CANONETW1V021 CAQ0001 TLCS-90 ³nVS160 Book1 TXT1993 Tessypp1-19 QsnˆnŠ LST ŃŅÓŌ**ÕÖ LBL ×ŲŁŚŪ€ą=ō   šĄ‚š N ƒ !0 123@ABCDEFGHIJKCatherine O. Knight …Approx.54,000 words417 S. Fork CircleHoover, AL 35244„TESSICA„by Catherine O. Knight„______________________ Long ago and far away, in a land of soaring mountains across the beautiful blue skies stood a palace,shining brilliantly atop a hill. Below the palace lay a verdant-green meadow spotted with neat, little cottages surrounding a glimmering, emerald-colored lake. People worked hard but were happy. The village had three or four small stores, which were always filled with goods from merchants who traded from across the ocean. Nothing seemed unusual about this day, except the wind from the north that chilled the air, in the early afternoon. So the village people were scurrying around to finish before the sun set. The palace guards mounted their black stallions for the usual evening march, circling the palace grounds.ˆ‰ Suddenly one guard called out for the others to come. Below him lay a small basket, with a letter attached to the blanket inside. One guard quickly dismounted his horse and grabbed the letter. "This letter is for the king," he said, clearing his throat. Then he stooped to his knees to examine the small basket that lay before the palace's main gate. Inside the basket lay a tiny baby, sound asleep, quite unaware of being abandoned alone in the cold, evening air. "It's a small infant!" the guard exclaimed. "Take my horse, while I carry this basket to the king," he commanded another guard. € "I'm sorry, sir, but I think that we must call the palace nurse. Suppose the baby has a disease and was placed here as a trick to infect the palace and even the king," questioned the second guard.€ The first guard uncovered the baby and looked at it skeptically. The baby awoke with beautiful, blue eyes that twinkled at the guard. "I'll take this child to the king. No child this beautiful could possibly have a disease." He walked away, carrying the basket. Though the baby was awake, not a whimper or a sound did it make. The guardsman cautiously approached the king's chambers. One of the king's ministers met him at the door and the guard explained about finding the basket and the note. He told about the other guard's concern that he first take the baby to the king's nurse but he took all responsibility for taking the baby and the letter to the king himself. The minister took the letter, vanishing behind the enormous doors to the king's chambers. The unusually high winds howled through the windows of the corridor. No other sounds were heard for what seemed like hours to the guard, as he held the basket and watched the baby moving its tiny fingers to clutch the blanket. Finally, the huge doors opened and the king, himself, came to meet him. "You have done well, my guard is wise to think for himself," praised the king. He took the basket and told the guard to bring the nurse.  "Who could the mother be to leave such a beautiful child?" questioned the king.  "Perhaps, she could not take care of it properly and wanted the child to have a better life, hoping for your benevolence in raising a future peasant in royal surroundings," replied one of the king's ministers.  "Quite true, wise minister, I think you are right. However, we will take care of this child until we can find the mother. Then we will deal with her severely. Word will reach the people and they will favor a king who bestows charity on one so very young and helpless. This will be good. I will become very popular." The nurse arrived, stunned by what she saw. "Take care of this small child," ordered the king. "She was abandoned at the palace wall tonight. So give her the best care until we can locate her mother."  The nurse gently held the tiny baby and patted her back. "Oh, how wonderful, indeed, now your baby princess will have a playmate!" she exclaimed.  The king shook his head, "No, surely we will not have this child that long. The mother must be found."  "Yes sir, this is true," the nurse hesitated,"but until then, this baby will receive my best care." She excused herself with the baby, as the king watched them disappear down the long corridor. The king stood silent. Word spread quickly throughout the land about the king and the small infant, who had been abandoned and was growing more beautiful every day. Townspeople gossiped about BCDEwho BCDEshe could ˆ‰ˆ‰ˆ‰possibly be.€ People knew very little about the new king, except that he was the younger brother of the former king . He became the new king soon after his brother, the popular, first king had died in battle, or so it was told. The townspeople had also loved the queen of the first king, who had mysteriously disappeared shortly after her husband's death. So now the townspeople were watching the new king with a good deal of skepticism, for so much tragedy had seemed to befall him. First, he lost his brother, then shortly after becoming king, his wife, the new queen, had died quite soon after giving birth to their first, baby girl. So why would anyone want to leave a baby to an unknown king, who had no wife and already had a young daughter himself, who clearly seemed to be having such misfortune and perhaps was even cursed? "Strange, indeed, that so much has happened in the kingdom land," remarked one peasant lady to another peasant friend, as they stood gossiping about the situation.  "Yes, very true. First we lose our dear king in battle, then our dear queen disappears, " answered the other lady.  "Yes, so unusual, then the king's brother becomes heir to the throne, and really we don't know anything about the fellow." "But truly tragic was the king having a baby daughter so soon and losing his wife during the birth," sighed the second peasant lady.  "Sad, truly dreadful, and I never really got a good look at the new queen. He certainly has had his share of bad luck, if you know what I mean. Do you think he is truly kind and generous to take in the infant child left at his palace gate without even knowing anything about her?" speculated the first lady. "Well, it just might mean that, but could it be that he just wants to find favor with the villagers? I've heard he is looking for the young infant's mother and wants to punish her severely for abandoning her small child."  "Ah, yes, I have heard that too, but do you not wonder yourself,who the child's mother could be? Could she perhaps be a criminal or someone just passing through who could not care for one so small?" asked the first peasant lady not expecting an answer. And so went the talk of the village people, wondering what kind of mother could just leave her beautiful baby in a basket. People in the kingdom had never heard of anything so unusual. In desperation, the king even posted an enormous reward for anyone who could lead him to the mother. News traveled far and wide, but no one knew who could have done such a dreadful thing. Time passed, and there was less talk. In fact, most of the town's people even forgot about the abandoned child. Instead, everyone was talking about the king's own daughter, the precious, but spoiled, little princess.  "How very gorgeous is this child with her hair as bright red as a blazing flame and eyes greener than our emerald lake," exclaimed one young woman who tried to keep up with everything that happened in and around the palace. Well-known was the princess's collection of toy bears. Whenever visitors came to the palace, they had to see the collection. Never had anyone ever seen such a sight! Her room was covered with hundreds and hundreds of soft, cuddly stuffed bears. Each bear had been hand sewn with the finest of true fur, laced in silk ribbons all different colors, which had been brought to the king from merchants from faraway lands.  Can you imagine what the princess's first word was? Probably you guessed it...bear, of course. The little princess would spend hours naming her bears, trying to count them,(but usually becoming too tired to finish), and she loved holding them close to her, eating with them, and talking to them. But strangely enough, the bears could not talk back to her, and the bears could not hold her, eat with her, or really play with her. € The little princess became lonely and sad. No one could understand how such a darling little child who had everything imaginable could possibly be so unhappy. So people gave her more bears and more bears, but still the little princess couldn't smile. She began pushing her meals away and not eating even a bite. She became thinner and paler. Her nurse tried everything, to help her. But nothing seemed to work. So, one day, the nurse came to the king. "Your majesty, I need to discuss your daughter's health with you. She is four years old and I think she is lonely for other children. She needs companionship near her own age. Right here inside your palace, I think you have a cure for your daughter's plight." "My daughter's health is your employment, nurse, and you are responsible for giving her everything and anything that pleases her and will keep her healthy. For she must be a strong woman one day to be the queen of such a land as this." "Quite so, sir, and that is why I want to ask your permission to bring the little girl, we named Tessy, to her. She has become a lovely little girl, healthy, talkative, and happy. I think she would be an excellent playmate for your daughter. May I have your permission to try this and see if it will cheer up our princess?" "My daughter is of royal blood. Who is this Tessy you speak of, as if she belongs to the royal family? Perhaps she has no parents at all, and if they were ciminals, who knows what kind of a person she might really be?" the king huffed gruffly. "I will take complete responsibility, your majesty. Please trust my judgement and understand my sincere concern for the princess. I think time is of the essence, because your daughter is not eating and is becoming thinner and frailer by the day," the nurse pleaded. "And Tessy is not of criminal parents. In fact, I will put my very own life on the line here. Tessy will help your daughter, because Tessy's heart is full of love and I think you will be pleased." "Very well, nurse,"the king said seriously, "but if this fails, and my daughter's health does not improve, I hold you responsible, with you own life." The very dedicated nurse loved the king's daughter. Taking care of the little princess was her life, so she did not hesitate a second. She thanked the king and excused herself graciously. She knew that if she failed, she would be executed for not doing her job. This is how life was long ago, so you see, people's lives were their jobs. So they put their heart and soul into their work, and as a result, people made good decisions with very few mistakes.  