Once Upon a Time

    Once upon a time, there was a little girl. Her name was Abigail, and she had spent her whole life in the clutches of a wicked man whom she called her master. No one knew who she was or where she had come from but all that seemed to matter now was her life of misery and sin. Abigail had never know the beauty and freedom of life. She had never looked for something better because she did not know that anything better existed. But this was all about to change.
    One day, when Abigail was of age to be married a splendid thing happened. At least, you and I would think it splendid, but Abigail was only scared, and a little cross.What happened was this; a beautiful white carriage drawn by six pure white horses pulled up in front of her and stopped. Out stepped a man who seemed old, yet his face was young. He looked right at Abigail who only glared back and gathered her shawl more closely about her. The man bowed respectfully, as a courtier would before and queen and delivered his message. 
    "The King has taken great delight in you, O favored one, and desires you to become the wife of his son. With your consent you will be taken to the capital to be made ready to be a bride."
    Abigail stood in scornful silence listening to the old man but not fully understanding what he said but knowing that she wanted nothing to do with any of it. When he concluded raucous laughter filled the air."What makes you think I want to marry your prince? I hate him! What does he care for me? Leave me."
    "As you wish" the man bowed, entered the carriage and rode away.
   That day wore on like all the others in her life and Abigail gave no thought to her mornings visitor. That evening, as the sun began to sink behind the western hills, to her surprise there came another messenger from the palace. This time it was only a common page but what he bore was truly marvelous. A bouquet of flowers, more beautiful than any you have ever seen. Their fragrance filled the air and the scent brought visions of splendid gardens, of which these flowers were only a small offering.
    Abigail tried to ignore the page but he, very respectfully, placed the flowers in her hand and said, "From your Prince. The best and fairest of the palace gardens." and then quietly walked away. The flowers were certainly very lovely, but they only made Abigail more angry. She flung them on the ground, where they were soon trampled, though the fragrance of the crushed blossoms remained for many hours.
   The next day the sun rose in a glory of color and cast a warm glow over all the earth. For the first time Abigail noticed the beauty of a summer morning when all is yet still; but as yet this was only a faint glimmer in her heart. She scarcely felt it herself, but a tiny smile formed on her lips in response.
    That day her master beat her unmercifully. Tears mixed with blood as she ran from the house, fleeing her cruel master. She had not gone far when she ran against another messenger. This time is was a shy little girl who said nothing, merely handing her a thick letter before skipping away. Abigail, curious as to what the letter might say, opened it cautiously and began to read.
    Inside, addressed to her, were the most beautiful words ever written. This prince, whom she had rejected so angrily, expressed great love and constancy, praising her beauty and speaking of his great desires to marry her. Light began to show on her face, but then, doubt entered. This could not be for her. She, whom everyone else despised, was not worthy of such love. There must be some mistake. Slowly, she folded the letter and pressed it to her bosom. Nothing could ever change now, but she wished she had not answered the old man so harshly.
    Day after day, more messengers came to Abigail, all bringing with them some token of the Prince's love. Slowly, with many days of doubt and grief, Abigail began to believe that all was true. Maybe, just maybe, she was loved. There was hope for an escape from this bondage that she lived in; which was now odious beyond comparison in her eyes. She began to wait for the love-tokens with great anticipation and to think of the Prince all through the day.
    Finally, she decided. Tonight she would flee her master and go to this man. She could not live away from him any longer. She was her beloveds and her beloved was hers.
    As the sun set and darkness filled the house, Abigail trembled with anticipation. She lay in bed waiting for all to be still. Quietly, she rose, and crept down the stairs. Only one more hallway and the door and she would be free. Free forever from this horrid place and her cruel master. Free also to serve in love the new master that awaited her. 
    There, she stood before the door and listened again for any sound that she had been betrayed. She reached out her hand for the door. Just as she touched the knob, another hand reached from behind, gripped her shoulder and spun her around.
    "So, you thought you were going to escape did you?" Her master's fingers bite into her shoulder as he leaned forward and leered into her face. "Never! You will never be free. Do you think that I have been blind to all these "King's messengers" coming to you? And you, only biding your time until you could escape. Well, it is over. Get back to your room and never let me catch you at such tricks again!"
    He shoved Abigail away from him and she fell heavily against the stairs. Her master came towards her and as she began to lose consciousness she cried out, "Oh my Lord, my Prince! If you ever loved me, help me now! Save me in my distress".
    Hardly had the words passed her lips when a noise was heard, as of distant thunder. Quickly it came nearer and her master stopped to listen. Then, knowing his time to be short, he rushed on Abigail and began to beat her cruelly.
    Suddenly, the door was flung wide open and a man, more beautiful, more terrible, and more wonderful than anything Abigail had ever imagined stood in the doorway. As he entered, her master stopped beating her but still grasped her by the arm. Rage and terror were mingled in his face as he looked at the Prince. 
    "Let go your hold on that woman!" The man's voice thundered through the house. "She is no longer under your authority and you have no right to touch her." Abigail's former master was now past all reason. With hatred in his eyes he rushed at the Prince. In one swift movement the Prince drew his sword and the cruel tyrant lay dead at his feet.
    Turning from the dead man, the Prince knelt beside Abigail and gathered her tenderly in his arms. Abigail smiled faintly as she looked into his face, a moment ago so terrible, and now with such a gentle, loving look. "You came" she whispered.
    "Yes, my darling, I came. But more must be done if you are to live. Take my hand. Your dead master beat you nearly to death and only new life will restore you."
    Not quite understanding, Abigail took his hand and immediately felt  life flowing through it into her. Life such as she had never experienced before coursed through her veins. Vibrant, joyous and pure it swelled in her and made her wish to sing and dance. She rose to her feet and turned to look at her Lord.
    What she saw made her heart stop beating. The Prince seemed suddenly weak and pale. He leaned against the wall and made no effort to rise. She sprang to his side and lowered his head into her lap. "My beloved, my darling, what is wrong?" Frantically she tried to revive him, but is was already too late. He smiled one last smile into her eyes and lay dead before her.
    Abigail bent over him and cried tears such as she had never cried before. They burned her face as they fell and did not relieve the great sorrow that now overwhelmed her heart. Just as she realized how precious to her the Prince was, he was dead. Because of her. He had died in her stead. Her tears ceased and for two days all was still.
    On the third morning, a small breath of air touched Abigail's face. She stirred and saw the sun just beginning to peek over the mountains. Diamonds seemed to sparkle in the grass as the dew reflected the light. The shadows grew short and then disappeared as the sun rose above the mountains and flooded the valley with light.
    Despite the great sadness in her, the new life in Abigail stirred in response to such beauty. Gently, she rested the Prince and the ground and then rose and walked to the door. Far in the distance she discerned movement along the road. As it came closer she saw that it was a carriage, and with wonder recognized the very carriage that had brought the old man with the first message long ago.
    The carriage pulled to a stop in front of Abigail and the old man alighted. "Peace be unto you, my lady. Your waiting and sorrowing are over. Enter into the joy of the Lord."
    "But Sir, how can I enter into that joy when my Lord lies dead?"
    "Turn and look!"
    Abigail turned and, wonder of wonders! before her stood the Prince. Strong and terrible as before but with such a light in his eyes as nearly dazzled her. She stood, lost in wonder and amazement while the old man spoke again. 
    "He had fulfilled the will of his father the King. He has chosen and redeemed a bride for himself and shall now receive the kingdom. Come, the marriage supper is ready. Enter into the joy of the Lord!"