As much as she might wish to be, Lizzie Tesch is not a pirate, and she’s not from a magical little town called Storybrooke. She claims that she is from Seymour, Wisconsin, but Lizzie actually lives in the music building lobby at Saint Norbert College. She has as many as four hundred different interests and areas of study, some of those being, Disney, pirates, “good form,” turkey shawarma, and the Irish culture. The following fairy tale draws from a variety of influences, and shows how the lives of two young people are changed when destiny comes calling.
Rachel School
Rachel School
Hope
By Lizzie Tesch
We have all heard the stories. The tales of the prince and the princess, facing off against an evil queen or a stepmother or something like that. We have heard of strange lands and far off places that lie beyond the stars; magical beings that can grant your every wish or terrorize you with their powers; sleeping curses and true love’s kiss, more powerful than any spell. But this is a rather ordinary tale, with very little magic to speak of, although it is about a prince and a princess and an awfully terrible king.
For as long as anyone could remember, the Wicked King ruled over the land with an iron fist. He had gained his power through trickery, fooling the people of his kingdom by playing two sides. In front of them he would play the part of the honorable king, but behind the walls of his castle, he would not hesitate to punish anyone who went against him, simply saying “Away with them!” What happened to the poor souls he sent away, no one knew, but one could not assume it was a pleasant trip, and they were never seen again.
Now, in this castle also lived his niece, a fair princess with the most beautiful golden hair and deep brown eyes. Her late parents had named her Hope, for she was born during a time of difficult war; the only brightness in the dark world that surrounded them. Hope was kind to all and was loved for the beautiful songs she would sing. However, she was not without fault, especially in the eyes of the King. Hope, although still a princess, preferred to spend her time with the villagers, with her people. Most did not know of her lineage, as they assumed the princess had perished along with her parents in the devastating fire or was locked away in the castle, overcome with grief, and her ragged dress and simple braids made her appear only as a commoner. Still, she would spend her days working alongside them, and it was through these tasks that she found herself in the company of her two closest friends, Carmen and Charlotte.
But this was not the weakness the King saw in her. When she would return to the castle at night, Hope would request food or help for the villagers, as being around them each day, she could see their struggles and only wanted what was best for them. The Wicked King, however, would refuse her requests, sending her off to her bedchamber. Eventually, Hope refused to take no for an answer, and began to steal food from the kitchens, and plead for others to come with her to the village to help those in need. For many years, the King was none the wiser.
It was a beautiful morning when Hope walked along the streets with the young children of the village, singing a wonderful song, that a young man stopped her. “Milady,” he spoke, an accent lilting his voice as he bowed towards her, “if I may ask, what is your name?”
“And why would a young man such as yourself wish to know my name?” she asked, glancing at him with a slight smile. The man was dressed in fine clothing fit for sailing on a long journey, but fine enough for a Prince. His hair was dark, but his eyes were the brightest blue she had ever seen. “I am nothing but a commoner” she continued, playing her part well.
“Because you sing so beautifully, and you care so much for these young children. Surely they are not all yours?” he laughed. “I feel it only right for me to know the name of the young woman who has enchanted me so.”
With another small smile and a curtsey she told him, “Hope. And what might your name be?”
“Evan” he replied simply. “Although most tend to tack on a ‘Prince’ before it” he laughed, and Hope found herself doing the same. “That is not of importance however, as while my parents sent me here to find the young princess, surely she cannot be as wonderful as you.”
“You hardly know me, but I thank you.” Just then, one of the children rushed up to her, asking her to hurry, as his mother was sick. The young boy grabbed her hand and dragged her off as she flashed the prince another smile.
Over the next few weeks, she saw Prince Evan time and time again. He began to make it a habit to join her on her outings with the children, and they spent each afternoon in the meadow at the edge of the village. Hope’s friends became Evan’s friends, and as time went on, they grew fond of one another. Some, who have heard stories such as this before, might call it love, but Hope still had her secrets. The Prince could never know of her true identity, for she knew that if he approached the Wicked King for her hand, he would be sent off as the rest. The only people who knew were the castle servants, Carmen and Charlotte. And therefore, no matter her feelings for the young Prince, Hope knew they could never be together. It was with this in mind that she cherished each moment they spent together in the village.
Unfortunately, the Wicked King had finally caught up to his niece. A faithful servant to the King had seen Hope stealing food from the kitchen, and had noticed the mysterious absence of some who worked in the castle. Furious, the King ordered the guards to retrieve Hope from the village, where he was sure she would be hiding. On this particular day, she was with her friends, helping with the wash, when they seized her.
