a shared dream

Tuesday, 27 September 1921.

“Snovi Belleville, can you present your presentation now?” The teacher groaned, nibbling on her glasses. Snovi, feeling dauntless, casually walked up to the front of the class and took out a few pieces of paper. “My presentation is about dreams, in fact, my name means dreams in Latin” she started. The class looked highly disinterested already. “If you dream about something, it’ll happen,” she said joyfully. The whole class burst out in laughter, the response from the class caused Snovi to tear up but not cry or all out. “I asked for a presentation on something that takes your interest, but it can’t be made up” the teacher explained, trying to suppress a laugh. 

She’d had enough, Snovi ran out of the room and out into the deserted schoolyard that was littered with rubbish from the lunch hall. Puzzled on what to do next, she squeezed through the gate onto the main road. Running as fast as her short legs would carry her, she came face to face with a forest. The forest floor was covered under a blanket of warm-colored autumn leaves. The swirls of oranges and reds were pleasing to look at until a gust of wind came and blew the dirt from the sides of a narrow path and sprinkled over the leaves. It wasn’t the first time Snovi got lost, it was the third, only this time, she had no idea what way to go in order to get back to school. 

Snovi took a deep slow breath and wandered aimlessly around the forest in hope of finding somewhere to sit. After a few minutes of searching, a nice-looking tree stump caught her attention. She sat herself down and grazed on the berries that grew on a tree hanging next to her. Unfazed about sitting alone in a forest by herself, Snovi found a marshmallow in her pocket that looked perfectly edible. The marshmallow gave her an idea, she grabbed two sticks and aggressively rubbed them together. After a few moments, flames began to spark up and she gathered a few more twigs to rest the flame-lit ones on. Being extremely careful, Snovi used her hand and held the marshmallow over the top of the small fire she created. It suddenly began to rain and the water droplets put out the fire and dampened the marshmallow. 

Regardless, Snovi tucked into her small meal as it was becoming dark. As it became darker and darker, the sun disappeared behind, the now, sky-lighted trees. There was no hope Snovi trying to find her way back now as the sun had completely vanished, instead, she lied down on a patch of dry leaves that were sheltered by the towering trees above and allowed her head to rest on a small soggy log that wasn’t as fortunate as the patch of leaves. Once Snovi closed her heavy eyelids the only thing she could hear was the pitter-patter of the rain falling gently on the trees and forest floor. 

Suddenly, a puff of smoke appeared and Snovi could see a sort of castle. She couldn’t stop her legs from approaching, her curiosity getting the better of her. The doors opened in front of her and she was blinded by vibrant reds and golds. A red crest with golden words read ‘The Kingdom of Snovi’ and was so shiny it reflected the light from the candles that were placed around the room. Fascinated, Snovi couldn’t help but walk through another door on her right. She opened it slowly and it led her to a courtyard. White horses were tied up with blue and pink head collars on and chomping on the ivy that decorated the perimeter of the place. Snovi approached the horse and held her arm out to touch it, as the horse turned its head, she woke up. An overwhelming amount of disappointment hit her hard like a slap to her face. Snovi’s hair was matted with, still damp, bark. When she picked up her head, an awful amount of pain stabbed her in the head and neck. She had a headache and felt stiff from sleeping on the cold ground. 

As she stood up and massaged the side of her agonizing neck, a single brick was placed in front of her. On it, a note that read: ‘place me somewhere high up, preferably on a hill’. And she did just that. Trekking up the tallest hill she could find, she placed the brick down in the center. An unexpected rumble started underneath Snovi’s feet and she fell to the ground. Within moments, more and more bricks were forming and items normally found in an extremely posh place appeared. Minutes had past and Snovi was standing in the castle from her dreams, she ran to a window and peered out, a whole kingdom stood before her. Servants and guards stood before her and explained this was her’s now. This was the best thing that happened to Snovi, the courtyard with horses was even there!. “I shall call this place ‘The Kingdom of Snovi’” she announced to the village below the castle and they all cheered with joy. 

Wednesday, 29th September 2021.

“Right everyone, are we ready, you all know some very important people will be arriving soon” Queen Ophelia panicked. “Yes darling, we are all ready” King Quintus reassured, adjusting his tie. “And where is Aurora?” the queen panicked again. “She’s probably touching up her makeup, you know what young girls are like” the king replied. Ophelia and Quintus were the king and queen of the Kingdom of Snovi since Snovi herself become too old to hold it down herself. The pair weren’t truly royal but no one in the kingdom’s village knew that. Although the castle was expecting some very royal people, they remained calm and casual as the horse and carriage pulled up on the castle's drive.

