Chapter One
Once upon a time there lived a beautiful princess who from birth knew her own Spirit. She was fearless and believed she could do anything, even fly, though no one had witness such a feat. Her best friends were the fairies who seemed to bathe her in light and accompany her everywhere. She knew of the legends of the magical crocodile that could, if captured, grant her a wish.
So once she grew older and years of stories burned in her heart about where she could find this crocodile, she set out one night. In the murky swamps she treaded, pulling back her luminous long brown royal hair. She had a keen smell and had developed more than her five senses. Princess Delphina was considered a mystical, magical creature in her own land.
"The Fairy Queen must have blessed her at birth!" some said. While others thought she was a fairy incarnate, and still others commented that she was born in both lands and that is why she seemed to have powers far above normal human capabilities.
“That’s why the fairies never leave her." They said. “They are her servants."
Even the King and Queen couldn't explain the uniqueness and wonder that surrounded their only child. Nor could they stop her when she was set on doing something. They never even tried to force courtly duties, that such a royal child should be expected to perform, mandatory for her. It wasn't that Princess Delphina was unruly or spoiled, rather passionate about her own path.
In the swamps she listened, sensed, waded, and looked. Deeper and deeper she trudged until she saw the magical crocodile slithering in the warm murky, green waters. Up on a tree branch she crouched. She took the rope off her waist and hunched for the perfect opportunity to pounce.
The moist steam rising from the warm waters would have bothered other’s vision, but not Delphina. When the crocodile swam beneath her, she jumped upon it’s back.
Splashing and rolling, the crocodile swished its tail and jerked her off into the water. Pinning her underneath, it tried to use its weight to drown her, to save her for dinner later. However the crocodile did not realize whom it was dueling with.
When the female stopped struggling, the crocodile decided she had to be dead and proceeded to swim on. Turning its back on the insistent creature was its mistake. As soon as she floated to the surface she grabbed its tail, and began pulling it aboard the muddy shore. The Croc spun around in fury with its choppers flailing and gnashing, which became the first successful use of Delphina’s ropes.
Once completely on shore Delphina wound its feet in the cord and knotted a rope around its tail hoisting it into the air. Dangling on a tree branch this 18-foot crocodile stopped twitching as she called upon it as the Magical One. So many years of anticipation prepared her for this moment.
She chanted:
“Oosta Me Borna, Harak Aki
Gareth E Ishtar, Sutongda Craich-y,
Oosta Mahino! Oosta Me Porista Doez!
Cumi, Cumi, Delphina, halas.”
[Roughly translated as:
“He who is the man born cursed of this land
Granter of Wishes and slave to the beast, the crocodile,
He who is magic! This man who walks as the Spirit One!
Arise and come forth unto me, Delphina, now.”]
Once completed Princess Delphina removed the rope from the crocodile’s snout and demanded her wish be granted.
The angry beast snapped, “I am not the one you seek, and if you let me loose I shall eat you for my dinner! You are a fool to believe in such nonsense girl!”
Delphina smiled at the predictability of the response, chanted the ancient tongue rhyme again, and demanded her wish a second time.
“I have told you child!” The fierce crocodile snarled. “You are but trapped and I have won. Your foolish adventure has cost you your life. However, it is my pleasure to believe this legend exists since it brings me such feasts.”
For a third time Delphina chanted the ancient ritual and finished with a shout into the air as a final triumph, “I am the enchanted Princess Delphina who seeks an audience with the cursed Prince of this swamp, whose mighty king is the crocodile. I claim the powers that declare you are he and my friends know your name. Come forth, Ardus, and let me look upon your face that I may kiss you.”
With that, a light began to glow a couple feet in front of the helpless creature. Beautiful, white and pastel blue mists shone brighter and brighter as it took on form in this forsaken night of ghastly greens and muddy browns. Then Prince Ardus stood before Delphina, enchanted by her beauty as she was of his.
“What is it that you seek?” Ardus asked.
“Kiss the tip of my three fingers. I wish that whomever I should tap on the forehead shall immediately vanish into thin air and be sent to this mossy swamp to find their way back home.”
Prince Ardus had long stopped asking his captors why they wished they things they did. Certainly this was no stranger than others he had granted. However, he did warn her not to use her power selfishly. Ardus kissed the tip of her three fingers on her right hand. Although her body did not flinch, the swarm of emotions that began to swell up inside of her by Ardus’ touch took Delphina back. No one had ever made her desire such longing for company before. She eyed him suspiciously. Was she put under some sort of spell that the stories had forgotten to warn her about?
