The eBook version is out there...

   About a month ago, I e-published this story (a heavily revised and improved version) on Amazon.com, but even it was rushed, and I'm working on going over the story one last time, as well as making a printable version, to be available very soon.

New Sci-Fi Blog Coming... + Golden Bird Quest Book

   Tuesday night, June 7th, I'll be posting the first chapter in a new fantasy blog, based on a familiar tale. Check it out on my main blog: VirtuousCreature.blogspot.com

   Check it out Tuesday night! (6/7/11)

   Plus, I hope to e-publish this Golden Bird Quest fantasy in a week or two, revised, and with a few more drawings. I'll update you when this finally happens.

–Charles M Warren

Blog Update

   That's just about it for this blog. I'm still working on adding the rest of the drawings for the last several posts, and I'm going to revise the whole story and release it as a eBook on Amazon.com, so look out for that.
   Meanwhile, I'll be starting a new blog soon, this one being a Science Fiction tale.

   I'll keep you updated...

–Charles M Warren

Week Six, Night Five: How It All Ended

I had a dream last night...

I saw the Prince, bending down and picking up the Witch’s crooked blade, not at all sure if he could really do what the Fox was asking of him.

“Please.” begged the copper-colored canine. “It is the only way to save me.”

The Princess leaned down to him, taking the Fox’s head into her hands. “But... Dear Fox, how could we? Might this even be a wound you could survive on your own.”

The Fox pulled away, sadly saying “Oh that I wish you didn’t have to see me the way that I am.” But then he looked back up at her. “Princess, if you let the boy do this, I promise it will not be the last of me.”

She looked back up at the Prince.

“You must hurry.” urged the Fox.

So the maiden stepped away, as the Prince took a deep breath, crouching down beside the creature. He raised the knife to the animals leg, took another breath, and began to cut.

Yet he was surprised to discover not a drop of blood fell from the wound, as the blade passed rather easily through animal’s fur, also doing so with the poor creature’s other limbs, and even his neck.

When suddenly the Fox’s body began to glow! Getting brighter and brighter, it lit up the entire room with a warm orange light.

The Witch hid her face. “What have you done?” she asked.

And when the light faded, there sat a man with copper-colored hair and beard.

The Golden Princess gasped, throwing herself upon the man, as tears began to roll down her face. “Brother! Oh dear Brother!” she cried.

The Prince helped them to their feet, saying “An enchantment? You were really her brother all along?”

“Indeed.” replied the man, glancing over at the window. “But we haven’t much time. We have to get you all to the back entrance.” He stepped over to the Horse, who was holding the Witch down with his right-front hoof, her being too shaken up to even speak, taking her up into his grasps, and leading the others to the back.

Outside, the sky was growing light with the new day. So the Brother of the Princess told his sister “Stand there, with the Bird in one hand, and the Horse’s snout in the other.” Then, while still holding onto the Witch, he instructed the Prince “Take the Golden Apple, and hold it out in front of the mound of bones.”

And just as they all got into place, the sun came up, with all the Golden things sparkling and shimmering like light through a dazzling jewel, until the woman in the copper-haired man’s arms fainted!

The copper-haired man carefully turned her around, and saw that her face was now young and kind, that she was the Witch no more!

She woke up as if from a dream, blinking her eyes and saying “What has happened? How long have I been out?”

The Brother pulled her close to him. “All that matters now, is that it’s all over, my sweet.”

Suddenly, something rose up from the mound of bones, as they looked up to see the image of an earthen-haired woman.

The Princess studied her face, but could not recognize it.

The Brother took a step back, motioning up at her. “She is the real witch! The one who has brought all of this upon us!”

The apparition sadly looked down, as the Princess seemed to realize who it was, recalling what the enchanted old woman had told her some moments before.

“My eldest aunt of my Mother’s Mother?” she asked.

The woman nodded, turning to the copper-haired man. “I am sorry for all the terrible things I’ve done. I regret that I did not see the blemishes of my heart... until I could no longer make up for them.” Then she turned to the Princess. “And, young darling, do ask your mother to forgive me as well. I let my jealousy drive me to do such horrible things, and I don’t wish to see anyone else treat others in the same way.”

The golden-haired girl looked over at her brother, and his expression turned from vexed, to pitying.

“With time,” he said, “I may not hold it against her.”

And suddenly the woman was gone, with the inside of the Golden Castle instantly appearing brighter, and more pleasant.

The Brother walked up to the Prince, and held out his hand for the Golden Apple. The boy gave it to him, and watched as he took it out several strides, to the spot where an old tree stump stood. Holding the apple out, and gripping it tight, he broke the fruit in two, letting several of its seeds sprinkle onto the ground.

Turning back to the Prince, he held out the two halves. “I believe a bite from these should cure your brothers.”

And so it did. The King’s other two princes were cured of the poison, restoring their attitudes to the way they were before, though some said still wasn’t enough.

The Princess’ mother was overjoyed to see her son and daughter-in-law alive again, and was told about the ghostly appearance of her sister, leading to her bones getting a more proper burial.

The Golden Castle was quickly restored to its former splendor, with the courtyard full of luscious foliage, and a little apple tree sprouting up behind it.

Meanwhile, the Hunter of the mansion was forbid to kill any more foxes, and the Rider of the estate ran off with a barmaid of the cheerful inn.

Soon, the Prince of the Golden Apple King and the Golden Princess were married, taking the Golden Castle as their home, and reuniting the Golden Creatures together at one place.

And it wasn’t long before they were expecting their first child, a beautiful baby boy, with a head full of shimmering golden hair. And who should they choose to be godparents, but the Princess’ copper-haired brother and his wife.

