The Knight's Error

Hazel slashed her borrowed sword through the spiny, overgrown vines, creating a jagged path to the crumbling castle. She was grateful for her secondhand armor–she could hear the thorns scraping angrily against the metal, longing to tear her flesh but unable to gain purchase. She wondered how many knights had failed simply because they could move no further without a steed (surely, no horse would endure the torture of a thousand tangled scratches) or blinded by forgetting to secure the visor of their helmet. Hazel’s visor may have been twisted in spots and rusting in others, but she had ensured it would hold against the terrors of the vines. She was thankful for the months of studying she’d ensured prior to her quest. She’d snuck into her father’s shop to repair her brother's weathered armor as best she could, and she appreciated her efforts had not been in vain.

Hazel was panting by the time she reached the other side of the vines and beheld the castle. She heard rustling behind her and turned to watch the foliage wrapping unnaturally around itself to fill the hole she’d made.

“Well,” she breathed, “that’s unnerving.”

In spite of her misgivings, she moved toward the castle. The keep was surrounded by a moat, and the only access an aging drawbridge that was shut tight. Hazel peered over the edge of the moat. There were no monsters lurking in the murky waters, but if she fell in with full armor, she would quickly sink to her death. She could see the remnants of metal within the muddy depths and glimpsed what may have been a bony arm. The water wasn’t deep, but it was enough.

Undaunted, Hazel pulled her crossbow from her back and checked the knotwork on the rope she'd tied to the bolt. She put her foot in the stirrup and pulled the string back to the catch, loaded the bolt, aimed, and fired. The bolt shot true and lodged itself firmly between two large stones at the top of the wall. Hazel yanked the rope as hard as she could, and when it held, she leaned back with her full weight. The bolt remained solidly in place. She wrapped the rope around her arm. This was a moment of truth–she could walk away now and avoid the possibility of a watery grave, or she could take a literal leap of faith. She closed her eyes and lept. She sailed over the moat and crashed unceremoniously against the wall with a heavy ‘clunk!’ Hazel took a moment to orient herself. She was glad for her gauntlets–despite the lack of dexterity they afforded, they at least saved her hands from rope burn. She began her slow and awkward ascent up the stone wall. Aside from a few slips, she made it up the wall with much effort. Once again, she was thankful for all of her planning and preparation–she’d already scaled the wall surrounding her hometown in this very armor countless times. She allowed herself a rest upon reaching the top of the wall before scaling down the other side. Her descent was luckily aided by gravity but hindered by fatigue.

Hazel looked around warily. She’d had very little information to go off of in her research from this point forward. Aside from the tower Hazel sought, most of the castle had been destroyed by long-forgotten wars, and time had finished the job for the rest of the abandoned buildings. The grounds were scattered with broken armor, and carrion birds picked at human remains in various states of decay. Her stomach turned at the smell, and she drew her sword. The beast that lurked within these walls could be anywhere. Cautiously, she walked deeper into the keep, heading toward the tower.

She came upon what she mistook at first for crumbled stones, but as she looked closer she discovered to be a great body. The creature was immense, lizard-shaped with gray-green scales and bat-like wings tucked neatly against itself. Hazel couldn’t believe her fortune–the dragon was sleeping! She could take advantage of its slumber and complete her quest without the risk of being burned or eaten alive! However, as she raised her sword to strike, she realized there was no honor in slaying a sleeping beast. Against her better judgment, she cleared her throat.

“Excuse me, sir dragon? Would you mind waking up, please?” Hazel’s voice shook, but she shouted as loudly as she could.

The beast stirred, and his long neck lifted his massive head. Yellow cat's eyes blinked open, and a long, languid yawn revealed a row of jagged teeth. Finally, the dragon focused on Hazel.

“Hello, little knight. I can guess what brings you here,” the dragon crooned in a deep, surprisingly gentle baritone, “However, I must warn you, this isn’t what you think.”

“I’m here to free the princess. She’s been imprisoned here for too long,” Hazel stated, lifting her sword.

