The morning after the tournament, King Maximus summoned Prince Cedric to the throne room. "You must complete a task to prove yourself worthy of Arabella," boomed the king.
Into the Dark Woods Cedric ventured, saddling his steed Othello. Princess Seraphina insisted on joining, to Cedric's dismay. "The woods are perilous! I cannot endanger you."
But Seraphina was determined. Together with Lady Amelia, they entered the gloom. Wolves howled - Othello reared in fear, throwing Cedric. Amelia screamed as a Wolfos leapt - but Seraphina struck it down with her bow.
Exhausted, they camped by a stream. At dawn, a roar shook the trees. A towering troll blocked their path. As it charged, Cedric shoved Seraphina aside, taking the impact. When he awoke, Seraphina's healings had mended his wounds.
Returning victors, Cedric was greeted by Arabella's scorn. "You risked Seraphina's life! Your heart is not truly mine." Dejected, Cedric knew not whom his heart desired most.
The morning was gloomy indeed when King Maximus's summons reached Prince Cedric's chambers. "To prove yourself worthy of Arabella, you must complete a task in the Dark Forest," boomed the king.
Cedric steeled his nerves and readied Othello for the journey. But Princess Seraphina was determined to help, much to Cedric's dismay. "I could not bear it if any harm came to you," he pleaded.
Still, Seraphina insisted on accompanying Cedric, along with Lady Amelia. Deep into the forest they ventured, but were soon set upon by a pack of hungry wolves! Othello threw Cedric in terror as Amelia screamed. A monstrous wolfos charged - but Seraphina's arrow struck true.
Exhausted, the three stopped to rest. At dawn, an earth-shaking roar woke them. A towering troll had them cornered. As it barreled towards Seraphina, Cedric pushed her away and took the full force of its assault. When next he awoke, Seraphina's healing touch had mended his wounds.
Returning victors, Cedric was met not with praise but Arabella's scorn. "You dare endanger Seraphina for your quest?" she cried. Dejected, Cedric knew not where his heart now lied. Had saving Seraphina planted new seeds of affection? Only time would tell.
The gloomy summons reached Prince Cedric's chambers early that morn. He knew King Maximus' task would be perilous, yet venturing into the Dark Forest seemed less daunting than facing Arabella's wrath should he refuse.
Princess Seraphina insisted on accompanying him, much to Cedric's dismay. "The woods are no place for a lady," he argued, though her fierce spirit was part of why he admired her so. With Lady Amelia also at their side, they plunged into the forest depths.
All seemed well, until a pack of wolves set upon them! Cedric was thrown by his frightened steed. Seraphina's arrow flew true, saving them from the monster wolfos. As they rested by a brook at dawn, an earth-shaking roar woke them to a troll's charge. Cedric shoved Seraphina out of harm's way, taking the full force of the brute's assault.
When at last he awoke, Seraphina's angelic touch had healed his wounds. But upon their triumphant return, Arabella's greeting was less than kind. Cedric's heart wrenched - had risking life and limb for Seraphina stirred feelings beyond duty? Alone with his jumbled thoughts, he knew not where his true passions lay.