IV - Of the Errand of Mother Applebloom
So it was that Fleetstride tarried under the branches of the green wood for a score of days, and he walked far and wide in exploring this fair unknown realm, and ever at his side was Starbright. At first, she accompanied him because she had joy in the forest and knew many secret and beautiful places, and greatly did she desire to share in their sight with another. And Fleetstride readily allowed her as companion, for he marvelled at her knowledge and saw that she was wise. She had come to learn the speech of birds, and he told her of the mysteries of Faerie, and they learned much from each other and grew swiftly in knowledge. And by the ending of the twentieth day, they walked far together in the forest, and yet their eyes saw naught but the beauty of the other. And as the sun fell, they pledged their troth and returned to the home of Mother Applebloom.
Mother Applebloom knew much of what passed in the forest, and she rejoiced, for she knew her daughter had chosen well. Yet she said naught until the dawning of the first-and-twentieth day, when it was the doom of Fleetstride to depart. And Fleetstride went before her, and he thanked her graciously for her hospitality, and swore an oath of service to her. “Yet, ere I depart,” said he, “Must I ask something of you, a gift greater than I be worthy of - yet ever will I rue this day if I did not seize the chance for the asking of it, Mother Applebloom.”
And Mother Applebloom grew still, and she asked, slow and deep, “What gift would you ask of me, child of Men? For there be much in my forest that I would grant you gladly, and you have but to ask for it and it will be given freely - for I see that you be a worthy man.”
Fleetstride’s heart was emboldened at this, and so he said, “The gift be your daughter, Mother Applebloom, the fair Starbright. For I love her, and her me.”
Then Mother Applebloom said, stern and cold, “There be no gift greater that you could request I grant, child of Men. Tell me, be you be worthy of such a boon?”
And Fleetstride said, “I be not worthy. Yet even so must I ask it, if there be but the slenderest of chances that it may be so.”
Mother Applebloom stood, tall and silent, her deep eyes fixed upon Fleetstride. At length she said, “My daughter is a great gift indeed, and if you be worthy of her, then I command that you prove it. For my daughter is owed a mighty inheritance, which she was robbed of. If you be able to reclaim my daughter’s inheritance, and can match it with a dowry equal in worth, then you shall have my blessing and may wed.”
And Fleetstride’s heart leapt glad within him, and he said, “You have but to name this inheritance, Mother Applebloom, and I will reclaim it and match its worth besides.”
And Mother Applebloom laughed, and she said, “The child Starbright be the daughter of the craven slain king, and heir to his throne. Restore her throne to her, and claim a throne for yourself, and I will give her leave to wed you.”
Sudden was Fleetstride’s heart sore within him, even as wonder came over him. For all in the land knew the tale of the lost princess, and yet Fleetstride had not guessed that the maiden Starbright be her. And his heart was full joyous to have discovered she yet lived, and to have found her merry and fair. Yet in the very same moment was he also deep troubled, for it seemed to him that Mother Applebloom put a dreadful task upon him.
Mother Applebloom saw his fear, but stern she remained, though in that hour she was sore afraid that the youth would turn aside from his doom. But Fleetstride’s heart was bold and true, and though he saw little hope of fulfilling such a quest, he made answer, “Then I will do as you deem, wise mother, or else perish in pursuit of my errand.” And Mother Applebloom was glad, though she said naught.
And so Fleetstride made ready to depart the great wood, and as the day drew to an end he set off on his desperate quest, his bright axe sharp shining in his hand. But as he left, his heart was twice-sore, for he saw no hope of victory by might or guile over the orc-king and all his hosts. And though he searched long for her and gentle called her name, neither did he meet again with the Princess Starbright ere he left with the setting of the sun. For Mother Applebloom had put a spell of sleep upon her, and she now lay deep in hidden caverns.
V - Of the Warring of Fleetstride
So it was that the man Fleetstride, beloved of Starbright and champion of Faerie, made forth to wage war upon the wicked orc-king and all his evil servants. And the axe Frost-sear sang for the joy of battle as Fleetstride grim sallied forth, and none could stand before him. And many who begrudging served the orc-king lay down their weapons before the young man, and those who were wicked fled before his wrath, or gave battle and were struck down. And so swift was Fleetstride that ever when his enemies made to lay hands upon him, he slipped between them and was gone, only to fall upon them from behind and scatter them in confusion and terror. And it was said that he ran between flights of arrows and was unscathed, and that he could not be outpaced by man, beast or spirit.
And the orc-king came to hear of the hero who made war upon the wild marches of his land, and he was troubled not, for Fleetstride was but one man, and many leagues lay distant between the castle and the borders on which he roamed. But three days passed, and Fleetstride came ever closer to the castle, and the terror that went before him grew ever stronger. So the king gave order that the greatest warriors of his orc-host should issue forth, and they were four score and ten in number. And they were clad in sable armour and armed themselves with spears tipped in poison, and issued forth to slay Fleetstride.
