All for the Kingdom" 2 ***

"

I ran as fast as I could. I didn't understand what was happening. How could Father suddenly order Julia's arrest?! Something must have happened while we were gone. Something very bad. But what?! I reached Father's room. I flung open the door.

"Father, what's going on here? Julia's been taken to the dungeons a moment ago. What's going on here?!" I started to scream, but froze when I saw who was in the room.

"Eryk... behave yourself," I heard my mother's quiet, unnatural voice coming from somewhere beside me. "

Exactly, Eryk. What kind of manners are these?"

It was Ernestyna.

When I was younger, she'd been in touch with my parents. However, one day, they had a terrible argument about something. I didn't know exactly what it was about, and they never told me. She never showed up at our palace again. I only remember that she was always unpleasant and spiteful. There were rumors then that she was dabbling in dark magic. I didn't know, however, that the rumors were true.

She had long, black hair and an equally long robe that trailed behind her. Suddenly, a younger girl emerged from behind her. She might have been sixteen, maybe seventeen.

I remained motionless. I watched my father sitting on the throne, Ernestyna writhing beside him.

"It's been a long time, hasn't it, my dear prince?" she said mockingly. "Meet my daughter. Eliza, greet your future husband politely."

I felt as if the ground had been removed from under my feet. What is she babbling about?!

"Don't look at me like that," Ernestyna said with a sweet, seemingly innocent expression. "I had to repay you somehow, didn't I?"

I looked at her uncertainly. I still clutched my sword scabbard.

"What are you talking about?" I said. "

What? All these years, your parents didn't tell you anything?" she asked mockingly.

I didn't answer. She pointed a bony finger at me.

"Well, listen!" she shouted.

At that moment, I felt a terrifying force that knocked me to the floor. A moment later, ropes appeared out of nowhere and bound my hands and feet.

"Just in case. So you can't use this," she sang in a venomous voice, and extended her finger again. My sword suddenly landed at her feet.

"Exactly ten years ago, when you were still so little," she began, "and you were only ten years old, I was friends with your parents." She pointed at my father, who fell to the ground and began writhing in pain.

"Dad!" I screamed in helpless despair.

"Easy. Listen further. You see, I really wanted you to marry my daughter in the future, who was then being raised by her father. Your parents didn't deny it, but they didn't agree either. After a few months, your dear mother—this time she aimed at my mother. And she fell to her knees—told me that the wedding of her son and my Eliza was impossible. And why? Because of some stupid alliance! They hurt my pride and my ambitions, so now I'm hurting their son, right?" She returned to her cajoling tone. "Because, for a boy as delicate and sensitive as you," she said ironically, "there's no worse punishment than the suffering of loved ones, right?"

She laughed mockingly. I frantically tried to think of something to do. I felt helpless rage. I watched my parents writhing in pain, and in my mind I had the image of Julia locked in a dark, dingy dungeon. And it's all because of me!

"Your dear Julia... hmm... what should I do with her?" she began to wonder aloud.

I began to struggle, trying to free myself from the bindings.

"Don't you dare hurt her!" I shouted.

Her laughter rang out again.

"What will you do to me?" she asked mockingly. "You'll marry my daughter in three days."

"I'll never marry her!"

"Yeah? Then we'll see..." she replied, aiming at my father. She whispered some words I didn't understand. After a moment, my father rose from the floor and sat on the throne. He summoned the guards.

"Have you captured Princess Julia yet?" he asked in a flat voice.

"Yes, Your Highness," the guard replied.

"I forbid you to give her any food," he continued. I felt dizzy. "Send her some old rags, let her change into them. If she resists, don't hesitate to use force."

I noticed that as my father spoke, Ernestyna moved her lips as if she were the one speaking. I felt a tear run down my cheek. I lowered my head. I was powerless against her magic.

"And what, Prince?" she asked as the guard left. "Have you decided?"

I remained silent, not lifting my head.

"Take him, to his chamber!" she shouted. Two guards hesitantly ran up to me and grabbed me by the arms. "Don't take your eyes off him!"

In the chamber, I unconsciously fell to my knees. I felt as if they had robbed me of all the joy in my life, all its meaning. I tried to think of something that could help either my parents or Julia, but my mind was still hopelessly blank.

