The green light appeared through the open doors. At first, it was a small ball of light. Then, it grew, until a figure appeared and stood amongst the crowd of jovial citizens. The stranger in the crowd smiled as the others fretted for their lives.

"You really are a soft bunch," she spoke, her words clear and knife-like. "I had not known the peaceful kingdom I ascended on until I arrived."

"Who are you?" King Richard asked, glaring in the stranger's direction.

"Who am I?" she asked in reply. "I suspect you don't realize who I am, for you have never met me."

For a moment, everyone was silent. Except for Altair, who giggled in her cradle.

The stranger, upon hearing the baby's laughter, strode to the front of the great hall. Her ink cloak swept the floor behind her as she surrounded the cradle in which Altair lay. The stranger's cheekbones were thin, her eyes large and round. A pair of parchment lips drew themselves into a smile as the villain reached out a finger to the young princess.

"It is so kind, for you to have invited me, sister," the stranger commented, looking up at the queen whose face was pale.

"Medeia," the queen said, rising slowly from her chair.

"Was I not invited?" she asked, turning back to view Altair.

"Who is she?" King Richard asked, his voice rising above a yell.

The queen said nothing, only watched as her sister smiled at Altair.

"I see I am not welcome," Medeia said, turning away from the princess. "But I too shall bestow a gift upon the child."

"Guards!" King Richard yelled as Medeia ended her statement. "Seize her!"

Medeia merely waved her hand in prevention of the guards. Her composure changed, and everything about her became cold and sharp. She looked over at the cradle, as if she were protecting the small child.

"Would you risk your baby's life to destroy mine?" she asked. There was a look of sadness on her face as she memorized her sister's hardened look.

"Please leave," the queen said. "For my sake."

"No," Medeia said in response. "I have yet to give a gift to Altair. She will get one from me."

The queen tried to stop Medeia from uttering the curse, but she was frozen in her footsteps. And as the enchantress gazed upon her firstborn, she felt the ache of longing as she had so many times before.

But it wasn't until after Medeia cursed her child that she lost all hope. It wasn't until Medeia spoke the same words she had spoken to her sister.

"How can I love you when you ruin everything in your sight?" she asked.

Queen Margaret gasped into the night air, drawing large breaths back as she sat up. As if on signal, King Richard woke to see his wife crying. He knew the nightmares had returned, despite all he had done in prevention of her grief. He sat up next to her and set a loving hand on her shoulder, concerned for her sake more than his own.

"What is it, my love?" he asked, glancing at the queen whose face was hidden in her hands.

Instead of giving a direct answer, she shook her head and gave a gasp for air. The king, knowing how troubled she became with these dreams, slid his arm down and placed it on her head. It was a gesture of comfort and support, something the queen appreciated from her devoted husband. However, she still fretted the future and what must become of them all.

But her thoughts, no matter how confusing and troublesome they were, always drifted back to her daughter, Altair. Altair, who had been sole named after the bright star in her most beloved constellation, had suffered more than the queen, herself, would ever encounter.

She believed Medeia, the enchantress who had bewitched Altair when she was only a small child, only a few days old at the time, was still out there. there was no doubt in her mind that the witch was still cursing the offspring of royalty in revenge of the mistreatment she had received. Even if there was proof that she had been destroyed, as the king promised, it couldn't be so. how else could Altair remain imprisoned in her sleep all day. To never see sunlight was a rare curse indeed, and it seemed only Altair could have endure it with as much grace as she had.

"Was it the same dream?" the king asked, squeezing the queen's hand gently as she cried.

This time, Queen Margaret looked up into her husband's eyes. "I am afraid it is the very same one," she whispered into the darkness.

The king said nothing, only glanced reassuringly back into Margaret's eyes. He seemed to have an effect on his wife, for after a time, her breathing slowed and she looked calmly back at him.

"You are safe here," he finally said. "She can't hurt Altair any longer. Medeia..."

