For many years the Bees of Alathena were rich with stores of honey, as the female workers would collect pollen and nectar from the Sacred Marigold fields, they would then make unlimited supplies of honey. The colony was well fed and they never struggled through the winter. The male drone bees would always make sure the hive was warm and comfy for their Queen.
Queen Alana was in her prime as she laid eggs to conserve future generations of her species. She was also quite plump as she had a sweet tooth when it came to honey. For years her colony thrived and the love she had for all her children was pure and known throughout the hive.
Then one day at the start of spring, fresh out of a long winter the worker bees took off to start the collection of the nectar and the pollen needed for their Queen…
“Where are my workers?” exclaimed Queen Alana “They have not returned my Queen” replied General Bains. “General Bains, you are the leader of the drones and I trust in you to keep this hive safe and running smoothly, our honey stores are depleting, we need those supplies” remarked the Queen. “ Yes your Grace, I will send my most trusted and fiercest drone to investigate” said the General.
General Bains located his most trusted drone, “Charlie I have an important mission for you, take two of your brothers and head out to the Sacred Marigold fields and see what happened to your sisters, at once” “of course General, I will return with the news” promptly replied Charlie, so Charlie headed off with his two brothers Ronald and Gary.
They flew out of the hive and past the crystal lake, they journeyed down through the old moss valley and headed up the hill that borders the Sacred Marigold fields. “Keep your eyes open drones” shouted Charlie as they entered the fields of the Marigold. Suddenly a winged figure came speeding out from behind the flowers and swooped in at the three drones. “Evasive manoeuvres” yelled Charlie and the three bees split their formation and angled off from their path. “Dragonflyyyy” shouted Gary, Charlie sighed a breath of panic and whispered to himself “How is this possible, the Dragonfly have been extinct for generations” In that moment the Dragonfly gobbled up Gary, and then circled around fast, high tailing it towards Charlie. “Retreat” screamed Charlie as he barrel rolled out of incoming danger, the Dragonfly circled around again and honed in on Ronald and before Charlie could shout, the Dragonfly ripped into his brother. Charlie dodged his way through the flowers landing inside one of the Marigolds, he sat still with his little heart beating fast as a wave of fear came over him. Charlie could see the Dragonfly scanning the flowers but he just kept really still and when he found his moment he took off.
Charlie sped back to the hive and went straight to see his Queen, “My Grace, you wont believe it.. I mean it’s back.. they're gone.. they're all gone”, “What’s back, spit it out soldier” shouted General Bains who sat next to Queen Alana. Charlie caught his breath and said “the Dragonfly, there is a Dragonfly guarding the Marigolds” “Huh” shrieked Queen Alana General Bains flew off his seat instantly and exclaimed “this can’t be, the last Dragonfly died generations ago, are you sure Charlie” Charlie replied “I’m positive General, it ate Ronald and Gary and you can probably bet it took the workers too!” Queen Alana gave the order to set guards at the front of the hive. “Battle stations screamed General Bains” as he flew around the hive alerting all the drones and workers.
Weeks passed by and the hive grew more erratic, everyone was in a state of panic as the honey stores were empty. The colony was starving and the Queen was depressed, she hadn’t eaten and she was looking rather frail. General Bains called in Charlie and said “you are my most trusted soldier Charlie, but I fear all is lost, the Queen is losing her faith and every scouting party we have sent has not returned, we need to find some supplies or we won't survive” Charlie replied “I think I have an idea! But it’s risky and I don't know if he will help us” General Bains raised his eyebrow as he seemed confused then he said “wait, you don’t mean him? That is suicide Charlie!” “I have to try, it’s our only chance or we are all doomed General” replied Charlie. “You are indeed a very brave soul my friend, okay do what you have to Charlie, everybody is counting on you, your Queen is counting on you, Godspeed” General Bains saluted the young bee as Charlie took off out of the hive.
Charlie bravely flew his way past the crystal lake and turned left at the moss valley, he made his way up past the Cheyenne Mountains and kept travelling east towards the great sea. “This is crazy, this is crazy, this is crazy '' repeated Charlie to himself over and over. Charlie landed on a tree and sat there just staring towards the Great Alathenian Canyon, he could see the tall Redwoods surrounding the canyon, he was about to fly into the forbidden forest. Charlie gulped as sweat dripped off his face “here goes nothing” Charlie whispered to himself as he took off into the forest.
