"Well, Well, " said the old hag, "That's that then "

Larkspur began to notice that she was not in the museum but in some kind of shack."

"I was just wondering what to do with our dear prince and here is my answer. His time suffering for his mother's mistakes is through," said the hag solemnly. Then glee split her face once more, "And lord knows, the queen will suffer more for all of the events that are about to unfold." None of this sounded good to Larkspur.

"Where am I?" Larkspur asked.

"It doesn't matter you won't be here with me long," said the hag. "Now to fix whatever that is you're wearing," she began to chant in what sounded like the same language Tru had used earlier.

Larkspur was astounded to watch her clothes change into a very convincing medieval peasant costume right before her eyes. She was now convinced that she had passed out in the museum and was now dreaming.

"Now my dear," said the hag, "it is very important that you tell the guards exactly what I say."

"What guards?" Larkspur asked.

"The ones riding about in the streets right now looking for the princes' new bride," said the old lady. Larkspur couldn't believe how weird this dream was.

"You must tell them you are a witch and…" the hag began.

"But I'm not!" Larkspur interrupted.

"Of course you're not," said the woman. "I am, so you don't need to be. But you just listen to me and we're going to break the prince's spell and make you a princess in the process. Our prince is currently a lindworm, but we can change that. Just tell them you're a witch and you know how to break the prince's curse. Tell them you need a lash, lye and a milk bath. Here's the important part, so make sure you are listening. You must coat the lash in the lye and whip the lindworm prince until he sheds a skin. Then coat the lash again and whip him again until he sheds another. You must do this until he has shed 10 layers of skin and then bathe him with the milk. He will be a human prince again. Make sure you do this right. He's already eaten the first two princesses

This sounded ridiculous to Larkspur. First of all what exactly was a lindworm. Secondly, if he had eaten two princesses, how was she going to get through 10 rounds of whipping him with a corrosive substance. And lastly, this all was just crazy. None of it made sense in the least. What was wrong with her head to be dreaming something like this. Unfortunately, she didn't get to voice any of her concerns because the hag had run outside and returned with two burly medieval soldiers.

"This is my niece, who I was just telling you of" the hag said, pointing to Larkspur, "The witch that can break the prince's curse."

"We were simply sent to find a peasant woman, since the princesses keep dying. Not good for our foreign relations. But if this one can truly break the curse that would be something," said one of the men.

"She will do, especially since it's doubtful that she will survive the night," the other one said. The compliment did wonders for Larkspur's self-esteem and gave her great comfort.

Then they dragged her outside and the larger one pulled her up in front of him on his horse. It was hot and humid and I

she could tell by the smell of him that it was worse under all his armor. It was a long ride up to the palace. She was grateful when they dismounted. The guards at the gate clearly recognized the men with Larkspur because they let them through without even a word. When they stood in front of a massive and ornate door the larger soldier said, "Just kneel before the king and say nothing. He is in a foul mood, and we wouldn't want him saving the lindworm the trouble of killing you."

Larkspur thought it best to say nothing to this. She just stayed silent while the doors were opened. The hall was massive and even though there were guards every few feet the fact that she knew all attention was on her made her feel alone in it. She saw the king before her on his throne and the queen beside him. A third throne existed but there was no one in it merely a young man standing by it. Given the soldier's warning she decided to submissively keep her eyes down as they approached. She had no clue how she was supposed to act in front of royalty, but extra reverence couldn't hurt. When the men beside her kneeled down she joined them.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"Sir Klaus," the King's voice was low and rumbled with anger. The taller soldier, well knight apparently stood.

"Your majesty," Sir Klaus acknowledged.

"What have you brought me?" Larkspur didn't care for the way the king spat out "what" like the knights had just dragged in a dead rat.

"This girl's aunt has claimed that the girl is a witch and she can break the prince's curse," said Sir Klaus.

"Convenient, how that would mean this poor urchin would have to marry the prince," Larkspur could hear the sneer in the King's voice. "But I suppose it doesn't matter because if she's lying, she will be dead by morning. Take her to the prince and have the priest wed them. Then check in the morning to see if she lives."

Then She was being hauled away. A man was dispatched to get the priest and she was led down several darkened winding stairways. The dungeon seemed like a weird place to keep a prince, but she supposed he was a lindworm, whatever that was. Finally they stood before the door of a cell that disappeared far back into darkness.

"We have another one for you, your majesty," called Sir Klaus. Then turning to Larkspur he said, "the priest will be here soon do you have any last requests?"

