I Can't Forget the Melody

Chapter One

Three years slipped slowly, drearily, miserably by. Three years of sorrow, of loneliness, of heartache, of pain. Day after day, Cinderella discovered that life is meaningless without the one you love nearby. She was well-treated and the lady with whom she had been sent to live was a kindly, motherly soul. She was given every possible comfort, every attention, but it mattered little. Suitors came and went every so often, longing to win the heart of the sad-eyed little maiden. But to each and every one, she replied sadly, "My heart belongs to another... till the day I die." The days were empty... as empty as the hole in her heart.

Those days dragged even more slowly by for the newly-married prince. Tortured by the memory of a love so beyond his reach, he lived in as much solitude as he could possibly cling to. His wife, the Princess Selena, proud and fickle though she seemed, knew that he shunned her and it hurt her cruelly. She avoided her husband whenever she could, though that wasn't difficult, since he was never around to avoid. Just the sight of his sorrow-filled eyes, his blank expression when he looked at her was enough to make her wish she'd entered a nunnery. But she, too, had hidden a tragic past in her heart and carried this pain along with the knowledge that her husband could never love her.

The dismal, quiet existence-for it surely wasn't life-dragged on. Not a single change in the daily routine. Until-the Princess Selena fell dangerously ill. Tossing and turning in fever day and night, she muttered restlessly, her feverish eyes wandering fearfully. For days she lay at death's door. Throughout this time, she had received the best possible of care but still her husband had stayed away. In her lucid moments, she did not wonder at this. She knew why he stayed away. She knew he did not love her. But at last, in her fevered mind, she began to cry out for him. Seeing she was nearly at the end, the doctor sent for the Prince and, at last, he came.

Slowly, Prince Edward approached the bedside of his dying wife. Her face was snow white, yet the flush of death was on her cheeks. She turned her head toward him, weakly, and the look in her eyes smote him to the heart. He could never love her, that he knew for certain, but he realized then that she had been lonely, that she had been suffering just as much as he. In remorse, he knelt beside her, took her cold hand in his.

"You still... love her," she whispered with great effort. "You... you always... have. You... never loved me."

He said nothing, for he was suddenly aware of tears filling his eyes. She continued slowly.

"I... didn't love you either." she gasped out. "There was... another. But he... he was too... too low... for me. I... resented you."

"I understand," he murmured, feeling wretched. "I'm sorry." Surely he could have tried harder. Surely they could have been friends! He had never seemed to realize that she had been placed in the same position. That she had the same pain in her heart that he did.

"I'm sorry too." she whispered, a tear slipping down her cheek. "But now... my suffering... and yours... will end. I... will... die. And you... will be free. We will both be... free." and she smiled weakly. With those words, she breathed her last. Bending over her, Edward kissed her cheek gently, then stood and left the room. Strange that he should feel no relief. He felt only sorrow as before. His thoughts turned to Cinderella and he wondered where she could be. He would find her now. But... the thought of the broken heart his wife had hid those three years they were together and her sad little story of misery made his own heart ache and he wept for her.

Chapter Two

Far, far away, Cinderella sat alone in a garden, looking moodily at the book she held in her hand and not comprehending a word of it. She had not turned a page in nearly half an hour. Her heart was aching with loneliness. She had thought, hoped, prayed that the ache would go away with time. But it only intensified. She knew only that she could no longer bear being so far away. Her decision was made in an instant. Perhaps if she had considered it for longer than an instant, she wouldn't have made a decision that later on seemed rather foolish. But the fact remains, she made it and acted upon it.

When darkness fell that night, a girl could be seen, wrapped in a dark cloak, and slipping soundlessly down the garden path, through the gate, and on to the road that would lead her out of the country of her exile. She hardly knew why she was leaving, she only knew that she could no longer stand the distance. Even though all chance for her happiness was gone, she felt that just by being near him, just by seeing him... even if only from a distance... would be comfort.

