The Lost Promise of the Moonstone Carnival
Once upon a time in the small, quaint town of Vannoria, tucked between the folds of majestic mountains and by the side of the Santa Marina River, there was an annual event awaited with bated breath by everyone – the renowned Moonstone Carnival.
In this town lived two steadfast friends, Eleanor and Ludwig, bound not by blood but by fate. They were orphans who found comfort and companionship in each other. One unique thing they shared was a birthday - on the day of the much-revered Moonstone Carnival. They were always eager to whirl in the whirlpool of laughter, cheer, foot-tapping music, resplendent lights, and mysteries the carnival promised.
However, this year's carnival was special for an entirely different reason. A never-before-seen attraction was the talk of the town - a mystical ‘Fountain of Happiness’. Legends suggested that it granted an eternal state of joy to whosoever drank from it. The news spun a web of excitement and curiosity that weighed heavily over Vannoria.
The carnival day finally arrived, and the air was electrified with anticipation. Eleanor and Ludwig, now sixteen, entered the carnival with their hearts throbbing in sync with the rhythmic drumbeats resonating throughout the venue.
Their curiosity led them to the ‘Fountain of Happiness’. Despite the large crowd, they found themselves standing in front of the crystalline water dancing under the moonlight. Eleanor and Ludwig both held their breaths as their hands hovered over the water. Gathering their courage, they took a sip.
As they swallowed the cold water, a warm feeling washed over them. Suddenly, they could see their hearts' deepest desires. Ludwig saw himself adventuring across untamed lands, standing atop the highest mountains, experiencing the thrill he always craved. Eleanor saw herself nourishing the happiness of Vannoria. She was mending homes, tending to crops, nursing the feeble.
Realising what they truly wanted, they stood dumbstruck at the crossroads of their friendship and their aspirations. Eleanor wished to stay in Vannoria; Ludwig desired far-off, unchartered territories. The tension diffused as they both understood they needed to follow their hearts. A silent promise was made under the watchful moonlight - despite the distance and years, they'll always find their way back to each other, and home - to Vannoria.
Years rolled by. Eleanor, as she envisioned, was the heart of Vannoria. She repaired not just structures, but hearts and hope. The town had never been happier. On the other hand, Ludwig’s legends of exploration were shared like folklore in Vannoria.
The day of the Moonstone Carnival was at the door again, and Eleanor, now a radiant young woman, stood in front of the same ‘Fountain of Happiness’. The same desire welled up inside her – Ludwig’s return. She wasted no time and drank from the fountain. With the water trickling down her throat, she visualized Ludwig standing in front of her. She could almost hear the echoes of their shared laughter at the Carnival. Bowie, their favourite dog, joined in their reunion.
As her eyes opened, they welled up. For, a familiar figure was making its way through the crowd towards her. It was Ludwig, hardened by the adventures of a traveller, but his eyes twinkling with the same vibrance of old times. They exchanged a knowing smile. Promises made under the moonlight, it seemed, do come true.
The rest of the night was a blur of laughter, tales, shared memories and warmth. They found themselves under the glow of the moon once more, their hearts overflowing with joy. Vannoria had never witnessed a happier Moonstone Carnival.
The tale of Eleanor and Ludwig became an inseparable part of the town's folklore. Their story was a symbol of undying friendship, the magic of the ‘Fountain of happiness’, and the Moonstone Carnival. Their promise under the moonlight was a beacon for many - a reminder to believe in the power of dreams and promises.