Then she remembered what the witch had said. As crazy as it seemed, she might as well play her part in this dream, "I will need a lash, lye, and a bath of milk."

The other soldier laughed then said, "This one will definitely be dead by morning."

Sir Kluas looked at him and said, "Even so, go, see that it is brought to her."

After a long awkward wait in silence. With Larkspur peering into the darkness of the cell, trying to make out anything of her soon to be husband with no luck whatsoever. The items she had requested arrived and the priest shortly there afterward.

"Are you ready to begin the ceremony, lindworm?" The priest called to the darkness.

"Yesss," The voice was low. Both a growl and a hiss at same time. Even though Larkspur still could find no reason to believe this was more than a dream she began to grow terrified.

"I don't suppose I get a choice?" She asked.

"We could execute you for lying right here," said Sir Klaus.

"Then by all means begin the ceremony," She said.

The priest began and she tried hard to listen to the words he was saying, but her heart was pounding in her ears and she was starting to feel dizzy. That made her think that she could be wrong about it being just a dream. She had never felt this unwell before in a dream. After an eternity she heard him say, "Prince Gunther of House Hilliard, do you accept…" he paused and looked at her, what is your name wench.

"Larkspur," she barely managed.

The priest continued, "...Larkspur, as your bride."

"I acccepppt," The voice from the darkness spoke once more.

"Then in the sight of God and the King I declare you man and wife," said the priest. Apparently Larkspur's consent and commitment wasn't a factor in this wedding. Next thing she knew the cell down was open and she was quickly ushered in with the items she had requested. Just as quickly the door was closed behind her and everyone left. It was just her and the creature in the darkness.

"I see they just grabbed a common girl this time," the voice was still low and strange but sounded far more human than it had before.

"I am a witch," she said, remembering her part, though fearfully, having very little faith it would work, "And I know how to make you human again."

"Really," chains rattled and the voice grew closer.

Suddenly, She was too afraid to lie, "I am not a witch, but one did tell me how to break the curse. Though, I have no idea if she is reliable."

A low chuckle came from the darkness, "And how are you to break the curse? A kiss and a kind heart?"

She repeated the instructions the witch had given her.

"Well that sounds unpleasant," the price said.

"Are you going to just eat me like the other two, then?" She asked my heart sinking as she tried to accept her fate. Maybe if it tried to eat her she would wake up. Though, she was growing more doubtful that it was a dream.

A loud laugh rang out. "Is that what they are saying happened? I did not eat the princesses. Behind me is a rather large pit

that my family is probably hoping I will throw myself down and do them a favor. The princesses took that way out when they saw my form," he said all of this very coolly. "So grab the torch from the wall over there and come see for yourself. If you decide to live, I will let you try your ritual. The pit will be there later if it doesn't work."

She hesitantly grabbed the torch. She wished she had some clue what a lindworm was so she could prepare herself. She cautiously approached the darkness. She saw a glimpse of black scales and took a deep breath and stepped further forward. She gasped. An enormous black serpent sprawled over the ground. It's head which was lifted up reminded me of a dragon, but it had no wings, just two legs in the middle of its body that were wrapped with thick chains. It was probably 40ft long and most of it's body was over 2ft in diameter. As the torchlight caught the scales they gave off an iridescent sheen. It was terrifying yes, but it also looked...

"Magnificent," She heard her own voice say in wonder.

A chuckle again, "Well, that's a first."

"Are you sure you want me to perform the ritual?" She asked my face reddening from having spoken her previous thought aloud. "It will probably cause you a great deal of pain."

"My lady," it said, and she noticed the intelligence and humanity in its eyes. "Neither one of us is getting out of here while I remain in this state. Even if you are content with me in this form, they will surely kill you in the morning if I remain unchanged, so I don't see any other options."

It was right. So she began. It was horrific. The first layer of skin came off fairly easily, but by the second she could tell that the lindworm was in pain and her arms were starting to tire. By the fifth layer, her arms ached and the lindworm began to bleed.

"It's too much, " she said.

"You can't stop now," said the lindworm pain breaking through his voice.

So she continued through all ten layers. Her arms and back ached and the lindworm lay covered in lacerations, with blood splattered on and around him. She went over to the milk bath and dipped a rag in it and began to wipe the lindworm's wounds, his breath shuddering in pain. She was too tired to try to give him any words of comfort. So, she quietly continued. She barely had finished when she just couldn't fight her fatigue any longer. She laid her head down against the body of the lindworm and closed her eyes.