The Taking Of The Golden Creatures
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
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
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
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
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
(Continued to Week Six)