Princess Delphina thanked the soul form standing in front of her by kissing him on the cheek. Whether she was under a spell or not honor given is honor due. Prince Ardus vanished and the sounds of strange insects and animals filled the solemn silence.
How sad. She thought, as she untied the beast and it slipped back under the waters. Was there some way to save him from the curse he had been cast under for so long?
Chapter Two
Though it was known during these times that it was dangerous for a lady to travel alone, it was also widely accepted that Delphina was the exception to that warning. Most thought of her fondly as she considered them. So as a wagon of gypsies intercepted her path on her way back to the castle, she slipped her glove over her hand so that no one would be accidentally cast from whence she came by her gift.
“Now M’lady, just where do you think yer goin’? Hasn’t anyone told you it’s dangerous to travel these parts without a pass? However, I believe a few coins could insure your safety through these woods, and whatever else you have in that knapsack of yours.” The unbathed toothless face laughed as more began to surround her.
The Princess smiled as she rode her brown mare, which she endearingly called Choco, up to the gypsy leader who was leaning against a tree watching this event. “Has it been so long, Philiseus, since we have shared dinner that you do not recognize me? Or is it because your eyes need a good scrubbing like the rest of your body?”
The gypsy stood up and walked up to her horse and peered into the young woman’s face. The others around her kept quiet to wait on word from the leader. Philiseus cracked a smile and then roared back laughing. “Delphi! Ya’ never did give me a moment’s peace!”
Whispers that the Princess stood before them circulated around the camp. When she got off Choco the group began to bow and curtsey, all except Philiseus.
“Whatcha y’all gawking around for? Ya’ act like ya’ never seen a woman?” Philiseus scolded. “Go catch me some rabbits! We must have a dinner to celebrate.” The others scattered as Delphina and Philiseus smiled at each other.
During the meal, the gypsies informed her of a distressing rumor that had been passing through the countryside. A scheme was being devised to kill the king and queen from the people of the North.
“Tis’ said the battle will be taken place in front of the castle.” One blurted out.
Indeed this was not news at all to Delphina. Prophecy had foretold this event would occur. In truth that is why she had hunted for the magical crocodile all these years. She knew she was the chosen one to save her family, her people, and her land. The Princess just didn’t expect it to happen so soon after her trip to the swamps. The real test of courage was only beginning.
Princess Delphina headed out of camp that evening to return home with the news. She handed Philiseus a few rubies. “Now, promise me, Philiseus, that you won’t go spending this on the drink again.” She smiled. “Oh, and actually take a bath. Some of these men might be under the impression that you’re the example.” She kissed him on the cheek and mounted Choco and galloped off into the dark.
Chapter Three
Inside the King's stately office Princess Delphina watched her dad prepare for the upcoming battle. His officials and most trusted advisors gathered around the carved mahogany table filled with maps. Orders had already been given to tend to the weaponry. Now came the expertly devised strategic attacks.
The Princess rushed back to her room trying to devise a plan of her own. There was no time to waste. She called upon her Fairy companions for council as she searched about the room to pack a few necessities. If there was one thing she knew for sure was that no matter how lenient her parents were in regards to her activities in the past, there was no way they were going to let her fight in this war. However, if she did not act, prophecy had already laid out the terrible demise. Her home would be crushed into worthless rubble, her family would be killed, and her people and land would be enslaved for generations to come.
Delphina placed her gear inside the folds of her emerald cloak and set off for the Master Chamber Suite where she knew her mother would be waiting. The knights would be coming soon to take the Queen and the Princess to a safe location and she needed to slip away before then. However she wanted to kiss her mother good-bye just in case this was their last embrace.
Being an experienced tracker, as well as, knowing all the secret passageways in the kingdom, Princess Delphina was able to escape without a trace. Plus, the whole place was scattered with people running here and there; everyone was too busy preparing for the battle to notice the person in the shadow. Once hidden in the forest Delphina snuck back to the Gypsy’s campsite to barter a disguise, some of their clothing repaid in kind with gold.
Now ready to begin her treacherous journey of sneaking into the camp of her enemy, the Princess proceeded on foot. Slipping between the shadow of trees and scurrying underneath the cries of the owl, she dodged the watchers on lookout. Closer to the campfires she edged, realizing in order to carry out her plan and become one of them, she would have to step out into the light. With the potato sack cloaked hood hiding her face, she grabbed a plate of stew and sat down in a group of soldiers to listen to their plan.