The nurse wasted no time seeking the young child, Tessy, and explaining to her what she was going to do. "Little Tessy, you are going to meet the princess today," the nurse told her kindly,"and you must dress now in your prettiest dress. Let's see," the nurse hesitated while she viewed Tessy's limited wardrobe. "Well, this dress will have to do, though I don't think it is really special enough for such an occasion. But beautiful clothes won't make the princess happy. She needs a playmate, and you will be just perfect." "Tessy, it is BCyouBC that is so beautiful, your smile and your twinkling eyes. Your sweetness is enough to cheer up even the king, the ole grouch, oops, Tessy, I'm nervous, and talking too much. I shouldn't have called him that. You just forget that word." All the while she was talking, she was helping Tessy get dressed. Finally, she was ready to meet the princess. The nurse combed her soft, black curls and stood back a bit to look at her. What a beautiful little girl, fair skin, but rosy cheeks, dimples and the biggest smile you have ever seen. "I'm ready?" asked Tessy. "Can we go now?"  The nurse smiled,"Yes, let's go play with the princess." Tessy stood at the doorway of the princess's enormous playroom. Her blue eyes opened wide and she gasped for breath. Never had she seen so many toys, especially bears. If there had been toy stores in those days, surely this would have outdone them all. She stood and looked around the room for a minute, somewhat puzzled. "Where is the princess?" she asked, not even commenting on the amazing room of toys and bears. Tessy had expected the princess to be playing or waiting for her at the door, dressed like a princess, maybe even wearing a specially-made crown. The nurse stood silently thinking it best to let Tessy be on her own with the princess. Tessy walked up to a much-too-big bed, covered with exquisite, white-laced fluffy comforters, stuffed on each side with pillows larger than herself. "Excuse me, is someone in that bed?" Tessy asked.  No one answered immediately. Then all of a sudden the silence was broken by a small child's little sigh, "Go away, I don't want company".  Tessy stood on her tiptoes and saw what appeared to be a small, little figure curled up amidst the coverlets, putting them over her head. "Get up," Tessy demanded, not paying any attention to the impoliteness of the little princess. At the same time, she pulled herself up onto the bed and crawled over to the little prncess, gently uncovering her head.  The princess opened her eyes and said with a very weak, tired voice,"Who are BCyouBC?" "I am Tessica Maria, your new playmate, but you can just call me Tessy, I like that better. What is your name? I surely won't want to call you princess when we're playing." The princess waited a few seconds to answer. "I am the little princess, that is all you need to know..." She gave it some more thought, realizing that she was being quite rude. "Well, actually, my real name is Carmalyn Elena, but I don't like my name." "Oh, I do!"Tessy reassured her. "Carmalyn is a wonderful name for a princess. But I would like to just call you Carma, if you wouldn't mind." "Whatever," the little princess rolled back under the covers, and Tessy could barely hear what she said next. "I don't feel very well today, why don't you go now?" Tessy didn't answer or move, so the little princess thought probably the best way to get rid of her would be to invite her back. "Maybe I will feel better tomorrow, so why don't you come back then?" The nurse who had been watching all along came and took Tessy by the hand, leading her out of the princess's room. When they were well out of ear's distance, the nurse whispered, "I think she liked you."  For a child so young, who had been raised under such circumstances without a mother, Tessy had an enormous amount of confidence. "I really don't think Carma feels very happy. I think I know just the way to cheer her up!"Tessy glowed with excitement as she spoke. The next day didn't come soon enough for Tessy, and she was ready before she had even had her breakfast. "Let's have breakfast with the princess,"suggested Tessy. The nurse told her that might not be a good idea, but Tessy insisted. So servants brought trays for the girls to the princess's room. With a good bit of persuasion, the nurse helped the little princess down to a small table which faced a bright picture window, overlooking the mountains and green meadows. "I really like your room, Carma," said Tessy, trying to make conversation. "But what I like best is your beautiful view from this window. Don't you think it would be fun to climb to that highest peak?" she asked as she pointed to the mountains with such enthusiasm, Carma felt compelled to answer."Well, not really, I would be too tired," sighed the little princess. "Oh, dear, you are not sick, are you?" asked Tessy. "I'm not sure, I just don't feel good, and the nurse doesn't have any medicine for what I think I have," answered the princess, as she spread her food around the plate to make it look as though she had at least eaten a few bites. Then she started coughing, but Tessy ignored her and just gobbled down her breakfast. "Well, one time I was sick,"said Tessy, barely chewing up the food in her mouth before she spoke. "Really?" the little princess couldn't believe that she even knew the word 