NightIntent: Finally, an update! Yeah, I had really bad writer's block, for everything. Sorry 'bout that. I wonder how many people will actually read this now? I guess we'll see.
Disclaimer: I don't own the fairy tales. Only Damsels, Inc. and all its employees.
"Oh, looky here," Beryl exclaimed. "We've got an extra stupid person to take care of! Deidra! Come in here!" she yelled.
Deidra peeked her head into the office. "You yelled?" she asked.
"Yes. I've got a job for you," Beryl informed the woman. "It's about fifty miles west of here, in the city of Kamrai. Well, technically, near it. Let me explain…"
Deidra arrived at a small hut outside of the city and stared at it. "What trouble could someone who lives in a place like this get into?" she asked herself. The hut, for all its small size, was absurdly neat. All the plants outside it were trimmed perfectly, and the outside of it had obviously been washed recently, and kept in continual good condition. Deidra stared at it for a few seconds longer, then walked up to it. She knocked and called, "Hello? Anybody home? My name's Deidra. I'm from Damsels, Inc. I hear you have a problem?"
The door opened and a young woman, maybe sixteen years old, stared out from it. "Um, hello," the girl said. "I'm Taila. How did you know I needed help?"
Deidra frowned. "Didn't you send a letter?"
"No. I just found out that I was to be summoned before the king today."
"Hmph. Well, that's a first," Deidra mused. She clapped her hands together. "Well, let's get down to work. Do you know what you have to do?"
"As far as I know, the king is going to ask me to solve a riddle," she replied. "But, I'm no good with riddles."
"Well, looks like we have a bit of a problem," Deidra remarked. "Here's what we'll do, then. You go to the king, get him to tell you the riddle, come back, tell me it, and I'll tell you what to do."
"Okay," Taila said. "I'll do that. I'll leave now, then." She went to the door and walked out before Deidra said another word.
"Weird girl," Deidra muttered. She sat down and waited for her to come back. After a couple of hours, Taila came back. "Well, what was the riddle?"
"I have to go to him clothed but not, not riding but not walking, not on the road and not off it," Taila replied. "And I truly have no idea what to do for it."
"Hmm, let me think about this," Deidra said. "You can go tomorrow, right?"
"Yes, that's when he will expect me," Taila said.
"Good. I'll sleep on it and tell you in the morning."
The next morning, Deidra got up and knew exactly what she would tell Taila to do. "Taila!" she called. "Get over here, please!"
Taila bustled into the hut, having been outside working. "Yes? Did you figure out what I should do for the riddle?"
"Yes, just barely. Would you mind if I cast a spell on myself to make me look like you, and I'll do it instead?" Deidra asked. "It's easier that way, I don't have to do so much explaining."
"Yes, of course, as long as the riddle gets done," Taila said. "My father needs to be freed. And I will admit that I wouldn't mind marrying the king. He's young, and handsome, and who doesn't want to be queen?"
Deidra glared at her. She's gushing, she thought. And she wants me to do all this, just so that she can marry a king? Damn vain idiots. Why must we get all these people coming to Damsels, Inc.? "I wouldn't. Too much responsibility. Anyway, I'll get going now. Do you have a fishing net and a mule, by any chance?"
Though Taila didn't have the net, Deidra was able to get it from a nearby fisherman. She cast her spell and pulled off her clothes and put on the net, so that she wasn't exactly clothed but she wasn't exactly naked. She tied the end of the fishing net to the donkey, which bounced her along, so she wasn't riding and she wasn't walking. The mule carried her along the side f the road, so she only touched the road once in a while.
She had the mule bounce her along to the king's palace. When she got there, she was led to the king, still being dragged by the mule. When she was presented before him, Deidra stood up straight, acutely aware of the fishing net as her only clothing. "Happy?" she demanded. "I solved your riddle. Now will you let my father go?"
The king, who had been staring at Deidra—still looking like Taila—snapped to attention and said, "Yes, yes, of course. I'll do you one better. I'll take you as my wife."
"That's wonderful," Deidra replied caustically. "Can I go home and actually get clothed first?"
"Sure," the king replied, going back to his staring. "Whatever you like."
"Good." Deidra turned around and marched out of the palace, right back to Taila's hut. "Happy?" she asked the girl. "You're going to marry the king. Now go marry him. And have a nice life." As she talked, Deidra had taken off the fishing net, un-cast the spell, and pulled her clothes back on. "Never bother Damsels, Inc. with your little problems again, will you?" She walked out without another word.
NightIntent: Okay, so it wasn't the best story toupdate with. Maybe the next one'll be better. Please review.