“I suspected as much, but you don’t know what you’re…” the dragon’s words were cut short as Hazel’s sword sliced cleanly through his neck. She side-stepped the gush of blood that emitted from the dragon’s throat. The dragon’s head fell to Hazel’s feet, a look of shock on his intelligent face. Hazel felt a pang of regret and wondered if she should have listened to what he’d had to say.

Hazel stepped around the dragon’s carcass and into the tower that held the princess. The stairs were long and winding, but after everything she’d been through to get here, she nearly floated up the narrow stone steps. When she reached the princess’s room, she was shocked by how well-appointed the dwelling space was. She’d imagined a prison cell complete with cold stone floors and bars on the door, not thick tapestries, lush rugs, and a four-poster bed arranged with a downy comforter and plush pillows.

Hazel’s breath caught as she saw a figure outlined by the light of the window. As her eyes adjusted to the dim light, the form focused into the shape of a voluptuous woman with long, silvery-blonde hair flowing in waves down her back.

“M’lady,” Hazel used her deepest voice to address the princess.

The woman turned, slow and languid, revealing a sweet face with two deep blue pools for eyes, an aquiline nose, and shapely lips. The princess smiled at Hazel, her perfect teeth pearly-white.

“Hello, sir knight,” Princess Vivienne’s voice was rich and melodic, “Have you come to rescue me?”

“I have, m’lady.”

“You must be very brave. How did you evade the fearsome dragon?”

“The dragon is slain, m’lady. I freed his head from his neck in order to free you.”

At this, a look of unspeakable sorrow crossed Vivienne’s face like a shadow but was just as quickly replaced by that same placid smile (which didn’t quite reach her eyes).

“You have done what many a knight could not. Remove your helm so I may gaze at my savior.”

“I fear you would not be impressed by what you would see, M’lady,” Hazel replied, nervously.

“I would see the knight that risked everything to save me,” Princess Vivienne insisted.

Hazel hesitantly removed her helmet. She knew what Vivienne would witness–frazzled brown hair, greenish-brown eyes, freckles scattered across a plain face. Instead of the look of disappointment Hazel had expected, the princess’s smile widened.

“I should have known a woman would achieve what no man could,” the princess said, stepping closer to Hazel, “As my hero, you deserve your reward.”

“I want for nothing but your freedom, m’lady,” Hazel replied, casting her gaze downward.

Princess Vivienne’s small, delicate fingers caught Hazel’s chin and tilted her head up to meet her blue eyes, “Do not cast your eyes downward in my presence, sir knight, for you have achieved greatness. Perhaps a kiss shall be your reward?”

Hazel was struck speechless as the princess gently grasped her face. Their lips met, unsure at first but deepening as they gained purchase. Hazel’s head swam as the princess kissed her with a passion she had never felt in all her days. Pleasure turned into pure pain as an electric shock emanated from the princess’s hand. Hazel's body arched backward as every nerve turned to fire. She collapsed on the floor.

Without a word, Vivienne turned back to the window she’d been staring out of when Hazel entered the room. She stepped onto the windowsill and was gone with a flap of pearlescent white wings.

Hazel gasped and coughed, “Bollocks!” She shivered against the remembered agony of Princess Vivienne’s touch, “What have I done?”

She scrambled to her feet, grabbed her helmet, and practically tumbled down the stairs to where the dragon lay, still bleeding.

“What have I done!” She repeated, more shrill as the panic set in. She grabbed a glass vial from her pack, grateful that it was still intact. She moved the dragon’s head against the severed neck. She unstopped the vial with her teeth and poured the shimmering violet liquid over the dragon’s wound.

Nothing happened.

“Bollocks!” Hazel screamed, smashing the vial against the rocks in frustration. Defeated, she turned away from the dragon, dreading the long and shameful journey back to her town.

The dragon’s blood, which had pooled all around the grounds, began to flow in reverse. Spinning back to the dragon, Hazel watched the blood return to the dragon’s body. Once the blood was back where it belonged, the severed head re-joined his neck, the wound knitting neatly back together before Hazel’s eyes.

