes, four days
I have traveled with little sleep. Thank you for your kindness, I shall leave
soon.”
“My
kindness has only begun and you shall not leave until I have given it in full.”
“Sir?” Maliza was confused by this statement, did he mean
the riches? But he said it in a way that made her think he was planning
something. Holams turned away, and Maliza realizing she could do nothing if he
wished her to stay, settled back into the soft cloth and watched him. As they
day continued Maliza and Holams shared about their recent adventures; Maliza
telling of her quest and Holams about the wolf that had nearly killed him. As
the day ended and Maliza finished her meal Holams look at her intently.
“Tomorrow
you must leave, but I have something for you,” he said.
“Thank
you,” Maliza replied she wondered what she would do and as she drifted off she
imagined all she could buy with her new found wealth.
As
the sun poured into the cave Maliza opened her eyes. She sat up and began to
prepare for her journey. After she had gathered her things she ventured outside
to say goodbye to Holams.
“I
hope to meet you again, Holams. Thank you for your kindness.”
“My kindness has not ended. We shall meet again, for it is
written. Now, for my secret to you,” He reached into his pocket and when his
hand appeared again it was holding a tiny animal. He set it before her. It rose
to about her shoulders, and its fur was short and golden.
“What is it?” she asked.
“You
silly thing, have you never left your town? It is a mourse.”
“I
see, and what does it do?” Holams slowly lifted her and placed her on its back.
“I see, to ride. Thank you, and what do I call it?”
“That,
my tiny one is for you to choose.”
“I shall name it Clalle.”
“Such
odd names your people have. Well, off with you now, and I shall being seeing
you soon, so keep safe and remember, to find yourself, is to find another.”
Confused,
but very excited about her new animal, Maliza set off once more. Heading east
into the forest, she urged Clalle on. As they traveled Maliza told Clalle of
her quest, her family, and her life. As it became dark Maliza noticed something
amazing about her new beast; it let off a faint glow from its horns. By this light Maliza was able to travel for
hours after sunset, and find a grove to rest in that night. Maliza tied Clalle
to a young birch and fell soundly asleep.
Before
she even opened her eyes Maliza could hear the steady breathing of Clalle. The
sound helped soothe her and as Maliza opened her eyes she was greated by the
warm sun and blue sky of a wonderful day. Maliza had high hopes that today she
would final find herself and be able to return to her home, which she missed
greatly. As it approached
“You
choose, upstream or down, it is in your hooves Clalle,” Maliza said. Clalle walked
up to the stream and drank. Then, she slowly turned and began to walk upstream.
“Excellent, Clalle. And so our quest continues.” They walked
until Clalle began to glow, when all of the sudden a town appeared in the
distance. Maliza planned to rest at the town for the night and continue on in
the morning. As they neared the city Maliza was awestruck. It was a fairie
town. As Clalle and Maliza entered the gates everyone stopped to stare. Quickly
Maliza was approached by two men covered with green suits.
“Follow
us kind lady. Visitors do not often come to this part and our king wishes to
meet you.”
“Certainly, lead me,” Maliza said. She urged Clalle to
follow the fairies who flew off quite quickly. Before
long, Clalle was running in order to keep up with the fairies. Maliza was still
able to catch a glimpse of the life and homes of the fairies. She saw the
homes, having no roofs, only walls. She notice that the city was covered,
protected against the rain by a blue woven covering. Clalle saw it first; when
she slowed Maliza looked to see why. Ahead to the right was the palace. It
stood three times as high as the other buildings in the town. The rooms had no
walls only cloth hangings to partition the rooms. It was decorated in jewels
Maliza had never seen. Maliza had heard little of the fairies, even as she grew
older. Fairies were thought, by many to be a strange race. Their ways were different
and for many years they had been banned from Maliza’s town. Yet, Maliza saw as
she looked around that they were very similar to her people.
“Please leave the animal
here. The queen is not found of such beasts.”
“Yes,
of course,” Maliza wasn’t sure if she should leave her animal in this strange
place. Both of the men were armed and it didn’t seem like the time to disagree
so she dismounted and tied Clalle to the post. The palace was more beautiful
from the inside than the outside. It was carved out of a living tree, but the
bark was white. The floor was strewn with tiny purple flowers which made up the
path Maliza was to follow. As she approached the final room she noticed two
guards dressed in red. They pulled back curtains to reveal the throne room. The
King and Queen sat in large flower-shaped thrones and as Maliza approached she
realized that they were live flowers.
“Your Highness,” Maliza bowed, “My Lady.” She didn’t know
what to do. In her town there was no nobility.
“Stand,”
the King commanded. “What brings you to these parts?”
“I
am seeking myself,” replied Maliza. She continued on to explain her quest thus
far, and her goal.
“Very
well, this evening we shall grant you lodgings, tomorrow you must leave, for
your presence here disturbs many of us,” said the Queen, who had been silent
until now.
