Monday, September 28, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
Que pasa?
Here's the very beginning of my newest story! It's not much, but it's a start! :)
Love,
anna
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The dinner bell rang.
Haydée, sitting on the hard, cold stone of the courtyard, her long, spindly legs drawn up to her, resting her dark head on her knees, ignored it. Cold, piercing drops of rain poured down on her, causing an involuntary shudder to wrack her thin body, but she did not move. She was happier here, darkness slowly creeping in around her, than she could ever have been sharing a dinner with the other inhabitants of the orphanage.
If any of the other children who lived in the St. Anne’s Orphan Asylum had decided to skip dinner, they would have suffered severe punishment, for by doing so they would be breaking one of the orphanages extremely strict rules. Haydée, however, would suffer no consequences.
That was how it was for her. No one ever bothered about Haydée. Very few people even knew she existed. And that was how she liked it. All of the experiences she had had with other people had caused her nothing but pain or confusion.
So she lived as a shadow, silent, and for the most part unseen.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Re-wrote
The Legend of Madeline Sheers
By Emily Froula
Prologue
It was but only 7:00 P.M. (the year of 1896) in the Sheers household, they had just finished supper, when Mrs. Sheers had caught the scarlet fever. Madeline, the only child (known as Maddy), was sitting with her Mother in the parlor, on the sofa.
Soon, Maddy noticed that her Mother looked dreary.
“Is something wrong, Mama?” Maddy asked her.
“Well…I am not feeling well.”
“Go up to bed and rest. I and Papa will clean the kitchen for you, and if you need anything, we will be at service.”
“Oh, no, Maddy—“
“I insist!”
“Alright, I do suppose I need some rest…”
Maddy smiled. “That’s it, now go on! Remember to call us if you need anything at all!”
Mama smiled back and gave her thanks, and walked up the wooden stairs. She looked pale and Maddy was worried. Maddy told Papa (who was in the other room, smoking) that Mama was not feeling well and he answered, “Oh dear! I hope it is not bad. Come along now, let us clean the kitchen.”
While Maddy and Papa washed dishes together at the sink, Maddy asked Papa, “Will Mama need a doctor?”
“Well, if she is still ill by dawn, then I suppose she will.”
Then, everyone was silent through the rest if the night.
By early dawn, Maddy and Papa checked Mama for the thousandth time. She was still sweating and tossing her head and closing her eyes.
Papa quickly said to Maddy, “You are old enough to go to town and fetch the doctor. Go immediately!”
As Maddy’s eyes filled with tears, she ran down the stairs and out the door.
Soon enough, she was back with Doctor Larman. She showed him to the patient as quickly as she could.
The doctor gave Mama a short checkup and then leaned back in his chair and told Papa, “I am very sorry, but, your wife seems to have a very bad case of the scarlet fever.”
Maddy immediately burst into tears and Papa was close to crying.
The doctor said, “I suggest that your little daughter here goes away…anywhere, just out of this town, because the scarlet fever is very contagious, especially for little children.”
“But I have to stay with my wife in case she needs anything. She will have to go away with someone else, but I don’t know whom,” Papa remarked.
The doctor didn’t know what to say, but he knew he had to say something. “I am very sorry, Sir. Perhaps an elder relative near?”
“Perhaps, I will try…”
The doctor smiled, then gave Mama special drugs and medicine. “I recommend bedrest and fluids, and take this medicine every single day, without fail.” He said and held up a medicine bottle.
“Of course,” answered Papa. “Thank you very much.”
“You are all very welcome and good day to you, Sir! I send you my best wishes and luck!” Papa smiled and the doctor left.
Two days later, Papa sent Maddy with her Aunt to London.
Two months after they left, Maddy and Aunt Molly got a letter from Papa’s oldest and best friend saying that a week after they left to London, Mama had passed away, and after that, Papa had caught it, and he was dead soon after.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Long Time-No See
Catch you later! (I hope!)