“...doing!” The dragon finished the sentence he’d started before Hazel had so cruelly cut it short. He shook his head, realizing with dawning horror what had happened, “Oh, no.”

“Excuse me, sir dragon? I think I may have misjudged you,” Hazel said, timidly.

“You think?!” The dragon bellowed, “Do you have any idea what you have unleashed onto the world?”

“I may have an idea,” Hazel said, gingerly rubbing the spot Vivienne had touched her face, “But I want to make it right!”

“You had better. You’re coming with me. With any luck, she won’t have gotten far. Get on my back,” the dragon commanded.

Hazel leapt onto the dragon’s back. Without waiting to confirm she was secure, the dragon launched himself into the air, his giant wings bearing them aloft in a flurry of wind and dust.

*****

Hazel hung onto the dragon’s neck for dear life as the world far below them rushed by in a blur. She had never traveled so quickly, nor so high above the ground!

"She doesn't know what she's doing," the dragon admitted as wind whipped past them, "we met when she was very young–just out of infancy for your kind and barely beginning to walk. She'd somehow evaded her nursemaids and wandered into the woods near her family's palace. She found a little baby bird that had fallen from its nest. When she picked up the bird, it seemed to grow stronger–so much so that it flew out of her hands and up into the trees! She was so happy, smiling and giggling with joy. When she turned her back to return to the palace, the bird fell from the trees, dead as a stone."

"So she saved the bird…and destroyed it?" Hazel asked.

"She seems to give life to those she touches. In actuality, she drains the life from them."

"How can she not know?" Hasn't she ever seen the effects of her powers?" Hazel asked, baffled.

"She is enchanted to not see. Her mother also had power, though hers truly was to give life. She knew if Vivienne ever discovered the truth, it would break her heart. She cast a spell on the princess so she would never have to see what she had done."

"But that's terrible!"

"Many terrible things have been born out of good intentions," the dragon replied.

"But how did she end up in the tower?"

"I made myself known to her the next time I saw her in the woods. I needed to better comprehend the extent of her powers. I'd meant to destroy her if her powers ever became out of control, but…I found I could not, even if I wanted to. She was so sweet, kind, full of life. I had to speak with her parents to understand the full story."

"What was that?"

"Her mother was a goddess. She and the king fell in love, and their daughter was their greatest joy. But gods and men were never meant to mate. The goddess queen's powers brought life, but her daughter's hands caused eventual death to all she touched. Vivienne's mother cast the spell out of love–and pity."

"What happened to her parents?"

"They are dead. Although Vivienne's mother was a goddess, she could not live in this world and maintain her immortality. She chose to stay with the king, and in so doing, she passed away by his side as a mortal. They made me promise to protect her–but also, protect the world from her."

"If she had so much power, why was she still in the tower? Couldn't she leave at any time?"

"I compelled her to stay. I ensured she had every comfort she could ever want."

"Except companionship! Humans need other humans!"

"I was her companion. She is my dearest friend."

"Some friend you are! You've been lying to her for her entire life! What about free will!"

"You have seen what she can do. She could not live in the world as a normal person could."

"Yes–I saw and experienced it," Hazel felt the ghost of the princesses's hand on her face.

"If she'd been at her full power you would not be here now. You're lucky to be alive."

"So are you, come to think of it."

"I would thank you had you not killed me in the first place," the dragon responded, coldly.

"That's fair. By the way, where are we going?"

"To visit Vivienne's mother."

"I thought you said she was dead!"

"So was I, very recently," the dragon pointed out.

"Yes, but only for a moment!"

Hazel finally realized where they were headed as the dragon began to wheel downward over a graveyard.

"Oh, no. I do not like this one bit," she said.

"You should have thought of that before you killed me," the dragon replied.

*****

The dragon landed with a great sweep of his wings. Fallen leaves swirled around them as Hazel slid down the dragon’s back and landed gracelessly on her hands and knees. She looked up as she clambered to her feet and realized they were at the base of a hauntingly beautiful statue of an angel, her feathered wings stretched out behind her. The statue’s robes were so detailed and realistic, Hazel expected them to flutter in the wind.