The court mourned the death of the Princess in official, stately style. After all, everything must be protocoligorically correct. But Prince Edward did not allow any more time than was necessary to pass before he began the search for his lost love. Reluctantly, the king informed him that she had been sent to the country of Sylvania, which lay across the bordering country of Snodden. Not trusting the task to couriers, the prince set out himself at once, accompanied by Sir John and the required retinue of soldiers. The journey was a long and difficult one and every mile that brought him closer to Sylvania filled Edward with indignation that his darling had been sent so far over so rough a terrain.

Frightened and confused by the maze of roads she was confronted with, Cinderella made her slow and painful way back to Euphrania. In spite of the rugged and difficult pace of the journey, she was determined. The melody in her heart would surely lead her home.

She stopped at little farmhouses along the way, asking for food and shelter in exchange for any work at all that she could do. Often she found herself scrubbing floors, cooking for large families, and sleeping in hay lofts. Once, as she moved through a little village, she heard trumpets announcing a royal procession. Not waiting to watch the procession go by, she hid in the shadows. She did not hear the whispered rumors flitting through the village: "It is the prince of Euphrania searching for his lost love!"

"What do you mean, she's gone?!" Prince Edward thundered angrily. After weeks of traveling, he had at last arrived at the home of Lady Delanoy in Sylvania, where Cinderella had spent the last three unhappy years.

"She just disappeared, your Highness!" Lady Delanoy insisted, shaking her head in bewilderment. "The maid went up to her room one morning and she was not there. The bed hadn't even been slept in and some of her clothes were missing."

"Did you send anyone to search for her?"

"Yes, your Highness, of course. We searched for days without a trace of her. I expect she ran away to get married."

"No... no!" the prince cried, gritting his teeth. "Something must have gone wrong! Did you mistreat her? Was she unhappy here?"

"I know she was unhappy," Lady Delanoy faltered, her face gone white. "But she was always given the best of care, her every comfort was seen to, as befitting a princess."

"She's out there somewhere," Edward threw back his head defiantly. "And try as they might, they can't keep me from finding her. I'll search for her to every corner of the earth!"

Chapter Three

At long last, Cinderella slipped past the border of Euphrania and found herself looking to the towers of the castle rising above the horizon. Her heart ached still, but she had gotten used to that ache in the past three years and she did feel a strange sense of comfort in knowing that he must be near.

But days went by and that comfort seemed to vanish. Sleeping on the streets of Euphrania and begging food or odd jobs was not a pleasing way to live. Cold, hungry, dirty, miserable, the wretched, lonely girl began to wish she had never been born. Her prayers, she felt, ascended to heaven unheard.

It was not until days after her arrival in Euphrania that Cinderella was offered an opportunity. A rather strange and almost unwelcome opportunity. It happened when she took the job of assisting the local baker in preparing for a rather large order. He was pleased by her work and took her aside when the day had ended.

"I believe I can get you a permanent job," he smiled kindly. "If you are willing to take it."

"Of course!" Cinderella cried eagerly. "I'll take anything!"

"My cousin is the head chef in the palace kitchen," the baker continued. "He mentioned last week about needing another girl for odd jobs in the kitchen and some baking as well. I believe you would do very well."

"The-the palace?" Cinderella stepped back, the color draining from her face. "I don't… I mean… I couldn't…" her voice trailed away and she clasped her hands behind her back so the baker wouldn't know she was trembling.

"No need to be frightened," he chuckled merrily. "It's not as dreadful as it sounds. My cousin doesn't bite."

"Would I-come in contact with the royal family at all?" she faltered.

"I doubt it. Royalty seldom finds a need to enter the kitchen. Why are you hesitating, Child? Don't you realize I've offered you the chance of a lifetime?"

"Yes." Cinderella murmured, more to herself than to him. "The chance of a lifetime."

