Chapter Four - Friendly Face in the Fearsome Forest
"No way!" Harper said firmly. "Not a chance!"
"Why not?" Ash shrugged. "Archer said I should exercise a strong trait of mine; and if that's bravery, why not test it in a place like the Fearsome Forest?"
'I must agree with Harper.' Prowlus said. 'The goal is to not go looking for trouble.'
"But we do have Steve and Ebony to protect us." Gris shrugged.
"Don't you think we should avoid an area that has the word 'fearsome' in its name?" Harper pointed out.
"To be fair, I bet the folks who live in that part of the forest find it quite lovely." Ash said. "I say we go."
"I say we don't." Harper said.
"Then we'll take a vote." Ash proposed. "All in favor of the Fearsome Forest?" He and Gris raised their hands. Steve even growled in agreement.
"All opposed?" Harper and Prowlus raised their hands, and Ebony raised a wing.
"Fine." Ash raised a fist. Harper raised hers as well.
They spoke at once, "Sprinkles, cupcake, wrapper!"
"Sprinkles decorates cupcake!" Ash cheered. "I win!"
Harper groaned. "I know I'm going to regret this."
With Ash leading the way, the travelers reached the Fearsome Forest via a large tunnel amidst the smaller caverns. It was lunchtime by then. But even though the sun shined, this part of the forest was too shadowed by the plant life. They opted to light their path with torches instead of hair. This was everyone's first time in the Fearsome Forest. Prowlus found it different compared to the Western Woods where he lived while in Moonlight Kingdom. The plants were all very much alive, but had an otherworldly feeling to them. Many of them glowed.
"Okay, so we're in the Fearsome Forest." Gris said. "So I suppose we have to find something to show how brave you are?" He yelped when something flew near his head. "Ah! Get it away get it away get it away!"
"Gris, it's just a firefly." Ash said reassuringly.
Gris froze, and he watched the firefly land on his nose and then fly away. "Oh. Well, there you go! You are much braver than myself."
"You're brave when it counts, Gris." Ash said.
'We need something else.' Prowlus signed. 'Something to really show how brave you are.'
"Why don't I poke a few of these plants?" Ash suggested sarcastically. He picked up a stick and jabbed it into a nearby pod-like plant. In response, the pod burst open like a Venus fly trap, revealing several teeth. Steve scurried away, and the plant missed biting Ash's hair by inches.
"Maybe we shouldn't do that again." Harper said.
"Yeah, that didn't work at all." Ash said. "Let's keep going!"
"That's not what I meant." Harper sighed.
The travelers continued through the forest, observing the plants and animals around them. They dodged a few more dangerous daisies, wandered into a cave only to be chased out by bats, and were nearly eaten by creatures in a stream. They did not give up. They only stopped when Steve and Ebony decided to take a rest.
"Have you proven your bravery yet?" Gris asked.
"Does it look like I have my colors?" Ash droned.
"Well, it is kind of dark down here." Gris said, trying to be helpful.
Prowlus scanned the area around them. Suddenly, Ebony's feathers bristled, and she hissed. Immediately, Ash was on his feet. He recognized his brother's and the bird's behavior. "Prowlus, what's up? Something coming?"
Prowlus nodded curtly. He picked up a branch just about his height. Ebony and Steve circled the travelers, hissing and growling. Gris lifted a rock into one hand. Harper stayed close to Prowlus's side, also picking up a rock. Ash drew the dagger Rosie gave him. All around them, it was quiet.
Then, they heard it. Metallic thud, thud, thud of something armored marching towards them. Ash stood in front of his friends, his dagger ready, though he would not care to admit this was his first knife fight.
Finally, the owner of the footsteps appeared in the torchlight. The travelers saw this was a knight in dark armor. He seemed to be made completely of armor, and there was no sign of skin nor flesh. His metal armor was red and black, with white horns on his helmet, and he had a sword on his back.
For a long, tense moment, the travelers and the knight simply stared at one another. Then, the knight spoke.
"Good evening, friends!" he said in a cheery, British-sounding accent. "Are you here intentionally, or are you lost and in need of assistance?"
Everyone exchanged confused looks, lowering their weapons. "Uh, we're here on purpose." Ash said. "We're on something of a quest."
"Ooh, how delightful!" the knight said. "Well, if I may be of assistance, please let me know. I am Sir Tandeth."
