Rosa Chapter Seventeen

Hello, all! Are you ready for the next chapter of Rosa? I hope so, because I’m posting it right now! (If you haven’t read the rest of Rosa, or you need a refresher, here’s Chapter Sixteen.) Now, on with the tale!

Chapter Seventeen

Days passed. Rosa slowly, but steadily, continued to recover from the poison. And, as she healed, her love for Prince Owen and his love for Rosa grew and blossomed. The others were careful not to tell Rosa how Prince Owen’s simple kiss had healed her, for as Mandy said one day, “Some things are best left unspoken, and secrets told are secret no more.” However, Rosa soon decided that she did not need to know how, all that mattered was that she had been healed.

            Despite this Lord Alanal, Lady Clarellë, and Mandy still worried about Rosa, though for a different reason. Every day they wondered Will Prince Owen and Rosa ever tell each other how they feel? However, they kept this thought private, and told themselves Better to let them come to it on their own.

            One day, when Rosa was feeling very well, everyone simultaneously decided that it was time to confront Queen Leila. For much of the day, no one said anything. However, at lunch, Prince Owen summed up their feelings in two words as he declared “It’s time.” So, the whole group set out for the castle, determined to expose Queen Leila’s dark deeds.

            When they arrived at the castle, however, they found this to be easier said than done. No one would let them up to see the queen. After many attempts, they sat down in the kitchen, the one place they could be without being disturbed, to try and figure out what to do.

            “This isn’t going as well as we hoped.” Mandy stated, gloomily.

            “Nay, it isn’t.” Lady Clarellë agreed. “Perhaps we set our hopes too high.”
            Suddenly, Rosa burst out with an idea. “The servants’ hidden staircase!” she cried. “No one will notice us and we’ll be able to get right us to Queen Leila’s chamber!

            “Dearie, that’s a nice idea, but there’s a reason those stairs are called hidden.” Mandy said, dryly. “We don’t know where they are.”

            “But I do!” Rosa exclaimed. “I learned about them the time I helped the queen’s serving maid, and I know exactly where they are.” With that, she dashed off to find the servant’s staircase, the others following close behind.

Will Rosa and the rest succeed in stopping Queen Leila’s reign of evil? Will Rosa’s idea work? To find out, check back next time when the next chapter is posted! Until then, please comment and tell me what you think! I’d love to know your thoughts!

-Sarah
Update: Chapter Eighteen is up!

The Way of the Wilderking Review

Author: Jonathan Rodgers

When civlizer Aidan returns home to Corenwald after three years in Feechiefen Swamp, he is shocked to discover a newly formed party known as the Aidanites. They believe that the revered "Wilderking Chant" makes reference to Aidan, and that he is destined to overthrow the tyrant King Darrow.

But wait. Aidan has no intention of leading any such rebellion. However, as Corenwalk weakens and enemy Pyrthens threaten to invade, it's clear that the Aidanites are the only army his people have left. What soon transpires among civilizers, feechiefolk, Corenwalders, and Pyrthens alike, no one could've imagined.
-Summary from the back of The Way of the Wilderking

Characters: Very good! Although there is a notable lack of the feechies that I grew used to, there are plenty of old friends including the Greasy Cave miners from book one, the Last Campers from book two, and Dobro Turtlebane, who mostly makes up for the rest of the feechies being out of the action.

5/5

Location: Pretty good. It was fairly clear and well managed, but not particularly remarkable.

3/5

Plot: Very good! The plot is exciting with plenty of humor. The strange findings in the Sinking Caves add just the right element of mystery, and the ending is highly satisfactory.

5/5

Other: This trilogy is excellent, and I would recommend it to just about anyone.

Overall Rating: 4/5

Series Rating: 4/5

Rosa Chapter Sixteen

Hi, everyone! Ready for more of Rosa? If so, that’s good, because I’ve got Chapter Sixteen here! Need a refresher? Here’s Chapter Fifteen. And now, on with the tale!

Chapter Sixteen

A few minutes later, Lord Alanal, Lady Clarellë, Skyellë, Mandy, and Prince Owen were standing around the once hidden rope ladder that led to the highest level in the tree house. “Who is going up?” Skyellë asked.

            Mandy and Prince Owen glanced at each other, and then Prince Owen said “Mandy and I will go up one at a time. Mandy, do you want to go up first?”

            Mandy hesitated, and then whispered “No. I can’t go up just yet. You are welcome to go ahead.”

            Prince Owen looked at her wonderingly, and then began climbing the rope ladder. Lord Alanal followed, saying that Panthal would need some persuasion to leave Rosa.