“Raghnall, my friend, how fares my daughter?” a feminine, disembodied voice echoed around them. Hazel spun in a circle, trying to decipher the source, but could not pinpoint where it could be coming from.

“Goddess Queen Enid, I come to you with ill tidings and deepest shame,” the dragon replied, his voice laced with regret, “Your daughter has escaped her tower. The spell I’d laid upon her was broken when this knight severed my head from my neck.”

“Only for a moment!” Hazel protested.

“Sir Knight,” the voice was gentle, almost soothing, “you are not like the others, are you?”

“No, your highness…or, your grace…” Hazel removed her helmet.

“I should have known,” the voice had a smile at the edge of it, “You sought to rescue my daughter, and you met a sorceress. Did she hurt you?”

“A little. Not much,” Hazel tried to spare the goddess queen’s feelings.

“You lie. But I understand, all too well. You and I are very much alike, brave knight.”

“Your highness, our deception of the princess has gone on too long. We must break the spell you placed upon her before she harms more innocents,” said the dragon–Raghnall, his name seemed to be (Hazel realized they hadn’t bothered with introductions).

“Agreed, my friend,” the goddess queen responded, “Take this stone, give it to my daughter as a gift. This will break her bonds at last.”

As Hazel and Raghnall watched, a glowing blue stone emerged from the ground at the foot of the statue. Hazel picked the stone up reverently and placed it in her pack.

“Thank you, my queen. I am so sorry,” Raghnall said, head bent.

“This has been a long time coming. I should not have placed the spell upon her in the first place. You have ever been a friend and protector to my daughter. I am glad she will finally see the truth.”

Hazel climbed on Raghnall’s back and prepared for flight.

“One last thing,” Goddess Queen Enid said, voice timid.

“Of course, my queen,” Raghnall replied.

“My daughter will need comfort when she learns the truth. Be there for her, both of you.”

“We will,” Hazel said.

“I will do all I can,” the dragon responded.

“Thank you,” Enid said, “You will find the princess at the palace of Prince Rion. Hurry. Before she does something she cannot forgive herself for.”

The dragon nodded before taking off again into the night sky.

*****

The setting sun had splashed the looming clouds with violent shades of orange, red, and purple by the time Raghnall wheeled down to land in front of a lavish palace. Hazel had heard tales of Rion’s kingdom but the journey there from her village had always been too daunting to traverse. Now that she was traveling by dragon, the possibilities seemed endless. She wondered if Raghnall might take requests once their current quest was complete.

The guards at the front gate cowered at the sight of the massive dragon’s approach. Hazel slid down Raghnall’s back (a little more gracefully this time) and held up her arms in a capitulating gesture.

“We mean you no harm! We are on a mission of most importance! Please, is Princess Vivienne in attendance within these palace walls?”

“Who are you? Why should we tell you of the whereabouts of Princess Vivienne?” the guard who seemed to be in charge responded.

“Tell her Raghnall awaits her outside the palace,” the dragon said in his soothing voice, “I assure you, she will be most pleased to see me.”

The head guard looked to the other one and nodded, and the second guard disappeared into the palace. The head guard crossed his arms and stared Hazel and Raghnall down as they awaited the other guard’s return.

They didn’t have long to wait. A few minutes later, Vivienne burst out of the palace. She was followed by a tall, handsome man with curious blue eyes and curly brown hair, who stood quietly by the gate.

“Guards! Seize her!” Vivienne’s voice was full of unquestionable authority as she pointed directly at Hazel. The guards scurried to do her bidding, moving to either side of Hazel and grabbing her by each arm.

“Raghnall! You’re alive!” Vivienne threw her arms around the dragon’s neck, “This knight said she’d slain you.”

“It was only for a moment!” Hazel protested.

“The knight speaks the truth,” Raghnall said as Vivienne stepped away, “She was able to heal me once she realized her mistake. I…neglected to ask how.”

“A healing potion I procured from a mage on the way to your tower. It was meant for any injuries I might encounter on my mission to free you. It was pretty effective!”

