Bernard Sylvester V (Part One)

     When the Winter Olympics were on TV in 2010, I entertained myself during commercial breaks by writing a story. Just as I was not a regular eighth grader, this was not a regular story. Instead, it was a parody mocking fairy tale tropes. I never finished the tale, since I lost interest once the Olympics were over, but the fourteen pages I found in my room a couple days ago are still quite magnificent.

     My older sister was in my room when I was reading the long-lost story, and I kept interrupting what she was doing so that I could read aloud bits I found particularly amusing. She suggested that I post the story on my blog in a few installments. I wasn't sure about this at first. After all, the story is extremely strange. However, as long as you understand that I meant this story as a mockery, I am willing to share it.

     I did my best to make this story as awful as possible. As you shall see, I achieved my goal, even though the occasional spelling and punctuation issues were unintentional.

Bernard Sylvester V:

     Once upon a time, in the kingdom of Syornia, there was born a princess. Her name was Magnolia. In the first year of her life, she brought much joy to the palace. Her parents and older brother love her dearly. The king and queen lavished every attention on her, but she never became spoiled, but possesed a sweet temperament that endeared her to all who knew her.

In the second year of her life, tragedy struck. The king’s twin brother, Bernard Sylvester the Fifth, poisoned the king and queen of Syornia. Magnolia’s fairy godmother hid the two children in a cottage in the woods, where Bernard Sylvester would not find them. Bernard took over the country, but he was ever afraid that his brother’s son, the rightful heir, would rise up to take the throne.

The fairy godmother took care of the two children, teaching them many things. She did not tell the children of their heritage, for she did not want anyone to find out, and put their lives in danger. As the children grew, their previous lives faded into memory until they remembered nothing but the cottage and remembered no other parent than the fairy, Hesper, who told them she was their grandmother.

Hesper kept a modest income by taking in sewing. She worked constantly to make sure that there was food on their table. Magnolia and her brother, Friedrick (freed-rick), were a joy to their grandmother as they grew into diligent, helpful, and affectionate children. When Magnolia, Maggie for short, was only ten years old, she was such a good seamstress that she took on many of the sewing projects, so that her grandmother might rest her failing eyes and feeble fingers.

Hesper loved the children, and wished that she could give them more. But Maggie and Friedrick remained cheerful and uncomplaining in their lots. Having no memory of anything else, they were content to live the life of a peasant. It was not until Friedrick’s fifteenth birthday that Hesper told him that he was the rightful king. Friedrick was amazed. Hesper told him that he must overcome Bernard Sylvester.

“I can do no more for you,” she told him, “I am sending you to the home of Lord Samuel Prescott. He will teach you to be a warrior. In many years, you may be able to overturn Bernard Sylvester’s throne, and avenge the death of your parents.”

Friedrick was quite at a loss, but soon there was kindled a fire in his heard, and with each passing day he longed even more to avenge the death of his parents. ((I remember that I was quite proud of this line, since it was so melodramatic and cliché.))

When Maggie heard that her brother was leaving, she was sad, for she would miss him. After his departure, she tried to forget her sadness by engaging in hard work. She helped Hesper sew, and cooked a supper for the two of them. That evening, while they ate, Maggie tried to put on a peaceful front, she did not want Hesper to know how distressed she was. Before Maggie went to bed, Hesper kissed her forehead and gently whispered, “It will be alright. I know you are lonely.”

*****

Bernard Sylvester V paced the throne room, his heels slapping loudly on the marble floor. With his hands clasped behind his back, and his head tilted downwards, Bernard appeared to be deep in thought.

“You appear disturbed,” said one of Bernard’s advisors.

“Indeed I am,” Bernard said, unclasping his hands and anxiously twirling his mustache. “Today marks twelve years since my ascension to the throne.”

“Why should that cause you distress?”

Bernard let go of his mustache with a final jerk as he said,

“It serves as a reminder that my rule is not secure. When I got rid of the former rulers, someone disappeared with their children. The eldest, a male, is the rightful heir to the throne. And if I am not completely mistaken, he will one day arise and try to reclaim his kingship.” Mumbling to himself, Bernard whispered maliciously, “I must find him! Or take the girl, who can surely tell me his whereabouts.”

“Worry not,” said the advisor. “If you wish it, I shall send out a fleet of swift-winged dragons to search for them.”

“Do so,” said Bernard. “Send them out as spies. If they find a girl who appears to be the princess, or find the boy, who is the purpose for our mission, they must fly them to me immediatly.”

“Very well,” said the advisor, bowing. “I shall see that it is done as you request.”

Bernard Sylvester the Fifth nodded, pressing his long, thin fingers together. His face lit up with a malicious smile. Bowing once more, the advisor left the room to muster a troop of dragons.

To be continued...
(Read part two here.)