Tale 34: The Children of the Trees (Ash)

(real tale: Asmund and Signy)

"There was once a king that ruled over a faraway land." Ash begins. He had a wife he loved very much, plus two children--a boy named Rowan and a girl named Amber."

"What pretty names!" Melody smiles.

"Prince Rowan and Princess Amber were taught well in all manner of things, so they would grow up to be wise and clever rulers." Ash continues. "Prince Rowan especially loved the outdoors, and after some begging and pleading, convinced his father to buy him two trees large enough for a person to fit inside. Once they were planted, he asked his sister if she would like one of the trees as her own tree house. Princess Amber loved the idea, and she and her brother spent hours moving their things in and decorating their trees. Whenever the palace got chaotic, they could travel to their tree houses for some peace and quiet."

Brock sighs with nostalgia as he pictures what the two tree houses might have looked like. "Forget a house IN the tree, I bet these were houses made FROM the tree."

"They were." Ash assures his friend. "Life was grand for the two of them for many years, but then things took a turn for the worse just as they both came of age--their father had to go to war to defend their homeland, and while he was away on the battlefield, their mother caught a horrible disease. Despite her children's and the royal healer's best efforts, she succumbed a few months later. The prince and the princess were overwhelmed by sadness and fear, and retreated to their tree houses. They agreed they would not come out until their father had returned."

Pikachu sniffles as he brushes away a tear. "Meanwhile, in another kingdom lived a king who had a son he loved very much--we'll call the son Jonathan." Ash continues. "Jonathan had heard about Princess Amber, and decided she was the one he would marry. With his father's blessing, he set sail for the land where Princess Amber lived."

"And then?" Misty is interested.

"He didn't count on a witch meeting him in the guise of Princess Amber." Ash intones. "Prince Jonathan fell hook, line, and sinker for the witch's trick, believing she was Princess Amber."

"Oh no!" Melody shakes in fear at what will happen to Prince Jonathan.

"The witch dug up the two tree houses containing Prince Rowan and the real Princess Amber and took them with her to Jonathan's homeland, believing them to be two normal trees." Ash continues. "The fake Princess Amber was welcomed and given a little house of her own, where she planted the tree houses."

"But what about the real Princess Amber and her brother?" Brock is concerned.

"They saw all of this from the tree houses, and they watched as the witch ranted and raved about having to make her own wedding gown--since she had no idea how to sew." Ash continues. "Prince Rowan wanted to warn Prince Jonathan about the trap he was about to fall for, but wasn't sure how to go about it."

"So what did he do?" Misty asks.

"He asked his sister to make a wedding gown for the fake Princess Amber, and have Prince Jonathan go with him when he delivered it to the witch." Ash explains. "So the real Princess Amber went to work, and Prince Jonathan went with Prince Rowan to deliver the wedding gown a week later."

"Pini?" Happini asks.

"Prince Jonathan was shocked when he heard the witch plotting to kill him, Rowan, Amber, and the court, and take the castle for herself." Ash continues. "He ordered the house burned to the ground, and the witch was killed in the fire."

"Pika!" Pikachu is relieved the heroes will be all right.

"Prince Rowan showed Prince Jonathan the real Princess Amber, and the two of them fell in love." Ash concludes. "Prince Rowan found a bride of his own a few days later, so both weddings were celebrated together. Both couples remained very close friends, and often visited each other. They all lived happily ever after, never forgetting the tree houses that brought them together."

"Aw..." Brock smiles as he applauds.

"Ha pini...." Happini agrees, eager to hear what her "daddy" will tell next...