The kingdom of Shalon

S.C.Jones

Oh how she wished she would find the crossing before her new found friends left it. She dreamed of seeing her mom and dad again and she thought of how it was going to be to show Orng and Kip her friends. They would like them. She just knew they would. She would even take them to see her mother and father. She would explain how they saved her life and how they were so very friendly to her. They would like Orng and Kip.

She was heading over the crest of another hill now and as she did so she saw a trail down below about two hundred meters or so. She didn't know distance back then in her life so we will just estimate it for her here. She was very happy to see this trail because she knew it would soon lead to her friends.

From farther in the distance had she been looking was a small thin whisper of dust in the sky. It would not have meant anything to her. She didn't understand things that well then. She only thought of friendship, love, and trust. She only thought of her friends and that she would soon be seeing them again and that then she would introduce them to her other friends and then to her unsuspecting family. She was almost to the trail now...

'Driver? Would you mind stopping for just a minute? Thank you. I'd like to get out and stretch my legs and then if you don't mind I will drive and You sit down here. I am quite tired of sitting in this cramped coach and I should think that You are having all the fun.'

'There. Now isn't that better? No. No, I insist. You've deserved it. Besides, you will see what a King feels like now. Thank you also. Now. I quite feel like racing these steeds a little. What do you say we give them a little run? Right then. Hang on! Hea!!'

'UHhh...Kilp? You hear something? listen.... Wind?! yea.. nothing...' and sleep overcomes...

'Oh wonderful. Finally I am at the trail. Oh, I should like to run and be free of these woods for now. I Will run and I will get to my friends even faster. I feel wonderful. I am going to see all my friends again...' (running down the trail now)

What joy! Why didn't I drive this coach more often? You all right back there, James? This will not be easy giving back the reigns to you now, you know. You may find yourself riding back there on the return trip my good man.'

'.....what?...What do I see? Why James, I do believe we have someone on the trail up ahead there. Yes, there. See. Just up around that bend. I believe it's a small child up there and running. We will have to see about this James! I wonder if she's in trouble. Gidd up there boys!'

Ohhh!! Oh.. a carriage! Maybe my father?! Oh, now I shall find Orng and Kip. It's almost here! It's stopping!!

'Hello my little friend. Are you in trouble of any kind? No? ...Well, why are you running and would you like a ride? The willow crossing? Of course you can. We are going right over it and will be there in about five minutes. Hop on up here. I'll even let you hold the reigns if you are nice and tell me why you need to get to the willow crossing so fast. There you are. Now that one is called prancer and this one is comet. You are the one they will obey now so you can go when you are ready...comfortable? Good. Now tell me about these two men you are trying to find...'

The ride was a most interesting affair. The King while not really appearing to look like a King, was sitting in full attention of this little girl who was driving his royal coach and she was telling him about two very strange men that she had met in the forest. She was a little charmer too. Why, he would have loved to have known her before and he felt he would no doubt come to know her now. In all of his eighteen years he had never met such a little girl as this one. She was positively captivating. He didn't even notice that she had not had a chance to freshen up and then he would not have noticed those thing anyway because of what I already said about this King. He was perhaps the greatest King ever to rule but this is Amayin's story. She told it in a most pleasing and wonderful way, and the King listened in a most attentive and curious manner.

It didn't take long. The willow crossing came up to view and the coach slowed down to a very slow pace and stopped. It would interest you to know why it stopped.

While the King was fascinated with little Amayin's story he was also wisely listening to what she had to say. He knew what she was beginning to reveal almost before she was able to tell him. He had been told there were some about who meant harm to him and these two were perhaps what he had heard about. He also now saw the danger in going further without a plan. He reasoned that he was now in the right place and he told his driver, James to take Amayin and go down there to the roadside. They would be safe and he would proceed. Of course he had to over rule James vehement protests but he then was the King and a King has final say, does he not?

The final journey to the crossing did not take much time, although it was a little slower and the king was very attentive to the surroundings.

