Amarise's Pardox

The gleams of the sunlight illuminated the young maiden's hair. They were golden locks that bounce from her face as she gently pushed them away. It was her eyes that could be compared to the forest greens themselves if needed be. Her name was Cassandra a shy spirit who appeared to cast a glow wherever she went. She was the sunlight as her twin was the moonlight. Unlike her sister, Amarise was fair complexion with dark black locks that can be compared to the nights themselves. Her eyes were like a heavenly glow of blue that ran deep like oceans waters. They were as different as night and day but felt closer because of their indifferences. They were the daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Hartley a prominent business man who dealt with the shipping and acquisition of much needed items.

Cassandra was her mother's favorite daughter. She was everything a proper lady should be raise to be. She was caring, obedient, and talented in some fashion but her beauty could fail in comparison to Amarise. It was her discerning look in conjunction with her inability to conform made her reject who she was. A proper lady in the eyes of society suitable for marriage, a game of cat and mouse she was not willing to engage. She had her sister's education but felt that it was not enough to truly make her happy in life. She saw marriage as all women must fear. Living as a locked bird in a gilded cage forever denied their freedom to be. This was an uncomfortable feeling Amarise dreaded as oppose to her sister who believe marriage to be quite the opposite. They both agreed that the union was something of a holy nature that two people who truly love each other must enter willingly with all themselves. Amarise knew that to give herself completely to someone was losing a part of herself while Cassandra felt that it was gaining yourself in such a process.

So she was hopeful of her mother to find her a suitor that could make her happy. Although many men did try Mrs. Hartley had greater plans for her daughter's futures. Her ambitions ran as far as marrying them off to the King if it would ensure their future as well as her own. Mr. Hartley expected nothing more than his daughter's happiness whatever their decision led them. This is why Amarise was her daughter's favorite. He saw his own rebellious spirit in her and willingness to risk everything for freedom. That is what he encouraged her to do which is something her mother failed to do.

Here they were the two sister lost within the woods just beyond Hartley Manor. They were near a small creek that was hidden to the world. It was their sanctuary the only place they could have the illusion of freedom if only short lived.

"Last night I had the dream again," said Cassandra thrilled.

"And the night before it and the night before that," said Amarise.

"Do you think it means something?"

"It means you will marry a wonderful man and have many fat children and grow old and happily together."

"What about you Amarise? Do you have such dreams?"

"I fear my dreams are limited to that... being dreams."

"Why do you say that?"

"I dream of one day being able to leave this place and find adventure beyond our prisons."

"We are not prisoners."

"Aren't we, Cassie... think about it... we are force to obey silly rules that will force us to marry men who we may have nothing in common and for what. To procreate children and carry on their legacy's name," Amarise angrily replies, "if we were men they would not expect us to do as such."

"But we are not men, we are ladies... I don't think there is anything wrong with marriage," she said calmly.

"Your right there is nothing wrong as long as the two individuals love each other unconditionally."

"Do you believe we will ever find such a love?"

"That's the funny thing about the future Cassie, its yet to be written. I just hope that man that has you knows to take care of you and treat you right."

"I hope the same for you two, Amarise," said Cassie.

"Oh sister I want to see the world, experience life before I decide to marry."

"The world is vast in its glory Amarise and I fear you will be too old a maiden when you finished discovering it all."

"Then I will have full satisfaction that my life was not lived in vain and I did what I wanted to do."

"I wish I had your courage sometimes but I am too simple a person that does not see beyond Canterbury. I may want to travel to London some day of course with the children but staying close to home seems to be really important for mom."

"Your not even married and your speaking of children, I believe your in love with the idea of being in love."

"Aren't you?" Cassie laughs.

"I think I will visit London some day but with no husband or children, just myself."

"It's not proper for a lady to travel without an escort."

"Then dear sister I will be a man and travel the farthest reaches of this earth without a companion."

"Now I know your mad," said Cassie. "You could never pass for a man... your too pretty your going to have to appear to be more rugged, a bit taller, and a deeper voice would help."

Amarise begins to laugh as she looks towards the water losing herself in thoughts. What if she could be a man? Would anyone dare to question her? If she became all those things her sister said and her mannerism was that of a man... would it make her a man? Or did she hold the illusion that men are free and women aren't. She questioned herself if the decision she wish to make could change her destiny. She did not want to find a suitable husband not without living life first. She realize that the only way to accomplish such a dream was to the unthinkable but she herself did not believe to be capable of such actions. Once again her dreams too far from reach with little insecurities preventing her from just being the real Amarise.