As the night wore on she sat at one campfire to another getting to know the men, learning their strengths, their weaknesses. She slipped alongside tents of the generals to memorize their secret plans. As the soldiers drifted off to sleep, she snuck away to the outskirts of the camp and carefully engineered what she should do with all her information.
Some men longed for the comforts of home, while others hungered for power. Others joined because it was patriotic and noble, while others loved the sport of killing. There were men who were afraid and others who were frustrated the battle hadn't already begun. Traitors of her kingdom, traitors of this kingdom, traitors of war, traitors of peace circled and seasoned the storm.
It was still a couple hours before light. The Princess' best attack would be while everyone still slept, for surely when dawn came she would be out of time.
Slipping the glove off her right hand, Delphina silently crept into the enemy's tents and tapped the malevolent warriors on their forehead. Vanishing beneath their armor, one by one she sent them to the crocodile infested waters of Swallow Swamps to fight and taste death as they had so desired. When morning came the only survivors left were the men who sought peace first.
Princess Delphina revealed her true identity to the camp, and encouraged them to come with her to the castle and make their declaration of peace. Although hesitant the men finally agreed. The Princess promised them safety and walked ahead of the troop with her word that they would not be harmed.
Marching outside the security of the trees, the warriors followed the lead of the Princess where they stopped at the castle walled gate. The King had instructed for no one to fire unless fired upon. An eerie morning chill blew throughout the land as soldier stared upon soldier.
At the site of the Princess being captured in their midst, the royal army began to whisper and fidget among themselves. Surely this was a sign to fight?
"Oh, Honorable King." The Princess shouted to the tower walls, "Listen to these noble men's cry for peace. Tend to their burdens, Sire, as to your daughter’s comfort. These brave men you see before you come not in revenge, nor in surrender, but as a traveler seeking an audience with your Greatness. May I and their leaders be permitted to meet with you?"
A mediator? The King was confused, was this some sort of trick? Why did they want to take my lands yesterday and now offer friendship today? Yet why would my daughter speak of such diplomacy unless it was truth?
As the King considered his next decision carefully, the Princess' fairy companion, Dalus, flew to his side to calm his fears and reassure him from his skepticism. Though his advisors warned him not to listen to the winged creature, the King's belief in his daughter and her abilities won over their council.
Soon the King's bravery and wisdom doubled throughout the land.
Chapter Four
Meanwhile the Princess Delphina longed for the company of Prince Ardus. She exhaustively rummaged through her resources to explain this spell she had been so enchanted by. She sat at her desk by the large cathedral windows in her chamber room and shuffled through books, leaflets, and letters.
Ardus was unlike any man she had ever met, she thought. Who was he again? How did he become the cursed being of Swallow Swamps? I must have missed something! Must he remain there forever? In all the research she had accumulated over the years, nothing prepared her for this unquenchable desire to see him again. Even Prophecy who had spoken of a magically gifted child did not offer a clue. In contemplation the Princess stared out her cathedral stained glass windows into the night.
“Beyond the mountains, across the sea, to where the moon dare not birth . . .” she recited as she did so many times in the past.
She had memorized practically every detail and digested every morsel of information about the magical crocodile since she was a child. The Princess remembered how she use to play out dueling fantasies in the Royal Gardens with the ravens, and how her dreams of a voice echoing her name would wake her from slumber. She recalled what a captivated audience, more likely a nuisance she was after the numerous times, she’d ask her winged companions to again speak of the tales and adventures that crossed the realms about this noble creature.
As for the fairies, they took amusement on her plight. For hours they watched her. Truly, this Prince had always enchanted Delphina, but for reasons their friend could not herself imagine. How funny it seemed to them that one so gifted could be so oblivious to one’s own state. Yes, it was a means to fulfill the scriptures, but had she not realized Prince Ardus was her equal? The Fairies patiently waited until she stopped, and only then, did they explain to her that the only spell she was under was her heart's quest for love.
Delphina listened to their council as she so often had done. Their wisdom exceeded any human and she learned early that even if she did not agree, or understand at the moment, their words were not to be taken lightly.
“Love?” She searched her feelings and emotions as she walked around her chamber in meditation. Not yet convinced, the Princess turned to look at her companions again, who hovered in the air patiently waiting for their answer to dawn on her.
