Burned

The children frolicked on the shallow river, jumping from rock to rock. The lukewarm water splashed onto their ankles, and giggles echoed throughout the air. The sun began to set and the children split to go to their home kingdom, one draped in ice crystals and snow, and the other, a beautiful oasis of trees and twittering birds.

The annual feast of the two neighboring kingdoms was soon to begin. This year, it was to be held in the glittering ice kingdoms, by King Gabriel and Queen Victoria, and they were to celebrate their new child, and to grant her the power of the rose.

But a gang of armed members led by a woman from the Earth Kingdom, thirsty for the crown.

Queen Victoria smiled lovingly at her daughter and picked a petal from the crystal blue flower. King Gabriel opened the mouth of the child while the Queen placed the petal underneath the tongue of the child. The baby glowed a pale blue light, then cooed at her mother and father, her fluffy white hair swishing. A name came to the mind of Queen Victoria and felt it was perfect for her precious.

“Lumia!” Queen Victoria said, “Please cheer for your soon-to-be queen!”

“Princess Lumia!” The crowd cried. Cheers rang through the walls of the castle and King Gabriel thrust his arm into the air, granting the people a light snowfall for all to enjoy.

Over the tumultuous applause, the woman snuck over to the ignored rose, to lay a petal underneath her own tongue, to grant her the power the rose holds within. However, a guard spotted her in the act, and crept towards the unsuspecting woman, drawing his sword. When she was about to pick a petal from the rose, he pounced, quickly holding the sword against her neck. The woman’s eyes bulged in alarm.

“Attempted burglary of the rose is one of the highest offenses and is punishable by death,” He whispered harshly. “Consider yourself lucky that I haven’t slit your throat.”

The woman thrashed against the guards chest and shrieked, “Help!” On her command, her crew emerged from the crowd, holding up their weapons. Queen Victoria gasped.

Swords and staffs clashed and cheers morphed to screams. Queen Ester and King Robin of the earth kingdom hid their toddler, Rowan from the violence, and King Gabriel shielded their daughter, Lumia.

People pushed and shoved to flee from the scene as guards fought the gang. Ice stalactites fell from the ceiling, furthering the chaos. King Gabriel overcome his shock from the mayhem and bellowed, “Enough!”, thrusting his arm out. Three gang members froze in their spots. Queen Ester caused a rosebush, armed with thorns, to come from the ground and block most of the gang from the guards and the King and Queen.

The woman being held by the guard was spotted by King Gabriel, and fury radiated from his eyes. He froze the woman on the spot and grabbed his sword next to his throne. He hit the ice block with the butt of his sword, with enough force to shatter it. The gang members fled the scene, sensing their near-defeat. Bodies of the enemy lay on the floor, mixed with bodies of guards who died in combat. The battle ended as quickly as it started.

The King and Queen of the ice kingdom strode towards King Robin and Queen Ester, anger showing on their faces.

“What was all this about, Robin?” King Gabriel said.

“We had no idea of this, Victoria and Gabriel, believe us,” King Robin pleaded. “We’ve been friends for years, how can you not trust us?”

“Your kind endangered our people, us and Lumia. There was more than one attacking us. We cannot take this lightly,” Queen Victoria said.

“And so was Rowan! Both people from our kingdom was endangered!” Queen Ester said. “Can you not see that?”

King Gabriel shook his head. “I don’t want any of your kind over the river onto our side. Also, I don’t want Rowan communicating with our daughter.”

Queen Ester’s eyes narrowed. “As you wish, Gabriel. We’ll inform our people. But this applies to you as well.” She turned and strode out, King Robin trailing behind.

“And get rid of this rosebush!”

The rosebush disintegrated and the two kingdoms were split, just like that.

No more children on the river.

No more feasts.

No more.