"Certain death?" Harper asked, concerned.
"No, no!" the knight chuckled. "Sir. Tandeth."
Ash blinked a few times. "Certain death. Sir Tandeth." He burst out laughing. "The next time I see Archer, I'm really giving him an earful."
"Oh! You know Archer! The scaly guy with the tail?" Sir Tandeth said gleefully. "I know him! Friendly guy. Did he direct you to me? Oh, what a nice young fella! So nice to meet new people."
Ash noticed his friends relaxing after Sir Tandeth's talk. "We're here to test my bravery. I'm searching for something to bring out my colors."
"Oh, are you not supposed to be grey?" Sir Tandeth asked curiously.
"Nope. I need my colors." Ash said. "Whatever those colors may be. Would you like to join us? Lend us a hand in our adventure?"
"How can I help?" Sir Tandeth asked.
"We're looking for things to bring out my bravery." Ash said. "Any ideas?"
Sir Tandeth hummed in thought. "Based on the trail I watched you leave, I'd say you hit most of the dangerous stuff already. Perhaps I should lead you out of here. This forest is not safe."
'So why are you here?' Prowlus asked, which Harper translated.
Sir Tandeth rubbed the back of his helmet, creating a scraping sound that made the travelers wince. "It's a long story."
"We got time!" Gris plopped down on the ground. Ash, Prowlus, Harper, and even Ebony and Steve sat down and got comfortable.
Chuckling, Sir Tandeth sat cross-legged in front of them. Even sitting down, he towered over the trolls. "All right. I come from a village far, far away from here. We are all knights, my kind. Living compilations of armor and weapons. Our entire lives, we spend training and learning to be true knights, all for the sake of working for great leaders or doing heroic deeds. That's what knights do, after all. Legends and stories about knights always tell about how we do great things and work for royalty. I did my training and studied all that I could. I like to say I was one of the best in my class. After I completed my training, I was employed to guard the Root Tunnels and guide lost travelers to the proper path, while leading evildoers to their dooms."
"Sounds like a wonderful assignment." Harper said. "Your classmates and village must have a lot of faith in you."
Sir Tandeth's helmet declined, indicating he looked down. "No. Actually, it did not take long for me to realize the true reason they left me here. You see, my brethren believe me to be useless. I'm 'too friendly and soft' to be a real knight. Yes, I do believe in compassion and mercy. But I still excelled at my classes. At least, I thought I did. My brothers- and sisters-in-arms treated me like a fool, too gentle to be a warrior. No one from my village has come to visit me. It gets awfully lonely down here." He sighed heavily. "But perhaps I am meant to be alone. Maybe I am too soft to be a true knight."
"I don't believe that for a second." Ash said with determination.
"If your village just left you here to fend for yourself, they're the bad ones." Harper agreed.
"How do you know?" Sir Tandeth asked.
"You seem like a real knight to us." Gris said. "Maybe we can prove it!"
"Yeah! Tell us your lessons, and we'll prove you're a knight through and through." Ash said.
Sir Tandeth hummed with uncertainty. "I'm not so sure, but I suppose it's worth a try." He pulled off his helmet, but there was no head underneath, further convincing the travelers that Sir Tandeth was made of armor. The black knight reached into his helmet, pulled out a book, and put his helmet back on. "This was the manual we followed."
Ash took the book and flipped through it. "I think we can work with this." He smiled to his friends. "You guys thinking what I'm thinking?"
"Musical montage!" everyone cheered.
"Musical montage?" Sir Tandeth questioned as Ash took the lead.
A knight comes from the stuff of legends
A hero, a warrior, a soldier, a friend
With this book and us by your side
We'll make you a knight before this night's end
Ash flipped open the book and perused the first couple lessons. Sir Tandeth wasn't sure what to make of the travelers, but he appreciated the company. So he went along with Ash's impromptu song and lessons.
A real knight is brave and courageous
Without a trace of fear within them
They face great beasts and evil foes
Show us your strength. Fight! Win!
Sir Tandeth faced off against Certain Death himself. The two battled, one with a sword and the other with a heavy club. Their fighting styles greatly differed. Certain Death fought wildly while Sir Tandeth had more skill and finesse. However, that was not enough to beat his opponent, who knocked his sword from his hand and nearly bashed his helmet in. Luckily, Steve could swat the rock creature away, and everyone ran off to try something else.
Harper checked the book.