“Very
well, thank you”
“Jente!” the Queen called. Both she and the King looked to
the ceiling behind Maliza’s left shoulder. Maliza followed their eyes and
through the ceiling descended the most beautiful creature Maliza had ever seen.
Clothed in blue and purple
swirling cloth, which draped over one shoulder and reached above her knees, was
a vision.
Her wings were a light silvery color and her dark brown hair shoulder length. At
the moment Maliza saw her she fell in love.
“Maliza,
please allow our daughter, Jente, show you to your room,” the Queen said,
breaking the spell Jente had cast on Maliza when she entered.
“Of
course, thank you,” Maliza bowed, “Your Highness, M’Lady.”
“This
way,” Jente whispered. She flew past Maliza and through the door Maliza had
entered by, down the hall, and up through the ceiling.
“Wait,
I cannot fly,” Maliza shouted after Jente. Instantly Jente reappeared, very
flustered.
“I
am sorry; I forget you are so different from me.” Jente and Maliza began to
move the furnishings to create a sort of crude stairway to the next level.
Jente flew to the top and waited for Maliza to struggle after her. Maliza
thought it may as well have been a stairway to heaven. As they entered the room
where Maliza was to sleep Jente asked if there was anything Maliza needed.
“No,
thank you for your kindness,” Maliza replied. Jente turned to go, but Maliza
stopped her, “Wait you don’t need to go if you don’t want to.” Maliza wanted to
spend time getting to know the fairie princess.
“Thank
you, I would like to stay,” said Jente.
As
Maliza and Jente got to know each other Maliza realized that what she was
supposed to learn on her quest wasn’t about herself
alone, it was about herself in relation to Jente. When Jente left Maliza that
evening, Maliza realized that tomorrow she would be forced to leave the girl
she loved so much. Maliza had an idea, she would ask Jente to come with her, to
return home, so they could be together. This thought settled Maliza, and she
was able to sleep until the next day.
As the new day dawned Maliza was pleased with
her decision. She dressed and stepped outside her chamber to find Jente
waiting, she asked Jente if she would like to return to her home with her and
Jente jumped at the idea. The only issue was to ask the Queen and King.
As the two girls entered
the throne room, they found the Queen alone.
“Good
morning ma’am,” greeted Maliza. The Queen nodded. “I was wondering if there is
anyway I could repay you for your kindness to me, perhaps lead your daughter on
a tour of my land?”
“Absolutely
not!” shouted the Queen. “Not only is it a horrible idea, for she could he
hurt, but I’m sure she wouldn’t like it one bit.”
“Oh
no mother, I should enjoy it greatly, Maliza has told me of her homeland and I
do want to visit,” Jente stated.
“I
cannot believe you have asked her and not me first!” screamed the queen. “Out,
Out, be gone I wish to see no more of you.”
Guards appeared from nowhere, and
escorted Maliza to Clalle and then out of the city. Maliza was confused, upset,
and frightened. She had no idea that this this would be an issue. Maliza
pointed Clalle towards he home. Slowly they made their way home.
Maliza’s
mother was very pleased to see her daughter it had been almost a moon since she
had left and now she was returning with a strange beast. Everyone came to hear
of her adventures, and see the animal she had obtained from the Theiebian.
Maliza told them most everything, leaving out only her last day in the fairie
kingdom.
Days
passed and it was almost a new moon when there was a knock on Maliza’s door.
Maliza hurried to open it, wishing it was Jente, for she never lost hope that
one day she would be able to see her. As she pulled open the door she was
greeted, not by a familiar face, but by a set of huge feet. Maliza stepped
outside, peered up and saw Holams.
“Holams,
what are you doing here?” Maliza questioned. She was shocked, why did he leave
his cave. Theiebians loved seclusion, didn’t they?
“I
have bad news, little one. Jente is in trouble. She is being held captive by
Despara.”
“What?! I must
leave, I have to save her.” Maliza began to gather her things for the journey.
Maliza told her mother that she was leaving to help some friends she met on her
quest and that she would return in two moons. As the sun reached its
Holams
and Maliza traveled for three days before they reached the town. The journey
was easy for Maliza because she rode on Holams shoulder and Clalle rode in
Holams pocket. When they reached the town it was very different. It no longer
seemed to glow as it had before, and when they entered through the gates there
was no one to be seen in the streets. Maliza led Holams to the palace and he
waited outside while Maliza entered to see if she could help.
Maliza
was led to the throne room where she had first met Jente. She entered to find
both the King and Queen sitting quietly.
“Good
evening your Highnesses,” Maliza said. “I heard of the
troubles you face, and I wish to help you.”
“Help? How do you think you can help? Our armies have been
unable to save Jente. She is locked in the high
“I
have more motivation than others. I will return with Jente or I shall never
return to my home, you have my word,” said Maliza. With that Maliza left the
throne room and returned to Holams.
“Holams do you know where Despara lives in the mountains?”
Maliza asked.
