Thursday 28 February 2013

THE LOST KEY



100 Word Challenge for Grown Ups – Week#79
The prompt this week is a picture.

THE LOST KEY
Where’s the key to the garden gate?
Come on, we’re gonna be late.
Who’s got the key?
Drink up that cup of tea.
Where is that elusive key?
Can you not see?
I’m searching high and low
Wiping the sweat from my brow
We can't go out if we can't lock up
We need to buy food from the shop
We won’t have anything for our tea
If we don't find that stupid key
Who had it last?
What’s that in the grass?
Icy, cold metal forged steel
In celebration I do a cartwheel
As I utter a tiny squeal.


Word Count: 100

Thursday 21 February 2013

ROMANTIC FRIDAY WRITERS FAN FICTION




For February's Challenge, your hosts invite authors to write up to 1000 words of fanfiction involving your favorite romance couple from TV, movie, literature or historical accounts. Remember; your post MUST include a credit/link back to the original author/creator of the characters. Your link can be: a movie/book trailer, link to a purchasing site for the novel, magazine article or other author interview in which the characters are described by the originating author, wiki or IMB article; or anything that gives full credit to the creator.

My story is taken from a British myth and legend concerning King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.

Credit:  Inspiration was taken from
MERLIN
BBC ONE TV Series (5 Series in all)
Fantasy Drama based on the legend of King Arthur and Merlin
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merlin_(TV_series)
Merlin is a British fantasy-adventure television programme by Julian Jones, Jake Michie, Julian Murphy and Johnny Capps. It was broadcast on BBC One between 20 September 2008 and 24 December 2012. The show is loosely based on the Arthurian legends of the young wizard Merlin and his relationship with Prince Arthur but differs from traditional versions in many ways. The show was influenced by the U.S. drama series Smallville, about the early years of Superman,[3] and was produced by independent production company Shine Limited


HERE IS MY STORY:

