Goldilocks and the Golden Ball

This is a create a story game I started at my birthday party, and then put on facebook to continue. It didn't get far, so I want help continueing it.

Rules: Keep your post (comment) under 250 words and wait until someone else has posted to continue. I want to see how different this version will be from the facebook version.

Me:

Once upon a time, in a land ruled by dragons and where unicorns roamed free, there lived a girl named Goldilocks. Goldilocks hated her name because her hair wasn't gold. It was a drab mouse brown.

Her parents had been killed in a dragon attack when she was only two, so she lived with her Uncle Taan instead. Uncle Taan was nice enough to her, but his wife, Aunt Ell, seemed to resent her living with them, as did their son and daughter, Haver and Cirin, respectively. Haver was a year older than Goldilocks, Cirin was a year younger.

Goldilocks was a good singer, though, and would often go to the meadows to sing. There the unicorns would come to listen to her, but they would always stay just out of reach. Goldilocks knew that, if she were ever granted three wishes, she would immediately know what those wishes would be. Her hair to be the color of her name, a family that loved her, and the trust of a unicorn, so she would be able to ride it.

One day, while wandering in the meadow, she found a small, golden ball.

Aunt Ru.:

She had once been told by her Uncle Taan that the one who owns the golden ball could rule the land. Only, it had disappeared when the dragons took over. Could this be it?

Upon finding it she sang out in a song to the unicorns for help. Would one come forth to help her? She sang out the last stanza ... and then -

Mom:

She heard a rustle in the grass behind her. She turned around slowly to face the biggest, blackest, oldest unicorn that she had ever seen. His horn was gone, and a huge scar ran across his forehead and into one eye. He turned his head togaze at her with his one good eye. Determined, she gazed back, although her heart pound in her chest.

His gaze dropped to her hands, and she opened them to reveal the golden ball, then closed again and clutched to her chest. She took a deep breath, and said, "I am all alone in the world, I want to help you."

The unicorn stared at her for several long minutes, and then turned and walked away.

Me:

She hesitated for a moment, then decided to follow him, hoping she was doing the right thing.

He led her to a cave, in which sat a very, very old woman. Her hair, or what was left of it, was snow white. Her eyes were cloudy, and her wrinkles had wrinkles.

When Goldilocks entered the woman spoke in a high, creaky voice. "We've been waiting for you, child."

Mom:

It took all of her willpower to not suddenly run back the way she came, for the old woman was not a pleasant sight to behold. "Me?"

"Yes, come be at supper with me."

"You're not ... not going to eat me? Are you?" gasped the girl.

"You are MUCH to skinny to eat."

Goldilocks shook with fright, but the old unicorn blocked her exit. She stepped forward and sat down at the table. She took a bite, found it delicious, and was soon scooping every bite into her hungry stomach.

Me:

When she had finished eating, she looked up. "Why have you been waiting for me?" she asked.

"You are the one who has found the golden ball," said the old woman, "You are the one who can free the land from the dragons. You have a grand destiny, Goldilocks."

Goldilocks gulped. "How do you know my name?" she asked.

Mrs. V:

Before the old woman could answer a young man burst into the room, a very handsome young man with hair the color of purest gold. "Grandmother...grandmother...have you seen my....oh...excuse me....I see you have a visitor."

"Yes, yes I do. Goldilocks, this is my grandson, David, slayer of giants and dragons. He watched you the other day as you walked in the meadow. He heard you singing. And, most importantly, he saw you pick up his missing golden ball, the one he uses in his sling. "

"But, I still do not understand," Goldilocks replied. "You...you.. knew my name."

As Golilocks looked more closely at the old woman, she could see kindness in her eyes. When the old woman spoke again, there was a softness to her voice. "Yes, child, I know your name. We hear your uncle calling for you when you are seeking refuge in the meadow. We hear your songs in the wind."

Me:

Goldilocks bit her lip. "What is my destiny?" she asked.

"You will have to discover that for yourself," answered the old woman, "But, you must be brave, for there are many dangers you will have to face."

Goldilocks gulped again. "Dangers?" she managed to say.

"Every day occurrence for me," said David.