Knights believe in chivalry
A gentleman through and through
They protect princesses and queens
Saving damsels in distress, too
While she did not like playing the damsel in distress, Harper agreed to do it just this once. She looped her hair around a branch sticking out of a cliff to hang "precariously" over a dark chasm. Sir Tandeth analyzed the situation and decided to climb down and get her. Unfortunately, as he reached for Harper, his feet slipped on the rocks and he fell. Thankfully, it turned out to be a short drop, and he called out that he was okay. Prowlus went down on Ebony to get Harper.
Ash helped Sir Tandeth crawl back up to the others.
Don't give up, there's so much more that you can do
Keep on trying, and we won't give up on you
Put in your whole heart with all your might
Show them all that you're a real knight!
Gris checked the book, using a magnifying glass he packed to better see the small text.
Knights are good with weapons of any kind
They're flexible and fight all styles
Test your metal and sharpen your sword
I think this ought to be an easy trial
Prowlus was the most skilled with a blade, having been instructed as a phoenix trainer. He and Sir Tandeth used sticks, for safety's sake, and sparred with each other. Sir Tandeth did show skill. However, Prowlus bested him every round, and Sir Tandeth even scolded him when Prowlus tried to purposefully lose.
Ash looked through the book. He and his friends tried lesson after lesson. Tandeth could correctly answer questions verbally and demonstrate skills when asked. But upon testing it in real life, he failed far more often than he succeeded. Ash did not let the black knight give up.
We see all that you refuse to see in yourself
You are more than what you believe
You've got us by your side, and we're going to help
Let's prove it to all. What else is up your sleeve?
A knight comes from the stuff of legends
A hero, a warrior, a soldier, a friend
Put in your whole heart with all your might
Show them all that you're a real knight!
Sir Tandeth took the lesson book from Ash and chucked it away from them. The book sailed through the air and landed in the mouth of a carnivorous plant, who swallowed it whole. Everyone watched the black-armored knight as he plopped down and sighed heavily. Ash tentatively sat down next to Sir Tandeth, and Prowlus gestured for the others to stay back.
"Sir Tandeth?" Ash piped up.
"I know you're trying to help, but it's not working." Sir Tandeth said.
A real knight, that's what I was born to be
But no matter what I did, they couldn't see
Maybe they were right all along, in the end
I will never be a real knight like them
Ash patted Sir Tandeth's arm, and the others gathered around to comfort the black-armored knight. The forest grew darker as the sun sunk towards the horizon. Nobody said anything for a moment.
"Sir Tandeth?" Harper piped up. "How did you earn your knighthood? If you supposedly failed your lessons, why were you given the title and a role here?"
"That's the thing: I didn't fail all of my lessons." Sir Tandeth explained. "I excelled in written exams. My teachers praised me for proving that I learned the techniques, which I could always do on a practice dummy or with them. I thought I was doing everything right. But, for some reason, I couldn't do a thing during the practical tests and spars. I would spar with my comrades; and I knew exactly what to do, yet I couldn't do it. It was like the information in my head wouldn't go to the rest of my body. I couldn't explain it. Without being able to prove I could put my teachings to practical use, my teachers could not pass me."
'Actually, it makes sense.' Prowlus signed, which Ash translated for Sir Tandeth. 'You unconsciously knew it wasn't a real fight and that you wouldn't get hurt, so you couldn't react realistically.'
Sir Tandeth nodded in understanding. "I suppose that's why I was able to save the village. That's how I got my knighthood. A great beast attacked our village, and I alone was able to drive it off and save everyone. That's how I earned my sword. After I failed to find my own role to play, my comrades sent me here."
"So you are a real knight. You proved it." Ash said.
"If I'm a real knight, why was I placed somewhere out of the way? Why did my comrades abandon me and leave me to fend for myself?" Sir Tandeth asked. "Loyalty was supposed to mean something amongst my kind."
"Then they're the ones in the wrong, not you." Ash insisted.
Sir Tandeth did not speak for a moment. He gently patted Ash's head and stood. "Thank you, little prince. The way out is there. I'm sure your animals can help you. Good evening." Sir Tandeth gave a little bow and walked away.
"Wait!" Ash tried to run after the black knight, but Sir Tandeth disappeared into the darkness.
"You did your best, Ash." Harper said reassuringly. "Sir Tandeth knows what he's doing, I'm sure. We should get out of here before it gets too dark."