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Another New! :D
The Interesting Life of Madeline Sheers
Chapter One
It was the year of 2004. Madeline Bernadette (known as Maddy) Sheers was a catholic thirteen year old orphan. After her parents died, she lived with her best friend, Serena Stars, she was also an orphan and the same age as Madeline. She loved her best friend like a sister and they both watched out for each other every day with kindness.
They both missed their parents so much. And when one was crying because of it, then the other would hug her and say a few comforting words.
They also wanted to be adopted so much, but they didn’t know how, and that made it worse because it just made them feel sadder. They would give anything just to have their parents back.
“We shouldn’t go on like this, you know. We’re getting big,” said Madeline one day.
“You’re right...but I just can’t help it,” cried Serena, almost bursting into tears.
“Come on! We’ll get adopted someday...maybe...”
“See? It’s always like that; Maybe! And maybe always turns out to be NO!” Serena laid her hand on her forehead.
“It’s okay. Maybe doesn’t always turn out to be no.”
“Oh, yes it does!”
“You know, Serena, I’ve never seen you like this. Something’s really wrong.”
Serena sighed. “I’m sorry, Maddy. It’s just not easy for anyone to lose their parents. You should know and feel that.”
“Yes, it isn’t, it really isn’t. But you’ve got to learn to face those things and move on in your life, because those things aren’t going to change ever. And if they’re not ever gonna change then that means you’re gonna be sad always and that totally isn’t what life is all about. Crying.”
Serena heaved a big sigh. “You are so right, Maddy. Thank you. I’ll try to face it and move on like you said, but don’t be too pushy about it because…because…well, I’ve never done that sort of thing.” Serena looked ashamed.
“Of course I won’t, I promise. Don’t worry, I won’t laugh or anything like that.”
“Thanks. Well, shouldn’t we be getting to bed now?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay, well, goodnight!
“Night’, Serena!”
Thursday, June 25, 2009
New Story!
Michelle Conk’s Diary
September 11, Saturday, 1988
Hello Diary! My full name is Michelle Bernadette Conk. I am a catholic 12 year old. I live in California. It’s really hot right now. I have one sister named Maria and her middle name is Therese. I like to call her Maria Therese a lot (so does my parents) because it sounds really pretty. My mother’s name is Faith and my father’s name is Frank. Now I haven’t much time to write because I am at my Uncle Tom’s house right now. I just want to add one more thing. We live in a very cute (I think) and small red house. I love it a lot! J I have to go. I’ll write more tomorrow.
September 12, Sunday, 1988
I just woke up. I have to go to morning Mass soon, so I can’t write too long now either. L I’ll just say that yesterday I played a lot of badminton with my Uncle and family in the front yard. It was so fun! :D My parents and Maria Therese were on one side and I and Uncle Tom were on one. And guess what? We won! I have to get ready for Mass now. More tomorrow!
September 13, Monday, 1988
Yesterday I left my uncle’s house. Although we had a great time yesterday! We went to the park and then got ice cream! Yummy! Aw man! I have to go start school now!
September 14, Tuesday, 1988
I just finished my school. Ugh! Math is definitely my hardest and worst subject! And to make it worse, I’m horrible at math. :P If only there was some way to get out of it….but I’m stuck doing it for the whole school year which won’t be fun for me. L Maria Therese is awesome at spelling for her age! Really, I wasn’t that good when I was her age. I guess I’m not that type of person who is good at school I guess. Oh, I have to go, we’re going shopping.
September 15, Wednesday, 1988
Yesterday when we went shopping we bought shampoo, glitter pens, stationary, tights, toys, all kind of clothes, etc. My family absolutely loves shopping! Although no one in my family loves it more than Maria Therese, oh my goodness! She would go shopping every day after school if she could! Oh, dinner break’s over! I have to go!
September 16, Thursday, 1988
I’m getting’ pretty good at this, aren’t I? I’m writing every day! But guess what? I probably won’t be doing that anymore because I’m going to visit my Grandmother in Boston pretty soon with my family! J I can’t wait! I have to go, it’s supper time!
September 17, Friday, 1988
Today I spent my whole dinner break playing with Maria Therese outside! Wow! Well, I’m glad I got to get a lot of fresh air and exercise! Oh, I have to go, I have to pack and get ready to go to my Grandmother’s tomorrow. I’ll probably write more in a few days...
