Chapter 13 A new beginning

It has been nearly a whole generation since a Phoenix has been hatched. King Joshua has kept the egg close to him at all times. When he was a child he would keep it in his pocket. As he grew, the egg grew. When Joshua went to war for his kingdom, he left the egg behind. When he came home he found the egg to be the size of a human being.

That is when the maid finally told him the truth of the golden egg, of his mother the Phoenix, and of his father who was murdered, by his father. The poor boy had a lot of madness in his family to live down. He knew he could and would be a better king than his family before him. He would not mistreat his people.

The maid told him he should wait to marry. When the Phoenix hatches, she would be the perfect bride for him. He thought for several years on the subject. That is until one day when he was out riding through the kingdom. He found a woman in the field. She had long flowing black hair, she was too skinny but not skin and bone, she was beautiful to look at, and tall to boot. He could not resist approaching her.

She was a young maiden visiting family during the harvest season. She was there solely to help with the harvest. King Joshua courted her for the season. He made sure the family ate well, and even helped with the harvest. When the end of the season came, he escorted her home. Once there he asked her family's permission to marry her. Which they gave without delay.

When he asked her she was overjoyed. He took her out into the fields of flowers. He picked her a bouquet. They had a picnic right at dusk in the beautiful field. Then he asked her if she would become his queen. She jumped at him in a surprised motion, squealing YES! And they both fell backwards laughing and happy.

They waited to have a wedding until they were back at the castle. Joshua moved her whole family in with him. He gave all her family places in the court. He wanted her as happy as she could possible be. Once everything was settled they decided they would get married on the longest night of the year. Which is Winter Solstice.

The wedding was laid out beautifully. The whole kingdom came to their wedding every family bringing a dish of some kind. It was tradition in the kingdom for the towns people to supply the mean at a kings wedding. Everyone feasted, and danced to traditional folk music. Everyone was having a wonderful time.

As all the festivities were taking place, the golden egg cracked. The maid, who had raised King Joshua, was there watching and listened as there was knocking coming from the inside. It was continuous! The maid did not want to interrupt the wedding. She took it upon herself to stay close to the egg. As the egg made more and more noise, the maid called for fresh linens, and clean clothing to be brought up.

The Phoenix was stretching. She was running out of room. God had granted her another boon. She was not reborn as a baby. She was going to be fully grown this time. She wanted to wonder the earth for a while, and see what all there was to see.

When she last lived she had heard of a place called Ireland. She so wanted to go see the rolling hills. She was curious about the windbag pipes that Ireland was famous for. She was ready to come out of her shell. In more than one way.

She stretched and wiggled. She could feel the whole egg move when she moved. It scared her! She did not want to fall over. But then again falling over might just get her out of this prison! She propped her feet up on the side wall, braced her back against the other, and pushed with all her might.

The noise was scarier than anything. It sounded like glass breaking. The maid ran out into the hall and called for a bath to be drawn immediately. While she was in the hall, Out popped the newly born Phoenix. "Hello world!" Then she fell over breaking the rest of the shell and bathing her self in the egg mucus. She rolled over and attempted to stand up. Her legs crumbled beneath her. It looked like she was walking on jelly.

This was the maids first time to see it happen. But the old Phoenix had told her how it would be if she should ever lay an egg. The maid got back into the room just in time to see the new Phoenix fall to the floor. That is after trying to stand. She could not help but giggle. The new Phoenix seemed just awfully new. Which I guess being since she had just hatched she was.

The maid helped by laying a towel over a seat and helped the Phoenix to it. As soon as the maids had gotten the bath water ready, they all helped the new Phoenix bathe. Then they dressed her and cleaned up the egg. The shell was kept and taken to the treasury. But the Phoenix did not care about a shell.

They combed and brushed the Phoenix's long red hair. Her hair was so red that it could glow in the dark. When the previous phoenix had bright blond. The old maid thought it was an interesting change. She was sure there were other changes as well. They helped to braid her hair and fix it in a elegant fashion. Then the Phoenix was led down to the wedding. She wanted to meet her brother before she took flight. The maids had to teach her how to walk again. Which only took a few minutes. After all she was fully grown again.

When she got to the reception she walked straight up to King Joshua. The maids kept the guards away. Joshua looked up to see the lovely phoenix walking towards him and he was struck dumb. As she approached his new wife, snapped her fingers in front of his face. This was to break him out of his trance. The new Phoenix was introduced to Joshua by the old maid. "My King Joshua, This is the Phoenix reborn. She hatched out of your golden egg."

The Phoenix smiled sweetly. "You may call me Delight." She turned to the old maid, "You did a good job at raising my son." She hugged Joshua sweetly. Joshua did not know quite what to do. But he did hug her back. Delight continued, "I wanted to see how you grew up. I am glad I have. You are handsome and sweet. Just like your father was. As your mother I want you to know I love you, and I am sorry I could not be there for you to grow up. But that was another life ago. Now I am your sister. As your sister, I want to say I love you as a sister should. I heard the maid while in my egg. I am not the wife for you. You have a beautiful bride. I will be your sister. I will return as your sister. But I have some traveling I wish to do. It is very nice to meet you. I will be back soon. Right now though, I wish to enjoy my freedom."

With that she turned and walked to the back of the crowd. The crowd parted with mouths a gape. At the back of the crowd she burst into flame and took off into the air. She was free again, and longing to spread her wings. The crowd she had left behind all had grins. Some called out yells of laughter and praise.

Even Joshua had to admit, he was glad to have met the Phoenix. Then the fact remains, she said she will be back. He thought I have a sister! It was his most prevalent thought any time he thought about the phoenix. He understood completely from the stories why she did not stick around. But he wished she could have. She will be back and maybe then they can talk more. A Phoenix should be a free spirit. Watching her fly opened up his eyes and his heart. This was truly his happiest day ever.