Before I Was Queen
By Megan Bailey
Chapter One
Today I’m known all around my country as Queen Alessoria.
It is peaceful and rich and everyone’s happy, I write stories about my life and
teach my daughter Anna-Sophia to write. But it wasn’t always this easy; let me
start at the beginning of my life.
I was a little baby it was my birthday I was turning one.
There was an annual parade for my birthday I was on a silk seat in a tiny gown,
with tiny slippers, and a tiny crown (though the crown wasn’t on my head
because I didn’t like it).
“Ahem! We our having this parade throughout the kingdom
in honor of…. Princess Alessoria Emmeline Cassandra Lucille Isabella Bearings!”
“Daughter of King Charles Daniel William Henry Bearings!
And Queen Emmeline Alessoria Leanne Charlotte Amelia Bearings!” Announced the announcer.
But when the parade just started a loud sound screeched
the air! And yelling! Horses and armored men trapped. Then the leader of the
group said,
“Give me the princess and we won’t harm you!”
I could hear screaming, crying, bullets and piercing shouts.
The next thing I knew I was in a cell like a bomb shelter, My mother crying and
rocking me.
“Charles! Don’t go it’s too dangerous!” Cried Emmeline.
“Em! I’m sorry!
But I have to fight! I love you! Take care of Aless!” He said and with that he
was gone.
My mother wished she could comfort me. She wished she
could say it would be okay, But she knew it wouldn’t.
Then she heard the doors slam. Someone was coming! She
ran to the forest and scribbled a note,
Aless though I may not be there, I’m always in
your heart.
Love,
Mamma
She folded it, stuffed it in her
locket, and rapped the locket around my neck. She kissed me good bye. Then she
ran, And got taken away by nasty men.
Chapter two
About a day later everything was over.
I woke up crying, waiting for my mamma to come rock me. Then I waited for my
nanny Mara to come and say mamma would be here soon. But there was nobody. Not
a person in sight. I screamed and screamed until I heard something.
“That must be another orphaned baby…. I
wonder where it came from.” Wondered Ms. Diana, the owner of the orphanage.
She picked me up and carried me into
Bailington town. It had schools, stores, houses and on the far edge, an
orphanage. The Bailington orphanage. I stayed for only a couple days until Mr.
And Mrs. Anderson, A nice couple, fell in love with me and adopted me a week
later.
They lived a mile away from Bailington
on a hill and often went there. I had a small room upstairs next to the
Anderson’s.
I’d love to tell you all about my
memories of the first day of school, making friends, and for my eighth birthday
getting a puppy! But I can’t make this story huge so I need to get to the fire.
I was twelve, in Bailington middle
school. I was happy, had lots of friends, good grades and even liked all my
teachers. But I had no clue I wasn’t an ordinary girl, and that I was a
princess.
Then one night I was in my bedroom
studying for the history test. When I
heard something, I walked to my window and saw to men in black,
“Is she here?”
“Yes!!!Duh!!”
“But that’s impossible! She died eleven
years a-“
“SHH!!!!!!”
I started freaking out, who died eleven
years ago? Mom would have told me if she almost died. And why was she so
important?
I walked to mom and dad’s room,
“Mom someone’s here to take you away! I
heard them!” I said shakily.
“Oh sweetie you’re just stressing” Mrs.
Anderson said.
I went to my room and grabbed the
emergency bag, with a sleeping bag, canned food, canteen water, an extra change
for me, and a mobile phone.
I added my Madame Alexander doll,
Sarah. She always comforts me when I’m sad.
Even if I was doing this for nothing,
it helped me feel safe and it was a good drill.
Then I got dressed in a tank top, my sweat
shirt, jeans, and tennis shoes.
But just as I slipped my hair in a high
ponytail, I heard,
“NO YOU IDIOT!!! DON’T SET IT FIRE!!!!
WE NEED HER ALIVE!!!”
I screamed and ran to mom and dad’s
room,
“THE HOUSE IS ON FIRE!!!” I was so
shaky I could hardly stand.
Dad leaped out of bed, put on a coat
and grabbed his emergency backpack, same with mom.
Dad ran down.
“No DADDY!! That’s where the fire
is!!!!!” I cried.