Though they all still had their troubles from time to time, it can be said, for the most part, that they lived happily ever after.

~ THE END ~

–Charles M Warren

Week Six, Night Four: What The Witch Did

I had a dream last night...

I saw the Princess, holding onto the Prince’s shoulder with one hand, and the Horse’s bridle with the other. “What was that noise?” she asked, afraid of just what might happen when they really do come face-to-face with the Witch of the Golden Castle.

“I’ll go see.” volunteered the Prince.

But the girl grabbed onto his sleeve. “Wait! We need to stay together.”

The Fox nodded. “Yes. And we’re going to have to confront the old woman at some point anyway.”

So they made their way together, into the next room, with the Prince leading with his torch, and even the Horse and Bird trailing along at the rear.

They glanced up a stairway along the wall at their left, when they heard something up ahead... someone, groaning in pain.

Carefully entering into the next room, they could make out the walls across from them, when they realized someone was lying on the floor, over by the corner.

While remaining on the floor, she threw off the cloak she was wearing, and revealed herself to be the Witch! “Come. Come help me up.” she said.

The Fox squinted his eyes, telling the others “It’s a trap.”

“How could you think such a think, dear foxxy?” said the Witch. “After all we’ve been through.” She then waved her hand in the air, as she recited ancient words.

And suddenly the eyes of the Horse and the Bird began to glow a fiery purple. They quickly lunged forward, as the steed pushed the Prince toward the middle of the room, and the fowl grabbed hold of the Fox, causing the weak floor to give way under all their weight!

Now, only the Golden Princess and the old woman remained, watching as the others fell into the darkness below.

The Witch climbed to her feet, saying “Now, you’re the last one. I’ll ensure that you never get my castle, and never fill it with a family of your own.”

The poor girl didn’t know what to do, but run off in the other direction.

The Witch quickly got around the chasm in the floor, making it to the entryway, and locking the door behind her.

The Princess knew her only chance was to get out of the unfamiliar, closed-in space. So she made her way out the way they had come, but somehow took a wrong turn, and ended up in another room, with tall windows that reached halfway up the dark walls.

She turned around to go back out, when there stood the Witch before her, brandishing a crooked dagger in her hand.

The girl backed up, trying to think of what to do. “What do you want with us? Aren’t you my own mother’s sister?”

The old woman shook her head, taking another step closer. “The bones of that old woman lie crushed outside. I’ve been much closer to you. And have done far more for you. Yet never got any appreciation at all.”

“What are talking about? How do I know you?” she asked.

“I once had a face like yours.” she replied. “And even strived to watch yours light up with joy. Yet you required too much, you and your golden locks.”

“Who are you?! What did I even do to you?”

“You’ve taken away my beloved.” the Witch replied. “You’ve taken away everything. But now the Golden Castle is mine. And you’ve even brought my Horse and Bird back to me. So you will not now take it all away again!” So she raised the dagger into the air, and lunged at the Princess.

When out of nowhere came the Fox, jumping in front of the blade, and letting it sink into his side. Yet was still able to get it out of the Witch’s hand.

Then the Prince and the animals came running in through the door, with the Prince tackling the old woman, and holding her down on the floor.

The Princess pointed at the injured canine, saying “The Fox! He’s been hurt!” stepping over to check on him.

“What happened?” asked the Prince.

“He jumped in the way of the blade.” the girl explained. “Taking the blow meant for me.”

The Fox lifted his head up off the floor, saying to the Prince “Now, will you grant me my request?”

The boy glanced at the girl, then back at the canine, as the creature continued.

“Hurry, before I breath my last. You must cut off my head and my limbs. Only then will things be set right.”

–Charles M Warren

Week Six, Night Three: Into The Witch's Castle

I had a dream last night...

I saw the Golden Horse, tossing his white mane in the gardens of the Golden Apple King, as the first stars of the evening sky began to appear.

He was watching a doorway of the castle, when the Prince and the Princess came rushing out with the Golden Bird.

The Princess headed for the horse, letting the bird take to the air as she swung herself up, with the bird ending up on her shoulder.

The Prince had just made it to the Golden Apple Tree, plucking one of its shimmering fruits, when the girl urged the Horse over to him.

Turning around to the girl, the boy bounded up the horse to sit behind her, saying “All right, I’m ready. Let’s go!”

They rode out the front gates of the King’s castle, and saw the Fox sitting beside the roadway.

So they trotted over to him, with the Princess saying “Kind Fox, the Prince’s brothers have been poisoned by the Witch of the Golden Castle.”

And the boy adding “And the Golden Bird has told us that we must all go there to stop her.”

“Of course. Of course.” replied the Fox, hopping up and getting ready to run. “I have been waiting for this very day!”And he motioned for them to follow as he began to run on ahead.

The Prince urged the Golden Horse onward, catching up with the canine, until they were going at full speed. And away they went, flying over stock and stone, until the wind whistled through their hair!

They quickly came up upon the Golden Castle, when the Fox got the others to slow down, looking up at them, and saying “Let’s go around to the back of the castle, I know another way in.”

Coming around to the back, they found a place in the stoney wall where a tree had fallen into it, smashing a small section of the structure, and knocking off the top half of it.

The Fox hopped up onto the fallen tree, slipping into the castle’s courtyard, while the Golden Horse rose into a great leap, stepping off of the enormous log, and landing with a clop onto the brown grass inside.

“We should be able to sneak into the back unseen.” instructed the canine, leading them on closer.

There were large stone blocks littering the ground all around them, along with dark, twisted trees, just laying about.

Once they got close to the back entrance, the Prince and Princess dismounted from the Horse, and led the creature behind them, with the Bird perched quietly atop his saddle.

