Branches Book

BRANCHES

Her legs eventually grew tired and ached terribly. Everything outside was cold and wet which made it all appear gloomy and grey. Poor Gerda!

Chapter 4: About a Prince and a Princess After walking for so long, the unhappy girl decided to sit down on a rock and rest. A big raven boldly flew up right in front of her. “Kar! Kar!” announced the raven, greeting the girl. He asked her why such a little girl was sitting here alone. Gerda told him all that had happened to her and then asked him if he had seen Kay. “Maybe I have!” answered the raven, “Our princess had decided to marry and announced a contest for suitors. Soon after, I believe your Kay arrived in the palace.” “Has Kay really married a princess?” Gerda asked the raven. She was surprised and saddened by the news. “Not just yet, but they have been talking for a long while and seem to like each other,” replied the raven. “I need to get into that palace! Kay will find out that I am here and he’ll run right to me.” “Getting into the palace is very difficult, but we should be able to get the key and enter the princess’s bedroom,” said the raven. Together, they made their way through the palace garden in the night. All the lights in the windows had been put out hours ago. Only the sound of leaves falling to the ground and cold wind rustling through the trees could be heard. Oh, how the poor girl hoped to see her Kay alive and well! Her small heart was pounding, filled with fear and impatience at the same time. The raven led her through a tiny hidden door into the palace. She found herself in an unfamiliar dark room. They made their way through the many rooms, corridors, stairs, and ballrooms. Gerda had never seen such lavish decorations or expensive furniture before. Eventually, they arrived at the princess’s bedroom. In the middle of the room stood two beds: in one slept the princess, and in the other bed slept who Gerda thought was Kay. The girl pulled the blanket away slightly and saw the back of a dark-blonde head. “Oh my god, this is him!” she cried out. Gerda took a lamp and shined it over his face. The boy woke up. “No, this is not my Kay!” Gerda began to cry and tell them everything that had happened to her. “Poor girl!” said the princess, “You can stay and live in my palace. Don’t be afraid, nobody would dare upset you here.” Alas, Gerda could not stay there. She needed to find her Kay. The princess understood and gifted her a fur coat, muff, and a horse- drawn carriage so that Gerda could continue her journey of finding Kay.

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