Part one for those who missed it: https://hcongrove2.com/2025/04/20/caroline/
Thank you for reading and God bless.
Caroline rode away, traveling the opposite directions anyone would expect her to go. Soon she was at the edge of the forest, a place she hadn’t seen for nearly 15 years. The path now looked overgrown and nearly unrecognizable. Despite the overgrowth a familiar awareness directed her to her destination. Only a handful of people knew about this place. Emma once called it “our little slice of peace” and the code name seemed to stick. The mystical waterfall appeared to rise out of nowhere. Tucked far back into the woods, well off the beaten path. If a passerby did hear the sound of falling water, most never ventured far enough into the forest to find it. The mouth a few miles down the mountain provided an easier and more convenient access. The waterfall’s remote location provided an excellent escape and sense of privacy.
The forest thickened around her as she ventured deeper into the forest. Sadie’s footsteps became slower now bulldozing through dense weeds. At last the forest canopy opened up revealing a magnificent waterfall. The cliff towered above her some 50 feet with an oblong pool stretched below it. A little piece of oasis. Everything looked the same as it did a decade ago. She dropped down from Sadie’s back, tethering the reins to a low branch. She slipped off her gown, leaving it as a heap on the ground. Wearing her under garments she waded into the water allowing herself a rare moment of tranquillity. She floated on her back, and closed her eyes, and was transported to another time. A time when she was a little girl without a care in the world. A small child without a husband or much thought for her future. A time when her beloved sister was still here. After a long moment of fantasizing she rights herself, now clear headed and grounded.
She then ducked behind the waterfall, always her favorite spot to be. The cliff behind curved far back, allowing plenty of room to get out of the water and sit comfortably.The years of constant erosion had only widened the secret cave, adding to its beauty and wonder. Not even her husband had been to this spot. She would assume not Johnathan either.
Caroline forced her mind to ignore the nostalgia and focus on the problem at hand. What could be this secret? How does she find out the knowledge that ended her sister’s life? Does she really want to know if it will put her life in danger as well? So many questions and not enough answers. She recalled a lady who Emma used to visit often. She lived deep in the forest and typically avoided people, but Emma had taken a liking to her. They would often spend evenings gardening and gossiping together. Mrs. Rashell had a vast knowledge of herbs and spices, a subject Emma was eager to learn. Maybe Emma had mentioned something to her. Without any other reasonable option, visiting Mrs. Rashell was her next step.
Just as she was standing to leave an abnormality caught her eye. A line too perfect for nature, not just one, four. She pried with her fingers on the rectangle, sliding the rock out into her hand. The hollowed out piece contained a stack of handwritten letters wrapped neatly with a silk ribbon.
The first one read:
Caroline stared at the note in disbelief. How could this possibly be true? But how could she ignore the obvious warnings? Her heart sanks lower as she scanned the rest of the letters that solidified what she feared. Each one described in detail the strategies of Johnathan and Damion’s plan to conquer the Kingdom of Asturias, each one sealed with her father’s royal signet.
What was she supposed to do with this information? How can she warn her beloved friends? Did her husband also support this heinous invasion? What about mother, could she be trusted? A thousand questions flooded her mind creating anxiety within. For a moment it hijacked her body and froze her in place. She had to make a decision fast. The wrong one could mean her life or many others would soon come to an end.Caroline mounted her horse and set off to find Rashell. She only had a little while before someone would become alarmed by her absence. Hopefully Rashell can lend a helping hand and give some wisdom or direction.
The small house still looked as lovely as ever. A white picket fence circled the house with roses growing all around. A well manicured lawn surrounded the house making it look picturesque against the forest backdrop. Caroline dismounted and knocked on the door, but no one came. She knocked harder hoping the loss of hearing due to old age was the reason for not answering. Nothing… She pondered her next move. Should she wait for her to return? Should she risk a trip to the docks to board a boat and warn King Amaryllis herself. Should she trust her mother or husband? What to do, what to do. Suddenly she yearned for yesterday morning, when everything seemed simpler and less like a life-altering series of events. She no longer wanted to be responsible for anything. She wanted to be that little girl again without a care in the world. But that wasn’t an option that was attainable. She had to take action, but even inaction was an action.
Follow along to catch the next part of Caroline. Thanks for reading and God bless!
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Ken: Part Two
I saw Caroline from the forest where I had been standing; she was taking a path that I knew well. The same path we had explored together as children, now cloaked in overgrowth and time. Fifteen years had passed since I last ventured this deep, yet the forest still whispered our shared memories.
I followed her at a distance, careful not to reveal myself. The trail, once familiar, was now a tapestry of wild vines and encroaching foliage. But my feet remembered the way, guided by an unspoken bond to this place.
She reached the waterfall—our secret haven. Hidden from the world, it cascaded with the same vigor, its pool reflecting the canopy above. I watched as she dismounted, her movements deliberate, shedding layers of the present to immerse herself in the past.
From my vantage point, I saw her float, eyes closed, a serene silhouette against the shimmering water. Memories of our childhood laughter echoed in my mind, and a pang of longing gripped my heart.
She disappeared behind the waterfall, into the cavern we once called our fortress. Curiosity compelled me forward, but I remained hidden, respecting her solitude. Moments later, she emerged, a bundle of letters clutched in her hands, her expression a mix of shock and determination.
I knew then that something significant had transpired. As she mounted her horse and rode away, I resolved to follow, to protect her from the shadows that now threatened to consume our shared past.
Having fun…..
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😁 that’s interesting.
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