Fairy Tale Experiment

Angela Fields

Kati Lewis

English 2270

1/30/2016

Riding along the worn path the trees began to wane giving way to the open plains of Mei Feng before the Samara River. The Gray lady could make out the town of Lu Dao to the far southwest and veered in that direction. The cart full of new oddities and rare items rattled behind her as she made her way to the midsize town. A small caravan ahead a few miles seem to be taking the same path to the town holding banners up proudly to signify their pending arrival. She watched them make their way weary to linger behind so as not to be confused as part of their company. It was about midday and the air was sweet with budding flowers of spring that sprinkled all around the rolling plains. A beautiful day to be sure with a welcoming prospect for the lady ahead.

When she arrived at the entrance she was welcomed and asked from whence she came and to state her business for this town. To which she replied “Northeast from the great City of Vanfald, before that any, all and none my path that led me to your door. As for my purpose, trade for my purse and knowledge for my mind.” Indicating the stores behind her. They glanced at the heaving sacks, chests and roped armaments and waved the Gray Lady and her double horse drawn shop on. Inside the town she found people busying about their day and made her way to the market. There she found an open area and began to set up shop.             

Meanwhile the earlier caravan was finishing its journey up one noble’s well-manicured entrance way. Horns sounded and the entourage was greeted. The purpose of the procession was in response to the noble house that of declaration that their daughter was now of age to wed and suitors from across the land were welcome to meet the young maiden for courtship. The daughter was lovely, with long blonde hair, bright green eyes that reflected the intelligence behind them. The decision up to the daughter of her future betrothed had yet to be settled and this only one of many to seek her approval. Asked to attend the evening’s feast the company would have time to settle in before the meeting.

The maiden having been aware of the arrival of this company headed to the market to acquire a new gown for the evening. She fickley pawed over gown after gown until she finally selected one. A brightly colored dress covered with ribbons and frills and small flowers of every shade of the rainbow. She asked the vendor its value and when the merchant responded the girl laughed and stated that the same dress was being sold in a shop down the street for three quarters that price where in fact it was not and began to walk away. The vendor not wishing to lose the business agreed to the price and a bargain was struck. As the girl made her way down the rows of goods happy with arrangements that had been made with the dress, decided to further accessorize her new gown. At another shop she found a lovely bracelet that matched the gown and before even asking its price she told the merchant that she noticed a flaw in one of the links of the jewelry and acted displeased only then inquired its worth. The man replied three gold pieces and 5 silver. The girl again laughed and began to set the undamaged bracelet down. The vendor again worried about losing the sale then restated saying he would happily accept three gold even for the jewelry. The girl agreed and a bargain was struck. Again happy she made her way further down the row of laid out goods looking at the variety and not the path ahead.

  A young man had not seen her while repositioning a few barrels accidentally knocked the maiden over. The girl’s moneybag and wrapped garment toppled with her to the ground just in front of the gray ladies booth. The money back seemed heavy with coin when the boy quickly gathered it and the dress after helping the maiden back to her feet. A flash of anger filled the girl and she screamed at the boy and snatched her belongings from him. He seemed frazzled and apologetic and ran away disappearing into the crowd.

The gray lady watched all of this with moderate interest and indicated to the young girl that the boy was deaf and meant her no harm. Still unsettled the girl was about to wave the Gray Lady away put off by her drab appearance, when something caught her eye. In the cart laying on a blanket with many other curious things sat a set of earrings crafted with a multitude of sparkling colored gems. They caught the light and in their facets was reflected brilliant beams of colors. She inquired their worth and the lady told her the sum. Unhappy with this naming the girl claimed it more than she had, not knowing the lady had seen her large purse prior. The Gray Lady took offense and told the girl that it was not polite to tell lies but seeing a bit of herself in the girl she took up the earrings and whispered to them. The girl now uncomfortable began to leave, until the lady said to her “tell you what, I will give you these earrings if you promise me something.” The young girl seemed interested and the lady continued “For every lie you tell you must also tell one truth.” The young girl acted in mocked shock but again looked longingly at the lovely earrings and agreed to the terms, taking them and leaving the gray figure to her trade.