Silence.
Smoke filled the air choking me.
Mom set the ladder.
“Aless I love you with all my heart!
You must make it out alive! I have to get John! Run as far into the forest till
you find the prairie! Then go to- *Cough choke gag*”
“MOMMY!”
“G-*choke gag*”
“O-*cough, cough, gag*”
I went down the ladder.
But I couldn’t bear watching mom ease
her to the smoke. I was on the last step. Something about it seemed familiar. I
fell off the ladder, and had a flashback.
“Charles!
Don’t go it’s too dangerous!” Cried a woman, who was holding a baby.
“Em! I’m sorry! But I have to fight! I love
you! Take care of Aless!” Said a man.
Then I woke up.
Was that a dream? Or was it… It couldn’t be a flashback
because that was neither my mother nor my father.
I ran and ran and ran.
I had to get to the prairie, though I had no idea how
long it would take.
I finally stopped in a moss area. I pulled out my
sleeping bag and had a restless sleep.
Then another flashback:
The
same woman as before came to a forest. She was holding me. She set me down in a
cradle. Then she reached in her pocket, and pulled out the necklace. She opened
it and wrote,
Aless though I may not be there, your always
in your heart.
Love,
Mamma
“I
love you Aless! Good bye!” She sobbed.
She
ran to the fire and disappeared.
Chapter 3
I woke up to a pat on my head.
“Oh mom! I had the worst-“I was cut
off.
It wasn’t a nightmare. It was real.
Then I saw a stray dog, or a wolf? Or
both?
I jumped out of my sleeping bag. I was
sweating! It was a sunny day and I really needed a shower (though I couldn’t
get one obviously). It felt awkward changing in the middle of the woods. But I
finally decided there wasn’t anyone watching. Everything I packed was too warm.
So I finally decided to wear my dress (size 8) from when I was little. By this
point I really hoped no one would see me.
However, fashion wasn’t my biggest
problem. Once I packed up and headed toward the prairie, the dolf (dog + wolf)
kept following me. So Finally I decided to keep the dolf. I named him Dolfy.
I soon discovered it would take days to
find the prairie. I was running out of food and water. Dolfy was happy, but
only because he could hunt for rodents and the thought would make me hurl.
However on one of the more crisp days
came. I was wearing my leggings, tennis shoes, and a sweat shirt. I came across a young girl. She was picking
berries and singing.
“Excuse me…. Um do you happen to know
where the prairie is?” I asked.
“You want to know where Prairie is?”
She said surprised.
“Yes” I said.
“Who are you?” She asked.
“Aless Anderson” I said.
“ANDERSON!!!!” She said.
“Come now! Come! Mammy and Pappy will
take you in! We’ve waited! Where is your father?” She said very excitedly.
Luckily I didn’t have to answer. She
grabbed my hand and pulled me to an open prairie.
Yelling, “MAMMY! PAPPY! ANDERSON
CAME!!!!!!”
Next thing I know Dolfy and I are seated
in a big farm house on the open prairie. With Mammy and Pappy and thirteen
children. All smothering with questions.
Finally Pappy told me what was going
on.
“A long time ago when I was a youngen,
your Daddy and I went to school together, we were best friends. Then one day I
was a diggin’ a huge whole trying to win over and make a new record. Well it was a good hole quick to big in fact
and I fell in. Anyway I wasn’t sensible as your Daddy I had nothing to get up
and no precautions. He saved me. Then when I was fishing and fell in he saved
me. Then when I was driving and was about to wreck me car he saved me. Your
Daddy was a good saver. Same with you Mommy. When she found you in that
orphanage and she heard of you being left in that fire and just makin’ it out,
she fell in love with you and she saved ya!” He finished.
“I was adopted! Found in a forest!
Escaped a fire! And no one bothers to mention it to me!” I said.
Silence.
“Look sweetie they’ll probably tell ya
soon and we didn’t know! We Sorry” Said Mammy.
A tear streamed my face.
“Why did you come here anyway without
your folks young lass” Asked Pappy.
“Someone set my house on fire. My Mom
and Dad didn’t make it. Mom said to find the prairie” I said solemnly.