Though the Princess had met all sorts of men in her life, kings, princes, knights, priests, sages, noblemen, peasants, gypsies and the like, she had never felt inclined or matched to any of them. There were those who tried to court her, or those who tried to win her affection through games of strength, or those who were willing to make a complete ass of themselves all for the gesture of a dance. All left bewildered, angry, even more obsessed, or through such a gently love remained some of her dearest friends. No title made any difference to her, but through the kingdoms and in all the lands none had ever made her feel the way Prince Ardus did now. Love. She silently smiled.
Resolved, Delphina twirled a half spin. She collected her medicine pouch, her rope, and a few other tools. “There’s not a moment to lose!” she told her fairy friends. “Something must be done to free him.”
She left that very night. Though Delphina had no idea how she was going to save Prince Ardus from the clutches of the wretched curse, or what evil she would have to confront. With the help of her companions, she would end the reign of the Magical Crocodile once and for all.
Chapter Five
At the edge of Swallow Swamps where the odor creeps out from the ancient arms of the mossy trees and strange voices linger in the night air that warn you to beware, the Princess felt a presence watching her. It was not uncommon to feel as if someone or something was watching you in this twisted place, but this was different, almost as if someone was following her.
Princess Delphina normally was always cautious when confronted with the outside elements of a battle. She prepared for every minor detail and approached every surprise with calm thinking and quick maneuvering. She had to admit though that she might not be powerful enough to handle whatever was lurking after her. Before, she had the advantage of surprise as the ignorant lay waiting for her capture, but now she was the one being hunted and could feel the being drawing closer. Still there was nothing she could do but track further into the sludge and search for the magical crocodile’s den, while waiting for her opponent to reveal him or her self.
Deeper and deeper into the swamps the inhabitants swallowed up the silence. The humidity swallowed up the air, and the thickness of the trees swallowed up the day. The tales had even been told of patches in the earth that swallowed any traveler who dared cross its territory. There was no turning back, and Delphina was not the sort of woman who would. She did not terrify easily. She was fearless. The voices of the creatures did not scare her; rather she learned their language to know what was safe. The choking moisture mixed in stench did not suffocate her lungs; it kept her alert and allowed for quick agility and better reflexes. The night allowed Delphina to trust not what she could see, and rely on all her other senses and instincts. The Princess had learned to befriend the swamps, and in return, the earth left her alone.
She recognized her surroundings and knew she was only about a mile or so from the river where the magical crocodile slumbered. With renewed focus the Princess picked up her pace. A bright light zipped past Delphina. It flew up to one of the trees and zoomed back down again spinning around her. The Princess immediately eased her stance to speak with this fairy. Perhaps it could advise her the best course of action to take in releasing Prince Ardus, or even what lay in store for her when she did.
The little fairy hovered at eye level staring curiously at this woman who was foreign to her home. “You must not stay. You must go back. Don’t travel any further or you’ll be attacked.”
Princess Delphina was a little surprised. The fairies had known of the dangers of this mission before she even left. Why had they waited until now to tell her?
The fairy’s wings fluttered in the air like a hummingbird while she waited for the woman’s reply. When there was none she stated again, “Did you not hear? Do you not see? This is no place for a young lady!” The bright light circled in the air and stopped in front of Delphina’s face where she had before.
The Princess had always trusted and valued the faerie’s advice. She believed in their honor and grew disgusted at the swelling tales spreading across the country of pranks of mischief they supposedly played. Perhaps this was to cover human’s humiliation of their ignorance compared to the Faerie. However, there were always exceptions and there was something about this fairy she did not trust. Delphina just couldn’t put her finger on it.
“Thank you for the advice, young friend, but since I have already come this far, I shall see my journey through to the end.” Delphina told the fairy and set off for the river.
The small ball of light watched as Delphina headed away. Her eyes narrowed as she pondered how to stop the woman. After a second the fairy sped off to catch up with Delphina.
Trailing beside her Delphina responded, “I thank you for your consideration, but I really must do this by myself. Your light is a distraction and may alert anyone to my location. So I ask that you please go.”
“But I’ve come so fast, I’ve come to tell, the reality is you are under a spell. I would have said sooner, but we just found out, there can be no mistake! There is no doubt! I’m afraid for your life and this is no lie, if you head further in the swamps you are going to die!” She slapped her hands on Delphina’s nose to impact her warning and to turn her around.