Suddenly, light flooded the room. I looked up.

"Eryk..." I heard a call. I went to the window. "

Eryk... you have to find me.

" "Who are you?" I asked, confused.

"I'm Ernestyna's sister, the good fairy. You have to find me; only I have something that can break my sister's magic. But I can't get into the palace. She's cast too strong a spell on me."

"Where can I find you?" I asked, clutching at it like a last resort.

"You'll find the map by the stream. Hurry."

The light vanished as quickly as it had appeared.

It all seemed beyond me. I kept hoping I'd wake up drenched in sweat. I kept hoping it was just a bad dream. That we'd have breakfast together again in the morning, and then I'd take Julia for a walk, showing her something new.

I pinched myself, hoping to wake up from a nightmare. But I was still here. I still felt that throbbing pain in my head.

Everything had happened so suddenly. First the arrest, then the magic… I had to make sense of it all. It seemed so… improbable.

I started pacing the room. The good fairy, the bad fairy… what was this all about? I thought such things only happened in legends told by roadside merchants. But it was true. It was all happening right here, right now. And I was a part of it.

In three days, I'm supposed to marry some girl I don't even know… Julia is locked in a dungeon, and my parents, under the influence of magic, are issuing absurd orders. I can't sit idly by, waiting for something to happen. I have to do something! But what? How am I supposed to slip past the guards and then escape the castle unnoticed? In my helpless rage, I kicked a chest of drawers against the wall.

At that same moment, the door to the chamber burst open.

A panting man burst in. A moment later, I recognized him as the commander of our army.

"Prince… quickly. Run while you can!" he rasped.

Without hesitation, I charged forward. The guards were standing watch.

"Good luck," one of them said quietly. I immediately headed for the royal stables. I reached my horse and saddled it.

I remembered that I didn't have any weapons. I didn't know how far my journey might be, so any weapon would definitely be useful. I frantically looked around the room, but I saw nothing but horseshoes.

Just as I was about to mount my horse, the same man who had saved me caught up with me.

"Prince, hurry. Bring us rescue," he said in a pleading tone. "

A sword. I need a weapon! Quick!"

Without a moment's hesitation, he unbuckled his sword belt and handed it to me.

"Do something for me," I said, already mounted.

"Anything, sir," he replied humbly.

"Take care of Princess Julia," I said, and before he could reply, I sped across the meadow to the stream.

When I reached it, I dismounted and frantically searched for a map. The water roared louder than ever. I couldn't concentrate on my own thoughts. I headed uphill, to the spring. Only there did I find a rolled-up piece of paper.

I unrolled it. Far to the east, a marked spot shimmered. That was where I had to go.

I raced back to Kashmir, my horse. We set off.

The road stretched on endlessly. I kept seeing Julia suffering and my parents writhing in pain. That was the only thing that gave me strength. Only thanks to that image did I keep pushing forward, never giving up on my intended goal.

I led Kashmir through meadows and fields, far from any villages. Finally, a vast, sprawling forest stood before us. I glanced at the map. According to it, the shortest route was straight through it. If we took a detour, it might have taken us two or three days longer. I couldn't wait that long. I looked uncertainly between the dark trees.

"Come on, little horse, we'll make it," I said encouragingly, and we entered the forest.

I decided to walk to ease Kashmir's burden, as he was already struggling to navigate the dense trees. I looked around. It was so dark I could barely see my companion. I kept holding onto his reins to avoid getting lost, and only then could I continue walking beside him.

I admit, I was a little scared. I'd never been in such a terrifying forest before. But I had to save my kingdom. I couldn't allow myself to be even a little frightened.

Suddenly, I saw a clearing ahead, surrounded by trees. Something stood in that clearing. From a distance, I couldn't make it out. I approached and froze. They were figures. Somewhat human, somewhat… elven. They didn't move, and their bodies and clothing were colorless. They were small, almost like flowers. They had small wings on their backs. It looked as if they were about to take flight. Some even dangled unconsciously in the air. I touched one of them, but I withdrew my hand as if burned. They were petrified! I didn't understand what was going on. What were elves doing in such a dark and gloomy forest?

