For my love, Jori; you continue to amaze me with your brilliance and grace.
Love you always,
Mel
Goose goes; "Hooooooooooooonk!"
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Once upon a time, in a kingdom not too far way, there lived a princess named Princess Valentine. Valentine was a quirky little princess - she was smart, kind, and very funny. However, there was a problem in her life; Valentine lived in the highest tower of the castle, guarded by obstacles and monsters, and could never leave.
Valentine did her best to fill her days with fun activities, reading and writing, music and dancing - but more than anything, Valentine wanted to be free. As she shed away her childhood and blossomed into a young woman, Valentine's beauty became celebrated throughout the kingdom.
As her beauty became more recognized, many in the kingdom were saddened to know that the princess was locked away in a tower, far away from the excitement of the village. And so, the first rescue began.
The first attempt to rescue Valentine was Talos, the biggest giant in all the land. He towered over the tallest of trees, and his voice shook the ground. While he was loved by some for his humour and strength, he was feared by many for his temper.
"I'm the biggest giant in the entire kingdom!" Talos discussed with the barkeep in the village tavern. "I've never lost a fight; whatever is keeping the princess in the tower will be no match for me."
And so, in the morning, Talos began the journey to the highest tower in the castle, to rescue the princess.
While the trek was long and arduous, Talos was surprised to see he did not come across any of the obstacles or demons that were said to have been guarding the princess. Ha! This is too easy, Talos thought as he entered the castle. I'll have the princess as soon as I climb these stairs, and then she's all mine!
Princess Valentine, oblivious to the rescue effort happening down below, was in her chambers, enjoying a glass of mead and imagining that she was dancing in the royal ballroom. As she was twirling around the room, holding a broomstick as a dance partner, the door flew open and Valentine spun right into the sturdy chest of Talos.
"Oh my! I'm so sorry, I'm not used to people bursting through the door of my chambers!" Valentine picked herself off the floor, brushed the dust off her dress, and turned to shake the giant's hand. "My name is Valentine; if I'd known I was having visitors, I would have cleaned up a little. Who, exactly, is this visitor who has made it all the way up to the top of my tower?"
"My name is Talos, my beautiful princess, and I have come to rescue you."
Valentine stared at Talos in disbelief. She had never been rescued before, and while she dreamed of what life was like beyond the tower, she never thought she would get to step outside those walls.
"Outstanding! Talos, my liberator, I cannot thank you enough for saving me from this tower! I can't wait to walk around town, meet friends for a drink at the tavern, dance the night away with real people!"
With tears in her eyes, Valentine darted around the room, collecting things in an old burlap sack, preparing to leave the tower forever.
Unfortunately, Talos was a jealous, selfish man, and was beginning to think this rescue plan was not such a good idea, after all. Visit friends for a pint, go out dancing... I don't like this at all. I'm the one who rescued the princess, why should others get to reap the rewards? She's so beautiful, what if she is freed, and then falls in love with another? No, I can't have that... the princess must stay.
"That's all well and good princess, and if you want to leave with me I will show you the way, but I must warn you of all the dangers that lie outside these tower walls. The people of the village are cruel and viscous. They'll try to hurt you the first chance they get, since you're so delicate and beautiful. You've been lucky to have spent your years safe in this tower, surrounded by books and instruments, all the comforts a princess like yourself could ever want. If you want to come down, I'll lead you out, and I'll do my best to protect you, but I cannot promise I'll be able to keep you safe. If you ask me, I think you should stay up here, safe in your tower, and I'll visit you every day. I'll bring news from the village, new foods to try, fancy dresses to match your elegance and grace. You'll be happy, and your life will be fulfilled, my princess, but only if you stay in your tower."
Princess Valentine listened closely to the words of the giant. She was so excited to finally be free, but she didn't know what exactly she was eager to experience; she had never left the walls of the tower.
