Craving Carmen

King Cyrus was in agony, tomented by the lovely memories of the woman he loved who had now left him suddenly. And when he shut his eyes,all he could see was her face,her smile, her body.All he wanted to hear was her voice again and the sound of her sweet innocent laugh. Jordan,his advisor was very worried about the King.

"Argh, not again!" King Cyrus yelled in anger. Jordan picked up the bowl of ink then put it on the table.

"Your highness, I think you need to forget about her. It has been two years now." Said Jordan in a calm voice.

"Carla is different,she is the only woman who was willing to understand me. But you are right, she is has been gone for a long time,I need to find it in my heart to accept that.Jordan I need your help." The king cried.

"That is why I am here my Lord,what is it?what troubles you?"

The king sighed."it has been a while since I've sailed the ocean. I need someone to look after things here while I am away. Can you be able to help me with this?"

Jordan bowed his head. "As you wish my Lord."

The king took a change of clothes, food and hunting tools for his trip. Then he began to sail.

Meanwhile a strange woman in a red gown, carefully wrapped a baby in a red towel,she then put the child in a small canoe.

"I know that you will be much safer with a human than with me." said the woman.

She then exhaled strong breath from within her mouth, but the breath was strong like wind, it caused the canoe to begin floating away all the way towards the king's direction.

"I will come for you at the right time.Grow and live." the woman said, she then turned into a bat and flew away to the East. The canoe was on the sea floating for three days before it eventually reached the King's attention.

One cold morning while the king was still fishing with no success of catching any fish, he heard a sound. At first he thought he was being haunted by ghosts.

"The stories are true, the seas have ghosts." he said.

The sound became louder and clearer.

"The spirit of a baby?" he wondered.

The crying worsened,the king looked around the sides of his ship and saw a canoe floating with no one controlling it. He then noticed something wrapped inside the canoe, he wondered what it was.

"It could be treasure" The king thought.

The king quickly looked into his bag of tools, he pulled a rope out. He knotted one end to a metal pole that was strongly attached to the ship, then took the end of the rope and through it down into the canoe.

"May the angels of God be with me." Said the king, jumping into the cold water.

"What do we have hear?"

The king unwrapped the towel that was tightly wrapped around the baby, who had suddenly stopped crying. Much to the king's surprise it was indeed a real baby, not a ghosts or a toy.

"Who would be so cruel as to leave an innocent baby out in the cold like this. Don't worry I will take care of you."

The king wrapped the baby with the towel, placing her on his back then began to climb the ship until he managed to enter safely.

"you need to be kept warm." the king said.

He began searching for a warm blanket, a jacket anything he could find that could be used to warm the baby.

"This blanket will keep you warm."

The king put up his sail and returned to the palace.

The trip took only seven hours, but he did finally arrive.

"The king has returned, the king has returned let it be known that the king is safe and has returned to us!"one of the kings gatesman said.

The trumpets began to be played.

The inhabitants of Kineti gathered and began to sing.

Jordan stood up from his chair, and ran towards the king.

"My king, we all have been so worried.Thinking you had abandoned us." said Jordan, his eyes filled with tears.

"Dont be silly, I would never do such a thing. Help me. I have a gift with me.Be careful she is fragile." The king said.

Jordan was surprised, but because he was a faithful servant he did not dare question his superior.

"Make way for the king." Jordan instructed. The crowd and all of the king's men moved dispersed,and king Cyrus was able to pass and finally entered the palace.

"Jordan! Help me!" The king shouted, unwrapping the baby.

"what do you want me to do my King?"

"I need something warm for the baby, I think she might be hungry.Stay here with her." The king instructed, he then hurried to the kitchen, the cook Mrs Miller was surprised to see him there,she stood upright like a good soldier waiting to execute a command.

"My Lord" she said bowing her head.

"I need you to make porridge, it should be soft,it's for the baby"

The cook was puzzled,but she did not ask anything,she was afraid the king could slaughter her if she asked too many questions. No one would dare question king Cyrus,he was feared by many,they knew he was could slay a man without question especially a man that gossips.

"I will be right on it your highness and if you need some help with the baby,you can tell me I..." Mrs Miller didn't even finish her sentence.

"I don't need your help. Just do as I have asked from you!"

The king instructed one of his maids to purchase a small bed for the baby, a few blankets, baby food and diapers. When the baby was done eating the luke warm porridge.The King put her on the new tiny bed, while singing the nation's anthem.

"Kings and Queens of old, fought together, causing war.

Women, men and their children died in pain,

Those who survived live to tell the tale.

Hunger and anger befell the land,

Still the people died, while some survived

To tell the tale.

The brave were made to rule,

Those who used to lead, became the ones who served.

The nation thrived, Kinteti still survives."

Later that evening, a woman arrived at the palace.

"Someone is here to see you" Said Jordan.

The king had been preparing himself to sleep, he already had his night gown on.