            Panthal did need quite a bit of persuasion to convince him that it was alright to leave Prince Owen alone with Rosa, but Lord Alanal managed it. Soon, Prince Owen was standing by the side of Rosa’s bed with no one else nearby. As he gazed at her, he thought She’s even more beautiful than I remembered. Without thinking about what he was doing, he leaned over and kissed Rosa. Suddenly, her eyelids fluttered and her breathing grew quicker. Prince Owen gasped, and then rushed outside to tell the others the news.

            Rosa fully awoke to find herself in a room with jewel-covered walls. She blinked, trying to figure out where she was. Suddenly, she heard Panthal’s voice beside her. She turned towards the sound and saw Panthal himself walking toward her. In his hands was a tray bearing food, drink, and a small flask. “Ah, you’ve awakened!” he said, smiling. “I thought you might.” He set the tray down on a small table by the bedside.

            Rosa stared at Panthal. He rarely smiled, and she had never seen him smiling this broadly. “What happened?” she asked. “Where am I?”

            Panthal’s smile faded somewhat. “As far as we can tell Leila, or another who seeks to kill you, poisoned you somehow. You almost died.”

            Rosa gasped. “The lady . . . I don’t know how long ago, but a dark haired lady with pale skin gave me a basket of fruit. I started eating a plum from it, but I fainted or something after the first bite.”

            Panthal frowned for a minute. “The plum must’ve had the poison in it. I wonder . . .” his voice trailed off and he shook his head. “No matter.” he said briskly. “You’re all right now, that’s what matters.” He turned to leave, but was stopped by a last question from Rosa.

            “But how was I cured? And where am I?” she asked.

            Panthal turned to look at her. “You’re in the top room of our house.” he told her. “And love is what healed you.” With that, he turned and walked out of the room, leaving a confused Rosa lying in bed, staring after him.

What will happen next? Has Rosa really recovered? Who is the strange lady who poisoned Rosa? To find out, check back next time! In the meantime, please comment! I’d love to hear what you think!

-Sarah

Flower Collage

Hi, everyone! I'm back with some of my photography once more! Today's picture is different from most of the pictures I've posted thus far. Why? Well, see for yourself:

This picture is my first collage since I first got into Photoshop. The pictures are all different versions of the same photo, which also serves as a background. The different looks came from my playing around with the different layer masks and effects in Photoshop, trying to figure out how many different abstract-type effects I could come up with, and the beveled edges were done in a similar manner. So, what do you think? Please comment and let me know!
-Sarah

Holidays, Tales, and Photography- My Week

Mae govannen, mellyn nin! (Translation from elvish: well met, my friends. For anyone unfamiliar with The Lord of the Rings and Middle Earth in general, this is a traditional elvish greeting.) Friday is here, and that means it's time for an update on me and my life in general!

• I have been reading a considerable amount of Tolkien lately, thus my elvish greeting. I have found out that there is something in Morgoth's Ring that isn't in The Silimarillion! What is it? Actually, it's two things: the tale of Finwe and Miriel and a long chapter on Elvish customs and laws. Granted, neither of these is particuarly exciting, but they are new and fairly interesting. I hope to make better time reading this, especially since the end of the month is quickly approaching.
• As you can see if you look at my sidebar, I have a list of little-known or Lord of the Rings related holidays. I will update this list monthly. Also as you can see by looking at this list, today is the "anniversary" of the Battle in Mordor and the One Ring's destruction, both of which are found in The Return of the King. This could have something to do with the reason for me reading six or seven chapters of Morgoth's Ring today and greeting everyone in elvish. Also, tommorrow is Make-Up-Your-Own-Holiday Day! I have yet to figure out what I will be celebrating . . . please comment with your ideas.
• My stories are going fairly well. I have finished part one of The Sacrifice, and in my unnamed story one of my main characters is having her world and her entire identity come crashing down around her. (Don't worry; that's a good thing in this case.) I am having a lot of fun with this story, since it involves a lot of mystery, mayhem, and ancient prophecy. (If anyone knows of a good word for "old" that starts with "M" and isn't "medieval", please let me know.)
• There was a photo contest last night, and my pictures did not do well. I got no ribbons, and Daddy didn't get any either, unfortunately.
• Christopher Paolini has finally written the fourth and final book in his fantasy series, The Inheritance Cycle! The last book in this series came out several years ago, and everyone who reads his books has been waiting (im)patiently for the fourth book. This book, titled Inheritance, will be coming out November 8 of this year. I can't wait! 