Later that afternoon, Evan waited for her in the meadow, but Hope never came. Nor did she the next day, or the one after that. Soon, distraught by the strange disappearance, the prince went to the castle, where he met with the King, asking about a young girl named Hope. The Wicked King only laughed, “Hope is no longer here. The Princess has been sent away to a place where she can never again cause harm to this village.”
“Princess?” Evan asked. “Hope is not a princess.”
“It seems the young girl has lied to you my dear Prince. Why then would you want someone like her to love you, if she tells nothing but lies! She steals from my stores! She tricks my staff! She has the village wrapped around her little finger, but in reality, she is the one who sends people away to their death. Not me! She plays her role as a villager to trick them into her trap.”
“That can’t be true! You must talk of a different…”
The King cut him off, “Does she have beautiful golden hair and deep brown eyes?”
“She does.” He nodded.
“Does she wear her hair in braids and wear rags made of white and blue?” Again the prince nodded. “And tell me, Prince, does she spend her time with the children of the village? Earning their trust and love?” Once again, Evan could do nothing but nod. “Then you cannot deny that we are talking of the same girl. As I said, she has been taken care of. She will not hurt my kingdom again.”
Confused and frightened, Evan left the castle as he headed back towards the ship that would return him to his realm. But before he could set sail, Carmen and Charlotte appeared. “Evan! Wait!” Carmen called out. “You mustn’t leave! Hope! She’s in trouble!”
He shook his head quickly, “You tell nothing but lies. The King has told me of Hope’s real identity, of how she lies and steals and cheats and murders.”
“You are talking nonsense!” Charlotte replied to him. “Come. Come with us, quickly. The King is the Wicked one. Hope spent her life outside of the castle because she is kind and caring enough to do so, just as her parents did before her. Nothing like the man that rules over us now. He appears to be telling the truth, but trust us, he walks the way of dishonor.”
“And how can I be certain you speak the truth?”
“You cannot” Carmen admitted. “You just have to trust us. Take a leap of faith. Hope needs your help.”
Finally he accepted their pleas, “If what you tell me is true, where do I find her?” With a wave of their hands, Carmen and Charlotte led him deep into the forest where Hope lay on the bed of a small cottage, her skin was white, her golden hair flowing around her on the sheets. She was still wearing her ragged clothing, and in every way, appeared to be dead. “What can I do?” Evan asked. “She is dead. The King said…”
“True love’s kiss” Carmen replied simply.
Realization dawned on his face and he moved closer to the bed, going down on one knee next to her as he lightly ran his fingers through her hair.
And then, after a whispered “I love you,” he kissed her.
For as long as anyone could remember, the Wicked King ruled over the land with an iron fist. He had gained his power through trickery, fooling the people of his kingdom by playing two sides. In front of them he would play the part of the honorable king, but behind the walls of his castle, he would not hesitate to punish anyone who went against him, simply saying “Away with them!” What happened to the poor souls he sent away, no one knew, but one could not assume it was a pleasant trip, and they were never seen again.
Now, in this castle also lived his niece, a fair princess with the most beautiful golden hair and deep brown eyes. Her late parents had named her Hope, for she was born during a time of difficult war; the only brightness in the dark world that surrounded them. Hope was kind to all and was loved for the beautiful songs she would sing. However, she was not without fault, especially in the eyes of the King. Hope, although still a princess, preferred to spend her time with the villagers, with her people. Most did not know of her lineage, as they assumed the princess had perished along with her parents in the devastating fire or was locked away in the castle, overcome with grief, and her ragged dress and simple braids made her appear only as a commoner. Still, she would spend her days working alongside them, and it was through these tasks that she found herself in the company of her two closest friends, Carmen and Charlotte.
But this was not the weakness the King saw in her. When she would return to the castle at night, Hope would request food or help for the villagers, as being around them each day, she could see their struggles and only wanted what was best for them. The Wicked King, however, would refuse her requests, sending her off to her bedchamber. Eventually, Hope refused to take no for an answer, and began to steal food from the kitchens, and plead for others to come with her to the village to help those in need. For many years, the King was none the wiser.
It was a beautiful morning when Hope walked along the streets with the young children of the village, singing a wonderful song, that a young man stopped her. “Milady,” he spoke, an accent lilting his voice as he bowed towards her, “if I may ask, what is your name?”