'sick', because she seemed so happy and healthy. "Oh, yes, but I think it was being sad." Now Tessy had really gotten the princess's attention, because Tessy looked as though BCshe BChad never been sad a day in her life."Well, tell, me about it," Carma almost demanded. "See, it has no name and there isn't any medicine for it. But it's really, really serious," her eyes grew wider and wider and her voice became softer and softer. "You see it's like you're missing somebody, but you don't know who you are missing..." Tessy paused for a second. "See, I was missing my mother,like maybe you miss yours, even though we never knew them. I don't know if my mother is alive or what, and I certainly wonder why she didn't want me. But of course, your mother wanted you and that is different, but I know you must miss her sometimes." A tiny tear rolled down the princess's cheek. She said nothing. So Tessy continued talking in such a grownup way, "Oh, no, I don't want to make you sad, I'm so terribly sorry, Carma," Tessy apologized. "You didn't make me sad. I just didn't know anyone else might have ever felt this way before," the little princess began talking. She talked and talked, telling Tessy all about every bear in her room, their names and about everyone who had given them to her.  After quite a conversation, the nurse came and interrupted them."I think this has been quite long enough for today's visit, girls. Come on Tessy, it is time now to leave," she took her hand in the usual manner, but this time, the little princess didn't just sit there. "Come back tomorrow, Tessy, I'll have a surprise for you!" Then she followed them to the door and watched them walk away. The nurse squeezed Tessy's hand and whispered in her ear. "I know why you came to us now, to help the little princess." Tessy was glad that she and the little princess would be good friends, but deep in her heart, she knew that was not why she had come.   ‚ę š ƒ‚š ęšN ƒ„Chapter 2€The next morning Tessy visited the little princess again, barely able to hold back her excitement and anticipation of what the little princess's surprise could possibly be. The little princess was waiting at the door for her new, little friend, holding a very large box. "What took you so long?" the princess asked.€Tessy was so delighted to see Carma already out of bed, standing bright-eyed and though still much too thin, almost radiant with new, rosy color. "The sun, Carma. It didn't want to wake up this morning, I guess. What on earth do you have in that box? Is this my surprise?"€"Yes, and I must tell you, I can't keep secret about surprises for very long," the little princess answered as she handed Tessy the box to open.€Tessy wasted no time, discarding the lid, to look inside, and unfolded a lacy, light pink dress. She held it up to her and danced gleefully around the room, pinching it to her shoulders. "Oh, thank you, Carma, I just love it!" Tessy exclaimed with obvious appreciation.€"But that's not all that's in the box, look again, Tessy," the little princess said with a touch of impatience.€Yes, she was right, because under the dress was a bright, red, silk scarf. When Tessy pulled it from the box, she saw a porcelain doll underneath, dressed in a dress from the same material as the one the little princess had just given her. The doll had red hair, just like the little princess but was rather unusual looking, because it had no face. Tessy took the doll in her arms and carried it to the enormous, picture window for more light. "Why, thank you, Carma, I don't have any dolls. But why doesn't she have a face?"€"Well, see, the doll was made for me by one of the greatest doll makers, who came to visit me, before he designed the doll. When the doll was finished and sent to me, it had no face, but a note from the doll maker was attached to the dress."€€ Tessy began reading the note, "When I came to visit you, to see how you looked, little princess, your face was much too pale and sad to copy and paint onto the doll I made for you. I still wanted to send her to you, though. Her dress and hair, I think are especially exquisite. Please send for me when you are feeling well again, so that I can finish the doll's face," €The little princess continued,"So, anyway, I want to give the doll to you. We have sent word to the doll maker, and he will come paint my new, happy face on her. But I wanted you to see her both ways, to remember that I was like her, before I met you."€Tessy rarely was at a loss for words, but this was indeed an exception. She thought several minutes before she spoke, and then spoke slowly and softly, "Carma, you are going to be my very best friend, forever and ever." The little princess knew that by the way Tessy spoke, that she was completely sincere.€"You will be mine too," the little princess assured Tessy.€The two young girls played for several hours, laughing and talking, and trying on the princess's clothes, until the princess seemed to become tired. So, the nurse once again took Tessy by the hand to let the little princess rest, as they both promised each other they would play again the next day.