Well, that's about it for this week. Please comment with your holiday ideas, m words-for-old, and whatever else you want to say! 
-Sarah

Rosa Chapter Fifteen

Hi, everyone! Sorry this is so late, but I’ve got Chapter Fifteen here! Need a refresher? Here’s Chapter Fourteen! And now, Rosa!

Chapter Fifteen

Back at the elves’ clearing . . .

            Panthal sighed and looked at Rosa. She lay on a bed in the center of the uppermost room of their tree house. The multicolored shafts of sunlight that came streaming through the jewels danced around Rosa. We’ve tried almost everything, and nothing has worked. What are we going to do? His sensitive ears caught the sound of someone entering the room, and he turned toward the door.

            Skyellë entered, looking around. “Is she doing any better?” she asked softly.

            Panthal shook his head. “Nay.” he answered. “What do you have there?”

            Skyellë looked at the flask she held in her hands. “The last possible remedy we can make.” she told him. “There’s only one left in the book of lore, and we cannot procure that one.” She handed the flask to Panthal.

            Panthal opened the flask. “What is this last remedy that we cannot make?”

            Skyellë’s eyes filled with tears. “The kiss of an unknown lover.” she whispered, and then she turned and fled the room.

            Hours passed. Rosa still made no move, and uttered no sound. Panthal, Skyellë, and Lord Alanal took turns sitting with her, just in case. Panthal was just beginning a third turn when the sound of horses galloping came from below. Skyellë rushed out to the edge of the lowest platform and looked down. When she saw who was below she cried out in near-joy. “Clarellë has returned!” she called out. “And there are others with her!”

            Skyellë watched as Lady Clarellë, Mandy, and Prince Owen climbed up the rope ladder. As soon as Lady Clarellë was on the platform, Skyellë rushed over. She opened her mouth to speak, but Lady Clarellë beat her to it. “How is Rosa?” she asked in a whisper.

            Skyellë shook her head. “No better. Who are the others you brought?”

            “The lady is Mandy, the one who watched over Rosa before that task fell to us.” Lady Clarellë replied. “The young man is Prince Owen, who Mandy seems to trust. She insisted on his coming. I am not sure why.”

            Skyellë gasped. “Perhaps the last remedy-“she snapped her mouth shut, wondering if she should say it.

            “What about a last remedy?” asked Lady Clarellë.

             “The only remedy in left in our book of lore is the kiss of an unknown lover. What if Prince Owen is that unknown lover?”

            Lady Clarellë nodded slowly. “It could be.” she whispered. “It would be a miracle if he was and it worked.”

            “Should we mention it to him?”  Skyellë asked.

            “Nay.” Lady Clarellë told her. “We do not want to take any risks of getting their hopes up. If Prince Owen kisses her and it does not work, it would be heartbreaking.” She gestured towards Mandy and Prince Owen, who were standing just inside the house, talking with Lord Alanal.

            Skyellë nodded. “You’re probably right.” she reluctantly agreed. “So what should we do now?”

            “We invite them up.” Lady Clarellë replied, simply.

What will happen next? Will Prince Owen be able to cure Rosa? To find out, check back next time! In the meantime, please comment! I’d love to hear your opinion!

-Sarah
Update: Chapter Fifteen is up!

The Secret of the Swamp King Review

Author: Jonathan Rodgers

It looks like a fool's errand. A jealous and vindictive King Darrow sends Aidan Errolson into the depths of the Feechiefen Swamp. Darrow thinks he's sending Corenwald's young deliverer to certain death. No one, after all, comes back from the Feechiefen. He doesn't know that Aidan has allies among the feechiefolk, who know him as the hero Pantherbane.

But even the feechiefolk may be unable to deliver Aidan from the enemy who waits in the swamp's deepest recesses-an enemy who threatens not just Aidan but all of Corenwald.
-Summary from the back of The Secret of the Swamp King 

Characters: Excellent! Aidan returns, and many new and interesting characters are discovered, each lovable in his own way. Among these are many feechies, which add an extra level of fun.

4/5

Location: Pretty good. It was fairly clear, though I did get a little confused at Bearhouse Island. The frog orchid pond, however, is very well done.

3.5/5

Plot: Excellent! This tale has plenty of excitement and humor, along with a good sized helping of battles and fighting. The strange “Wilderking” adds just enough mystery to make the plot really interesting.

5/5

Other: This tale was, if possible, funnier than the last. I especially liked Chapter Seventeen, which was extra-funny. Also, I appreciated the fact that there were many more of the feechiefolk.