Guinevere and Lancelot
The sun slanted its morning rays into the bedroom.  Guinevere groaned slightly as she swung her elegant legs over the side of the bed and her feet hit the cold floor.  She heard the cockerel crowing just outside the wooden door.  She could hear her mother already up and about in their living quarters. 
‘Good morning, Gwen.  Are you ready for your big day,’ asked her mother as she quickly ladled some hot oats into a wooden bowl for her daughter.
Guinevere smiled nervously as she tried to eat her breakfast but the lump in her throat was making it difficult to swallow.  Her first day as lady’s maid to Lady Morganna up at Camelot castle meant that she might get a chance to improve her situation and meet a prospective husband. 
(Little did she know what life had in store for her)
The rumours abounded about the Lady Morganna and some of the strange shenanigans that allegedly went on at the royal abode and not all of them were pleasant.   She wasn’t sure it was the right move for her but her mother and father said she had to do more than have her head in the clouds.
(Guinevere didn't know what was wrong with day dreaming.
 If she had paper and a quill and some ink she would
write her thoughts down every day).
The first month passed by in a blur of activity as she scurried to and fro trying to meet every need of the very spoilt lady of leisure and occasionally she would espy some of the royal court.  The Knights were handsome fellows and often gave her a quick smile and sometimes a little tap on her backside.
One particular Knight seemed to take a shine to her.  Sir Lancelot had just returned from a year away on a quest.  She watched as he swaggered his way through the hallways, his chainmail clinking in rhythm with his pace. 
(A thought of spending time with him popped unbidden into her head).
Merlin the Wizard watched Guinevere and knew that trouble was brewing. Sir Lancelot and King Arthur always wanted the same women but Arthur would always pull rank which is why Lancelot had been sent away for a year.
Sir Lancelot stopped Guinevere in the corridor, catching her rushing back to her lady’s bedchamber with an armful of clean clothes. 
‘Fair Lady,’ he said bowing low from the knee and sweeping his arm across his chest.  Guinevere blushed to the roots of her dark hair and mumbled what she hoped was a suitable greeting in return.
As she shut the door of the bedchamber her heart was beating fast and her legs were trembling.  He was so handsome close up with his slightly stubbled chin and shoulder length hair and that sexy aquiline nose. 
(Her dreams that night were rather erotic to say the least).
Lady Morganna was quite grumpy the next morning but nothing could dampen Guinevere’s spirits which annoyed Her Ladyship even more.   In a huff Morganna flounced out in to the corridor and haughtily made her way to the Great Hall where all the Knights and King Arthur were meeting at the Round Table.
Guinevere followed so that she could dance attendance upon her lady as she stood at the edge of the Great Hall craning her head to see over the shoulders of all the retainers crammed into the large space that was becoming more and more overcrowded every minute. 
The Knights were all seated around a circular wooden table.  The Round Table had been commissioned by King Arthur and crafted by her father.  There would be no head of the table because all the Knights were to be equal.
As the meeting ended the Lady Morganna sidled up to Sir Lancelot and engaged him in conversation.  Guinevere stood to the side and slightly behind her Ladyship and caught Lancelot’s eye.  He winked at her and started to move towards to her all the while nodding in the right places at Morganna’s inane conversation.  
Guinevere took a sharp intake of breath as she felt Lancelot’s fingers brush against her hand.  She kept her eyes demurely downcast although her breathing became a little more ragged.  Lightly stroking his thumb against the back of her hand and travelling slowing up towards her forearm she felt the pressure of his fingers as he wrapped them around her slender wrist. 
King Arthur called to Lady Morganna who excused herself and hurried to meet the King.  Lancelot turned towards Guinevere and in his deep, sonorous tones asked if she would meet him at the entrance to the Bell Tower after she had finished her evening duties.  Guinevere nodded slightly and rushed to do her ladyship’s bidding as everybody started to leave the Great Hall.
Merlin the Wizard had watched this exchange with a slight smile hovering around his mouth.  His long white beard twitched slightly as he shook his head slightly.  Only time would tell whether the long held prophesy would come true or not, for the time being he was willing to let the young lovers have their moment.
Guinevere rushed around that evening trying not to let her anticipation show, she was secretly pleased to have gained a Knight’s interest, seemingly winning his attention from the Lady Morganna who she knew would fly in to a jealous rage if she found out about their secret tryst.
Guinevere arrived at the bottom of the stairwell to the Bell Tower, her breath coming in short pants partly due to rushing and partly due to the nervous anticipation she was feeling. 
‘My Lady,’ said Sir Lancelot as he took her hand and brought it up to his lips where he briefly caressed the back of her hand.  She could feel the stubble of his beard grazing her skin. 
Guinevere bowed slightly and smiled, looking in to Sir Lancelot’s eyes for the first time.  Their eyes locked together, mirroring the passion and intimacy they felt throbbing through their veins.
Word Count: 1,0000


 

Guinevere  played by Angel Coulby and  Lancelot played by Santiago Cabrera
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angel_Coulby
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santiago_Cabrera

Wednesday 20 February 2013

ANTICIPATION

100 Word Challenge for Grown Ups – Week#78
http://jfb57.wordpress.com/2013/02/18/100-word-challenge-for-grown-ups-week78/

…what does it taste like…
Add 100 words to the above prompt:




 ANTICIPATION

What does it taste like this bottle waiting to be sampled?
A taste that has her tongue quite baffled
On a warm summer’s day sitting at a wooden bench
Her lips are pursed ready to open, swallow and quench
The thirst that is now overcoming the politeness of her grandma
Who insisted that the barman placed inside the bottle a straw
To draw the liquid up softly and gently the first tingle
Hits her tongue, she is oblivious to all the other people
On this warm summer’s day sitting at a wooden table
Her whole face lights up with delight and her eyes sparkle.