Ash sighed heavily. "Yeah. Okay, let's go." He mounted Steve while Harper and Prowlus climbed onto Ebony. Gris picked up his torch to light the way. They followed where Sir Tandeth pointed, and soon reached the edge of the Fearsome Forest. The sun already set, and the glow of dusk began to fade.
"So bravery lessons were a bust." Gris pointed out as they kept walking. "Where to now?"
"We'll make camp for the night, I guess." Ash said. "Figure out where we are and our next step in the morning." He glanced back to the Fearsome Forest.
"Maybe, on the way home, we can pay Sir Tandeth another visit." Harper suggested. "He does seem very nice."
"He needs a friend." Ash said. He patted Steve. "Come on, buddy. We're going back for him."
"What? Ash, he lived there for years. He knows that place better than you do." Gris pointed out.
"I'll be fine." Ash said.
Prowlus hopped off Ebony and landed on Steve's head. 'It is too dangerous, Little Brother. We should make camp and figure out our plan. If you still wish to find him in the morning, we will go.'
Ash sighed. "Fine. Let's go."
The travelers moved out into the brighter part of the forest, looking for a place to make camp. They eventually came across a large enough tree on the edge of a swamp-like pool, and everyone climbed up into the branches. Prowlus checked the area on Ebony, ensuring it would be safe for the night. Ash kept looking back towards the Fearsome Forest.
Gris rested on a branch just below his friends. He looked up to Ash. "It'll be okay, Ash. We'll find something else to bring out your colors."
"Right." Ash nodded. "But what about Sir Tandeth? I feel like we should've done something more to help him."
"He made his decision to stay in the Fearsome Forest." Gris reminded him. "We can't change that."
"Maybe we could if we had tried harder." Ash sighed. "I don't know, Gris. I just feel like he really needs a friend."
"We'll go back for him on our way home." Harper promised.
Ash finally smiled and nodded. I guess Sir Tandeth can survive on his own until we get back. He's survived this long. Still, how can anyone last so long without a friend? The loneliness must be crushing.
"Hey, is Prowlus back yet?" Gris asked.
Harper looked around. "I don't see him. Ash?"
Ash scanned the moonlit darkness for Ebony. He stood up and cupped his hands around his mouth. "Prowlus! Ebony! Where are you?"
Harper also stood. "Ash, do you hear that?"
Gris listened, too. "I hear nothing."
"Exactly." Ash said. "It's too quiet."
A loud screech suddenly shattered the silence. Steve, resting on the ground, growled. Ash and Harper jumped onto Gris's shoulder, and he leaped down from the tree. He and Steve ran around the edge of the water and found Ebony cornered by a reptilian creature covered in swamp moss. Steve was the first to dive in, tackling the swamp creature and giving Ebony her chance to fly away.
"I take it this was a bad place to sleep." Gris gulped. Ebony landed on Gris's shoulder, Prowlus panting and pale on her back. The swamp creature threw Steve into the water and then turned to the travelers. Now, they could see the creature was much bigger than Steve himself, and looked very intent on eating them.
"Guys, get back in the tree." Ash said as he jumped to the ground. "I'll draw it away!"
"What?!" Gris and Harper squawked.
"Hey ugly!" Ash threw a rock at the swamp creature to get its attention. "Yeah, over here! Come and get me!" He took off running, ignoring his friends' protests, and the swamp reptile chased after him. Even with the moonlight, it was hard to see where he was going. He just knew to run in the opposite direction of the growling reptile. He nearly tripped a couple times, but didn't stop. He felt the reptile's breath on his back. As soon as he saw a proper bush, Ash dove right into it. When the reptile jumped in after him, Ash darted out and backtracked towards the swamp again. The reptile chased after him, snapping its jaws.
"Ash!" Gris shouted from the tree. "Are you okay?"
"Stay up there!" Ash ordered. The last thing he wanted was someone getting hurt during his plan.
"Ash, what are you doing?" Harper screamed as Ash did a cannonball into the swamp. The reptile slipped into the water. The travelers up in the tree watched as the water churned and bubbled. Harper feared the worst until Ash's head popped up from the rough waters. He paddled away as quietly as he could, counting on the reptile thinking he was still in the water. Ash felt something wrap around his ankle, and he got stuck. He held his breath and ducked under the water, pulling out the dagger Rosie gave him. He hacked away at the grass tangled around his legs until he was finally free and burst through the surface.
