The Key

Once upon a time…

A young girl, about twenty-five, stood looking up at the huge castle walls. Her Brown eyes scanned the people walking about inside the massive walls. She had a hard time trusting anyone around, especially royalty after what she had been through. She watched many look at her, the wandering stranger, wondering who she was and what she was doing wandering their market. It was painfully clear she was far from home.

“Lile” Turning around she found one of the older women she had traveled with. Lile made her way to the two kind women. “We’re going into the inner city.”

“If it’s alright, I think I would like to explore a while.” The women nodded. “Thank you Noreen.” The women smiled telling her to be careful before she began exploring this new market.

The longer she walked the more she found men watching her and even asking for some quality time together. Some were very handsome but Lile continued with small smiles. Making her way through kindling market, she clashed her smile at yet another man. She paused a moment, taken aback by his incredibly handsome features and how he have her attention but did not try to just get what he wanted and hiding the fact that was all he wanted.

Lile decided to talk to him. Perhaps she could make a new friend in this strange place. “Hello.” She smiled, “My name is Lile. I just arrived at kindling market.”

“My name is Jamie. Look, I’m not looking for a permanent thing.” He told her straight out but gave a small smile before turning to walk away.

“That’s fine.” She said quickly. “I’d be okay with a friend.” She explained.

Jamie looked at her a moment before he responded, “I have a few things I must do with my family, but lets meet up when I’m finished.” Lile smiled happily and nodded. “Great. Then I’ll meet you at the inn tomorrow night. We can get a drink or something and talk. Become friends.” She nodded as he left. Lile could not help the bright smile as she walked the market a but more before returning to the two kind women she had arrived with earlier in the day.

That night she smiled as she is silently before going to bed. She felt so happy, so excited. Feelings she had not felt in a long time. She fell asleep, dreaming of her life finally looking up after the years of pain. That night, she slept soundly.

It was evening when Lile and Jamie arrived at the inn. They ordered a couple drinks and some food as they spoke. When he asked why she had come to kindling market, the words all just flew out. She was not shy or afraid of what he may think, not with his Brown eyes locked on her, listening intensely.

“I was spending time and growing with a man, Mechal, for eight years. We were practically living life together; well that’s what I believed.” Lile explained. She tried not to look at home, as she continued, “To make a long take short, Mechal had been running around with many girls. He spent less time with me and more time sneaking around with maids, princesses, even someone who was supposed to be my best friend. It hurt, being the gift puppy love, but after eight years it was over.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. That man seems to have missed out on a great girl.” Jamie said before falling silent as Lile continued explaining about the last year of moving around and betrayal. Once she finished her tale, Jamie began his own.

After a few hours the two finished eating, drinking and talking before deciding to walk around and talk some more. Lile felt happier, her heart was beating hard in her chest when he leaned over and connected their lips for a sweet moment as time froze. She could not stop her bright smile from growing.

Days turned to weeks, weeks to months and they decided that maybe they could create an amazing relationship. Time seemed to fly by but freeze all at the same time. Lile and Jamie spent more time together. Lile could not believe she had been so very lucky to have Jamie show up at that particular moment in kindling market. She now realized it always felt like a war when she had been with anyone else. It was clear as day now. It was because this amazing man was waiting for her to find him. She could not even begin to explain how he made her feel. She just knew that he was an incredible man who could be trusted. He was the one who put all the little broken hits of her heart back together.

One day when she went to meet Jamie, she found him sitting with a guitar in his lap. He strummed a beautiful tune and sang with the most hypnotic voice. Watching his talent and listening to the words of a love song made her smile broaden even more as the butterflies fluttered faster. He was so perfect in every way she could see and think. He was absolutely perfect. Lile listened for a while longer before walking over to him, finding a man coming towards Jamie from the right.

“Did you like it?” Jamie asked Lile. She was still in shock at how incredible he was.

“You’re a Bard.” She smiled. She could not believe how this man became more amazing with each moment they spent together. This man in front of her was absolutely perfect.

Jamie shook his head. “I’m not that good; no way could I be a Bard.” He insisted.

Lile could not help the little eye roll and shake of her head. “You’re the best I’ve ever heard. Absolutely incredible.” Jamie just smiled. “Here.” She said handing him a small old looking key. “You make me happier than anything in my entire life. I am so happy and feel so good, I cannot even tell you. I cannot even begin to find any possible way to describe how and what you make me feel.” She paused as they both glanced at the key. “It’s silly…” Again, she paused. “You are absolutely perfect in every way. I want you to have my heart and hold the key to it. You are the only one I know I can trust with such a fragile thing. It’s all yours.”

The two smiled before a loving kiss. “Excuse me.” They heard, making them jump apart, startled. It was the man Lile had seen walking over earlier. “Your Highness, we have to go.”

“Highness?” Lile looked confused and felt a little worried that it meant she could lose him to some princess.

Jamie gave a small not. “Prince.” He started to explain. “Third in line to the thrown, as the Kong’s youngest child.”

Lile giggled, gently resting her hand on his chest. “I cannot believe it; you’ve just become more incredible. A true Prince Charming.” The two kissed again before he pulled her closer, asking her to come with him into the castle to meet the royal family. She smiled and the two turned, walking to the castle, hand in hand.

“So does that make you my Princess Charming?” Lile could not help but laugh as he smiled.

He really was perfect, and she could not possibly be any happier than when he was at her side.