The Healing Princess The Healing Princess

Once upon a time there was a princess born to the most prestigious royal family in the world. Normally, this would be a time for both the royal family and the kingdom to celebrate, but only two days after the birth of this precious child a declaration of war was announced. The royal family was not liked by everyone, and had one enemy in particular, The Duke of Augustus.

The Duke was very jealous of the wealth and power the family possessed. He was determined to destroy the kingdom and all who lived there. The king and queen decided it would be best for their child not to be in the kingdom when the war broke out, so they sent her away.

Royal servants of the king took the child as far away as possible. They traveled for weeks before coming upon a cottage in the middle of the forest where an old woman lived. Hearing the horses and servants' voices, the old woman came out to greet them.

"Kind woman," one of the servants said, "we have found this lost child in the forest with no one to look after her. Do you know anyone here who could care for this child?"

"Sadly, there is no one here but me, and I am but a poor and lonely old woman. I could look after the child for a while, but I have so little to offer her," the old woman modestly said.

"Then it is settled. We will leave the child with you. Take care of her as best you can. We are sure you will do a good job," the servant responded.

The royal servants left the princess with the old woman, knowing that only such a kind and generous woman would take in a child that was not her own.

The old woman's name was Hyacinth and she was a healer. Hyacinth traveled all over the land helping and healing those who needed her assistance. The princess was left in better hands that the servants could have ever hoped for.

"I think I'll name you Angelina," Hyacinth said. "You are such a beautiful child and your eyes are full of happiness and peace. You look like an angel that has come straight from the heavens into my home. You will be happy here and I'll share with you everything I have." Princess Angelina just smiled and cooed at the woman who was holding her close.

Princess Angelina had only one tie left to her royal claim, a heart shaped birthmark on her shoulder. Hyacinth didn't know it had a special meaning and looked upon it as a sign that the child's heart and soul were pure with love.

Many summers and winters passed and Angelina blossomed into a captivating young lady. Her hair was long and the color of copper shimmering in bright moonlight. Her eyes were the shade of green that only emeralds possess. Her smile could cheer even the saddest of souls. She was simply enchanting.

Hyacinth had been teaching Angelina the practices of healing and why it was so important. "You must never turn away or be turned away by someone who needs your help," Hyacinth told her. "People like us who possess the powers to help are rewarded with miracles of our own. You were my reward."

Angelina just smiled at Hyacinth and continued mixing herbs for their journey. Toward the end of every spring, Angelina and Hyacinth set out upon a healing journey. They traveled far and wide and healed those they encountered who needed them. Among the herbs they carried with them were cedarwood for sedating, frankincense to dispel fears, lavender to sooth, peppermint to clear the head and tea tree to strengthen the body against illness. They could cure or help sooth just about anyone with all the herbs that they carried with them.

They left at the beginning of May, just as the wild roses had begun to burst open with color from the green buds that held them captive. Hyacinth and Angelina walked for weeks without seeing a single person in need. This was just fine, they enjoyed walking together and seeing all that was around them. It was very tranquil for them both. At the end of each day, they would find the largest oak tree in that part of the forest and sleep at the foot of the oak with the lush moss as their beds. It really was comfortable for them, and the forest always seemed enchanted with its two healers and protected them through the night. They ate roots and berries. The forest became their true home away from home.

Although everything seemed perfect for Hyacinth and Angelina, Hyacinth was now a very old woman and more feeble than ever. Their journey was particularly hard on her and Angelina noticed that every day they traveled a little less. Angelina never said a word, hoping that she would get better, and all would be all right. Every night before they slept, Angelina rubbed lavender, rosemary and peppermint over Hyacinth's arms and legs to keep the stiffness and soreness out. Every morning she would rub juniper, lemon grass and jasmine to give her energy for the day.

Hyacinth told Angelina that this would be there last journey together and that it was important to remember all she has learned. Angelina fought back her tears and promised to heal all those in need, no matter what.

They spent the remainder of that day sitting together at the edge of the pond. They admired the tranquility of the forest with only the songs of the birds above. The pond glistened as the sun reflected off the glassy surface, shading the water in deep reds and purples as the sun slowly set.

Angelina traveled alone the next day. She walked far into the forest, farther than ever before. It was dark, a frightening place for a girl alone. She knew she must keep going, there may be someone ahead who needed her. She took a deep breath and plunged deeper and deeper in the forest.

Angelina stopped suddenly. From a distance a voice called out, but she could not make out what it was saying. She turned toward the direction of the voice and began to run.

"Hello, Hello?" she called to the voice.

"Help . . . Help," the voice called faintly.

Angelina began to run as fast as she could toward the cry. It grew louder and louder as she approached. Then she saw him.

A man, lying down in the grass, clutching at an arrow through his shoulder. Angelina slowly approached. She was a little intimidated, but knew that she must aid him. She knelt down and touched his wounded arm.

"Get away from me you silly girl. I need help, not someone to cause me more agony," he snarled.

"But, please, you must let me. I am a healer. I can help you," Angelina whispered.

"What do you, a mere girl, know about healing? You can't be more than 15-years-old."

"I was raised by a healer. She has taught me all there is to know. Sir, if you'll please be still, I can help you.

"Tell me what has happened to you sir."

The man grimaced as she touched him. Still upset that a child was helping him, he gruffly answered her.

"I was out on a hunting expedition when something spooked my horse and he threw me. I landed on my bag, filled with arrows and a bow. The horse ran off and I have been in too much pain to move. Now you come along and try to cause me even more pain," he sneered.

Angelina took out her bag of herbs and rubbed tea tree and thyme around the wound. Both would keep out infections and help sooth the pain. She rolled the man onto his side and took a small knife out of the bag. She quickly cut the arrow tip off and then was able to gently slide the shaft out of his arm. Angelina then took her knife and cut the fabric of his sleeve at the seam. She used this to wrap the wound as best she could. From her own skirt, she cut a length of cloth to make a sling out of and rested his arm inside. The man seemed to have calm down quite a bit and even looked somewhat pleasant now.

"How can I thank you? You are quite an extraordinary young lady," he said.

"You could answer a question for me. When I cut away your sleeve, I noticed that you have a birthmark on your arm in the shape of a heart."

"Yes, it is the royal family birthmark. All blood relatives of the royal family have one."

"Can, you please tell me sir, why then do I have one? I am merely a healer that lives in the woods. I am not royalty," Angelina pleaded to the man. She rolled up her sleeve and on her right shoulder was the birthmark in the shape of a heart. The man looked astonished.

"Tell me you name and where you are from. I demand to know immediately," the man insisted.

"My name is Angelina and I have grown up, just past those hills in the distance. For 17 years, I have been raised by a healer in a cottage in the woods. Sadly, she is no longer with me."

"Seventeen years? Could it have been that long?"

"Sir, by whatever do you mean?"

"Seventeen years ago, a duke declared war on my kingdom. The Queen and I sent our child to live in safety, but have never been able to find her. Angelina, you must be she. You have your mother's eyes and hair, and you have the royal birthmark. Angelina, I have found you at last. You must come back to the castle with me and meet your family and subjects. There will be much rejoicing at your return."

"King? Father? I . . . I don't know what to say."

"It is settled. You will escort me back immediately."

The king and Angelina walked through the woods and to the kingdom. As soon as they reached the castle, the king announced that his long lost daughter had been found and introduced Princess Angelina to everyone they met. He even promised Angelina that she could continue practicing her healing, even though it was not something that a normal princess would do. Angelina was truly happy now. She had been rewarded just like Hyacinth said she would, but her reward was much greater than she had ever dreamed and she lived happily ever after.