CENDRILLON

Part 2. Click here if you haven't read Part I

A European reader of Musea has gratiously allowed this zine a world exclusive. He has found a packet of letters from Queen Cendrillon, a Germanic queen circa 8th century AD, that when translated and verified as authentic, was found to be proof that the Cinderella story we know as a fairy tale is a historic event. We pick up the story with Cendrillon left behind while her Stepmother and Stepsisters have gone to the Ball hosted by the Prince...

"At least this will be a quiet night. There will be nobody here to bother me, no crummy stepmother, no crummy stepsister Phillis, no crummy stepsister Marsha. Nobody here to yell at me. Nobody here to tell me what to do... Nobody here to tell me what the ball was like. Nobody here to ask me to dance. Nobody here to tell me what the prince looks like. Nobody here to say what I could have see, if I could have gone."

Then Cendrillon sat down on a bench in front of her house, and watched the castle far off in the distance. She wondered what was going on inside. All the lights were on. She could hear the carriages rolling off in the distance. She could hear people yelling and shouting. She could see the lanterns of the coaches getting closer and closer to the castle. She thought she could even hear the sound of the orchestra beginning to play the music, that the prince would dance to. There she sat, wondered, and listened. "I wish I could have gone to the ball, but there is nothing that can be done now. Nothing at all."

Now comes the best part of Cendrillon, the magical part. This is the part that always comes about when people say nothing can be done about something. Because just as soon as somebody says that, somebody else comes along and does the impossible. And that's exactly what happened. So when Cendrillon said that nothing could be done, she was thinking that nothing normal could be done. But a lot of magical things could be done.

Now there are two versions of what happened next. Cendrillon told one version of the story in her letters to her son. But my research has shown a possible alternative version, more for the skeptical listener.

When I was a child, my mother put me in her lap to read me the story of Cinderella. But when she came to the part with the fairy godmother, I'd say, "Oh now wait a minute. That's pretty hard to accept. You don't really expect me to believe that do you?"

Then she'd say, "It's right here in this book."

But I'd say, "That has never happened to me. It just can't be done."

Did you hear what I just said? Well anyway, I grew up and decided, after I had found the letters, to investigate more about this so called fairy godmother, and I found two conflicting reports. The first is that of Cendrillon in her letters to her son. We'll get to that a little later. The other story was the one I found when I researched what was going on at the time of the ball. You see people dated things back then according to famous events. The ball was one of them. So people seemed to remember what happened that night best of all nights of that year.

And what I found out was that during that night a famous, but eccentric Spanish queen was traveling through that precise area the night of the ball. She was very rich and she liked fine and rare things. Matter of fact she had in her possession that night her famous collection of rare furs, which included a small delicate, jeweled pair of fur slippers. There were her most precious and favorite parts of her menagerie.

She traveled in the finest of coaches with a doorman, four horses, and a driver. And some say her horses were the swiftest and tallest in the entire land.

Friends of the queen often talked about how she would order her driver to stop at the most out of the way places to talk with the common folk, just about anything. She loved to get out and find out what was going on in the world. She was also a very kind woman, and would often help a poor woodsman or shopkeeper just for the delight it would bring to her. She did things that other kings and queens would snub their noses at. That's why she was loved and respected wherever she went, even if the people didn't know who she was.

Now could it be that she was the so-called fairy godmother? Maybe she didn't do any magic at all. Maybe the slippers that Cendrillon had were from her collection. And maybe she lent Cendrillon her coach but only on the condition that Cendrillon would bring it back by midnight so she could go on her way.

Well that is one version. Now back to Cendrillon's story. I must warn you though that Cendrillon had big dreamy eyes, and people like that often are a bit romantic, and like to tell sweet tales. You must be the one who finally decides which story is true.

Now back to the version in the letters.
After Cendrillon had watched the castle for a while she closed her eyes and bowed her head. She was trying with all her might to picture how the palace ballroom would look on the inside tonight, with all the decorations and banners, all the gowns and costumes, all the fancy food and divine music. She was imagining so hard that she even thought she heard the carriages rolling up to the front door.

