My story using the five words given to me by Kyle Chaffin: fast, light, deer, golf, Sweden. 1000 words exactly, plus title.

Once Upon a Time…

The Queen sat on her balcony taking in the beauty of her Manor surroundings in the warm early morning light. Especially delightful were the deer that would find their way onto the land. So beautiful. So graceful. It was as if they sensed that no harm would come to them under the watchful eye of the animal-loving Queen.

Below her, she could watch Perky, her pet name for the head groundskeeper, diligently working in the gardens with his tools secured in a golf cart-type device at his side. The displays of shrubbery, flowers and trees thrived under his skilled, gentle hands. If one listened closely, he could be heard talking to the various plants, as if urging them to grow. He was also quite adept at creating healing remedies.

The Queen’s days were mostly uneventful, save for the occasional flogging for certain unforgivable crimes against the Manor; including drunkenness, disrespect, laziness, and failure to perform one’s duties to the very high standards established by the Queen.

Then one day, Princess Anastasia fell quite ill. Her fever soared and her bedding was changed almost hourly. She moaned in pain, unbearable to hear, especially for the Queen, who remained at her daughter’s bedside constantly.

The Royal Physician performed whatever he could in the way of relief. Mostly to no avail.

When the groundskeeper heard of her illness, he went to work to find a remedy for the malady that had overtaken the Princess.

Anastasia was 12 years old when the groundskeeper assumed his duties at the Manor, when he was just 18, working as an apprentice to the previous groundskeeper. Now, in his 30’s, Perky had fast developed a deep fondness for the Princess and tried to catch a glimpse of her whenever he could. On extremely lucky days, she would speak to him as she strolled through the courtyard, picking flowers for her chambers.

Always respectful of protocol, Perky politely responded to her greetings with a flourish and a smile. His heart beating so loudly, he was sure she could hear it.

But now, alas, the Princess was extremely ill. What could he do?

Finally, after many experiments, Perky concocted what he was sure was a remedy for the ailing Princess. He packed it up and headed for the Manor. Servants entrance, of course. He stood waiting for what seemed an eternity before the Butler finally answered the clanging bell.

“Yes, Glendon?” his real name.

“I have a remedy which I believe will aid the Princess and speed her recovery!” thrusting the packet in front of him.

“I’m sorry, but no one is allowed to see the Princess with the exception of the Queen and the Royal Physician. Please return to your quarters.” And he closed the door.

This scenario was repeated several times over the coming days. All with the same result: Go back to your quarters.

Perky spent many sleepless nights trying to find a way to get his remedy to the Princess, when he finally decided he would deliver it himself.

Very late the next night, he devised a way to scale the Manor wall and, hopefully unnoticed, find his way to the chamber of the Princess. Once inside, he crept down the dim-lit corridors until he found one door slightly ajar. When he peeked inside, he could see the Princess lying in bed, with an empty chair at her bedside.

“Where is the Queen?” he wondered. He knew he wouldn’t have much time before she returned, so he moved quickly to the bedside and removed the necessary items from the satchel he’d brought with him. He injected the potion into the arm of the Princess and had barely put the syringe back in the bag when the Queen entered the room.

The Queen roared in anger, “WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN HERE????? WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO MY DAUGHTER?”

She then pulled the bell cord to summon her staff. “Take him AWAY!!!!” she commanded. “Throw him in the dungeon. I shall deal with him later!”

“But I was only trying to HELP her! I made a special potion to work against fever!”

Of course, his words fell on deaf ears.

Perky was then hauled into the dungeon, deep below the Manor, where he was held with nothing but water. Across from his cell, he could see the flogging area, and began to tremble at the thought of what may happen to him next.

Late the next afternoon, the Queen stirred from her chair at her daughter’s bedside. To her astonishment, the Princess opened her eyes and spoke.

“Mum, what happened to me?”

“You’ve been unwell for several weeks, my darling. How are you feeling?”

“Tired. But otherwise I seem to be okay.”

The Royal Physician had no idea what had prompted the Princess’ sudden recovery, and shook his head repeatedly.

It wasn’t until the next day the Queen pondered the possibility that the groundskeeper’s remedy may have worked! What other reason could there be?? She then ordered his release from the dungeon and had him brought to her in the Princess’ room.

A distraught and starving Perky entered, after which the Queen explained to the Princess what had most likely made her well again, and how they owed a great debt of gratitude to the groundskeeper.

After several weeks, all returned to normal at the Manor. In fact, it wasn’t long afterward that a wedding announcement was made to the entire domain. Festivities were planned to include giant feasts, musicians, games and the like. What a gala celebration it would be!

After the vows were exchanged, the Princess and her husband, Prince Vlad of Romania, spent the next six months traveling the World.

Perky? Well, with the funds given him by the Queen in her gratitude, he moved back to Sweden, his homeland, where he also celebrated a joyous wedding.

And they all lived happily ever after!

  

WHAT????

You were expecting Perky and the Princess to marry??? You silly thing, you!

That only happens in fairy tales!