The Crystal Forest

Written by

Brinna J. Adair

In a land where the winters are bitterly cold, a magical forest grew. One rainy day the icy winds of winter blew in, turning the woods into a crystal forest as it froze at night. In the forest all appeared still and frozen in time. However, when a passer-by took a closer look, you could see a whole world of activity, and life moving about within the secret places of the Crystal Forest.

Deep in the heart of the Crystal Forest stood a castle made of crystal and ice. In the castle, lived a good King and Queen with their daughter, the Princess of Ice. The Princess was beautiful, with hair as black as coal and eyes the color of deep amber. Her skin however, was as white as the new snow and her lips were blue as robin’s eggs. Sadly, her heart was as cold as the ice they lived in. A vengeful wizard had cast a spell upon her, surrounding her heart with ice. The spell could only be broken with a love that was true and kind. There lies the problem. Who could love a cold-hearted princess?

Very worried about their daughter’s condition, the Queen suggested that they send a proclamation throughout the Crystal Forest inviting all the single, young men in the forest to come try to win the heart of the Princess. For the successful young man’s reward, he would marry the Princess and live in the castle, becoming King one day. The King’s scribes were called upon to write the proclamation, taking them most of the day, as they had to write more than a thousand of them by hand. Donning their skis the King’s messengers were sent out to post the proclamation throughout the Crystal Forest.

Within a few days, young men from all over the forest were lining up to meet the Princess of Ice, trying to melt her cold, cold heart. One by one the guards would let them in, to meet the Princess; each time hoping that this would be the one, who could melt her heart with love and break the wizard’s spell. Being a wise King, he knew that love did not happen in just one meeting, so allowed the young men to stay in the castle until his daughter had ruled them out, altogether. The number of young men who remained grew fewer each day, until only three remained.

From across the great river, through his crystal ball,  the vengeful wizard delighted as each young man was turned away. Because the Princess could not return the love that he offered, he surrounded her heart with ice, which caused her skin to turn white and her lips blue. Another result was the Princess became very hardened, and resistant to allowing anyone close enough to her, to fall in love with him.

Now let me tell you something about evil wizards. They are not the most lovable of men and do not really love at all; they merely want to possess certain objects and people. When they find that they cannot have who or what they want, they turn to their spells and magic potions to punish those causing their disappointment. Who could love a man as selfish as this?

Each of the remaining, young men would spend part of the day in the company of the Princess. They would show her as much of their love and attention as they could; yet they were not reaching her heart. She did however, enjoy their company and did not mind being around them, and was glad for the company.

One day while walking in the crystal garden the Princess noticed a statue that was not there the day before. Looking at it more closely, she realized it was a statue of her. She could not help but notice that, it was the most beautiful work of art, she had ever seen. It made her feel sad to think that, like this statue of ice, her heart was as cold. Running into the castle and finding her mother she asked, "Mother, who was commissioned to carve the statue of me in the crystal garden?"

"Neither your father nor I made such a commission my dear daughter," the Queen replied and the two of them went to the garden so her mother could see the statue. When the Queen examined it closely, she noticed that every detail was in place and remarked to the Princess: "Why dear this is a remarkable likeness of you! Whoever sculpted it, must love you very much, my child. Why, just look at the detail of your face and hair, every one in place. I wonder who could do such a fine work and not admit to it. It seems, we have a mystery on our hands, my dear." At that the Queen gave her daughter a pat on the shoulder, and returned to the castle.

Remaining in the crystal garden, the Princess thought of her mother’s words and studied the wonderfully sculpted statue. Suddenly realizing she was late for her appointment with one of the young men, she ran into the castle to meet him and beg his forgiveness for her lateness.

In her quest to learn if one of the remaining, young men had carved the statue, the Princess decided to question them, on ice sculpting. She did not want them claiming to have made it, if they had not, so never mentioned the statue. As she spent time with each of them, she learned that none of them knew the first thing about sculpting ice, nor anything artistic, for that matter. She did however, continue to enjoy their company, yet, remained determined to learn the identity of the sculptor.