Then all of a sudden, somebody put her hand on Cendrillon's shoulder and spoke.

"Dear child, what is wrong?"

Cendrillon jumped straight up in the air.

"Who said that?" And she turned around and there, before her eyes was this beautiful, petite woman dressed in a white shimmering gown. Cendrillon noticed that the woman's hand on her shoulder was very soft and comforting, while in the other hand was a long white wand. "Who are you?"

"I'm your' fairy godmother."

"What's a fairy godmother?"

"That's somebody who is here just for you. Somebody who has come to help you. And I think something has gone wrong here that I can fix."

"Oh fairy godmother everything has gone wrong here. The prince has this grand party tonight and he's invited all the eligible girls in the kingdom to come, and I wanted to go because I've heard he's a wonderful man and so handsome." Then she breathed a deep sigh.

"Well then go," said the fairy godmother.

"What?"

"Go on. Who's stopping you? Is this tree stopping you? Is that bench stopping you?"

"No, but how? I don't have any way to get there."

"Oh I see. Well close your eyes and make a wish."

Cendrillon shut her eyes tight and said, "I wish for a grand carriage, with four strong gallant horses, a driver and a footman all dressed in brand spanking new uniforms with shiny brass buttons."

Then the fairy godmother said some magic words. (They may have been regular words in a different language from Cendrillon's). Anyway, after she did she said, "Now open your eyes. What do you see?"

Cendrillon opened her eyes and behold there stood in a cloud of smoke the finest carriage she had ever seen. It was bright shiny gold, with painted trim. And sure enough there was a footman and a driver dressed in dark navy blue uniforms with buttons so bright they twinkled like stars. But that wasn't all. There were two military guards on horseback to help escort her, plus not four or five horses but three full teams of six horses as beautiful and as majestic as she had ever seen.

"I put some extra guards to protect you, and the extra horses so you won't be late."

Cendrillon's mouth was wide open. She kept rubbing her eyes to make sure what she was seeing was real.

"Come over here child there's not much time, and none to waste."

Cendrillon walked over to her fairy godmother.

"Now let's fix up your hair." The fairy godmother opened a chest and began pulling out combs, berets, and jewelry, all of them made out of precious woods, or amber, or rubies, or gold.

Cendrillon stood as still as a tree as her fairy godmother combed and fixed her hair.

"What is your name?"

"I'm called Cendrillon, fairy godmother."

"I know there would have to be a pretty name for such a pretty girl."

"Do you really think so?"

"Oh yes, yes, yes,"

"Thank you."

When Cendrillon's fairy godmother was through she stepped back to look at Cendrillon.

"Cendrillon, now look what I've done. I've given you jewelry that doesn't match your dress. What will we do?"

Cendrillon thought that the jewelry was magnificent. She hoped that her fairy godmother wouldn't change one little thing.

"I've got it." Said her fairy godmother. Then she reached into another chest and rustled about until she found what she was looking for. "Ah, here it is," she said with a smile. "Let's see how this fits." Then she took out of the chest the most magnificent gown that Cendrillon had ever seen.

"Try it on and see if it fits."

The first thing Cendrillon did was to hold it up to her self, like women always do, and look at her reflection in the pond. It was wonderful.

It had a close fitting bodice of some soft white material. The skirt was fluffy and flowing, made out of a soft material that seemed to move like a breeze. The sleeves were puffed up a little and made of finely woven lace. The gown, like the jewelry, was very simple and pure, but very regal, just right for a young girl like Cendrillon.

Within minutes she was almost all ready to go.

"One final touch Cendrillon. I want you to have some slippers so magical that the prince will have to ask you to dance."

Then Cendrillon saw the shoes. They were the best surprise of all. She held them in her hands and just gazed at them. There were two small white fur slippers. She had never seen fur so soft, so white, or so beautiful, let alone made into a pair of shoes. They matched perfectly and they fit perfectly.

The fairy godmother said, "Look how pretty you are."

Cendrillon looked at her reflection in the pond. She was so proud and happy.

"Cendrillon, it's time to go. Hurry so you won't be too late." Cendrillon stepped into the coach and closed the door. "One more thing before you go." Cendrillon had seen so much magic she was prepared for anything. "When the castle clock strikes twelve, all the magic ends."