Thursday 14 February 2013

Tuesday 12 February 2013

Mable and Fred

100 Word Challenge for Grown Ups – Week#77



The prompt this week is:

…oh my goodness! I nearly forgot…


As always you have 100 words to add to those above. Please make sure you add a link back here so that others can find us. We are gaining new writers all the time.


MABLE AND FRED
Mable looked at her husband of nearly 60 years
They’d survived their marriage with blood, sweat and tears
His face was wrinkled; his pate was shiny and bald
Sometimes he couldn’t remember what she was called
She wondered how much longer she could go on
Their children had fled the nest, occasionally they came home
They noticed the difference and rushed back to their busy lives
With their own children, jobs and husbands and wives
Oh my goodness!  I nearly forgot to say I love you,’ shouted Fred.
Tonight she wondered what had made the difference in his head
She whispered back, ‘I love you, too.’

Tuesday 5 February 2013

Adversity

 
 
 
 
This is my contribution to the "Overcoming Adversity" Bloghop, hosted by writer and blogging friend, Nick Wilford. We need to write a piece (maximum 500 words) on the theme of  overcoming adversity.
The entries will be compiled into an anthology with all proceeds going to help fund Nick's stepson, Andrew,  who has cerebral palsy, who hopes to attend a specialist college  but reaching this dream has been difficult.
 
ADVERSITY
They always said try looking for the silver lining
For goodness sakes do stop moaning
So she clamped her jaw and gritted her teeth together
She smiled and smiled giving a false picture
Her jaw ached and her cheekbones seemed set
Her feet were stuck, her mind encased in concrete
They didn't understand, they were always too busy
Living their own lives always so very greedy
They didn't see the lonely hours she spent on her own
When her baby was sleeping safe and sound
She didn't regret her decision in becoming a single mum
Or losing her teenage years that were supposed to be filled with fun
She began to study at a local college although it was harder than she thought
She had to stop as the timing wasn't right and she became overwrought.
The years moved on and she entered into a new and loving relationship
Going well she thought until he lost his job and they spiralled into hardship
The crunch came; he tried to bully and browbeat her down to his level
They argued and fought fiercely and he thought he’d won the battle
The hurtful words hurled through the air fell on her ears and landed in her mind
Sometimes she wanted to press that button on her life and rewind and rewind
She took a deep breath, squared her shoulders and held her head up high
Her goals were attainable; someday she would reach the point where she didn’t cry
She put herself through college again and earned her accountancy qualifications
She was on the right road again heading towards the T-junction, finding her directions
The touch paper was lit as she plucked up courage to step away from a bad situation
It caused some anger on the other part and on her part some uncalled for contrition
She stepped out in to the big wide world and took a chance at expanding her horizons
She took the big step, a leap of faith, looking forward to a new beginning that beckons
Then with no warning they decided she didn't fit job the description after her probation period
They had to let her go, another bubble burst but a few days later she need not have doubted
Another job was available although travelling was involved she found convenient child care
She worked hard and thought she was getting along fine so it certainly wasn’t fair
When they said they would have to let her go just before her three month trail ended
Another deep breath, she dusted herself down, it’s the economic climate that left her stranded
She knows she will work it out and things will improve but until then she has bills to pay
So somehow, someway, things will improve and fortune will start going her way.

Word count: 470


Friday 1 February 2013

FOLLOW ME

100 Word Challenge for Grown Ups – Week#75 - picture prompt this week below: 

FOLLOW ME
He said, will you follow me to the ends of the earth
She said, to the sun and moon and back until rebirth
He said; hold my hand and we will travel together
She said, don’t let me go, stay with me forever and ever
He said, put your faith and trust only in me
Look out on the wonders of this world, at its beauty
Behold the glory of nature, the miracle that is human
She said, I see and believe in you, that is certain
He said I will love you always; it is you I have chosen.
Word Count:100

The prompt this week, is to close our eyes and imagine you are one of those figures looking out over the Grand Canyon.