The Swan with a Princess's Dream

By Elizabeth Keebler

Diamond is a swan who dreams of being with the prince that almost killed her. Prince David being an honorable, dutiful prince is torn for the first time in his life between his heart and his obligations to his kingdom, as he travels to meet his bride-to-be, Princess Audra. Princess Audra is a carefree, willful princess that longs to find a way to free herself from the bonds of being royalty. Reluctantly, Prince David and Princess Audra enter into an arranged engagement not knowing they are about to embark on a journey that, with the help of some very loyal friends, will change their destiny. Diamond finds that having blind faith and trust in those around her, that her dreams come true. Princess Audra has no idea, that her traveling to Prince David’s kingdom, will have her play a role in changing her fate and other’s. In this story, fate is wielded by determination and the unconditional love of friends.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Dec 4, 2020
• ISBN: 9781645445715

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The Swan with a Princess's Dream

Elizabeth Keebler

Copyright © 2020 Elizabeth Keebler

All rights reserved

First Edition

PAGE PUBLISHING, INC.

Conneaut Lake, PA

First originally published by Page Publishing 2020

ISBN 978-1-64544-570-8 (pbk)

ISBN 978-1-64544-571-5 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

The Beginning

The Journey

The Family

The Dinner and Arrangement

The Games

The Journey Home to the One Waiting

The Unexpected Guests

The Revelation

The Disclosure

The Decision

The Spell

The Change and Acceptance

New Beginnings

Happily Ever After

Embracing New Life

This book was written for my family who make me a better person every day and remind me to smile during troubled times.

To my children, who have shown me what the true meaning of unconditional love is. Without you three, I would have nothing to aspire to. You three are what drive me to be a better mother.

To my sister, for always providing me and my children the example of what conditional people bring to your life.

To my mother, who has shown me how much joy fantasy can provide with allowing me to escape from the world of reality.

To all my friends that became family over the years, I greatly appreciate your support with writing this book and pushing me to finally publish it.

I love you all with every fiber of my being. Thank you all for being yourselves and allowing me to share in your journey that we call life.

The Beginning

Diamond is a swan who has a dream of being with her prince. She is a swan of great elegance, grace, and beauty. She has feathers that are as white as the snow on top of the Appalachian Mountains. Her beak is as black as the coals in the deepest mines of the earth. Her blue eyes hold the sky’s glorious beauty and wonder of her home in the enchanted forest.

We find Diamond waddling in her pond, enjoying the rays of the sun as she recalls her memories of being with her prince while he cared for her so tenderly. Diamond lives in the forest, in her pond, that is surrounded by lily pads and lilac flowers. There are tall trees that shade her during the summer and winter months.

We venture into Diamond’s memory.

It was on a bright spring day when the prince of the kingdom, David, was hunting in the forest. The sun shone brightly through the trees as the wind blew at a steady pace. The animals of the forest were bustling around the forest, ensuring to scurry away to the safety of their homes when they heard the prince approaching. Butterflies, bees, and a few hummingbirds could be seen scattered through the forest, flurrying from flower to flower. The color within their wings were gleaming with the sparkling of the sunbeams peering through the various openings within the branches of the trees.

As he walked the forest, keeping his eyes scanning the sky, he saw a shadow floating from above. He drew out his bow and arrow and shot it through the air. A direct hit! The shadow went down deep into the forest. He jumped on his steed and rode in the direction of where the shadow fell, rustling the branches of trees on its way to the forest floor.

As he approached the fallen shadow, his breathing became labored at the view before him. He was looking at the most tranquil creature he’d ever laid eyes on. His eyes soaked in the view of her pure-white feathers, her beautiful coal-black beak, and he briefly caught a glimpse of her eyes, which were as crystal blue as the skies in which she flew. The site of Diamond took his breath away. David was heavyhearted with regret for shooting such a magnificent creature, as hunting was only for feeding himself and his people within the kingdom. With a feeling of being drawn to Diamond, he gently picked her up and made the long journey to his castle.

David arrived at the castle and immediately took Diamond to his infirmary. They removed the arrow piece from her wing and bandaged her wing. The doctor was of medium height and slender stature with straight brown hair that went just above his shoulders, green eyes, and semipale skin tone. His face was a squared shape with a pronounced jaw line. He stood a little taller than the prince. His hands were soft with long, slender fingers, which the prince never noticed until today while he watched the doctor wipe his hands clean with a small towel.

You had a bit of blood still, sire, the doctor said as he finished.

Oh, um, yeah, thanks, the prince replied.

The doctor continued, She’s a remarkable animal, Your Highness. She seems strong. She should heal fine with some rest.

The prince nodded toward the doctor as he lifted Diamond into his arms, carrying her to his bedchamber and placing her on his bed. Stepping to grab a chair from across the room, he stopped for a moment to admire her. With a sigh, he walked over grabbed a chair and a book. He sat at the bedside, reading to her through the night into the early morning hours. He eventually fell asleep himself.

As the sun rose the next morning, Diamond started to wake. She was startled to find herself in this strange place. She started to get up, but pain shot through her, causing her to let out a squawk. This woke David abruptly, and he quickly went to her side. As he was walking toward her, Diamond was able to make out his appearance once the pain started to subside. He was tall, slender, and his body seemed to make a V shape from his shoulders down to his waist. His hair was a light shade of brown with natural highlights of blond that laid just above his broad shoulders which curled slightly at the ends. His eyes were hazel in color that showed gentleness in them. His skin was a caramel color, as if he worked outside in the sun for long periods of time.

He stroked her head down to under her beak and spoke softly, I am David, and you are in my chambers. You’ve been shot with an arrow. I am so sorry. Please don’t be afraid. I would like for you to stay here and let me care for you.

Diamond rested her beak in his hand and looked into his eyes, feeling lost within them as she nodded her head in agreement. David asked for her name.

She replied sheepishly, as she was enchanted by his sweet face and gentle hazel eyes, My name is Diamond.

He replied to her, It matches your eyes. Your feathers are unbelievably white. How is it that I have never seen you in my forest before yesterday?

After a second delay due to blushing, Diamond responded, "I have a little pond in the center of the forest that is surrounded by four empress trees. I am able to stay during the wintertime and not go south with the other birds of your forest. My empress trees have one-foot-wide leaves, creating