Later that evening the festivities began and the multitude of suitors fawned over the young maiden, dawning her new exquisite attire. The food was vast and endless and the music played gaily. When the dancing began the suitors lined up for a turn to dance with the lovely girl. The first was from the south and tan by the burning sun and shore wearing ruffles from every exit point of his tunic shirt and pants with a head full of densely curled black hair looking in stark contrast from skin to clothing. The maiden was unhappy with this flaw in style choices but forcefully polite asking the man to instead acquire her refreshment so that they could speak further upon his return. As the man walked away, excited over the thoughts of exclusive conversation with the lady, the lady did not notice that the earrings she had acquired from the Gray Lady lessened in hue and glitter.                               

 She sighed in relief as the next suitor stepped forward to offer his hand in dance. This boy was much more handsome and whose clothing was well thought out for the evening’s festivities and she was pleased of the complimenting partner however when he offered also his name and where he was from his voice squeaked and she nearly laughed out loud but instead faked a cough and requested that he too help her with her tickled throat and also retrieve her a liquid refreshment and asked if they could continue with their introductions upon his return with a wink. This man too eagerly accepted this task and hurried away at once to comply. As this happen her bejeweled earrings again waned in brightness and shine.

The third man that approached walked with an aura of confidence and a stature to match. However instead of thanking the maiden of her gracious hospitality or even addressing her at all he turned on his heels and announced to the room his name and whence he came claiming all others here paled before his heroic deeds. The lady was insulted by this finding the boast rude but again forcing a smile and claiming to have heard of him and his works when in fact she had not. She then asked him if he had brought any souvenirs with him from his conquest and if he would allow her the privilege of seeing them. The man buffed out his chest and exclaimed that he had indeed brought many with him and would return shortly with a whole chest load of treasures, stomping off proudly. As this happened the last of the earrings luster was lost and it tarnished over appearing to have never even held any gems at all, but again the lady did not see this and waited for the final lord to approach.

The final suitor of the evening walked up the steps to the maiden and to her surprise was the most handsome man she had ever seen with green eyes to match her own. He bowed to her, lowering those eyes in respect offering his name and where he was from, as well as thanking her for permitting him to attend this gathering. His voice was gentle and genuine and his clothes were of exquisite quality. When he asked her to dance she was elated and accepted. He was strong yet graceful as they moved about the floor and she enjoyed these moments more than any other feeling he would be a perfect choice to be her husband.

Tiring a bit from the dance and not wishing be bothered by the others they took their leave to the gardens. He softly held her hand and followed as she led the way until they came to a stop. In moonlight his beauty did not diminish and he endearingly fumbled for words. “If I may ask my lady, from where did you procure such a stunning gown?” he asked and she smiled happy he noticed. She began to respond, about to tell him of her adventures in the market earlier that day but as her voice came to speak the words became sparkling runes versions of them and floated through her lips and disappeared. Her gown she now wore in the light of the moon fully took on the shade of dim colorless light but was not noticed. The lord did not see this happen and encouraged her to answer another of his query. “Your eyes are lovely, do I have your mother or father to thank for that?” Again she tried to respond, but again the word-like symbols floated on the light breeze like butterflies out and away from where they were intended. Her eyes took on a grayish hue but in the nights light again went unnoticed. “My lady?” he asked when she did not answer and looked rather confused. She wanted to hear her name on his gentle tongue and began to ask him if he could address her by her first of titles, but as the last syllable was spoken it frittered away and was gone along with her voice forever. The man now looked puzzled in his setting and company, asking her if they had ever met before. By this point she could not speak or even know how to respond, because all she had been, was lost. To this day no one including herself knows of how she came to be known as the gray lady.