It was a cold December night. My father had called for me. And as I came down I had a strange feeling, a bad feeling. "Elinore dear, you are to marry Prince Phillip, it is the only way for us to gather the money we need for the people of Luminara." I felt my stomach drop, I didn't want to marry someone I had never met before.
"But father, this isn't fair! Why?" This wasn't his choice to make, how could he. "It's what we have to do, be brave dear." " I won't partake in this, it is your fault that our people suffer!" Just then he hit me.Then a long silent pause as workers staired, and I looked up at him. I ran away to my room crying. I knew that there wasn't a way for me to escape my fate.
I want to escape, I need to escape, I thought. So in an effort to have some sort of hope, I begane planning. If I waited long enough into the night I could sneak down the stairs, and finally get out of the castle without raising suspicion. I packed money and a coat. I couldn't really pack mutch so I figured that I would buy anything I needed.
I decided since I didn't want to make a big fuss, that I would go to one last family dinner.
My mother greeted me with a cautious voice. " Hello dear, would you like some bread?" " sure.." I plated the rest of my food and hid some bread in my pocket for later. "Ellie do this for the benefit of our kingdom, he's a nice wealthy young ma-" Don't start, Have you even met him?! How would you know if he's nice!"
My mother calmed me by grabbing my arm. I spent the rest of dinner silent.
Once night fell, I waited, lying awake in my bed. It must have been 3 hours that had passed doing nothing but sitting in my thoughts.
Will I regret not saying goodbye to my family? Will I even make it past the gates? What will my life be like if I decide to stay?
It was time I had to go. I climbed out of bed, grabbed my belongings and snuck down the stairs. I moved quietly so as to not wake anyone or alarm the staff, but quickly so I could head on my journey.
As I was making my way down the last flight of stairs I heard some people shifting about the castle. No one should have been awake at this hour. What will I do if they see me?
I began listening to see If I could figure out who it was. " We can take your bags, your highness," Said Tillie, one of the maids.
I realized that it was Prince Philip. He is the man I'm supposed to marry. What should I do? What should I do? Suddenly footsteps, coming up the stairs. I turned to run back to my room but the staff were blocking my way and I had nowhere to go. I had no time to think through a good plan, so I blew out the candles lighting up the hallway and tucked myself into a corner behind a small statue that really didn't cover me much, hoping no one would see me. The staff had reached the floor of the castle I was on. They had candles they were holding.
No , they're going to see me. " Sorry it's so dark, your highness some of the candles must have gotten blown out." As they walked past I swear me and the prince made eye contact. Yet he didn't say anything. Did he know who I was? He must have, right? I waited a few minutes before I made my way out.
I checked my surroundings before I escaped through the doors, I saw no one, though I felt that someone was watching me. I figured it was just in my head so I made my way out the doors. I still had to make it out of the gates. There are a lot of guards there, I knew this was going to be the trickiest part of the whole escape. I ran to a patch of trees and weaved my way through. I had to stop about 20 yards from the gate so I could see the best route out. As I studied the surrounding area I saw a tall man walking in my direction. No one saw me leave? How does he know where I am? Who is this? I turned away for a second and the man was gone. This must all be in my head. I thought to myself.
Just then I figured out a way to escape. I kept crawling my way through the woods to the very edge where there was still some coverage. I began to walk along the wall to an empty section of the gates, where there weren't many guards nearby. There were vines hanging down the wall and a beautiful willow tree. I love willow trees. My plan was to climb the tree as high as I could and climb the rest of the way. I made it about half way up when I heard branches snapping, and leaves rustling. Someone was walking my way. I quickly twisted around but no one was there.
What is up with me, why am I so worried about this? Even if I do get caught my punishment won't be harsh? But I'll also have to marry someone I don't know. All these thoughts went through my head as I kept climbing.
Then I reached the wall. As I climbed the stone it felt cold and rough on my hands. It was so peaceful this time of night, quiet, a little chilly but it wasn't uncomfortable. Once I was at the top of the stone gate I sat there for a minute admiring the beautiful night sky. The sounds that I heard were so peaceful as I sat there.
As beautiful as this was, I had to get going. Just as I was about to go, a tall man climbed up on the wall where I sat. It was Prince phillip. "You've come to escape as well I see." I wasn't sure what to say, part of me felt bad. I mean we are supposed to be getting married soon and I'm running away.