Princess Elara lived in a beautiful kingdom called Silverwood. The kingdom was filled with tall trees, bright flowers, and clear rivers. The people loved their land and took care of it every day. But what they loved most was their princess.
Elara was special. She had golden hair that shone like the sun and eyes as blue as the sky. But more than her looks, she had a kind heart. She always smiled and helped others. Every day, she would visit the palace gardens to talk to the gardeners and learn about the plants. She often sat by the river to listen to the stories of fishermen and help the children who played nearby.
Every morning, her day started the same way. Her maid Lila would come into her room softly, singing a gentle song. "Good morning, Princess," Lila would say as she brushed Elara's hair. Then she would tell stories about faraway lands, magical creatures, or the stars shining above the kingdom.
The cooks in the palace loved Elara because she was kind to them. They baked fresh bread, sweet cakes, and juicy fruits every day, just for her. "Try this, Princess," they would say, smiling. "Made with all the best ingredients."
Elara would taste the food carefully, always polite and grateful. "Thank you," she said with a smile. "It tastes wonderful."
The gardeners picked flowers and arranged them in the palace halls. They made sure Elara's favorite roses were always blooming. The blacksmiths gave her small silver charms, shaped like leaves or stars, to keep her safe.
One bright morning, Elara went to the garden, expecting the usual beauty. But something was wrong. The roses looked tired, their petals drooping. The trees were not as green. Even the birds were quiet.
She looked for Old Jonas, the head gardener, who was pruning a rose bush. "Jonas," Elara called, "Why does the garden look so sad today? The flowers are not happy."
Jonas wiped sweat from his forehead and looked at her with a worried face. "Princess, the forest near our kingdom is not well. A dark shadow is spreading. It makes the plants sick and scares the animals. Even the birds do not sing."
Elara's heart felt heavy. "Is the shadow dangerous? Will it come to the palace?"
Jonas shook his head slowly. "We do not know how far it will go. But if it grows, it could hurt Silverwood. You must be careful."
Elara thought for a moment. "I want to help. I do not want my home to be sad."
Jonas smiled a little. "You have a good heart, Princess. But you will need more than courage. You will need the help of others. The forest needs kindness and care."
That night, Elara looked out of her window at the dark forest. The stars twinkled, but the forest looked cold and shadowed. She made a promise to herself: she would find a way to protect Silverwood and bring back the light.