This is a story most don't know. A fairy tale for those who believe in such things. A long time ago, there was a beautiful princess. She was clever, kind, and her subjects cared for her more than any other. And her name was-

"Princess Shelby?" Lady Kendall, the Regent of the kingdom, was always looking here and there for the princess. Scouring the halls, checking the chambers, and the kitchens. No matter where the princess was, trouble always seemed to follow her. At least, that's how Lady Morgan felt.

But unbeknownst to the lady Kendall, the princess was not in her chambers, or helping in the kitchens (as she normally would if time allowed her to.) She was out in the woods, looking for lost gems. Her dark skin, as lovely as an autumn evening, glowed in the morning sun. Her silk dress flowed from her form like a stream from a pitcher. She was never one to stay indoors when there was adventure to be found, and she was never one to seek away from a grand quest…no matter how inconsequential Lady Morgan made them seem.

She walked through the woods, turning over rocks, and jumping over fallen logs (which was quite a feat in her dress).

"…help."

Shelby paused. "H-hello?" She looked around, but saw nothing but foliage. If Lady Morgan were here, she would have told Shelby that she was simply imagining things. But Lady Morgan was not here…and Shelby never ignored a cried for help, imagined or otherwise. "Hello?" She called again, walked slowly forward. "Is someone there?"

"…help…please."

The voice was getting louder, it was weak, but still had enough strength to call out.

"I'm coming," Shelby said, "I promise." On instinct, she ripped her long dress, and shortened it to her knees, allowing her to move freely. Lady Morgan would be upset with her, but some things were more important than a replaceable dress. She ran through the bushes, calling out, "I'm coming, keep calling."

"…I'm….here."

And she ran through the fields, and bushes, past the trees, and then…she stopped, for there was no need to keep searching. For there, against a fallen tree laid a fallen knight, adorned in gold armor.

"Hello?" she said as she approached.

The knight's helmet was ripped from his armor, and his scalp was bleeding. Shelby bent down and carefully brushed his hair back. He was alive. Hurt, and bruised, but alive.

And Shelby would make sure he stayed that way.

Lady Morgan had seen her highness bring home all manner of creatures. Wounded birds. Hungry cats. Even snakes. But this was the first time she had brought a wounded knight to the castle, and needless to say, Lady Morgan was not pleased of the development.

"Your Majesty," Lady Morgan said, "I must protest. We know nothing of this man, his origins, or what his intents are. He could be a spy for our enemy King Sledge, or a thief out to steal your Royal gem, or-"

"Or a man in need of help." Shelby did not listen to any of Lady Morgan's protests, she simply placed the knight in one of the castle's many chambers, and went to prepare a meal for him.

"Your Majesty, please, at least allow one of the castle guards to keep watch over him. Chase perhaps? You know he would do anything to gain your favor."

Shelby merely shook her head. This wounded knight wasn't even armed, and the last thing she wanted was for him to awaken with a sword pointed to his nose. Chase was a great warrior, but overly protective (and a bit of a flirt). No, she would tend to her guest personally.

She filled a bowl with stew, and a glass with water, and proceeded back to the knight's chambers.

"Your highness, please. Be reasonable."

But Shelby did not listen. Once she reached the knight's chambers, she entered, and placed the meal down on the nightstand.

She looked him over, a lean body that boasted of great agility, and a face that had been molded by courage and service. Whoever this knight was, it was clear he was a loyal one.

Slowly, his eyes began to open.

"Hello," Shelby said as she took a seat next to him, "How are you feeling sir knight?"

The knight merely looked around the room, his eyes wide and wild with worry, until his gaze stopped upon Shelby, and all his fears melted away like icicles in a dragon's breathe.

"…such beauty," he whispered.

And Shelby blushed, but did not allow his tongue to distract her. "Many thanks my good knight, however I must ask, who are you?" And then she mentally scolded herself for being so in polite. This man, whoever he was, had just suffered a great ordeal at the hands of some. He did not need a complete stranger asking him questions he might not be ready to answer.

The knight slowly sat up, "I am Sir Ivan, Knight of Rexar, loyal servant to the rightful ruler, Prince Tyler." Ivan's voice deepened a little at the sound of his prince's name, almost as if he were prouder to say it than he wanted to admit.

"Prince Tyler?" Shelby asked. She had heard of him, a prince from a neighboring kingdom. His father, the king, had disappeared a while back, forcing the prince to search every land he came across, hoping to be reunited with his father. It was one of the saddest stories Shelby had ever heard.

"Sir Ivan, what happened to you?"

Shelby turned to see Lady Morgan entering the chambers, her arms crossed over her chest in a way that told the entire room that she was not to be lied to.

"Of course my lady," Ivan said as he bowed gently from his bed. "My Prince and I were searching the woods of your kingdom, trying to find a clue to the whereabouts of the king. Unfortunately, Prince Tyler and myself were attacked by the minions of King Sledge an old enemy of our kingdom. It is my Prince's belief that Fury, a general of King Sledge, was responsible for the disappearance of his father." Ivan took a deep breath, his hands twitched as he spoke. He eyes changed to a deep dullness…was he trying not to cry? "We fought bravely…" Ivan closed his eyes, "But Prince Tyler and I were over powered. Before long, his majesty had far too many of Sledge's…creatures on him. I tried to draw my sword to defend his majesty, but…" Ivan's mouth scowled, "Prince Tyler ordered me to run. He knew that there was no way I could fend them off alone. I…I…" Ivan pounded the sheets of his bed with clenched fists, and rolled his chin to the ceiling. "I failed him. And now he's been captured."

Such valiance in the face of hopeless odds, such loyalty to his own prince. Shelby had heard of a knight's chivalry, but never had she seen it encompassed so greatly by anyone. Sir Ivan was truly a knight of gold.

But his tale was one of a saddened heart.

"You did not fail, Sir Ivan," Shelby said, "You did everything you could to protect him. And he knew that if you escaped you'd be able to help him later."

"But I am his knight. It is my duty to protect him."

"Well," Lady Morgan said with a tilted head, "I am sorry for your troubles, but there isn't anything we can do about the situation." Lady Morgan was never one for holding back her true feelings, Shelby knew that, but she sort of wished Morgan had held her tongue.

"There has to be something. W-what about our knights?" Shelby asked, "Could they not help?"

Lady Morgan only shook her head, "I'm sorry but that is not a possibility. This is a matter that only the Rexar Kingdom can solve. If we intervene we risk making enemies."

"But Lady Mo-"

"No buts your Majesty. My decision is final."

And Shelby knew that whatever she said, it would not sway Lady Morgan.

"Yes," Shelby said, "Your decision is final. As is mine."

"What do you mean, your Majesty?"

Shelby only turned to face the fallen knight, her hands on his hands, her eyes meeting his eyes. "Sir Ivan," she said, "My kingdom might not be able to help, but I assure you that I can. I will rescue Prince Tyler."