I Found Myself While Lost

"Two more hours darling! Soon you'll be wed!" The Queen grabbed the princess and pulled her along. Padma was taken, reluctantly with words unsaid, silently hoping that her fear wouldn't be to strong. Barging into a great white room a new fear was born. The Princess stared at the tiara that would claim her. This small toy was such a burden when it was worn. She turned to the window letting the world blur. Absorbed in her thoughts; Padma began to walk. "Where on Earth are you going," The Queen called. She was calling her name but Padma could not talk, And the Queen followed her in shock, appalled. When Padma was found she was in her Pointe shoes. "There's no time for that Princess, you must prepare!" With one solid look she knew Padma would refuse. "One final dance in the garden," she spoke with a glare. She twirled, spinned, and flew for an hour. The garden was more beautiful with Padma there, And dancing Padma held much more power. Here, in the garden, she was not The Royal Heir. Today was different, these were her last moments. She danced with hope that someday she could return. Until this day Padma never held so much emotion, And suddenly she could no longer feel the suns burn. She looked up and she was surrounded by trees. Padma had danced into a forest she did not know. Her white dress was now covered in black leaves. Deep in the darkness she saw a small light glow. Her heart racing she climbed a tall oak. She would hide from the creature that crawled about. In an instant a branch snapped, cracked, and broke. Falling to the forest floor Padma held in her shout. She ripped off her Pointe shoes and hid them in dirt. "I'll come back I promise but now I have to run." As she was racing away from the light hysteric, not alert, Padma slammed into a black figure her screaming had begun. "Silence, silence, you'll draw attention." It was a boy who held her and he was so calm. "I won't hurt you, hurry, or we will draw suspicion." Padma watched in terror as he held out his palm. He knew the forest inside and out. Every tree, leaf, and branch as if it were a test, He was quickly moving with no hesitation or doubt. Padma pulled his arm begging for rest. He lifted her despite the fact she was dirty and damp. Trembling Padma wished this day could just end. Moments later they had reached a small camp. She cried as he put her down, she couldn't pretend. "Please do not worry, here you are safe." She looked upon at the filthy boy with fear in her eyes. As He bent down and Padma darted away from his face. Eventually he went to sleep listening to her cries. Padma fell asleep hoping not to awaken. The morning sun rays beamed behind the boys head, And Padma jumped up completely shaken. The boy, now clean, grabbed her before she fled. "Kill me! Kill me please!" Over and over she screamed. "Silence, silence, I won't hurt you. This I promise." He hugged her; he was different from what he seemed. She clasped to him and cried, against her conscience. "Who are you? Where do you come from," He asked. "I’m Padma," were the only words she mustered. He looked strangely at her then suddenly it passed. "Wash in the lake" he spoke, Padma still flustered. He walked through the trees and disappeared Padma had no idea if he would ever come back She was in the water when he reappeared. The closer he got the more she heard a familiar clack. She raced towards her Pointe shoes reaching out her hand. "What is a princess doing in such a dark place?" He dangled them over her head as she jumped in the sand. "Please," She screamed as her heart picked up pace. "Aren't you to be married? Why are you here?" "There is much to explain but little time" she cried. "Well my princess my schedule seems to be clear. I must hear the story of a runaway bride." "There is no story," she whimpered. "I'm just lost." He stared at her again, and suddenly she could speak. "I needed time before the kingdoms were crossed. I went for a dance, was in the forest, now in this creek." "Well," he said. "We must take you back to where you're from." As he spoke, slowly he brought down his arm. Padma's eyes followed the shoes and she became numb. He watched her put them on, not with fear but charm. She stood up and danced, gracefully through the forest. The sun’s rays, split by the trees, shined as she laughed. The boy stared at Padma, like an amazed tourist. Because Dancing was not an escape here, it was her craft. "Princess if you wish then you may stay." Padma stopped abruptly and removed her Pointe shoes, And again she had lost her charming display. The princess whispered, "I must return. It is not for me to choose." He led her back to the kingdom and the princess followed. At the border of the forest she stopped and cried, Gripped her Pointe shoes, took a deep breath, and swallowed. With every glance at her castle she died a little more inside. "Good luck Princess and may your reign be long." He turned to leave but stopped when she dropped down, Wondering if he had done something wrong. Putting on her shoes, again she destroyed her gown. "My name is Padma not Princess, don't you remember?" "Sorry," he bowed. "I will call you Padma from now on" "Do not bow down to me. I'm no longer a royal member. We must quickly leave the border before it reaches dawn." They marched into the forest and now Padma led. "Are you going to stay here in the forest and not go back?" "Yes," replied Padma. "I will not wed." "You have no clean clothes. And your white dress is now black." "The forest is dangerous and can bring a royal down." At these harsh words Padma started to run, Screaming at the trees, "I am not the crown." Amazed, he joined her and danced with the rising sun.