The Inner Child

Two castles. One fairytale. The dance between.

Foreword

It’s not the light that wins the fight, nor darkness fading out of sight, but the dance between, both bold and true, that makes us human, me and you. A rhythm rising from the grey, not choosing sides, but finding way. Where contrast sings, not to divide, but to show what lives inside. Something real, born of night.

The Inner Child

wakened in the still of night, she rested her hands on the window sill. Her father said the stars were so far away their light might be gone. The thought made her smile — as if she could drift weightless between them — and sleep drew her gently back.

Good Morning

hen she was rested enough and had put on her clothes, she went downstairs. Her father said, ‘Good morning, my child, Mama has made a nice breakfast for you in the dining room.

Dining Room

he princess, the queen, and the king sat at the breakfast table. They ate and drank tea until they had had their fill. Toen vroeg de princes of ze van tafel mocht om buiten te spelen..

The Well & the Reflection

t dawn she found the palace well — a round stone ring with the water line just beneath the rim. She waved at her reflection, dropped a pebble, the water shimmered, watched the ripples erase the face and then stitch it slowly back again. She laughed, and moved on.

The Day

t dawn she found the palace well — a round stone ring with the water line just beneath the rim. She waved at her reflection, dropped a pebble, the water shimmered, watched the ripples erase the face and then stitch it slowly back again. She laughed, and moved on.

Evening

shadow swept the sky. A giant bird smashed the window. The raven’s talons closed on the princess—gentle—and bore her into stormlight. Wet feathers, cold air. The keep tipped: roofs like scales, the river silver. Between wingbeats came hush; she looked down—everything small.

The Wizard

he wizard’s lab: glass vials and powders, chalked circles and glowing sigils, a moon-shaped window. “How do you tell someone who rushes through life to slow down?” she asked. The wizard placed a cool silver star in her hand. “You’ll know when the moment arrives.”

The Catch

shadow swept the sky. A giant bird smashed the window. The raven’s talons closed on the princess—gentle—and bore her into stormlight. Wet feathers, cold air. The keep tipped: roofs like scales, the river silver. Between wingbeats came hush; she looked down—everything small.

The Flight

he charm glowed over the plan: spiral stairs to the high tower, ...

High in the Keep 1

he charm glowed over the plan: spiral stairs to the high tower, a guard post by the great hall, kitchens below, and a hidden passage behind the tapestries to a postern door. When the storm slept, this would be the way out.

High in the Keep 2

ocked high in a narrow window of the Black Knight’s keep, she looked down: a river threading dark firs, mountains beyond — and far away, a friendly castle with rounded bulb-spires.

The Journey

hen the storm slept, she slipped past the guards. The charm warmed in her hand and showed a hidden way. Bare feet, soft steps, a breath held — and a quiet door to the night outside.

Mountains

winkling stars — the charm led her along a hidden pass. She climbed where wind combed the ridgelines and the peaks cut the sky. Stones were slick, but the path held — and at a cairn of three rocks, the way bent homeward.

Mountains - The White Knight

ut of the pale morning rode a rider in bright mail, a pennant tugged by the wind. He reined in, lifted his visor, and his eyes were kind. “Are you lost, little star?” She nodded. “Then ride with me. A friend of mine keeps a lantern lit for wanderers.”

Forests - 1

etween the mountains and the river lay a dense greenwood. Bright birds winged ahead and a wise stag paused to watch her pass. The charm warmed again — a hidden turning through pines, and the valley opened wide.

Forests - 2

etween the mountains and the river lay a dense greenwood. Bright birds winged ahead and a wise stag paused to watch her pass. The charm warmed again — a hidden turning through pines, and the valley opened wide.

Rivers - 1

he crossed slick stepping stones and kept to the river’s whisper. The water curved toward the valley, glimmering beside the White Knight’s castle — a friendly light waar het land weer zacht werd.

Rivers - 2

nder violet skies the charm revealed a safer crossing and a small stone bridge. Beyond it, the familiar path — and her father at the gate with open arms. She had seen wonders, and yet knew as he held her close: the truest adventure had only just begun.

Home Sweet Home

nder violet skies the charm revealed a safer crossing and a small stone bridge. Beyond it, the familiar path — and her father at the gate with open arms. She had seen wonders, and yet knew as he held her close: the truest adventure had only just begun.

The End

Thank you for reading.