Out from the carriage first, a married couple that dressed as if they had just got married, and a tall boy with a devilish smirk on his face. The couple had their arms entwined with each other and the tall boy followed behind them, scanning the ground. He had pale skin and blue eyes. He wore a suit much too grown-up for his age (which was 18 years old) but by the looks of things, everyone was too afraid to say something. Dangling from the suit was an eyeglass with which he used to examine the stairs. He gave a look of filth and followed his parents into the grand castle. 

“Ah, Wonderfull to see you” King Quintus greeted, picking up his glass of red wine and sipping It whilst walking over. “We are Mr. and Mrs. Kensington and this is our son, Engar Kensington” Mr. Kensington explained. “Aren’t you king and queen?” Asked Ophelia, slightly flushed. “We are at home but not outside the grounds” Mrs. Kensington explained. “You shall call me Master Engar” Engar interjected, raising his voice with a sense of pride. Aurora, the daughter of Quintus and Ophelia, came skipping down the stairs. 

Her footsteps caught the attention of everyone talking at the entrance. As she stopped by the end of the stairs, Engar casually walked over to her and smirked. “Pleased to meet you,” he said slowly, picking up her warm hand and kissing it softly with his bright red lips, being careful not to leave a mark. Aurora didn’t feel blessed about this boy who was clearly full up in himself kissing her hand. For the sake of the adults, she looked happy and placed her unoccupied hand onto her chest, and smiled. All the adults smiled and said “awww” once or twice. “I acknowledge you not really royal which is disappointing” Engar started, moving away from Aurora. “But you’re cute enough, that I can perhaps get used to you?.” Aurora felt a surge of anger rise inside her body but remained calm and walked over to the adults. 

Bored from just listening to the adult's conversation, Aurora paid a visit to the horses in the courtyard. She began filling hay nets and throwing them into a shed for the other horse owners to collect when out of nowhere, Engar showed up. “You shouldn’t have to do that” he sighed. “Allow me-“ “thanks!” “No, I’m not doing it” he whistled and an old man dragged his feet over to them. The man’s clothes were ripped and dirty and he hadn’t showered in a while. “Fill the hay nets!” Edgar ordered. “I’m shoeing a horse at the moment, but my daughter would be more than happy to do so” he explained. “GET HER THEN!” Edgar shouted, causing both the old man and Aurora to jump. 

A girl the same age as Aurora and Engar calmingly made her way over and leaned a shovel up against the stone wall. She had jet black hair tied in a ponytail, completely black eyes, and pale skin with patches of sunburn. “I’m Alanna, what was it you wanted me to do?.” “Fill the hay nets up so my soon-to-be wife doesn’t have to” Engar instructed. “Wife? you pair look like you just left comprehensive school, how come you getting married?” Alanna asked puzzled. “Our marriage doesn’t concern you,” Engar said annoyed. Alanna began picking up handfuls of hay and chucking it into the blue net. After a while of watching, Aurora finally got up the courage to speak as for some reason, she became nervous when Alanna first spoke to her. 

Aurora couldn’t help but lend a hand in filling the hay nets and bent down for some hay. As she dropped the Hay in the net, Alanna’s hand came into contact with hers. The pair held a silent stare and continued to grab hay. Engar came back over from discussing something inside with a guard and crossed his arms. “Why are you helping the servant?” He asked Aurora who froze with fear. “It’ll get the job done faster” she replied, standing up to meet Engar’s eyes. “Your mother wants to speak to you” Engar informed. “I have a fencing lesson to get to so I’m afraid I can’t be there.” 

Engar strutted off leaving Aurora alone in the courtyard with Alanna. “If you getting married, you have to be inspected by Snovi first” Alanna explained, throwing the last hay net in the shed. “Snovi?” Aurora asked. “She’s the founder of the kingdom, the story is amazing. She watches your dreams. The rule goes, if you share a dream with someone, you’re meant to be.” Puzzled by the information she was hearing, Aurora went inside to her mother who only told her the same information Alanna had. After speaking to Alanna, Aurora had swarms of butterflies and would spend every morning with her. She woke up early enough not even her parents was up, and they’re early birds. 

Unfortunately, every evening, she had to watch Engar do fencing. It was terrifying when he had to use real swords, Alanna had to clean them. Engar picked up that Aurora and Alanna seemed to get on and did everything in his power to stop them from even looking at each other. Time passed by quickly and it was only a day away from that Snovi had to inspect Engar and Aurora. Whilst Engar boasted to his fencing friends about getting married, Aurora sobbed into her pillow in her bedroom. Gathering her tears together, she went into the courtyard to see Alanna who was brushing a grey pony. Aurora ran over to her and hugged her tightly and whispered in her ear “don’t tell anyone I hugged you.” Little did the pair know, Engar was spying around the corner, he’d seen enough, he walked off with a grin. 