“After all there savin’ we couldn’t
save em’” Said a little boy who looked tearful.
There was utter sadness and silence for
a while.
Then Dolfy and I got bathed and I got
new clothes and they said they would take me in and make sure I had the health
and a good life. I got to share a bedroom with Annie (the girl that found me),
Lulu (an adorable 3 year old) and Dan (a little prankster).
Chapter four
I liked
living with the Barons. Being an only child, it was nice having eight little
brothers and sisters. And again my life could’ve been normal here, with all the
little kids Mammy, Pappy and Dolfy. But that was not to be.
I still
wondered about my flashbacks. Plus if I was adopted, that could’ve been real,
and then the locket. It was pure proof! But they looked almost royal, like king
and queen…. But then I’d be a- no, no, no, no! That would not be impossible.
So one day
once I was down grooming and feeding the horse (my chore), I asked Mammy
something.
“Well Aless
that’s very peculiar,” Was all she said.
“But Mammy,
It’s very kind of you taking me in, but…..” I stammered.
“Look
sweetie pie, I know you want to go out and explore, and find your real parents.
I would to, but you need to stay. It’s a dangerous and cruel world Aless.
Remember the men you told me about. No way em’
I lettin’ you get in danger again sweetie pie. I’ll tell you what when
your sixteen you’ll be old enough Aless palace.” She said sternly.
“Yes Mammy.”
I said.
So that was
that. I would wait four years. I’d have to be sixteen when I found my true
parents, if they were still alive…
Chapter five
Four years later
Today I
would turn sixteen. The truth was, I had spent four years with this family. I
loved them. Yet again I could stay here, have a semi-normal life. I could be a
normal teenager, go to college, not be in so much danger alone, but I couldn’t
help think about my real parents. Okay the flashbacks from when I was twelve
told me they were dead. Dad ran to the war, Mom ran to the flame, both dead,
I’m an orphan. But I really, really want to find them, they think I’m dead!
“Awess! Come
down we have a somefing fow ya!” Said Tommy, my adorable five-year-old brother.
I ran down
stairs, though my hair was frizzy and I was in my robe. Then I saw balloons,
streamers, presents, and a big sign saying Happy sweet sixteen Aless!
“SURPRISE!!!”
Everyone yelled.
Pappy ran up
to me and said,
“That was
the special reason I went to the city! I wanted to make sure you had a perfect
sweet sixteen!” He hugged me.
“I’m
speechless! Thanks guys! This is awesome!” I cried.
I got
dressed in my new outfit. Mammy said she invited some if my friends over for
dinner (fried chicken and mashed potatoes my favorite) and then dessert
(chocolate ice cream cake).
After my
party and celebration, Mammy came to talk to me.
“Sweetie pie,
I know how ya feel. You’re so confused an’ you wanna stay ‘cause ya love us.
Yet ya wanna find ya real parents. I understand.” She said.
“It’s just
so difficult Mammy! I’m confused you’re right. I have loved so many people like
real parents, first the Andersons, then you guys, but I have to find my real
parents. Yet I feel so bad you have fourteen, soon to be fifteen kids! I need
to help. Plus after today I’d feel horrible” I said tears streaming my face.
“But ya know
Aless. Yar Pappy and I’ve made arrangements. Ya can go and find yar true
parents, but we got plenty of things ready for ya and Dolfy. A new mobile
phone, a big new suit case and everything ya need we understand.” Said Mammy.
”Oh Mammy!
You didn’t have to! You and Pappy are the best, most loving people I’ve ever
met!” I cried, hugging Mammy.
“With a
daughter like ya I’m sure ya real parents are better!” Said Pappy, running and
giving me a hug so tight I almost suficated.
It’s hard
but I make the announcement to everyone. They understand and I say I’ll visit
with my parents when I find them.
Chapter six
I headed out
with a map, in search of the forest in my flashback. It was hard that flashback
was four years ago and now so vivid. I was ready though. I had taken a nice
long bath. I was wearing my hiking pants, a sweat shirt, and my hair in braids,
I had a Mobil phone, my hair was in a braid and my duffel bag was stuffed with
everything I needed. Even Dolfy was ready he had some gear and his favorite
chew toy.
