The Count's Daughter
By: Stubby the Newsgirl
Chapter 3: A Bridge To Cross
After hours of running, Amalia finally spotted the apple tree that stood in front of the Bridge of Walton. So many times in her childhood wood she and Demetri go clamoring up the tree, sitting within its strong branches, eating its sweet apples, then throwing the eaten cores at casual passerbys, or lovers crossing the bridge. The tree was quite large, but it still seemed smaller than what she remembered, or perhaps, she had grown since the last time she had been there.
Amalia checked the area for tracks. People had been in the area, but not four horses. Not yet, at least. She watered Faerie's Whip and led the horse behind a thick tree so that it wouldn't be seen. Then, she drew out the sword, fastened it to the belt she was wearing, tucked Calliope safely inside her shirt, and proceeded to climb the tall sturdy apple tree. As soon as she made sure she was well hidden, she began to make herself comfortable in the tall leafy branches.
While situating herself, she felt something pelted her, hard, on the head. Looking up, she realized there were apples galore, and then she also realized that she was quite hungry, especially since the Prince and Princess' wedding feast never took place and since she had completely forgotten to pack any food. She feasted on the apples, threw some down to Faerie's Whip, and offered some to Calliope also. Normally, Calliope refused to eat anything but the finest meats. However, having also missed the wedding feast, the poor creature was famished and was willing to eat whatever came to her.
"It won't be much longer until we make it out of Florin!" a distant voice said merrily. Amalia looked alert, and plucked a few apples from the tree.
"My dear Westley, at last, we will live happily!" the voice of a woman said joyfully.
Could it be the Princess? But why would she be happy to be kidnapped? Amalia wondered.
"Look! There's an apple tree! We should… take some," said a heavily Spanish accented voice.
The Spaniard! I must kill him! Amalia thought.
"Take some… take some… Oh! I know! Just make sure you don't break 'em…" said another very heavily accented voice. Amalia wasn't quite sure where he was from.
"You know, Fezzik, I'd really like to eat," said the Spaniard.
"Hmm… Having one of those apples would be a treat," said the other accented voice. Amalia looked through the branches and saw that it was the Giant. She took a sharp intake of air and gasped. The Giant was awfully big. All of her worries began to penetrate her thoughts.
How can I fight all three of them? Why is the Princess so calm and cheerful? What is this rhyming game about? That Giant looks awfully big! His had is the size of my entire torso! Now they were directly beneath her. She put her fears aside, gathered all the courage that was in her and chucked the apples down with all her might. She had very good aim and hit her targets head on, figuratively and literally.
Curses! None of them fell off their horses! She thought.
"Oof!" said the Giant.
"Ow!" said the Spaniard
"Hey!" said the man in black.
"What happened?" asked the Princess.
"Take one more step and perish!" Amalia said as threateningly as she could.
"Who said that?" asked the man in black.
"Oh, Westley, I'm frightened!" said the Princess.
"I think it was the tree talking," said the Spaniard.
"Better than the tree walking," said the Giant.
Amalia slapped her hand to her forehead. What kind of idiot believes that trees can talk? Perhaps this will be easier than I thought!
Just then, Calliope caught sight of the Giant and began barking and growling. Amalia tried to hush the dog, but she lost her balance and fell out of the tree. Luckily, she was directly beneath the Giant and as she landed on him, he fell from his horse and broke her fall.
Blast! Blast! Blast! What now? Quickly, get up and draw your sword! She obeyed her thoughts, got up, and drew her sword from its scabbard. She noticed the Giant also getting up, and she braced herself. Now what? I have to say something! What do I say? "Umm… Halt! Who goes there?" she asked. She quickly readjusted her cap, as it had come out of place during her every so graceful introductory to the four.
The four riders looked at Amalia in confusion, then looked to each other searching for an answer.
Amalia's cheeks flushed red from embarrassment. Of all the cliché's to use, I chose that one! What an idiot I must look to them! Now how am I supposed to appear fierce?
"Well… uh, we are four travelers, and our only wish to cross the bridge without conflict… if it's all right with you," the man in black said scratching his head. He was very civil. Not only was he civil, but he was quite handsome as well.
Tan, brawny, blue-eyed, and blonde… No wonder the Princess seemed so happy traveling with him. Amalia thought. "Very-" she stopped. She was going to say the words 'very well' but then she remembered that she could not be taken in by this stranger's charm. She had a mission to accomplish, and it was to save the Princess, avenge her father's death, then get the heck outta there. She looked at the Princess who was looking at her.
"No! Release the Princess at once!" Amalia ordered. The Princess looked at her curiously, as if she recognized Amalia. Amalia had seen the Princess in court many times, and oddly enough, this was the first time Buttercup ever seemed genuinely happy.
Buttercup examined the youth carefully. There was something about him that was strangely familiar to her. "Do I know you, child?" the Princess asked.
Child? Amalia's cheeks felt even hotter. The Princess is only but four years older than me and she calls me a child! "Er, no! I do not believe so. I- I am but a- uh… a pageboy!" Amalia said looked down at her outfit. "And I am here to rescue you from these knaves!" she added quickly swinging her sword.
The four all looked at her for a moment, then looked at each other, then looked back at her, then looked again at each other, then burst into hearty laughter.
Now, Amalia was seething with anger. Not only had she made a fool of herself, but she had also incurred the laughter of that dastardly Spaniard.
"Oh, why that's very brave of you, but I need no rescuing! These men are rescuing me from Prince Humperdink's cruelty. We are being followed at this very moment by his troops and we must hurry, so please, let us pass," Buttercup said gently, after the laughter had faded.
Amalia stood bewildered. She had never known that the Princess was so unhappy. It was true, Prince Humperdink did have a very callous character, but she had never really known that he was cruel. Amalia withdrew her sword.
"You may pass," Amalia said, still confused about the situation. The Princess smiled, as she and the man in black- Westley was his name, wasn't it- rode happily side by side. The giant passed after them, and after him, the Spaniard was ready to trot through.
But Amalia's reflexes were quicker than that. She swung her sword, frightening the white steed that the Spaniard was on. The stallion reared back throwing off its rider.
"Not you," Amalia said looking the fallen Spaniard directly in the eyes. The former three who had passed all turned around in surprise.