Queen Margaret shut her eyes instantaneously and interrupted the king. "Don't say her name!"

Gently, the king brought his hands in her face and turned her towards him. Her eyes flitted open at his touch, and he gave her a look of hope. "She won't ever touch our family again. The forces that seek to destroy this kingdom will not penetrate these walls," he said, hoping to console his wife.

"How can you be so sure?" she asked, her voice growing softer.

Without hesitating, King Richard smiled and kissed her in one fluid movement. "Because I have you," he said, after drawing back.

This seemed to calm her and she could think clearly once more. There was a sense of peace that washed over her, and she knew everything could be okay again. If not right then, she knew tomorrow would always be a new day, no matter how distant it seemed from her.

"We will find our way out of the darkness," the king replied, embracing his arms around Margaret. "there is always a solution to the problems we face."

The queen nodded and smiled, hoping to lift her spirits. There was nothing in the world she wanted more than to feel the happiness she had longed for the last sixteen years of her life. If only there was a way to bring about freedom from the curse Altair was bound to.

Just then, Nurse Goody walked through the entrance of the king and queen's bedchamber. Her steps were loud, but quick, her breath frantic.

"Your majesties," Nurse Goody said, bowing before them near the entrance of the room.

The queen stood up from the bed and walked over to Nurse Goody, after grabbing her shall. "Whatever is the matter?" Queen Margaret asked.

"I would not bother your majesty if it was not of importance," she said quickly, fearing the presence of two of the kingdom's most noted leaders.

"Your presence is welcome," the queen said, assuring the nurse in her coming forth. "What do you wish to tell me?"

The nurse looked directly in the queen's eyes though it seemed intimidating. "I have news that is much aggrieved, your majesty." For a moment, she paused and looked over at the king. He had gotten up as well, what on earth the matter was. "You may want to sit down, your majesty."

The queen shook her head, confused at what the nurse was asking. "Is it that upsetting?" she asked, wondering at the oddness of the suggestion.

"I'm afraid it is, your majesty," she replied, looking solemnly at the queen. "It concerns the Princess Altair."

Queen Margaret sat down on the edge of the bed, alarms at the news Nurse Goody proceeded to tell them. She listened with despair as the nurse recounted the dream Altair had seen and her interpretation of it. There seemed to be an eeriness that crept in as she detailed the crow Altair had mentioned, as if Medeia herself were present. It was clear to everyone in the room hat this dream was a vision, and indeed, it would come true. How it would come to pass, no one knew, but this was no ordinary dream. Something was to occur, whether good or bad.

After the nurse grew silent, Queen Margaret began analyzing everything she'd only just heard. Her daughter, Altair, had been dancing with the raven in sunlight. She wondered, if in the dream world, her curse had been broken. If so, they were one step closer to freeing Altair from the wretched curse that enslaved her.

"In the dream," the queen muttered, staring down at the floor, "was Altair awake? Was she awake when she danced with the prince?"

Nurse Goody nodded. "I believe she was, your majesty."

"Then this must mean that the curse will break, and perhaps the raven prince is the answer," the queen concluded. "This is no nightmare at all."

Nurse Goody stared back at the queen. "Perhaps you are right, your majesty."

The king walked over to the queen and tugged on her hand. "Just as I said before, we will always find a way through the darkness."

* * *

Outside the castle, Altair continued to dance with her prince. Or at least, the raven prince. She danced through the garden, making Prince Cadfan fall deeply in love with her. None such as her could make him feel any happier than he felt at that moment. He was amazed at her skills, wondering how anyone could dance with such grace.

She sang a well-known tune as she danced, weaving in and out of the maze of hedged bushes. It must have been a Laralec tune, for it was nothing Cadfan had ever heard before.

The wind pushes through the trees,

And as I dance, I feel the breeze.

The wind blowing through,

Reminds me of a song that is true.

There is no way to know,

If the song I sing can sew,

A broken heart, a troubled mind,

A silent tear, a hope to bind.