€In those times, promises were always kept. The two young girls shared many mornings and afternoons playing until they both were completely exhausted. The little princess became stronger and healthier. The weeks and months passed by quickly, as time has a way of doing when one is happy. € The two girls became practically inseparable. In fact, the little princess wouldn't do anything unless Tessy was with her. Tessy was there when she got her new pony and there when she took her riding lessons. Tessy sat beside her at special dinners and events, even when royalty or important visitors from other countries came to visit the palace. Even the king became quite fond of Tessy, who could graciously and eloquently converse with even the kings and queens who came to the palace to visit. Tessy had never been shy, and because she loved to read, became quite precocious. Tessy didn't know any other life, than the one she had become quite used to at the palace. To Tessy, people were just people, so why should she be worried or shy in the presence of royalty or important visitors. Tessy's pure heart and sincere manner won her many friends and admirers.€When the girls were not together, Tessy spent hours alone reading and studying. The little princess enjoyed listening to her read and tell about her books, and the new things she was learning, However, she, herself, was not terribly interested in learning to read yet.  In her spare time, the little princess liked to dance and shop for new dresses for herself and Tessy, who didn't care too much about clothes. Even though there were no stores, merchants and dress makers would visit the palace with pictures and gorgeous fabrics for her to select. The two girls were very close to being the same size, so the little princess, would usually try on the clothes for both of them to be fitted with perfection. The little princess always unselfishly shared her clothes with Tessy, who wore them with a good deal of appreciation, but never became very attached to that sort of thing.€ The doll maker came one day and had painted a likeness of the little princess's face on the doll for Tessy. Tessy loved and treasured the doll with all her heart. The only other treasures were her books, pens, and writing paper.€On the princess's tenth birthday, the king commanded that the princess be given a tremendous celebration. Invitations were sent abroad, plans were made, and all the palace servants were busy day and night, preparing for the royal birthday party. The little princess, herself, was hustling about having dresses made and sampling the special food that would be served. Many letters and gifts arrived at the palace daily, to wish the princess a happy birthday. Surely, this was the happiest time of the little princess's life, and Tessy was right by her side helping her. She was almost as excited as the little princess. Tessy read the letters and guest list to Carma over and over, to make sure no one was forgotten. €One day, only a few days before the party, a package for the princess arrived, with instructions: "Do not open until the party." A talkative servant had taken the package from a merchant who had made several toy bears for the young princess in times past. So, naturally, as talk had it, probably this package contained a new toy bear for the little princess's collection. Since the day of the birthday celebration was drawing close, Tessy was very concerned about what she could give the princess. When she discussed this with the nurse, she was given permission to ride into town with some servants to perhaps do some shopping. Tessy rarely had been out of the palace, except to accompany the little princess with her riding lessons. So, this trip seemed quite exciting. € Tessy searched throughout the village for something appropriate enough to give her best friend. The shops were very small, and the merchandise was limited. Nothing looked like anything one would want to give a princess for her tenth birthday. So Tessy began talking to the people and asking for ideas. People were quite friendly and tried to be helpful, because they knew who Tessy was, and they liked all that they had heard about her. But no one seemed to know what to give the little princess for such an occasion. Tessy was not the kind to become discouraged easily, so she just kept asking and talking to the townspeople.€€ Finally, she noticed a lady wrapped snuggly in a shawl, that covered her head. Her starry-blue eyes looked piercingly at her, and that was all Tessy could see of the lady's face. She stood by a flower stand and had roses of all colors, as well as rose bushes for sale. Tessy wondered over to her and explained to her what she was looking for, then asked the lady in the shawl, if she had any ideas.€"Of course, I am partial to my own roses," the lady in the shawl said, "but I truly do think that the princess might enjoy a rose bush of her own to grow." Then she went on saying, "Roses are a good likeness of the princess, for though they are lovely to behold, one must be always very careful of the thorns." The woman had captivated Tessy, who was seriously considering the rose bush as a gift for the princess, but didn't want her best friend to be pricked from her present to her.€So she answered, "Well, I think they are very nice, but don't want my friend, the princess to be hurt by any thorns."€The lady in the shawl interrupted her, "Aye, you say, young child, but this is exactly what will happen to her on her tenth birthday."€"What on earth are you talking about?"inquired Tessy,€€€  . €€ €ą=ō   šĄ‚š N ƒ !0 123@ABCDEFGHIJKc.knight…#ööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööö