HER words don’t leave me, even after I return to the forest.
“I wouldn’t if I were you. That’s not a game you can play alone.”
Yeah, it’s not.
Princess is alone. She’s only got me and Dragon with her. Both of us are old men. As for other companions she can talk to, she’s got the goat, horse, and chickens. Besides them, there’s just the Tiny People. Since other kids were singing about ‘em, they’re not just a figment of Princess’ imagination. That at least eases my worries just a smidge.
How long should we keep this lifestyle up for? How long should we stay hidden in this forest? When will the right time Lady of Dawn spoke of come? Today? Tomorrow? Ten years from now? Will Princess be stuck singing all alone until then? That’s far too sad.
Can I sing? Me?
Dragon can probably sing. He’s got a curiously nice voice…for a lizard. Even though he’s a fire-breathing lizard…
Something rustles in the thicket where I’m headed. My head jerks up. And just what do I see?!
“GI! DE! ON!” Princess comes sprintin’ full-speed along one of the Millennial Tree’s massive horizontal branches.
Crap! I’ve got a bad stance! She’s headin’ this way! I hurry to drop my bags and quickly plant my feet. I make it by a hairbreadth—just as Princess dives off the branch with her tiny feet.
“Woohoo!” Red hair flutters, trailing behind her with her shout of joy as she comes flying at me. I spread open my arms and catch her.
My back pops. Princess’ weight and momentum send shockwaves down my spine. But I won’t let go. Who’d ever let go of her? Not me. Not ever. Princess giggles loudly in my arms. Freckles plainly stand out on her rose-colored cheeks.
“Welcome home!”
“I’m home, Princess.”
In the meantime, my number one worry is how long my body will hold out. Primarily, how long my lower back will.
✦ ✦ ✦
“THANK you for the food! Oh geez, was it delicious!”
“Glad you liked it.”
She jumps up and down, balls her hands into fists, crouches down, and leaps. The bright-green ribbon tied into her hair flutters behind her like a butterfly.
Princess’ reactions when she eats are as honest as they come. And how do I put it? She’s got a real appetite. She’s had one since she first devoured blackberries that cold rainy day we entered this forest. Fortunately, tonight’s meal consisted of warm soup and bread toasted with cheese. The soup’s broth was made from rabbit meat, goat milk, nuts, and turnips. I tried to recreate the flavors I tasted at the inn with the ingredients we have at home. My experiment was a success—Princess emptied her bowl down to the last drop, which she soaked up by rubbing her bread along the rim to cleanly finish off the soup.
“Now this’ll be an easy bowl to wash.”
“Yours will be too, Gideon.”
We have two bowls and spoons carved from polished wood. Princess was perplexed the first time she was faced with havin’ to use them last year. I don’t blame her. Until then, she’d eaten off of porcelain tableware with silver utensils. Now she’s completely used to it.
“I like wooden spoons. They’re soft inside your mouth.”
“I see, I see… Glad to hear.”
Carry the tableware you used yourself—she’s grown used to this routine as well.
“Wipe down the table.”
“Leave it to me.”
She soaks the dishcloth in water, wrings it, and trots over to the table. From what she’s told me, she learned everything, from how to clear the table to how to clean it, from watchin’ me do it. After observing me a few times, she eventually offered to help. “I’ll do it too,” she volunteered. It was curiosity that got her to participate, but things really are great ‘round the house once a kid starts helpin’ out.
“Hey, Princess, want to have some after-dinner tea? The mint and chamomile one…”
I don’t hear an answer. I look over my shoulder. Oh boy. She’s fast asleep on top of the table. Her little hand is still gripping the dishcloth.
“Kids really do fall asleep just about anywhere…”
She skips and bounces around the room all the time, so I get why she’d fall asleep like that. I pick her up and ascend the stairs to the second-story, carrying her to her room.
It’s poor manners, but I open the door with my foot and shoulder anyway. The wreaths she’s diligently weaved together with acorns, twigs, herbs, flowers, and ivy rustle and swish as the door pushes open. She really struggled making the first tiny one, but her skill’s increased with each new one she’s made. Now, I’m amazed by their colorfulness and size.
The biggest surprise of all, though, was learning that Dragon taught her how to make ‘em.
How extensive is that lizard’s knowledge?
I roll down the throw blankets and lay Princess on her bed. I remove her shoes and pull the blankets back up.
“Good night, Princess.”
Time to lock the doors. Better securely lock up the animal pen too.
Dampness is in the wind. The air is heavy. Tonight will see rain before long.
✦ ✦ ✦
THUNDER rumbles. The loud, crashing booms shake the shutters. Princess Lala Lilia snaps awake and curls into a ball, hugging her pillow on the bed. She can’t remember when she fell asleep or got into her bed.
The Millennial Tree’s leaves and branches bend and yield to the wind, but the trunk doesn’t budge an inch. The home protecting her is solid.
It’s okay. It’s okay. It’s safe here. I know. I know, but…
White light flashes through the gaps in the shutter.
“Eek!” She holds the pillow over her head and buries her face in the bed. “One, two, three, fou—”
BANG!
“…!”
She shoots up in bed, swinging her feet onto the ground. Barefoot, she flies from her room, hugging her pillow, and fearfully descends the staircase.
Don’t roar. Don’t roar right now!
Light flashes outside the windows again.
“Aaaah!” She runs as fast as her little legs will carry her down the stairs. “Mister Dragon! Mister Dragon!” She charges into the huge cellar where Dragon sleeps.
“Hello there, Princess.” Dragon is waiting for her. His honey eyes, his pleasantly deep, resounding voice, and his warm breath all envelop her. “What might be the matter?”
“Thunder…is scary. Can I sleep with you?”
“Of course. Come here, hatchling.”
“Thank you, Mister Dragon.”
Dragon invites her over with his foreleg, his wings spread out. Princess lunges for him, hugs his big body, and clings to his stomach.
“So warmmm.” She burrows under his gentle wings and dreamily shuts her eyes. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
“I love you…”
Her repeated “I love yous” gradually drawl into lisps and transform into the peaceful breaths of deep sleep.
“…Did she fall asleep?” Knight asks a short while later from where he hides in the shadows of a support pillar.
“Aye. She’s out cold. You needn’t worry any longer.”
“…Is that so?” He quietly steps back upstairs. He knows this is Dragon’s job, after all.
“Good night, Princess.”