Ben and Lucy: The Sunken Kingdom

Ben’s dream filled his head. The images began to become clearer. Floating at first then landing in place like a movie. He looked around taking in the scene. Vivid and crisp. He was in a palace. Huge ceilings with paintings of the ocean all around. Fish and underwater creatures jumping out of the ocean. Ben turned to look out a window on his left. As he peered out he realized he was underwater. He was in the sunken kingdom. Clear water allowing one to see deep under the water’s surface through the window. He stepped closer to get a better view. Beautiful colors of blue, aqua, green, purple, yellow and red. Fish, dolphins, seals and sharks. A huge whale with mermaids riding them swam past. Lights from below the water.

Ben turned away from the window. He was now floating above the floor, drifting higher and higher. Ben looked down from the ceiling, all below him were people. Two legged people with long flowing blonde and reddish hair filled the room. Each one draped in flowing garments arranged in the colors of the sea. Pastils reminding Ben of their family trips to ocean. Seashells mounted on the walls with candles lighting the room. Hundreds and hundreds of candles. Music filled his ears. Earthy, acoustic sounds that soothed.

Ben began to drift back down amongst the crowd. No one noticed him. After gently coming to rest upon the marble floor, he turned and looked directly in the face of a beautiful girl. Glowing green eyes radiating from behind a wreath of long flowing blonde hair. Ben was frozen by the beauty. Her beauty captivated him. The two communicated through their eyes, no words were said. Only music filled the room.

The girl smiled at him for a moment then turned and ran away amongst the mass of people. He looked but she had disappeared as quickly as she had appeared. He started to look for here in the crowd, but the people swelled and he could not move. The girl had come and gone in a blink of an eye.

Now the music stopped and all heads turned to the right. Ben looked as well. Up on a stage covered in flowers and candles stood a majestic woman. Her eyes were deep blue with golden yellow hair down to the floor. The eyes were illuminated from within. The woman’s eyes met Ben’s. The intensity made Ben nervous. Quickly she turned her view away from his. Ben continued to watch this enchantress. She had flowers in her hair with a crystal crown that glowed and changed colors. Blues, yellows, orange and red.

“Greetings my weary travelers. Welcome to my Kingdom under the lake. Now we celebrate our friendships, for tomorrow you must prepare for a dangerous and important journey where my kingdom rests upon your success.” He eyes turned and met Ben’s. The enchantress communicated with her eyes. Ben felt her power through her sight. His body grew tense. Energy rose inside of him. He knew now that he was staring at the Queen. The rest of the crowd drifted into darkness as she continued to stare back at him. Thoughts came through her to him.

“You will save us. Do not fear. The power is within you and your sister. Be strong and believe.” She then turned away and the light returned to the room. People were now all around him, pushing to see the Queen.

“Let the music and the feast begin.” The Queen then clapped her hands and magically music filled the room. Tables upon tables appeared filled with food and drink for all. The crowd made their way to their seats. All following into line at preselected places. He remained standing as the crowd left him. Soon he was alone in the huge room. He was the only one standing. The Queen’s eyes met his. She motioned him to sit beside her. As he stepped towards her all eyes followed him. He sat down beside the Queen on his right and then to his left was Lucy smiling back at him.

Ben was enjoying the dream at this point, smiling in his sleep. His sister was having an opposite nightmare. Lucy stirred in her bed. The sky was dark and the air was heavy. She was cold. A mist was all about. She was huddled in a small cave, all alone. She shivered in the cold. Too afraid to move.

Where was she? She felt alone. Lucy looked around. The cave was huge. She heard water dripping. It was dark with only a light light coming through the opening of the cave. It was night and the moon was full. Clouds drifted past the moon. She heard a wolf howl in the distance. She was scared. She felt the chill on her arms. Colder she became. Her teeth were chattering. Was anyone going to find her? She wanted to go home.

Light flashed across the sky like lightning. The air suddenly filled with a loud crash. The walls and floors of the cave shook. Lucy screamed but no sound came forth. She jumped to her feet. Where was she? Someone needed to find her.

The darkness fell around her. She could hear heavy breathing. The light from the moon disappeared and she was in total darkness. She felt breath on her neck. Terror seized her. The breath was not warm but even colder stir than the air. She tried to move but she could not. Her arms and legs were frozen stiff. The cold was unbearable. Red eyes appeared before her. She tried to move. Harder and harder she tried. No good, still no movement was possible. The eyes grew closer. Then she heard the voice.

“Well my pretty little one. What have we here?” The voice was low and evil sounding. Slow and methodical. The words slithered into her ears.

“Your brother and friends can’t save you now.” The voice spoke close to her ears. A slight tickle went across her left ear. The fear gee more intense within her. She could barely stand it.

“Look and see you brave brother.” The voice commanded. There before he on the ground lay her brother lifeless. Terror filled her very soul.

Lucy awoke abruptly. She looked around the room. She was back in Growler’s house next to Ben. She felt cold. The fire had gone out and her blanket was on the floor. She reached down and grabbed the covers quickly.

After realizing where she was Lucy relaxed and pulled the covers tightly around her. She curled up into a ball, trying to warm herself. She reached out and touched Ben lightly for comfort. She lay in the dark for some time before drifting back to sleep. This time to a peaceful slumber overtook her. She drifted back home in her own bed and dreamt of her mom and dad. She could smell her mom cooking breakfast. Peacefully she slept.

Ben and Lucy sleep through the rest of the night. Ben’s palace dream subsided and melted away as he slept. Lucy continued to sleep in comfort and the fearful nightmare did not return. She slept soundly as well.