Suddenly, a figure emerged from behind the trees. I cautiously stepped back. I was ready to draw my sword at any moment.

"Who's there?" I heard a thin, girlish voice. I looked around, but I didn't see anyone.

"Are you friend or foe?" the same voice asked again.

"A-a friend," I stammered. It felt very strange talking to someone, or something, without seeing them.

"I'm a forest child," I heard right next to my shoulder. And then, out of nowhere, a little girl appeared. She had chubby cheeks and short blond hair, with bangs like a little angel's. – I make sure that no one harms the inhabitants of the forest.

I nodded in understanding.

"My name is Erik," I replied out of politeness. Since she introduced herself, I should too. "I am the prince of the Tokat kingdom. "

As soon as she heard this, she bowed low to me.

"A friendly kingdom. A good kingdom," she said.

For a moment, I stared at her in amazement. Finally, I asked

, "Can I somehow get out of this forest? I have to save my kingdom

." "Unfortunately," she replied sadly, "I can't let you go. I could be punished for this. Well... unless you do something for me.

" "Anything," I said immediately. I would give anything just to save my loved ones.

"You see... while I was tending to the flower children, in the other part of the forest, an evil fairy enchanted my beloved elves." She pointed to the petrified figures. "They can no longer enjoy nature as they used to. They can hear and see, but they can't move."

"How do you know that?" " I can't tell you

.

I was punished for being enchanted. They took away some of my badges and said they'd return them if the elves were disenchanted. I searched every book for an antidote, but I couldn't find anything. Finally, I learned that a human being was needed for this."

She looked at me expectantly. She probably expected me to rush to her aid.

"If I disenchanted the elves, will you let me out of the forest?" I asked cautiously.

"No," she replied bluntly. I was about to protest loudly when she spoke again, "but I'm sure the elves will be able to do it."

I thought logically. Well, yes... after all, if I save them, they should repay me somehow. But I've never done any magic. How am I supposed to remove this stupid spell from them?"

"What am I supposed to do?"

"In the Great Book of Human Spells, it was written that a human being, or rather, a human," she added, as if I didn't know, "must tell them a story. However, they must choose a story they hadn't heard before, and you know, elves invented most of the legends and stories."

I scratched my head in embarrassment. A story elves hadn't heard? Surely such a thing doesn't exist! It would be easier for me to start doing magic…"

"All you have to do is sit before the elf prince," she pointed to him. He stood out with his much larger wings than the other elves possessed. "And you will begin to tell. You don't have to do it in some brilliant way. Just tell it."

I tried to think of an original story, but my mind was blank. How could I come up with something no one had heard before? I was never good at it… I remember once they told me to babysit my little cousin. I spent the whole day thinking of a suitable story for her, until she finally fell asleep. And I still couldn't think of anything.

"Well..." the little girl said, "I'll leave you now. If you manage to break the spell on the elves, I'll know about it. But remember, you can only start once. Otherwise, the elves will forever remain dead stones. Good luck, Prince Eric!

Good luck? That's all? If he loves my kingdom so much, why can't he help me? At least some idea, some small spark of an idea..."

I began to circle the petrified elves. Silence reigned, broken occasionally by the sound of a bird or the rustling of leaves. And I still couldn't think of anything. Maybe the story of the lost leaf? No... that must have been invented by the elves; after all, it's about nature. Or maybe the legend of the weeping lake? No, that's out of the question. It has to be something unrelated to nature, even in the slightest. Something that elves, who love animals and plants, certainly couldn't have invented.

I sighed heavily. If only Julia were here, she would have thought of something...

Exactly! Julia! I know!

I settled myself comfortably in front of the elven prince. I looked into his empty eyes. It was hard to speak to someone who couldn't move. So I imagined that these creatures weren't made of stone at all. That they were beautiful and colorful, just as always. It helped a little. I took a deep breath.

"Once upon a time..." I began. Cliché, I know, but every good story begins like this. "There was a beautiful princess. Her beauty outshone many other girls." I felt like I was failing miserably. And then I felt it. I felt like I could talk and talk. "She was amazing. But for the good of her kingdom, she had to marry a prince she didn't know..."