"Yes," said the old woman, "There are those of us who haven't stopped fighting, though we have had to go into hiding. We have been waiting for you, Goldilocks, waiting a long time."

Mom:

Just then, a small girl with hair as dark as night came into the room, a bird was cupped in her hands, and tears were in her eyes.

Me:

‎"What's the matter River?" asked the old woman.

"I just found this bird," said the black-haired girl, "She's hurt. I think one of the young dragons attacked her!"

"Bring her here," said the old woman. River brought the old woman the bird.

Mrs. V:

The old woman cradled the bird in her gnarly fingered hands. "No, River, it's a fledgling. It will be fine after some moments of rest. I think the little fellow was in too much of a hurry to leave the nest. And, speaking of leaving the nest, David you promised your sister a ride on Eunice. Why don't you grab the halter and get on with you. Perhaps, Goldilocks would enjoy a short ride on your favorite unicorn.
Would you like to go along, dear?}

Goldilocks did want to go along; however, was it the handsome young man or the promised ride on the unicorn that was causing her heart to flutter? " I...well....I....yes, I would like that very much."

"It's settled then," proclaimed the old woman. "And, David, I believe this is what you were looking for when you barged into the room.? She held up his sling.

Me:

David smiled, almost sheepishly, but not quite, "Yes Grandmother," he answered, taking it.

"I want you to take her to her uncle's house, and inform him what we need her for," said the old woman, "I don't think they will refuse you."

Mom:

With great excitement, Goldilocks climbed onto a pure gold unicorn that shone like the sun. Beside her, David was mounting a stallion that shone like the moon.

She had tried to give the golden ball back, but David had waved it away. "It has chosen you."

Mrs. V:

‎"Thank you, David," whispered Goldilocks. At that moment, Goldilocks was wrapped in a warm light and her hair turned to a lovely shade of gold.

David turned to Goldilocks with a smile and exclaimed, "Your hair! The golden ball has worked its magic."

Goldilocks giggled in delight, nudged the unicorn into motion with her heels, and shouted, "Giddy-up, Eunice. Let's go!"

Mom:

David laughed, "That's not Eunice. Her name is Glo. She is one of mine. I am riding, Lunar. Eunice is over there with River."

For the first time, Goldilocks noticed that River was sitting on a small turquoise blue unicorn with a sea green mane and tail.

"Oh my!" gasped Goldilocks. Glancing down at Glo, she seemed to be laughing, then she seemed to instantly be in a gallop. Her hooves never seemed to touch the ground, and all too soon, the gates of the castle were within sight. They stopped in a grove not far from the gates.

"Oh my!" gasped Goldilocks.

"You done said that before," giggled River. Behind her David grinned.

"Come," said David. The two of them walked down to the gates and into castle, and right into the Great Room where her Uncle sat polishing the furniture.

"Sir," David's voice boomed into darkness.
The man glanced up, startled at the sight of David and the change in his niece. "Oh My!" he stammered. Goldilocks hid a grin behind her hand.

"Sir," David started again, much softer. "It is my understanding that this lass is the child of your brother?"

Uncle Taan nodded.

"She is also the child of my mother's sister. Long we have searched for her. We would like to bring her home with us."

"Oh my," gasped Goldilocks.

Mrs. V:

Goldilocks, having gotten over the embarrassment of confusing Glo with Eunice, was now overcome with a deep sense of gratitude. With her hair now the color of gold, a unicorn to ride, and the promise of a home, it would seem her dreams were coming true.

Mom:

Uncle Taan chewed the edges of his mustache, considering the two before him. There were glistens of tears in his eyes, for he was truely fond of the child.

"Ay," he sighed at last. "She may choose."

Goldilocks gave her uncle a hug and promised to visit, then ran up to her room to pack the few belongings that she called her own, a second dress, a brush for her hair that belonged to her mother, and a string of beads and pearls that she had gathered through the years as she cleaned the castle. Also, an old worn quilt that she had been wrapped in when she was brought to live here. She hesitated a few seconds, and then took the cloak that the Lord of the castle had given her last year.

