Chapter 1 – The final fight
"She's fading fast, little prince."
"No!" Prince Derek gasps as Rothbart laughs.
"If you hurry, little prince, I'll let you see her one last time."
Derek ran from the ballroom shouting for his horse and sword to be brought to the palace gates. Hastily mounting his horse and rushing through the gates. Rothbart's evil laughter ringing in his ears as he raced through the forest.
Speed, Jeanbob and Puffin where watching the night sky for any sign of the white swan. Jean Bob pointed at the sky: "There she is!"
"I don't think she's gonna make it." Speed said.
"This way, Odette!" Jean Bob called. They watched the swan's laborious flight. Her wings dragging through the water, beating slower and slower. "Oh, keep coming, girl…" 'Come on now.' Puffin held his breath as the swan hit the shore and slid to a stop on the pavement.
Derek could only think about Odette... 'Odette!' He spurred his horse to go even faster. Hooves thundering, the wind catching on his mantle. He rode hard. His horse's flanks were heaving and it was foaming at the bit. Far too soon, they reached a dead end. A wall of trees gnarled and dark stood in his way. The horse reared on his hind legs, almost throwing Derek off. "Come on!" he kicked his horse. "I have to reach her!" The animal refused to go any further. It's eyes were wide with fear. Despair clawed at his heart. He had to get to her before it was too late. The prince drew his sword and started hacking furiously at the branches. He had no choice but to leave the horse behind, losing valuable time. He gritted his teeth and pushed on.
Queen Uberta clung to Rogers fearfully. She couldn't wrap her head around what just happened. The sorcerer Rothbart, the hag wasn't who she appeared to be and Odette was apparently still alive! And her only son ran off to save her! 'Oh Derek!' "Rogers! Do something!" Uberta shook him out of his stupor. "Please... I can't lose him. I can't lose my son too!"
"Call out the guard!" Lord Rogers shouted. "We leave now!" Uberta looked shocked. "Are you going with them?" Rogers took his queens soft hand in his. "I have to, your highness. I have to see if he is safe..."
Odette laid on the cold stone, trying to catch her breath. She felt the magic ruffle her feathers, changing into human skin. Her heart constricted painfully. She took a shallow breath and looked up at the moonless sky. Odette thought about the failed plan. How naive she had been. So sure that good always prevails. Ha! She should have known better than to believe in fairy tales...'Oh, Derek... It's too late. Please be safe...'
The prince burst through the trees sweating and panting with exertion.
"Odette!" He ran, dropping to his knees beside her "Oh, what have I done to you?" Derek gathered her into his arms rocking her lightly. "Forgive me, Odette… Forgive me." Tears gathered at his eyes.
"Derek?"
"Yes, Odette? I'm here."
"Derek… I feel so weak. I think I'm…"
"No!" shouted Derek, "No" His voice broke. 'No, I can't lose her. Please, don't make me lose her.' He ran his fingers through her hair. "You'll live, Odette." He said with more conviction than he felt. "The vow I made was for you."
"I know." Odette breathed "I love you, Derek." She started to slump into his arms and onto the ground.
"Odette… Odette!" He threw his head back in grief. "ODETTE!" He balled his fists and shouted: "I made the vow for her. Do you hear? The vow I made was for her!"
"There's no need to shout", a smug voice replied.
The prince's head snapped up to look at the sorcerer. "Don't let her die!" Rothbart sized the boy up: "Is that a threat?" A blinding anger coursed through him as he stalked towards Rothbart. "Don't you DARE let her die!"
"Oh, it IS a threat." The sorcerer replied smugly. The prince grabbed the man by the front of his tunic and pulled him close. "You're the only one with the power", he ground out through clenched teeth. "Now DO IT!" Rothbart laughed to himself. This was going to be fun. He started humming inside his head: 'No more mister nice guy.' He pushed the stupid boy away.
"Only if you defeat… me." Dark magic enveloped the evil man. It's red gleam blinding, leaving a huge winged beast in it's wake. It was covered in dark fur, with razor sharp teeth to boot. "The Great Animal!", the prince whispered, his eyes going wide with shock. He almost instinctively took a step back.
Derek wasted no time and drew his sword. He swung at the beast only to be thrown back. His back hit the stone pavement hard, knocking the breath out of him. He looked up to see gleaming black claws inching closer to his throat. He threw a handful of dirt at it's hideous face and Rothbart retreated. It gave him the opportunity he sought. He got up and viciously slashed the beasts wing. The world seemed to hold it's breath as evil eyes fixated on him in hate. It didn't seem bothered by the wound at all! Derek felt a nauseating fear in the pit of his stomach. "No!" He steeled himself, "I won't let her die!"
The animal smirked and flew up and out of range. Oh, what he would give to have his trusty bow and quiver now. He looked up, searching the ominous sky. There wasn't a sound to be heard. Just his own breathing and the blood rushing in his ears. When he saw the movement in the trees it was too late. The giant beast attacked, slamming his right arm to ground. The force of the blow cost Derek the strength to hold on to his sword and could only watch as the monster shattered it between it's jaws. Now weaponless, Derek grabbed a nearby rock and desperately beat it into the claw that was holding his right arm. The animal shrieked and took off as the prince rolled for cover.
