His Enchanted Swan

Chapter Twenty

“Wait a minute?” Yvette said, as she was confused. “I don’t recall any part of the story where Rothbart, and Odette had a child together.”

“Who do you think was Odile’s mother?” Bartholomew asked her.

“Seriously?” She replied, as she was taken aback by what he just said.

“Well think about it, my dear.” He replied. “Why do you think that Odette, and Odile were so much similar in appearance? It makes perfect sense, that Odette was her mother.”

“I always assumed that it was just a coincidence.” She told him. “Maybe the reason he loved Odette was because she resembled Odile’s mother. However, the version I heard, was that they actually didn’t look anything alike. Rothbart just cast a spell on Odile, to make her look like Odette.”

“But you forget, my dear.” He began to explain. “Rothbart fell in love with her soul, when she was just eight years old. Although he did find her physical appearance extremely beautiful, it was her inner beauty that captured his heart.”

“But that doesn’t make any sense.” She replied. “Odile was around the same age as Odette, and Siegfried. They would have been in their late thirties, or early forties, by the time Odile became an adult. So how could Odette have possibly been her mother?”

“Well, we have a little more time before you must leave.” He smiled. “Let us continue with the story, shall we?”

“Please.” Yvette said, as she gave him a smile. Needless to say, he had peaked her curiosity.

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Prince Friedrick, or Siegfried the Second, was the son of the late King Siegfried the First and Queen Gertrude. The first King Siegfried had passed away, just three years prior, as Gertrude had taken on the title of Queen Consort. Even though his father had passed, the prince still went by the name of Friedrick. Though when he would become king, upon his eighteenth birthday, he would take on his birth name, officially becoming King Siegfried the Second.

His mother was somewhat disappointed in her son. For the eighteenth year of his birth, was just a few months away. Yet the young man was only interested in having fun. He had no interest in learning from the royal advisors, nor did he have any interest in finding a bride. His father had refused to force the young prince into any prearranged marriages.

As Friedrick sat down with his tudors, and advisors, he had trouble concentrating. It was a beautiful day, a perfect day to hunt. He kept daydreaming, as he watched some swans fly by the window. It reminded him of the story his father used to tell him. It was about a beautiful princess, that had been turned in to a swan, and then abducted by an evil owl king.

The story had always fascinated him, and his father had told it so well. The beautiful maiden had been described in such detail, that Friedrick could picture her perfectly. Was it possible to fall in love with in image that one creates within their own mind?

If he didn’t know any better, he would have thought that his father had actually believed the story. But then again, maybe he did. The story was the only explanation given, as to why his father had outlawed hunting swans, and why Friedrick was told to never go near the forbidden part of the forest.

His father had warned him about the dark magic that existed there, but Friedrick didn’t believe in such silly superstitions. Still, even though he did enjoy a good hunt, he had no desire to harm a swan. Perhaps his father’s tale had enchanted him.

After a awhile, the prince was told that it was time for his lunch. However, much to his chagrin, it was going to be brought to him in the castle library. It was just too nice of a day, to be stuck inside. At last, the tudors had left the room so he could eat in peace. This was the opportunity that he had been waiting for, all morning.

As soon as the coast was clear, he quickly, and quietly, left the library. He then headed to his cousin’s, Benno’s, room. Quickly, Friedrick knocked on the door. Benno soon opened it, looked at him, and began to laugh.

“I hope you’ve finished your studies, your majesty.” Benno chuckled. “We wouldn’t want the future King to start acting childish.”

“Very funny.” Friedrick said with a smirk. “I just can’t take it anymore. It’s too nice of a day, to be stuck here in the castle. Grab your bow, and we’ll go hunting.”

“You know, if your mother finds out, she’ll have both of our heads.” Benno reminded him.

“Maybe, but soon I’ll be king.” Replied Friedrick. “Then she won’t be able to order me around anymore.”

“Oh alright.” Said Benno. “After all, it is a lovely day, a good day for the hunt.”

