A Million Thoughts Away

By Zain Salam

Dedication

Dedicated to my family, for guiding me through when it was tough.

Copyright 2016

Maple Leaf Writing Project

Brattleboro, Vermont.

“Nicole! Time to wake up!” My mom's voice jolted me from my peaceful slumber. “Meet me down in the atrium for breakfast! See you in a bit!”

I groggily wiped the sleep from my eyes as I sat up on my canopy bed, and looked around my hot pink room. I threw off the covers and walked over to my light blue, sparkly chest of drawers and pulled out my favorite red dress. As I put it on, I couldn’t help thinking that I would rather be asleep, even though that I knew that with my mom I would always have a good day. My mom was a nice kind of woman who everybody liked. To know her is to love her, my teacher always says.

🔯🔯🔯🔯

I walked down the wide hallway leading into the atrium. I could smell delicious eggs and bacon on our table, the smell wafting over to me. “So, honey, since this is our first day in our brand-new house, I thought maybe you could go exploring while I was at work today! Wouldn't that be fun?” My mom exclaimed enthusiastically.

“That sounds great, Mom!” I said. “Maybe I can bring my swimming suit and look for a pond!”

“NO! You can look for a pond, but you may NOT swim.

“Okay, I’ll just sunbathe.” I hastily finished my breakfast and ran to my room. I walked back over to the chest of drawers and pulled out my bathing suit. I pulled off my dress and threw on my bathing suit underneath it, pulling it back over my head. I ran back down to the atrium, trying to hide the mischievous smile that was threatening to creep onto my face. “See you after work, Mom! Love you! Goodbye!”

“I love you too, honey!” my mom said. I hurried out the door.

Chapter 2

The Pond of Neverwhere

I walked over to the trail in the woods I'd seen earlier. I walked and walked, and my legs started aching, and I started wondering if there even was a pond on the property. I was just about to turn around when I saw the thing that I would soon know would change my life forever.

🔯🔯🔯🔯

The water glowed a mystical blue, illuminating the forest around it. I felt a compelling urge to touch it. It couldn’t possibly be dangerous; it looks sooooo cool and innocent. A quick dip couldn't hurt. I thought. I got out of my dress and jumped in.

The water washed over me, leaving a tingly feeling in my body. I knew that it wasn't possible, but it felt like the water went through the inside of my body as well. I kicked to the surface, but when I came up for air, my surroundings had changed completely.

Chapter 3

The Castle of Neverwere

I was no longer in the woods; I was in a waterfall that was flowing into a small pool. The pool was at the back of what appeared to be a huge palace, beautiful and elegant.

I stepped out of the waterfall and onto the marble around it. I wonder who lives here, I thought. They must be very interesting people. I walked over to what appeared to be a large sliding door - one that seemed to be made of crystal, and was perfectly clear.

I knocked three times, and someone who looked like he worked here stepped out. "How may I help you, Miss......?"

"Nicole. Nicole Edra Magik. I kinda got lost and-"

"Goodness me, did I hear you right? Magik is the last name of the queen! I must take you to see her at once!" He took my arm and led me through the palace and to what I took to be the Queen's personal quarters.

"What is it, dear?," the queen said.

"Queen, if I am not very much mistaken, I have found the lost princess."

🔯🔯🔯🔯

“Sir Christmastime, I do not believe it is April Fool’s at present.”

“Look at her, your majesty! She has red hair!” Sir Christmastime said, awe creeping in from the edges of his voice. “You know just as well as I do that this is impossible unless one is a member of the royal family!” At this, the queen finally looked up from her magazine (Called Royal and Rich Weekly) and looked at Nicole. What she saw astonished her.

Chapter 4

Neverwhere

Queen Annabeth

I was looking at my granddaughter, Princess Nicole. The princess who had been in the Land of Other with my daughter, Princess Cristina, for her entire life. There had been prophecies written about her, saying that she could stop the evil dragon from the wild meadows, and bring peace to Neverwhere. She was overwhelmed with joy, and thought, I’ll get Christina’s old room ready for her.

Chapter 5

My New Room Palace

I looked expectantly at the queen, very confused. Just under an hour ago, I had been eating breakfast! I wanted answers. I looked up at the queen, and said quite simply, “Please explain.”

The queen drew in a breath and started. “Well, I’m Queen Annabeth, and this is my kingdom. Your mother is my daughter. She was next in line for the throne, but she declined. So that leaves the throne to you. This is a magical land, and royal people get dragons and have magical powers.”

I stared up in utter disbelief. This woman must be a real loon, she thought. I said, “What on Earth are you talking about?”

Queen Annabeth stared at her and said, “Don’t believe me? Watch this.” Queen Annabeth stared at Sir Christmastime and lifted him into the air, and made him spin around like a top. Nicole stared at her in disbelief. “Now, do you want me to take you to the royal stables?”

I said, “No, thanks.”

Chapter 6

The Explanation

"So, I'm sure you want to know why you are here." Said Annabeth.

