Nickolas soon fell in love with Elanna and spent months at her castle. After half a year past, Elanna told Nickolas that she needed to speak to him. The lady took him to a deserted area of the castle and stood with her back to him looking out a window as she told him that many years ago a powerful magician had fallen in love with her and asked for her hand in marriage. For her refusal he cursed her to never be able to leave the castle grounds and said that none could enter either. Because you did, she told him, you must be more powerful. Nickolas got up and stood behind her with his hands around her waist.

"Don't worry, love," he told her, "we don't need to leave the castle, we will just stay here."

"There was one more curse," Elanna had tears running down her face, "the last was a curse so I may never love another man." Elanna's sadness depressed Nickolas till he finally decided to fight for her. Elanna wanted him to stay but gave her blessing once she saw his mind was made up.

Elanna gave him one of the castle horses and before he left she told him that if worse comes to worse he should break the wizards staff. Nickolas kissed her on the cheek and left.

The magician's fortress laid on a cliff over looking a boiling sea. As Nickolas approached it his horse reared and wouldn't take another step. Nickolas had to travel the rest of the way on foot. As Nickolas reached the door it opened so he cautiously went in with his hand on his sword. When he stood at the bottom of the stairs he was greeted by laughter. Though his apperance was calm, Nickolas's grip on his sword tightened. At the top of the stairs the wizard was waiting. Nickolas drew out his sword and sliced at the magician. His blow was met by the magician's own sword. The two fought sometimes one was winning, sometimes the other. The battle grew to its end, as Nickolas was cornered with his back facing a giant hole that had boiling lava at the bottom.

The magician took out his staff to finish the boy off and Nickolas saw an opening. He quickly sliced the staff in half and the surprised maginian fell into the crevas.

Nickolas rode gallantly back to Elanna's castle, but his mood fell as he approached. The beautiful castle he had left was now in ruins. Nickolas dismounted and ran up the crumbling stairs, praying his lady would be there. As he entered Elanna's chambered he saw that she was asleep on her bed, holding a glass figuine. Nickolas knew at once it was no ordinary sleep. He bent down to kiss her.

As soon as their lips touched, Nickolas found himself by the woods in front of his father's castle. His clothes were in shreds and his arms had scratches from branches. The only reason he did not think all had been a dream was the figuine that laid a little ways away. As Nickolas looked closely at it, he could see that it was of a cat. He pocketed it and went on his way.

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Author's Note- I really don't like how this story turned out. It just doesn't have the flow I was hoping for. Ways to make it better are welcome.