Making Musical Stories - November

Steps to Enjoy Blog

1. Listen to the song. Think about what story do you feel that it is telling you.

2. Read my short story.

3. After reading listening to the song once more.

4. Tell me what you think! AND let me know what song I should do next!

Disclaimer: This has not been edited. I wrote this as I listened to the song, so be prepared for run on sentences and other grammar issues.

Song Title: Only Time

Singer: Enya

It was raining that day just like it is now.

Steady, non-ending pouring of water from the gray clouds above the city. The rain was cool, but refreshing. It felt nice as it fell upon my face as I ran through the cobblestone streets.

I was grateful for it, in a way. Each drop reminded me that I was alive, and that I should keep running. Every splash from my feet hitting the many puddles kept me moving quicker and quicker through the empty streets. When it rains, everyone goes inside.

Not me. I was running for my life.

Their voices were close. I could hear them shouting after me.

“Thief!”

“Stop him!”

I tried to ignore them, I truly did, but at that moment when I turned my head.

BANG!

I ran into something. The force from the collision caused me to fall onto the hard, wet ground and the loaf of bread that I had stolen fell from my hand. It rolled over to a hooded figure that had also caused me to fall onto the damp stone street. The hooded figure held up the loaf of bread and began to examine it.

Panicked, I snatched the bread back and it held it tightly to my chest. It was still warm. The sweet and salty aroma still wafted through the air causing my stomach to growl for the much needed sustenance. Looking over at me, the hooded figure reach ed out, but instinctively, I pulled in the bread causing the rough crust to slightly scratch the inside of my hand. But I did not care.

This loaf of bread was mine now, and no one was going to take it from me. I needed it.

The hooded figure backed away and raised its hands in peace, butit was too late.

A short moment was all that was needed for those who were chasing me to finally catch up. Swords drawn, they shouted, “Give up thief, we have you now.”

It was over. And yet it wasn’t.

“Look, he has a friend!” said a soldier.

“They must have been working together. Let’s take them both. Both of them can lose a hand,” they laughed.

I looked at them, then at the hooded figure - then at the bread. It would be easy to use this hooded person as a distraction. They didn’t care who they arrested, as long as they had someone to blame. That was all that matters. I could get away, bread and all.

Instead I let out a groan and I raised my hands in the air, “I do not know this person, they are blameless. You caught me. I am the thief. I will let you take me in and do what you will as long as you do not bother this innocent civilian.

It was then that everything changed.

The hooded figure stepped in front of me. Lowering their hood, I saw the truth. It was you. The princess. I gasped to see you before me in such tattered attire. Even so, your beauty had no words. Your long hair lay down your back. It was still raining, and the water ran gracefully down the intertwining braids that could only be worn by those within the royal household. You grabbed onto my hand, and it caused my heart to skip a beat.

“This man was testing your ability to deal with ruffians, and I have to say I am appalled with how far he was able to get. In either case, this one here is under my royal protection, you shall not harm him. Is that understood?” Your voice was so stern and strong, but still beautiful in its own way.

They did not argue. We were left on the street, rain still continuing to pour down upon us.

You turned to me and smiled. It brightened the entire avenue even with the sun hidden beyond the clouds. No sun was needed when you were smiling. Your smile shone just as bright as any star in the sky.

I immediately fell to my knees in thanks. You just clicked your tongue in annoyance.

“Please don’t. I hate that nonsense. It is why I came out here dressed as I am. To escape.”

You then looked at me and said, “Speaking of escape. Seems like a poor choice of item to steal. A loaf of bread is way too large to hide well. An apple or small bun, on the other hand, would have been just as worth it if you were only feeding yourself.”

Intelligence and beauty. You could clearly see my intentions.

“Yes, Your Grace. It was for the orphans down the road. We all are starving and there is no way for us to make a living. I needed to give them food, so that we may survive.”

You order me to take you there. I complied, but I would have done so even if you had just asked.