She hurried back to the great room, but not fast enough. Cirin and Aunt Ell found her just beyond the doorway. Cirin grabbed the dress and cloak away, laughing, and then as David and her uncle appeared in the doorway, she felt the hair of her head being pulled backwards and with a "snip" it was gone. HER HAIR!!!!

David was angry. "What do you mean, can the lass not leave with her own belongings?"

Aunt Ell's eyes narrowed. "The dress and cloak should rightfully go to my daughter. And I will sell her hair to pay for all the money we have been forced to spend on her." Her hands darted toward the beads and brush, but David intervened, whisking Goldilocks off of her feet and into his arms, and wrapping her into the quilt all at the same time. His glare was enough to silence her from further protest.

David turned and walked out of the castle. Goldilocks sobbing. Setting her down finally in the clearing.

River ran over with a cry, "Not your hair! Why did they take your hair?"

David sighed, running his hands through the ragged locks. "Granny will fix it up, but it will take a long time to grow back. Perhaps it is for the best, we have a long journey ahead to overcome the dragons. And I'm sure we can find both dress and cloak to replace the ones they stole."

Me:

They remounted, and rode back to the cave, quietly, yet swiftly. When they got there, however, Granny was gone! The table was overturned, and things scattered all over the place.

"The dragons have taken her," David announced.

"Oh no!" exclaimed Goldilocks, "She was so good."

"Our family is too valuable for the dragons to kill," said David, "they have her prisoner somewhere, I'm sure, just as they do her daughters, our mothers."

Mrs. V:

‎"But, David, do not despair, I still have the golden ball! We can remedy this situation with a simple wish," Goldilocks said with excitment. " But, nooooo.....it won't work, David! I have received my three wishes. MY hair, though short, chopped, and uneven is a beautiful golden blond. Good old Glo, seems to be my own unicorn,trusting me completely. Then it.....well it.....ummmmmmm...it appears that I was soon to have the family of my dreams. Oh....what to do? What to do, David?"

With his eyes downcast, David replied, "It is also said, that a wish can be reversed by giving one back to the power of the golden ball."

"I'll do it David, I'll do it at once," replied Goldilocks. "But which precious gift should I return?"

Mom:

River inturrupted, "But if you wished for your own family - maybe this is part of the wish? Now must we probably go adventuring to get back all our family from the dragon dungeons?"

David laughed, "Too true squirt."

"So what should we do?" asked Goldi.

"Pack!" said David firmly. "And then we go find Uncle Joe and see if he can help us. And maybe my cousin Jonathon can go with us too."

Me:

Goldi and her cousins entered another cave hours later. In this cave stood an old man. His wrinkles had wrinkles, and his head was as bald as a turnip. His gray beard, however, was thick and long, trailing some feet behind him. It was full of sticks and stones and - was that a bird? He was so short, he barely came above Goldi's waist.

"What's the news?" he asked in a dry and cracked voice.

"The dragons took our grandmother just hours ago," answered David, "Right after Goldi, here, found the golden ball."

Uncle Joe's gaze softened. "Rithina?" he said, "Well, I suppose you came to get advice?"

"Yes," said David, "We wish to save her, as well as our mothers."

"Well," his said, after some deliberate thought, "The way I see it, you need to find the Dragon's fortress, sneak in, free the prisoners - without being caught - find the rift through which the dragons came to this world - for they don't belong here - convince them to go back through the rift, seal the rift behind them, and come back here." He smiled, and sat down at a desk, then said, nonchalantly, "Piece of cake."

Mom:

Uncle Joe's gaze traveled across the faces of the youngsters. He gazed a while on Goldi - then turned her around to look at the very short and jagged golden hair. He sighed, reached into a pocket, pulled out comb and scissors and carefully trimmed and shaped her hair into a very boyish cut.

"Perhaps will be for the best," he sighed. "Now give me your ball."

"Gladly." relplied Goldi, tossing her head to feel the strangeness of her haircut. She handed the bauble over without hesitation.

Uncle Joe gazed at it for several minutes, and then tossed it into a boiling pot of ... something thick and green. Then, muttering to himself, he fished a book from the shelf and began turning pages. Then finding a ladle, he scooped the hot red ball out of the gooy mix and plopped it beside the book on the table. Goldi was surprised to see a design covering the ball.