"This late!"

"She is a beautiful woman,sigh." Jordan added.

"She might even be the queen of iceland, I still wouldn't want to see her this late. Take me to her."

The woman was indeed beautiful, she had long silky red hair, a lean body and a smile that lit up the room.

"Your highness" the woman said, bowing her head. "please forgive my intrusion.I am a child minder and have been taking care of children for many years. I heard that you have a new baby and I wanted to offer my help." said the woman.

Jordan smiled. He took the king aside.

"She's perfect my Lord. She is a real lady,she could teach your daughter to be a good woman,look at her attire, she's neat." He whispered.

Jordan and the King turned their gaze back to the woman.

"What is your name woman?" The king asked.

"I am Shiandra Rhinehart from the country of Aota."

"My advisor wreckons that you are the right person to take care of my daughter. I will give you 50 coins every week for taking care of the child.Am I not fair?"

"You are very fair my Lord. Thank you my Lord" said Shiandra bowing her head.

Jordan fixed his throat.

"My Lord,you have not yet told us the name of your child"

The king was surprised, how could he forget to name the child.

"Her name is Carmen,because she reminds me of a woman I once loved." Said the king.

"Carmen,it's a beautiful name my Lord." Said Shiandra.

The king organised a good room for the the child minder as well as for the baby.

Five years passed, baby Carmen was now little Carmen,she loved to run around the palace chasing cats and butterflies. She got in trouble many times.

"Come down from there,your father will be upset if you fall." Shiandra shouted. Carmen slowly went down the tree, hoping she would not fall,but she slid and fell anyway.

"Race you to the palace!!" Carmen shouted running as fast as her little body could. Shiandra laughed, observing the little legs go.

Jordan and the king were watching from the stables.

"My Lord,the child is very active, but she does not have friends of her own, she might get lonely. Should I bring Alex to play with her sometime?" Jordan asked, while watching the king brush the white horse which he had named after Carla, to keep the memories of the woman he loved close to his heart.

"Alex is a good boy and you have become like a brother to me. Bring Alex tomorrow." The king commanded.

Later in the evening, When Jordan was eating dinner with his son, he was reminded of what he had spoken with the king and unsure at what his reaction would be.

"My son I need to ask you a favour.The king's daughter does not have friend's to play with,she is usually lonely and it is beginning to show." Said Jordan.

Alex placed his fork gently beside his plate.

"But she is a girl and I am a boy! It will never work out."

"It will work out because you are my son and you shall do as I say!"

Alex rolled his eyes.

"Ever since mother died you have been horrible to me. I cant do this, I cant do that. I must learn combat, I should forget about my writing's because they wont take me far. And now you want me to befriend that girl.Argh!" Alex was annoyed, he grabbed his plate with a piece of meat left and ate in his room. Jordan followed him there.

"I know that you might think I am harsh but "Please son!" there is a reason I am like this. I have big plans for you, I want what is best for you. I love you son."

Alex didn't like to see his father begging. And if his father wanted him and Carmen to play together, then he knew that it must have been an important thing to him.

"Ok,fine! I will do it.Argh my friends are going to make a mockery of me for doing this!"

"Thank you son." said Jordan, giving Alex a hug.

An advisor is an important title in the royal family. Jordan was a wise man, he thought ahead. He did want the best for his son, just as he wanted what was best for Kineti. He wanted Alex to marry Carmen one day, yet he had not suggested the thought to King Cyrus.

"I can see that you like her,but why do you hesitate?" The king asked, seeing that Jordan's glance was in Shiandra's direction.

"Oh no my lord. Its not like that."

The king laughed.

"We are grown men, there is no need to be shy. Why do you hesitate? Go and talk to her."

"Your sigh I really don't see her in that way. She is beautiful, neat but I don't feel attracted to her nor will I marry again." Said Jordan.

The king laughed.

Alex arrived at the palace, he had two tennis balls and a bat with him. Shiandra had been expecting him to arrive. So was Carmen. The two went to the garden and began to play.

Carmen did not know how to play the sport,but Alex taught her.

"Thanks for calling your son,it must have been a struggle." Said Shiandra approaching Jordan.

"Excuse me, I have letters to read." said the king, leaving Jordan and Shiandra together at the stables.

"Alex is a grown boy, he listens to me." said Jordan, laughing.

"I don't see a ring on your finger,why are you not married?" Shiandra asked.

"I used to be married,my wife died a long time ago. The doctor's said that it was ovarian cancer."

"I am so sorry.."

"It's okay. I've learned to accept that."

"And you,why are you not married?I can see you also don't have a ring on your finger. Is it because men make too much noise in their sleep or are we are simply too untidy to live with?"

Shiandra looked at her finger for a while.

"I wish I could laugh at the last sentence, you have just mentioned now, but I cant. Maintaining relationships was something I really was never good at. I don't ever want to feel trapped again I guess.The end."