I walked and
walked and walked. I seemed to be getting nowhere.
But just
then I took out my flash light (as it was getting dark) and looked at my map.
“Hold
on….Bearings kingdom forest. That’s it! I was In Bearings kingdom! Don’t you
get it Dolfy! This was the forest my mother ran too! She dropped my down their!
The people of the kingdom must know about my mother! If only I knew her name….”
I said to Dolfy.
I started
walking south to the forest. It was pretty big and would take a long time but I
knew it would work. So I set up camp so Dolfy and I would get a good night’s
rest.
Chapter seven
After a
couple days (every night calling the Barons) we reached the Bearings kingdom
forest. Even though it was fifteen years ago, I recognized the forest from my
first year of life. I squeezed the locket tight. I led Dolfy through the
forest. I was so sure I would find my home and family.
However when
I reached the end, I saw something like a bad nightmare I had when I was five.
There was black everywhere, everything was serious, I couldn’t see any
children. The oldest where probably about young adults, forced to work and do
what the king said.
I closed my
eyes. The kingdom I was in! That’s it! This is what happened after the
destruction! Then I saw strong sweaty men holding up a throne. On was a king a
very evil looking king.
Are you
kidding me! What a nightmare! This couldn’t be real!
But it wasn’t
a nightmare.
“WHO IS
THAT?” He cried.
At first I
felt bad for the person he was yelling at. Then I realized it was me.
“You guards
stink! No child is supposed to be in here! Take her to the dungeon! AND WHY IS SHE
WEARING PINK?” He roared.
“Who are
y-you?” I asked.
“King Vanenhophe
the all mighty amazing king! You know me and fear me everyone does!” He spat.
Very upset I didn’t know him.
“That’s it
take her to the hang!” VanenHophe cried.
I screamed.
“No! No! Please
pity me! I just wanted to find my real parents! I had a flashback of you taking
over my kingdom! If you would have mercy on me I’ll do whatever you want!
Please!” I screamed. I was crying so hard I could hardly stand.
“Cry baby.
TAKE HER TO THE HANG ERIK!” He screamed. The boom of his cry made me jump.
A teenage boy,
who looked seventeen, grabbed my hand and took me to a dungeon.
“I can’t let
uncle kill another helpless soul. Don’t thank me. Tell people Keith let you in.
He is very disrespectful to uncle.” He said, and with that left.
“Wear this, it’s
the prison uniform. With any luck you’ll be able to contact family before being
hanged.” Said a man with a gruff concrete
I changed
and was escorted to another prison cell with many starved, sick, angry, hungry,
depressed, crying, silent, moaning, prison mates.
I walked to
a woman who looked like the type of woman who would listen. She looked familiar
but I couldn’t place where she came from.
“Um excuse
me-“I was cut off.
“Sorry
sweetie I know I was the queen but we can’t do anything about it” She said.
“No I just
need to talk to someone who will listen. It’s about my dramatic childhood.” I
said hoping she cared (or at least pretended).
“Tell me
everything.” She said.
I told her
my whole story. I told her about the fire, about Dolfy, about the Barons, about
the journey, about coming here, about the locket, about the flashbacks, about
trying to find my true parents, and every little detail. It really helped to
talk it out.
“The locket!
Let me see.” She said opening it and spilling with tears.
“Oh
Alessoria” She cried rapping me in her arms tight.
“I’m sorry
but my name is Aless. And I don’t know you.” I said trying to push away the odd
woman who was weeping on me.
“Aless do
you know what! You’re the lost princess! I’m the queen I wrote that note! I put
you in the woods! So he couldn’t get you! You must not let him know you’re
name.” She said.
“Oh Mamma I
found you!” I said.
Chapter eight
“All right
listen up! I have a plan to not only bust out of here but own back my kingdom!”
I announced.
“Now this
might be alarming but this is my daughter Alessoria Emmeline Cassandra Lucille
Isabella” Announced my mother, my real honest and true mother.
“Gasp. She
can’t be! How? It’s her! All hail Princess Alessoria!” They all cried.
“Shush! They
can’t know! From now on I’m Kaylee Anderson. Okay?” I said. Katelyn Anderson
was my step mom, the one that died in a fire when I was only twelve.