The old man turned the ball this way and that with a spoon, and glanced repeatedly at his book. Finally he turned his gaze on the threesome.

"It's not a wishing ball. The hair, the family, the unicorns are your birthright girl, not because of wishes."

"Then is that ball even important? or just a pretty toy?" asked River.

"It's the key to the portal, and it must be replaced in the sky to seal the broken rift from their world into ours. - and it must be placed by the only daughter of second daughter of a third daughter. She must ride a creature of gold and have hair the color of gold and a name of gold. .... er at least, that is what the old king said when the dragons first came through the portal."

Jonathon suddenly unfolded himself from a corner, startling Goldi. "Ah, so we will leave River here with you - and us 3 young lads, David, Locksly, and myself, will have to go adventuring into the lands of the dragon - and hope to find such a lass as we go." he winked at Goldi.

Me:

‎"How did you do that?" Goldi asked, still trying to recover from her surprise.

"Do what?" asked Jonathon, as if absolutely nothing was out of the ordinary.

"That's what we've always wan't to know," said David.

"Why do I have to stay here?" asked River, pouting.

"Because you are to young," said Jonathon, "Besides, if you don't stay, who'll be here to take care of Gramps?"

"Who indeed?" asked Uncle Joe with a shake of his head.

Mrs. V

The three young lads, armed with slings and stones, rode off in a blaze of brightly colored unicorns with David taking the lead.

Mom:

She felt odd dressed in pants and with short hair, but she loved the feel of the wind blowing past her face as she rode posing as "Locksly". She wondered how long they would ride and where they were going.


As the sun set, the 3 lads found a place to camp out in a small cave like place in a cliff. The mountains were before them, and they would tackle them the next day.

"You've rode good today Goldi .. er Locksly" said David.

"Glo is like riding on a cloud. I feel like we belong together. I don't mind the hurry up part. But even as fast as we must be going, I feel like the whole trip is taking forever.

And Jonathon is ... where is Jonathon?"

Mom: (there had been mixups earlier, which I have removed, and this was to fix them)

Jonathon had vanished into the shadows again. Goldi shivered, whether from cold or fear, she was uncertain. David found a blanket and wrapped it around her.

Suddenly a loud protest broke the darkness.

"Let Me GO!"

David and Goldi jumped and peered into the darkness. Jonathon appeared, with a huge grin pulling behind him ... River and her unicorn Eunice.

David peered down with disapproval.

"But," demanded River, "I found something that you HAVE to see!"

Me:

‎"River," said David, "We left you with Uncle Joe, you were supposed to stay wit Uncle Joe."

"Yes, but," said River, "I was looking at this book, and I realized that there was a word that said Duh Rrr Ah Guh Oh Nn, dragon. All the pictures were dragons and I remembered that you were going to go see dragons, so I realized that you needed this book."

"Did Uncle Joe send you?" asked David.

"He was asleep," said River, "But I left him a note!"

Jonathon seemed to regard this conversation as funny.

Goldi, who had acquired the book, suddenly began to read, "Push the Magic Dragon, master of all dragons. No dragon stronger, fiercer, or more cunning than Push. Faster than a speeding arrow....able to leap the deepest chasm in a single bound. It's Push...the Magic Dragon.l One thing, and one thing only, sends Push running scared ...to hear a golden-haired maiden singing this song 'Push the Magic Dragon out to the sea, never let it come back here to frighten little me'"

"Well, thank you River," said David, almost politely, "Now go back to Uncle Joe's"

"But if I go back," said River, "Who will come up with all the good ideas?"

"How about Jonathon," suggested David.

River pulled into a pouty posture. "Jonathon has bad ideas," she said, "He leaves me at home!"

Jonathon definitely regarded that as funny.

Mom:

‎"Personally, I think she should come with us," said Jonathon.

River looked at him suspiciously.

David didn't seem to be listening. "I've never heard of Push the Magic Dragon. Is there more there?"