"Yes please," said Nicole.

"Well, I hope I don't sound crazy, but here goes. There were ancient scrolls written many years ago about a princess who would be born in the Land Of Other. She would have red hair, a color that is impossible here. You fulfill all requirements."

"How do I get back home?"

"That's the hard part. There is a purple royal dragon who is destroying our lands due to a concussion that is causing lapse of reason. You must defeat him before you may return to the land of Other."

"How in Neverwhere would I do that? I can't even make a trained dog obey me."

"All of the royal family are gifted with magical powers. the scrolls state that you possess the most powerful magic ever. You must take him down."

"Can I train? I’ve never used magic before.” asked Nicole.

"Of course you can. We wouldn’t want you to storm into battle untrained." said Annabeth.

Chapter 7

The Training

"I will train you in magic. Your lessons begin right now."

"So, what do I do?" Nicole asked.

"Try to levitate me. Close your eyes and focus. Imagine me floating above my throne." Nicole screwed up her eyes and imagined Queen Annabeth floating. She heard a gasp, and she opened her eyes. Queen Annabeth had shot through the ceiling and onto the roof.

"Are you okay?" asked Nicole.

"I'm fine," she said, levitating herself down to her throne, plaster covering her body.. The ceiling fixed magicly behind her.

"Now let's try that a few more times........."

Chapter 8

Royal Dinners For Dummies

"You have completed your training!" said Queen Annabeth excitedly. Now, let's have a feast."

**************

The Queen herself helped Nicole into a fabulous, flowing dress of the most exquisite emerald green. It had REAL emeralds on it!

"Now let's go to the banquet hall," said Queen Annabeth. Nicole followed the Queen into the biggest room she had ever seen. It was filled with huge tables, and there was one that made the hugest buffet table she’d ever seen. It was laden with every food imaginable! Nicole filled her plate and followed Annabeth over to a table on a raised platform near the front. It was the best feast she ever had. Queen Annabeth said that they would confront the dragon tomorrow. Nicole would help with her powers (they were the best in recorded history). The dragon keepers would get the dragon back to her hospital building (The dragon would take up the whole thing!) and receive around-the-clock medical attention until she was healed.

Chapter 9

Prophecy Problems

Nicole woke up early the next morning, and went right to the throne room. Today she would confront the dragon for the first time. She followed Annabeth to a chariot. She got in feeling nervous, her stomach filled with butterflies.

When the chariot stopped, Nicole finally looked out the window and saw the most amazing thing she had ever set eyes on. A huge, purple dragon was sitting in the mouth of a gigantic cave. She snorted fire. She didn't seem to notice that there was a chariot within breathing range. "You must charge at her, and lift her to the top of the cave. Make her faint. The doctors will take it from there. "

"When?"

"The sooner the better." Nicole decided to go ASAP. She held her breath and charged.

The dragon didn't notice her until it was too late. She was already floating unconscious in the air. Nicole's entire being ached. This was surely the most difficult thing she had ever done. She tried and.…......……….... She did it!

Chapter 10

Goodbye, Grandma

Nicole sat down next to the dragon beside her hospital building (She took up the whole thing!). Annabeth was sitting next to her. "So, can I go home now?" Nicole asked.

"Absolutely." said Annabeth. After the next meal I will escort you back to the Land of Other right after lunch. " they smiled at each other, but were cut short by a loud rumbling noise. The dragon was awakening. She opened her mouth wide and everyone reared back in fear. But the dragon only opened its mouth and said, "Sorry. "

"He spoke!" Said Nicole.

"Only the lost princess can understand dragons. And it is said that the first one she understands will be her royal dragon. You have fulfilled this prophesy. "

“So, the first purple dragon will be my royal dragon?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Awesome! I think i’ll name her…….. Rosie.”

“What a nice name. Now, let’s discuss getting you home………..”

***

“By the order of dragon owning in the fourth decree, and thereby edited by a prophecy by the ancient kings, I declare Rosie to be Nicole Edra Magik’s Royal Dragon.” The crowd erupted into roaring applause, smiling joyously.

Nicole waved goodbye to the kingdom as she left in Annabeth's carriage. Annabeth had explained to Nicole that time went much faster in the land of other. She would arrive a few hours after she left. She couldn't wait to see her mom. She had a lot of explaining to do.

Like why she hadn’t just told her that she had magical powers. And why she hadn’t told her that she was a princess. And why she hadn’t told her that she could have been queen. Why she hadn’t told her that she was royalty. And would it have hurt to mention that she was in numerous prophecies? They could have had so much fun together! They could have gone dragon racing, had magical competitions, frolic in the vast fields, and, most of all, not kept any secrets, not any, anymore, ever.

Chapter 11

A Million Thoughts Closer

Nicole jumped into the pond. When she came up for air, she was back at the pond. She got out of the pond. She looked at it, it’s water glowing a deep, royal blue. She followed the path. She walked into the house and said, "Mom, I just met Grandma. You have a lot of explaining to do……”