Veronica, in the event that there is a need for it, do not hesitate to use your gift, especially when it is to save the ones you love.
As you know, the forest of Edlewud is one filled with odd creatures and abnormal trees. The hopping Zebwockle, the towering muncher rodents and the dagin wolfets were the prime creatures of the forest and the major source of meat for both kingdoms. Because of their constant mating habits, many of these creatures were seen frolicking around even on the outskirts of the forest.
It is a place twice the length of the longest river and thrice the width of the largest village in our kingdom. Back then, for the people of Finobia, it took a full day to get to the forest on the back of a horse, that is, if they began their journey from the king's castle, which stood in the middle of the kingdom. But for those in Mystonia, it took a day and a half to get there on a horse, for the castle was built in a corner eastward of the kingdom while the forest was located a day's journey westward.
Before long, Dominic and Peter were in side Edlewud, on their horses. Dominic had a white stallion and Peter's stallion was a black Dustang with beautiful golden hair.
"Our tale will be told for centuries Peter," Dominic said. They rode down a path in the forest, Dominic was quite loud. "The land shall remember us as the indomitable legends who slayed the vile beast in one swoop."
Peter smiled.
"Even if we were to die Dominic, our names would be written in stone," he replied.
The Prince crackled, startling the birds to flight. Meanwhile, far on the opposite side of the forest rode your aunt, Lady Amanda and I. Ours were the most beautiful of stallions, their hair colour were as the colour of the evening skies and their manes were braided beautifully.
"I want this to be swift Amanda," I said to her, "it might be a pest but the dragon is still a creature of the forest."
"It's just like you to care for a beast of terror Princess," replied Amanda, "I just want one of its teeth."
"What possibly would you need the tooth of the beast for?" I chuckled.
"To create a necklace of course. Call it a momento, to remind me that I helped slay a dragon," She said in reply.
"That would be amazing. Can you make me one too?" I asked.
"You don't even need to ask Harriet," she smiled, looking at me. Thus the origin of the one of the necklaces your have in your possession Veronica.
The den of the dragon laid in the lone mountain that stood in the middle of the forest. Amanda and I, along with Dominic and Peter had to spend three days of travel before we could get to the lone mountain. Some days we slept on the branches of the Achias, those humongous trees that made you feel like an ant. Other days we would sleep inside the trunks of Hollobeds, or within the roots of Redwoods. We shared tales, secrets and jokes as we gobbled down the roasted meat of the Zebwockles we had caught. But each pair was oblivious to the presence of the other.
On the fourth day of their search, both groups arrived at their destination. Behold! The lone mountain of Edlewud, home to large caves where creatures of the night such as batoiles, and Evigoons resided. A mountain whose top has tamed both winter and spring, harbouring colourful flowers in the presence of snow. One hundred feet high and gaurded by the Templeton trees of Abagon, the largest trees in the forest. There were three of these trees standing before it, each towering high and intimidating. Their roots burst up and down the ground and were as large as the bridges of the Templeton passage, this is where the bridge got its name from. Their trunks intertwined like three trees woven together. This was were they would find the dragon.
"I feel the presence of the beast," Dominic said looking up at one of the giant root bridges.
"Indeed, I sense it also," Peter replied, looking at the mountain with a frown. "It's getting late, we should set up camp."
"Agreed."
Meanwhile, not far away stood Amanda and I, staring at the magnificence of the Templeton tree.
"We should rest. I'll start a fire," Amanda said, gathering some sticks. We were six roots away from the Prince and the duke, in an adjacent position.
"You're too good to me Amanda," I said in reply, finding a place to sit.
The night came by slowly. Nightcrawlers whispered into the darkness and sang lullabies that soothes you to slumber. We stared in silence at our campfires, finally feeling the burden of the tasks that awaited us at the dawn of the next day. Many thoughts held our minds hostage, but none was as frightening as failing and letting our people down.
"Do you believe I'd be a good Queen, Amanda?" I whispered in an undertone. I laid on the ground, staring at the stars.
"Of course Harriet," Amanda replied, dropping the dagger she was cleaning. "You're every bit a Queen as you are a swordsman."
"Sometimes I feel inadequate, like a failure destined to destroy the kingdom," I confided. "I have these dreams where I see the kingdom burn, children wailing, mothers burning, fathers being beheaded and I, helplessly held in place to watch as her kingdom turns to ash."
A little bit dramatic, even for me. If only I knew how much great a Queen I would be later on, would I still have such insecurities? One can only assume.
"That's…incredibly detailed Princess," Amanda replied. "The war is over Harriet, it's been a hundred years since Finobia fought one, and it will not resume in your regime."
I exhaled, chuckling a little. I placed her hands on my belly as I usually do when I want to ponder.
"I'm almost twenty-one years old, Amanda, and I have no suitors, no soulmate. A Princess is supposed to have her suitor before she becomes of age for the throne, that leaves me with what? A year and six months?" I said to her.
"That leaves you with a year and six months to find a suitor, unless you want to marry a Mystonian?" Amanda asked.
"By Jeva's name, never!" I replied, laughing. Little did I know Jeva was laughing too, but for a different reason.
Amanda chuckled.
"Any man would be forever grateful to have you as his wife. You'll be fine Princess. For now, let's dwell on things maidens our age dwell," she said.
"Hmm. Like killing giant green dragons?" I smirked in reply.
"Precisely!" Amanda grinned.
I laughed once more, grabbing my sword and laying it on my chest.
"Goodnight my love," I smiled, gradually shutting my eyes.
"Goodnight your highness."
The next day came swiftly. Dawn fell and the birds sang the melodies of a good morning and the rising sun shone its rays of light through branches and leaves. Dominic and Peter set out on the path that led up the mountain. They followed the creeping roots of the trees that stood guard before the mountain. These roots, although large, climbed up the mountain, into the Saluni cave which was just a barren wide cave that seemed to be the mouth of the mountain at that time. This was the same idea Amanda and I had, for it seemed all the roots crept up into this very cave.
Rumour had it that this was the cave where the dragon resided. It tells of the terrors of the cave and the havoc of the beast within the cave. They used to say that anyone who goes into this cave never comes out, and so, legend has it that in an attempt to close off its entrance and protect the people, the Creator used his hands to pull the roots of the Templeton trees to block the mouth of the cave, but the roots failed to seal it properly. The roots converged at a point inside the cave, and beyond this point was a chasm, and beyond the chasm was pitch darkness and the unknown.
We climbed for hours to the mouth of the cave, our paths never crossing until the moment we got to the chasm. It was at this point that your father and I had our first encounter, it was…a very unpleasant encounter. At first, we did not recognise each other.
"Look Peter," Dominic pointed, "damsels. What are two beautiful damsels such as yourselves doing in a place as dangerous as this?!" He exclaimed.
We did not reply. We moved closer to each other in order to get a better look, for the light coming from the entrance of the cave was not bright for distant sight. As soon as we noticed the emblems crest on each of our cloaks, they immediately withdrew from each other, pulling out our swords. Dominic and Peter on the left, while Amanda and I stood on the right.