When there beside the back archway, was the skeleton of some poor fellow, lying half buried in the earth.

The Princess covered her mouth in horror, slowly shaking her head. “No. It can’t be...”

The Prince turned to her, asking “Who? You know who this is?”

“My brother!” she replied. “That witch was the one who killed my brother!”

The Fox looked up at her confidently, saying with an assuring tone “Be still, Princess. This is not your brother, for it is the bones of a woman.” And turning back to the entrance, added “We must keep going, the old woman may already know we are here.”

They all stepped inside, unnerved by the echo of the cloppity steps of the Horse’s hooves, when they looked around at the ruined chamber and saw how beautiful and elegant a place it must have once been.

The Fox ran into the next room, and retrieved a lit torch, taking it to the Prince for him to lead the others through the rooms.

When the boy saw something sparkle in the darkness ahead of them, suddenly fearing that someone was standing there. He whispered to the others “Is that someone? Over there?”

The canine raised his nose to sniff the air, replying “No. I do not yet smell the old woman.”

Leading them all closer to inspect it, the Prince saw that it was the gold trim of a painting, reflecting the torches light, with everyone gathering around to see what it was a picture of.

It was a wonderful scene of a king and queen upon a balcony, with a beautiful golden fairy in mid flight, over the forest, surely wishing them blessings of some kind.

The Princess reached out her hand as if to touch it. “That’s the fairy who saved my grandmother.” she told them. “When my mother was being born.”

“That was you?” the boy asked. “It wasn’t too many nights ago that I heard that tale!”

“It is a true one.” she replied. “It gave my mother and I our golden hair.”

The Fox nodded. “As well as the other creatures and the Apple their shine.”

The Prince began to rub is chin, saying “But in that story, didn’t one of the–” When there was a loud bang that echoed from another part of the castle.

The Fox turned to it, twitching his ears. “That must be her!”

–Charles M Warren

Week Six, Night Two: The Truth And The Reunion

I had a dream last night...

I saw the Golden Bird, singing before the Golden Princess in a lavish room of the Golden Apple King, when the King himself joyously burst in.

“Princess! Princess! You must come see the horse!” when he saw the Bird in song, and the girl happily walking about. “What is this? How lovely it is to see you so merry. Just what has happened to bring this about?”

“I do not know.” she replied, cheerfully springing over to him. “It is as if my bridegroom himself has come to me!”

The King thought back to his two sons who had brought her to the castle, hoping it was one of them. “And do you know... who your bridegroom is?”

The Princess turned away, reminded of the threats the evil brothers had made. She plopped down onto a cushion, and looked up at the King, “I... I must tell you what really happened, along the journey that brought me here. It was your youngest son that proved himself before my father, and showed to me that he is my true betrothed. And along the way, a kind, talking fox even helped him to get the Golden Bird and the Golden Horse. But on the way back to you, we came across your other two sons, who had been causing much mischief in the town north of here. My betrothed helped them out of danger, only to be betrayed by them, being left for dead as they took his treasures as their own!”

The King couldn’t believe it. “But...”

“That was why we were all so sad in coming here.” the girl explained. “We feared the young Prince’s death, and resented those who betrayed him.”

“Then... What changed, just now?” asked the King.

The Princess leapt up, and hopped over to the window. “I am not certain... I can only describe it as the return of hope,” then looking back at the King, “And the reuniting of two destined hearts.”

This caused the King to wonder if his youngest son had survived after all, and was even in the very same castle walls as himself!

“Guards!” he called out, summoning four strong soldiers. “Send out a decree to have every unwed gentleman in the castle come before my throne.” Then turning to the girl, he said “Now, dear Princess, if you will join me in my throne room, we shall hopefully see if any of the men among us really is your true bridegroom.”

The girl nodded, turning to the Golden Bird, deciding to take him along, hoping he would identify the young Prince if he really were among them.

Passing through several chambers, they entered into one end of a large room, with an ornate chair that faced a set of steps, which led to a long hall, where several young men had already lined up.

The King sat down in his throne, asking the Princess “Is this first lad your betrothed?”

But she was caught up in looking among them all, leaning right and left, until she decided she had to get a closer look. She leapt down the stairs, and let the Bird fly rise up into the air.

The group of men before her parted to each side, revealing someone she instantly recognized. “My Prince!” she exclaimed, jumping on to him, with the Bird circling around over their heads.

It was the young Prince indeed, whom the girl led to his father, while the guards ushered the other men out.

The King rushed down the steps in front of his throne, embracing his boy. “My son! I knew I shouldn’t have let you go!”

“Father,” the Prince began, “I’m afraid... I must tell you some most disconcerting news about my brothers.”

The King looked over at the Princess and nodded. “So it is true.”

“I wouldn’t have believed it myself,” the Prince explained, “But they left me to perish in the woods. They pushed me into a well, stole the Golden Bird and Horse, kidnapped the Princess, and even came up with a story to shoot anyone wearing my clothes in the event that I had survived!”

Leaning around his son, the King signaled to some of his guards, sadly saying “Find my other two sons, and arrest them. They must be placed into the dungeon.”

The Prince looked at the Princess in his arms, then at his father. “I don’t know what would make them do something like this, but there was definitely something different about them.”

The girl raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

“Almost like they were ill, and not like themselves at all.” he replied.

When the Golden Bird, perching on the King’s shoulder, cried out:

“Golden Apples, I was made to take;

a witch’s cauldron, does poison make.

She sent them to the cheerful inn;

hoping they would do you in.

A potion not to drop you dead;

but darkens your heart and clouds your head.

For once the prince would find his mate;

she knew that next would come her fate.