The next morning, the Princess went back to the crystal garden to see the statue again. Standing next to it, was another statue of her favorite mouse. Being that these were very, tiny people, they rode mice rather than horses. "Please show yourself, so that I may thank you," she called out. With no answer, she called out again, still, without a reply. Sadly, the Princess returned to the castle. Again, she inquired of the young men, about sculpting and the arts. Again, they knew nothing of art, especially sculpture.

Each morning for the next week, the Princess went to the crystal garden; and every morning there was a new and beautiful sculpture of all her favorite things. Every morning she would call out, "Please show yourself, so that I may thank you." Sadly for the Princess, no one would come out to be thanked. Remembering her mother telling her that, this person must love her very, much to be putting so much love into his work, touched her deeply, making her more determined to solve this mystery.

That night, the Princess stayed awake watching out the window above the crystal garden, for the mysterious sculptor to appear. Just past three, the Princess fell asleep, without seeing a soul. She had not been aware of it, yet, from the first sculpture, the ice surrounding her heart had begun to melt away.

Aware of what had been happening with the sculptures and the ice surrounding the Princess’s heart melting, the wizard knew that it was time to make his move. He did not want the ice around her heart to melt, unless it was for him. There was one thing that, even, the wizard did not know, and that was the identity of the artist making the ice sculptures. The wizard had to learn who this was and stop him. Leaving his cave, he set out for the crystal castle across the great river, that very day.

Meanwhile that morning, the Princess walked out to the crystal garden and again there was a beautiful new sculpture waiting for her pleasure. Again, she called out, "Please, show yourself so that I may thank you." Again, the artist remained hidden.

Throughout the morning, as the Princess spent time with each of the young men, she realized that none of them had the love that, would melt her cold heart and went directly to her parents asking, "Mother, Father, I have come to a decision. I am not going to love any of the three, young men that are here. I do enjoy their company, however as yet, my heart is still quite frozen. Please father, will you send them away this very day?"

Uncertain what to make of this, the King asked, "My child, are you certain that, none of these, young men are not suitable for you? Perhaps you simply need to give them more time."

"Yes father. I am certain. There is another, who has been making the most beautiful ice sculptures in the crystal garden. Although, I do not know who he is, the kindness of sculpting my favorite things has brought joy into my life. If I could meet this one, I believe that the ice surrounding my heart would surely melt. Please father; send the three young men away. Perhaps then the sculptor will show himself and the spell would be broken. Please?" The Princess implored.

Seeing that his daughter knew what she needed, the King sent the three young men to their homes. With them, he sent food for their journey and each received a solid gold amulet, with a precious gem in the center. The amulets had magical powers that, would make them stronger in the face of danger and grant them, each three wishes.

Traveling together through the Crystal Forest, the three young men spoke of the Princess and each wished that they could help her in some way. Camping by the river that night, they tunneled under the snow making a cozy igloo for the night.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the great river, the evil wizard was making his camp. In his snow tent, he set up his crystal ball and tuned into the Princess's activities. She had gone to bed early that night, in hopes of catching the mysterious artist early in the morning. He also, saw that the three young men had left the castle and searched his crystal ball to locate them, finding them camped on the other side of the great river. He was bold in thinking that, they had no power to stop him. Still, searching for the sculptor, he could find no trace of him.

The next morning, the Princess rose before the sun and went out to the crystal garden. There in the garden was another statue. This one was much different than the others, for in the center of the block of ice, was a heart-stone and the base was sculpted to appear as a puddle of melted ice. Again, the Princess called out, "Please show yourself, so that I may thank you." As the young artist stepped out of his hiding place with a smile on his face, the Princess clutched her heart and fell to the frozen ground. Running to her side, the young man lifted the Princess in his arms and carried her into the castle, where he alerted the guards to find the physician and the King and Queen, while he lay her gently on her bed.

As the physician examined the Princess, her eyes began to flutter open and the color began to return to her skin and her lips became scarlet red. She was even more beautiful than, she had been before the wizard had cast his spell. "I believe the spell has been broken. She will need some rest, but she will be fine as gold after that," the physician announced. The King and Queen were so happy, they made the young artist feel right at home, ordering him breakfast and anything his heart desired.

Meanwhile, at the great river in the Crystal Forest, the wizard woke, as he felt the ice surrounding the Princess's heart melting, and gazed into his crystal ball, to see the young artist being warmly, welcomed into bosom of the Royal family. His anger flared at the sight of this; and was more determined than, ever to find a way to stop their union.