"I'll be back by then."

"Now off with you child."

Cendrillon reached through the window and gave her fairygodmother the biggest hug she had given anybody in years. She squeezed her so tright that the fairy godmother gave out a short little groan, and a laugh.

"Oh I'll never forget what you've done for me tonight."

And then the coach lurched forward. The horses were restless and eager to get going in the cool night air.

Cendrillon waved as she saw her fairy godmother grow smaller and smaller and dimmer and dimmer until she couldn't tell if she saw her or just an image in the fog. The only thing she was sure she could see was all her wildest dreams coming true.

Meanwhile at the castle, the ball had already begun. Almost all the women had already arrived, because they knew that those who came late would probably not be introduced to the prince. After most of the guests arrived the prince made his entrance. He was announced under a fanfare of trumpets, and he looked splendid. He was dressed in dark blue velvet, with gold trim, and leather boots with fur trim around the tops

He entered from the top of the stairs and everybody watched as he came down them. There was something very regal and proud in his manner, yet flexible and energetic. He had the spirit of a very young man that added a fresh sort of grace to his looks. He was the best looking man in the kingdom.

When he reached the bottom of the stairs the eligible girls began to form a single line with their mothers so that they could be introduced to him.

The prince was very kind and polite to all the women, but some of them weren't very nice. They would push into the line, or tell long stories about how important they were and how much money their families had, or brag about all the things they had done. Prince Martel was very bored with most of them.

"They're just as bad as the court ladies, with even worse manners!" he thought to himself Some of them had beautiful gowns and ugly faces, or beautiful faces and squeaky voices, or were so embarrassed about meeting somebody so important that they just stood there and stared at the prince which made him all the more uncomfortable. And some of the girls didn't seem to be able to talk at all, and others talked way too much about things that only other girls would want to hear, and still others got too personable with the prince and called him by his first name as if he was an old friend. These girls and their mothers, he passed very quickly. And then there were some who were down right unbelievable, like Phillis and Marsha.

When they were introduced to the prince, Phillis became starstruck. She couldn't say a word.

"Well say something to the prince darling."

Not a word came from her lips. "I said be polite and say something," said the stepmother a little bit louder. Not a sound. The only thing Phillis did was open her eyes a little bit bigger. Then Marsha chimed in.

"You'd better say something or mother will kick you."

Just then a servant with a gigantic punch bowl was walking by as Rachael, who was so mad she couldn't aim right, kicked at her daughter, missed her and caught the servant right on his knee. He threw his hands up in the air and gave out the biggest yell the court had ever heard. Then the light glass bowl came down and splashed and shattered all over Rachael and the lady ahead of her, who turned around and punched Rachael right in the nose. It seems the wicked stepmother had met her match.

Then the prince started to laugh and laugh and laugh, and when the king came over and ordered new clothes for all the injured parties and a piece of cold beef steak for Rachael's eye, he turned to his son to ask him what had happened. But the only thing the prince could manage to say was that he had a feeling that the night would be very interesting indeed, and then he laughed some more.

After the introductions were over, and Rachael and her two daughters were led to a back room to clean up, a separate room from the other lady; the violins and horns began to play the dance music.

The first dance was reserved for the king and queen. They looked lovely together and everyone applauded when their dance ended. The next dance was for everybody, but the prince didn't dance. He really didn't see anybody that he wanted to dance with. Nor did he dance the next dance or the next. Instead he just walked about the room and talked about hunting with the other young men as he tried the different types of food that were offered. He was polite to all the women but he didn't linger in their company.

Then the magnificent coach pulled up. As soon as the doormen saw it in the distance and saw how splendid it was, rumors began to circulate like lightning ahead of thunder, about whose coach it was.

Some said it could only be some famous Scandinavian Princess, others thought the coach was of the Spanish royalty, while still others claimed they knew whose coach it was, and they were on very personable terms with the owner. But none guessed that the woman who would be ushered out would be as beautiful and as gracious as Cendrillon was. As soon as they saw her, the crowd gave out a gasp. She was lovely, lovely, lovely.

