This part of the forest is gloomy, cold, oppressing. A mist so thick that you can barely see. But the prince continues for he knows his target is near at hand. Only a mile from the ring of stones. He sees it, a small hut in a clearing. He hurries down the road and knocks the door; there is no answer –Hello? - He pushes the door open that creeks as if not used in years. He steps inside, keeping one hand in his knife pommel.

-Well hi there- An old voice says, its squeaky and gritty. He turns around to meet the source of the noise. An old lady in a rocking chair; next to a fire he hadn´t seen the first time. She is tine, maybe half his own height and wears very old green robes. Her hair is completely whitened by age but to top it off, instead of a hat, there is a crow.

-Hello- he begins, uncertain –My name is…-

-Oh I already know your name Oliverius and I know what you are looking for-

-Then the sayings are true, you really are a…-

-Witch yes, for years I had the life of a humble woodcarver until that nosy princess came around. But I must admit, life has been so much fun since she appeared-

-Please, you must help me-

-Oh, but why should I do that? I owe nothing to either kingdoms. And honestly I couldn´t care less. So why should I help you?-

The prince remains silent –You already know the answer-

The witch laughs –Indeed I do, powerful force isn´t it? Love? - She smiles a toothless smile before continuing -I can smell it a mile away; persons spend their whole lives searching for it. Most never find it, and few that do manage to keep it. But you, you are special. I can see it in your eyes-

She walks to small cabinets, opens it. Inside an old, dusty, tiny flask sits. She takes it and tosses it to the prince, who catches it. –Put that over her wound, it will heal her but not fully. Her arm will be fine but she is doomed to sleep forever-

-What else must I do?-

-She will not awake unless…-

-Unless?-

-Unless she is kissed by her true love my boy! Have you never heard of fairy tales?-

-I did, but I guess I never took them seriously-

-No one does, but me; hey I am the witch in most of those stories! I know by experience that it works-

The prince puts the flask inside his robes –Thank you- He says as he begins to leave.

-Thank me not my boy! Just promise me one thing-

-And what would that be?-

-Hold on to your love once you have it back- The prince smiles and opens the door, then disappears from sight in the misty forest.