I wanted to write more this week. Unfortunately my son is sick and very needy so instead of struggling to finish I'm just going to post what I have so far.
Stop, if you haven't read part one you can read it here: King Midas - Part 1
King Midas - Part 2
True to his word King Midas set out to
beautify his land. He started with turning the fountain gold in the
city's centre. He found that he could turn something partially or
fully into gold at will. He went about town selectively adding gold
to the moldings, shutters, doorknobs and other areas as he saw fit.
Soon the town was sparkling with gold.
After the town was finished King Midas
turned to his own castle. The first thing he changed was his throne.
Any bit of wood used to create his throne instantly turned to gold.
He took great joy in all the wonderful changes he made to his home.
The frames of every painting in the castle were soon pure gold as was
every suit of armour, every rug, any bit of linens and anything else
that suited the King.
Having spent the entire afternoon and
evening decorating the town and the castle with gold, the good king
thought he would turn in. He slipped on his gloves but he could make
it to his room he was met by his daughter.
“Fair Daughter,” he said. “What
is it that I can help you with on this eve?”
“Dearest Father,” she began. “The
gold everywhere is so pretty, but it is not good for sleeping on.”
King Midas followed his daughter to her
room and found she was correct. The entire bed (as was all beds in
the castle) was as hard as a rock.
“I'm afraid your father has been
quite foolish, dear one. I did not see until now how my turning
things into gold could be bad. Please forgive me.”
“Of course father,” his daughter
replied.
That night in the castle King Midas
slept quite soundly despite his painful sleeping arrangements. He
awoke with a smile on his face. His wife on the other hand was not so
happy.
“My Sweet Foolish Husband. I am in
much pain from my night's sleep. I can not go on sleeping like this!”
“I shall have the servants replace
these items at once,” replied King Midas. “Eric,” he called.
At the door a tall man appeared. “Yes
my lord?”
“See that all the gold beds in the
castle are disposed of, and replace them with new beds.”
“Yes my lord.” Eric hesitated.
“What... what would you like me to do with these beds?”
“What do I care? Give them to the
orphans, set them in the city square, melt them down and give them to
the poor. Just get rid of them!”
“Yes my Lord.” And Eric set out to
do just as he was told.
“It is wonderful being royalty, is it
not my dear?”
The queen rubbed her neck. “Perhaps,
though you may want to ask me after I've gotten a decent nights
rest.”
Having decorated the town and his
castle, the king sent for a carriage to take him about the rest of
his kingdom. It would be hard work, but the King was determined to
make his kingdom the most beautiful kingdom in all the lands.
It took King Midas three months. When
he returned to the castle city he was met by Eric at the gate. “My
Lord, there has been great trouble since you left. Come to the castle
and I'll explain more.”