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Friedrick, and Benno went deeper into the woods. Even though it was a nice day, there just wasn’t much game around them.

Benno started to sigh. “Well, your mother is going to kill us, and we’ll have nothing to show for it. It’ll be getting dark soon.”

“Maybe we should call it a day.” Replied Friedrick. “I am tired of her constantly nagging me. Either she thinks that I am acting too immature, or she keeps complaining that I need to find a queen.”

“You are the most eligible bachelor in the kingdom.” Benno added. “Of course you are not ready to settle down yet.”

“I suppose.” Friedrick sighed. Benno then furrowed his brow, and stared at Friedrick.

“Wait.” Said Benno. “Is there a girl, and are you just not telling anyone? What is she, a common peasant, a serf?”

“No.” Replied Friedrick. “I know it sounds crazy. But my father used to tell me a story about an enchanted Swan Princess. He told me, how my grandfather, and the princess’s father, had arranged a marriage between her and my father. They had met when he was ten, and she was eight. But for him, it was love at first site. However, since he was only a boy of ten, he didn’t know how to express is feelings. So much to her dismay, he teased her, and picked on her as well.”

“Well.” Benno replied. “Most children at that age, especially boys, act that way when they like someone.”

“Only it ended up destroying the marriage arrangement in the end.” Said Friedrick. “My father tried to kill an owl, because he knew it would upset her. But she rescued it. However, the owl in question turned out to be the cruel wizard known as Barron Von Rothbart.”

“Not that pervert who supposedly abducts maidens, and makes them part of his Swan Harem?” Benno asked. “You don’t really believe that story, do you?”

“Yes, no.” Replied Friedrick, as he shook his head. “I don’t know. All I know is that my grandfather broke the marriage agreement when he found out that Rothbart had enchanted, and seduced the Swan Princess. Even though my father loved my mother, if the story was true, a part of him always loved this other princess. He also felt guilty that he never stood up to his father, nor did he try to defend her honor.”

“What happened to this princess, and her family?” Benno asked.

“They refused to let her marry Rothbart.” Friedrick explained. “He destroyed the kingdom, while abducting Odette, and all of the unmarried young maidens of the kingdom. He then turned them all into swans. And those that remained, drowned in their own tears. My father felt responsible for so many deaths. And what was left of the kingdom, became incorporated, into the forbidden part of the forest.”

Friedrick then sighed. “But I remember, when he would describe her to me, I could see a light within his eyes. And the woman he described to me, I swear, I also fell in love with her. It is the reason that father outlawed hunting birds of any kind. It is also why the people of the kingdom, are not allowed to wander into the forbidden part of the forest. He said it was enchanted, and death would likely come to any human, that may try to enter it.”

“That’s the reason we are not allowed to hunt birds, of any kind?” Benno asked in frustration. “Especially waterfowl?” He had an angry look upon his face, as he headed towards the forbidden part of the forest.

“Wait!” Cried Friedrick. “Where are you going?”

“You need to grow up!” Cried Benno. “You will be king in a couple of months. You can allow any kind of hunting that you desire. There are no such things as enchanted parts of the forest, owl wizards, swan harems, or a girl so beautiful, that you can automatically fall in love with her just from hearing a story. I refuse to go back empty handed. Your father is gone, and you will soon be king. I am hunting swans, even in an area that is supposedly forbidden!”

“Benno! Stop!” Friedrick cried. But his cousin refused to listen, as Friedrick chased after him.

They soon came upon a clearing, of the most beautiful lake, that mere mortal man had ever seen. There was hundreds of swans, everywhere. Most of them were white. But close to the edge of the water, was a unique black one.”

“Now that!” Cried Benno. “Is what I call a trophy!” He then drew his bow, as he was about to fire upon the beautiful black plumaged creature.

“BENNO! NO!” Cried Friedrick. But it was too late, Benno had already shot the arrow, as it was already headed straight for the swan. Then out of nowhere, one of the white swans, made a horrific screeching sound. Right before the arrow hit the black swan, the white swan flew in front of it, as the arrow pierced her wing.