Altair had a lovely voice, and she sang until is seemed night would never end. Though it stretched on and on, Cadfan was not displeased. He had a perfect dance partner, one who possessed both beauty on the inside and out.

Soon, however, Altair's smile faded and was replaced with sadness. She looked as if she were about to dry, not knowing what life would bring her.

Cadfan wanted to ask the princess what was wrong, wondering what she was thinking. He hoped to find the princess in the morning and get to know her better before night came again and stole his chances of speaking with her.

As Altair walked down the pathway, she wondered what might become of her. How much longer could she live, acknowledging the fact that she was only a prisoner to this curse. She looked up at the moon, trying to decide her fate. It seemed to her that nothing would be okay as long as she remained under such a curse.

"If only..." she whispered, setting the raven on the branch next to her.

The night air grew cold and crisp, making Altair shudder. Cadfan looked up at the princess, only to see her pain grow worse.

"If only I could meet new people and have new adventures, instead of being locked in a greenhouse all day," Altair said, looking over at the branch Cadfan was perched on.

It happened so suddenly. Altair fell to the ground, the first ray of sunlight filling the sky. Cadfan transformed back into his original self, but couldn't help falling down next to Altair.

He tried to wake her, telling her everything, that he was the raven prince and that he would find a way to save her, but it was no use. Altair would spend another day, resting under the sunlight. There was nothing Cadfan knew that could save her from the curse.

Cadfan, though he tried, was unable to wake her, and it nearly broke him.

There was a slight bit of confusion as Nurse Goody ran out to fetch the princess. Cadfan was still by Altair's side, wondering how on earth he could help her. Nurse Goody knew that there was nothing the boy could do that would help her in any way at present. She smiled as graciously as much as she could manage, then focused her attention on Altair.

Unable to lift the princess on her own. Nurse Goody looked towards Cadfan. Though she said nothing, the prince helped to lift Altair into the greenhouse. Nurse Goody trailed behind, watching as the mystery boy set the princess gently on her bed. He seemed friendly, though she unsure of his intentions. Where did he come from? she wondered. But then another thought crossed her mind. Had he been with Altair?

It certainly was a possibility, and she knew there was no other man awake at that hour in the night other than the gardener himself.

For a time, she was troubled, knowing how improper it was a lady of Altair's age to come in contact with the servants. Silly thoughts often unfolded in Altair's mind, especially when she talked about true love. It was her belief, Nurse Goody recalled, that love could present itself between any two persons who genuinely cared for each other. Altair often talked nonsensically of her dreams involving her so-called true love, and she wondered if the gardener could truly be the one. According to Altair's words, "I do believe I have found the other half of my heart."

Pervaded by this troubling thought, Nurse Goody ran through the maze and sound her way to the greenhouse. She did not want her precious Altair spending time with a lowly servant. No less, a servant who worked outside under the heat of the sun. Nothing could be worse for the king's daughter.

Soon, Nurse Goody reached the greenhouse. Through the glass, she could see Cadfan tucking Altair's hair behind her ear. He was soft in his manner, unlike the roughness Nurse Goody pictured. There was something in the way he looked at the princess that caused the nurse to relax. It reminded her of her own true love. Her husband.

Though Frederick had long since passed on, she still remembered his stolen glances and gentle eyes. She could not forget the way he made her feel. So happy and joyful all the time. The memory caused her to see Cadfan in a new light.

"Boy?" Nurse Goody asked. Cadfan had returned outside to Nurse Goody's side. "I have not seen your face in this part of the grounds."

Cadfan looked confusingly towards the nurse, wondering what she implied. "I am afraid I do not understand."

"Are you not a gardener?" Nurse Goody asked.

Cadfan wondered what he was doing there suddenly, though he was still dazed by all that had spiraled in the last few hours. "No. I am not a..."

