A Tale of Two Kingdoms (complete)

A Tale of Two Kingdoms

Complete

K: King’s Choices

April 13, a long time ago

Dear Father,

I don’t get it. I’ve been doing a lot of reading and research on princesses and marriages and such. Why is it always the youngest daughter who is the prettiest and the kindest and the one that gets the best pick at who they marry? It’s not fair. And why is it that most kings only have three daughters? What’s wrong with sticking to one daughter or having more than three. And let me also mention having no brothers. Very few stories have kings with multi-gendered offspring. 

Almost everything I’ve read says that the oldest child is always the mean, selfish, and bossy one. Okay, that makes some sense, since they have younger siblings to boss around and pretty much got what they wanted until other kids entered the picture. 

And then there’s the youngest child. In stories, they are the ones that are always doted on and loved the most. Based on my research of real families, the youngest children are always very demanding of things they want and manipulative. Their parents are either too tired after having raised two others and will let them get away with anything or give in to their darling babies’ requests, believing them the latest and greatest. In the real world, they are not the sweet innocents of folklore.

And the middle child, which is what I am, are the ones that are always neglected in real life once the third child arrives. Caught in the middle so to speak. That’s reality. Middle children should not be lumped in with the oldest child as being mean and ugly. The stories have it all wrong. We are the most deserving of all the best choices and privileges. But instead, the oldest and youngest get all the perks.

Let me remind you that looks aren’t everything. It’s always – “I will give away my beautiful daughter in marriage and my kingdom to the prince or whoever completes this nearly impossible task.” Is there a manual for rulers that contains lists of impossible tasks to give out and stupid rewards like giving away your child or your kingdom? I may not be the prettiest of the three of us, but I’m a hell of a lot smarter than my sisters. I’m also quite adept at coming up with solutions to problems that you might have, like getting rid of giants or how to deal with evil sorcerers. 

Whatever happened to free will and the right to one’s own sovereignty? Shouldn’t we get to choose our destiny? After all, maybe I want to marry a peasant,  another princess, or not get married at all. Why don’t I get the kingdom? What’s with giving it to the men all of the time? I am related by blood.

So there you have it, father. It’s time for you to get real. Think of this letter as a warning sign from one of your fervent advisors. It’s time for you to recognize ME. Because if you don’t, this clever lady just might have an impossible task for some other queen, princess, or peasant to solve, with you as the reward. I’ll still keep the kingdom. I don’t think mother would be too pleased with that.

Your loving daughter,

Princess Number 2.

This story continues Q: Queen’s Quandry

—————–

Q: Queen’s Quandry (Quandary)

April 20, a long time ago

Dear Mother,

I’ve heard all of the stories about my older brother’s birth. How grandfather lied to father, how father demanded you to spin straw into gold, how some strange little man, whose name I can’t remember, something like Uncle Pimpleskin, did the spinning for you then demanded that you give my oldest brother to him on my brother’s birth unless you guessed the little man’s name, which you did. Not that I believe any of it. It’s just a story grandfather must have made up. If it’s true, whatever happened to all this golden straw, that greedy father made you spin? Years from now no one will even remember the story. 

My problem is how you dote on my brother using that story. He was saved from evil. He was blessed by a messenger of God giving you the name of the little man. It was my brother’s birth that saved your marriage. And your doting has not changed. He gets to marry the pick of the princesses. You’ll just throw a Ball in his honor and let him choose. I hope he gets stuck with a poor, ragged, house cleaner. 

Of course, then I came along; your second son. Did you have any stories about my birth? No. Do you even remember my name? No, you don’t, because you never named me. I believe my name might be, “younger brother”, after all, that is what you always refer to me to your precious firstborn. “Go get your younger brother.” or “Tell your brother it’s time for supper.” “I wish your younger brother would be more like you.”

I’ve been doing a lot of reading and research on princes. I’ve noticed that a lot of stories about them only refer to them by title, not name. Is that where you got the idea? Add to that they are always handsome and win the hand of some beautiful princess that they either rescue, uncover hiding under their noses, or complete some impossible task and get them as a prize.

Let me remind you that looks aren’t everything. And that princesses are not prizes to give away. Nor are princes, who you can just throw into a Ball full of single women, who only want to marry them for the fame and power, and tell them to pick one. See how that works out with my brother. We may not be the prettiest bachelors in the bunch, but some of us have brains. Has my brother ever read a book? 

Women should have the right to choose who they would like to marry, based on the person’s qualities as a human, not because someone says, “You’re mine.” Game over.

And princes are humans too. It’s okay to have galas to meet other people, but don’t set up any expectations ahead of time. In my case, not that you ever thought of throwing a Ball for me, maybe I want to marry a peasant, or another prince, or not get married at all. Maybe I don’t want to grow up to be a king, though I’m sure you’ve already slated my brother for that. Maybe I want to just settle down on a nice farm and raise and rescue stray animals. I’d like to hear you make up a story about that!

So there you have it, mother. It’s time for you to get real. Think of this letter as a warning sign from one of your fervent advisors. It’s time for you to recognize ME. Either you allow me to go out on my own and seek out my future, or this clever lad will start up a story about you, just like grandfather did. Only in this story you and my brother may not come out as well. I don’t think father will be too pleased with that.

Your other son,

Younger Brother

This story will continue in S: Seeking Out.