All the children were so excited to see you and you returned their happiness with your open embraces and cases of food you brought for them to enjoy. It was then you decided that they should all join you.

“We could use help in the kitchens, stables, and many other places around the castle. There you will be provided free room and board as well as compensation for your work. I will also be sure that you are all provided a proper education while you work with us. You will have the opportunity to move forward with your lives rather than backwards.”

Cheers went through the group of children as we all made our way to the castle.

As we walked, I asked you a question.

“Will those guards ever discover the lie you told them? The one about me testing their abilities?”

You smiled, “Who knows…” Then winked, “Only Time.”

***

A year later, I was training to be a soldier. In the yard, I spent my days and watched as you walked by with your ladies in waiting. This was a normal occurrence, and every day you would give me a slight nod in my direction. It was all I needed for my heart to go a flutter.

I had become the strongest soldier, or at least that is what I believed. It was another rainy day, and the yard was flooded causing the once dirt-covered practice floor to turn into a pit of viscous mud.

Yet I was still able to take down opponent after opponent. You came by once again, this time holding a covering to protect you from the rain. Seeing your eyes on me gave me even more strength, I was able to demolish my final adversary. All of the men cheered as I raised my hands in triumph. The ladies with you giggled and waved their handkerchiefs at me in pleasure. Not you.

Shaking your head, you threw down your covering and jumped over the side of the balcony. It was a long jump, and

yet you dropped down with such grace. Still, everyone gasped at your swift movement. The mud sprayed upward, all over your velvety soft hoop dress. You ignored the mud and stomped your way through the sticky brown gunk. All moved out of your way as you grabbed for a sword and with a quick slice of the weapon, you tore off your dress to the knee.

The ladies above clicked their tongues in protest while the men below tried to turn away from the inappropriate sight, or at least they feigned at doing it

.Not me. I never looked away. It was not possible, I never could when you were near me.

You raised your sword to me, “It is time you took on a true fighter.”

No other words were spoken. You came at me. Sword upheld and ready to strike. I did all I could to block your advances. Each strike caused a clang or slight ring that echoed throughout the yard. It could even be heard through the never-ending drops of rain that fell onto our faces. I knew that you wanted a true fight, and I was going to give it to you.

The upper hand was now mine. You were now blocking my attacks and I swung down hard, knowing my strength outweighed your own. There was no worry in your face. Instead, it was that smile. The very same one from the time in the streets when we first met.

My hits were so forceful that I could feel my feet getting stuck into the mud. Not you. Somehow you managed to keep your graceful motion, while I began to stumble around like a drunken oaf. I could no longer keep up with your movements and soon I found your sword at my throat.

Sighing, I dropped my weapon and asked, “Will I ever win against you?”

You smiled, “Who knows…” Then winked, “Only Time.”

***

That same day, the king made me your official protector. We spent every waking minute together. We laughed together, sparred together, and eventually our love grew together. I remember us meeting in the royal garden under the moonlight. It was forbidden, but it did not matter.

You held onto me and I held onto you. Then the kiss. At first it was soft as we were still exploring our true feelings, but then as neither of us backed away, it became such a strong force that it felt we would never part. Everything in the world was perfect at the moment.

When we finally separated from each other’s mystical hold, I asked, “How long will we be together?”

You smiled, “Who knows…” Then winked, “Only Time.”

***

Our love knew no bounds. That was until the neighboring kingdom came demanding for your hand. The ruler was a cruel but strong man. He had a large army and he wished to expand into our kingdom. There was a claim that it was all in peace, that he only wished to marry you and join our nations.

“I ask for you to give me the Princess so that we may join together as one both in matrimony and as allies,” the neighboring ruler said with a notable, devious grin.

Our king, your father, was always a different type of ruler. I respected him for that and even more when he said, “I do not own my child therefore I cannot give her to you. She must choose her own path.”

