• Maiden Armour Chapter Five: Briar Rose (Sleeping Beauty)

    Her eyes were closed as she listened to the voice of the Sorcerer, deep and resonating. She struggled to remember…all she could see was blackness, nothingness. She wanted to remember being held as a child, making friends…if she had any, about her curious nature that led to her sleep.

    “Imagine a ball of light faraway but coming closer,” said the Sorcerer, “You can feel its power, it’s very strong but you can take it. Its right in front of you now, you can feel the pressure emanating from it. Reach out and take it.”

    She could see and sense this ball of light with a warm pressure; it was red, orange and golden burning in flame. She was reluctant and in her mind reached out to take it. In her grasp it did not burn her skin as she imagined it would. Instead it gave her a self assurance that she was not used to.

    “Open the ball in your hands and put all your worries inside,” he continued, “All your fears and hang-ups.”

    She felt all her stress start to abandon her as it disappeared into the ball, which proved just as easy to open. Her fingers finding the cracks in the flame and hiding everything inside.

    “Throw the ball out into the nothingness and watch it slowly disappear into nothingness. Fall into the darkness until you are caught…”

    She felt herself falling, her hands grasping the arms of the chair in fear, but someone’s arms were around her, saving her. But no matter how she moved she could not see them.

    “Some say this is your Guardian angel, meant to guide you through your journey to your past…”

    She started shaking in worry, panic, and terror. She couldn’t see him his face was shadowed…who was it, she had to know. She felt a hand over hers.

    “Wake up,” the voice suddenly commanded.

    Briar Rose’s eyes opened quickly, she was shaking and holding onto the chair and the Sorcerer was attempting to calm her.

    “I think it’s probably best if you go home early today,” said the Sorcerer with concern in his grey eyes.

    “Thank you,” said Briar Rose, taking a deep breath and calming down a bit, “I almost saw them…”

    “It’s not important now.”

    Briar Rose nodded but did not answer looking blank and still struggling to see his face.

    **************************************************************

    In the carriage Briar Rose closed her eyes and tried to settle herself. She was always so tired after a session, it took a lot out of you. She had been going for a couple weeks now and she still didn’t remember anything. Phillip told her to just keep trying; he believed that her memory was in there somewhere. Ever since he woke her from that horrid spell she had forgotten everything. At first it didn’t matter, she was free again and in love with Prince Phillip, her knight in shining armor. But after awhile, meeting all the servants that she was supposed to know and the parents she couldn’t remember…she felt empty.

    She stared out the window for awhile as it started to rain outside and she fell asleep to the sound of the carriage wheels on the stones below.
    Briar Rose woke with a jolt as her head hit the back of the seat and she arrived at home. The footman helped from the carriage and she tried to smile and regain her strength. She walked slowly up the castle steps and to the door where she removed her dark red cloak and revealed a simple light pink gown. The train dragged along the floor as she came inside. One of the maids, Eliza, saw her and her eyes became saucers in her look of shock.

    “Your Highness,” said Eliza, “You are home so early.”

    “Yes,” said Briar Rose rather exhaustedly, “My session was very intense today…they sent me home early.”

    “Oh,” said the maid, suspiciously watching the stairs and then turning back to the Queen concerned, “Maybe I could give you some tea, to calm your nerves.”

    Briar Rose felt strange, as if she was lying to her.

    “Eliza,” she said cautiously, “What is wrong? Is Phillip all right?”

    “Yes he’s fine,” she said nervously throwing another glare towards the stairs.

    Briar Rose lifted the trail of her gown and started towards the stairs not sure what to think but she hated being in the dark, about anything. Eliza knew something that she didn’t and she was going to find out what it was. Perhaps it was her burning curiosity she was born with...

    “Please wait,” Eliza called after her, “You really should have some tea!”

    Briar Rose ignored her and made her way upstairs and towards her bed tower. The servants moved out of her way as she determinedly moved down the halls. As she got to the tower stairs she thought she heard laughing and strange noises. As she came to the door she felt her breath pull and the voices inside made her hesitant. She wasn’t fully prepared to face what was on the other side of the door. Closing her eyes and composing herself she opened it quickly. A female gasped and Briar Rose opened her eyes in time to see the maiden cover herself up. Phillip looked panicked and not as brave and strong as he tried to be.

    “Darling, you’re home early,” he said stupidly, “This isn’t…”

    She turned away as the woman began to search for her clothes. Phillip followed her and grabbed her arm.

    “Can we please discuss this,” he asked.

    “I’m not going to talk to you,” said Briar Rose, trying to hold back tears, “Ever again.”

    She had never said words so icily; they almost stung her tongue on the way out. He took a hold of her arms but she pulled away.

    “Why are you so cold,” he asked looking saddened.

    “How can you stand there and act as if nothing has happened,” She asked, fists clutching at her gown, “How can you treat me as if I am such a fool. I may not have a memory before the damned curse, but I wasn’t born yesterday!”

    Briar Rose felt so out of self…she had never raised her voice, or at least never before.

    “Darling…”

    But Briar Rose would hear no more, she turned and went to her wardrobe grabbing a traveling bag and throwing it down on a chair. Phillip followed closely; trying to stop her…he’d never been so flustered.

    “Please reconsider,” he said.

    Her face remained cold and she did not respond, she pulled on a coat and called down to the servants to prepare her horse. She packed quickly and made her way down the stairs when she was done. Phillip followed her begging her forgiveness. He now realized that he was foolish to treat her so. She suddenly turned at the bottom of the stairs and stumped him.

    “I want to know why,” she suddenly said, not trying to hide the hurt as hard, “You told me I was all you ever needed…why?”

    The man bit his lip and sat on the stairs putting his head in his hands. He looked to the floor as if looking for answers.

    “I thought I would never need more.”

    She turned to go but stopped as he called her to wait.

    “When you became distraught with your memory loss,” he said, giving his excuse, “I always seemed to come in second…I tried to be supportive but it got lonely… you don’t know who you are anymore. You used to be the damsel in distress. The maiden I saved and would love forever. But maybe you’re journey for your memory was a journey for yourself. It was wrong what I did, but I felt abandoned.”

    “Well then,” said Briar Rose, “You should feel no different now… I give you my best wishes. If it helps your reputation you may tell the people I am dead… I wouldn’t want me to get in the way of any future marriages you may pursue.”

    With that she was finished and she disappeared out the door, she did not turn back to him once despite the many times he called after her.

    Once her horse had carried her faraway and into the woods she let herself cry for her failed marriage and her only love. For some reason she could only think of herself falling into the darkness and trying to see her savior’s face.

    End of Chapter 5


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