Romania

   Romania was a beautiful child, born to a wealthy Lord Randell and Lady Alena in the city of Helmhein, capital of Grouburg. She was three years old, and already her curious mind had become so unpredictable to her nannies, nurses. Even her loving and attentive parents couldn't keep up with her. One day she came into her mother's bathing room, where Lady Alena's maid was washing her mistress's hair. Romania's mother had long black hair, and under the soapy bubbles it shimmered and dazzled little Romania. It can only be assumed this is what later led to the poor girl's doom.

   Only a few days later, after her nanny had put her to bed, thinking her charge was asleep, she left to attend to a personal need. She had only been gone a few minutes but the time she returned, Romania was vanished from her bed. After searching a portion of the night, her father found her in the alchemy room, rubbing a glitzening, bubbly blue potion in her hair. Fearing what it would do to her, Lord Randell rushed her to her mother, and they both personally rinsed and washed the potion from their daughter's hair. They even used an alchemical bulking agent for good measure. 

   Lord Randell asked their castle Alchemist what the potion was and used for. The Alchemist rubbed his chin for a long moment before replying; he hadn't made a potion of those properties himself. He could only assume Young Lady Romania had handled and mixed some existing potions- individually harmless- in order to create something as shining as that. With no other option but to hope she hadn't affected herself badly, the family and household returned the their beds. 

   A week later it was a maid who noticed the Young Lady's change. She had been given the duty of giving Romania a bath and hair trim before her fourth birthday. In the bath the little girl's skin- from her head and in dripping patterns down her shoulders, chest and back- was a sparkling blue sheen. It was as if she'd been splashed with fish scales in sunlight from above her. The maid, being extremely dedicated to her work, resolved to finish the bath and trim before informing the Lord and Lady. This thought took deeper root when she noticed the shimmer on the girl faded as her skin dried. Then she went to trimming. 

   Romania sat still through most of the maid administrations; the maid was talented in handling children, hence her current duty. Romania laughed as she played in the bubbles and sat wide-eyed as the maid told her a story about a butterfly with a broken wing and a spider who wanted to fly. As she was telling how the spider mended the butterfly's wing with her thread, the maid noticed she hadn't made progress on Lady Romania's hair. Disgruntled at herself for neglecting her job, she paid greater attention to a lock of the girl's hair. Then she snipped it deliberately.

   It wouldn't cut.

   Again the maid tried to cut the hair, but again not one string was severed. Alarmed now, the maid brought the girl to her parents. By now Romania was near bouncing with inactivity, but she settled as her mother held her. 

   "What's this?" Lady Alena asked. "Have we decided we like our hair long?" 

   Little Lady Romania shook her head, causing her hair to swing in waves. "No Mama. Ith heavy." The maid explained her discovery, and even demonstrated the phenomenon to her master and mistress. She took her apron, dipped it in water and showed them Romania's transformations skin.

   From then on, Lady Alena refuses to allow Romania to leave her sight. But a week later it was grossly apparent something would have to be done. Romania's hair had grown to her knees and her shimmering skin (now visible all the time) stung anyone who touched it. Her eyes had gone from blue to violet, and her hair, once auburn like her father's had turned almost unnaturally gold. Poor little Romania complained her head hurt, and she could only hold her head up for a few short hours before her neck became pained from the weight. Her parents, with the help of their own alchemist and two trusted ones from the city, tried to find a cure for the mysterious calamity. Without knowing exactly what had been used, however, their success was doomed. They sent word to the king, asking that he send one of the Seven Pillars, seven alchemists to skilled and talented they hold the law for alchemists. Their request was granted.

   Gardenia Shreiller came and examined the girl, who by now stayed to her bed most of the time. Her hair had grown past her toes and was much too heavy for her. She cried from boredom, no matter how much her nannies, nurses and beloved maids tried to entertain her. Gardenia was utterly astonished to discover Lady Romania's hair had turned to perfect gold, yet remained uncuttable. After staying awake in thought and in planning that night, Gardenia told the Lord and Lady parents her idea. It was hopefully only be a short termed solution, but it would save the girl's health and spirit a great deal, if not completely. The parents agreed, and the plan was set in motion. 

   Soon thieves and blackdaggers stole into their home by night, intent on the precious metal of the girl's hair. They were thwarted, but Romania was now in constant danger. The Royal Alchemist's plan was kept in even tighter secrecy, and by the time Romania was five years old, completed and carried out. 

   To the city's inhabitants, the Lord's family was going to visit the beaches of the Halayit Isles. In reality, Romania was being moved to her new home, a tower deep in the forest at the base of the Grouburg mountains. The base of the tower housed crystals and enchantments, built and designed to keep Romania comfortable and strong under the weight of her curse. She was to remain under the care of her mother and Gardenia, while her father journeyed to find a tool to cut the uncuttable. 

   When they arrived, Romania was lifted by six men up into the tower. After the goodbyes were said and the three females settles comfortably in the towers upper rooms, the entrance was sealed. When she realized her hair no longer encumbered her with its weight, Romania danced and sang. She laughed for joy, and her mother cried for both joy and sorrow. 