At the same time; the three young men had reached the other side of the great river, being drawn to the wizard’s camp by their amulet's power. Their first wish to help the Princess was being fulfilled at this time. As they crept into the wizard’s igloo, they saw the Princess in his crystal ball, and he was about to cast another spell, upon her to make her fall into a deep sleep. One of the young men took the ball and threw it into a rock, smashing it into, grains of sand. The other two, stayed and capturing the wizard, they tied and gagged him securely. The wizard had no power over the young men, because of their wish to help the Princess.

 Once they had the wizard tied and gagged, they were not quite sure what to do with him. Discussing it, the three young men remembered that they still had two more wishes each, and decided they would each wish for the wizard to lose all of his powers, and never be able to cast another spell again. As powerful as the wizard was, their wishes were granted instantly, and the wizard became powerless. Deciding that, this was not enough, for all the wizard had put the Princess through, they each wished that the wizard would become a wretched old man; and all his books and potions would vanish forever and it became so. Seeing his wretched old reflection in the ice, the wizard began to cry bitterly for the loss of his power and his more youthful appearance. They also, decided that, they should bring the wizard to the crystal castle for the Princess to see and for the King and Queen to decide his fate.

Back at the castle; the young artist had remained by the Princess’s side while she rested and regained her strength. He had actually been one of the first young men, she had sent away, as he seemed to ask too many questions of her likes and dislikes, and she felt that she should be asking him the questions. He had also made her feel uncomfortable, asking so many questions about the wizard and his spell. Fortunately, his mother had taught him to learn a woman heart and desires and give it to her. She taught him persistence, never giving up on his goals if at first rejected as women tend to change their minds. His persistence and knowledge of her situation with the wizard, had paid off, as he had broken the spell, she had been under; and he would marry the Princess he loved so dearly.

So overjoyed that the spell had been broken, the King and Queen gathered their staff planning a great celebration in honor of the young artist, whom had broken it. They invited all of their friends and nearby villagers to celebrate with them. It was a joyous occasion to be sure.

Later that evening, while the entire party at the castle was celebrating, the three young men and the wretched, old wizard returned to the crystal castle. After explaining to the guards what had happened, one guard ran off to tell the King of their presence. Appearing at the castle entrance, the Kind and Princess

confronted the wretched wizard and thank the three young men for their courage and bravery. Approaching the wizard, the Princess reported, "Your spell has been broken, you wretched man."

In anguish, the wretched, old wizard broke down crying, "I can never expect you to forgive me for what I have done. I only wanted you to love me. I am no longer the handsome wizard I was, as these three have taken away all of my glorious powers and wished away all of my spell books and potions." At that, he fell to his knees and wept bitter tears for all he had lost. For a wizard, he had been a very, handsome man.

Seeing the wizard before him, still angry over what he had done to his precious daughter, the King ordered the guards to take the wizard to the dungeon. "Stop!" cried the Princess. "He can no longer put us in danger or cast any spells upon us. I will take pity upon him and let him go to live out his life, as the wretched man he has made of himself. Please... guards, take him from the castle and see to it that he leaves the grounds." she ordered.

Doing as they were ordered the guards took the wretched, old man from the castle, making sure he had left the grounds before they returned. The three young men joined the others for the celebration taking-place. They were very happy the spell had been broken and the wizard had been justly dealt with, yet sad that, they were not the one who had broken the spell this lovely princess had been under.

The next day, the three young men were given more food and three more wishes were added to their amulets, as they had used them in a selfless way to help the Princess. They traveled to their home with no problems at all, even passing by the wretched, old man, as he struggled to return to his home in a hollow tree on the other side of the great river, in the Crystal Forest.

In the weeks that followed, the Princess, and the sculptor, truly fell in love and were busy planning their wedding. It was a grand celebration, to which all in the Crystal Forest attended and they lived happily for most of their days. And never again was the Princess called, the Ice Princess, as her heart was warm as a summers day.

The moral of this story is, to be persistent in your goals and learn in detail, what may be standing in your way, so it may be dealt with and removed from your path. And remember, even the coldest hearted princess, is worth saving.

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Copyright © 2000 by [Brinna J. Adair]. All rights reserved.