It was in that moment that Delphina realized this Being holding on to her, like a hornet stuck after a sting, was no fairy. Fairies do not fear, it was not even in their vocabulary until they met humans. She stared into her eyes and noticed something she had not before. The natural twinkle that lived in the eyes of fairies, like fairy dust incarnate, appeared missing in this one. Her eyes seemed hollow, empty. Delphina’s instincts told her it was the Being that had been following her. But if she was no fairy who was she? How did she know that Delphina would naturally be off guard around the fairy? What other weaknesses did she discover? Could she read her thoughts? What other deceptions was she capable of? How great was her power?
Delphina turned to face her enemy, “Why have you really come?” she questioned.
“I told you once, I’ll tell it clear, to warn you hither away from here.” The fairy bobbed up and down.
“But why are you so intent on disrupting me? You have warned me, I thanked you for your pains, yet you still insist to stay. What game are you playing?” The Princess was as ever resolved to get to the point. This was her first confrontation, her first opposition in freeing Prince Ardus from the centuries old curse.
And if the “fairy” could read her mind, she stated with emphasis If we are going to do this, let’s do this. Delphina tensed where she stood.
“There is no game! I assure it’s true! I just don’t want to lose you!” The fairy’s light shone brighter in one last-ditch effort to make a plea to the young woman. Yet this was also a trap. If she could blind the woman, then she would not have to convince her to leave the swamps, she could feed her to her prized catch.
“Enough!” Delphina swung her hand to hide her eyes and to wave off the fairy. “You are no fairy and you are no friend of mine! Your deception has not worked! If you had known these noble beings you would know that their eyes sparkle with life as yours do not. Perhaps it is because you cannot hide your true nature. Your trickery is lost, and so will it also be for Ardus.”
The “fairy” stopped flapping her wings and for a second just hung there in the air. It should have been impossible, but nonetheless, there she stopped. Then the fairy exploded like colorful fireworks on Coronation day.
Princess Delphina crouched and waited for an attack. Instead she heard a voice that echoed amongst the trees, that made the earth tremble with every syllable uttered. She stood in hesitance, the first and usually the last mistake in a hunt.
Chapter Six
Two large luminous eyes hovered down upon Delphina as if to swallow her up. “It is you who are wrong! You will not outlive this night. You have no power in this place. I rule this earth! Let us see whose reign ends!” The voice rang through the swamps.
Lightening bolted out of the sky for Delphina who was by now running. With a loud CRACK! The thunder blew her off her feet and sent her hurling into a patch of mud. Rain began to hammer down. The embankments were tearing away as the waters began to rise and flood. The current grabbed Delphina and rushed her downstream.
Choking for air and blinded by the water, she scattered for any hold she could find. Clinging onto a branch of an uprooted tree she pulled herself out of the torrent. Delphina climbed the nearest tree and tried to swing from one moss vine to another, trying to reach Prince Ardus. But the ground shook and the trees began to topple over. The Princess wrapped her arms around a limb when she heard the familiar tinkle of her companions.
She turned to find them but they weren’t there. But even above the rain she heard their voice, “Let Go, Delphina, and become one of us.”
Immediately the rain seemed somehow lovelier and warmer, though the storm raged on around her. She let go of the limb and stood upon it as the rain crashed down. It comforted Delphina. She smiled and jumped off the tree in a dive and flew.
The malevolent force became outraged and sent a winged creature after Delphina. As the dragon-bird closed the distance between itself and the woman it noticed the magical crocodile below waiting with the others for their expecting dinner.
The Princess did not see the creature sneaking up behind her. Instead she began her descent to the magical crocodile. Delphina sang a beautiful hypnotizing tune to calm the animals as she had done before, but the earth was in such an uproar they sensed nothing but flesh falling out of heaven. Oh, how the last time this had happened it was such a feast. They thought.
Delphina slowed her descent; the music wasn’t working. She reached for the knife strapped to her thigh.
The dragon-bird was almost in reach. He extended his talons to cover the distance, but a limb fell from a nearby tree between them. He screeched in anger and rose above the annoying plant. He was told he could eat the flying figure if he could catch her. He was not about to share her with the crocodiles below. He dove like a bullet to impale her.
Delphina did not hear the dragon-bird scream because the limb had crashed upon the rocks at the same moment. She would have to dive for it, she decided. She figured she had a much better chance with the crocodiles then she did with the evil female, and the storm was going to kill Ardus if she didn’t get him out of there soon.
The Princess dove into the waters, the dragon-bird on her feet. The crocodiles closed in for their feast. Thrashing and crunching the crocodiles growled at each other while ripping a part of the meal for themselves.
A moment later Delphina emerged upon the magical crocodile’s back as he carried her to the shore. She escaped unscathed and the bird was no more.
