The queen was a strong woman, young and proud. She was in love with the King but she felt trapped and stifled. She believed her heart had been stolen and placed in a cage, no longer hers. The King was equally as strong and took pleasure in his wife. He knew her features were revered throughout the globe.
And on that sad day, he left to fight. He told his wife farewell and whispered a sweet I love you. She looked at him solemnly because she knew he would be gone for more than a season.
War is a strange business; necessary, but evil. It consumes the heart and soul, driving the master from his house and the child from his mother. War has no conscience.
Months passed and the Queen grew tired. She was lonely, wanting with desire. Her mind wondered about her King, who fought in the battlefields.
The Queen’s days were full of sorrow, her nights cold and empty. Her spirit cried in pain, screaming for release. Letters arrived sparingly. She read each one; longing, hoping and wanting.
The Queen’s nights were especially endless and sleep would not come. She would journey through the palace, longing for the light to arrive and wash over her. She would leave the castle’s walls and walk to the garden far from the fortress’s view. Deep into the garden, she would go until she reached the pool of pure water. It was there for her to enjoy.
The Queen felt great comfort at the pool. She felt the solitude of being alone. She would lay a blanket over the damp grass and slowly disrobe, taking each piece of clothing off as she thought of her king.
She would lie on the blanket, her nudity illuminated by the moonlight. She was comfortable and warm, as the breeze blew slightly over her nakedness. Often, she would fall into a deep sleep. A sleep, so deep, she was afraid she would be discovered during the morning when the castle awoke.
One night, the queen visited the garden but she was not alone. An Org had entered the area. Orgs were smallish trolls; part man, part beast. They had been banished from the kingdom because of their magical powers. They could appear as dreams and trick the slumbering. They had enjoyed fooling the people of the kingdom. Many years ago, the King’s father had his warriors round up the Orgs and place them in the blacken woods. If an Org was found after their banishment, they were beheaded. It had been years since anyone had seen one and the young people thought they were myths.
But on this certain night, one decided to visit the castle’s garden. Its beauty was known throughout the forest but no Org, alive, had ever seen it. But tonight, this Org would see more than the King’s garden.
The Org had quietly entered the forbidden area. He slipped in silently behind a tree and then looking over the pool he saw the Queen lying in all her splendor, sleeping deeply. He had not expected to see such beauty. His impish body quietly moved so he could see the object of his delight in pure view. As he walked closer to the Queen, she began to awake. She looked through sleeping eyes and said, "My King."
The Org driven by her beauty used his magic to enter her mind. " It is I, my Queen," he said as he transformed himself into the King’s image. "I am here to love you and make you mine." The Org entered the Queen’s dream state and her wanting body. He kissed and caressed her with a desire she had never felt before.
The next morning when she awoke she felt overwhelmed by the dream of the King. The love she felt the night before was greater than any she had ever known. It had captivated her soul.
She returned to the garden nightly and experienced the same wonderful dream. Then, one night she decided to see who was the maker of this wonderful dream. She lay near the pond and pretended to sleep. As the Org approached, she sat up and shouted, "It is you who have violated the Queen. Surely, The King will have your head."
"My Queen I meant you no harm. Your beauty consumed me. When you returned nightly, I thought you were willing to dream."
"But, you tricked me. You entered my dreams and made me believe you were the King."
"Yes, my lady, but you would not have been interested in an Org, such as I."
"So, you deceived me."
"My Lady, I did not want to fool you. I just wanted to give you the love you needed."
"I had the love I needed."
"No, you had the King. You did not have his passion."
"And how did you know these things?"
"Because I was in your dreams. You dreamed of what was not. You did not dream of what was. When I enter your sleep, I am an impotent fool. I can only follow your lead. Surely, if you dreamed that I be burned in a fire, I would have to go. I can only follow your desire."
"Fool, you couldn’t have believed I wanted a troll."
"No, You wanted a loving king and that is what I became but only because you asked. I can trick you but I must follow your lead."
The Queen sighed. Her secret had been un-caged. She had desired and wanted the love of sleep. She had longed to feel the loving touch of a man.
"That is why the King’s father banished us to the forest." The Org continued. "You see, people do not want to admit to their desires. They enjoy the foolishness of lies."
The Queen become angry. "Go now before you feel my wrath."
"I will return in your dreams if you invite me." And with that the Org quietly left.
The Queen did not journey back to the garden for weeks but she missed her dreaming sleep. She was tormented by the emptiness of her slumber. Then, one night she could not take the sorrow any longer. She ran to the garden and called for her lover. He did not come immediately. So, she laid upon the blanket and gently awaited sleep.
"You have returned, My Lady, more delightful than ever. Can I fill your wishfulness?" The Org words lifted her heart. The Queen slowly invited him into her slumber.
"And, When the King arrives back from battle," the Org lamented.
"When he returns, he will have my days and you my nights. He will have his cage and you will have my soul and my peace as long as I live and sleep. You will be mine forever......."
Bio: I reside in Newport News, VA and admire the writing of Edger Allen Poe and John Steinbeck. I am a new web-fanatic and enjoy the thought of its endless possibilities. I have been previously published in The Poet's Edge Magazine, The Daily Press and Poemata. Your comments on my story are welcomed.
E-mail: jsdasj@hroads.net
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