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A crown prince travels to face dragons for the princess he loves... (Frame story) |
| Eight-year-old Monica sat on the couch between Reema and Dan, her adoptive mom and dad, looking through their photo album as they often did. "Aww, that's so cute," she giggled, pointing at a snapshot of the blissful couple on their wedding day. "Daddy, can you tell me again about how you met Mommy?" "You want the real story, or the fairytale version?" He smiled, eyelids crinkling. "The fairytale, of course." She rolled her eyes. "High school is boring. You make courtship sound so exciting, like a Disney princess movie!" "Daddy can make anything sound exciting, even grocery shopping," Reema teased. "I can't wait to hear the embellishments you'll add to the tale this time." "Very well, then." Dan closed up the photo album, settled back in the seat cushions and pulled them both closer. "Once upon a time, in a land not so far away—just down the street, actually…" *** Crown Prince Daniel paced the floor of his royal study room, hands clasped behind his back. Every time he passed the arched window overlooking the front grounds, he glanced out into the distance. Every time he passed the grandfather clock with its swaying pendulum, he glared at the dial as if commanding it to move faster. Two months had passed without a response since he wrote a letter to King Sargon of Bordensia, inquiring if he could meet his daughter, Princess Reema. The day he first saw her at an international tournament, sitting meekly alongside her father, was forever imprinted on his memory. She was the most beautiful lady he'd ever met, with vibrant blue eyes, thick chestnut braids, and cute sun speckles across her nose. All he could think of since was wanting to get to know her and ask her to marry him. Queen Agatha, his mother, entered the study. She sat down in an armchair and waved Daniel over. "My son, you're concerned about hearing back from King Sargon?" "Yes. You know how impressed I am with his daughter." "Why don't you visit in person? I'm sure if the king met you, he would approve. I think Princess Reema is a suitable lady for you, and eighteen is a good time to consider marriage." "You're right, mother. I'll head to Bordensia immediately, with your blessing." Daniel packed up and sailed across the ocean to King Sargon's land, bringing luxurious gifts of goodwill. When he arrived, the country was in mourning, with black banners hung from the flagpoles and empty, silent streets. As a visiting head of state, he was promptly ushered into the throne room to see the king. King Sargon wore black robes. He wiped tears away from his face as he spoke. "A terrible tragedy has befallen us. My poor princess Reema has been kidnapped by a gigantic dragon, and we doubt she is still alive." "No!" Daniel put a hand on the wall to steady himself. "Can no one rescue her?" "My soldiers are searching everywhere for the dragon—they haven't found it." "May I participate in the search efforts?" "Of course, since you sailed all the way from Good Hope to meet her." "Bring me your best horse, I'll set out at once." So it was that Daniel found himself tracking an elusive dragon in a strange land. He was assigned to remain with a group of experienced soldiers. He cantered across fields and woods, looking for burned trees or broken brush, any signs of dragon life. What if it had flown far away with the princess? How would he deal with knowing he could do nothing to save her? A quail flew up from the forest floor with a startled cry, right under his steed's nose. The powerful war horse bolted, galloping wildly through territory which became exceedingly rocky and treacherous. Daniel clung on for dear life, his breath coming ragged as the wind rushed past his ears, frustrated with himself for not maintaining better control over the horse. Where would he end up? After several miles of bumpy riding, the horse tired itself to a slower pace, and Daniel was able to sit up and gather the reins again. He was far separated now from the other searchers. No signs of civilization presented themselves in the utterly unfamiliar, craggy terrain. "If a dragon would live anywhere, it'd be here, for sure," he spoke into the still, damp air. A dull echo rebounded off the stones. A scattering of pebbles rattled down the slope, as if triggered by his voice. Something changed: a whisper, a murmur, an atmospheric adjustment. His horse snorted and pawed the ground. Daniel gripped his crossbow, eyes darting around the valley, alert for