Thronegarden Andrew Dickerson (the little red hen ebook TXT) 📖

time. Without a change from day to night or season to season, many of the plants were failing or lost altogether. Animals struggled to adapt. The once abundant fields were now sparse and even the skies above seemed eerily silent. While everyone else watched the extravagant parade, Damselfly looked at the kingdom and wondered what would happen to them if time did not return.

“Look at the horses,” Queen Etherelle cried, caught up in the pageantry. “There is your father’s horse Bolt.”

“Where is Daddy?” Damselfly asked.

“He is sorry to miss the parade but he promised to make dinner.”

Damselfly was not convinced by her mother’s words as her father had been breaking a lot of promises lately. It never used to be that way when Uncle Abeldine was king though recently her father had not been himself. The whole castle had been involved in the parade; they had enjoyed the revelry and opportunity to share their talents. Now, though, with proceedings coming to an end, they all felt a sense of foreboding about what would happen next: night would not come and many of them had forgotten what rain smelt like. The sun remained setting in the west yet refused to move any further. It provided a diluted light and insufficient heat upon Thronegarden which slowly withered.

“Damselfly, choose one present to take home with us and the rest will be brought up later,” the queen explained.

During the parade dozens of presents had been offered to the princess on her birthday, from new shoes to a tiara. There was a small treasure trove of items spread out before them on the grass. Every craftsman or designer proud enough to be chosen to present their gift to the princess held their breath as she deliberated over which one was her favourite. The person responsible for the princess’s favourite gift would not only have a great story to tell, they would be rewarded with increased reputation and fame.

“We should really be heading back inside,” Orion insisted.

Damselfly felt pressured into making a decision and she did not want to make the wrong one.

“Just choose the one you like best,” Queen Etherelle assisted.

Damselfly tried to take her mother’s advice though it was difficult because she really liked a pearl necklace amongst the collection, though there was an interesting book about history, which Old Nana could read to her. Then there was a riding crop and Damselfly had been begging her parents to let her learn to ride. Choosing that item might make her mum mad though and then there were all the castle’s inhabitants to consider.

“Just make a choice or I will make it for you,” Orion demanded.

Damselfly in a panic searched amongst the items for something that grabbed her attention, only everything was beautiful and offered so faithfully that it made her head spin. Then she caught a glimpse of something strange; amongst the expensive bounty of precious metals and rare materials was a small toy bunny. Damselfly retrieved the rabbit from beneath a silver plate so she could look at him better.

“Put that back, dear, and find something nicer,” her mother added shortly.

Damselfly was not really paying attention to her mother or the crowd. She was running her hand over the bunny’s soft fur which was a dark chocolate brown with a cute white cottontail. It was dressed in a chequered waistcoat held together by gold buttons with a spiral patterning. In the rabbit’s black glass eyes, she caught her own reflection and caught the smile on her own face.

“I want this one.” Damselfly held up the stuffed toy, causing a stir amongst the crowd who had waited so patiently.

“Look at all those lovely things. Why do you want that old stuffed rabbit?” Queen Etherelle questioned. “Please choose something else.”

“No,” Damselfly replied. “It’s my birthday and this is my choice.”

She crushed the rabbit against her chest with both arms and refused to surrender under her mother’s harsh glare.

“Fine,” Queen Etherelle agreed with a slight grin.

“My daughter has chosen her favourite gift. Let the person who placed this soft toy bunny come forward and collect their reward.”

The crowd looked around uncertainly, trying to discover who had left the winning present from among their gathered ranks. A collective gasp broke out as a filthy boy, similar in age to the princess, staggered forward in dirty rags to stand before the queen.

“What is your name, young man?” the queen asked. “Rat,” the boy answered.

“What would you like as a reward for your thoughtful gift?”

“Can I have anything?” the boy queried.

“Whatever you like. If it is in my power, I will grant it to you,” the queen promised.

“I would like to visit the royal apartments,” Rat revealed.

The crowd all began chatting at once, and Orion was quick to step forward.

“That is quite out of the question, young man,” he interfered.

“Nonsense,” Queen Etherelle commanded. “Please arrange for the child to have a full tour of the royal apartments as soon as possible.”

Damselfly was pleased to see Orion defeated by her mother, and she gave the funny-looking boy a coy smile. She wondered, while holding the bunny he had left for her, what kind of name was Rat?

As the day wound to a close, the royal family returned to their secluded apartments in order to celebrate Damselfly’s birthday as a family. They had a wide, open balcony that allowed them to look down on Thronegarden from the castle ramparts; this is where Queen Etherelle decided to hold the last vestiges of the festivities. The celebrations had not gone as successfully as the queen hoped; she was certain there had been an altercation between her daughter and Luyna’s. The parade along with the host of gifts had been too overwhelming for a child who simply wanted friendship and a place to belong. Etherelle momentarily considered the young boy who had stepped