That is when you stepped forward, you looked at your father and for a brief moment you glanced at me. I am unsure if you saw my face at the moment, but if you did you may have seen the sadness as I feared the decision you might need to make.

“I thank you for your kind offer, sir,” Your voice was stern just as it had been when you reprimanded the soldiers that rainy day we met, “But I refuse.”

Everyone in the hall gasped, except for me. I let out a sigh of relief.

You continued, “I will only marry a man who will bring prosperity and hope to my kingdom. You use your power to destroy not just your enemies but also your own people. I will not let you defile my kingdom like you have done to yours.”

Cheers echoed through the hall. Your people loved you as much as I did. Sadly this joyous moment was thrown asunder as the man from beyond shouted us down, “I take what is owed to me ‘Oh Royal One.’ I will make you mine and steal you away from the depravity you have put yourself in by associating with,” he paused as he looked over at me. Doing so caused the rest of those in the hall to stare where I was standing.

Then he said it for all to hear, “Associating with a peasant, soldier boy.”

He left, but the damage was done. As soon as the doors were closed, my armor and sword was taken from me, and you were rushed to your quarters. I wasn’t able to even say goodbye to you my love. Your father knew about us, but chose to ignore it. That was no longer possible. He forbade me from seeing you again. I was sent away to pack my things and return to the city streets without you.

That is when the rain came again. It was not warm this time, but it was one that freezes your bones as if it could travel from your skin to the inner makings of your own body. There was a knock on the door. A messenger. I was ordered to see the king.

The king’s face was in his hands, and his body shook uncontrollably. It was then that your father the King told me you were kidnapped by the neighboring royal.

He begged me, “I do not have the men nor the ability to go save her. If they discover that I have tried, they will declare war. We would lose. I cannot ask anyone…I need…please.”

I saluted your father and said, “I will save the princess Your Highness. Order or not.”

And here I am. Outside the castle of our enemy. Writing this letter to you in the freezing rain. I will do all I can to save you, but if I shall not make it I want you to remember our time together. The moment we met in the rain, fought in the yard, and embraced in the moonlight. All those times, I knew one thing. That I love you and will always to the end of time.”

***

The soldier handed over the note to the stable hand outside of the kidnapper's castle. It turned out that there was no love lost for their royal highness amongst the lower classes. They were treated as if they were slaves, beaten and sometimes killed if any of the royals were in a poor mood. The servants and stablehands were more than happy to assist the soldier in his endeavors for even the smallest amount of coin.

Through the dark and stormy night, the soldier was guided through a secret passageway outside the stables that led directly into the kitchen. All the workers here were thin, pale, and covered in bruises. They didn’t even acknowledge the existence of this new intruder. Quietly the hooded soldier made his way up the stairs of the castle. He snuck past all the enemy fighters using the secret openings and passageways to get by them as if he was just a shadow making its way through the darkness.

He had nearly reached the room of his love, the princess, when from behind, “You there…stop the intruder!”

The soldier let out a groan, and unsheathed his sword, “I suppose it is time then.”

Turning he faced his many oncoming opponents. One after the other, he took them down with a swing of his weapon. There may have been a great deal of enemies, but he was the best swordsmen in his kingdom and based on his movements through the stronghold, he was the best here as well. No one was going to stop him from reaching that who he held dear.

He lost count of how many enemy soldiers he had taken out, but it seemed as if the flood of fighters had ended. It was time to find his princess. Climbing the stairs, the soldier finally reached the door…

It was open.

…and broken

Almost as if someone had been pushed right through it. Everything was a mess. The bed was turned over, chairs were strewn across the room, and blood streaked the rugs and the stone floor.

His heart began to break. He had been too late. The soldier fell to the floor as the thunder from outside crashed in the distance. Tears streamed his face, and breathing became almost impossible. How could he have failed?

Crash!

The soldier looked towards the door opening.

Bang!

That was not thunder.

Clang!