Chapter Seven
Delphina was stunned that the magical crocodile did not try to fight her or eat her. She rolled off his back and stood to perform the chant and summon Prince Ardus presence before the crocodile changed its mind. However, before she could say a word Ardus stood in front of Delphina and asked her for her wish.
“How is that you have come without the ceremony?” The Princess asked.
“You changed all that the last time you came.” The blue mist form responded unaffected by the storm. “But there is no time to answer your questions now. What is your wish, hurry?” he insisted.
“I have no other wish than for you to be set free.” The Princess yelled over the rain. “I have come here to find some way . . .”
“It is as you wish.” Prince Ardus stated. The blue mist grew brighter and brighter as the man began to step forward from the light. The crocodile vanished behind him and Ardus stood before Delphina.
A scream bellowed over the storm. “NO!”
The Prince grabbed Delphina’s hand. “We must leave! Her powers can easily control this land.”
“Then fly like me.” Delphina responded. She took off hovering in the air.
The Prince now soaked to the bone yelled out, “How?”
“Just believe that you can and your magic will do the rest.” She waited for him to join her.
“But I have no more magic.” He stated flatly.
“Sure you do!” Delphina smiled and landed back beside him. “This swamp is so cursed and twisted in darkness that this being can manipulate it, and yet you glowed with the most beautiful light. It was incredible! You convinced me that I was under some sort of spell for I was enchanted by its power. That was your power, a part of your nature. You can do this Ardus, all you have to do is believe.”
Delphina hovered over the earth, “Come on!” She reached out her hand.
He stared at her hand and back at her eyes. After a moment of thought, he jumped into the air and hovered beside her, waiting for her to lead the way.
Delphina smiled and off they flew, her first, him second. Trees fell; winds gathered debris in its fury; and the storm continued to rage on. Through narrow escapes they flew through the tempest beyond the swamp and returned back to the safety of the forest.
Once again in the safety of the moon and stars and comforting arms of standing trees and summer whippoorwills, they rested.
Chapter Eight
When Prince Ardus awoke, the Princess was gone and he had no idea where he was. He sat up among the leaves trying to remember what had happened.
“Calm yourself, for all is okay.” The fairy Dalus appeared before him. “Delphina has gone to gather food for your well-being; she shall return soon. Until then you are safe. I am Dalus; I travel with her.” She hovered in the air sparkling as the fairy dust itself.
“Nice to meet you. Thank you for the rest. Where am I?” The Prince echoed all the thoughts running around in his head.
“You are in the forest, many miles from home.” Dalus answered.
“Ah! I see Dalus has been keeping you company.” The Princess exclaimed walking back into the camp. “I have many questions to ask you, Ardus, but first you should regain your health. You must be hungry. Here is some fruit and I shall gather some wood for a fire.” She handed the Prince some berries and tree fruit that grew in these parts of the woods and then disappeared again.
By the time Delphina returned Ardus was asleep again. She knelt and started a fire, placing the twigs she had gathered upon the flames. Collecting the different mushrooms and herbs along the forest floor of the camp along with some of the medicine she retrieved from her pouch, she created a broth soup. When Ardus stirred and began to sit up Delphina was turning the left over extractions into a paste to use as an ointment.
“Here.” She smiled handing him the hide-palette of fresh medicine. “I can either place this on you or you can do it, either way, this will help restore strength in your muscles.”
Ardus took the ointment from Delphina and after smelling it, rubbed it on his body.
“After that I have some soup for you.” The Princess stirred the broth and poured a cup for herself.
Three days they stayed in the forest before traveling again. Delphina nursed Ardus back to health. Every day his health improved, his sleep decreased in nightmares, and his surroundings became more familiar. In the process they learned much about each other.
Prince Ardus had come from another Kingdom, another time. He too loved to hunt and heard about the abundant game in the swamps. One day he came to hunt and some of his men were killed in a freak landslide and foreign predators ambushed the others. The Keeper of the Swamp, as she called herself, captured Ardus. She wanted him, and tried to convince him to stay with her, but Ardus refused. So the Keeper kept him the only way she knew how. She turned him into a crocodile to have as her pet.
However, since Ardus was a loving, self-sacrificing person, his love could not be held by the spell. Therefore in this twisted swamp he evolved into a magical crocodile that could, if captured, grant anyone a single wish. News traveled quickly about this crocodile. The Legend continued for hundreds of years and many would travel to have their wishes come true. Greed, lust, power, fame, all these selfish traits and wishes caused the trees to twist and bend a little more crooked.