Knowing the Bird, Horse, and Castle will go;

to the Princess golden, pure as snow.”

None of them could believe what they were hearing.

When the Prince noted “He must be talking about the Witch of the Golden Castle.”

So the Princess asked the Bird “But is there a way to cure the other princes?”

“A lock of her hair, is what the Witch used;

combined with the apple, a bite not refused.

So the creatures must gather, each one of gold;

and the prince with his apple, in the castle foretold.

This shall be the time, the Fox’s wish to come true;

then the Witch will be gone, and the poison will too.”

–Charles M Warren

Week Six, Night One: The Prince In Disguise

I had a dream last night...

I saw the Prince, riding upon the Fox’s tail, heading for a cluster of small trees on the western side of the Castle Of The Golden Apples.

The canine stopped in the midst of the trees, and let the boy off, instructing “You must present yourself as a gardener, so that you may get close enough to your father to tell him the truth; how you obtained the Princess and the Golden Creatures, and the wicked things your brothers have done.”

“But the workers’ gateman won’t let just anyone in.”

“Do you know the gateman?” asked the Fox.

“Yes. I’ve spoken to him a few times.”

“Will he recognize you?”

“I believe so.” the Prince replied.

“Then as the king’s son, you must ask him to let you through, and not give away who you really are.”

The Prince then turned around to head for the gate, eyeing the Fox suspiciously. “So that’s it? That’s all you have to tell me?”

The canine looked around in thought. “Yes... I believe so. Oh, and good luck.”

But the Prince turned back around to face the creature. “No warning about what not to do?”

The Fox closed his eyes and gently shook his head. “My dear boy, even if I did, would you really be able to follow it?” not meaning to sound as harsh as it really did.

As much as he hated to admit it, he couldn’t argue any differently, so he made his way for the castle wall.

Walking up to the Gateman, he greeted him with a nod, and said “I’d like to be a gardener for the king.”

“I’m sure you would–” the man started, when he realized something about the boy. “The young prince?” he asked.

The boy nodded.

“But everyone’s saying that you’re dead!” the gateman continued.

“I have to speak to my father, but no one else may know that I am here.” explained the Prince.

“Then go right in, I can not say no to a son of the king.”

The boy slipped into the courtyard, making his way for the King’s private garden, when he saw his two evil brothers coming down the walk.

The Prince lowered his head, and let his dark hair fall forward to help hide his face.

The middle prince said to the eldest “Now that that inept brother of ours has been taken care of, what about the Princess?”

“Why, she goes to the oldest and wisest of us, of course! Me!” he replied.

“Yeah... Well... She ain’t as pretty as when I first saw her anyway.”

“Is that so?” asked the eldest.

“Yeah.” he replied. “And them beasts have also lost a bit of their shine. After all, wasn’t that bird supposed to be able to sing?”

“It doesn’t matter none really. His feathers are worth enough as it is. The horse is the real worthless one. Has hardly been willing to raise his head since we got here!”

His brother agreed, saying “A depressing bunch to be around for sure.”

Feeling more betrayed than ever, the Prince looked up at them as he passed by, noticing something different in their eyes.

As arrogant and objectionable as they could be, he never knew his brothers to act this way, and was convinced that something else was behind it.

Making it into the King’s garden, the Prince saw the Golden Apple Tree, and looked around for his father and the Golden Creatures.

He passed by a window, leaning down to keep from being seen, when the Golden Princess bursted out.

“What is this I feel?” she asked. “Why has my sorrow lifted? As if sweet comfort were drawing near.”

Having made it as far as the next window, the boy turned around, deciding to take the Princess up into his arms, when he heard the Golden Bird beginning to sing the most beautiful song.

He turned his ear to it, listening to its rises and falls, until all was interrupted by the neighing of a great horse. And turning back toward the far end of the courtyard, he saw his father watching a groomer with the Golden Horse.

The horse shook his mane and broke free of the one holding him, prancing majestically before the King, as if he were suddenly in the presence of a good friend.

So the Prince quickly headed toward his father, watching as the King nodded to the groomer, and turned to go back into the castle.

“Father!” the boy called out. But no one seemed to hear him. That is except for the horse, who turned to look at him, and came galloping up to greet the boy.

The Prince put his arms around the creature’s neck, “My, it is good to see you, boy. I promise I will straighten this whole mess out.”

–Charles M Warren

Week Six: The Taking Of The Golden Castle

The Sixth and final Week, with Five Nights of dreams...

Week Five, Night Five: The Fox Finds The Prince

I had a dream last night...

I saw the Fox, hopping through the tall grass, coming up on the land of the Golden Apple King, when he overheard someone talking nearby.

He crept closer to the road, and found two of the king’s guards, with one having just informed the other of something.

The one receiving the news gasped, saying “The king’s youngest son?! How could this happen? Do they know who did it.”

The Fox leaned closer to listen, fearing the absolute worst.

“It was in the woods leading to the castle.” replied the guard with the information. “His murderer is said to have taken the boy’s clothes, so at the suggestion of the young prince’s brothers, all of our archers have been ordered to fire upon anyone wearing them.”

The canine’s heart sunk at “murderer,” until he heard the part about the clothes and the brothers. “I’d wager that the poor lad failed to follow my advise yet again.” he whispered.

So the Fox left the two guards, quickly making his way for the woods they had indicated, running almost as fast as the Golden Horse himself.

He crossed the road, and saw a little house where an old man was tending his garden. Knowing he wouldn’t bother to turn around, the canine called out to him “Good day sir! Do you, by any chance, know where a well might be around here?”

“You’ll be better off getting water from the brook.” he replied. “That old well in the forest as long been dry.”

“Which well might you be talking about?”