Orge and Kilp did not even hear it till it was almost upon them. When they finally did know what was taking place they were slow to come out of their sleep and they were very tired. That wretched little girl had cost them a good nights sleep and they looked forward to hunting her down later and killing her. They would find pleasure in it. They would give no mercy.

Now, you perhaps are wondering if a King is driving a coach and he is a King why does he not appear as a King? This question is a fitting one and properly asked but you must remember again that you are in Shalon and in Shalon the King is a true King. A true King does not need rich attire or fine robes and garments to rule. He rules from within and he rules because his subjects let him rule and he does not need the clothing to prove his true status. Our King Rhoen has never once worn a crown or any such kingly attire you or I would come to associate with a throne. He had no need for them. That was why he was and always would be the finest King you or I will ever know. That is why Shalon was so proud of its King and why Shalon was so fondly remembered for so very long. It would not have been a truly great story any other way.

'whoa boys... steady now..

You men there! What business this. You come to clear a path or to impede a journey? Stand back till I assess you.

The King you say? What business do you have with the king? What? No business for a coachman? Perhaps..

I notice you wearing swords gentlemen. Is This your business with the King? You needn't look surprised my good men. As you say, I am but a lowly coachman. As you are proceeding this way then you will have your day with the King.'

'Kilp...ready now. we have him in our hands now. You take the coachman and I kill the King. just about there...'

It was not a surprise when it happened. It was anticipated and it was prepared for. The King was armed as you now know and he had the finest, most well balance, and most wonderful sword ever made by mortal hands. He had this scabbard in fine ordinary plain leather to look very common indeed and it was only on the unsheathing that the possessor became known for the truly grand swordsman he was. It was on the unsheathing that fear and trembling came to all those who gazed on its possessor. It had a keen edge and lightning reflexes controlled its every move. No sword was ever handled finer, no person was ever more skilled in swordsmanship, let alone a King. But then this was no ordinary king.

Orge and Kilp drew their swords first. They didn't even move too fast as they just saw another day of killing and they came too late in finding the truth. They would not have had any better fight of it had they known, or had they drew faster, or had they had a full rested night. It just didn't matter. They did have time to react to fear however. They had just enough time to see the glint off the blade as it met them and they had just enough time to know their mistake and they knew then that it was a mighty King who would deal the final blow. It was a quick and merciful death for them.

When it was over the King swung the coach around went back and picked up a much relieved James and Amayin, who again sat next to him up front. They swung around again and crossed the stream some ways up stream and reconnected to the trail again. The journey to the festival was a pleasant one and it was a fine, sunny and warm day. Little Amayin never found her friends again and was sorry to hear that they had left before they got there. She didn't understand why they didn't wait for her but she felt that they were happy now and that was perhaps all that mattered.

Oh yes. Amayin was reunited with her family. Her friends all welcomed her back home and she was the talk of the town. She was not scolded when her parents saw that the King, himself was pleased with her, and she was not scolded ever again for going into the forest. She in fact went to the forest a lot after that and she had some fine adventures there, but none as fine as that day so long ago when she met two wonderful friends, chased butterflies and deer, and met her future husband. Oh yes, for you see, King Rhoen and Amayin fell in love that day.

The story of Amayin spread far and wide and the people of the west became very acquainted with it as well. There was never any trouble with them or any other neighboring lands as long as King Rhoen and Queen Amayin ruled. There was only joy and happiness in all of their reign. It was the finest wedding in all of the world when six years later they were married. No lord or king ever had a love as great or no lady ever loved as well as Rhoen and Amayin. There was never a kingdom quite as wonderful as this one, but then there was never a King or a Queen as grand as they were either...

'Now my love, are you happy with my telling of it? ...yes, I see you are...

Come now dear. It is time to retire. We would not want to miss the festival tomorrow...and you have an important speech to make. You carriage will be ready on time...James is a good man...'

the end.

The kingdom of Shalon
Comments welcome.
All contents copyright (C) 1997, S.C.Jones
All rights reserved.

Revised: October 12, 1997
URL: http://www.oocities.org/Athens/Acropolis/1915