September 21, Tuesday, 1988
I’m in bed now at my Grandmother’s. Oh, these past four days, I’ve been having so much fun! First, we talked a long while with my grandmother (she’s the sweetest Grandmother anyone could ever have!), then we ate ice cream sundaes, then we went shopping, then we went to an amusement park and got cotton candy! It was the best day ever. And so were those other three days! I have to go to sleep now. More later, I promise.
September 23, Thursday, 1988
I’m back home now. This week we have school off because we were at Grandmother’s house. Yay! Sorry I didn’t write yesterday, it was just a rest day for us because we were pretty tuckered out when we got back; we had a tiring but fun week! I don’t have much else to say, so if you don’t mind, I think I’ll put away my diary and pen and study.
September 24, Friday, 1988
Another school day for me and Maria Therese! Although, believe it or not, it’s still pretty hot! I know, crazy, but that’s just how California is like. ;) I really love it because I just plain love hot weather all year ‘round! (Okay, maybe not all year ‘round, but pretty much! It’s gotten I guess pretty chilly in the winter. And only a few times we spot a few sprinkles fall down in the winter time.) Oh, Maria Therese wants me to come outside and see something, tomorrow I’ll write about it!
September 25, Saturday, 1988
Okay, yesterday Maria Therese showed me a gardener snake that was in our backyard! No, really, a real snake! I was really surprised and scared. I know I shouldn’t be, but I’m afraid of them. I don’t really know how to describe how it looked like….let’s just say it looked really cool with stripes, hehe. I have to go, it’s breakfast time.
September 26, Sunday, 1988
Today we are going to afternoon Mass so I have some time to write. I spot some crab grass near the corner of our front yard today! Now that’s pretty good for late September actually, haha! No, really. To tell you the truth, I don’t really have anything else to say! I guess more later!
September 27, Monday, 1988
Now it’s back to school again I guess. I have 10 subjects. Oh dear! I’m sorry, but I better get started! I’ll report to you how school went tomorrow!
Fantasy Story
Introduction
The land of Airloniea was dying. The crops were failing, the king was on his death-bed, their arch enemy the Northern Riders attacked more every day, sickness was raging through the villages, and many Airlonians though it the end of the world.
When the old King did finally die, the throne was passed to his eldest son, a wise and caring man, but it seemed he could do nothing to help his poor country. The trouble grew more and more every day, and it looked like what was left of Airloniea would soon fall into the hands the hated Northern Riders.
Just when there seemed to be no hope left, an old elf appeared at the castle door, begging to see the King. The guards admitted him to the King's study, where the desperate King was pacing the floor in worry.
"Worry yourself no more, my King." said the old elf with a bow "For I have something that will end all this pain." The elf then drew from beneath is ragged cloak, a thick book. It has a smooth leather cover, covered in strange elven letters and printing, the book had gold edged pages, and a tasseled bookmark hanging out of the edge.
"What sort of trickery is this?" asked the King tiredly.
"This is no trick." said the elf "I have spent countless days making this book. I have called upon the strongest magic to create this. And now, at last, it is done. I give it to you, my King."
"How will this book help me?" demanded the King "If I find you have just been fooling with me..."
"I will tell you, how helpful this book this." said the elf, almost madly "This book is very powerful, for anything written in it shall become true."
"I don't understand..."
"Anything ever written in this book, will come true! It does not matter who it is written by, or when it is written, it will always, always, come true. You wish to cure your country? Then you can do so with this book!" The elf paused, and then looked the King in the eyes "But I warn you, your majesty, use this book with great care, or you might just wish you'd never seen this book in your life."
The King backed up away from elf, looking afraid. But the elf continued.
"And while the Book's power is certainly very strong, I'm sure some things will be beyond its limits." The elf then pushed the book into the King's hands and bowed quickly. "I wish you the best, my King, may you stay wise." Then the elf left the castle, and was never seen again.