any movement. The air crackled. Cloud shadows chased each other across the rocks. He wondered if there was about to be a landslide or a flash flood, and turned the horse to try seeking a path upwards. A sudden flapping overhead made him jump, nearly causing his skittish horse to run away again. He tipped his head back to see a burgundy dragon the size of a house, soaring low. With a gasp, he prepared a shot, but the dragon flew out of reach, landing on an outcropping several yards away. Daniel swung off the horse, tied it to a lone tree, and, armed with his sword and crossbow, slipped stealthily closer to the dragon. Surprise would be his advantage; it was unaware of his presence as he made his way up from behind it. After many agonizing minutes of edging along, trying not to kick any pebbles out of place, he was at last close enough to place an arrow right between the beast's shoulder blades. Hopefully its scales were not too thick. He planted his feet firmly in the dirt and took aim, trying not to think about what would happen if he missed. As Daniel was about to release the arrow, rapid footsteps clambered behind him. "Stop! Don't kill my dragon!" Someone tackled Daniel at the knees, knocking him to the ground. His arrow flew wildly off-course, shattering against the rocks. He sat up, catching his breath, trying to see who was there. A young lady, dressed in rough brown homespun with sturdy man's boots, stood by the dragon's head, an arm around its neck. Her eyes glaring down at him were an unmistakable glowing blue. "What?" Daniel scrabbled to his feet. "Princess Reema! Is that you?" "Of course it is," she scowled. "And who are you?" He remembered his manners and bowed low, keeping a safe distance from the dragon. "Crown Prince Daniel of Good Hope, your Highness. I came to ask for your hand in marriage, but I had to first rescue you from this horrible dragon." She shook her head, tossing her chestnut braids back. "Derrick is not horrible. He's a fine specimen of Ruby Vale dragon, one of the last of its kind in Bordensia. They're killing them off. As you can see, he's quite tame—for the most part." Reema patted Derrick's nose. He snuffled and arched his neck against her back, making squeaky sounds. "Does he—spurt flames?" Dan steadied himself against the rocky ledge. "Not unless he's under stress or fighting. Now, let's talk." She pulled a handful of onion greens out of her knapsack and dropped them at Derrick's feet. "He's vegan—those are a special treat. Makes him sleepy for a couple hours." Reema waved Daniel over to a rough-hewn stone bench overlooking the valley. He sat down at a respectful distance as she began to speak. "My father arranged a marriage. He contracted with the neighboring king that I would marry his ugly, disagreeable third son, who had no chance of acquiring a spouse otherwise. The wedding day was supposed to be shortly after the tournament. Prince Oglethorpe was already at the castle, waiting." She made a face. "Obviously, I'm not letting that happen." Daniel couldn't believe this tanned, rugged, capable woman was the same sheltered beauty he'd seen months earlier. It was all rather confusing, but he was determined to see it through. "So… you kinda faked your own death? Your father is heartbroken. I'm sure he loves you very much." "I ran away to where the dragons live." Reema smiled bitterly. "I can assure you, my father has hardly been concerned about my well-being these eighteen years. He raises young ladies who are little seen and less heard. Now… you claim you were interested in marrying me?" She leaned closer, examining him narrowly. Daniel was suddenly at a loss for words. He lowered his hazel eyes. "Yes, your Highness. I—I think I would make a good husband." He ran a hand through his sandy curls, flushing. "Am I—uh, handsome enough for you?" Her eyes widened with a friendly laugh. "Oh, you look plenty nice. It was brave of you to venture out to dragon country to rescue me all by yourself. I haven't seen any of Father's men here yet. They're too chicken to really fight a dragon. I think they're just pretending to look for me." "Should we go down to the castle and discuss it with King Sargon?" Reema scuffed her boot against the pebbles. "I don't really want to go back. He won't let me marry you." Daniel wrinkled his nose. "I should think a marriage to the future king of Good Hope would be more advantageous for him than arranging one with some royal slob from the next country over. Good Hope has a thriving economy. You'd be the queen. I'm a decent guy. My mother, Queen