Bedtime Story II

Anna had been in the dungeon for a solid month. To say that this existence was boring would be to state the obvious. To say that this existence was confining would be to state the obvious again. To say that Anna was lonely should be stating the obvious but I am happy to say that was not the case. During the month the staff would visit Anna in secret and keep her spirits up. She was fed regular meals, which was still better than being out of the street and she kept up her strength by using the chains as resistence weights.

One day the prince decided to come and see her to evaluate whether she had learned her lesson or not. "So" the prince asked, "Have you learned you lesson or not?"

"Yes my Lord" Anna replied, "Always remember your place."

A smile cam upon the princes face. "You have learned. That is splendid. I would command you to marry me but then all the gossip and the rumors that would fly around. It just won't do." The prince seemed to be talking to himself more than he was talking to Anna. "I know" he said finally, "I shall send you on a trip. Would you like to go on a trip? A one-way trip? to the other side of the world? by yourself? Doesn't that sound wonderful?"

"You are too kind, my Lord" was Anna's reply.

So the arrangements were made for Anna to go on a one way trip. This would permanently remove Anna from the Kingdom, resolving the Prince's social issues. Anna was sent with a trader who was heading east, into territory that was know for it's danger. The trader told Anna that those were only rumors and that he had made the trip a hundred times without incident. Anna was made to walk alongside the caravan carrying goods that were going to be traded.

Anna walked for what seemed like days upon days and like the trader said, there was no incident. The hot sun beat down on her and she started to get dehydrated and weary. The trader seemed to be completely oblivious to Anna's condition and in good spirits when suddenly, the caravan was decended upon by ruffians. When the trader saw the ruffians, he seemed completely unconcerned, to Anna surprise. When the ruffians came upon the caravan, the man who was in charge greeted the trader warmly. "So how are you doing, you old war dog you?" he said upon meeting the trader.

"I'm doing as well as can be expected," the trader replied, passing out some ale to the ruffian and his men. "You are quite the host" The man who was in charge said. "You are welcome to pass this way any time you like."

"I have something else for you" the trader said."

"You mean a gift?" the man responded, "You shouldn't have. What is it?"

The trader called Anna, who the men for some reason hadn't noticed before now.

"I'm suppose to take her to the other side of the world, but it's too much bother. So I thought I'd just let you guys have her, since you've been so nice to me over the years." the trader explained.

The man in charge look over Anna like he was examining a cut of beef. "Well, She's nice to look at, but can she wash clothes and cook." the man asked.

"I have no idea." the trader responded, "She was a servant at the castle so I suppose she had to know how to do some kind of work while she was there."

The man in charge addressed Anna next, "We'll missy, can you cook or not?" the man demanded.

"I can cut onions" Anna responded sheepishly.

"We'll that's good enough for us." the man said, "We'll take her off your hands."

"I am much obliged." the trader said and went on his way.

Anna followed the men back to there camp where a huge pile of laundry was waiting to be washed. "You can start by washing our laundry." The said in a polite but stern manner. "If you want to try running, the woods are full of ferocious animals that would love to have you for a snack."

"I'm not afraid of you" Anna declared.

"It's not us you should be afriad of. It's the ferocious animals." the man shot back.

Anna spent many months with the ruffians. While they raided travellers and lightened thier loads, Anna washed dished and learned to cook. If wasn't too long before Anna was perparing meals fit for the king himself. As a reward for her faithful service, Instead of having to sleep in the common area, she got private quarters. All the men adored her and made sure that nothing unfortunate happened to her. She was adapting to her new life surprsing well and was for the first time in her life, quite happy with her circumstances.

After some time had passed, the man in charge grew very fond of Anna indeed. He wanted to marry her and so one night he made his proposal.

"Anna," he said, "you have been a great help to us. I have been impressed with the way you handle yourself. It is my intention to make you my wife. The men adore you and would follow you anywhere. You could be queen of the entire forest. What do you say?"

Anna thought for a moment. She could have everything she ever wanted here in the forest with these outlaws. Everything that is except love. She didin't love the man in charge. She thought over her response carefully and finally said, "I am sorry but I cannot marry a man that I don't love." The man's countenance fell but he responded, "I can respect that."

The next day Anna found herself tied up in a canoe, floating down the river for humilitating the man in charge in front of his men.

That's the end for now. Good night everyone!