Talos spent his whole life out in the kingdom, Valentine pondered. If he says it is dangerous, it must be true. Perhaps I don't need to leave the tower, but I need a friend to visit me. Then I'll be happy. Crestfallen, the princess nodded. "If you say I'll be happiest in the tower, it must be true. Thank you for warning me about the outside world, Talos. I'll stay, and I look forward to our visits."
Talos kept his promise to Princess Valentine; he visited her every day, bringing her new toys and books, as well as stories of the kingdom below. Some of the stories were funny, while others were filled with danger. Talos regaled Valentine with tales of deceiving villagers, spreading lies and miseries, with the giant as the sole protagonist in every account. These stories of terror beyond the walls made Valentine feel safe that she chose to remain in the tower, but her life remained unfulfilled.
The days turned into months, the months into years, and her desire to walk outside the tower walls was still as strong as ever.
"Talos..." Valentine hesitated. "I want to thank you for keeping me safe all these years. I've enjoyed our visits, and you've been so kind and generous to me. But I was thinking, maybe it would be nice to go into town today together. You could take me to see the new dress you said I'd look so beautiful wearing, or perhaps we could go to the bookstore which holds the most amazing stories you've bought me. You're the biggest, strongest giant in all the land, surely you could keep me safe for an hour."
Valentine had barely finished speaking when Talos slammed his fist on the table. The princess shrieked in terror; she had never seen his eyes so wide, his face so red, all the muscles in his imposing chest and arms tighten. As Talos began to speak, it was at a whisper so quiet, Valentine could barely hear him.
"Valentine, my love. How dare you question me like this? Have I not provided you with all your desires, and more, over these years? Have I not faithfully visited you every day? Have I not laughed with you, held you while you cried, taught you new skills? Everything I have done has been in your interest, and after all that, you have the audacity to question me like this? Never again will I stand to hear you ask to go into town, the very place from which I have been keeping you safe.
If you want to go into town, go then, but I will not escort you, and you will face the dangers of the kingdom at your own peril."
Princess Valentine could not hide her disappointment, as a single tear fell upon her cheek. "Of course you have kept me safe all these years, Talos, and I will never be able to show you my thanks enough. It was just an idea, a silly idea, really, but you are right. This is where I belong. I will never ask to go into town again." Talos was relieved that the issue of leaving the tower had been put to rest. However, unfortunately for Talos, the dream of leaving the tower grew in Valentine's mind, and she began resenting the giant for not rescuing her from the tower.
The biggest, strongest, scariest giant in all the kingdom says he is keeping me safe, but can he not protect me against the dangers outside the walls? He is either a coward, or a liar, this Talos.
As time went on, Valentine could not hide her disdain for Talos. She no longer laughed at his stories, or danced around the room with him, or asked when he was to visit next. She hated him for keeping her locked away in the tower, even if leaving would mean she would face the threat of danger.
"Talos, it is time for you to leave. You cannot visit any longer. If I am to spend the rest of my days in the tower, I will not spend them with you. You have not kept me safe, you have kept me like a caged animal, a pet, all to yourself. You are greedy and selfish, and I would rather live up here alone forever than spend one more minute with you."
Talos flew into a rage. He threw the bed against the wall, broke all the plates and glasses, and tore up all the princess' fine dresses.
"You ungrateful wench, after all I have done for you! You will live to regret this day, and you will die alone behind these walls, as miserable and pathetic as you were the day I met you."
While his words stung, Valentine was relieved when the giant walked out the door for the last time. She was alone again, but as a young woman now, she had become accustomed to the years of loneliness.
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For my love, Jori; you continue to amaze me with your brilliance and grace.
Love you always,
Mel
Goose goes; "Hooooooooooooonk!"
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Once upon a time, in a kingdom not too far way, there lived a princess named Princess Valentine. Valentine was a quirky little princess - she was smart, kind, and very funny. However, there was a problem in her life; Valentine lived in the highest tower of the castle, guarded by obstacles and monsters, and could never leave.
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"Rescuing Princess Valentine"
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