It was metal on metal. A sword fight. Someone was battling down below. He swiftly stood up from the floor and ran out of the room. The pace continued, as he made his way down the stairs until he reached an opening. There before him, on the floor of the entryway of the castle was an unstoppable force.

The princess.

He shouted to his love.

Looking up, the princess smiled - the same smile from the day they had met - and a voice followed, “What took you so long?”

No other conversation was needed. The soldier jumped from the stairs above and joined his beloved in th

e battle for their lives. Together, they fought as if they were dancing together. They knew how to move in tandem with the other, and every swing and counterswing worked as if they were one person. No one could stop them. They were the best.

Soon no enemy was left standing. It was only a princess and her soldier.

He grabbed for the princess to get them to run away, but was pushed away, “I am not done here. There is only one way to save my kingdom and it is through those doors.” nodding towards the two large wooden doors before them.

The soldier wanted to argue, but he knew there was no point. His duty was to protect and serve the princess. And that was what he planned to do.

Together they open the doors to the hall.

There the neighboring kingdom’s royal sat, the kidnapper. He saw them both and let out a sneer of discontent.

“I see that I will need to teach both of you to know your place in this world,” he then snapped his fingers and his men came from all over the hall. They ran with their swords drawn at the soldier and princess.

It was a difficult fight. Both princess and soldier were exhausted from all they did to get this far. But they did not falter. They fought side by side and took down each opponent one sword slash and parry at a time. The soldier was able to free himself from the fray and move swiftly towards the evil royal.

The man stood by his throne, arms crossed and he just smiled as the soldier came closer and closer. His curled lip made the soldier feel uneasy, but he still pushed forward. Only steps away, he saw the royal look up into the rafters above and that is when he heard it.

Twang!

Over the clangs and clashes of the fighting, there was a noise in the distance. That of an arrow being let loose from its bow.

The soldier tried to move away just enough so that the arrow did not take out his heart, but it was impossible for it to miss him entirely. Instead, the arrow drove itself into his leg. He yelled in pain and dropped to the floor. His sword fell to his side with a deafening clang.

That was when the royal unsheathed his own weapon, a long thin saber. He pointed at the fallen soldier who was still gripping at his wounded leg. The princess’s protector tried to reach for his sword, but the royal kicked it away. Shouts could be heard in the distance. It was his love, she was screaming for him to get up. But he couldn’t.

He looked up to see a thin, pointed edge in front of his eyes. There the kidnapper stood before him with a contemptuous smirk on his face, “You are not better than dirt, peasant, and you shall return to it.”

The royal raised his saber for the final blow, expecting the soldier to cower beneath it. He did not. Instead the princess’ hopeful savior raised himself up and spread his arms outward as if he were about to embrace the end.

That was all that was needed.

The princess had also freed herself from the fight, and had run over to her fallen soldier. Sword out, she used her swift and graceful movements to climb over her kneeling love. With one strike of her blade, she decapitated the royal who had stolen her away from her kingdom. His head rolled over to the rest of his men, who stared in stunned disbelief.

Blood covered both the princess and her soldier, but they did not care. A sigh of relief left them both. The princess kneeled down to the soldier and embraced him.

The soldier was the first to say, “Did we win?”

Pulling away the princess smiled, ``Who knows…”then winked, “Only time.”

***

The lovers stood together in the great hall among the king and his countrymen. Princess and soldier, not wanting to let the other go.

After saving the princess, the soldier was granted clemency for his fraternization with the royal highness. Not only that, he was allowed one request by the king's law that could not be denied. There was only one thing that the soldier wanted. This time the princess did not reject the offer of marriage.

There they danced as all the people looked on with hope for a better future for their kingdom. The princess and - not a peasant - not a soldier - but now the princess’ consort, held on to each-other as they made their way across the dance floor.

This time the princess asked a question to her loving spouse, “Will this last forever?”

A smile spread across the princess’ partner’s face, “Who knows…”then a wink, “Only time.”