A Deep Apology

A cold north wind is blowing, shacking the bare branches of the big willow tree.  Far off the sad cry of a wolf is herd, echoing down out of the mountains.  Slowly, imperceptibly, a crescent moon sails across the sky, shedding it's light over the still castle below.  The only sounds to be herd on this cold night, are the wind and the wolf.  Suddenly, the quiet halls of the castle are disturbed by the low creek, of an old side door.  A dark figure crept out of the shadows along the wall, and run quietly up main staircase.  Silently, this strange personage opens one of the heavy oak doors that guard the Great Hall its self, and tentatively picks in.  Then, seeing no one around, he eases him self cautiously into the dimly lit room.  All of a sudden lights blase up, illuminating this shadowy figure.

Hello every one, I'm caught *ashamed, hangs head*. I really owe you all an apology.  I am truly sorry for neglecting you for so long.  Here I invited you back to explore the spiral staircase farther, and I disappear for what a year or two.  Really my dear friends I am truly, truly sorry for my behavior, and I humbly ask your forgiveness.  

Now, to do what I should have done so very long ago, take you down that mysterious spiral staircase.  Thanks to Galaxy we have a lamp, and just encase, I am bringing some matches and candles.  So here we go. . .

The halls are much darker then last time.  Here and there squares of pail, cold moon light shimmer on the floor, and the passage leading to the spiral staircase is pitch black.  The small party reaches the head of the stairs, and cautiously they peer down the steep steps into the darkness.

So here we are, *shivers* it's really dark down there. *gulp*  Every one ready?  Lets go.

Slowly they begin to descend, . . .

step by . .

step, 

Down,

farther, . . 

and . .

farther.

Finally,  the stars end, and they are standing in a small, low ceilinged passage.  

We must be 40 or 50 feet below ground level, -  OH!  OH!!  *waves arms violently* Yuck!!  OH!! *desperate pushing to escape*   

Spiderwebs!   

Ok, take a deep breath calm down.  *hostess mumbles to her self*  They're only spiderwebs.  They're only spiderweb.  Alright, I'm alright I can handle it.  *takes deep breath and squares shoulders*  

Lets keep going we can't let mere spiderwebs hold us back.  Right?  Right!

The small group continues along the painfully bare passageway, till they reach a heavy oak door.  Cautiously, the Hidden Princess pulls the door open and pears into the blackness beyond.  Galaxy held her lamp higher so that it's light would show them their path, and as she did a huge dungeon was revealed.  


OOOoooo!  I didn't know this was down here.


Hidden Princess lead the way slowly through the shadowy dungeon.  The ghost of a old idea wavered mournfully on the moldy wall, and gave the hostess a start.  


Don't you think we should head back?  No?  Ok, lets hurry at lest.


Suddenly there is another door in front of them, this one was just as strong and just as heavy as the last, and this one had a terrible hair curling screech in its hinges.   




OH, oh, look!

Sorry this was the best angle I could get.
We're looking out a cave in the back wall.

Pretty, I'm glad you guys made me come I might have never found this place.  I should really take you exploring more often. :P  I hope this made up in part for my long absence and as a parting gift I send you all a lovely butterfly.

  

So until I write again (hopefully not too long in the future) goodbye and my you all have a blessed day

The Hidden Princess

 

A Proper Welcome

It is a cool, overcast day, the countryside is wet and muddy from a recent thunderstorm.  The Princess comes over the bridge and up the front path, sloshing through the puddles of rain water as she goes.  She stops at the front door to scrap her shoes on the welcome mat before stepping inside.  
Hello there!  I'm back to give you a proper greeting.  Come into the mourning room and have a set, here let me get you a cup of hot chocolate and a cinnamon roll.  There, all comfortable?  Maybe another roll?  No?  Right, now to business.  Today is the perfected kind of day to curl up with a good book, or maybe a good movie.  I personally prefer the good book, but, this being a party we couldn't all just sit around reading books.  That would seem a little antisocial.  We could watch a movie.  Or, we could explore the castle.  Do I hear a calmer of applause from my guests?  Good!  I haven't explored all the castle yet, so this will be fun for all of us.  

That other hall leads to the kitchens we can go there another time. 

This hall, I don't know were this hall goes.  Lets try it.

Hay!  Look a spiral staircase.  Want to go down?  Sure, why not.

 

You know this staircase goes below ground level, maybe there is a dungeon down here.  It's getting really dark in here, did any of you bring a flashlight by chance?  No?  Oh bother, there isn't going to be any light down there.  We need some lights, who volunteers to go back and get some flashlights or torches?  (cricket cricket)  Alright, I guess I'll have to.  Wait, let me see what time it is, I have a fencing lesson at 4:00.  Ohh, I have to go, sorry everyone but we won't be able to explore any farther today.  Maybe tomorrow, if I can get away.

Until next time then good-by
The Hidden Princess

P.S. 
Be sure to bring lots of matches next time. :P

A small girl comes running up the path, cuts through the garden, and slips in at the side door.  Panting and out of breath from her run, she collapses on to the couch in the library. 

Greetings everyone, sorry for my hasty entrance, but I don't have much time.  I just came by to  say hi, and welcome you all here to my castle for the first time.  Now, I have to go, I know this is a rather rushed first meeting, but time is presing and there are things that I have to do somewhere else.  Good-by for now.

The Hidden Princess