Write to Inspire

I have really been enjoying my participation in the NYC Midnight Challenges, even though I think that the entry fees are rather expensive. But I believe that they are good value for money.

The challenges are tremendous fun. There are very active forums which consist peer reviews by fellow participants. There is the anticipation of the results of each of three rounds and the chance to progress. As well as peer feedback, you receive valuable feedback from the judges.

Here is my submission for the 500-word challenge. Sadly, it didn’t make it to the second round.

Let me know what you think. Constructive feedback, good or bad, is always welcome.

The Princess and the Pineapple

Prompts

Genre:   Historical Fiction
Action:  Sleeping in a car
Object:  Pineapple

Her peacefulness as she sleeps belies our perilous situation.

She stirs.

Her eyelids flicker.

She awakes.

She sees me.

Her eyes spring open.

She shrieks.

“Shush, Princess. I won’t hurt you.”

“Y-your Bolshevik friends. They c-came to kill my family.”

“They did. But we escaped. If they find us, they will kill us both. Don’t worry though. I will take you to safety.”

“How can I trust you?”

“I swore to your father that I would guard you with my life. He spared my life when I was a young soldier. Now, my life is yours.”

“Where are we?”

“Deep in the woods, about one-hundred miles west of the palace. When it gets dark, we must abandon your father’s car here and start walking. We have far to go.”

“Where will we go?”

“So many questions Tsarina! Just LISTEN to me for a while.”

“Alright.”

“First, if we show our ranks in society, somebody will recognise us. They will kill us. So, just call me Ivo. And I will call you . . . Stefan.”

“That’s a boy’s name!”

“We must disguise you, Anastasia. I have brought my son’s clothes for you. I must also cut off your hair and you must wear his cap.”

“I understand. I’ll be Stefan. But where will we go?”

“I will take you to the safety of your royal cousins in another realm. First, we must make it to Poland.”

“I’m tired. Can we sleep in Papa’s car until it’s dark?”

“Of course. But you must be hungry, Stefan?”

She giggles at her new name.

“Yes, Ivo. Very.”

“As we fled, I managed to scoop some food off the banqueting table. Here! Have a look in this sack.”

“Ooh! Bread and fruit and cheese and cold meats. This should get us to Poland.”

“I doubt it, but we’ll survive. I’m more worried about my comrades.”

We tear off some bread and tuck into the meat and cheese. I eat a crispy apple.

“What is that strange fruit?”

“It’s a pineapple, Ivo. The imperial fruit.”

“How do you peel it?”

“Give me your knife.”

She expertly cuts off the top and bottom and trims the sides before slicing it.

“It’s delicious! So juicy and sweet. I have never tasted anything like it.”

“Now that you are properly dressed and the Queen has verified your unique birthmark, we believe you. But you must excuse us for doubting you. When you arrived, you looked like a waif. Now that you are dressed properly, you look more like a princess. Your hair will grow.”

“I am just happy to be accepted into your court, Uncle.”

“I shall reward your rescuer for his valour. What shall it be? A knighthood? Jewels? Gold?”

“Ahem. Begging your pardon, Your Majesty. May I request . . . ?”

“Ask for anything. You are a hero.”

“The only gold I wish for is the golden Imperial fruit, Your Majesty.”

The King is confused.

Anastasia laughs.

“He means a pineapple, Uncle!”