Agatha, approves of you. What could be better?" "You tell all that to my father," Reema scoffed. She glanced over at Derrick, rolling happily in his onions like a cat in catnip, knocking stones downhill with his thrashing tail. "Hey, I know. I'm sure if Oglethorpe finds out I've got a huge pet dragon, he'll run all the way home to his queen momma!" Daniel bent over laughing. "Sounds like a plan!" "Come on, let's go!" Reema leaped to her feet. "I want to see the look on his face. We'll ride Derrick to the castle." "Uh…" A wave of seasickness fluttered in Daniel's stomach as he eyed the mighty dragon. "How about we ride my horse instead? He's quite big enough for two." Reema looked down the valley at the hefty black war horse waiting for his rider. "Sure, why not? I'll tell Derrick to meet us there." Daniel's jaw dropped. He was going to ask how she communicated with dragons and if they really understood what she meant, but he merely watched, awestruck, as she walked up to Derrick and whispered a few things in his ear. The dragon made a sound of acknowledgement; she nodded and patted his head. "Ok, we're ready." Daniel and Reema guided each other down the unstable slope to the valley floor. She was steadier on her feet, pulling him upright several times as he stumbled on loose gravel. When they mounted the horse, Daniel remembered he was hopelessly lost. "You do know how to get out of here…?" "Half a mile south there's an incline…" Reema gestured, giving him directions. They talked about everything on the way back, getting to know each other. Daniel admired her headstrong, outdoorsy nature. "You're sure you would marry me? I don't want you to feel forced into anything. We've only just met." "You're the kind of guy I feel like I've known all my life, to be honest. I doubt I'd be able to find anyone better qualified, especially with Father wanting to use me as a pawn for his own enrichment." "We won't let that happen." *** Reema strode into King Sargon's throne room, head high, Daniel following behind. "I'm home, Father." "Reema!" The king slid off his throne, running to meet her. She returned his embrace stiffly. "We thought you were killed by the dragon." "Does we include my betrothed, Prince Oglethorpe?" She raised an eyebrow. Sargon heaved a sigh. "I'm sorry. When you were taken by the dragon, he broke off the engagement and fled. Said it was a bad omen and he shouldn't be attaching himself to a dragon-infested country." "Really?" Reema perked up, a big grin spreading across her face. "Well, Father, I have excellent news. Not only is my dragon harmless, but this fine young prince from Good Hope wishes to marry me." It didn't take much effort to convince Sargon that Daniel would be a good husband for his daughter. Perhaps he was ashamed of himself for choosing such a cowardly man as Prince Oglethorpe, against her wishes. At any rate, he accepted the royal gifts Daniel brought and gave his blessing for an engagement. The gifts weren't only for the king, of course. Daniel reached into one of his trunks and brought forth a gleaming pearl jewelry set, a dozen delicate embroidered silk hankies, and a twinkling diamond engagement ring. "Lots more in my stash," he laughed. "I came prepared to spoil you good. My mother insisted on embroidering these flowers all by herself. Look, the delphiniums match your eyes!" "Aww!" Reema leaned in rapturously, and Daniel swept her up, spinning her around the ballroom to the sound of joyous music. As he gazed into those delphinium blue eyes, he knew he was looking at his soulmate… *** "Then what happened, Daddy?" Monica gazed up at Dan expectantly. "Oh, you know," he smiled, hugging her close as the three of them sprawled on the couch. "We got married, adopted you and lived happily ever after, of course. You were a little orphan girl, and we made you our princess." "What does happily ever after actually mean?" "Well…" he paused to consider. "It's hard work maintaining a relationship over the years. You gotta talk about everything, share all your secrets, hold each other up through the tough times." "But you're happy about it, right?" "Of course we are," Dan and Reema said simultaneously. "It's more beautiful and exciting than any fairytale," Reema declared. "Even when you have to mop and vacuum and dust?" Monica sat up, wide-eyed. "Princesses and queens don't do chores!" "Yes," Reema laughed. "Even the chores are fun when you love the people you're cleaning up after." Notes ▼ lyrics to Strange Ways ▼ video ▼ |
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