The following day, Cinderella followed the baker up the hill to the castle and stood behind him, head bowed, as he asked to gain access to the servant's entrance. As the gates were opened, she caught a fleeting glance of the elaborate main doorway and smiled ruefully, trying to ignore the fresh pain in her heart. Scenes were racing through her mind... her triumphant entrance as the Princess Incognita, her midnight flight as the magic melted away, her happy arrival with Edward as his future wife... the single day of her life that had been perfectly happy... and finally, her secret exit that dark night when she knew she must be separated from him forever.

"Can you bake? Scrub floors? Pots and pans?" the head chef curtly fired off questions as Cinderella replied in the affirmative to each one.

"I believe I can use you," he stated at last, with a firm nod. "What is your name, Girl?"

Cinderella hesitated.

"Anna." she replied simply.

In the days that followed, Cinderella was swept quickly up in the constantly chaotic activity of the palace kitchen. She was relieved by the fact that there was always a job needing done. The never-ending work kept her mind off her sorrow and left her with a stronger sense of relief than she had known in years. As palace staff, she was provided with a little room, which she shared with Sarah, another of the kitchen maids. She had also been given a uniform and now blended easily with the dozens of other servants. At times she found it almost ironic that she was now a servant at the palace where she had nearly become queen.

Sarah, a pale, slim girl with a braided coronet of golden hair, quickly became friends with the shy newcomer. Every moment that they were not working, she talked incessantly, acquainting Cinderella with every little event in the life of all the palace servants. She mostly talked of a young man named Willoughby.

"He and I have been friends since we were children," she informed Cinderella. "He used to work here in the kitchen but three years ago he was promoted to be the personal companion of Prince Edward himself! You see, the prince's former companion at arms, Sir John, was made a knight of the order of St. David. I think the prince did it so he could marry the Lady Caroline, Sir John, I mean. He…"

Sarah's steady stream of words was cut off as the kitchen doors opened and the entire staff suddenly stood at attention.

"It's Prince Edward himself!" Sarah whispered, not noticing that her friend's face had turned deathly pale. In one swift movement, Cinderella slipped into a corner, pressing her body against the wall in hopes that she would not be seen. Her heart was beating so loudly that she was afraid everyone could hear it. His back was to her as he talked to the head chef but then he turned and for a moment she caught a glimpse of his face, his deep blue eyes so filled with sorrow. Seeing him so unexpectedly after all these years brought tears to her eyes and she longed with her whole being to run to him and throw herself into his arms but she knew that she never could. It took all her effort to hold herself back until he had left the room.

"Anna?" Sarah's voice pierced her reverie and she came to herself with a start. "Anna, are you alright? You look as if you've seen a ghost!"

"I'm alright," Cinderella spoke mechanically as she still clung to the wall for support, fighting her tears. At that moment, she felt it was a dreadful mistake to have returned.

That night, in their little room, Sarah continued her endless chatter. She was full of news of the prince, now that he had returned from his journey.

"He's been gone for months!" she exclaimed. "The king and queen were beginning to wonder if he would ever return. You see, there's a rather strange story about him… it's really so romantic. Three years ago, there was a great ball at the palace and all the foreign princesses attended in the hopes that Prince Edward would choose one of them to be his wife! That was when the mysterious Princess Incognita arrived. I never saw her but I heard she was so beautiful! But she disappeared right after the ball and he searched for her for three months…" As Sarah went on, her words seemed to fade away as Cinderella lost herself in the memory of those long-ago days.

"But then the Princess Selena died of fever…"

"What did you say?" Cinderella gasped.

"Why... the Princess Selena… Prince Edward's wife. She died of fever. And ever since then, the prince has been looking for his lost love. But she has disappeared without a trace."

"He is… looking for her?" Cinderella whispered, her head reeling.

"Yes. But they've just about given up. Not the prince, of course. He's declared he won't stop until he finds her, if it takes a hundred years. But everyone else, you know. The king is already talking of another marriage… with the Princess Kate of Snodden. It's an important alliance, you know."

"He's looking for her!" Cinderella repeated, her face white.