The King did use the book to build his country back up. But he was careful with what he wrote, and used it wisely. After Airloniea was back on her feet, the King gave the book to a trusted knight. He sent him to take the book and and ride to the top of Mount Forge, a mountain to the far West, and chain the book to a rock on the summit. The knight did as he was told and Book remained unused and forgotten on the mountain.
And as the years wore on, Airloniea forgot about the powerful book. And even when disaster struck, and the country had trouble, the book was never taken out, for nobody remembered it......
~~~
Hundreds of Years Later.............
To the North of Airloinea lay a cold and unforgiving country. The land of the Northern Riders. The Riders were known as cruel and evil people, and indeed most of them were. Wars broke out among themselves and other countries constantly. The country was worn-torn and savage, where people were given little freedom, and good, honest, men and women were rare. Most Riders loved nothing more then to make trouble, especially for Airloniea.
But not all the Riders were like this. A precious few were truly very good kind people.
A young Northern woman, no older then eighteen, ran along the dark and rainy streets of Airloniea's greatest city, Athena. She had crossed the border into Airloiniea the night before, and now her daring mission was almost done.
Her black hair fell down her back, her dark eyes sad and full of tears, held closely to her chest was a well-wrapped bundle. Her tears slipped down her face, joining with the rain. She was well-built, and had breath-taking beauty. She was dressed in a ragged cloak and dark green dress, her hood now pulled over her eyes. She ran around a corner, her breath heavy. Footsteps raced behind her quickly.
"Fael! Fael!" The young woman swerved, and turned around, tears still in her eyes.
A young man, also a Rider, stepped into the shadows. He was dressed as a solider, dark shaggy hair under a cap, and a thin buckskin coat over his well muscled arms. He too, looked young, not yet even twenty.
"Fael." he reached for her arm "It doesn't have to be this way." She didn't resist his touch, and instead buried her head on his shoulder.
"You're right, Merlinn, it doesn't. But it is best this way. You know that."
"Fael! No!" he held her tightly, as she cried.
"Yes, Merlinn, we must. You know too well the fate that lies ahead of her if we don't." saying this she unwrapped a fold of her carefully held bundle. She held a baby in her arms, no older then a few weeks old. "I will not raise our child in that war-torn North, Merlinn! It is best to leave her here, in Airloniea, where she has a chance. Some kind couple were raise her here, in safety."
Merlinn hugged Fael and his baby daughter close. "You are right, Fael." he whispered "Tis, best. But the thought of her growing up and never knowing us..." He picked up the baby from her arms and looked at her in the moonlight.
"I know, Merlinn. But it is better then having her grow up in war. In a country where there is no freedom, no joy, nothing to live on."
Merlinn nodded, and gave his daughter back to his wife, he pulled a simple leather cord off from around his neck. Hanging from the cord was a metal coin with a hole through the middle of it. All around the coin were strange symbols and figures. Merlinn slipped the necklace over the baby's head and gently tied it.
"It's been in my family for generations." he whispered "Maybe it will help her find her way back to us."
Fael nodded and kissed her daughter. "We should hurry. Tis' a wonder we haven't been caught yet." She took a glance at the great house that stood ahead of them. It must be owned by a rich family of high ranking. Fael took a few steps forward to the great stone steps that stood in front of her, then broke down crying. "I can't do it!" she sobbed, clutching the baby.
Merlinn took his wife's hand, and together they climbed the steps, and laid the baby by the entrance. Merlinn then pounded on the wooden door, and then grabbed Fael's hand, tugging her down into the alley below to watch.
Not long after the door opened and a woman came out onto the steps. She saw the baby and gave a cry. The woman scooped up the little girl and disappeared into the grand house.
Fael gave a cry, and burst into tears in the wet dark alley, Merlinn held her close and tried to comfort her, but he too was crying.
~~~
And the child grew up in that house, the house of Ramon and Fayla, Duke and Duchess of Athena. They called her Ceili, meaning "stormy", for she had come to them through the storm. And as Ceili grew, her parents kept her story a secret. Even when she reached the age of sixteen, they never told her how she came to them. Instead, they let her grow up thinking she was their own flesh and blood daughter, they let everyone else, both family and friends, think it too.
