Time flew by and before she even knew it, Meadow was four years old and turning five in a couple of weeks. She spent the past couple of years sneaking around the estate to train. She would sneak books about magic from the library to help with her training.
Meadow spent most of her time training in the garden and greenhouse. She believed in order to be able to use plant magic more effectively she should connect with the plants. The best way to connect with the plants was to try and grow them herself.
Rosco, the shy family gardener, grew familiar with Meadow coming to the garden and greenhouse. He even provided Meadow with her very own gardening supplies and gave her a section of the greenhouse to grow whatever she likes.
Meadow experimented growing plants with magic and just growing plants naturally. She was able to see the differences in a plant grown with magic and one grown naturally. The plant that was grown naturally over time seemed to be more sturdy and healthy than a plant grown through just magic. The plant grown from a seed through magic also seemed to die easily and was hard to maintain without constant magic.
Through these experiments Meadow grew fond of plants and truly cared for each plant that she grew. She felt this unexplainable connection to her plants and truly cared for them. She would always be sad when one of her plants died.
In between her experiments, Meadow would do physical training in the garden. Her goals still had not changed and her desire to be strong was still there. Which is why, she made sure to train her body and improved her physical capabilities.
She really wanted to go train in the forest, but her family said that it was off limits. Her curiosity was peaked when Meadow had read a book about sprites that supposedly live in the forest. Based on the description of the creatures and sketches, Meadow really wanted to meet one. They looked too cute and Meadow really wanted to be friends with these creatures.
For the first couple of years in between training and experiments, Meadow also tried to look for children's books--like actual fairy tales. But, she soon gave up after about the 30th supposed children's book.
'More like a history lesson.' Meadow thought bitterly.
It is not like she didn't appreciate the book, for its knowledge. It was just that she was craving a real story, with character development.
She had just about given up all hope of ever finding a book to satisfy her hunger, until she stumbled across Harriet's writing. Meadow had just turned four at the time when she found Harriet's writings.
Meadow was looking for Harriet in the maid quarters to accompany her; however, Harriet was not in her room like Meadow had hoped. Instead, she found a pile of papers on Harriet's bed. After debating with her morals on whether or not it was alright to look through Harriet's paper, Meadow gave into her overwhelming curiosity.
'I'm a child. It's normal for children to get into places and things they are not supposed to. Right, there is nothing wrong with taking a little peak.' She thought to herself as she picked up the top paper.
As she skimmed the page, she found herself taking more than just a peak. It was a story about a poor young maiden who fell in love with a page, who grows into a strong knight. It was very riveting story telling of the protagonist's hardships.
The story begins with describing how the young maiden is super poor and trying to support her family. Her father died fighting in the war and her mother died of disease. It was up to her to support her younger siblings at the age of twelve. She found work at the mansion as a maid, and spent her days and nights working in between the mansion and home.
She met the male protagonist, who was training in the forest by himself. He was sweating and super focused on his training, which the maiden found mesmerizing. She watched as the boy kept swinging his wooden sword at the tree until his sword broke. When his sword broke the boy fell to the ground and started to cry.
He was a part of a fallen noble family, who were murdered by a random group of thieves. The head knight was only able to save the thirteen year old boy. The head knight took the boy in as a page and brought him with him to the next noble family that hired the knight.
The girl watched this broken boy cry before getting up again, with an unexplainable fire in his eyes. The determination in his eyes to not fall to disappear spoke to the girl's heart. She later found her gaze would start following the boy, as she watched him grow into a man.
Immersed in the story, Meadow lost track of time and her surroundings as she continued to read. She didn't hear Harriets footsteps as she approached the room.
"Meadow this is where you were. Everyone is looking for you right now… AHH!! Are you reading that?"
Harriet spoke as she saw Meadow and realized what she was doing. Embarrassed that someone was reading her fantasy writing, she ran into the room and quickly snatched the papers from Meadow.
"Noooo, don't take it. I was just getting to the good part."
Meadow said without thinking as the page she was reading was snatched. She didn't see Harriet's expression right away. After seeing Harriet's mortified expression flushed red with embarrassment and anger, Meadow realized her mistake. Avoiding eye contact, Meadow apologized.
"I'm sorry. I saw the papers laying there and was curious. I'm sorry, I should have asked before reading them."
If this was any other four year old Harriet would not have been so embarrassed. She would have doubted that they would have been able to really comprehend all that was written there; however she had spent the past couple of years following Meadow around.
She was in charge of watching over Meadow when she wanted to go to the garden or greenhouse. So she had watched all of the young girls' strange actions. Then there was the fact that Harriet had also just caught Meadow a week ago reading an intermediate level magic book.
Harriet knew that Meadow was smarter than most four year olds and ten year olds for that matter, so she couldn't help but to be mortified. Looking at Meadow who looked really sorry, she softened up a bit; that was until Meadow spoke again.
"I was only going to take a peak, but it was so good that I couldn't stop reading. Harriet, can I please read more of your writings? Please, I might die not knowing what happens."
Meadow begged looking at the papers in Harriet's hand. Harriet's face that had slightly softened turned red again. Harriet pointed to her door and shouted in anger and embarrassment, "OUT!"
'She's not sorry at all. How could she read it? I didn't want to share it with anyone, at least not yet.' Harriet thought.
Meadow left the room with her head down pouting as Harriet shut the door behind her.
'So mean. I only wanted to read more. How could she keep this good story all to herself. So selfish, she should be sharing it with everyone and most importantly with me.'
Meadow thought to herself as Harriet shut the door in her face. Then she remembered the look on Harriet's face.