“The one on the other side of that oak.” he explained, pointing in the direction without looking up.

“Thank you very much.” the Fox replied, darting off toward it.

Making his way around the oak tree, he saw the well on the other side of a shaded path. He ran up to it, and looked down, fearing what might happen to a boy at the bottom of a dry shaft. But there sat the Prince, huddled on a thick bed of soft moss!

“Do dry wells normally lead one home?” asked the canine, startling the boy as he looked up and saw who it was.

The Fox leapt down to the Prince, shaking his head at his situation. “Is it for the sake of hearing myself speak that I give you these warnings? Perhaps you have been waited on too much to follow instructions yourself.”

“Do not be vexed with me, dear Fox. I am truly sorry. They were my brothers, after all, I never thought they would do something like this!”

“I have not given up on you just yet.” he replied. “I will help you up again into daylight. Now, remove your outer shirt and hat, and grab hold of my tail.”

The Prince immediately began to remove these things, asking “Why must I do this?”

“Your brothers have declared you dead, and have described your murderer as wearing your clothes!”

“How could that be? What have I done to make them so cross?”

“Something certainly is amiss. Now grab hold.”

And as the Prince clung to the creatures tail, they bolted up out of the well, stepping out onto the surrounding grass once more.

“Thank you ever so much!” said the Prince. “Now they will not think I am the murderer, and I can straighten all this out!”

“It may not be even that easy. I fear your brothers will try something even after you get into the castle. Here, follow me.”

The Fox led the boy back to the old man’s house, telling the Prince “Go exchange clothes with him.”

So the boy walked up and asked the old man, finding him more than willing to trade his worn clothes for the fine ones.

And once the Prince had changed and was back in front of the Fox, the canine told him “Sit upon my tail, and I shall take you to the side of your father’s castle, where you will gain entry as one of his servants.”

The boy did as he was told, and sat upon the creature’s tail, and away they went, flying over stock and stone, until the wind whistled through their hair!

–Charles M Warren

Week Five, Night Four: The Gold Thieves

I had a dream last night...

I saw the Golden Princess, riding the Golden Horse with the Golden Bird, as the Prince and his two brothers walked along beside them.

The middle brother drooped his head forward, saying "How long have we been walking like this?"

When the eldest seemed to get an idea. "Let's go cool ourselves in that forest there. We may even find a stream with which to refresh ourselves."

Everyone thought this a fine idea. And soon enough, they found a nice shaded path, with some low-hanging trees they could rest under.

When the eldest prince pointed at something up ahead. "Look there! What's better than a stream? A stone well!"

The all gathered near it, with the middle brother flopping into the grass, and the eldest helping their younger brother to draw up a bucket of water.

The Prince watched his oldest brother pass around the water, as he sat on the stones around the well, and asked "So did the two of you just make it back into that town? You must have searched everywhere to have decided to head back home!"

His two brothers looked at each other, and let out a laugh, with the oldest one replying "But we did find the Golden Bird."

The Prince looked confused, as his brother went on.

"You brought him right to us!" and with that, the eldest prince pushed his youngest brother backward into the well!

The Princess gasped as she saw the boy fall, but the two other princes quickly pounced on her and the bird, as the younger said to her "You won't say a thing! We'll take you to our father, and you'll just play along, or we'll say you're a witch and have you thrown in the dungeon!"

"Yeah!" his older brother agreed. "No one will believe a witch!"

So they put the girl up on the horse's saddle, and climbed up themselves, with the Bird in their hands, forcing the horse to carry the three humans atop his back.

Soon they were at the castle of the Golden Apples, where the King came out to greet them, in utter disbelief at the wondrous creatures they had brought.

"Father!" cried the eldest. "We have found the Golden Bird!"

"And a Golden Horse and Golden Princess as well!" added his brother.

"Absolutely astounding!" exclaimed their father. "And what of your brother? Did you happen to see him, by chance, on your journey?"

The Princess glared at the two princes, knowing she could say nothing herself.

The younger prince turned to his brother, whispering "He may have yet survived. And could spoil the whole lot!"

The eldest nodded, and turned to the king. "Father, I have grave news. A robber killed our brother and stole his clothes, just as he stole our own! I would advise that guards be sent to watch the forest, and kill anyone they see coming out of it."

The king appeared quite troubled. "Yes, yes. That sounds good. We shall repay that murderer."

The Princess felt some comfort in the two brothers' doubt in their sibling's demise. So she said to the king "Your majesty, if I may, we saw no body for the youngest prince. It may be that he has somehow survived."

The two brothers looked at her angrily, but the king nodded at this, and ordered that the golden animals and the Princess be given food and housing.

And as the day went on, the Princess could think of nothing else but the poor Prince, with the king noticing how she would only sit by herself a weep. And as beautiful as the other creatures were, the Golden Bird would not sing, and the Golden Horse would not eat or allow anyone to ride him.

–Charles M Warren

Week Five, Night Three: North Of The Prince's Castle

I had a dream last night...

I saw the Golden Horse, carrying the Prince, Princess, and the Golden Bird on his back, as they made approached the town north of the Golden Apple King.

As they trotted through the streets, everyone around them would stop and stare, mesmerized by all the shimming gold of the creatures.

Coming up to the two inns, the Prince pulled the horse over to the cheerful one, and flagged down a gentleman who was just about to go in.

"Kind sir," the boy asked "Have my brothers returned through her? Two princes, on a quest for the Golden Bird?"

The gentleman made a confused face, saying "What in fairyland are you talking about? Princes? Here? I don't know anyone who's seen such a thing as that. But I've gotta get going, two rich fellows got in trouble with the law, and I want to see 'em get hanged!"

