THE CASTLE OF DREAMS By Dana Rongione

Never in my life have I seen something so beautiful yet so intimidating. The castle is the one I have dreamed of so many times before. It is the substance of fairy tales, yet there it stands, as real as the cloud it rests upon. Who lives there? Is it safe? For you to even have a chance at answering those questions, I will have to tell you how I came to be standing on the edge of the world and gazing upon an object of fantasy. However, I warn you. This is not a story for the light of heart or the weak of faith, but it is my story. It began as I was walking through the forest on a morning that seems so long ago. The trees were towering and bursting with color as the dew sparkled like diamonds. I spent several minutes standing in awe at their beauty. As I walked deeper into the forest that seemed to never end, I began to feel that I was being watched. I looked behind me, to my left, and then to my right, but I saw nothing. I continued my journey, but the eerie feeling of being followed grew greater with each step I took. At the sound of breaking branches, I slowly turned around and saw a white blur. I blinked, forcing my eyes to refocus, and looked up again. At first, I thought I was gazing upon a white horse, but then my eyes beheld the beautiful horn on its head. A unicorn! My mouth gaping, I examined the extraordinary beast. His horn appeared to be made of pure gold, and his hair was pastel in color and almost diaphanous in nature. He was truly breathtaking. I drew my hand near to him to touch his luster. As I did, he turned his head away. Drawing back my hand, I realized that he was frightened of me. I

began to talk to him, assuring him that I meant no harm. Strangely enough, he appeared to understand. As he slowly walked towards me, I raised my hand upward and tried to pet him again. This time, he gently laid his head against my hand, giving me the opportunity to rub his fine coat. After a while, he started galloping in circles around me as if he wanted to play. We romped for hours, running and racing through the forest, but exhaustion soon overtook me. Sliding down to the ground, I leaned back against a tree and closed my eyes to rest. Within a few minutes, I was asleep. I awoke to darkness and a great feeling of loneliness. I looked around for my new friend, but he could not be found. Feeling refreshed from my nap, I stood up and trekked deeper into the forest. I traveled until I came to an opening in the trees. As I passed a great oak, I realized I was standing on the edge of a cliff. Backing up a few steps, I looked below and saw a gorgeous valley. The grass was as green as I had ever seen, and there were flowers of every color decorating the earth. A silvery river snaked its way through the middle of the valley. It was there that I saw my friend, along with several other unicorns, gathered for a drink. I looked around searching for a way to get to him. Knowing I could not go forward, I decided to turn around and go back through the opening the way I had come. After several minutes of walking through spider webs and stepping in foxholes, I found myself staring at the river and the herd of unicorns. As I strolled toward them, all but my friend ran away into the dark woods. Realizing my sudden thirst, I ambled to the river and knelt down, cupping the cool water in my hands. When I had quenched my thirst, I looked into the water and saw the reflection of myself, the unicorn, and

something else. I turned and looked toward the source of the reflection. Sitting in the midst of the clouds was a beautiful castle made of gold. As I stood up and dusted off my clothing, I noticed the unicorn was looking at me in a peculiar way. I sensed he was trying to tell me something. Is there a way to get up there? I asked him. He nodded and seemed to urge me to get on his back. I climbed on and held tightly as we leaped into the woods. Now I find myself on the edge of another cliff and staring out across to the castle in the sky. A magnificent rainbow lies before me like a bridge. Dare I cross it? What if I should fall? I am tempted to turn back, yet there is an urgency that is pushing me forward. I will go, but I will not let my friend endanger his life. Who knows what is waiting across this gap? As I dismount, I explain to my friend why he cannot go with me. He seems to understand, but there is sadness in his eyes. I turn away before I lose my courage and place one foot on the rainbow. I take a deep breath and swallow the knot that has formed in my throat, and then, I plant my other foot firmly on the colorful bridge. Surprisingly, it is solid as a rock. As I turn around, I find the unicorn right behind me. I walk him back to the beginning of the rainbow and explain again why he cannot go with me. Again, he seems to understand, but the sadness is still in his eyes. I do not want to say Goodbye, but neither do I want to see harm come to this exquisite creature. With tears in my eyes, I chase him away and start over the rainbow again. As I reach the other side, I look back to see if my friend has followed me. Alas, he is gone, but I notice his teardrops as they sit like dew upon the flowers. I heave a sigh and continue my journey.

As I draw nearer to the castle, the enormity of it seems to have doubled. Now that I have finally reached it, all I can do is simply gaze at its splendor. Reaching up to the handle on the door, I give a loud knock. No answer. I knock again and again, yet there is still no response. On the fourth knock, the door slowly swings open. I stroll into the open foyer shouting, Hello! Is anyone here? I see no one and the silence is like that of a tomb. I walk from room to room, hoping to find someone to talk to. Seeing that the downstairs is unoccupied, I start up the stairs. I notice a door standing ajar at the end of the hallway. When I enter the room, I am almost blinded by the sunlight pouring in through the window. As my eyes adjust to the lighting, I look around the room. At first, I see little to catch my attention, but then my heart stops, and confusion fills my mind. There is a table in the corner, and on it sits a vase of white roses and a card addressed to me. As I breathe in the heavenly scent of the roses, I hasten to open the card. It reads, My Beloved, I have waited a long time for you. I knew that one day you would come. Will you marry me? Step to the window and give me your answer. Startled, I drop the note and turn toward the window. The light is again blinding and I squint against its intensity. This time, however, my eyes are not adjusting to the light. No, it is getting dark, very dark. Now I am in complete blackness, and there is a terrible ringing coming from the center of the room. The ringing is growing louder, but the darkness seems to be fading. I can almost see. Light is now restored. I am sitting on my bed clutching my pillow to my breast. The terrible ringing is softer now and more familiar. Reaching over to hit the snooze on my alarm clock, I settle back under the covers and lay there thinking of my dream. It was a dream, wasnt it? It must have been, but why do I feel such uneasiness. I survey my

room, seeking the cause of my anxiety. Within moments, I find it. Though my room appears to be the same as always, there is an addition that makes my heart tremble. Beside the clock on my night stand sits the vase of white roses, but the card is nowhere to be found.