(DISCLAIMER) Princess in Waiting By Mandy Hinkle Once upon a time there was a beautiful princess named Elli. She lived in a magnificent castle in the middle of the kingdom. She had waited in her room at the top of the tower for the eve of her 18th birthday to marry her betrothed, the prince. She had never met the prince, but so desperately wanted to be loved. As the sun began to depart from the sky on her 18th birthday, Elli began her short journey to meet her prince in the forests where the golden bench sat. She waited, and waited and waited some more, until finally it became dark. Understanding her prince was not coming, she slowly walked back towards the castle when she saw a beautiful witch dressed in all white. The Witch asked her, "Were you waiting for the prince" The princess nodded her head. "Haven't you heard He has fallen in love with a much more beautiful woman. He doesn't love you...nobody does. You will live life as a lonely old princess." The Witch continued to say meaner and meaner things until the princess began to cry. Once the princess could not stand on her feet any longer, she fell to the ground in tears when a man on an old brown horse came to help her. The man said to the wicked witch, "Go away in the name King!" And the Witch left. After a short ride to the castle the man told Elli, "Don't listen to what the evil witch has said. You are greatly loved by your father, the King and your people." And without a word, the princess ran to her room weeping for three long days. On the third night, a fairy appeared in Elli's room wondering why she was so melancholy. The princess told her of the prince, the witch and the kind man who saved her. "My dear, maybe the prince was not to be your true love. You need to wait patiently for your love to come for you." "In the mean time, you need to get out of the castle and continue doing things that you enjoy." Elli knew the fairy was right, but she was fearful that she might never get married. After a few years, the princess began to feel satisfied with w