"Of course," Nurse Goody interrupted. "I understand you must be one of the newly hired hands King Richard called for. Perhaps I should introduce myself."

Prince Cadfan glanced down at his attire, aware of the aura it presented. Though he tried to contradict the nurse, he could not run away before the nurse spoke again.

"I'm Nurse Goody, Princess Altair's governess," she said, smiling. "I trust you've already met the princess."

Cadfan, still unsure how to get out of this without falling into a trap, grinned awkwardly. "Uh, yes. I have had the wonderful pleasure of meeting the princess already."

"And, pray tell, what is your name?" Nurse Goody asked.

"Uh," Cadfan searched for some name that might disguise his falsehood. "It's Diaval. Diaval of um... Laralec."

"Welcome, Diaval. I hope you have had an easy transition into hard labor associated in tending the castle grounds," Nurse Goody said. She secretly hoped he enjoyed his conversations with Altair.

"I have, thank you," Diaval replied. He prayed his manner and character played out as scripted in his head.

"Well, I'm glad to hear of it," Nurse Goody replied. "If you need anything, I will be attending to her majesty, the princess Altair."

"I'm sure I can handle everything," Cadfan replied. "I am, after all, a gardener."

Nurse Goody raised her eyebrows, questioning him.

"The king's gardener, that is."

Nurse Goody curtly nodded, not wanting to be a part of the conversation any longer. She walked off, gathering supplies to tend to Princess Altair. In her absence, Cadfan found himself staring through the greenhouse glass.

"What kind of princess rests in a greenhouse?" he asked quietly. "Much less, in the day?"

He paused, thinking about the oddness surrounding him. A girl who sleeps through the day, a nurse who was delusional, and a prince into gardening. He was unsure of his new life. If, in fact, that's what he could call barely existing.

Somewhere in the kingdom of Adardoven, his mother was searching for him. He knew King Hubert could care less where he was. All the tyrant seemed to care about was the person next in line to the throne. Yet, there was no way of knowing when that day would come.

Cadfan dreaded everything to do with the government, and he had no desire to be in power. As a child, Cadfan watched his father change whilst he was ruling. His face grew more sharp and tired, his smile faded. He grew thin and dark-skinned. And Cadfan wanted nothing his father was prepared to give up.

The day would come, no matter how much Cadfan wished it would not. It seemed impossible that things could ever change in Adardoven. The government was corrupt and the citizens were now slaves to the large taxes set upon their brittle bones. Cadfan found it disgusting that the leaders of the kingdom could stand by and add fuel to the flames that were beginning to burn.

But as Cadfan looked through the glass, he pictured a peaceful kingdom with a government supported by the people, not against its citizens.

And as Cadfan looked through the glass, he wondered what his father was doing at that exact same moment.

* * *

King Hubert stared out the the window of his study, watching as the farmers marched to work. He noticed their shrugging shoulders and grim looks. How he thought of this failing kingdom often. Though seen as a tyrant, the king wanted so much to help his people.

But his heart was not in the right place. He was a villain and he knew it. However, that did not stop him from creating new laws that would infringe upon the rights of Adardoven's citizens. There was nothing else he could think of that would help the economy recover from the war. As his fear rose, so did his tyranny.

"Your majesty," a footman called out. "The queen enters."

The king stood and bowed to his wife, though he wished to be alone. Dealing with the queen was not something King Hubert looked forward to. In fact, he abhorred the thought of her coming to converse with him on matters he wished to avoid.

Queen Elisabeth had her red hair pinned up today, and not flowing in curls. She wore a blue frock that sucked the air from her lungs. Her face had grown older in the last few months, her eyes were tired. She seemed to be in less of a good mood, and was more stressed than ever.

"You are not going to tell me what I already know," King Hubert said.

"And what is that?" she interrogated him. "That the streets are lined with beggars and priests?"

"I have seen them from my window," he replied. "Nasty sort of people."

