"So what are your plans now the dance is over?" B.J asked Hawkeye, as he tossed his surgical mask into the bin.
"I think I'm going to sleep. Would you like to join me?" he asked Margaret.
"I'm going to sleep in my tent. Alone thank you," she said as she struggled with the ties on her gown.
"Here, allow me," Hawkeye said as he wearily stood up.
"I can do it myself thank you," she protested.
"Margaret, will you just relax. I'll let you off the hook this time. And there we have it," he said, as he undid the last tie.
"Thank you," she said as her gown joined the rest of the used surgical garb.
'July first' she thought, as she crossed the compound to her tent. It had been close to midnight on the twenty-ninth when the first casualties had started to roll in. The fact was disturbing but it wasn't going to stop her from getting some well needed rest. As she took off her shoes she thought about how strange things had been between her and Hawkeye lately. They had been becoming better friends, but was that road heading to something more? Would it be something that would last in the States? Going home had been on everyone's mind since the peace talks were taking place again.
How did she feel about Hawkeye? Sometimes she was annoyed by him. Other times she was going to the Officers Club just so she could be in the same room with him. He annoyed her, and made her happy by turn. What his feelings were for her she couldn't guess. Although she had noticed he had been pursuing the other nurses less, and favoring her with a bit more attention. She wasn't sure what to think or how to feel about it. Her eyes, heavy with weariness, shut mid thought.
When her eyes opened she found herself in a long flowing dress on a brick floor strewn with hay.
"What in the world am I doing here?" she wondered as she got to her feet. She ran to the window overlooking hills of green and cobblestone paths. "What happened to Korea?" she asked.
"Hehehe, there's no such thing as Korea. You are in my tower and here you shall stay," a raspy voice cackled behind her. She turned around to find a green little person. She couldn't tell if it was male or female. It had stringy grey hair, and was dressed in a shapeless black thing.
"Help me," she screamed out the window.
"Yell all you want and there's no one to hear," it chanted in a singsong way.
"Who are you?" she asked.
"Cant catch me. I'll never tell," it chanted before disappearing in a cloud of smoke.
She sat down to think. Where was she, and how was she going to escape. Looking out the window again she saw a lone rider on a white horse sweeping down the path. "Help me," she called to him. He stopped a moment, looked at her, and then continued on. She stamped her foot in frustration. Was she stuck in some deranged POW camp?
On one side of the room was a looking glass. She paused a moment to inspect her appearance. Her blue gown had an empire waist with floral detail at the bust line. The skirt flowed to the floor. The neckline was very low, which framed the blue gem that gleamed from her neck. Her blonde hair had been done into an elegant French twist.
The door to the room burst open. A familiar looking man with a big nose and black hair entered the room. He wore a pointy hat. She suspected he was trying to be a wizard perhaps. She knew he should have been issued a Section Eight a long time ago. "Klinger what is going on? Why am I here?"
"Madam, I know not this Klinger of which you speak. You know you are here because you will not be released until your father releases me from this exile and allows me to return to the kingdom."
"Don't be ridiculous Klinger. Tell me where we are."
"Madam, my name is Maximus Klondike, and we are in my secret hiding place just outside Crabapple Cove."
"What did you say?"
"Madam, you know all, and I have better things to do than sit here and play these games. Good afternoon."
"Klinger can you say private," she demanded, but it was all for naught. She looked out the window again. She certainly couldn't jump down. There was nothing in the room she could make a rope with. She had nothing to do other than think. She wondered how long it would be before anyone in camp realized she was gone. She almost wished she had taken Hawkeye up on his offer.
The day slowly melted into the night. She didn't remember falling asleep, but she had to have. Someone was shaking her.
"Princess, it's time to wake up."
She opened her eyes sleepily. "Is that you, Hawkeye?"
He looked at her strangely. "My lady do you not remember me, Prince Benjamin? The wizard Maximus couldn't have held you so long."
"I'm a little confused," she said.
"Alack, he's been using his evil spells on you. We shall cure you when we get home." He picked her up, and she relished in the feel of his muscular arms.
"How did you know where I was?"
"Ah, my noble companion, Bartholomew Joseph, alerted me to your whereabouts. The whole kingdom has been searching for its lovely princess." He hurried her down the ladder that he had leaned against the tower, where the white horse stood glistening.
The rider she had seen earlier sat atop the fine leather saddle. "Good evening fair maiden," he said, sweeping off his feathered cap with a gallant bow.
"B.J, I understand you were the one who found me. Thank you for helping the prince with my rescue.
"Who is B.J, my lady"? "The princess is a bit confused, Bart," Prince Benjamin whispered as he helped her onto his black horse.
"Ah, his evil spells?"
"I'm afraid so." Margaret fought back a smile as she placed her arms around Hawkeye's waist. She loved the feel of having him so near. She wanted the ride through the moonlight to never end.
The ride stopped all too soon in front of the most beautiful castle she had ever seen. "Oh, how exquisite," she breathed. It was a gigantic stone structure that had obviously stood the test of time and then some. Red flags hung over the drawstring bridge which was lowered as they approached. Trumpets blared, despite the late hour.
"Your father, the king, has eagerly been awaiting your return," Prince Benjamin informed her.
"My father's a king?"
"Yes, King Solomon has been quite upset. You are the only reminder of the dear queen he has left." She said nothing more as they walked through the spacious palace halls. The halls were ornamented with fine paintings, and rich tapestries. Suits of gleaming armor stood guard at the doorways.
"Your father is playing chess with his advisor in the study," a young page informed them. The young boy opened the door to reveal a room that had floor to ceiling shelves stuffed with books. It had a massive fire place with two chairs and a table in front of it.
"Your daughter has been freed sire," the prince reported.
The king arose from his chair.