There once was a little girl, Tera, who loved to swing. Tera lived for those trips to the park with her parents. Every Friday she loved to see the green grass sprawling like waves on a peaceful ocean. The cold metal of the chain dug into her hands as she soared higher and higher. She loved the feeling of flying. Nothing compared to the mystical effect of her park. Tera could always count on her dad to push her high; high enough that when she wiggled her toes, she could almost touch the sky. Her mom would always try to outswing her. Of course, Tera always won. Nothing was as magical as the feeling of weightlessness she felt on her swing. But as the little girl lay under her favorite tree, she couldn't help but fall asleep.

    And all to soon the swings were gone. There were no parks anywhere to be seen.

The little girl under the tree had fallen into some dream world. Tera wasn’t Tera anymore. She was Princess Terrington. This Princess’s world was one of magic, kingdoms, and castles. The Princess loved going to the Queen of Karington’s kingdom of fantastic food and healing hugs. The King of Laughsalot, of course, always had a new game or doll for her. It was magical. How could Terrington’s world of walks to the park every Friday just disappear? Why did everything change? 

    There was no girl on the swing. No park. Why weren’t the kingdoms together anymore? She sat that day as she picked at the Queen’s glorious meal of honey cakes and Snow-Stickels. Everything tasted wrong. No amount of sugar could take away the bitter taste in Terrington’s mouth. There was no pop

of sweetness. No zing of sour. Did the Queen not know 

that the King loved Snow-Snickels as much as the

Princess? Why wasn’t the King here?    

    “Queen, why don’t we go to the swings? Why can’t 

you see the King?” the Princess asked.     

    “Well, little Princess, some things just are. If you 

want to go to the park and the swings, I can take you.”     

    “No,” Terrington’s eyes fell to her plate as she let out a sigh. “It wouldn’t be the same without the King.” Nothing was the same. Who would push the Princess or toss her in the sky? Not the Queen. Who would make her laugh?    

    Not even Gillian the Ogre or Daffodil the Unicorn could cheer this Princess. Terrington’s mind only continued to wander as she sat at the King’s feet. The little Princess did not laugh. Not when the King huffed and puffed as he told her favorite story. Or when the King painted his face blue. And not even a giggle erupted

when the King sang the Silly-Snoffheiermer song.    

    "What is it, my little Princess?" The King said as he wrapped one arm around her. "Why aren't you laughing? Don't you like the Silly-Snoffheiermer song?"    

    "It's not that. I just can't seem to laugh. King, why can't you go to Karington with me? I would laugh if I saw you with the Queen."    

    "There are some places even kings can't go."     

    The Princess tried to laugh as the weeks went by. She loved both the King and Queen. How could she choose between them? Time with the King meant time without the Queen. And time with the Queen meant no King. Why couldn't they live in the same kingdom? Why was Terrington the only one that could travel between the kingdoms? Why couldn't the Queen ride to Laughsalot with her?    

    "I'm ready, Gillian," Terrington said as she mounted her unicorn.