Then went forth the braying of trumpets and the roar of war, as the orcs made their challenge to Fleetstride and lo! he raised his axe in answer to the banns, and made forth to meet them in open battle. And it is said that nine times and eighty did Frost-sear swing that day, and that with every swing did one of the great orcs fall slain. And then did Fleetstride command the last and least of the orcs to hasten back to the king, with words of defiance in message. And so did Fleetstride swift come ever closer to the orc-king’s castle, and three days later did he make camp within sight of its walls.
The orc-king now was filled with cold anger, and he issued command to his troll-guard, and they were fitted with cruelly spiked armour and bore great mattocks. And they went forth with the beating of drums to slay Fleetstride, and he raised his silver axe in answer to their challenge, and joined battle with them. And great though each troll was, each the match of five mortal men, a fey fate was upon Fleetstride, and he dashed swift among them and struck them down, and his axe was blackened with evil blood. And so it was that Fleetstride slew the king’s troll-guard, and he sang in victory in voice so loud that the very walls of the castle trembled.
Now was the orc-king consumed with a red wrath, and he himself took up his blackened baleful sword and was clad crimson in armour, and he stood at the great gate of his castle. For while the orc-king was coward and sore afraid, also was he possessed of a secret knowledge that emboldened his craven heart. And Fleetstride came upon him at the gates, and they issued challenge one to another, and sprang upon one another in joined battle.
Then did the silver axe and the blackened sword meet in a song of war, and never had such skill of arms been seen before in that age, for the orc-king was a fell and crafty warrior. Yet though he loved battle less, Fleetstride’s might was the greater, and three times three did he slip past the orc-king’s guard to deliver a mortal blow. But alas! strange spells of sorcery were wrapped about the king and ever at the last was Frost-sear turned aside by his magicks.
And Fleetstride was wearied by his long days of strife, and at the last his arm flagged and his pace faltered, and he stumbled and was thrown down by the evil orc. And the king laughed long, and his servants issued forth and bound Fleetstride, and he was cast deep into the keep’s dungeons, to be slow tormented to his death for defying the might of the orc-king.
VI - Of the Flight of Starbright
So word of the captivity of Fleetstride went through the land, and the creatures of the forest heard the evil tidings and brought them to Mother Applebloom. And so Mother Applebloom went to the hidden chamber of Starbright, and she lifted the spell of slumber upon her daughter, and told her of Fleetstride’s evil fate. And long did the princess weep when she heard these unhappy words, but not so long. For then did her mind grow clear, and her heart was set with steel, and that very night did she slip away in secret (or so she thought) from Mother Applebloom, determined to win the freedom of her beloved, or else be slain in the doing of the deed.
So Starbright went forth, but as she sprang from the hidden caverns into the still forest, a thrush flitted quick before her, and it spoke to her in the secret tongue of birds.
The night is young and all should rest,
Yet away you run on silver feet.
What must you do, oh maiden sweet,
What must you do under stars so bright?
And the princess said, “I must depart, oh thrush so pure, to the orc-king wicked, for in contesting his evil power must I suffer my doom.”
The thrush heard these words, and saw that her quest was a good one. And ever was it so that Starbright had treated the thrush’s folk kindly and with love, and so the thrush dropped into Starbright’s hand a ring in gift, and it was a magic ring, for it compelled any who were asked a question of the bearer to answer both full and truly. So Starbright slipped the ring on slender finger, and thanked the thrush for his kindness. And she continued in her passage through the forest.
Yet as she came upon a darkling stream, a raven black alighted on a tree nearby, and fixed her with beady eye.
The night is cold, and warm be nest,
Yet away you steal, in darkness bare.
Why do you flee, oh maiden fair,
Why do you flee ‘neath moon so white?
And Starbright said, “I must be gone, oh raven crafty, to Fleetstride gallant in dungeons deep, for he be my love beyond fear and woe.”
The raven bowed his head and understood her words. Yet ever had Starbright shown respect and treated the raven’s folk well, so now a flight of ravens came upon Starbright, and they bore a hat and placed it upon her head. And there was a magic in the cap, so that when worn aright, the wearer could assume the form and dress of any being under the sun. But when worn backwards, the wearer became invisible to the sight of all. And Starbright thanked the raven full for his aid, and continued in her flight through the forest.
Yet as Starbright came to the edge of the forest, a great eagle swooped down from the heavens, and he was a king of birds. And the eagle asked of Starbright:
The night is old and sleep is best,
Yet away you go with desperate haste.
Where will you go, oh maiden chaste,
Where will you go ere dawn of the light?
And Starbright said, “I must away, oh noble lord, to the far castle of the evil king, for there be my hope beyond hope.”
And the eagle bowed low before her, for he judged that it was a worthy errand. And further did he judge that the princess be deserving of aid. So he hung about her shoulders a great cloak of eagle feathers, and any who wore that cloak were possessed of the magic of flight, to be able to dance and wheel in the heavens as they were a great bird. And also did the eagle speak solemn words of oath to Starbright, promising the favour and service of all birds good and free, if she were to call upon them. For the eagle-king knew that she was beloved and worthy of love. And the princess bowed low in turn, for she knew this to be a princely boon indeed, and she was thankful.
And so Starbright left the forest green, armed with wooden rod and bearing hat, cloak and ring. And Mother Applebloom knew her daughter was gone, and she was filled with great fear and secret hope at what may come to pass.
