My Vision Forum Story: Version One

Hi! Just in case anyone wanted to read this, here is the story I was going to put into the Vision Forum contest, but decided not to since Mama said it was too commonplace. I still think it a good fairytale story though! -Rachel

"The Rescue of Dalriaden"

By Rachel Heffington

Once upon a time a far age ago there was a kingdom called Dalriaden. The people of Dalriaden were ruled by a wise and faithful king. Such a happy land was this! Noblemen and peasants lived peaceably together and worked the fruitful soil. But one day a shadow fell across Dalriaden's purple moor. Distant murmurings entered the mouths of the people, and vague thoughts of fear and discontent crowded the gentry's mind. One by one they were blinded, until the evil had consumed everything up to the very gates of King Undell's palace. News of a dragon who darkened the people's mind with his venomous breath and presence filtered through the dales and into the village. The king watched in consternation as this dreaded evil gripped the hearts of his countrymen. It seemed the dragon was fast approaching and his influence had already damaged the minds of the Dalriadens. But King Undell was too wise to act hastily and without thought. Instead, the king waited, consulting his only daughter as to what the best course of action could be. King Undell had bestowed a gift upon this maiden when she was yet a babe in arms. He had named her Minetta, which means "faithful defender" and from a very early age she had been her father's most loyal supporter, upholding his name wherever she went. Now, in the day of trouble this same Princess Minetta and her father stayed in the castle to plan how to defend the kingdom of Dalriaden. The two spent their days praying for wisdom and valor, that they might be strong and loyal to light and truth in this age of evil.

Finally, the day dawned when not a ray of sunlight could penetrate the clouds of smoke and poisonous gasses that choked the sky. For the monster that was the cause of this terror and calamity was drawing ever closer-Groth- a hideously scaled dragon who hated light from any source but his own fiery breath, and who sought to destroy any good that clung to the land of Dalriaden. King Undell sent his last faithful footman to scour the deserted city for anyone, man or boy, who would raise a sword against the creature. The page returned with a single young man, a peasant, who had not yet succumbed to Groth's evil designs. This lad, Oberon, offered King Undell his service, and if it came to such a measure, his life. The king and Princess Minetta rejoiced to see one man untouched by the evil of Groth, and together the king, the footman, and Oberon guarded the castle walls. As evening closed upon Dalriaden, nothing could be seen save a glow, as of some great furnace, where Groth slept. Oberon entered the great castle hall and bowed to Princess Minetta and her father. "Your majesty!" he began, "The great monster Groth sleeps at your gate this night. Long have you waited for such a time as this. With your permission I will slay the beast!"

The king pondered Oberon's offer. "I cannot allow you to attempt such a dangerous task alone! I shall accompany you to the place where Groth slumbers!"

And so saying, King Undell took up his sword and followed Oberon from the hall with a last kiss for his daughter.

An ordinary maiden would have wept at this point, but, Princess Minetta, faithful defender that she was, fell on her knees in supplication to the Father above, and remained there through the night.

Meanwhile….

King Undell and Oberon scaled the wall of the palace grounds and slipped unnoticed through the shadows. Rounding the final corner of the wall, they came upon the dragon Groth. He lay stretched full length upon the cobblestones. His back and tail were plated with shining scales so bright, that each of his fiery breaths dazzled in them, echoed back a thousand times brighter. But Groth was not asleep. Such a dastardly creature as he was too cunning for such a foolish measure.

As King Undell raised his sword to slay the monster, Groth turned and thrashed his spear-like tail, pinning the king against the wall. He hissed menacingly and his snake-like tongue fluttered with poisonous breath over shining needles of teeth. As Groth raised his horned head in preparation to eat his prey, Oberon leapt from the darkness and thrust his sword through Groth's unprotected throat. With a last furious and flaming breath, the monster's life ebbed away and he slipped into the land of darkness.

A week later a grand celebration was being held. With the dragon Groth's death, Dalriaden had been loosed from the blinding evil and the people were once again free.

This afternoon they congregated by the lake to witness a memorable ceremony:

King Undell, clad in his royal garments led Princess Minetta to the lakeside. How beautiful she looked with a wreath of rosebuds in her golden hair and a smile upon her lips! Then, King Undell summoned Oberon to his side. Taking the Sword that had slain the Dragon he touched each of the lad's broad shoulders and proclaimed in a strong voice, "I dub you Lord Oberon, Prince of Dalriaden!" Then, beckoning to the blushing princess he gave her hand to Oberon in marriage saying, "I bestow upon you, beloved daughter, the title of Lady Minetta Oberon, faithful defender of your father's, and now your husband's honor!"

As he said this, the king placed a golden crown upon each of their heads and the two sealed their union with a kiss.

So from that time on, they ruled together, and Dalriaden was henceforth a kingdom of light and truth.

The End