Tara (book 1 in the "Princesses of Naonis" series)

Chapter 1

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, there lived a peasant girl named Tara. Tara was a beautiful girl, fair of face, with hair of gold and fire, she lived with her grandmother, Tabitha. Tara loved the woods, and she would spend as much time there as she could. When she was at home, she would clean, cook, and tend to the farm.

Tara was always outside, at least when there was not work to be done. She would play in the woods for hours, chopping down trees for firewood, collecting berries, and playing with animals. Tara had a great secret, she could talk to animals! When she would go out to the forest, she would chat and play with her animal friends, and she always gave them some of her berries.

One day, Tara was walking though the woods when her animals friends brought to her an old, fine stag. The stag was mortally wounded, and dying, but said he must speak with her. In a voice as weak as a newborn lamb, he told her a tale. "Listen to me your highness, for I have news for you." said the old stag. "Your highness, why do you call me that?" said Tara with a concerned and confused look on her face, "I am just a peasant girl.". "You are as much a peasant as I am a lion.", said the stag with a laugh, "You are the Princess Tara, the firstborn of the royal family of Naonis!". "The royal family of Naonis?!?, But that is impossible! Everyone knows the royal family of Naonis was slain and their kingdom disappeared forever!", said Tara with shock.

"That is where you are wrong", said the stag, "For your family, the royal family still lives, and the kingdom still lasts, if only for a short time." The stag continued, "Long ago, when you were just a babe, a great dragon came upon the land, and hid the kingdom in a great wilderness. Your family survived, but knowing you were the only hope for the kingdom, as it had been prophesied, then sent you away with a forest nymph. She is returning to the kingdom as we speak.

The prophesy said that the firstborn of the royal family would go on a great journey, assisted by all kinds of creatures, when she was 15 years of age. That she would find much help along the way, and when she arrived at the kingdom, she would lead all the creatures and magical beings of the land against the dragon, who had been in a great slumber, keeping the kingdom hidden the great wilderness. There would be a great battle, and the dragon would be defeated, not a animal would be lost, for with the power of the love for her kingdom, the princess would protect each animal. You are that princess Tara, and you must begin your journey! I give you a gift, a amulet, this amulet will protect you from all mortal danger, but the dragon has many spies and he will kidnap you and keep you from every being able to save kingdom if he gets the chance. The amulet is also a map to the kingdom, the dots you see are allies you will need to defeat the dragon, each will give you a different power to protect the animals in the great battle. You must be very brave, go and save us all, your highness..." and with that the stag died.

"No, stay with me great stag, please!", cried Tara. "The stag has died, I am very sorry your highness," said a strange voice, "If it is any comfort to you he was very old, and to tell you this was his only and greatest wish." "Who says this?", asked the princess Tara though her tears. "The great wolf, Argreasis," said a giant white wolf. "I shall be your guide on this journey.", said Argreasis. "The stag will be properly buried, won't he?", said the princess with sadness in her voice. "Yes, the dwarfs here will see to it." said Argreasis, and three dwarfs picked up the lifeless body of the stag. The Princess Tara stared in awe, for she had never seen dwarfs, or any magical being for that matter, before. "Do not wonder at the dwarfs, for you meet many more magical beings before the kingdom is saved. Come, let us start our journey." said Argreasis.