Lake of Tears

I lived in an enchanted forest filled with all manner of creatures. Me and my father were the kind born with magic, and had a form with pair of wings to fly on. My father a black owl. Me a beautiful black swan. An enchanter, and enchantress respectfully. I had spent my life with everything I wanted. I was the daughter of a great, and evil enchanter. There for I too had a bit of magic. I had a castle in the woods. Had jewelry, dresses, and ballet shoes in every color. I as Princess of the Enchanted Forest. The only Royal there was. My father told her me mother was a Queen, but she had always thought he was lying. He never talked of my mother, and no one remembered there ever being a queen here. The magical folk here had ruled themselves. And would with her father the regent Rothbart to keep them in line until she was old enough to take the thrown. Perhaps her father simply wanted her to feel more special than she already knew she was. Perhaps because she was still technically a child, he wanted to hide the fact that he had actually taken over our kingdom by force. We were power creatures of the forest, and my father could do many tricks. We were most know to be able to turn into birds. He can turn into a black bird of prey. While his daughter a graceful swan. She can’t do much else like her father. Able to turn others into swans, a talent for transformation, but has never needed to do more. She grew up the apple in her fathers eye. Constantly pampered by him. If she wanted or needed for anything he was there to give it to her. Protecting her from both the truth, and the dangers wearing a crown had put them in. On the night of her eighteenth birthday she fallowed her father out on night on black feathered wings. The full moon my only light. She watched hidden from view as her father chased villagers. Claws extended. People ran. A small fire started in the panic. There was shouting, and crying. I felt a mix of horror, and thrill at the sight. I had never seen my father loose his temper before. I wonder what these people had done to bring down such anger. Later I would guess treason. Then resting hidden in the beaches of a large black tree I watched. A group of women all about my age stood in the center. They did not panic like the others. Though six of the woman coward behind the seventh. A maiden. Magic like all who live in the forest. A beautiful maiden. Like her only eighteen years old. She’s the prettiest girl anyone’s ever seen, and she looks just like me. Except for her hair. Blond hair in a bun, and brown eyes. She wears a white ballet dress and tutu. A fellow lover of ballet. She stands with her friends against my father Rothbart. He raises a hand, and the women turn into swans before my eyes. I see as he leaves the parents weep for their daughters. For the maidens have been banished, and know they can not keep them safe from hunters.

“From dusk to dawn you will be stuck as swans. From dawn until midnight you will be women once more. You are banished from the enchanted forest. Never to return. Remember this people of the Forest. This is what happens to those who defy their regent!” With that he was a bird again flying into the night. The families fallowed the maidens still in human form until they came across a grove. Surrounded by trees and cliffs sites. In the center grassy flatland. To the east was an old, ruined castle or cathedral. From some forgotten royal family of the Forest, or perhaps a lost religion from ancient times? This land though was not apart of the Forest any longer. There on the cliff side behind a blanket of trees peaked out the lights of a mortal village. It was in that moment I decided I would see that village. The way mortals lived. No longer would there be secrets my father or the world kept from me. The mountains which surround us in the distance on all sides covered the grove in shadow, but moon shone brightly illuminating the entire clearing. So I could clearly make out the way the partners wept.

“Odette.” One said. “My only daughter. Do not loose hope. We will find a way to break the curse. We will free you and you friends. Keep faith.” The woman places a beautiful pendent around her neck. A white swan delicately painted on a dark blue jewel. I place my hand to we’re such a pretty gem would rest. Desiring it beauty for myself, but not wishing to take this too from the young woman. To be banished is to never be able to enter the forest again. Trying I know will end with them right back were they started. One of my father’s spells. These parents, and villagers will never be able to find them again. The parents weep for their lost children. Knowing that it is likely they will never see them again. Knowing the mortals so close form here could so easily mistake them for mere animals, to be hunted, and eaten. I shiver at the thought, but I know these woman will stay. I can tell be the fire they share in there eyes, and the set of Odette’s jaw. They will not be defeated so easily. They will not be scarred away from their own home. Tears fall harder, and suddenly in a flash of moonlight, and magic, a lake made of the tears of the mourning parents spears before them. Then the sun creeps over the mountain tops. Revealing the mountains like a cage around them. The women step back into the water, stepping across it with magic all their own. The water doesn’t even ripple as they stand on its surface. In a flash of light seven swans appear in their place. Goodbyes having been said the parents leave the young ladies to their fate. Knowing if they stay much longer it won’t be them who pays the price. I watch as the pretty white swans swim across its surface.