The Lost Princess

The King of the Dwarves

Xavier and Raven walked alongside Bartag as they made their way towards the crystal castle underground. Their eyes were as wide as saucers trying to take in as much as their surrounding as they could. Raven had seen many jewels in her lifetime growing up around Dregs hoard, but this made his look like dust. The size of the castle alone could fill every inch of the cave she had grown up in, all of the adjoining caverns, and still spill out into the forest.

Bartag stroked his beard, watching the two with excitement and a hint of mischievousness. If they were this impressed with the outside, he could not wait to have them see the inside.

"Well we shouldn't keep father waiting much longer. Shall we head to the throne room while your rooms are prepared?" Bartag did not even attempt to hide his excitement that they were there. Happily chatting about the time in which Aurora still lived in the surrounding forest.

At 52 years old Bartag was young for a dwarf as they lived for several hundred years. He had only recently reached what his father considered maturity and had been given the responsibility of leading his own unit of guards.

As they neared the throne room the door was slightly ajar, but no sound could be heard from within. Bartag slowed his steps noting the absence of guards. "Do not move, let me... announce our arrival first." He moved forward pushing the door slightly before a sword came careening towards his neck.

He barely blocked in time the sparks flying as steel met steel. "Good! My boy you are a natural!" A large man with the same red beard laughed jovially as he continued to stay on the offensive sending strike after strike in Bartags direction.

Raven and Xavier was about to pull their own weapons when Bartag called over his shoulder not even slightly out of breath. "Friends, I would like to introduce you to my Father, King Odrin of the Dwarves."

They were dumbfounded, if he was the king then why was he attacking his son?

Bartag was starting to form small beads of sweat on his brow, King Ogdrin obviously not going easy in the slightest. "I have 86 years on you my boy, if you wish to beat me, you'll need to surprise me!" He taunted as he swung his large sword in large arcs and small jabs.

"Then here is a surprise for you, they send regards from Aurora." The kings steps faltered only briefly but it was all Bartag needed, he pushed forward slamming the handle of his sword into his fathers gut and twisting his wrist to disarm him.

As the sword clattered to the floor his father burst into applause. "Bravo! Now if only you could win without such lies next time." The King turned to look at Raven and Xavier who stood slightly outside the open door as if he had just noticed their presence.

Before he could ask who they were Raven knelt on one knee pulling Xavier with her. "King Ogdrin, Aurora the Forest Sprite has told me much about you. I travel from the Kingdom Amherst  in the south where I lived with her in the mountain. My birth name is Raven of Amherst, but was given the name Newt. Beside me is my companion Xavier." She kept her head lowered, waiting for him to speak.

It seemed the whole room held a collective breath awaiting the kings next words. "Oh really, then what did she say about me?" She looked up then peering into his face. She saw curiosity and a slight hint of hope.

She racked her brain for things Aurora had said and felt her cheeks tinted red. It was true that Aurora had spoken of him in fondness, but most of the things she had said were embarrassing to say. It was too late to take her words back now though so she cleared her throat preparing to utter words she had wished she never would. "She Ummm.... said that your snores could wake a hibernating bear and that your stinky feet could kill the said bear twice." By now the blood was rushing in her ears, her face red and tingling in embarrassment.

A loud howl of laughter sounded from her right. Bartag was bent over holding his stomach tears forming in his eyes as he laughed gasping for air. "Even with all the distance..." *gasp* "she still talks..." *wheeze* "about your stinky feet!"

Looking back at King Ogdrin, Raven could see a slight pink tint on the uncovered portions of his cheeks. He coughed running his hand over his beard, eyes not meeting anyone in the room. "It seems you really do know Aurora. Please come in." He turned quickly as if he wanted to run and strode towards the Throne at the end of the room.

Bartag having finally calmed down slightly wiped a tear from the corner of his eye. "I was a little skeptical at first but it seems you really do know Aunt Aurora." He saw the quizzical look on their faces and quickly added. "Not biologically, but she treated us like family." He chuckled bitterly as if remembering her leaving.

Raven could see sadness and could relate. She too missed the sprite. "She raised me, treating me like family too." She offered a small smile which Bartag returned in full force.

"In that case, I will call you my cousin!" He crushed her in a bear hug so tight it forced all the air from her lungs. She patted his back with a little force her lungs screaming in protest. Noticing her red face he released her stepping back almost reluctantly. "Oops, sorry I forget how weak humans are." At least he has the decency to at least look slightly sorry.

The King coughed to remind them of his presence but his eyes were smiling, all the awkwardness of earlier dissipating.

Taking a deep breath Raven once again knelt before him."Your Majesty, I come here to ask for your help. I am unsure if you know of what is happening in Amherst, but my uncle is the current king. Aurora kept me hidden in the mountain away from his tyrannical rule. However, he has sent men for my life and has harmed others trying to get to me. I never wished to rule anyone and did not even know of my heritage until recently, but even if I did not sit upon the throne I ask that you help me to remove him from power. I wish to gather a force together to fight his evil."