Those around the prince asked him who this secret guest was. The prince didn't know, nor did his father or mother. They were all dumbfounded too.

The crowd parted as the prince approached and he saw Cendrillon for the first time. Her white dress swayed gently in the draft of the door as she removed a small light fur cape. All agreed that for fabric, quality, and design it was the fairest gown of all. Her golden hair was three feet long. It hung straight behind her ears and down her back. There were two amber berets holding it in place. The wind caught her dress once more and this time swayed the skirt enough for all to see the small fur slippers.

"Look at the shoes," said one.

"How marvelous," said another.

She was perfumed by some exotic mountain flower and the cool night air had given her cheeks a flush of youthful red.

The prince just stood and watched her and she, him for what seemed like the longest time, and all those who saw her held their breath until the prince spoke.

"I am Prince Martel, may I cordially welcome you to our gala affair."

"Thank you," said Cendrillon. "I am very pleased to have this chance to meet you. All those who know you speak very highly of you."

"I'm sure they did so only to gain your favor and to impress you by any means they could."

Cendrillon just smiled.

There was a silence and the prince resumed.

"I have never seen such splendor in my country; yet, my doorman tells us your horses have not been worked hard at all tonight."

"In truth, today I have met a distant relative for the first time and she said that I should come to the ball and meet the prince.

"I am very glad that you did."

Then as was customary of people in importance the prince led Cendrillon over to meet the king and queen. All the ladies and gentlemen of the court stood in awe as they passed by.

Cendrillon was a little nervous, but she acted as well as she could. The king and queen were very nice to her.

"This lovely princess," said the prince, "was visiting a relative when that relative persuaded her to come to our ball."

"Has she come with you my child?" asked the queen.

"No, and I am afraid I will have to return to her before it becomes too late."

"You must bring her next time," said the king with a smile. "We are all anxious to meet her, if she is of the same family as you."

"Thank you my king."

"Martel, all the crowd is eager to resume the dance. They wait your move."

The prince lifted his hand.

"Well then let the music begin again." Then he turned to Cendrillon and asked her, "Would you dance with me?"

Cendrillon just nodded her head.

"How mysterious this girl is," whispered the queen.

"Yet how lovely they look together," added the King. The queen agreed and smiled. The prince led Cendrillon to the middle of the ballroom and he took her in his arms and he began the dance.

First one turn and then another. And in each turn they found out a little more about each other, like a miller's wheel that gathers more and more water with each revolution. And each dance after that was another conversation and another experience. They began to find out about each other, and trust each other with secret likes and dislikes and then secret loves and hates. They took in each other's words like a locksmith takes in the details of a lock to a treasure. And everything they said was beautiful, important, and memorable. Even when they were silly it was a charmed silly. And when they spoke of sad things they both could feel the sorrow. When they spoke of good things their backs were straighter and their heads held higher.

As they talked, midnight, like a phantom, stalked the castle halls anxiously waiting for its time to toll, searching for the lovers as if it were driven by the last moments of a magic spell. It found them alone on the terrace watching the night sky.

"Can you find the Big Bear? Now follow that half way to the Moon. Do you see that star?" Cendrillon found it. "A falling star."

"Do you think we can catch it?" asked Cendrillon.

"I think we should try."

Then he turned to her and kissed her.

But as the star fell over his shoulder, midnight began to toll on the high castle clock. Once, twice..

"I've got to go." She broke away from his arms. Three times , four times...

"Not yet." Five times...

"I'm late!" Six times, seven times...

"Will I see you again?" Eight times...

"I don't know." Nine times, ten times...

"Please wait for me." Eleven times..."I'll walk you to your carriage."

Twelve. Cendrillon was gone!

In her haste she had lost a slipper, but she had not even turned around to pick it up. The prince grabbed it and ran after her.

"Wait! Wait! Wait!" but the coach was already speeding down the road. The prince marked its direction and ran back into the castle.

"Hobert, Harold, Loric, gather the horses and come with me now."

Then the prince turned to the astonished crowd and calmed them. "Don't worry. Dance again. I shall return."