The reptile spotted him, and it hissed as it lunged for the troll child. Ash tried to backstroke out of the way, staring fearfully at those pointy teeth.
Suddenly, someone grabbed Ash by the back of his vest and hoisted him into the air, narrowly avoiding the teeth.
Ash found himself suspended in midair, and he looked to his rescuer. "Sir Tandeth?"
The black-armored knight threw Ash with such force that the troll child flew right up to his brother in the nearby tree. Sir Tandeth drew his sword and faced the reptile. "Vicious beast of the swamp! Come taste my metal if you dare!"
The reptile snarled as it lunged. Sir Tandeth sidestepped the attack and smacked the flat of his sword on the reptile's snout. He punched the reptile in the nose, kicked it in the neck, and jabbed his sword into the reptile's leg. It didn't take much for Sir Tandeth to beat the reptile enough to scare it off. Sir Tandeth didn't relax until the reptile disappeared completely in the dark shrubbery.
"Young prince!" Sir Tandeth called. "Prince Ash! Where are you?"
"Here we come!" Harper called as the travelers climbed down from the tree.
"That was so freaking cool!" Ash hopped around like a kangaroo on a sugar rush. "You were all like—" He mimed swinging a sword and made a sound effect of the blade hitting things. "And that thing was all like—" He mimicked a squeaky sound of a creature in pain. "And then you were all like, 'Taste my metal if you dare!' And it was the coolest thing I've ever seen!"
"Phooey on those other knights from your village!" Harper said.
"Yeah, you were awesome!" Gris agreed.
'I am very impressed!' Prowlus signed.
Sir Tandeth chuckled sheepishly. "Well, I was doing my rounds in the Fearsome Forest. I found out that the reptile you just encountered used to live in a different swamp and, apparently, decided to move residence. I knew I had to investigate and make sure you were okay."
"I don't want to think about what might've happened if you hadn't arrived when you did." Gris said. "Ash was almost a late-night snack."
"And here I thought Harper and Prowlus were supposed to be the 'adult supervision.'" Ash joked.
"We're adult supervision, not bodyguards." Harper corrected sassily. "As if we'd stand a chance against that beast."
Prowlus looked to Sir Tandeth. 'A bodyguard isn't a bad idea, especially depending on how much trouble we get into out here.'
"Hey, good point, Prowlus!" Ash said. "Sir Tandeth! How would you like to join us on our little adventure?"
"Oh, I'm not sure, young prince." Sir Tandeth said. "I don't think I need a self-discovery journey like you do. I'm just a humble knight."
"Who lives in the dark forest with crippling loneliness." Harper pointed out.
"You said knights are often employed by kings, right?" Ash said. "To be their loyal guards and all that. So you can be my knight! I'll need some protection, as you've shown us tonight."
Sir Tandeth hummed in thought. "It would be rather nice to get out of the Fearsome Forest."
"Here, let me see your sword!" Ash requested.
"Ash, no." Harper said.
'You are too young, and the sword is too big.' Prowlus agreed.
Ash huffed. "Killjoys. Fine." He scooped up a stick and motioned for Sir Tandeth to kneel. Once the black knight did so, Ash tapped Sir Tandeth's shoulders. "I, Prince Ash of the Troll Tree, hereby name you, Sir Tandeth, my loyal knight and guard. You will protect me and my friends from the dangers of the forest as we go on our quest. At the end of our quest, when I find my colors at last, you will have a home in the Troll Tree Kingdom. What do you say?"
Sir Tandeth's smile couldn't be seen with his helmet on, but he practically glowed with happiness. He bowed his head. "Thank you, my prince. I will serve you for the rest of my life to the best of my ability."
Ash smiled broadly. "Welcome to the team, Sir Tandeth."
I always knew there was so much you can do
Stand with us, we'll never give up on you
Put in your whole heart with all your might
Show them all that you're a real knight!
Sir Tandeth was surprised by Ash's hug, but accepted it nonetheless.
At last, I'll show them what I can do
I'm a real knight, through and through
A/N: Guess who's back! I missed you guys! I've been working away at this story, hoping to finish it soon. Also finished another movie adaptation, which I'll be posting after I finish this! Not sure how much I'll be able to respond to PMs, but enjoy the rest of this story!
Original song: "A Real Knight" (and a reprise)