The Tale of Princess Ivy and Lady Fern

[Sapphira110]

Chapter 1

The Kingdom of Ashenvale was a land of black and white hues. It had always been like that.

Or so the people thought.

But long ago, before anyone could remember, Ashenvale had been just as colorful as its neighbors; full of red roses, orange carrots, yellow canaries, green hummingbirds, blue sky, purple gowns, brown hair, pink cheeks, and every other related hue and tint. The ravens were black because they were supposed to be black, and the clouds were white because that was their nature to be white - unless a storm came in, then they were gray and oftentimes black.

Yet something dreadful happened and all the color drained out of Ashenvale by that mysterious event.

People slowly forgot, through time, that blueberries were called blueberries because they were blue; that oranges were oranges because they were orange; and that people weren't just black or white but many shades - from warm brown to pale peach. A few were even green; of course those were just the Tree Sprites.

No one from the neighboring lands dared to venture into Ashenvale, fearing it was cursed.

And so it was.

But who could break it?

The royal palace used to have historic records dating back several hundred years, one of those told the story of Ashenvale fading to black and white. A fire swept through the Hall of Records one night long, long ago and erased any memory that remained of the curse.

And so present day comes and no resident of Ashenvale knows the wiser.

Princess Ivy is quite content with a black and white world, she loves how unique it is from the distance hills of a color thought to be known as 'green'

Her sister, however, Lady Fern often wanders to the border called Rainbow Edge to stare dreamily at the different colors.

The two sisters were complete opposites: the youngest Ivy was full of energy; she adored the attention of others and would be as charming as possible to have people praise her for her beautiful voice or dancing skills. Villagers would see her in the royal garden, now and then, playing with the butterflies and dragonflies. Ivy insisted on being called 'Princess', because that is what she was and she secretly hoped it would someday become 'Queen'.

Fern, however, was the shy insecure type; wishing for those to call her 'Lady' instead of 'Princess' or even worse: 'Crown-Princess Fern'. It's not that she didn't want to someday rule over Ashenvale, it was that she didn't think she deserved to be called Princess Fern; she may have been the oldest and rightful heir, but she didn't have the charm or ambition of her little sister. Fern was reserved and quiet and rather dream of far off lands full of thousands of facets of colors.

A mysterious fate and not a predestined circumstance would change all that...

[Sapphira110]

Lady Fern was lying in the cool gray grass staring up at the clouds - puffy whiteness on a pale, pale gray sky. Her sister was trying to catch her attention, but Fern wouldn't look her way.

"My dear Fern, you must see my new gown!" Ivy said. She twirled around, Fern could hear the ruffle of satin.

"What does it matter what your dress looks like?" replied Fern, "No matter how many bows, or lace, or buttons, it will always be black and white."

"I have no problem with that. Black and white is elegant. Refined. Crisp and clean. Charming. Just like myself."

"You never get tired of it?" Fern finally sat up to peer at her little sister. Sigh~ she was perfect as always: Clear skin, managed hair, a princess posture - nothing like Fern, with her spotted skin and unruly hair.

"No. I like that Ashenvale is simple in adornment. I mean, really, nothing can compare to my beauty, now can it? And just imagine if there were as many colors in our kingdom as the rest, there would be all this vying for this color or that color. It would be this incredibly gaudy rainbow of ugly hues.
"No, no, black and white is so much put in order than that idea. Ugh."
"Well! Farewell, Fern, dear, I am going to go show my gown to the rest of the court."

Fern watched her go. "Sigh...is a kingdom of just black and white - and sometimes gray - really that great?" She was about to wander off towards Rainbow Edge when something gleaming caught her eye. Was that flower pink?

Could it be possible?

Fern slowly approached.

"Is that a broach?" She put her hand out to pick it up, but as soon as she touched it the pink jewel exploded with light.

[Sapphira110]

Fern woke up in a daze. Grabbing her head she sat up. "Huh? What's going on? Where am I?" Everywhere she looked was an array of colors. Had she somehow gone to Rainbow Edge? But wait. What's this? When Fern looked down, her dress was no longer black and white but pink and mint with brown. Even when she dared to cross over the border into that kingdom of colors Fern remained pale gray with shades of black and white.

But her skin was light peach and her hair...it was bright red! Fern stood and really looked around. She was still in her garden, where just minutes ago she had spoken to her sister Ivy.

"How bizarre, only this part of the garden is colored; the rest of Ashenvale is still dismal. Where did that brooch go?"

There it was, still in the grass. Fern went to take it, then shied away. What would happen if she touched it again?

Well! there was only one way to find out.

But it wouldn't budge! Fern grasped and pulled, then fell over.

"Stubborn thing! Hmph!" Fern got down on her knees, green grass staining her pink skirt. She pulled the grass up around the brooch - and discovered that it wasn't a brooch at all, but some kind of knob to an ancient structure buried under her feet.

"What could it be?" wondered Fern. "If only the historical records were not burned...I know, maybe I could find a book that mentions old cities or buildings and see if they point to this location. There must be something."

As Lady Fern walked the streets of the royal city she got several stares, a few gasps, and then people started to follow her. Normally everyone ignored Fern. Some would curtsy or say a greeting, but any other acts of adoration were aimed at Princess Ivy.

Then Fern heard a child ask his mother, "What's wrong with her, Mommy?"

"I...I don't know, my son..."