If the seekers could survive the natural dangers of the swamp and keep from becoming a meal, they could ask their wish. Though it had been quite some time since his last appearance, Ardus knew that when she, Delphina, the new wish seeker, had called upon him, that she held some magical powers. He, too, thought he had been cast under another spell that might reverse the curse. He was an animal in body and Soul in nature; it was impossible to feel “man” again. This part of him had been destroyed, or so he thought. However, when Delphina had kissed him, something swelled inside that could not be denied. A tiny use of his freedom returned. Because pure love had allowed him this access, the sorceress could not steal it. Evil cannot steal something it cannot comprehend.
“She became furious!” Ardus explained. “She decided if you should ever return she would vanish you forever.” “Don’t you see?” The Prince continued, “The one, the only answer, to ever break the spell was for someone to ask a wish for me to be set free, rather than for themselves.” He walked around the campfire in remembrance. “But no one would. They would not be able to ask their wish if that were the case. They would not be able to return and ask for another one. They would not have their kingdoms, their wealth, their foes destroyed, and their lives extravagantly adorned!”
Delphina sat and listened trying to fathom the helplessness Ardus must had felt all these years, many lifetimes before she was even born. While she was a little girl living out her fantasies about the great crocodile in the gardens, she understood now she heard his anguish grief of torment in her sleep.
“And it stands to reason,” Ardus continued facing Delphina with his hands outspread in finally having a chance to express some of his anger. Her attention refocused on his burning eyes, it was not simply the reflection of the campfire. “It stands to reason they would not ask a wish for me, a crocodile. I would have soon as eat them along with the rest of my companions had they hesitated a moment longer. Why would anyone tread Swallow Swamps and die there for the freedom of a crocodile? It was the perfect plan!” Ardus plopped back down on the ground in disgust.
He sat across the fire and looked up from his lap after a moment towards the woman who did save him. She did not move; she did not twitch. She just stared him straight on. “It was the perfect plan, Delphina, but the Keeper had not counted on someone like you.” A small faint smile appeared on his lips. “That is why even in the tempest, the rain seemed like a friend, because you were surrounded and permeated with love, not fear. She had no power over you. Nature reacts to you, why is that? Where have you learned to love like this?"
Princess Delphina told him the stories and rumors that spread throughout the countryside of her birth and where she had come from. “But,” she stated, “it isn’t about what I have been given from other experiences, but rather what I have given myself here.” She placed her hand on her heart. This was her opportunity to share her story, which up until now no one understood, except her Fairy companions.
“Others would rather believe it is not their good fortune to have such luck than to realize it is in their grasp, as well. If they were just willing to first believe, and then exercise that belief every day, then there would be no difference to the extent of our abilities.”
“Like you, for instance.” she sat up from the log she was relaxing against. “Once you realized you had access to something inside yourself that could not be explained, nor ignored, you had a choice. Even if you thought it was a spell, things that are an unusual occurrence must seem like that, it produced a glimmer of awareness in you, and it was up to you to decide what you were going to do with that. In your case, it gave you the freedom to see beyond the prison hold you were in.”
Then Delphina exclaimed what she had always wanted everyone else to understand, “My companions, Dalus, Alice, and Alphina are my friends, not because I am from some other dimension, but because I welcomed them into my life. What you believe, so your world becomes.”
The Princess hoped Ardus was brave enough to hear her words. Either way it was a relief to share her feelings and philosophy when others had always refused to listen or bothered to ask. At least in this, Ardus was again, unlike any man she had ever met.
Ardus and Delphina curled up beside each other that night. With their fingers interlaced they stared up at the shimmering stars welcoming them home. Her companions were right, oh, how they were equals, and how satisfying it had been to finally be understood after all these years.
Chapter Nine
Once they returned back to the Princess’ kingdom Prince Ardus stayed many days adjusting to the modern day comforts while the king and Delphina researched maps to see if Ardus’ land and castle were still existent. Couriers were sent among the countryside to libraries and temples to discover if any residing ancient scripts or charts may retrace the history of the Prince. Delphina added all the information she had accumulated over the years to the growing pile of texts as well.
News of this mysterious Prince circulated quickly among the noblemen and peasants. The juiciest rumor was how this gentleman stranger was reported to be the Princess’ Love. For more than a month Delphina and the Prince stayed obscured from the public eye, concentrating more on finding any genealogy or resemblance of his memories to the charts retrieved so far. The King and Queen couldn’t be happier having Delphina in one place for so many days. Of course they knew the rumor had more validity to it than most did, but right now, they more concerned with finding this man’s kingdom, and possibly even forming an alliance between the two nations.
