Library: Waiting for a Prince

At last he had reached his sleeping princess. He stepped into the clearing and saw her lying in the glass coffin. A shaft of light shone through a hole in the canopy and lit the coffin like a chandelier. She radiated beauty. Her hair was black as ebony, her skin white as snow, and her lips were red as blood. The prince opened the lid of the coffin and looked at her. Her hair framed her head and shoulders in a black curtain of silk and her hands were crossed at her chest. The prince leaned over her and softly kissed her moist red lips. The princess opened her eyes and exlaimed, "Oh, my handsome prince! You are my hero and one true love!" She kissed him again. Birds and rabbits gathered at their feet and the air was full of song. Suddenly, there was a violent screech and a black figure blocked out the sun. A black dragon circled once and landed in the clearing. Its long claws tore at the ground and its wings raised a hurricane of leaves. It screeched again, this time spewing flame from its gaping maw. The prince leaped to the beast, swinging sword and bearing shield. The prince was strong of both sword and courage, but the dragon was wise and cunning. They fought, night and day and night again. Thrust, dodge, parry, riposte. The princess watched in awe, admiring his bravery and skill. "Surely he must be my true love!" she thought. The fight raged on, blood and bile, fire and steel. The dragon, fatigued by days of battle, faltered and the prince saw his opportunity. With the last of his energy, he swung the shining blade in a long graceful arc. The blade whistled through the air and then struck. The severed head of the dragon fell to the ground, followed by the massive body. It was the sixth such beast the Witch Queen had sent and it was the sixth such beast that the prince had destroyed. The Witch Queen had conjured many trials and horrors that the prince had fought through: a massive, thick hedge of briars and thorns, various spells, creatures, curses, summons, and even seven surly dwarves. But the black dragon was the last. The prince had fought well for his beautiful princess. She was all he wanted and he was all she desired. "Oh handsome Prince," she said as she nursed his battle wounds, "you fought gallantly! It is a wonder you have not been taken by another princess by now!" Her eyes sparkled and her smile shone like the midday sun. "I am fortunate to be your first princess!" The prince looked blankly at her, but didn't say anything. Princess raised her eyebrows. Both sparkle and smile wilted. "I am," she said "your first princess, right?" The prince sighed and said a quick "No." The princess blinked but said nothing. She glanced around, looking for a distraction. Finding none, she said, "Why didn't your last princess work out?" "Well," he said, "we dated for about three years, and then she broke up with me -- claimed she wanted to see other people." "Oh my!" said the princess. "That ungrateful wench! You poor man." "Oh, it wasn't that bad," said the prince. "We're still friends." Princess glanced at her feet. Her hand came up and started twirling a lock of hair. Round and round it went about that one finger. She untwirled, straightened her hair, and then started all over again. Twirl, untwirl, straighten, twirl. "When's the last time you saw her?" asked the princess. "Oh, it was ummm..." The prince stroked his stubble and rolled his eyes up slightly, as if it would help him remember. "It was Tuesday. We went swimming together at the pool, and then ate dinner. I walked her to her room and then I walked to mine." "You had dinner with your ex?" she asked. "What, there's some rule against being friends with your ex? Besides, it was a cafeteria." "But.." she paused, twirling feverishly. Her eyes looked moist. "Maybe you're not over her. Maybe she's really perfect for you." "Of course I'm over her. She ripped my heart out. You call that perfect? Besides, some prince from upstate is nailing her. She doesn't even want to touch me for the last nine months of our relationship, and then she starts banging him a month after we broke up. Yeah, that just makes me feel peachy-keen. She's just perfect for me." The princess's eyes were large and round, like a Chihuahua's. "Maybe you unconsciously still have feelings for her," said Princess. "I mean, you don't just fall out of love." "Well, I still love her as a friend," said the prince. Tears began flowing. "What if, one day, you want her back?" she cried. "Maybe deep down you still love her." "Look," he said. "I've fought dragons and creatures and wild hedges and dwarves for you. I've not lied or cheated or anything of that nature to you. Why don't you trust me?" "I do trust you. It's just... " she couldn't find the words. She wiped tears aside and then held her hands on he knees. "It's just," she started again, "I hope one day, you'll hold a place in your heart for me like you do for her." The prince looked weary. He closed his eyes and breathed deeply. "Princess, the battle has drained me. Could we continue this in the morning? If I don't get sleep, I fear I shall say something foolish." Princess nodded. The prince found a tree to lean against and was soon fast asleep. The princess curled up at his feet, and after her eyes had run dry, she eventually found sleep. When the princess woke, she was alone. She called for her prince, but no one answered. There was no sign of him. She wept. She called up her friends and told them what happened. They all consoled her as she cried, and told her how men were bastards and that she was better off without them. She ate chocolate bars and cried about the prince. She ate cake icing with a spoon and cried because she was out of chocolate bars. She gained three pounds and cried because her jeans were tighter. She dieted and exercised and lost the three pounds, but cried because her diet didn't allow chocolate. Eventually, she was done with tears and thought about her life, the universe, and everything. She faithfully climbed into her glass coffin, crossed her arms, and with just a moment's hesitation, closed her eyes. Her perfect prince would come. It was only a matter of time..

Login to BatWeb

Forgot your password?

Library: Waiting for a Prince