That's when Fern realized she still had color to her. And it was a painfully obvious oddity to the people of Ashenvale.

Fern quickly ran to the book shop and hid inside, finding a hidden nook to conduct her search.

No one wondered where Lady Fern had vanished to all day, or asked why she didn't come out of her bedroom when she was thought to be home - a maid had seen someone who resembled Lady Fern enter Lady Fern's room, she had been so used to black and white hues that she never noticed any 'color' to Fern.

Late that night Fern read a fable about a temple devoted to Mother Nature; facts said that it was built close to the royal castle of Ashenvale, but when the villagers stopped visiting the temple the trees and flowers grew around it until it was buried; leaving no trace that it was ever there.

"...if one can find the flowered jewel, then thine will have the power to rule. Up the temple will raise - to lift the haze." Fern stared out at the darkened world beyond her window. "Flowered jewel?"

[Sapphira110]

The following day, early in the morning, Fern ran back to her garden to seek the flowered jewel. She didn't know if the story about Nature's Temple was true - but if it was she had to find out.

The garden was still full of vibrant colors, and because it was hidden away by tall trees and castle walls, no one had yet to see its new look.

"The flowered jewel!" Fern espied the pink gem in the grass - and a cat was batting at it! A red-orange cat. Red-orange! Not white or black or gray. "Little rascal," laughed Fern, scooping the cat up. "Did you tap into the jewel's strange powers?" She hated to destroy the lovely green grass, but she somehow had to unearth the structure. "But how?" She gazed at the cat in her arms. "Do you know?"

The animal jumped out of her arms and pounced on the jewel.

"Hm? Maybe if I push it instead of pull it...?"

She had tried everything else, so why not?

The jewel moved when Fern pushed it in! It fell into a flower-shape indent underneath it and Fern heard a hollow click. Suddenly she was scrambling for a sturdy tree as the ground shook and moaned.

The grass clung, but the flowers were torn away as an ancient temple surfaced - the garden had vanished, leaving only a few trees and bushes.

Fern slid down, for she found herself on the temple's roof, and circled the building. It had beautiful motifs of flora and woodland animals; and the architecture was amazing, the pillars had all manner of bright and colorful gems embedded in the pale gray stone. And above what looked like an entrance was a lovely lady's face guarding the threshold; her arms open wide to greet visitors.

"This has to be Mother Nature's Temple!" Fern said. She peered in. It wasn't dark at all, for torches and candles along the walls flickered to life with blue fire. "Blue?" And all this time Fern thought fire was white. She ventured forth. What would Lady Fern discover?

As the princess stepped inside, the lovely lady over the entrance opened her eyes wider and smiled.

[Onionleaf]

What a magical idea for a story, Sapphira! It reminds me of a book we read at school years ago called "The Giver" (I'm sure many have read it before). The whole idea of colors in our world is so interesting, isn't it? And a story with this theme makes for vibrant reading.

I hope this fairy tale will have a happily ever after.

[Sapphira110]

Many plants grew inside the temple, most Fern didn't recognize; though whether that had to do with colors she had no name for, or that they were new species, she wasn't sure. Either way, it was such a delight to stroll through the magical place; the air was pure and specks of golden light danced among the flowers.

At the end of the long corridor was a room, a true secret garden. There were spindly trees of pale leaves and delicate blossoms; flowering bushes; a glistening pool of rainbows; and sleeping peacefully on a little knoll was a fairy. As soon as Fern entered the room the fairy awoke; she stretched and yawned, then flittered over to Fern.

"Oh! Um, w-who might you be?" asked Fern.

"Delphina, the guardian of Mother Nature's Temple." She fluttered here and there, looking Fern over. "I was given this task by Mother Nature herself, when the Temple was put into a deep slumber. I've been sleeping an awful long time, couldn't you have come sooner? Just look at me, my wings feel numb and my dress is all crinkled. I'm a mess!"

"But still beautiful all the same," Fern said. "Tell me, how long have you been asleep? Do you remember if Ashenvale had ever been this colorful?" She waved her arm around the garden. "Or is the temple only allowed color?"

Delphina stared at Fern, puzzled and a little concerned. "Do you have a fever, dear?"

"Hm? No. I feel just fine."

"Are you sure?" pressed Delphina. "Because I've never heard of Ashenvale, and why on earth would Mother Nature's Temple only have color...?" The fairy flew down the corridor to the outside world.

"Well, Ashenvale is the kingdom that you are in," Fern went to catch up with Delphina. "And - "

Delphina interrupted. "What a dreary name, who chose that name? When I was first born this land was called - Ack!!"

"Ack?" Fern said. "That doesn't sound like a better name..."

Delphina screamed. "No! It was called - Oh! who cares about that!?" She pulled at her hair, "What did you do to this land!? It looks...it looks...Ack! there is no words to describe the horrible deed you have done! How long have I been asleep for something this terrible to happen?"

"Me? I didn't do anything," Fern said. "What are you talking - Gasp! Do you mean to tell me that Ashenvale once had..." The thought was too impossible to dream. "Color?"

Delphina rounded on her. "Of course it had color! What's wrong with you, child!?"


(Thanks, Onionleaf. I've never heard of "The Giver". This is actually inspired by something, but I won't ruin the surprise. I'm sorry it has taken so long, there was supposed to be a Pixie badge associated with the story to coincide with The Changing of the Leaves, but I've been busy working on my books.)