S: Seeking Out

May, a long time ago

Dear Number 2,

I read with interest the proclamation by your Queen, of your interest in meeting other people. She described you as average height, pleasant to look at, and clever, with many ideas about what one should look for in a friend. That intrigued me. 

That seems quite atypical of Queens in general. My research shows that they only look out for the best women for a specific Prince of theirs. That is if they have any more than one son. I was taken to understand that you were not the favored son. 

I find myself in a somewhat similar situation as the second of three.

I would like to meet you, for you sound like an interesting person. I would like to discuss some of your ideas.

With interest,

You can call me Middle one. 

——————

A little later in May, a long time ago

Dear Number 2,

I so enjoyed meeting you. The tour you gave me of your royal garden was fascinating. I can’t believe your royal gardener has planted so many non-native plants in the royal garden. Your point of view on what should be grown there matches my own. 

I’m sorry to hear that you have no given name. Though I do have a given name, Luna, no one in my family uses it. Maybe the next time we meet, we can compare some of our Prince and Princess research, and come up with a name for you. What do you think of the name Samson?

Till we meet again.

Your friend,

Luna

—————

This will be continued in U: United

U: United

May, a long time ago

Dear Middle One,

Your letter has intrigued me. If you say that you are in a similar situation as myself, then yes, we must meet. I would suggest a meeting outside my mother’s palace. You may have heard the stories about her and my father and a roguish imp called something like, Pumple Inkskin. A total fabrication as far as I’m concerned. Why don’t we meet in the Royal Garden, where we can discuss our points of view. 

Let’s say, next week at noon.

Looking forward to our meeting,

Prince Number 2

————-

Late July, a long time ago

My Dearest Luna,

These past few weeks have passed too quickly. Our discussions of life and happiness and the future together fill my heart with joy. I am so glad that you have agreed that we should wed. There is a plot of land between our two kingdoms, where we can settle and build that garden of native plants and flowers, and that animal sanctuary we both dream of. Together we can leave these castles of royalty and privilege and create a home as we see fit unencumbered by archaic rules and expectations. Where we coexist as equals, with respect, kindness, and love as we work together to make a better world for ourselves and others.

Let the Kings and Queens do as they wish with their lands and people. I feel sad for the people that stay, for it is they that will suffer the most, ruled by our parents and my older brother and his wife, Cinderhella, and your youngest sister and her husband, Prince Arming (I think you called him),  who will be next in line for their respective thrones. 

Let us leave that behind. To our unity, I pledge all of my love.

Forever yours,

Samson

This will be concluded in X: Exes

———-

X: eXes

April, a long time ago (10 years later)

Dear People of the Two Kingdoms,

This war is finally over. There have been many losses, but you have won your freedom. Our parents who had ruled for so long had passed on quite mysteriously, leaving each kingdom with our siblings and their spouses as rulers. It is they that share the blame for the conditions that you were put in which caused this war. Their greed for wealth and power at the cost of your lives was unacceptable. Having left the kingdoms, Luna and I could do nothing to stop it. Our goal was to work with what we had and make our lives better than how we were brought up, which we did on our sanctuary farm. We watched from afar with much sadness. Our hearts were with you and whatever needs we could supply to you we did. 

Queen Cinderhella and King Arming, having failed here, have left their spouses and even now wander to seek other kingdoms to conquer. My brother and Samson’s sister have also departed to parts unknown, in disgrace, for what they let happen, leaving both kingdoms without a leader. 

You have reached out to us to take the mantle of control of both kingdoms and rule over them as one. We appreciate that you trust us and our views to want us to be your king and queen. But we must refuse. The time for Kings and Queens and rulers for life, based on bloodlines must end. It is time for you to stand up for yourselves. Select leaders that reflect your wants and needs. Note that over time wants and needs will change, so make sure that the leaders you choose follow that change. No leader should have a permanent position for life, no matter how good they are. 

Educate your youth in the ways of the world. Let them learn how to think for themselves and learn from their experiences. Teach them how to listen to others and separate fact from fiction. They will be the ones that follow in your footsteps. They will be the ones that have to live in the world you create or destroy. So make sure they know how to think. 

Though we refuse to be your King and Queen, we will not abandon you. We will be there to advise you as you take that next step. We will remain here at our Sanctuary should you need us. 

Be well in your endeavors. 

Your loyal friend,

Samson

April, a long time ago (5 years later)

Dear Citizens of Selat,

You have done well. The ex-Kingdoms and rulers that led you astray exist no more. Your new Republic of Selat is prospering.  We are proud of the system of leadership you have devised. Electing your leaders by the people, in which all people can vote is a unique and wonderful idea. Demanding liberty, justice, and equality for all regardless of differences will be what keeps you strong. Your model will be trusted by not only your people but people from other kingdoms around the world. 

The system of education for your young and the opportunities that allow them to reach their fullest potential, that you have begun, is a credit to all your hard work and thoughtfulness.

We are proud to be part of your republic. We are glad that you share our concern for this world we live in and all its living inhabitants.

We have helped you along the way, but must now let you stand on your own two feet as you go on. Note that we will always be here if needed. We respect you for all that you have accomplished and trust that you will do well as the years go on. Continue on the path that you follow. May it bring you much joy and happiness. 

With much affection,

Citizens Luna and Samson

Thus ends the Tale of Two Kingdoms…or is it just the beginning?