“And why would a young man such as yourself wish to know my name?” she asked, glancing at him with a slight smile. The man was dressed in fine clothing fit for sailing on a long journey, but fine enough for a Prince. His hair was dark, but his eyes were the brightest blue she had ever seen. “I am nothing but a commoner” she continued, playing her part well.
“Because you sing so beautifully, and you care so much for these young children. Surely they are not all yours?” he laughed. “I feel it only right for me to know the name of the young woman who has enchanted me so.”
With another small smile and a curtsey she told him, “Hope. And what might your name be?”
“Evan” he replied simply. “Although most tend to tack on a ‘Prince’ before it” he laughed, and Hope found herself doing the same. “That is not of importance however, as while my parents sent me here to find the young princess, surely she cannot be as wonderful as you.”
“You hardly know me, but I thank you.” Just then, one of the children rushed up to her, asking her to hurry, as his mother was sick. The young boy grabbed her hand and dragged her off as she flashed the prince another smile.
Over the next few weeks, she saw Prince Evan time and time again. He began to make it a habit to join her on her outings with the children, and they spent each afternoon in the meadow at the edge of the village. Hope’s friends became Evan’s friends, and as time went on, they grew fond of one another. Some, who have heard stories such as this before, might call it love, but Hope still had her secrets. The Prince could never know of her true identity, for she knew that if he approached the Wicked King for her hand, he would be sent off as the rest. The only people who knew were the castle servants, Carmen and Charlotte. And therefore, no matter her feelings for the young Prince, Hope knew they could never be together. It was with this in mind that she cherished each moment they spent together in the village.
Unfortunately, the Wicked King had finally caught up to his niece. A faithful servant to the King had seen Hope stealing food from the kitchen, and had noticed the mysterious absence of some who worked in the castle. Furious, the King ordered the guards to retrieve Hope from the village, where he was sure she would be hiding. On this particular day, she was with her friends, helping with the wash, when they seized her.
Later that afternoon, Evan waited for her in the meadow, but Hope never came. Nor did she the next day, or the one after that. Soon, distraught by the strange disappearance, the prince went to the castle, where he met with the King, asking about a young girl named Hope. The Wicked King only laughed, “Hope is no longer here. The Princess has been sent away to a place where she can never again cause harm to this village.”
“Princess?” Evan asked. “Hope is not a princess.”
“It seems the young girl has lied to you my dear Prince. Why then would you want someone like her to love you, if she tells nothing but lies! She steals from my stores! She tricks my staff! She has the village wrapped around her little finger, but in reality, she is the one who sends people away to their death. Not me! She plays her role as a villager to trick them into her trap.”
“That can’t be true! You must talk of a different…”
The King cut him off, “Does she have beautiful golden hair and deep brown eyes?”
“She does.” He nodded.
“Does she wear her hair in braids and wear rags made of white and blue?” Again the prince nodded. “And tell me, Prince, does she spend her time with the children of the village? Earning their trust and love?” Once again, Evan could do nothing but nod. “Then you cannot deny that we are talking of the same girl. As I said, she has been taken care of. She will not hurt my kingdom again.”
Confused and frightened, Evan left the castle as he headed back towards the ship that would return him to his realm. But before he could set sail, Carmen and Charlotte appeared. “Evan! Wait!” Carmen called out. “You mustn’t leave! Hope! She’s in trouble!”
He shook his head quickly, “You tell nothing but lies. The King has told me of Hope’s real identity, of how she lies and steals and cheats and murders.”
“You are talking nonsense!” Charlotte replied to him. “Come. Come with us, quickly. The King is the Wicked one. Hope spent her life outside of the castle because she is kind and caring enough to do so, just as her parents did before her. Nothing like the man that rules over us now. He appears to be telling the truth, but trust us, he walks the way of dishonor.”
“And how can I be certain you speak the truth?”
“You cannot” Carmen admitted. “You just have to trust us. Take a leap of faith. Hope needs your help.”
Finally he accepted their pleas, “If what you tell me is true, where do I find her?” With a wave of their hands, Carmen and Charlotte led him deep into the forest where Hope lay on the bed of a small cottage, her skin was white, her golden hair flowing around her on the sheets. She was still wearing her ragged clothing, and in every way, appeared to be dead. “What can I do?” Evan asked. “She is dead. The King said…”
“True love’s kiss” Carmen replied simply.
Realization dawned on his face and he moved closer to the bed, going down on one knee next to her as he lightly ran his fingers through her hair.
And then, after a whispered “I love you,” he kissed her.