For they felt ashamed that their beloved daughter was not a real Airlonian but a Northern Rider. And so they guarded the secret of her true heritage even from Ceili herself.
Chapter 1:
Ceili awoke to the sun shining through her window onto her bed. She blinked in the bright light and stretched. It was going to be a wonderful day, she and her parents were going to go to Schcora, the capital of Airloniea. King Ferdimon had want of her Father, so they must go.
Ceili was very excited. While her parents were good friends with the King she had never met him. And the King had a daughter, Marianna, who was her age. Ceili was sure they'd have a wonderful time together. They'd stay at the castle as long as the King needed them, and that could be weeks!
Ceili bounded out of bed at that thought, and rushed to get dressed. She slipped into a long green silk dress that set off her dark hair and eyes. She quickly went to the mirror to fix up her long black hair, sweeping part of it up into a tight twist on the back of her head and letting down a few locks to frame her face.
Ceili reached for gold hoop earrings, they were made by dwarves and very beautiful. She put them in and tugged her necklace out from under the front of her dress. It was a simple yet beautiful piece of jewelry. A brass colored coin hanging from a leather cord, all her life Ceili had worn it, never once could she not remember it upon her neck. While it did seem more like something a man, not a young lady, would wear, it seemed to fit her. And Ceili had no intention of ever taking it off, it was part of her.
Ceili was soon all ready to go, Solna, the family maid, who was really more like a second mother to them all, had already packed up everything Ceili might need. So now there was nothing left but to take one more look at herself in the mirror then run down the stairs.
On her way down to the entry way, Ceili bumped into her Mother.
"Ah, Ceili, good to see you're ready!" Said her Mother, tying her velvet cape about her slim shoulders, and smoothing her blond hair under her tiara. "Run on out to the courtyard now, your Father has the carriage ready. You know he hates to wait, he wants to get to the Estern Forest before it's too dark."
Ceili nodded. The journey to Schcora would take at least two long days of travel. So they planned to spend the night in a small Elven village in the Estern Forest. The Elves would be glad to have them, and it was about halfway through, making it was perfect place to spend the night.
Ceili ran down the stairs to the outside of the house. The carriage was waiting in the yard, four white Elven ponies hitched up to it, and her Father waiting inside. Ceili took one last look at the grand house she called home, then got up into the carriage, joining her Father, and minutes later Solna and Ceili's Mother got in.
It wasn't long before the driver, a young warrior elf by the name of Lija, called to the horses and they were on their way.
Ceili's parents were soon deep in conversation with Solna about politics, ancient history, and magic. Ceili didn't care to join the conversation, and instead stared out the window, looking at the passing city. Athena was home to men and elves alike, and sometimes, a few dwarves.
As the carriage pulled through the streets, people and elves came running out to the edge of the roads, all of them hoping to catch a glimpse of their beloved Duke and Duchess on their way to serve King Ferdimon.
Ceili starred back at them through the window, watching all the eager faces, most of them fair-headed, native, Airlonians, but a few elves dotted the crowd and every now and then a dwarf.
Ceili looked with wonder upon all the light hair and blue eyes. Just like her parents, and all her friends, and everyone else she knew, had. Everyone, except for a few elves, had straw-colored hair, paper-white skin, and eyes the color of the sea.
Ceili reached for her own dark hair, and looked at her reflection in the glass window. Why was she so dark? Everyone else in her family was as light as the other Airlonians. Why did she have dark hair and eyes? Why?
"Ceili" a sudden voice pulled her out of her heavy thoughts "Ceili?"
"Yes, Father?" Ceili pulled away from the window.
"Ceili, I forgot to tell you this before we left, but Ferdimon wanted me to tell you that Marianna won't be at the castle while we are there."
"Why, Father?" asked Ceili sadly.
"She's going to be staying with her Aunt this summer. Her Mother too. I'm sorry, Ceili, I know you were wanting to meet her."
"Aye." agreed Ceili sadly, wondering what she would do with herself at the castle now.
