Prince of Persia

Chapter 16

The Enchantress' home

The air was cool as the prince felt the familiar tinge of it coursing into his lungs. He lay motionless on the comfortable material he had been laid on, savouring the experience of it. He enjoyed the experience for it had been so long that he had been able to sleep so well. And then, the memories from before came rushing back to him like a tide of water.

His eyes blazed open and he found himself lying on a soft linen bed, his clothes drawn. Fortunately, he still had his undergarments tucked neatly up his thighs. He pulled off the sheet from the bed and stepped onto the marble floor. He felt the cool material brush against his feet and he got up, surveying his new and unfamiliar surroundings.

He found himself in a room, grander than ever, with the ceiling being lined and crafted with beautiful gold stars that made the illusion of night when stared up ahead. There was a balcony at one end of the circular room and a few pots of flowers made the room look fresh and subtle. The windows were covered with fine silk curtain but at the moment, they were left open for the light to enter.

The Prince moved to the balcony, slowly, fearful of what might lay ahead. And he stepped out of the room, welcoming the warm light of the sun that shone brightly from above. The prince blinked and covered his head with his hand, shielding his eyes from the blinding light. It took him a few more seconds before he could picture the landscapes he saw under the light.

He was surprised to see a vast amount of trees everywhere on the horizon. The trees stretched across the land to the far distance until it joined with the blue sky at a certain point. He turned to the north east and saw the temple, its glory untouched and its beauty undefined. He made a note to find a way to get there. To his west, he saw the large metal door he and Jamal and escaped through, and a sudden pang of shock hit him.

Jamal!

He spun behind, intending to find Jamal, but instead, he came face to face with the woman from the night before. He was surprised and nearly yelled but he kept his composure.

They locked eyes and the prince froze at her beauty. She seemed more beautifully when he looked closer, his mind freed from the voice that made his sense weak. Her piercing blue eyes bore into him like a drill, but he fought back. She moved closer towards him and the prince step back a few steps, careful not to trip and fall over the balcony. They looked at each other in silence, the tension slowly starting to increase as the seconds passed by.

After a few long seconds, the mysterious woman spoke, her sweet and melodious voice filling the prince's ear.

"Going so soon? I thought that you might have wanted to stay here a little longer," she said, moving back into the room. The prince, particularly relieved by her actions, regained his courage to speak.

"I have some business to attend to for the time being. What is this place and why did you bring me here?" he asked, following her into the room. She turned to face him.

"Would you like it better if I let you drown in the water you dropped into?" she said, shooting him an angered look. The prince was taken back.

"Ahh..yes..about that," he stammered, scratching his head. He shook his head, and focused back. "What did you do to me? The moment I heard you voice, everything went giddy and then, all I could remember was being in this room hear." He spread out his arms, eagle like.

"You here, my friend, have been enchanted by the magic of life, a powerful healing enchantment. Each 4 years, where the trees and animals are weak, I come and sing to them, to give them revival of their strength and power. But, it was most unfortunate you came, for it has a very powerful sleep inducing spell. Luckily, I noticed you floating along the stream on my way back. Using magic, I brought you back here and here you are now."

She finished and folded her arms, waiting for him to answer. The prince stood rooted to his spot, his mind slowly putting the pieces together. Her words actually made sense. Looking into her eyes he said:

"Well…I guess I have to thank you for this. But how did you find me? I was at a very far distance from you for all that I could remember." She giggled which surprised the prince.

"Is there something amiss?" he said, eyeing her. She nodded and stood up.

"Actually there is," she replied. She opened her fingers and a swirl of light played on her palm until it faded, leaving the Dagger of Time in its place.

The prince eyes widened and he gaped at it. She smiled and gestured for him to take it. He took it and felt the cold hilt and welcomed its return. He could not afford to lose it for it was his sole key to the Crest.

"You should thank it," she said, moving to the closed door. "It told me where to find you, if not; you would be rotting in the depths of the waterfall by now."

The prince stared at her, dumfounded.

"You can communicate with it? How?" he sputtered holding the dagger out. And a small voice in his head spoke to him.

It is my choice to communicate with anyone I intend to. And because the circumstances back there gave me no other choice, I had to call her out for help.

The prince stared at it, speechless.

So you can talk to others then?

Only if I must. All you alright by the way? You look a little shaken. The prince ignored it. He then turned his gazed back onto the enchantress and knew that she had been told everything.

"So you know my purpose of coming here then?" he asked. She nodded and opened the door with a snap of her fingers. The door opened and a burst of fresh air entered the room.

"If you intend to save your friend as well as finding the Crest, you will need my help. For the time being, you may either explore my home here or you can just sit here and relax. Food will be served soon and I will call one of my servants to fetch you? Is that alright with you?"

"I suppose," said the prince flatly. She smiled and turned to leave. She stopped in her steps halfway and turned to the prince once more.

"Try not to hurt yourself again prince, it was so much trouble trying to drag you here so please be careful." She turned once again to leave when the prince suddenly blurted out:

"Wait! May I know you name?" he asked. She looked at him quizzically and pursed her lips.

"Elena" and with that, she exited the room and the door slammed shut behind her.

The prince paced around the room, wondering what he had gotten himself into.

To be continued….

Author's Note: It's been such a long time since I updated but I least I did it. I thank all my reviewers for your immense support and I will do my best in the following chapters. I would also like to dedicate this chapter to my cat, Bubble, who had passed away yesterday. Sob…you will always forever be in my heart Bubble. Always.