   The gold still dragged behind Romania, but as she grew, her body grew strong to carry it. She could not leave the tower yet however, her mother told her. The enchantments underneath them did a great deal to assist Romania's bearing it. And still her hair grew very long, very fast. And still she waited. 

Thus ends part one of this mini adventure. I hope you enjoy the story as I write it! 

Smoke-stained Glass

Smoke-stained glass

And smudg-ed halls;

Her letters painted red.

Shattered dream,

Forgotten balls;

Hidden, blackened bed.

She cried out,

In love and pain;

Tears and stars align.

Forbidden love,

This was their hold-

And their tainted wine.

Careful child,

Your window bright

Shines on shadowed man.

Friend you thought,

His jealous heart

Still secret even then.

He loves you,

And he hates you;

Mingled, passioned zeal.

In his hand

He hides his rage

Within flint and steel.

Smoke-stained glass

And smudg-ed halls;

Her letters painted red.

Molten wax

And scarlet rooms;

Hidden, blackened bed. 

  

~  Avé Pfleegor  ~

Take Me To The Wood

Take me to the wood

Where the black blooms grow;

Petals tipped red,

Flowering in the snow.

Take me o’er the rivers,

Flowing old as time;

Cross the bridges

That once passed mine.

Take me to the trees

That still stand as tall

As a raven’s flight,

As lover’s call.

Take me to the wood

Where my love still waits,

Standing alone,

Standing in the shade.

Take me to the spot

Where the black blooms are,

Petal drip blood

From my lovers heart.

Take me to the wood

Where he set toward home,

Strong from the battle,

Weak from the fight.

Take me to the place

Where doe he met,

Sword shining red,

Hating eyes bright.

Take me to the trees

That watched their blades

Flash in the light,

Dance in the shade.

Take me ‘cross the streams

That drank my love’s life

When he fell defeated

By his opponents knife.

Take me to the stone 

That he lay faint upon,

Dreaming it my bosom

As shadows crept on.

Take me to the trees

Who gently with their roots

Slowly embraced him

Among their roots.

Take me, grandchild mine,

Life has left my legs.

Take me to where 

My waiting love lies.

Take me, dear grandchild, 

Climb the path you know.

Carry me to him,

Death is never slow.

Take me, grandchild love,

I’ll then vow you my goodbye.

May you know every love, 

And ne’er tears to cry.

Take me to the wood

Where the black blooms grow;

Petals tipped red,

Flowering in the snow.

       A.P.

Fleeting Wish

I wish I were a child,
With dreams and wishes to spare.
Save the greenery on my plate,
There'd not be a worry worth my care.
But it seems children grow up,
And will one day be maidens and men.
So should I be a child,
I'll save my worries for then.

I wish I were a young man,
With his heart on his sleeve.
As I pass by the people will see
His good and naivety.
But men it seems are easily drawn
By gold, and by greed,
So should I be a young man,
I'll turn away from thee.

I wish I were a lonely crone,
Living in woods where no one goes.
I'd sit by my fire and drink my wine-
Nobody but me would know.
But crones it seems have lived their life,
And will one day stay at rest,
So should I be a lonely crone,
I'd wish you all the best.

In truth I am a maiden
Wishing to hide from worldly strife.
Like snowflakes drifting on a winding breeze,
I'm drifting unhurried through life.
Though it seems my story is unfinished,
For fate has a path laid for me.
So at its end, I'll be there
Awaiting you with pretzels and tea.

          ~Avé Pfleegor 

Sweet Song of Rain

Lounging by the window,
Embracing her sweater,
She watched the rain trail down the glass.
Her slow breath mists
And swirls before her eyes,
Her head rests against the brass.
A warm lamp shines by the street;
The sidewalk's become a mirror,
Her wavering shadow's cast.

Dusk clouds the air.
She hears the sounds of it
From the breach in the window.
Sweet rain beats a it's rhythm;
Her busy street's a melody,
There's a breeze in the willow.
Snug where she is,
She's content where she is,
Unworried for tomorrow.

                      ~Avé Pfleegor~

The Night's Song

Tonight my window is cracked open,

So I can hear all the sounds.

The cricket chirped song

Is the loudest I've found.

But the owl's cry is one that surpasses

The cricket's night song.

But I haven't heard him tonight;

Where has he gone?

I'll miss him tonight

As I listen to the dark,

In a night that is lonely

Without his mourned mark.

But wait, I think I hear-

There it was again!

 And I thought this night

Would be lonely and plain.

Now I can rest

To the sound of the night,

When all is complete

And when all is just right.

 

       ~A. Pfleegor~

The Maple Seed

Mother, I must go.

I must drift in the wind

And land far away.

My brothers and sisters

Call me to join them

In the closing of day.

 

Please let me fly,

To another home

Where I will start anew.

I'll begin in the dark

And work 'til I am big,

Strong like you.

 

You hugs are so special

But now I can't breath,

So I have to go fly!

I'll find a new home

And I will find a new life,

So Mother, goodbye.

 

        ~Ave Pfleegor~