They had left the city of Athena now, and were racing through the country-side. Ceili leaned against the heavy wooden door listening to her parents and Solna talk worriedly about why the King might have need of them.
"I heard from my sister that there's rumors about the Riders planning a war against Airloniea." said her Mother sadly "Goodness knows what those blood-thirsty men want now!"
"Riders could be the problem, no doubt." agreed her Father
"I wish we could just have peace." said Solna sadly "Has war not been going on for hundreds of years now?"
"Yes." agreed her Father "Tis' very sad we live in such hard times."
"If it truthfully is the Riders we must be very careful." said Solna "There numbers are larger then we all think. They have a lot of power, and could hurt Airloniea more then most people think is possible. I just hope whatever it is, it gets settled soon."
Ceili sighed. She didn't care at all about those wild distant Riders who sometimes attacked Airloniea. Yes, they often did cause trouble, but they were always driven away before too much harm was done. Why should this year be any different? Ceili was afraid of little, and she was not at all afraid of Northern Riders.
She sighed again and rolled her eyes as her parents continued their worried conversation.
"What if...?" "And then...?" "Should that ever happen..." "I heard..." "Well, I hope..."
When Lija stopped the carriage a few hours later to water the horses, Ceili begged her parents to let her leave the carriage and ride up top with Lija. He was sure to be more exciting company, then the three adults worrying. They let her, glad she wouldn't be pressing her nose to the window, and sighing anymore.
So before the horses started up again, Ceili climbed up onto the seat with Lija.
"Hello, Miss Ceili." said the elf with a smile "What brings you up here? The conversation too dull below?"
Lija knew Ceili well. "Aye." she replied laughing "All history and politics and worrying over those Riders. I couldn't care less! Why can't they just relax and enjoy the day?"
Lija cracked the reins over the horses' backs and asked them to move forward. "Not everyone is fearless like you, Ceili." he said, as he untwisted the old leather reins, "And these days even I am nervous for what can be coming."
"What do you mean, Lija?"
"The Riders have not yet attacked for almost a year now, your Father gets called up by the King for a private mission, and there's all those robberies."
"Robberies? Of what?"
"Armor, bows and arrows, swords, war-horses, and the like. Things a country needs for battle. Large amounts have been found missing from all different cities." Lija shook his head "It's the Riders. I'd bet my life upon it. They're planning a wicked war against us."
"But anyone could have stolen that stuff! Or maybe they weren't stolen at all, and somebody just misplaced them."
The elf laughed, "That would be a lot of armor and weapons to "misplace", Ceili. And the North is poor, they most likely can't afford to make their own, why not steal it from their hated enemy?"
Ceili sighed. "Now you sound just like Father, Lija! I came up here to get away from all that!"
"Sorry, Ceili." said the elf shrugging "If you had any fear at all you'd be afraid of this. But I'm happy for you not to be pulled down with all this dark news and just be happy and carefree. You're young, Ceili. You don't need to worry."
"Well, Lija! You're not old! You're nearly as young as I am! And here you are, worrying just as much as my Father!"
The elf sighed and shook his head. "I'm an Elven Solider, Ceili, if there are any problems I'm going to be the one who has to fix them. And I'm also going to be the one protecting you should a war break out. And don't forget, eighteen is a lot older then sixteen." He cast her a grin.
Celie felt ashamed suddenly. "I'm sorry, Lija. I forgot."
"There's nothing to be sorry for!" he said laughing. Lija was always a good sport.
It was so easy to think of Lija as a care free child like herself! They had grown up together, and now, suddenly, he had so many duties and jobs. He had already completed his training as an Elven solider and was now in one of the highest ranks in the whole army. Yes, he was driving their horses today like any other young man, but he was also their body-guard. Lija did have a right to be concerned. And he must be right about eighteen being older then sixteen. Lija was always right.
It was dark when they got to the Estern Forest. The minute the carriage pulled up to the large golden gates, elves appeared from among the thick trees beyond it, and swung the doors open. Cheering with excitement and welcome.
A single young warrior elf, who looked about Lija's age, jumped up into the carriage. He appeared to be a very good friend of Lija, for the two seemed delighted to see eachother.