GA Writing Prompts - 18. # 66 The Quest

The Quest

There once was a time when a young prince was lost

Away he had gone; he had gone on a quest.

He had left at night and he had left no trace.

People were worried back at his place.

A week went by; he did not come back.

A noble knight set out and followed his track.

The forest was dark. There was barely a light.

And there were strange and spooky noises at night.

The noble knight, however, was courageous and brave.

He explored the forest until he found a dark cave.

The man went inside with a torch in his hand.

The ground was slippery. It was hard to stand.

The knight looked around. His eyes widened in fear

At the sight of a creature that was about to come near.

It was a huge frog, skin green and brown.

The frog gazed at the knight with a grim frown.

"What is it you want?" The frog yelled at the knight.

The knight waved his torch. The frog blinked at the light.

"I’m looking for Prince Edward. Did he come this way?"

The knight asked, his face ashen and gray.

The frog made a noise and looked left and right.

"I saw him yesterday," he said. "He was alright."

The knight waved his torch. "Where did he go?"

"Please, tell me at once. I need to know."

The frog tilted his head and looked at the knight.

"The prince is in search of an ethereal light.

I told him to go to where the fairies dwell.

Their realm is protected by a mighty spell."

The knight straightened and pointed his torch at the frog.

The frog made a noise as if he was in shock.

"I told you the truth," he said in a low voice.

Do believe me or not. It is your choice."

"All right," the knight said. "So tell me the way.

I cannot wait longer. I cannot stay."

"Go west until night falls. Then you will see

A marble rock and a purple tree."

"You cannot pass until you lift the spell

That guards the fairies’ realm so well.

Then you will need to solve a riddle.

Don’t answer at once. Do think a little."

The knight gave the frog a smile and a nod.

"I owe you a favor, friend. Thanks a lot."

The frog just blinked and then closed his eyes.

He was not a friend of sappy goodbyes.

The knight crossed the forest. He wandered west.

He did not pause nor did he rest.

At sunset he reached the edge of the wood.

He stopped and looked out; the light was still good.

The knight saw fields with golden flowers.

In the distance he saw two high silver towers.

However, he soon saw that there was a twist.

When he made a step, the fields were wreathed in mist.

The air grew cold and the sky turned black.

The knight was unable to move forth or back.

Whatever he tried, he could not escape

The mist was like a thick cloth or drape.

Tired and exhausted the knight gave up.

He sat down. The ground was a marble rock.

Astonished, the knight touched the cold stone.

Then he realized that the morning sun shone.

The mist had gone; he was able to see.

And he found that he sat beneath a purple tree.

A bird, a robin, was sitting on a limb.

The ruby-.red bird looked down at him.

"Why did you come here?" The bird wanted to know.

"Give the right answer. Else you must instantly go."

The knight opened his mouth, then thought of the creature.

‘Don’t answer at once. Think a little. Think deeper.’

The knight looked at the bird. The bird tilted its head.

"Did I miss your answer? What was it you said?"

The knight felt confused. He thought. He tried very hard.

But no deep thought came to his mind. He was not that smart.

"Your time is up," the bird said as it spread its wings.

"Wait," the knight pleaded. "I’ll tell you the truth of things."

The bird tilted its head and gave a nod.

"All right, then. Please, do answer on the spot."

The knight swallowed. His cheeks blushed slightly.

He struggled for words. He did not take this lightly.

"I came here in search of young Edward, the prince."

At the boldness of his words, the handsome knight winced.

The bird scurried and looked at the knight.

"Carry on, please. I think you will get it right."

Henry, the knight, gazed at the bird.

"I never told somebody. Nobody ever heard..."

Henry swallowed again. And then he let it all out.

"I love Prince Edward," he said aloud.

Silence fell at Knight Henry’s confession.

Henry thought of Edward. He felt love and strong passion.

The bird spread its wings and flew away.

The sun had risen on a beautiful day.

Henry stood. He saw myriads of golden flowers.

A winding path led to the silver towers.

Henry swallowed. His heart jumped at the sight

Of a man moving towards the silver light.

"Prince Edward," Henry called out to the man.

The man turned around and raised a hand.

Henry waved back. He ran down the hill.

He gasped. "Edward, I will go wherever you will."

Astonished, Edward looked at the knight.

And then a smile spread on his face at the sight.

"My quest is over," Prince Edward said.

"I see the light in your eyes. You make me feel glad."

Henry opened his arms. They stood in an embrace.

The ruby-red bird watched and guarded the place.