Dragon Dust

Mistletoe

The princes were desperate for food by the time they crossed the West Hollow River and neared the Cassidy Mountains. It was a days ride from the Southern Castle to the Western Castle and they only left mid-morning. They hadn't eaten anything all day. Their stomachs were just realizing this and it was torture.

"I can't go anymore. I'm so tired," Demetrius groaned weakly into his horses mane. Dorian turned around to see that Demetrius was hunched over, using the horses neck as a pillow, the exhaustion draining his very being.

"I feel so weak," Tiernan admitted groggily. Dorian then turned to check on him as well. Tiernan looked over at him with a tired and grim look on his face.

"It's hunger taking all our strength. We need to find something to eat," he pointed out.

"Too much work," Demetrius said quietly. Dorian felt so worn out himself. They finally came to the foot of the Cassidy Mountains. Dorian stopped at the sound of rustling nearby.

"Why'd you stop?" Demetrius mumbled while rubbing his eyes and sitting up. Tiernan finally sat up and he heard the noise too.

"We're lost," Dorian said. He suddenly had a sickening feeling they were where they weren't supposed to be. Then Demetrius was in tune to what they were hearing. Dorian gripped onto the handle of his sword at his side. Demetrius unsheathed his sword and held it up for protection. Tiernan raised his bow and reached for an arrow from his quiver nervously.

"You hear that?" Dorian whispered. Tiernan hooked the fletching of the arrow to the string and moved into an aiming position. He was ready to shoot whatever came at them.

"Yeah, I hear it," Tiernan murmured. The sound was heard again and the three of them tensed up, looking around for the source. There was a deep, low growl, followed by a snarl. After a rigid silence, a little green light flew straight towards Tiernan, out of nowhere, and hid itself inside his shirt.

Tiernan was startled and nearly fell off his horse. Just as he regained his balance, a goblin came charging towards them. It seemed he was fueled by anger. Tiernan's horse was spooked and reared up, throwing the prince. The goblin charged for Tiernan and began to attack.

The small light that had flown into his shirt turned out to be a fairy and she screamed and squealed and tried to dodge the goblin's fist blows. Tiernan became fuming angry, and he rarely ever did, for being attacked so randomly. He had lost his arrows in the fall so he tossed aside his bow and reached for his dagger in his boot. The goblin surrendered when he saw the blade. Then he recognized Tiernan and fell to his knees into a bow. Dorian and Demetrius had dismounted their horses to come to Tiernan's aid.

"A thousand pardons your highness! I didn't know it was you! I was trying to get to a rival of my race!" the goblin explained. He glared at the fairy that cowered inside Tiernan's shirt.

"He's trying to kill me!" she screamed. The three princes all knew very well that fairies and goblins were bitter enemies and always at war.

"Fairies are horrible little creatures! Don't let her fool you!" the goblin said. Then he charged toward Tiernan again. He held his blade to the creature's neck in defense. His heart was racing.

"Don't listen to him! Please! I'm not horrible! I'm just trying to get home!" she pleaded.

"I'm not going to let that wretched thing live any longer! Give her to me your highness! You won't regret it!" the goblin growled.

"Watch your tongue goblin," Tiernan warned him. Dorian and Demetrius had never seen their younger cousin so angry before. Demetrius filled with pride, recalling their childhood when Tiernan was always the weakest link. He watched him intensely, waiting for his cousin to finally prove himself.

"I'm sorry your highness, but if I don't dispose of her, I can't go back to my people without being branded as a traitor," the goblin insisted and stepped forward again. Dorian and Demetrius gripped their sword handles and braced themselves for a fight to help Tiernan. Before they could make another move, two more goblins jumped onto their shoulders and tried blinding them or pulling them to the ground.

Finally, Dorian lost his cool and what must have been dormant fairy magic, suddenly burst out of him and spooked the goblins. It even shocked Tiernan and Demetrius. Dorian stood there frozen, unsure of what to do next. Only a moment later the goblins retreated. Both Tiernan and Demetrius slowly turned to him.

"What-was-that?" Demetrius demanded. Dorian examined his right hand where the magic came out from. He couldn't be sure, but with the goblins gone the little green fairy flew out into the open.

"That was fairy magic!" she pointed out. "You must be Prince Dorian!" She curtsied, or at least tried to.

"Oh, no don't curtsy or bow, please," he insisted. At moments like this, someone bowing to him made him uncomfortable. The fairy seemed relieved.

"Thank you, your highness. I never really was taught properly. My family is poor and never expected to ever see royalty!" she explained.

"Well . . . we suppose today is your lucky day then," Demetrius added.

"I am grateful for the rescue! Please allow me to repay you! You appear to be on a quest, I can help!" the fairy offered eagerly.

"Much appreciated, thank you, but it's too dangerous and I don't want anyone else getting hurt," Dorian replied.

"My only fear really, is goblins," she added. "I can fit into small spaces and spy," Dorian smiled, impressed by her spirit.

"What's your name fairy?" he asked. He was considering now having her come along.

"Mistletoe," she replied. It was a typical name for a fairy. Dorian looked over at Tiernan and Demetrius, who both shrugged.

"Alright Mistletoe, you may come with us," Dorian caved. She squealed with excitement and spiraled higher into the air leaving a brief glowing trail of fairy dust behind her. She came back down then.

"Where are we going?" she asked. Demetrius couldn't help but laugh. He was sure the fairy would change her mind once they told her.

"My . . . friend . . . was kidnapped by Mistwalkers and the only place they could've taken her is Widdershins Hollow," Dorian explained.

"Oh come on, Dorian!" Demetrius interrupted. "Friend? He's trying to court her!"

"Demetrius," Dorian said in a warning tone. He felt a blush in his cheeks and a surge of magic that he managed to suppress this time.

"Oh cut the crap, Dorian! I know I tease you, but there's no shame in loving her! Be honest with yourself," Demetrius went on. Dorian rolled his eyes.

"Fine!" he snapped. He turned back to Mistletoe. "I am courting her, I do love her and I'm trying to rescue her from said Mistwalkers! Is that what you want to hear!?" Demetrius was grinning and holding back laughter, because that is what he wanted to hear. Tiernan cleared his throat to break the awkward silence and began to pick up and collect his fallen arrows.

"So, Mistletoe, we're kind of on the run from our parents too. We're technically not allowed to be chasing after danger, had to jailbreak Dorian here, so naturally we didn't have time to eat. Know any good places for a bite?" Tiernan asked. Mistletoe's light brightened.

"You can come to my village! It's nearly dinner time anyway! The fairies would love to host you!" she suggested cheerfully. Tiernan loaded his arrows into his quiver.

"Sounds delightful! Let's go!" he said. Dorian turned his head and whistled for the horses. They came trotting over and the princes climbed back into their saddles. Tiernan gestured to the fairy.

"Lead the way," he insisted. Mistletoe flitted through the air and used her light to guide them through the mountains. Dorian realized it was starting to get dark and that meant sunset. It was his second night of freedom from the curse. Only one night left.