“This knight has been helping to correct her actions. I don’t believe it’s necessary to imprison her,” Raghnall told Vivienne and the guards.

“We’ll see about that. You, get down here,” Vivienne’s commanding voice now addressed Raghnall. The dragon brought his head level with the princess’s, and she slapped him across the face, “How could you! You are supposed to be my dearest friend, why did you keep me prisoner all those years?! You made me think it was what I wanted! I trusted you!”

“I told your parents I would protect you,” Raghnall said, gently.

“That’s not protection, that’s manipulation! That’s imprisonment!”

“I know,” Raghnall said with regret, bowing his head.

“I have something for you I think might explain some things,” Hazel said, “If you wouldn’t mind, kind sirs, there is a stone in my pack. Princess, it is a gift from your mother.”

“My mother?” Vivienne’s face was a mask of confusion, “But…my mother is dead.”

“Please, take the stone. It will answer many of your questions,” Hazel replied. Vivienne nodded to the head guard, who let go of Hazel and dug the stone out of her pack. Still puzzled, Vivienne accepted the stone.

The stone began to glow with warm, white light. Vivienne’s forehead crumpled and her eyes grew wide as her jaw dropped. Tears slipped down her face and she fell to her knees, sobbing as she clutched the stone to her chest. Hazel slipped the guard’s grasp and dropped down beside Vivienne to put a comforting hand on her back. The man who’d followed Vivienne out of the palace ran to kneel at her other side.

“What have you done to her?” he demanded.

“Showed her the truth,” Hazel said, sadly, “Vivienne has been under a spell her entire life. She didn’t know her magic was draining the life energy of those around her.”

“That’s impossible,” the man replied, “Vivienne and I have been friends since childhood. Her presence has never been a burden to me. In fact, I have always felt energized when I am with her.”

“Prince Rion, have you ever asked the princess for help?” Raghnall asked.

“I have not,” the man replied, “She has offered on many an occasion, but I want nothing more from my lady than to be near her.”

“That is your answer then, your highness. The princess drains the energy from those she tries to help. She did not know this until now. The stone has broken her mother’s spell.”

“I want to go back,” Vivienne choked through sobs.

“What did you say, my princess?” Raghnall asked.

“Take me back to the tower! I don’t want to hurt anybody else. Don’t touch me!” Vivienne swiped Hazel’s hand away, “I’ll only cause you harm.”

“I will do whatever you wish, m’lady,” Raghnall replied, “However, now that you know the truth, you deserve to live in the world.”

“I can’t! How do I live with others after everything I’ve done,” Vivienne stifled a wail.

“You learn,” Raghnall said, gently, “We will be with you, every step of the way.”

“You’ve always thought your worth was in helping others,” Hazel said, “What if that’s not what they needed? Maybe making sure your needs were fulfilled is what they truly wanted from you.”

“How…how do I do that?” Vivienne said, looking up at Hazel with watery blue eyes.

“Let us help you,” Hazel said, rising to her feet. She offered her hand to the princess, who took it gratefully and let herself be pulled to standing on shaking legs.

“M’lady, we are at your service,” Prince Rion said as he rose.

“What would you like to do?” Raghnall asked.

“I want to go home,” Vivienne said, “I want to see what has become of my kingdom in my absence.”

“Of course, m’lady,” Raghnall replied, “Your father’s top advisor has kept your kingdom in good order while he awaited your return.”

“You are always welcome here at the palace,” Prince Rion assured her, “I wish I could go with you, but I…”

“You have your people to serve here. I know, my friend,” Vivienne said, pulling Rion into an embrace, “I will visit soon.”

“Take care of yourself, m’lady,” Rion said as he held the princess in his arms.

*****

The sky was a dark blanket of glittering stars when Raghnall landed in front of Princess Vivienne’s palace with both Hazel and the princess astride his back. The two men standing guard in front of the gates seemed significantly less concerned by the enormous dragon landing in the clearing than Rion’s men had been. The head guard let them into the palace immediately.

“The last time I walked these halls, my parents lived and ruled here together,” Princess Vivienne said softly.