"I told you he was," Sarah replied, a little perturbed. "But I'm afraid the king will force him to marry Princess Kate. She'll be coming here soon, you know. To meet him. But I do wish he could find Cinderella! I'd do anything... just to catch a glimpse of her! Isn't it romantic?"

"No." Cinderella murmured, bending her head so Sarah could not see her tears. "No, it's not. It's horrible. Love is painful... so painful."

"You see only love and happiness staring you in the face. I see nothing but war and destruction. Unless a sacrifice is made." With a groan she turned her face as if to shut out the painful words that echoed through her mind.

Chapter Four

His heart heavy and troubled, Prince Edward walked slowly through the silent halls of the palace. His betrothed bride... another unknown foreign princess... would be arriving only that evening and the king was preparing an enormous banquet to welcome her. Why he had agreed to another of these dreadful political alliances, he could not fathom. He was so weary... weary of searching, of fighting, of struggling. An entire year had passed since he had begun to search for the only one he had ever loved and ever would love and had never found a sign of her.

As he moved through the corridors, he suddenly stopped and stood still. From somewhere echoed a lovely song… the voice sounded so familiar. It made his heart beat so quickly he was afraid it would burst.

"I can't forget the melody,

all though our song is through,

The love we shared,

The dream we dared,

Was just a prayer,

That can't come true."

As the beautiful voice continued, he moved quickly toward it but the song seemed to be echoing from every corridor, every doorway, and the singer remained hidden.

"I tried to stop remembering,

But 'til the day I die,

Within my memory,

Will live the melody,

Of the song that was you and me."

The voice began to fade slowly into the distance. Nearly frantic, he quickened his pace, running down this corridor and the other but it was nearly gone. He strained to catch the last few words as the song died away into silence.

"All though our song is through,

I can't stop loving you.

For I can't forget the melody."

He fell against the wall with a groan, whispering her name over and over as if it was the only link to sanity. "Could it be that she was only a fantasy?" He was so certain it had been her voice. But of course it could not have been. It was only the product of a tortured mind and a broken heart. Miserably, he buried his face in his hands.

Prince Edward stood in his chamber, staring out the window at the procession below. The trumpets were announcing the arrival of his bride. He knew he should be waiting to welcome her but he hated the thought of going down to meet her. For the first time in his life, he was thankful that his rather aggravating cousin, the Duke of Montague, was visiting. At least he would provide a welcome distraction, if nothing else.

"The Princess Kate has arrived, your Highness," a solemn voice announced from the doorway. Without turning, Edward knew that the Chamberlain stood there, bent in a formal bow. Always these dreaded formalities! With an inward shudder, he replied mechanically,

 "Of course. Tell my father I shall be down straightaway." As the Chamberlain's footsteps echoed down the hall, he recalled the haunting words of the song he had heard just that morning.

"Although our song is through,

I can't stop loving you,

For I can't forget the melody."

Tears in his eyes, he bent his head in a silent prayer. "God, give me strength to face the task that lies ahead. And... wherever she is... let her know, Lord, how much I still love her. If there is any chance, any at all, bring her back to me. There isn't much time left but please, Lord, bring her back to me."

Chapter Five

The Princess Kate was formally introduced to her bridegroom in the grand hall of the palace where the banquet was to be. She was a slight, pale little creature with nothing much more to her than the rich embroidery and heavy jewelry of her elaborate gown. But when she was led before him and she sank in a graceful curtsey, Edward heard a gasp of admiration from just behind him and turned to see the Earl of Montague staring transfixed at the foreign princess.

As the various dignitaries who were privileged enough to attend were seated around the banquet table, the Earl leaned toward Edward, speaking in a loud whisper.

"I must say, Cousin, you are most fortunate, most fortunate indeed!" he clasped his hands in envious delight. "Such a lovely creature I have never before seen, indeed she is the most beautiful lady I have ever laid eyes on! Most fortunate, I must say! How I envy you!"

"And I envy you," the prince whispered back. "You don't have to marry her."