And with that he fled out the door. There he met his friends ready with the horses. He chose the fastest mount and then yelled into the night.

"Follow me. The princess has departed in such haste that I don't even know her name. By my decree I will find her tonight."

Then he opened his leather side bag on his saddle, gently packed the slipper into it, tied it tight so it would be cushioned against the hard ride, and sped into the night.

The coach had a mile head start, but soon the four riders came so close to the coach that one of the men spied it in the distance by the light of the full moon.

"My lord, look over there."

"That's it !" cried the prince.

Faster and faster they followed the coach around a bend. Yet it sped ahead, and when they came full around the corner, they found a fork in the road. In the dark they could not tell for sure which road the coach took.

"To the left. It's the only road out of the kingdom."

As their horses gained distance, they saw the coach up ahead. On the open road they caught up to it and pulled it to a stop. But when they did Loric said,, "My lord, this isn't the same coach as the princess was riding."

And out popped an old man and a rusty firearm.

"I swear by the name of the king, you robbers wont take me alive. Scoundrels everyone!"

"Put down your weapon old man. I'm the prince, and we mean you no harm."

The prince now knew that they had taken the wrong road and perhaps had lost his love forever.

The prince turned to his men and told them, "That'll be all for tonight."

"My lord, she must have gone the other way. If she did she must be in the village of Northwood, for the road ends there."

"That must be where her relative lives."

"Tomorrow I will personally conduct a search of every house with her shoe in my hand. I'll try it on every foot until I find the foot that fits it. I will find that woman again and I will marry her." Then his right fist came down in his left hand to seal his vow.

At the same moment that the prince was talking to his friends about Cendrillon, she had begun cleaning up the cinders in the fireplace. Again her clothes were rags full of soot and ashes and her hair dark with the black from the cinders.

When she had first returned home, her fairy godmother had welcomed her into her arms and listened to every detail Cendrillon could tell. And much to Cendrillon's relief her fairy godmother wasn't at all upset about the lost slipper. Instead she generously told Cendrillon to keep the remaining slipper as a keepsake from her evening at the castle. Then in a puff of smoke (or dust) she, her fairy godmother, the carriage, and all the fine clothes and trappings were gone. The only thing left behind was the one slipper that Cendrillon clutched to her heart.

Cendrillon finished her work and climbed up to her room. With the thoughts of the prince still in her mind, she went to bed and watched the night sky outside her window. Another star fell across the horizon and Cendrillon smiled. By the time it hit the ground, she was fast asleep in a sleep that was the deepest and calmest of her entire life.

By the time the prince and his men had returned to the castle, Rachael and her two daughters had returned home. They lit the candles in the hallway as Rachael continued her harangue.

"I've never been so embarrassed in all my life. My daughters, well! One is rude and the other can't talk at all. Cendrillon probably was better received by the prince and she didn't even go!"

"Oh mother, don't be dumb."

"Who is dumb? Now she talks," said Rachael to no one in particular. "I'm not the one who acted deaf and dumb. If you had ears to hear I'd cut them off. And what difference would it make. You don't listen anyhow."

"Mother I like my ears."

"Oh shut up and go to bed. At least we weren't the only ones acting dumb. I've never seen a man make such a fool of himself over a woman, like the prince did. I'm glad he didn't like my daughters. We don't want a moon struck man in our family."

"I don't think he was so dumb."

"You don't think period."

And that was that. Without another word the sisters bowed their heads and trudged up to their rooms.

That night Rachael didn't sleep well. She kept mumbling in her sleep, "Who was that woman? Who was that woman?" And she tossed and turned until the cock crowed in the morning.

Cendrillon, it seems, was the only one who slept well at all. The prince laid awake all night. He was restless and eager to search for the owner of the slipper.

After the formality of breakfast with the king and queen, he put down his napkin, bid them adieu and set off to find his secret love.

Cendrillon was glad that her stepmother and stepsisters were still asleep when she woke up. That gave her a chance to be by herself as she did her chores. She set the fire going, and mixed and baked the bread, and collected the eggs from the hens, and milked the cow and fed the horse.

While she was working, a messenger of the prince marched ahead to announce a decree to each and every hamlet.