"Two rich fellows?" the Prince wondered. "Where is this taking place?"

The gentleman pointed to the eastern side of town.

So the Prince pulled the Golden Horse around, and galloped in that direction.

They came to a small crowd of people, with many of them shaking their fist in anger, when the royal group caught sight of the gallows for hanging.

The Princess turned to the boy, "You're not thinking they could be... your brothers, are you?"

"That's what I'm about to find out." he replied, dismounting and getting the attention of a tall thin man. "You there. Just who are these men, and what did they do?"

The man told him "You name it, and they done it. Fighting; stealing; trying to sell the things they stole; bribery."

"Where are they? I must see these men."

So the thin man raised his hand above the crowd, shouting "Here-here! This man wants to see the criminals!"

The crowd turned around to look at the Prince, beginning to separate to each side, as the two men were brought out. The boy couldn't believe it, they really were his two older brothers, wearing dirty rags, with their hands tied behind their backs.

"How could this be?" he asked. "Brothers, tell me you had no part in these crimes!"

The older, bearded one, turned to the other, seeming to smile a bit before replying "It was a mistake! I'd advise you to never stay at that inn, they demanded so much for us to stay there, that we had to sell our royal garments just to pay for it!"

The other one nodded in agreement. "Oh, yes. It must have been the two that bought those clothes who did all those crimes!"

When off to the left, an important-looking man with glasses pointed at them and said "You pair of liars! You know you did those things, and because of your threats against our people, are more than deserving of death."

The Prince turned to him, "This cannot be." he said. "Here, I will pay for them, and take them away with me."

The important-looking man watched the boy take out his money, then nodded his head. "Very well. As long as they never return."

So the two older princes were untied, and allowed to go with the royal company, as the Princess rode the Horse with the Bird, and the Prince walked along with his brothers.

The middle prince tapped the back of his hand on the eldest, saying to his youngest brother "How wonderful! You actually found the Golden Bird... and so much more. Father will be ever so happy!"

The Bearded Prince looked up at the girl on the horse, saying "And such a beautiful princess as well!"

The Prince joyously stepped out in front of them. "They are all such magnificent creatures! You should hear the Bird sing! Oh, and the Horse gallop at full speed! And the Princess could not be more kind and gentle."

–Charles M Warren

Week Five, Night Two: From The Bird To The Fox

I had a dream last night...

I saw the Golden Bird, sitting in his wooden cage by the window of the mansion, when a swarm of people could be heard making a commotion outside.

The bird cocked his head, wondering what could be going on, when a servant came bursting in.

He closed the window, and took the fowl out of the wooden cage and put him in the gold one, causing the Bird to give out a screech as the little door was shut.

The Bird was then taken through the mansion, and out the front door, where a crowd of people had gathered, with the Prince trotting up on the Golden Horse.

The Prince dismounted, and led the horse over to the owner of the mansion, the great Hunter and possessor of the Golden Bird.

The Hunter rubbed his hands together as he said "I can't wait to ride by that pompous Rider's estate... on the back of his own horse!"

"Well he's all yours." replied the Prince, presenting him the creature's reigns.

The man instructed some of his servants to take the horse away, presenting the bird to the boy. "And, as promised, the Golden Bird."

The Prince approached the gilded cage, studying the animal inside, leaning close and whispering "The Fox instructs you to fly into the faces of those holding the Golden Horse. Then to meet us in the woods west of here." and unlatching the cage door, he swung the structure around, letting the door swing open.

The Bird flew out, and into the faces of those leading away the horse, causing them to let go of the large creature.

Looking up at the fowl, the Prince shouted "The Golden Bird has escaped! I can't give you the horse if you don't have the bird!" So he jumped back onto the Golden Horse, and with the hunter shocked at what was happening, rode off into the woods.

Soaring up over the trees, the Golden Bird peered down through the branches, and saw the glinting of the Princess' hair. So he tilted his feathery body to the left, and spiraled down through the air, passing through the trees, and finding the Princess sitting on a log beside the Fox, just as the Prince came galloping up.

The girl couldn't believe her eyes, standing up as the bird came fluttering over to her and perching on her outstretched arm.

The Fox smiled, nodding at the additional creature, and turning to the Prince. "How wonderful! The last of the golden creatures!"

Dismounting, the boy led the horse over to the others. "Yes. Thank you, kind fox, for taking care of the Princess. If there is anything I can do for all your help, do not hesitate to ask."

"Actually, there is something." replied the canine, suddenly becoming very serious. "This is the reward I seek for helping you: I wish to be slain by you."

Both of the royal couple were horrified at the thought.

"You can't be serious!" exclaimed the Prince. "Some reward that would be!"

"I assure you that I am quite serious indeed." replied the Fox. "It is the final thing that I desire most. I must be slain, and my head and feet cut off."

The Princess let the Bird fly over to the horse's saddle, as she bent down to look the creature in the eye. "Dear little friend, why would you ever ask such a thing? This is something I simply could not bear to see happen to you."

Looking back at the girl with moistened eyes, the Fox lowered his head. "I understand... Princess." He then looked up at the Prince, "Then I will give you one more piece of advice. Do not buy any 'gallow's flesh,' and never sit on the edge of a well. Goodbye to you all!" And before anyone could say anything, he disappeared into the woods.

The Princess looked over at the boy, " 'Gallows'? Aren't those the things criminals are hung upon to be put to death?"

The Prince nodded. "Yes, indeed. And who would ever fancy sitting on the edge of a well?"

As they pondered the Fox's words, the Golden Horse walked up, nudging the two to get going.

The girl turned around, "I guess we best get back to your father's castle. I'm sure he would like to see the Golden Bird, and I can't wait to meet him, seeing as you've already met my parents."