Puffin, Jean Bob and Speed looked on in horror when Puffin suddenly remembered something. "The bow! Derek's bow! Swim to the bottom of the lake and get the bow!" He threw Jean Bob into the water.
The beast attacked the prince again. Hot white pain seared through his shoulders and upper arms where the sharp talons had ripped through his flesh. Derek's mouth opened in a silent scream. There was only room for sheer agony as the creature took to flight taking the prince with it. His hands found the claw grabbing his left shoulder and he desperately fought to pry it open. Anything to get away from the pain. Darkness was creeping at the edges of his vision making it hard to concentrate.
Rothbart felt more alive than he had in years! Having not only his power, but also lives at his disposal. He grinned to himself. 'Oh, being evil was so much more fun!' His claws were slick with blood and he reveled in the feeling of his revenge plans finally coming to fruition. First killing dear old William, taking his daughter and kingdom for himself. And now the life of the idiot prince was in his hands. He laughed, a hacking sound that sent shivers down the spines of all those watching, and dropped the prince.
Prince Derek watched the ground come closer at a dizzying speed. He shut his eyes and waited for the inevitable impact when suddenly he was caught by his arm and hauled back up. He looked up at the beasts razor sharp smirk before he was flung unceremoniously into a tall tree. Derek felt his ribs crack as he hit the trunk of the tree. Breathing suddenly became a chore and the darkness was closing in fast. Panic set in as grabbed the front of his tunic. He couldn't breathe! Desperately trying to draw some air into his lungs, he didn't see it coming. The wing of the great beast ripped through the branches knocking him down to the pavement below. His battered body was jarred by the impact. Blood staining his sleeves and pooling beneath his body. Gasping for air he lost his battle with consciousness.
Jean Bob tried with all his might to loosen the bow from the lake bed. It couldn't be done! He was about to give up when Speed appeared, grabbed the bow and aimed for the surface. The great animal was circling the sky above the unconscious prince. Puffin shouted at Speed: "Throw it! Oh, throw it, throw it!" Speed swung his head with all his might, sending the bow and Jean Bob flying. The bow landing within arms reach of the prince. Jean Bob jumped up and slapped the princes face "Wake up, wake up!" He cried.
Derek stirred awake blue eyes clouded in pain "Allo! Good luck!" He shook his head lightly and looked up. His bow was lying just a few feet away. Derek could hear the beating of the giant wings and he knew he had to be quick. Gritting his teeth he reached out to the wet bow with trembling hands and got up painfully slow. Blood was trickling down his arms and making his hands slick. Wheezing harshly he automatically felt his back for his quiver. 'Oh no!' He looked up in panic. Rothbart was going to attack again.
"Oh please…" 'Brom?' He glanced back to see a dripping wet Bromley aiming an arrow straight at him. "Oh please, oh please, oh please…" Bromley shouted: "Now!" Derek narrowly caught the arrow and nocked it to the string. His body was shaking with exhaustion and pain, rattling the arrow against the handle of the bow. 'This shot has to count!' The beast shrieked and dove down. His shoulders hurt like hell and the prince wasn't sure if he could even reach full draw. Knowing his bow to be waterlogged Derek knew he had only one chance. Even IF Brom could get him another arrow it would be of no use. When the creature was almost upon him, years of training kicked in. He drew back and released the arrow, hitting it straight in the chest. The beast screamed! It clawed at the arrow to no avail as it was in too deep. Black magic began to tear Rothbart apart as he fell into the lake. There was a blinding red flash and it was all over.
Silence fell upon the scene, broken only by the sound of Derek's panting. The now useless bow clattered to the ground as the prince knees gave out. He sat there as the adrenalin rush faded leaving excruciating pain in it's wake.
"Forgive me, Odette… Forgive me." He gasped and swayed unsteadily. "I only wanted to break the spell, to prove my love." The prince took another harsh breath "I loved you for your kindness and courage, I always have..." His voice becoming a strangled whisper as he felt his strength leaving him. He felt like laughing hysterically. He finally was able to say these words to her. And now was too late. If only he had know...
"Derek?" A sweet voice called. Derek lifted his heavy head. He could not believe his eyes. There she was, alive and well. The curse Rothbart had put on her was gone. "Derek!" Odette raced towards him. "Odette..." He smiled and felt himself falling forward. 'She's safe.'
Authors note:
As an archer myself I can tell you that shooting a waterlogged bow is like trying to shoot an arrow with wet newspaper. Wet wood loses it's ability to store the energy needed to fire the arrow. The arrow is tipped with a broad head point which makes it very heavy. For the sake of the story I squeezed one shot out of the bow before letting it die. A good wooden bow would not sink in just one day. Their bowyer should be hanged.