"The prince in accord with the laws of the king requests that every eligible female present herself upon the prince's arrival. The prince will then try to fit the lost slipper of the woman he is searching for on the feet of each of the women here. Whomever the shoe fits will be asked to be the wife of the prince and heir to the throne."

Even much faster than the messenger were the town gossips. And before the message was read twice everyone within miles was preparing and coaching their eligible daughters for the prince.

Rachael after waking grumbling to the noise, was no exception. "Girls now scruntch those big feet. Trim those nails. Put that grease on your feet so they'll slip in easier. That woman last night had very small feet."

"But mother, we aren't the secret woman."

"Quiet. Do as you are told."

At the same time, Loric was whispering into the princes ear, "All these women are commoners your majesty. You won't find the likes of any woman like the princess here."

"But she knew so much about country life, and she did come this way. I tell you no amount of rags or dirt can hide her if she is here. She'll still shine like the sun at midday." When Cendrillon heard the news she knew that her time was coming. All she had to do was wait. Her prince charming was on his way.

But the prince didn't feel charming. He felt depressed. The women all had giddy smiles, and big smelly feet. Time after time woman after woman would try on the fur slipper, and time after time bent toes and scratched heels would be excrutiatingly withdrawn from the mouth of the slipper.

The prince was about to give up hope when he came to Cendrillon's home.

"I know this house my lord. It was owned by a fine woodcutter who served the king well during his life. I often saw him when he had business with my father."

"Well Robert, if his widow is as gracious and loyal as her husband, we will stop and rest here. Assemble all the eligible women here in this courtyard."

That was Rachael's cue and she was the first to present her daughters to the prince.

"Oh it's you," said the prince. "Are you the widow of the woodcutter?"

"Yes we loved him so. And these are my two precious daughters."

"I remember."

Carefully the prince took the slipper from its cushioned pillow, sat Phillis down on a tree stump, and tried to get her mammoth foot into the shoe. Her heel looked like it might fit but her toes were too wide to slide into the opening. Marsha was next. She easily got her toes in but her narrow foot was too long, and her heel stuck way out of the opening of the shoe.

"Is there anyone else living here?" asked the prince.

"No," said Rachael.

Robert suspected something was wrong, "My lord I hear from these neighbors that the woodcutter's daughter by his first marriage lives here too."

"Thank you Robert. Now woman, I'm loosing patience with you. Under fear of death is there anyone else living here?"

Rachael whispered something.

"What's that?"

"Well there is a servant girl that works here."

"Not Cinderlump," said Marsha.

"It's just a waste of time," said Phillis

. "Silence."

The prince's men knew him well enough to know that he was not tolerant of lying and dishonesty.

"Bring her here, now."

Rachael scurried into the house.

"Cendrillon, oh Cendrillon." Rachael couldn't find her. She came back out and said in a wee little voice, "She's not there."

"Find her," shouted the prince even louder.

Rachael turned on her daughters. "Well help me find her."

She was worried now. She hadn't done anything wrong. That prince was so crude yelling at people. She didn't like being yelled at. And besides why in the world would he want to see Cinderlump.

While Rachael and her two daughters were looking in every corner of the house for Cendrillon, she walked into the courtyard with her apron cupped around some freshly picked roses.

"I am Cendrillon," she said.

"Will you try on the slipper?" "Yes."

She laid down her load of flowers, brushed back her hair from her face, and sat on the stone blocks of the well.

The prince reached for the precious slipper, bent down, and placed it on her foot. It fit like a dream.

The village people and the prince's men all gasped as they watched. "The slipper fits perfectly," cried Harold.

Then Cendrillon reached into the roses that she had laid down and pulled out the other slipper, and put it on the other foot.

Even in rags and cinders you shine like a princess. Will you be my wife and live your life with me?"

"Yes, and I will love you forever."

Then for the second time they kissed.

The lovers spell between them was broken when Rachael and her two daughters re-entered the crowd.

"Oh there you are. Cendrillon we've been looking all over for you."

Robert came forward and whispered something in the prince's ear.