And I told the elves the story of Julia and me. But halfway through, I realized that this story didn't have an ending yet! For a moment, I was terrified. If I didn't tell the story to the end, the elves would forever remain stones, and that would mean wandering through the forest for days! I thought, I could come up with an ending myself. So I ended the story with the immortal phrase, "and they lived happily ever after."

I stood and dusted off my pants. With horror, I realized that nothing was happening. None of the elves moved, none of them cracked a stone. They stood as before. It was impossible! They couldn't have heard this story before! They couldn't... I began to think frantically. Perhaps something more needed to be added? Perhaps the story wasn't colorful enough and uninteresting? Perhaps I should expand it further by adding natural elements? What else should I do?!

"The end!" I cried in despair. And to my surprise, only then did the elven prince begin to take on color. His wings were golden, and his clothes glowed in the darkness of the forest. Immediately after, all the other elves began to transform as well. A few minutes later, the clearing was illuminated from all sides. The winged creatures rejoiced, danced, and sang. The prince flew up to me.

"Thank you so much. If it weren't for you, perhaps no one else could have helped us," he said, bowing low. All the elves followed his example.

"It's… nothing," I managed to choke out.

The elves were so beautiful. Their facial features were regular, unblemished. A light emanated from them that not only illuminated but lifted my spirits. I felt a sudden surge of energy and courage.

"It was a beautiful story," one of the elves said timidly, floating slowly toward me. "Is it true?"

So they had heard it, I thought.

"Not entirely. But partly."

A sigh passed through the crowd of elves. Meanwhile, the prince spoke again.

"You saved us. According to legend, you can now make three wishes, and we will grant them. What do you desire? Wealth, fame?"

"For now, I would like you to lead me out of this forest," I replied without hesitation.

They willingly agreed. Holding Kashmir's reins, I followed the elves. Along the way, I yielded to their urging and told them my true story. About how I fell in love with Julia, about Ernestine, and about my journey, which I had begun. As soon as I finished telling my story, the sun appeared before my eyes. I squinted. Finally… "

Prince Eric, we sympathize with you deeply. If you ever need help, call us. Just blow this whistle," the prince said, handing me a small wooden whistle. "Remember, you have two more wishes. Good luck, prince!"

I said goodbye to the elves and unfolded the map. I'm in the forest. Now I must head south.

"Well, Kashmir… we're getting closer," I said encouragingly to my horse, and we set off at a fast pace.

Once again, just like a few hours earlier, we passed green meadows and golden fields. The sky, set against the setting sun, was stunning. It shimmered with a multitude of colors, from red to yellow. I began to wonder what could be happening in the castle. Was the army commander looking after Julia as I had asked him to? Were her parents still being tortured? These questions still haunted me. It was getting dark. I knew I couldn't ride into the dark night. So I led Kashmir to the nearest house. I knocked. A young woman with a small child in her arms opened the door. She looked at me expectantly.

"Hello…" I said, "could I find shelter with you for the night? My horse and I have traveled a long way, and in the morning we have another long way to go…"

The woman interrupted me abruptly.

"And who are you that I should let you in?"

"I am Prince Eric of the Tokat Kingdom," I straightened proudly.

The woman laughed.

"You? A prince? Fine!" she said mockingly, and slammed the door in my face.

For a moment, I wondered what to do next. I looked down at myself. The walk through the forest hadn't done me any good. My clothes were dirty, and creases were torn in places. No wonder the woman laughed at me. She thought I was some tramp who wanted to rob her or something. I went to the house next door. As before, I knocked. This time, an elderly woman with a wrinkled face and a cane opened the door. "

Good morning..." I said quietly. "Could I find shelter with you for the night? I'm very tired. My horse and I have traveled a long way, and tomorrow the same thing awaits us... Please."

I was met with suspicious eyes again and a question. This time, I replied humbly,

"I'm just a tramp. I promise I won't steal anything from you. I just want shelter. I can even sleep on the floor."

I was relieved to find that the old woman, after observing me for a while, said,

"I have a large shed behind the house. There's some hay there. You can take your horse in there and sleep there yourself. I can't offer you anything more.

" "Thank you very much," I replied gratefully.

I settled comfortably on the soft, if slightly prickly, hay and fell asleep. I dreamed of Julia.