"I would gladly take your place, Cousin, indeed I would! Why, I…" the Earl stopped in surprise as the Prince moved past him, his eyes fixed on the tapestries hanging on the walls, rather than on his bride.

Cinderella worked with trembling hands, keeping her tears back with great effort as she put the final touches on the tray of pastries before her. She was frightened, for the head chef had chosen her as one of the attendants upon the banquet that evening. In vain she had protested... and he had insisted. And so she struggled to collect her scattered thoughts and prepare herself emotionally for the miserable hour to come. She had taken pains with her appearance that day, hoping that she would not be recognized as she pinned her hair up out of sight and pulled her white cap low over her eyes. It would not do for any of the royal family to see her there. With every passing minute, she wished herself safely back in Sylvania. And it wouldn't be long before she was... she would be leaving before the wedding.

At the chef's sharp command, she took up the tray and carried it out into the dimly-lit hall to present it, with a curtsey, to the king and queen. She kept her head bowed, her eyes downcast as she laid it on the table and stepped back into the shadows. Standing there, pressed against the wall, she hazarded a glance at the prince himself, ignoring the ache in her heart. He was not even looking in her general direction but rather staring fixedly at his plate. At his side sat the silent Princess Kate, gazing across the table at the Earl of Montague. He returned her gaze, his protruding, round eyes bigger and rounder than ever.

Cinderella moved quickly around the room, careful to keep her face turned away as she completed all the little tasks and formalities she had been instructed to do. At last she had to fill the glasses and willed her hands to stop trembling as she held the pitcher. As she stood behind the Earl of Montague, the prince suddenly looked up. For a moment, he only stared, frowning. She could feel his eyes on her and so kept her head down, trying to move away from the light of the candles. But he called to her.

"Miss? Miss, come here!"

 "Me, your Highness?" she murmured, quaking.

"Yes. Your name?"

"Anna, your Highness." At his repeated command, she moved slowly towards him. Her heart was pounding furiously as she made a graceful curtsey, always keeping her eyes on the ground.

"Look at me," he said softly, his voice unsteady.

"Your Highness," she pleaded, "Please, I..." she got no further for he had stood and gently lifted her face to his. Before she knew it she was in his arms, sobbing as she buried her face in his shoulder. The room had fallen silent as all stared in shocked silence at the reunited lovers.

A silence that was broken by a little cry as Princess Kate, rising shakily from her chair, fell in what she considered a dramatically romantic swoon. The Earl of Montague jumped from his own chair to catch her. Well, at least, he picked her up from the floor.

Chapter Six

The sound of wedding bells echoed across the landscape. The country of Euphrania seemed wrapped in a celestial golden glow that morning and the people were rejoicing. The shadow of sorrow that had seemed to fall over the land when the prince lost his love had lifted and the wedding day burst forth in renewed radiance.

The old cathedral rang with song as Prince Edward, his eyes shining with an almost unearthly joy, stood at the altar, awaiting his bride. The guards at the doorway lifted their trumpets to announce the arrival of his love and, for the first time in his life, he did not resent their sound.

She paused in the doorway and the beams of sunlight streaming in through the open door illuminated her form and made her seem almost like an angel. There were tears of joy in her eyes as she slowly made her way down the aisle.

In the back corner of the cathedral sat a middle-aged woman... one whom no one seemed to know but everyone seemed to recognize vaguely. She beamed at the bride as she walked past and murmured softly, "I knew things would turn out all right. It just took a little time. True love conquers all, outlasts every sorrow, survives through every difficulty. And most importantly, true love is patient and longsuffering."

Cinderella reached the altar and Edward took her hand in his. As the music swelled, he bent toward her.

"I heard you singing that day in the hall, Darling," he murmured. "You said that our song was through. Remember?"

"I remember. But… I'm so glad to find that our song is not through as I had feared."

"Yes. Our song is just beginning." He smiled and she lifted her tear-filled eyes to his.

"Our song is just beginning," she repeated. "And the melody will continue."