The prince turned to Rachael and her two daughters, "Come here at once. My friend has heard from your neighbors that Cendrillon is the woodcutter's daughter and your stepdaugher. Is this correct?" Then he took Cendrillon's hand in his hand.

"Well uh..."

"I want the truth."

"Yes my lord."

Then the prince looked her directly in the eye and said, "For maltreating this the rightful heir of the legacy of her father and mother, my bride to be and, heir to the throne, you will receive your just rewards, and rightful punishment. I have spoken."

Rachael, Phillis, and Marsha, were stunned. Rachael looked at the prince, then at Cendrillon, then back to the prince, then back to Cendrillon, and then fainted into the arms of Phillis and Marsha, who dragged her into the house.

"Cendrillon pack your things. I want to re-introduce you to the kingdom this very day."

Cendrillon ran off to get the few things that she treasured. As she came out she checked to make sure that Rachael was alright. Then she joined the prince.

"Place these three under house arrest until I decide what to do with them," said the prince to two of his guards. "Cendrillon ride with me. The rest of you follow."

"Goodbye all my friends, " said Cendrillon as she waved to the crowds. "You come see me or I'll come see you. I won't forget you."

And with that, the crowd, who had always liked Cendrillon, began to cheer and wave goodbye to her.

Then with her hands around the waist of the prince, and her hair blowing in the wind behind her, Cendrillon travelled with her love, over the glen and through the forest, back to the kingdom of their dreams.

Conclusion. This was the end of the account of the love affair between Cendrillon and Prince Martel. The letters ended with the line, "... and we lived happily ever after." But the true ending has some very interesting details.

The first thing Cendrillon did was to have two simple granite grave markers made for the graves of her parents. Then she began a life long search for the owner of the slippers. But never again would she see her fairy godmother.

Her life at the castle with the prince was good, yet they did have to adjust to each other's ways. The entire castle was on pins and needles to the princess' excessive demands during her pregnancies with both her son Prince William, and later her daughter, Princess Janet.

And too there were their fierce quarrels over the insurrection that happened four years after their marriage. Many of the peasants had revolted because of hunger due to the bad harvest. It was quickly squashed by the king's men but the decision on what to do with the prisoners caused argument after argument between the two lovers.

Cendrillon had seen the problem coming. She had warned the prince and the king about the hunger she had seen when she lived with her stepmother. She wanted conditions changed and the prisoners freed. The prince would not hear of it. He wanted them all punished in the public square.

The king charged that the two compromise and they decided on the following decree: 'Those that used the revolt to steal and plunder under the name of right will be imprisoned or banished. The others will be sent back to their villages. Cendrillon was assigned to look into the problems of the people and to report back to the king as his ambassador. Cendrillon agreed and worked from then on to end the hardships of her people in any way she could.

There were other problems, the death of the king and queen, the added responsibilities for Prince Martel and Cendrillon as the new king and queen, attacks from without the kingdom, and intrigue from within. But together, through it all, they ruled wisely, justly, and fairly.

King Martel died at the age of 58. Queen Cendrillon who proudly watched her son rule for six years died at 63. They were buried side by side in a corner of the cathedral. And with their passing, there was an almost universal sorrow and feeling of loss from all that knew them. Yet the story of their courtship was told and retold to generation after generation, with each telling, fresh and new as if it were the first.

Oh and what about the wicked stepmother and the two wicked stepsisters? The prince had decided to give Rachael two years of hard work cleaning the Royal kitchen day after day, while her two daughters would be put in custody of the court. But the same night that Cendrillon rode back to the castle with the prince, Rachael and her two daughters packed some bags of clothes and snuck out of the kingdom on their own. They were never heard from again.

One final note. On the back of the last letter was a poem written in a different hand from either Queen Cendrillon or Prince William. Some mysterious poet had somehow managed to discover the letters, read them, add his poetry, and then replace them for someone else to find long after he was gone.

ANY DAY THAT COMES ALONG

Any day that comes along
Could be the day that starts the song,
That sings out notes of love abounding,
That fills the air with love around me

Like the rosebud blooming inspring
I wait for my love, true love to bring.
And in my heart of hearts I see.
Soon the ending of waiting for me!

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