Goldi/Locksly shook her head. "No, the rest of the page is gone, but the strange thing is ... I know that song. We use to sing it back at the castle. It's just a children's rhyme."

David sighed. "Figures." River, you brought us that book for nothing.

"Personally, I think this book may well prove helpful." said Jonathon, now studying the thick book.

Again, River looked at him suspiciously.

Me:

‎"How does the rest of the song go?" asked Jonathon.

Goldi took a deep breath and sang this song:

Push the magic dragon
Out to the sea.
Never let him come back here,
And frighten little me.
Push the dragon, strong and mighty,
Feared throughout the land.
But I won't fear him, no not I,
I'll push him off the sand.

Push the magic dragon,
Mighty and strong
Having him here with us,
Is very wrong.
Push the dragon away from here,
Away from my home.
I don't want him here with us.
I want him to roam.

When the magic dragon
Is gone from our land.
We'll have a great big party,
And we'll clap ev'ry hand.
Yes, then rule ourselves again
And cower not in fear!
'Cause Push will no longer be in,
The land that we hold dear!

Mom:

‎"What a Weird song" commented David.


"And too obvious to be insignificant." laughed Jonathon.


"Well, I think that song sounds like it was out of that book!" commented River.

"Well, I've always found the best place to hide anything from my aunt, was right under her nose." said Goldi.

Me:

‎"What do you mean Goldi?" asked River.

"Shhh!" said Jonathon, "That's Locksley, remember?"

"But what do you mean?" persisted River.

Mom:

‎"She means that the song is probably the key to getting rid of our dragon problem." said Jonathon. "What else is in that wonderful big book David?"

Me:

‎"Gol- I mean Locksley has the book, not me," said David, "Ask her."

"A lot of stuff," said Goldi, flipping through the pages, "And it's obviously old."

Mom:

‎"There are a LOT of old maps in here." She handed the book to David and Jonathon, and they sat with their head together, discussing the maps.

Locksley took River by the hand, got her some supper, and tucked the yawning child into her bedroll, then climbed in beside her. She glanced once more to her cousins, turning pages and discussing what they were reading.

"You did good kid," and kissed River as she slept.

River smiled, yawned, and both girls were asleep seconds later.

Me:

Goldi woke, just before dawn, to voices.

"Why didn't you tell me you were going to be coming this way?" said a girl's voice.

"I didn't know myself until just before we left," said Jonathon.

The girl's voice sighed. "Mother was taken yesterday afternoon."

"Her too?" said Jonathon, his voice thick with dread, "So was Aunt Rithina."

"The Dragons are growing bolder," said the girl, her voice clear with certainty.

Goldi sat up. Jonathon was talking to a girl with hair so light it was almost white.

"Locksley!" said Jonathon, noticing Goldi, "You haven't met my twin sister, Jinathia."

Mom:

‎"Do you know where we are going?" Goldi asked.

Jin laughed. "Of course, but I cannot go there - there is no light."

"why haven't the dragon's captured you?"

"They have tried - many times." Jin answered.

River woke just then, and rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she seemed to fly at the girl, crashing into her with a giant hug. For just a second, the two girls looked like colliding sunbeams and rainbows.

Me:

Goldi found it hard to believe that the two were twins, Jonathon with his dark skin and black hair and eyes, Jinathia with her pale skin, almost-white hair, and pale blue eyes.

Mom:

‎"What are you?" asked Goldi. "I've never met anyone like you, all shadows and rainbows and light."

"We are you're cousins." smiled Jin. "Hard it was for your mother to leave you with you're father's people - but you had to be hidden."

"My mother is alive?" Jin nodded.

"And my father?" Jin shook her head.

"He died defending your mother."

Goldi cried. River ran to her and cried too, holding her tight.

Some time later, as she dried her tears, she noticed that River's eyes were dark, and her hair wild about her face. It occured to her that River always reflected those around her - like a pool of water.

Me:

"There is another thing," said Jin, "Before Cousin Chay was taken last year, she told me that the land, if purged of the dragons, would need its rightful ruler found first."

"But the line of the kings was lost years ago," said David.

"One still lives," said Jin, "You must find him, and you will know him by the sword he carries. The sword of his ancestors."