No information had truly been of help so far and Delphina’s letters were only of the magical crocodile, nothing of the man who became crocodile. Delphina wished she could do more for her Prince but she realized her Dad’s officials were searching as thoroughly and quickly as they could. She could best serve Ardus by helping sort all the messages and examining the new charts.
After a widely conducted investigation and several weeks of traveling the last of the couriers finally returned back to the castle. One by one inside the Hall of Wisdom they delivered books, transcriptions, artifacts, and witness accounts of their travels. This huge room was where the King conducted all the important official matters. He sat at his throne while the Queen sat to his right. Prince Ardus and Princess Delphina were busily thumbing through new artifacts and papers as they sat behind a large rectangle wood table brought into the hall for this occasion. Ardus listened and interrupted the couriers’ testimonies given to the king several times during their accounts. Normally the King would have any man removed from the Hall of Wisdom for such a rude and offensive gesture, but in this case, the King was merely facilitating the meeting and so allowed for a more informal setting.
Finally as one of the last couriers spoke of his trip something caught Ardus’ attention. Something seemed familiar about the hills and flowers reported to grow there. Though the buildings and names had been different and nothing else so far seemed familiar, the orchid among the artifacts collected caused Ardus to stop flipping through the pages and listen to the man’s testimony.
The courier’s speech was short because he had not finished his research of the territory, nor did he make it to the castle to inquire further. In truth, many assistants to the couriers who traveled beyond the boundaries of the recorded maps did not return at all. Those who did, it had taken them many miles just to reach the outskirts of this new land that they were not able to complete their mission before running out of rations and time.
The last two couriers spoke of their trips, and for Prince Ardus he declared them uneventful. After the room had cleared, the royal family left Ardus to his thoughts for some moments. It seemed hopeless. After all the work they had done and tons of manuscripts that had been retrieved, nothing seemed to help. It was not as if the Prince was not welcomed to make his home with them, but could this suffice?
The king broke the silence. “I’m sorry, Prince Ardus, that none of this seemed to be helpful. Maybe in a few days after you’ve had a chance to thoroughly look through the papers or examine the artifacts something may trigger a familiar chord.”
Ardus stood from his seat and addressed the king for the first time since that morning, “That won’t be necessary.” Delphina looked up from an ancient book she was reading. I’m heading southwest tomorrow morning.” He twirled the orchid in his hand and then placed it in Delphina’s hair.
“Dear Ardus, you have found your home?” the Queen chimed happily.
“I’ll know for sure once I get there, but yes, I believe I have. If not my kingdom, then, it is somewhere within the boundaries of my land.” Then to the King he said, “Sire, I would like to thank you for your gracious hospitality and your boundless efforts to make me comfortable during my stay. I believe it is now time to part from your honorable company.”
The king stood to shake his hand. “It is we who have been honored Prince Ardus. Anything you need for your travels, consider it a gift, and God speed your way.”
“And to you Sir.” Ardus turned to leave catching the eye of Delphina who still sat at the table in surprise. They smiled and Ardus exited the Hall of Wisdom.
Delphina’s eyes followed Ardus out of the room, and then she stood from the table. But before she could say anything her dad spoke. “Delphina, my little Princess, you have grown into such a beautiful woman. When did that happen?” He took her by the hands. “Your mother and I want to let you know that we love you, so very much. And whatever you decide to do, you have our consent. In fact we hope you will go with him. Who better knows our land and who better to make an alliance with than you? Just promise me that when you decide to have the wedding, you’ll have it here and your old dad can dote on you as much as he likes.” Delphina’s father smiled and kissed her on both cheeks.
Delphina’s smile turned into a little girl jumping into her father’s arms in tears. They hugged and then she hugged her mother. Not a word needed to be spoken and yet everything was said.
The next morning Prince Ardus from a land far away and Princess Delphina from a land not so far, saddled their horses and headed off toward the mountains. After several weeks of traveling they finally reached the hills that had belonged to the little child who became a magical crocodile. As they crested out of the clearing of the forest, they saw his kingdom. For a moment they stopped their horses, reached across the expanse of time and held hands. With one final kick and a yell into the air as a trumpet announcing their coming they raced down the hill and welcomed the greatest adventure set to begin.
The End
Copyright 2006 Amie Ridley