"Then let's be on our way!" he replied, helping the Princess up onto the front of the saddle, and swinging himself up behind her, with the Bird on his shoulder.

So off they went, on their way to the castle of the Golden Apples.

–Charles M Warren

Week Five, Night One: From The Princess To The Horse

I had a dream last night...

I saw the Prince, sleeping beneath a small tree as the dawn quickly approached. The Princess' castle was to my back, and the valley that the hill had blocked was laid out before me.

And as the sun began to rise, something on the other side of the valley started to glisten and sparkle with a golden light.

Out came the Princess' father, who couldn't believe what he was seeing. He pointed the light out to his servants, saying "Look! There it is! The Golden Castle!"

The Prince sat up from the tree he had been lying under, and wandered over to the king, as the Princess was finally allowed to come out. She ran over and threw her arms around the Prince.

"You've done it!" she exclaimed.

But the Prince didn't seem to understand what was going on, when he noticed the overturned earth beneath his feet, and realized that the Fox stayed true to his word.

The king's wife came out next, appearing more concerned than amazed, stuttering "Oh... n-no."

The Princess hopped over to her father, kissing him on each cheek and saying "You promised, Father. Now he is free to go, and has gained my hand."

Yet the king could saying nothing in reply.

The princess then went over to her mother, giving her the same kisses. "Do not worry, Mother, this is what I want, and what was meant to be."

The queen just slowly shook her head, knowing she could do nothing. But when she saw how joyful the girl was, returning to the boy who had tried to take her, she felt comforted that her daughter would be happy.

So the Prince and the Princess set out on foot, passing through the front gate, and finding the Fox, sitting there waiting for them.

The Fox bowed to the Princess, "You are looking as lovely as ever, princess."

The girl glanced at the Prince, then curtseyed to the little creature. "Thank you." and asked "Do I know you, little one?"

"Yes." replied the canine. "But that was a long time ago. We have other matters to attend to."

The girl turned to the boy, "A friend of yours?"

The Prince nodded as he crouched down, "Most certainly so. He was the one who helped me remove the hill last night."

The Fox nodded, "But let us now make haste, for though the Princess is certainly the most precious of the golden creatures, you can also obtain the Golden Horse, for it really belongs to her."

"What must we do?" asked the Prince.

"I will take you both to the Rider's estate, but I can only carry one at a time. So the Prince will go first, with the Princess in the safety of her castle gates, so that I may drop the boy off to wait alone in the forest while escorting the Princess."

So the Prince sat onto the Fox's tail, and away they went, flying over stock and stone, until the wind whistled through their hair!

The Fox dropped the boy off near the estate, and went to get the girl, soon returning with her on his tail, so that they were all together again.

The Prince helped the girl up off the creature, saying to the Fox "Don't tell me we're just going to give the Rider the Princess."

"There is much more to it than that." he replied. "Once everyone is cheering over your success, proceed to shake the hands of everyone around you, offering the gesture to the Princess last of all, only to swing her up onto the horse behind you!"

 proceeding to tell them the plan.

The Prince walked up to one of the estate's guards, and told him "I would like to see the man of the estate. I have come for the Golden Horse."

The guard went to deliver the message, spreading the word of what was going on, and causing a huge crowd to form at the front of the estate.

Finally, the Rider emerged. So the Prince walked up to meet him, leading the Princess by the hand.

When everyone realized that the Golden Princess was before them, they began to cheer and shout

The Rider's face brightened when he saw what everyone was excited about, saying "O how wonderful. how wonderful! You've come to deliver me my bride!"

The Princess tried not to show her disgust, as the Rider continued to look at her longingly.

"Now where is the Golden Horse?" asked the Prince.

The Rider snapped his fingers, and the creature was led out, with the golden saddle atop his back.

The Prince escorted the girl to the Rider's arms, nodding at her in assurance, before swinging himself up onto the horse's back. "Thank you, kind sir." he said, reaching out his hand for a congratulatory handshake.

The Rider, keeping his left arm tightly around the Princess, held out his right hand to complete the gesture.

The Prince continued to shake the hands of everyone around him,  glancing at the Princess as he moved forward on the saddle to make room behind him, noting how tight the Rider's arm was around her.

The girl looked up at the Prince with concern, fidgeting in the Rider's arms to try and loosen his grip on her, when she seemed to have an idea. She turned to look at everyone, "All hail the Prince, for gaining the Golden Horse, and delivering a princess to her most deserving groom!" raising her hands above her head, and leading them all into a celebratory clap.

The Rider couldn't resist applauding his good fortune either, lifting his hands to clap in the air.

The Prince nodded in thanks, reaching out to shake a few more hands, before offering his palm to the Princess.

They grabbed onto each other by the wrist, and he swung her up behind him, spurring the horse to dash away in a moment, flying faster than the wind, away from the Rider's estate!

–Charles M Warren

Week Five: The Taking Of The Golden Creatures

   The Fifth Week, with Five nights of dreams...

Week Four, Night Five: The Prince's Task

I had a dream last night...

I saw the Fox, late in the afternoon, coming out of the woods near the Golden Princess' castle.

Slipping through a hole in the wall, he swiftly crept up to one of the windows, hearing the voice of the Princess herself:

"But Mother, I told you. He is my betrothed. The one the Golden Bird sang about!"

Yet the queen just shook her head. "We have no way of knowing that. He tried to take you away in the night! Your personal guards are lucky they won't be losing their heads."

"Then is it really necessary to give him such an impossible task?"

Her mother replied "If he really is your betrothed, then he will find a way."

"And if not?"

"Let's just wait and see what happens first."

