Good Knight

Prince Misereoux

In the library of Evanore castle, Princess Peppermint reluctantly joined Penelope to travel back to The Fable Keeper. Prince Kavity pulled a book off one of the shelves entitled Muse, and opened it. Just the same as it had in The Fable Keeper's library, it glowed with magic and provided a doorway for Penelope and the princess to go through. She held out her hand to Peppermint who finally smiled and took it, then they stepped through the doorway together.

They arrived back in The Fable Keeper's library as planned. The Fable Keeper came to greet them. Penelope was both amazed and relieved to see that her first task went well and she was able to return to The Fable Keeper with Princess Peppermint.

"Your Highness," The Fable Keeper said. She gave a slight bow. Princess Peppermint lightly curtsied. "That went quicker than expected. I would've thought I'd have to send back-up."

"I'm certainly not thrilled to be here, but if it will end all the nonsense of everyone trying to convince me to marry someone I don't even know and finally prove them wrong, then I will suck it up," Peppermint explained. The Fable Keeper wasn't sure how to respond so she nodded and walked over to one of the many bookcases to open the next magic book. Penelope ran over to her and stopped her before she opened the book with the title Nod on it.

"What is it, Penelope?" The Fable Keeper asked.

"I don't think I can do this," Penelope replied nervously. The Fable Keeper knelt down to her level.

"What would make you think that?" she asked. Although Penelope was relieved that the first task was a success, she realized that she got scared too often and she cried too much. The whole experience was too overwhelming for her and she thought to herself that she wasn't fit for a rescue mission such as this.

"Heroes are supposed to be brave and I'm not brave. I don't think I can do this and now I'm never going to see Teddy again," Penelope explained.

"Penelope, listen to me," The Fable Keeper said. "Heroes are born with hearts full of courage. Cowards are born with hearts full of ignorance. Being fearful is all about being brave, it's challenging those fears that completes the definition."

Penelope took The Fable Keeper's advice into consideration. The mission continued and The Fable Keeper carried the next book over to Princess Peppermint.

"I'm sending you both to Prince Misereoux's castle to try to convince him of his help," The Fable Keeper explained. "Unlike you, princess, he remembers the curse and all the trouble it has caused. It may be easier to recruit him." She opened the book and the magic made it glow just like the others. She took Princess Peppermint's hand once again and off they went.

They landed in front of a very solemn-looking castle. Penelope found herself disappointed. She imagined the Prince of pleasant dreams to have a dazzling castle, full of life and imagination. The structure itself was indeed beautiful, but it wasn't glowing. It was obvious that this was not how it was supposed to be.

Passing citizens all stopped and stared. Peppermint felt very uncomfortable. She herded Penelope towards the gate which easily swung open and they approached the front doors. Penelope tried reaching for one of the knockers, but she was too short. So she turned to the Princess for assistance.

Peppermint reached for one of the knockers and knocked. It was loud. There was a pause after. Peppermint glanced over her shoulder to see a crowd forming at the gate, eagerly awaiting to see the events of her visit. She cringed at their prying eyes and then the door slowly opened.

It was dark inside and there was no one there to greet them. This frightened Penelope, so she cringed and clung to Peppermint's gown. Peppermint saw an opportunity here to coax the child into going home, but as she looked down into Penelope's frightened little eyes, she thought of how she might feel if someone she loved very dearly had been kidnapped. She knelt down to Penelope's level.