"Short and sad. I pray that one day you find someone who is willing to appreciate you."

"Thank you. Those are kind words I could never ever forget." Said Shiandra. Walking back to the children.

Late in the evening of that very day, Carmen developed an urge to walk in the forest. She walked carefully out of her bedroom window,her hands and feet sticking to the walls like a magnet. She walked down the walls, slowly as if she were a spider. She then ran as fast as she could to the forest. No guard ever noticed her run, as the speed rate at which she was running was quick as lightning, but she did not feel it nor see it. She only saw herself run fast like she normally would when she was playing with Alex during the day. Then suddenly a strange woman appeared to her,she wore a red hooded gown.

"Who are you?" Carmen asked but she was not afraid,she felt safe.

The strange woman walked closer to Carmen,she then brushed her soft cheeks with her cold hand.

"You have grown up" The woman said.

"Who are you? If you don't anwer me now I will have to scream."

The strange woman smiled.

"Do not be hasty in your decision. I will never let any harm come to you, nor will I harm you."

"Why are you in the woods alone at night?" Carmen asked.

"The same reason you are in the woods. I wanted to see you."

"But I came here on my own. No one knows that I am here, no one told me to come." said Carmen.

"But you did come. Why did you come to the woods little princess?"

Carmen did not say a thing for a while.

"I don't know, I thought that I should come here." she said.

Meanwhile in the palace..

Shiandra went to check on Carmen and found her bed was empty.

She began to scream. Jordan heard her and rushed in to see what was happening.

"What is wrong?" Jordan asked.

"She is gone!" Said Shiandra, pointing to the bed.

"Where would she go? I will tell the guards to look around the palace,I am certain she is around here somewhere,you know how she can be."

And while Jordan and the guards were searching for Carmen, Shiandra was trying to find a way to explain to the King what had occurred.

"What! You lost my daughter?" The King shouted angrily.

"Sigh I found the window opened I think she is still around nearby, we will find her. Jordan is searching for her already."

"My daughter had better be unharmed otherwise I will slay you and feed you to the pigs! "Search the wood's!" The King instructed.

The guards went out in their numbers,looking for Carmen in the woods.

"They are looking for you." The strange woman said.

"Oh no. I will get in trouble for this. What is your name lady?"

"You will come across challenges in life as you grow, in those moments, remember the person these words. You are a queen and you can overcome everything that comes your way."

"Who are you?" Carmen asked the strange woman.

"Your father is worried, we will speak again soon. Listen to your father, he loves you very much. And when the time comes you will be married, I will find you a good soulmate. And you will reign as it is your right. Do not tell anyone about me. Be good Carmen."

The strange woman turned into a bat and flew away East.

Carmen stood there confused. Suddenly one of the warriors came from behind her, he hadn't seen anything that had happened.

"Here you are!" He said, then began to blow a horn to let the other warriors know that he had found Carmen.

The king was thrilled to see her daughter safe.

"Oh my Carmen!" Said King Cyrus, offering the child a hug.

"Don't ever do that again, the woods are not safe especially at night!" Shiandran was relieved.

"I am sorry for scaring you like that. I promise to listen to you both and to keep myself from trouble." Said Carmen.

Shiandra, Jordan and the King looked at each other. They were surprised to hear such words from her. She had spoken as if reciting what she was told to say.

"What were you doing in the woods so late?" Shiandra asked.

"Uhm.. I don't know I felt like going there."

"You just felt like going there, late at night?" Shiandra asked.

"Yes."

"Shiandra, please stop with these questions. At least the child is safe and has returned to us. That's all that matters. Isn't it?"

"Forgive me sigh."

Days passed. Carmen was planning to surprise her father with her very own lemonade which she had prepared herself. But curiosity crept in, she hid behind the empty wooden bench that was at least three metres away from the stables where the King and Jordan were sitting.Then began to listen to their conversation.

"I will not be able to be King forever. Kineti citizen's will need to have a new King to rule over them."

"You may not have a King to take your place, but you will have a queen that will. Carmen will be a good ruler." Said Jordan.

The King chuckled.

"We all know that won't happen. The throne needs someone with great strength, willing to die for it, willing to even kill for it. I need someone who is strong."

"Carmen is that person sigh. She is quick on her feet, with proper training she will be able to defend herself as well as rule over the Kineti. The people already love her. Stop worrying yourself needlessly. Carmen will be the right ruler, she is your daughter!"

The King's eyes filled up with tears,he was very sad.

"Carmen is not my blood. The citizens of Kineti will treat her otherwise, they will not respect her, they will say hurtful things because they know that she is not my real daughter, she is not my blood. " Cried the King.

Carmen's eyes widened, she was shocked to hear such things from the King. She ran to her bedroom and began to sob.

"Why would my father say that I am not her blood. If I am not his daughter,then whose daughter am I? The woman in the woods said that I am a Queen, but which country shall I rule?" Carmen wondered.