Leaving them, the Fox went back through the fence, and across the front wall, looking for where the boy might be.

Finally, he found the Prince digging a hole into a large hill, one of about a dozen, scattered about.

"I have been looking everywhere for you." explained the Fox. "What happened with the Princess?"

The boy looked at him with a rather annoyed expression. "She has once again returned to the safety of her castle. I was caught yet again. But this I'm sure you already knew."

"Then what is this you're doing? Is this digging your punishment?"

"No." replied the Prince. "The king said that I must move this hill from his view of the valley by tomorrow morning. Only then may I gain the hand of the Princess, or else be charged with her kidnapping and endangering her life!"

The Prince wearily scooped up two more shovel-fulls of dirt, before crying out in frustration and throwing his utensil down, falling to his knees. "What kind of task is this?! The king will surely have my head for even touching the Princess."

The Fox calmly shook his head. "I did not speak my warning for no reason. But I know that you are a good lad, and I wish to help you." Looking up to see how low the sun was, he told the boy "Go lie down under that tree. Get your rest, and I will take care of this task for you."

The Fox waited until the Prince had fallen asleep, then began to whistle a most haunting melody, but of a different tune than the one that had put the guards to sleep.

And suddenly the trees and bushes nearby rustled with movement, as wolves, foxes, and bears emerged. Along with wild boars, hedgehogs, and squirrels. And out of the ground there even came moles and shrews.

"My brothers and sisters, aid me this final time, for the conclusion of my own quest is now in sight!"

–Charles M Warren

Week Four, Night Four: The Princess At The Springs

I had a dream last night...

I saw the Golden Princess, in a thin white gown, entering a trail through the woods in the moonlight, having left two guards behind to await her return.

Wandering down the narrow path, she came to a place where the trees opened up into a pool of water amongst the forest.

She made her water toward the water, when someone grabbed hold of her hand. Knowing it must be her maidservant, she turned to see what she wanted, when the Prince leaned up to her and kissed her on the cheek!

It was he that had grabbed her, saying to the girl "Princess, please, come with me."

Seeing that he was awaiting her consent, she nodded. "I will go with you."

So he began leading her down a stream through the thick forest, when she suddenly stopped.

"Oh, but my parents." she explained, reminding herself of the conversation she had with her mother. "I must say goodbye to them first!"

"But Princess... We cannot. We must leave now. Before your guards realize you are gone."

"But..." she began.

"We have to keep moving." he instructed, pulling the girl along after him.

The poor princess couldn't help but start to cry, thinking about the promise she had made to her parents. "Please! Please! You must let me say goodbye to them. It would take but a moment. I will go anywhere you take me, if you just let me do this one thing."

The Prince stopped, and looked back at the Princess, seeing the tears in her eyes. "I'm truly sorry, dear princess, but I have promised to take you with me without stopping. I fear it may go badly for me if I don't."

"Dear boy, they are but my own guards. Yet, even if you must fear them, I know a way into my castle where we can avoid them. Only please let me bid my parents farewell."

The Prince could resist her pleas no longer, bowing his head as he told her "Very well, Princess. You may lead the way to them."

The Girl took him back to the springs, and into the woods on the other side. After a short hike, they came out to a wide field, with the wall of the castle on the other side.

Leading him along the castle wall, she stopped at a spot that looked no different from the rest, yet pulled open a secret door. Slipping inside with the Prince, they passed a young boy whose duty it was to watch that very wall, with the Princess merely raising her finger to her lips.

They make it inside, and as far as the kings chambers itself, when the Prince grabbed the Princess by the arm. "You aren't going to actually wake them, are you?"

She looked back at him, and shook her head. "Only tell them goodbye and give them a kiss."

So the Prince let the girl go, waiting by the doorway.

The Princess crept up to her mother first, carefully giving her a kiss on the cheek and forehead. Stepping over to her father she did the same thing, whispering to them "Goodbye Mother. Goodbye Father. I will come visit."

But her mother began to stir, seeing her daughter and asking drowsily "Darling? What's going on?"

"Oh. Nothing Mother." the Princess replied. "You can go back to sleep if you wish."

And as her mother drifted back off to dreaming, the girl made it back to the doorway with the Prince, as he said:

"That was close."

They walked back up the hall a little ways, when the Princess seemed to remember something, turning to the Prince. "Oh, might I just get one thing from my room? A golden apple that I found on my windowsill."

"A golden apple!" he replied, too curious not too see it for himself.

She led him into her sleeping quarters, where she lit a lamp to illuminate an old dresser, opening it up to reveal the apple on a shelf, and a beautiful golden dress hanging nearby.

The Prince couldn't believe she had ended up with one of the Golden Apples. "And were there four in total?" he asked.

"No. Just the one."

The boy started to ask her further about it, when he noticed their reflection in a full-body mirror, with himself in his stately clothes, and the wonderful Princess in such a flimsy thing.

When the girl took the golden dress off its hook, and held it up to her body to show him. "Isn't it beautiful?"

The boy nodded. "Yes. Do put it on. I should like to see how it looks on you. But be quick, I fear we have stayed too long already."

She disappeared behind a folding screen, and quickly emerged in the gown fit for a queen.

"Truly beautiful indeed!" remarked the Prince, backing up and bumping a small table. He looked to see if it would fall, and watched as a whole porcelain tea set went crashing to the floor, with the clatter echoing across the room.

In rushed the king and a dozen guards, imediatly siezing the Prince, and standing between him and the king's daughter.

The Princess tried to plead with them, saying "It's quite all right! I wish to go with him!"

But this concerned the king all the more, as he ordered "Take the boy to the dungeon! We will discuss what to do with him in the morning."

–Charles M Warren