“We are here for you, m’lady,” Hazel said. She removed her gauntlet and slipped her hand into the princess's as they walked.

They traversed through grand halls filled with tapestries that portrayed scenes from the royal family’s life, from the King and Queen’s wedding to Vivienne’s first meeting with Raghnall to the sad and untimely death of Vivienne’s parents. There had been some sort of plague that claimed both their lives, and Raghnall had escaped with the princess for everyone’s sake. Hazel wondered if it had been the princess’s powers that caused the plague. Perhaps that had been what Vivienne saw when she’d held her mother’s stone.

They arrived at a great throne room, which was massive enough for a whole family of dragons to comfortably break bread. Sitting in the center on a plush throne was a stately man with an intelligent face, his black hair streaked silver. He rose when they entered.

“Princess Vivienne! You’ve returned,” the man said, an edge of worry to his voice as he approached Vivienne and bowed, “We have much to discuss.”

“Please, Sir Corwin, do not bow to me. I don’t know how to thank you for remaining here to rule while I was away.”

“It has been my honor to keep the kingdom for you, m’lady,” Sir Corwin replied as he rose, “Please, leave us.”

“Raghnall and Sir Hazel can stay. There are no secrets between us,” Princess Vivienne said as the guard and attendants departed the room.

“M’lady…there’s something you must know…” Sir Corwin began, haltingly.

“I know the truth already,” Princess Vivienne told him, her voice filled with sorrow, “I will need your assistance as I adjust to my new reality. I know how I must proceed, but your guidance is imperative.”

“I shall do everything within my power to aid you. As I served the King and Queen, so shall I serve you,” Corwin replied.

“Thank you,” Vivienne said before turning to Hazel and Raghnall, “You have both done so much for me. Would you remain with me and help to rule this kingdom?”

“Of course, m’lady,” Hazel replied.

“I shall be with you as long as you need, my friend,” Raghnall said.

“It is settled, then,” Vivienne beamed at them before turning back to Corwin, “Raghnall and Sir Hazel shall need accommodations…”

“Actually, m’lady, there’s one thing I’ve neglected to mention,” Hazel said.

“Yes, sir knight?” Vivienne asked.

“That’s the thing, m’lady. I’m not a knight, not officially. The armor you see was borrowed from my brother.”

“We must fix that immediately! As soon as I have been crowned queen, my first order of business will be to make you a knight of my realm,” Vivienne’s smile was so dazzling Hazel felt faint.

“I shall begin arrangements for both ceremonies immediately,” Sir Corwin assured them, “For now, however, you all look like you could use a rest.”

Vivienne, Hazel, and Raghnall heartily agreed.

*****

A fortnight later, Hazel stood before the newly-crowned queen in the once-sparse throne room, which had been transformed into a festive hall with a breathtaking array of flowers and banners celebrating the return of the lost princess. Hazel's family was in attendance, standing close by in a place of honor. Her mother wept tears of joy and her father’s face beamed with pride. Her brother wore the regalia of their home kingdom, and the sword Hazel had borrowed to aid her on her quest had been returned to his side as its rightful owner (she was relieved he’d forgiven her for her trespass).

“Kneel before me,” Queen Vivienne commanded, and Hazel obeyed, “I, Queen Vivienne, dub you Sir Hazel, Knight of the Realm. Rise, sir knight, and take your rightful place by my side!”

Sir Hazel lifted her head and rose to her feet. Corwin and Raghnall both nodded to Hazel from their place at the queen’s right side as she moved to stand to Vivienne’s left.

“Know this, my people. Sir Hazel has done this realm–and myself–a great service by showing me the truth and setting me free.”

Hazel felt a giddy sense of delight and duty as the crowd broke into wild cheers. She was nearly overwhelmed by a blaring chorus of trumpets. Vivienne announced a feast to commemorate the occasion.

“I shall never know how to thank you, sir knight. I would not be here if you had not saved me in so many ways,” Queen Vivienne said.

"You can start by figuring out who you are and what you want, m'lady," Hazel said as she took Vivienne’s hand in hers and smiled fondly at her queen.