"That nasty sort of people are our loyal citizens!" Queen Elisabeth remarked. "Religion is teaching to hate our king and destroy all traces of this corrupt government. Is this the kind of mark you wish to leave on this kingdom?"

"Of course not!" he said, raising his voice.

"Then do something about it!" she concluded.

"I can't," King Hubert said, the tension in the room rising. "It's not only I who makes the decisions in Adardoven. There are others who have my support."

"The very wealthy and educated do not count. There are people starving out there, people without homes," Queen Elisabeth continued. "People who are lost."

"Just as your son is lost!"

Queen Elisabeth sat down on a settee near the window. She had a look of longing drawn on her face as she stared at the king. "Yes," she said. "We must find our son. But that is not going to solve the problem we have before us."

King Hubert glared at his wife. "There's nothing I can do anymore," he said bluntly. "I've already lost the trust of this kingdom's people. No matter what laws I revoke or freedoms I give, these citizens will still hate me. They do not think I am fit to rule."

"Perhaps you are not," the queen replied, turning to face the window.

"What's that supposed to mean?" the king asked. "Do you believe me to be some kind of tyrant as well?"

"As of late, I do not know what to believe."

King Hubert paced the study, contemplating his options. There was really nothing he could do that would please both the council and the people. It seemed there was a noose tied around his neck that was slowly cutting off his oxygen supply every moment that passed. Whether he tried to change the laws or not, things would grow worse for the kingdom.

It's funny how his lost son didn't really crossed his mind.

"Maybe Cadfan could help," the queen suggested. "Be a light the people need."

"Yes, but he isn't here," King Hubert said flatly.

"We could send a search party."

"And would we get any satisfactory results?" the king asked. "We've sent out more than a dozen search parties and still haven't found our son. It is no use any longer. Besides, you said it yourself earlier, finding him won't help us solve the issue of our government."

"I suppose this never-ending problem is a consequence from our mistakes of the past," Queen Elisabeth noted.

"Mistakes..." the king muttered, suddenly thinking of a young girl he'd met before he had inherited his father's throne.

Her soft brown hair and light eyes still hung in Hubert's mind, making him long for days of old. He wished he could go back and live in the past, never losing the girl he loved. Why did everything have to be so different now?

And yet, he wanted the memory to take him back like it had so many times before. Spring was in the air again, and the kingdom was with peace...

"Why are you staring off into the distance?" Queen Elisabeth interrupted his thoughts. "Was it something I said that offended you?"

King Huber glared at Elisabeth, then marched toward the door. "I'm going someplace where I can think and not be disturbed by petty matters!"

"Fine. Leave," Queen Elisabeth replied. "Just remember you have a kingdom to run."

"I understand what I need to do."

"I am only trying to warn you," she continued, as if King Hubert hadn't already spoken. "There are people out there who wish to have you hanged. If you are not careful, they will rebel and the kingdom your ancestors fought for will be destroyed within a fortnight."

"I shall thank you for being my seer," King Hubert replied before leaving his study.

He walked down the hallways, tracing his steps down to the third floor. It was forbidden to all others except the king himself. His demeanor was ominous, his mood dim. there was something in the way he carried himself that caused all others to shrink in fear. King hubert was dangerous, and need to calm himself before his temper took control.

As he walked through the corridor and turned a corner, he thought of the girl he'd met that spring those many years ago. He allowed the memory to take him away from the present and he delved into the past.

He entered the east tower, looking along the walls at the colorful paintings. The sad-filled memories swept over him as he sat in the velvet chair he had upholstered himself. And then, came the images.

Much like the paintings on the wall, they were bright and detailed, standing out amongst the cold gray stone. There would never be a spring quite like that one, however many springs the king encountered in his lifetime. She was the one who sparked life in him, and only she could remind him of happiness. No one, not even his wife, had made him feel the way Margaret had.

And as he contemplated on the events of a heart-wrenching path, he had no idea that Medeia was working to destroy any remnants of that horrific time.