Thanks to jamzie13 and onelifeonedirection for the support!
Austin's POV
I was searching through the library for legends on animals and then I saw one about an animal that changes its shape. I found Dez and showed him the legend "This is what King Lester was talking about! A creature that changes shape from something harmless into a monster." Dez scratched his head "I don't think that will help you get into the music business, it would kill everything." I shook my head "No, it's what attacked King Lester, his guard, and…Ally." I felt responsible for letting her go that day and just awhile after the incident Trish, Ally's friend appeared with news, but she forgot what it was, so she ended up staying at the castle with us. Also, my mother decided to throw a ball in the hopes that I'd choose a bride, but my heart was already fixed on one princess.
Trish later said the news was from Ally, but that was impossible because she had been missing for months. Today though, I was going hunting with Dez to find the monster, get answers, and revenge. I dragged Dez with me and he of course was texting and tweetering the whole time. "Dez, you go that way and I'll go this way." I pointed him to the right and he looked up long enough to say okay and started walking away. I was going to find the monster and kill it if it was the last thing I did.
Ally's POV
I turned to Speed, the turtle, and he nodded the okay while Jean-bob, my frog friend sat on high up rock in position. "Jean-bob and Speed please signal to me on my way back so I can find the lake if things fail. Puffin, you are coming with me to help guide me." I told each animal and flew into the air hoping that by some miracle Trish had remembered to tell Austin that I was alive. Puffin followed noting the appearance of things below us.
I had a long flight ahead to search for Austin, but then I noticed movement below and doubled back puffin following. Then I saw a flash of blonde and knew it was him. I swooped into the trees to get closer and then he spotted me. "There he is Puffin…..He has a bow split up!" I gasped. Austin shot an arrow through the air narrowly missing me. I flew up into the air and Puffin soon appeared near me. "This way lass; I think we lost him!" Puffin took the lead "I don't see him anywhere." I disagreed "It doesn't matter if we don't see him. He's there I know it!"
As if to prove a point another arrow came flying past us. "Whoa, he's quick! At this point we won't be safe! Wait, go up get in the light of the sun!" Puffin gasped. I saw Austin clearly as he stood in the open searching the skies for us and then as if I had no luck a cloud slid over the sun. Austin saw us now and we soared down into the trees. We flew on and at one point an arrow grazed my wing, but I kept going not even looking to see if Austin was still following; I knew he was.
Austin's POV (an hour or so later)
I saw the swan finally slow down as the sun was almost gone bellow the horizon. I saw it stop on a rock and then drop into a lake as I finally got close enough to finish it off. When the bird that accompanied the swan attacked me, a bright light caught my eye and the bird stopped. A barrier of water had formed around the swan and it grew shining bright in the darkness of the night. Then the water barrier dropped and Ally was standing in the water holding her arm. I stood trying to piece together what I had just seen with my own eyes.
"Ally?" I dropped my bow in shock as she lifted her eyes to me after checking her wound. "Yes Austin, It is me." She sat on the bank now staring out across the lake. "What happened to you? Who did this to you?" I walked over to her and she sighed. "His name is Dothias, he was my father's royal adviser before I was born, but he turned to dark magic and now he's cursed me." Ally frowned "He will stop at nothing for the throne." I saw the wound on her arm and gently touched her arm. She winced a little and took her sash from her gown trying to tie it around her arm to protect he wound.
"We need to go let everyone know you're alive, get your arm properly treated, and bring this man to justice." I helped her tie her kerchief around the wound and lifted her to go back to the castle. "It's not that simple, as soon as the sun rises on the lake I become a swan again." Ally frowned "The only way the curse can be broken is to for you to announce to the world a vow of everlasting love tom me. It is quite a challenge." I got an idea quickly "Mother is hosting a ball day after tomorrow in the evening, come and that is where I'll make the vow in front of hundreds of witnesses." Ally smiled "Alright, but go Dothias will be here soon so you must leave." She pushed me toward the trees. Then a voice called out and her smile disappeared as she urgently sent me on my way.
Ally's POV
Austin had left reluctantly and soon Dothias appeared. "Princess, were you alone I heard voices?" Dothias glared. "I was, I injured my arm earlier and was fixing it up." I saw him glance at my wrapped up wound. He raised an eyebrow smirking as he picked something up from the ground by a bush "Then who's bow is this?" I stared shocked unsure what to say. "I heard what you two talked about and you're mine. You'll not attend that ball and it's sad he doesn't know what'll happen if he makes a vow to the wrong person. I can't wait to see his face." Dothias grabbed my arm and I fought. "Come now, I will have you stowed away until then." He snickered. I tried my best to get free, but his magic paralyzed me to make it easier to take me to wherever he wanted. I had lost my freedom and my chance to save myself from his curse. What was I going to do now?
Like in Swan Princess I made the animals talk or at least one talk. I changed the name of the bad guy and some of the events that happened in Swan Princess. I hope you guys are enjoying the story so far!