Meanwhile: Back in the hive, General Bains went to see Queen Alana “My Grace, how are you feeling?” The Queen replied “I’m starving General and we have lost more children today, I fear that this is the end for us!” The General stood tall and said “My Grace, there is still hope Charlie has a plan he has gone to ask the Great Falcon for his help” General Bains gulped as he awaited his Queen's reply. “Have you gone mad General, the Falcon will just eat him, why did you let this happen” General Bains reassured the Queen and said “please forgive me my Queen I know it’s a bad plan but it is all we have, Charlie is a brave young bee and he is confident the Falcon will listen to him”. Queen Alana shook her head and began to weep, the General stepped in to comfort her when Queen Alana shouted “don’t touch me and get out of here General you have doomed young Charlie he will not survive” The Queen sobbed as the General flew out of her chamber he whispered to himself “I’m coming to help you Charlie” and with that thought in his mind he flew off in search of the forbidden forest.
Charlie flew into the forest and searched for the Falcon’s home, “there it is” whispered Charlie as he flew into the middle of the redwood he slowly buzzed his way into the nest. There he found several young Falcons who just glared at him as they licked their lips and whispered to each other. All of a sudden a giant Falcon swooped in and pinned Charlie to the floor, he leant in close and said “you have a nerve showing your face around here you pesky little bee” just as the Falcon was just about to swallow the young bee, Charlie shouted “wait please hear me out” The Falcon paused and said “well go on then say your last words” Charlie took a deep breath and said “please we need your help our colony is on the brink of death, I know that you want to eat me but there is something much more delicious on offer for you mighty Falcon” all the young falcons laughed as the the Great Falcon yelled “SILENCE!..” all the young falcons paused and lowered their heads. The Great Falcon continued as he let go of Charlie “what delicious treat are you talking about” Charlie rose up of the floor and said loudly “there is a Dragonfly guarding the Marigolds and we can’t collect our supplies, please help us” The Great Falcon stood tall and said “what, impossible we ate all the Dragonflies a long time ago” Charlie replied “I promise you it’s true come with me to the Marigold fields and see for yourself”. The Great Falcon pondered Charlie’s words as he pinned the young bee to the floor again…
Meanwhile; General Bains was in flight; he went as fast as he could because he knew Charlie could be in danger. He flew past the crystal lake and down through the moss valley he flew up the hill to the border of the Sacred Marigold fields. “It has been years since I have been out of the hive” The General whispered to himself. The General knew he was lost, he couldn’t remember how to get to the forbidden forest, he feared the worst for his young brother. As the General flew over the border he spotted the Marigold fields and a flush of panic rained through his body. Oh fudge thought the General, at that very moment the Dragonfly came darting toward him at full pace…
The General froze it had been a long time since he had seen battle, and just as the Dragonfly closed in on him the Great Falcon swooped in at a ferocious speed and gobbled the Dragonfly up! The Great Falcon gorged himself on his feast “oh yum this Dragonfly is delicious” cheered the Great Falcon. Charlie flew over to the General as they embraced each other “you did it Charlie and in the nick of time” said the General Charlie replied “you came after me General thank you, I struck a deal with the Falcon and he will let us be! “I never doubted you Charlie” said the General as they both flew off back to the hive.
Three weeks later the hive was back to its former glory, the honey stores were full to the brim and the colony was back on track. The General was so proud of his young brother as he stood alongside his Queen. There was a guard of honour formed by all the worker bees as Charlie slowly flew towards his Queen, all of his sisters gave him high fives. Queen Alana said “Charlie you are indeed a brave soul and we all owe our lives to you, thank you” Charlie blushed as Queen Alana kissed his forehead and put a medal of valour around his neck! Everyone clapped and cheered, and the bees of Alathena were safe again thanks to Charlie!
THE END
About the Creator
RWG
RWG is dedicated to bringing families back together with fun and wholesome gaming entertainment! along with XA Works and Akross Australia we bring creative writing to the forefront! watch this space!
Miss Persephone's Manual to a Seemingly Ordinary Life
Miss Persephone was found at the dining table, her blue eyes swollen, her tears arriving and retreating like the tides of the ocean. Earlier that day, her family had visited her in the retirement home where she had lived for eight years. It was her eightieth birthday.
By Imola Tóth4 days ago in Fiction
Comments
There are no comments for this story
Be the first to respond and start the conversation.