The following morning, Aurora felt sick with nerves, it was the day. Whilst Engar boasted to his fencing friends about getting married before them, Aurora spent the whole day rehearsing the pair's wedding vows. She walked up and down her bedroom, trying her hardest not to forget the few simple lines she had to say, and would slap herself on the arm every time she forgot or said the wrong thing. As she slapped herself for the fifth time, something inside of her began to stir. What if Engar dreamed about another girl or vice versa? Would they still have to get married? What would happen to the person in the dream?. Aurora was so tied up in her own thoughts that she didn’t notice her mother, Ophelia, calling her that it was time to visit Snovi. 

Hesitantly, she followed her mother out into the courtyard with the horses. A small, lovely cottage stood in the corner. Out walked a lady. The lady had silver hair that was tied in a bun, grey eyes, wrinkled skin, and a warm smile. “Welcome to my home” she greeted softly. “I’m Snovi Belleville and for the next night you’ll stay with me whilst I watch your dreams.” Just as Aurora was about to walk inside Snovi’s home, Engar showed looking highly disinterested. “I really don’t see the point in this, we’re getting married regardless” he sneered at Snovi who didn’t look at all intimidated. “Dreams are special, they can predict the future but can also connect people together. If your dreams are connected, you’re truly meant to be.” 

All three continued into the cottage and Engar and Aurora sat themselves down at a curvy wooden table. Everywhere the soon married couple looked, were shelves and shelves full of ornaments. The one that took most visitors' eyes was the giant castle one. All the tiny, delicately made pieces stood out. Snovi placed two cups of soya milk and a plate of pumpkin seed capsules down on the table in front of Engar and Aurora. “Swallow the pumpkin seeds down with the milk, it’ll help you dream” Snovi explained to the confused pair. Both were reluctant at first but after a little convincing, they did just that. Engar was disgusted he had to do what Snovi told him to and said it was outrageous. Aurora, on the other hand, swallowed the capsules and drank all the milk silently and without complaint. Once that was finished, Snovi led them over to two confinable-looking beds and told them that they were to sleep there. 

Once the pair were laying down, about to drift off to sleep, Snovi sprinkled some golden dust over them and took a seat. Engar was the first to dream. He dreamed about marrying Aurora and running the whole kingdom. Aurora had to do as he say, cooks and clean without a fuss and not speak to the servants. It was a very quick dream and Snovi felt heartbroken that that was Aurora’s future, or so she thought. Snovi looked over to Aurora who’s dream was very different from Engar’s. It appeared that she owned a castle of her own and who was standing next to her? Alanna! The servant. Snovi had seen enough and woke the sleeping pair up and told them to go back to the castle immediately. On the way back, Aurora greeted Alanna who looked worried. “I dreamed we owned a castle and horses!” She cried, not realizing how close by Engar was. “Just forget it alright, I’m marrying him no matter what I say” Aurora replied, tears filling her eyes as she hugged Alanna for the last time. 

The day of the wedding had arrived, Aurora was having her hair done upstairs by two servants. Just as she was a=about to leave, wearing a pearl white dress, Snovi walked into the room. “You can’t marry him,” she said firmly. “I don’t have a choice Snovi, a royal and a servant can’t be together and that’s final.” “To the right it is,” said Engar, walking up from behind Snovi. “I have a little surprise for you after we get married” he continued to say and them leaving the room. 

Aurora, trying not to cry again, walked down the aisle gripping a bunch of white flowers and looking at the people on both sides of her. Engar stood proudly at the front, yet his grin vanished as soon as he came face to face with Aurora. Just as Engar placed the ring on Aurora’s finger and she did the same, a horrendous scream came from the courtyard. Everyone, including Engar and Aurora, rushed out to see what had gone down. It was Alanna. She had a long sword running straight through her chest. Blood was pouring out from her heart like a stream as one of Engar’s fencing friends pulled it back out. The sword was dripping in red liquid and Alanna was laying in a ball on the floor with pain-filled areas falling out of her black eyes. 

“YOU FOOL!” Engar shouted. “Everyone was supposed to watch the servant fall to her death. None of less. That’ll teach you for sharing dreams with MY WIFE!.” Engar kicked Alanna hard in the face and then walked off, the crowd followed, unfazed that a servant got killed. Aurora sat next to Alanna who turned significantly paler and cried harder than she’s ever done. After an hour of silently sitting with a now-dead body, Aurora heard shouting from Engar who was being thrown in a cell? “I can’t have you blatantly organizing my servants to be killed!” Shouted King Quint. 

Before anything else could happen, the whole castle vanished. Everyone was standing on a grass hill. Snovi walked over to Aurora and sighed, she handed her a brick that had a note on it, it read: build the kingdom on behalf of her. “I was lost, that’s why I got the brick, now you’re lost, it's time for you to live the life you always wanted. Alanna is no real servant, her name is Alanna Belleville, she’s a great-grandchild. And you pair shared a dream.