“Of
course my dear, I can take you as far to the mountain edge, but I dare not
venture into her realm for the wolves are under her control, and we do not get
along. You should be safe from the wolves for you are too small to eat, but
remain watchful, tiny one,” Holams answered. Maliza and Holams set off and
after five days of travel they reach the mountain edge.
“Here
I leave you, but I shall wait for your return. Take this,” he handed her a tiny
glass jar full of a purple gas. “It will be the downfall of Despara if you use
it correctly. Remember she is but like you, weak. If you use it when she is
unprepared you can win back Jente.”
“Thank
you, Holams,” Maliza said, and she was off. The journey up the mountain was
hard but she could see the castle and so she continued for three days with
thoughts of Jente urging her on. On the third day she met a small, old woman.
She was gardening when Maliza approached.
She greeted Maliza, “Hello there, child.
Where are you going?”
“Up
to the castle to rescue my love,” Maliza answered quickly, for she had much
faith in herself.
“It
won’t be easy, Despara holds her and she is a powerful witch. Yet, if you can
defeat her you shall bring everyone on the mountain peace, and so I shall give
you a gift,” the woman ducked into her hut and returned with a small silver
box. “Do not open it, for it isn’t for you, the box contains nothing until you
save your love, then it will show her your love,” Maliza was confused by the
woman’s words but thanked her and continued on her way.
Maliza
continued for two days until she reached the gates of Despara’s castle. She was
nervous but walked through them and into the great hall.
“Hello,”
Maliza called, “I seek something you have for me.” Seconds later a woman
appeared in front of Maliza dressed in black cloaks with green embroidery.
“What
would that be?” responded Despara.
“A
fairie girl, Jente, she is my love and I’d like to take her with me when I
leave.” “Would you? Well why should I give her to you? What do I owe you?”
Despara asked. Maliza paused; she didn’t quite know how to respond. Remembering
Holams words she decided to tell her story of her love for Jente and how she
was forced to leave her. She told Despara how Jente filled Maliza with
happiness, how without Jente her life was meaningless, dull, and uneventful.
Maliza related how she spent hours thinking and dreaming of how she could spend
her time with Jente. When Maliza finished her story she looked at Despara and
noticed a small tear running down her face. “Now is the time,” thought Maliza.
Maliza reached into her pocket and grasped the jar and threw it at Despara’s
feet. The gas was released and Despara began to fade.
“What’s
happening to me? No! You lying girl,” screamed Despara.
“I
had to. Jente needed me, I am sorry, but you will not hurt anyone else,” Maliza
said to the faint image of Despara.
Maliza
now had to find Jente which would be no easy task. It took most of the day to
find the stairs which lead to the tower in which Jente was being held. Maliza
knocked on the door.
“Yes,”
asked Jente. Maliza’s heart skipped a beat. Jente was so close. She reached
down to the handle and pushed. It was locked.
“Jente,
it’s me, Maliza. I came to save you. I’ve gotten rid of Despara but I don’t
know how to open the door. Do you know where Despara kept the key?” Maliza
asked through the wooden door.
“Maliza, oh, I thought I’d never see you. No, I don’t know
where it is. Please help me,” Jente said as she pressed herself to the door.
“I
will, do not worry, dearest.” Maliza wandered down halls looking for the key.
She stumbled into a workshop where she found an axe. She grabbed the axe and
ran back to the tower.
“Jente,
I have an axe. Stand back and I will free you. Are you ready?” asked Maliza.
“Yes!”
Jente called. Within minutes the door was broken through and Jente was in
Maliza’s arms. Maliza helped Jente ready herself for the trip back to her town.
Clalle was able to carry both Jente and Maliza and so the journey to where
Holams left Maliza took only a short time. Holams was very pleased to see
Maliza again. With Jente on one shoulder and Maliza on the other they returned
to Jente’s town in days.
As
Jente and Maliza entered the town people reappeared. Everyone was pleased to
have the princess safely home. As they entered the palace Jente was greeted by
many servants. The King and Queen were in the entrance hall and led both the
girls into the throne room.
“Maliza,
we never dreamed you would have been able to do it, but you showed us wrong,
thank you,” said the King.
“It
was my pleasure,” replied Maliza.
“How
can we show you our thanks?” asked the Queen.
“Please, allow Jente to return with
me, if even for a short time,” asked Maliza.
“Please
mother, I love her,” said Jente.
“You may leave this place with her, but you know what must
happen,” said the King.
“I
do, but I am willing. I love Maliza,” said Jente.
“Fine
tomorrow you will leave,” said the Queen.
Maliza
turned to Jente, “What must happen?”
“I
must loose my wings,” stated Jente.
“You
would be willing to do that for me?” asked Maliza. It was at that moment she
remembered the silver box the old woman had given her. Reaching into her pocket
she withdrew it.
“This is for you, Jente, so
you know how much I love you.” Maliza handed Jente the box, she opened it and
saw a ring, golden white, nestled on a pillow of purple silk.
“Thank you for loving me,
and know I shall always love and protect you, Jente,” Maliza said. The two
girls hugged and as they embraced Maliza knew that they would live happily ever
after.
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