“Okay. Now I
Al- Katelyn Anderson present you a plan. It should work…. Some of us go get the
weapons and bombs. Then others get horses and carriages ready. We’ll pack all
supplies we need. We’ll break through. I contacted the Barons, friends of mine
nearby. They said we could stay there. We’ll get more stuff we need then we’ll
wait about a year or so, and we’ll wait about a year or two, then raid the
kingdom and bring it back! And if you want you could live in the city instead
and not raid with us. Or if you have children they can stay with the barons
We’ll we raid. Who’s with me?” I announced the plan me and mom had worked out.
“Go Katelyn!”
They shouted.
“Great plan
but you might want to keep it down. Anyone could here you! Like me.” I heard
Erik.
Everyone
started panicking.
“Guys its
fine. Erik do you want to do it to?” I asked. There’s nothing better than a
strong healthy boy on the team, especially when he knows all the secret hide
outs.
“Sure. Princess Alessoria.” He said smiling.
“I’m Katelyn!
Remember! You could’ve been caught!”” I scolded.
“Alright ‘Katelyn’” He said.
Chapter nine
We actually
made it safe back to the Barons. Most went back to town to get people for the
raid or find somewhere to live temporarily. In the hullabaloo my first step
parents were found (the Andersons). And I had a big family reunion with all my
parents the Andersons, the Barons, and my real parents, the Bearings.
I lived in
town with my parents for the two years. I finished up my school in Bailington
high school. It was pretty much peaceful. But as the army increased we had to
raid. We had to earn back the kingdom that was ours we would not let Vanenhophe
win! He wouldn’t be expecting us!
Mother said
I was too young. But father said I would be nineteen in a week so I was old
enough. So they finally said I could go.
By the time
everyone was dead besides the evil king we announced I was Princess Alessoria
Bearings. It was amazing how he reacted. He pleaded but they weren’t going to
mercy him.
“First I
want a talk so him who’s boss!” I said.
It was great
fun chatting with him. Then we let him off to the hang (I couldn’t watch. It
was horrible and I didn’t want to feel evil.)
Then we had
our kingdom back! I got a huge bedroom with my own master bathroom and walk in
closet with designer clothes!
Two years
after we’d settled in I was twenty-one the traditional age of royal marriage.
We had a grand ball for me to choose a spouse. But I already knew who.
“Without
Erik I wouldn’t be here today!” I announced at our royal wedding.
Many came
from far and wide! The Barons, the Andersons, My childhood friends, and all royal
subjects.
Annie Baron
was the bridesmaid. The youngest Baron twins, Meggy and Matthew were the ring
boy and flower girl.
I was
crowned queen. And two years later there was a new baby princess. Her name was
Anna-Sophia Katelyn Emmeline Lindsay Delaney Harrison.
She was
named Anna-Sophia because Erik wanted to go with a classic name, he wanted
Anna. I wanted a fancy cute name, Sophia. So we compromised and chose
Anna-Sophia.
And then she
was named Katelyn because it was Mrs. Anderson’s first name and she raised me.
I wouldn’t be here today if she hadn’t adopted me and loved me.
Emmeline was
named after my mother. Who was brave enough to let me go, which saved me and
gave me a good childhood. If she would’ve said I wasn’t royal because she
couldn’t part, I would’ve grown up and died in a dungeon cell.
Lindsay was
named after Mammy Baron for taking me in and setting me out on the amazing
journey to save my kingdom. She was surely an amazing woman. Now she has
eighteen kids and the youngest is twelve, the age I was when my adventure
started.
Delaney was
after Erik’s mother Delaney Harrison who tried to stop Vanenhophe and was hung
when Erik was five. Erik says the memory haunted him as he also remembers being
raised by Vanenhophe. Delaney was very brave and was always even through
childhood being bossed around by Vanenhophe. But she stood strong and though
I’ve never meet her I love her and look up to her.
I think
Anna-Sophia has the best name ever!
So we’re all
living happily ever after in our Palace ruling our kingdom and raising
Anna-Sophia.
The End
Wow a great story,I loved it :)
ReplyDeleteThank you! I want to be an author when I grow up.
ReplyDelete~Meg~