All of the other swans including the black one, began flying around in a frenzy. It was as if they were trying to guard their fallen sister swan.

“Dammit!” Cried Benno. “I missed! That stupid white one messed up my shot!”

“I told you not to fire upon the swans!” Friedrick angrily cried. He then ran over to the injured swan, as he knew he had to try, and save her. Just as he made his way over to her, the sun had started to set. To his utter disbelief, the swan soon began to transfer into a fair maiden. She had become the most beautiful woman, that he had ever seen in his entire life.

“Oh my god!” He cried. “It’s you, the Swan Princess!” A tear ran down his cheek, as it landed on the young maiden’s face. Weak, and injured, she slowly turned her head to look at him. Her eyes widened, as she had a surprised look upon her face. The poor girl was moving her lips, yet she was unable to make any sound.

All of a sudden, he heard Benno, cry out in terror. As Friedrick turned around, he was horrified to see a large black owl attacking his cousin. Friedrick left the young woman, to go rescue his cousin. But it was too late. Benno cried out in a shrilling scream of terror, as the owl slit its hapless victim’s throat, with one of its massive talons.

With a look of terror in his eyes, Benno grabbed his throat. Gasping for air, he soon fell forward, as he continued to make blood curdling sounds. Friedrick went to him as soon as possible, and gently turned him over on his back.

“Frie-Friedrick!” Benno gasped, with his last dying breath.

“NO!” Cried Friedrick, as he weeped profusely, for his now deceased cousin. “BENNO! Why didn’t you listen to me?” He then looked back towards the lake, and saw that all of the swans were still in a frenzy. However, he neither saw the beautiful maiden, the black swan, nor the black owl. All three, had completely disappeared.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Rothbart flew his beloved back to their enchanted castle, by the lake. He had created it for her, right after he had claimed her as his queen. Her arm was injured, and she was shaking, but he knew she was going to be alright. He would just use some of his potions to help her, so she could heal much quicker.

“Damn human scum!” Rothbart cried out in anger, as he returned to his human form. It was soon after that, when his daughter Odile entered. She was the splitting image of her mother. And no matter how hard he tried, he could not help but resent her. In his mind, she was just a reminder of the woman he loved, that no longer returned his affections.

“I-is she going to be alright?” Odile meekly asked.

“Yes!” Rothbart angrily snapped. “No thanks to you, Odile! How many times have I told you, not to come so close, to the edge of the lake. Those hunters tried to kill you! But they hurt your mother instead, because she was trying to protect you! Not that you would do the same for her, since you always reject her love!”

“I guess I’m always angry at her!” Odile cried. “If she would love you, then maybe you would love me, as well! I know that the reason why I am cold to her, is the same reason why you are cold to me! I am jealous, because you only love her, and not me! Despite this triangular conundrum, of unrequited love, that we have all created, I still didn’t want her to be hurt like this.”

“Leave us!” Rothbart angrily commanded her.

“Fine!” She cried, as she soon left them alone.

“Rothbart started to cry, as he watched his beloved Odette, as she began to writhe in pain. As he continued to cry, he gently stroked her cheeks with the back of his fingers.

“Don’t worry my love.” He cried. “I will soothe your pain, and I will never let some foul beast ever hurt you again.”

He quickly whipped up a potion, to soothe her pain from the arrow, as well as to help her heal quicker. Delicately, he slipped his arm under her shoulders. He then gently helped her to sit up, as he held her tenderly. With that he placed the potion to her lips.

“Drink it, my love.” He whispered. “It will help you feel better.” With that, she took a sip, as she soon fell asleep. Hopefully she would feel better soon. As he continued to hold her, he looked at her, and smiled.

“My beloved Odette.” He whispered. “My beloved Swan Queen. I promise to love, and protect you forever. And no one shall ever take you away from me.”

With that Odette began to mumble in her sleep. But she only said one word, that he could understand. “Siegfried…”

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