'Sigh.. I guess I was in the wrong. It was wrong of me to read her private writings before she was ready to share it with anyone.'
Meadow softly tapped the door. "Harriet, I am sorry. I just can't help to think it's a shame no one gets to see your talented writing. I won't pry any more, but I hope you'll let me read it again, when you're ready."
Harriet sighed internally. 'She even talks too well for a four year old. It's hard to stay mad at her.'
Meadow kept her promise and didn't verbally harass Harriet about her writings, but Harriet had to deal with Meadow's begging and pleading eyes. Every time Meadow caught Harriet writing, Harriet had to watch Meadow's eyes sparkle when looking at the paper; as well as, how Meadow pretended to not be interested when Harriet caught her staring.
One day, no longer being able to stand Meadow's constant stares, she finally tells Meadow, who thought she was hiding pretty well, to come here.
"I will let you read my writings, on one condition."
Meadow nodded her head enthusiastically awaiting the condition.
"You cannot tell anyone about it. You can't tell them or show them my stories."
Meadow looked at the papers in Harriets hands and debated.
"I promise, but I hope that you will share your stories with everyone eventually. I'll help you spread them so everyone can read them, and you can use a pen name if you're embarrassed to have your name associated with the stories. But I think everyone should get a chance to read your stories. I can't help but feel sad to think if I am the only one who gets to read them."
Harriet looked at Meadow in shock after Meadow took the papers from her and hugged them dearly. Harriet could feel Meadow's sincerity--- that she truly treasured her writing for some reason.
"Also, Thank you for trusting me with your treasure. I promise to keep it safe!"
Meadow grinned widely at Harriet and ran off with the papers to go read them.
***************************
It is nearing Meadow's fifth birthday. Meadow is currently chasing down her father who is ignoring her pleading for her father to get her a wooden sword for her birthday.
"Daddy, can I please get a wooden sword? Please! Pretty Please! I just want a wooden sword!"
"No, my princess doesn't need a wooden sword. Her daddy will protect her. My princess only needs to play and eat well. So stop with this nonsense."
"But daddy, I need to be strong enough to protect myself. What about the times you can't be there to protect me?"
"That's crazy talk. I'll alway be there to protect my little girl"
"But there are times when you won't be there. Like when I go to the academy. The academy won't let you follow me to the academy."
"Well, your brother can protect you there. Plus, who says you are going to the academy. That's such a way away."
"But if I don't start training now, I won't be able to protect myself at that age. The earlier I start the stronger I will be."
" I said no, Meadow. I don't want my little girl covered in bruises just in the pursuit of strength."
Meadow's father finished before storming off without letting Meadow get another word in. In another room far away from Meadow and her antics. Her father looked down into the training field.
He spots Leopold training with his sword as Oswald lays on a bench watching lazily.
'I can feel that there is a war brewing. With great strength comes responsibility. If I let Meadow start training and she proves talented in sword as well as magic, the other nobles will demand her to perform her noble duties and protect this country. I already fear for my son's, I don't think I could bear having another one of my children be dragged into an uncertain war.'
Hayes sighed. 'But knowing Meadow, she won't give up on this. I swear she is so stubborn. I don't know where she gets it from.'
While her father is contemplating letting Meadow train with a sword, Meadow had run off to her mother to complain.
"Mother, why won't father let me get a sword? He's being so stubborn about it."
Meadow was sitting across from her mom eating some sweets and sipping some tea. Her mother could tell that Meadow was really upset as she was not doing her usual happy dance when eating the sweets. She was eating each bite angrily, forgetting to enjoy it.
"Because your father just wants to protect you and for you to be safe and happy."
"But I want to be able to protect myself and a sword will help me do that."
"Meadow, let this go and trust your father's decision."
"Fine."
Meadow said, after realizing her mom was not going to help. She hops off the chair and leaves the room. 'I will solve this myself. I'll make him give me a sword.' Meadow thought to herself as she left the room.
'Now who is the stubborn one.' Her mother sighed internally, seeing as her daughter was not going to let this go.
Her mother was right as for when the family had dinner together, both Meadow and her husband seemed to avoid looking at each other.
Leopold, noticing Meadow seemed upset as she was picking at her food, decided to ask, not realizing he had fallen into Meadow's trap.
"Meadow, is something wrong? You keep picking at your food."
"sigh... it's nothing…"
Meadow sighed, acting really sad, watching her father flinch in the corner of her eye.
"If something is wrong you can tell me, Meadow. Maybe I can help."
"Well..it just that…" Meadow paused and peaked at her father. Their eyes met and her father looked away guiltily. "I really want a sword, but father said no."
"Really? Why do you want a sword?"
"So, I can protect myself."
'But, why? I will protect you Meadow, you won't need a sword if you got me."
Meadow who thought she would successfully manipulate the situation to her outcome was sorely mistaken. She had forgotten that her dad and older brother were alike in that aspect.
"Ha! See Meadow, even your brother agrees with me. You don't need a sword, we will protect you."
"But there is no guarantee you will always be there to protect me. I want to be strong enough to protect myself. Are you expecting to always protect me?"
"Always."
"Yes."
They both answered in unison.
"Pftt." Oswald snickered, as he knew exactly what Meadow was trying to do. He couldn't help but laugh as her plan blew up in her face.
However Meadow had a plan B up her sleeve.
"Sigh…I guess I can give up the sword if you are determined… Instead, I will focus on finding someone strong to protect me when my family can't. I'll marry the strongest knight in Grandeur."
Meadow shouted excitedly, sounding almost happy to give up the sword. Shortly after the sound of glass shattering and a fork drop filled the room.