Overall Rating: 4/5

Rosa Chapter Fourteen

Hi, everyone! Ready for more of Rosa? I hope so, because I’m posting Chapter Fourteen now! Need a refresher? Chapters Twelve and Thirteen are just a click away. And now, on with the tale!

Chapter Fourteen

Mandy busily mixed and kneaded the bread dough; intent on making what she hoped would be one of her best loaves. Carefully, she finished kneading it and laid a cloth over the top of the bowl. Glancing up, Mandy saw a tall, golden haired lady wearing a silver cape walking towards the castle. Hmm. thought Mandy, That’s odd. I don’t believe I’ve seen her before. I wonder why she isn’t riding a horse like most royalty. Suddenly, the lady turned and began walking towards the kitchen, instead of going to the big back gate. Mandy soon heard the sharp, urgent sound of knocking on the kitchen door. Wiping her hands on her apron, Mandy quickly walked over and opened the door. It creaked as it opened, and Mandy made a mental note to oil the hinges. However, all thoughts of oil vanished from Mandy’s mind when she saw the person at the door. Why, it’s the lady I saw walking up here! Dropping a curtsy, Mandy said “What may I do for you, milady?”  What does she want with me? Did she somehow miss the main gate?

            The lady looked at Mandy, and Mandy could see that the lady’s deep green eyes were filled with worry. “Are you Mandy?” the lady asked urgency evident in her voice.

            “Yes, milady.” Mandy answered.

            “I am Lady Clarellë.” the lady told Mandy. “I am afraid that Rosa is near death.”

            “What?” Mandy exclaimed. “How? Why? How do you know?”

            Lady Clarellë shook her head. “Rosa has been staying with us for several years, but there will be time for explanations later. You must come quickly!”

            Now it was Mandy’s turn to shake her head. “There’s someone else who needs to come.” she said, and hurried off to find Prince Owen.

            Prince Owen was sitting in his usual spot by the window. Suddenly, he heard a loud banging on his door. Is someone trying to knock the door down? He jumped up and hurried over, wondering who was disturbing him. He flung open the door to find Mandy, the cook who had told him the truth about Rosa, standing before him. “Your highness,” she said, breathlessly, “Rosa is near death. I thought I should-“

            Her words were cut off by Prince Owen’s exclamation of “Where is she? How did this happen?”

            “Come with me, please, your highness, and I’ll explain everything.” Mandy told him, turning to go.

            Prince Owen nodded, grabbed his cape, and followed close behind. 

What will happen next? Will Mandy and Prince Owen make it to the elves’ clearing? Will Rosa die? There’s only one way to find out: check back Thursday! In the meantime, please comment and tell me what you think! I’d love to know!

-Sarah
Update: Chapter Fifteen is up!

Bridge

Hi, everyone! I'm back, with more of my photography. I was originally going to post a different picture, but the computer wouldn't load it, so I decided on this picture instead.

This picture was taken at a nearby garden-type place. I used a mask on it to give it that poster-drawing effect. I also have a color version somewhere on one of the computers, and since I just found it, I'll post that too.

Which do you like better; the color version or the black and white version? Please comment and tell me!

 -Sarah

My Week . . .

Hi, everyone! Sorry about posting this late, but we were rather busy last night. So, here’s the summary of my week.

·        I have gotten some work done on my unnamed story. It seems to be going well, and I’m almost to the really good part. I’ve also gotten all three of my main characters wondering what on Earth is going on! Yes, I love doing that. It’s incredibly fun.

·        I have also started the Easter story that I was thinking of starting last Friday. Although it’s barely two or three written pages long, it already has a name: The Sacrifice. The story will have two parts: one that describes the crucifixion and one that covers the events surrounding the empty tomb. Part One will focus on a nine-year-old girl and her father, a follower of the Prince of Peace (my name in the story for Jesus), both of whom witness the events. Part Two will focus on the same girl and her mother. I am hoping to finish this story quickly, and I suspect that I will succeed.

·        I have been attempting to read Morgoth’s Ring, a book by J.R.R. Tolkien that consists of a few of the early drafts of the first part of The Silimarillion. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem to be going very well, partially because the book is rather boring for one of Tolkien’s tales and partially because I’ve already read The Silimarillion, so I know that the characters aren’t going to stop doing things that make you want to scream “Don’t do that! Stop acting like an idiot!” for a while. Naturally, one doesn’t really want to read about people making incredibly foolish decisions. So, I have made next to no progress on finishing this book.

·        It’s finally gotten warm! Friday and Saturday were both in the seventies, and it’s supposed to be in the sixties today!

Well, that’s about all! Thanks for stopping by!

-Sarah