The cheeks of the young princess became red again and her heart started beating faster. "Yes," she whispered. She could not stop looking at him. Her prince used his other arm to pull her even closer. He smiled. She could feel his heart beating faster.
"Hey, you two! Why did you run off like that? Come! Wine and a roasted boar are waiting for us!" the voice of his oldest brother echoed.
Aidan muttered angrily. Zora sighed, and turned his frowning face towards her. She quickly kissed him on the cheek. "Come dear. Let's not make the others wait," she said and hastily moved in their direction.
Queen Olivia scoffed, "I don't know why he even bothers. Judging by her appearance, it is clear that the hardest thing she ever had to lift was a spoon. One with a hole in it."
The king looked at her. Her wrinkled nose made him smile. "My beloved wife, do I sense a hint of jealousy in your voice?" he asked.
The queen turned her head offended. "Of her? Heavens forbid! She barely spoke three words since her arrival." she said.
"Unlike some who never seem to stop talking," teased the older prince. His remark made everyone laugh. "She doesn't say much, but she is beautiful..." he said and stopped locking eyes with his wife's disapproving stare.
"Of course, not as beautiful as you, my dear."
The senior princess kissed the small boy who had been clinging to her and told him to go and play. "They actually compliment each other nicely. The young prince is very handsome."
"And also very loud, boastful and pugnacious" added the queen. "It's easy to tell that he was spoiled rotten as a child."
"If you were mere subjects and not my closest family, I would command that you be put a hot stone in your mouths for gossiping." His majesty commanded, tired of the banter.
"Look! There they are!" the princess said pointing. Soon, the young couple joined the family.
Evening came. With the family, sitting in the game room, the queen tilted her head towards the young woman. "What are you reading about?" she asked Zora.
A little startled, the young princess replied, "Oh, I am reading some old myths and legends."
The queen stepped forward and checked the title. She scoffed. "My dear, that's a book for children."
The young woman bowed her head, embarrassed. "I wanted to learn about the magical creatures in this kingdom. That's all," she stutters.
The queen let out a loud laugh. "You must be jesting! Such things died out centuries ago!"
Zora gulped not sure what to say. A hand touched her cheek gently brushing it. She looked up and smiled. Aidan had come to her rescue.
He winked at his princess and said, "I'd hate to interrupt this trilling conversation. However, it is getting late. I'm ready to go to bed. Would you care to join me, Zora?"
Zora blushed, turning her head. She had this nervous habit of squeaking when she was excited and tried with all her might not to give the queen any more ammunition for her mockery.
She did not have to worry about that for long. A sudden noise, almost like an explosion, alarmed the entire castle. The solid rock ground shook under them.
"What is happening for the love of God?!" the startled king shouted. "Guards!"
Two guards in full metal armor immediately stormed into the room. "Yes, my Lord!," they exclaimed in unison.
A furious female shriek echoed, piercing their ears with its force. It was accompanied by the sound of a wall being torn apart.
"What could it be in this damned time of night?" the king yelled.
"My Lord, a maiden came from the forest," one of the guards said. "She is at the area being built. She climbed a tower and is destroying it, brick by brick!"
"Has a crow picked your head and flown off with your sanity?" Olivia spoke out mad. "A mere maiden can't tear down wall. It must be the-"
"The Guardian of the Forest," Zora whispered.
Everyone got dressed and rushed out of the castle. The tower, which just that morning stood sturdily, was now swinging left and right covered in green plants which has been squeezing it like a python. Among the noise, an occasional female scream attacked their ears.
When they came close enough, they saw a female figure, with long green hair made of long stretches of vines. Her entire body was green. Her short dress was made of harsh tree bark. She mumbled something, angrily rubbing her eyes. As she landed near the foot of the tower, her hair crept up the wall, like some sort of horrifying tentacles. She slammed her fist against the wall, the entire thing fell down like a house of cards.
"Who dares destroy my castle?" the king bellowed, red with anger.
The creature turned her face towards him and frowned. "Who dares disturb my peace?" she responded in equal volume.
"I am the ruler of this land and everything on it! That means you are my subject. I order you to tell me who are you? Speak!" roared the king.
Taking a few steps forward, the creature was close enough for the others to distinguish the features of her green and stern face. "I am the protector of all living things of these lands. I have lived here for centuries. I only abide by the rules of nature. Hence, I have no interest for human laws and mortal kings," the uninvited guest declared.
The queen responded, "Then why, in Heaven's name, are you demolishing our new home?"
The long-haired creature, rubbed her eyes in frustration. "For many months, my sleep has been affected by the noise of clanging and smashing. It was not enough that you frightened the animals and disturbed my slumber. You also had to shoot arrows at me!" She extended the arm in which she held two arrows.
"Are these not yours?" she yelled as she held them above her head. Zora recognized them and squeaked, hiding behind her husband. Aidan's eyes widened in terror.
"No one was shooting at you, at least not intentionally," Aidan said loudly. "Those arrows flew at you by mistake."
The creature glared at the group. "Whatever the case may be, they woke me up," she yelled. "And now, since I can't sleep, might as well do something with my time." She clenched her fist, menacingly as her eyes glowed green.