Part Two: Love Doesn't Die

Maggie didn't sleep well the next few days. Her mother Countess Naomi showed up at Snow Rose Castle and she was embraced by the family. Queen Lynette knew the her husband loved Naomi but they were friends none the less. Maggie wasn't talking much to anyone. Not even Tabitha. She would stand by the cliff and look out to sea. King Lectivas called the whole family into his chambers. Tabitha and Maggie held hands while they took their rightful places next to the royal parents.

The Kng cleared his throat and started to speak. "Maggie, I am sorry that you have lost your young man. We are having a ball and all the single men of society will be here. Maggie, you must marry. You are the oldest. The ball will be full of young men for you to choose from. Tabitha, you will be married after your sister. I suggest you find a young man to your liking. That is all."

"Father, I still love Lawrence. I can't think of other men. How can you be so cruel?" Maggie was ready to cry.

"Cruel? I took you in to my castle and tell the world that you are my daughter. Do you wish to stay an old spinster? I am tired of your crying and putting dark clouds over the kingdom. Accept what happened to Lawrence and get on with your life. He is just a memory!"

Tabitha held out her hand to Maggie. "Come along sister. Let's go for a walk in the gardens."
Maggie took Tabitha's hand and they walked to the gardens.

When they were out of ear shot, Maggie said: "Father is so cruel. I don't want to love another."

Tabitha gave Maggie's hand a gentle squeeze. "This is father's way of telling you that he loves you and he wants you to be happy again. He hates seeing you crying and so sad. So do I and my mother and your mother. We love you. You will love again. I haven't experienced love, yet but you have had that feeling. Lawrence wouldn't you to remain an old spinster. The roses have died and they won't grow back until you are feeling better again."

"The roses don't depend on me. That is so silly."

"No, it isn't. When things are going well at the castle, the roses are in full bloom. The roses know that we are in a down mood. It will take time but Maggie, you will be happy again. I promise." The sisters embraced and a rose seemed to slowly bloom out of the ground.

Across the seas in the Carribean, a young pretty black woman bought water to an injured soldier in her hut. He wasn't exactly a soldier but her brothers had found him out in the middle of the ocean. He was a handsome man but the young black woman had never saw a pale skin man before. He had no dark color. He must be from that place called England or the British Kingdom. Her brothers had said that. The man kept saying one word: MAGGIE. Amenta was the young black woman's name. She and her family lived on the remote Carribean island. They had lived in Jamica but left years ago. Amenta looked at the young man. She couldn't speak English but the way the man said the "Maggie" word, she assumed it must have something to do with love. The poor man. She hoped that he would make it. She and her family nursed his knife wounds and she had fed him the healing plant and it always worked. Amenta was fascinated with the young man. She wanted to know more about him.

Back in England, the rotyal family prepared for the ball. Maggie had a chilled feeling come over him. Lawrence had just called her name. Impossible! She had heard it.There was a rose that had fully grown in just two days time. What did it mean? "Oh, Lawrence!" Maggie layed on the ground and wept.

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